Third best season ever for Djokovic?

[Fedeonic]

Ok, we can debate forever if Djokovic 2011 or Djokovic 2015 was the his best season, but what about his third? To put things in perspective, I only chose his Slam winning seasons, here are the season records:

2008: Aus Open W, 2 GS SF, 2 M1000s W, 1 M1000 F, YEC, Olympics bronze. 64-17 W/L and YE#3 (Bonus: Great somophore year, almost snatched N°2 to Fedal).
2012: Aus Open W, 2 GS F, 1 GS SF, 3 M1000s W, 3 M1000s F, YEC undefeated. 75/12 W/L and YE#1 (Bonus: All Big 4 was on fire and beat all of them in a big stage).
2013: Aus Open W, 2 GS F, 1 GS SF, 3 M1000s W, YEC undefeated, DC final. 74/9 W/L and YE#2 (Bonus: Only losses to Nadal and Murray at the big stages).
2014: Wimbledon W, 1 GS F, 1 GS SF, 4 M1000s W, YEC undefeated. 61/8 W/L and YE#1 (Bonus: Only 1 key loss to Fedalray).
2016: Aus Open and Roland Garros W, 1 GS F, 4 M1000s W, 1 M1000 F, YEC F. 65-9 W/L and YE#2 (Bonus: Completed a NCYGS).

 

[r2473]

2017

 

[TheAssassin]

2016, most Slams and Masters.

 

[Mazz Retic]

I'd imagine 2012 would get a lot of votes due to the level of competition.

 

[MeatTornado]

Objectively I guess it has to be 2016 because of the multiple majors, but focusing on titles can be deceiving. I think he was probably a better player in 2012-14, but his competition was stronger too, so it looked worse on paper. Then again, the 2016 AO was still incredibly impressive. He made a mockery of Fed & Andy that week. Idk, this is actually pretty tough.

 

[deacsyoga]

His first half play of 2016 was still a historic level, amongst the best ever. So would say 2016. Murray deserves more credit than he gets for stealing the #1 ranking from Djokovic, despite the drastic fall off in his play post RG.

 

[helterskelter]

His first half play of 2016 was still a historic level, amongst the best ever. So would say 2016. Murray deserves more credit than he gets for stealing the #1 ranking from Djokovic, despite the drastic fall off in his play post RG.

I mean, even with the fall off, he still made the US Open final and the WTF final, and won Toronto. I know I'd be happy with those results in a lifetime.

 

[Zetty]

2014, he was a straight boss for the majority of the year, think he just got tired in that Nishikori match at the US Open

 

[vex]

Close call but I'm going 2014 despite the results per se. He was playing at a really high level and had basically entered Ultron mode after the USO.

 

[abmk]

its between 2012 and 2016.

 

[mavsman149]

The first half of 2016, he fell off a mountain after Roland Garros though. Really hoping we get a revitalized Novak in Australia and he regains his crown as the rightful King of the Aussie Open

 

[Druss]

I would go with 2012 as his third best season, level-wise as well as achievement.

2011 his best ever in terms of peak level play, up there with Federer's 2006 and Johnny Mac's 1984. However 2015 was better overall only because he achieved more.

 

[RS]

2012 or 2013. 2014 and 2016 have great claims too.

 

[Zebrev]

2012 or 2014 or 2016.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

2012. Didn't peter out in the second half like in 2016 and better slam/WTF performances than in 2013/2014.

 

[ak24alive]

Going by the titles and all 2016
Going by the level I'd say 2013.
3 Finals and 1 SF(which was a potential final anyways).
Nadal peaked and yet Novak had good results that year in Masters 1000s. Also the WTF.

 

[Backspin1183]

Going by the titles and all 2016
Going by the level I'd say 2013.
3 Finals and 1 SF(which was a potential final anyways).
Nadal peaked and yet Novak had good results that year in Masters 1000s. Also the WTF.

This. 2016 due to 2 Slams. Level wise, 2013. He would have played 4 Grand Slam finals without Nadal and possibly won 3 of them, RG and USO. He was just unlucky to have a resurgent Nadal playing his best on hard court.

