Best player of 2019

[clout]

They had similar results: 2 majors, 2 Masters, 9 wins vs top 10 players and 53 wins in total.

However, consistency throughout the season is the tiebreaker and in this case it goes to Rafa. He made all four semis at slams, 3 finals and won two titles. He also won 2 Masters (same as Nole), and made the semis or better in 11/13 tournaments he played in this year. Rafa also has a better win percentage at 88% compared to 83% from Djoker (they won a similar # of matches). Also, despite both losing in the group stages, Rafa went 2-1 (with two great wins vs Daniil and Stefanos) compared to 1-2 from Nole. Rafa also finished the year at number one which meant he earned more points than Novak throughout the duration of the season. I think this one easily goes to Rafa although they both had marvelous seasons and any of their fans that want more than what their favs have already done this year is being greedy

 

[40L0VE]

In this particular case yes. Check out the poll results. Even Djokovic and Federer fans are voting for Nadal. You really need to dislike Nadal to be so unobjective.

So every less popular choice is wrong in your mind. Got it.

 

[maratha_warrior]

I voted for Novak bcoz he and Nadal won 2 slams and 2 masters .

1. Nadal destroyed field at Australian Open and reached final in straight sets , Djokovic stopped Nadal from DCGS ,and put up one of his GOAT clinical performances . Without Djokovic in AO finals , Rafa would be a GOAT rite now with DCGS .

2. Federer destroyed everyone on his path at Wimby ( even Rafa ) and was better against Novak , but Novak still managed to perform great at pressure moments and managed to beat Fed . 40-15 is lengedary and has never happened at Wimbledon since last 50 years .
If Fed won this match he would be 9 time Wimby Champ and clear GOAT wid 21. This match also helped Rafa alot or Fed could have pulled ahead in GOAT race . By this single final win , Novak has kept himself and Rafa in Slam race for now . Novak now has 8 consecutive Slam wins versus Fedal .
Novak had 2 great historic wins in Slam finals this year ,in my opinion. And I accept if people disagree with this .

Most fans will vote for Rafa and I won't disagree with their opinion too . Ofcourse he had equal or even better year than Novak .

 

[James P]

Most fans will vote for Rafa and I won't disagree with their opinion too . Ofcourse he had equal or even better year than Novak .

I'm confused why you voted Novak then.

 

[maratha_warrior]

I'm confused why you voted Novak then.

Because I felt Australian Open and Wimby wins affect GOAT race massively . Had he lost any of those two finals , One among Fed or Rafa could be absolute GOAT rite now .

 

[RelentlessAttack]

its splitting hairs really. both won two slams despite being underwhelming outside their pet slams and scraping through the second ones by the skin of their teeth.
nadal barely even won anything on clay this year, and nole was abysmal for his standards in BO3
nadal slightly edging nole out in the rankings is probably correct

 

[tonylg]

There's no need for discussion about this. At the end of each year, the 8 top players get to play a final under the fairest tournament structure in tennis. By it's very nature, the round robin system determines who is best by removing luck of the draw. Whoever wins it is by definition, the best player of the year.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is the best player of 2019.

 

[KINGROGER]

Federer

Dubai
Halle
Wimbledon moral champion
Laver cup MVP
Basel
“Denied Djokovic YE#1”

 

[Spider]

Nadal

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Edge to Rafa. Novak's one more win is meaningless, his one more title is not so much, but it's a 500. They each have 2 slams and 2 1000s, but what gives Nadal the edge for me is the fact that except for the WTF just now he's made SF's or better at every tournament at 1000 level or above that he's played this year! That's pretty crazy for him, he doesn't normally accomplish stuff like that. He's 48-5 in tournaments 1000 and up, compared to Novak's 46-10, Djokovic gets the participation trophy for playing more, but gotta go with Nadal.

Nadal was the Only one that beat Stefanos at the Nitto ATP Finals also

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Because I felt Australian Open and Wimby wins affect GOAT race massively . Had he lost any of those two finals , One among Fed or Rafa could be absolute GOAT rite now .

