All the great minds of tennis tried but failed again to solve the puzzle of how to end the dominance of the mighty emperor of professional tennis Novak Djokovic. For the fourth season – and second in a row – Djokovic will be the year end No. 1 – if he can do it again next year, he will equal Federer’s five years as the year end kingpin.
The records continue to be smashed by Djokovic – winning yesterday in Paris (over Andy Murray) was his 26th overall Masters Series title – and a ATP record sixth in a single season – also Djokovic is now the first player to win Paris four times. Djokovic is now 27-4 vs top ten opposition this year and now 21-9 overall vs Andy.
Djokovic appears to be growing stronger each year now. Seven titles last year – ten this year and still counting – The Super Serbian is the heavy favorite to win the ATP World Tour Finals in London for the fourth year in a row.
Looking ahead to next year there appears to be no apparent threat to topple Djokovic’s Monopoly. Roger Federer will be a year older – and still nursing the scars of his excruciating US Open and Wimbledon final losses to Djokovic. One can not reasonably expect Federer and his coach Stefan Edberg to suddenly find the solution to thwart Djokovic. Rafael Nadal appears to be the only hope to shake the balance of power but the question remains if the Spanish buzzsaw is equipped to again overcome the most complex challenge he has ever encountered.
Yes it does indeed seem the Djokovic Monopoly of the ATP is nowhere near it’s final chapter – or chapters.
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Andrew Miller · November 9, 2015 at 11:19 am
Wawrinka could knock him off at a slam (like he did in Paris). I don’t think any other big four player can beat Djokovic at a slam next year.
I think other players will take a crack at him and might be able to pull it off. They’d have to really improve. I’d put two ultra-talented players in this category – players with no strategy and no gameplan. Kyrgios and Dimitrov. Dimitrov should be reaching his peak as a player. Kyrgios is just too good not to try.
Kyrgios, one of the most talented players I’ll ever see. Just seems like a player who doesn’t want it.
Andrew Miller · November 9, 2015 at 11:21 am
Maybe Nishikori if he plays the best he’s ever played and Djokovic is having a bad day.
That would be the same for Dimitrov – if Djokovic were having an off day.
As for Kyrgios, I think he’s the only player, if he wanted to, that could beat Djokovic out-right. But he has no plans for this.
Martin G · November 9, 2015 at 11:40 am
Scoop and Dan talk about how weak opposition Fed has in his era.
Look at Djokovic opposition in last 4 years.
It’s a joke how weak is everybody comparing to Novak. It looks like Novak will take all 4 grand slams next year.
We are relying on old Fed or broken Rafa to create opposition to Novak. Really ….
28 year old (prime of tennis player) is competing with 34 year old – really ……
28 year old is competing with bull that just had too much mileage on his body. He’s been playing ATP since 16 and is now 29. That is 13 years of grinding for a defender. Sorry Rafa is not coming back.
But I believe he can time his energy and body to get one more French or AO.
Honorable mentioning from rest of the field that have outside chance to win a Slam
Murray – ahhhh, what a waste of talent plus too many injuries and character flaws.
Stan – incredible inconsistent and it’s a wonder that he pulled of 2 slams so late in his career. Too old/inconsistent to challenge Novak.
Cilic – one slam wonder, suspended for X months for using something and after that US Open back to Top 5 – 20 position. No chance that he can challenge Novak.
Rest of the pack is not even worse mentioning.
Possible surprised challenger can come from Dominic Thiem, Nick Kyrgios or (hard to believe) Jack Socks.
But really there is nobody who can challenge Novak for next year or 2.
If Novak stays healthy and no family issues like divorce or death he will collect a lot of slams and titles in next 3 years.
Sorry to say but Mens tennis is becoming boring – same as Fed dominant years. I don’t even watch Novak – Fed – Rafa – Murray matches anymore. I’ve seen over 20 for each parring of those and I know them without watching them. I only watch if there is a surprised results to see what happened in that match. Like when Fed beat Rafa in Basel. If you saw that match you know that Fed was in trouble on his best surface against sup par Rafa making uncharacteristic unforced errors.
