Short post: Novak Djokovic plays the greatest tennis I have ever seen. He has surpassed and uplifted tennis to a new, higher level of excellence, beyond where Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have taken the sport.
That’s all I have to say after today’s result in Rome.
Photo by Henk Abbink.
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Scoop Malinowski · May 18, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Djokovic solved the Rafa puzzle three years ago, lost his way a bit, or perhaps Rafa made some adjustments. But now it’s clear again – Djokovic has solved the Rafa puzzle, and reestablished his superiority. Djokovic will win the French Open, after botching it up the last three years in Paris. The last three years Djokovic should have won IMO, the fourth time will be the charm.
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 1:21 pm
Djokovic always will be the 3rd wheel compared to the 2 TRUE GREAT CHAMPIONS of this Era which are Roger & Rafa… Prime for Prime, Rafa & Roger FAR EXCEED Novak in accomplishments & all around level… In any other era, Novak would be head & shoulders the best of this era… Should of, could of blah blah blah because he couldn’t get it done the last 3 years at the French Open BOTTOM LINE… It’s the same STRICTLY OPINION (which the MAJORITY strongly disagree with) with all due respect Scoop tune with your assessment… A player who doesn’t even half of the Grand Slams of his Premier Rival & 11 fewer than the Greatest Champion in Tennis History doesn’t play THE BEST TENNIS EVER… The numbers don’t lie… It’s Novak’s time right now but history has shown, he won’t take over the sport & go on a sustained run of Grand Slam EXCELLENCE like Roger & Rafa… He has the ability but his up & down mentality & habit of falling apart in the biggest matches will always be a detriment… Rafa has closed the gap again & will in time resolve the puzzle… Today’s match shows he’s close to where he needs to be… The gap isn’t nearly as wide as it was in 2011 because Rafa knows he can & will defeat Novak again when the opening presents itself… Djokovic benefits from having been a Grand Slam Champion level player for about 10 years so he’s fresher than Rafa but still gets all he wants from The Bull… Novak WON today’s match & deserves full credit… The Prince of Tennis title he is deserving of but “King” is only reserved for the MOUNT RUSHMORE Greats of the sport which in this era only applies to 2 players… Novak’s belongs on the Next Level of All Time Greats in the mode of an Ivan Lendl type!
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 1:24 pm
*Djokovic benefits from not having been a Grand Slam Champion for going on a decade & playing all the grueling matches that go along with it like Rafa has been/done!
Dan Markowitz · May 18, 2014 at 1:30 pm
What’s with Becker’s hair? The guy looks like a hit man. Seriously, it wouldn’t surprise me if Becker was a hit man for the German mob or something. The guy looks so severe.
Did James Blake play the qualis at Dusseldorf? What happened, is he making a comeback?
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 1:37 pm
All the Greatest Players in history eventually come across that player who is their equal… Venting aside, Novak is clearly Rafa’s match… Credit to Rafa for at least being able to be on pretty even terms with his heir to the throne unlike other Legends of the sport… Novak had to wait for his chance to emerge as the Next Top Dog… Tremendous Player & a Great Champion who will soon deservedly be the World #1 again… Will still always be a level below Rafa & Roger in career achievements/All Time status but Novak is definitely among The Best Tennis Players in history himself! Credit where it’s due!
Harold · May 18, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Nadal dominated the Clay for 8 or 9 years. He is still co- favorite with Djoko to win the French. People say”players are catching up to Nadal”. Well it’s taken them 10 years, that quite the tribute to Nadal’s greatness.
Djoko played great from mid first set on. Going after Nadal second serve,playing great defense, eating up anything short.
gans · May 18, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Scoop and I have always believed that Djokovic has gotten better than Nadal since 2011. When both play at their best, which they often do, Djokovic is simply better.
I agree with Scoop, Djokovic should have won at least 2/3 FO since 2011.
Grand slam counts and titles are like marks and grades. Just as GPAs are not a true indicator of creativity and talent, the numbers and records could not be the only measure of greatness in sports. In cricket for example, Sachin Tendulkar himself may rate his 50 runs against a better side more than his 200 against a weaker side.
