Djokovic will not qualify for WTF 2017

[KINGROGER]

He's still good enough to sleep walk his way to a cheap masters or two. If Fed sits out Canada for example he could cakewalk his way into a final/win there for easy points. Should make a couple more clay SF, few indoor QF/SF. This is me being very conservative as well.

1. Federer
2. Nadal
3. Murray
4. Djokovic
5. Wawinka

6-8. Any of Goffin, Dimitrov, Tsonga, Sock, Thiem or Kyrgios.

 

[DerekNoleFam1]

Needs a couple of deep runs in the upcoming Masters, and preferably a title.
With his seeding, he really should be consistently getting to QF or above in every tournament he plays from hereon in.
That should be enough, not even allowing for a Slam final or win.

 

[Rosstour]

That was before! How long ago did Boris Becker say that? That was six months ago! Plus, can we really take anything Boris attention wh*re Becker has to say at face value? Recently Djokovic has been saying that he is doing everything he can to get back to decent form.

He's also been saying that "there are more important things than tennis" so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the concerns.

 

[Meles]

Needs a couple of deep runs in the upcoming Masters, and preferably a title.
With his seeding, he really should be consistently getting to QF or above in every tournament he plays from hereon in.
That should be enough, not even allowing for a Slam final or win.

With the lightness of schedule Djokovic might end up with 3000 points if that's all he does likely putting him outside the top ten.

 

[cc0509]

He's also been saying that "there are more important things than tennis" so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the concerns.

Murray, Federer and Nadal have all said that there are more important things than tennis.

Look, I am no Djokovic fan and if he were done for good I wouldn't miss him but I think we have to wait a bit and see what happens with him in the next while before we write his final obituary. Nadal hadn't made it past the QFs of a slam in a couple of years and this year he looks better. No tennis player is going to dominate the sport past age 29/30 but it doesn't necessarily mean they are completely done as long as they are still out there working on things. Especially when we have these younger players who are content to beat one Big Four player and then fade out of a tournament like old light bulbs.

 

[tennis_hand]

he just needs to win titles of 2 or 3, then he will be back in the top 8.
if he trains hard, he may even have title hopes on clay.

is a new coach in his plan? who knows.

 

[DerekNoleFam1]

With the lightness of schedule Djokovic might end up with 3000 points if that's all he does likely putting him outside the top ten.

Yes, he does not play many tourneys below Masters, and may need to reconsider this in future.
He also normally makes up a lot of points in the fall/indoor season post-USO, but really needs to make a run before that.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

3 slams to go. Pretty sure he won't shiit the bed in all of them. All he has to do is get healthy. He'll be fine.

 

[1477aces]

Since you are so confident Meles, let's make a 1000 USD bet on it.

 

[Rosstour]

Murray, Federer and Nadal have all said that there are more important things than tennis.

Look, I am no Djokovic fan and if he were done for good I wouldn't miss him but I think we have to wait a bit and see what happens with him in the next while before we write his final obituary. Nadal hadn't made it past the QFs of a slam in a couple of years and this year he looks better. No tennis player is going to dominate the sport past age 29/30 but it doesn't necessarily mean they are completely done as long as they are still out there working on things. Especially when we have these younger players who are content to beat one Big Four player and then fade out of a tournament like old light bulbs.

Have Murray and Federer also alluded to "personal problems", experienced public marital strife, and attempted to right the ship by enlisting the services of strange gurus? No, they did sensible tennis things like taking the rest of the year off or getting back with their most successful coach. Djok has pushed the tennis people in his life aside and is burning up energy trying to placate his wife and siblings with this Pepe crap.

Not sure why you continually feel the need to minimize what is happening with Djokovic, he is in serious trouble and I'm not sure how much more evidence you need.

 

[10sfreak319]

Nole is 18th in the race as it stands. Federer, Nadal, Dimitrov, Thiem, Wawrinka, Murray, Nishikori, Kyrgios, Zverev, and even Tsonga, Del Potro, and Raonic stand in his way. Its a minefield in 2017 and Djokovic has been hurt by tough draws in his last two events extending his period of light play and preventing him from reaching top form. Without the quick realization that he needs to play a heavy schedule its hard to see him making WTF.

Jumping to conclusions already? Like mikedanny said, Fed was trash for a majority of 2013, and he still made it to the SF of WTF. Rafa was the same from late 2014-2015, and he still made it to the WTF.

 

[cc0509]

Have Murray and Federer also alluded to "personal problems", experienced public marital strife, and attempted to right the ship by enlisting the services of strange gurus? No, they did sensible tennis things like taking the rest of the year off or getting back with their most successful coach. Djok has pushed the tennis people in his life aside and is burning up energy trying to placate his wife and siblings with this Pepe crap.

Not sure why you continually feel the need to minimize what is happening with Djokovic, he is in serious trouble and I'm not sure how much more evidence you need.

