After Naomi Osaka, will Novak Djokovic win an award from Sports Illustrated?
Naomi Osaka has already been named one of the sports personalities of 2020 by the US Sports Illustrated. Novak Djokovic could also receive an honor from the respected magazine.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Dec 19, 2020, 10:42 am
As a European sports enthusiast, you shouldn't be under any illusions: tennis is not at the top of the list of the most important sports in the USA. Achievements that the inclined tennis fan perceive as extraordinary are too rarely perceived as such by American fans and journalists. Would you like a little example? In 2006 Roger Federer had won twelve tournaments, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. The award for athlete personality of the year went to basketball player Dwayne Wade.
There must be very special circumstances for a tennis ace to be voted the outstanding figure of a sports year by Sports Illustrated, the renowned US magazine. In the story that began in 1954, this was the case exactly four times by 2020: Billie-Jean King won in 1972 on the grounds that she had won three majors. Chris Evert won in 1976, two of them were enough. In 1982 the award went to Arthur Ashe for his humanitarian commitment. And in 2015, Serena Williams, who narrowly failed in the calendar grand slam that year, was able to celebrate.
Naomi Osaka already excellent
Tennis has recently struck again, in persona Naomi Osaka. The Japanese woman was part of a group of five who received the “Sports People of the Year” award from Sports Illustrated. All five, including basketball superstar LeBron James, were recognized above all for their social work.
But Novak Djokovic could still strike - when it comes to the "Player of the Year". And the chances of the world number one shouldn't be bad at all. Because competitor Giannis Antetokounmpo retired with his Milwaukee Bucks even before the NBA finals, the WNBA sends A'ja Wilson into the race. The fourth candidate is Mookie Betts, who was partly responsible for the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers could win the title in Major League Baseball for the first time since 1988.
The winner, according to the tender, should demonstrate the highest level of “athleticism, skills and character”. Novak Djokovic can serve with all three attributes.