Look how dominant Djokovic is when he beats Rafa. Except for the fact that he doesn’t come to the net that often- better than Nadal though- his game is void of weakness. Against Federer there is a spot to pick on. Remember Djokovic was the first ever to expose Nadal’s backhand side as well. Djokovic has no such weakness. He is better than Nadal in everything. Nadal knows it. Uncle Tony knows it.
Djokovic is almost like an evolved combination of Nadal and Federer. When he plays his best, both have little chance to win. Federer has better chance than Nadal though.
In my books, Djokovic’s 6 slams is worth more because of the era he is playing. Again, this is nothing against Federer and Nadal. They are greats and that’s what makes Djokovic’s 6 even greater. They know it too.
Most of the commentators are biased or can’t think clearly. They fail to see or say things clearly. Let it be BG or Darren Cahil they miss simple things.
My predictions are coming along well. Djokovic has won Rome and should he be free of wrist injury, he will beat Nadal in four sets at the French. The team Nadal’s hope would be that someone takes down Novak as Federer did in 2011 and spoiled what otherwise would have been Novak ‘ s first FO.
Cheers!
gustarhymes · May 18, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Djoker played a great match. But one match does not a RG champion make. This season is different in that there are 3 different winners of the clay court masters. The other years Rafa won 2 and 2011 Djoker won 2 I believe. I think it is a 3 way race with 3 cofavorites of Wawrinka, Djoker and Nadal. In other years prior to Rafa, a player was lucky to win 1 Masters on clay. Marcelo Rios won all 3 masters on clay in his career and never won the French. Djoker is not a heavy favorite, and King of tennis is a joke.
Nadal has lost a step maybe, but I see that Djoker has also. He’s not running wide for his forehand that well. Rafa noticed it and exploited it at times in the 1st set. Djoker then hit more winners off of Rafa’s serve which I believe won him the match. Also some of the net cords helped. This match could have gone either way. Djoker may not have that great a returning day like he did today and he has to do it over 3/5 sets.
Scoop’s comments about Djoker being Roger or Rafa level over the years have been laughable. He did not amount to the player Scoop hoped. I said years ago Djoker is only at an 8 GS champion level; so far I’m right. He has failed to deliver on expectations except when he cheated and used Grass spikes at Wimbledon and had his 2011 season. He’s not even worthy of the slams he has, and in reality he is only supposed to have max 6 or 7 majors.
Djoker and Rafa have only 2 seasons left before Thiem arrives with Dmitrov at his heels. Of course either of these 2 young players have a chance of making some upsets at RG too.
I’m still hopeful for Rafa winning majors. He’s playing well enough still and if he picks his spots he still can. His losing earlier in Monte Carlo and Barcelona may help him. RG is best of 5 and Rafa maybe still peaking.
Gusta
gustarhymes · May 18, 2014 at 4:56 pm
@ Gans:
djoker is better than Nadal at “everything”. what a joke! djoker is a cheater at Wimbledon and not at Rafa Roger level. Djoker is losing a step just as I predicted and his crotch shotting and stretching will be his downfall, even though it is why he won too. He is starting to lose a step, and he can afford that less than rafa Or Roger who are naturally faster aroung the court than Djoker.
Gusta
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Djoker is better at everything than Nadal except mental toughness, natural athleticism, variety & winning THE BIGGEST MATCHES where he more often than not CHOKES especially against Rafa… Prime for prime, he isn’t in Roger or Rafa’s league… His sudden & unexpected rise since 2011 is VERY SUSPICIOUS… He obviously needed an “edge” to pass by or get to the level of the 2 True Greats/LEGENDS of this era… Anything who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves… 3rd wheel to Rafa & Roger… 6 Grand Slams WILL NEVER surpass 13 or 17… It doesn’t compute in math nor in reality… Rewriting history & distorting facts doesn’t change them… Novak is 6-6 all time in Grand Slams so what he should have done doesn’t mean squat!
gans · May 18, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Gusta, it’s not a joke! It’s (D)joker! 🙂
Cheers!
