Honest Opinion - Does Djokovic pass Federer in all-time Slams?

[Federer and Del Potro]

Edit - removed some content (too late as it was quoted, my apologies) as I don't want to spoil results for people that haven't watched today's matches yet. I want to ask you all if you think that by the time both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are retired - who will have more GS wins?

You can feel free to chime in on the G.O.A.T. debate if you wish, but I'm really just reducing my question to whether or not Djokovic passes him.

Who do you think will most stand in Djokovic's way as he quickly approaches his thirties? Who will be the next young talent to finally break through and win a slam?

Me personally? I see no signs of Novak slowing down, despite aging. We've seen a real drop-off in guys like Tsonga, Berdych, Ferrer, etc and Nadal and Federer certainly aren't getting any younger. Speaking of Nadal, if you still think Nadal can/will pass Federer's total, I left an option in the poll to vote so. I personally think it's more likely Nadal never gets another slam again than manages to pass Federer, but we'll see.

As far as Djokovic is concerned, he's virtually the heavy favorite in every slam nowadays. The other top players usually offer little resistance against him H2H. If ends up with 3/4 slams this year, nobody will be that surprised. Which would leave him at 14 already. I really find it hard to believe Novak won't pass Federer. I don't think his decline will come fast enough for him not to catch the mark. Granted, technically Federer can still add to the total of 17, but as a die-hard Federer fan I'm really just praying to see 1 more.

What do you guys think? Does Djokovic catch him? I say yes. I don't see a decline fast enough nor do I see many formidable opponents down the line. With Federer he basically always had to get by Murray/Nadal/Djokovic. Conversely, Murray/Nadal/Federer as it stand do not pose much challenge to Nole.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

Probably not. We shouldn't forget that, around the same age, Federer had won 3 of the last 4 Slams and only won 1 more Slam after the 2010 AO. Similarly, Nadal had won 2 of the last 3 Slams and only won 1 more Slam after the 2014 French Open. Things can change quickly in Tennis.

 

[xFedal]

Now that Sam Querrey has at least guaranteed that Djokovic won't be winning the Calendar Slam, I want to ask you all if you think that by the time both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are retired - who will have more GS wins?

You can feel free to chime in on the G.O.A.T. debate if you wish, but I'm really just reducing my question to whether or not Djokovic passes him.

Who do you think will most stand in Djokovic's way as he quickly approaches his thirties? Who will be the next young talent to finally break through and win a slam?

Me personally? I see no signs of Novak slowing down, despite aging. We've seen a real drop-off in guys like Tsonga, Berdych, Ferrer, etc and Nadal and Federer certainly aren't getting any older. Speaking of Nadal, if you still think Nadal can/will pass Federer's total, I left an option in the poll to vote so. I personally think it's more likely Nadal never gets another slam again than manages to pass Federer, but we'll see.

As far as Djokovic is concerned, he's virtually the heavy favorite in every slam nowadays. The other top players usually offer little resistance against him H2H. If he still ends up with 3/4 slams this year, nobody will be that surprised. Which would leave him at 14 already. I really find it hard to believe Novak won't pass Federer. I don't think his decline will come fast enough for him not to catch the mark. Granted, technically Federer can still add to the total of 17, but as a die-hard Federer fan I'm really just praying to see 1 more.

What do you guys think? Does Djokovic catch him? I say yes. I don't see a decline fast enough nor do I see many formidable opponents down the line. With Federer he basically always had to get by Murray/Nadal/Djokovic. Conversely, Murray/Nadal/Federer as it stand do not pose much challenge to Nole.

He needs to win USO + WTF this year and then will talk about him surpassing Federer.... Please don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

 

[AceSalvo]

I thought this was answered a million times before. Heavyweight, Superman, Ultron to end with 18 slams. 2 each every year once he becomes 29.

 

[kishnabe]

Weak Era...yes.

Unless Thiem,Zvev and Kyrgios start their ascencion as slam winners.

Djokovic can eat up the grampa tour.

 

[Emperor of Belgrade]

He missed some of the opportunities a few years ago. I think he will win 15 and finish as the 2nd greatest Open Era player. I have said that before what happened today. Things can change quickly in tennis, so passing Federer shouldn't be a discussion at this point.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Probably not. We shouldn't forget that, around the same age, Federer had won 3 of the last 4 Slams and only won 1 more Slam after the 2010 AO. Similarly, Nadal had won 2 of the last 3 Slams and only won 1 more Slam after the 2014 French Open. Things can change quickly in Tennis.

