Is there any stopping the Novak Djokovic juggernaut?

With his recent victory at the Miami Masters, Novak Djokovic has once again added fuel to one of the most dissonant debates in tennis history- ”Who is the greatest player of all time?”

Though a conclusion cannot be made in haste, any keen follower of the game will definitely vouch for the argument that he has been playing at a completely higher level than that of his opponents for the past couple of months.

In 2015 he compiled an astounding record of 11 titles and 4 runner up finishes from a total of 16 tournaments played on tour (his only loss come in the quarterfinals at Doha in January).

His 2016 has also been impressive so far with his only loss in 29 matches coming at Dubai, where he retired in the quarterfinals against Feliciano Lopez owing to eye issues. Put in contrast, there is little but change in the results of the two periods.

Speaking of the reasons for his success, his sheer consistency, mental fortitude and healthy body have contributed much. Again, 2016 has by and large been a year without opposition for the Serb. While Djokovic’s results seem to be unwavering, those of his opponents have gone awry.

The upper hand

The eldest of his nemeses, Roger Federer has found more ways than not to falter against the World no.1 in recent times. Andy Murray is also struggling to win matches that he should normally win, while Rafael Nadal is still playing at a level that is hard to believe is his.

Even Stan Wawrinka, who famously denied Djokovic the Roland Garros title last year, has not performed well in 2016. The rest of the top players do not make much of a difference to the Serb.

Such a weakened opposition, coupled with his consistency and impeccable health have resulted in his continued domination in 2016. In fact, he need not push himself for wins these days.

Recent years have seen the rise of Djokovic coupled with Nadal’s injuries and decline, Federer’s age and injuries hindering him from playing his best, and Murray’s not so impressive rise.

In this background, Djokovic has established himself as the leader of the bunch, accentuated by a currently favourable head to head against all the three.

What has he taken away from Federer and Nadal?

Fans? Definitely not. On the contrary, his recent comments on equal prize money have turned some of them bitter.

Instead, he has usurped some of the records that were held by Federer, Nadal and others. After equalling Nadal for number of titles won at the ATP 1000 level with his Indian Wells win, he overtook the Spaniard with his Miami win, which is his 28th overall. He now has 63 tour singles titles, has been the World no.1 for 193 weeks and is hungry for more.

He also overtook Federer as the highest earning tennis player with his Miami paycheque. Though, it could be argued that the prize money difference has definitely contributed in overtaking Federer despite lower title wins, especially at the Grand Slams and lesser number of finals at the Masters tournaments, it stands as good a measure of the immense success that he has enjoyed over the last few years.

Though they could wrest back some of the records temporarily, the mere fact that Djokovic is likely to outlive the other two in the tennis scene makes one feel that the Serb would end up winning these contests.

Will all these take him past the others in the GOAT race? Perhaps not. With a French Open not yet in his cabinet, it could be his biggest achilles heel.

But is there any stopping his momentum?

Who can stop him?

Not counting his Dubai loss, which was by retirement, he has won all the 28 matches played this year. The most pertinent question right now is who will stop Djokovic’s run this year, and more importantly will someone be able to rise to his level and challenge him in the long run.

Heading into the clay season, Djokovic would look to build up on the precedent that he has set in the last few years. He first got a Madrid-Rome double in 2011, his breakthrough year. He then ended Nadal’s hegemonic, eight year undefeated run at Monte Carlo. More recently, he handed Nadal just his second ever defeat at the French Open. Having done that, he was the overwhelming favorite to win the title. Djokovic’s hopes came crashing when Stan Wawrinka outplayed him to clinch the Coupe des Mousquetaires. Will he next clinch the ultimate crown on clay?

Career Slam and Non-calendar Slam

Adding more colour to a career Grand Slam fetching title would be a non-calendar year slam for the Serb. Already called the ‘Djoker Slam’ (Djokovic stated that it would be his main goal for the year after his recent Australian Open triumph), he would become the first male player to achieve it if he clinches the French Open this year.

In fact, he could even extend it to a non-calendar year ‘Golden slam’, which only the Bryan Brothers have managed (men’s doubles) in all of tennis’ five events put together.

Crucial few months

In the coming months, starting with May, Djokovic will be looking to bag three of the most important titles to further establish his claim. The French Open, Olympic Gold and Cincinnati Masters are the only remaining major titles that he is yet to own. While Nadal and Federer have repeatedly denied him the elusive French Open and Cincinnati titles in the recent past, the Olympic games take place just once in four years. With a seemingly depleted opposition and his game never dipping low, he could win a title or two from these events this year.

Slam 12 and beyond

This also remains a contentious point in his list of achievements. With Federer, Nadal and Pete Sampras ahead of him, can he get to the top of the list? Assuming the Swiss and the Spaniard don’t win another slam, he would still require 7 more titles to get to the top.

Whether he can do that, only time will tell. It would amount to repeating over 60% of his Grand Slam title wins so far. He could be 28 years of age and still be at the peak of his game, but embarking on such a humongous task at this point in his career might not yield the expected results. Perhaps the zenith of his career is not very far off.

Finally, is there anyone to challenge him in the immediate future?

Going by recent memory, only the other three members of the big four club can do this.

It is also hard to imagine that one of the upcoming players could stand up to the challenge posed by the Serb in the immediate future. Thus, only a revived and rejuvenated big four and a few others could challenge him.

Irrespective of the possibility, and whether or not to stop the Djokovic juggernaut, many fans fervently hope that Federer, Nadal and Murray bounce back or at least that some of the younger guns turn more competitive.