List who is the best HC player for each year from 2003 to 2023

[Hitman]

Interested to see who you all see as the best player on HC each year over the last 20 years.

Some list like this. Below is my choice off the top of my head.

2003 - Roddick
2004 - Federer
2005 - Federer
2006 - Federer
2007 - Federer
2008 - Djokovic
2009 - Nadal
2010 - Federer
2011 - Djokovic
2012 - Djokovic
2013 - Djokovic
2014 - Djokovic
2015 - Djokovic
2016 - Djokovic
2017 - Federer
2018 - Djokovic
2019 - Nadal
2020 - Thiem
2021 - Medvedev
2022 - Nadal
2023 - Djokovic

 

[Winners or Errors]

Djokovic in 2008?

 

[Hitman]

Djokovic in 2008?

AO, IW and YEC.

So yes.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Interested to see who you all see as the best player on HC each year over the last 20 years.

Some list like this. Below is my choice off the top of my head.

2003 - Roddick
2004 - Federer
2005 - Federer
2006 - Federer
2007 - Federer
2008 - Djokovic
2009 - Nadal
2010 - Federer
2011 - Djokovic
2012 - Djokovic
2013 - Djokovic
2014 - Djokovic
2015 - Djokovic
2016 - Djokovic
2017 - Federer
2018 - Djokovic
2019 - Nadal
2020 - Thiem
2021 - Medvedev
2022 - Nadal
2023 - Djokovic

2013 I have some questions
2008 I have some questions
2020/2021/2022 I have some questions

How are you defining best. A lot of these don't make sense. It's straight forward for 2004 to 2007 and 2011/12/15/16.

 

[GoatNo1]

Djokovic in 2008?

nole HC
titles: AO, WTF and IW
finals: cinci, bankok

fed HC
titles: USO, basel
finals: ///

HC h2h: 1-1 (AO SF - USO SF)

 

[Third Serve]

Agree with pretty much all of these.

I’d give 2009 to Fed though due to Nadal dropping off substantially in the second half of the hard court season.

I would also give 2022 to Alcaraz.

 

[Hitman]

2013 I have some questions
2008 I have some questions
2020/2021/2022 I have some questions

How are you defining best. A lot of these don't make sense. It's straight forward for 2004 to 2007 and 2011/12/15/16.

How do you think they all did.

In 2008 - Djokovic won AO, IW and WTF, his closest rival only won USO and no masters, and did not qualify for semis at WTF
In 2013, Djokovic won a slam and reached the final of a second slam, and won the WTF. Plus two more masters. That to me trumps 1 slam, 3 masters and 1 RU at WTF.

2020 - Thiem reached the finals of both slams, won one, was a set away from another, and made the finals of YEC.

2021 - Medevdev and Djokovic were equals in HC slams, but Medvedev also got the YEC final.

2022 - Nadal had best start of his career for 2022 season. Alcaraz has a strong case for it though, as he did win Miami.

 

[Hitman]

Agree with pretty much all of these.

I’d give 2009 to Fed though due to Nadal dropping off substantially in the second half of the hard court season.

I would also give 2022 to Alcaraz.

Nadal made semis of Cincinnati, semis of USO, finals of Shanghai, semis of Paris. It wasn't that bad either. It's his WTF that really sticks out as bad. Plus he did have AO, IW and finals of Rotterdam to start.

2022, yes, I can see a strong case for Alcaraz.

 

[nolefam_2024]

How do you think they all did.

In 2008 - Djokovic won AO, IW and WTF, his closest rival only won USO and no masters, and did not qualify for semis at WTF
In 2013, Djokovic won a slam and reached the final of a second slam, and won the WTF. Plus two more masters. That to me trumps 1 slam, 3 masters and 1 RU at WTF.

2020 - Thiem reached the finals of both slams, won one, was a set away from another, and made the finals of YEC.

2021 - Medevdev and Djokovic were equals in HC slams, but Medvedev also got the YEC final.

2022 - Nadal had best start of his career for 2022 season. Alcaraz has a strong case for it though, as he did win Miami.

I agree with all now except 2021/2022.

I think none of Nadal or Carlos are best in 2022. It's Djokovic.

And in 2021 Medvedev was beaten by Nole in 2 big finals. Medvedev got a masters because of the schedule. But he was soundly beaten in Australia and also in the grudge match that year in Paris.