 

[ibbi]

I think 2012 would probably have easily been the one, but the combination of the bereavement he suffered right as the clay season was starting, and then not having the days rest between semi and final at the USO definitely helped take the edge off the whole thing. If it hadn't started raining that final friday at Wimbledon who knows what might have happened there too. Definitely one of those years where you feel the world might be against a guy. "Oh no, it wasn't the airplanes... It was wind, rain, and personal loss killed the beast".

Ultimately that still would probably be the choice though. The two losses he suffered at the hard court majors in 2014 are not good, and the choke job at Roland Garros pretty bad as well. 2016's first good half is totally negated by everything that came after it (that USO run was so pathetic it barely counts) and even the way the Roland Garros coronation was so hilariously giftwrapped for him (total opposite of when the elements worked against him in 2012) definitely make it less impressive to me than it looks on paper.

2013 is the only other comparable one for me, but I think the fact that he was clear second best in the world that year (not the case in 2012) and particularly the poor clay season he had prior to Roland Garros, and way Nadal totally outclassed him in the hard court summer are all big marks against it.

 

[I Am Finnish]

2013

 

[2011]

2012, though he had less title than 2016 but at the end of the season there was a satisfaction of ending year as no.1 against the goat field of open era.

 

[NatF]

2016 would be third if not for the second half of the year. As it stands probably 2012 for overall level of play - especially considering competition. In 2013 he didn't make a HC final between the AO and the USO, and in fact made only one final in general between MC and the USO (Wimbledon, where he stunk in the final). The only reason it looks comparable to 2012 is because he went on a tear after the USO, but his biggest rivals in that part of the season were MIA. In 2014 he did very well in the masters and especially at the WTF but he crapped the bed in the HC majors.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

2016 would be third if not for the second half of the year. As it stands probably 2012 for overall level of play - especially considering competition. In 2013 he didn't make a HC final until the USO, and in fact made only one final in general between MC and the USO (Wimbledon, where he stunk in the final). The only reason it looks comparable to 2012 is because he went on a tear after the USO, but his biggest rivals in that part of the season were MIA. In 2014 he did very well in the masters and especially at the WTF but he crapped the bed in the HC majors.

Didn't he make the AO final in 2013?

 

[mike danny]

2016 would be third if not for the second half of the year. As it stands probably 2012 for overall level of play - especially considering competition. In 2013 he didn't make a HC final until the USO, and in fact made only one final in general between MC and the USO (Wimbledon, where he stunk in the final). The only reason it looks comparable to 2012 is because he went on a tear after the USO, but his biggest rivals in that part of the season were MIA. In 2014 he did very well in the masters and especially at the WTF but he crapped the bed in the HC majors.

He made the AO final in 2013.

Your point still stands though. No other HC finals until the USO. And resurgent Nadal wasn't the sole culprit for it, as proven by IW, Miami and Cincy.

 

[mike danny]

This. 2016 due to 2 Slams. Level wise, 2013. He would have played 4 Grand Slam finals without Nadal and possibly won 3 of them, RG and USO. He was just unlucky to have a resurgent Nadal playing his best on hard court.

Resurgent Nadal or not, Djokovic stunk in the USO 2013 final. His level was just not there in sets 1 and 4. Playing great for only half the match (sets 2 and 3) won't cut it against any great opponent, not just Nadal.

Not to mention the Wimb 2013 final. Horrible level from Novak.

Level-wise, 2013 is definitely not his 3rd best season. His level in the Wimb and USO finals was too poor for it to be his 3rd best.

 

[mike danny]

I have to go with 2016. His only other multi-slam winning season outside his peak years. That has to be his 3rd best most definitely.

 

[NatF]

Didn't he make the AO final in 2013?

He made the AO final in 2013.

Your point still stands though. No other HC finals until the USO. And resurgent Nadal wasn't the sole culprit for it, as proven by IW, Miami and Cincy.

I obviously meant after the AO. Smart asses.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

I obviously meant after the AO. Smart asses.

Tbf you can count the FO SF as "the real final" between MC and USO.

 

[NatF]

Tbf you can count the FO SF as "the real final" between MC and USO.

