Tennis has nothing to fear from Novak Djokovic catching Roger Federer

For 10 years and 10 days, tennis has been defined thanks to the achievements of Roger Federer. Since he beat Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final in 2009 to edge Pete Sampras' grand slam record, the evidence is indisputable: Federer is the greatest of the champions.

It's a convenient tale for a sport that boasts of its beauty and elegance. From the perfectly manicured lawns of Wimbledon to the mud-clay courts of Monte Carlo that glisten on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, aesthetics are paramount in tennis. Even if the forehands and backhands are important, prestigious courses and a non-stop sun are the foundation of tennis.

Novak Djokovic shakes these foundations. Where Federer, who wears a cardigan and impeccable manners, seems to have been created in a Wimbledon lab, Djokovic is a little harder. He talks with the referees, he screams in frustration, he obviously wants to be loved. He is human, essentially, even if his achievements are not more and more.

In fact, after Sunday's triumph at Wimbledon, which earned him 16 major titles, it will only take him a minute to break Federer's record (20), especially with an age difference of nearly six years. If Djokovic can still find a way to win, as he did in the final yesterday, despite winning fewer points, having fewer winners and losing two points in the championship, how lucky was it really for the rest of the group?