 

[Third Serve]

Nadal made semis of Cincinnati, semis of USO, finals of Shanghai, semis of Paris. It wasn't that bad either. It's his WTF that really sticks out as bad. Plus he did have AO, IW and finals of Rotterdam to start.

2022, yes, I can see a strong case for Alcaraz.

He did make plenty of deep runs but his level just wasn’t very threatening at all. Good enough to survive the early rounds, sure, but bad enough to get completely swept away when facing a remotely decent opponent. US Open was a bloodbath, for instance.

Fed generally performed better at the two HC Slams. Nadal was marginally better at the AO and Fed was much better at the US Open. On aggregate, the advantage goes to Fed.

Fed did have a patch of poor play in the Sunshine Double but I think he made up for it with Cincinnati and a deep run at the YEC whereas Nadal landed in RR.

I think Fed’s relative advantage in the three biggest hard court tournaments would settle this, but I wouldn’t fault anyone for picking Nadal of course. That AO win is pretty convincing.

 

[Hitman]

I agree with all now except 2021/2022.

I think none of Nadal or Carlos are best in 2022. It's Djokovic.

And in 2021 Medvedev was beaten by Nole in 2 big finals. Medvedev got a masters because of the schedule. But he was soundly beaten in Australia and also in the grudge match that year in Paris.

Djokovic played zero slams, you can't have a guy who didn't even win a single match on HC in a slam as the best player for that surface for that year. He is top 3 for sure though.

2021, Medvedev played the finals of all three big events, AO, USO and YEC. Overall his consistency was better in 2021.

 

[Hitman]

He did make plenty of deep runs but his level just wasn’t very threatening at all. Good enough to survive the early rounds, sure, but bad enough to get completely swept away when facing a remotely decent opponent. US Open was a bloodbath, for instance.

Fed generally performed better at the two HC Slams. Nadal was marginally better at the AO and Fed was much better at the US Open. On aggregate, the advantage goes to Fed.

Fed did have a patch of poor play in the Sunshine Double but I think he made up for it with Cincinnati and a deep run at the YEC whereas Nadal landed in RR.

I think Fed’s relative advantage in the three biggest hard court tournaments would settle this, but I wouldn’t fault anyone for picking Nadal of course. That AO win is pretty convincing.

I understand your point, but Federer went down to the winners of all three big events on HC that year, Nadal in AO, Del Potro in USO and Davydenko in WTF. His Cincinnati win was very good though.

 

[StrongRule]

Nadal made semis of Cincinnati, semis of USO, finals of Shanghai, semis of Paris. It wasn't that bad either. It's his WTF that really sticks out as bad. Plus he did have AO, IW and finals of Rotterdam to start.

2022, yes, I can see a strong case for Alcaraz.

Nadal reaching the semifinal in Paris was like the biggest miracle ever though. And that ended up giving another easy head to head win for Djokovic.

 

[StrongRule]

Agree with pretty much all of these.

I’d give 2009 to Fed though due to Nadal dropping off substantially in the second half of the hard court season.

I would also give 2022 to Alcaraz.

Winning less hardcourt titles than a 36 years old Nadal who basically played half season (and pretty much retired from tennis after that) doesn't look good.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

2009 could go to del Potro.

2013 should probably go to Nadal, even if he missed the AO. He won USO, Cinci, Canada and Indian Wells facing great competition.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Agree with pretty much all of these.

I’d give 2009 to Fed though due to Nadal dropping off substantially in the second half of the hard court season.

I would also give 2022 to Alcaraz.

In 2009 Federer didn't win any of the HC slams nor the Masters Cup. Hard to go with him even if he might have been the most consistent.

 

[nolefam_2024]

2009 could go to del Potro.

2013 should probably go to Nadal, even if he missed the AO. He won USO, Cinci, Canada and Indian Wells facing great competition.

Yes I think so as well. He won Rogers cup and USOpen beating Djokovic. So H2H it was 2-2 by year end but Novak won in smaller events.

 

[Biotic]

Close inspection reveals 2022 Astana open is worth way more than the non-event in Melbourne, therefore it's either Alcaraz or Djokovic for 2022. I'd give it to Alcaraz.

 

[Hitman]

Winning less hardcourt titles than a 36 years old Nadal who basically played half season (and pretty much retired from tennis after that) doesn't look good.

This is why I am giving to Nadal, his fast start to season and he won more HC titles overall in 2022 than Alcaraz.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I would give hc to Djokovic from 2018/2020/2021/2022/2023. This pandemic bs needs to be accounted for.

