Novak Djokovic and the battle for the unprecedented 7th year ending number one title

[Hitman]

While Grand Slam season maybe over, the season as a whole isn't. And one really big milestone is within reach for the reigning defending undisputed heavyweight champion of the world....the defense of his heavyweight crown as ATP's top dog for the season. This to me will be his one and only chance to surpass the legendary Pete Sampras, with whom he is tied with at 6 titles. He wins this, he stands alone, as not only the longest reigning world number one but the one with the most year ending number ones....he will also break his own record of being the oldest year ending number one.

He has the lead over Medevdev, the number one contender to his title, as it stands, but Novak will have to play at least a few events to fully lock this in. The question is, how much does he go in, to get the job done and secure this lead. I think he makes a go of it, he knows this is his one chance to make history and surpass his idol at the top.

If he can end this year, with joint most slams, joint most masters, most weeks at number one and most year ending number ones....it will be a season to remember in tennis history. Can Medvedev stop him?

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

I would take the rest of the year off if I was Nole. He was looking pretty run down and ragged at Flushing

 

[MichaelNadal]

All those tired adjectives lol, as weary as the man himself

 

[Hitman]

I would take the rest of the year off if I was Nole. He was looking pretty run down and ragged at Flushing

He doesn't need to win titles, he just needs enough to keep the points lead. You really think when he has the lead, and is on the cusp of a massive milestone that he will sit it out? This will be his best chance to do it and break free, and it also ensures that his main rivals don't match him next year if they get the chance.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

He doesn't need to win titles, he just needs enough to keep the points lead. You really think when he has the lead, and is on the cusp of a massive milestone that he will sit it out? This will be his best chance to do it and break free, and it also ensures that his main rivals don't match him next year if they get the chance.

Hes already open era GOAT. All he needs is maybe 1-2 more slams. Just to cement it. Whats a year #1 one title gonna do anyways for him?

 

[Hitman]

Hes already open era GOAT. All he needs is maybe 1-2 more slams. Just to cement it

You think he will let that massive milestone slide when he is in pole position to get it?

 

[Third Serve]

All those tired adjectives lol, as weary as the man himself

I do agree in principle, but you're certainly not an authority on the topic of tired adjectives lol

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

You think he will let that massive milestone slide when he is in pole position to get it?

He got the double career slam and weeks at # and tied up Fedal. Thats all he needed to do. I would be more concerned if I was Nole if Fed still had some gas left in him to make a run. but he doesn't

 

[pj80]

maybe he wants to stay tied with Pete at 6...out of respect for his idol.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I do agree in principle, but you're certainly not an authority on the topic of tired adjectives lol

Oh I always refresh and its coming sooner than you think

 

[NoleFam]

There is still more for Djokovic to do in 2021 even if he failed to take the CYGS. That 7th YE #1 would be big for his legacy and to separate himself more from his rivals.

 

[Bubcay]

Well, all he has to do is go a bit into the draw at Paris masters (did not play last year) and Vienna (perhaps IW too) and he is locked in.

 

[Hitman]

He got the double career slam and weeks at # and tied up Fedal. Thats all he needed to do. I would be more concerned if I was Nole if Fed still had some gas left in him to make a run. but he doesn't

Yes he does, but does he relenquish his grip on that title that he is in a dominating position to retain for a record breaking 7th year, just because he has all those other achievements in bag. Doesn't this just enchance his legacy even more to surpass the king of year ending number ones himself? The guy is motivated by the records, and slam season is now over, turning it in for the season this early means he will be undercooked by AO.

 

[reaper]

Djokovic was out on his feet yesterday, but Indian Wells starts in 4 weeks. 3 weeks of rest then a week of training and he should be good to go.

 

[Hitman]

There is still more for Djokovic to do in 2021 even if he failed to take the CYGS. That 7th YE #1 would be big for his legacy and to separate himself more from his rivals.

Exactly, plenty left afte the slam season is over and the defense of his heavyweight championship has to be priority number one on his list now.

Well, all he has to do is go a bit into the draw at Paris masters (did not play last year) and Vienna (perhaps IW too) and he is locked in.

If that's all he has left to do to seal the deal, then I don't see why he wouldn't want to give it a go. He doesn't even need to win any one them, just get a couple of wins at each one and pick up the heavyweight crown for record 7th time.

 

[skip1969]

Hes already open era GOAT. All he needs is maybe 1-2 more slams. Just to cement it. Whats a year #1 one title gonna do anyways for him?

Why wouldn't he want to be No. for the year again? Most champions want recognition. To suggest that the year end ranking isn't a big deal, or a big deal for him, is shaky, at best.

