Djokovic has won ONE of the last FIVE US Opens, and is having trouble winning the AO (down 2-sets-to-1 in Final) and Wimbledon (Federer match points)

[TennisProExpert]

Well he was definitely on his last legs in the 2019 Wimbledon Final, and he was on his last legs (and appeared so physically) in this year's AO Final (and Thiem didn't even need his best tennis to hurt Djokovic).

Yeah this.

2 cakewalks in a row, then the first top opponent saved match points and needed Thiem to utterly implode. It’s a shame the field is so pathetically weak and lacking any depth.

 

[jm1980]

He’s such a flukey player. Should’ve lost to Federer and Thiem last 2 slams. Now been gifted a cakewalk at his worst slam, with conditions suiting his human backboard game perfectly.

Human backboard who's hit 84 winners in his last two matches, both comfortable 3 setters

 

[RF-18]

The salt is real.

 

[TennisProExpert]

You will have to address this to Nadal fans and I know they will beg to differ.

Federer 2004-2007 was at the highest level ever, and no, Nole wasn't beating his A game. His winning streaks and many record settings during his run during those years were overwhelmingly impressive that no player has ever reach.

Yeah this. Federer clearly has the highest peak ever. I think Novak will take longevity argument though (courtesy of 2 lostgens in a row)

 

[r2473]

And when you think of what a player's last ever slam title will look like, it would logically be a very close victory at their favorite venue vs. a slamless opponent - exactly what happened to Djokovic this year at the AO.
Is Djokovic declining rapidly, or is Federer improving at Wimbledon, and Thiem about to rule Australia?

Djokovic's days are numbered. A new GOAT is on the rise:

Curse and damn you all you'll fall by the hand of the
Sinner!

 

[TennisProExpert]

Human backboard who's hit 84 winners in his last two matches, both comfortable 3 setters

Stats need to be looked at in context. I watched the whole Kachanov match, his tactics were basically push with depth and throw in drop shots to throw opponent off. All he had to do was keep the ball in play and watch Karen implode with UFE. He has a total of 1 win over a top player this year, choking Thiem at the AO who had no plan B or tactics other than hit the ball very hard

 

[GabeT]

Stats need to be looked at in context. I watched the whole Kachanov match, his tactics were basically push with depth and throw in drop shots to throw opponent off. All he had to do was keep the ball in play and watch Karen implode with UFE. He has a total of 1 win over a top player this year, choking Thiem at the AO who had no plan B or tactics other than hit the ball very hard

So far this year Novak has played 36 matches (winning 35) and beaten 12 top-20 players. So about 1/3 of his matches this year where against top 20 players, a similar % as Federer faced in his 2006 season. This year he’s beaten both Nadal and Federer, as well as Thiem, Tsitsipas, and Medvedev.

and he’s done this at age 33. The comparison isn’t perfect but in the equivalent years (2014 for Fed and 2019 for Nadal) they both lost about 5 of their first 36 matches. Novak only lost one and the other player didn’t even beat him.

 

[Steve0904]

Yet he is the defending champion in 2 of the 3 slams mentioned in the title. And 2 time defending at the AO. The other he won in 2018 so not exactly a lifetime ago. Close to losing is only good in horse shoes and hand grenades, OP.

 

[RF-18]

Stats need to be looked at in context. I watched the whole Kachanov match, his tactics were basically push with depth and throw in drop shots to throw opponent off. All he had to do was keep the ball in play and watch Karen implode with UFE. He has a total of 1 win over a top player this year, choking Thiem at the AO who had no plan B or tactics other than hit the ball very hard

 

[TennisProExpert]

So far this year Novak has played 36 matches (winning 35) and beaten 12 top-20 players. So about 1/3 of his matches this year where against top 20 players, a similar % as Federer faced in his 2006 season. This year he’s beaten both Nadal and Federer, as well as Thiem, Tsitsipas, and Medvedev.

and he’s done this at age 33. The comparison isn’t perfect but in the equivalent years (2014 for Fed and 2019 for Nadal) they both lost about 5 of their first 36 matches. Novak only lost one and the other player didn’t even beat him.

2020 Novak Djokovic tennis season - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Couple of decent wins in January. Complete lack of opponents post lockdown.

 

[Pheasant]

33-1 record, with his only loss coming from himself. That's surreal.

 

[jm1980]

Stats need to be looked at in context. I watched the whole Kachanov match, his tactics were basically push with depth and throw in drop shots to throw opponent off. All he had to do was keep the ball in play and watch Karen implode with UFE.

What kind of context explains how this supposed pusher outwinnered Khachanov, who is an attacking player with big weapons, 44-31? Khachanov himself was at 31 W/31 UE, which is not a bad stat at all on clay and against a player like Novak

He has a total of 1 win over a top player this year, choking Thiem at the AO who had no plan B or tactics other than hit the ball very hard

LMAO, the salt here. What is a "top player"?

He's beaten Medvedev, Nadal, Shapovalov, Thiem, Khachanov (twice), Monfils on an 11-match winning streak, Tsitsipas, RBA, and a Schwartzman who had just beaten Nadal on clay

 

[GabeT]

2020 Novak Djokovic tennis season - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Couple of decent wins in January. Complete lack of opponents post lockdown.

35-1

 

[Standaa]

oh my god these threads

 

[TennisProExpert]

What kind of context explains how this supposed pusher outwinnered Khachanov, who is an attacking player with big weapons, 44-31? Khachanov himself was at 31 W/31 UE, which is not a bad stat at all on clay and against a player like Novak


LMAO, the salt here. What is a "top player"?

