17 Grand Slams.
35 Masters 1000 titles.
5 Tour Finals titles.
284 weeks at world number 1.
A positive head to head record against his two greatest rivals (Nadal and Federer).
And counting.
Statistically speaking, Djokovic’s case is as strong as any man to ever grace a tennis court, or at least will be, by the end of his career. The on-court ‘GOAT’ debate may never cease, and all three men will retire with unbelievable resumés, each with their individual triumphs and appeals over the others.
And no matter how many social, household, or media debates take place, there will never be a definitive answer.
With the next generation of male talent continuing to close in, and a Grand Slam champion soon to be amongst them, there is a renewed sense of belief for the group of players in their 20’s. And a chance that Novak may lose control of the tour faster than previously thought.
Therefore, it seems quite likely that Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic will all finish on (or very close to) 20 majors each, leaving it up to other arguments in the ‘Greatest of All Time’ debate.
Given the recent actions of Djokovic, it begs the question:
Should and will 2020 affect the way we view his career?
Should it: Probably not.
Will it: Definitely.
For more than 15 years, tennis fans have continued to enjoy the success of both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. 39 combined Grand Slams, countless weeks as number 1 and 2, and yet almost everyone still wants to see them win. A true testament to both men.
For Djokovic, it’s a different story. Since quite early on his career, he has been classed as the ‘villain’. As a younger tennis fan, waiting almost an hour to finally have my cap signed by this Australian Open champion, I never quite understood it. And, at the time, my query was supported. There was no real reason why Djokovic was not as universally loved as his two greatest rivals. It was just that he arrived third, and tennis wasn’t ready for another all-time great.
Yet, as the years have gone on, the Novak Djokovic narrative has continued to take shape, all leading towards 2020. A year where the world number 1 has been far from the voice of reason, in a time when tennis needed it most.
Firstly, staging the Adria Tour (despite his positive intentions), where all forms of social distancing were ignored, amongst the players and crowds, both on-court and post-match.
Then, after the event, crossing an international border before being tested for Covid-19, later returning a positive result (along with three other players from the event).
Prior to the US Open, Djokovic resigned his position as president of the ATP Player Council, forming a new organisation, alongside Vasek Pospisil; the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). While, again, Djokovic’s intentions may appear positive on the face of it, questions have been raised over the need for separation, (most significantly by Nadal, Federer and Andy Murray) in a time where tennis requires unity.
Finally, and most notably, being defaulted from his 4th round US Open match after hitting a lineswoman with a ball, outside of play, before refusing to face the media, post-match.
It’s either been a year of incredible coincidences and misfortune for Djokovic, or a poor reflection on him as a person.
I think it’s safe to say that if Djokovic doesn’t end up the ‘GOAT’ statistically, then he doesn’t stand a chance. But regardless, for tennis fans, it has become awfully hard to vouch for him against the likes of Federer and Nadal.