Which season was Djokovic best?

Winning 56 matches, winning three Grand Slams and the ATP Finals, but 2023 is not the best season of Novak Djokovic's career.

Despite playing less than his younger years, Djokovic still had a memorable season, winning 27 of his 28 Grand Slam matches. He only lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final in July. Djokovic also finished the year as world number one for the eighth time – something no one has ever done before.

Since May, Djokovic has not stopped before reaching the finals of tournaments. He lost a group stage match at the ATP Finals but still won the title. Nole also reached the milestone of 400 weeks at the top of the ATP. "The most important thing is that he has done it all at the age of 36," legendary coach Brad Gilbert commented on Eurosport when he said that 2023 is the best season of Djokovic's career. "If you ignore the numbers, this season will be his greatest season."

Djokovic celebrates his record 24th Grand Slam at the US Open in September 2023. Photo: AP

In fact, 12 years ago, Djokovic had a streak of 41 consecutive wins (43 if counting from the end of 2010). The third longest winning streak in history, starting from the Australian Open until the loss to Federer in the Roland Garros semi-finals, contributed to Djokovic winning 10 titles in the whole of 2011.

Djokovic’s winning streak was remarkable because it extended to the end of the clay season, where Nadal dominated. Djokovic beat Nadal in the finals of the Miami, Madrid and Rome Masters, ending a nine-match losing streak to the Spanish rival on clay. Djokovic then beat Nadal in the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open.

That year's US Open was where Djokovic defeated both Nadal and Federer. He saved a match point in the semifinals to win in five sets against Federer, then dominated Nadal in the final. That season, Djokovic's head-to-head record against the Federer/Nadal pair was 10-1.

Djokovic (right) defeated Nadal in the 2011 Wimbledon final. Photo: AELTC — Djokovic (right) defeated Nadal in the 2011 Wimbledon final. Photo: *AELTC*

Legend John McEnroe, who participated in commentating the 2011 US Open, said: "Djokovic has had the greatest year in the history of this sport". Sitting next to him, another American legend, Pete Sampras, said: "At least in my life, I have never seen anything like it".

However, four years later Djokovic produced an even better season.

The statistics show that 2015 was Djokovic's best season. He won 82 matches and lost six that year, winning 11 titles, including three Grand Slams. It was the season when Djokovic held the ATP number one ranking for the entire year, with a 15-4 record against the other three "Big 4" players: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

Djokovic won five finals against Federer, including Wimbledon, the US Open and the ATP Finals. He also beat Nadal and Murray in back-to-back season finals to take his total to 11 titles – Nole’s most in a single season to date.

Djokovic kisses the 2015 Australian Open trophy after defeating Andy Murray in the final. Photo: AP

"It was my best year," Djokovic said in an interview after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final of this year's ATP Finals. Djokovic's only regret in 2015 was losing the Roland Garros final to Stan Wawrinka.

Djokovic’s season can be compared to his peak season in 2006, when Federer won 92 matches and lost only 5, reached the finals of all four Grand Slams and won three. The Swiss legend won a total of 12 titles in 2006. This was also an important year that contributed to Federer’s milestone of 237 consecutive weeks at world number one – one of the most difficult records in tennis history to break.

Vy Anh

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