‘ Considering the circumstances, this is probably the biggest victory in my life’; Novak Djokovik on winning the Australian Open 2023.

 

Novak Djokovic is back on the top of the tennis world after his perfect 10th win at the Australian Open, placing him now level with Rafa Nadal with 22 major victories to date.

Coming back from a roller coaster 2022 to win his 10^th Aussie Open at a packed Melbourne Park, and aged 35, it openly took its toll on a highly emotional Novak.

As he climbed into the stands to celebrate with his team, the tears and raw vivid emotion were open for everyone to see.

‘I do want to make history of this sport, no doubt.’

Novak Djokovic speaking before the Aussie Open final.

And that he certainly did , adding Aussie trophy No. 10, to the seven from Wimbledon, three from the U.S. Open – where he also was absent last year because of no corona vaccine – and two at the French Open – to now match rival Rafael Nadal on 22 major wins.

It’s the most in men’s tennis. Only two women in Margaret Court, with 24, and Serena Williams, with 23 – are ahead of him.

But, it was a different Novak in the build up to the tournament at Melbourne Park – back after deportation in 2022 and his father facing false pro Russian accusations in Australia.

After an up and down 2022, it certainly felt like he had a score to settle with the authorities in Australia – the stress and mental challenge must have been massive.

Reaching the magic NUMBER TEN was his way to answer everyone.

Superb shot selection coupled with true unyielding determination to succeed.

Add to that the tribute received from his opponent in the final. It must have meant so much to him.

 I think he is the greatest that has ever held a tennis racket. Thank you for pushing our sport so far ; Stefanos Tsitsipas

And this from John McEnroe ;

I believe him [when the Serb says it’s his biggest victory, with all that’s happened in the last year]. I’ve never seen Novak so emotional. 

On winning, Novak pointed to his temple before climbing into the stands, where he pumped his fist and jumped with his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and other members of the entourage, then collapsed, crying.

The question now is;

‘ Can Novak  go on to capture 25 Grand Slams?’

John McEnroe says YES, sighting that Djokovic’s GOAT rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both having won multiple majors after 35.

Djokovic will turn 36 just ahead of Roland Garos. It’s his next major challenge and a two- way battle looms as he and Rafael finish out their careers over the next few years.

Here’s looking to NUMBER 23 for Novak when he heads to Rafa’s second ‘home’ – where the Spaniard has 14 French Open major victories under his belt.

It’s going to be a ‘one of a kind’ contest to see who the ultimate GOAT is.

A mouthwatering show down is on the cards for everyone to watch.

My money is on Novak.

He’s the ultimate master at self-motivation, and finding more ways to get hungry, to continually improve and stay inspired – despite the challenges that are thrown his way.

See my blog penned way back in 2019 when Novak shared at the Laureus Awards that he had to do some ‘inner engineering’ – as he phrased it at the time.

CLICK HERE TO READ my previous blogs on NOVAK’s ‘inner engineering ‘

Go Great

ROB OPIE

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Get a copy of Rob’s latest EBook:  21 SPORTING STORIES – your free easy to read copy delivered direct to your inbox simply send an email request to robopie@thegameplan.co.za

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ENJOY-   your feedback is always appreciated and please do share with family and friends.

LAUNCHED in 2023

It is inherent to the human condition that we bond

Rob’s interactive, insightful and inspiring TALK: “Champions do More”– at your offices to get your TEAM back together and powered up for a great 2023. Contact Rob direct to find out more.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

If you would like a complimentary copy of any of my published eBooks – please CLICK HERE to read more and request your FREE copy.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Read more : www.thegameplan.co.za

 

FREE e BOOK OFFER

Get a copy of Rob’s latest EBook:  21 SPORTING STORIES

Send an email request to robopie@thegameplan.co.za

After suffering a capitulating 4-0 loss to Amazulu last weekend a few pertinent questions need posing to the Chiefs hierarchy.

Legendary boss Kaizer Motaung is the ultimate gentleman, loyalist and has taken his club from bankruptcy in the very early days – albeit thanks to Iwisa – to the the ultimate highs of SA football glamour boys.

He has seen it all, but is it now one step too far with current internal strategies?

Reality says that it’s never easy to rebuild club /organisational  brand culture from within.

My first memory of Chiefs was of them filling the FNB stadium with a 120 000 fanatical Soweto derby fans.

It was a great day even though the teams drew – and the 35 degree heat was putting the fans through a stiff hydration test.

Now things have changed and Sundowns have taken ownership of the top position and Chiefs have questions to answer for their trophy less multitude of loyal fans.

Where to now for their BRAND?

Do you think a star player from the Congo will change it …………..or an internal brand culture that needs a re think after years of same old?

In their heyday Chief’s brand culture was crammed full with Faith, Confidence & Belief. (FCB)

Emblazed on their dressing room wall were the Afrikaans words “Vat Alles“. That is how confident they were. Of course the words stood for Thatha Zonke ( ‘Take Everything’) and that season they took home near everything.

Sponsors clamoured to be part of it all.

Then things changed as Kaizer Matoung faced a common challenge.

Where to fit in family, where to fit in cadres?

Pick n Pay’s Raymond Ackermann had a challenge finding where his family should fit in – and it slowed the business.

Kaiser Motaung made the call to appoint his son and daughter to key positions.

Suddenly the sponsors were no longer clamouring  anymore and Chiefs began a slow loss of their brand status – as Sundown’s emerged on the scene with the entrance of Patrice Motsepe into the beautiful game.

Chiefs had lost branding ground faster than they actually knew.

Coaches came and went to try repair the internal haemorrhaging.

A good example of how this damaging inward strategy impacts, is how the Western Cape government currently appoint key positions on merit only – while other regional governments continue to appoint on a comrade basis.

The results are obvious to see as comrades appoint comrades and we have seen in so many regions how the money goes – and the job does not get done.  Eventually the incoming money dries up.

It’s a road nobody wishes unless you are a direct personal benefactor of the ‘money goes’ decisions.

No wonder why so many South Africans are now looking to semi- grate to Cape Town which is making the right calls and forging ahead with innovative new projects to overcome the current electricity crisis in the country .

Let’s hope Kaiser Chiefs can look yonder to find a way to put them back at the top again.

They have this incredible fan base – all they need is a fresh strategy, fresh identity and fresh brand culture – which may not necessarily come from within?

Sometimes one needs to go beyond to achieve team growth, performance and contribution.

Chief’s passionate ‘Amakhosi’ fans certainly deserve better than what was on show in Durban’s drubbing recently.

Time is not on their side – as this weekend after two consecutive defeats in early 2023 – they face log leaders Sundowns.

Let’s wait and see if Chiefs can make the right calls with a complete brand overhaul?

GO GREAT

ROB OPIE

FREE e BOOK OFFER

Get a copy of Rob’s latest EBook:  21 SPORTING STORIES – your free easy to read copy delivered direct to your inbox simply send an email request to robopie@thegameplan.co.za

It’s a sports book full of interesting short stories and crammed full of inspiration and insight.

FREE eBOOKS

ENJOY-   your feedback is always appreciated and please do share with family and friends.

LAUNCHED in 2023

It is inherent to the human condition that we bond

Rob’s interactive, insightful and inspiring TALK : “Champions do More”– at your offices to get your TEAM back together and powered up for a great 2023. Contact Rob direct to find out more.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

If you would like a complimentary copy of any of my published eBooks – please CLICK HERE to read more and request your FREE copy.

Email to : robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Read more : www.thegameplan.co.za

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