Novak’s third dominant run

[GabeT]

Nole is in the middle of his third dominant run. By dominant run I am focusing on results at the 14 Tier 1 tournaments, or the Big Titles as the ATP calls them.

The first run began with AO11. It lasted about 8 months, ending in Cincy 11(edit: meant to say USO11). During that time period Nole won 3 slams and reached another master’s final. If we look at the 12 months from the moment the run begins the results remain the same since Nole didn’t win anything of note, or even reach a final, after USO.

The second run starts in Paris14 and extends to FO16, the most dominant 18 month run in Open Era. In that period Nole reached 6 consecutive slam finals and won 5, won two WTCs, and reached 13 masters finals, winning 10 of them. Within those 18 months Nole had a streak of reaching 18 consecutive Big Tiltle finals. This level of consistency is one thing that sets the second run apart from the first. In 2011 Nole showed he could win consecutive big tournaments. In 2014/16 he showed he could expand that like probably no other player before.

Then in Wimbledon 2018 begins the third run. Took me a while to even think he could have another such run in him. After he won Wimbledon I wasn’t sure he would win another slam. Yet including Wimbledon Nole has now played 8 Big titles, reached the finals in 7, and won 5 of them. How does this third run compare with prior ones?

The results of the third run are not that far away from 2011. Right now Nole holds 3 slams and two masters plus one masters final and WTC finals. In 2011 he finished with 3 slams and 5 masters and one masters final, So three more masters form the next 5 would more or less equal what he accomplished in 2011. Winning more masters or the FO would place him higher than in 2011.

The 2014/16 will be almost impossible to repeat. Nole would neeed to keep reaching Tier 1 finals and winning them until the end of the year. Not going to happen.

But who would have thought Nole could have another such run in him?

 

[Federev]

The 2014/16 will be almost impossible to repeat. Nole would neeed to keep reaching Tier 1 finals and winning them until the end of the year. Not going to happen.

What?

Who is there that is any good who could really stop him? Especially off clay?

Or is that an anti-jix jinx?

 

[Deon Sanders]

He could be learning that his wife has yet another boyfriend out there at any moment and its right back down the drain

Hard to predict at this time

 

[GabeT]

What?

Who is there that is any good who could really stop him? Especially off clay?

Or is that an anti-jix jinx?

You think he’s going to reach another 10 consecutive tier 1 finals and win most of them? I don’t think that’s possible. Nor do I think his body can take that.

 

[Federev]

You think he’s going to reach another 10 consecutive tier 1 finals and win most of them? I don’t think that’s possible. Nor do I think his body can take that.

It will be hard.

But seriously - look at my main question: who is going to stop him?

It's not a question of "can he do it?" alone. It's also a question of - "who can keep that from him?"

And on his body: Novak is probably the best conditioned player ever.

He doesn't have Fed's beautiful fluidity, but he has way way more elasticity, no bad back, and doesn't change direction to the net as much because his baseline play is so freaking good he doesn't have to

...and he is 6 years younger.

What is in his way?

I see nothing.

 

[GabeT]

It will be hard.

But seriously - look at my main question: who is going to stop him?

It's not a question of "can he do it?" alone. It's also a question of - "who can keep that from him?"

And on his body: Novak is probably the best conditioned player ever.

He doesn't have Fed's beautiful fluidity, but he has way way more elasticity, no bad back, and doesn't change direction to the net as much because his baseline play is so freaking good he doesn't have to

...and he is 6 years younger.

What is in his way?

I see nothing.

I think he can win more. But I also think he will lose several tournaments (hopefully not all slams) to random players. He’s not going to be at the top of his game all the time.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

It will be hard.

But seriously - look at my main question: who is going to stop him?

It's not a question of "can he do it?" alone. It's also a question of - "who can keep that from him?"

And on his body: Novak is probably the best conditioned player ever.

He doesn't have Fed's beautiful fluidity, but he has way way more elasticity, no bad back, and doesn't change direction to the net as much because his baseline play is so freaking good he doesn't have to

...and he is 6 years younger.

What is in his way?

I see nothing.

Age is in his way, he is simply going to be more prone to having a stinker. We saw that in London. As good as ever in four matches, people already organized Zverev's funeral, and then a loss happened. Which player is going to capitalize on those occasional lapses or just redline himself is tougher to predict, as the only standout youngster there is right now hasn't done well at Slams yet.

 

[Federev]

Age is in his way, he is simply going to be more prone to having a stinker. We saw that in London. As good as ever in four matches, people already organized Zverev's funeral, and then a loss happened. Which player is going to capitalize on those occasional lapses or just redline himself is tougher to predict, as the only standout youngster there is right now hasn't done well at Slams yet.

I don't know man.

Look how good Fed was when he was older than Novak in '14-16 (Jan) and then 17. Pretty much only Novak stopped him off clay.

Nole has no one like himself or Nadal below him to get in his way like Fed.

Novak is way younger. He is way more flexible. Djo's only had one major injury and surgery and form fixed it.

I honestly don't think his body is going to be a problem.

