How did Djokovic become so good in 2011

[kangaroo1973]

How did Djokovic become so good in 2011?
Once upon a time a certain , talented guy from some ****hole in Balkans came on a tour and immediately caught everyone s eye. In 2007, he beat peak Fedex in Montreal and won his second masters title. Just few months later he would win AO after beating red hot Tsonga who few days prior had obliterated Nadal. In the very same year Djokovic would win IW and ATP finals.
In 2009, he played few clay court classics , every time losing to Rafa, with the Madrid masters being most notable and famous, unfortunately for him, his slam results were not particularly bad, but one could have expected more from then world no.3 IIRC.
In 2010, he did pretty well at slams, especially Wimby and USO, reaching semis at the former and finishing runner up to peak Rafa in a decent match at the latter. However his consistency continued to deteroriate and had some bad losses. To Birdman( is it a bad loss though) , Ljubicic at IW and his serve was in a bad shape. He finished the year as a world no.3 , if I am not mistaken.
Some people thought, we d seen the best of him and Novaxx would be a great player for the rest of his career, but unable to hold a candle to two great titans of the game.
Then 2011 came, one of the best seasons in history of our sport. 41 wins in a row, snatching IW, Dubai, AO, Madrid, Roma and Miami until he was finally stopped by red hot Fed.
That season, this man won 10 titles and finished deservedly as an undisputed world no.1
But, how on earth did he do that?
How did he transform from a great player to almost unbeatable one.
PS i still rank his 2015 season higher due to consistency

 

[nolefam_2024]

It was a will of God.

 

[MichaelNadal]

So it would mean more when he got wrecked in 12, 13 and 14

 

[kangaroo1973]

It was a will of God.

I do not believe in God

 

[Fabresque]

Once upon a time a certain , talented guy from some ****hole in Balkans came on a tour and immediately caught everyone s eye.

Balkans ain’t that bad

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

2011 Aaron Rodgers and 2011 Novak Djokovic like mythological figures you had to witness as it happened to believe in it. Take me back

 

[tennis3]

I do not believe in God

I do not believe in Djokovic

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Oh and to elaborate off my original point.

Djokovic: Energy Pyramids
Rodgers: Ayahuasca

 

[MichaelNadal]

I do not believe in God

Log off bestie

 

[kangaroo1973]

Log off bestie

I am fine Freddie

 

[Mustard]

A lot of people asked that at the time, especially after the 2011 Key Biscayne final when Djokovic was seen to be fitter than Nadal in the third set.

Whatever happened to the Djokovic who had physical ailments?

Then came news about "gluten free diet" and a CVAC oxygen machine.

 

[Rosstour]

A lot of people asked that at the time, especially after the 2011 Key Biscayne final when Djokovic was seen to be fitter than Nadal in the third set.

Whatever happened to the Djokovic who had physical ailments?

Then came news about "gluten free diet" and a CVAC oxygen machine.

Tainted supplements!

 

[RaulRamirez]

2011 Aaron Rodgers and 2011 Novak Djokovic like mythological figures you had to witness as it happened to believe in it. Take me back

You know that years ago, around 2011 or 2012 (and well before either player became controversial for refusing to be vaxxed, etc), I compared the two.

While everyone was debating Brady and Manning, Rodgers was playing at a higher level. I still think AR is the best NFL QB I've ever seen....his complete body of work and skill set...but of course, I understand the obvious case for Brady.

And while everyone was debating Roger and Rafa ...

 

[tennis3]

Tainted supplements!

 

[MeatTornado]

2011 Aaron Rodgers and 2011 Novak Djokovic like mythological figures you had to witness as it happened to believe in it. Take me back

Dear god yes please

 

[TheGoldenEra1990’s]

LOL. We all know the answer. You don’t retire from multiple matches physically and become a cyborg that can play 20 hours straight overnight and never get tired

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Dear god yes please

2012 Helmet

 

[Tennisfan339]

A list of minor changes but it made a big difference. 1) Davis Cup - confidence boost 2) Beating Federer and challenging peak Nadal at USO 2010. 3)
Gluten free - all his allergy issues ogne. 4). Bought a better serve.

 

[MeatTornado]

2012 Helmet

Sorry, I forgot January became post-peak A-aron.

 

[HBK4life]

He gave up his crippling crack cocaine addiction. It made a big difference.