And I am a Fed fan not Rafa but I am not blind either.
End of my rant ….
Dan Markowitz · November 9, 2015 at 11:45 am
Dimitrov, come on, right. You can’t be serious. The guy was losing to Harry this year and twice to Sock. The Bulgarian is going to knock off Djoko.
Here’s the 3 best players with chance to knock off Djoko next year:
Nishikori
Wawrinka
Kyrgios
Over/Under–Djoko has won 15 slams by 31? I say Over, he wins 6 of the next 9 slams.
Martin G · November 9, 2015 at 11:46 am
Novak has 15 000 plus points.
Plus Novak only played 17 tournaments.
That is hugely dominant yet not big wear and tear n the body.
I don’t think Fed has ever this many points in any of his dominant years.
Novak is staying away from Davis cup too so save his body.
It looks like Murray really really wants to win Davis Cup this year to add it to his trophies.
Dan Markowitz · November 9, 2015 at 11:50 am
Aw, Martin, don’t stop now. You rant so well. A lot of what you say is true, except you call facing Murray, Fed, Nadal, Wawa, and Nish as easy as Hewitt, Safin, Roddick and Nalby? I got 4 Hall of Famers and you’ve got barely two with Hewitt and Safin.
Scoop Malinowski · November 9, 2015 at 12:03 pm
martin g – i never said fed ruled a weak era- i always say the best is the best and their superiority makes their era appear weak – novak is dominating an incredibly difficult era right now – he’s making it appear weak – as all the great champions in tennis and boxing do –
Martin G · November 9, 2015 at 12:09 pm
It’s not about how good opposition was. It’s about where they are in their careers now.
Sampras after 2000 was not Sampras of 90’s.
Fed after 2009 is not Fed of 2004 – 2009.
Rafa after 2010 was running on pure will and rage to compete against Novak.
Admirable but not sustainable.
I am sorry to say that but there is nobody to have rivalry right now with Novak.
It’s a joke as these players have resigned to have Novak as Number 1 and
are happy to collect money for being in Top 10.
I saw similar situation happening with Fed too.
There is some kind of resignation in those Top 20 players. There is no belief.
Age average in Top 10 is getting older and older.
What the hell, where are young lions to challenged, hunt and destroys elderly in Top 10?
Ahhh, not a big fan of Novak but he has put a lot of hard work in, and got little bit lucky with timing of end of career of Fed/Rafa and he is in great position to finally get all 4 grand slams and coveted French Open.
Scoop Malinowski · November 9, 2015 at 12:26 pm
martin g – several respected pundits and experts such as johan kriek said that federer played as well as he ever has at wimbledon this year – which i agree with – fed was amazing this year – some of his matches like at wimble and us open were very very close to if not even better than his younger years – now rafa has had a subpar season but fed was sensationally great – just overshadowed by the magical year of novak djokovic –
Andrew Miller · November 9, 2015 at 1:54 pm
Sure, Dimitrov. For now Dimitrov and Kyrgios are versions of Monfils – we all know Monfils has the game to either lose first round or make a slam semifinal. And don’t forget, Dimitrov and Monfils both now have pressure to put up results. Kyrgios doesn’t because unfortunately he is content knowing he is the best Aussie player (sorry Tomic). Unless Kokki bests Kyrgios, and puts some pressure on him to commit to sport, don’t think we will see Kyrgios make the most of it.
Yeah, you know Verdasco and Wawrinka both made major improvements to their games and became a whole different category of player)contender. Verdasco only pulled this off for one tournament, the Australian, but he still showed that a great off season could turn into amazing results.
I don’t see why a Dimitirov couldn’t do the same if he put in the same effort – not like he doesn’t have the ability. I get the sense he doesn’t want to. That doesn’t mean he can’t. Only that he probably wont.
Andrew Miller · November 9, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Don’t think its inevitable djoko will win defend his slams either. Probable but not inevitable.
