Novak Djokovic: World No. 1 Won't Win Another Grand Slam Until U.S. Open

While Novak Djokovic followed up his brilliant 2011 campaign with a win in 2012's first Grand Slam, we're not going to see the same kind of magic this year. 

Djokovic can play well on all courts, but he's clearly at his best on the hard surfaces. That is why before 2011, he never even made a Grand Slam final that wasn't the Australian Open or U.S. Open. On clay and grass, other players are just better than he is. 

After he takes some time in the spring to heal his injuries, Nadal will be refreshed. He is the best clay court player in the history of the game, and there's no reason to believe that anyone other than Rafa will win the French Open. 

Wimbledon will be a little more open, but Djokovic won't be the winner. There, Roger Federer will have his last real opportunity to win a Grand Slam, as grass has always been his best surface.

Another name to look out for there is Andy Murray. Before his semifinal loss to Djokovic, I would have never said that he had any chance in a Grand Slam this year. But seeing Murray fight hard in a loss to one of the top players in the world was a promising sign. 

Murray has always been done in by his head late in those slams. The talent has always been there, but he always folded after falling down early. That is not what happened against Djokovic. Murray dropped the opening set 3-6, but came back with wins at 6-3 and 7-6. 

After dropping the fourth set 1-6, Murray fought valiantly before falling 5-7 in the final. That is about as encouraging of a loss as you could ever imagine. 

Murray didn't let falling down keep him from fighting. When he gets to the grass courts of Wimbledon with the home crowd in his favor, Murray is a real threat. 

Then of course there's Nadal. He is a two-time champion at the All-England Club and has three other finals appearances. Clearly, Nadal is comfortable on the grass courts. 

That is too much of a task for Djokovic. Right now, he is by far the best hard court player in the world. That was proven again in Australia. But away from the hard courts, Djokovic is quite a bit more mortal. That will show at the next two Grand Slams. 

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