Djokovic's ''Aura'' of Dominance

[FedererDropShot]

Might just be even better than Federer's ''aura'' of being the favourite back in the day.

Federer, back in his prime/peak, was a favourite at every HC/grass event. However, he was never the favourite on clay when Nadal came.

Yet we can say that Djokovic, at this point in time, is the favourite on ALL THREE SURFACES (four if you want to count indoors as separate).

Having an ''unbeatable aura'' doesn't mean you're unbeatable.

It just means you'll be the favourite at every event and every match.

People are confused between an overall ''aura'' and ''actual play'' in every single match.

Also, ''aura'' of dominance doesn't require one to win 6-0 6-0 every match - just basically requires you to be the favourite in ''deciding'' or ''key'' moments such as on break-points or in final sets.

Djokovic seems to satisfy these criteria.

 

[vanioMan]

I guess results would be a better indication of how great one's aura was.

But that's just me.

 

[NatF]

Might just be even better than Federer's ''aura'' of being the favourite back in the day.

Federer, back in his prime/peak, was a favourite at every HC/grass event. However, he was never the favourite on clay when Nadal came.

Yet we can say that Djokovic, at this point in time, is the favourite on ALL THREE SURFACES (four if you want to count indoors as separate).

Lets ask Nishikori and Wawrinka

 

[m2nk2]

Lets ask Nishikori and Wawrinka

Who?

If we don't consider the weak era then I'd say Djoko is better than Fed ever was cause is he really close to a Golden Slam, Fed never really was even though he won 3/4.

 

[vanioMan]

Who?

If we don't consider the weak era then I'd say Djoko is better than Fed ever was cause is he really close to a Golden Slam, Fed never really was even though he won 3/4.

Federer was the favourite to win RG 2006 over peak Nadal. And many people thought he'd win it, not only the bookies.

Plus Federer was always the firm favourite on HC and grass. Djokovic might be the bookies favourite for RG, W, USO, but we know his results there. Federer was a far more concincing favourite.

 

[Russeljones]

Might just be even better than Federer's ''aura'' of being the favourite back in the day.

Federer, back in his prime/peak, was a favourite at every HC/grass event. However, he was never the favourite on clay when Nadal came.

Yet we can say that Djokovic, at this point in time, is the favourite on ALL THREE SURFACES (four if you want to count indoors as separate).

I was going to say something mildly condescending but couldn't think of anything.

Ban him.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Might just be even better than Federer's ''aura'' of being the favourite back in the day.

Federer, back in his prime/peak, was a favourite at every HC/grass event. However, he was never the favourite on clay when Nadal came.

Yet we can say that Djokovic, at this point in time, is the favourite on ALL THREE SURFACES (four if you want to count indoors as separate).

Djokovic would have been the favorite over 05-08 Nadal on clay?

 

[tennis_commentator]

Djokovic got beat by Wawrinka, Nadal and Nishikori at the slams last year.
It just might be the weakest aura of all-time

 

[RF-18]

Nadal has been the #1 seed at FO three times. While fed has been #1seed plenty of times back in the day.

 

[Serve&Bash]

Djokovic wins but he gets dragged through the mud in a lot of matches. Only in the indoors season does he look virtually unbeatable. Its incredible how many big matches he has pulled out this year. He was radiating vulnerability at the AO in his matches against Wawrinka and Murray. He dropped so many leads in those matches and played horribly in patches and then right when it mattered, he just picked up his game and won the match. Djokovic wins, but all the wins are in dramatic fashion.

 

[SpinToWin]

No. A large part of Fed's aura was the indifference he showed on court. He almost seemed to lack emotion and it would look like the victories came easy at times, since Fed hardly changed his expression or looked towards his box throughout a match. Opponents could not sense doubt or insecurity, something that is fairly prevalent in Djokovic's game from time to time.

 

[The Green Mile]

No. A large part of Fed's aura was the indifference he showed on court. He almost seemed to lack emotion and it would look like the victories came easy at times, since Fed hardly changed his expression or looked towards his box throughout a match. Opponents could not sense doubt or insecurity, something that is fairly prevalent in Djokovic's game from time to time.

This +1000.


.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Oh and here's the other thing: He actually won the slams he was the favourite for, with incredible reliability.

