2014 is actually an underrated season...

[Third Serve]

Don't you think?

This is a topic I've been thinking about for some time now, fueled by some interactions here.

It gets lumped in with the next two years as, collectively, the 2014-16 "Djokovic weak era". And I mean, sure, we can absolutely say that for 2016, there's no denying the competition was relatively weak that year. 2015? Eh, I disagree: I think it was just an average season, not strong or weak. But still, it's not something I'll waste much time debating.

2014 though? It was honestly a pretty good year and I'm ready to go up against anyone who would argue otherwise. Let's look at all four of the Slam tournaments and the ATP Finals to evaluate them:

AO: This tournament had a lot going for it, as was the case in the previous two editions. Stan and Djokovic had a great QF match from which the former emerged victorious. Wasn't as good as their 2013 encounter but it's well worth anyone's time. Additionally, Berdych-Wawrinka was a pretty good match if I remember correctly, and Dimitrov-Nadal as well. The final was marred by Nadal's injury but I actually think Stan would have won that even against a healthy Nadal just based on how well he was playing and the first set which happened before the injury really kicked in. I can see the argument for the other side, though, especially considering Stan's overall record against Nadal. All in all, a pretty great tournament with a well-deserving winner who pushed through a very solid draw.

RG: Nadal's path wasn't his most difficult by any means considering both Murray and Djokovic definitely underperformed in their matches, but it wasn't his easiest either. For one, Ferrer decided to actually show up, at least in the first two sets, which is not something he usually did in his Slam encounters (or, well, any encounters) with the Big 3. And then Djokovic wasn't all bad... though he wasn't in tip-top shape. Not a terrible draw, but also not a strong one either.

W: I think this was one of Djokovic's most difficult Slam wins, and certainly his toughest Wimbledon win. Cilic put up a good fight in the QF as did Dimitrov in the SF, and I haven't even gone into the famous final with Federer yet. Fed played a solid match and stuck in there to the very end to make it comfortably the highest-quality Fedovic match at Wimbledon. Besides Djokovic's road, the Nadal-Kyrgios match was also pretty good even if I don't like Kyrgios, and I think Fed-Wawrinka was decent enough too. Nice tournament all around.

USO: This is the definite dud. There weren't many tough matches and Cilic's road was pretty soft (especially with Fed and Nishikori laying eggs in their respective matches). That's about it. It's not really a huge knock on Cilic who probably would have still won it even with a slightly tougher draw given how well he was playing. It's also notable that Nishikori put in a nice performance to eliminate Djokovic in the SFs (something you don't often see the lost gen doing), even if Djokovic was quite below-par. In the end, not a memorable or tough tournament, but Cilic's red-hot performance at least made it watchable.

So that's two great Slams, one decent Slam, and one dud. Pretty respectable overall and they're close to those of the previous year (great, great, decent, decent). Indian Wells, Rome, Canada, and Shanghai were all also good tournaments, and others were at least memorable if not particularly high in quality (Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and the ATP Finals). There were a few dud tournaments like Miami, but not enough to bring the whole year too far down.

Noteworthy players and performances:

Djokovic (made it through strong draw at Wimbledon, GOATed throughout the indoor season)
Federer (played a good Wimbledon final, consistently played Djokovic tough, and of course won Shanghai in nice fashion)
Nadal (played an absolutely solid RG that felt like a brief return to form, also played the good tennis on the way to the AO final)
Wawrinka (navigated a tough draw at AO, won Monte-Carlo; best or second best season)
Cilic (entered a red-hot streak and swept the US Open; that Slam makes this his career best season)
Nishikori (upset Djokovic at a Slam and played Nadal really well in Madrid before the injury; career best season)
Tsonga (went through probably one of the toughest Masters draws at Toronto)
Dimitrov (good runs at the AO and Wimbledon; certainly his second best season)

Cons:

Nadal was way below par after the AO with the exception of RG
Murray was AWOL for large portions of the year due to injury
Djokovic was still a little unreliable in the Slams, continuing the trend from 2013

Overall, I think 2014 was a good season. Not the best ever or anything like that but good enough to merit a mention alongside 2011-2013 rather than 2015-2016.

I at least think it's close to 2013 since 2011-2012 are still a bit of a reach.

 

[NatF]

2014 was a great and competitive year. LostGen put in their collective best year and it felt like a changing of the guard.