You don't know what is going on in Djokovic's personal life--nobody does except him and the people closest to him.

Djokovic is a different type of guy who has always done things differently. He has had troubles the past year but that doesn't mean he will continue to have these problems indefinitely. The problem with most posters on TTW is that they have trouble with the long view. They see a couple of losses or a couple of wins and predict disaster in the long term or a player winning everything in sight until the end of time.

People need to chill out a bit and be patient. I wish Djokovic would fall off a cliff and never return to any kind of decent form but I know better than to think that will be the reality. The reality will probably be that he will return to some kind of decent form and be able to win some titles. What I always had a problem with were the Djokovic fans who predicted last year that Djokovic would win 20+ slams. I know that great players have problems when they turn 29/30 and they don't dominate the sport forever. So I think Djokovic's days of complete domination are over but to say he is washed up completely is too premature.

 

[r2473]

Nole is 18th in the race as it stands. Federer, Nadal, Dimitrov, Thiem, Wawrinka, Murray, Nishikori, Kyrgios, Zverev, and even Tsonga, Del Potro, and Raonic stand in his way. Its a minefield in 2017 and Djokovic has been hurt by tough draws in his last two events extending his period of light play and preventing him from reaching top form. Without the quick realization that he needs to play a heavy schedule its hard to see him making WTF.

If he wins one major/slam or a couple of masters, that's 2,000 points, and he's almost in first

 

[Rosstour]

You don't know what is going on in Djokovic's personal life--nobody does except him and the people closest to him.

No but clearly all is not well. "Guru" doesn't enter the picture when everything is going well.

Djokovic is a different type of guy who has always done things differently. He has had troubles the past year but that doesn't mean he will continue to have these problems indefinitely. The problem with most posters on TTW is that they have trouble with the long view. They see a couple of losses or a couple of wins and predict disaster in the long term or a player winning everything in sight until the end of time.

People need to chill out a bit and be patient.

Dude, Djokovic has been slipping for a while now. People who know what to look for aren't just going off "a couple of losses." He started to look very vulnerable last year with the loss to Vesely and the Simon match...that's when I knew the decline was starting.

By the time you're ready to concede he's in trouble, his career will be over.

 

[Meles]

If he wins one major/slam or a couple of masters, that's 2,000 points, and he's almost in first

His current level is not high enough to win a slam based on percent of points won, but this is correct otherwise.

 

[Meles]

Jumping to conclusions already? Like mikedanny said, Fed was trash for a majority of 2013, and he still made it to the SF of WTF. Rafa was the same from late 2014-2015, and he still made it to the WTF.

I'm forecasting and so far the forecast looks good. I jumped back in January by the way based on amount of play, etc. So far Djokovic is meeting expectations. On clay Djokovic has won a paltry 52.2% of points in 3 matches in 2017 and all of his matches went 3 sets. Nadal for reference is around 58% this year on clay.

 

[cc0509]

By the time you're ready to concede he's in trouble, his career will be over.

I would love his career to be over trust me on that but all I'm saying is people need to be patient. At age 29 it was obvious to me that his domination wasn't going to last much longer despite the claims of some of his boisterous fans claiming he would defy laws of nature and dominate for longer than five years and continue to win two to three slams a year until the end of time. He has had a bad time of it this year but it doesn't mean he is done for good and can't win any more big titles. Just wait and watch and see if he can make any type of comeback. He has to get his serve back because he will be in big trouble if he can't do that.

 

[Sambuccashake]

Haha. He doesn't read this site.

The tt-forum powers are mighty and far reaching!

 

[Deleted member 716271]

He probably will imo, even if between 8 and 4. One slam semi or final he can reach even if he goes slamless (don't think he will but even if you do) Hes too good with too much pedigree to not peak for 1 of the 3 remaining slams or get a bit lucky from draw or whatever to go far then take advantage over newcomers from experience(USO last year), even if he free falls at the other 2 slams/most of the masters.

 

[Nick B.]

I think it's way too soon to write him off -he may not regain form soon, but I think he'll be back. If Federer and Nadal could come back, Djokovic should be able to also. It would be nice if he could do it soon, and Murray too, so we could get farewell tour of the big 4

 

[10sfreak319]

I'm forecasting and so far the forecast looks good. I jumped back in January by the way based on amount of play, etc. So far Djokovic is meeting expectations. On clay Djokovic has won a paltry 52.2% of points in 3 matches in 2017 and all of his matches went 3 sets. Nadal for reference is around 58% this year on clay.

If you're forecasting, that's fair I suppose.

 

[Meles]

If you're forecasting, that's fair I suppose.

