He’s Novak Djokovic And Lately He’s Been Unbeatable

only an aging Fed can still give nole trouble. what a tour.

October 17th, 2015 at 10:28 am

But back in the day Fed was doing that till Rafa came along and then it was Fedal till Nole came along. Nothing new really.
And Nole fans must surely enjoy this long, very, very long, moment in the sun, because that too will end.

October 17th, 2015 at 10:37 am

@fedexpress
fed gives him trouble by building pressure with one of the best service games on tour, that’s all.

karlovic beat novak this year for the same reason. anderson was up 2 sets at wimbledon for same reason.

nadal/murray have weak service compared to federer and are more returner based, thus novak’s superior service and equal or better returning makes these matchups a nightmare for them. they end up in dogfights on too many service points.

October 17th, 2015 at 10:38 am

i agree roy. fed’s serving is a huge factor in their match up.

October 17th, 2015 at 11:02 am

https://twitter.com/atpworldtour/status/655375685599514624
Looks like Satan, no? 😳

October 17th, 2015 at 11:14 am

for giles
http://www.freespiritgirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/aaa1.jpg

October 17th, 2015 at 11:27 am

Looks like someone who has beaten Rafa 13 (thirteen) times in the finals, which is a record, I presume, no?
After Nole lost first five finals to Rafa, he 13:4 in the finals since 2011, pretty comprehensive, no?

October 17th, 2015 at 11:34 am

Time for bed, 2:30am, I hope I am going to wake up with another good news, that Aussies beat Scotlan in th QF of RWC.
BTW, where is GG, we offered her three honorary citizenships, Scotish, Welsh and Aussie one since England bombed out of the RWC? GG, safer bet is Aussie, take it while is on offer, we might withdraw offer at any time without notice..

October 17th, 2015 at 11:43 am

Congrats Novak and fans he just seems to go from strength to stength,i will say congrats on another Masters title,as he cant see Mr Sexy Smile beating Mr Unbeatable,looking like he will go unbeaten till the end of the year now,the tennis landscape looks bleak for fans of all other players,i will take some comfort in the knowledge that Rafa seems to be getting his grove back,every cloud and all….

October 17th, 2015 at 11:49 am

Wogboy ive not seen either match as ive been at work,only saw the end result on teletext,the irony is im more happier with Rafas form this week even with this loss,its the Murray defeat im more dissapointed with,i will take the Scottish citizenship lol as i am half Scottish anyway thanks,been a Pagan i watched a documentry the other night on some witch trials that happened in Scotland centuries ago,suspected witches been burned at the stake amongst other cruel tortures eek,CHEERS AND ENJOY THE FINAL….

October 17th, 2015 at 11:58 am

13-4 in finals since 2011. I would be curious to know their record in Grand slams post 2011. I bet not as skewed?

October 17th, 2015 at 12:04 pm

It’s 4-4 in slams, Kimberly, 3-3 in finals.

October 17th, 2015 at 1:53 pm

@Kimberly: since 2011? 4-2 to rafa. Novak edged him in AO and beat rafas shadow in RG this year.

October 17th, 2015 at 2:16 pm

Novaks too good. Guys like arnie in terminator: the job gets done. Clinically.

October 17th, 2015 at 2:17 pm

Lmfao @ b-tchfest between Jane and giles. Popcorn worthy contest, lol.

October 17th, 2015 at 2:18 pm

Props to Novak, Rafa, Jo Tsonga, and *cringing a bit* – Bernard Tomic.

Djoko – what more can anyone say??

Rafa – Nadal’s play and his confidence got a big boost the way he played in Shanghai. Lost a close one to Tsonga, but is playing better and better in what is traditionally his worst part of the Tour period,

Jo Tsonga – The talented and likable Jo showed huge heart and desire in his winning battle with Rafa. He has a chance against Nole, not much of one, but a chance. But another win over Nadal is a nice highlight in a fine career.

Tomic – Admit it, the guy showed his talent with his high level of play in the 1st set he played with Djokovic. Still young, still a chance he can get his shit together and make Top 10.

October 17th, 2015 at 2:44 pm

@CF1: agree about jo. Wanted rafael to win and was pleased with his performance but seeing jo win made me smile. He’s like delpo: no matter when he beats your fav, you can’t help but pleased for the guy. Hope Ali doesn’t get battered tomorrow and steals a set. Can’t see the win happening at all.

