Tennis On Tennis and Things

I was just taking a “quick” look at the Federer vs. Djokovic head to head rivalry through the years when I noticed something.. This rivalry is a lot better then most people realize. Also, it very well might become more and more significant if Djokovic truly manages to  go on an  extended long term run similar to that of Federer and Nadal.

The two players routinely trade wins and losses, typically always play close matches, and both have a genuine animosity towards the other – A key ingedient to a good rivalry.

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

In the early part of the young rivalry, Federer managed to jump out to a 4-0 record on the younger Djokovic, however that was in 2006. We all know in 2006 – most of the planet owned a “zero” in the record column against Federer. However, I want to focus mainly on post 2006 (4-0 H2H).

When taking a look at Djokovic’s career arc, 2007 was a significant year in his career. Most people point to his breakthrough performance at the 2007 Masters in Montreal, where he earned his first win over Federer (4-1 H2H). It marked the first time a player would defeat the World No. 3 (Andy Roddick) No. 2 (Rafael Nadal) and No. 1 (Roger Federer) in succession to win a title since 1994. That was also the first season most of the tennis world started to consider Djokovic’s true potential to win future Slams.

2007 US Open – Final

Following that first defeat to Djokovic, Federer would go on to get his revenge at the 2007 US Open on the way to his fourth consecutive US Open title (5-1 H2H). Djokovic in his first Slam final, held five set points in the first set and two in the second set, but would lose them all before being defeated by the top-seeded Federer in straight sets. All seemed right in the tennis world. Federer was still Federer, and Rafael Nadal was his main rival, and nemesis. Djokovic was still “Djoker” and Andy Murray had no Slams.

2008 Australian Open – Semi-Final

The monopoly that Federer and Nadal held was threatened for the first time in awhile. Things were begining to change, ever so slightly. Djokovic playing the best tennis of his life to that point would emerge to defeat the two time defending champion, Federer, in the semi-finals en route to his first Slam title (5-2 H2H). This marked the first time since the 2005 Australian Open that a Grand Slam singles title was not won by Federer or Nadal.

That loss seemed to sting, and Federer didn’t take too kindly to losing that match, or his Australian Open crown. Djokovic with his new found confidence was expected to make the jump into what was still the big two at the top of the rankings. However, Djokovic would fade – this was still the “Djoker” of old, not nearly Djokovic 2.0 of 2011.

Federer and Nadal would continue their dominance of tennis, as their rivalry gained profile with each passing slam, Djokovic was still grouped in the next tier of up and comers. He was a threat at each tournament, but never enough to steal any headlines. It was all about Federer and Nadal. Djokovic was an after thought, and realistically, that’s how Federer thought of him as well.

Federer and Djokovic would next meet on the clay in Monaco, where Djokovic would retire , giving Federer the win(6-2 H2H). This loss was part of the period where Djokovic was building his reputation as a player who was more willing to quit rather then play out a match, if he felt he wouldn’t win.

US Open 2008 – Semi-Final

Federer would again defeat Djokovic in the semi-final round in a smooth yet exciting four set match. Federer would go on to win his 5th consecutive US Open (7-2 H2H). This would be the second straight year that Federer would end Djokovic’s run at Flushing Meadows.

At the 2008 US Open, Djokovic began to regain some of the confidence he had lost after the 2008 Australian Open. His season was up and down, however he did manage to win some important titles. He became the public enemy, posing himself in a “me against the world” attitude, culminating with his infamous Roddick match in New York late in the year. That attitude is something I truly believe helped him gain a necessary chip on his shoulder.

Djokovic would post back to back wins over Federer in 2009 at Miami (7-3 H2H), and Rome (7-4 H2H). It seemed that Djokovic’s all court defensive game was starting to really match up well with Federer’s, and Federer showed his frustrations when he smashed his raquet in anger during the Miami loss. However, Federer would eventiually find his game again in Cincinnati; and after a tough summer, he would end the Djokovic personal winning streak against himself at two – once again in the semi-final stage of the tournament (8-4 H2H). In typical Federer fashion he positioned himself to peak at the US Open.

Despite not having met at the 2009 Auistralian Open, the rivalry definitely picked up steam. Federer had just come off court following his dismantling of Juan Martin Del Potro, and responded to the news of Djokovic’s retirement from his quarterfinal match against Roddick.

When asked if he was surprised about the Serb’s physical problems, Federer responded:

“It’s happened before, he’s not the guy who’s never given up in his career… That’s kind of disappointing to see when you got two top guys playing each other and you give up. Andy probably would have run away anyway with the match.”

Even when they weren’t playing each other on the court, they were playing mind games off the court.

2009 US Open – Semi-Final

At the 2009 US Open, Federer would again go on to defeat Djokovic in the semi-finals for the third consecutive year (9-4 H2H). Federer would reach match point on what I am going to call “The Shot: Part I.” After a nervous Djokovic had slipped to 0-30, Federer chased down a lob and hit a shot between his legs that flew cross-court past the Serbian at the net. Djokovic could only smile at such an outrageous winner, and Federer followed it up with an unstoppable forehand return on match point to clinch victory.