 

[The Blond Blur]

I’d say 6.5-7/10. My issue with 2014 is that it was probably the biggest false dawn for the tour as a collective whole. #LostGen guys like Old Gregg, Glasshikori, and RaoMUG looked like they were getting ready to breakthrough next year. To say they were massive disappointments is an understatement. Worst generation in tennis history bar none

 

[MichaelNadal]

Ewww no it wasn't

 

[Kralingen]

I'm guessing 5 or 6/10 for Rafa and Murray fans (no bias there I'm sure)

7.5-8.5/10 for everyone else. I liked this season a lot. One of my favorite overall seasons top to bottom.

If you appreciate Stan, Nishikori, or Dimitrov playing actual high quality tennis, perhaps even higher grade than that.

I dare anyone to watch the Nishikori-Nadal clay matches, the Stan-Nishikori USO QF, the Dimitrov-Djokovic Wimbledon match, Shanghai Fedovic, any Tsonga Canada match, or Rafa's Slam matches at the AO pre final and FO and then tell me that it was a 'weak' season. Great stuff all over.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

The 2014-16 "Djokovic weak era" was mostly propaganda.

 

[Third Serve]

I’d say 6.5-7/10. My issue with 2014 is that it was probably the biggest false dawn for the tour as a collective whole. #LostGen guys like Old Gregg, Glasshikori, and RaoMUG looked like they were getting ready to breakthrough next year. To say they were massive disappointments is an understatement. Worst generation in tennis history bar none

Well then that’s just the fault of 2015 and 2016

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

The 2014-16 "Djokovic weak era" was mostly propaganda.

Running counter to 04-07 I guess. In actuality it was a medium era.

 

[topher]

Running counter to 04-07 I guess. In actuality it was a medium era.

Basically any year where Rafa didn’t peak at a slam outside clay was not a strong era, it sounds.

Guess that makes sense since Fedovic’s peaks didn’t overlap.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Well then that’s just the fault of 2015 and 2016

Still though 14 is clearly below 11-13 since we had Delpo miss over half the year after having wrist surgery, RAFA missed everything post Wimby after fracturing his wrist, Andeh struggled with his back and form pretty much all year. In Andeh’s case he had to play basically every tournament under the sun to just barely qualify for the YEC which ended in him almost getting double bagelled by Ol’ Rog in the RR. Ol’ Rog was obviously much better in 14 vs 13, but he did pull out of the YEC F which soured the end of the year. And for as much crap as Joker gets for his performances in the schlems in 13 he was even worse in 14. For me 14 is just a pseudo transition year.

 

[InsideOut900]

USO: This is the definite dud. There weren't many tough matches

Nishikori won b2b 5 setters against Stan and Raomug before taking down Djokovic in 4. That surely qualifies as tough. All matches were quite good too.

Plus Cilic having the tournament of his life. Underrated run to this day. Him dispatching his opponents in straights enchances the quality of the tournament for me.

It's too bad the final was one-sided and didn't generate much interest, but surely the tournament has it's place in the history for being more than just a dud.

 

[Hayole]

Still though 14 is clearly below 11-13 since we had Delpo miss over half the year after having wrist surgery, RAFA missed everything post Wimby after fracturing his wrist, Andeh struggled with his back and form pretty much all year. In Andeh’s case he had to play basically every tournament under the sun to just barely qualify for the YEC which ended in him almost getting double bagelled by Ol’ Rog in the RR. Ol’ Rog was obviously much better in 14 vs 13, but he did pull out of the YEC F which soured the end of the year. And for as much crap as Joker gets for his performances in the schlems in 13 he was even worse in 14. For me 14 is just a pseudo transition year.

I mean at least in 2013 a very good Nadal stopped him... in 2014 it was Wawrinka and Nishikori so there you go

I do however think it was a good year overall on the tour

Many fans perception of years skews on whether their players won much but i don't

 

[Third Serve]

Nishikori won b2b 5 setters against Stan and Raomug before taking down Djokovic in 4. That surely qualifies as tough. All matches were quite good too.

Plus Cilic having the tournament of his life. Underrated run to this day. Him dispatching his opponents in straight enchances the quality of the tournament for me.

It's too bad the final was one-sided and didn't generate much interest, but surely the tournament has it's place in the history for being more than just a dud.

Don’t think I ever watched those matches. I was reluctant to mention them solely on the scoreline but if you say they were good matches, well, they probably were lol

Cilic’s performance was fun to watch but I was more or less referring to the strength of the tournament. His side of the draw wasn’t very good. That said, Cilic’s hot streak almost made up for it on the entertainment factor and the way he won at least solidified that he’d hold his own in a stronger era.

