While Rafael Nadal was celebrating his 26th birthday, the two biggest threats to his hopes of a record seventh French Open title were battling to stay in the tournament.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic and third seed Roger Federer remain on course for a semifinal showdown at the French Open after both men recorded third round wins on Friday.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic and 16-time grand slam champion Roger Federer have been drawn to meet in the semifinals of the French Open -- setting up the likely prospect of a repeat of their classic 2011 clash at Roland Garros.
The King of Clay Rafael Nadal got a timely boost ahead of this week's French Open by beating world number one Novak Djokovic in the final of the Rome Masters.
World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic cruised past Roger Federer in straight sets 6-2 7-6 to reach the final of the Masters 1000 event in Rome Saturday.
Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova came through second round matches at the joint ATP/WTA tournament in Rome Tuesday with straight sets victories.
Novak Djokovic gives us an insight on his media obligations as we go behind the scenes with the tennis star.
Novak Djokovic overcame the death of his grandfather to reach the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters, and the grieving world No. 1 then had to master the elements on Saturday to earn his second shot at success in the clay-court event.
An emotional Novak Djokovic claimed his late grandfather was with him in spirit as he beat Robin Haase to reach the last four of the Monte Carlo Masters.
It was a day of triumph and disaster for World No. 1 Novak Djokovic as he booked his place in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters just hours after learning of his grandfather's death.
Novak Djokovic wins 2011 Laureus Sportsman of the Year and speaks with CNN.
They already have the record for the longest final in grand slam history, and now tennis rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are preparing to make history again in an ambitious bid to attract the biggest crowd.
Novak Djokovic retained his Miami Masters 1000 title with an emphatic 6-1 7-6 final victory over Britain's Andy Murray Sunday.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic will play Britain's Andy Murray in the final of the Masters 1000 tournament in Miami on Sunday.
Big-serving American John Isner stands between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and his fourth final appearance in six years at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event in California.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic eased through to the last 16 of the Indian Wells Masters on a bad day for U.S. men's hopes, while leading female players Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki moved closer to a semifinal showdown.
Andy Murray ended Novak Djokovic's Dubai dominance on Friday as he handed the world No. 1 his first defeat of 2012 and earned revenge for January's Australian Open semifinal heartbreak.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic fought off fellow Serbian Janko Tipsarevic Thursday to earn a semifinal match in Dubai against third seed Andy Murray.
Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame a stubborn challenge from Ukranian Sergiy Stakhovsky to reach the quarterfinals in Dubai Wednesday.
Novak Djokovic's domination of men's tennis has made him a hero in his homeland of Serbia, and the world No. 1's achievements were recognized on Wednesday when he was awarded the nation's highest honor.
Laureus sportsman of the Year Novak Djokovic talks to CNN's Pedro Pinto about the last year and his plans for 2012
It's only been done once in tennis history, but world number one Novak Djokovic believes he can win the "golden slam" -- all four major tournaments plus Olympic gold -- in 2012.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has been named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year at a star-studded ceremony in London.
Open Court host Pat Cash gives his thoughts on the epic Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the longest final in grand slam history to retain the Australian Open title in Melbourne.
Victor Troicki, a good friend of Novak Djokovic, talks about the epic Australian Open final from his point of view.
SI.com caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim after Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 on Sunday to win the Australian Open in the longest Grand Slam final of the Open Era. The top-ranked Djokovic won his third consecutive major title and third Australian Open.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off an injury scare to beat fifth seed David Ferrer in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Wednesday, setting up a last-four rematch with 2011 runner-up Andy Murray.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and fourth seed Andy Murray remain on course for a semifinal clash at the Australian Open after both players stormed into the third round on Thursday.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic made a strong start to the defense of his Australian Open crown on Tuesday, and then backed growing calls for change in the men's tennis calendar.
World number one Novak Djokovic showed he is over the back and shoulder injuries which hampered the final months of last season with a crushing straight sets victory over Roger Federer in the Abu Dhabi exhibition event.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic kicked off his preparations for next month's Australian Open with a three-set victory over France's Gael Monfils in Abu Dhabi Thursday.
The International Tennis Federation honored Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova for breakthrough years on Tuesday, as the duo were named the governing body's men's and women's world champions for 2011.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic has been eliminated as the shocks continued Friday at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic saved a match point before finally overcoming Tomas Berdych in his opening match of the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Monday.
World number one Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Paris Masters with a shoulder injury.