Martin G · November 9, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Fed can’t undo his years. It’s always back in his mind and that is 5% difference that made him loose in both Wimb and US Open.
When I saw that it was rainy and humid at US Open I knew Fed is gonna loose.
Too bad I didn’t put my money where my mouth was at that time …
Fed has played great this year, yet he has no grand slam to show for it.
You can’t beat great defender like Djokovic over 3 sets unless Novak is ill or checked out for other mental reasons.
You need stamina, recovery and body to do it.
Fed has body to do it but not stamina and recovery speed and he knows it.
Fed knows that if his aggressive game doesn’t work he can’t go to B plan and slug it out from baseline but
Djokovic can and it provides huge psychological advantage to Novak.
It was same with Rafa.
Once Djokovic has confirmed that he can slug it out with Rafa from baseline it was over for Rafa.
Novak starts playing his game and if he looses first set or even 2 sets (he tends to be slow starter) he is not worried as he knows that he can outlast you on the court and if my A game will not destroy you, my endurance and stamina will.
Fed doesn’t have that anymore in his arsenal because of loosing that half step and speed.
So same as with Rafa, unless somebody like Isner, Kyrgios, Berdych, Cilic or Nikshirory takes out Djokovic it’s over for Fed to get Wmb or US Open. Fed has no chance at FO and outside chance at AO.
Too bad I would like to see him win one more slam, same as Sampras before he retires.
Martin G · November 9, 2015 at 3:30 pm
I’ve just watched highlights of Wawrinka Novak match from Paris.
Third set, Novak upped the ante and created long points, made Wawa to hit one more point. Wawa has run out of steam and started to miss.
Prime example what Fed can’t do in third set at age of 34.
Novak physique and his defense will wear you out.
Where have I seen this …. Ahhh old good Rafa ….
Scoop Malinowski · November 9, 2015 at 5:36 pm
I dont agree that Fed has lost a step or half a step – moves as well as ever imo – Fed would be number one if Djok sprained his ankle at roland garros and missed four months – and he would have won two majors –
Dan Markowitz · November 10, 2015 at 8:53 am
Scoop, Fed used to straight set opponents in the finals. Now he’s winning a set off of Djoker at this year’s Wimby and USO. It’s not plausible that his game is as good at 33-34 as it was when he was 23-24. Name me one player besides Fed who could make that claim. You might not see something. Johan Kriek might not see something, but you can’t be as good in 2015 winning 6 titles and no slams compared to 2004-2006 when he was winning double digit titles and 2-3 slams.
BoDu · November 10, 2015 at 10:06 am
I think Novak will go down as THE SECOND best player of his generation (behind Roger and above Rafa).
Scoop Malinowski · November 10, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Sure Fed can be better now Dan – Bogie said for Facing Federer he played Fed early and later in his career and Fed had a wider arsenal of shots and was better later than earlier – greater exp greater brain – he still flies around the court incredibly well – see no sign of slippage in that dept – I feel Fed played his best tennis this year – not his best year title – wise but quality of tennis wise —
Scoop Malinowski · November 10, 2015 at 1:31 pm
BoDu yes I feel unless Djok wins 20 majors he will probably always be overshadowed by RF — but if he keeps winning and winning the balance of power and accolades could shift in the favor of Djokovic —
Dan Markowitz · November 10, 2015 at 3:04 pm
If Djoko wins 16 or 17 slams, he’s the GOAT. He overcame Fed and Nadal. He kept Murray from being an all-time great and while Fed has won slam over 30, Djoko will have won 2 or 3. Fed did not supplant an all-time great player to become No. 1. He has been dominated by Nadal. Djoko will have had the advantage over his three biggest rivals. Look, we all thought Nadal was going to be the GOAT, and now it would take a miraculous come back from him to be the GOAT.
