2009 could be great for Djokovic?

Mr Topspin

Semi-Pro
The last player that won their 1st grand slam and TMC in the same year went on to win 3 grand slams the following year. They also became the world no 1 and went on to dominate the game for the next 4 years.

That player used the springboard of winning a grand slam plus winning the TMC to propel them into a 'supersonic' mode which enabled them to dominate the tour like no other in recent history.

That player was off course Roger Federer in 2003. Five years later, a new player who has struggled since winning the OZ open has ended the year in style. If Djokovic is healthy and is motivated he could be the surprise package in 2009. When Federer won the 2003 TMC few could have imagined he would have gone on to dominate a tour with JC Ferrerro, A Agassi A Roddick and D Nalbandian all the players who had been finalists and grand slam winners in 2003.

Like Novak, Federer did very little after winning his first slam (Wimbledon) in 2003. He lost 4th round at the US Open and lost SF at the Madrid masters. But he did end the year well which made for a great start in 2004.
If Novak follows Federer's example then it could be a great 2009.
 
I have high expectations for him too. He's a bit of a loose cannon and his emotions hurt his game. But once he gets himself together (and hopefully still will reign as the tour's resident badass) he should at least take #2. Nadal probably won't hold his spot because of injuries, and if Fed continues his freefall, Djokovic could move up a bit, maybe end #1 if luck is on his side.
 

Mick

Legend
the way i see it, nadal, djokovic, and murray are approaching their prime while federer is a year or two past his prime. don't know how well djokovic would do in 2009 because nadal, and murray are tough and although federer is past his prime, he is still a fantastic player.
 
T

tennisgirl90

Guest
I don't think so. He won his first GS and Masters Cup this year and stayed at number three. This was just a very good year for him.

But I think it will be very difficult for him to win a Slam, because there are so many good guys at the moment (Federer, Nadal, Murray, upcoming guys like Del Potro, Cilic, Gulbis).
 

NamRanger

G.O.A.T.
I think if he improved his stamina abit more and became just slightly more stronger in the mental department (he has shown that he can be, just that he wilts when under extreme pressure) he would definitely be a challenger for the #1 spot in 2009.
 

ezdude1970

Semi-Pro
it one of these cases where you can make statistic work your way, but i dont see why he cant dominate in 2009, he has the game for it, i just hope he will stop to self destruct, and figure out how to beat Tsonga. I have a feeling that Nadal will be on decline next year and Murray is just not a grand slam material as of now. And Federer will be happy to win one slam per year going forward.
 

SempreSami

Hall of Fame
How is Murray not Grand Slam material? He's overturned two set defecits and made a final, which happened to be at the US Open with a stadium full of morons and crap line judges.
 

JohnS

Semi-Pro
I don't want to drag Nole' fans down, but fyi. I believe that Nadal has yet to hit his prime. His serve is still improving. His backhand is no longer just a rally ball, but he can use it as a weapon. And he is taking care of his body really well. Dropping out of the TMC show's that he know's his body really well and it's limits. He'll be ready next year. I wouldnt be surprised if he takes AO next year. (winning 2-3 slams again). Scary as it is, Nadal's still improving.
 

ezdude1970

Semi-Pro
How is Murray not Grand Slam material? He's overturned two set defecits and made a final, which happened to be at the US Open with a stadium full of morons and crap line judges.

i agree, he is a great player, but he gets into those 5 setters too much, and i hope he can improve the mental aspect of his game to win couple grand slams.
but as of now he still has a lot of work to do.
 

gj011

Banned
I would be happy with a bit improved repeat of this season (1 GS title, SF or F on other 3 GSs , 2-3 MS, ...), of course with a bit more consistency (I.E. better Wimbledon, no first round exits like in Miami, better summer HC season).
 

matchmaker

Hall of Fame
We will have to see, 2008 was not exactly his best year. Apart from a brilliant end and beginning, there were quite some lows for him. But he is certainly one of the contenders for HC titles.
 