The Australian? Many top players didn't take that Slam seriously in the 70's. Heck Johnny mac didn't even bother with it for a long time. Roland Garros to many is a bigger Slam but behind Wimbly. It is simply the hardest Slam to win due to the difficulty to master the court surface. That said, I think Novak and Rafa are about equal in 2019 and i cant not prefer one over the other. To me they felt they performed on par. What separated Nadl slightly was that he has been dominating the young guns better than Fed and Novak

 

[Chadalina]

The best two players cant make it out of the qualifing round at the WTF when they actually face other top players.

 

[RelentlessAttack]

The player who won the real slam

Basel or Cinci?

 

[Bender]

The nedl is better because his record at the ATP finals is 2-1, while Djoker's record this year is 1-2

 

[veroniquem]

It's a close call between Nadal and Djoko. They both won 2 slams and 2 masters. Nadal had a better perf in slams overall while Djoko won an extra title.
To me, it's another Nadalovic season, a bit similar to 2013 but I think it's the first time they have won exactly the same # of slams and masters.
2019 will also be memorable as next gen's breakthrough in tier 1: Medvedev made 4 tier 1 finals in a row, winning half of them: Canada, Cincy, USO, Shanghai.
Looooong time since a non big 3 went on such a streak + Tsitsipas winning his first big event to end the year.

 

[veroniquem]

Most tier 1 events per season:

2019: Nadal/Djoko: 4 = 2S + 2M
2018: Djokovic: 4 = 2S + 2M
2017: Federer: 5 = 2S + 3M
2016: Djokovic: 6 = 2S + 4M
2015: Djokovic: 10 = 3S + WTF + 6M
2014: Djokovic: 6 = 1S + WTF + 4M
2013: Nadal: 7 = 2S + 5M
2012: Djokovic: 5 = 1S + WTF + 3M
2011: Djokovic: 8 = 3S + 5M
2010: Nadal: 6 = 3S + 3M
2009: Federer: 4 = 2S + 2M
2008: Nadal: 5 = 2S + 3M
2007: Federer: 6 = 3S + WTF + 2M
2006: Federer: 8 = 3S + WTF + 4M
2005: Federer: 6 = 2S + 4M
2004: Federer: 7 = 3S + WTF + 3M
2003: Ferrero/Roddick: 3 = 1S + 2M

So one has to go back to pre-big 3 era to find a tie at the top.
Djokovic has dominated 7 seasons, Fed 6 and Nadal 4. Djoko has had the most dominant season (2015), followed by Fed's 2006 and Djoko's 2011.
Djoko has been the most dominant player in tier 1 both in terms of consistency and peak. To me, he is the best player ever.

 

[GreedyAlgorithm]

Why are there so many votes for Nadal and so few for Djokovic? Djokovic completely destroyed Nadal at the AO and beat the Wimbledon GOAT Federer. Nadal won slams by beating Thiem and Medvedev. LOL.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Most tier 1 events per season:

2019: Nadal/Djoko: 4 = 2S + 2M
2018: Djokovic: 4 = 2S + 2M
2017: Federer: 5 = 2S + 3M
2016: Djokovic: 6 = 2S + 4M
2015: Djokovic: 10 = 3S + WTF + 6M
2014: Djokovic: 6 = 1S + WTF + 4M
2013: Nadal: 7 = 2S + 5M
2012: Djokovic: 5 = 1S + WTF + 3M
2011: Djokovic: 8 = 3S + 5M
2010: Nadal: 6 = 3S + 3M
2009: Federer: 4 = 2S + 2M
2008: Nadal: 5 = 2S + 3M
2007: Federer: 6 = 3S + WTF + 2M
2006: Federer: 8 = 3S + WTF + 4M
2005: Federer: 6 = 2S + 4M
2004: Federer: 7 = 3S + WTF + 3M
2003: Ferrero/Roddick: 3 = 1S + 2M

So one has to go back to pre-big 3 era to find a tie at the top.
Djokovic has dominated 7 seasons, Fed 6 and Nadal 4. Djoko has had the most dominant season (2015), followed by Fed's 2006 and Djoko's 2011.
Djoko has been the most dominant player in tier 1 both in terms of consistency and peak. To me, he is the best player ever.

Lol I remember when you used to be a Rafa fan, what a joke.