October 17th, 2015 at 2:54 pm

Downarrows to Fed and Andy for Shanghai. Some may give McEnroe a downarrow.

Fed had another of his early exits.

Andy, who may challenge Novak for #1 sometime down the road, just had another brutal beatdown put on him by his rival. Showed a reversion to negativity, self abuse (no, not that sort of self-abuse!!), and cursing out his box and the world in general. Will Murray ever turn the corner on his mental weakness? Even if he made the semis, this was a very bad occasion for him. But each tournament is a new opportunity, and if Andy leads GB to the Davis Cup trophy it will still be a good year for him.

McEnroe? – Novak will have 169 weeks as #1 next week. Passing John in Paris to be 5th on the list of most weeks as #1 in a career. But no downarrow from me, as Mac played every year of that career in a highly competitive era. (my contribution to setting up a strawman. )

October 17th, 2015 at 3:01 pm

Right GG – I’ve checked with Nicola and she’s agreed that as of now you are a most welcome honorary member of Scotland’s Sporting Fans.

October 17th, 2015 at 3:19 pm

Djoko FH cross court is sublime as if late. If you comer how he played in AO and RG finals to now he is going for the lines more and going to define points. Plus, any chance he puts his face right on the net and made a lot of volley winners today.

Tsonga is playing aggressive button several games he was saved by his serve. Nadal made one crucial FH flat mistake today at 3-4 15-30 Tsonga serving. That could have set double break point for him and he could have served the match. Instead he missed and Tsonga fired some serves. Also, the game he was broken he served a bunch of second serves.

Think Djoko will have an easier time tomorrow. And will need a great performance to beat him only a few could deliver.

Berdych, Ferrer, Wawa, Kei are not playing great and Nadal is still finding his form. After today’s performance maybe only Fed in London can have a chance and that depending on form.
Djoko looks set to win 10 titles this year, if not 11. Number 9 coming tomorrow and 25th Masters, 90% sure about it. Can’t see his form just dropping after easy fast matches.

October 17th, 2015 at 4:09 pm

I don’t remember that anybody put an asterisk on Rafa’s victories over Novak when Novak changed his racquet or his serve motion, and played like a shadow of the player he was in 2007 or 2008…

Of 8 matches they played in slams, 4 were on Rafa’s favourite surface, one was on grass, three on hard.

Nobody here mentions that the balls for RG are made by Babolat, and are changed after 2011 to slow the game even more (it can be checked, btw).

Nobody mentions that Rafa avoided Novak on grass and hard in slams from 2008 to, at least, the A0 2011, 10 slams in a row.

So, please…

October 17th, 2015 at 4:39 pm

“@Kimberly: since 2011? 4-2 to rafa. Novak edged him in AO and beat rafas shadow in RG this year.”

You somehow forgot to include Wimbledon 2011 and USO 2011, that comes to 4:4, (3:3 in finala), besides, it was obvious who my post was for, for that lovely poster who is yet to come out of the closet….as the biggest Nole fan..

October 17th, 2015 at 6:01 pm

Margot,
My commiserations for Wales loss last night, you really didn’t have a good day:( I didn’t have a horse in that race though I was leaning towards Wales because of you but Southafricans edged you out. My problem with Wales is when ever I hear about Wales it brings me memories on the worst Prime Minister in Australia since I arrived here, she was kicked out of the office by her own party (Labor party), she was Welsh born and her name is Julia Gillard, first female Prime Ministar in Australia.

October 17th, 2015 at 6:21 pm

Nah I took it as post 2011, hence 4-2. Including, of course, 4-4. Career? Obviously is a different scoreline. But that’s a different conversation all together: career. As it is: this is 2015, and congratulations to Novak on his year. Just seen the highlights of his match v Andy and to be honest: it was kinda like rafa v stan. One guy is on, focused and the other guy Wilts away after awhile. Andy said post match he performed badly but to be honest: he’s been on tour for 10 years now. 10 years. And he still throws in these meltdown matches. When he looks back at his career and thinks “why didn’t I win as much as fedal, Novak?” He’ll realize if he’s honest with himself he didn’t lack in ability or opportunities: just mentally he’s so poor. So, so many slams over the years he’s had chances to win that the others (fedal, novak) cash in but Andy never really did. And that really is the difference between legends and very good players: legends cash in, very good ones do not. Andy needs to win atleast one slam next year and really 2 since otherwise his career will be a failure considering the talent he was working with. It’s all excuses blaming competition when you are that talented and had all the chances. I mean 8 grand slam finals played, 14 grand slam semi finals and you bring home ONLY 2 slams: :-(!

