Novak Djokovic rightfully earns VAVEL USA’s ATP Player of the Month this March thanks to his dominance in some of the biggest events in tennis.

March Madness Begins In Belgrade

Novak Djokovic began his March madness of tennis in his home country and birthplace, Belgrade, Serbia. The Serb was set to play for his country in the first round of the Davis Cup World Group. The Serbian team triumphed over their respective opponent, Kazakhstan, three rubbers to two. The world number one racked up two of Serbia’s three victories, with both of his wins coming on the singles court.

Djokovic kicked off this year’s first Davis Cup weekend in the Aleksandar Nikolic Arena against Aleksandr Nedovyesov. This routine straight sets win marked the beginning of the soon-to-be plentiful month for Novak Djokovic. The tie was tied at one rubber apiece when Djokovic stepped on court again for his nation. His only loss of the month came in the Saturday doubles rubber beside Nenad Zimonjic. But Djokovic is a singles specialist who could no doubt bounce back from a doubles loss. He did so he as handed the pressure of his team being a match away from exiting this year’s World Group draw in the fourth rubber.

The world number one took on an impressive Mikhail Kukushkin on the last day of play in Belgrade. Djokovic bounced back from a two set to one deficit to take the rubber six games to two in the fifth set. The match was completed in just less than five hours and forced the tie to the fifth and decisive rubber where Serbia eventually clinched the tie.

Djokovic fist pumps during Davis Cup. Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic
Djokovic fist pumps during Davis Cup. Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

Serb Continues Winning Ways In The Desert

Novak Djokovic followed up his success in Davis Cup at the BNP Paribas Open as hoped to hoist the glass trophy for the fifth time in his career. It would not be an easy path to glory with a star-studded field in Indian Wells.

He opened up his campaign against Fratangelo with a streaky 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. Signs of struggle from Djokovic were present as he seemed to lack his perfectionist tennis. But the defending champion cleaned up his game. He faced more tough score lines en route to the final, but did not drop another set. With wins over Kohlschreiber, Lopez, Tsonga, and Nadal in the previous rounds, he definitely deemed the favorite in the final against Raonic.

Djokovic’s March had already been remarkable, but a 6-2, 6-0 win over the in-form Canadian, Milos Raonic, proved that the Serbian is at the top of the men’s game by a large margin. He was crowned his fifth title in the California desert and his third consecutive title there. Djokovic would hope to win the Indian Wells-Miami double for the third straight time.

Djokovic and Raonic in Indian Wells. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Djokovic and Raonic in Indian Wells. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Djokovic Wraps Up March In Florida

The Serb’s March would be pleasing for any player already, but he refused to stop is dominating performances. The Miami Open awaited the world number one with, yet another, talent-packed draw.

Novak Djokovic did not seem to have any first match yips as he did last week. Instead, the Belgrade-native opened his Miami Open campaign with three straight set victories over young, talented opponents. He booked himself an intriguing clash with Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals. The Czech had zero answers for VAVEL USA’s Player of the Month as Djokovic took the match routinely. His tough 7-6(5), 6-4 semifinal win over David Goffin set up a final against Kei Nishikori.

Novak Djokovic swept the competition in March as he won his sixth Miami Open title and 28th career Masters title which vaulted him to hold the record for the most ATP Masters 1000 titles. He did not drop a set en route to the trophy, leaving the rest of the ATP in the dust as he leads the world number two by nearly 9,000 ranking points.​

Djokovic poses with his Miami Open trophy. Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Djokovic poses with his Miami Open trophy. Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Djokovic At The Top Of Men’s Tennis

Novak Djokovic tallied fourteen singles victories and zero singles losses in his dream month of March. He beat some of the biggest names in tennis and handled the pressure of playing for his home country and defending a total of two thousand points which put him as the clear winner for VAVEL USA’s ATP Player of the Month for March.

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About the author
Brooks Giardina
Brooks Giardina is a 15-year-old who has a major tennis addiction. When he is not on the tennis court, he is paying his attention to the ATP and WTA tours as an active fan and writer.