Exciting times to be a Novak fan...

[Great Hands]

Hi GH, so gracious as always, with this thread as well.

When it comes to this Nole fan, I must say that you are wrong about these times only being exciting. Since I was a 7 year old, my dad got me into sports, all kinds of sports, I've been passionate about many things, not just sports related and that passion continues 40 years later. I've had sports heroes before in my life, but the thing about Nole is the most special of them all. I doubt there will ever be another sports figure who will capture my heart as much as Nole did.

In short, this ride Nole has taken me since 2005 when I first heard of him and started following him, wouldn't change it for anything in the world, win or lose. It's always a good time to be a Nole fan.

Hi again Billie, you are gracious too, thanks!

 

[Billie]

Are you feeling excited about Andy and his new found great form on clay, GH? The masters in Madrid was some of his best clay tennis I'd seen from him. May be exciting times for Andy's fans as well.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I'll also throw in Novak's winning streak as part of his exciting times: 23 consecutive wins and counting. :clap

(I included the DC win -- his first match after losing the Dubai final.)

Roger has 7 of them (20+ winning streaks), just saying. Don't mean to spoil the celebrations here.

 

[Billie]

I'll also throw in Novak's winning streak as part of his exciting times: 23 consecutive wins and counting. :clap

(I included the DC win -- his first match after losing the Dubai final.)

Roger has 7 of them (20+ winning streaks), just saying. Don't mean to spoil the celebrations here.

Yet you did:ras:

Nole has 4 so far!!! And has a longer one than Roger.

 

[nehmeth]

I'll also throw in Novak's winning streak as part of his exciting times: 23 consecutive wins and counting. :clap

(I included the DC win -- his first match after losing the Dubai final.)

Roger has 7 of them (20+ winning streaks), just saying. Don't mean to spoil the celebrations here.

Yet you did:ras:

Nole has 4 so far!!! And has a longer one than Roger.

uzzled TMI. :angel:

 

[Fiero425]

Roger has 7 of them (20+ winning streaks), just saying. Don't mean to spoil the celebrations here.

Yet you did:ras:

Nole has 4 so far!!! And has a longer one than Roger.

uzzled TMI. :angel:

Roger's old news; this is today which means this is "the era of NOLE!" :ras: :clap :angel: :dodgy: :devil

 

[Billie]

Roger has 7 of them (20+ winning streaks), just saying. Don't mean to spoil the celebrations here.

Yet you did:ras:

Nole has 4 so far!!! And has a longer one than Roger.

uzzled TMI. :angel:

:laydownlaughing Winning streaks!!! If you guys thought something else....:nono

 

[Kirijax]

So far, which Djokovic has had the better season leading up to the French Open; the 2011 or 2015 version? I'm coming to the point where I think it's a toss up. Djokovic has seemed invincible since March, even when he drops a set. You just feel that he controls the match, no matter what his opponent does.

 

[Great Hands]

Are you feeling excited about Andy and his new found great form on clay, GH? The masters in Madrid was some of his best clay tennis I'd seen from him. May be exciting times for Andy's fans as well.

Thanks for asking, Billie!

Whilst I am excited about Murray's excellent current clay form - it is particularly his back being better that is helping with this, more than anything - I can't see Andy winning RG with Nole around. Depending on his draw, it is possible he could make the final, which would mean that he would have reached the final of all four majors - no small achievement in this tough era!

But what I am really excited about as regards Andy is the faster surfaces later in the year, the fast hards and especially grass. When Andy is on-form on grass, he is serving and moving well etc, he is a match for anybody and genuine contender for WD. I love watching Murray on grass, his movement is awesome (his Olympic semi-final at WD against Novak was one of the best matches Andy has ever played, IMO).

What I am most pleased about is that Andy feels like a genuine contender for slams again after his 2014 dip.

Murray is unbeaten in the big events this season - except by Novak. That's an excellent record.

I am also interested to see what Bjorkman can bring to the table. The early signs are good!

 

[Great Hands]

Are you feeling excited about Andy and his new found great form on clay, GH? The masters in Madrid was some of his best clay tennis I'd seen from him. May be exciting times for Andy's fans as well.

Thanks for asking, Billie!

Whilst I am excited about Murray's excellent current clay form - it is particularly his back being better that is helping with this, more than anything - I can't see Andy winning RG with Nole around. Depending on his draw, it is possible he could make the final, which would mean that he would have reached the final of all four majors - no small achievement in this tough era!

