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

What rubbish

The level of play is also important. Just because you can ban a player from some matches or some once in a lifetime error happens doesn't mean the player is bad.

Just like Rafa was better in 2013 despite Nole winning more pts from the HC season. Nole was better definitely in 2020. He said he will go undefeated before the pandemic and he would go undefeated on hc if not for the default.
Nice deflection. Many people in your fanbase having been digging up years old threads just to insult people for making predictions. They’ve also been making threads taking shots at Fedal non-stop lately.

Lol In 2020 Joker had played like 3 tournaments on HC before the pandemic started. As if he was going to go undefeated all year :rolleyes:
 
What rubbish

The level of play is also important. Just because you can ban a player from some matches or some once in a lifetime error happens doesn't mean the player is bad.

Just like Rafa was better in 2013 despite Nole winning more pts from the HC season. Nole was better definitely in 2020. He said he will go undefeated before the pandemic and he would go undefeated on hc if not for the default.
Djokovic fans like the word "if". Truth is, Busta was actually leading in the match when that happened. Yeah, we know, he was probably going to choke, but it doesn't mean we should act like Djokovic won the tournament.
 
Nice deflection. Many people in your fanbase having been digging up years old threads just to insult people for making predictions. They’ve also been making threads taking shots at Fedal non-stop lately.

Lol In 2020 Joker had played like 3 tournaments on HC before the pandemic started. As if he was going to go undefeated all year :rolleyes:
Of course he was. He won 4 tournaments in a row before the DQ.
 
Yes, it was a tough loss for him, but that WTF was absolutely stacked with talent. Djokovic doesn't have a case for 2009.

Its really Nadal, Del Potro and Federer that can have a case. Personally I go with Nadal for 2009.
Me too, was just explaining how Djoko lost in the RR and it wasn’t because of poor performance :)
 
Why does Djokovic get 2020 by default? Thiem has a strong case for this one. He was one set away from winning both hardcourt slams (though it would look better if the USO final wasn't so awful), and also WTF final.

It's Thiem in 2020. He was the best player overall on HC in 2020. The level he showed at times, was very high, still remember how dismantled a well playing Medvedev in straights in the semis of USO.
 
2003 - Clearly Roddick
2004-2007 - Clearly Federer
2008 - Clearly Djokovic
2009 - Case to be made for Del Potro or Nadal.
2010 - Case to be made for Nadal or Federer but it's gotta be Federer.
2011 - Clearly Djokovic
2012 - Clearly Djokovic
2013 - Case for Djokovic or Nadal
2014 - Mmm, tough one, can't really go with Djokovic if he didn't win any of the slams so it's gotta be Wawrinka by default as he is ahead of Cilic.
2015 - Clearly Djokovic
2016 - Clearly Djokovic
2017 - Case to be made for Federer or Nadal but the H2H makes it for Federer because of how dominant it was.
2018 - Mmm, has to be Djokovic even tough he was terrible the first half of the year.
2019 - Case to be made for Djokovic or Nadal
2020 - Djokovic by default (no pun intended) basically but it was a strange year.
2021 - Case to be made for Djokovic or Mededev
2022 - Case to be made for Nadal or Alcaraz
2023 - Clearly Djokovic
I am convinced Fed would have beaten him in both AO and USO if they faced that year. But yeah it is obviously Roddick based on the summer sweep.
 
2003 - Roddick
2004 - Federer
2005 - Federer
2006 - Federer
2007 - Federer
2008 - Djokovic
2009 - Nadal by a hair. He had a Masters title and Delpo didn't. This is very close
2010 - Federer
2011 - Djokovic
2012 - Djokovic
2013 - Djokovic by a hair. 1-1 split at slams, Nadal had 3-2 edge at Masters, but Djoker won the WTF. Djoker's overall record is better too0
2014 - Djokovic. Stan is up 1-0 on HC slams. However, Djoker had 4 Masters and a WTF title. It's Djoker here
2015 - Djokovic
2016 - Djokovic
2017 - Federer
2018 - Djokovic
2019 - Nadal. Tied for Masters and slam titles, but Nadal had a slam final too. Plus, Nada's overall 32-3 > Djoker's 35-8
2020 - Djokovic- very close, but Djoker's overall 30-4>> Thiem's 19-7
2021 - Med- razor-thing margin. They were the same at slams, same titles, but Med had extra final at Masters and at WTF
2022 - Alcaraz-- He had a Masters title and Nadal didn't
2023 - Djokovic
 