 

[Hitman]

2009 could go to del Potro.

2013 should probably go to Nadal, even if he missed the AO. He won USO, Cinci, Canada and Indian Wells facing great competition.

I don't think so.

Djokovic won AO, final of USO, then won four titles in a row on HC, including Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and WTF. He was overall just more solid throughout the year. He also faced the same competition.

 

[Hitman]

Close inspection reveals 2022 Astana open is worth way more than the non-event in Melbourne, therefore it's either Alcaraz or Djokovic for 2022. I'd give it to Alcaraz.

Nadal was one match away from winning his first four HC titles of the year in 2022.

 

[Biotic]

Nadal was one match away from winning his first four HC titles of the year in 2022.

Nevertheless, the best he could manage without the help of dirty politicians was one measly ATP 500.

 

[The Blond Blur]

2003 - Rawduck
2004 - Ol’ Rog
2005 - Ol’ Rog
2006 - Ol’ Rog
2007 - Ol’ Rog
2008 - Joker
2009 - RAFA
2010 - RAFA
2011 - Joker
2012 - Joker
2013 - RAFA
2014 - Stanimal
2015 - Joker
2016 - Joker
2017 - Ol’ Rog
2018 - Joker
2019 - RAFA
2020 - Timmy
2021 - Mad Lad
2022 - RAFA
2023 - Joker

 

[Neptune]

Interested to see who you all see as the best player on HC each year over the last 20 years.

Some list like this. Below is my choice off the top of my head.

2003 - Roddick
2004 - Federer
2005 - Federer
2006 - Federer
2007 - Federer
2008 - Djokovic
2009 - Nadal
2010 - Federer
2011 - Djokovic
2012 - Djokovic
2013 - Djokovic
2014 - Djokovic
2015 - Djokovic
2016 - Djokovic
2017 - Federer
2018 - Djokovic
2019 - Nadal
2020 - Thiem
2021 - Medvedev
2022 - Nadal
2023 - Djokovic

Some years are very close between two or more candidates; perhaps clear criteria are needed (total HC ATP points)?

2009 - Nole
2020 - Nole

 

[Neptune]

2013 - RAFA
2014 - Stanimal

Both go to Nole and not even close tbh.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Both go to Nole and not even close tbh.

2014 is Nole and it's NOT EVEN CLOSE. Only a biased hater will give this to Wawrinka. You know where he lost in USopen? Neither do I. That's how much was he cared for.

Nole was unlucky in slams but in masters and ATP finals he killed it.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Both go to Nole and not even close tbh.

He lost to RAFA multiple times including the allowing the 2-1 Open to become the 2-1 Open in 2013.

He didn’t even make a HC GS F in 2014.

 

[Third Serve]

I understand your point, but Federer went down to the winners of all three big events on HC that year, Nadal in AO, Del Potro in USO and Davydenko in WTF. His Cincinnati win was very good though.

I frankly don’t think that’s a distinction that matters very much. Like Fed was obviously better at the US Open and the YEC so that puts him ahead at two of the three biggest events (and the third was so close it went to a fifth set and Fed actually led the points total for the entire match) but we’re only gonna rate him lower because of the names of the players who happened to be the ones to beat him?

Delpo absolutely clapped an injured Nadal at the US Open while Fed only lost to him in a very close five-setter in which he had legitimate chances to win the match. Not to mention Fed also straight-setted a decent Djokovic—I don’t think there’s a chance Nadal even beats Djokovic there based on his performance in the other semifinal, forget about Federer.

Nadal was dunked out of the round robin of the YEC, not even winning a single set against Davydenko, Soderling, and Djokovic, while Fed made it to the semifinals and pushed the eventual winner to a tough and well played three-setter.

Now I get that these three tournaments aren’t everything but it’s not like Nadal was much (if at all) better in the other hard court tournaments.

Literally the one big thing Nadal has over Fed in 2009 is the AO. If that’s enough for people, that’s cool, but it isn’t for me.

 

[Neptune]

He lost to RAFA multiple times including the allowing the 2-1 Open to become the 2-1 Open in 2013.

He didn’t even make a HC GS F in 2014.

And?
Are you looking at whole year or just a few matches?

