Realistic scenario how Djokovic can end his career with 18 slams

[Moxie]

Moxie, your post proves the point. You say it is not about Fedals, then you go on to reference everything by Federer's achievements. Then your post gets liked by two more Fedals. Lol, seriously?

Bringing in Agassi doesn't do much good either. Don't get me wrong, I was a huge fan of his, but he is not even close to the same level as Djokovic. Besides, Agassi was doing meth during his career, Novak eats a piece of chocolate to celebrate a Slam win. What I am saying is: Novak is setting his own standards, and referring to Fed as the maximum possible is doing him short. You will see.

I think you missed my point. It was not that we "Fedals" are trying to diminish Nole. I'm saying we're looking at the history of successes from age 29 onward. And I did say we're in "uncharted territory" with Novak. But you have to use Federer as something of a yardstick, since he's the guy with 17. Sure, if Djokovic stays dominant, focused and healthy for the next 2-3 years, if none of the old guard/Big 4 resurges, if none of the younger hopefuls hit their stride and if no one has too many zoning days at the right moment, a la Wawrinka: what's to stop him reaching 17-18+? It's just that history tells us some of those things will happen sometimes. Perhaps he does have a run like Serena or Steffi, when his only opponent is himself. It could happen. And Fed had a run of that, but it was earlier in his career. You can hope and foresee that coming for Novak, but don't call people biased because they don't see all precedent falling.

 

[Billie]

Absolutely Moxie, people write what they feel. With or without reasoning, sometimes. We all do. Nobody can predict these things.
Ivanisevic says Nole can win 20 slams but I won't just trust him, I'll worry and sweat through every single one as always Although he is very entertaining and funny in explaining it.


Ivanisevic told the Telegraph’s Tennis Podcast that he believes Djokovic can go on to break all of Roger Federer’s records, eventually amassing 20 Grand Slam singles titles. “He’s controlling everything. He decides how long he wants to spend on the court! You have to hope his bus or car doesn’t come to pick him up and take him to the court! Honestly, as a coach, as an ex-player, I don’t know what tactics you can give to your player to beat him. He could break all the records. If he is healthy he will play another five or six years, he can win 2 or 3 a year. That’s 20!’

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/te...in-Australian-Open-says-Goran-Ivanisevic.html

 

[britbox]

Denis, Who else would your reference point be other than Federer and players who have competed past 30?

Nobody is arguing Djokovic isn't a special player but it's not a personal insult against him to suggest that winning such a large number slams past 30 is possibly a bridge too far.
Is it possible? Yes
Is it realistic? Maybe
Which way would I bet? I don't think he does it because it's a hall of fame career in it's own right to win that number of majors and we're asking him to do it past 30 years of age. The landscape changes...

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Ivanisevic told the Telegraph’s Tennis Podcast that he believes Djokovic can go on to break all of Roger Federer’s records, eventually amassing 20 Grand Slam singles titles. “He’s controlling everything. He decides how long he wants to spend on the court! You have to hope his bus or car doesn’t come to pick him up and take him to the court! Honestly, as a coach, as an ex-player, I don’t know what tactics you can give to your player to beat him.’

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/te...in-Australian-Open-says-Goran-Ivanisevic.html

When you're a coach trying to find something your player can exploit against his opponent and come up with nothing...

 

[Denis]

Denis, Who else would your reference point be other than Federer and players who have competed past 30?

Nobody is arguing Djokovic isn't a special player but it's not a personal insult against him to suggest that winning such a large number slams past 30 is possibly a bridge too far.
Is it possible? Yes
Is it realistic? Maybe
Which way would I bet? I don't think he does it because it's a hall of fame career in it's own right to win that number of majors and we're asking him to do it past 30 years of age. The landscape changes...

Also @Moxie

All I'm saying is that Djokovic is setting his own standards and considering Fed's 17 the max of what is humanly possible is one dimensional. I really don't think you need to be the perfect tennis machine to win 17, as demonstrated by Fed himself. But I guess that message doesn't go too well with the Fedals.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Also @Moxie

All I'm saying is that Djokovic is setting his own standards and considering Fed's 17 the max of what is humanly possible is one dimensional. I really don't think you need to be the perfect tennis machine to win 17, as demonstrated by Fed himself. But I guess that message doesn't go too well with the Fedals.