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
2024 will be between Sinner and Djokovic
 
2003 - Roddick
2004 - Federer
2005 - Federer
2006 - Federer
2007 - Federer
2008 - Djokovic
2009 - Nadal by a hair. He had a Masters title and Delpo didn't. This is very close
2010 - Federer
2011 - Djokovic
2012 - Djokovic
2013 - Djokovic by a hair. 1-1 split at slams, Nadal had 3-2 edge at Masters, but Djoker won the WTF. Djoker's overall record is better too0
2014 - Djokovic. Stan is up 1-0 on HC slams. However, Djoker had 4 Masters and a WTF title. It's Djoker here
2015 - Djokovic
2016 - Djokovic
2017 - Federer
2018 - Djokovic
2019 - Nadal. Tied for Masters and slam titles, but Nadal had a slam final too. Plus, Nada's overall 32-3 > Djoker's 35-8
2020 - Djokovic- very close, but Djoker's overall 30-4>> Thiem's 19-7
2021 - Med- razor-thing margin. They were the same at slams, same titles, but Med had extra final at Masters and at WTF
2022 - Alcaraz-- He had a Masters title and Nadal didn't
2023 - Djokovic
2024 SINNER
 
Who played at a higher level?

1. Djokovic AO 13 4R or Federer USO 07 final
2. Federer USO 07 QF or Nadal RG 17 final
3. Federer Rome 06 final or Djokovic AO 19 final
4. Federer Wim 09 final or Nadal RG 05 final
5. Roddick Wim 09 final or Wawrinka RG 15 final
6. Federer RG 07 final or Agassi USO 04 QF
 
even without of 500s nole was better

2013
rafa: USO, IW, can, cinci
nole: AO (+USO F), WTF, shanghai, paris, dubai, beijing

+ more ATP points on HC
I’ll take the H2H in the big events and the more historic achievement of the NA Summer Slam over that. Besides Jojer was given a massive lifeline in the AO that year.
 
Why does Djokovic get 2020 by default? Thiem has a strong case for this one. He was one set away from winning both hardcourt slams (though it would look better if the USO final wasn't so awful), and also WTF final.

Yes, Thiem has a case, however:

- He won literally nothing outside the USO
- Djokovic not only won several titles, but he also had a strong chance of winning BOTH HC slams without a ******** DQ
- Djokovic won a M1000, won a 500 and won the ATP Cup beating four Top 15 players (The last 2 I wouldn't care much in any other year, but this year had little activity)
- He beat Thiem himself at one of the HC slams finals, which is a huge factor, also why I'm more inclined to give it to Nadal in 2013 despite Djokovic having overall better numbers


I am convinced Fed would have beaten him in both AO and USO if they faced that year. But yeah it is obviously Roddick based on the summer sweep.

Roddick beat Federer in Montreal, so he could have beaten him at the USO. Back then the rivalry wasn't as one-sided yet, if Roddick had a good chance in Wimbledon 2004, he definitely had a good chance at USO 2003.

Yes, it was a tough loss for him, but that WTF was absolutely stacked with talent. Djokovic doesn't have a case for 2009.

Its really Nadal, Del Potro and Federer that can have a case. Personally I go with Nadal for 2009.


Djokovic is fourth in 2009 behind del Potro, Nadal and Federer. He doesn't have a case at all really. No final at either slam or the YEC.
 
2003 - Roddick
2004 - Federer
2005 - Federer
2006 - Federer
2007 - Federer
2008 - Djokovic
2009 - Nadal by a hair. He had a Masters title and Delpo didn't. This is very close
2010 - Federer
2011 - Djokovic
2012 - Djokovic
2013 - Djokovic by a hair. 1-1 split at slams, Nadal had 3-2 edge at Masters, but Djoker won the WTF. Djoker's overall record is better too0
2014 - Djokovic. Stan is up 1-0 on HC slams. However, Djoker had 4 Masters and a WTF title. It's Djoker here
2015 - Djokovic
2016 - Djokovic
2017 - Federer
2018 - Djokovic
2019 - Nadal. Tied for Masters and slam titles, but Nadal had a slam final too. Plus, Nada's overall 32-3 > Djoker's 35-8
2020 - Djokovic- very close, but Djoker's overall 30-4>> Thiem's 19-7
2021 - Med- razor-thing margin. They were the same at slams, same titles, but Med had extra final at Masters and at WTF
2022 - Alcaraz-- He had a Masters title and Nadal didn't
2023 - Djokovic

Damn, a perfect match.

