Great sports stories are most often remembered for the way they end, and what is achieved - and less often about how they start. What's important is a good outcome, and that's what has happened to Novak Djokovic this season.
Three months ago Djokovic was ranked 22nd in the world rankings and his place in the top 30 was under threat, but today he is a prime candidate to end the season at the top of the tree - he is now ranked 3rd in the world, 455 points behind Roger Federer in 2nd, and 2000 points behind leader Rafael Nadal.
Yet for most the return of Djokovic to his place at the top was only a matter of time. The Serb, after suffering an elbow injury, naturally lost his fitness and rhythm. Recovering from injury leaves even the best vulnerable in tennis - he only needed time and continuity.
During the clay court season, although he did not win a title, it was clear that Djokovic was back in good shape. He only lost at Roland Garros after a superb performance from his Italian opponent, Marco Cecchinato, in the quarter-finals. He then reached the Queen's Club final, losing to last season's second-best player on grass, Marin Cilic, in three sets.
Having returned to a very good level and competing with the season's best players, he needed only one good match only to reach the familiar level of "Super Novak". There was no better scenario to do it than beating Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.
Despite the circumstances that favored Djokovic (the match was played under a closed roof, a factor that suits Djokovic but not Nadal) it was still impressive the way he bested Nadal in the semi-finals over an epic match of five sets, a victory which he followed up by claiming the title against Kevin Anderson in the final.
Djokovic then lost in the Toronto Masters to the young Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, but came back a week later to clinch the Cincinnati title to complete his collection of Masters Series titles, defeating big names such as Roger Federer, Marin Cilic and Grigor Dimitrov en route. The version of Djokovic that appeared at the beginning of the season was forgotten.
The US Open title that followed saw Djokovic emulate another all-time great - by defeating Juan Martín del Potro in straight sets in the final he equalled Pete Sampras on 14 grand slam titles. For now Djokovic only seems to be going from strength to strength.
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