Pre-Becker Djokovic vs. Becker Djokovic

Which was better?


  • Total voters
    18
N

nowhereman

Guest
2011-2013 Djokovic vs. 2014-2016 Djokovic. Which version of the Djok was better?
 
2011-2013 Djoker had the benefit of having his peak body,but objectively 2014-2016 Djoker is the better player.
2011 Djoker was a beast,better than any other version,but that had little to do with any influence from a coach,it was simply Novak showcasing his potential.
However,their were certain improvements in 2014 as opposed to 2012 and 2013,it is just that unfortunate events made Djokovic underperform that year.
Lack of training during NA swing,low-confidance at AO,sick in the RG final. When fit and motivated,he won IW-Miami double,played very well on grass+indoors and another exceptional display in the Rome final.
 

KINGROGER

G.O.A.T.
2011-2013. Had to deal with Prime Nadal and post prime Federer

2014-16...Inflation due to weak competition.

FTFY

Fed had to deal with peak Nadal, then peak Djokovic + prime Nadal during his later post prime but still great years.

That said I went with 2011-2013. The real reason he started winning again in 2014 onward was both because Nadal heavily declined, and he avoided his grass daddy Murray at Wimbledon, who was at the time "Mauresmo" Murray so sucked badly and reverted back to being a pigeon.

Basically all Nole had to do was hope he avoided Wawrinka and he would have a shot. He cheated in 2013, got beat in 2014 then edged Wawa fair and square 2015. 2016 was a cakewalk draw at both slams.
 

punterlad

Hall of Fame
Pre Becker without doubt. Under Becker he won more no doubt but he has no real competition with federer and nadal way past their best. Then when he had a challenge from Murray he capitulated which showed no real mental improvement under pressure under Becker . He also kept losing to wawrinka in major finals.

Every player has a weakness. Djokovics is is mental strength when challenged. His win loss ratio in major finals is the worse of nadal and federer and wawrinka and he invariably loses when there is a lot on the line in a match.

TAlent wise he and federer were in a league of their own in 21st century but while federer maximised his (as did nadal) achievement wise , djokovic has not fulfilled his potential of being undisputed GOAT because of his mental fragility in the bigggest moments
 

Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil

Talk Tennis Guru
Becker Djokovic

2014 was his best 1 Slam year, no long title droughts and at some point showed a really high level on all surfaces.
Consistently great in 2015, no post-USO burnout. Awesome level and mostly good timing of peaking in latter stages.
Had a big drop in the 2nd half of 2016 but in the 1st half he was just as good if not even better than in 2015.
 
2011-2013 he had some actual competition. 2014-2016 he had aging Federer who knew he couldn't outlast Djokovic in 5 setters and resorted to gambling more than in the past, Nadal who had become a shadow of his former self, Murray who even though I am a fan is basically a less-good version of Djokovic when both are playing well, and, well, no one else but occasionally hot Wawrinka.

Seriously, the fact that he was able to keep his foot on the accelerator through the weakness of his competition for as long as he did is impressive, and a tribute to Becker. Maybe I should change my answer and say Becker did something great. Becker gave Djoker focus, until he couldn't.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
2014-2016 Djokovic was mature, mentally strong, after his mental strength cracked right after the AO16 and fell apart mid 2016
 
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