Why are there so many votes for Nadal and so few for Djokovic? Djokovic completely destroyed Nadal at the AO and beat the Wimbledon GOAT Federer. Nadal won slams by beating Thiem and Medvedev. LOL.

Bc we have sense.

 

[Chadalina]

Why are there so many votes for Nadal and so few for Djokovic? Djokovic completely destroyed Nadal at the AO and beat the Wimbledon GOAT Federer. Nadal won slams by beating Thiem and Medvedev. LOL.

Nadal beat djok 6-0, 4-6 6-1 i think in rome.

Whats really sad is the top 2 players only played each other a whopping 2 times this year

 

[aman92]

Nadal clearly.. Worthless question

 

[ForumMember]

Though answer of question is Nadal but I would not be very unhappy if I have to trade his season with Djokovic'. A little unhappy only coz this will make Nadal lose 5th YE#1.

 

[veroniquem]

2002: Hewitt: 3 = 1S + WTF + 1M
2001: Agassi/Kuerten: 3 = 1S + 2M
2000: Kuerten: 3 = 1S + WTF + 1M
1999: Agassi: 3 = 2S + 1M
1998: Rafter: 3 = 1S + 2M
1997: Sampras: 5 = 2S + WTF + 2M
1996: Sampras: 2 = 1S + WTF
1995: Sampras: 4 = 2S + 2M
1994: Sampras: 6 = 2S + WTF + 3M
1993: Sampras: 3 = 2S + 1M
1992: Courier: 3 = 2S + 1M
1991: Courier: 3 = 1S + 2M
1990: Edberg: 4 = 1S + 3M

I am posting the rest of the stats from 1990 so that people realize how truly INSANE the big 3's domination has been by comparison.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Rafa

 

[veroniquem]

Lol I remember when you used to be a Rafa fan, what a joke.

I should have added my fav record: winning every tier 1.
So that's 3 records: most seasons with most tier 1 titles, most dominant season and no tier 1 missing
ETA: Nadal is still the king of clay of course but if we are talking overall, Djoko is better. (Sorry mate )

 

[MichaelNadal]

I should have added my fav record: winning every tier 1.
So that's 3 records: most seasons with most tier 1 titles, most dominant season and no tier 1 missing
ETA: Nadal is still the king of clay of course but if we are talking overall, Djoko is better. (Sorry mate )

I don't care who you support lol it's just a joke that you "used" to like Rafa as much as you like Novak.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

I don't care who you support lol it's just a joke that you "used" to like Rafa as much as you like Novak.

I think she just wanted to be on the winning team. When Rafa wasn't playing well in 2015 and 16 she switched her tune and became a Nole Fan. She must be conflicted now

 

[MichaelNadal]

I think she just wanted to be on the winning team. When Rafa wasn't playing well in 2015 and 16 she switched her tune and became a Nole Fan. She must be conflicted now

It's so whack lol. She used to be WAY more into Nadal than Djokovic. How anyone abandons him for The Mummy is mind-boggling.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

It's so whack lol. She used to be WAY more into Nadal than Djokovic. How anyone abandons him for The Mummy is mind-boggling.

Yeah, but even back then I felt she was just OK on Nole. I teased her a few years ago on the matter but then stopped paying attention.

 

[tudwell]

It's so whack lol. She used to be WAY more into Nadal than Djokovic. How anyone abandons him for The Mummy is mind-boggling.

She also used to hate Fed a lot more. Haven’t seen her post anything that bad about him in a long time. Maybe she’s just more equanimous across the board now.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Now that the season is over, who was the best player of 2019? Obviously there are only two options.

Nasal..

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

In the finals, Djokovic had to beat a 19 slam winner and a 20 slam winner to win his slams in 2019.

In the finals, Nadal had to beat a 0 slam winner and a 0 slam winner to win his slams in 2019.

It's not like that draw would've mattered at RG anyways..
Schwartzman, Berrettini & 5-1 guy were a joke though

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

fedr

4 0 - 1 5

 

[ForumMember]

It's not like that draw would've mattered at RG anyways..
Schwartzman, Berrettini & 5-1 guy were a joke though

5-1 guy is joke but 40-15 guys is legend.. no?

