Djokovic sets his sights on surpassing Federer’s slam record

[La Grande]

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/ne...o-surpass-roger-federers-20-grand-slam-titles

Djokovic, who has now won three majors in succession on three spate occasions in his career, moved within five of Federer's tally of 20 titles and is intent on giving himself the best chance of bettering the Swiss.

"I am aware that making history of the sport that I truly love is something special," Djokovic said.”

"Of course, it motivates me. How many seasons are to come? I don't know. I'm not trying to think too much in advance.”

"I do want to definitely focus myself on continuing to improve my game and maintaining the overall well-being that I have - mental, physical and emotional - so I would be able to compete at such a high level for the years to come, and have a shot at eventually getting closer to Roger's record. It's still far."


I love that he’s said it out loud. The final chapter of the big three era should be fun.

 

[ibbi]

Hopefully nobody tricks him into spending two more years thinking about Buddha.

 

[smoledman]

It would be fitting if it finished:

Roger 21
Rafa 20
Novak 19

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

The final chapter in 2039 will surely be riveting.

The next generation to come up at this point will be the "LOL Gen" because there's no hope left.

 

[smoledman]

Hopefully nobody tricks him into spending two more years thinking about Buddha.

I question Buddhism in general if it interferes with big time achievements here on Earth. Give me some good disaster capitalism!

 

[Zain786]

About time. Only the young guns can stop novak in the long run. Nadal is gunning for twenty and now roger will most likely aim for one or two more. The final chapter is here of the big three era, most likely 3-4 years.

 

[smoledman]

The final chapter in 2039 will surely be riveting.

The next generation to come up at this point will be the "LOL Gen" because there's no hope left.

You think Tsitsipas/Zverev/Tiafoe/Rublev/Auger Aliassime/Shap will not make big waves soon?

 

[smoledman]

About time. Only the young guns can stop novak in the long run. Nadal is gunning for twenty and now roger will most likely aim for one or two more. The final chapter is here of the big three era, most likely 3-4 years.

Roger is aiming for 9th Wimbledon and he knows that this time he needs to play French Open(and do well there) to build confidence.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

You think Tsitsipas/Zverev/Tiafoe/Rublev/Auger Aliassime/Shap will not make big waves soon?

Yes.

 

[smoledman]

Yes.

That would be tragic if #NextGen proved as worthless as the 'Lost Boys'. So far though I'm seeing much better signs. If one of #NextGen doesn't make a slam final in the remaining 3 this year that will be a shocker to me.

 

[veroniquem]

Still too far away to discuss it imo

 

[RF-18]

Didn't say anything that was unexpected. He is motivated and of course he will try and win every tournament he plays.

 

[smoledman]

Djoker has to be wary of burn out again. If he overplays the Masters, the same thing will happen as did in 2016. Remains to be seen if he can wisely skip certain events.

 

[fedfan08]

Clickbait headline. The headline doesn’t match his comments.

 

[Jonas78]

 

[Steve0904]

I think we all knew it, even when he was on his pre Wimbledon 2016 run of dominance. The only difference is he finally said it out loud.

 

[TMF]

We know Nole is obsessed about the slam count, but out of respect to Nadal he should have at least mentioned Nadal since he has to surpass him first before thinking about Federer

 

[smoledman]

Yes, let him first pass Nadal before talking about Federer. That will be a Herculean achievement considering Rafa is the huge favorite to win #18 this summer in Roland Garros. So either it will be 17-16 or 18-15 after that, big difference.

 

[Red Rick]

The final chapter in 2039 will surely be riveting.

The next generation to come up at this point will be the "LOL Gen" because there's no hope left.

The ATP will split off a different game with different rules after which that becomes some half dead sport while Slams are basically a 4 man RR format with the Djokovic/Nadal/Fed on fountain of youth and Murray with bionic hips.

 

[Steve0904]

The final chapter in 2039 will surely be riveting.

The next generation to come up at this point will be the "LOL Gen" because there's no hope left.

