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After Novak Djokovic's disqualification, there will be a new Grand Slam winner at the US Open
Photo:
Seth Wenig / dpa
The tennis year 2020 is grotesque.
And the player who connects all the extraordinary stories with one another is Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian wrote the last chapter so far on Sunday when he carelessly knocked a ball away after a break against himself in anger in the second round of the US Open and hit a line judge.
After brief treatment of the victim and a tough discussion about the consequences, it was clear: Djokovic will be disqualified.
A low point for the tournament and for Djokovic, who did not react like this for the first time after losing points.
So far, however, this has had no serious consequences.
He played down the incident on the court, but has since apologized.
From a sporting point of view, this blackout opens the second Grand Slam tournament of the year for a whole generation of players.
"Now it's getting interesting," said Germany's best tennis player Alexander Zverev.
"There will be a new Grand Slam champion."
Zverev, 23, is treated as a winner, just like the Austrian Dominic Thiem, 27, the 24-year-old Italian Matteo Berrettini or Daniil Medvedev, 24, from Russia.
They belong to the group of top talents who have always had to line up behind Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the four major tournaments.
The dominance of the Big Three over the past 16 years has been overwhelming without spreading boredom.
The currently injured Federer has 20 Grand Slam titles.
Nadal, who did not voluntarily go to New York, only won one less.
And with Djokovic basically everything spoke in favor of triumphing at the US Open for the 18th time in one of the four big tournaments.
The 33-year-old had won all 26 matches in this shortened season.
He was the dominant player and could only beat himself - and did it in a way that will stick to him.
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic - the big three
The big three not only shared the important tournaments among themselves, they also played countless matches that amazed every hobby tennis player - and there have been a lot of them in Germany since Boris Becker won Wimbledon in 1985.
One example is the Wimbledon final in 2019, when Djokovic won against Federer 13:12 in the fifth set.
Or Djokovic's win at the Australian Open 2012. Or this exciting up and down in Federer's five-set win against Nadal in Melbourne in 2017. Or, or, or.
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, these are big names and big brands.
Each with its own image.
Federer is the effortless genius who is loved by almost all viewers.
Nadal is the tough fighter who can be annoying with his quirks, but is still highly respected for his fairness.
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An eternal rivalry: Roger Federer (left) and Rafael Nadal in 2008
Photo: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Djokovic is the dogged one who is not able to put it off so easily even off the pitch - and who probably does not have hearts too much for that reason.
The world number one is not to blame for this situation.
That was shown by his expulsion from the US Open.
But it is also due to the gentleman culture that Federer and Nadal brought to tennis.
Always fair, always nice, and also friends with the toughest competitor.
In the 1970s and 1980s, bad boys like John McEnroe weren't just a part of it - they were accepted.
Rivalries were openly displayed, thugs and curses flew.
Every man for himself.
Djokovic is not made easy next to Federer and Nadal.
Djokovic unapologetic after the Adriatic tour
On the other hand, Djokovic is currently doing a lot to not be courted to the extent that it would suit his sporting successes.
When the tennis season had to pause due to the corona pandemic, he organized the now infamous Adriatic Tour.
There was played in front of spectators, Djokovic celebrated parties with other professionals - and shortly afterwards he, a few other players, but also supervisors and bystanders tested positive for the corona virus.
The tennis tour's efforts to return quickly were at least not made easier.
And Djokovic?
Gave himself unreasonable and told the New York Times that he didn't think "I did anything bad".
No less problematic was the establishment of the players' union "Professional Tennis Player Association (PTPA)", which he had pushed ahead of the US Open.
There is to be fought for more influence of the players, which is a noble goal.
Ultimately, however, it is about a redistribution of the income from the major tournaments.
It's just stupid if the WTA players are completely left out and tennis is in a difficult situation due to the pandemic, in which the future of many tournaments is at stake.
It turns out to be a side note that Djokovic stood up for French Adrian Mannarino at the chaotic US Open when he was supposed to be removed from the tournament shortly before his match against Zverev because he had contact with Benoît Paire, who tested positive for the corona virus should.
Djokovic is not unpopular with the players, the tenor of the incident was: Can happen, mustn't happen.
You can show understanding for such a short-circuit reaction, but you have to be able to expect that Djokovic learns from his mistake this time too.
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