2019 is a crucial year for Djokovic

[TripleATeam]

I know that every year is important. It's another chance to win, another chance to lose, and another chance to make history.

Review the GOAT metrics (as far as I can recall):

Slams, Titles, Weeks at #1, YE #1, Masters Titles, YEC titles, H2H over rivals.

Slams - Djokovic trails Nadal by 3 and Federer by 6.

If he wins 0-1 slams next year, slam count will be extremely tough to see him catching. If he wins 2-4, we begin to smell blood in the water.
With 2 majors, Djokovic is only 1 (or 2, assuming Nadal wins RG) slams behind Nadal and 4 behind Federer, while being a year younger than Nadal and 5 younger than Federer.
With 3 majors, he is more or less on par with Nadal, and closing in on Federer rapidly. However, 3 or 4 slams is a pipe dream next year. Almost certainly not gonna happen.
​

Titles -

71 compared to Nadal's 80 and Federer's 98. In 2015 (Djokovic's most prolific year), he only won 11 titles. Almost impossible to catch Nadal in one year, and literally impossible to catch Federer in any less than 3. However, he could make good ground.​

Weeks at #1 -

Djokovic has 223. Federer has 310. He needs 87 to match Federer. If Djokovic gets #1 at Paris, he'll need to hold it until Cincinnati 2020 to match Roger. If he can dominate 2019, then that margin of 87 drops to 35.
​

YE #1 -

This depends on this year. If Djokovic gets the #1 this year, then he ties Federer and surpasses Nadal. If he doesn't, that's what he's aiming for next year. If he does, he's looking to eclipse Federer and extend his lead over Nadal.
​

Masters titles -

With Nadal at 33 and him at 31, the Master of Masters title is in contention during the whole year. If he can steal one or two on clay and perform well elsewhere, he's likely to regain the lead.
​

YEC -

Another metric that depends on the end of this year. If Djokovic can win this year's YEC, then he ties Federer and looks to surpass him next year. If he fails, then 2019 will be the year he tries to equalize.
​

H2H over rivals -

Seeing as he already holds the H2H lead, he'd just try to extend that or simply keep that lead. He may also want to equalize against Zverev and Kyrgios.

​

Certainly the biggest thing to care about is slams next year. I have Djokovic pegged for 2 slams in 2019, but 1 wouldn't surprise me.

If Djokovic can bring something close to 2012-2014 form with the 2018 mindset, he is in good shape to win 2 slams, in my opinion. That could put him at 16 slams at 32 years old, compared to Nadal's 17 slams at 32 years old and Federer's 17 slams at 32 years old. However, that puts his pace similar to Nadal and Federer, with a strong showing for 2 years in a row.

Conversely, a showing with 0 slams probably means he's done. 1 slam might be good, but it would have to be an outlier and he'd need good years well into his 30s. 2 slams at least is what he should be aiming to get in 2019 if he wants to have a shot at GOAT status.

 

[Plamen1234]

If Djokovic wanted to have shot at GOAT status he shouldn't have lost so many GS finals to Stan and Mugray.

 

[jm1980]

If Djokovic wanted to have shot at GOAT status he shouldn't have lost so many GS finals to Stan and Mugray.

Not everyone can play giants of the game like Baghdatis, Gonzalez, and Philippoussis in Slam finals

I see Stan as a present-day version of Safin, a dangerous player who can beat anyone when he's on

Murray is a guy who would have feasted on Fed's fields of 04-07, so this "Mugray" business is very disingenuous. Let's not forget he had a winning H2H against Fed until like 2014

 

[OhYes]

If Djokovic wanted to have shot at GOAT status he shouldn't have lost so many GS finals to Stan and Mugray.

Yeah, he should retire bcs it's impossible to catch it.

