Novak Djokovic: Why Can Nobody Beat the World No. 1 Right Now?

After a few weeks off, Novak Djokovic returns to ATP World Tour action this week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he aims to defend his title against a field that includes seven other members of the top 10.

Based upon the form and fight Djokovic showed at the 2012 Australian Open, it'll be a tough task for anyone in the field to top him. However, that seems to be the norm for more than a year now as he's become as close to unbeatable as one can imagine.

What is it that has Djokovic on such a tear? Hall-of-Famers Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal only have one win against him combined since the start of 2011.

Djokovic has always had one of the best baseline games in the business. Aside from the power he's able to generate off both the forehand and backhand side, he mixes up speeds effectively. Djokovic can rally with heavy topspin or hit penetrating slices if necessary. His cross-court strokes are textbook, but when the opening is there, Djokovic will rip a shot down the line for a winner or put his opponent on the defense.

To set up the baseline rallies on his terms, though, it all starts with the serve and return. He's not Ivo Karlovic out there, but Djokovic serves more than his fair share of aces. His second serve has improved as well, which puts pressure on his foes to try to break him. If the player on the opposite side of the net isn't going to crack the Djokovic serve, that gets him thinking more about his own service games. The Serbian is ready to pounce at the first chance he gets.

Much has been made, too, about Djokovic's improved fitness, particularly in regard to his diet as it's allowed him to stay on the court more. He still suffers injuries from time to time, which can be traced to his physical style of play, but he fights through them.

And that might be the main reason why no one seems to be able to figure out how to beat Djokovic right now. The amount of fight he's showing out on the court is off the charts. Players have had the world No. 1 on the ropes at points in the past few months, but he's managed to dig deep and pull out the win, taking it one match at a time.

Doing that results in a lot of victories and trophies being won—and leaves Djokovic's opponents wondering what they can do to stop him.