Who will likely be Novak's biggest threat in the next 2 years?

[Chicharito]

Nishikori, Dimitrov and Raonic. Yep, them 3.

 

[Roddick85]

Beside the Swiss (Federer/Wawrinka), I don't really see who can truly give Novak a hard time in the next 2 years. I really hope Dimitrov steps it up, but I think his biggest "competition" will be getting older. If Djokovic starts losing regularly to the likes of Kyrgios, Raonic, Nishikori, then it will be time for me to take a break from the tour LOL.

 

[swizzy]

the baby..

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Roger, Rafa and Novak are the golden ones. Each of the trio's progress can only be slowed down by the other two or sometimes by the player's own poor form. Federer's aim to dominate after 2008 was denied by Nadal and then Djokovic. Nadal did not have big trouble vs Fed, but in the beginning of the rivalry, Fed did stop him winning some tournaments. When Rafa looked unbeatable in 2010, Djokovic arrived next year and has been dominating ever since. Though now Roger and Nadal do not pose threat to Novak, they were the ones that denied him to win couple of big titles before the amazing 2011. So everyone was denying everyone. Other players are NOTHING compared to the big 3...

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Roger, Rafa and Novak are the golden ones. Each of the trio's progress can only be slowed down by the other two or sometimes by the player's own poor form. Federer's aim to dominate after 2008 was denied by Nadal and then Djokovic. Nadal did not have big trouble vs Fed, but in the beginning of the rivalry, Fed did stop him winning some tournaments. When Rafa looked unbeatable in 2010, Djokovic arrived next year and has been dominating ever since. Though now Roger and Nadal do not pose threat to Novak, they were the ones that denied him to win couple of big titles before the amazing 2011. So everyone was denying everyone. Other players are NOTHING compared to the big 3...

I think ATGs from Agassi/Lendl up will disagree with you.

 

[mbm0912]

Probably guys like Dimitrov and Kyrgios once they reaches their peak.

So when exactly is this Dimitrov guy supposed to peak? I've been hearing about him for quite some time now.

 

[RalphJ]

Djokovic's biggest competition will be the International Ballboy and Ballgirl Presevation Alliance (IBBPA).

 

[uscwang]

Too bad the forum only allows 10 choices.

 

[mattosgrant]

Well said but even with Father Time I do wonder - there doesn't appear to be anyone to take over.

I understand people arguing players tend to slip after 28ish or so (Fed, Rafa, Sam, etc,) but they all had people waiting on them and biting at their heels.

Exactly. That is why I am not totally on board with those saying Djokovic is going to slow down and barely win any slams once he hits 30. He will slow down, that is almost inevitable, but if his own play declines, if the field progresses the direction it is now, he will still be winning slams, and quite possibly/probably still #1. Thus winning alot more than some are projecting.

The Raonic generation is hopeless and probably wont produce any slams. Now the Coric/Kygrios generation after that is more interesting, and I could see them starting to win slams in say 2018 maybe. That is still a ways away though, and that is the point I would project them starting to win slams, not neccessarily starting to totally dominate. That is another thing, the projection of some the so called up and comers will immediately jump from winning nothing to winning everything with no transition in between that. Silly. That is even assuming this generations end up being very good, and not another hapless generation like Nishikori/Raonic/Tomic/Dmitrov which is no sure thing. I have a feeling they are more talented and will do more, but we wont know for awhile yet.

 

[PoeticJustice]

WADA

 

[billboard]

You have kei with strong fh and bh. That is already better and more entertaining than safin, Hewitt, davydenko and Roddick of 2003-2012.
Back in 2002-2005, no new player was a great player to discuss, ever.
The fed propaganda was sickening on ESPN.

BBC jerk Roddick obviously can't stand the fact that Rafa beat fed so many times, so he dismisses him. We all know how much fake he is to Novak.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

You have kei with strong fh and bh. That is already better and more entertaining than safin, Hewitt, davydenko and Roddick of 2003-2012.
Back in 2002-2005, no new player was a great player to discuss, ever.
The fed propaganda was sickening on ESPN.

BBC jerk Roddick obviously can't stand the fact that Rafa beat fed so many times, so he dismisses him. We all know how much fake he is to Novak.

I kind of felt Roddick is one of very few commentators/analyzers/critics nowadays who gives Djokovic the credit for the recent successes he has been having. Most of others, led by brainwashed Mats Wilander still think Roger is the favorite for the year-end number 1 spot.

 

[billboard]

Mats just talks a lot but he knows Novak is the true #1. He doesn't like fed thinking he is the media darling that's a dominating, pretty ballet dancer.

Roddick brags about shoving Novak. The weak apology to Novak for being a violent thug was so disingenuous and pathetic - like his fake fed friendship.
He is just trying to save his parents from looking bad by raising a spoiled, two faced loser.
He always mentions the phrase "ultimate loser" when he shows up for fed exhibitions.

