Will Novak pass Federer?

[Moxie]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is what gives you Fed fans a bad name. #spikingtheball That said, the ship sailed for Djokovic last year. Probably even catching Nadal.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is what gives you Fed fans a bad name. #spikingtheball That said, the ship sailed for Djokovic last year. Probably even catching Nadal.

Who is spikingtheball? The one who said "King is dead" or the ones who pointed out that?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

.........gentle bump

 

[GameSetAndMath]

While we may be happy that Novak is preventing Ralph passing Fed, the threat of Novak passing Fed keeps increasing. I really wish Perseus had won this AO. We need some new youngster to win a slam very soon.

 

[roberto]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is what gives you Fed fans a bad name. #spikingtheball That said, the ship sailed for Djokovic last year. Probably even catching Nadal.

Most objective observers of the game feel that Novak has a reasonable chance of one or two more slams this year (or more). If one of those occurs at the French, then Novak is almost certain to tie or pass Rafa. And not sure why Roger's record of 20 (assuming he doesn't add to it) is unattainable for Novak?

 

[Vince Evert]

We have a thread titled "Will Rafa Pass Federer"? Since that question seems to be settled, the burning question now appears to be will Novak surpass Federer? Of course, before passing Federer, he must pass Rafa; but, let us not labor the obvious.

I posted my thoughts about this here . But, nehemeth pointed out that it may be a wrong thread for it. So, I created this thread. The floor is yours, ladies and gentlemen.

Should say Not Damn it.

There will come a time where:-

a) The courts and the balls will be speeded up enabling a return of more attacking players who can venture forward more and knock off the vollies , ala Sampras, Edberg or Rafter style.

b) Someone in this weakest era and current crop, can learn the mental edge that Djokovic, Nadal and an aging Federer each have as a trait and will be able to challenge the big three and win a Slam or two. Was hoping it would be Alexander Zverev, but after his pathetic performance losing to Milos , am not sure he can achieve.

 

[DarthFed]

He has to win at least 2 of the remaining 3 slams this year to threaten the record IMO. The next gen is showing some signs but they are still by and large irrelevant. Hopefully that isn't always the case, though I feel like we were having this conversation this time last year as well.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Novak is having problems with the likes of Zverev, Kyrgios, Kachanov, Tsitsipas, etc. So even though he is recently having the upper hand against Fedal, they are having better success against those type of dangerous players. So Novak also can have upsets from younger players who can outgrind him, nothing is a guarantee. He was lucky to not face one of those people in his draw.

 

[kskate2]

All depends on what happens this year. I agree w/ Darth. If he gets 2 more slams this year then he has a really good chance of catching Roger especially if Fed doesn't add another one.

 

[Carol]

He will and it will not be any excuse about it (like age) because like I said in the other thread if Novak overtake the Federer's number he will be the GOAT without any argument the same as Federer did to Sampras at that time (this last one was older too)

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

He has a better shot than Nadal IMO

 

[DarthFed]

Novak is having problems with the likes of Zverev, Kyrgios, Kachanov, Tsitsipas, etc. So even though he is recently having the upper hand against Fedal, they are having better success against those type of dangerous players. So Novak also can have upsets from younger players who can outgrind him, nothing is a guarantee. He was lucky to not face one of those people in his draw.

I agree he has had recent problems with them but those have been at non-majors. I don't think they'd have really challenged him here with the way he played and where their current level is at.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

I agree he has had recent problems with them but those have been at non-majors. I don't think they'd have really challenged him here with the way he played and where their current level is at.

Did you see the Medvedev match?
He was pushing Djokovic a lot but got tired mid 3rd set

 

[Fiero425]

Did you see the Medvedev match?
He was pushing Djokovic a lot but got tired mid 3rd set

That's the game of Rafa, Nole, & Andy in his day; keep a player out there until they drop! Nothing new! They play lockdown tennis! :whistle:

 

[DarthFed]

Did you see the Medvedev match?
He was pushing Djokovic a lot but got tired mid 3rd set

I saw just after Medvedev won the 2nd set. That guy has been hot so it will be interesting to see if he keeps building on that. But in the third set Djoker really locked down and took it to him. In my other post I was referring to the 3 youngsters that beat him in the past 6 months (Tsitsipas, Khachanov, Zverev). I don't think they'd have had much of a look especially in the later rounds.

Djoker was 46-14 in games vs Nishikori, Pouille and Nadal. The QF-finals at USO was also a total romp for him, he's clearly stepping up big in the later rounds.

 

[lob]

I agree he has had recent problems with them but those have been at non-majors. I don't think they'd have really challenged him here with the way he played and where their current level is at.

So why can't he get to 20? He is the favorite at both SW19 and USO this year. Even if he takes just one, he is at 16 at age 32. Considering the shape he is in, he has 5 years to take 4 slams. He is no choker like Fed. Sure, it's not a given but very possible. He has the added incentive of catching Nadal first. So easier to focus on getting 2 or more.

 

[DarthFed]

So why can't he get to 20? He is the favorite at both SW19 and USO this year. Even if he takes just one, he is at 16 at age 32. Considering the shape he is in, he has 5 years to take 4 slams. He is no choker like Fed. Sure, it's not a given but very possible. He has the added incentive of catching Nadal first. So easier to focus on getting 2 or more.

The landscape can change fast. Just think about the conversations we were having this time last year! Nole looked done and it looked like Roger would have another dominant year winning Wimbledon and possibly USO.

If one or more of the young guys develops into big time players this year or next that could be a big factor too.

 

[Carol]

If Federer after 35 was able to win 3 more GS then I'm sure that Nadal or maybe Novak can make it too. This year is going to be very interesting to see if Novak can keep that extraordinary physical/resistance and therefore such a confidence, Nadal learning his own mistakes in the most crucial moments or if the young ones will have a great future or they are going to finish like the "lost generation" as Nishi, Dimitrov and others

 

[DarthFed]

If Federer after 35 was able to win 3 more GS then I'm sure that Nadal or maybe Novak can make it too. This year is going to be very interesting to see if Novak can keep that extraordinary physical/resistance and therefore such a confidence, Nadal learning his own mistakes in the most crucial moments or if the young ones will have a great future or they are going to finish like the "lost generation" as Nishi, Dimitrov and others

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Roger's game relies less on physicality and he gets a lot more free points on his serve than either of those guys. Also I think the competition in a few years could be extremely tough again if the next gen players become good. I think the top 3 players (yes, all of them) have benefited a lot from the lost generation being terrible.

 

[Jelenafan]

I think Novak can make it to 20, even higher.