Tough old lion Djokovic is still on the prowl

In 2018, National Geographic did a lovely story on a remarkable African lion. His name was C-boy and he lived long in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, defied younger lions and was beautifully described by the writer David Quammen as "resourceful, cantankerous, patient, proud but pragmatic, seemingly indestructible, continually imperilled, and gorgeous to behold".

- Rohit Brijnath

It made me think of Novak Djokovic.

Younger, ascendant males may try to kick him out of the tennis pride - or, indeed, out of the US Open - but he, 38, won't leave. He's ranked a lowly world No. 7 - anything below No. 1 is lowly for the Serb - but he used to be king of this concrete jungle. He's no longer dominant, only two titles in the last two years (in 2015 alone he had 11), and yet he's still intimidating.

On Sept 2 night, New York time, Djokovic plays Taylor Fritz, who is ranked higher, is 11 years younger, has 23,000 people on his side, but Djokovic just digs in and prevails 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Clad in imperious black, 19 years older than his first-round opponent Learner Tien, he still believes he can win this whole damn thing. Only the exceptional have such nerve.

The first Slam that Djokovic played was in Australia in 2005 when Carlos Alcaraz was one year old. In the first round he lost to Marat Safin, the eventual winner, and how far he's come can be told in multiple numbers. Over 7,600 aces served and 16,750 service games played. Exactly 53 Grand Slam semi-finals reached (Fritz has played in only 37 Slams). Twenty-four Slams won. That number is written on his sneakers. As if to say, these are the shoes no one can fill.