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 5:10 pm
*Anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Gans, it’s not a “Djok” that Rafa has broken your player’s will & made him fall apart & tap out on the Grand Slam stage on numerous occasions! Vamos
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 5:41 pm
I respect Novak as a Tremendous player & champion… I acknowledge him as Rafa’s only true match & greatest rival… However, Novak & many of fans’ arrogance/antics makes it hard to like the guy which is why he’ll never be embraced across the world like Roger & Rafa… I thinktthe fact that Novak having 4 of his 6 Grand Slam titles at the Aussie Open is fitting because it reflects his place in Big 3 pecking order… The widely considered least prestigious & most under the radar Grand Slam while Roger & Rafa reign supreme at the 2 most storied Slam venues… Djokovic has his place as an All Time Tennis Great without question but he’s not in the same Tennis royalty class as Federer & Nadal… Just reality!
Dan Markowitz · May 18, 2014 at 6:51 pm
To think Wawa is a tri-favorite to win the French is laughable. Wawa has no chance of winning the French. Australia is always the wildcard slam and Wawa got his wildcard. Now that we’re into the thrust of the season, I’d give Nishikori a better chance of winning the French than Wawa.
gustarhymes · May 18, 2014 at 8:09 pm
Winning a masters on clay prior to RG makes you a contender. We have 3 different winners of the Masters; just saying! Nishikori is an outside contender, but we all know he has wilted in more physical venues. Nishikori smartly did not play Rome in an attempt to make a run at RG.
Dan markowitz · May 18, 2014 at 8:48 pm
I think that was a smart move by Nishikori. I think the potential winner of the French is more open with Nadal not so invincible. And Federer looks nowhere near ready to win so realistically, only 4 men have a chance to win.
Scoop Malinowski · May 18, 2014 at 9:01 pm
Djokovic doesn’t have to match Rafa and Federer’s slam totals to prove he’s playing better higher quality more efficient machine like tennis. Can you imagine how many majors Djokovic would have won if Fed and Rafa took up soccer instead of tennis? But then again Djokovic credits Fed and Rafa for making him become the great player he is today. The evolution of tenins is that each new dominant champion is superior to his predecessor. Same thing in boxing. Larry Holmes wasn’t as popular, famous, exciting or colorful as Muhammad Ali, but he was probably the technically better fighter. Good discussion, thanks everyone.
CS3 · May 18, 2014 at 9:52 pm
Novak is the most technically sound, complete Tennis machine like player I have seen… Federer is the most naturally talented & artistic player probably in history… Rafa is the most athletic, physically punishing & out of this world competitor in history which makes IMO the PHENOM of the sport past & present… Each of these 3 players is GREAT in their own way & they have traits that set them apart… The ultimate measuring stick however is their achievements in THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, Grand Slams while in their true individual primes… Roger & Rafa at their TRUE BEST clearly are the Greatest Players & Champions of this & quite possibly any era… They set a standard of EXCELLENCE long before Novak even came on the scene… Djokovic is the Best now but he’ll never approach what Roger & Rafa have achieved & his reign of dominance won’t last nearly as long… His body will likely start breaking down in the next 1-2 years plus there are YOUNG LIONS on the prowl who soon will surpass both him & Rafa… Novak’s the Best 3rd member of a trio in history — which there is no shame in… Had he come along in any other era, he could have been the GOAT… All a matter of timing in life & he has LOST too often on the Grand Stage to truly be the equal of Federer & Nadal! Entertaining discussion!
gans · May 18, 2014 at 11:25 pm
CS3, seriously? 🙂
Everything you said appeared to be quite ok until you started predicting that whatever Djokovic won’t match Federer or Nadal and that his body will breakdown in 1-2 years etc.
According to your own words that’s like should have, could have or blah blah blah. Today, Djokovic is the best- you are correcr. That’s what we have been saying. So I guess, we are on the same page. Just like you, people have been predicting Rafa’s tennis obituary for the last few years. Such predictions are little premature, naive or simply a ‘wish’.
Djokovic will continue to be a serious threat to winning majors and will be a ‘major’ hurdle for youngsters at least for the next 4 years or so.
Cheers!
Gaurang · May 19, 2014 at 4:14 am
When Djokovic and Nadal both play their best tennis, Djokovic wins, relatively easily. This has been proved over and over and over again. So Djokovic has mastered Rafa.
