Novak Djokovic Is The Greatest

I believe strongly that if the Djokovic machine controls its emotions, it will win all matches it plays.

Scoop, the Rafa-Novak rivalry seems to be 1 that is driven also by the player who has something to prove after being surpassed by the other… These 2 will continue to push each other to limits a tennis court has never seen & I think fans should expect the rivalry to continue to have it’s shifts… I think those saying Rafa’s best is in the rear view mirror may be right to a very slight degree but the level he showed in 2013 is more than likely the level we will see for at least another 2-3 years & that level is still THE WORLD’S BEST or at least CO-BEST along with Novak… Anyone looking to bet on Rafa declining & fading from the Grand Slam title picture will be broke very fast because how many times has the guy defied the odds?-TOO MANY TO COUNT… If he has declined, I’ll say he’s declined about 2%… LOL Novak has a few more PEAK YEARS as well so we can expect these 2 to continue to carry the sport along with Murray if he hopefully comes back from his back injury & surgery in good health & in TOP FORM… Remember, Murray is a MAJOR OBSTACLE to Djokovic’s supposed dominance as he gives Novak serious issues!!

Djokovic wins the Pathmark Classic this past Monday and he is back to being a world beater. Wait till Australia to start making such calls on his future.

I believe Novak at his best defeats Rafa at his best on Hard courts and Clay courts. On grass, I think Rafa wins.

It may be surprising to some that I chose Novak over Rafa on clay. But if you see the way Novak has beaten Rafa in 2 clay masters finals in 2011, and in monte carlo this year — you can easily see Novak plays better than Rafa on clay. Rafa barely escaped in RG, but RG’s clay is slightly different, where Rafa has a slight edge.

However, I believe Fed at his best defeats Novak at his best on all surfaces. Somehow I think Novak’s game matches well with Rafa but does not work against Roger’s. I have seen an in-form Roger defeat Novak easily. In fact, there’s something mental here. Novak gets nervous playing against Roger.

Murray is another beast, who is unpreditable. When playing his best, he can cause anybody problems and could beat any of the big 3 on his day.

Tennis is not simple. Its complex… 🙁

@tom

I agree esp on your point about this WTF. It will never be on Rafas to do list – he made sure of number 1 spot, and that`s it.

GrandSlam is other story, there u will see Rafa fighting his arse out – mentally and phsically.

Dont get overexited after this Nole win on one Indoor tournament to end the season.

Yes, Dan. This year Novak actually became complacent I think. The difference in his rating points and whoever was #2 during the year was more than 3000, even more than 4000 at some points. He thought he is at #1 to stay. He did not realize that Nadal who actually came back after a few months of absence would suddenly start accumulating points and challenge him for #1. When after the US Open Final loss to Nadal, it became clear to him that Nadal will become #1 almost for sure at the end of the year — he suddenly realized he needs to fight again. He needs to struggle again. He needs to make winning a priority again.

Sometimes after you win too much and are at the top of the ranking table by a large margin, you sometimes just coast. You are not fighting for every match anymore. You just let things be and enjoy life (meditating, etc).

After US Open, he realized he needs to come out, and fight the war again.

Gaurang, I know that clay comment was yours not Scoop’s… You make valid points & I also feel Novak is capable of beating Rafa even at Roland Garros though it’s the BIGGEST CHALLENGE for him in the sport which he’s the first to admit… I feel him & Rafa are about as even as 2 players can possibly be so there will continue to be shifts in their rivalry… Both players can adjust their game to regain the temporary edge over the other which applies to all the surfaces… If Rafa’s knees continue to hold up, he will maintain this level of play though the type of year he just had isn’t likely to be repeated in consecutive years… Novak likely won’t put together consecutive 2011 type seasons either-it’s just too difficult to play SUPERHUMAN TENNIS all the time even for the 2 MONSTERS OF THE SPORT… I also agree Novak would have at least a couple of French Opens if not for Rafa just as Rafa would have a couple other hard court slam titles if not for the Djoker & vice versa… I’m 1 of the most passionate Rafa FANS around which my comments indicate LOL but I’m reasonable & objective enough to know that no player presents Rafa with as stiff a test on any surface as Djokovic… Deep down Djokovic fans feel the same way when it comes to Rafa… IMO, this rivalry has already surpassed Rafa-Roger & we as TENNIS FANS are truly blessed to be witnessing perhaps the most epic individual sports rivalry since Ali-Frazier to use a reference from my & Scoop’s other sport’s passion-BOXING… Keep up the great work on this site & Scoop don’t take what I say too literally… I wouldn’t contribute to this site you were gracious enough to invite me on if I didn’t find it to be a quality forum for the most underappreciated sport in America… Fan of the site & I enjoy your Tennis articles!