 

[tennisaddict]

Not everyone can play giants of the game like Baghdatis, Gonzalez, and Philippoussis in Slam finals

I see Stan as a present-day version of Safin, a dangerous player who can beat anyone when he's on

Murray is a guy who would have feasted on Fed's fields of 04-07, so this "Mugray" business is very disingenuous. Let's not forget he had a winning H2H against Fed until like 2014

Baghdatis, Gonzalez and Phillipousis would all be winning majors between 2014-18 seeing the pedigree of players who won during this period.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

What gives this funny idea that 3-4 slams next year is a pipe dream for someone like Djokovic?! Lmao you must be on meth or something!! Who exactly can oppose him, when he's on fire?! All these youngsters will keep on choking in 2019, like they were in 2018 still! They won't be a problem yet...whe else?! Stan will revive his career from ashes?! Murray will enter top-10 before the second half of next season?! Or Federer at 37-38 can still do any damage?! Or maybe Rafa, who is too prone on injuries and runs out of steam quickly these days?! Lmao If Djokovic decides there is something for the taking - he goes and take it! The only man, who can stop him is himself! And nothin gwill change in that regard in 2019 and even in 2020 yet! Imho...

He can and will surpass Federer at everything at one point and everybody on this forum will eat a crow! Lmao

Oh...and just for your record Novak himself said he still believes he can win at least four in a row yet! When it comes from someone like him, who usually stresses out on importance to net get ahead of oneself trying to predict what he can win, you know that he in for some serious bussiness! He ain't no half season 1-2 slams comeback boy, so snap out of it! Lol

 

[TMF]

OP you're asking a lot for a 32 years old player playing in his 16th season next year. He's not 25 anymore, but still enough time to catch Nadal but not Federer.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

OP you're asking a lot for a 32 years old player playing in his 16th season next year. He's not 25 anymore, but still enough time to catch Nadal but not Federer.

Assuming 32 is the new 25 its not such a huge problem anymore these days! We will be seeing the same faces winning majors until 2022! Lol

 

[The Fedfather]

Not everyone can play giants of the game like Baghdatis, Gonzalez, and Philippoussis in Slam finals

I see Stan as a present-day version of Safin, a dangerous player who can beat anyone when he's on

Murray is a guy who would have feasted on Fed's fields of 04-07, so this "Mugray" business is very disingenuous. Let's not forget he had a winning H2H against Fed until like 2014

You may not regard Baghdatis, Gonzalez, and Philippoussis as a formidable competition but from those particular finals, the only one where Federer's game was somewhat lacking was AO 2006. Neither Wawrinka nor Murray would take Wimby 2003 or AO 2007 from Federer.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Hopefully Brendan Fraser shows up

 

[Deleted member 716271]

You may not regard Baghdatis, Gonzalez, and Philippoussis as a formidable competition but from those particular finals, the only one where Federer's game was somewhat lacking was AO 2006. Neither Wawrinka nor Murray would take Wimby 2003 or AO 2007 from Federer.

I liked his post but this is a fair point too.

 

[TMF]

What gives this funny idea that 3-4 slams next year is a pipe dream for someone like Djokovic?! Lmao you must be on meth or something!! Who exactly can oppose him, when he's on fire?! All these youngsters will keep on choking in 2019, like they were in 2018 still! They won't be a problem yet...whe else?! Stan will revive his career from ashes?! Murray will enter top-10 before the second half of next season?! Or Federer at 37-38 can still do any damage?! Or maybe Rafa, who is too prone on injuries and runs out of steam quickly these days?! Lmao If Djokovic decides there is something for the taking - he goes and take it! The only man, who can stop him is himself! And nothin gwill change in that regard in 2019 and even in 2020 yet! Imho...

He can and will surpass Federer at everything at one point and everybody on this forum will eat a crow! Lmao

Oh...and just for your record Novak himself said he still believes he can win at least four in a row yet! When it comes from someone like him, who usually stresses out on importance to net get ahead of oneself trying to predict what he can win, you know that he in for some serious bussiness! He ain't no half season 1-2 slams comeback boy, so snap out of it! Lol

Yes we all know the depth and strength of the competition has been atrocious in the past years so no need to reminds us the obvious. The NEXT GEN sucks and of course he will take advantage of the depleted field. But don't count the chicken too fast in thinking he will automatically dominate again, because what happen in 2016 and 2017 can certainly be repeated again in 2019. No one expected that he was going to be non-existent in 2016-17, so anything can happened in 2019.

 

[TMF]

Assuming 32 is the new 25 its not such a huge problem anymore these days! We will be seeing the same faces winning majors until 2022! Lol

Nole didn't win anything in 2016-17, so don't expect anything to be easier when he's 32.