The tying and passing slams for Djokovic will come with the new rules. 4 game sets, no ad scoring, TBs in final sets.

Asterisks everywhere, LULZ.

 

[AllPlayersAreGood]

Winning 5 slams is not a joke, even for Djoker. Very few people have achieve it. It's a very long journey... I'm glad he's taking it though.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

He may even have a good shot at it

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Winning 5 slams is not a joke, even for Djoker. Very few people have achieve it. It's a very long journey... I'm glad he's taking it though.

Winning even one is not a joke.

 

[ChrisRF]

One thought came to my mind quite often in recent times:

As much as I would love to see Federer staying on top of the Slam count, it is extremely hard for me to imagine Nadal and Djokovic finally retiring without having overtaken him. I mean, they’ll surely never say: “18 or 19 is enough, see you on the senior’s tour.” No, when Federer is gone they will have a few more years, and regardless how much they decline, why shouldn’t they try Slam after Slam until being 40 years old (or even more)?

It is all about being the greatest legend this sport has ever seen, and they will do everything possible to achieve this highest Goal.

 

[True Fanerer]

I hope this fires Federer up to make one last run before riding off into the sunset. Make it a little harder on Novak. He can still win Wimbledon if a thing or two goes his way.

 

[BGod]

I just don't think he has the time.

The pinnacle would be Calendar Slam at which point he's at 18 and I think loses 2020 AO just because of the tremendous weight. Then I have Nadal coming back and winning the French. With the Olympics I don't know how serious Novak would be about grass. Assume he doesn't win even if he tries. So then it's the USO and at this point assume he's won Olympic Gold and it's his last Slam held. Probably goes all out and say we give it to him. So he's at 19 entering his year 34. Circumstances could allow him to do it but I just don't see it.

And this is of course if he's got the Calendar Slam. If he "only" has a 2 slam season this year I think he has 0 chance. Yes 0.

 

[ncgator]

It would be fitting if it finished:

Roger 21
Rafa 20
Novak 19

Hopefully not, but I believe the more likely finish is:

Novak 21
Roger 20
Rafa 18

Fed needs to mentor one of the young guns to step up their game so they can stop Djoker from overtaking him. Fed and Nadal can’t do it...

 

[smoledman]

You really see Novak adding a whole Becker/Edberg career to his tally?

 

[Nole_King]

Winning 5 slams is not a joke, even for Djoker. Very few people have achieve it. It's a very long journey... I'm glad he's taking it though.

He has won 3 in 6 months time

 

[MichaelNadal]

It would be fitting if it finished:

Roger 21
Rafa 20
Novak 19

Ewwww

 

[Nole_King]

You really see Novak adding a whole Becker/Edberg career to his tally?

He just added Murray's career in 6 months.

 

[Noleberic123]

Anyone else notice how Djokovic is peaking for slams these days. In the other tournaments he ain't dominating like before. He's making sure he wins as many slams as possible even thoug it might mean winning less masters. He has had some strange losses since Shanghai if you recall.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Personally, I feel like he would have to sweep it all this year to have a chance. Sure he looks scary good now and has had very few injuries, but you never know how long this lasts. If you ask me he's already done an incredible job returning to where he used to be, and that's more than I could ever ask for.

I hope he will be one of the best players when Tokyo Olympics arrive.

 

[EasyGoing]

He has won 3 in 6 months time

Surely you mean he has won 3 in almost 3 years, right?

 

[reaper]

Anyone else notice how Djokovic is peaking for slams these days. In the other tournaments he ain't dominating like before. He's making sure he wins as many slams as possible even thoug it might mean winning less masters. He has had some strange losses since Shanghai if you recall.

He wasn't well during those late season matches...if all his coughing and spluttering on court is anything to go by.

 

[The_Order]

LOL Fed fans thinking this guy can't win 6 more majors and overtake Fed's 21.

If he wins Wimbledon and the US open again, he'll be on 17 start of next season. Basically, the same position Rafa is in start of this season (same age).