Meh that was unlucky for Djokovic even so he was in a bit of a slum mentally, his performance in the Wimbledon and USO finals were both poor.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Meh that was unlucky for Djokovic even so he was in a bit of a slum mentally, his performance in the Wimbledon and USO finals were both poor.

Yeah, I agree. His losing slam performances in 2012 were better than in 2013-2014.

 

[Deleted member 757377]

In 2012 he had a poor score against the big4, 8-8, but he met them a lot of times.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

His first half play of 2016 was still a historic level, amongst the best ever. So would say 2016. Murray deserves more credit than he gets for stealing the #1 ranking from Djokovic, despite the drastic fall off in his play post RG.

I got to see Djokovic play up close at IW 2016. He looked unbeatable.

I’ll never forget that!

 

[mike danny]

Meh that was unlucky for Djokovic even so he was in a bit of a slum mentally, his performance in the Wimbledon and USO finals were both poor.

Which begs the question why some consider 2013 his highest level after 2011 and 2015

Probably Nadal fans who want to pump up their guy.

That's like me pumping up Nadal in 2017 as his second highest level just because I'm a Fed fan.

 

[Jonas78]

He fell of a cliff after FO2016 so It was weird season. The opposition was a billion times stronger In 2012 than 2016 if that matters. So definetly 2012 or 2016.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Which begs the question why some consider 2013 his highest level after 2011 and 2015

Probably Nadal fans who want to pump up their guy.

That's like me pumping up Nadal in 2017 as his second highest level just because I'm a Fed fan.

Nadal in 2017 was his highest level.

 

[Krish872007]

Happy Birthday Nole

 

[Plamen1234]

2012 I think.He won only one Slam but the level of the opponents was better than 2016 .Like he faced Nadal in AO Open and FO finals.As results it will 2016 but as overall play and quality of opponents it will be 2012.And his level was pretty good in the whole year unlike in 2016

 

[Backspin1183]

Resurgent Nadal or not, Djokovic stunk in the USO 2013 final. His level was just not there in sets 1 and 4. Playing great for only half the match (sets 2 and 3) won't cut it against any great opponent, not just Nadal.

Not to mention the Wimb 2013 final. Horrible level from Novak.

Level-wise, 2013 is definitely not his 3rd best season. His level in the Wimb and USO finals was too poor for it to be his 3rd best.

Who was going to beat Novak at RG and US Open if not Nadal? Novak performed well against everyone else. Only Nadal was a problem for him especially after RG and Montreal.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Who was going to beat Novak at RG and US Open if not Nadal? Novak performed well against everyone else. Only Nadal was a problem for him especially after RG and Montreal.

How is that any different from 2012? He lost at RG to RAFA and Wimbly to Fed.

 

[Backspin1183]

How is that any different from 2012? He lost at RG to RAFA and Wimbly to Fed.

There was no strong Fed at US Open. The only other strong player, Wawrinka, was outlasted in 5 sets by Ultron. Federer or Ferrer weren't going to beat him at RG.

 

[RF-18]

First half of 2016 was great and on par with his level in 2015, better half statistically than any other year in his career. Also probably the best half in the open era. I think Djokovic had a higher level in AO 16 than AO 15, and the reverse in 16 RG vs 15, IMO his level was higher on the clay in 2015 than 16 clay despite losing that RG final.

But if we talk full season, then his 2nd half of 16 changes the grade alot. He really fell off a cliff after that FO glory although he won a masters and reached another USO final and YECs final.

Statistically his 16 season is the 3rd best one IMO. Level wise is Debatable. Here it stands, If you consider a FULL season, between 14 and 12 seasons.

 

[mike danny]

Who was going to beat Novak at RG and US Open if not Nadal? Novak performed well against everyone else. Only Nadal was a problem for him especially after RG and Montreal.

Like I said, Novak played poorly in the 2013 USO final. Just because he wouldn't have lost to anyone else, doesn't mean he wasn't playing poorly. Any great player would have taken advantage of his poor level in sets 1 and 4, not just Nadal. And not just Nadal was a problem for him. Stan softened him up really nice in the semis as well.