Gaurang, you are correct that Novak’s 3 Masters 1000 series wins over Rafa suggest he is capable of getting the job done “at his best”… However, it’s still very debatable if he has it in him to hold up & beat Rafa best 3 out of 5 sets on clay… That’s probably the MOST DIFFICULT FEAT to pull off in the history of Tennis & 1 of the toughest tasks in sports ever in general… Rafa at his VERY BEST is too much for any player on clay… His defense & movement on the red dirt is the greatest the sport has or ever will see… It’s the fact that Rafa grew up playing & mastering the clay court game that in reality made him a better all around player… Many in the sport including the likes of Brad Gilbert say the best way to teach youngsters how to play tennis is put them on a clay court for it’s how you learn how to patiently construct a point by way of shot selection/baseline play… Just as Novak is capable of beating Rafa on his favorite surface rather comfortably, the same goes for Rafa being able to do that to Novak on hardcourts which this year & 2011’s US Opens both suggest… Another thing that IMO seperates Rafa overall from the other ELITE Great Players in this Big 4 Era is the fact that Rafa has defeated each of them on their preferred surface type in a Slam Final while none of them have been able to get the better of him @ Roland Garros with only Novak & Isner taking him the distance… Eventually, Rafa’s reign will end in Paris & Djokovic figures to win at least 1 French Open but NOBODY will ever dominate a single Slam the way Rafa has the French… A statue outside Court Chartier with Rafa’s likeness should be part of the renovation plans at Roland Garros… LOL Only a prime Bjon Borg could have perhaps been able to have close to a .500 record against Rafa on clay & even that is questionable!

It’s possible Novak could dethrone Rafa @ this year’s French just as it’s just as possible if not more that Rafa could end Novak’s 3 year consecutive reign at the Aussie Open… I think Rafa is HIGHLY MOTIVATED to add a 2nd Australian Open & become the 1st player in the truly modern era to have won each Slam at least 2 times… History has shown, a motivated, healthy & in TOP FORM Rafa usually accomplishes what he sets out to do… Novak won the last 2 matches by outplaying him for which he deserves credit… We didn’t see Rafa’s A-Game nor ALL OUT ENERGY LEVEL however as I feel Rafa has finally reached a point in his career where he’s learned how to pace himself better… We’ll see Rafa’s true best in Melbourne in January I’m pretty sure… If Novak does become “The King of Clay” which is very disputable to say the least, HE’LL NEVER COME CLOSE TO ACHIEVING THE KIND OF SUSTAINED SUCCESS RAFA HAS nor will he sniff 8 titles… A maximum of 3 is possible but far from a given… I think Rafa has 2-3 more French Open titles in him & his 2012 Red Clay form proved that when he’s on his game, he’s SUPERIOR to all on any Red Clay court-Novak included! People can look to spin things how they like but FACTS usually point to Rafa check mating his rival players on the court & those players’ fans arguments off of it!

Again that 2012 French Open Final wasn’t close until the rain came which can’t just be overlooked… It’s not reality to elevate any player over Rafa on Red Clay because HE’S BY FAR THE BEST PLAYER EVER ON A PARTICULAR SURFACE PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE which just happens to be the MOST DIFFICULT to play on by the way… Djokovic falls apart in Big Matches which isn’t something that’s going to just disappear either… He’s a lot steadier, resilient & mentally tougher than he used to be no doubt but he’s still prone to mental collapses & folding it up kind of matches which this year’s: French Open semi, Wimbledon Final, & US Open Final indicate… He has to play out of this world to take Rafa out which he’s more than capable of doing as he’s shown because a test of will usually won’t go his way with the exception of the AMAZING 2011 streak he went on where he shook Rafa’s belief… Rafa’s belief is back now against Novak so from this point forward, we’re looking a CLASH OF THE TITANS/LAST MAN STANDING type of encounter each & every time they play… It’s foolish for anybody to think either player’s going to take over this rivalry & make it 1 sided permanently… We will continue to see shifts… A pattern should be becoming clear to those who are observant, the tide starts shifting after every series of 7 matches between the 2!!