Only Rosewall and Federer were able to win slams in an advanced age.

 

[lud]

Titles -
71 compared to Nadal's 80 and Federer's 98. In 2015 (Djokovic's most prolific year), he only won 11 titles. Almost impossible to catch Nadal in one year, and literally impossible to catch Federer in any less than 3. However, he could make good ground.​

.

I agree. He should won 234 in one year

 

[TMF]

Baghdatis, Gonzalez and Phillipousis would all be winning majors between 2014-18 seeing the pedigree of players who won during this period.

And I don't believe Wawrinka and Murray would have won any slam during 2004-2007.

 

[Drob]

I know that every year is important. It's another chance to win, another chance to lose, and another chance to make history.

Review the GOAT metrics (as far as I can recall):

Slams, Titles, Weeks at #1, YE #1, Masters Titles, YEC titles, H2H over rivals.

Slams - Djokovic trails Nadal by 3 and Federer by 6.

If he wins 0-1 slams next year, slam count will be extremely tough to see him catching. If he wins 2-4, we begin to smell blood in the water.
With 2 majors, Djokovic is only 1 (or 2, assuming Nadal wins RG) slams behind Nadal and 4 behind Federer, while being a year younger than Nadal and 5 younger than Federer.
With 3 majors, he is more or less on par with Nadal, and closing in on Federer rapidly. However, 3 or 4 slams is a pipe dream next year. Almost certainly not gonna happen.
​

Titles -

71 compared to Nadal's 80 and Federer's 98. In 2015 (Djokovic's most prolific year), he only won 11 titles. Almost impossible to catch Nadal in one year, and literally impossible to catch Federer in any less than 3. However, he could make good ground.​

Weeks at #1 -

Djokovic has 223. Federer has 310. He needs 87 to match Federer. If Djokovic gets #1 at Paris, he'll need to hold it until Cincinnati 2020 to match Roger. If he can dominate 2019, then that margin of 87 drops to 35.
​

YE #1 -

This depends on this year. If Djokovic gets the #1 this year, then he ties Federer and surpasses Nadal. If he doesn't, that's what he's aiming for next year. If he does, he's looking to eclipse Federer and extend his lead over Nadal.
​

Masters titles -

With Nadal at 33 and him at 31, the Master of Masters title is in contention during the whole year. If he can steal one or two on clay and perform well elsewhere, he's likely to regain the lead

​

YEC -

Another metric that depends on the end of this year. If Djokovic can win this year's YEC, then he ties Federer and looks to surpass him next year. If he fails, then 2019 will be the year he tries to equalize.
​

H2H over rivals -

Seeing as he already holds the H2H lead, he'd just try to extend that or simply keep that lead. He may also want to equalize against Zverev and Kyrgios.

​

Certainly the biggest thing to care about is slams next year. I have Djokovic pegged for 2 slams in 2019, but 1 wouldn't surprise me.

If Djokovic can bring something close to 2012-2014 form with the 2018 mindset, he is in good shape to win 2 slams, in my opinion. That could put him at 16 slams at 32 years old, compared to Nadal's 17 slams at 32 years old and Federer's 17 slams at 32 years old. However, that puts his pace similar to Nadal and Federer, with a strong showing for 2 years in a row.

Conversely, a showing with 0 slams probably means he's done. 1 slam might be good, but it would have to be an outlier and he'd need good years well into his 30s. 2 slams at least is what he should be aiming to get in 2019 if he wants to have a shot at GOAT status.

Djokovic essentially needs to do only one thing: Win a second French Open. With that you would have to put him on basically equal status with Rocket, Bill Tilden and Federer. He would be the only player other than Laver (and Emerson, who is not in a GOAT discussion) to win all four traditional Majors at least twice. He would be way up on Federer on Clay: 2 to 1 French; 4 to zero Italian; 3 to zero Monte Carlo, with Federer having the edge at the German Open/Madrid Open. He has the Golden whatever-the-thing-is, whereas Roger is missing two M 1000s; a 7-0 singles campaign to win Davis Cup in 2010 (superior to Federer's D.C. title run w Warwinka); roughly equal to Federer at ATP World Tour Finals; almost certainly a winning career record versus both Federer and Nadal; and 2011 and 2015, the former superior (in context of competition) to any Federer season, the second as good as any.

