Djokovic sets his sights on surpassing Federer’s slam record

[Deleted member 77403]

I always wonder about that. It makes sense on paper, but Roger is pretty renowned for playing for the love of the game. Of course, that's easy to say when he's winning everything!

I watch most of his press conferences, and he gets uncharacteristically offended whenever press brings this up; the idea of giving them any credit for his motivation to keep going.

I don't doubt Federer's love for the game, but he also doesn't want to leave the game with any regrets. He has heard Sampras say that he regrets not trying for more slams, Federer wants to make sure he has no regrets and while he can fight to defend the record from his ATG rivals, he will. Nothing wrong with that, and in fact his love for the game is what gives him the desire to go out and make it happen. To keep the fire burning in his heart.

 

[tennisfan2015]

It would be fitting if it finished:

Roger 21
Rafa 20
Novak 19

Or even better Novk and Nadl at 21.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Lets keep in mind, that even though it was the weakest version of Nadal in 2015, Djokovic has crossed the finish line against Nadal. He did slay a lot of mental demons there, which will help. I need to see how Nadal moves, I said he wasn't moving very well here, he needs that to go up massively.

Are you saying Nadal was not moving well at the AO final?
Going into the final, Nadal was quoted as saying that he was playing at the highest level of his career. Assumed he was happy with his movement as well.

 

[NoleFam]

You are correct, it wasn't easy for him mentally. Remember how he nearly choked the first set, despite racing off to a 4-0 lead, just about won it 7-5. That wasn't because Nadal was playing great, it was because Djokovic was fighting his demons there. So, that is a massive hurdle he has crossed, he has beaten Nadal there, in fact the only player to beat him there in straights.

In regards to Nadal's movement, what I mean is, can he physically be ready to move. Nadal has been carrying a lot of injuries, the frequency is only compounding the problem, he looked injured here in AO also. Will he be 100% in Paris? I seriously do not know considering how this past 12 months have been for him.

Yea I remember how he let that lead slip and mentally lost his way for a bit. That was just a massive victory for him even if Nadal wasn't at his best because of what happened two years prior to that back in 2013.

Yea he has had problems with some injuries so I see where you are coming from. I think he will do what he usually does and that is preserve himself for the clay. He will skip either IW or Miami, or both, if he is not 100% to give himself the best chance on his best surface. To me it seems he always plans his year around clay. I think he will rest and heal any ailments he has, and I expect him to be fit and ready.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

True.

We make it out like the achievements of these guys are purely individual but there is a lot of interplay. Each built upon the challenge and platform provided by the other.

I wonder If Agassi hadn’t been a force in his 30s would Roger plan for an extended career back in 2004?

If Nadal, Djoko, Murray hadn’t pushed him as you rightly said, would Roger change his racket or hire Edberg?

Same way, I think the fact that a dad of 4 traveling the world with his brood gives Djoko a path forward for managing family and career.

Each generation really stands on the shoulders of the last and there is significant influence on each other when they overlap.

These guys often say that they push each other and motivate each other, a sport like this cannot be the guy just driving in his own lane, it is about looking at what is happening in the lanes around him while keeping focus ahead.

 

[Deleted member 763024]

I always wonder about that. It makes sense on paper, but Roger is pretty renowned for playing for the love of the game. Of course, that's easy to say when he's winning everything!

I watch most of his press conferences, and he gets uncharacteristically offended whenever press brings this up; the idea of giving them any credit for his motivation to keep going.

Yeah he never admits it. He may well have planned for a long career right when he became No.1 for the first time but there is no question these guys pushing him, and Nadal especially adding a ton of slams between 2008 and now, have kept him on his toes.

 

[Ray Mercer]

Fed's finished winning majors. I know it's been said in the past, but this is the first time I'm saying it.

A month away from 38 years old come Wimbledon and his form is bad. He's not winning it especially if he runs into Novak.

I think he has an outside shot at Wimbledon if he can avoid Djokovic. His ground game has looked terrible though the last few years at Wimbledon.

 

[tennisfan2015]

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.

Fedr can aim for anything he wants but with Nadl and Novk around at the same slam Fedr stands NO chance.

 

[maratha_warrior]

People are ignoring Movement/athleticism of Djokovic .
When u look at the match Nadal looks 32 year old movement wise but Djokovic looks 25 year old maybe movement wise ..
I don't think there has ever been a better athlete in tennis before ,and this means Novak will preserve his body for 3 years at least ..
Whether he breaks record or not is not important , he wants to fight for it is the main thing for me..

 

[tennisfan2015]

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.

He did not burn out but had an elbow issue and had a Jelena issue.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Are you saying Nadal was not moving well at the AO final?
Going into the final, Nadal was quoted as saying that he was playing at the highest level of his career. Assumed he was happy with his movement as well.

