Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer Has Been 2014's Standout Rivalry

Once again ranked as the top-two players in the world, No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Roger Federer have faced each other five times and counting in 2014, producing some fascinating and barnstorming contests.

Previously, the talk was all about the great clashes between Federer and Rafael Nadal during the latter half of the 2000s. Then along came Djokovic, who rose to the very top of the men’s game and established his own compelling rivalry with Nadal over the past few years. Andy Murray has had some famous tussles with Novak on the big stage too, in 2012 and 2013 in particular.

In 2014, though, Federer has fought back against his more youthful competitors. While Rafa and Andy have been floundering with injury and poor runs of form, the Swiss legend and seven-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic have taken over at the top again.

That’s what makes the Big Four of the ATP World Tour so special: when one or two are even slightly off form, the others take their opportunity. There is this constant cycle of ups and downs between the four, with the vast majority of significant matches at Slams featuring one or two of them, particularly up until this year.

For Federer and Djokovic, their 2014 rivalry began in Dubai back in February. In the last four, the Swiss fought back from a set down (the first time he’d ever done so) to defeat his top-seeded rival in three sets. Federer was aggressive throughout, playing the way that does have success against Djokovic. He saved five out of the six break points he faced, compared to the Serb's four out of seven, via ATP.com. This particular point highlights Federer’s aggressive nature and stunning defensive abilities.

Federer went on to win the title, beating Tomas Berdych in the final.

Djokovic gained revenge by edging Federer in a final-set tiebreak in the Indian Wells final. It was another contest that ebbed and flowed, with Federer breaking Djokovic back as he served for the match at 5-4 in the third.

Djokovic recognised the upturn in his rival’s level in 2014 after the match:

"

Roger is playing in a very high level.... He just played better than he did in the last 13, 14 months. I needed to really be in the top of my game and very concentrated [in] the last moment in order to win. That's what I've done. [I'm] very proud of my achievements during this tournament.

"

The pair’s third meeting of 2014 was at the semi-final stage on the red dirt in Djokovic’s home district of Monte Carlo. After an extremely tight opening set, which Federer managed to edge, the Swiss took advantage of his visibly wilting opponent to comfortably close out the match in straight sets.

Stan Wawrinka managed to defeat his countryman in the resulting final, though, leaving Federer without a title in Monaco.

The fourth setting for a contest between the world’s top two was on the extremely dusty and worn grass of Centre Court at the All England Club.

It was final Sunday. They’d both been in the Wimbledon final before, many times. Never against each other, though. The seven-time champion against the 2011 champion.

There are not many sporting events that can grip the world, particularly British viewers, like the men’s title decider at SW19. This match between two of the greats of the game lived up to all expectations.

A tense first set went the way of the man who has effectively made this court his own over the past decade.

However, Djokovic fought back and had the match completely in his hands, leading two sets to one and 5-2. The mood inside Centre Court was a little gloomy, with their favourite on the brink of being dispatched by the Serbian machine.

As Djokovic saw the finish line, though, he got tight and Federer upped his level once again. Roared on by an ecstatic capacity crowd, he grabbed two swift breaks to take the fourth set 7-5 and send the match to a fifth and deciding set. Djokovic actually had a championship point in the fourth, which the great Swiss saved with an ace.

When break points drew up in the fifth, it seemed that the tide had completely turned to the 17-time major champion. But the Serb saved them and struck at the right time to take his second Wimbledon title.

Those on Centre Court and the millions of viewers worldwide were treated to a contest of immense drama, intensity and passion.

Kevin Mitchell of The Guardian commented:

"

If Federer had won, it would have been hailed as the crowning achievement of a glorious career. Losing hardly dented his aura or his legacy, especially as he went down fighting. But for Djokovic, a sixth defeat in seven slam finals, to complete four in a row, was unthinkable. He simply could not allow it—even though no one was pulling for him.

"

Both men poured everything they had into that final and unfortunately one man had to be the loser. It is arguably the finest match of the ATP year so far.

So it was two wins apiece for the two champions heading into a semi-final collision in Shanghai, where Djokovic has run the show by winning the title in the last two seasons. The Swiss star is yet to win the event since it began in 2009.

Under the lights of China’s most populous city on Saturday evening, it was all about Roger Federer. He played simply outstanding tennis from start to finish, taking the contest 6-4 6-4. He served 70 per cent first serves, winning 68 per cent of those points and 61 per cent of his second-serve points (statistics from ATP.com). Incredibly, he also only faced a solitary break point against the returning powerhouse Djokovic.

Federer played with aggression, approaching the net on numerous occasions and volleying extremely well with it. His movement was exquisite, gliding around the court even more beautifully than usual. It was surely his highest level of tennis for a long time.

After having his 28-match Chinese win streak ended by the 33-year-old, Djokovic stated that his opponent had played “the perfect match."

Federer agreed: “It was a great match...I think I played very well. There was nothing in the game today that wasn’t working. I think it was a high-level match. I’m unbelievably happy with the way it went”.

Djokovic was by no means at his absolute, ruthless best. Yet, he wasn’t allowed to be. Federer’s groundstrokes were precise and consistent and put a lot of pressure on the Serb. At times he was shaking his head in disbelief at the brilliance coming from the other side of the net.

By now, 11 years after he first won Wimbledon, nothing the Swiss wizard conjures with his wand of a tennis racket should surprise us.

His most recent victory over Djokovic edges him to 19-17 in his head-to-head with the Wimbledon champion.

Grand Slam tallies may say otherwise, but they have clearly been the two most consistent players of the season.

As we approach the end of 2014, their match in Shanghai is unlikely to be the last meeting between the world’s top-two players. Their year of thrilling duels could fittingly culminate in a decider at the World Tour Finals in London’s O2 Arena in November.

Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattmcgladrigan