Spencer Gore
Legend
It was pretty clear back in 2011 that Djokovic was going to be the best of the big 3. In all honesty, I thought he would have the slam record by now. He has underperformed, if anything.
Simon Reed at it again: "Djokovic the greatest player I've ever seen"
- Thread starter sonicare
- Start date
junior74
Bionic Poster
Now that Murray and Wawrinka are out, he is no longer underperforming.
InsideOut900
Legend
I distinctively remember Djokovic being considered one of the best returners on tour as early 2008-2009. By late 2011 he was already established as the best in the game and one of the best ever.
vladap
Professional
case closed!
Nadal_Django
Legend
Yeah, 2012-2014 and the two year Pepe period in 2016-2018. 2 Slams in almost 5 years of time. Such a waste time for a player of Djokovic's calibre.
Yup, agree about mid 2012-14. He really should have accomplished more in that timeframe, some completely mystifying losses (2012 USO final, 2014 USO semi), coupled with some agonisingly close ones (2013 RG semi, 2014 AO QF).Yeah, 2012-2014 and the two year Pepe period in 2016-2018. 2 Slams in almost 5 years of time. Such a waste time for a player of Djokovic's calibre.
2016-18 was more down to a combination of physical problems needing surgery, coupled with the rumoured personal/ motivational issues. Wish it hadn't happened, but sometimes these things are unavoidable.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
In 2011, he looked like he had the potential to be the best of the Big 3. He then slid backwards for a few years when he played too passively which cost him multiple Slam finals. It was only after he hired Becker as a coach and got aggressive in the later stages of Slams that he started living up to his potential. I have thought he was the BOAT and the best of the big 3 since 2015-15 except for the two year period in 2016-2018 when his elbow injury led to motivational issues. I also believe that for the prime level of tennis he can display on all surfaces, he has underperformed at Slams except for three shining periods (2011AO-2012AO, 2015AO-2016FO, 2018W-2020AO). If he keeps up his current form, it looks like we are witnessing his fourth shining period.
There are 3 things Djokovic excels at that, in combination, give Federer no end of trouble:
1. Return of serve. He's either 1st or 2nd all time in this category (most tennis pros would give him the nod). And Djokovic is by far the best returner Federer has ever faced in his career.
2. Depth of groundstrokes. Djokovic consistently puts in more depth close to BL than anyone, this makes it harder for his opponents on their own groundstrokes, and to attack the net.
3. Change in ball direction. Nobody does it as often or successfully, especially the BHDL that he puts right in the corner.
Federer has never had a successful response to this 1-2-3 punch of Djokovic.
1. Return of serve. He's either 1st or 2nd all time in this category (most tennis pros would give him the nod). And Djokovic is by far the best returner Federer has ever faced in his career.
2. Depth of groundstrokes. Djokovic consistently puts in more depth close to BL than anyone, this makes it harder for his opponents on their own groundstrokes, and to attack the net.
3. Change in ball direction. Nobody does it as often or successfully, especially the BHDL that he puts right in the corner.
Federer has never had a successful response to this 1-2-3 punch of Djokovic.
maratha_warrior
Hall of Fame
Most tennis professionals think exactly so, of course we value your opinion much above any of them!
Similar threads
