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Ten months ago, he was the world No 12, preparing to play against his friend, Andy Murray, the world No 13, in their first Masters Series semifinal.
Tonight Novak Djokovic will be the favourite as he goes into his second successive Grand Slam final.
While Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Djokovic's
opponent, has been the revelation of this year's Australian Open, it is the world No 3 who has been the game's most improved player over the last year.
"Everything is going so fast for me," he said after his semifinal victory over Roger Federer. "If you'd told me at the start of last year that I would play four consecutive semifinals in Grand Slams and two finals, I would have accepted that right away.
"I've been working very hard in the past year and a half, so it's paying off right now."
Hard work is one thing but coping with the pressure of a big occasion is another. Djokovic has proved his mental strength by winning seven titles, including two Masters series events, while Tsonga has never even played in a final.
For all the brilliance he has shown in beating Murray, Richard Gasquet, Mikhail Youzhny and Rafael Nadal over the last fortnight, he has yet to prove that he can handle the mental challenge of a Grand Slam final.
Djokovic knows what a test such an occasion can be. Four months ago, the 20-year-old Serb let slip seven set points in his first Grand Slam final, against Federer at the US Open, an experience he hopes will stand him in good stead.
"You always learn something from matches against Federer or Nadal or whoever you play," Djokovic said. "From the start against Federer, I was trying to keep positive thoughts in my head all the time - and not have so many ups and downs in my game, which I've had in our past matches.
"In important moments, especially at the US Open, I wasn't able to stay focused. I think I was more afraid of winning a set or a match and that cost me.
"So I learned and I took a lot out of that match. I knew that I had to believe in myself."
Djokovic and Tsonga have never played each other but the Serb has been watching the 22-year-old Frenchman's performances closely.
"He's just an amazing athlete. He's been playing some impressive tennis in the last two weeks, as I have. I haven't even lost a set here yet, which is amazing."
Federer and Nadal, who both lost their semifinals in straight sets, have won 13 of the last 14 Grand Slam events between them and Djokovic thinks it will be good for the sport to see new faces playing in the final.
"The dominance of Federer and Nadal has been amazing over the last couple of years but I think it's great to see something new," he said.
Federer didn't quite agree - although the world No 1 admitted that his unprecedented run of success had "created a monster".
Federer's record sequence of 10 consecutive appearances in Grand Slam finals came to an end with that crushing defeat by Djokovic and Federer paid the price for his lack of preparation, losing in straight sets in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in four years.
"I've created a monster, so I know I always need to win every tournament," a subdued Federer said. "Winning every other week means that when I just lose a set, people say I'm playing bad."
But the tennis landscape has changed in the last two days - tonight's final will be the first Grand Slam final without Federer or Nadal since Marat Safin won here three years ago.
Djokovic's emergence has established a triumvirate at the top of the game and Federer was fortunate to beat him in the US Open final in straight sets four months ago.
At times over the last fortnight, Federer has looked as good as ever but the achievement of Janko Tipsarevic, Djokovic's fellow countryman, in taking the defending champion to five sets a week ago, indicated that all was not well.
"Considering my illness, I'm sort of happy with the result here," Federer admitted. "It's the first time I've been ill before a Grand Slam. It might have had an effect on my movement. I definitely didn't feel as quick as I have at other times. Maybe I did pay the price for being a little bit ill."
Federer was way below his best. Normally the quickest of players around the court, he was often caught unprepared by the power of Djokovic's shots. Federer's forehand, the best stroke in tennis, misfired with alarming regularity and he rarely played with his usual aggression.
Who does Federer tip to win tonight?
"I don't care really," he replied.
Would he be seeking out a television to watch the final?
"No, I won't."
For the world's best player, winning is still all that matters.
- INDEPENDENT