Yes, he was not moving well IMO and Djokovic exposed it like I predicted.

 

[tennisfan2015]

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.

While Fedr isn't doing it (legacy) for himself but for the love of the sport LOL

 

[Dilexson]

The assumption everyone is making is that no one emerges to KO Djokovic or Nadal,I mean there has been no one born after 1987 who has been able to become a grand slam force,but that has to change eventually. The WTA has just got Naomi Osaka who won back to back slams and looks to be a force to be reckoned with in grand slams. There has to be an ATP player like that sooner or later...

Been waiting for that like...

The one against Tsitsipas was staged imho. Even tour finals. I think he will chose wisely what he wants to win from here on out.

Tell me you don't actually believe that. He might have had a let down there because of getting that ye #1 , no way in hell he would pass up another WTF trophy!

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yea I remember how he let that lead slip and mentally lost his way for a bit. That was just a massive victory for him even if Nadal wasn't at his best because of what happened two years prior to that back in 2013.

Yea he has had problems with some injuries so I see where you are coming from. I think he will do what he usually does and that is preserve himself for the clay. He will skip either IW or Miami, or both, if he is not 100% to give himself the best chance on his best surface. To me it seems he always plans his year around clay. I think he will rest and heal any ailments he has, and I expect him to be fit and ready.

We will need to see if he can do it again...He preserved himself post USO also, and we saw what happened in the AO final. He is only getting older and carrying more injuries. Maybe he will be 100% for clay, maybe he won't. I cannot be certain yet. The guy started to break down in the RG final last year also, getting cramp in his hand, luckily for him it happened towards the end and not a few games into the match, which could have been trouble.

 

[Federev]

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.

Fed’s 5-6 years older than these guys .

He’s from a whole other generation.

Those guys - especially Novak - should have many years left to pass Federer’s record and remain at the top of the game.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Yes, he was not moving well IMO and Djokovic exposed it like I predicted.

If Nadal is not moving well, then that spells trouble for him at RG...Ball is slower on clay. But movement just as critical, IMO.

 

[tennisfan2015]

He just added Murray's career in 6 months.

And did it 3 times over.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

If Nadal is not moving well, then that spells trouble for him at RG...Ball is slower on clay. But movement just as critical, IMO.

Exactly, this what @NoleFam and I are discussing now.

I truly feel that Nadal was carrying an injury this AO, he just hadn't faced a player with enough quality to expose it until the final. My opinion of course.

 

[NoleFam]

We will need to see if he can do it again...He preserved himself post USO also, and we saw what happened in the AO final. He is only getting older and carrying more injuries. Maybe he will be 100% for clay, maybe he won't. I cannot be certain yet. The guy started to break down in the RG final last year also, getting cramp in his hand, luckily for him it happened towards the end and not a few games into the match, which could have been trouble.

You are right. Now that he is older the injuries are becoming more frequent and are beginning to pile up. I think he may have had an abdominal issue this tournament. It's something to think about with RG coming up. How fit will he able to be this time? If he's not 100%, it will be even harder to win there again.

 

[Jonas78]

Federer will either be overtaken by one of his two rivals or by none. Right now I'd still bet on him keeping the record.

Is this some kind of strange Sur1sh kind of jinx?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

You are right. Now that he is older the injuries are becoming more frequent and are beginning to pile up. I think he may have had an abdominal issue this tournament. It's something to think about with RG coming up. How fit will he able to be this time? If he's not 100%, it will be even harder to win there again.

Nadal is the greatest on clay, but even he is human and he has been plagued with so many injuries and the problem is the frequency is just building up. As I said, he is very lucky the hand cramp came so late in the final, Thiem could have won with the level he had shown in the first set, if Nadal couldn't hold the racket at the start of the match.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Is this some kind of strange Sur1sh kind of jinx?

Not at all, Djokodal aren't very young anymore, nothing is guaranteed. Though I admit I would like to see one of them get very close, preferably Novak of course.

 

[GabeT]

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.

My worry as well. I wanted him to win the AO, obviously, but this only increases the pressure ahead of the FO. I hope he paces him correctly.

 

[NoleFam]

Nadal is the greatest on clay, but even he is human and he has been plagued with so many injuries and the problem is the frequency is just building up. As I said, he is very lucky the hand cramp came so late in the final, Thiem could have won with the level he had shown in the first set, if Nadal couldn't hold the racket at the start of the match.

Yea the injuries are definitely getting worse for him at this stage of his career. I remember that last year as well. I do feel RG is essential for his chase for the record. He probably needs that title even more than Novak does because that's where most of his success comes from. I guess we have to wait and see how fit he can be this time, and see if he can pull the rabbit out of the hat once again.