 

[EasyGoing]

LOL Fed fans thinking this guy can't win 6 more majors and overtake Fed's 21.

If he wins Wimbledon and the US open again, he'll be on 17 start of next season. Basically, the same position Rafa is in start of this season (same age).

Well he does have a much better chance than Rafa winning a single WTF, I’ll give you that much

 

[Nole_King]

Surely you mean he has won 3 in almost 3 years, right?

If the 3 were spread out then yes ... but you know what i am talking about

 

[maratha_warrior]

He just added Murray's career in 6 months.

Savage reply.

 

[Noleberic123]

He wasn't well during those late season matches...if all his coughing and spluttering on court is anything to go by.

Lost in Doha as well though. I'm not sure how sick he actually was. I just thought it was a cold

 

[reaper]

Lost in Doha as well though. I'm not sure how sick he actually was. I just thought it was a cold

Yes I don't know that it was more than a cold, but something that brings a player down fractionally can make a big difference to a match. At Doha, he might have simply needed the practice.

 

[Nole_King]

Anyone else notice how Djokovic is peaking for slams these days. In the other tournaments he ain't dominating like before. He's making sure he wins as many slams as possible even thoug it might mean winning less masters. He has had some strange losses since Shanghai if you recall.

Absolutely. This is one thing that I want to learn him from Federer. If he can preserve himself for 3 years ....

 

[Noleberic123]

LOL Fed fans thinking this guy can't win 6 more majors and overtake Fed's 21.

If he wins Wimbledon and the US open again, he'll be on 17 start of next season. Basically, the same position Rafa is in start of this season (same age).

Both of them could very well overtake Fed. I would certainly be surprised if Rafa didn't. Rafa can easily win another two FOs and one or two non FO slams. Not even Djokovic can win every non FO slam

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Djokovic needs a three slam season this year and hope Federer doesn't sneak a win at Wimbledon, to getting within striking distance. This year is key.

 

[Noleberic123]

Yes I don't know that it was more than a cold, but something that brings a player down fractionally can make a big difference to a match. At Doha, he might have simply needed the practice.

But I just don't see him fighting as much in Non-slam tournaments. Against Zverev he almost gave up in the second set at the WTF

 

[Mark-Touch]

I love that he’s said it out loud. The final chapter of the big three era should be fun.

Let's keep everything in perspective.
In the open era:

Rosewall 4 slams in his 30's
Laver 4 slams in his 30's
Federer 4 slams in his 30's (so far)
Nadal 3 slams in his 30's (so far)
Djoker 3 slams in his 30's (so far)
Agassi 2 slams in his 30's

Just sayin'...

 

[Raul_SJ]

I hope this fires Federer up to make one last run before riding off into the sunset. Make it a little harder on Novak. He can still win Wimbledon if a thing or two goes his way.

Can Fed beat Novak at Wimby? Or does Fed have to hope someone knocks him off?

 

[EasyGoing]

Both of them could very well overtake Fed. I would certainly be surprised if Rafa didn't. Rafa can easily win another two FOs and one or two non FO slams. Not even Djokovic can win every non FO slam

Prepare to be very surprised. Rafa is making his last stand this RG, and he is fighting his body and Nole now. One or two non FO slams is as much as he got in the last 8 (!) years!

 

[Deon Sanders]

We know Nole is obsessed about the slam count, but out of respect to Nadal he should have at least mentioned Nadal since he has to surpass him first before thinking about Federer

Its an absolute certainty he will pass Ned

No need to bring it up

 

[NoleFam]

If you look at this tournament, I wouldnt put it past Djokovic to get close to Federer's record. The reason is because of the movement. He is still a really great athlete. I said back in 2017 that because Novak never really had a major injury on his legs, knees, etc. that this would play a role in his longevity and it was evident this tournament. Djokovic really hasn't lost much footspeed. If this remains to be true he will be able to compete with guys in their 20s for a few more years.