Djokovic has taken great pains to reach this point, after having been defeated again and again and again on clay — earlier in their rivalry. After their excellent match in Madrid semi-finals some years ago, where Nadal saved a bunch of match points and won, Djokovic admitted being heartbroken for the remainder of the year. I think it was 2009 or 2010. So he had a strong emotional reason to come back, to prove that he can play better than Nadal.
In 2011, he reached that point where he defeated Nadal in 6-7 continuous finals. From that point on, Nadal’s few wins over Djokovic has been due to Djokovic not playing his best, not due to Nadal’s superiority.
But “solving Nadal” is only one milestone that Djokovic needs to cross in order to named among all time great players. He must win against everybody regularly. He must win slams, and a lot of them. He has been playing very well since 2011, with only small downturns. He needs to continue this level of play for 3-4 more years, earning 2 slams a year on average — so his total will cross 13 or something – at which point he will be considered “among” the best of all times. Federer and Nadal have already secured a place in that list, near the very top.
Scoop, I admit that Djokovic has achieved a very high level of play — definitely higher than Nadal — but I dont think it is higher than Federer yet. Federer plays like poetry, and Djokovic I think will still be defeated by a Federer playing his best tennis. Well, perhaps I think now Djokovic’s tennis skill may have reached a point higher than Fed, but he still somehow becomes nervous when playing Federer which causes him to play well below his best — so if Federer is playing his best, he can still take the victory. He needs to solve the Federer puzzle as well.
I love Djokovic, and I wish he continues to play his best tennis for the years to come. Watch out for Raonic though. With his blistering serve, Raonic always will be tough to beat when he is serving well.
One more thing: I believe Djokovic will win the French Open final this year unless he looses to Federer or Raonic in QF/SF.
And one last thing: Even if Djokovic gets back to #1 after FO, he will loose the ranking back to Nadal after Wimbledon, since Nadal is only defending a few points there. However, Djokovic should get it right back after the American summer where Nadal is defending a whole lot of points.
CS3 · May 19, 2014 at 8:20 am
Rafa at his True Best 2008, 2010 & 2013 is every bit as good as Djokovic has been at his, better truthfully considering GRAND SLAM RESULTS… Their H2H in Grand Slams is the most telling gauge… The best now doesn’t make you the best of this era bottom line… Regardless of the way Rafa has been able to beat Novak in rrcent years, he has & often by making Novak mentalky fall apart & quit like at last year’s US Open… That says a lot… It’s clear who the 2 Greatest Players & Champions of this era are… @ Gans, save your Cheers for someone else with all due respect!
CS3 · May 19, 2014 at 8:22 am
*recent years, mentally fall apart… Darn touch screen! Lol
CS3 · May 19, 2014 at 8:27 am
It’s clear many ignore mathematics & facts when giving opinions/making assessments… Oh well, like I say THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE! @ Gans, I was a little out of line there… No hard feelings!
CS3 · May 19, 2014 at 8:53 am
Just to make myself perfectly clear, my general point is I don’t feel Djokovic will ever match Roger & Rafa in overall career achievements & all time status in the sport… He has matched & surpassed them in the present… I notice many fans & media members only seem to want to take into account from 2011(the time he figured out the formula to regularly defeat Roger & Rafa) up until now when analyzing Novak’s career & they ignore the fact that for about the first 5 years of his career, he was OWNED by Rafa & Roger… Despite having a clear edge now against Rafa & Roger, Novak has still lost quite a few matches to them in the last few years despite being physically fresher… To Novak’s credit, he maximized his considerable talent to become a worthy heir to the throne of supreme excellence that arguably THE 2 BEST PLAYERS IN HISTORY have set… Novak matured & put it all together credit where it’s due… An entire career isn’t just the best years of a career though when judging the place of a Great player or team in history… Sure, Djokovic was young, shaky & mentally/physically fragile at times despite being gifted enough to be the World #3 but it needs to be pointed out that Rafa was winning Grand Slams & regularly beating the world’s best players all the way back to the time he was in his late teens… I give Novak his full due as THE MAN in Tennis today but I will along with many others rate Federer & Nadal as The Greatest of this Era… Novak’s definitely among the Greats & Top 5 IMO along with Sampras & Agassi… To even be worthy of being included with such company I think is a big enough honor in itself & confirms all time greatness… I think that’s a very reasonable assessment featuring what I go by & what more people should, FACTS!