The sociopath even got upset on Twitter because a fan said his wife didn't look very good. The usa hero can do no wrong.
After all, he believes he is the clever guy for insulting anyone who didn't glorify him.

 

[Shaolin]

Fed, Stan and Nishi. Maybe Krygios if he learns some epic Leonidas style mental toughness from Hewitt.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I kind of felt Roddick is one of very few commentators/analyzers/critics nowadays who gives Djokovic the credit for the recent successes he has been having. Most of others, led by brainwashed Mats Wilander still think Roger is the favorite for the year-end number 1 spot.

I honestly don't even think this guy (billboard or heya, whichever you prefer) is a true Novak fan. Just a troll who enjoys soiling Roddick's name anywhere he goes.


About him being "fat", I don't think I've seen a skinnier fat person in my life.

 

[Sagar Batra]

You must be 14 years old? Because if you weren't you would never make a statement like the one above. As I have said many times on this forum, just when you think you have it figured out, the unexpected happens in tennis. Djokovic is 28. He isn't going to double his slam wins at this stage unless he has found a secret formula no player in history has found before.

No, I am 19 yrs old . haha
Okay,may be i got too carried away but I feel he will end up near 15 for sure.

 

[mattosgrant]

Did someone say Federer is the favorite for the YE#1 ranking? That person should be shot in the face for sheer stupidity. He will need to absolutely crush the rest of the year just to finish the year #2 over Murray (since Murray is way ahead in the race and no way he is duplicating last years crappy results he is defending from here).

 

[Chanwan]

Did someone say Federer is the favorite for the YE#1 ranking? That person should be shot in the face for sheer stupidity. He will need to absolutely crush the rest of the year just to finish the year #2 over Murray (since Murray is way ahead in the race and no way he is duplicating last years crappy results he is defending from here).

I won't repeat your language, but it ain't half as bad as it looks when it comes to the no. 2. spot: http://live-tennis.eu/race
Say Murray loses the QF to Stan and Fed's get into the final, then the difference is down to less than 700 points. And if I were to pick, I would pick Fed to do better than Murray at the WTF.
We'll have a much better idea of who ends 2nd after the Open.

 

[Mainad]

Roger, Rafa and Novak are the golden ones. Each of the trio's progress can only be slowed down by the other two or sometimes by the player's own poor form. Federer's aim to dominate after 2008 was denied by Nadal and then Djokovic. Nadal did not have big trouble vs Fed, but in the beginning of the rivalry, Fed did stop him winning some tournaments. When Rafa looked unbeatable in 2010, Djokovic arrived next year and has been dominating ever since. Though now Roger and Nadal do not pose threat to Novak, they were the ones that denied him to win couple of big titles before the amazing 2011. So everyone was denying everyone. Other players are NOTHING compared to the big 3...

Lol...are you by any chance living in a little golden bubble that says ' Only Rafa, Fed and Novak are currently playing tennis'?

Have you been watching any tennis lately? Remind me who stopped Djokovic at 2012 USO, 2013 Wimbledon, 2014 AO, 2014 USO and 2015 RG? Who stopped Nadal at 2008 USO, 2010 AO, 2014 AO and 2015 Wimbledon? Who stopped Federer at 2012 USO, 2013 AO, 2013 Wimbledon, 2013 USO, 2014 AO, 2014 USO and 2015 RG?

So it's ONLY about the Big 3 is it? Really???

 

[mattosgrant]

Nadal is only about the 10th best player in the world now (he is ranked higher since he plays a lot of 500 events this year). He isn't the big anything. Whenever he plays a top 25 player in decent form you figure he will probably lose, other than clay where it is more top 8.

 

[Krish872007]

Federer, Murray, Wawrinka, Nishikori.

 

[beltsman]

Bull is so disrespected in these results.

 

[mattosgrant]

I know Nadal is iffy going forward, but Jack Sock and Del Potro (who will probably never play at a top 15 level again) with more votes than Nadal?

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Lol...are you by any chance living in a little golden bubble that says ' Only Rafa, Fed and Novak are currently playing tennis'?

Have you been watching any tennis lately? Remind me who stopped Djokovic at 2012 USO, 2013 Wimbledon, 2014 AO, 2014 USO and 2015 RG? Who stopped Nadal at 2008 USO, 2010 AO, 2014 AO and 2015 Wimbledon? Who stopped Federer at 2012 USO, 2013 AO, 2013 Wimbledon, 2013 USO, 2014 AO, 2014 USO and 2015 RG?

So it's ONLY about the Big 3 is it? Really???

Well of course others are playing tennis too. The gap between the Big 3 and others though is still huge. Even Andy and Stan hardly have anything to offer for comparison with the Big 3. Just comparing their 2 GS to 17-14-9 shows the difference. Btw, even the best players can be upset on occasions.