Well it generates some interest among the big 4 fans who dominate this site. I am not completely sure about fair. Djokovic's current level on hard courts is better than Goffin of the last year, but on clay and grass they may be too close. Hopefully he has deep run at Madrid and then skips Rome. At this point he desperately needs matches, but keeps getting knocked out fairly early. I suppose if this continues that between a mediocre Madrid and Rome in back to back weeks he's got to find more form with at least 5 matches in two weeks. It would actually be kind of cool if he doesn't play Nadal until RG given his recent advantage on the surface. Their recent head to head almost sure to get some nerves out of Rafa.

 

[I Am Finnish]

If Djokovic still out side the top 15/20 after the uso I will write him off

 

[-NN-]

Nah, I still don't buy it. I'd be flabbergasted.

 

[Meles]

Djokovic has a great draw at Madrid, but nearly lost to a washed up Almugro today. Djokovic has also failed to sign up for Queens or Halle again this year so he's still not figured out that finishing 21st in the ATP race (current position) isn't going to get him into WTF.

His plummet may be hastening on clay and grass where a lot of young talent is poised for success. It may all be a done deal by July.

 

[D.Nalby12]

All he need to perform well in one Slam (out of 3 left) and 3 Masters (out of 6 left). Also a Slam winner gets qualified for WTF no matter his points tally. If he wins a Slam while failing everywhere, still he will be there.

 

[joekapa]

Djokovic has a great draw at Madrid, but nearly lost to a washed up Almugro today. Djokovic has also failed to sign up for Queens or Halle again this year so he's still not figured out that finishing 21st in the ATP race (current position) isn't going to get him into WTF.

His plummet may be hastening on clay and grass where a lot of young talent is poised for success. It may all be a done deal by July.

Not competing in Halle (most overrated tournament of all time, it should be a challenger) and Queens, has worked for him in the past. Se no reason to change it.

 

[cc0509]

Nah, I still don't buy it. I'd be flabbergasted.

But "happily" flabbergasted,no?

 

[Meles]

Not competing in Halle (most overrated tournament of all time, it should be a challenger) and Queens, has worked for him in the past. Se no reason to change it.

He needs matches and points badly. His game has declined to pre2011 levels. That may have been good enough for 3 or 4 in the rankings then, but with a bunch of younger players playing heavy schedules Novak's current plans may leave him outside the top 8. Tour added an extra week to grass season. Cashing in at Boodles is not enough prep.

 

[Meles]

Abysmmal versus Nadal in Madrid, but gifted 360 points at Madrid by the draw and a fine draw in Rome brighten Nole's hopes of squeeking into WTF while hardly trying at all.

 

[Gary Duane]

Apparently almost half the people voting think he is going to finish in the top 6...

 

[Gazelle]

Good. He has defiled that beautiful tournament far too long with his presence.

 

[Gary Duane]

He needs matches and points badly. His game has declined to pre2011 levels. That may have been good enough for 3 or 4 in the rankings then, but with a bunch of younger players playing heavy schedules Novak's current plans may leave him outside the top 8. Tour added an extra week to grass season. Cashing in at Boodles is not enough prep.

Oodles of cash at Boodles is not gonna work this year.

 

[Moose Malloy]

I think Sampras wasn't even in the top 50 in the points race at this time in 1999(finished the year #3)
I didn't realize fans put so much stock into the race, for a while the ATP basically got rid of it because of how irrelevant it was.
Shame they haven't archived the old race rankings, would probably be eye opening to the millenials here who seem obsessed with it to see how many journeyman have been in the top 10 of the race over the years who never got anywhere near the top 10 of the real rankings. Guess I've been following tennis long enough to see that things can change very quickly. By September the results of April will seem like they took place a loong time ago.

 

[jm1980]

Djokovic will win a Slam this year

Bel13ve!

 

[Gary Duane]

I think Sampras wasn't even in the top 50 in the points race at this time in 1999(finished the year #3)
I didn't realize fans put so much stock into the race, for a while the ATP basically got rid of it because of how irrelevant it was.
Shame they haven't archived the old race rankings, would probably be eye opening to the millenials here who seem obsessed with it to see how many journeyman have been in the top 10 of the race over the years who never got anywhere near the top 10 of the real rankings. Guess I've been following tennis long enough to see that things can change very quickly. By September the results of April will seem like they took place a loong time ago.

That doesn't change the fact that some years there are huge differences in who is ranked in the top 10 from one year to the next.

Right now the results from last October, which were pretty close to the way the year ended up, seem like they took place a looooooooooong time ago.

Looking at the last 52 weeks at any moment give an equally valid view of what is going on. That would especially give a much fairer view of Murray and would better explain why viewing him as #1 at this moment is absurd, and why the seedings for Rome next week are ridiculous.

 

[nobullshft]

Actions speaks louder than words. He's not training to a serious degree, as Boris and Vajda have confirmed. So much of his success was based on superlative fitness and rock-solid confidence, which is shattered. So he's not training at a high level and he hasn't won anything but a 250 since July, 2016. We know his confidence is low.