It isn't all about numbers of "Majors", although you start there. For my money, a second French would show his grit, his mental strength (poor argument, I thought, the post about his many losses in Slam finals, about a guy with a 14-9 record in the "Second Golden Era" of tennis, and winner of eight of his last 10 Slam Finals). It would underline his historically unmatched versatility regarding surfaces. I emphasise that would not mean GOAT. It would mean the only argument for putting Federer ahead of Djokovic would be an aesthetic one - an argument about genius and beauty and hundreds of shots no mortal could possibly make, and so forth. Objectively, they would be effectively equal, IMO. You would have a quartet of GOATs.

But the French is tough stuff. Nole has struggled there. All the more reason that a second Musketeers Cup would throw all his achievements in this mega-era into dazzling relief.

 

[tennisaddict]

You may not regard Baghdatis, Gonzalez, and Philippoussis as a formidable competition but from those particular finals, the only one where Federer's game was somewhat lacking was AO 2006. Neither Wawrinka nor Murray would take Wimby 2003 or AO 2007 from Federer.

I would like @jm1980 to specify which major Andy pusher Murray was winning in 2004-07 , beating Federer or Nadal.

What a crap post and it is liked by some Djoko nuts from Serbia.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Djokovic lost too many finals in the past and had that massive nosedive after he won the French Open so I don't expect him to catch most of those records now that he is 31. But it is awesome to be able to genuinely say "he's got a good shot at the upcoming tournament, no matter which players he ends up facing" again after a long time.

 

[Ann]

Djokovic essentially needs to do only one thing: Win a second French Open. With that you would have to put him on basically equal status with Federer.

No. Get over it. No. LMAO

 

[reaper]

Djokovic probably needs to win 4 of the next 5 slams if he's to match (or break) Federer's slam record. If he doesn't dominate next year, he'll never dominate again so the OP is right, it's a big year for him in terms of his status in the game.

 

[jm1980]

I would like @jm1980 to specify which major Andy pusher Murray was winning in 2004-07 , beating Federer or Nadal.

What a crap post and it is liked by some Djoko nuts from Serbia.

Like I already told @Sabratha, peak for peak I like Murray's chances against Fed on any surface

 

[MichaelNadal]

It's a crucial year for Nadal too. Last chance for another non-clay slam.

 

[The Fedfather]

I would like @jm1980 to specify which major Andy pusher Murray was winning in 2004-07 , beating Federer or Nadal.

What a crap post and it is liked by some Djoko nuts from Serbia.

Dude, off topic but quit making remarks about Djokovic fans and their connection to Serbia. It comes off as narrow-minded.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Complains...

What a crap post.

Right after posting this.

Baghdatis, Gonzalez and Phillipousis would all be winning majors between 2014-18 seeing the pedigree of players who won during this period.

Beautiful.

And I bet almighty peak Roddick sweeps Wimbledon for five years straight, like Fed and Borg did back in the day. He was that good, a real all time grass legend, but just as unlucky at the same time.

 

[True Fanerer]

YE #1 and weeks are tiebreakers. Don't get the cart ahead of the horse.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I know that every year is important. It's another chance to win, another chance to lose, and another chance to make history.

Review the GOAT metrics (as far as I can recall):

Slams, Titles, Weeks at #1, YE #1, Masters Titles, YEC titles, H2H over rivals.

Slams - Djokovic trails Nadal by 3 and Federer by 6.