But what I am really excited about as regards Andy is the faster surfaces later in the year, the fast hards and especially grass. When Andy is on-form on grass, he is serving and moving well etc, he is a match for anybody and genuine contender for WD. I love watching Murray on grass, his movement is awesome (his Olympic semi-final at WD against Novak was one of the best matches Andy has ever played, IMO).

What I am most pleased about is that Andy feels like a genuine contender for slams again after his 2014 dip.

Murray is unbeaten in the big events this season - except by Novak. That's an excellent record.

I am also interested to see what Bjorkman can bring to the table. The early signs are good!

 

[Fiero425]

So far, which Djokovic has had the better season leading up to the French Open; the 2011 or 2015 version? I'm coming to the point where I think it's a toss up. Djokovic has seemed invincible since March, even when he drops a set. You just feel that he controls the match, no matter what his opponent does.

That's a very good question! Which is more impressive; undefeated until FO in 2011 with a 41 match winning streak or winning 4 Masters and AO leading into FO this season? I forgot he missed MC, but played in an inaugural tourney run by his family in Serbia! I'll put in my bid that this season's run is more impressive with so many other good competitors out there; including some "young guns" like Kei, Milos, & Kyrgios! A very impressive run indeed! :clap :angel: :dodgy:

 

[nehmeth]

So far, which Djokovic has had the better season leading up to the French Open; the 2011 or 2015 version? I'm coming to the point where I think it's a toss up. Djokovic has seemed invincible since March, even when he drops a set. You just feel that he controls the match, no matter what his opponent does.

On his way from IW to Miami, Novak and company stopped in Philadelphia to visit the Rocky statue, as he said, for inspiration.

I smiled, as I am from that area and when I was a young un, Rocky came out in time for the bicentennial. Not saying there is any relevance, but it's been really neat to see that when he gets down in a match, his resolve kicks in and he presses through. To me, that's a different kind of impressive than 2011 when his level was almost unapproachable.

edit: That kind of resolve will be necessary to press through at the French Open, whether it be external pressures, his own nerves, or another player.

 

[Billie]

GH: I feel that Nole's biggest threat will come from Andy this year. We can never exclude Rafa from FO or Federer from Wimbledon, but I have a sneaky suspicion that we will see a lot of Nole-Andy encounters in the future. Andy seems to be playing with aggression that can only help him. Seems that marriage thing is working nicely for him. We'll see what happens, my only wish for Nole is to stay healthy and happy with his life, the rest will come. I wish the same for Andy.:clap

 

[Billie]

So far, which Djokovic has had the better season leading up to the French Open; the 2011 or 2015 version? I'm coming to the point where I think it's a toss up. Djokovic has seemed invincible since March, even when he drops a set. You just feel that he controls the match, no matter what his opponent does.

Nole himself thinks that he is playing better this year than in 2011. To me: 2015 has been more impressive than 2011, honestly, just because he had to deal with a lot more off court stuff this year than in 2011. In 2011, he didn't know any better: just play and win. He might have sneaked up on a lot of players in 2011, but it is impossible to do in 2015 as everybody is gunning for him.

This year he played DC so it is more impressive what he has been able to achieve this year, trying to incorporate travelling with a little baby, wife and 2 dogs.

If he doesn't win 3 majors this year, then 2011 will remain his best year, but as for up to now: 2015 it is.

 

[Federberg]

http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/novak-djokovic/index.html

 

[El Dude]

Here's a crazy stat. Since 2011 Novak has won 19 of 41 Masters, or 19 of 37 played in - that's more than half! Can we say that Novak is Master of the Masters?

 

[Fiero425]

Here's a crazy stat. Since 2011 Novak has won 19 of 41 Masters, or 19 of 37 played in - that's more than half! Can we say that Novak is Master of the Masters?

That's the record that NOLE will OWN after all is said and done! Rafa and Roger near the end while Nole's about to zoom past them both; H2H and in the Masters' count! That will be one thing solidly listed under his name as a record! :clap :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Front242]

In fairness one would expect him to end ahead of Roger in the h2h given the age gap but so far the old fart is holding up his side of that bargain pretty well.

 

[Front242]

^ He's been out of his prime for years and beaten Novak a lot since then when Novak is in his. Not too shabby.

 

[Moxie]

And also in fairness, if Novak passes Rafa in the H2H, it will also have been past Nadal's prime, as well as when he passes him in MS count, which seems a certainty. Currently: Nadal has 27W v. 14L; Federer 24W v. 18L; Djokovic 24W v. 10L. Also, Nole is all but certain to get the "box set" when he finally gets Cincy. Roger and Rafa each are missing 2, with Rafa still having an outside chance at Miami. So as to Master of the Masters, I think he will be, Dude.