Why does anyone expect professional athletes to speak the truth? They say whatever their sponsors want. How would Uniglow feel if Novak said, "I'm done, just put a fork in me!" ? It's the same BS that Fed lays out there: "I'm playing and moving better than I ever have!"

Well, Fed is arguably playing better tennis than he ever has. He actually is thinking on court of how to beat players instead of going into matches saying to himself "oh I'm better than you I will win."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Newballs]

3 slams to go. Pretty sure he won't shiit the bed in all of them. All he has to do is get healthy. He'll be fine.

Mentally?
Physically?
I'm assuming both cause all I saw against Rafa (Madrid) was one break of serve in the 2nd, wasn't much else to speak of...

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Djokovic will win a Slam this year

Bel13ve!

2017 has taught us to never count out an ATG, and Djokovic certainly is one. But it is hard to see him improving on his current form enough to win a slam. Maybe he will have his act together for the USO.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

It would be humiliating for Novak to pay WTF in this form.

 

[Newballs]

Well, Fed is arguably playing better tennis than he ever has. He actually is thinking on court of how to beat players instead of going into matches saying to himself "oh I'm better than you I will win."

He's not as arrogent as he once was, time has shown him a few things.
If you would've said: 'he's thinking [off] court of how to beat players' I would've been all for it.
I believe that Rog is doing as little thinking as possible once he's on court.
He's hitting shots exactly as they're supposed to be hit, from the beginning of time to the end, there is no thought involed.
At that level, all thought can do is get in your way hense the Murray/Djoko slump, they're thinking too much.
My two cents...

 

[2HBH-DTL]

he would not make it far the way he's playing now. he's only playing like a top 20 player and not a top 3 player.

 

[tennisaddict]

I have a feeling Novak will not only qualify for WTF but will also go on to win his 6th title there this year

Shameless Meles will still not accept his bad prediction but will be on cloud 9 because Thiem got his sole win at WTF beating Cilic and will proclaim 2018 would be a great year for the next gen

 

[Sysyphus]

Djokovic can be drunk, injured, undergoing domestic duress, unmotivated, underweight and hypnotized and still sleepwalk into one of the remaining slam finals.

Cf. USO 2016.

He'll get his points eventually.

 

[2HBH-DTL]

but will also go on to win his 6th title there this year

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Mentally?
Physically?
I'm assuming both cause all I saw against Rafa (Madrid) was one break of serve in the 2nd, wasn't much else to speak of...

So against the 2nd best player of 2017 on his best surface, in a M1000 SF... Djoker struggled. This means he's finishing outside the top 8 I guess

 

[Newballs]

So against the 2nd best player of 2017 on his best surface, in a M1000 SF... Djoker struggled. This means he's finishing outside the top 8 I guess

Yes, save the top 8 comment, can't speak to that.
Novak has lost something, and it's much more than his last match.

 

[Meles]

I think Sampras wasn't even in the top 50 in the points race at this time in 1999(finished the year #3)
I didn't realize fans put so much stock into the race, for a while the ATP basically got rid of it because of how irrelevant it was.
Shame they haven't archived the old race rankings, would probably be eye opening to the millenials here who seem obsessed with it to see how many journeyman have been in the top 10 of the race over the years who never got anywhere near the top 10 of the real rankings. Guess I've been following tennis long enough to see that things can change very quickly. By September the results of April will seem like they took place a loong time ago.

Have you seen him play? Acapulco he had some hope against Kyrgios. Come Indian Wells Kyrgios started the match literally toying with him in rallies. Kyrgios is not some kind of baseline phenom. Screamed decline the beginning of that match. Some life against Goffin in Monte Carlo, but his first set with Nadal at Madrid was a travesty. A few signs of life in the 2nd set, but very errractic showing he's out of practice. Going downhill from Monte Carlo to Madrid despite being gifted SF. Djokovic is almost a slam dunk to be out of the top 4 after Roland Garros. The free rides will become rougher and rougher rides as his ranking drops. His amazingly light schedule will be the final nail in the coffin.

Sampras had a serve that allowed him to resurge in a weak field. Fedal will not be so kind nor will NextGen to the light serving Declinovic. Djokovic has been going down hill since over a year ago. Now he's fired his entire coaching team.

 

[Meles]

I have a feeling Novak will not only qualify for WTF but will also go on to win his 6th title there this year

Shameless Meles will still not accept his bad prediction but will be on cloud 9 because Thiem got his sole win at WTF beating Cilic and will proclaim 2018 would be a great year for the next gen

Let me know when he starts to improve. So far:

 

[Meles]

So against the 2nd best player of 2017 on his best surface, in a M1000 SF... Djoker struggled. This means he's finishing outside the top 8 I guess

He struggled against Almagro (ATP race ranking 122 at the time).