 

[Booger]

No one with an IQ above room temperature is ever going to consider Nadal or Djokovic in the same conversation as Federer. Slam count doesn't change that. I don't really get the obsession.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yea the injuries are definitely getting worse for him at this stage of his career. I remember that last year as well. I do feel RG is essential for his chase for the record. He probably needs that title even more than Novak does because that's where most of his success happened at. I guess we have to wait and see how fit he can be this time, and see if he can pull the rabbit out of the hat once again.

I will go out on record and say Djokovic needs it as much also, because if Djokovic gets it, he effectively wins the war with Nadal and can set his sight on the biggest prize. If he goes in with the mentality of ending Nadal's slam run, then and only then he can look to get the record. You cannot get to Federer, unless you get past Nadal, and he needs to stop Nadal staying ahead of him.

 

[NoleFam]

I will go out on record and say Djokovic needs it as much also, because if Djokovic gets it, he effectively wins the war with Nadal and can set his sight on the biggest prize. If he goes in with the mentality of ending Nadal's slam run, then and only then he can look to get the record. You cannot get to Federer, unless you get past Nadal, and he needs to stop Nadal staying ahead of him.

Yea this is true I guess but I just feel Novak will be a big favorite at Wimbledon and USO again if he keeps playing at this level and if he doesn't win RG, I think he is better than Rafa at those two tournaments. It's like if Rafa wins that one, he is still a big favorite to win the next two. But you are correct in that winning RG would not only add another Slam for him but slow Nadal down as far as Slam winning and he could catch him probably later this year. That's the best case scenario though.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yea this is true I guess but I just feel Novak will be a big favorite at Wimbledon and USO again if he keeps playing at this level and if he doesn't win RG, I think he is better than Rafa at those two tournaments. It's like if Rafa wins that one, he is still a big favorite to win the next two. But you are correct in that winning RG would not only add another Slam for him but slow Nadal down as far as Slam winning and he could catch him probably later this year. That's the best case scenario though.

Novak will be fav at the other slams, sure, but why allow Nadal to keep ahead of you? Nadal is desperate to close the slam gap with Federer from three to two, Djokovic should be equally passionate about pulling that slam gap between him and Nadal to one. And Novak knows fully well, if Nadal slips at RG, then he is almost as good as overtaken at that point.

We need to also consider that these guys are well past 30 now, so despite how amazing Novak looks, time is not on anyone's side in this sport when you get to their age. Make hay while the sun shines and Djokovic still needs to make up for lost time from 2012-2014 period and all those slam final losses.

 

[Mainad]

Watch out Roger, he's comin' fer ya!!!

 

[brystone]

Why shouldnt he set that as his goal. It is only logical. He is at 15 and needs to motivate himself going forward. How likely it is, is besides the point, it only makes sense to set that kind of target for himself.

 

[NoleFam]

Novak will be fav at the other slams, sure, but why allow Nadal to keep ahead of you? Nadal is desperate to close the slam gap with Federer from three to two, Djokovic should be equally passionate about pulling that slam gap between him and Nadal to one. And Novak knows fully well, if Nadal slips at RG, then he is almost as good as overtaken at that point.

We need to also consider that these guys are well past 30 now, so despite how amazing Novak looks, time is not on anyone's side in this sport when you get to their age. Make hay while the sun shines and Djokovic still needs to make up for lost time from 2012-2014 period and all those slam final losses.

I agree with this. I think he will give it his best for sure. I listened to his press conference earlier and he was talking about he will have to work on his clay game to get ready for RG because he didn't really work on it last season. Winning RG would bring him within 1 of Rafa and he would pass him soon after that if he remains healthy for sure.

Yea and anything can happen so you can't take it for granted. He has a small window in regards to time so he has to make the most of it if he wants to get close to the record or ultimately pass it.

 

[Jonas78]

Watch out Roger, he's comin' fer ya!!!

It's more like

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I agree with this. I think he will give it his best for sure. I listened to his press conference earlier and he was talking about he will have to work on his clay game to get ready for RG because he didn't really work on it last season. Winning RG would bring him within 1 of Rafa and he would pass him soon after that if he remains healthy for sure.

Yea and anything can happen so you can't take it for granted. He has a small window in regards to time so he has to make the most of it if he wants to get close to the record or ultimately pass it.

He is already thinking of clay....I like it. He wants it and message is sent to Nadal.

 

[Sudacafan]

It would be fitting if it finished:

Roger 21
Rafa 20
Novak 19

Being that close, none of the Big Three would be ever retiring.
They will be playing until Laver’s current age.

 

[Sudacafan]

No one with an IQ above room temperature is ever going to consider Nadal or Djokovic in the same conversation as Federer. Slam count doesn't change that. I don't really get the obsession.