Sure he didn't beat peak Nadal, but he held down the other three very well.

 

[Supertegwyn]

No. A large part of Fed's aura was the indifference he showed on court. He almost seemed to lack emotion and it would look like the victories came easy at times, since Fed hardly changed his expression or looked towards his box throughout a match. Opponents could not sense doubt or insecurity, something that is fairly prevalent in Djokovic's game from time to time.

But doesn't this make it worse? That the opponent can see Djokovic screaming in frustration, and they know that he is close to breaking, but they just cannot do it? Federer would go through stretches of brilliance and win matches, but right now Djokovic is playing like **** and still dominating the tour. I feel like that is even more soul crushing.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

But doesn't this make it worse? That the opponent can see Djokovic screaming in frustration, and they know that he is close to breaking, but they just cannot do it? Federer would go through stretches of brilliance and win matches, but right now Djokovic is playing like **** and still dominating the tour. I feel like that is even more soul crushing.

"Screaming in frustration"?

It's called playing possum, and Federer's about as likely to ever do that as Nadal is to break a racquet.

Federer shows up, he wins, and he leaves.
That is an aura.

Sampras was the same way.

 

[The Green Mile]

But doesn't this make it worse? That the opponent can see Djokovic screaming in frustration, and they know that he is close to breaking, but they just cannot do it? Federer would go through stretches of brilliance and win matches, but right now Djokovic is playing like **** and still dominating the tour. I feel like that is even more soul crushing.

But it still just doesn't have that aura of dominance or "invulnerability" if you like, like Federer did in his heydays. I was much more surprised when Federer had a tough match or shock loss back then, than Djokovic does nowadays.

I also think that because we have seen Djokovic battle it out against Federer and Nadal for all those years, and usually comes in second, plays a big part in it.

 

[jga111]

Who?

If we don't consider the weak era then I'd say Djoko is better than Fed ever was cause is he really close to a Golden Slam, Fed never really was even though he won 3/4.

I'd say not.

 

[Supertegwyn]

"Screaming in frustration"?

It's called playing possum, and Federer's about as likely to ever do that as Nadal is to break a racquet.

Federer shows up, he wins, and he leaves.
That is an aura.

Sampras was the same way.

I'm just saying it is easy to see Federer beat you up and mentally go "Oh, this guy is just better than me, there's little I can do" than to be on the brink of beating Djokovic before getting bagelled in the last set (ala Wawrinka and Murray). Whilst the aura is stronger with Federer, I would be more burned out mentally by Djokovic's aura than Federer's.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

I'm just saying it is easy to see Federer beat you up and mentally go "Oh, this guy is just better than me, there's little I can do" than to be on the brink of beating Djokovic before getting bagelled in the last set (ala Wawrinka and Murray). Whilst the aura is stronger with Federer, I would be more burned out mentally by Djokovic's aura than Federer's.

I agree with you actually.

I just don't think that kind of frustration constitutes an "aura".

 

[Supertegwyn]

I agree with you actually.

I just don't think that kind of frustration constitutes an "aura".

Yeah, it's probably not an aura around his game, but I do think it is more damaging to his opponents.

 

[Russeljones]

Speaking of auras..

Question: What was your most memorable match with him?

Dmitry Tursunov: …I’ve played three matches against him. I’ve lost all three of them. In one of them, I did take a set off of him. In my last match against him, it was in the Olympics. I kind of defeated myself there in that final set. I was so nervous playing him that I made a lot of mistakes and all he had to do was show up on the court. If that makes him the greatest player of all time – by forcing players to **** their pants when they come out to play against him, then I guess that’s the definition of a great player.

 

[The Green Mile]

^Yeah, there are a lot of similar quotes from players in that book "Facing Federer". It was an interesting read into the mind of players when tasked to face Roger.

 

[NatF]

I think it's pretty cool that players gave him so much respect. Nadal on clay also had that level of aura.

 

[tennis_commentator]

Most of the top 50 have an aura that intimidate the guys ranked 150 etc.
Most qualifiers are scared shirtless at the slams especially.
Verdasco has an aura against most guys.

 

[Russeljones]

Most of the top 50 have an aura that intimidate the guys ranked 150 etc.
Most qualifiers are scared shirtless at the slams especially.
Verdasco has an aura against most guys.

