Novak Djokovic's 23rd Heaven

By Jovica Ilić

"Novak Djokovic's 23rd Heaven" is a captivating journey that delves into Novak Djokovic's remarkable path to his unprecedented 23rd Major crown at the 2023 Roland Garros. This book is more than merely recounting; it comprehensively explores Djokovic's victorious journey through seven Parisian encounters. Each page examines every point, game and set from the fortnight, offering readers an immersive experience in the heart of the action.

Within these pages lies a treasure trove of data, providing an accurate breakdown of all 1454 points between Novak and tennis glory. The ebb and flow of each rally, quantified by the number of strokes, is presented alongside concise explanations of their outcomes. Accompanied by detailed tables, readers can grasp the pivotal elements behind Djokovic's incredible journey. A comprehensive table aggregates his performance across all seven opponents, vividly depicting his notable performance.

Alongside the data lies a narrative that brings these statistics to life. The book is woven with illustrative stories, capturing the essence of every game's defining moments and critical shots. Djokovic's records and accomplishments are celebrated at the beginning of each round, acting as stepping stones toward his historic 23rd Major crown. "Novak Djokovic's 23rd Heaven" is not just a chronicle of triumph but an immersive exploration that invites readers to experience the exhilaration, tension, and glory of Novak Djokovic's exceptional journey to tennis immortality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jovica Ilić
• Release date: Sep 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223486114

Book preview

Contents

Introduction by Mert Ertunga

Author’s word and overall stats

Round 1 vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic

Round 2 vs. Marton Fucsovics

Round 3 vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Round 4 vs. Juan Pablo Varillas

Quarter-final vs. Karen Khachanov

Semi-final vs. Carlos Alcaraz

Finals vs. Casper Ruud

Introduction by Mert Ertunga

By the time Novak Djokovic has retired and been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, a few dozen books will likely have been published around the globe centering on to the man himself and the plethora of accomplishments in his illustrious career. I also presume that each will undeniably include a chapter, or a long passage, dedicated to his record-breaking run to glory at Roland Garros 2023. It was his 23rd Major title, putting him alone as the leader in this category that is considered by many, at least since the turn of the century, to be the defining measure of excellence in the sport.

However, I doubt that you will find, in any of them, as detailed an account of Djokovic's seven-match run to holding La Coupe des Mousquetaires on that second Sunday as you will in Jovica's 23rd Heaven: Novak Djokovic's Journey to Tennis Immortality.

To describe Jovica's monumental work simply as a book focusing on the two weeks that play a special role in Djokovic's extraordinary tennis career would be an understatement. It is so much more than that. As one turns the pages, the experience cumulatively results in a satisfying feast for the tennis-nerd mind, leaving no stones unturned in the progress of Djokovic's crowning achievement, his 23rd Major trophy, propelling him to an echelon by himself in the history of men's tennis.

The number of granular data is intense, yet it is presented in such a concise, well-formatted form that it transforms the reading process into an enjoyable, free-flowing one. Consider, for example, the following passage in the introductory paragraph of Djokovic's quarter-final victory over Karen Khachanov. Jovica underlines Novak's nonpareil mental prowess by pointing out that he improved to 16-2 at Majors since 2021 after dropping the opening set and that he is, after that win, 6-1 in the previous seven Major quarter-finals after losing the opening set, losing only to Rafael Nadal. This rare information elevates the reader's interest before even their eyes set on the most extensive breakdown of the match's statistics that I have ever seen, including tidbits, just to give an example, on the total number of shots struck during the match, the average number of shots per rally on each player's service games, and who won how many of those rallies.

Next comes a set-by-set report of the match that the reader, having absorbed the introductory details and the statistics, can now digest with a renewed sense of knowledge from the previous sections. As if that were not enough, each set's report contains an additional point-by-point account in case one may wonder what took place at a particular juncture in the match that had a crucial impact on the outcome. For instance, the Djokovic-Khachanov match mentioned above occupies 23 pages of the book. It provides the closest experience to 'living' the encounter that one can get without actually watching the replay.

I would equally recommend a re-watch of the matches mentioned in the book after having read their respective accounts on display in this work. I, for one, was curious to catch a replay of the point that put Casper Ruud down 2-5 vs. Djokovic in the second set of the final after reading that Ruud's smash down the line landed a meter behind the baseline, as well as the game point at 3-2 in the third set that Jovica described as a service winner in the body after Casper's terrible reaction. I would even argue that the players taking part in each of the seven matches dissected in the book may learn something themselves in those pages that they had not previously noticed from their post-match analyses with their teams.

Just like a movie that is worth several viewings, because one may discover a detail that had escaped them in their initial one, 23rd Heaven: Novak Djokovic's Journey to Tennis Immortality is a valuable commodity to possess in one's library of sports books because its pages will prove worthy of referencing, or a simple revisit, every time Djokovic's run to the title in the 2023 Roland Garros men's tournament pique one's curiosity in one way or another.