 

[PilotPete]

Djokovic unreliable at AO14? What a joke he was mauled by a better player

 

[NoleFam]

I agree with the OP and it was a solid 8 for me. Lots of great matches/tournaments happened that year.

 

[The Guru]

Always strange to me when people argue 2014 is strong but 2015 isn't. 3 of the big 4 were substantially better. Stan was just as good if not better and you have other random good runs thought admittedly not as many as 2014.

 

[Hayole]

Djokovic unreliable at AO14? What a joke he was mauled by a better player

Being up by a break in the 5th is being mauled apparently

 

[Hayole]

Always strange to me when people argue 2014 is strong but 2015 isn't. 3 of the big 4 were substantially better. Stan was just as good if not better and you have other random good runs thought admittedly not as many as 2014.

You know why..... Nole won 3 slams so they need to discredit

 

[PilotPete]

Being up by a break in the 5th is being mauled apparently

that djokovic Made it that close against a better player is a credit to him

 

[Aabye5]

Frankly, I don't think we really entered a weak era until 2017 or so, the Fedal hurrah aside.

 

[Jonesy]

It was good because it gave us a good meme.

 

[topher]

It was good because it gave us a good meme.

Novak fans posting this is the definition of irony

 

[abmk]

Always strange to me when people argue 2014 is strong but 2015 isn't. 3 of the big 4 were substantially better. Stan was just as good if not better and you have other random good runs thought admittedly not as many as 2014.

2014 wasn't strong. It was a little better than decent, but not strong.
Fed wasn't substantially better in 15 compared to 14. higher peak in the middle in 15, but lesser consistency. So at best, a little better.
You had the runs from Cilic, Nishi, Raonic, Dimi, Tsonga in 14 that you didn't have in 15.

 

[RS]

I don’t think of these years is underrated.

 

[aldeayeah]

Novak fans posting this is the definition of irony

i mean, at least Nadal had the decency of losing, instead of going full EMW

 

[mike danny]

Always strange to me when people argue 2014 is strong but 2015 isn't. 3 of the big 4 were substantially better. Stan was just as good if not better and you have other random good runs thought admittedly not as many as 2014.

I don't consider either year strong.

But in the case of 2015, Nadal's form went down the drain and still finished inside the top 5, Fed was kinda useless in the biggest matches and Murray was useless against top players, period.

 

[junior74]

Decent year, for sure. I appreciated 2014 more than 2015, because there were more players playing the good tennis and we got two new slam champions, both playing on a very high level.

 

[Third Serve]

Always strange to me when people argue 2014 is strong but 2015 isn't. 3 of the big 4 were substantially better. Stan was just as good if not better and you have other random good runs thought admittedly not as many as 2014.

Fed wasn't substantially better in 2015. At best, slightly better. Have a look at the biggest tournaments and see how they compare:

AO: Fed was better in 2014 even if he stunk up the SF; doesn't take too much to be better than a version who lost to Seppi in the 4R
Indian Wells: It's pretty close because both finals were actually solid enough, but I think I prefer the 2014 final
Miami: 2014 wins by default because 2015 withdrew from the tournament
Monte-Carlo: Clearly 2014
Madrid: 2015 by default because 2014 pulled out of the tournament; wasn't good at all, though
Rome: 2015 clearly
RG: Draw, Fed advanced one round further in 2015 but there's not much in it considering how poorly he played against Stan in that QF versus a five-set loss in the 4R against Gulbis; I bet 2015 loses to Gulbis too
Wimbledon: 2015 was better pre-final but 2014 played the better final by virtue of never burning out like 2015 did about midway through the third set; I value the final match (in this case the losing effort) a little more highly so I lean 2014 here but it's still close
Canada: 2014 by default since 2015 pulled out
Cincinnati: 2015 pretty clearly, 2014 was a meh tournament even if Fed did win that one too
US Open: 2015 by a significant margin; yes, Fed made the SF in 2014 but he was terrible in that one while the 2015 loss - though still not the greatest - was infinitely more respectable
Shanghai: 2014 by probably the widest margin yet
Paris: 2014 but there's not much in it considering both had disappointing losses
ATP Finals: 2015 because 2014 pulled out of the final with injury, but it's kinda close

The US Open run might push 2015 Fed to victory (I'm not convinced it does, but it could), but it's definitely close between the two years and I don't see how one could argue otherwise.