I could see him having an even longer run at the top as Fed - certainly as long with his conditioning.

His game is not violent like Nadal. It's easier on his body in some ways than even Feds.

We'll see, but this could be the beginning of something we've never seen in tennis in terms of domination.

 

[duaneeo]

But who would have thought Nole could have another such run in him?

Who would have thought Fedal would win all 4 slam titles and end the year top-2 in 2017, as they first did 11 years earlier? Who would have thought Fedalovic would win all 4 slams and end the year top-3 in 2018, as they first did 10 years earlier?

I think the NextGens will take the ATP out of the time warp that was caused by the LostGens.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

I don't know man.

Look how good Fed was when he was older than Novak in '14-16 (Jan) and then 17. Pretty much only Novak stopped him off clay.

Nole has no one like himself or Nadal below him to get in his way like Fed.

Novak is way younger. He is way more flexible. Djo's only had one major injury and surgery and form fixed it.

I honestly don't think his body is going to be a problem.

I could see him having an even longer run at the top as Fed - certainly as long with his conditioning.

His game is not violent like Nadal. It's easier on his body in some ways than even Feds.

We'll see, but this could be the beginning of something we've never seen in tennis in terms of domination.

I do think he is in a good position to win some more titles in the future but I don't think he will be a 2011/2015-like dominator. There is always a chance someone else steps up as well.

How do you see the rest of his 2019 panning out?

 

[uscwang]

A run like his 2015-2016 is too much for one's body, mind, and emotion. I hope Novak takes it easy this time and focus sharply on GS titles and maybe WTF, where he has some unfinished business. ATP 1000 should be warm up event for him. He has won everything there is to win and is likely to get to #1 in ATP 1000 titles without trying too hard. .

 

[Federev]

I do think he is in a good position to win some more titles in the future but I don't think he will be a 2011/2015-like dominator. There is always a chance someone else steps up as well.

How do you see the rest of his 2019 panning out?

Like most people I bet...

I wish I could see Fed resurging, but I think he's been doing all he can and it is what it is. Who could complain though?
I see top 10 finish for him for sure, but best guess is no more slam finals. I do think he'll steal title 100 at Stutt or Halle.

I think Nadal will crush clay again and be fueled to stand up to Novak at RG. I think he might just pull out #12 at RG over Novak but it will be the battle we were hoping AO'19 would be. No other slams or HC titles unless Novak and maybe even Fed are out of his way.

I see Novak at the top all year. Vadja is here. He is in sustainable mode. Everything is clicking. Tremendous conditioning. He's more composed and mature. over the bump in his private life. Family man. No shirt ripping - which as much as it might please some of his fans shows an intensity that I don't think is as sustainable as the Zen-ovic we saw in the AO final. No one in his way really with the only exception being Claydal. A few very hard fought straight set wins over Fed that will be nice to watch but confirming of his dominance at this point in their respective careers.

I do think the CYGS is a strong possibility for him.

I see no serious challengers in the Slams.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

If Djokovic says he and his team have projected CYGS as their goal for this season, then mark my words, they'll achieve it! If there's anyone, who doesn't throw **** into the fan just to sound ambitious and important its Djokovic! Here are some of the goals that he projected before in the past and met them in the end of the day: Promised to return back in form in 2018 - fulfilled! Promised to achieve Career Grand Slam - fullfilled! Promised to win Cinci - fulfilled! Promised to get the number one ranking back - fulfilled (multiple times!)...there is only one occasion, where he failed to deliver the promise! Its the one, when he fell apart post RG back in 2016 as Olympic Singles gold was one of his main goals of the season! But even then, we all know well what was the main reason for that slump aren't we? So as you can see if Djokovic projects his goals in 9 out of 10 cases he reaches them! So its not wise betting against him collecting that CYGS this season! I Wouldn't do it if i were you!

With that said, not saying he will rack up those ATP 1000's like he used to before back in 2015 and earlier, but he is more capable now than ever to win all four this season! Don't be surprised if as 2019 season wraps up we will be looking at another potential double digit title season from him...or at very least 8-9 title season!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Gary Duane]

You think he’s going to reach another 10 consecutive tier 1 finals and win most of them? I don’t think that’s possible. Nor do I think his body can take that.

But he can still maintain his edge in slams and still cut down his schedule otherwise...

 

[Tony48]

Very interesting that when Djokovic gets in a run, he wins almost everything in sight. If I'm not mistaken, he'd be the first player to win 3 straight slams 3 different times.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

Very interesting that when Djokovic gets in a run, he wins almost everything in sight. If I'm not mistaken, he'd be the first player to win 3 straight slams 3 different times.

That would be correct! Three different runs/streaks of at least three consecutive grand slams, one resulting into NCYGS in proccess! (2011 WC - 2012 AO, followed by 2015 WC - 2016 RG and now active streak hopefully extending into another NCYGS and even further starting from 2018 WC and still lasting past this year's AO!)...

