Djokovic: "The Novak of today is stronger than 10 years ago"

[NoleFam]

Which slams does he win then? He is not beating Wawrinka at the AO, he's not beating Nadal at RG, he doesn't survive the Delpo-Murray combo at Wimb and doesn't survive the Stan-Nadal combo at USO either.

Nadal and Wawrinka absolutely do not want to play 2023 Djokovic at the USO in those faster conditions. You have to realize that Wawrinka preferred higher bouncing, medium to medium/slow hardcourts. What did Wawrinka ever do on the laykold of Miami? Nothing. Never even made a QF. What about Nadal? Lots of finals but no cigar. Djokovic 2023 would be a nightmare for them on that slick, low bouncing surface especially while hitting his forehand with more ferocity and serving better than he did back then.

Yea if you're talking about the surface of 2013 where it's slower and higher bouncing they have the edge but not on the court of 2023. The AO also is faster than 2013 and is not playing to Wawrinka's style. So saying Djokovic doesn't win a Slam is just more basing on age than anything, not what he's bringing to the court.

 

[McGradey]

I think he is a more complete and difficult to beat player in many ways. He has a variety of strategies and all the tools needed to break down players in different ways now. Look how he downloaded Sinner's weaknesses from the round robin and then took his legs out in the final. Sure, Sinner was flat and probably exhausted, but Djokovic was doing a lot of that to him. Djokovic also looked fitter despite being 14 years older.

-- Similar things have happened in other sports, though admittedly mostly in team sports. For a great example look up Richie McCaw who in rugby was an absolute master of the game right up until the day he retired, which was the day he lead his team to a second world cup win, at age 35.

All that said, we saw at Wimbledon that a peaking young player can expose Novak's aged legs and decreased stamina. I think it's fair to say if he had to navigate 2-3 players of equal or near-equal skill in each tournament, like he was 10-12 years ago, he would be losing more than he is. (For instance, Djokovic had to go through Berdych, Federer and Murray to win the 2011 AO and frankly, that kind of gauntlet does not exist at the present time).

 

[TheFifthSet]

Buys into his own delusion like the jackass he is, no?

Unhinged comment. Federer and countless other athletes have said the same thing (however mistaken they are), nothing new there whatsoever.

 

[darthrafa]

tbh, apart from physical condition, these great players can only get better and better
i am not surprised that he is a better player now

 

[Kralingen]

I am anything but a Rafan

I have never seen more reversed jinxing than this year from Nolefam.

Self-assessment is a poor form of knowledge. We never know best.

I fear they got this from me

 

[junior74]

I fear they got this from me

Fix it!

 

[mika1979]

Guys like Amun-RAgassi who morphed into the all-powerful Sun God in 2004.

he was the reverse Sampson, losing his hair made him stronger

 

[reaper]

Reporter: "Wich Novak is stronger, the Novak of today or 10 years ago and who would win this match"?

Djokovic: "10 years ago was 2013 so the Novak of today. 2015 was one of the best years I ever had with 19 finals in a row in all tournaments and winning 3 out of 4 slams. I had quite a great 2015 and half of 2016. I can't play as much as I did 10 years ago, so I have to pick and choose periods of the year where I can perform my best. So it's tough to compare. But someone did ask me the same question not a while ago and the question was framed who would win and I said it would be an easy job for a 36 year old...(laugh) joking of course. I don't know what would be the score. I would give the young myself a hard time that's for sure".

PRESS CONFERENCE: N. Djokovic; Nitto ATP Finals F Win | Tennis.com

Novak Djokovic (SRB) speaks with the media after his 2023 Nitto ATP Finals finals win.

www.tennis.com

He generally plays very well in January, June, July, September and November.

 

[leodevlin]

Salty hater interoperation: era is weaker than 10 years ago.

 

[mike danny]

Nadal and Wawrinka absolutely do not want to play 2023 Djokovic at the USO in those faster conditions. You have to realize that Wawrinka preferred higher bouncing, medium to medium/slow hardcourts. What did Wawrinka ever do on the laykold of Miami? Nothing. Never even made a QF. What about Nadal? Lots of finals but no cigar. Djokovic 2023 would be a nightmare for them on that slick, low bouncing surface especially while hitting his forehand with more ferocity and serving better than he did back then.