Except Tursunov felt that way in years he ended 22nd in the world..

 

[TommyA8X]

Having the greatest aura of invincibility means winning the same number of slams in 3 years as 90% of all time greats win during their entire career (the same amount Djokovic has won so far). :razz:

Djokovic is great, but his consisteny in winning slams isn't comparable to Federer. He lost 3 matches in slams last year, to 3 different people and he barely beat Fed in the Wimbledon final.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Having the greatest aura of invincibility means winning the same number of slams in 3 years as 90% of all time greats win during their entire career (the same amount Djokovic has won so far). :razz:

Djokovic is great, but his consisteny in winning slams isn't comparable to Federer. He lost 3 matches in slams last year, to 3 different people and he barely beat Fed in the Wimbledon final.

Right before Wimbledon, his fans pretty much thought he was done.

 

[Russeljones]

Right before Wimbledon, his fans pretty much thought he was done.

This will happen again soon. It's groundhog day here, every other time Djokovic loses at a major.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Damn Richie for not converting one of his 27 match points :twisted:

 

[TommyA8X]

Right before Wimbledon, his fans pretty much thought he was done.

I know. Also, him being the favorite on clay has little to do with him being tremendously great/dominant on clay. (He's a great clay courter, don't get me wrong Djoko fans). Fed was never a favorite on clay after 2006 ( He was the favorite in 05 and 06) because he was facing peak Rafa there, not Rafa who shouldn't have won a MS1000 on clay last year and lost to Ferrer and Almagro.

 

[chjtennis]

This aura is almost as good as Federer's aura back in the days.

 

[tennis_commentator]

Djokovic has a garbage aura compared to Nadal/Federer, he's incapable of a multi-slam year since 2011.
Even an inexperienced guy like Nishikori beat prime Djokovic comfortably at the US Open.

 

[RF-18]

Djokovic has a garbage aura compared to Nadal/Federer, he's incapable of a multi-slam year since 2011.
Even an inexperienced guy like Nishikori beat prime Djokovic comfortably at the US Open.

Garbage aura? GTFO.

Please, nadal has had 7 one slam seasons (all of them pretty much in RG) out 10.

Djokovic has plenty of years left to have more multi slam years. This year is a good chance.

How is Nadal doing btw? :lol:

 

[MichaelNadal]

Garbage aura? GTFO.

Please, nadal has had 7 one slam seasons out 10.

Djokovic has plenty of years left to have more multi slam years. This year is a good chance.

How is Nadal doing btw? :lol:

Where was Novak in 05?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Federer's aura was just sick...only Nadal challenged it, who in turn had an aura of his own. Djokovic needs that ruthless agression that he displays indoors throughout the season, the way Federer once did, if he wants to feel like what Federer felt, everytime he stepped on the court.

 

[RF-18]

Where was Novak in 05?

I tried to find Nadal in the rankings on the ATP site, but my scroll wheel broke. So I can't find him now.

 

[SpinToWin]

But doesn't this make it worse? That the opponent can see Djokovic screaming in frustration, and they know that he is close to breaking, but they just cannot do it? Federer would go through stretches of brilliance and win matches, but right now Djokovic is playing like **** and still dominating the tour. I feel like that is even more soul crushing.

I'm just saying it is easy to see Federer beat you up and mentally go "Oh, this guy is just better than me, there's little I can do" than to be on the brink of beating Djokovic before getting bagelled in the last set (ala Wawrinka and Murray). Whilst the aura is stronger with Federer, I would be more burned out mentally by Djokovic's aura than Federer's.

I disagree completely. Don't forget that these guys are professional players who all put most of their time in their life into on court practice so that they may have a chance at becoming a top pro. They aren't rec players who can just say "Oh the other guy got more/better training than me". To face utter hopelessness against Roger and not even see any kind of strain in him (be it mental, physical or whatever, Federer didn't bat an eye and sometimes it would seem like he wasn't even sweating, his hair being completely intact and all) is much more of a mental blow than playing against Djokovic and actually seeing that he is forced to play in order to beat you. You see, a "normal" professional player can still believe that he could beat Djokovic if he plays very well (call it hope), but that was not the case with Roger, as facing him was akin to despair, since it showed a huge gap that cannot be crossed and thus pointed out something no professional ever wants to have to admit: absolute inferiority.