IQ above room temperature, LOL. That should be Centigrade or Fahrenheit?

 

[StannisTheMannis]

If he has anything like a lapse like he did in 2017 he can kiss the dream goodbye. Imo he needed that year to have a good shot. Now it’s unlikely

 

[AllPlayersAreGood]

He has won 3 in 6 months time

Oh, sorry, my bad math. 3 more slams in the next six month and then 3 more with 6 more months. Right? By this time the next year, Novak will have 21.
Sorry for being sarcastic. I don't mind if Novak gets ahead of Roger. IMHO, the big 3 are equal. I was just trying to say that it's an extremely difficult goal to achieve. However, it's commandable that he sets it for himself.

 

[AceSalvo]

Fed has set his sights on Retirement. Just hanging around to cash in a "USO17 like" slam.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Fed has set his sights on Retirement. Just hanging around to cash in a "USO17 like" slam.

He wasnt good enough to "cash it in" in 2017. He could have been in that final. What makes you think he can do that 2 years later?

 

[AceSalvo]

He wasnt good enough to "cash it in" in 2017. He could have been in that final. What makes you think he can do that 2 years later?

Oh, let me clarify..

Someone did cash in with a cheap draw at USO17. Thats what I meant. Fed's not going to squander that kind of a chance.

 

[MeatTornado]

Fed has set his sights on Retirement. Just hanging around to cash in a "USO17 like" slam.

I'll take another AO 18.

 

[BeatlesFan]

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'...

Many of us have been saying this for endless years and it falls on deaf ears. "Decline" is a four-letter word and only applicable to Fed.

 

[AceSalvo]

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'...

A non-existent Next Gen complicates any sort of perspective.

 

[3lite]

He blew his opportunity when he gave away slams to the likes of Stan and Murray.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

He just added Murray's career in 6 months.

lol

 

[Raul_SJ]

I truly feel that Nadal was carrying an injury this AO, he just hadn't faced a player with enough quality to expose it until the final. My opinion of course.

Amazing that you picked up on Rafa's injury and predicted Djok was going to expose it. Rafa had not dropped a set and everybody was saying that he was recovered and this match was really being touted as another epic match like their classic 5 hour+ 2012 meeting.

Now I feel silly staying up for this one. LOL.

 

[oldmanfan]

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.

The thing is, Djokr actually has a decent shot at it...
which would translate to Djokr winning 9+ slams past 31yrs old (the previous record being 4?)...
which makes the tour even more of a joke than it has been since 2014 .

So it becomes a dilemma.. Djokr breaking the 20-slam record is epic while making the tour a joke, so..

1) do we want to see epicness and a joke of a tour?
or
2) no epicness, but a respectable tour again?

 

[oldmanfan]

Djokovic has the potential to do the CYGS this year, but of course a lot has to go right.

Funny thing was, I was jokingly thinking that of Fedr after AO18 when the tour was still in shambles and Fedr was dominating his biggest matchup disadvantage in Nadl AND the tour. Look how that turned out?
Of course, not many will learn judging by recent threads like this one.

 

[oldmanfan]

I always wonder about that. It makes sense on paper, but Roger is pretty renowned for playing for the love of the game. Of course, that's easy to say when he's winning everything!

I watch most of his press conferences, and he gets uncharacteristically offended whenever press brings this up; the idea of giving them any credit for his motivation to keep going.

It's understandable if Fed's offended by it. I mean, Fed loves playing but they keep suggesting that he can't love playing AND love making history at the same time. Imagine a career doctor who is passionate about healing others being questioned if he's still working only bc of the money? I mean, he isn't gonna work for free, but why does money have to be the bigger (or only) motivating factor?

And Fed staying in the game helps everyone; himself, fans, players, tournaments, employees, and last but not least, the journalists who keep asking these inane questions.

 

[MeatTornado]

It's understandable if Fed's offended by it. I mean, Fed loves playing but they keep suggesting that he can't love playing AND love making history at the same time. Imagine a career doctor who is passionate about healing others being questioned if he's still working only bc of the money? I mean, he isn't gonna work for free, but why does money have to be the bigger (or only) motivating factor?

And Fed staying in the game helps everyone; himself, fans, players, tournaments, employees, and last but not least, the journalists who keep asking these inane questions.

Idk if this is what it actually is, but if I was him I'd be offended because he already put in years of work before Rafa & Novak were even adults, let alone rivals. He pushed himself to the greatest heights the sport had ever seen without even thinking about them. So why would he need them now?

And even in his later years when his records seemed intact, he kept coming back for more even though he was consistently losing to them and just making himself look worse. He could have just walked away, but it wasn't about them.