Yea if you're talking about the surface of 2013 where it's slower and higher bouncing they have the edge but not on the court of 2023. The AO also is faster than 2013 and is not playing to Wawrinka's style. So saying Djokovic doesn't win a Slam is just more basing on age than anything, not what he's bringing to the court.

Djokovic was carrying an injury at 2023 AO, so that's why I believe he isn't winning against Stan.

 

[RS]

Fed fans bringing up the injuries to prove Djokovic loses while dismissing it excuses other times

 

[RS]

It is what it is.

Including the RG 13 SF and Wim 13 F

 

[The Blond Blur]

Are people really arguing that a 36 year old Joker (who’s obviously declined especially in the stamina department) would do better than a 26 year old Joker (at the peak of his physical abilities) in 2013 vs vastly superior competition?

All things considered he was lucky to win 1 in 2013 (got bailed out on a bad line call in the 5th set vs Stan. Still Stan should have challenged so that’s on him). IMO there’s actually a pretty good chance 2023 Joker doesn’t make a schlem F in 2013. I’d have him losing to Stan in the 4R at the AO, RAFA in the SF at RG, Delpo in the SF at Wimby, and Stan in the SF at the 2-1 Open, bud. All these guys played at a higher level than anyone Joker faced at each of the schlems this year. And for all this talk about Joker’s new and improved serve, 2013 was one of Joker’s best serving years ever. Right up there if not better than this year’s numbers. I think it goes something like 08, 13, 21, and maybe 23. One of the stat junkies would know.

 

[RF-18]

I'm not saying he's not playing well still, but his competition 10 years ago was just on another level and I genuinely don't see him winning slams.

We've seen it with Federer too when he couldn't win slams despite still playing well.

What other kind of level? Wich are these players that were on another level? Other top players were Tsonga, Berdych, Ferrer, Wawrinka, Dimitrov, Raonic, Cilic etc etc. These players aren't another level of competition. All great tennis players but why are you hyping past top players like everyone were ATGs?

 

[The Blond Blur]

What other kind of level? Wich are these players that were on another level? Other top players were Tsonga, Berdych, Ferrer, Wawrinka, Dimitrov, Raonic, Cilic etc etc. These players aren't another level of competition. All great tennis players but why are you hyping past top players like everyone were ATGs?

Lol dude you did not just straight up intentionally leave out RAFA who beat Joker in 2/4 schlems, and MurrayGOAT who’s never dropped a set to him on grass and act like no one would notice
This is about as intellectually dishonest as it gets.

And Stanimal pushed a 100% healthy peak Joker to the limit in the AO whereas Citybus got straight setted by Hamstringovic.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

He certainly is and in many ways.

I'm confident that 2013 Djoko would lose more often than not to the Djoko version of this season, except probably on clay.

 

[ALCARAZWON]

The Novak of today has a bigger mouth, and that is all.
Fortunately King Nadal is here to replace Novak at the top and gradually usher in King Alcaraz.

 

[RS]

Nadal and Wawrinka absolutely do not want to play 2023 Djokovic at the USO in those faster conditions. You have to realize that Wawrinka preferred higher bouncing, medium to medium/slow hardcourts. What did Wawrinka ever do on the laykold of Miami? Nothing. Never even made a QF. What about Nadal? Lots of finals but no cigar. Djokovic 2023 would be a nightmare for them on that slick, low bouncing surface especially while hitting his forehand with more ferocity and serving better than he did back then.

Yea if you're talking about the surface of 2013 where it's slower and higher bouncing they have the edge but not on the court of 2023. The AO also is faster than 2013 and is not playing to Wawrinka's style. So saying Djokovic doesn't win a Slam is just more basing on age than anything, not what he's bringing to the court.

Nadal USO 2013 wins the majority over Djokovic USO 2023 but Djokovic would get some wins too. Longer the match goes more it suits Nadal

 

[FeroBango]

The Novak of today has a bigger mouth, and that is all.
Fortunately King Nadal is here to replace Novak at the top and gradually usher in King Alcaraz.

Bro please

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

He certainly is and in many ways.

I'm confident that 2013 Djoko would lose more than not against Djoko of this season except on clay.

Too bad it's all hypothetical. Can't help wishing for a perfect predictive analysis machine to have all these takes crushed.

 

[NoleFam]

Nadal USO 2013 wins the majority over Djokovic USO 2023 but Djokovic would get some wins too. Longer the match goes more it suits Nadal

On that 2013 surface, Nadal would be the favorite over Djokovic. On laykold, Djokovic would.