“Could have won” the last 3 French Opens but guess what NOVAK DIDN’T-he faltered & came apart like he has many times before in the Biggest Matches under pressure… Rafa could have & should have won but the 2012 Australian Open but guess what HE DIDN’T either because HE BLEW a wide open down the line backhand which was a result of the discomfort Novak had him feeling at that point… Rafa’s 1 CAREER CHOKE & it was attributed to Djokovic’s greatness I can acknowledge… Didn’t get it done which is on him… Rafa did look to regroup in 2012 in the French Open Final when the rain started pouring which is a tactic that was open to ridicule no doubt… I think it’s safe to say, Novak’s THE MUCH BIGGER WHINER & COMPLAINER which his insistence to stop the semifinal match this year at the French Open so the courts could be watered clearly reflects… Novak was reaching a give up point & looking for a way out anyway… By the way watered or HARDENED CLAY due to rain seem to be the trend when he actually defeats Rafa on Clay if 1 is observant… Keep looking to spin things & I’ll keep delivering counters with plenty of actual examples to back them up!! Facts point to Rafa being > historically the other members of The Big 3 which there are so many accomplishments of his that illustrate… I give Roger & Novak their RIGHTFUL DUE as Extraordinary players but THERE’S ONLY 1 PHENOM!!

One thing that could derail the Djoker from getting off to a good start in 2014. A loss to Berdych tomorrow in Davis Cup. A loss like that might linger in Djoker’s head. He is 14-2 against Berdych, so it would really be an upset. The Czech’s are probably favored to win after taking the big Doubles point today, and Stepanek going in the 5 th match. Should be interesting. Surprised Djoker didn’t play doubs, as seriously as he takes Davis Cup. Might be played out at the end of a long year, which could also help Berdych.

Djoker’s skill of changing defense to offense is taking the game to an insane level. If court surfaces stay at this medium speed, they might make him play the doubles court in the first few rounds of Majors. He stretches wide as far as he can, and still has enough to hit cross- court passing shots against top players. Scary what you have to do to win a point against him when he is playing well.

Hi folks,
I also think Novak at his best is just better.

Rafa exposed Roger’s BH and Novak has exposed Rafa’s BH. Never I thought someone could actually do that.

All the three are legends of the game. We are only comparing subtle aspects of their games. Roger unfortunately or may be fortunately, is 5-6 years older than these two. That’s a BIG disadvantage IMO.

Even otherwise there were occassions such as 2007 Rogers Cup and USO Finals where a young 20 year old Novak gave so much trouble to these two legends.

Novak has it all to win all four slams. He seems to have no clear weakness or who knows, maybe someone will come and expose him as well. Oddly it’s been an unfortunate year for Novak because he had some tough losses in the finals of FO and Wimbledon, which took the wind out of his sail.

Novak lost little bit of confidence or whatever it is and that’s why I think, he could not defend his US Open title this year.

If Djokovic wants to win FO, he needs to win Rome. That’s the key. I think, he will win back to back AO and FO in 2014. Roger had to thank Soderling for granting him a chance to win FO, but Novak needs no such help.

Nadal may be a hurricane, but Djokovic is a tornado. There is no defense against a raging tornado.

Run Forest, run! 🙂

Cheers,
Gans

Stepanek is a semi tennis legend for winning Davis Cup. For a 2 man team to win 2 Davis Cups is quite an accomplishment. Similar to Ivan Ljubicic and Ancic though they only won one. I actually agree with Dan for a change, that Davis Cup loses its luster with the final match so one sided.

BTW, going back in time to Davis Cup legends; how come Adriano Panneta(not sure of spelling exactly) of Italy is not in the Hall of Fame for winning Davis Cup and the French Open in 1976? And he is the only man to beat Bjorn Borg at RG!