The biggest difference I see between the two is level of competition, as it stands. Federer had quite a bit more to deal with, in my opinion. A still capable Nadal, a very good Murray, a ridiculous Djokovic.

------

xFedal Huge favorite for both of those. This isn't me counting chickens before they hatch, rather hypothesizing on whether or not he will pass Federer. I like his chances because his game is still ridiculously good and the level of competition is in a state of flux right now.

 

[Tennisanity]

At Fed's peak he never lost to a journeyman in the early round of a slam. Therefore by definition, Djokovic can never be GOAT. He is disqualified as of today.

 

[Djokodal Fan]

He missed his opportunities between 2012-2014 with 1 slam seasons. I have always maintained this. He is absolutely not getting anywhere near.

 

[TupeloDanger]

No. Too old, and too far behind.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I think the G.O.A.T. debate is of course a lot more layered and difficult to sift through. Which is why I just reduced it to Slam Count. I know things change so fast in tennis but man, it's really hard for me to see Djokovic not passing it. Despite today the guy just wins virtually everything right now.

Not to mention the next two slams of course being on HC, where Novak is a whole different animal.

 

[AceSalvo]

He missed his opportunities between 2012-2014

You really meant to say "He was not good enough between 2012 - 2014", right?

 

[xFedal]

He missed his opportunities between 2012-2014 with 1 slam seasons. I have always maintained this. He is absolutely not getting anywhere near.

At Fed's peak he never lost to a journeyman in the early round of a slam. Therefore by definition, Djokovic can never be GOAT. He is disqualified as of today.

"No. Too old, and too far behind."

 

[6august]

No, Nadal will

 

[xFedal]

I think the G.O.A.T. debate is of course a lot more layered and difficult to sift through. Which is why I just reduced it to Slam Count. I know things change so fast in tennis but man, it's really hard for me to see Djokovic not passing it. Despite today the guy just wins virtually everything right now.

Not to mention the next two slams of course being on HC, where Novak is a whole different animal.

I think Novak might 1 or 0 out of the next 2 slams.... But if he wins USO+WTF+OG on Hard courts he will surpass Federer and become the greatest Hard court player.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

If he can win the US, he's back in having a decent/good shot. Right now, I'd classify it as a "puncher's shot". The momentum and pendulum will swing back forth with each slam win/loss so if we try to take a long term view, I'd say he can get very close probably. I doubt he's seriously declining. Still, It's a tall order.

And hope for Roger not to win Wimbledon. If he won, a small part of me would be happy for him though

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

No, Nadal will

I'm going to admit right now when Nadal hit his 9th French Open I really thought he was going to pass Federer. So I've been off with these predictions before (so far).

But I don't know. It's really really hard to knock Novak off in any slam right now.

 

[eagletennis]

As a Novak fan I say no cause age is gonna hit Djokovic much harder than Federer.Maybe if he reinvent his play but I ll say 14-15

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

If he can win the US, he's back in having a decent/good shot. Right now, I'd classify it as a "puncher's shot". The momentum and pendulum will swing back forth with each slam win/loss so if we try to take a long term view, I'd say he can get very close probably. I doubt he's seriously declining. Still, It's a tall order.

And hope for Roger not to win Wimbledon. If he won, a small part of me would be happy for him though

Well said, I'm really interested to see if Federer can add #18. It certainly would add a lot of weight against my prediction that Nole passes him.

 

[sliceroni]

Nole's game is more demanding than Fed's (grinding, higher oncourt mileage, more pounding on his joints). From what we've seen with past champs at his age theoretically he won't continue to rack up slams or have the longevity. But of course you never know.

 

[augustobt]

Nadal is this poll? Lol

 

[SQA333]

Yes. He's the Serena of the ATP, cleaning up the field after his rivals disappear. At least 20 slams for him.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Nadal is this poll? Lol

Figured I'd throw Rafa in there, you never know. I've thought him dead before and he went and won his 9th FO.

Like I said I doubt it, but I felt like it'd be disrespectful not to at least give Rafa a chance at the discussion.

 

[uliks]

Most probably. Fed failed badly after 2009. Djokovic will probably still win around 6-8 slams until the end of his career.

 

[augustobt]

Figured I'd throw Rafa in there, you never know. I've thought him dead before and he went and won his 9th FO.

Like I said I doubt it, but I felt like it'd be disrespectful not to at least give Rafa a chance at the discussion.