If he wins 0-1 slams next year, slam count will be extremely tough to see him catching. If he wins 2-4, we begin to smell blood in the water.
With 2 majors, Djokovic is only 1 (or 2, assuming Nadal wins RG) slams behind Nadal and 4 behind Federer, while being a year younger than Nadal and 5 younger than Federer.
With 3 majors, he is more or less on par with Nadal, and closing in on Federer rapidly. However, 3 or 4 slams is a pipe dream next year. Almost certainly not gonna happen.
​

Titles -

71 compared to Nadal's 80 and Federer's 98. In 2015 (Djokovic's most prolific year), he only won 11 titles. Almost impossible to catch Nadal in one year, and literally impossible to catch Federer in any less than 3. However, he could make good ground.​

Weeks at #1 -

Djokovic has 223. Federer has 310. He needs 87 to match Federer. If Djokovic gets #1 at Paris, he'll need to hold it until Cincinnati 2020 to match Roger. If he can dominate 2019, then that margin of 87 drops to 35.
​

YE #1 -

This depends on this year. If Djokovic gets the #1 this year, then he ties Federer and surpasses Nadal. If he doesn't, that's what he's aiming for next year. If he does, he's looking to eclipse Federer and extend his lead over Nadal.
​

Masters titles -

With Nadal at 33 and him at 31, the Master of Masters title is in contention during the whole year. If he can steal one or two on clay and perform well elsewhere, he's likely to regain the lead.
​

YEC -

Another metric that depends on the end of this year. If Djokovic can win this year's YEC, then he ties Federer and looks to surpass him next year. If he fails, then 2019 will be the year he tries to equalize.
​

H2H over rivals -

Seeing as he already holds the H2H lead, he'd just try to extend that or simply keep that lead. He may also want to equalize against Zverev and Kyrgios.

​

Certainly the biggest thing to care about is slams next year. I have Djokovic pegged for 2 slams in 2019, but 1 wouldn't surprise me.

If Djokovic can bring something close to 2012-2014 form with the 2018 mindset, he is in good shape to win 2 slams, in my opinion. That could put him at 16 slams at 32 years old, compared to Nadal's 17 slams at 32 years old and Federer's 17 slams at 32 years old. However, that puts his pace similar to Nadal and Federer, with a strong showing for 2 years in a row.

Conversely, a showing with 0 slams probably means he's done. 1 slam might be good, but it would have to be an outlier and he'd need good years well into his 30s. 2 slams at least is what he should be aiming to get in 2019 if he wants to have a shot at GOAT status.

There is nothing in this analysis which takes into consideration two huge things:

1. Physical decline due to age
2. The sudden rise of a great new player.... don't laugh. Whoever had even seen Basilashvilla before this month?

He's 32 by the time of RG next year. Predicting multi slam years for him from now on may be considered folly or wishful thinking based on age alone.

 

[TripleATeam]

OP you're asking a lot for a 32 years old player playing in his 16th season next year. He's not 25 anymore, but still enough time to catch Nadal but not Federer.

Quite right, I realize that. Djokovic isn't the spring chicken he used to be, but I'm just basing it off his current form, the field, and precedent set by Nadal and Federer.

Federer post-30: 4 slams (3 at 35-36)
Nadal post-30: 3 slams
Djokovic post-30: 2 slams

Federer won two slams at 35 and one at 36. Seeing as Djokovic is already on a 2-slam streak, I can't see him suddenly falling off just like that, particularly if Zverev and his generation don't step up soon. I think 1-2 slams is a fair prediction.

 

[True Fanerer]

No. Get over it. No. LMAO

Yeah who gives a **** about another French.

 

[tennisaddict]

Like I already told @Sabratha, peak for peak I like Murray's chances against Fed on any surface

He didn't win against a diminished Fed, LOL

 

[TripleATeam]

It's a crucial year for Nadal too. Last chance for another non-clay slam.

Probably. He plays a physical game, and even though he may win most of the next several editions of RG (2/3 or 3/4, maybe?) if he doesn't win another next year, he may be done off-clay.

 

[jm1980]

On topic, I'd be pretty happy if Novak won any Slam at all next year

I'm also fine with him not winning any as long as Fed and Nadal don't win any

 

[Ann]

Yeah who gives a **** about another French.

LMAO well I'm sure everyone named Nadal does. I just don't see how/why anyone could think winning another FO could make someone GOAT.

The logic here is ummm.. amazing?