CS3 · May 19, 2014 at 9:23 am
Again @ Gans, I apologize for my vent there… I get worked up & admittedly over-the-top at times when it comes to My Beloved Favorite Player & Athlete in the World today… I respect your valid & knowledgeable opinions… We are all FANS of Tennis who appreciate the sport… We all have our individual favorites & don’t agree on everything but I need to be more amicable when engaging in discussion for respect is warranted… Have a good day & as you say, Cheers! 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2014 at 9:29 am
CS3 you have to accept and understand that it took Djokovic many years to find himself and to mature and evolve into the finished product, the ultimate tennis machine, we are seeing and enjoying now. It took him years and years of heartbreaking losses to Rafa and Fed in big events to finally figure out how to turn the tables. At one point, years ago, it seemed IMPOSSIBLE for Djokovic to ever overcome Rafa and Federer. People questioned his heart, his toughness, his strength. But he has finally done it. To the awe and thrill of the world, Djokovic has found the strength, the tactics, the mental fortitude to overcome the two greatest tennis titans we ever saw Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. It took a while but Djokovic has accomplished the impossible. Djokovic will once again reign supreme atop the ATP mountain pinnacle.
Abe Froman · May 19, 2014 at 11:37 am
very valid points from all….and let me anchor by saying although djoko has accomplished a lot and has a legit shot in paris – nadal still has a slight edge. and regardless of the outcome, djoko will always be a level / class below rafa and fed..
RG favourites : nadal, djoko, fed, yakidori, wawa, ferrer, raonic and the berdman of alcatraz…LOL
CS3 · May 19, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Novak has earned his time to be THE MAN & heir to the Roger/Rafa throne for which I do give him his rightful due… His reign won’t be as long lasting or decorated in Grand Slams but it’s a LEGACY OF ALL TIME GREATNESS nonetheless… Hard to accept but I am aware of what is transpiring… All Legends eventually go through a passing of the torch in any sport… Roger & Rafa are & will be The 2 Greatest Champions of this era but it’s Novak time now… I do think the young up & comers are going to take over within the next 2 years because the way they are seriously challenging the world’s Truly Elite Players suggests as much… At 27 & 28 respectively & with their grueling, physical styles of play, it is very possible that Rafa & Novak have about 2-3 peak years left at the most!
Bryan · May 19, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Djoker is still #2 but he certainly has the mental edge and the better momentum going into the French Oopen. With Djoker once again on top of his game and Nadal still the clay king it seems almost certain one of them will win the French Open.
We’re lucky to have the big 4 playing at the same time. Kind of like the 80s with so many good players able to win. Still I’m waiting for one of my guys like Isner, Gulbis or Janowicz to break the code and win a major. Stan did it so anything’s possible.
gans · May 19, 2014 at 11:56 pm
Cs3, no problem. I respect your views and passion. Let’s enjoy the FO and admire these great athletes.
Cheers! 🙂
CS3 · May 20, 2014 at 8:25 am
Well said Gans! Should Novak accomplish his biggest remaining goal, I will give him his rightful full respect… A Career Grand Slam would definitely make him worthy of being considered a peer of Federer & Nadal… Should be some tremendous tennis… May the best & most deserving players win on both the ATP & WTA Tour…Enjoy your day!
Abe Froman · May 20, 2014 at 9:32 am
izzie, gulbi and jj still have potential but they definitely need to juice it up hardcore if they wana capture the elusive slam win….they’re not getting any younger and on their current heading and trajectory – they’re aligning themselves to wither away into mediocrity-land…they aint scheizen and prlly will be nada ! LOL
gustarhymes · May 20, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Well Scoop, Djoker actually does have to match Nadal and Fed in accomplishments to be considered as great. In Boxing it is simply who you fought and your record and holding a major title. Tennis has 4 GS which are the proving grounds. Rafa and Fed are head and shoulders above Novak at the slam level. Novak taking longer to get to the top means he is inferior. He even cheated to get there (spikegate). I have no respect for a player that does that. He’s a fraud.
