Supertegwyn
Hall of Fame
One of the reasons I've always enjoyed the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry has been the constant momentum changes between the two; they each seem capable and willing to adapt their games for each other, managing to dominate for a streak of time before the other man changes the dynamic in some manner. Their last turning point (in my mind) would have to be the 2013 US Open Final, a disappointing loss for Djokovic but a thoroughly deserved win for Nadal. It's interesting to look at how differently their careers have panned out since this loss, especially considering Nadal's recent struggles:
STATS
Djokovic has won 92% of his matches since the final (137/11), has won 87% of matches against the top 10 (50-7), has won 6 of his last 7 matches with Nadal, has won 3 slams, 2 WTF's, 10 masters and has spent 58 weeks as world number 1. All of this came after a fairly lackluster year (or two) for Djokovic, especially after being clobbered by Nadal in yet another major final.
In contrast to this Nadal's career trajectory has been fairly dismal since the final. Nadal has won 78% of his matches (104/28), has won 50% of his matches against the top ten (15-15), and has only won one match against Djokovic (2014 RG final). Nadal has won 1 slam, 0 WTF's and has only won the 1 masters event (2014 Madrid against Kei). Nadal has spent 27 weeks as world number one since the final, before being surpassed by Djokovic after Wimbledon 2014.
What I want to know is when (or if) Nadal will change the paradigm again; he managed to do it after the AO 2012 loss, and then again in 2013, but I'm beginning to wonder if his body will allow him to change enough to ever compete with Djokovic again.
STATS
Djokovic has won 92% of his matches since the final (137/11), has won 87% of matches against the top 10 (50-7), has won 6 of his last 7 matches with Nadal, has won 3 slams, 2 WTF's, 10 masters and has spent 58 weeks as world number 1. All of this came after a fairly lackluster year (or two) for Djokovic, especially after being clobbered by Nadal in yet another major final.
In contrast to this Nadal's career trajectory has been fairly dismal since the final. Nadal has won 78% of his matches (104/28), has won 50% of his matches against the top ten (15-15), and has only won one match against Djokovic (2014 RG final). Nadal has won 1 slam, 0 WTF's and has only won the 1 masters event (2014 Madrid against Kei). Nadal has spent 27 weeks as world number one since the final, before being surpassed by Djokovic after Wimbledon 2014.
What I want to know is when (or if) Nadal will change the paradigm again; he managed to do it after the AO 2012 loss, and then again in 2013, but I'm beginning to wonder if his body will allow him to change enough to ever compete with Djokovic again.