I don't know what his priorities are, I don't know the guy. He went to Tokyo when lots of other players don't think the Olympics is that big a deal. So his priorities are his own. But after failing to win the GS, I'm guessing he wants to be the No. 1 for 2021.

 

[NoleFam]

Exactly, plenty left afte the slam season is over and the defense of his heavyweight championship has to be priority number one on his list now.



If that's all he has left to do to seal the deal, then I don't see why he wouldn't want to give it a go. He doesn't even need to win any one them, just get a couple of wins at each one and pick up the heavyweight crown for record 7th time.

Yea I know right now, he doesn't even want to think about picking up a racket but he needs a few weeks to rest and reset himself, think about the big picture, and get back to it. He can't let this YE #1 slip through his fingers. It doesn't have to be a spectacular fall season and only a good one, and he should seal it.

 

[Bubcay]

Exactly, plenty left afte the slam season is over and the defense of his heavyweight championship has to be priority number one on his list now.



If that's all he has left to do to seal the deal, then I don't see why he wouldn't want to give it a go. He doesn't even need to win any one them, just get a couple of wins at each one and pick up the heavyweight crown for record 7th time.

Yes. And he will do it. No way he lets this go without a fight. YE#1 is his to lose, and it is not happening. Especially as he has a solid lead and does not have to break his back to achieve it.

 

[Hitman]

I am certain the heavyweight champion is eyeing IW to potentially seal the deal there possibly. Doesn't need to go all the way, and best of three will mean he will be fresher also, plus there are days off between matches there. After that, if he needs it, Vienna would be an ideal stop to pick up points to get this locked in IMO.

He's too close to not give this a try now.

 

[James P]

He should have it in the bag. Would probably need to shut down for the season while Danny stayed red hot for him to remotely have a shot of losing it.

 

[Bubcay]

I am certain the heavyweight champion is eyeing IW to potentially seal the deal there possibly. Doesn't need to go all the way, and best of three will mean he will be fresher also, plus there are days off between matches there. After that, if he needs it, Vienna would be an ideal stop to pick up points to get this locked in IMO.

He's too close to not give this a try now.

Well, as I mentioned in a few other posts, he is definitely listed as playing IW, so there is that.

 

[Tarkovsky]

Djokovic would be a fool if he loses this YE#1 now he's got it in his pocket, so next year he doesn't have to worry about it and can solely concentrate on Slams and some Masters

 

[Hitman]

Yea I know right now, he doesn't even want to think about picking up a racket but he needs a few weeks to rest and reset himself, think about the big picture, and get back to it. He can't let this YE #1 slip through his fingers. It doesn't have to be a spectacular fall season and only a good one, and he should seal it.

Yes. And he will do it. No way he lets this go without a fight. YE#1 is his to lose, and it is not happening. Especially as he has a solid lead and does not have to break his back to achieve it.

Exactly, he can't just sit idly by and let this one slip and not do anything about it. It's too big a record to have....The Most Year Ending Number Ones.....someone will need to get 8 then to topple him sometime in the future should it happen. And he doesn't need to run the table here like he did in the past, a couple of good runs and he takes it home.

 

[tudwell]

If Medvedev can replicate last year's finish and sweep Paris and the ATP finals (tough, but possible), he'd be about 500 points ahead of where Novak is now. Plus anything he might pick up in Indian Wells (a semi for 360 points?).

If something like that pans out, then Novak would definitely need to do something beyond just winning a couple matches. But that's also probably the best-case scenario for Medvedev. Advantage is definitely in Novak's corner here, but if he's physically or mentally spent from the slam chase, then Med has a clear opening.

 

[Kralingen]

I think the competing narrative we have to consider is Medvedev being the main challenger. A newly minted Slam champion who played every HC event post Wimby he himself might be a little rundown mentally, or at least lacking the same motivation he had last fall when he smoked the tour there.

I can’t see him peaking to win IW, Paris, and the YEC for example. If he lets up even a little bit Djokovic should have it in the bag.

most epic outcome: Djokovic sort of struggles through IW/Paris and skips the 500s so that the YE #1 comes down to a final at the WTF in Turin. Popcorn for that one

 

[Backspin1183]

Skip IW and play Paris Masters and Turin. That should be enough to end the year at #1.

 

[NoleFam]

Exactly, he can't just sit idly by and let this one slip and not do anything about it. It's too big a record to have....The Most Year Ending Number Ones.....someone will need to get 8 then to topple him sometime in the future should it happen. And he doesn't need to run the table here like he did in the past, a couple of good runs and he takes it home.