October 17th, 2015 at 6:46 pm

Warinka a nightmare for Nole, his backhand
just kill off Soderling 2.

October 17th, 2015 at 9:11 pm

Murray has to get back with Lendl, he won Wimbledon, US Open and the Olympics with his help.

October 17th, 2015 at 9:14 pm

Rick, I don’t think lendl would agree to that.

October 17th, 2015 at 11:06 pm

WB:

At least, Wales fought well. We were steam-rolled.

October 18th, 2015 at 1:48 am

@Wog Boy
Thank you darling x. I’m gutted about Wales but as soon as Dan went off, I knew we were doomed. He has been immense and the sight of him fuming on the bench when the Boks scored that try, said it all.
Re your PM sorry we sent you that turkey! ;)
I know you don’t like Atomic but I think he’s very talented and I’m glad he’s rising in the rankings. There was a funny comment I read: seems he’s very grateful to Nick because he’s no longer the “bad boy” of Aussie tennis!
@mat 4
The ABs were simply too jaw droppingly good. I love Les Bleus and when they are on song, nothing like them. I think SA has been an awful coach and I’m glad he’s going.
Congrats to Nole again. He too is jaw droppingly good.
@CF1
I’m sick of this negative energy of Andy’s too. He might get it more under control, but doubt if it’ll ever go away now. :(

October 18th, 2015 at 2:29 am

mat4,
Yes, I’ve seen the result, but Kiwis are too good any way, they are my favorites to win the cup, in the last ten years Australia managed to win only handful of games against Kiwis, H2H is something like 25:5 for Kiwis, they are just too good.

October 18th, 2015 at 2:37 am

Margot,
It is true that I don’t like Tomic, but as I said on the other thread he produced really great and mature game that night and pushed Nole really hard (I was really worried since Nole couldn’t read his serve). I guess he was little bit tired too since he spent three ttimes more time on Shanghai court compare to Nole and finished his match against Gasque after midnight, so he had about 18 hours to recover, not really enough.

October 18th, 2015 at 2:45 am

@Margot:

I stopped watching a lot of sports au fil du temps. Especially team sports — it’s so ugly today, so soulless… Recent revelations about the atmosphere in the heart of the French football team shocked me. I am still convinced that Zidane did what he did in the final 2006 on purpose.

A sense of cohesion has been lost. A sense of pride too. I can’t understand that we have a professional league, that our players play every year with the best teams in the world, and then loses the way it did, playing under the national flag. To fight and lose, OK, but to be humiliated in such a manner…

But the problem is deeper than that — today, one doesn’t know what it means to be French.

And it’s not only about France. I just read an article where a ONG politician declared — about Novak’s statement that the Serbian people had to recover his identity — that Novak was deluded… Since I remember well what the Serbs were 25 years ago — I believe that Novak is right.

That’s the reason why I like so much VVP. He gave his people its honour, its dignity, its roots back, and most important, its identity.

October 18th, 2015 at 3:03 am

@WB:

Come on, be serious. I understand that the Serbian team dominates in waterpolo: Serbs are the tallest people on earth, their team averages 198 when our boys were 182 cm. In a sport where strength is so important, OK.

But to lose in such a manner against a nation that has 4,5 millions inhabitants, less than we have players?

It’s better not to think about that.

October 18th, 2015 at 3:19 am

mat4,

But they have Maori people whose body proportions and atitude perfectly suits ragby, they are simply born to play rugby, same as all Polyneisian people, they are plesure to watch, whether it is union or league.

October 18th, 2015 at 3:30 am

mat4,
Sorry for ignorance, but what is ONG?

October 18th, 2015 at 3:36 am

“organisations non-gouvernementales” — sorry, in English it’s NGO.