BkK_b0y14

Semi-Pro
I don't want to drag Nole' fans down, but fyi. I believe that Nadal has yet to hit his prime. His serve is still improving. His backhand is no longer just a rally ball, but he can use it as a weapon. And he is taking care of his body really well. Dropping out of the TMC show's that he know's his body really well and it's limits. He'll be ready next year. I wouldnt be surprised if he takes AO next year. (winning 2-3 slams again). Scary as it is, Nadal's still improving.

Very true that he's constantly improving, but I still think that his game detracts from his success on hardcourts. If we see another hot Gonzo or Tsonga at the AU, he'll be in trouble.
 

Ripster

Hall of Fame
Novak has all the elements to be a contender for the #1 rank next year and he can definitely improve on his 2nd round exit at Wimbledon.
 

Aabye

Professional
He's certainly primed for a great year in 2009...just not quite as great as 3 Slams, I think.

Which 3 do you see him winning? The AO will be the easiest, as long as he doesn't get nerves as defending champion. But Wimby and the French both seem slightly out of reach for him right now, with Nadal still dominating RG, and Wimby is still a fight between him and Federer.

The USO is also another chance for Djokovic, but you can't rule out any of the other top four either.

The #1 spot is possible, although I don't know if he'll be holding it at the end of the year.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
The last player that won their 1st grand slam and TMC in the same year went on to win 3 grand slams the following year. They also became the world no 1 and went on to dominate the game for the next 4 years.

That player used the springboard of winning a grand slam plus winning the TMC to propel them into a 'supersonic' mode which enabled them to dominate the tour like no other in recent history.

That player was off course Roger Federer in 2003. Five years later, a new player who has struggled since winning the OZ open has ended the year in style. If Djokovic is healthy and is motivated he could be the surprise package in 2009. When Federer won the 2003 TMC few could have imagined he would have gone on to dominate a tour with JC Ferrerro, A Agassi A Roddick and D Nalbandian all the players who had been finalists and grand slam winners in 2003.

Like Novak, Federer did very little after winning his first slam (Wimbledon) in 2003. He lost 4th round at the US Open and lost SF at the Madrid masters. But he did end the year well which made for a great start in 2004.
If Novak follows Federer's example then it could be a great 2009.

Interesting paralel,however I still don't think Djokovic is the next coming of Fed.He's a great player and will end up as a multiple slam winner but I don't think that he's capable of dominating the field the way Fed did.

He might have a great 2009 though,he's a strong contender at both AO and USO and despite his fitness and stamina issues he's also a contender in FO IMO,he was the one who gave Nadal the toughest match there this year.At Wimbledon I don't see it happening,atleast not this soon.
 

oy vey

Semi-Pro
I don't think Novak is trying to surpass Fed. I think he wants one of each slam and a few more MS, another chance at Olympics.
 

hewittboy

Banned
This is just a stupid thread. Djokovic will never win 3 slams in a year, that is far beyond his abilities. He is good but not that good. He will have a hard time even winning 1 slam next year with all the competition there is. Nadal way better then him on clay, Federer and Nadal way better then him on grass. Federer, Murray, and Nadal all capable of winning slams on hard courts as well.
 

Tony48

Legend
That's an interesting stat about how both Novak and Roger won their 1st Slam and their first TMC in the same year. Hopefully Novak and back up his extraordinary 2008 season with a similar (or even better) 2009 season.
 

flyer

Hall of Fame
it could be a great year for djokovic we will see, the federer comparison i dont agree with, that is just coincidence in my opinions and federer didnt have to play guys like nadal, murray and well himself the year after; federer got off easy with roddick, hewitt and safin....

i think novak kind of lost focus and got caught up in the glits and glamor, i think he cared more about his new found celeb lifestyle than being a tennis champion for the last half of '08, if he refocus' though i see no reason why he couldnt be a contender for every slam and make a run at world number one
 

Rickson

G.O.A.T.
I called it correctly last year and I'll do it again. Some clown made a thread about Djokovic winning every slam in 08 just after he won the Australian and I said he wouldn't win another one at all in 2008. Well, I'm calling it right now. Djokovic will not win a single major in 2009. He has the talent to win, but I believe Federer and others will keep him out of the running in 09.
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
I think Djokovic was simply having a sophomore slump considering 2008 was his first year of dealing with all of the expectations. I think he's righted his ship and will come out strong in 2009. How many tournaments, and which ones? Nah, I don't do predictions, but I definitely see him as a contender.
 

msc886

Professional
Its just coincidence. He won't win 3 slams next year. His game is not as flexible as Federer's was. He will find it had to win Wimbledon and the French. His best shot is at the US Open and Australian Open but the they will be pretty hard too given the hungryness of the competition, I don't think he'll win both of these. I'll predict 1 slam.
 