If he was able to get to 7, I don't think anybody reaches it for a really long time. That's why it would be big if he could go ahead and seal it.

 

[Hitman]

Djokovic would be a fool if he loses this YE#1 now he's got it in his pocket, so next year he doesn't have to worry about it and can solely concentrate on Slams and some Masters

Exactly. Get this massive record done and dusted, then next year prioritize even further for longevity.

He'll remain the heavyweight champion of the world then no matter as he has both most weeks and most year ending number ones....that is the deadly combo.

 

[Bubcay]

I think the competing narrative we have to consider is Medvedev being the main challenger. A newly minted Slam champion who played every HC event post Wimby he himself might be a little rundown mentally, or at least lacking the same motivation he had last fall when he smoked the tour there.

I can’t see him peaking to win IW, Paris, and the YEC for example. If he lets up even a little bit Djokovic should have it in the bag.

most epic outcome: Djokovic sort of struggles through IW/Paris and skips the 500s so that the YE #1 comes down to a final at the WTF in Turin. Popcorn for that one

Well, if that scenario happens, Djokovic better brings his A-game. I was surprised how the pressure got to him at US Open. He was not even close to playing well. Not to take away anything from Daniil, he was miles better, but Djokovic was so wooden and completely not himself.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Why wouldn't he want to be No. for the year again? Most champions want recognition. To suggest that the year end ranking isn't a big deal, or a big deal for him, is shaky, at best.

I don't know what his priorities are, I don't know the guy. He went to Tokyo when lots of other players don't think the Olympics is that big a deal. So his priorities are his own. But after failing to win the GS, I'm guessing he wants to be the No. 1 for 2021.

Well when you're already GOAT you can't really become "GOATier" than everyone else. Theres no one left for the guy to surpass. LOL. Just needs one more slam to cement it but you can't start that until January. Hes already overtook Fed and Nadal and Sampras. I mean where do you go from there?. If he doesn't get 7 year #1 titles its not like Fed (That can't even finish matches now) automatically surpasses him or something if he failed to secure the year end #1. Nadal hardly has much time at #1

 

[Hitman]

If he was able to get to 7, I don't think anybody reaches it for a really long time. That's why it would be big if he could go ahead and seal it.

Yep. He basically slams the door shut on everything related to the number one ranking....as there are essentially two big records here, most weeks and most year ending number ones. Someone getting 8 year ending number ones will take a really long time for sure....it would have to be the next GOAT player who even has a shot at it, in tennis 8 years a massively long time to stay on top of the pile.

 

[Hitman]

Well when you're already GOAT you can't really become "GOATier". Theres no one left for the guy to surpass. LOL. Just needs one more slam to cement it but you can't start that until January.

Pete knew the year ending number ones were massive, he was hell bent to take it over from Connors, and he did it in a row. While I don't see that ever being broken, this actual record of most year ending number ones can be if Novak holds steady. This is a big one.

 

[NoleFam]

Yep. He basically slams the door shut on everything related to the number one ranking....as there are essentially two big records here, most weeks and most year ending number ones. Someone getting 8 year ending number ones will take a really long time for sure....it would have to be the next GOAT player who even has a shot at it, in tennis 8 years a massively long time to stay on top of the pile.

Yea it would be his record for a long time I feel and he adds those weeks in November-January when the tour is on break. That would put him to around 360+ weeks no matter happens at AO 2022.

 

[Hitman]

Skip IW and play Paris Masters and Turin. That should be enough to end the year at #1.

No Vienna?

 

[tudwell]

Let's be real, though: If Novak pulls the plug on his season now and Medvedev sneaks in to grab the number one ranking, no one would actually consider Daniil the best player of the season. Yeah, Medvedev would "officially" be number one, but no one would be under any illusions that he actually had the most impressive season. Plus Novak would win another ITF Player of the Year award like in 2013.

 

[Bubcay]

Yep. He basically slams the door shut on everything related to the number one ranking....as there are essentially two big records here, most weeks and most year ending number ones. Someone getting 8 year ending number ones will take a really long time for sure....it would have to be the next GOAT player who even has a shot at it, in tennis 8 years a massively long time to stay on top of the pile.

I certainly do not see any of the current players achieving this (other than Djokovic of course). Not even close.

 

[Tennisgods]

I’d love Medvedev to run him down, but he won’t. Djokovic has it.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Let's be real, though: If Novak pulls the plug on his season now and Medvedev sneaks in to grab the number one ranking, no one would actually consider Daniil the best player of the season. Yeah, Medvedev would "officially" be number one, but no one would be under any illusions that he actually had the most impressive season. Plus Novak would win another ITF Player of the Year award like in 2013.