October 18th, 2015 at 3:40 am

A good link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxtByvqYGqM&feature=youtu.be

October 18th, 2015 at 3:45 am

mat4,

This is what you are staring at before every game with Kiwis, doesn’t really give you sense of safety:

http://youtu.be/IqfHv9FOpXw

October 18th, 2015 at 3:45 am

WogBoy – I don’t like Tomic either – I don’t care whether he plays superb, good or bad tennis – I don’t care who he fights with or parties with – and it has nothing to do with nationality – I must have met him in a previous life – as there is no real logic behind it.

I’m setting mysef up for a deluge of justified abuse from his fans — and they are entitled.

October 18th, 2015 at 3:58 am

WB:

I don’t have to watch the link to know it’s the haka. It’s just one reason more to beat the AB.

October 18th, 2015 at 4:02 am

Lol Kat, how boring it would be if we all liked the same things! No abuse coming your way from me.
I don’t really dislike players as people, after all I don’t know them personally, I just dislike the way they play. eg Isner, who seems an absolute sweetie but….
@mat4
That’s so interesting what you are saying about identity. It is so easy to be Welsh and proud with a very clear identity all bound up with a strong sense of belonging. Also, we have no imperialistic past for a start which helps, and we have a great big, powerful neighbour whom we adore to beat at rugby. Small ambitions you see, keeps us in our place.
@Wog Boy
If Scotland can’t win, and no they can’t, COME ON the Aussies!

October 18th, 2015 at 4:16 am

Also mat4, doesn’t France have really strong regions? I know lots of players ply their trade in France. I think 1/2p plays for Toulouse? And doesn’t this count against some sort of “national” cohesion? Obviously I don’t just mean for the French rugby team.

October 18th, 2015 at 4:45 am

No, Margot, it’s not about that. In France, regionalisms and communautarisms didn’t exist until recently. Corse and Brittany were a bit apart, but nonetheless, it was the state of the French citizens.

Rugby is very popular in the South of France, though.

October 18th, 2015 at 5:40 am

Nole…..beast mode!! Is there anyone out there that can beat him?? I don’t think so. At the rate he’s going atm, watch out 14 and 17! Is it possible?
He is making mince meat out of everybody he goes up against. His fans must be busting their buttons and rightfully do. Congratulations to all of his fans! Even though Rafa didn’t make the finals, I am hopeful he is slowly but surely making his way back. He looked much better this week, but Novak look like Superman!!

October 18th, 2015 at 9:25 am

Margot: There’s one other player who also gives me the wrong sort of goose-pimples – he’s so well known I can’t even remember his name.

Just heard Scotland beat Australia 3 years ago in Newcastle, Australia – so I’m keeping my hopes up.
Oh just listen to that music – I’m off, cheeriebye.
K

October 18th, 2015 at 10:58 am

Okiegal
Hope you are doing ok. Sending lots of energy, prayers your way.

October 18th, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Hi Oki, nice to see you posting!
Your boy was so much better then couple of months ago, so lots of positives for Nadal fans…yeap, Novak is bit of a Clark Kent at the moment…

October 18th, 2015 at 12:49 pm

@django…..Thanks, you are a real sweetheart….appreciate the kind words of encouragement. My son and his wife stayed with me three nights in a row. The funeral was Saturday. Last night I told them to go home and sleep in their own beds that I have to jump this fence sooner or later. I was tired from many nights of no sleep. I went to bed early and went right to sleep and got up early and went to church. I made it OK.

@Courbon…..I was more excited regarding Rafa and the Asian swing. He is looking better, I’m happy to say. Maybe he’s gaining some of his confidence back.
I haven’t been posting much….and you’ve missed me!! That makes me feel good…..Thanks! Slowly but surely things will get back to normal, but I am feeling the void in my life. But I’m a strong willed, hard headed Oklahoma female…
I’ll be OK! Thanks again……Okiegal

October 18th, 2015 at 2:53 pm

Okie its lovely to see you here,i dont know what to say to make you feel better,only with family and friends around you they will always be a great support,as for tennis-x dont be a stranger,as we all love having you around,anyway seems Rafa is playing better,hope it continues,TAKE CARE MY DEAR ETHEREAL FRIEND XX…. ;)….

October 18th, 2015 at 3:07 pm

Oki,
Off course I missed you-I like straight talking people and good natured. You are one.Your sense of humor and spirit, in your situation, is truly admirable, brave and inspiring.And I mean it.
( I does not feel natural to me to talk to strangers so openly, but your opened your heart to all of us, it only feels right to give same back )

October 18th, 2015 at 3:47 pm

See You Okiegal – Take a lot of care – it needs time to recover – seems a strange thing to say, but let the tears flow – they need to come out.