 

[TripleATeam]

What gives this funny idea that 3-4 slams next year is a pipe dream for someone like Djokovic?! Lmao you must be on meth or something!! Who exactly can oppose him, when he's on fire?! All these youngsters will keep on choking in 2019, like they were in 2018 still! They won't be a problem yet...whe else?! Stan will revive his career from ashes?! Murray will enter top-10 before the second half of next season?! Or Federer at 37-38 can still do any damage?! Or maybe Rafa, who is too prone on injuries and runs out of steam quickly these days?! Lmao If Djokovic decides there is something for the taking - he goes and take it! The only man, who can stop him is himself! And nothin gwill change in that regard in 2019 and even in 2020 yet! Imho...

He can and will surpass Federer at everything at one point and everybody on this forum will eat a crow! Lmao

Oh...and just for your record Novak himself said he still believes he can win at least four in a row yet! When it comes from someone like him, who usually stresses out on importance to net get ahead of oneself trying to predict what he can win, you know that he in for some serious bussiness! He ain't no half season 1-2 slams comeback boy, so snap out of it! Lol

I love the enthusiasm! All it takes is a bad day, and much like you say Djokovic is prone to do, I'm not gonna get too far ahead of myself. My sights are set on 50% of the next 4, and even that's a big ask.

 

[TripleATeam]

I agree. He should won 234 in one year

I didn't mean it wasn't a huge amount of titles, just that it wasn't huge in comparison to the gap between him and Federer. To be honest, I don't think he'll ever catch up to Fed in terms of titles.

 

[Ann]

I love the enthusiasm! All it takes is a bad day, and much like you say Djokovic is prone to do, I'm not gonna get too far ahead of myself. My sights are set on 50% of the next 4, and even that's a big ask.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Djokovic won 2 slams next year at all. I'd be more surprised if he won none, than won 2.

 

[OhYes]

Nole didn't win anything in 2016-17, so don't expect anything to be easier when he's 32.

Only Rosewall and Federer were able to win slams in an advanced age.

Novak is lucky to play in Fed era, who else could show him what is possible in advanced years. If it wasn't for Fed, we would have retired Djokovic with 12 Slams.

 

[True Fanerer]

LMAO well I'm sure everyone named Nadal does. I just don't see how/why anyone could think winning another FO could make someone GOAT.

The logic here is ummm.. amazing?

At this point a French is nothing but a slam like everything else. Once you have one that's all you need.

 

[TheAssassin]

At some point at least one of the youngsters will become good enough to be the best. Usually we don't have guys at Djokovic's current age at the very top in the first place, this year's YE #1 is guaranteed to be the oldest ever.

What I am saying is, a lot of those gaps are too big for him to close now. But if he has the needed motivation and good scheduling, he can win a bit more until he calls it a day.

 

[TripleATeam]

I would like @jm1980 to specify which major Andy pusher Murray was winning in 2004-07 , beating Federer or Nadal.

What a crap post and it is liked by some Djoko nuts from Serbia.

What was crap about it? 2019 is crucial. Does that mean it's a sure thing? Not by any means.

You would probably agree that the slam race is mostly out of sight for Djokovic, right? So that means his performance next year is important. If he performs well, he still has a shot at it. If not, he's lost his chance.

Also, please keep our nationalities out of this. We may support a player from our country, but why does that make our opinions less valid?

 

[NoleFam]

If he is healthy, 2019 should actually be a big year for him. He's already talking openly about #1 and I knew he would be eager to get back there especially with being so close now, and I think he's found that vigor again for the game after the slump and injury. I said after Wimbledon that he would win at least 4 more so and he's already won another one. It wouldn't surprise me at all if 2019 turns out to be a 2 Slam year. As far as catching Fedal, I'm not sure that will happen but anything he adds now is a bonus for his legacy.

 

[The Fedfather]

If we're talking about getting the GOAT status then any one year can't be defined as crucial IMO. Even if in 2019 he doesn't win any Slams it'll be important to see what form he's in. Federer was competitive for several years without getting the desired return on his efforts an then boom, 3 Slams! On the other hand, Djokovic may win 3 and then his injury comes up again or his form starts to deteriorate rapidly. I know the OP is taking the most probable scenarios into consideration but the sport is very unpredictable. There's hopefully some years left in Novak's career and we'll most likely know whether he can challenge Federer as the greatest only in the latter part of those years.