Unless someone thinks Med will somehow become GOAT I dont see what the big deal is. Let Med take over #1. Nole just needs one more slam to end all discussion.. No one is gonna look back and go "Oh man Djoker didn't secure Seven Year end #1s, he can't be GOAT"

At the end of the day, people are only concerned with the Slam count and maybe masters titles. Which Djokovic pretty much has all secured. Then the Weeks at #1. Then the double. The major ones, he has

 

[Hitman]

Yea it would be his record for a long time I feel and he adds those weeks in November-January when the tour is on break. That would put him to around 360+ weeks no matter happens at AO 2022.

That is true....I didn't even think about all those weeks he gets during the off season. 360 plus weeks really puts him out there, that is almost close to a year more than his closest rival, Federer who has 310.

 

[Bubcay]

Let's be real, though: If Novak pulls the plug on his season now and Medvedev sneaks in to grab the number one ranking, no one would actually consider Daniil the best player of the season. Yeah, Medvedev would "officially" be number one, but no one would be under any illusions that he actually had the most impressive season. Plus Novak would win another ITF Player of the Year award like in 2013.

Well, all of us alive today would know that, but this is the one for the history books.

 

[tudwell]

Unless someone thinks Med will somehow become GOAT I dont see what the big deal is. Let Med take over #1. Nole just needs one more slam to end all discussion.. No one is gonna look back and go "Oh man Djoker didn't secure Seven Year end #1s, he can't be GOAT"

I wouldn't say that. If Novak really wants the GOAT title, then he's not really competing just against his contemporaries but against future greats as well. The more he can put certain records out of reach, the harder it'll be for anyone to match or overtake him in the future.

 

[Tshooter]

Eggvax won 3 Majors and made the final of the 4th = #1.

 

[skip1969]

Well when you're already GOAT you can't really become "GOATier" than everyone else. Theres no one left for the guy to surpass. LOL. Just needs one more slam to cement it but you can't start that until January. Hes already overtook Fed and Nadal and Sampras. I mean where do you go from there?

The assumption there is that Djokovic is competing against Fedal. Maybe he's in competition with himself, and trying to be the best that he can be and acquire the titles and prizes he most desires? He's got the most weeks at No. 1 and he's had that record for ages now. Should he take half a year off and not care about being No.1 anymore because he's already proven he's the best? Again, I don't know what drives him. But I would want to stay No. 1 until someone pushed me off. Either that, or retire as No.1 on my terms, as the best in the world.

 

[Hitman]

I certainly do not see any of the current players achieving this (other than Djokovic of course). Not even close.

I don't feel Djokovic will focus on it from next year, if he gets this one. He doesn't need to at that point, let the chips fall where they will next year, as long as he can maintain a high enough ranking to get good seeding for slams, I think he will become more content. Can't see anyone getting 8 for a very long time....that's crazy

 

[tudwell]

Well, all of us alive today would know that, but this is the one for the history books.

Yeah, but there are plenty of tennis historians (and "historians") who look back at, say, the 70s and can see that Connors wasn't actually the best player in the world for five consecutive seasons. Almost everyone gives 1978 to Borg, for example. This would be one of those cases. Sure, most pop sports media would cite the ATP, but the truly knowledgeable tennis historians and analysts aren't just going to lazily cite ATP records with no context or clarification.

 

[Hitman]

Eggvax won 3 Majors and made the final of the 4th. If he’s not year end #1 on the computer then it rewards no one cares about the post-USO calendar, time for lower ranked players to make some cash. Nick shuts it down time, Timmy-style vulturing.

The only twist this yesr is IW. But come on, 3 majors and a final makes you #1.

It should, but it hasn't yet, has it?

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

I wouldn't say that. If Novak really wants the GOAT title, then he's not really competing just against his contemporaries but against future greats as well. The more he can put certain records out of reach, the harder it'll be for anyone to match or overtake him in the future.

I doubt we are going to see the things the Big 3 accomplished again in our lifetime. These kids don't have the drive to be that consistent. MAYBE. But it probably won't happen

 

[Tshooter]

The assumption there is that Djokovic is competing against Fedal. Maybe he's in competition with himself,…

And put Zed into the mix.

 

[Hitman]

I wouldn't say that. If Novak really wants the GOAT title, then he's not really competing just against his contemporaries but against future greats as well. The more he can put certain records out of reach, the harder it'll be for anyone to match or overtake him in the future.

Yes. You don't want things to come back and bite you because you did not take care of them when you had the chance.

 

[tudwell]

Yes. You don't want things to come back and bite you because you did not take care of them when you had the chance.

As a Federer fan, I know very well what you mean.