Djokovic was still far away from being a slam material in 2008. He was not ready, because from that point on it took him 3 years to win a slam(2011 AO). Between those 3 years he was constantly losing to Fedal at the grand stage. If he was really that good in 2008 AO as his fans like to overrate him, then he should have won a few more slams before 2011 AO, not winning nothing for 3 years. It took him time to get over the hump, and that should tells you that he needed a break when a defending AO champion Federer was in poor physical condition(mono) in 2008. Nole was an opportunist - he was lucky to be in the right place and at the right time.
Was Djokovic an opportunist in 2008 AO ?
- Thread starter TMF
- Start date
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
His physical shape wasn't at an elite level and he was still quitting in the middle of matches, especially when it got hot. "Opportunistic" has a negative connotation, he earned his first slam title fair and square.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
You should go back and rewatch the 08 AO and decide if you still think he wasn't in slam-winning form.
D
Deleted member 748597
Guest
Yes, he saw an opportunity and took it. He actually vultured AO 2008.
Tennis_Freak99
Legend
Yes he should thank Fed everyday that he got mono
If that was a breakout year for him then he should have won more slams in the next 3 years instead of waiting to hit his stride in 2011.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
In 1990 USO Sampras beat Lendl who made the USO final the previous 8 straight years. But let's be fair, Lendl at that time was at the tail end of his career and start fading away. OTOH Federer was 26 in 2008 AO, a defending champion and was the #1 player in the world.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
This is what really bothers me when I have to reply to posters who only begins to watch tennis starting 2010.
2007 was Federer's peak year who was the favorite to win every tournament he play except on clay. Any tournament(except clay) that he loses is considered as an upset.
CYGS
Legend
"Roddick sucks"
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
Using that logic Federer was an opportunist in Wimbledon 2012.
Towny
Hall of Fame
Federer won Wimbledon 2003 in peak form but then didn't reach those heights again till the TMC. He lost 7 matches between Wimbledon and the TMC, which is more than he lost in the entire year for 2004, 2005 and 2006. Of course, the gap between AO 2008 and AO 2011 is much larger, but the point is that a player can have flashes of peak form before they've worked out how to be consistent with it. For Djokovic, a significant part of that was his physical health.
Djokovic played great at the AO in 2008. Probably beats Federer even if he didn't have mono, though it wouldn't have been in straights
Djokovic played great at the AO in 2008. Probably beats Federer even if he didn't have mono, though it wouldn't have been in straights
Clay lover
Legend
By your logic everyone who won a slam before he got 'that good' is an opportunist. I nominate Agassi 92, Sampras 90. Such disgusting opportunists.
Dedans Penthouse
Legend
ForehandCross
G.O.A.T.
Djokovic wasn't in slam winning form in 2008 AO?
The guy murdered a tough draw and emphatically won the title.
The guy murdered a tough draw and emphatically won the title.
beast of mallorca
G.O.A.T.
Djokovic Vultured the weaker vulturer in the finals. That's what you get, Vulturer 
Gary Duane
G.O.A.T.
The only thing missing here is Lew. Can you imagine these two, Lew and TMF, locked in daily combat?
Lew is more steadily persistent day after day, but TMF has been posting this unfairly since 2009.
he will be the only male player to be No. 1 for six years in total
I have a hard time believing Djokovic could have beaten a healthy fed in AO 2008. How would have fed played if he was healthy? The two points of comparison we have are AO 07 and AO 09. AO 07 was his best form there. Let’s ignore that and assume Fed would have played like AO 09. It took the best version of Nadal, who has a clear matchup advantage against him to beat him there. And it was a 5 hours epic. Can Djokovic at that stage in his career play at such a level?
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