 

[I Am Finnish]

Basel or Cinci?

cincin

 

[Lew II]

Vs other Big3 in slams:

Djokovic 2-0
Nadal 1-2

Since they're basically competing against each other for the Slams record, this is a big point for Djokovic.

Everything else is for Nadal.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

5-1 guy is joke but 40-15 guys is legend.. no?

Yes. You can lose consecutive points on your serve and be a legend.

 

[blablavla]

In the finals, Djokovic had to beat a 19 slam winner and a 20 slam winner to win his slams in 2019.

In the finals, Nadal had to beat a 0 slam winner and a 0 slam winner to win his slams in 2019.

do you suggest that from now onwards, the Slams would be played directly from the Final?
And the only players allowed to play the final shall be: Federer, Nadal and Djokovic? if so, how will you choose 2 players that are eligible to play the final?

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

5-1 guy is joke but 40-15 guys is legend.. no?

He's legend.
Chokes don't make him a journeyman

 

[octobrina10]

It's not like that draw would've mattered at RG anyways..
Schwartzman, Berrettini & 5-1 guy were a joke though

Fed devotee, Berrettini is a better player than Fed. During the ATP Final, Berrettini defeated Thiem, who defeated Fed.

 

[Yugram]

I agree with @StrongRule that it’s close. Both had a dominant-fashion GS win, both had dramatic GS win with al nail-biting final. Both had stretch of terrible form outside Slams at one point.

But for me Nadal’s dominance since Rome till WTF is a tiebreaker. I believe he went 35-2. Djokovic on the other hasn’t really dominated consistently.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Same no of slams, same no of M1000s.

Nadal was a little more consistent at slams simply because Novak got injured at USO - which he would have won had he not been injured, and then we wouldn't even have this discussion.

No clear-cut best for this season.

 

[Spencer Gore]

The big 2 both had a great year. Very difficult to separate them, but Nadal probably edges it.

The rest of the field had a poor season- and, in Federer's case, something of a nightmare.

 

[Yugram]

Same no of slams, same no of M1000s.

Nadal was a little more consistent at slams simply because Novak got injured at USO - which he would have won had he not been injured, and then we wouldn't even have this discussion.

No clear-cut best for this season.

Don’t even get me started on what Nadal would have won had he not been injured. Then we wouldn’t even have such thing as GOAT discussion.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Don’t even get me started on what Nadal would have won had he not been injured. Then we wouldn’t even have such thing as GOAT discussion.

I do agree on that.

But fact remains that we are discussing 2019 and that's where Novak was very unlucky at the USO. Nadal had no injury problems this year at slams, which is very rare. And there is zero doubts that Novak would have beaten Nadal in the finale.

 

[FedIsBoat]

do you suggest that from now onwards, the Slams would be played directly from the Final?
And the only players allowed to play the final shall be: Federer, Nadal and Djokovic? if so, how will you choose 2 players that are eligible to play the final?

Hasn't that pretty much been the case for the last 15 years?

 

[veroniquem]

I think she just wanted to be on the winning team. When Rafa wasn't playing well in 2015 and 16 she switched her tune and became a Nole Fan. She must be conflicted now

That is not true at all. I have always liked both. I have argued that Novak had more potential on hard than Rafa lonnng before 2015. And then Novak started dominating grass while Nadal sort of fizzled away on it. Before Djoko broke through of course, it was all about Nadal. I have never been much of a a Fed buff
ETA: when Djoko won every tier 1, it sealed the deal for me that he was the greatest, regardless of preference. This is the achievement I value the most, although 12 titles at a slam is up there in the "mission impossible" category. But I rank versatility above specialization in general.

 

[veroniquem]

I don't care who you support lol it's just a joke that you "used" to like Rafa as much as you like Novak.

It is not a matter of "like" though. I am discussing achievements.

 

[DSH]

 

[DSH]

Nasal..

 

[StrongRule]

Don’t even get me started on what Nadal would have won had he not been injured. Then we wouldn’t even have such thing as GOAT discussion.

Exactly. How can anyone talk about Djokovic being unlucky due to injuries is beyond me. Djokovic was very, VERY lucky with his health during his career. He has a very physical style and still managed to avoid injuries.