Edit: oops not quite, missed ‘09…but 20/21 ain’t bad :p
 
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Yes, Thiem has a case, however:

- He won literally nothing outside the USO
- Djokovic not only won several titles, but he also had a strong chance of winning BOTH HC slams without a ******** DQ
- Djokovic won a M1000, won a 500 and won the ATP Cup beating four Top 15 players (The last 2 I wouldn't care much in any other year, but this year had little activity)
- He beat Thiem himself at one of the HC slams finals, which is a huge factor, also why I'm more inclined to give it to Nadal in 2013 despite Djokovic having overall better numbers
While it should be obvious Novak was the USO favorite without a DQ and lost the YEC semi by a hair, we can still not ignore Thiem having better results at 1 Slam, pushing Novak to 5 in the AO final and making the YEC final. He had more concentrated high end results, but a much worse spread.

As for 2013, tipping the scale for Nadal because of a H2H win is outright unfair considering Novak won AO and there is no way to make a case Nadal was beating him there had he played.
So the real Slam H2H is 1-1, skipping shouldn't give one benefit of the doubt or a pass.
2013 Novak had slightly better tournament wins, consistency, played well in all lost tournaments except Miami and had a 2-2 H2H with his rival.
 
For 2022, it's impossible to say unequivocally who was the best HC player because that's a season that has been disgustingly interfered with by COVID mandates and politics. The interference of the non-tennis world into the environment of tennis is something that a true tennis fan should stand against. It spoils the integrity of the sport.
 
Yes, Thiem has a case, however:

- He won literally nothing outside the USO
- Djokovic not only won several titles, but he also had a strong chance of winning BOTH HC slams without a ******** DQ
- Djokovic won a M1000, won a 500 and won the ATP Cup beating four Top 15 players (The last 2 I wouldn't care much in any other year, but this year had little activity)
- He beat Thiem himself at one of the HC slams finals, which is a huge factor, also why I'm more inclined to give it to Nadal in 2013 despite Djokovic having overall better numbers




Roddick beat Federer in Montreal, so he could have beaten him at the USO. Back then the rivalry wasn't as one-sided yet, if Roddick had a good chance in Wimbledon 2004, he definitely had a good chance at USO 2003.




Djokovic is fourth in 2009 behind del Potro, Nadal and Federer. He doesn't have a case at all really. No final at either slam or the YEC.
The question is also "Who is the best HC player", so to me level of play is a relevant factor here, not nesessarily who won the most importan titles. Without a disqualification, Djokovic would without a doubt be the favourite at USO. That 2020 USO came with a bad smell, no Big3...
 
interestingly, murray in 2016 had a 48-6 hardcourt record with 6 hardcourt titles while djokovic had a 47-6 record with 5 hardcourt titles
 
interestingly, murray in 2016 had a 48-6 hardcourt record with 6 hardcourt titles while djokovic had a 47-6 record with 5 hardcourt titles
If only he had won USO 16 it probably would have been him. But with no HC slam it can't be.
 
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The fact some Djokovic fans are picking him for 2009 when he didn't make the finals of either hard court slam or even the WTF, shows the level of insanity Djoko fanaticsm has reached on Planet Djokovic (aka Planet Warehouse). Of course I am convinced atleast 95% of this sub is Serbian. The ridiculous results on any Seles poll and that most posters here think Seles would be a 40+ slam winner without the stabbing is evidence enough of that.
 
The fact some Djokovic fans are picking him for 2009 when he didn't make the finals of either hard court slam or even the WTF, shows the level of insanity Djoko fanaticsm has reached on Planet Djokovic (aka Planet Warehouse). Of course I am convinced atleast 95% of this sub is Serbian. The ridiculous results on any Seles poll and that most posters here think Seles would be a 40+ slam winner without the stabbing is evidence enough of that.
Bit personal lol
 
By the ATP ranking system, determined by points.

