Djokovic already better than Nadal

[The Guru]

My top 5(Open Era):

Federer
Djokovic
Sampras
Nadal
Borg

Why did we ever decide Sampras>Borg. Awful decision that somehow became consensus.

 

[Deon Sanders]

Novak has had more real slams for years now

"Already" was a long time ago

 

[Turning Pro]

Er their slam distribution is similiar except Nadal dominated his pet slam nearly twice as much as Novak.

12-4-2-1
7-5-3-1

Slams;

19>>>>>>>>16

Slam head to head;

9>>>>>>>6.

Have a great day

 

[hoodjem]

My feeling is that this is a very interesting topic that nobody has ever raised before, and that the thread will have a productive discussion leading to a conclusion that all can accept, learning a good deal along the way.

What are you smoking? I want some.

 

[King No1e]

This is how I see it:

It's all about that NCYGS. Djokovic achieved the single greatest tennis achievement ever completed. That's worth 3 Grand Slams to me.
He also has a few important leads over Nadal; the Big Title sweep (by ATP criteria, the OG is a big plus for Nadal), more time at #1, leading H2H (a minor factor in GOAT debates but still one nevertheless), and better Slam distribution.

I would consider them about as close to dead even as you can get ATM. Nadal winning 1 more Major, especially at AO or Wimbledon, would put himself firmly ahead of Djokovic, perhaps permanently. A WTF title would put him in front too. Conversely, Djokovic winning OG or another RG would put him firmly ahead of Nadal.

If you forced me to pick right now, I'd go with Djokovic on virtue of the NCYGS. But it's by a razor-thin margin and things can change VERY quickly.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

I agree Novak is still behind at moment. However, he’s certainly not far away. If Novak was to win 2 slams and Rafa 0 this year, he’d be favourite to surpass him. If Novak can win this AO and then the french he would pass him for sure.

I feel with a bit more luck and if djoko can peak at french he could snatch a 2nd crown there! That would make all the difference.

Well damn that sounds reasonable, oh wait, nice name.....

 

[Tostao80]

Despite djokovic has won less slams than Nadal in my opinion they are better distributed and in addition he really dominated an era.
Nadal has always been the number 2 in the ranking; at the beginnin behind Federer then behind Djokovic.
What's your feeling?

Rafa has always been number 2 in the ranking? How did he get to be number 1 for over 200 weeks? Or is that a figment of my imagination?

 

[Belgrad13]

This is how I see it:

It's all about that NCYGS. Djokovic achieved the single greatest tennis achievement ever completed. That's worth 3 Grand Slams to me.
He also has a few important leads over Nadal; the Big Title sweep (by ATP criteria, the OG is a big plus for Nadal), more time at #1, leading H2H (a minor factor in GOAT debates but still one nevertheless), and better Slam distribution.

I would consider them about as close to dead even as you can get ATM. Nadal winning 1 more Major, especially at AO or Wimbledon, would put himself firmly ahead of Djokovic, perhaps permanently. A WTF title would put him in front too. Conversely, Djokovic winning OG or another RG would put him firmly ahead of Nadal.

If you forced me to pick right now, I'd go with Djokovic on virtue of the NCYGS. But it's by a razor-thin margin and things can change VERY quickly.

PERFECT

Nadal owes everything to the French Open. That is our problem. Roland Garros.

If Kyrgios defeats him on Monday and Novak wins the AO, he will be number 1 again.

 

[King No1e]

PERFECT

Nadal owes everything to the French Open. That is our problem. Roland Garros.

If Kyrgios defeats him on Monday and Novak wins the AO, he will be number 1 again.

Another reason why Nadal should, if he were focused on his overall legacy, focus on AO, Wimbledon, and WTF more than clay. One title at any of those 3 events would do more for his legacy than 5 RG titles.

 

[Belgrad13]

Another reason why Nadal should, if he were focused on his overall legacy, focus on AO, Wimbledon, and WTF more than clay. One title at any of those 3 events would do more for his legacy than 5 RG titles.

For me a third Wimbledon will be amazing.

The fact that Nadal won 4 US OPEN is offset by the fact that Novak leads at HC Slams by 10 to 5. That's okay.

 

[King No1e]

For me a third Wimbledon will be amazing.

The fact that Nadal won 4 US OPEN is offset by the fact that Novak leads at HC Slams by 10 to 5. That's okay.

If you told me in 2011 or 2012 that Nadal would have more USO's than Djokovic, and Djokovic would have more Wimbledons than Nadal, I'd have called you crazy.
Career evolution is a strange thing.

 

[Belgrad13]

I've only been a fan of Novak since Wimbledon 2013. Through the semi-final against Delpo.

He should have won the tournament. Murray had an easy semi-final against the polish guy.

 

[King No1e]

I've only been a fan of Novak since Wimbledon 2013. Through the semi-final against Delpo.

He should have won the tournament. Murray had an easy semi-final against the polish guy.

I am a little ashamed to admit I rooted for Murray that one time. Mostly because of what happened in 2012.

 

[DSH]

 

[King No1e]

No, because Fedr is still better than both of them

 

[Belgrad13]

I am a little ashamed to admit I rooted for Murray that one time. Mostly because of what happened in 2012.

It is the case that I was officially a Murray supporter from the 2012 Olympics to Wimbledon in 2013. But then came Novak.

 

[DSH]

It is the case that I was officially a Murray supporter from the 2012 Olympics to Wimbledon in 2013. But then came Novak.

 

[King No1e]

It is the case that I was officially a Murray supporter from the 2012 Olympics to Wimbledon in 2013. But then came Novak.

Mury GOAT

 

[Djokovic2015]

I agree there mate. How do you see the slams and season shaping up in 2020?

Novak should win AO. After that though form heading into the event and health will determine a lot, so I usually try to refrain from predicting events months out since a lot can change. If pressed though I guess right now, I would say something like:

AO: Novak
FO: Nadal
Wimb: Novak
USO: Medvedev

USO leaves me the most uncertain. Novak should win it if he is at his best, but he rarely is at that point in the season and a 3 slam season is asking a lot at this point. I also don't see Nadal defending the title there, so I think that is the most apt place for someone to break through.