How did Novak get better at slam finals?

[GabeT]

Djokovic has reached a total of 25 slam finals, winning 16 of them. But his conversion rate has jumped a lot in recent years. Of the first 13 finals (USO07 TO FO14) Nole won only 6, for a conversion rate of 46%. It was a clear weakness compared to the other Big 3.

But in the following 12 finals all changed (W14 to W19). Of those 12 finals he won 10 for a conversion rate of 83%. That’s a huge jump for someone “late“ in their career.

Was it physical changes? Can’t see how, the change in diet that supposedly propelled him to the top had happened 3 years earlier.

Was it a change in the competition? Hard to say that 2014/15 (maybe even 19) Fed was worse than 2013 Murray at Wimbledon. Or was Fed at the 2015 USO really worse than Murray at the 2012 USO?

The change seems to be more mental than anything else. I think that 2012/3 Nole would have not been as mentally strong in yesterday’s match. Maybe Pepe helped after all?

 

[beard]

Mental it is...

 

[ibbi]

He got better. His major opponents got older. The improvement in his serve in 2015 is really what made a huge difference to his results/ease of success overall.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Mental toughness. He was supremely clutch in the tiebreaks yesterday, and didn't let the crowd's obvious support for Federer distract him from his goal.

 

[Cupcake]

General improvement of his game - just because someone gets older doesnt mean they arent hitting many shots better - often quite the contrary.

Plus the simple benefit of experience in finals.

 

[NoleFam]

I think the turning point came when he added Becker to his team and that '14 Wimbledon. That was a massive victory for his confidence. Also, Becker was hired after he was losing all those finals to help him mentally. Since he lost the '14 RG final, he is 10-2 in Slam finals. Before that, he was 6-7 and had lost 5/6 at one point.

 

[Indigo]

He got better. His major opponents got older. The improvement in his serve in 2015 is really what made a huge difference to his results/ease of success overall.

His major opponents like Nadal and Murray are his age. They got older together. And if you want to say that Roger is old that is in contradiction to what he is saying. He says that he feels better than ever and ready to compete. Players who get into competition get there because they think they can win something regardless of their age, be it 18 year olds or 38 year olds. Saying someone is old hence he is not competitive is an insult to a player. Stop insulting Federer!

 

[KINGROGER]

Combination of improved serve along with weaker opponents.

 

[Russeljones]

Will be better next year. Just a hunch.

 

[Julian Houston]

His main rivals are old, Federer and Nadal.

The ones can trouble him before the final are Murray, del potro, Wawrinka, they are in retirement mode. The poor conversion in slam finals was affected by their peak form.

 

[NoleFam]

His main rivals are old, Federer and Nadal.

The ones can trouble him before the final are Murray, del potro, Wawrinka, they are in retirement mode. The poor conversion in slam finals was affected by their peak form.

Djokovic is 5-0 against Del Potro in Slams.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Djokovic is 5-0 against Del Potro in Slams.

Tired him out in Wimbledon 2013 for Murray.

 

[swordtennis]

These guys are always retooling and getting better. They solve and get solved. Nothing is static. Constant work. 2006 fedovic could not have a match like yesterdays match.

 

[swordtennis]

Still can hear the sounds of the bh to forehand battle of that wimbledon 2013 sf. Unreal ball thumping.

 

[r2473]

Pepe Imaz showed him the way

 

[Djokodal Fan]

as some would say, Weak era!