Murray takes to the throne
Djokovic followed his Parisian title tilt with a shock third round exit at Wimbledon at the hands of Sam Querrey, which sparked an unpredictable series of results for the previously all-conquering Serb.
He still advanced to the US Open final, where an inspired Stan Wawrinka prevailed. Over to the ATP World Tour Finals in London and Murray swatted all aside to take the title and Djokovic’s No.1 ranking.
The aura of ‘Nole’ had diminished and was well and truly vanquished by a 2017 second round departure from Melbourne, as the six-time champion fell to world No.68 Denis Istomin in a five-set thriller.
Concerns over a loss of confidence and form were unfortunately enhanced when a right elbow injury at Wimbledon forced Djokovic to retire from a quarter-final clash with Tomas Berdych.
“There were several moments where I was frustrated and questioning whether I can get back on desired level or not. But that makes this whole journey even more special for me,” explained Djokovic, who was side-lined for the rest of the 2017 season.
“I really am grateful to go through this kind of, so to say, mixed emotions, turbulences as well mentally, moments of doubt and disappointment and frustration, anger.
“It's a learning curve, it really is. Helped me, not just as a tennis player, but just as a human being to get to know myself on deeper levels.”
The journey was far from over.
He “played with pain” having adapted his serve to rush back into competition at the 2018 Australian Open. With his pivotal right arm protected in a sleeve, the sharpness evading him, Djokovic valiantly reached the fourth round.