 

[Rosstour]

LOL. We all know the answer. You don’t retire from multiple matches physically and become a cyborg that can play 20 hours straight overnight and never get tired

Finally you're making sense

 

[MasturB]

I used to make fun of the gluten free diet stuff.

While I haven't gone gluten free, I have significantly changed my diet. Cutting out most of the sugars I used to have, and less carbs.

Ever since I started just eating eggs eggs eggs, steamed veggies like broccoli/asparagus/spinach, my conditioning and energy levels on the tennis court has improved.

I'm now in my mid 30s and have coached for 15 years. I'm arguably playing better and more fit now after i changed my diet and eating habits than when I was mid 20s and in my peak physical shape.

I am routinely hitting for 5-6 hours at a high level with high level hitting partners (former college players, other coaches) 5+ days a week. Often times I just hit 1-2 hours at 150bpm without even having to sit down and drink anything. My colleagues/peers noticed this, this past summer in the brutal heat (humidity in Coastal Georgia is probably the worst in the country next to maybe Louisiana). They've all told me they're waiting for me to call for a break during hitting sessions, then are shocked I have another hitting partner lined up immediately after I just did two hours with the first guy.

The fact I don't get gassed, and my body feels great, really is a testament to my diet. Feel better and my energy levels are insane.

 

[kangaroo1973]

I used to make fun of the gluten free diet stuff.

While I haven't gone gluten free, I have significantly changed my diet. Cutting out most of the sugars I used to have, and less carbs.

Ever since I started just eating eggs eggs eggs, steamed veggies like broccoli/asparagus/spinach, my conditioning and energy levels on the tennis court has improved.

I'm now in my mid 30s and have coached for 15 years. I'm arguably playing better and more fit now after i changed my diet and eating habits than when I was mid 20s and in my peak physical shape.

I am routinely hitting for 5-6 hours at a high level with high level hitting partners (former college players, other coaches) 5+ days a week. Often times I just hit 1-2 hours at 150bpm without even having to sit down and drink anything. My colleagues/peers noticed this, this past summer in the brutal heat (humidity in Coastal Georgia is probably the worst in the country next to maybe Louisiana). They've all told me they're waiting for me to call for a break during hitting sessions, then are shocked I have another hitting partner lined up immediately after I just did two hours with the first guy.

The fact I don't get gassed, and my body feels great, really is a testament to my diet. Feel better and my energy levels are insane.

Good job. I absolutely hate eggs and brocolli though. Ehhh.

 

[MasturB]

Good job. I absolutely hate eggs and brocolli though. Ehhh.

Cheese is still my weakness. I chop up some real cheese (not American cheese even though I love it) ajd melt it on the steamed veggies. And I eat my eggs whether scrambled, omelette, or whatever with some cheese on it. At least cheese has protein. Makes the veggies taste better. I've always loved eggs though. Easy protein and everything else.

 

[tennis3]

I eat low fat. Tonight I ate a box of Snackwells cookies

 

[Rosstour]

I used to make fun of the gluten free diet stuff.

While I haven't gone gluten free, I have significantly changed my diet. Cutting out most of the sugars I used to have, and less carbs.

Ever since I started just eating eggs eggs eggs, steamed veggies like broccoli/asparagus/spinach, my conditioning and energy levels on the tennis court has improved.

I'm now in my mid 30s and have coached for 15 years. I'm arguably playing better and more fit now after i changed my diet and eating habits than when I was mid 20s and in my peak physical shape.

I am routinely hitting for 5-6 hours at a high level with high level hitting partners (former college players, other coaches) 5+ days a week. Often times I just hit 1-2 hours at 150bpm without even having to sit down and drink anything. My colleagues/peers noticed this, this past summer in the brutal heat (humidity in Coastal Georgia is probably the worst in the country next to maybe Louisiana). They've all told me they're waiting for me to call for a break during hitting sessions, then are shocked I have another hitting partner lined up immediately after I just did two hours with the first guy.

The fact I don't get gassed, and my body feels great, really is a testament to my diet. Feel better and my energy levels are insane.

Cheese is still my weakness. I chop up some real cheese (not American cheese even though I love it) ajd melt it on the steamed veggies. And I eat my eggs whether scrambled, omelette, or whatever with some cheese on it. At least cheese has protein. Makes the veggies taste better. I've always loved eggs though. Easy protein and everything else.