 

[NoleFam]

Are people really arguing that a 36 year old Joker (who’s obviously declined especially in the stamina department) would do better than a 26 year old Joker (at the peak of his physical abilities) in 2013 vs vastly superior competition?

All things considered he was lucky to win 1 in 2013 (got bailed out on a bad line call in the 5th set vs Stan. Still Stan should have challenged so that’s on him). IMO there’s actually a pretty good chance 2023 Joker doesn’t make a schlem F in 2013. I’d have him losing to Stan in the 4R at the AO, RAFA in the SF at RG, Delpo in the SF at Wimby, and Stan in the SF at the 2-1 Open, bud. All these guys played at a higher level than anyone Joker faced at each of the schlems this year. And for all this talk about Joker’s new and improved serve, 2013 was one of Joker’s best serving years ever. Right up there if not better than this year’s numbers. I think it goes something like 08, 13, 21, and maybe 23. One of the stat junkies would know.

1st serve points won
2013 - 74.94%
2023 - 76.43%

Service games won
2013 - 87.97%
2023 - 88.39%

There is no doubt his serve is better today than it was in 2013, both in placement and effectiveness. His service games won this year is 2nd on the tour. And Djokovic is never lucky to win the AO. You're lucky to beat him. If he had challenged, the point would have been replayed since Djokovic got the shot back and Wawrinka had already wasted 3 bps in that game. Djokovic could have saved the 4th one as well. Wawrinka has never made a QF on any laykold surface whether it's Miami or Cincy/USO after the surface change in 2020. He won't even make it to Djokovic.

 

[Rovesciarete]

I have written before about his serve performance and in the finals of the finals it was almost absurd. What didn't it have?

Ironically I do think that Novak might now becoming more vulnerable in slams than masters. We will see next year.

 

[RS]

Wawrinka was strong on the faster AO 17 surface tbh and most consider it worse than AO 13/14. Don't know if court speed would have stopped AO 13/14 Stan completely.

 

[The_Order]

So he says he's stronger now...

but he can't play as often...

He only looks strong now because of how crap the competition is.

 

[The Blond Blur]

1st serve points won
2013 - 74.94%
2023 - 76.43%

Service games won
2013 - 87.97%
2023 - 88.39%

There is no doubt his serve is better today than it was in 2013, both in placement and effectiveness. His service games won this year is 2nd on the tour. And Djokovic is never lucky to win the AO. You're lucky to beat him. If he had challenged, the point would have been replayed since Djokovic got the shot back and Wawrinka had already wasted 3 bps in that game. Djokovic could have saved the 4th one as well. Wawrinka has never made a QF on any laykold surface whether it's Miami or Cincy/USO after the surface change in 2020. He won't even make it to Djokovic.

So less than 1.5% difference in 1st points won and less than .5% in service games won. Definitely not significant enough to make up the gap in his physical decline vs the guys in 2013 imo.

Dude that missed line call was definitely a lifeline that would have given Stan the easy put away in the middle of the court for the break. And the Joker from this year was injured anyway so he’s not going to able hang from the baseline with the Stan that pushed an even better mover to the absolute brink. After 2020? You mean 3+ years after Stan had double knee surgery and was essentially washed up? He went 34-33 in 2021-2023. That’s not exactly a fair comparison to make when talking about 2013 Stanimal who went 51-23. And even if he gets past Stanimal in the SF at the 2-1 Open he’s not beating 2013 RAFA regardless of what surface they’re playing on. That make shift S&V that the Sad Lad was incapable of making any adjustments for wouldn’t work on the best passer the game has ever seen. He’d get dragged into much longer rallies than the ones he got into this year where he hit a ton of bail out drop shots in. You’d be seeing Joker bent over with his hands on his knees a lot more in 2013.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I think Djokovic is still playing great but the competition was obviously a lot stronger in 2013.

Back then we still had prime Nadal, peak wawrinka and peak Murray. Djokovic has improved parts of his game today but he’s still physically declined a bit so it would be still very tough for his 2023 version to take on those players.

 

[NoleFam]

So less than 1.5% difference in 1st points won and less than .5% in service games won. Definitely not significant enough to make up the gap in his physical decline vs the guys in 2013 imo.

