Srdjan Djokovic: "Tennis still needs Rafael Nadal"

[Steve0904]

Think we just disagree on this (which is rare for us!).
Djoko's not lost a match to a player outside top-32 since 2010 across the calendar. That's more than 5 full years of avoiding big upsets. He's been close at the slams a few times, but even 2004-2009 Fed had the odd Tipsarevic and Berdych and Haas match in the slams.

Sure, he grinds more than Fed (who doesn't?), but he's getting better at finishing points as well (also at the net, where he came in on almost as high a % of the points as Fed at this AO). I just don't see why he'd have a closer to Rafa-like decline (other than past history, which is admittedly an argument ;-)).

2012-2014, sure. But you also had Fedalray winning slams in that period. You hardly don't have that going forward (and he owns all of them currently). Zverev ain't gonna challenge for the slams for another couple of years. Who then? Thiem? The lost boys? Kyrgios?
As @tennisaddict says, there's a massive gap between Djoko and the rest and the next best right now are all declining at a faster speed than Djoko. It takes time for the field to catch up to him.

Federer won those matches though. Djokovic has lost twice as favourite against Wawrinka (who I don't think would've won a slam in Federer's era). He lost to Nishikori, and a couple times to Murray (this would be the basic equivalent of Federer losing to Hewitt in his prime). I think he's been a bit more upset prone overall.

And I think he's getting better at finishing points as well, but I just don't think he's good enough to say that he'll keep winning like this at 30-31 years of age just because there's a gap in competition. He gets pushed by too many "random" players IMO. Simon, Kukushkin in DC, along with how close he was to losing at some of the slams last year, etc...)

As I said, I'm not sure who it will be, but I would be very surprised if we were in for 2-3 more years (not including this one) of Djokovic being the best. Sports usually has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.

 

[SpinToWin]

Thruout history, Jesus Christ, Ghandi, and Srdjan...Winston Churchill got booted to 4th place.

Dude, you've gotta add Thiem's fitness coach, having a few beers with him has gotta be hilarious lol

 

[Chanwan]

Federer won those matches though. Djokovic has lost twice as favourite against Wawrinka (who I don't think would've won a slam in Federer's era). He lost to Nishikori, and a couple times to Murray (this would be the basic equivalent of Federer losing to Hewitt in his prime). I think he's been a bit more upset prone overall.

And I think he's getting better at finishing points as well, but I just don't think he's good enough to say that he'll keep winning like this at 30-31 years of age just because there's a gap in competition. He gets pushed by too many "random" players IMO. Simon, Kukushkin in DC, along with how close he was to losing at some of the slams last year, etc...)

As I said, I'm not sure who it will be, but I would be very surprised if we were in for 2-3 more years (not including this one) of Djokovic being the best. Sports usually has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.

let's finish on that note - and good points

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Dude, you've gotta add Thiem's fitness coach, having a few beers with him has gotta be hilarious lol

He's right behind Mirka

 

[SpinToWin]

He's right behind Mirka

Mirka along with Stan.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

"... to leave the tour asap."

please let srdjan finish his sentences.

thank you.

 

[mavsman149]

Srdjan is ridiculous, I wonder how Novak feels about his Dad basically calling him Tennis Jesus. I'd be so embarrassed, also shame on Srdjan, he even admits his 2 other sons got pretty much zero attention.

If Federer is arrogant, I don't even know what word to describe Srdjan.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Now it's more painfully obvious: his son still knows if Fed gets hot he can beat him. Thus the 'what is he still doing on tour." Rafa is now a total pigeon for Novak, thus, "a credit to the game!" LOL!

 

[MLRoy]

That's ONE thing I can agree with his Old Man about. His son's game is so friggen boring to watch, if he stays number one much longer, it'll kill tennis. To his credit, he's starting to lose that BS politically correct mindset when asked his opinion about doping in general, and sugarpova in particular. Sure beats passing around chocolates ("Take one. It's for free." Ugh.).

 

[mandy01]

When you need Srdjan to give you validation, you know you've run past your expiry date.

 

[TheMusicLover]

Srdjan is ridiculous, I wonder how Novak feels about his Dad basically calling him Tennis Jesus. I'd be so embarrassed, also shame on Srdjan, he even admits his 2 other sons got pretty much zero attention.

If Federer is arrogant, I don't even know what word to describe Srdjan.

Bloddy hell, did he really say THAT???
Calls for the one and only fitting solution, once again:

 

[cronus]

srdjan is playing the tony game

2008

Tony : "Tennis still needs Roger Federer"

2016

Srdjan Djokovic: "Tennis still needs Rafael Nadal"