Tennis: Djokovic Looks to Continue Stunning Start in Monte Carlo

Novak Djokovic has started the Tennis season in record breaking style. Now the Serbian must prove he can get the job done on clay. Al Dannity looks ahead to next week’s Monte Carlo Masters, where Djokovic will try to extend his 24-0 start to 2011.

Eye on records
Novak Djokovic has started the year 24-0 and has a 26-game winning streak dating back to 2010. He still has plenty of work to do to break some big all-time Tennis records however and it will only get tougher now that the ATP Tour has moved to Europe’s clay courts. John McEnroe’s record for the best start to a season, in the open era, is 39-0. For the Serbian to match that he would need to win in Monte Carlo, and then win a further 10 straight matches. As it stands he is next scheduled to play the Serbia Open and then the Madrid Open, which could potentially move him to 38-0 before Rome.

The longest winning streak ever by a male player is 46, which Guillermo Vilas set in 1977. Breaking that record would require continuing the streak right through to the early rounds in Roland Garros. Doing so is tough in any era but it’s even harder when the greatest clay court player of all time stands in your way.

Nadal remains king of clay
The staggering 22-0 mark set by Rafael Nadal in the premier clay tournaments last season shattered all previous records. Never before had any player won in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome in the one year. Not only did Nadal manage this but he added the French Open title as well. The Spaniard may have lost a classic to Djokovic in the Indian Wells final but he will be far more dangerous on his home surface.

The long game
No matter what happens in Monte Carlo, Djokovic’s biggest target in 2011 is ascending to the top of the world rankings. Having already overtaken living legend Roger Federer to move into second place, the next target is proving beyond doubt that he is better than Rafael Nadal. Sports Interaction is offering a special on Djokovic to finish top dog in 2011. With the meat of the schedule to come, including his favored hard courts, I like Novak Djokovic to finish the year as world #1 at -111 with Sports Interaction.

For the best Tennis betting, check out Sports Interaction’s online sportsbook.