 

[TommyA8X]

I disagree completely. Don't forget that these guys are professional players who all put most of their time in their life into on court practice so that they may have a chance at becoming a top pro. They aren't rec players who can just say "Oh the other guy got more/better training than me". To face utter hopelessness against Roger and not even see any kind of strain in him (be it mental, physical or whatever, Federer didn't bat an eye and sometimes it would seem like he wasn't even sweating, his hair being completely intact and all) is much more of a mental blow than playing against Djokovic and actually seeing that he is forced to play in order to beat you. You see, a "normal" professional player can still believe that he could beat Djokovic if he plays very well (call it hope), but that was not the case with Roger, as facing him was akin to despair, since it showed a huge gap that cannot be crossed and thus pointed out something no professional ever wants to have to admit: absolute inferiority.

This. 100 times this.

 

[JanowiczJ]

I guess results would be a better indication of how great one's aura was.

But that's just me.

this.

If Djokovic wins the next RG beating Nadal then this thread starts to make sense. Still, it'd be a long road before Djokovic reached Federer's 'aura'.

 

[Gazelle]

It's not an aura, it's a mask. Anyone not blind can look past it.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Federer was the favourite to win RG 2006 over peak Nadal. And many people thought he'd win it, not only the bookies.

Plus Federer was always the firm favourite on HC and grass. Djokovic might be the bookies favourite for RG, W, USO, but we know his results there. Federer was a far more concincing favourite.

Haha, I just know you have your fingers crossed that Novak won't win any more big tournaments this year vanioMan. :grin:

 

[Djokovic2011]

Djokovic would have been the favorite over 05-08 Nadal on clay?

We're in 2015 now MN, not 05-08. Keep up baby!!

 

[zep]

Might just be even better than Federer's ''aura'' of being the favourite back in the day.

Federer, back in his prime/peak, was a favourite at every HC/grass event. However, he was never the favourite on clay when Nadal came.

Yet we can say that Djokovic, at this point in time, is the favourite on ALL THREE SURFACES (four if you want to count indoors as separate).

It has more to do with Nadal's current slump. If Nadal was even at 80% he would have been favorite at RG. But if he plays well at the clay masters he would again become favorite.

 

[vanioMan]

Haha, I just know you have your fingers crossed that Novak won't win any more big tournaments this year vanioMan. :grin:

I have my fingers crossed that Nadal wins some big tournaments. I don't even know what the rankings look like atm (as far as points go) and the race to London as well.

I have often said that I don't care what players which I do not support win.

Plus, I don't see how your comment is related to my quote.

 

[Djokovic2011]

I have my fingers crossed that Nadal wins some big tournaments. I don't even know what the rankings look like atm (as far as points go) and the race to London as well.

I have often said that I don't care what players which I do not support win.

Plus, I don't see how your comment is related to my quote.

Just an undercurrent I detect in many of your posts(similar to those of STW). No biggie anyway.

 

[vanioMan]

Just an undercurrent I detect in many of your posts(similar to those of STW). No biggie anyway.

Well, no need to worry about me. I'm just fine

 

[Djokovic2011]

Having the greatest aura of invincibility means winning the same number of slams in 3 years as 90% of all time greats win during their entire career (the same amount Djokovic has won so far). :razz:

Djokovic is great, but his consisteny in winning slams isn't comparable to Federer. He lost 3 matches in slams last year, to 3 different people and he barely beat Fed in the Wimbledon final.

Why the constant need to compare him to Federer? I swear, some Fed fans are so insecure on this forum it's actually quite sad. It's like "oh but Djokovic's aura isn't as great as Roger's was at his peak". Talk about childish, jeez. :roll:

 

[uscwang]

Lets ask Nishikori and Wawrinka

What about them? Novak delivered THREE bagels and ONE breadstick to Nishikorinka in their last 3 matches.

 

[uscwang]

Federer's aura was just sick...only Nadal challenged it, who in turn had an aura of his own. Djokovic needs that ruthless agression that he displays indoors throughout the season, the way Federer once did, if he wants to feel like what Federer felt, everytime he stepped on the court.

Not when Rafa is across the net. No, thanks.

 

[Cortana]

Djokovic had that aura back in 2011. But today? He isn't better than 2012-2014, he is just better than the declining rest.