 

[MichaelNadal]

Very interesting that when Djokovic gets in a run, he wins almost everything in sight. If I'm not mistaken, he'd be the first player to win 3 straight slams 3 different times.

Bc he always peaks when the tour is MIA. I gotta give 2011 to him, but 2015-16 was a mess, and now is a mess.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

Bc he always peaks when the tour is MIA. I gotta give 2011 to him, but 2015-16 was a mess, and now is a mess.

Why are people automatically assuming, just because Djokovic won 5 titles out of 6 between 2015's AO and 2016's RG due to weaker competition it means that Djokovic wouldn't do the same with stronger competition? LMAO He might have lost more sets, baggeled less etc...but can't you just accept for a change, that the overall results might have been the same in the end of the day?! Not saying its a certainty, but damn...some people just love to project stuff with nothing to back it up...

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

The first run began with AO11. It lasted about 8 months, ending in Cincy 11. During that time period Nole won 3 slams and reached another master’s final. If we look at the 12 months from the moment the run begins the results remain the same since Nole didn’t win anything of note, or even reach a final, after Cincy.

Yes...
Nothing noteworthy
US open is just a random challenger tournament...

 

[MichaelNadal]

Why are people automatically assuming, just because Djokovic won 5 titles out of 6 between 2015's AO and 2016's RG due to weaker competition it means that Djokovic wouldn't do the same with stronger competition? LMAO He might have lost more sets, baggeled less etc...but can't you just accept for a change, that the overall results might have been the same in the end of the day?! Not saying its a certainty, but damn...some people just love to project stuff with nothing to back it up...

2015-16 was ridiculously weak though, im not saying he couldn't have still won, I respect him too much for that.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

2015-16 was ridiculously weak though, im not saying he couldn't have still won, I respect him too much for that.

Really though? Is beating Federer in two consecutive finals and Murray in other three are THAT weak?! I mean alright they weren't both at top of their game (especially Murray!), while facing him but c'mmon...LOL Comparing Djokovic's 2015-2016 run and Federer's 2006-2007 its a big question, whose competition was even tougher...i mean like defeating Baghdatis, Gonsalez, his all-time favorite pigeon Roddick and not yet fully developed Nadal and Djokovic as an all-court players, while dealing with other mugs like Blake along the way doesn't really compare to facing Federer (who back in 2015 was losing only to Djokovic and was second best player of the season!) and Murray (who was tough to beat on clay in 2016 despite the popular belief!)...

 

[Tony48]

Bc he always peaks when the tour is MIA. I gotta give 2011 to him, but 2015-16 was a mess, and now is a mess.

Wow, Djokovic must be incredibly perceptive...and superhuman...to be able to not only know when the tour is MIA, but to also play to the peak of his capabilities when it happens. Why is he the only person able to do that?

This is really getting old.

 

[Lew II]

2015-16 was ridiculously weak though, im not saying he couldn't have still won, I respect him too much for that.

2015 was so weak that top players set all the records of ATP points.

 

[Lew II]

Bc he always peaks when the tour is MIA. I gotta give 2011 to him, but 2015-16 was a mess, and now is a mess.

The tour is so MIA when he peaks, that in his slam titles streaks he met the no.1 ranked opponent 9 times out of 10, and the no.3 in the other one.

 

[GabeT]

Yes...
Nothing noteworthy
US open is just a random challenger tournament...

Oops,meant after the USO!

 

[MichaelNadal]

The tour is so MIA when he peaks, that in his slam titles streaks he met the no.1 ranked opponent 9 times out of 10, and the no.3 in the other one.

LOL are you the leader of the Mummekian army? So cute! Im gonna start calling you benny

 

[smoledman]

Sigh. Here we go again. Djoker will burn out again if he doesn't manage his schedule.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

Sigh. Here we go again. Djoker will burn out again if he doesn't manage his schedule.

skipping Monte-Carlo, not playing any of ATP 250/500 level tournaments in between is what called "managing one's schedule" and he is stil 31, not 37 like Federer anyway so...LOL

 

[Nadal_Django]

I'll be surprised if he goes all guns blazing at the sunshine double. Maybe in one tournament like IW with the Miami tanking or withdrawing before the tournament.

 

[RF-18]

Djokovic will win every slam until end of 2020. Two CYGS. He is unstoppable.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Djokovic will win every slam until end of 2020. Two CYGS. He is unstoppable.

It should say bored instead of triggered

 

[Red Rick]

2015-16 was ridiculously weak though, im not saying he couldn't have still won, I respect him too much for that.

But now it's even weaker, except for Nadal playing clay well presumably

 

[MichaelNadal]

But now it's even weaker, except for Nadal playing clay well presumably

Nah, the next-gen is actually starting to wake up, that wasn't the case then. See the WTF as an example.

 

[Red Rick]

Nah, the next-gen is actually starting to wake up, that wasn't the case then. See the WTF as an example.

The RR match between Djokovic and Zverev makes me think they can only wake up when the Big Bois go to slumber

Especially if we consider Grand Slam where Zverev has been nothing short of hilarious, the field is far weaker than in 2015/2016.