He failed to get through (at least) the quarters in two years. I know it's not safe to rule him off, but apart from RG, I don't see him winning the big prizes anymore.

 

[punterlad]

Edit - removed some content (too late as it was quoted, my apologies) as I don't want to spoil results for people that haven't watched today's matches yet. I want to ask you all if you think that by the time both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are retired - who will have more GS wins?

You can feel free to chime in on the G.O.A.T. debate if you wish, but I'm really just reducing my question to whether or not Djokovic passes him.

Who do you think will most stand in Djokovic's way as he quickly approaches his thirties? Who will be the next young talent to finally break through and win a slam?

Me personally? I see no signs of Novak slowing down, despite aging. We've seen a real drop-off in guys like Tsonga, Berdych, Ferrer, etc and Nadal and Federer certainly aren't getting any older. Speaking of Nadal, if you still think Nadal can/will pass Federer's total, I left an option in the poll to vote so. I personally think it's more likely Nadal never gets another slam again than manages to pass Federer, but we'll see.

As far as Djokovic is concerned, he's virtually the heavy favorite in every slam nowadays. The other top players usually offer little resistance against him H2H. If ends up with 3/4 slams this year, nobody will be that surprised. Which would leave him at 14 already. I really find it hard to believe Novak won't pass Federer. I don't think his decline will come fast enough for him not to catch the mark. Granted, technically Federer can still add to the total of 17, but as a die-hard Federer fan I'm really just praying to see 1 more.

What do you guys think? Does Djokovic catch him? I say yes. I don't see a decline fast enough nor do I see many formidable opponents down the line. With Federer he basically always had to get by Murray/Nadal/Djokovic. Conversely, Murray/Nadal/Federer as it stand do not pose much challenge to Nole.

Not now. This was the acid test for djokovic. Had to win wimbledon to really keep the hammer down. He would have gone into us open on his best surface looking for a calendar slam which would have made him goat without doubt and probably meant he would get past federer next year.

Now though he still five behind will never get a calendar slam and hasn't even got a channel slam, to get 6 more majors at his age is impossible. This was a really bad defeat probably worse in his career. He looked a broken man afterwards. Ive not seen him like that ever, even after all his big losses to Nadal.

His press conference afterward was excruciating to listen to.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Djokovic will probably still win around 6-8 slams until the end of his career.

Name a professional male tennis player who ever came remotely close to winning 8 slams after the age of 29. This is just sheer lunacy. When tennis players decline, they do so QUICKLY. When Pete won the USO or the first time, everyone though Lendl had "another 6 majors" in him. He never did anything after that. The chances of Djokovic winning 8 more majors (even with his weak field) is statistically near 0.

 

[punterlad]

He failed to get through (at least) the quarters in two years. I know it's not safe to rule him off, but apart from RG, I don't see him winning the big prizes anymore.

Nadal isn't a factor anywhere. Game has moved on now from him.

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

I said this when he won 10th and will going to say again that he will finish between 12-15 slam. Ofcourse anything can happen but this is my personal thought.
Another thing is , he can built his legacy by winning at least one RG more and one US open more.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Not now. This was the acid test for djokovic. Had to win wimbledon to really keep the hammer down. He would have gone into us open on his best surface looking for a calendar slam which would have made him goat without doubt and probably meant he would get past federer next year.

Now though he still five behind will never get a calendar slam and hasn't even got a channel slam, to get 6 more majors at his age is impossible. This was a really bad defeat probably worse in his career. He looked a broken man afterwards. Ive not seen him like that ever, even after all his big losses to Nadal.

His press conference afterward was excruciating to listen to.

I'll have to look up that presser, unfortunately had to run out after the end of that match.

Well said though.

 

[AceSalvo]

Djokovic will probably still win around 6-8 slams until the end of his career.

Yep, sitting around chewing gum and guys jus handing slams left and right.

Just replace your quote with Nadal. It may sound very familiar.

 

[Arya Stark]

Yes he will. He will end up with 18-20 slams.
Unless some prodigy comes through who can beat him (like Nadal, when Federer was curbstomping everyone on tour) regularly. Murray is getting just as old. And federer will probably retire in end of 2018.
It won't happen though. Because people like Nadal come through once in a bluemoon.

 

[JustBob]

No, at that age his chances are slim to none.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Prob not. Needs to win USO/AO to have any chance

 

[TheFifthSet]

Depends on whether or not Federer wins his next four matches, really.

