Once the end of the year approaches, it is time to take stock and review what has been the best thing that tennis has left in this complicated ATP season in 2021. The season has moved forward much closer to normal than might be expected after a draconian start to the Australian tour, with hotel room lockdowns and coronavirus positives at the worst possible times. Quarantines, health security protocols and the way the world tries to shield itself from the pandemic have not prevented tennis from shining above all else and leaving spectacular matches behind. Novak Djokovic was a great protagonist to be present in some of the best.
1. Novak Djokovic – Rafael Nadal (Roland Garros Semifinals 2021)
The game of the year and many believe that of the century, both because of the level of play displayed by both contenders and because of the historical significance that the Balkan’s triumph had. The third set was a true ode to this sport that will go down in the annals of history as one of the most sublime shows ever seen.
2. Carlos Alcaraz – Stefanos Tsitsipas (Third round of US Open 2021)
A magical night was lived in the city that never sleeps and that found a new idol in the young Spanish tennis player. It supposed the total emergence of one of the great stars of the future, who offered tennis as colorful as it was effective to defeat the Greek in a meeting not without epic.
3. Aslan Karatsev – Novak Djokovic (ATP 250 Belgrade 2021 Semifinals)
It may come as a surprise to include a duel from a minor tournament on this list, but it was well deserved by the astonishing encounter between the Russian and the Serbian. Karatsev spoiled the party for a Novak who wanted to be a prophet in his land and who ran into defeat after 3 hours and 25 minutes of intense battle, infinite rallies and games permanently doomed to deuce and advantage.
4. Novak Djokovic – Stefanos Tsitsipas (Quartos de Final Masters 1000 Roma 2021)
The rain forced the match to be played on two different days and Novak was able to overcome a set deficit and break down in the second. Absolute survival exercise by a Djokovic who gained the confidence to tackle the great Parisian challenge. The exchanges that took place throughout the game made any fan vibrate.
5. Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (Final Conde de Godó 2021)
Epic, claw, heart and those legendary intangibles that the Spanish usually show off, are what allowed him to tip the balance on his side in a match as beautiful as it was exciting. The best version of Stefanos pushed Rafa to the limit, who shot with pride to add a new title in his own home.
6. Alexander Zverev – Novak Djokovic (Semifinales Nitto ATP Finals 2021)
Absolute maturity shown by the German in a meeting in which nerves in the final stretch did not prevent him from imposing his style and continuing to play with tremendous aggressiveness. Novak tried everything, but when it seemed like he would draw on his greatest experience, he ran into absolute consistency from his rival.
7. Novak Djokovic – Daniiil Medvedev (Final Masters 1000 Paris-Bercy 2021)
You can never underestimate the heart of a wounded champion, his desire for revenge after a fatal defeat like the one he experienced in New York. That seemed to propel Djokovic into a fantastic comeback after losing the first set, which earned him the title and show Medvedev that his best version is not always going to be enough to defeat him.
8. Stefanos Tsitsipas – Rafael Nadal (Australian Open Quarterfinals 2021)
It is very rare to see Nadal squander a two-set lead up front and have all the apparent superiority he had for nearly two hours crumble hopelessly after a fateful tiebreaker. Tsitsipas knew how to hold on to the meeting and uncovered the jar of essences in a fourth and fifth set that perfectly summarize all his virtues as a player.
9. Stefanos Tsitsipas – Andy Murray (Primera ronda US Open 2021)
Emotions on the surface and a lot of tension is what was breathed in New York that hot afternoon in which the controversy of the Greek toilet breaks reached a higher status. Murray showed the world that he can remain a tremendously competitive player, but he lacked some drive to consummate the surprise.
10. Alexander Zverev – Stefanos Tsitsipas (Semifinales Masters 1000 Cincinnati 2021)
The most remarkable episode of one of the great rivalries of the future and the present in world tennis. Permanent alternatives on the scoreboard, a duel of styles and a clash of personalities, which led to a sublime show not without controversy.
.
