• What the Deuce

Djokovic's best impression

Jo Carter May 17, 2011

Rafael Nadal has long been a victim of Novak Djokovic - the self-professed joker is famous for his impersonations and his impression of Nadal is one of his party pieces.

To the delight of the crowds, Djokovic rolls up his shirt sleeves, pulls at his shorts and imitates Nadal's meticulous routine between points. But now Djokovic is imitating his rival on a much more impressive scale - at being a champion.

Another week, and another title for Djokovic as the world No. 2 keeps defying expectations - as he took his unbeaten streak to 37 matches in 2011, and a seventh trophy this season. It's four Masters finals, four titles and four wins over Nadal.

Back in April, when Djokovic won in Indian Wells and Miami, Nadal was shaking off an injury scare, while Djokovic was riding high from his Australian Open success. Most people fully expected Nadal to resume the status quo when the clay season got underway, and when the Spaniard claimed titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, it looked like Djokovic's streak was destined to come to an abrupt halt.

Having taken a break after his exertions in the spring, Djokovic clinched the title on home soil in Belgrade, before heading to Madrid, where the pair were on a collision course for the final. Something had to give - Nadal was unbeaten in 38 matches on clay, while Djokovic had not suffered defeat in 32 matches since the start of 2011.

Djokovic had lost all nine of his previous matches against Nadal on clay, but once again he ignored the rule book, the odds, and his critics to deny Nadal in straight sets. The fast court conditions in Madrid may have given Djokovic a look in, but on the slower clay in Rome, Nadal was sure to bounce back. Or so we thought.

It was always going to be hard for Nadal to defend all his points on clay, but not even Djokovic could have imagined the success he has enjoyed this season.

Djokovic is on course to eclipse John McEnroe's record © Getty Images
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Having trailed Nadal by over 6000 points at the start of the year, the Serb has now closed the gap to less than 500 and Nadal is now looking nervously over his shoulder ahead of the French Open.

A final appearance at Roland Garros would see Djokovic crowned world No. 1 and extend his winning streak to 43 matches to surpass John McEnroe's record of 42 straight wins in 1984.

To put things into perspective, when McEnroe was running riot on the courts back in 1984, Djokovic wasn't even born. McEnroe's streak came to an end in the French Open final at the hands of old foe Ivan Lendl - could Djokovic go one better?

The Serb can also do a mean impersonation of the American and is doing an even more convincing impression of being a world No. 1 - and you wouldn't bet against him defying the odds in Paris and becoming world No. 1 for real.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Jo Carter Close
Jo Carter is an assistant editor of ESPN.co.uk