If he doesn't, Djokovic still has about a 35% shot IMO.

 

[tennisaddict]

6 strong era slams. 10 weak era slams, which will be weighted to around 7 regular slams.

13 is not a bad number to end up with all other achievements that he has.

 

[sportsfan1]

I think it's still possible, barring injuries as in the case of Nadal. There's no current young player looking like he's ready to win slams and dominate, unlike when Sampras-Fed-Nadal-Djokovic were coming up in their respective generations.

 

[Steve0904]

Depends on whether or not Federer wins his next four matches, really.

If he doesn't, Djokovic still has about a 35% shot IMO.

I agree. I think 18 is definitely a bridge too far and he's still not favoured to get to 17.

 

[BGod]

I always saw it as unlikely due to projections and history. The fact Djokovic has been playing pro so long didn't help. His body has a lot of miles on it.

I think he ends at 14 or 15.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

If fed wins this Wimbledon, it's very unlikely then. Fed has a huge opportunity to potentially seal the GOAT debate.

 

[Roddick85]

Kinda funny how after an early loss, the Djokovic hype wagon is starting to lose steam. Regardless of today's result, my opinion remains the same. He's got a legitimate shot at it, but 5 slams isn't exactly a walk in the park like a lot of people seem to think. I don't believe anyone can beat father time, as "invincible" as they can be, just ask Nadal. Winning 5 slams after 29-30 is is something that will be extremely hard to do. For him to beat Federer's record, he'd need to win 6? I don't think it will be done.

 

[tennisaddict]

The question to be asked is - Can Djokovic get 15 majors and cross Nadal ?

Why are you jumping the gun ?

Crossing Fed is another 6 majors away. Too far.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Federer is very far ahead, he hasn't even caught Nadal yet...

And if Federer gets 18 here, which I am backing him to, that for me pretty much seals it.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Holy cannoli. Poke head into thread, click on poll to see what the voting looks like... a full 80% voting no, there!

A few short weeks ago, there were people trumpeting their humble predictions for 19, 20, and more major titles for Djok! One tough loss, and that's it, eh?

 

[Roddick85]

Federer is very far ahead, he hasn't even caught Nadal yet...

And if Federer gets 18 here, which I am backing him to, that for me pretty much seals it.

You really think he'll get 18 now that Novak is out? He's got better odds now, but I wouldn't say he's out of the bushes just yet. It's for him to lose right now, but so was USO 2014 when Djokovic lost to Nishikori. So I don't know. Don't get me wrong, Federer's my guy and nothing would make me happier than #18, but I could see other players spoiling the party given Federer's current uncertain form.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Holy cannoli. Poke head into thread, click on poll to see what the voting looks like... a full 80% voting no, there!

A few short weeks ago, there were people trumpeting their humble predictions for 19, 20, and more major titles for Djok! One tough loss, and that's it, eh?

I, too, was wondering what the poll would have been before today

 

[Deleted member 77403]

You really think he'll get 18 now that Novak is out? He's got better odds now, but I wouldn't say he's out of the bushes just yet. It's for him to lose right now, but so was USO 2014 when Djokovic lost to Nishikori. So I don't know. Don't get me wrong, Federer's my guy and nothing would make me happier than #18, but I could see other players spoiling the party given Federer's current uncertain form.

I put him as the fav now, regardless of how good Murray is playing. While this isn't the peak Fed of years gone by, he is a very cunning guile grass court player, this is his natural habitat where he is able to accentuate his strengths and hide his weaknesses more than any other surface. I also feel he has been improving with every match, and in fact, I have seen his level increment within each individual match also. The forehand is steadily getting heavier, and the serving is getting sharper. I wouldn't compare this to USO14 purely because this is without a doubt his best surface, and I don't expect him to be blown off the court. Djokovic was the one who truly stood in his way, his confidence should be soaring now that Novak won't be there.

 

[Tenez101]

Way too early to say. If he wins USO (about 50-50 now) then we'll talk. Also depends if Rog can snag this Wimbledon now that the draw's opened up. Honestly, if he wins this Wimbledon then I would say no unless Djoker managed 2-3 slams on average for the next 3 years.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

If he wins at least 2 of the next 4 then he still has a good shot at the slam record.

 

[Gary Duane]

I'm going to admit right now when Nadal hit his 9th French Open I really thought he was going to pass Federer. So I've been off with these predictions before (so far).

But I don't know. It's really really hard to knock Novak off in any slam right now.

How can you say that today? I just don't get it...