A Season of Change For Novak Djokovic

Can Djokovic Defend New York After a Successful Yet Tumultuous 2012?

By Erik Gudris

Every defending champion, no matter what event they've won, always remembers the good feelings from the previous year when they claimed the title. And while Novak Djokovic is certainly looking forward to returning to New York where he claimed his first ever U.S. Open title, it's safe to say that Djokovic isn't the same man he was twelve months ago at this time.

"I think it was many things combined really, because I did go through the stage of my career where I was doubting if I can really reach my lifetime goals to be No. 1, to win Wimbledon and many Grand Slams," Djokovic said about his near-historic 2011 season. "Obviously I had a very strong competition with Rafa and Roger. I was very consistent with my results, but I just wasn't managing to make that final step because they were so dominant. You know, I figured some things out. I matured and got better on and off the court and realized what I need to do. That's how it all came together."

While everything came together for Djokovic on the court, his new status as the best tennis player on the planet pushed the Serbian superstar to even greater heights when 2012 began including increased worldwide awareness. And though he defended his Melbourne title after beating Rafael Nadal in an epic five set-battle, the rest of Djokovic's season, while very good, certainly hasn't matched his 2011 results.

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(Photo Credit: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images)