History is constantly being rewritten, records are made to be broken and nothing is ever set in stone. This week, the world’s number one male tennis player, Novak Djokovic, reminded us of these truths.
To say Djokovic’s 2015 has been an outstanding year is the understatement of the year, perhaps even of the first 15 years of this century.
Over the weekend Djokovic made history by winning his sixth Masters title in one season.
For the third year in a row and for the fourth time in his career, the Serb took home the Paris 1000 Masters with a straight-sets win over Andy Murray. He’s also the first man to win four Paris titles.
His other Masters victories this year were at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome and Shanghai.
With 26 Masters titles, he is just one behind Rafael Nadal, who has a record 27. No matter how he follows up on this year, it is inconceivable that he won’t soon smash through this record.
Djokovic seems almost unstoppable. A quick glance at his 2015 results shows just how phenomenal his year has been – a 78-5 win-loss record, and unbeaten in his last 22 matches (his last defeat was the Cincinnati final to Roger Federer in August).
He’s also won 32 of his last 33 sets – Stan Wawrinka the only recent challenger to take a set off him, which came in the Paris semi-finals last week.
Djokovic’s 2015 Grand Slam win-loss is an amazing 27-1. He has made the final of every Grand Slam, winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. The French was the only misstep in his quest for the elusive calendar Grand Slam, where Wawrinka outplayed him in four sets and possibly out-dressed him in his now iconic red plaid shorts.
His record against the top four players this year is also impressive. He is 4-2 up on Federer and 6-1 up on Andy Murray. He’s 3-0 up on Nadal and 3-1 up on Wawrinka. Four of Djokovic’s five losses this year has come from this group. The fifth loss of the year came early on in January in Doha to Croatian Ivo Karlovic, who has an impressive 3-1 head-to-head advantage over the Serb number one.
To add to this stellar year is his enormous lead in the rankings points. Djokovic is 6815 points ahead of Murray, the world number two. Oddly, tennis followers marvel at this enormous lead, whereas Serena Williams’s stunning lead over her WTA rivals is disparaged. Djokovic has had a masterful year and his rivals just happen to be quite a long way behind in the points, but Williams’ lead is used to suggest that women’s tennis is boring and one-sided. Funny that.
Looking ahead to next week’s World Tour Finals (WTF) – an unfortunate acronym in my opinion – it is hard to see Djokovic leaving as anything other than the victor. His win-loss indoors this year is an impressive 6-0.
So, who can challenge him in London?
With a tight turnaround to the Davis Cup final just the week after the WTF, Murray is likely to leave something in reserve for his national duties. The Scot has single-handedly reinvigorated British men’s tennis, and after his Olympic gold in London, and his 2013 Wimbledon victory, a Davis Cup title will be a nice jewel in his crown. Obviously this is not to suggest that Murray won’t perform in London, but unlike his other opponents, he is not playing his last serious event of the year.
Djokovic’s closest challengers next week are likely to come from his Swiss opponents, Federer or Wawrinka. Federer has already beaten him twice this year, the first time in Dubai and the other at the aforementioned Cincinnati Masters. Both of Federer’s wins were for titles.
Wawrinka’s biggest upset against Djokovic this year was obviously the final of Roland Garros. Wawrinka posses a stunning one-handed backhand, and is as much loved for this as he is for his ability to go mentally AWOL during a match. But, he did take a set from Djokovic last week in Paris, and the pair battled over five thrilling sets at the Australian and US Opens over the years. If Stan the Man is in the zone he may be a worthy challenger. The problem though is that Djokovic has owned the zone in 2015.
Djokovic first won the WTF in 2008. He has since won the last three. A fourth victory seems almost a certainty, especially after this history-making year. It would undoubtedly be a fitting end to an incredible 12 months.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
How about our Sam , she couldn't fight her way out of a wet paper bag ! Women's tennis has never been so weak , highlighted by the incomprehensible Marion Bartoli winning Wimbledon - what an indictment on the game ! Turning up, playing dross and getting paid the same as men for two sets less, doesn't sound egalitarian to me.
FrozenNorth
Guest
You're being polite. Sharapova is the undisputed number 2 in the world when fit and she cannot toss a ball, neither can ivanovic. Serving in general is appalling given they are pro players, there's no excuse for it. Fitness is questionable for many in the top 50 and mentally they appear more fragile than a faberge egg. It's the weakest women's field in living memory, I mean Sara Errani has been top 15 for four or five years, Sara freakin Errani with that powder puff serve. Not so long ago you had Mauresmo, Davenport, Clijsters, Henin, both Williams' and Hingis all fighting for majors at once.
