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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were the players to beat at Monte Carlo 2009, defeating all rivals and establishing the title clash. It was his seventh match on clay, and Novak was hoping to topple the clay king for the first time on his beloved surface, feeling confident in his game and looking positive after the semi-final win over Stan Wawrinka.
Asked about the final match after finishing his clash against the Swiss, Novak denied that it is an impossible mission to beat Nadal on clay; otherwise it would have been useless to even step onto the court and fight. Djokovic defeated Wawrinka 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in two hours and 27 minutes, defeating the Swiss for the sixth time in eight games and the fourth in a row in the Masters 1000 series in the past 13 months.
Novak lost serve twice and secured five breaks of 14 chances to emerge on top and set up the title clash with no. 1 Nadal. Stan had more winners and forced more errors from Novak, but ruined his chances after spraying 50 unforced errors.
Djokovic got the victory in the most extended exchanges, since nothing could separate them in the shorter and medium ones. Wawrinka saved four break opportunities in the first two service games to stay in touch and hit a forehand winner at 3-4 to prolong the battle in the first set.
Novak faced service issues in the ninth game and double faulted on Stan's fourth break opportunity to fall behind and allow the opponent to claim the set with his serve a few minutes later.
Wolters pays tribute to Novak Djokovic
Former NBA player Nate Wolters believes Novak Djokovic is a person everyone should look up to.
Wolters also reckons Djokovic is the greatest player of all time. "I know he (Novak Djokovic) comes to some games," Nate Wolters said. "I know he follows the team, which is pretty cool. He's probably the greatest tennis player of all time.
Hopefully, he can come to some games this year and obviously, I'm a big fan of his and I watch tennis quite a bit, especially the Majors. He's a fun guy to watch." Wolters went on to shower praise on the 20-time Major champion, pointing out how Djokovic is an exemplary individual.
"That'd be great," Wolters continued. "He's a great athlete and a guy that everyone should look up to, and he takes care of his body, and works extremely hard, and is obviously super talented. So yeah, he would be a fun guy to meet."