Dude that missed line call was definitely a lifeline that would have given Stan the easy put away in the middle of the court for the break. And the Joker from this year was injured anyway so he’s not going to able hang from the baseline with the Stan that pushed an even better mover to the absolute brink. After 2020? You mean 3+ years after Stan had double knee surgery and was essentially washed up? He went 34-33 in 2021-2023. That’s not exactly a fair comparison to make when talking about 2013 Stanimal who went 51-23. And even if he gets past Stanimal in the SF at the 2-1 Open he’s not beating 2013 RAFA regardless of what surface they’re playing on. That make shift S&V that the Sad Lad was incapable of making any adjustments for wouldn’t work on the best passer the game has ever seen. He’d get dragged into much longer rallies than the ones he got into this year where he hit a ton of bail out drop shots in. You’d be seeing Joker bent over with his hands on his knees a lot more in 2013.

Let's put it like this, he didn't start winning 75% or more of his 1st serve points until 2019 where he is above that number every year since and even above 77% in 2022. Do you still think his 2013 serve is better even if the eye test fails you? That was a serve before Becker or Ivanisevic were his coaches who targeted improving his serve. It definitely wasn't better.

His physical decline is minimal for starters. He's beating a young ATG 16 years younger than him. The only area where he's significantly declined is stamina. On faster surfaces, like 2023 USO or Turin, that's going to be less of a problem. On those sandpaper surfaces of 2013 at the AO and USO, then it matters more.

He had already missed 3 routine shots on bps before that. You don't know what would have happened on the next shot and it wasn't exactly a putaway. At the end of the day, a challenge wouldn't have given him the point.

Your point is irrelevant. Unless Nadal or Wawrinka actually have a title on laykold, any title and a 250 would do, then entertaining them beating Djokovic on it is not verifiable and more so wishful thinking.

 

[RS]

On that 2013 surface, Nadal would be the favorite over Djokovic. On laykold, Djokovic would.

Maybe. Think even on the faster surface if the gap was really that big with the speeds the same applies if the match goes the distance though.

 

[NoleFam]

Maybe. Think even on the faster surface if the gap was really that big with the speeds the same applies if the match goes the distance though.

It's not really the speed, when it comes to Nadal, but the trajectory of the ball from the suface and because it's lower bouncing than other hardcourts. Djokovic has 6 Miamis, 2 Cincys and 1 USO on laykold. Nadal has 0 titles. Taking on Djokovic on that surface is not going to be favorable to him no matter if 2023 Djokovic, who is still playing a very high level.

 

[Kralingen]

Djokovic never won a title on Rebound Ace so I guess he’s got no chance in any AOs pre 2008

 

[nolefam_2024]

Djokovic is obviously playing at very high level. I don't give this fake high level to Nadal in 2013 or Roger in 2009 or so. Go check Elo and decide for yourself.

Today Djokovic is on 2454 Elo rating and at his absolute peak he was at 2629.

In all of Nadal's career the only time he went beyond 2454 Elo rating was between 2013 to 2014. So Djokovic would win some and lose some. But 2013 was nadal's peak. Any other time it would be good advantage for Nole.

For Federer to see 2454, apart from 3/4 weeks I would have to go all the way back to Feb 2008 and Elo being retrospective, it means Djokovic today is playing at as high level as fed 2007.

With 2454, Murray will get same results as he got vs 2013 Djokovic. He might win a slam or two, but Nole will bulldoze him over longer span.

 

[President]

In 2013 he had an excellent Nadal who stopped him at RG and USO. No way he hangs with him in the rallies at either slam. Nadal was very aggressive that year too and had much better movement and volleys than current Novak. And 2013 Murray is much tougher than 2023 Alcaraz on grass…this is incredibly obvious. Novak is the GOAT but he is facing lacking competition now. It’s not a problem for him because he proved himself in a very strong era against extremely tough competition as well.

His fans need to stop being insecure.

 

[RS]

Djokovic never won a title on Rebound Ace so I guess he’s got no chance in any AOs pre 2008

Aynaoui in 5

 

[nolefam_2024]

In 2013 he had an excellent Nadal who stopped him at RG and USO. No way he hangs with him in the rallies at either slam. Nadal was very aggressive that year too and had much better movement and volleys than current Novak. And 2013 Murray is much tougher than 2023 Alcaraz on grass…this is incredibly obvious. Novak is the GOAT but he is facing lacking competition now. It’s not a problem for him because he proved himself in a very strong era against extremely tough competition as well.

Yes way Nole will hang with him

Djokovic has good matchup advantage vs Nadal. If they played in Rogers cup as they did in 2013, Nole might drop his level. But when it will come to USOpen, he will raise the level.

