Novak fans, do you think there has been a player you have watched that is superior to him ? If yes why ?

[Raining hopes]

Novak is moving near GOAThood status with every slam , but many have always called him the best ever and he might really be.


Do you,as a fan, think he is the best player *you* have seen?

Personally, I think he really might be. The greatest combination of grit , athleticism and controlled offense.

I think he just mastered his strengths and improved his weaknesses to the point he is , as an article rightfully said, a fortress.

The only player I might put over him is Fred. Not because I like him too but because Fred at his best has a lot of attacking options and his game might be more suited across the surfaces.

With him and Novak I am at 50-50. Maybe Novak edges it due to being better mentally.


Note : As the OP , I do not want this to descend into an usual big 3 beauty contest. I request people to respect each other's opinion, simply state their own and not indulge in unnecessary argument,keep that for other zillion threads .

Only Novak Fans, anyone who's not one if he wishes to post , must post about someone who is superior to his favorite.

 

[r2473]

He is the greatest based on the style of play tennis currently demands and rewards.

What I find even more interesting is that in 2 years or fewer, he is almost sure to have the Slam record and weeks at #1 record. And that’s after going on a 2 year “walk about”. Had he not done that, he’d already have both records now

 

[Raining hopes]

Sorry I messed up, should have kept public vote to stop other fans from disrupting the polls. Can't bring it back now.

Disregard the poll entirely.

 

[Red Rick]

 

[tennisaddict]

Big Novak fan.

When he faces Roddick and Kyrgios, I have knots in my stomach.

 

[Raining hopes]

His press conference game was GOAT that's for sure. Great variety ranging from self jokes and blunt retorts.

 

[Raining hopes]

Big Novak fan.

When he faces Roddick and Kyrgios, I have knots in my stomach.

Oh I am sure you cried tears of incomparable joy when he won 16th last Sunday.

 

[NoleFam]

For me, yes, but this is not a new revelation for me because I have somewhat felt this as far back as 2011 and it was confirmed for in 2015 and part of 2016. This is why I never doubted he would come back to where he is now during the 2017 and 1st half of 2018. His game is very hard to penetrate because of the serve, return, strong forehand and backhand, defense, etc., and he is probably the most versatile I have seen in different surface conditions. Then when you add in how clutch he can be in pressure situations, that's why I feel overall he's the best I have seen.

 

[TheAssassin]

For me, he and Federer are the best two I have watched.

 

[tennisaddict]

Oh I am sure you cried tears of incomparable joy when he won 16th last Sunday.

Didn't like the fact that my fav got troubled by a 38 year old pensioner. But let us make hay while sun shines.

 

[OhYes]

Some great observation @Raining hopes I think nobody asked us this question before.
Now when I think of it, I really feel nobody was that better or always beating him when it mattered. Even when Novak was losing, I knew something is going on with him, or that xyz player just was better that day and it rarely will happen again.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

His press conference game was GOAT that's for sure. Great variety ranging from self jokes and blunt retorts.

Talking about being smoked one more time baby. Wooo.

 

[xFedal]

Talking about being smoked one more time baby. Wooo.

R.I.P "SWEET PEA"

 

[Poisoned Slice]

R.I.P "SWEET PEA"

 

[Djokovic2011]

For me, he and Federer are the best two I have watched.

Same here. Very hard to separate them when they were both at their absolute best.

 

[Raining hopes]

Talking about being smoked one more time baby. Wooo.

Poisoned dude ,The Rock says he did not understand that reference. The Rock isn't into boxing and would like to know who's the Jabroni in your avatar ? Is he any good ? He might be as the Rock sees your support for him? Elaborate poisoned dude, The Rock is curious.

 

[imageFAM]

safin and kyrgios (who capitalized when djokovic was at his worst) are the only players who have a +2 h2h record against djokovic. incredible stuff from djokovic!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Poisoned dude ,The Rock says he did not understand that reference. The Rock isn't into boxing and would like to know who's the Jabroni in your avatar ? Is he any good ? He might be as the Rock sees your support for him? Elaborate poisoned dude, The Rock is curious.

The smoked part was my flair for BS. You said blunt and then I thought of Andy being smoked. Silly me. .

The jabroni in my avatar is Pernell ''Sweet Pea'' Whitaker, Raining Dude. One of the greatest boxers of all time and my favourite. Sadly passed away last Monday. I'm certain he would have impressed The Rock, brother.

