Grading Novak Djokovic's 2015 Season and Looking Ahead to 2016
Coming into 2015, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic had already established himself as one of the top 10 players in the history of the Open era.
By the year’s end, the super Serbian cleaned up on the ATP tour by hauling in three major and six Masters 1000 titles. They will need to reissue the popular board game Monopoly with Djokovic’s titles forming the walkway.
The 28-year-old star is expanding his prime, and there’s no letup in sight. He continues to understand that his hard training and attention to details are the necessary ingredients for his dominance, something he stated in late March after defeating Roger Federer at Indian Wells, as reported by CNN:
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"Obviously there are a lot of sacrifices that have to be made.
Hard work, commitment to the sport. It all starts with you at the end of the day because it's an individual sport. You need to be able to put in all these hours on the court and off the court, understanding what makes you better.
"
If that sounds familiar, it’s only because Djokovic’s subsequent demolition of the ATP had him echoing these core values following his Paris Masters title in November, per the Associated Press (h/t Tennis.com):
"I take nothing for granted. I try to work on that all the time, because I know that is the only way I'm managing to stay successful. I'm not trying to keep the status quo, because for me then that's a regression.
"
It’s a Djokovic-centered tennis universe with all other players and storylines orbiting his brilliance. And maybe this best describes the difficulty of other stars trying to eclipse him. Unless Djokovic goes supernova, all of his biggest challengers will melt under his championship glare.
Djokovic’s 2015 tennis year is our final weekly superstar profile. If you missed the previous features with Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, you may click their names in this sentence.
Grade: A+
Let’s dispense with the preliminaries and award Djokovic his well-deserved A+.
Unless the grading requirement means winning the calendar Grand Slam, all nine Masters 1000 tournaments and the World Tour Finals, then Djokovic at least brushed the ceiling with arguably the greatest season ever (his achievements and case made in the preceding link).
It would be easier to list the big tournaments that he did not win:
- Madrid: He did not participate, presumably to gain extra rest for Rome and Roland Garros.
- French Open: Lost to Stan Wawrinka in the final after winning the first set. His biggest disappointment by far, especially after finally topping Nadal at Roland Garros.
- Canada Open: Burned himself with too many matches including doubles. Lost a hard-fought final to Murray.
- Cincinnati: Definitely tired after Canada and was ambushed in the final by a well-rested Federer who should be allowed part ownership of the tournament's fast surface.
In the end, tennis fans and historians will most remember the way Djokovic fought off a valiant and aggressive Federer in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals. He lifted his game despite being in the pressure cooker of tennis patrons who desperately shouted support for the more elderly Swiss legend.
Someday, when the emotion and partisan views are removed, more fans will come to appreciate Djokovic’s unrelenting toughness. He fights through raw emotional setbacks, recalibrates his game and grows tougher as the matches grow longer.
In 2015, we witnessed another Djokovic quantum leap that bookends the epic 2011 season. Now, he has set a new standard of player, one who has no real weaknesses. Where once his stamina was a problem, his forehand inconsistent and his serving no real threat, he has turned all of these into strengths.
How does anyone attack the perfect player? His quick footwork, nasty return game and offensive efficiency goads everyone into overplaying, fretting and collapsing.
The scary thing is that Djokovic is still evolving. He’s a different player than his 2011 version that ruled the ATP. He’s more patient, savvy, well-rounded and willing to challenge himself.
When we remember 2015, Djokovic will loom largest—and deservedly so.
Outlook 2016
Can he do it again?
Right now, it feels like Djokovic can match what Federer did in 2007—a second consecutive year with three majors. It’s only happened one time in the Open era, and the challenges are certainly harder in the second year.
Other players make adjustments and put a target on the world No. 1. It will be a grind for Djokovic, who knows all too well that he must win this way in big matches. Will he wear down the way he did in 2012 when Nadal, Federer and Murray struck back for the year’s final majors?
The first objective is for Djokovic to defend his Australian Open title. The slower hard surface is best suited for his game, and he will try to add a sixth crown at Melbourne. No other player has more than four in his career.
We might see Djokovic back off a little during the spring. It would be a lot to expect him to sweep Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. He’s been pacing himself more for majors and Masters 1000 tournaments, but his biggest priority will be to get the clay-court preparation he needs.
Djokovic most needs to win the 2016 French Open. It would be the final big piece to his legacy and perhaps the last link to already establishing that he is the career equal to Federer and Nadal, who ruled over him before 2011.
It will be his most gruelling physical and mental test. His chief rivals will be gunning for him, and he must conquer his personal demons and past French Open losses.
If Djokovic does win the Australian and French Open titles, he will be the first player since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the year’s first two majors. Would he have anything left for Wimbledon? Would he be emotionally spent, or would be be too satisfied?
Nobody underestimates Djokovic anymore, but the physical toll will be demanding. Other hungry competitors will be seeking to tear apart his empire. Maybe things will not go his way in a big match or two. Perhaps Wawrinka, Nadal, Murray or Federer can gang up with their best tennis.
All of which make Djokovic the man in the middle once again. He will be the favorite until otherwise proven.
Stars, comets, asteroids, Federer and Murray—they must all hope Djokovic slows down and gives them an opening. Otherwise, the Serbian could streak out of sight and go where no tennis player has gone before.
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