2009 Overall Ranking

Rank​
Name​
Point​
1​
Roger Federer​
10550​
2​
Rafael Nadal​
9205​
3​
Novak Djokovic​
8310​
4​
Andy Murray​
7030​
5​
Del Potro​
6785​

2009 HC Ranking

Rank​
Name​
Point​
1​
Novak Djokovic​
6200​
2​
Rafael Nadal​
5925​
3​
Andy Murray​
5150​
4​
Roger Federer​
5100​
5​
Del Potro​
4655​
 
Bit personal lol

It is true though. You go in any Seles thread and you will see "Seles would have won 40 slams or more without the stabbing, and would be the GOAT even at Wimbledon with 9 or 10 Wimbledons even though she sucks on grass". Combine that with the extreme Djokovic bias here, and atleast 90% and probably more of the posters here are obviously Serbian, LOL!
 
I dont force an opinion on you, you can claim the earth is flat for what i care. I am simply pointing out your inconsistencies in debate. You are the one who for years argued with achievements in GOAT debates as the discussion-ending argument as long as your guy was ahead and to this day regurgitates the argument of "tennis is played against the field" in any Fedal H2H discussion. Now out of a sudden you do a complete 180 and say achievements against the field do not count but their H2H (in one cherry-picked match to boot) should decide.
You're not in sync with what we are talking about. This thread title isn't about (1)GOAT debate, (2)it's not about achievement, and (3)I did not use H2H as an argument, but simply point it out that an unhealthy Federer is not fit to compete against a healthy Djokovic at the AO. This thread is about who's the best hc player, not about achievement.

I mean Lebron James has surpassed Kareem for all-time career leading scorer. He's more accomplished in scoring, but who's the better scorer? I think most knowledgeable NBA fans will tell you that Kareem is a better scorer due to his unstoppable sky hook and his height advantage.
 
It is both. Djokovic AO 2008 version was his second best level ever, only second to 2011. Federer has shown better levels at USO than 2008.

Federer's drop at YEC, despite the back injury works against him here. Djokovic played at a very high level at YEC.
Djokovic achieved more, but it doesn't automatically means he's the better hc player.

Another example here is Russell Westbrook has the most triple in the NBA. He has way more than Magic Johnson, but who in their right mind would say Westbrook is a better point guard than Magic? No one.
 
Djokovic achieved more, but it doesn't automatically means he's the better hc player.

Another example here is Russell Westbrook has the most triple in the NBA. He has way more than Magic Johnson, but who in their right mind would say Westbrook is a better point guard than Magic? No one.
:unsure: true
 
Djokovic achieved more, but it doesn't automatically means he's the better hc player.

Another example here is Russell Westbrook has the most triple in the NBA. He has way more than Magic Johnson, but who in their right mind would say Westbrook is a better point guard than Magic? No one.

Tell me how is Federer's fourth or fifth best level at USO higher than Djokovic's second best level ever at AO, where he is GOAT?

Djokovic also showed a higher level at YEC, Federer played well, but his level was clearly below his previous years.
 
You're not in sync with what we are talking about. This thread title isn't about (1)GOAT debate, (2)it's not about achievement, and (3)I did not use H2H as an argument, but simply point it out that an unhealthy Federer is not fit to compete against a healthy Djokovic at the AO. This thread is about who's the best hc player, not about achievement.

I mean Lebron James has surpassed Kareem for all-time career leading scorer. He's more accomplished in scoring, but who's the better scorer? I think most knowledgeable NBA fans will tell you that Kareem is a better scorer due to his unstoppable sky hook and his height advantage.
You do realize that while not always the same there is a big correlation between best and most accomplished right? I have Pete as No. 1 in 99 and Fed as No. 1 in 2017 even though both were not the most accomplished players those years so believe me I do consider context.
Your claim however has no ground to stand on, Djoko was better in any metric that year he even won the H2H if we consider that he won in straights while Fed could not.
You did not simply point out that an unhealthy Fed cannot compete with Djo at the AO, you used mono as an excuse for his loss and said that when both where healthy at the USO, Fed won, hence he was the better HC player thst year (according to you). So yeah you did exactly what I said, using H2H in one specific match as an argument why Fed was the better HC player that year while in every discussion about who is better between Fedal you diminish a far more relevant H2H with your "tennis is played against the field" argument.
 