Last but not least, readers should not be alarmed if they feel like they never get past the point of just dipping their toes into the vast amount of material that Jovica's work has to offer.

Author’s word

Novak Djokovic engraves an indelible mark in tennis history at Roland Garros in June 2023! The 36-year-old Serbian maestro carves his name as the first player to clinch 23 Major titles, surpassing Rafael Nadal's 22 and culminating a gripping GOAT race that steamed for years. Dominating men's tennis since 2011, Djokovic has erased an immense deficit against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, emerging as the most accomplished player ever. This triumph secures his third Roland Garros crown, marking him as the oldest champion in Paris and the sole player to conquer three titles across all four Majors! Djokovic has concentrated on the most prestigious tournaments throughout his career, summoning his peak performance across all four and achieving records that will take some beating in the upcoming decades.

Roland Garros marks Novak's 70th Major event, turning nearly a third of them triumphs - a staggering testament to his utter supremacy. His resilience on the court has always made him a formidable opponent, and the challenge of taking him down becomes even more complex in the crucial duels of the later stages. Djokovic has secured victory in 16 of the last 20 Major finals since 2015, enduring only four losses to the likes of Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Nadal, and Daniil Medvedev. Over the last few years, Novak has poured every ounce of his energy into Majors, winning 52 out of 54 matches on this grand stage since 2021 and standing alone at the summit. Djokovic embarks on a demanding journey in Paris, overpowering seven opponents while navigating through 23 sets and 1454 points, executing 8169 shots en route to his historic 23rd Major triumph!

This feat spans 20 hours and 57 minutes, with Novak towering over his opponents and hoisting a thoroughly deserved trophy. Four of his last five matches extend three hours, and Djokovic stands unyielding in these marathon encounters. He masterfully prevails in the crucial moments, executing when it matters most and achieving his lofty aspirations. Throughout the fortnight, Novak surrenders two sets against Karen Khachanov and Carlos Alcaraz. However, he consistently wrests back control in the third set of each match, clinching victory with relentless determination. Although Djokovic struggles to secure an extra break in six sets, it's barely an obstacle thanks to his impeccable performance in tie breaks. Remarkably, Serb commits just one forced error across six tie breaks, systematically extracting additional strokes from his opponents and putting them under pressure. Djokovic assembles an impressive arsenal of 15 winners from the field and five from his serve, making 20 direct points against an isolated error, positioning himself far ahead of his challengers.

Novak captures 819 points in seven encounters, 184 more than his opponents. Djokovic serves at 66% and wins 73,75% of the points behind the first serve. Novak keeps his second-serve performance at a notable level, staying above 50% and repelling 38 out of 54 break chances. Serb backs these numbers with a well-balanced return, securing 45,8% of the points and putting significant pressure on his rivals. Djokovic steps in and clinches 57,7% of the points behind the rivals’ first serve, taking power off their shots. Also, clinches almost half of the second serve return points, creating 82 break chances across 54 games. Djokovic converts 39 and forges the game-changing advantage after conceding only 16 breaks in 23 sets. Serb is equally good while serving from deuce and ad sides. Novak grabs almost half of the return points from ad side and keeps the pressure on the other side. Djokovic's statistical mastery shines through his Roland Garros triumph, leaving no doubt about his dominance on the Parisian clay. Djokovic's serving magic is consistent from both the deuce and ad sides while maintaining his dominance in return points regardless of the side. Novak returns 582 rivals' serves and keeps his opponents on 526. Serb dominates the rallies and secures 54,4% of the points after a successful return! On the other hand, his rivals take 41% of the points after returning Novak's serve and starting an exchange.

Djokovic returns more frequently from his backhand but wins over half of the points from both wings. Serb maintains his tactical edge in the groundstroke battles, firing 227 winners from the field, a notable 57 more than his opponents. Novak counts 119 forehand winners, 61 backhand winners and 40 from his volley, highlighting his versatile game while receiving no proper response from the other side. Also, Djokovic builds a 173-131 advantage in service winners, earning more free points than his challengers and creating a nice buffer in that segment. Overall, Novak gathers 400 winners, firing one in almost half of the points he wins! While unforced errors are inevitable, Djokovic minimizes them effectively, recording just 195, 52 fewer than his opponents. Novak sprays 32 forehand errors and 21 backhand errors less than his opponents. Serb stays on 107 forced mistakes and pushes his rivals to 153, mostly cracking their forehands. Djokovic hits three double faults more (22-19), insufficient to make any difference.

Overall, Novak strikes 400 winners and 324 mistakes. The opponents stand on 311 winners and 419 errors, failing to follow the champion's pace. Djokovic's flawless serving translates into 21 holds at love, leaving his rivals on eight. Novak excels in the shortest, mid-range and most advanced exchanges, earning his title fair and square. Serb takes charge in the most critical area up to four strokes, winning 427 out of 743 points. Novak is equally good in the rallies between five and eight shots, taking 235 out of 418. Thus, Djokovic generates a 662-499 advantage in the exchanges up to eight strokes, mastering his strokes and keeping his opponents far behind.