October 18th, 2015 at 3:50 pm

Courbon your post is making me cry :(….

October 18th, 2015 at 3:52 pm

Djokovic’s 2015 will probably go down as the single greatest season for a male player in the Open Era. He’s already outdone his 2011, which was regarded as one of the top 3 calendar years. His 2011 didn’t finish strongly which is why most commentators/analysts didn’t pick it as the single strongest season. But it looks like Djoker has no intention of letting up in 2015.

October 18th, 2015 at 3:57 pm

Gypsy, you are big softy…Good night, sweet dreams, speak to you soon

October 18th, 2015 at 4:14 pm

Courbon yeah you too,from the other thread,im a lover not a fighter,make love not war….

October 18th, 2015 at 4:22 pm

I am a big softie….

October 18th, 2015 at 4:23 pm

J-Kath you are too :(….

October 18th, 2015 at 4:24 pm

No, no…lets make war and then make love.You got it wrong! (-:
Now, I’m definetelly going to bed.Night, night

October 18th, 2015 at 4:27 pm

You guys, when rankings come out tomorrow Novak sets the all time history record for most points held and biggest lead (both points wise and percentage wise) of all time.

He will be the first player to hold 80% of possible points won, 21,000 being the max!

Better than Roger ever did.

Incredible in this era of tennis.

October 18th, 2015 at 4:36 pm

He will have a hell of alot to defend next year,he will have his work cut out that is for sure….

October 18th, 2015 at 4:39 pm

I’m not sure why that matters? Everybody starts each year with zero points in the race.

In other words, he doesn’t have to defend all of those points and still finish No. 1. He can finish No. 1 and drop 4-5000 points potentially.

October 18th, 2015 at 4:44 pm

What surprises me is difference in points between #1 and #2 player, more than 8.000 points, one thing is certain, Nole is setting up his own records in the book of tennis history, they are not as big as Roger’s but they are his, who would have thought so just few years back?!

October 18th, 2015 at 4:52 pm

Travis Bickle beat me for this one, he posted it on the other thread.

October 18th, 2015 at 4:54 pm

i believe he’s now mathematically guaranteed 190 weeks at #1. he can’t lose it before march next year, and i think that would be without pick up a racquet between now and then. so yeah he has a considerable cushion.

in any case, novak said he doesn’t worry about that. here’s a quote:

Carole Bouchard ‏@carole_bouchard 9h9 hours ago

Smiled at this “so Djokovic” sentence when asked abt defending all those points in 2016: “It’s not on my priority list of thinking process”.

October 18th, 2015 at 5:08 pm

Elina true,never thought of it that way….

October 18th, 2015 at 5:35 pm

It’s not exactly true, GG. One ranking method in the ATP works on defending points, the other one doesn’t.

The race ranking doesn’t drop off points every Monday during a season, it adds points as they are won. And it’s basically to track for the WTF race.

The other ranking is a 52 week rolling ranking system and drops off points accumulated from the previous year calendar every Monday. It’s set up with draw seeding in mind for upcoming tournaments. That’s where defending points comes into question.

I like tracking both.

Novak is saying he doesn’t think about defending ranking points. His job is going out and playing his tennis. His tennis is his focus, the ranking, either Rankings one looks at, will follow his performances.

October 18th, 2015 at 6:09 pm

I like tracing both too but there should be no pressure to defend the highest number of points ever held by one player (including inflation).

There is a very large margin of safety.

With such a huge lead, it will be more interesting watching the start from zero race to London in the new year.

October 18th, 2015 at 6:25 pm

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/rankings/rankings-faq

Rankings explained — it’s a bit confusing. Davis Cup (Final), which comes after the ATP tournament calender will have points from 2015 in 2016…

And some late season ITF tournaments will be included too. Very nice of them, lord knows they need it.

October 18th, 2015 at 6:35 pm

lol, elina. We were confusing each other a week ago. Maybe we’ll get on the same page ;)

Rafa made past Berdych. I was just a week off about it.

October 18th, 2015 at 6:41 pm

You are a tennis expert extrordinaire before your time!

October 18th, 2015 at 6:51 pm