Wow, what a difference a year makes. And I mean WOW!
When Novak Djokovic lifted the trophy at last year's French Open, cementing his dominance with a fourth Grand Slam title in a row and 12th overall, the future seemed, well, more of same.
In the final, Djokovic beat his main rival, Andy Murray, who was solidly entrenched as world No. 2. The brightness of the Roger Federer–Rafael Nadal era had faded. Neither had won a major since 2014 and injuries had kept Federer out of Roland Garros and Nadal retiring in the third round.
On the women's side, Serena Williams was surprised in the final by up-and-comer Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, but everyone knew Serena would be back to fight another day in her quest to surpass Margaret Court's record 24 major titles. In fact, Williams got back on track quickly, winning Wimbledon and then the Australian Open early this year to pull within one major of Court.
But then came an announcement this spring that no was expecting, that Serena was expecting the birth of her first child in September with fiancé Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of the social website Reddit. Williams plans to return to the tour next year, reminding parents everywhere that a baby tends to change one's life … just a bit.
Back to Djokovic. He left Paris last year justifiably eyeing Federer's record of 17 major titles. And why not? The Serb was at the top of his game, fit as a fiddle, and just 29 years old — surely he had five or six more majors in him. And Federer? Nearing 35 years old, he wasn't going to be adding to his Grand Slam total.
Other players would consider two tour titles and a U.S. Open final over the next 12 months to be an excellent stretch. But not when you're Novak Djokovic. He might still be No. 2 in the world, but that belies tepid results and turmoil churning within. Is it the unspecified personal problems he cited last summer, a loss of work ethic referenced by departed coach Boris Becker, or perhaps the entrance into his life of a man being called his "spiritual guru"? Whatever the problem, Djokovic has one, leading him to fire his entire team earlier this month and hire Hall of Famer Andre Agassi to coach him in Paris, a man with plenty of experience climbing out of his own career valleys.
If misery loves company, then that may partly explain why Murray has played nothing like his top ranking this year either, suffering several early-round losses and entering Paris with questionable prospects.
