‘Takes your soul’: World in awe of Novak Djokovic

A shellshocked Novak Djokovic has produced a staggering comeback at the US Open in a performance of freakish athleticism.

Novak Djokovic has left the tennis world in awe after his epic fourth round match with American Jenson Brooksby was flipped on its head.

He was shellshocked in the first set, but ended up being the one causing psychological damage to his opponent.

He was a class above in the final three sets and eventually wrapped up a 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory of high drama.

The world No. 1 appeared in trouble after losing the first set 6-1 in a result that brought the New York crowd to life.

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However, Djokovic wrestled the contest back in his favour during a bonkers second set that lasted 68 minutes, including one service game that stretched for 20 minutes and ended with Brooksby, 20, securing a break back.

The game has been described as one of the best in 2021.

Novak Djokovic left Jenson Brooksby with nothing left in the tank. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images.

From that point on, Djokovic showed why he is the best player on the planet, winning 15 of the final 20 service games.

Brooksby, who needed a wildcard to enter the main draw of the tournament, appeared to be broken by the level of physicality needed to challenge Djokovic.

In the blink of an eye Djokovic had snapped up two straight sets and was able to cruise through the final set.

The world was in awe of Djokovic’s mental toughness and his freakish fitness level as he eventually wore down his opponent and broke his back.

Grand slam champion Andy Roddick was among the commentators in awe of the fanatical star.

“First he takes your legs. Then he takes your soul,” Roddick posted on Twitter.

When Djokovic began to dominate the second set, Roddick could see Djokovic was ready to take Brooksby to a world of pain he had never seen before.

“I promise you one thing. As we get into this, Novak will make this the most painful physical experience this kid has ever seen.

“We’ve seen this before. Novak’s fitness used to be a weakness. One of the best examples in sports history of turning a negative into a positive. He’s a beast.”

Novak Djokovic insists our souls are safe for now. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images.

Djokovic was asked about Roddick’s tweet after his match and was caught off guard.

“Thanks Andy, I take that a compliment,” he said in his on-court interview.

“Only the first part. The second part, I don’t take anybody’s soul. Everyone has their soul. We all are beautiful souls, so I appreciate everyone.

“But I’ll take your legs out that’s for sure.”

After securing his second break of serve in the second set, Djokovic stared down his opponent.

He also glared at Brooksby after breaking serve in the first game of the third set.

The huge crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium was rocking in the second set as Brooksby played at an insane level with almost no unforced errors.

The match settled down at the end of the second set after Djokovic took a bathroom break and Brooksby called for the doctor to come onto the court.

The tournament doctor handed Brooksby a tablet before he also handed Djokovic a tablet when the Serbian had returned to the court.

There was more than eight minutes in between sets.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a return to US player Jenson Brooksby. Photo by Ed JONES / AFP)

Djokovic’s comeback means the 34-year-old remains just three matches away from completing the first men’s singles calendar-year Grand Slam in 52 years.

Djokovic would become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to sweep all four major titles in the same year by capturing his fourth career US Open crown.

He is also going for a men’s singles record 21st Slam trophy, which would boost him one ahead of “Big Three” rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent with injuries.

Djokovic will now face a rematch of the Wimbledon final, where he defeated Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

Sixth-seeded Berrettini defeated 144th-ranked German qualifier Oscar Otte in four sets.

— with AFP