 

[zagor]

I honestly don't even think this guy (billboard or heya, whichever you prefer) is a true Novak fan. Just a troll who enjoys soiling Roddick's name anywhere he goes.


About him being "fat", I don't think I've seen a skinnier fat person in my life.

It's a former poster that used to go by the name of Devila. He has never made a single post that doesn't include Fed and Roddick in it.

 

[Mainad]

Well of course others are playing tennis too. The gap between the Big 3 and others though is still huge. Even Andy and Stan hardly have anything to offer for comparison with the Big 3. Just comparing their 2 GS to 17-14-9 shows the difference. Btw, even the best players can be upset on occasions.

You're confusing past record with current performance. Andy and Stan are top 5 players at the moment. Rafa isn't. The Big 3 are historical only, not currently factual!

 

[bjsnider]

The person Djokovic sees when he looks in the mirror.

 

[reaper]

I think Zverev.... If I've got the right young gun. I think one of them will step up from late next year...there's too many good players aged 18-20 for none of them to make the leap.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

You're confusing past record with current performance. Andy and Stan are top 5 players at the moment. Rafa isn't. The Big 3 are historical only, not currently factual!

Agree, but since you brought up the results that go back to even 2008 USO, I responded like that. Andy and Stan are top 5 players now surely, but still 2 out of historical Big 3 players are currently top 2 ranked players in the world. Djoko and Fed (especially Djoko) are the men to beat atm.

 

[Mainad]

Agree, but since you brought up the results that go back to even 2008 USO, I responded like that. Andy and Stan are top 5 players now surely, but still 2 out of historical Big 3 players are currently top 2 ranked players in the world. Djoko and Fed (especially Djoko) are the men to beat atm.

And Andy and Stan have been beating them recently (especially Stan) so you cannot discount them simply because they are not members of the historical Big 3!

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

And Andy and Stan have been beating them recently (especially Stan) so you cannot discount them simply because they are not members of the historical Big 3!

Well if I really made such a mistake, I will correct myself. Other players are average (not nothing) comparing to the Big 3.

 

[Backhand Smash]

OP did not include the correct answer in the poll options but hey, what can you expect from a Djokovic fan.

 

[Mainad]

Well if I really made such a mistake, I will correct myself. Other players are average (not nothing) comparing to the Big 3.

Yes, but you still have to decide if you are talking about historical accomplishment or what is happening now. Historically, Nadal is very much a part of the Big Three but the way he is playing now, not so. Djokovic and Federer are still there as their current ranking indicates but both have been beaten this year and not only by each other but also by Wawrinka and Murray. Both those players have achieved at least as much as Federer has this year. Therefore there is no such thing as a Big Three anymore in terms of current playing levels!

 

[Chanwan]

And Andy and Stan have been beating them recently (especially Stan) so you cannot discount them simply because they are not members of the historical Big 3!

I sure hope Murray's turned a corner now, but saying he's been beating 'them' is a bit of a stretch, 1-13.
Do you think he'll win against Stan if they both get there?

 

[newpball]

Kyrgios and Thiem.

Wow, F is not a poll option!

 

[mattosgrant]

Yes, but you still have to decide if you are talking about historical accomplishment or what is happening now. Historically, Nadal is very much a part of the Big Three but the way he is playing now, not so. Djokovic and Federer are still there as their current ranking indicates but both have been beaten this year and not only by each other but also by Wawrinka and Murray. Both those players have achieved at least as much as Federer has this year. Therefore there is no such thing as a Big Three anymore in terms of current playing levels!

The current big 4 is the same as before but with Stan replacing Rafa (clearly).

 

[mattosgrant]

I sure hope Murray's turned a corner now, but saying he's been beating 'them' is a bit of a stretch, 1-13.
Do you think he'll win against Stan if they both get there?

I smell a 5 setter if that happens, which is bad news for both, but I guess it depends if Federer gets to the semis which isn't a sure thing.

 

[Chanwan]

I smell a 5 setter if that happens, which is bad news for both, but I guess it depends if Federer gets to the semis which isn't a sure thing.

I would expect a long match too, but given their last one here, I could also see a Stan kicking Murray's ass in 3-4. But a pretty open match, surely.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Yes, but you still have to decide if you are talking about historical accomplishment or what is happening now. Historically, Nadal is very much a part of the Big Three but the way he is playing now, not so. Djokovic and Federer are still there as their current ranking indicates but both have been beaten this year and not only by each other but also by Wawrinka and Murray. Both those players have achieved at least as much as Federer has this year. Therefore there is no such thing as a Big Three anymore in terms of current playing levels!

I do completely agree on that. The historical Big 3 is no longer dominating. Guess that is why it is called historical now.

 

[BGod]

Coric & Kyrgios are the future so I picked them.

But Murray and Wawrinka are capable of beating him here and there.

 

[Bukmeikara]

We can rule out Souza now..... No?