 

[BauerAlmeida]

2003 - Rawduck
2004 - Ol’ Rog
2005 - Ol’ Rog
2006 - Ol’ Rog
2007 - Ol’ Rog
2008 - Joker
2009 - RAFA
2010 - RAFA
2011 - Joker
2012 - Joker
2013 - RAFA
2014 - Stanimal
2015 - Joker
2016 - Joker
2017 - Ol’ Rog
2018 - Joker
2019 - RAFA
2020 - Timmy
2021 - Mad Lad
2022 - RAFA
2023 - Joker

In 2010 Nadal was not that good outside the USO.

 

[The Blond Blur]

In 2010 Nadal was not that good outside the USO.

I’m aware but who else was that good that year? I’ll take his 2010 2-1 Open form over Ol’ Rog’s AO form.

 

[Beerus]

2003 - Rawduck
2004 - Ol’ Rog
2005 - Ol’ Rog
2006 - Ol’ Rog
2007 - Ol’ Rog
2008 - Joker
2009 - RAFA
2010 - RAFA
2011 - Joker
2012 - Joker
2013 - RAFA
2014 - Stanimal
2015 - Joker
2016 - Joker
2017 - Ol’ Rog
2018 - Joker
2019 - RAFA
2020 - Timmy
2021 - Mad Lad
2022 - RAFA
2023 - Joker

2010 - Federer

 

[martinezownsclay]

I would probably pick Nadal for 2013 since he beat Djokovic most times they went head to head and won the hard court slam both played. Mostly agree otherwise.

Would need to look up things closer to pick 2010 between Nadal and Federer, but rough memory it would probably be Federer.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Both go to Nole and not even close tbh.

It is close, especially 2014 where Djokovic didn't win any of the HC slams.

 

[Neptune]

In 2010 Nadal was not that good outside the USO.

Yep, 2010 HC Fed>>Rafa, not even close.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

I’m aware but who else was that good that year? I’ll take his 2010 2-1 Open form over Ol’ Rog’s AO form.

For sure, but:

1- Federer better at the USO than Nadal at the AO
2- Federer won the YEC beating Nadal himself (and Djokovic)
3- I'd have to recheck results, but Federer did better at the M1000 IIRC

 

[The Blond Blur]

And?
Are you looking at whole year or just a few matches?

Great argument there lol. In 2013 RAFA won: IW, Canada, Cincy, and the 2-1 Open. He was undefeated until the fall season where he made the F in Beijing, SF in Shanghai and Bercy, and the YEC F.

2014 was about as meh of a year as possible across the board. Joker got beat at his pet schlem by Stan in the QF and became 1 of Glasshikori’s 2 top 10 wins that make up his 2-5000 record against the top 10. Joker even lost to Robredo at Cincy (got to watch that in person). Even Joker’s YEC win came with a W/O.

 

[The Blond Blur]

For sure, but:

1- Federer better at the USO than Nadal at the AO
2- Federer won the YEC beating Nadal himself (and Djokovic)
3- I'd have to recheck results, but Federer did better at the M1000 IIRC

I just don’t think the gap was that big tbh and was more impressed with RAFA’s level in his schlem winning effort.

 

[Third Serve]

For sure, but:

1- Federer better at the USO than Nadal at the AO
2- Federer won the YEC beating Nadal himself (and Djokovic)
3- I'd have to recheck results, but Federer did better at the M1000 IIRC

Fed did do better at the Masters. Nadal only reached the Indian Wells final and lost to Ljubicic. Miami was the only other good one and he lost to Roddick.

Fed won Cincinnati although he was a bit shaky throughout the tournament. Also made the Canada and Shanghai finals, losing to Murray both times. One was a decent match, the other wasn’t. It’s not a clean sweep but he was substantially better of course.

That plus the YEC plus basically splitting the Slams (Ned US Open > Fed AO > Fed US Open > Ned AO) makes the answer clear enough to me.

 

[Hitman]

I frankly don’t think that’s a distinction that matters very much. Like Fed was obviously better at the US Open and the YEC so that puts him ahead at two of the three biggest events (and the third was so close it went to a fifth set and Fed actually led the points total for the entire match) but we’re only gonna rate him lower because of the names of the players who happened to be the ones to beat him?

Delpo absolutely clapped an injured Nadal at the US Open while Fed only lost to him in a very close five-setter in which he had legitimate chances to win the match. Not to mention Fed also straight-setted a decent Djokovic—I don’t think there’s a chance Nadal even beats Djokovic there based on his performance in the other semifinal, forget about Federer.

