There is no argument that today, Novak Djokovic is the best player on the ATP World Tour. We all know this. Following his incredible 2015-season, quite possibly one of the best seasons ever, the world number one got off to another magnificent start to his 2016 campaign, picking up titles in Doha as well as in Melbourne, at the Australian Open. With his sixth title down under, the Serbian number one is now only six majors behind the arguably greatest-of-all-time, Roger Federer. These two great ambassadors of the game have built up quite a rivalry over the years, facing off an impressive 45 times. The current world number one Djokovic leads the former number one Federer head-to-head, 23 victories to 22.
Federer’s Sustained Success Motivates Djokovic
Despite their fierce and sometimes testy rivalry, the 28-year old has much respect for the 34-year old world number three. It is wellknown and documented that the Swiss number one has transformed the game, from his success on the court, to his humanitarian efforts off the court, to his ability to make tennis a more global game.
In discussing the 17-time grand slam champion’s success, Djokovic said, "Roger is inspiring in so many ways for many people. He’s a great champion, somebody who is very persistent. He keeps on going, keeps on playing at his age on the highest level."
Novak Knows Roger Has No Plans To Stop Soon
At 34-years old, the great has no plans of slowing down, and for good reason. “We played a couple of grand slam finals last year – at Wimbledon and the US Open,” Djokovic added. “He reached the semis here in Melbourne again so he’s definitely not giving up. He feels like he can fight for the major titles and I don’t see a reason why he should stop playing. There is no reason (to)."
Last season, these two met up eight times. Except for the one meeting in the ATP World Tour Finals round-robin stage, the other seven meetings all occurred in the finals of the event. The Fed-Express only won three of those meetings, in Dubai, Cincinnati, and at the ATP World Tour Finals in the round-robin stage. Djokovic's five victories came in Indian Wells, Rome, Wimbledon, the US Open, as well as in the final match of the World Tour Finals.
Federer’s Success Gives Djokovic Confidence For The Future
The Swiss maestro’s success undoubtedly gives other players confidence that he/she can play longer careers. Seeing Federer play into his mid-30’s, when many player’s careers used to come to an end, at only 28 years old, Djokovic knows he has plenty left in the tank. “He’s playing at the very high level,” Djokovic said. “He’s moving well, he’s playing great and he’s 34. That also gives me a kind of a comfort and excitement because I do definitely feel like I have plenty of years in front of me. Whether or not I’m going to reach that age and play at that level as he is right now, I don’t know, but I’m going to definitely try my best.”
As Federer recovers from recent knee surgery to fix a torn meniscus, an injury that the 17-time Grand Slam champion sustained while on a walk with his daughters in the park, the next Djokovic-Federer battle will have to be put off for a little while. The world number three is speculated to make his return at Indian Wells in early March, where meeting number 46 in this great rivalry could come.