There is ample evidence (with more than just Fed) that after 29 there is a significant drop off in slam wins. With this in mind (and also to avoid injury), Jelena Gencic began to work with young Novak in a number of ways, most notably a regimen of stretching to keep him limber. His whole focus with diet, practice, workouts and matches is with an eye toward success and longevity as a player. We will see in the next couple years whether it worked or not.

 

[britbox]

Also @Moxie

All I'm saying is that Djokovic is setting his own standards and considering Fed's 17 the max of what is humanly possible is one dimensional. I really don't think you need to be the perfect tennis machine to win 17, as demonstrated by Fed himself. But I guess that message doesn't go too well with the Fedals.

@Denis - I don't think the point was that 17 was unattainable - it is... and it will be broken as all records are. The point is how many slams can Novak realistically wrap up in a window after he's turned 30? I think it's possible that Novak could do it, but put a gun the head for a prediction - then no, I don't think he will.

 

[Moxie]

There is ample evidence (with more than just Fed) that after 29 there is a significant drop off in slam wins. With this in mind (and also to avoid injury), Jelena Gencic began to work with young Novak in a number of ways, most notably a regimen of stretching to keep him limber. His whole focus with diet, practice, workouts and matches is with an eye toward success and longevity as a player. We will see in the next couple years whether it worked or not.

I think this was a wise idea from her, and he has been super-committed to his stretching regimen. And while he still plays a really physical style, he has upped his serve, and has shortened a lot of his matches. This will also go a long way to cutting down on the mileage. I don't know if he's announced his schedule for the year, but I'm wondering if the team is planning on trimming a few events, to that same end. He played 88 matches last year. (Fed played 85 in 2014, so it's not outrageous.) But he's surely reached the point where he gets a free pass out of one MS. He can afford the points, and this is an Olympic year. I guess it goes without saying he won't play DC this year. I would think if he's taking the long view, he would focus on Slams. Like Serena, he's proven he can win without a tune-up. And the MS record is going to take care of itself.

As you say, EG, we'll see in the next couple of years if Gencic's strategy worked. But if it does, or even now, I'm guessing a lot of young players will be adding some yoga. Namaste.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

He skipped Madrid last year. Winning the French is his primary objective, so he may do it again.

I am wondering how things will progress with the Zika virus. Will the W.H.O., the C.D.C or other entities weigh in on the advisability of having the Olympics this year? Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, heading into a hot zone and potentially taking it back to every country on earth sounds like a very bad idea.

 

[Moxie]

He skipped Madrid last year. Winning the French is his primary objective, so he may do it again.

I am wondering how things will progress with the Zika virus. Will the W.H.O., the C.D.C or other entities weigh in on the advisability of having the Olympics this year? Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, heading into a hot zone and potentially taking it back to every country on earth sounds like a very bad idea.

Wow, that's a thought. As "plagued" as this Olympics has already been. There was talk a year or so ago of re-enlisting London. I can't think of many other cities that could pull it off. And I should think the IOC would have to decide soon to pull the plug on Rio.

 

[Billie]

The news about the Olympics are getting worse with every day. It really saddens me as I love that competition.

Moxie, Nole committed to playing 1st round of DC in Serbia, already announced (unless something extreme happens).

 

[Mastoor]

The news about the Olympics are getting worse with every day. It really saddens me as I love that competition.

Moxie, Nole committed to playing 1st round of DC in Serbia, already announced (unless something extreme happens).

What are those bad news about the Olympics? I haven't read any.

 

[Mastoor]

2016: 3 slams
2017: 2
2018: 1
2019: 1
2020: 1

Does No1e have any chance to get to Nemanja "The Serbinator" Vidic's number? Not Man U one #15, but Red Star one #26

 

[Moxie]

The news about the Olympics are getting worse with every day. It really saddens me as I love that competition.

Moxie, Nole committed to playing 1st round of DC in Serbia, already announced (unless something extreme happens).

Hey, I'm trying to make the argument for how he defies the odds and keeps winning Majors post 30, so I don't get accused of just being a negative "Fedal" fan. My argument doesn't include him playing DC this year. Is that wise? As to the Olympics, I don't know what to say, but Brazil is not making a huge case for itself. My real guess is that it'll happen in Brazil, and it'll be a bit of a mess, like Soji. The Vika thing is probably overblown, as far as the athletes are concerned.

