Djokovic Aces Bob Simon on 60 Minutes

World #1 Novak Djokovic

Some tennis fans, millions of them actually, love the immense outward confidence and bravado of Novak Djokovic. Others find the cocksure Serbian's emotional on-court displays of machismo and chest-pounding to be a bit chafing and over the top. What all tennis fans appreciate about the top-ranked 24 year-old is the enormous passion, skill, and commitment he brings to our sport.

For the better part of the last decade, Roger Federer has owned professional tennis, and he has served as arguably the most gracious and respected ambassador any sport has ever had. Rafael Nadal, the man who finally challenged Federer's long reign of tennis dominance, brings his own breed of beauty and gravity to the sport, only with added elements of brute strength and perseverance.

Novak Djokovic is different. In his ascension to the top of men's tennis, he has clearly brought weapons that rival those of Federer and Nadal, but his arsenal is unique. His game has no flaws, and his athleticism and flexibility are marvels of sport. So long as his iron will is working with him and not against him, he is virtually unbeatable.

Beyond his tennis prowess and talent though, Novak brings new personality to the game. He laughs, he yells (mostly at himself), and he applauds with a few taps of his racket when an opponent executes a remarkable tennis shot to beat him. Intentional or not, he allows fans to glimpse what's happening inside his heart and mind, even as he works to rein in and harness his emotions.

Roger brings grace to the sport, and Rafa brings power. Novak brings fire.

Djokovic told his personal story to journalist Bob Simon this week on CBS' 60 Minutes. His journey from war-torn Serbia to the pinnacle of men's professional tennis is remarkable and inspiring. From the woman who first recognized 5 year-old Novak's talent to the dark basement where his family hid during seventy-eight consecutive days of bombing in Belgrade - we begin to understand how winning tennis championships has transformed not only Novak Djokovic, but the entire nation of Serbia.

You can see Novak's full 60 Minutes interview here and gain insight into the personality, character, and wit of the tennis great.

And you can enjoy a little of Novak's sense of humor in the short clip below, where he takes 60 Minutes correspondent Bob Simon on to the tennis court for a little lesson in returning serve.

Federer Poised for End of Season Sweep

Roger Federer at the Western Southern Open.

Roger Federer returned to championship tennis form this week in Paris winning a second consecutive ATP tour event.

With a straight set victory in Sunday's final over mammoth Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Federer won the ATP 1000 Parisbas Masters Series event, securing his biggest tournament win of the year.

Last week, Federer ended a nearly 10-month title drought by prevailing in an ATP 500 event held in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland.

With only three tournament victories in 2011 and no Grand Slam championships, this is arguably Roger's worst year since his reign at the top of professional tennis began eight years ago. In light of his lackluster season, it would be easy to discount his chances at next week's Barclay's ATP World Tour Finals in London. Federer's late season surge, however, seems to be coming just in time as he prepares to compete next week against seven other top players in the world.

Any of the seven players participating next week can beat Federer, but only the top three players provide consistently strong opposition to him. It happens, thought, that the three men ranked higher than Federer in the ATP rankings have not been completely healthy of late.

Among the top three - Serbia's Novak Djokovic withdrew from his final match this week in Paris, citing a serious shoulder injury that continues to plague him, and Andy Murray of Great Britain has been bothered off and on by a minor hamstring pull. Rafael Nadal will return from a several week hiatus to heal various niggling late season injuries, and while he should be rested, his absence from other recent indoor tournaments may leave him a little rusty.

Federer manages his play, his body, and his tour schedule brilliantly, and even as we reach the end of another gruelingly long tennis season, the thirty year-old continues to be in excellent physical condition. With a healthy Fed, and every aspect of his game from serve to net looking crisp and sharp in the last few weeks, my money is on the Swiss master to successfully defend his ATP Tour Finals title in London next week.