 

[Raining hopes]

The smoked part was my flair for BS. You said blunt and then I thought of Andy being smoked. Silly me. .

The jabroni in my avatar is Pernell ''Sweet Pea'' Whitaker, Raining Dude. One of the greatest boxers of all time and my favourite. Sadly passed away last Monday. I'm certain he would have impressed The Rock, brother.

Sorry to hear that one of the best sportsman passed away. I wasn't fortunate enough to witness his greatness but Condolences to you and all his fans.

 

[Born_to_slice]

If Novak had a little better feel for net approach it would've been him without a doubt. He still is for me personally, but I may be a little biased.

 

[RS]

u

 

[mahesh69a]

Sampras for serve and volley,
Djokovic for baseline rally.

Look, it almost rhymes.

 

[RS]

Wladimir Kiltschko sent his greetings to Whitaker as well which was nice.

 

[markwillplay]

Fed better all around no doubt. I just look at the ability to play offensively and it separates them. Hell, I thought Fed played better from the back most of the match last week. Novak is a defensive player for the most part and is the best of that type of player. Fed has more weapons. Don’t get me wrong, there is not much daylight between them. I love Novak’s fight and mental strength, I just don’t love watching him play other people who are defensive as well. It is not as much fun to watch. That is why I love watching him play Fed or really any other player that is willing to move forward.

 

[King No1e]

Federer is a slightly better tactician and Nadal is a slightly better fighter. But he is the best shotmaker I've ever seen.

 

[Ann]

"Player that you have watched"

Considering most posters here started watching tennis in 2015.....

 

[King No1e]

"Player that you have watched"

Considering most posters here started watching tennis in 2015.....

How fortunate of them to start watching right when Federer PEAKED!

 

[upchuck]

Primetime Federer is the only reason I'm not totally sold on Djokovic being the BOAT. Nole could very well be the best, but it's definitely between those two for me.

 

[Ann]

How fortunate of them to start watching right when Federer PEAKED!

No dear I said 2015 not 2005. Bless your little heart.

 

[NBP]

Federer is a slightly better tactician and Nadal is a slightly better fighter. But he is the best shotmaker I've ever seen.

Did you just say shotmaker?

 

[King No1e]

No dear I said 2015 not 2005. Bless your little heart.

No, didn't you hear? 2015 Fed is ABSOLUTE PEAK. 2005 Fed was a baby who only won because WEAK ERA MUGS like RODDICK HEWITT SAFIN.

 

[Raining hopes]

No, didn't you hear? 2015 Fed is ABSOLUTE PEAK. 2005 Fed was a baby who only won because WEAK ERA MUGS like RODDICK HEWITT SAFIN.

You are missing some Random stats and twisted numbers.


Might put in a ROFLMAO somewhere for better effect.

 

[King No1e]

You are missing some Random stats and twisted numbers.


Might put in a ROFLMAO somewhere for better effect.

ROFLMAO
See, Sampras played in the strongest of eras against titans like Roddick, Hewitt, and Safin. Fraud meanwhile played in a WEAK ERA with MUGS like Roddick, Hewitt, and Safin ROFLMAO.

 

[Noleberic123]

Yes. Federer is the most offensively talented player ever. But Djokovic has both. His completeness and mental strength is what separates him from Fed.

 

[joekapa]

There has never been another player who has played at a higher peak level.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

No, didn't you hear? 2015 Fed is ABSOLUTE PEAK. 2005 Fed was a baby who only won because WEAK ERA MUGS like RODDICK HEWITT SAFIN.

Federer keeps improving, 2019 Fed would triple bagel his 2015 version. Look at his results and compare stats.

 

[BeatlesFan]

If Novak had a little better feel for net approach it would've been him without a doubt.

Hilarious. He has NO feel for a "net approach" because he hardly ever comes in. How anyone can think a man who cannot volley is the greatest player they've ever watched is a mystery. But it's been shown time and again that the vast majority of Novak fans on this forum have only been watching tennis for 1-3 years. There's no frame of reference, all the past ATG's are unknown entities to them.

 

[Sudacafan]

Sorry I messed up, should have kept public vote to stop other fans from disrupting the polls. Can't bring it back now.

Disregard the poll entirely.

Thanks for the notice.
I have proceeded to disregard this poll absolutely, completely and entirely.

 

[chimneysweep]

I am a Djokovic fan, and I dont like Federer, and at this point Federer is defineitely superior IMO.

Why?

20 to 16.
Superior records at this point everywhere but slow hard courts and clay.
38 year old Federer nearly beating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.

