What We Learned from Grand Slams in 2011

If asked to make a prediction about 2011, many would have guessed a continuation of Nadal's dominance. Djokovic had an impressive run to the finals of the US Open and Davis Cup success, but other than that his year had been nothing remarkable, whereas Nadal had had the best year of his career so far. 

Yet 2011 was without question Djokovic's year.

Here are other takeaways from Grand Slams in 2011.

1. The Big 4 Are Very Much the Big 4

Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray were consistently the most dominant players especially when it mattered most. 

They all made at least three slam semifinals on the year, and a couple times composed the last four remaining. There were few other players on tour who could even contend with them.

2. The Big 2 Are a Step Above

While the Big Four were always the top contenders for titles, only two of them won any the entire year. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were simply a class above Murray and Federer this year.

The most recent evolution of the game has seen endless consistency and 20+ stroke rallies emerge as the hegemony, and the two who most exemplify it are the top two players in the world.

They met in two out of the four major finals, and when they encountered other members of the big four they almost always emerged on top, the exception being Djokovic's loss to Federer at the French Open.

3. Reigns Are Fleeting

Few thought that Nadal's reign would be so ephemeral.

Novak Djokovic ascended to the throne, and in dramatic fashion, taking three out of four major titles just as Nadal had done the year before.

It will be interesting to see whether or not this dominance will continue next year or go the way of Nadal's.

4. The Courts Are Becoming Slower

Wimbledon has become an arena where twenty plus shot rallies are normal. That was rarely the case in years prior. 

Even the US Open, widely known as among the fastest courts professionals play on, has notably slowed down as Federer noted in an interview.

This caters to the most recent evolution of the game, which could be one reason among the many that Nadal and Djokovic have emerged as the new dominant forces.

5. Wimbledon Can Be Won by Somebody Other Than Federer or Nadal

Since 2003, one of two people have won the Wimbledon title. 

Djokovic changed that this year.

Never before seen as a true contender at the All-England club, Djokovic came in playing increasingly intelligent grass court tennis, approaching at opportune times and remaining in constant control of the rallies. 

This was very much symbolic of the reign of Fedal coming to a close.

6. Nadal Cannot Defend Titles Other Than the French Open

A pattern has emerged of Nadal being incapable of defending his major titles on all other surfaces than clay.

He has won all four, yet only successfully defended Roland Garros. Hopefully this will be something he changes in the future to be considered the definitive greatest player of all time.

7. Federer Is Capable of Going Slamless

For the first time since he won his first major title, Roger Federer went the entire year without a slam.

This could be attributed to a number of things: old age, the courts becoming slower, or even diminished drive.

This could be the most important takeaway from the slams this past year, because it profoundly represents the end of an era where Federer would walk away with as many as three in a calendar year.