And what Fed doesn’t have now compared to what he had when he was 23-27 was the ability to close out a match. We saw that first surface when he 28 and had Delpo on the ropes and couldn’t close him out and it has only escalated over the past 5-6 years. When Fed was dominating, he close out matches except for the Safin match in Aussie O.
Fed might hit the ball better, he might move as well and he might have more variety of shot, but he can’t close out big matches any more. And the old Fed doesn’t get straight-setted by Cilic.
Scoop Malinowski · November 10, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Look at it this way – if Fed and Djok were both born in 80 and butted heads for their entire careers – i think it’s safe to say Fed would have won a lot less and Djok would have won a lot MORE Majors — that’s not a knock on Fed just a credit and praise to how great Djok is —
Rob · November 10, 2015 at 11:00 pm
One of the things I like about this site is that ‘commenters’ refrain from diatribes more visible on a YouTube or some such thing.this posting feels like it is slipping into that very dark direction.
I always appreciate Dan and Scoop reminding us through their own postings to be objective but passionate. I think here of my own disagreements with both of them – most recently about Kygrios in montreal for instance.
What disappoints me in thus thread is the lack of technical assessment made by Martin G and Andrew.
To appreciate Novak s genius is to see the larger picture – djokovic is an athlete buut a one ready for a war of attrition; Fed is an artist.
Tennis Prose has had this same conversation two weeks ago – I stand by previous comments. Novak has no mojo. I was more interested in Rubin Paul than that sleepy Paris final – why?
I don’t care who he is – he never hit a tweener to set up match point in a US Open semi.
Andrew Miller · November 10, 2015 at 11:56 pm
Like Djokovic a lot – his serve modeled on Sampras, volley is Martin’s, backhand is Agassi and his forehand is himself. Seeing Djokovic win is vindication of Agassi’s game, with Djokovic better at many aspects of the game. Agassi had a better forehand.
Don’t find Djokovic boring at all, but that’s the beauty of tennis. Everyone can find a favorite player. Being able to pound an opponent is an art as well. Agassi considered his win over Blake to be a masterpiece. And it was.
Like I said I don’t believe its inevitable Djokovix will bag one or more slams next year – based on his current form he will. Based on the quirks of every slam he wont.
Much as I like talking tennis from a technical point of view and a prejudice for clean games, I appreciate even ugly shots like the berasetegui forehand. Or Steve johnsons lunging forehand. Maybe even the Fritz my backhand is ugly but i smoke it shot is worthwhile.
I’ve seen Federer live a bunch and I didn’t think of it as art , instead I saw a player who enjoyed pumelling the opponent . He did it in a way that looks good on tv, but in person it looks like a beat down. Thes players are fierce. Don’t let the beauty of a game trick you. It’s hunger games out there .
Rob · November 11, 2015 at 6:59 am
Well said Andrew. I liked that. I am keen though for a more competitive era to take flight.
What would am ideal top ten look like? A combo of styles and personalities surely….
Scoop Malinowski · November 11, 2015 at 8:12 am
Thanks Rob – this site has it’s unique attributes and we have a special thing going and the commenters and supporters are a big part of it – we all love the sport and the players too – the Kyrgios episode was one single flea on a woolly mammoth – one lil incident does not tarnish the overall sport at all – it’s a neat thing to be able to discuss tennis and all its ancillary details with a group of like minded afficianados – hope we can keep this thing rolling — Agree with Andrew Fed is an assassin though he does it with class and refined violence – he’s a ruthless killer on the court and he has broken the dreams and goals of many a player – but he does it in a manner that even his victims respect – people forget at one time Fed actually had a problem early on with feeling mercy and sorriness for his opponents – it was an incredible admission by Fed at the US Open – it came by accident too – I remember being at the press conference after a match win when he said it – it’s in my Facing Federer book – should repost it – there’s nothing not to like about Fed or any great champion – the are all the ultimate athletes born and bred to become tennis champions – and it’s one of the hardest jobs on earth – nothing easy about a kid dreaming and dedicating to be a pro tennis champ – its about a billion to one shot –
Moskova Moskova · November 11, 2015 at 9:35 am
blah blah blah…..let’s keep our feet on the ground TP regulars lol 😉
let’s not forget that FED is the current GOAT…djoko has a chance to overtake if his GS tally climbs which may or may not happen…..and nadal too is on the hunt with a fat chance of overtaking the GS tally, IMO.