 

[jm1980]

Hilarious. He has NO feel for a "net approach" because he hardly ever comes in. How anyone can think a man who cannot volley is the greatest player they've ever watched is a mystery. But it's been shown time and again that the vast majority of Novak fans on this forum have only been watching tennis for 1-3 years. There's no frame of reference, all the past ATG's are unknown entities to them.

"Hardly ever comes in" according to people who don't watch him play matches unless it's against their favorite.

The actual stats tell a different story. Djokovic played 1545 total points at Wimbledon this year, and came to net 230 times, winning 170 of those points. That's good for a 15% net approach rate, and 74% net points won.
For comparison, Fed came in 256 times on 1572 points, and won 203 of those net points. This is a 16% approach rate with a 79% success rate. 1% higher approach rate than Novak despite having a better serve, giving him a better chance of attacking.

In short, Djokovic comes to net 1% less than Federer, who should be our frame of reference. Wow, what a humongous difference! Unless you mean to tell me Fed also "hardly ever comes in"

 

[upchuck]

Hilarious. He has NO feel for a "net approach" because he hardly ever comes in. How anyone can think a man who cannot volley is the greatest player they've ever watched is a mystery. But it's been shown time and again that the vast majority of Novak fans on this forum have only been watching tennis for 1-3 years. There's no frame of reference, all the past ATG's are unknown entities to them.

This is funny considering Djokovic went into the Wimbledon final having played one more point at net than Federer (192 to 191) and having been about as successful when doing so. Why don't you talk that? How does that fit into your "cannot volley" narrative? Furthermore, there is no need for the GOAT to be a great or even good volleyer. Every player does what they find necessary to make a living. But of course you know this. The fanatic in you has to find ways to boost Fed so here we are.

 

[King No1e]

Hilarious. He has NO feel for a "net approach" because he hardly ever comes in. How anyone can think a man who cannot volley is the greatest player they've ever watched is a mystery. But it's been shown time and again that the vast majority of Novak fans on this forum have only been watching tennis for 1-3 years. There's no frame of reference, all the past ATG's are unknown entities to them.

This may have been true in 2009, but post-Becker Djokovic is a much better net player than before. If you watch his matches from 2014-15, he was much more eager to get to the net (just like Federer at the time) and had much more control on the volleys. That, combined with a much improved serve, led to his incredible NCYGS run and his domination over Nadal, who was slower to adapt.

That said, his overhead is beyond saving.

 

[True Fanerer]

Fedr.

 

[King No1e]

Fedr.

Nadl.

 

[True Fanerer]

Nadl.

Next April.

 

[Deleted member 765702]

I am a Federer fan and I think that Djokovic, while slightly inferior, is the closest to him.

 

[jm1980]

This is funny considering Djokovic went into the Wimbledon final having played one more point at net than Federer (192 to 191) and having been about as successful when doing so. Why don't you talk that? How does that fit into your "cannot volley" narrative? Furthermore, there is no need for the GOAT to be a great or even good volleyer. Every player does what they find necessary to make a living. But of course you know this. The fanatic in you has to find ways to boost Fed so here we are.

Coming into the final, he played more net points than Fed despite playing fewer total points

The final actually dropped his average, since he came once every 11 points compared to once every 6 points in previous matches

If you only ever watch Djokovic when he plays Federer, you don't get the whole picture because he has a different approach to this matchup

 

[Born_to_slice]

Hilarious. He has NO feel for a "net approach" because he hardly ever comes in. How anyone can think a man who cannot volley is the greatest player they've ever watched is a mystery. But it's been shown time and again that the vast majority of Novak fans on this forum have only been watching tennis for 1-3 years. There's no frame of reference, all the past ATG's are unknown entities to them.

Bla, bla, bla.. I played and watched tennis my whole life. 90% of volleys are easy shots on timely net approach. You're probably kind of guy/gal who thinks drilled to oblivion 1-2 punch is "magic".

Novak comes is on the net, but he should do it more because he lets points reset too many times when he could finish them with easy routine volley. 38 times in the W final, 53 times in the SF etc. Quite enough for someone who "hardly ever comes in". His % are good most of the time too. There's much room for improvement tho and that is good because he's working on it.

 

[Lew II]

13-0 active streak in Slams against Big4.

BOAT

 

[NatF]

Depends on the surface. Taking into account everything it's between him and Fed for the modern era for me. Second tier would be Nadal/Sampras/Lendl/Borg etc...