Tell me how is Federer's fourth or fifth best level at USO higher than Djokovic's second best level ever at AO, where he is GOAT?

Djokovic also showed a higher level at YEC, Federer played well, but his level was clearly below his previous years.
Not exactly a uncommon take
 
Not exactly a uncommon take

A strange one though. Federer was struggling to put away Igor earlier in the tournament, Djokovic was never in such a situation at AO that year. He was very dominant and very aggressive.
 
Exactly why TTW is untrustworthy. The fed devotees are logging out daily but it used to be worse few years ago. Beating some weak players for long time doesn't mean he would dominate Djokovic. He played Djokovic for both times, when nole was not ready and when he was older, result is in front of our eyes.
 
Exactly why TTW is untrustworthy. The fed devotees are logging out daily but it used to be worse few years ago. Beating some weak players for long time doesn't mean he would dominate Djokovic. He played Djokovic for both times, when nole was not ready and when he was older, result is in front of our eyes.
Fed and Nole is 23-27 with 6-11 in slams. If it was not for Fed's choking it would be 25-25 and 8-9 in slams all of which with Novak having the age advantage in most matches. Whoever thinks that one of them would be clearly superior prime for prime is clueless.
 
Fed and Nole is 23-27 with 6-11 in slams. If it was not for Fed's choking it would be 25-25 and 8-9 in slams all of which with Novak having the age advantage in most matches. Whoever thinks that one of them would be clearly superior prime for prime is clueless.
Exactly. They are the same outside clay. Nole is better at AO, Roger is better at Wimby. Both will beat each other. I agree.

Fed is only man to have beaten Nole in all slams. Nole is only man to have beaten Fed in all slams. Respect BOTH and not just hypothetical Fed.
 
Who played at a higher level?

1. Djokovic AO 13 4R or Federer USO 07 final
2. Federer USO 07 QF or Nadal RG 17 final
3. Federer Rome 06 final or Djokovic AO 19 final
4. Federer Wim 09 final or Nadal RG 05 final
5. Roddick Wim 09 final or Wawrinka RG 15 final
6. Federer RG 07 final or Agassi USO 04 QF
Good one lol
 
2008 has to be Djokovic. Only a Federer fan would argue for Federer.

2010 has to be Federer. Only a Nadal fan would argue for Nadal.

Yeah. I'm not sure why people are disagreeing with this to be honest.

Fed was shaky in almost every hard court event he played in in 2008. Save for Basel and the Open.
But really he was even iffy in the Open...but then all of a sudden he found God-mode in the semifinals and Finals, and served out of his mind.

To a smaller extent the same is true for Nadal in 2010: outside of the slam and 500 level event he won, he was largely unimpressive on hard courts.
 
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
That's right. 2013 was clearly for Rafa IMO. Novak and Rafa were tied in Slams on hard that season, so their Slam H2H is the immortal tie-breaker for the colective memory of posterity. When tennis fans think of 2013, the Roland-Garros 2013 SF and the US Open 2013 final will be the first thing that will come to their mind.

Grand Slam achievements > achievements outside Grand Slams.

Therefore, while Novak did win Beijing and the ATP finals in dominant fashion (beating Nadal in the finals as well), it was quite impressive, but simply not as relevant as the US Open final due to the aforementioned logic (Grand Slam achievements > achievements outside Grand Slams).

I'm not aaying Slams are all that matters, but they're the most relevant metric. In case two players are tied in Slams achievements, other merrics can be used as tie-breakers. But, they weren't tied in Slams achievements on hard in 2013. Nadal winning the H2H in Slams on hard gives him decissive advantage. When people think of the 2013 comparison on hard between Nadal and Novak, the first and most relevant thing that comes to their mind is the US Open final.

Also, Nadal winning the North American Golden Tour (Cincinnati, Canada and the US Open), a feat very few players have achieved in the history of the game, and beating Novak twice in the process, was pretty epic


Indian Wells too. Simply too much.
 
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