Do you think djokovic will ever be number 1?

[wilsondude]

I'm not saying his prime is over; hes a young guy, but he played much better tennis in 07/08 then this year. Do you think that he will make it to number 1 at any point in his career? If so, then for how long?

[jamesblakefan#1]

I don't see it. Unless he adds a few things to his game, it seems like guys are starting to figure him out and learn how to play against him. He's the type of guy who has to play at a high level to be effective, i.e, he can't have too many off days and still win, while guys like Federer, Nadal, can have off days and still win.

[Stewball55]

I wouldnt mind seeing it happen. But prob wont. I really like him, not doing so great lately though....

[tudwell]

Back in early 08 it looked possible. He was challenging for number two. Nadal had only won slams on clay. He had just beaten Federer in a grand slam.

Now it doesn't look so hot. Nadal's dominance has spread to other slams. Federer rebounded from his Australian Open loss to take the U.S. and now the French. And of course Murray's risen through the rankings like a meteor.

But things change quickly in tennis. Djokovic is streaky. Right now he's having a bad streak. In a few months, or maybe a year or two, he might go on another good streak like in early 08.

I'm not counting him out.

[gj011]

Yes of course.

[IvanAndreevich]

I think it depends on his mentality and fitness. IMO he might get there in the future but he will not stay there for long.

[valiant]

Well it can happen. If gets consistent which he never is. Also Fed and Nadal makes it hard for anyone to reach number 1.

[SikSerb]

Yeah I'm sure he will. In early 08 it seemed like it was a matter of time before he was going to reach number 1. He just needs to get back into that form and he will. Even on clay this year he showed why he is one of the top competitors for the number one ranking, he just needs to keep up that level.

[Sentinel]

Sadly, I don't see him reaching number one. There are others at this point lower ranked than him who could reach there for a short bit.

If he does, it won't be for long since he does not maintain his performance for long.

[baseline08thrasher]

Originally Posted by Sentinel

Sadly, I don't see him reaching number one. There are others at this point lower ranked than him who could reach there for a short bit.

If he does, it won't be for long since he does not maintain his performance for long.

100% agreed

[Brned]

Maybe... But it seems to me that Murray will get there first.

If Djokovic could improve his fitness ( how can a grinder run out of gass so quickly??) and toughen up mentally he would be so much more of a contender... Otherwise I think even Delpo has a better chance

[FlamEnemY]

Originally Posted by Brned

If Djokovic could improve his fitness ( how can a grinder run out of gass so quickly??)

Grinder?

[zagor]

I don't seeing it happening that soon,he needs to sort some things out mentally and improve his fitness but I do think it will happen some time in the future.I don't expect him to dominate of course but I think he'll get to number one even if it is for a short while.

Originally Posted by FlamEnemY

Grinder?

He sure is playing like one recently,needs to go back to being agressive and blasting that FH again.

[FlamEnemY]

Originally Posted by zagor

He sure is playing like one recently,needs to go back to being agressive and blasting that FH again.

I agree, but as you said, grinding isn't his style - not even close. At his best I'd describe his game as "controlled aggression". He likes hitting winners and painting lines with powerful strokes, not playing like a pusher.

[zagor]

Originally Posted by FlamEnemY

I agree, but as you said, grinding isn't his style - not even close. At his best I'd describe his game as "controlled aggression". He likes hitting winners and painting lines with powerful strokes, not playing like a pusher.

I think conrolled aggression is an excellent way to describe Novak's game.However this is not the first time I see him playing like grinder,that mostly happens when he's low on confidence.

[deltox]

he has the potential, the rest is mental and physical training for him.

[sh@de]

I doubt this will happen. Murray and Nadal are above him, and unless he improves, I don't see him beating those two consistently enough to become no.1.

[Blinkism]

I have a feeling like he'll pick up another slam, but won't ever be #1.

I don't think he has what it takes to dominate for long enough of a period of time to take the #1 sport. He might have a great run for a couple of months (like early 2008, for example), but then it could all suddenly change (like the middle of 2008 ).

[vtmike]

Nah I think DelPo, Murray are much more consistent performers than Djokovic...Djokovic is talented but just not consistent enough...

[jmsala]

Number one is very hyped IMHO. Take rafa before this year's FO. He won 3 out of the 4 last GS, the olympics and many masters. He was on fire.

An early loose in FO and everybody is counting that roger can get back number 1 after wimby. ATP scoring system is very demanding, and a bad strike puts the number 1 back to 2 quickly.

I don't agree with many players who asked to extend the scoring system across 2 years instead of yearly because that's the way it's been until now and because it makes something extraordinary to keep #1 for a long time, but it's also "easy" to become the #1 even if it's just for a few weeks.