Novak Djokovic - One Day Away From Being On Top

On Friday at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic, with a victory over Jo-Wilifried Tsonga in the semi-finals, can finally vault over Rafael Nadal to become the #1 ranked player in Men's Tennis.

It's a testimony to how good Djokovic has been over the last few years that he can overtake a player who has won three out of the last five Grand Slam Tournaments and who could still win Wimbledon this year.  Djokovic has been ranked #3 behind Nadal and Federer since 2007, but his consistent play in the past year has been a major reason why he finally vaulted Federer earlier this year to gain the #2 spot, and why he is so close to overtaking Nadal now.

Djokovic's winning streak of 41 straight matches to open the 2011 season before finally losing in the French Open Semi's to Federer was the talk of tennis and the sports world.  During that time, he has won seven ATP titles, already besting his single-season best of five titles won in 2007 and 2009 with several tournaments still to play this season.  He has also not lost a Final that he has participated in all year.  

In his career, Djokovich has won two Australian Opens and appeared in the Finals of two US Opens, both hard court tournaments.  While he has never appeared in a final at either the French Open or Wimbledon, being ousted in the semi's a handful of times in both events, Djokovich is feeling highly confident of his chances:

"I feel good physically and mentally," said Djokovic before the tournament started. "I feel I have the strongest approach to Wimbledon that I ever had because of the confidence that I have, and because the last six months have been the best six months of my career."

Why has Djokovic been so dominant this year? Some would point to a maturity that he seems to have finally gained.  I had a hard time liking him a few years ago simply because of some of the things he said off the court, and the way his team acts during matches at times.  Those issues have largely disappeared this year, however, and Djokovic seems far more focused and prepared than he ever has.

Another factor has been a nutrition change.  Djokovic was found to be gluten-sensitive at the end of 2010, and eliminated glutens from his diet at that time.  Between his diet and his subsequent improved conditioning, Djokovic looks to be replacing Federer as Nadal's chief rival.