 

[TripleATeam]

If we're talking about getting the GOAT status then any one year can't be defined as crucial IMO. Even if in 2019 he doesn't win any Slams it'll be important to see what form he's in. Federer was competitive for several years without getting the desired return on his efforts an then boom, 3 Slams! On the other hand, Djokovic may win 3 and then his injury comes up again or his form starts to deteriorate rapidly. I know the OP is taking the most probable scenarios into consideration but the sport is very unpredictable. There's hopefully some years left in Novak's career and we'll most likely know whether he can challenge Federer as the greatest only in the latter part of those years.

True enough. The sport is volatile. However, I mean it's very likely he needs to perform well in 2019 to have a chance. Even with a 3-slam 2019, he still has no guarantee of another 3 slams, particularly not if he gets injured or something. On the other hand, with a no-slam year in 2019, Djokovic will be 32 years old and at 14 slams. Even with 2 slams a year from 2020 on, it would still take him until 2022 to reach Federer's total. And time is against Novak, both in terms of his body and the next ATG.

 

[Ann]

True enough. The sport is volatile. However, I mean it's very likely he needs to perform well in 2019 to have a chance. Even with a 3-slam 2019, he still has no guarantee of another 3 slams, particularly not if he gets injured or something. On the other hand, with a no-slam year in 2019, Djokovic will be 32 years old and at 14 slams. Even with 2 slams a year from 2020 on, it would still take him until 2022 to reach Federer's total. And time is against Novak, both in terms of his body and the next ATG.

And while possible but not probable Roger could win another slam or two....

 

[tennisaddict]

What was crap about it? 2019 is crucial. Does that mean it's a sure thing? Not by any means.

You would probably agree that the slam race is mostly out of sight for Djokovic, right? So that means his performance next year is important. If he performs well, he still has a shot at it. If not, he's lost his chance.

Also, please keep our nationalities out of this. We may support a player from our country, but why does that make our opinions less valid?

I don't have any problem with your post. Completely possible scenarios were projected.

The issue is with the poster claiming Murray win win several slams in the 2004-07 era.

 

[MichaelNadal]

And while possible but not probable Roger could win another slam or two....

 

[Drob]

No. Get over it. No. LMAO

 

[Djokodal Fan]

I'm surprised at how fixated the fickle minded fans are with slam counts.

He has won all 4 slams. Came back from injury and won 2 more slams. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. I'm happy as a fan... based on what he has achieved to date. Just enjoy if he wins, move on if he loses. At the end of the day, it's him who makes history and not the fans. There is no need for him to prove that he is the greatest ever. He is already one of the greats and his legacy will live

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Not everyone can play giants of the game like Baghdatis, Gonzalez, and Philippoussis in Slam finals

I see Stan as a present-day version of Safin, a dangerous player who can beat anyone when he's on

Murray is a guy who would have feasted on Fed's fields of 04-07, so this "Mugray" business is very disingenuous. Let's not forget he had a winning H2H against Fed until like 2014

Let's not forget Lleyton had a winning H2H against Federer, an even H2H against Agassi, a winning H2H against Roddick until injuries hit (including edging him 3-2 peak for peak), a winning H2H against every S&V player including Sampras, Rafter, Henman, etc when he was No. 1 in the world. He was far from a mug either.

Level of play wise he's up there with Murray. Results wise Murray is ahead because of his great consistency, but he hasn't done anything peak for peak for me to put him above Lleyton.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I don't know where Djoker will end up in the history books, but where ever it is, he deserves every bit of praise he gets because he has had to go through Fedal and Murray for just about everything.

 

[Drob]

Quite right, I realize that. Djokovic isn't the spring chicken he used to be, but I'm just basing it off his current form, the field, and precedent set by Nadal and Federer.

Federer post-30: 4 slams (3 at 35-36)
Nadal post-30: 3 slams
Djokovic post-30: 2 slams

Federer won two slams at 35 and one at 36. Seeing as Djokovic is already on a 2-slam streak, I can't see him suddenly falling off just like that, particularly if Zverev and his generation don't step up soon. I think 1-2 slams is a fair prediction.

Do you mean at 30 or older, or at 31 or older?

 

[TripleATeam]

Do you mean at 30 or older, or at 31 or older?

30 and older. Post 30th birthday.