And I disagree with your premise that no one else was stopping him. Stan would have stood a very good chance too if Novak had brought that level against him.

 

[NatF]

There was no strong Fed at US Open. The only other strong player, Wawrinka, was outlasted in 5 sets by Ultron. Federer or Ferrer weren't going to beat him at RG.

Djokovic was better at the USO in 2012, Nadal or no Nadal.

 

[mike danny]

Nadal in 2017 was his highest level.

Yeah, exactly like this

 

[mike danny]

First half of 2016 was great and on par with his level in 2015, better half statistically than any other year in his career. Also probably the best half in the open era. I think Djokovic had a higher level in AO 16 than AO 15, and the reverse in 16 RG vs 15, IMO his level was higher on the clay in 2015 than 16 clay despite losing that RG final.

But if we talk full season, then his 2nd half of 16 changes the grade alot. He really fell off a cliff after that FO glory although he won a masters and reached another USO final and YECs final.

Statistically his 16 season is the 3rd best one IMO. Level wise is Debatable. Here it stands, If you consider a FULL season, between 14 and 12 seasons.

I consider 2012 to be his 3rd best after 2011 and 2015. In 2013 he was way too disappointing in the Wimb and USO finals.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

There was no strong Fed at US Open. The only other strong player, Wawrinka, was outlasted in 5 sets by Ultron. Federer or Ferrer weren't going to beat him at RG.

Federer at Wimbledon is better than RAFA at the USO and Djokovic making 66 UEs in the 2013 USO final isn't a great performance.

 

[Backspin1183]

Like I said, Novak played poorly in the 2013 USO final. Just because he wouldn't have lost to anyone else, doesn't mean he wasn't playing poorly. Any great player would have taken advantage of his poor level in sets 1 and 4, not just Nadal. And not just Nadal was a problem for him. Stan softened him up really nice in the semis as well.

And I disagree with your premise that no one else was stopping him. Stan would have stood a very good chance too if Novak had brought that level against him.

That's like saying any other top player would have taken advantage of Nadal's serve in 2011 final just because Ultron could.
Who do you really think would have stood a chance in the 3rd set the way Novak played? Set 4 Novak wouldn't have happened without Nadal winning the 3rd set, saving 3 break points in epic fashion. Novak gave up the fight in set 4.

 

[Backspin1183]

Federer at Wimbledon is better than RAFA at the USO and Djokovic making 66 UEs in the 2013 USO final isn't a great performance.

Federer also made many unforced errors when he played Nadal in Slam finals.

 

[mike danny]

There was no strong Fed at US Open. The only other strong player, Wawrinka, was outlasted in 5 sets by Ultron. Federer or Ferrer weren't going to beat him at RG.

Think of it like this:

No one of the remaining players outside Djokovic at 2011 Wimb was stopping Rafa (Federer would have been the only other option, but he lost to Tsonga), but it doesn't mean Rafa didn't play poor in the final. IMO, he did play poor in the final. I think he played a better final in 2006 than in 2011, the first set bagel being the exception.

 

[mike danny]

That's like saying any other top player would have taken advantage of Nadal's serve in 2011 final just because Ultron could.
Who do you really think would have stood a chance in the 3rd set the way Novak played? Set 4 Novak wouldn't have happened without Nadal winning the 3rd set, saving 3 break points in epic fashion. Novak gave up the fight in set 4.

Novak was a complete mess in the 2013 USO final in sets 1 and 4. You saying he lost all fight after the 3rd set only rectifies my point. He showed better fight in the 2007 USO final after disappointing in the first 2 sets than he showed in the 2013 USO final.

A Novak who is playing well doesn't just doesn't give up the fight after a setback.

I already said Novak played well in sets 2 and 3, so Nadal did a tremendous job of snatching that 3rd set from the jaws of defeat. But Novak made Rafa's life much easier than it should have been by playing poorly in sets 1 and 4.

Just 2 good sets is not going to cut it against any great player, not just Nadal.

 

[mike danny]

Close call but I'm going 2014 despite the results per se. He was playing at a really high level and had basically entered Ultron mode after the USO.

The loss to Nishikori at the USO brings that year down.