Yes if there is a chance for Nole, it would be as much as 2013 Nole had. Nole was underdog in that tournament if I recall correctly.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Nothing is INCREDIBLY obvious. Andy has failed to become an atg. Don't elevate his status.

 

[President]

Yes way Nole will hang with him

Djokovic has good matchup advantage vs Nadal. If they played in Rogers cup as they did in 2013, Nole might drop his level. But when it will come to USOpen, he will raise the level.

Yes if there is a chance for Nole, it would be as much as 2013 Nole had. Nole was underdog in that tournament if I recall correctly.

Novak’s backhand and movement were significantly better at that time. He was more consistent on return as well, which is crucial against Nadal. It would be a 4 setter but I truly don’t believe 2023 Djokovic would beat 2013 US Open Nadal.

 

[President]

Nothing is INCREDIBLY obvious. Andy has failed to become an atg. Don't elevate his status.

I watch tennis and analyze it on a technical level to evaluate the standard of play. 2013 Murray was much more capable at Wimbledon than Carlitos was this year.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Novak’s backhand and movement was significantly better at that time. He was more consistent on return as well, which is crucial against Nadal. It would be a 4 setter but I truly don’t believe 2023 Djokovic would beat 2013 US Open Nadal.

His return has declined with age. As per stats it went from 43.5 to 37.8 %

But his serve also went from 70.4% to 71.6%

Overall the courts have been getting a bit faster than the slow early 2010s as well which will add to the statistics. But Nole today has balanced his game to his age. Even Nadal of 2013 will not roll him over.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I watch tennis and analyze it on a technical level to evaluate the standard of play. 2013 Murray was much more capable at Wimbledon than Carlitos was this year.

Based on what.

The guy was almost out of the tournament vs verdasco. Verdasco amounts to nothing to me.

 

[President]

His return has declined with age. As per stats it went from 43.5 to 37.8 %

But his serve also went from 70.4% to 71.6%

Overall the courts have been getting a bit faster than the slow early 2010s as well which will add to the statistics. But Nole today has balanced his game to his age. Even Nadal of 2013 will not roll him over.

The drop in return is much more significant than the slight improvement on serve.

 

[President]

Based on what.

The guy was almost out of the tournament vs verdasco. Verdasco amounts to nothing to me.

Hadn’t you only very recently started watching tennis in 2013? You know high level players can improve and peak as a tournament progresses.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Let's put it like this, he didn't start winning 75% or more of his 1st serve points until 2019 where he is above that number every year since and even above 77% in 2022. Do you still think his 2013 serve is better even if the eye test fails you? That was a serve before Becker or Ivanisevic were his coaches who targeted improving his serve. It definitely wasn't better.

His physical decline is minimal for starters. He's beating a young ATG 16 years younger than him. The only area where he's significantly declined is stamina. On faster surfaces, like 2023 USO or Turin, that's going to be less of a problem. On those sandpaper surfaces of 2013 at the AO and USO, then it matters more.

He had already missed 3 routine shots on bps before that. You don't know what would have happened on the next shot and it wasn't exactly a putaway. At the end of the day, a challenge wouldn't have given him the point.

Your point is irrelevant. Unless Nadal or Wawrinka actually have a title on laykold, any title and a 250 would do, then entertaining them beating Djokovic on it is not verifiable and more so wishful thinking.

That’s not even what I said, I said 2013 was statistically one of his best serving years. And that there’s not enough of a difference between his service stats in 2023 vs 2013 to compensate for the very real and noticeable physical decline he’s gone through over the last 10 years.

I disagree that it’s minimal. For starters he has to play way less events to save himself for the schlems for a reason. He simply can’t maintain his year around intensity like he used to. That and he’s looking to shorten points since it’s no longer in his best interest to get into these grindfests. Med was able to beat him in Dubai by extending the rallies as long as possible. Well 2013dal has even better shot tolerance than him.

It absolutely was a put away shot, it land right on the service box line practically in the middle of the court for an easy inside out FH.

So let me get this straight, it’s irrelevant to bring up the fact that RAFA is a way better passer and at dealing with S&V compared to Med (who’s one of the easiest guys to volley against because of his ROS position and the lack of topspin on his groundstrokes). But it’s not irrelevant to completely disregard 2023 Joker’s AO injury or Stan’s post 2017 form due to his injuries?