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Dreamer

Professional
You have to be joking. Djoker won TMC without facing Murray or Federer, and even cut it close with Simon. All credit to him for pulling through, but nothing foreshadowing "domination."
Don't forget Nadal won FO Wimbledon and beat djoker on his way to the gold.
Because the field has become so much more competitive, Djoker will have a hard time defending down under, Though he's in contention for US and Aussie Open, the two monsters are permanent fixtures on grass and clay.
 

anointedone

Banned
I thought Djokovic's most impressive performance at the TMC by far was the final. Up until that point I do think he got quite a bit of luck, but in the final he played outstandingly.
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
I thought Djokovic's most impressive performance at the TMC by far was the final. Up until that point I do think he got quite a bit of luck, but in the final he played outstandingly.

100% agree. In the final Djokovic took no chances on Simon getting into the match. Before the final? Meh. He didn't seem all that into it.
 

Ripster

Hall of Fame
Obviously Djokovic will be one of the huge favourites next year at the Australian and at the US Open.

And I think he'll surprise a lot of people at Roland Garros. Think back to last year when he won Rome, and gave Nadal his toughest match of the year on clay in Hamburg. Also Djokovic gave Nadal a much tougher match at Roland Garros then Fed who got annihilated. I consider Novak to be the #2 favourite behind Nadal to win the French next year.
 

gj011

Banned
Obviously Djokovic will be one of the huge favourites next year at the Australian and at the US Open.

And I think he'll surprise a lot of people at Roland Garros. Think back to last year when he won Rome, and gave Nadal his toughest match of the year on clay in Hamburg. Also Djokovic gave Nadal a much tougher match at Roland Garros then Fed who got annihilated. I consider Novak to be the #2 favourite behind Nadal to win the French next year.

Agreed here, Djokovic was clearly the #2 best claycourt player this year. I am quite sure he would have been in the Hamburg and RG finals if he was not in Nadal's half of the draw.
 
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bladepdb

Professional
Novak lost early in Wimbledon on purpose this year...he knows he'll have a tough time defending his AO title with the new contenders so he strategized well ahead of time and planned to blow out in Wimby so he could make sure he doesn't tank in the ranks with other new players. Thus, if he does manage to hold AO and FO and improve in some other areas he's guaranteed #1 and will have the most amazing year in tennis ever.

I kid of course. Money on Nadal/Fed going at each other's necks like the last 3 years with the other players on the sidelines.
 

gj011

Banned
Novak lost early in Wimbledon on purpose this year...he knows he'll have a tough time defending his AO title with the new contenders so he strategized well ahead of time and planned to blow out in Wimby so he could make sure he doesn't tank in the ranks with other new players. Thus, if he does manage to hold AO and FO and improve in some other areas he's guaranteed #1 and will have the most amazing year in tennis ever.

I kid of course. Money on Nadal/Fed going at each other's necks like the last 3 years with the other players on the sidelines.

Don't agree on both here. Djokovic lost to a better player on that day in Wimbledon. Plain and simple.
Also it is 4 way race now. IMO biggest favorites on AO and USO are Djokovic and Murray.
 
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Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
Agreed here, Djokovic was clearly the #2 best claycourt player this year. I am quite sure he would have been in the Hamburg and RG finals if he was not in Nadal's half of the draw.

i'm not so sure he's the second best. yeah, his season on clay had it's highlights, thats for sure. but the one time he played federer, the match wasnt going so well for djokovic. personally i just think that his big game matches up pretty well against nadal on clay, and that's why he was so successful against him on it. he doesnt match up so well against federer, while federer doesnt match up so well against nadal.

its almost a 3 way split, except nadal wins everything :)

also, federer consistently got deeper in all the tournaments on clay except the one in which djokovic won, in which both the top two players were out before the semis.
 