Cheese is a fine thing to be eating, unless you're lactose intolerant

I actually dig American now. I went through that phase where I was too good for it,

 

[Jonas78]

I used to make fun of the gluten free diet stuff.

While I haven't gone gluten free, I have significantly changed my diet. Cutting out most of the sugars I used to have, and less carbs.

Ever since I started just eating eggs eggs eggs, steamed veggies like broccoli/asparagus/spinach, my conditioning and energy levels on the tennis court has improved.

I'm now in my mid 30s and have coached for 15 years. I'm arguably playing better and more fit now after i changed my diet and eating habits than when I was mid 20s and in my peak physical shape.

I am routinely hitting for 5-6 hours at a high level with high level hitting partners (former college players, other coaches) 5+ days a week. Often times I just hit 1-2 hours at 150bpm without even having to sit down and drink anything. My colleagues/peers noticed this, this past summer in the brutal heat (humidity in Coastal Georgia is probably the worst in the country next to maybe Louisiana). They've all told me they're waiting for me to call for a break during hitting sessions, then are shocked I have another hitting partner lined up immediately after I just did two hours with the first guy.

The fact I don't get gassed, and my body feels great, really is a testament to my diet. Feel better and my energy levels are insane.

Think im fine with gluten but cutting sugar/carbs have definetly helped a lot. Insuline resistance is a lot more common than most people think, and i think this will become a big topic in the near future.

 

[Rosstour]

Think im fine with gluten but cutting sugar/carbs have definetly helped a lot. Insuline resistance is a lot more common than most people think, and i think this will become a big topic in the near future.

Yup--and cutting out gluten is only for ppl with ciliac disease

The rest of us are fine, it's a dietary fad and I don't buy for one second that it was the answer to Djoko's problems

 

[MasturB]

Yup--and cutting out gluten is only for ppl with ciliac disease

The rest of us are fine, it's a dietary fad and I don't buy for one second that it was the answer to Djoko's problems

The eastern euro Balkan diet can be very heavy. I've lived with Serbians. They eat GOOD. In addition to all the meat, there's a lot of heavy carbs too.

I don't think gluten free was the only adjustment to his diet. I think it was a major overhaul. He looks physically different from 2009 to 2011 when he went god mode. And I don't just mean aging.

 

[MasturB]

Cheese is a fine thing to be eating, unless you're lactose intolerant

I actually dig American now. I went through that phase where I was too good for it,

I love American cheese because I grew up on it. McDonald's, every burger fast food place.

But as I got older I was introduced and bought different cheeses just to see what I likes.

Am Chz cooks way different than say real cheddar or Swiss. Am chz is gooey and sticky when grilled. Real cheddar or Swiss stretches like a rubber band.

I probably still eat too much cheese for my own good. If I were stranded on an island and were to die tomorrow then I'd want to do it with Mac n cheese.

 

[Rosstour]

I love American cheese because I grew up on it. McDonald's, every burger fast food place.

But as I got older I was introduced and bought different cheeses just to see what I likes.

Am Chz cooks way different than say real cheddar or Swiss. Am chz is gooey and sticky when grilled. Real cheddar or Swiss stretches like a rubber band.

I probably still eat too much cheese for my own good. If I were stranded on an island and were to die tomorrow then I'd want to do it with Mac n cheese.

Same bro

I actually reversed course on American when I read some fancy burger blog post about how it was actually the best cheese to use on a burger. So I tried it (I make a lot of burgers at home) and it was true. Sometimes I'll do Swiss but that is it.

Cheddar and some other cheeses like that tend to basically melt away and disappear when you try putting them on a hot sandwich

The eastern euro Balkan diet can be very heavy. I've lived with Serbians. They eat GOOD. In addition to all the meat, there's a lot of heavy carbs too.

I don't think gluten free was the only adjustment to his diet. I think it was a major overhaul. He looks physically different from 2009 to 2011 when he went god mode. And I don't just mean aging.

Oh it definitely wasn't the only adjustment, lol

 

[FRV4]

I do not believe in God

Unfortunately higher powers do exist. They suck though.

Edit: not that bad though for me so far

 

[Rovesciarete]

Would love to have the shot quality and potency numbers of those days, much is hidden in tennis history.

