Novak Djokovic has taken the tennis world by storm. He usurped two of the greats in tennis, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, to build an impregnable empire. 2011 and 2015 are two years that reflect his dominance and the years in between have been impressive too.
John McEnroe had the following to say about the Serb’s tennis:
“ Novak has taken tennis to new heights”.
Djokovic won a staggering nine Grand Slams from 2011 to 2015 – nine of a possible 20. He won three Grand Slams each in 2011 and 2015, missing out on the French Open title both years. This has made Djokovic only the second man in the Open era to win three Slams in a year more than once in his career, the other man being Roger Federer.
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The Serb called his 2011 campaign the best year in his professional life, but he might have to ponder over that statement a little longer. His implacable run in 2015 is one of the best in the history of the game. This level of tennis is unseen in the sport. Everything seems to be working in his favour.
He has an unbelievable 27-1 win-loss record at Grand Slams this year, reaching all four Grand Slam finals, a feat only Roger Federer and Rod Laver had achieved in the Open Era. After winning his 10th Grand Slam title, Novak said the following:
“We got to double digits now, and I’m flattered and honoured to be a part of elite group of players, legends of our sports to manage to win this many grand slam trophies in their lives and careers. To be just mentioned alongside them is truly something special”.
There is no escaping the fact that Djokovic has had the number of Federer in Grand Slams in the last few years, winning all three of their previous encounters. The Serb’s dominance has been so great that it has forced tennis fans to wonder if he can surpass Federer’s daunting 17 Grand Slam titles record.
“I would not be truthful to you if I would say I’m not thinking about it, Of course I am.”, Djokovic said.
His record at ATP Masters events has been no less impressive. He is one better than Federer in the Masters title tally, with 25 to his name. Nadal holds the first spot in this domain with 27 titles. After winning Monte Carlo, Novak became the first man ever to win the first three Masters tournaments of the year.
Djokovic has been described as “the perfect tennis machine”. He has mastered his tennis, his game is complete. His double-handed backhand produces magical tennis at times. He can vary the pace on the ball and change direction very effectively.
His impeccable forehand is one of the best in the game at the moment. He is unequivocally the best returner in the game. He is also a supreme athlete and can outplay and outlast any other player on tour. To complete the perfect package, Djokovic is mentally tough and can come back from almost any situation.
Djokovic has changed the ‘Big Four’, to ‘The One and the rest’ for now.
He is the World No. 1 with a record 16,785 points. The second best player in the world, Andy Murray is lingering around the 8,200 mark, showcasing the Serb’s utter dominance on the ATP tour.
Djokovic is 5th in the all-time list for most number of weeks as world number, at 170 weeks. He has been World No. 1 for consecutive 69 weeks now, the longest stretch in his career.
Even more so, if the Serb decides not to play anything this year, he will not lose his No. 1 ranking till February 2016; that is 185 weeks at the top spot guaranteed. He has also finished as year-end World No. 1 in four of the last five years.
The Serb is too good for the rest right now; he is at a different level altogether. Everything seems to be going right for him and when everything turns in favour of a player of this calibre, there can be no beating him.
The only person who can beat Djokovic at the moment is Djokovic himself. His records against the other members of the ‘Big Four’ show us why.
Djokovic has a commanding 16-8 lead in the head-to-head battle against his arch-rival Federer since the 2011 Australian Open. Against Nadal, the stats are no different. He has a 15-7 lead against him since 2011 and has won seven of their last eight encounters.
Against Andy Murray, it is 16-6.
With such remarkable stats, the Serb has no doubt paved his way into the history books. What is left to be seen is whether he can become the greatest of all time.
I will not answer this question but I will point out one thing: at the age of 28, Federer had already won 16 Grand Slams and Nadal had won 14. Novak holds 10 at the same age. Whether he can produce this level of tennis for four more years, is the big question.
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