Nadal was dunked out of the round robin of the YEC, not even winning a single set against Davydenko, Soderling, and Djokovic, while Fed made it to the semifinals and pushed the eventual winner to a tough and well played three-setter.

Now I get that these three tournaments aren’t everything but it’s not like Nadal was much (if at all) better in the other hard court tournaments.

Literally the one big thing Nadal has over Fed in 2009 is the AO. If that’s enough for people, that’s cool, but it isn’t for me.

Federer didn't walk away with any of the big prizes on HC though in 2009. He was very consistent, no question about that.

 

[StrongRule]

I’m aware but who else was that good that year? I’ll take his 2010 2-1 Open form over Ol’ Rog’s AO form.

To be fair, Federer also played a really great WTF.

 

[Hitman]

Some years are very close between two or more candidates; perhaps clear criteria are needed (total HC ATP points)?

2009 - Nole
2020 - Nole

Nole in 2009 didn't really win anything of significance until Paris Indoors, credit to him, he did win Basel the week before, unfortunately he lost a couple of HC finals, one to Murray in Miami, one to Federer in Cincinnati. He also didn't make it out of group stage at WTF.

2020 - Thiem was just more consistent in the three biggest events. Djokovic had a fast start to the year, with AO and Dubai and then won Cincy, but that DQ at USO really hurt him. Had that not happened, he would likely be the best for the season.

 

[StrongRule]

Fed did do better at the Masters. Nadal only reached the Indian Wells final and lost to Ljubicic. Miami was the only other good one and he lost to Roddick.

Fed won Cincinnati although he was a bit shaky throughout the tournament. Also made the Canada and Shanghai finals, losing to Murray both times. One was a decent match, the other wasn’t. It’s not a clean sweep but he was substantially better of course.

That plus the YEC plus basically splitting the Slams (Ned US Open > Fed AO > Fed US Open > Ned AO) makes the answer clear enough to me.

That was a semifinal. He indeed had weird losses in IW and Miami semifinals that year. Though he definitely made up for it later in the season.

 

[The Blond Blur]

To be fair, Federer also played a really great WTF.

He did, I just think he benefited from Murray taking out RAFA’s legs in the SF. I really don’t have a problem with people picking Fed for 2010. I just think that the highest level shown on HC that year was RAFA at the 2-1 Open.

 

[Neptune]

Great argument there lol. In 2013 RAFA won: IW, Canada, Cincy, and the 2-1 Open. He was undefeated until the fall season where he made the F in Beijing, SF in Shanghai and Bercy, and the YEC F.

2014 was about as meh of a year as possible across the board. Joker got beat at his pet schlem by Stan in the QF and became 1 of Glasshikori’s 2 top 10 wins that make up his 2-5000 record against the top 10. Joker even lost to Robredo at Cincy (got to watch that in person). Even Joker’s YEC win came with a W/O.

2013HC Nole vs Rafa only highlight the difference
Slam: 1F vs 0 (+1200pt)
TF: 1Title vs 1F (+500pt)
Masters: 0 vs 1Title (-1000pt)
ATP500: 2Title vs 1F (+700pt)

Nole +1400pt, agree?

 

[nolefam_2024]

2013HC Nole vs Rafa only highlight the difference
Slam: 1F vs 0 (+1200pt)
TF: 1Title vs 1F (+500pt)
Masters: 0 vs 1Title (-1000pt)
ATP500: 2Title vs 1F (+700pt)

Nole +1400pt, agree?

2013 I will go with Rafa. He humiliated our boy in the USOpen. It shouldn't have happened. But it did.

 

[The Blond Blur]

2013HC Nole vs Rafa only highlight the difference
Slam: 1F vs 0 (+1200pt)
TF: 1Title vs 1F (+500pt)
Masters: 0 vs 1Title (-1000pt)
ATP500: 2Title vs 1F (+700pt)

Nole +1400pt, agree?

No one in their right mind is taking Joker’s 2013 HC season over RAFA’s. A win in HC GS F and MS1000 SF > a win in the YEC F and a 500 F.

 

[Neptune]

No one in their right mind is taking Joker’s 2013 HC season over RAFA’s. A win in HC GS F and MS1000 SF > a win in the YEC F and a 500 F.

Is this thread talking about H2H?

 

[The Blond Blur]

Is this thread talking about H2H?

Is this thread talking about ATP points? RAFA was 1 of 3 men to complete the NA Summer Slam. Beating Joker in 2/3 of those events is a bridge too far.