Stan was slightly better in 2015 (but still very good in 2014). Murray way better in 2015, Djokovic way better in 2015.

Fed was about level between 2014 and 2015.

Nadal was way better in 2014, Cilic was also way better in 2014, as were Dimitrov, Nishikori, Tsonga, and probably Raonic. Berdych and Ferrer were a little better in 2014 (but still not that good outside of Berdych's AO performance).

2015 was stronger at the top but 2014 had the much deeper field and you had the feeling that the top players were actually being threatened by capable opponents who could catch fire and actually, well, do something.

 

[tudwell]

2014 was a great and competitive year. LostGen put in their collective best year and it felt like a changing of the guard.

It really did. Breakthrough seasons for younger guys like Raonic, Dimitrov, and Nishikori, plus of course Wawrinka and Cilic winning slams. But in the six years since then I think only 5 slams have gone to non-Big 3 players lol.

 

[NatF]

It really did. Breakthrough seasons for younger guys like Raonic, Dimitrov, and Nishikori, plus of course Wawrinka and Cilic winning slams. But in the six years since then I think only 5 slams have gone to non-Big 3 players lol.

Yeah, for me 2015 was more stale rather than weak - basically the same also rans occupying the same spots as in their peaks despite obvious decline. In 2014 I feel like there was more belief, more variation. The guys in 2015 were fine players but were sort of sparkless and had nothing they could do to surprise the top dogs or each other. I felt like the tour was starting to stagnate even in 2013 but there was still so much quality from several guys (including breakouts from Stan and Delpo finding his form) that it didn't really matter that guys like Ferrer, Berdych, Tsonga etc...were slipping.

 

[abmk]

Good breakdown @Third Serve . Only a couple of points to add.
Only quoting the relevant parts.

AO: Fed was better in 2014 even if he stunk up the SF; doesn't take too much to be better than a version who lost to Seppi in the 4R

Seppi match was 3R in AO 15. in AO 14, fed beat Tsonga and Murray b2b and played well in both before the below par match vs Nadal. understandable given tough to go 3 matches in a row at 32.5 and that too vs Nadal. So AO 14 significantly better than AO 15, no question.

Indian Wells: It's pretty close because both finals were actually solid enough, but I think I prefer the 2014 final

2014 IW final was clearly better from fed, even if Djoko was better in the 15 IW final.

ATP Finals: 2015 because 2014 pulled out of the final with injury, but it's kinda close

I think bigger factor would be a way better performance vs Stan in the 15 semi compared to the 14 semi.
RR was better in 14, but the 14 semi - having to save like 3 MPs(?) brings it down compared to 15.

 

[mike danny]

Fed wasn't substantially better in 2015. At best, slightly better. Have a look at the biggest tournaments and see how they compare:

AO: Fed was better in 2014 even if he stunk up the SF; doesn't take too much to be better than a version who lost to Seppi in the 4R
Indian Wells: It's pretty close because both finals were actually solid enough, but I think I prefer the 2014 final
Miami: 2014 wins by default because 2015 withdrew from the tournament
Monte-Carlo: Clearly 2014
Madrid: 2015 by default because 2014 pulled out of the tournament; wasn't good at all, though
Rome: 2015 clearly
RG: Draw, Fed advanced one round further in 2015 but there's not much in it considering how poorly he played against Stan in that QF versus a five-set loss in the 4R against Gulbis; I bet 2015 loses to Gulbis too
Wimbledon: 2015 was better pre-final but 2014 played the better final by virtue of never burning out like 2015 did about midway through the third set; I value the final match (in this case the losing effort) a little more highly so I lean 2014 here but it's still close
Canada: 2014 by default since 2015 pulled out
Cincinnati: 2015 pretty clearly, 2014 was a meh tournament even if Fed did win that one too
US Open: 2015 by a significant margin; yes, Fed made the SF in 2014 but he was terrible in that one while the 2015 loss - though still not the greatest - was infinitely more respectable
Shanghai: 2014 by probably the widest margin yet
Paris: 2014 but there's not much in it considering both had disappointing losses
ATP Finals: 2015 because 2014 pulled out of the final with injury, but it's kinda close

The US Open run might push 2015 Fed to victory (I'm not convinced it does, but it could), but it's definitely close between the two years and I don't see how one could argue otherwise.

Stan was slightly better in 2015 (but still very good in 2014). Murray way better in 2015, Djokovic way better in 2015.