World number one Novak Djokovic beat Croat Ivan Dodig 6-4 6-3 at the Paris Masters on Wednesday, a win which earned the Serb a check for $1.6 million.
Novak Djokovic has had a phenomenal 2011, but his exertions appear to be taking their toll. Injuries are threatening to derail the world No. 1's hopes of finishing the tennis season on a high note.
Novak Djokovic shrugged off the loss of the opening set to beat Marcos Baghdatis 2-6 6-2 6-3 Friday to reach the semifinals of the ATP tournament in Basel.
World number one Novak Djokovic is through to the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoor event in Basel after taking under an hour to brush aside Poland's Lukasz Kubot in straight sets.
Davis Cup holders Serbia exited this year's competition as their world number one Novak Djokovic was forced to retire from his crucial rubber against Juan Martin Del Potro with a back injury.
U.S. Open Men's Champion Novak Djokovic wins his third major of 2011.
NEW YORK -- The duopoly that became a trivalry has been reduced to a soloist. For years, Novak Djokovic struggled to invade the airspace of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the talented tennis clown who often shrank when the time came to take the sport's giants down. Call it gravitas or cojones, but Djokovic lacked it when it counted.
CNN's Candy Reid talks with Novak Djokovic after he upends Rafael Nadal for a 6th time this season to win the U.S. Open.
NEW YORK -- He is known for nothing if not mental toughness, but the legendary steel of Rafael Nadal has been put to the fire like never before in 2011.
Roger Federer was back to his imperious best to brush aside the challenge of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and book a U.S. Open semifinal clash with world number one Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic talks to CNN's Don Riddell about winning Wimbledon, being World number 1 and eating grass at Wimbledon.
The tennis pro feels more confident on the court since discovering his allergy
CNN's Pedro Pinto breaks down Novak Djokovic's victory over Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon final.
WIMBLEDON, England -- Out of nowhere, from the depths of his imagination, Novak Djokovic resurrected the past. He was two points away from the victory of his life, 30-all as he served for the Wimbledon title against Rafael Nadal, and he broke a pattern he had established so brilliantly all day.
WIMBLEDON, England -- It remains perhaps the most stunning visual of the tennis year: an exhausted Rafael Nadal taking a moment behind the baseline to bend over, grab his knees and catch his breath. This was in April, in the Key Biscayne final against Novak Djokovic, and no one could recall the great man looking so thoroughly spent.
I am mourning. And honestly, I did not see this coming. Roger Federer doesn't make it to the finals for the second year in a row. The Williams sisters crash out on the same day, in the fourth round! Three players with 15 Wimbledon titles between them. Three players that brought me to tennis in the first place. Is this really the end of an era? Tell me there is reason to hope. Can I please have [you] reassure common folks like me that Roger will face Rafael Nadal in another major final, and that Serena Williams will fight off another championship point! -- Charith, Bangalore
Six thoughts on Novak Djokovic's 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Juan Martin del Potro in Saturday's third round of the French Open ...
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's and women's seeds at the French Open. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses and predictions.
Novak Djokovic stories in the SI Vault
1. Next stop, Paris? The Novak Djokovic World Domination Tour rolled on in Rome. Djokovic kept his 2011 unbeaten streak alive, taking the title with the same formula that's served him so well lately: combine weakness-free tennis with graceful movement, clutch serving and garnish with impeccable fitness. In Sunday's he bullied the bully once again, pinning Rafael Nadal behind the baseline, running him side to side like a sadistic puppeteer and serving well when the situation called for it. And, again, this was on clay!
CNN looks at Novak's incredible start to the season and his quest to be the number one player in the world.
World Number 2 Novak Djokovic on his incredible unbeaten run this season.
A single piece of evidence can be a fluke, and even a second misfire can be misleading. But Rafael Nadal has now lost three straight matches to Novak Djokovic -- twice on hardcourts, once on clay -- and there was something about Sunday's Madrid final that spoke to absolute command.
1. 34 straight ... and counting: If you didn't quite believe the Novak Djokovic hype before, there's no denying now. Djokovic did not merely maintain his 2011 undefeated streak, winning the Mutua Madrid title, he did so in the most legit way possible, beating Rafael Nadal -- In Spain! On clay! -- in a gripping final.
Shortly before the start of the men's final at Indian Wells, ABC's Chris Fowler dropped an annoying bit of information. A rumor, actually. There was a patch of blue tape on Novak Djokovic's left knee, and Fowler hinted at insiders' concern that he might be developing a case of tendinitis.
