Is Novak the most perfect player (Open Era)?

[ChanceEncounter]

Originally Posted by hawk eye

After Sampras, who indeed was the most complete player of the last 40 years, Djokovic is the most complete. His volleying is at least adequate, he just doesn't approach the net a lot but he knows when to do that and in those cases he puts the ball away.

No player who royally sucks at a surface that takes up 35-40% of the season can be the "most complete." Sampras lacked endurance, an elite baseline game, and the adaptability and point construction that makes a great all-around player. When Sampras's weapons were on, he was blowing everyone off the court. When they didn't, he had a good chance of getting bounced in straights.

[IvanisevicServe]

Novak's serve is his weakness. The dude was getting broken like a WTA player by Murray in the SF.

He may have improved his serve from where it was before, but there are still moments where it comes apart.

[wimble10]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

Federer is weaker mentally compared to other players. IMO that is how Novak has consistently defeated Federer.

If you don't count last year, Federer had 12-6 record against Novak, so Federer kind of owned him for a while. But not anymore, now Nole probably owns Federer.

[adventure]

I have to agree. I actually thought Djoko was the best player on the tour back in '09 when I saw him play at the USO. He just didn't have the swagger/mental toughness/confidence to get past Federer.

He even surprised himself when he beat Roger the following year at the USO.

Andy Murray is in a similar position to Djoko at the USO '09, right now. The similarities are there: great game, great athlete, shaky confidence.

Six months from now, Murray and Djokovic are going to establish themselves as the clear cut two most talented players on the tour.

Originally Posted by Gonzalito17

Djokovic has taken tennis to a new higher level, he is the superior player to both Rafa and Fed. There is no doubt about it.

[adventure]

You're failing to take into account Andy Murray's incredible athleticism and skill. He is the clear no. 2 in terms of talent. Nadal is the most competitive player on tour, and he attempts to intimidate his opponents with his power game (usually successfully unless his opponent is named Djokovic), but as athletes, Murray and Djokovic are far ahead.

Originally Posted by IvanisevicServe

Novak's serve is his weakness. The dude was getting broken like a WTA player by Murray in the SF.

He may have improved his serve from where it was before, but there are still moments where it comes apart.

[Spider]

I had predicted long time back - Novak is on his way to become the greatest player of all time and the most complete player that we have witnessed in our lifetime.

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by Spider

I had predicted long time back - Novak is on his way to become the greatest player of all time and the most complete player that we have witnessed in our lifetime.

You think that he is the most complete? Some examples please.

[TMF]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

We are talking about the highest standards here. Considering the full tennis game. Novak just simply does not seem to have a weakness to exploit, and if Nadal and Federer can't find it, I really don't see how others will.

LOL at lolvile. It's the 25 yr old Nadal that needs to figure out Nole, not a 30 yr old Fed. Nole has beaten him 7 straight times on every surfaces.

[Netspirit]

Djokovic has excellent depth on his groundstrokes and return, but weak offense overall - no great serve, no crushing power, no insane angles.

Unless he can stay in his backhand corner and pound a weak backhand w/ no slice, he is typically unable (or unwilling) to hit winners.

Whenever Nadal hit a slice or DTL forehand, the point was back to neutral. They spent 6 hours on this mutual masturbation because neither had a complete offensive package to hit through the other. Nadal has his forehand, but his weak backhand makes it possible to avoid it.

[fps]

No, he's not.

[Mike Sams]

Originally Posted by West Coast Ace

The trolling is strong. @Jackson Vile should be tested for TEDs - Trolling Enhancement Drugs.

Net game has long way to go. Still doesn't get in the right position and misses quite a few make-able volleys.

So if he works on this, top players like Nadal will be lucky to even win games?

[Mike Sams]

Originally Posted by Netspirit

Djokovic has excellent depth on his groundstrokes and return, but weak offense overall - no great serve, no crushing power, no insane angles.

Unless he can stay in his backhand corner and pound a weak backhand w/ no slice, he is typically unable (or unwilling) to hit winners.

Whenever Nadal hit a slice or DTL forehand, the point was back to neutral. They spent 6 hours on this mutual masturbation because neither had a complete offensive package to hit through the other. Nadal has his forehand, but his weak backhand makes it possible to avoid it.

Federer and Berdych couldn't hit through Nadal either. So your point is a joke in itself.

[Mike Sams]

Originally Posted by jackson vile

You think that he is the most complete? Some examples please.

3 Slam wins over Nadal? 3 Slam wins over Federer? What more proof is needed? Djokovic is winning Slams during the Fedal era. The most difficult era in all of tennis.

[Netspirit]

Originally Posted by Mike Sams

Federer and Berdych couldn't hit through Nadal either. So your point is a joke in itself.

Federer has a weak backhand, so he is also lacking a complete offensive package. Berdych is not a good mover and his volleys are atrocious.

[wimble10]

Originally Posted by adventure

... Andy Murray's incredible athleticism and skill. He is the clear no. 2 in terms of talent.

Talent doesn't determine ranking. If it did Federer would probably still be #1.

but as athletes, Murray and Djokovic are far ahead.

Nadal is ahead with Murray 13-5. Murray had a good showing but he still has to prove his place in the top 2-3.

[wimble10]

Originally Posted by Mike Sams

Djokovic is winning Slams during the Fedal era. The most difficult era in all of tennis.

Fedal era is over. Can start calling it Djoval era if you like.

[Polvorin]

He's pretty solid, honestly. Good serve, great serve return, great groundies. He's almost the complete package.

Except his net play, which is atrocious.

[clayman2000]

One thing I will say.... his ball striking ability of the ground is as good as 04 - 07 Federer, but he is a better retriever, and he is also more of a fighter....

To be perfectly honest, he is like a mix of Federer's ball striking ability, and Nadal's retrieving and never die mental strength

[Fed Kennedy]

He is competing in a weak era

[Mike Sams]

Originally Posted by Netspirit

Federer has a weak backhand, so he is also lacking a complete offensive package. Berdych is not a good mover and his volleys are atrocious.

Both Berdych and Federer are amongst the best ball strikers out there. They can hit winners from any part of the court. And the fact they couldn't break through Nadal's defenses proves that it had little to do with Djokovic's lacking in offense and more to do with the blue clay they were playing on.
Tsonga was getting his serve broken left and right by 5'10" Nishikori and barely could even get a ball by him. Isner was having all sorts of trouble holding serve as was Lopez.
It has nothing to do with Djokovic being unable to hit winners. The surface wouldn't allow him to. We saw the proof when bigger hitters than him also had trouble holding serve and being offensive.