RAFA may not have a title on laykold, but he played 5 Miami Fs (got screwed in 05 with his own bad line call) against players who played at a higher level than Joker did this past 2-1 Open.

 

[nolefam_2024]

The drop in return is much more significant than the slight improvement on serve.

Ofcourse it is. The surfaces have been getting better as well. Today's USopen was at legit fast field playing at over 40 cpi. In 2013 the surface was playing as slow as Indian wells.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Hadn’t you only very recently started watching tennis in 2013? You know high level players can improve and peak as a tournament progresses.

I started watching tennis from 2012 AO. Have watched all matches in 2012 onwards.

 

[The Blond Blur]

In 2013 he had an excellent Nadal who stopped him at RG and USO. No way he hangs with him in the rallies at either slam. Nadal was very aggressive that year too and had much better movement and volleys than current Novak. And 2013 Murray is much tougher than 2023 Alcaraz on grass…this is incredibly obvious. Novak is the GOAT but he is facing lacking competition now. It’s not a problem for him because he proved himself in a very strong era against extremely tough competition as well.

His fans need to stop being insecure.

Pretty much this. Idk how even guys who I used to think were reasonable posters are now saying/insinuating that there’s not much if at all a difference between the 2013 and 2023 fields.

 

[NoleFam]

Djokovic never won a title on Rebound Ace so I guess he’s got no chance in any AOs pre 2008

Djokovic won Vienna early in his career which is still played on rebounce ace, so no.

 

[President]

Pretty much this. Idk how even guys who I used to think were reasonable posters are now saying/insinuating that there’s not much if at all a difference between the 2013 and 2023 fields.

It is very sad. I used to be much more excited about regular tennis tournaments. The level of play was just better for the top 10 or even top 20 as a whole. And the players were more consistent between tournaments as well in terms of going deep.

 

[NoleFam]

That’s not even what I said, I said 2013 was statistically one of his best serving years. And that there’s not enough of a difference between his service stats in 2023 vs 2013 to compensate for the very real and noticeable physical decline he’s gone through over the last 10 years.

I disagree that it’s minimal. For starters he has to play way less events to save himself for the schlems for a reason. He simply can’t maintain his year around intensity like he used to. That and he’s looking to shorten points since it’s no longer in his best interest to get into these grindfests. Med was able to beat him in Dubai by extending the rallies as long as possible. Well 2013dal has even better shot tolerance than him.

It absolutely was a put away shot, it land right on the service box line practically in the middle of the court for an easy inside out FH.

So let me get this straight, it’s irrelevant to bring up the fact that RAFA is a way better passer and at dealing with S&V compared to Med (who’s one of the easiest guys to volley against because of his ROS position and the lack of topspin on his groundstrokes). But it’s not irrelevant to completely disregard 2023 Joker’s AO injury or Stan’s post 2017 form due to his injuries?

RAFA may not have a title on laykold, but he played 5 Miami Fs (got screwed in 05 with his own bad line call) against players who played at a higher level than Joker did this past 2-1 Open.

Obviously something is compensating if he had a dominant year like 2023 while you think he has some noticeable decline. So you think his game declined and the serve is not making the difference? Alcaraz served over 84% last week and got blown off the court by him? So what is the difference if he's still beating everybody?

Well the professionals don't agree with your assessment. Guys that are playing him don't agree with your assessment because they say he is moving like he's 26 (Zverev's words). So you seem to know more than them or it's your point of view which doesn't line up with reality.

Your point about 2013 AO is not important. He lost just like Djokovic did in 2014. You win some, you lose some. Time to move on.

Nadal has never won a tournament on laykold. It's the worst hardcourt surface for him and Wawrinka. Yet he did lose to Djokovic 0-3 on it in Miami. Wawrinka never even made it to Djokovic in Miami. Yet I'm supposed to believe they would beat this Djokovic yet 16 years younger Alcaraz playing that well, who has won Miami, couldn't. Based on what?

 

[Biotic]

Novak’s backhand and movement were significantly better at that time. He was more consistent on return as well, which is crucial against Nadal.

Let me just remind you that Djokovic played a horrible match. Let's attribute part of it to Nadal, but most of it is down to Djoko surely. Even if he was overall better player than nowdays, he severely underperformed there.

I don't know... It doesn't look like 2023 Djoko wouldn't be able to win a set and match what 2013ovic did (not to mention like 70 UEs).