He's beaten Medvedev, Nadal, Shapovalov, Thiem, Khachanov (twice), Monfils on an 11-match winning streak, Tsitsipas, RBA, and a Schwartzman who had just beaten Nadal on clay

At this point, Thiem on clay/HC or Nadal on clay. The rest aren’t worth mentioning.

did you watch the match today? Khachanov was bad. What weapons? FH was a joke. BH a basic rally shot. No variety. No net play. Another mug blasted out the way.

 

[TennisProExpert]

35-1

Very least I’d expect given the abysmal level of competition. He should be 39-0 if he wasn’t disqualified.

 

[GabeT]

Very least I’d expect given the abysmal level of competition. He should be 39-0 if he wasn’t disqualified.

Lol. What was your handle before you were banned and came back?

 

[I Am Finnish]

And when you think of what a player's last ever slam title will look like, it would logically be a very close victory at their favorite venue vs. a slamless opponent - exactly what happened to Djokovic this year at the AO.
Is Djokovic declining rapidly, or is Federer improving at Wimbledon, and Thiem about to rule Australia?

Good joke

 

[Omega_7000]

Easy to play perfect tennis when your primary competition other than a 39 year old and another 34 year old is absolutely pathetic

 

[JackGates]

And when you think of what a player's last ever slam title will look like, it would logically be a very close victory at their favorite venue vs. a slamless opponent - exactly what happened to Djokovic this year at the AO.
Is Djokovic declining rapidly, or is Federer improving at Wimbledon, and Thiem about to rule Australia?

One match is not a large sample size. You can be at your best and have some terrible days, or you can be past your prime and have a few great days, decline is not linear, so the thought that 1 match could tell the whole story is not convincing.

And it doesn't have to be one or the other, pros are always in slumps and fluctuating, Djokovic could have a bad day and Fed had an excellent day, it doesn't have to be that just one guy played better or worse, both can be true at the same time.

And the last thing, even when two things are true at the same time, it doesn't have to be 50% either. Maybe it was 20% due to Fed having a great day and 80% of Djokovic having a bad day or whatever ratio. Or it can be more than two things, maybe someone was tired or injured.

I reject your simplistic premise, I think reality is usually a bit more complex.

 

[zvelf]

All the facts favor me.
In fact even the questions favor me, since nobody can answer why Federer is on the brink of winning Wimbledon, and why Thiem is Djokovic's equal at the AO....

Facts don't favor you once you look at them in full context instead of cherry-picking what suits you, and even then you stretch it. Federer didn't win Wimbledon. Djokovic did, so your overall point is lost. Thiem didn't equal Djokovic at the AO. Djokovic won and Thiem lost, so again, your overall point is lost. Here is the most important fact that defeats your Djokovic-in-decline idea: Djokovic has not lost a completed match the entire year. Djokovic having close matches that he wins doesn't mean he's in decline. Actually losing more matches than normal means he's in decline.

 

[jm1980]

At this point, Thiem on clay/HC or Nadal on clay. The rest aren’t worth mentioning.

Schwartzman on clay not worth mentioning, huh?

 

[kishnabe]

Sorry but I feel like you're just in denial. No doubt other Nadal fans will also be in denial. That's what I don't like about fans of Federer or Nadal. Novak right now is playing beyond what 2006 Federer in a weaker competition could. Nadal even in his best clay seasons did not look as unbeatable as Novak is looking right now.

2006 Federer level is far higher than what Djokovic can produce ever.

2013+ era is lot weaker than 2004-07. Fedalovic should not be winning slams right now.

 

[TennisProExpert]

Schwartzman on clay not worth mentioning, huh?

He has no chance of beating Djokovic, let’s be real.

 

[jm1980]

He has no chance of beating Djokovic, let’s be real.

Yet he's played the top players on clay you mentioned and beaten both of them

 

[merwy]

lol

Federer wil reach peak Wimbledon level at 50 years old

 

[SonnyT]

And when you think of what a player's last ever slam title will look like, it would logically be a very close victory at their favorite venue vs. a slamless opponent - exactly what happened to Djokovic this year at the AO.
Is Djokovic declining rapidly, or is Federer improving at Wimbledon, and Thiem about to rule Australia?

Another way of looking at it: he always finds a way to win!

 

[TennisProExpert]

Yet he's played the top players on clay you mentioned and beaten both of them

He isn’t a threat to Djokovic imo.

 

[SecondToNone]

Bump

 

[SonnyT]

Federer is the most naturally talented, ever!

Djokovic is the strongest mentally, ever!

Remember sports at the top is just as much a mental game, as a physical one!

 

[Born_to_slice]

He is looking a lot like 2011 Novak, as f-ing crazy as that is to think about.

No he doesn't. He's very much a different player now. Serve got much better, slices more than ever and his stamina is definitely lower.

 

[RF-18]

LOL

 

[GabeT]

What a buffoon

 

[SecondToNone]

He has no trouble winning Roland Garros tho

 

[SonnyT]

'19 Wim F, spotted Federer 2 championship points
'20 AO F, spotted Thiem 2-1 set lead
'21 RG SF, spotted Nadal the first 5 games of the match
'21 RG F, spotted Tsisipas 2 set lead

He never allowed a single break point to Thiem in the last 2 sets, nor to Tsisipas in the last 3.