 

[britbox]

Is there such a thing as a Fedal fan? Fans who support both players are a bit rare if you ask me... Kind of like grouping Liverpool and Manchester United fans under the same umbrella

 

[shawnbm]

I think one can be a true fan of one of them and greatly admire, respect and even grow to like the other--especially vis-a-vis a challenger like Nole or Stanislas or Andy. Federer brought me back to the game and utterly amazed me like no one since Mac's prime in 1984. I don't think I ever saw (still to this day) a player so effortlessly destroy the men's tour as ruthlessly as Federer in teh 2005-2007 era. I used to live in Spain, so I always admired the Spaniard from the Balaerics, but I was not fond of his game--his grit and determination? Yes, but his sleeveless shirts and endless running down of balls and winning on clay and disrupting Roger's grand slams? No. Now, I feel for Nadal and want to see him do well and win again, just not against Roger.

 

[Obsi]

Maybe, but I'd bet against. Only because I think the landscape will change. If it didn't change and was the same today for the next 5 years then yes, without a shadow iof a doubt.

I too think the landscape will change so that's why I proposed 2 slams rather 3 for 2017 and only 1 slam for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

 

[britbox]

I think one can be a true fan of one of them and greatly admire, respect and even grow to like the other--especially vis-a-vis a challenger like Nole or Stanislas or Andy. Federer brought me back to the game and utterly amazed me like no one since Mac's prime in 1984. I don't think I ever saw (still to this day) a player so effortlessly destroy the men's tour as ruthlessly as Federer in teh 2005-2007 era. I used to live in Spain, so I always admired the Spaniard from the Balaerics, but I was not fond of his game--his grit and determination? Yes, but his sleeveless shirts and endless running down of balls and winning on clay and disrupting Roger's grand slams? No. Now, I feel for Nadal and want to see him do well and win again, just not against Roger.

Interesting point and it resonates with me a bit... When I was a young kid, I was a huge Borg fan. The Viking/Ice King was the the first player I really bought into on a fan level... and then this fella from Queens turned up - John Patrick McEnroe. I hated McEnroe at first... tuned in hoping he would lose... I grew to like him in a manner of speaking... loved his game, loved his hands at the net... the guy was box office. You watched him whether you liked him or not. Funnily enough, I grew to like him after Borg retired and took an aversion to Ivan Lendl... but in hindsight I like all of them.

 

[Denis]

Is there such a thing as a Fedal fan? Fans who support both players are a bit rare if you ask me... Kind of like grouping Liverpool and Manchester United fans under the same umbrella

I think there are fans out there that prefer the good old days of Wimbledon 2008 and the GOAT discussion bringing in the h2h. Also, I think Nadal in particular is dependent to a certain extent on Federer's greatness, since his game was more or less constructed around beating Federer. And boy, did Nadal beat Federer.

In fairness, many people have started giving Djokovic credit for making name for himself and breaking into their favorite duet. And that's nice to see and sportsmenship.

 

[Moxie]

I think there are fans out there that prefer the good old days of Wimbledon 2008 and the GOAT discussion bringing in the h2h. Also, I think Nadal in particular is dependent to a certain extent on Federer's greatness, since his game was more or less constructed around beating Federer. And boy, did Nadal beat Federer.

In fairness, many people have started giving Djokovic credit for making name for himself and breaking into their favorite duet. And that's nice to see and sportsmenship.

To @britbox's point, I was using "Fedal fans" as a short-hand for "fans of Federer and fans of Nadal," though, @shawnbm made the more generous point. And the old guy has grown on me. And yes, Denis, I think people are starting to give Novak the credit he deserves, even if grudgingly, (speaking for myself.) It's just that he came up when we'd already divided the world into 2 camps, and Roger and Rafa are still playing, so it's not easy for most to shift loyalties. Now, for the sake of accuracy, @Denis, Nadal's game was not constructed around beating Federer. It was simply tailor-made that way...lefty spin into the 1-hander, and they are the same height, to put it briefly. But Rafa did develop the habit of going to the backhand when in extremis, which didn't work against Novak, so he had to retool his game for Djokovic. Which worked for a while, and I hope can again.