 

[roysid]

A list of minor changes but it made a big difference. 1) Davis Cup - confidence boost 2) Beating Federer and challenging peak Nadal at USO 2010. 3)
Gluten free - all his allergy issues ogne. 4). Bought a better serve.

I agree with all except 2. A few months after US Open, he was beaten by both convincingly in year end finals. But after that davis cup was a huge booster

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Log off bestie

One of your more mature reactions lol

 

[MichaelNadal]

One of your more mature reactions lol

 

[vokazu]

2011, the year when God shook the Earth (Australian Flood, Christchurch Earthquake, Fukushima Tsunami) and sent the saviour of the universe the mightiest Nole to destroy all evils. Also the year when I scored 100% in my citizenship test.

 

[SonnyT]

He was pretty good at '10, defeated Federer for the 1st time in US! Big key: finally salved the breathing problem.

 

[Sudacafan]

When was clostebol invented?
When was clostebol banned?

 

[Nappa]

this smells fishy

 

[Third Serve]

Honestly I don’t know. It’s hard to explain such a dramatic increase in level. At least Fed showed signs of a higher level in 2003 before he really went on a tear in 2004.

I’m sure dieting had an effect though.

 

[travlerajm]

Swingweight matters

 

[Winner Sinner]

It is obvious that it did not depend on a single thing but on a series of causes.
Even if he had not discovered his gluten intolerance, who can say that he would not have made a big leap in quality compared to 2010?
Maybe not to the extent actually achieved in 2011, but still significant.

Another aspect not to be underestimated is the conviction that the two victories with Nadal in the Sunshine Double gave him, both victories, especially the one in Miami, very hard-fought.
He had already won the Australian Open and Dubai, but that double victory with his toughest rival gave him that extra plus of conviction in his own abilities that he needed at that stage of his career in which he was in the grip of Fedal, a bit like Sinner after he finally managed to repeatedly beat Medvedev and Djokovic in the final of the 2023 season after having a record of 0-9 with both.
From that moment on, Djokovic became a monster and the rest is history still in motion.

 

[SonnyT]

When was clostebol invented?
When was clostebol banned?

Djokovic doesn't need that stuff!

 

[nolefam_2024]

It is obvious that it did not depend on a single thing but on a series of causes.
Even if he had not discovered his gluten intolerance, who can say that he would not have made a big leap in quality compared to 2010?
Maybe not to the extent actually achieved in 2011, but still significant.

Another aspect not to be underestimated is the conviction that the two victories with Nadal in the Sunshine Double gave him, both victories, especially the one in Miami, very hard-fought.
He had already won the Australian Open and Dubai, but that double victory with his toughest rival gave him that extra plus of conviction in his own abilities that he needed at that stage of his career in which he was in the grip of Fedal, a bit like Sinner after he finally managed to repeatedly beat Medvedev and Djokovic in the final of the 2023 season after having a record of 0-9 with both.
From that moment on, Djokovic became a monster and the rest is history still in motion.

He was already a beast in 4+ shot rallies. Rivaling nadal Murray etc other baseline gods. What improved was his efficiency on serve as well.

Not easily reflective just based on ace rate. Need 0-3 shots data before and in 11. That must have upped by 4 pts.

Same thing happened with sinner in 2024.

 

[Sudacafan]

Djokovic doesn't need that stuff!

Sorry.

 

[nolefam_2024]

What highlights capture is always the longest rallies. 60 % of rallies are 4 shots and less. Djokovic had amazing return even pre 2011. But serve had gone off the rails.

When you mature the 0-4 potency increases a lot.

 

[sportsfan1]

When was clostebol invented?
When was clostebol banned?

This and various other subs were previously distributed under the tm brandnames energy pyramids, water energy etc

 

[Born_to_slice]

**** happens. In fact, Fedal and their fans dodged the Djokovic bullet for a year at least because Novak was messing with his serve. Without that he would've been a multiple slam winner before AO 2011.

 

[Mustard]

**** happens. In fact, Fedal and their fans dodged the Djokovic bullet for a year at least because Novak was messing with his serve. Without that he would've been a multiple slam winner before AO 2011.

LOL. 2009 and 2010 debates were about whether Djokovic would win a second major in his career! Most thought so, but a sizeable minority thought he wouldn't.

Nobody saw 2011 Djokovic coming.