Novak maintains control in the rallies with nine to 12 shots and provides a more significant 58-46 lead in the 13-to-20-stroke bracket. Only 13 exchanges reach the 21st shot, and Djokovic shows his determination and grabs nine. Novak is 157-136 ahead in the most advanced exchanges, an excellent addition to his dominant performance in the shorter ones. Djokovic and his opponents embrace 8169 shots in 1454 points, averaging 5,61 per rally. Serb's focus on aggressiveness comes to light in this segment. Novak's games host an average of 5,38 shots per rally, while the number stands at 5,84 on opponents' serves. This strategic adaptation keeps the points on Djokovic's racquet, ultimately securing his well-deserved Roland Garros victory.

Overall stats:

Round 1: Novak Djokovic vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1)  [2:26]

Novak Djokovic starts his 19th Roland Garros against world no. 114 Aleksandar Kovacevic on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Novak secures a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 26 minutes and moves into the second round. Djokovic is the fifth player with 19 appearances at Roland Garros. He joins Feliciano Lopez, Fabrice Santoro, Richard Gasquet and Roger Federer. Furthermore, Novak makes history as the second player with 19 consecutive entries at Roland Garros, an honor he shares with Feliciano Lopez. Djokovic's participation at his 70th Major tournament solidifies his status as one of the sport's greats, placing him among the six players to achieve this remarkable feat. Novak delivers an impressive 68-2 record in the first round of Majors (a perfect 19-0 in Paris), an astonishing run that stretches back to his loss in the 2006 Australian Open! Djokovic is 57-1 at Majors against rivals from outside the top-100, suffering the only loss versus Denis Istomin at the 2017 Australian Open. While Novak's achievements are awe-inspiring, his connection with Aleksandar Kovacevic adds a unique dimension to their Roland Garros encounter. 24-year-old American debuts at Majors and gets to play his first match against a 22-time Major winner! There's a strong link between Djokovic and Kovacevic, whose parents (table tennis players) are from Serbia. The story deepens as Aleksandar recalls being a seven-year-old spectator at the 2005 US Open, where he witnessed Novak's enthralling match against Gael Monfils on Court 10. Djokovic's graciousness extended to taking a picture with young Kovacevic, leading to an unexpected reunion 16 years later in 2021. Yet, returning to the present, the tennis gods have orchestrated their meeting on the Roland Garros clay, a moment that marks their first-ever encounter.

Novak controls the pace in the opening two sets and builds the advantage in the third, moving closer to the finish line. However, Aleksandar shows his skills in the second half, pulling the break back and reaching the tie break. Djokovic stays calm and brings it home in style to earn a place in the second round. Serb wins 29 points more than American and delivers more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve. Novak concedes only eight points after his first serve and effectively defends his second serve, consistently keeping his rival under pressure. Djokovic creates break chances in eight return games and seizes five out of 12. On the other hand, Kovacevic steps in on the return in the third set after winning only seven points in sets one and two. Aleksandar pushes hard in three return games and capitalizes on two out of five opportunities, enough to reach a tie break. Serb serves well from a deuce and ad side and loses 21 points behind the initial shot, 14 in the third set. Novak takes a similar number of return points from both sides of the court and builds a crucial difference. Kovacevic targets Djokovic's backhand while serving for an apparent reason! Novak wins 19 out of 25 points while returning from his forehand. Also, he takes 22 out of 31 points when targeting Aleksandar's backhand on serve. 

Djokovic emerges as the frontrunner in the winners' department. Serb fires 29 winners from the field, including 16 from his forehand, eight from his backhand, and five with a volley. Kovacevic keeps a steady pace from his forehand and collects 11 out of 18 winners from the field from that wing. They are neck and neck in service winners, with 25 for Novak and 24 for Aleksandar. Serb stays on 22 unforced errors, taming his strokes from both wings nicely. Fourteen of them come in the third set when he loses ground a bit, but it's still better than Aleksandar's 28, 21 from his forehand! Djokovic stays on 13 forced errors and draws 21 from his opponent. Also, Kovacevic hits four double faults. Overall, Serb lands 54 winners and 36 mistakes. American counts 42 winners and 53 errors, which is not enough at least for a set. In a dynamic and fast-paced game, only nine points extend beyond the eighth stroke. Djokovic is 58-51 in the quickest exchanges up to four strokes, winning the final six points in that range to make the difference. Novak's dominance extends to mid-range rallies of five to eight strokes (30-17) while leading 12-8 in those with nine to 12 shots. Serb completes his supremacy in the more advanced points with a 7-2 advantage in the exchanges with 13 strokes or more. They hit the ball 898 times, or an average of 4,85 shots per rally. The points are a bit more extended on Novak's serve, with 5,14 strokes per point. They embrace 4,62 shots in each rally on Aleksandar's serve. 

Match stats:

First set:

Novak commences the match on a strong note, securing a swift hold at 15 in the encounter's opening game.