Fed was about level between 2014 and 2015.

Nadal was way better in 2014, Cilic was also way better in 2014, as were Dimitrov, Nishikori, Tsonga, and probably Raonic. Berdych and Ferrer were a little better in 2014 (but still not that good outside of Berdych's AO performance).

2015 was stronger at the top but 2014 had the much deeper field and you had the feeling that the top players were actually being threatened by capable opponents who could catch fire and actually, well, do something.

2015 didn't withdraw, he was beaten by @The Guru himself.

 

[Biotic]

It was a fairly good season, certainly not weak. What maybe brings it down in the eyes of fans is that it was kind of erratic and unpredictable, without prolonged periods of domination and lack of those outlier memorable performances from the top guys, so very different from what we were used to in previous 10+ seasons.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

It was a fairly good season, certainly not weak. What maybe brings it down in the eyes of fans is that it was kind of erratic and unpredictable, without prolonged periods of domination and lack of those outlier memorable performances from the top guys, so very different from what we were used to in previous 10+ seasons.

Wawrinka, Cilic, Tsonga..?

 

[Third Serve]

Wawrinka, Cilic, Tsonga..?

even frigging Dimitrov lol

 

[King No1e]

Running counter to 04-07 I guess. In actuality it was a medium era.

Agreed. What followed 2014-16 was undeniably a weak few years, though.

 

[abmk]

Running counter to 04-07 I guess. In actuality it was a medium era.

14 should never have been called a weak year and neither should 04,05,07.

Regarding medium era

14 > 06 ~ 15 > 16
So 06 is like average of 14-16. Maybe a little lesser considering for 14 having a higher margin over 06 compared to margin 06 has over 16.
So are we counting 06 as medium or little less than medium?

I'd prefer to call 14 a little better than decent. 06/15 as relatively weak and 16 as weak (since its weaker than both)

 

[duaneeo]

Djokovic struggled mentally, Nadal was a non-factor after RG, Federer had slamidous, and Murray was erratic. Only in a very-weak year would there be a Cilic/Nishikori slam final, lol.

And speaking of big finals, Nadal was injured in the AO final, Nole DF'd on championship point in the RG final, Federer choked serving to stay in match (while Nole had choked serving for the championship in the 4th set) in the Wimbledon final, Kei was totally exhausted in the USO final, and Federer withdrew from the WTF final.

 

[Fiero425]

Ewww no it wasn't

I see it as an important season for Djokovic in 2014! He was still trying to get back to his 2011 levels with the help of Becker and it wasn't happening early on! He had dropped his 1st AO in years and wasted another effort in Paris! By Wimbledon it was all or nothing IMO! Becker would have had to "hit the bricks" if Novak hadn't survived a 5 set thriller final against Federer! He re-took over YE #1 ranking and Becker's job was saved! So that season was a "2-for!"

 

[Biotic]

Wawrinka, Cilic, Tsonga..?

Absolutely. I was mostly reffering to the Big 3 (4) and matches between them.

 

[aldeayeah]

Nole DF'd on championship point in the RG final

Both players looked to be cramping/drained as hell in the fourth set, too.

 

[yokied]

It was good because it gave us a good meme.

Even better than the meme itself, and the irony of it being poasted by a member of the fam, is octo’s takedown of it where she highlights the continuity errors in the pictures. Dunno why it’s taken her so long to get here.

 

[Hayole]

Djokovic struggled mentally, Nadal was a non-factor after RG, Federer had slamidous, and Murray was erratic. Only in a very-weak year would there be a Cilic/Nishikori slam final, lol.

And speaking of big finals, Nadal was injured in the AO final, Nole DF'd on championship point in the RG final, Federer choked serving to stay in match (while Nole had choked serving for the championship in the 4th set) in the Wimbledon final, Kei was totally exhausted in the USO final, and Federer withdrew from the WTF final.

So you spent all of 2021 crying about the same player winning but other players reaching slam finals is also bad??? I guess anything but your beloved Federer winning slams is bad for tennis #gofigure

 

[rUDin 21]

2014 was kinda meh/lukewarm for me.
Wimbledon final saved it,that was the highlight of the year.

 

[RelentlessAttack]

2014 gets knocked because it’s the first year post-strong era. Federer better than 2013 but not prime level, while Nadal and Murray had big drop offs. Stan’s once a year run of form was a highlight of course.

 

[D.Nalby12]

7/10