FrozenNorth
Guest
You know before the aussie open i wanted to put a few dollars on ND to win the Grand Slam, to my surprise it was only paying 9:1, I thought there would be an opportunity to go big. he just missed it anyway but the writing was on the wall that he would have a great year. Next gen is sloppy, it's a Zverev or a Coric that will need to come through.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Novak is to be congratulated on a Stella year. In essence he is dominating due to a culmination of unbelievable talent and the invariable decline of some of the tennis greats . Roger and Rafa simply aren't the players of previous years . Roger's concentration has declined markedly and Rafa's injuries have taking a toll ; also Rafa suffers from mental health issues - namely Obssessive Compulsive Disorder which Intermittently affects his game . Andy Murray is just to inconsistent and temparemental to reach the top echelon of men's tennis . Wawrinka, Berdych, Ferrer, Nishikori, Gasquet and Tsonga while all very good, just don't have the all round game to beat and dominate Novak consistently . They all have been on the tour for a long time and have maximized there talents to the fullest . As such, Novak is sitting pretty without a genuine threat to his game based on antiquated greats and average competition . From an Aussie perspective , perhaps Kokkinakis may give him a game in a couple of years . Nick the di.k does not possess the footwork or agile movement to trouble Novak. Indeed , I am shocked Nick the di.k has got so far in his career due to his flat footed striking and concrete tennis feet ! If Novak stays fit he will surpass Roger's grand slam record ! Has tennis ever seen a better mover and outright angle player than Novak..........no ! Novak has surpassed Rafa on the "Hussle" stakes and it looks like there are three Serbs over the net such is his court coverage, unbelievable ! '
duecer
Guest
He's having a very dominant time at the moment, although it is aided by Nadal's poor form and of course Federer being 6 years older and just not being able to get over the line in 5 sets - it's not his fault and the younger guys haven't really come through. An amazing time to have probably 3 of the top 5 players ever together, put him up with Federer with his strength on all surfaces, hope he can get a FO title.Has raised the bar, will be sad when they all inevitably retire.
Let The One King Rule
Guest
Djokovic's results are looked on with awe whereas Serena's are disparaged due to the perceived strength of their competition. Djokovic is playing against a field which includes 2 potential Greatest Of All Times in Nadal and Federer, and others such as Murray and Wawrinka who have formidable careers in their own right, and with whom he's been pushed and developed fantastic rivalries. The men's top 10 is a veritable Hall of Fame all on its own. The women's top 10, unfortunately, isn't. Apart from Serena at the top, the bulk of the list is made up of players with a small list of accomplishments who have never managed to bring the fight to Serena. In her lifetime, she's 6-1 against the world number 2, 3-1 against the number 3, 18-2 against the number 4, 8-0 against the number 5, 5-1 against the number 6, etc. Very few of those are current or even past greats (excepting Venus and Sharapova, and both of those have been in decline for some time), and very few of those have had any really recent memorable matches against her. The same criticisms were levelled against Federer in his heyday, before he was forced to cope with an ascendant Nadal, and now Djokovic. As great as everyone could see he was, there was always going to be a question mark against him until real opposition arose to challenge his primacy. More importantly, despite Djokovic's stellar year, there is always a sense that the other players chasing him could actually beat him. Federer has continued to defy age by keeping Djokovic honest, Wawrinka has had memorable victories in Slam finals, etc. There is no real sense that anyone can challenge Serena unless she shows up hungover.
Kate Smart
Expert
Thanks matth, yeah Djokovic will certainly take it to Fed. It's a shame that the younger guys are still quite a way behind, especially in terms of winning a Slam. Nishikori, maybe if he can stay healthy? Does Federer have another in him? And of course Stan proved everyone wrong by winning a second. I'm really hoping to see some of the younger guys develop over the next few years. Thanks again for the comment.
Kate Smart
Expert
Thanks for the comment FrozenNorth. I do agree that his majors are much more evenly spread than Nadal but Nadal has 1 more Masters win than Djokovic. I'm sure this time next year it will be a different story! Thanks again for the comment.
Kate Smart
Expert
I think Djokovic will overtake Nadal in the slam count, tbh. Remember, 9 of Nadal's 14 are at RG and he began winning Slams at a much younger age than Djokovic. Can he match Fed? Hmm, that should be interesting to see how that pans out. It is interesting that Nadal hasn't won end of year, and Djokovic is currently dominating it.
matth
Guest
At this rate, two or three more years and he is up there with Federer as the modern GOAT.
Brian
Guest
Firstly is his early career habit of retiring when things got to hard. This was in a glaring contrast to Rodger & Rafa. Secondly his tennis is defensive. He has all the shots of course but his court coverage and lack of mistakes is what wears opponents down. Doesn't have Rodger's racket control of Rafa's topspin forehand. Currently in the Slam count its Federer 17 Nadal 14 Djoker 10 but the top 2 have both won all the majors although Nadal curiously hasn't won the end of year Championship
FrozenNorth
Guest
He's already a better player than Nadal IMHO. He has been no1 for twice as long, won twice as many masters events, his majors are reasonably evenly spread, just an animal. Nadal is a tremendous player but soooooooooo many of his best results are on clay.
Kate Smart
Expert
Thanks, Brian. Yeah, the GOAT convo is always a winner! I think it's interesting how many people don't like him yet he is very entertaining and one of the few with a personality. Or is it we don't like certain types of personalities? Is he a bit like Lendl in that way? Something to keep thinking about. Thanks again for the comment.
Brian
Guest
Djokovic season might just go down as the greatest ever. Laver in 1969 won the Gran Slam and Federer in 2006 had a pretty similar season winning 3 and making the final at the French. Not a huge fan of his tennis but as far as getting into the GOAT conversation its only the French Open that stops him being in the Federer & Nadal tier.