BTW, I’m disappointed in Djokovic’s lack of heart at not playing doubles. Nadal would have. Djoker is a bad doubles player, but I think he would have been better than Bazoljac. Zimonjic is overrated but experienced at least, IMO. At Scoop, Tipsy had a heel spur problem I heard. At Dan, with Troicki and suspicion of drugs, maybe we should suspect some other Serbians too! Hmm?

Serbia will have the next 2 years to win another Davis Cup as Djoker is still young enough I suppose. But he won’t have 3 or 4 like Rafa!

BTW, Rafa will be primed and focus to get the Aussie title. With it, he will become the only man in open era to have all majors twice. Can the Djoker handle the pressure in such a final of such magnitude? The new GOAT is coming. Step aside Roger and Pete and Rod and Bjorn!

Gusta

Harold,

Did you say the Stepanek-Lajovic match could be really “interesting?” And Scoop, did you say that Steppy is one of the greatest Davis Cup performers of all time? On what? Beating Almagro, who’s never won a big match in his life, and Lajovic? Please, Radek is one of my must-see guys when I got to a tournament, but him beating Lajovic is a joke and him beating Almagro was like Roddick beating Tursunvov in the USA-Russia DCup finals.

Berdych didn’t even show against Djoko. I’m sorry, DCup is going to have to up its game. I like the idea of having a once-every-other-year event in different cities over a fortnight where each country brings its best players. That would be exciting and unique in all sports. Get rid of this long Davis Cup spree over the whole year ending near Thanksgiving. It’s too long and at the end, very boring this year.

You can’t be a legend beating Almagro and Lajovic. Just not that hard to do. Now I guess if you put it together with him winning the doub’s both year, he gets a nod, but not legend status.

How do you think this team would do against the US team that had Sampras/Agassi playing singles and Mac/Sampras doub’s?

Say what you want fellas but the results in the true biggest matches that truly matter point to who the better player is… Suddenly & unexpectedly rising to #1 in 2011 surpassing the Top 2 Players of this era is still something I’m more than a little skeptical of… I don’t deny Novak’s greatness as it speaks for itself… Even Rafa at this stage in his career has enough to win 6 out of 7 against Novak which he just showed which includes 3 DAMAGING SLAM VICTORIES in a row… Novak’s capable of doing likewise… Accomplishments will always suggest Rafa’s the True GREATEST of this era because he’s done numerous things NONE of the others have… The others have accomplished SOME things he hasn’t as well! Rafa is THE HEART of the ATP Tour for when he’s absent, the tour lacks it’s SPIRIT… Novak has Phenom like ability as well but he doesn’t resonate with the fans nor astonish the tennis media/all time greats worldwide like “The Mallorcan Bull” does… Rafa doesn’t need to run from any player… When he’s healthy & motivated, he finds a will to overcome all challenges both by way of his AMAZING skill but more importantly by BREAKING HIS OPPONENT’S WILL… Keep looking to rewrite history fellas but FACTS point to Rafa being BY FAR the Best of the Big 4 Era which history will confirm when it’s all said & done… I’m done & have made my accuarate arguments already which aren’t based on potential & could have beens! LOL VAMOS RAFA 😉

Scoop, you seem to obsess over those 7 straight match wins and Djoker’s consecutive games won in the 2012 FO final. Still, Djoker has no RG title and he only has 6 majors at age 26. If he doesn’t outdo Rafa in a career, those minor accomplishments will become even more trivial.

Our 2 bets still stand and the next 3 years we can settle them. I’m statistically more likely to win, but you are a die hard Djoker fan, and i admire your delusions?

If Rafa wins the Aussie Open coming up, it might be the end for Djoker as it is his best grand slam. Djoker is going for a record 5 Aussie Opens and Rafa is going for 10 years of majors, 2 of every GS. I wonder who is under more pressure. I say Djoker, as Rafa still has Wimbledon to get 3 of every surface to solidify his GOAT status with. Djoker also folds under pressure more. Rafa stopped Fed and Djoker from 4 straight multiple times. There is no on tougher than Rafa. Vamos!

Gusta