[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [28] Sam Querrey (USA)
No player is exempt from feeling the pressure of expectations. We have seen it too often to dismiss its negative effect on an athlete. I will never forget Jana Novotna’s great meltdown against Steffi Graf at Wimbledon. More recently, Serena Williams’ against Roberta Vinci at last year’s US Open. As great a champion as Djokovic is, he is not immune to the effects of pressure. He struggled to win Roland Garros and he won this year because his biggest opponents, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, were not in the draw and he was never challenged.
Sam Querrey has also been struggling with the pressure of expectations. Today’s victory is significant for him not only because he defeated the two time defending Wimbledon champion and the dominant number one player; it is a testament to him that he can compartmentalize his emotions sufficiently to play the quality tennis he is capable of. Hopefully Querrey will go on to build on this and not lose the momentum of this great accomplishment. He defeated Djokovic 7-6(8), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5) by playing consistently at a high level, something he was able to sustain despite the rain interruptions and delays. Djokovic did not give him this match, Querrey earned it and it was well deserved.
I don’t know what to say except that I am blown away by the fact that Djokovic lost. Everyone was so sure, I’m sure including Djokovic, that he was a “shoe-in” to win the tourney. Was the pressure to win the golden slam too much or did Querry actually find a nick in Djokovic’s armor?? No matter…the “champ” is out of Wimbledon!!!
Well, this just proves that the pressure to complete the calendar Grand Slam is tremendous. We saw it’s effect on Serena Williams last year at the US Open and now we see that Novak Djokovic is also not immune.