Djoker’s loss at Aussie Open actuially says he is vulnerable to losing to anyone anywhere now. He is only 1 year younger than Rafa, and far less accomplished. He has to win the GS of men’s tennis to surpass him. I forgot, you claim every year he’s going to do it! Djoker is overrated.
gusta
Scoop Malinowski · May 20, 2014 at 9:16 pm
We disagree Gustarhymes, Djokovic is a great player in his own special way. Fed and Rafa are far more accomplished, yes, but as far as quality of tennis, Djokovic has exceeded them both, which deserves a lot of credit. Rafa and Fed are two great great champions and both are massively difficult to beat even once or twice. Djokovic has good records against both and could very well take over the head to head vs. both in the next year or two. There’s no way you or any other critic can discredit or downplay that. But feel free to keep trying so we can keep this enjoyable debate going strong 🙂
CS3 · May 21, 2014 at 12:21 am
Gusta is dead on because at their PINNACLE, Roger & Rafa are clearly The Top 2 Players Ever! Djokovic is a very worthy #3 of this era… H2H in Grand Slams is the most important gauge & Rafa is the BEST of the BIG 4 ERA there… Novak has just surpassed Roger & Rafa in the present not overall… FACTS, NUMBERS & ACHIEVEMENTS confirm as much!
CS3 · May 21, 2014 at 12:29 am
Scoop plays favorites in the sports he covers which is his right to do so… Lol Should Djokovic YET AGAIN FAIL this year at the French Open, he will go into a funk like has been the reocurring pattern of his career… Rafa & Roger have sustained Dominance & Grand Slam EXCELLENCE for nearly a decade which Novak won’t come close to approaching… Novak’s career is that of a supremely gifted player who in reality is VERY STREAKY… An All Time Great & THE MAN in today’s game but a #1 who won’t reign in the same fashion or for as long as his 2 predecessors!
CS3 · May 21, 2014 at 12:38 am
It’s all in fun by the way Scoop… I enjoy these discussions & our chats on Boxing & Tennis… Appreciate the fact you extended the invite for me to be able to offer my opinions on this fine site that you & Dan should definitely be proud of… I think Tennis-Prose should have a fb page.. I would happily share & spread the word on my profile & the various sports group sites I administer/am a member of! Take Care 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · May 21, 2014 at 7:20 am
Then why can’t all these numbers crunch down Djokovic, why is Djokovic the favorite to slay both Fed and Rafa at the FO? Simple answer: He’s better.
Scoop Malinowski · May 21, 2014 at 7:21 am
Actually I do not play favorites in sports, I just know the best when I see it. Djokovic and Pacquiao are the best. Mayweather ducked Pacquiao for over four years because he knows he can’t beat him.
CS3 · May 21, 2014 at 8:38 am
I acknowledge Djokovic is better now… I still say Rafa & Roger at their true best are the better players… Having more tennis miles on them, though still great both Federer & Nadal aren’t what they once were which is why an heir has taken the throne… That is natural evolution in any sport… Dominating individual Grand Slams for close to a decade & making the next-in-line have to basically wait 5 years for his turn speaks volumes… As for Floyd-Manny even though Floyd is clearly the more skilled fighter who would likely win that fight rather easily, his reluctance to face Manny can’t be overlooked as it does indicate self-doubt… What also can’t be overlooked is Manny continuing to basically allow himself to be the property of an aging, declining in status promoter who chooses his fights which have become never ending rematches… Due to Arum, a great fighter, true global superstar & fine individual outside the ring in Manny Pacquiao is being taken advantage of financially & is having numerous lucrative fights prevented in the process… We both know Schaefer & Haymon are SLIME no doubt who are plaguing Boxing with their “Staged Fights Sports Entertainment” format but Bob Arum & Don King are the masters of being crooked, greedy promoters… I respect your opinions Scoop… We can can hopefully agree to disagree cordially! Have a Nice Day!
Abe Froman · May 21, 2014 at 9:36 am
djoko anit scheizen ! LOL