counterpoints for both djoko and nadal are that their head to heads against FED don’t do him justice and that they also have higher 1000 tourna win counts.
regardless, GS count, weeks at #1, prize money, endorsements, fan-base carry more weight for the GOAT when it’s decision time.
look fwd to other counterpoints with current standings (not what may or may not happen in the future with djoko and nadal)
Scoop Malinowski · November 11, 2015 at 10:37 am
I feel the most accurate way to say it is that Fed and Rafa are spectacular incredible greats – but Djokovic has taken tennis to a new height of excellence above and beyond Fed and Rafa —
Moskova Moskova · November 11, 2015 at 10:42 am
I think someone has said this before here but it’s prime-djoko vs. old-fart FED & banged-up rafa…
prime to prime – FED will kill djoko
prime to prime – rafa will kill djoko
prime to prime – rafa will kill FED
Andrew Miller · November 11, 2015 at 11:36 am
I don’t think Djokovic has taken the sport to new heights. I think he’s rightfully taken his turn at the top and is making the most of it.
In terms of the slam count, I don’t think anything’s a given but is lined up to go for the slam count. He thinks about it and the way he goes about his business is the same Federer and Nadal used before him.
That’s good for more slams in 2016, maybe 2017. Wilander, who’s been more right than wrong in the predictions department, believes Djokovic can pull it off. I’m a little less confidant on the total slam count, which Federer owns – probably because his early titles came in what could be considered a transition period, before the big four came on the scene. He got three slams on 2004 when his opposition sadly was waning- he’d already dismissed Agassi for the most part, he subdued Safin but for the best match Safins ever played in 05, he began beating Hewitt pretty handily; he had no substantial opposition. Four slams right there. Federer added another two in 2005 while Nadal was emerging. He added another three in 2006, still not facing much opposition . Adds another three slams in 2007 while his opposition is getting stronger but still not there in full. Then he gets sick and then all of the sudden his opposition is fully in place and Federer no longer sees another three slam year. 2008 was the dividing line between ultra dominant Federer in a field he mostly dominated, and a strong yet vulnerable Federer getting beaten more often by players right around his ranking.
This pattern is common to Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. Sure, there’s the occasional surprise like del potro and cilic, even Murray lighting fire under once in a lifetime coach Lendl, but in the whole those players seize the throne and take turns at their strongest. I have no idea how the reign of djokovic will play out. I presume like always he will train his opposition. During this period though he should probably match the Nadal slam count.
Andrew Miller · November 11, 2015 at 12:59 pm
There it is. Lendl, Fish and Craybas have joined usta to coach players. Lendl to work with 15-16 year olds.
The next u.s. Slam champ not named Serena Williams is going to happen.
Scoop Malinowski · November 11, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Laver – Johnny and Bjorn – then Lendl uplifted the sport – then Sampras took it higher – then Fed did – then Rafa did – now Djokovic has again – the sport is constantly being lifted to new and higher levels of excellence — natural progression of tennis —
Dan Markowitz · November 11, 2015 at 1:56 pm
Actually, Borg came before Johnny, but I think you have it right. Except are you saying the very best Nadal is not as good as the very best Djokovic? Because there I think I’d side with Nadal.
Andrew Miller · November 12, 2015 at 3:09 pm
Halep hires Cahill. Every player that hires Cahill slams it up.
Scoop Malinowski · November 12, 2015 at 3:46 pm
I saw Halep play on grandstand this year at Key biscayne vs Giorgi and her two or three coaches arrived to the courtside box first and then about five Minutes later Cahill arrived and sat a few seats away – clearly there was a division and the original coaches did not exactly eMbrace Killer Cahill –