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Some interesting comparison stats between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic
9 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Statistics certainly do not always tell the whole story but sometimes there are certain numbers which are mildly surprising. I found a few…
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, which man won his first grand slam major title quicker?
Djokovic won his 2008 Australian Open in his 13th slam appearance. When Federer won his 2003 Wimbedon it was his 17 time playing a grand slam.  Nadal’s triumph at 2005 Roland Garros was just his sixth time playing a slam.
Next, let’s compare Masters Series. Djokovic won his first Master Series (Miami) in his third year as a pro – and 10th attempt. Federer needed six years and 29 attempts to annex his first Masters which came at Indian Wells. Once again, Nadal beat them both – winning his first Masters in Monte Carlo in his third year and ninth attempt.
One more.
Davis Cup. Nadal helped Spain win in 2004, his second full pro season. Djokovic lead Serbia to win the Davis Cup last year, his sixth full season. Federer has yet to reach the semifinal round of the Davis Cup.
What does it mean? Not much. While Federer may be the superior of all other players, his closest rivals have achieved unique successes which can be overshadowed.
Enjoy the final today everyone, I’m picking Djokovic in a classic. 7-5 in the third.
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9 comments
<< Balance of power shifts after Djokovic conquers Nadal in Miami
Minhaj · April 4, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I think Nadal was not playing anything close to his best in the match against Djokovic.
At the most he was playing okay. He was trying to keep the ball far away from the lines and because he was making so many unforced errors.
I think Nadal pretty much played at a similar level in the match, and it was Djokovic who improved his game after half a set. Also I think the wind was really hurting Djokovic in the beginning, when the wind settled so did he. Nadal almost always plays well in the wind.
Dan Markowitz · April 4, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Who played his top game, who played his middling game, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that Djokovic for two weeks running, beat Nadal and he came from behind to do it. Djoko clearly has Nadal’s game down. He knows how to parry him, how to out-hit him and when to drop shot him. I’ve never seen Nadal look so tired and beaten at the end of a match.
You heard it here first, Djoko will have the better clay court season than Nadal and beat him at Roland Garros.
Scoop Malinowski · April 4, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Yes, this match was huge. Djokovic has finally proved that he can beat Rafa in a huge match. This match was of critical importance. So many times they have played close battles and Rafa always seemed to come out on top. If Rafa won yesterday it would have deflated Djokovic big time, it would have been deja vu, This darn guy got me again! But now Rafa is the one who has to be doubting himself. Maybe Djokovic is better than me now, maybe he is physically stronger. Nadal was the one looking tired at the end. And Djokovic looked stronger. INcredible match, one of the best you will ever see on a tennis court. Agree Red, Djokovic will win the French Open now. He knows now that he can overtake Rafa – and Rafa knows it too.
Dan Markowitz · April 4, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Uh, Scoop, Djoko just beat Nadal in a huge match in the finals of Indian Wells, down a set. I think he already knew he can beat Nadal. He was the one controlling the rallies in Miami. Nadal actually played much better than he had in Indy Wells.
Didn’t I once say Djoko would win double digit slams? I’d say the over-under for Djoko on slams now is 6 and I’d bet over on that number. And it shows you that you don’t have to have a big time coach to be the best player in the world. Who’s Djoko’s coach, Marián Vajda? This guy had a pro record of 119-152. I’ve never even seen Uncle Tony hit a tennis ball.
How much has Paul Annacone helped Federer? How good is Roddick doing with Stefanki or Kei with Gilbert. Coaches in tennis are so over-rated.
Scoop Malinowski · April 4, 2011 at 4:39 pm
But Djokovic took the third set in IW pretty convincingly 6-2. This time Nadal was much more competitive, it was a dogfight. And every match prior it was always Nadal who won these down to the wire duels. This was the first time Djokovic outlasted Nadal at the very end (and the first time he’s beaten Nadal in a close third set). This could also be the first time Nadal has lost two finals in a row to the same player. Very important sea change in the psychological ebb and flow.
Sakhi · April 5, 2011 at 3:20 am
Dan–I can bet you a dinner of your choice that Djokovic will win at best 5-6 Slams. Your faith in him is overblown—I don’t think (despite what he’s done in the last few months) that he has the ability of Federer or the sheer tenacity of Nadal to ever outlast the two in the long run. The next few months will be interesting for sure but let’s not carried away by a few good wins. The last I checked Nadal still has 9 Slams and counting and I haven’t given up on Fed yet. I’m always curious as to how short-lived our memories are. So, let’s give Djokovic props but not hand over the house keys to him yet.
LASTLY, I’m curious why none of your journalist types have made any snarky comments about Nadal affably saying that Nole was going to be the next number 1. You hound Federer when he says he wants to get back to number 1 but say nothing when Nadal happily abdicates his throne each day!!
Mitch · April 5, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I think you’re underplaying the importance of coaches. Annacone has helped Federer a lot, look at his record in the months before and after he brought him on. He’s only lost to Djokovic, Nadal and Monfils since, as opposed to Montanes and almost Falla before. Stefanki took Roddick to the Wimbledon final in 09 and Gilbert/Nishikori will take time. Also consider how Magnus Norman helped Soderling realize his potential, as did Joakim Nystrom with Melzer.
zaazoo · April 24, 2011 at 8:41 am
“You heard it here first, Djoko will have the better clay court season than Nadal and beat him at Roland Garros.”
Bwahahahah!!!! When did you become a comedy writer?
Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2011 at 12:04 pm
I wouldn’t rule it out yet Zaazoo, Djokovic still is a big favorite to win the French Open, along with of course Rafa. Obviously they are both taking different approaches. It will all be decided on June 5 and it sure does look like they are on a collision course to meet in Paris in the final. And Djokovic KNOWS he can beat Rafa in an important final in a tight match. It’s understandable why you would favor Rafa but Djokovic winning that Miami final was huge for the psychological factor. He planted the seed of doubt in Rafa’s mind.