Novak Djokovic stands as an undeniable force in male tennis. His remarkable career has seen him claim more major titles than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and he continues to strive for more grand titles even as two of the big three have retired. Recently, he appointed Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open, aiming to add another Grand Slam trophy to his collection at the age of 37.

Unforgettable Moments in Djokovic's Tennis Saga

Early Dominance

Novak Djokovic's dominance in the early 2010s was nothing short of spectacular. In five out of the previous six years, he had won the Melbourne-based Grand Slam in 2015 and 2016. His consistent performance on the court made him a force to be reckoned with, and fans around the world eagerly awaited his every move.His ability to stay focused and perform at a high level in major tournaments was truly remarkable. He had become a household name, and his name was often mentioned in the same breath as the all-time greats.

The 2017 Australian Open Upset

However, in 2017, everything changed. Djokovic arrived at the Australian Open with a strong reputation, having won the tournament in the previous two years. But the script for this edition of the event took an unexpected turn when he faced Denis Istomin.Istomin, an Uzbekistan-born player, sent shockwaves through the tennis world by defeating Djokovic in the second round. It was a stunning upset that no one saw coming. Istomin played exceptionally well from the start, taking the first set 7-6. Even when Djokovic bounced back to take the second set 7-5 and the third set 6-2, Istomin refused to give up. He won another tie-breaker to force a deciding set and then managed to get a break to win 6-4 in the fifth set. It was one of the most astonishing results in the history of the Australian Open.

After the Upset

After the defeat, Djokovic didn't let it derail his career. He continued to work hard and appointed Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open. His determination to compete at the highest level was evident, and he was keen to avoid a repeat of 2017.Istomin, on the other hand, had a brief moment in the spotlight. After beating Djokovic, he won in round three against Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta before losing in four sets to Grigor Dimitrov. Despite his famous win over Djokovic, his career didn't take off as expected. He retired in February 2024, having failed to reach the top 30 in world tennis.

Symbolic Figure

Istomin became a symbolic figure for the famous glasses he used to wear on court. His win over Djokovic remains one of the biggest and best shocks that the game of tennis has ever seen. It showed that even the greatest players can be defeated by an underdog on their day.Djokovic's journey continues to inspire tennis fans around the world. His determination and resilience in the face of adversity are qualities that make him a true legend of the sport.