1. He's the one. For years, Tennis Nation wondered, "Who will break the Federer-Nadal duopoly?" Novak Djokovic had long been the leading candidate, but who could have foreseen this? Over the past six months, Djokovic has been the best in the business, reaching the U.S. Open final, winning the Davis Cup, winning the Australian Open and, last weekend, toppling Federer and Nadal in succession to win the BNP Paribas Open and push his match winning streak to 20. Given the last few years, we've grown inured to top players going months without a defeat. But, boy, is Djokovic -- the overwhelming points leader for 2011 -- playing at a nose-bleedingly high level these days.
1. Faulty Federer falls. Both the gleeful Federer buriers and concerned Federer loyalists were out in full force this weekend. Their man dropped still another match to Novak Djokovic, a shank-o-rific Dubai final that saw Federer lose 6-3, 6-3. While Djokovic played stellar, complete tennis once again, Federer did himself no favors, framing shots, hitting destinationless backhands and finding few answers when Djokovic posed the difficult questions. Federer is now like a stock whose beta/variance is starting to widen. He's still capable of greatness -- that London win over Nadal wasn't even 100 days ago. Yet the dismal matches are becoming more common. Realistically, we knew the ride couldn't go on forever. And Federer's performance is in keeping with the life cycle of a champion. The consistency is the first thing to go. The old weaknesses, such as they are, start to surface. (In this case, the drive backhand.) There's still magic left in the wand, but it's not automatically
Yes or no: Is Novak Djokovic the New King of tennis? --Carlos, London
The story should not be told with regret. It should be all about the flair and resolve of a champion, rising to the occasion as never before, and Novak Djokovic certainly came through mightily in that regard. It seems more likely, though, that the story of the Australian Open final was the curious disappearance of Andy Murray.
By the middle of the second set in their Australian Open semifinal, it was apparent that Roger Federer could not hurt Novak Djokovic. Heaven knows he tried. Over the years, he has tried in more ways than one.
SI.com caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim after Roger Federer's 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-4 loss to Novak Djokovic in Thursday's Australian Open semifinals.
Men's world number two Novak Djokovic talks to CNN's Open Court about his ambition and the importance of family.
World number two Novak Djokovic on how growing up during wartime helped him focus on tennis.
1. Nole Contendere: Novak Djokovic's ranking in the court of public opinion tends to waver like no other player's. He's a threat to win majors. No wait, he's out of shape and deprived of fortitude. He's a colorful performer. No wait, he's a self-absorbed clown. Whatever, Djokovic's image got an nice uptick last weekend. Playing in Belgrade -- where he's always beloved -- the only player in the top five to compete in Davis Cup led Serbia to a victory over a game American team with pair of well-played wins. Good for him. Good for them. For all the results, check DavisCup.com.
Best of three from the tennis world:
A few thoughts from the tennis world ...
Rafael Nadal, the defending champion, stayed away from Wimbledon. Which gives him something in common with the rain. You remember, the Wimbledon rain, right? Wet stuff ... fell from the sky ... constantly disrupted play. The only umbrellas unfurled last week were used to repel the sun. And that may have been the biggest upset of Week 1. Herewith, our midterm grades:
NEW YORK -- With the match over, gamesmanship moved to the fore.
Five things we learned from Friday's two semifinals at Roland Garros:
Just exactly who says that tennis is "struggling?" I'm getting sick of hearing about it.
They call it the Zone. It's that mystical state most athletes are lucky to achieve a few times in their careers. The mind is cleansed. The body is free. The unity of time and space comes undone. Brilliance is elevated to perfection.
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Five thoughts after watching Novak Djokovic take down Roger Federer on Friday in the Australian Open semifinals:
NEW YORK -- We caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer S.L. Price, who is covering the U.S. Open, to get his thoughts on the upcoming men's final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and Justine Henin's 6-1, 6-3 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova in the women's final.
NEW YORK -- We caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer S.L. Price, who is covering the U.S. Open, to get his thoughts on the late-stage action.
PARIS -- Novak Djokovic has been the breakout star of the 2007 season, shooting up to No. 6 in the world with wins in Adelaide, Australia, and Key Biscayne, Fla. One of the most entertaining and animated players on tour, the 20-year-old Serb has ignited a tennis frenzy in his homeland and looks to move one step closer to his first Grand Slam title.
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