Players Most Likely to Knock off Novak Djokovic at the 2015 ATP World Tour Final

Can anyone stop Novak Djokovic from winning his fourth-straight ATP World Tour Final? London might have to rename the O2 Arena after the world No. 1, because, right now, the rest of the men’s tour has witnessed engravers spell his name on just about every trophy around the world.

Of course, there are other great players who can win this elite tournament that brings together the eight highest-ranked players in the world. They spend an entire tennis year traveling around the globe and winning on various surfaces, battling through injuries and other hungry competitors.

But there’s no question that Djokovic is the man to beat. The 28-year-old is looking to complete one of the greatest years of all time after winning three major titles and five Masters 1000 titles (unless he wins Paris for No. 6), topped with the cherry that is the WTF.

While it’s conceivable that the mighty David Ferrer could have a dream week, or a few other players could step up to claim a shocking title, here are the top five players most likely to steal King Novak’s crown.

5. Andy Murray

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The case for Andy Murray:

1. He is the No. 2 player in the world and can avoid Djokovic in the round-robin group at London.
2. He has the home crowd support at London.
3. He should be motivated to play much better than his embarrassing bagel and breadstick last year at the hands of Roger Federer.
4. He has had historical success for big titles against Djokovic, even if it was long ago (2012 U.S. Open and 2013 Wimbledon finals).
5. He defeated Djokovic for the Rogers Cup in August.

The case against Andy Murray:

1. King Novak is a tennis monster right now.
2. Murray’s never really challenged for this title anyway. Three times he’s been ousted in the semifinals.
3. There are a lot of questions as to Murray’s willingness to fully invest himself at the WTF. He will have at least one eye and, probably, his heart on the Davis Cup finals. Those finals will be played on clay, and Murray may focus the bulk of his training on that surface. Will he just show up and see how things go on London’s indoor surface? Will he have shifting loyalties? Can he truly be the British Superman in taking the WTF and the Davis Cup? It's too much.

4. Rafael Nadal

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Chances seem slim for Rafael Nadal. Would you give him even 10-1 odds? The great Spaniard was a runner-up in 2010 and 2013, arguably, his greatest seasons, and he is clearly not at that level in 2015.

Even if Nadal goes on a streak, which is not easy for him to do at London’s indoor arena, he still has to deal with Djokovic, who has long brought out his best efforts against his career rival. There will be no letup from the Serb, and more likely even greater focus from the world No. 1.

Furthermore, Roger Federer poses enormous problems for Nadal on this surface. It’s not talked about as often as their clay-court meetings, but the Swiss star is a much bigger favorite here and now.

There have been positive signs from Beijing and Shanghai with improved play, although the former showed that Nadal, like the rest of the tour, has quite a chasm to cross in reaching Djokovic.

The reason Nadal cracks our top five is that he has shown greater energy and confidence. If things break his way, the 29-year-old will compete as fiercely as ever and seek to claim one glorious moment in an otherwise forgettable year.

How? He will need to serve at his best level and finish points quickly, which means punishing that second (return) ball with depth, and that third (offensive) ball with a flourish or finish. He’s got a puncher’s chance.

3. Tomas Berdych

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Really? Tomas Berdych at No. 3 on this list? He’s had only one semifinal appearance (2011) at the WTF in his five appearances. He hasn't exactly lit up the tennis world in 2015, taking only the small title at Shenzhen last month.

Yet, the 30-year-old should be better on this surface. He doesn’t have the wind to trouble his high toss, and his serve and groundstrokes should be precise in the sterile conditions. On paper, he should be lethal, like some updated version of Robin Soderling.

Maybe this is his time to soar into the semifinals and then score a pair of huge victories.

We never know when the big Czech with the smooth strokes will suddenly rise for his career momentum. It’s not enough to call this a gut feeling, but we will roll the dice for Berdych in November.

2. Stan Wawrinka

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There’s a clear separation of our top-three favorites from the five other contenders who will be at London. Stan Wawrinka is a legitimate force in a triangular configuration of power with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Wawrinka defeated Djokovic in the French Open final for the Serbian’s toughest and most important defeat of the year.

The 30-year-old might be the only player who can, legitimately, out-hit Djokovic and have the mental fortitude to complete four or five sets. He’s done it before, although the faster surfaces at the O2 Arena give the Serb a bigger edge.

Not to be forgotten, Wawrinka could very likely have to defeat Federer in the semifinals.

Last year, this was a heated contest that Wawrinka probably should have finished off, before Federer rallied for the win. The match also finished Federer, who could not compete against Djokovic in the final upon aggravating his back.

Wawrinka is also in better form than in late 2014. He recently pocketed a title in Tokyo and battled to a tough win over Marin Cilic in Beijing, even if he was flat in falling to Rafael Nadal a round later.

1. Roger Federer

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

It’s been four years since Roger Federer captured his sixth WTF final, but Novak Djokovic has been his biggest obstacle in capturing one more. It could be tougher this year, even as the Swiss maestro has turned in his best year since 2012.

Federer and Djokovic have continued to split matches the past several years, although the Serbian star has won the bigger titles, including three majors from 2014 Wimbledon to the 2015 U.S. Open.

Still, Federer can compete with his versatile offensive attacks at the net, his changes of pace and his usually impregnable serve.

The 34-year-old will also get the hero’s applause from London’s tennis patrons, and he loves the indoor conditions. If Djokovic slips, Federer is the most likely champion to swoop in for the trophy.

One intriguing note could be a possible Federer duel with longtime rival Rafael Nadal. They have not met since the 2014 Australian semifinal when Nadal was the world No. 1, and Federer was beginning his partnership with coach Stefan Edberg.

With Nadal’s recent decline, Federer has not been able to get a crack at his long-time rival. This fast surface would be the ideal conditions to take a gratifying late-career win from the Spaniard.