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grafrules

Banned
i'm not so sure he's the second best. yeah, his season on clay had it's highlights, thats for sure. but the one time he played federer, the match wasnt going so well for djokovic. personally i just think that his big game matches up pretty well against nadal on clay, and that's why he was so successful against him on it. he doesnt match up so well against federer, while federer doesnt match up so well against nadal.

its almost a 3 way split, except nadal wins everything :)

also, federer consistently got deeper in all the tournaments on clay except the one in which djokovic won, in which both the top two players were out before the semis.

Who does better against Nadal is irrelevant. Djokovic is a tougher matchup for Nadal then Federer is, and does not have the mental block playing Nadal that Federer does. It speaks nothing to how Federer and Djokovic would match up on clay. Djokovic played Federer once on clay this year, was getting destroyed, and then quit. He is a far less accomplished clay courter overall. He gives zero reason for anyone to give him benefit of doubt of beating Federer had they been in the same half in other events. He has proven nothing as far as being better then Federer on clay yet, and only a ********* would argue he has. ROTFL at gj011 calling Djokovic the 2nd best clay courter of 2008. The same dream world where Seles is a 40 slam winner without the stabbing I guess.
 

gj011

Banned
Seles is 20 slam winner without the stabbing, while Graf is 15 slam winner without the stabbing, like it or not.
 

SempreSami

Hall of Fame
Who does better against Nadal is irrelevant. Djokovic is a tougher matchup for Nadal then Federer is, and does not have the mental block playing Nadal that Federer does. It speaks nothing to how Federer and Djokovic would match up on clay. Djokovic played Federer once on clay this year, was getting destroyed, and then quit. He is a far less accomplished clay courter overall. He gives zero reason for anyone to give him benefit of doubt of beating Federer had they been in the same half in other events. He has proven nothing as far as being better then Federer on clay yet, and only a ********* would argue he has. ROTFL at gj011 calling Djokovic the 2nd best clay courter of 2008. The same dream world where Seles is a 40 slam winner without the stabbing I guess.

People were trying to say he wasn't the best player overall in Masters Events because the Masters Cup 'doesn't count'.

Now you're saying that having no clay Masters title is better than having one? :roll:
 

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
Who does better against Nadal is irrelevant. Djokovic is a tougher matchup for Nadal then Federer is, and does not have the mental block playing Nadal that Federer does. It speaks nothing to how Federer and Djokovic would match up on clay. Djokovic played Federer once on clay this year, was getting destroyed, and then quit. He is a far less accomplished clay courter overall. He gives zero reason for anyone to give him benefit of doubt of beating Federer had they been in the same half in other events. He has proven nothing as far as being better then Federer on clay yet, and only a ********* would argue he has. ROTFL at gj011 calling Djokovic the 2nd best clay courter of 2008. The same dream world where Seles is a 40 slam winner without the stabbing I guess.

great. take my post and turn it into a flame broiler.
 

grafrules

Banned
Now you're saying that having no clay Masters title is better than having one? :roll:

Finals of the French Open and all the Masters events is better then one Masters title and semifinal losses in all the others. As I said there is no reason to give Djokovic any benefit of doubt had he hypothetically played Federer again. He had his chance the one time they played, he was getting his butt kicked and quit. The end.
 
I think 2008 was great for him. If he even duplicated his 2008 it would be a great year for him given realistic expectations. He is not nearly talented or good enough to dominate the way Federer has in the past, or perhaps Nadal might even have a chance of doing. It wont even be easy to match his 2008 however. He has no chance to win the French Open or Wimbledon, or even do better then the semis of either, although he could improve on his early round loss at Wimbledon. He has a chance at the two hard court slams but it will be hard with Federer, Murray, and Nadal also major contenders for those.
 

Rickson

G.O.A.T.
Let's just say, you never know. I don't see him as the next Federer, but he is pretty damn good. Probably slamless in 09, but not for life. Djokovic will win another slam eventually.
 

J-man

Hall of Fame
If Novak keeps his head in check the rest will follow. I expect some great things coming from him in 2009. He's got to defend AO so that will be difficult. But he is coming in 2009 with confidence which is great something he didn't have this fall (until TMC). Hopefully he won't let it get to him like after his AO win. Hopefully he won't let it get to him like after his AO win
 

Biotic

Hall of Fame
Bump to remind clueless fanboys how pre-2011 Djokovic was viewed (and this was right after his 2008, as fednatics like to say, totally prime season). Next time someone tries to argue 2007-2010 Djoko was prime, just show him one of these threads.

I have high expectations for him too. He's a bit of a loose cannon and his emotions hurt his game. But once he gets himself together (and hopefully still will reign as the tour's resident badass) he should at least take #2. Nadal probably won't hold his spot because of injuries, and if Fed continues his freefall, Djokovic could move up a bit, maybe end #1 if luck is on his side.

He did take #2 in a godawful 2010 season, despite playing crap tennis.

I think if he improved his stamina abit more and became just slightly more stronger in the mental department (he has shown that he can be, just that he wilts when under extreme pressure) he would definitely be a challenger for the #1 spot in 2009.

Right idea, wrong year.

Interesting paralel,however I still don't think Djokovic is the next coming of Fed.He's a great player and will end up as a multiple slam winner but I don't think that he's capable of dominating the field the way Fed did.

He might have a great 2009 though,he's a strong contender at both AO and USO and despite his fitness and stamina issues he's also a contender in FO IMO,he was the one who gave Nadal the toughest match there this year.At Wimbledon I don't see it happening,atleast not this soon.

What do you think about this post now?

This is just a stupid thread. Djokovic will never win 3 slams in a year, that is far beyond his abilities. He is good but not that good. He will have a hard time even winning 1 slam next year with all the competition there is. Nadal way better then him on clay, Federer and Nadal way better then him on grass. Federer, Murray, and Nadal all capable of winning slams on hard courts as well.

...

it could be a great year for djokovic we will see, the federer comparison i dont agree with, that is just coincidence in my opinions and federer didnt have to play guys like nadal, murray and well himself the year after; federer got off easy with roddick, hewitt and safin....

i think novak kind of lost focus and got caught up in the glits and glamor, i think he cared more about his new found celeb lifestyle than being a tennis champion for the last half of '08, if he refocus' though i see no reason why he couldnt be a contender for every slam and make a run at world number one

...

Obviously Djokovic will be one of the huge favourites next year at the Australian and at the US Open.

And I think he'll surprise a lot of people at Roland Garros. Think back to last year when he won Rome, and gave Nadal his toughest match of the year on clay in Hamburg. Also Djokovic gave Nadal a much tougher match at Roland Garros then Fed who got annihilated. I consider Novak to be the #2 favourite behind Nadal to win the French next year.

He surprised a lot of people all right.
 

topher

Hall of Fame
Bump to remind clueless fanboys how pre-2011 Djokovic was viewed (and this was right after his 2008, as fednatics like to say, totally prime season). Next time someone tries to argue 2007-2010 Djoko was prime, just show him one of these threads.



He did take #2 in a godawful 2010 season, despite playing crap tennis.



Right idea, wrong year.



What do you think about this post now?



...



...



He surprised a lot of people all right.

There are some things you can always count on…

The sun rising everyday and Novak fans pretending tennis before 2011 doesn’t count.

If that logic is legit, surely Rafa fans can say healthy Rafa has never lost with a straight face? :p
 

Biotic

Hall of Fame
There are some things you can always count on…

The sun rising everyday and Novak fans pretending tennis before 2011 doesn’t count.

If that logic is legit, surely Rafa fans can say healthy Rafa has never lost with a straight face? :p

Who said it does not count?

Hindsight is like air to Nole fanboys.

There's no hindsight here lol. This one is straight from 2008. :sneaky:
 
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