The Serbian sensation

Novak Djokovic, the ‘Djoker’ of the tennis tour, continued his remarkable year by sealing victory in the US Open. Debate is now raging whether his latest victory allows him to lay claim to the greatest year in the modern era of tennis (since the inception of the ATP in 1972).

So how would I judge the greatest year? 

Firstly, there would have to be a record number of Grand Slam victories, preferably confirming victory on a variety of different surfaces. 

Secondly, there would have to be a world leading win percentage. 

Thirdly, there would have to be endorsements from former winners, they being far better positioned to judge than I.

Personally, and I admit to perhaps being slightly ‘out on a limb’ here, I believe there also needs to have been individual success within the team environment of the Davis Cup on the basis that this demonstrates adaptability. 

There is also a question as to the level of competition he has faced while accumulating his record.

On the first count, Djokovic’s victories at Flushing Meadow in New York, result him now holding three of the four Grand Slam’s available – only the sixth time since 1968 that three titles have been won by the same person in a year.

Previous players to achieve the feat are Rafael Nadal (2010), Roger Federer (2004, 2006, 2007), Matts Wilander (1988) and Jimmy Connors (1974).  Remarkably, no player has ever won a Grand Slam on more than two different types of surface in the same year. Connors’ titles were all won on grass while Rod Laver, the only man (1969) to win all four (after the game turned professional in 1968) added Roland Garros on clay.

The world number one has now won 64 matches (excluding the ongoing Davis Cup) and accumulated another seven titles around the world this year. In that time he has lost only two times, one of which was the result of a retirement due to injury.

This gives Djokovic a win percentage for the year of 96.97 per cent, which, currently, is the best in the modern era of tennis. Federer has twice achieved a win percentage of 95 per cent or more, in 2005 notching 85 wins to four losses while the following year he won 95 matches for five losses.  Prior to this year, these performances had only been bettered by John McEnroe, way back in 1984 with a 96.47 per cent win ratio, acquiring 82 wins.

It was McEnroe himself who opened the debate, declaring after Djokovic’s win in New York that he ‘is having the greatest year in the history of our sport’, also highlighting that ‘Wimbledon was where he separated himself and took his game to a whole new level’.

Djokovic has also surpassed McEnroe’s record for successive wins, going 43 games unbeaten, finally losing in the semi-final of the French Open to Federer.

It is the high level of current competition that perhaps marks out Djokovic’s achievements.  At the start of the year the main discussions centered around Federer, holder of 16 Grand Slam titles, confirming his status as the greatest player of all time, or Nadal, possessing 10 Grand Slams, building on his historic success on clay to claim more titles on hard-courts or grass. There was also the possibility of the much-hyped Andy Murray taking his first Grand Slam.

However, it was in Rome where Djokovic proved his ability to adapt, bewildering Nadal to claim the clay-court title.
In 2011 he has secured an incredible six wins in finals from six attempts against Nadal.

What I admire most about Djokovic is his desire to continue to compete in the Davis Cup for Serbia (despite his withdrawal that consigned Serbia to defeat in their semi against Argentina this weekend). Indeed, it was while leading them to their first Davis Cup success in 2010 that he says he found the inner-belief to drive himself forward. 

In an era when many other champions snub their home nation in order to rest between admittedly hectic tournament schedules, he always finds the time to return to play for his country.

It is this new-found confidence that has made the difference, particularly in unleashing some stunning backhand winners. His defeated opponent in the US Open final, Nadal, highlighted this confidence as the reason Djokovic has improved his consistency.

At this moment in time it is impossible to judge his season against those listed above – simply because it has not finished.
Djokovic has still to play in the Shanghai Masters in October and the World Tour Finals in London at the end of November. He could also choose to play in the Paris Masters, which he won in 2009. This tough schedule will define whether this season will be the best ever.

However, if his season were to end today, I personally believe that it would come a close second to Federer’s 2007 season. Not only did he reclaim the three Grand Slam titles he won in 2006, he achieved a repeat final at Roland Garros and accumulated more wins and more titles. It is close, as some may argue that Federer had less competition as Nadal was yet to make his breakthrough.

However, in time, if Federer fails to claim more major titles, some may argue that Djokovic achieved this after Federer had passed his peak.

Djokovic does surpass the achievements of McEnroe. Tennis is played at a much higher pace and with greater intensity today than ever before. There are also more players capable of challenging for a title with a greater emphasis on travel.

The best season ever? Let’s wait until the end of the year.