Djokovic would later say: “In these moments he comes up with some great shots. That shot. You heard the crowd. What can you say? You say well done. Too good. What can you do?”

It is eerie to think how similar their matches have been at the US Open over the years.

It was beginning to feel like Federer would take all his Nadal problems out on Djokovic. Federer genuinely enjoyed beating him. This was becoming a trend, and Djokovic was on the losing end more often then not, when it mattered most – at the Slams.

"The Shot: Part I" - US Open 2009

Djokovic and Federer would trade wins in the next two matches. Djokovic would defeat Federer in Switzerland at Federer’s hometown tournament in Basel (9-5H2H).  Followed by Federer responding again in their next meeting in Toronto (10-5 H2H).

2010 US Open – Semi-Final

The 2010 US Open put Federer and Djokovic on the same side of the draw yet again. Shocking, right? Federer and Djokovic were on course to meet in the semi-final for a fourth consecutive year.

Here is where I get slightly confused…

In no way is this meant to be a slight on Djokovic, and in the same breath, it is also not meant to pump Federer’s tires. Either way, my point is.. it is almost forgotten that, had Federer converted on one of the two match points he had, he would have stopped Djokovic’s run at the US Open for the fourth consecutive year. Either we have short memories, or we can only remember the last two years.

In the semifinals, he faced Federer, the very same player he had lost to in the 2007 final, and the 2008 and 2009 semi-finals. Djokovic was literally on the brink of defeat, however he saved two match points at 5–4 down on his serve in the final set. Djokovic would go to win 5–7 6–1 5–7 6–2 7–5. That win would be Djokovic’s first victory over Federer at the US Open in four attempts, and his first victory over Federer in a Major since the 2008 Australian Open, making him one of only two players to hold more than one victory over Federer in Grand Slam tournaments since Federer first became World No. 1 (the other being Nadal).

This is why I am officially entering the Federer vs Djokovic rivalry into one of the “best rivalries” conversation. They have stolen the show on numerous occasions, and their matches generate a special buzz. People know their history, and know they do not want to lose to the other. We can talk “Djokovic vs. Nadal” at another time. That rivalry has earned it’s own analysis.

Following the 2010 US Open, Federer was visibly letting his competition know he was unhappy about his loss. He did so by hammering everyone he faced. Including Djokovic in the next three consecutive matches. Beginning in Shanghai (11-6 H2H), followed by Basel (12-6 H2H), and at the 2010 Barclay’s ATP World Tour Finals (13-6 H2H).

Djokovic 2.0

It is hard for me to make my point that the “Federer vs. Djokovic” rivalry belongs in the same “Federer vs. Nadal” or recently the “Nadal vs. Djokovic” conversation, solely based on the head to head. We all know the arguments regarding Nadal’s head to head record against Federer. Nevertheless, “Federer vs. Nadal” is a truly beautiful rivalry, based on classic matches, and usually in finals. That being said, there is zero animosity. The “Federer vs. Djokovic” rivalry has all the classic matches, in semi-finals or better, with all the animosity.

2011 Australian Open – Semi-Final

This has been a very remarkable year for tennis. At the 2011 Australian Open, Djokovic 2.0, was just beginning what is now obviously a season for the ages. He would defeat defending champion, Federer, in the semi-finals for the second consecutive time at a Slam, going on to capture his second Slam title (13-7 H2H).

He would follow that up with a win in Dubai (13-8 H2H), and again at Indian Wells (13-9 H2h).

The gap was beginning to close between the two rivals. I am not one to use Federer’s age as an excuse, because he still has the game to beat Djokovic on any given day. They match up so well against each other, that to make a legitimate pick is a waste of time. Based on level of play going in to any upcoming matches, Djokovic should be favored; but Federer’s ability to confuse Djokovic, makes him a threat each and every time.

2011 French Open – Semi-Final

Djokovic was in the midst of what was slowly becoming one the great all time winning streaks in tennis history. Roland Garros was Nadal’s home. Nadal is the “King of Clay”. He had recently been defeated by Djokovic in two consecutive clay court finals, and four consecutive finals overall. “Djokovic vs. Nadal” has become the new big rivalry in tennis. Playing under the radar at a major for the first time in a decade, Federer decided he would put a stop to all the hype, all the streaks, and answer a few questions of his own.

In what might go down as the best match of the year, in a year where Djokovic won everything, Federer would stand victorious. Federer defeated Djokovic, handing him his first loss of 2011 (14-9 H2H).

US Open 2011 – Semi-Final

This tournament will be remembered because of “The Shot: Part II”, even more so than the eventual outcome. Roger Federer was serving for the match up 40-15. The crowd in Flushing Meadows roared for Federer, it was clear who they favored. Novak Djokovic seemingly already accepting his fate, acknowledged the crowd, nodded a few times, and realized the circumstances. Then he ripped an incredible cross-court winner off of Federer’s serve, “the shot.” He sarcastically looked to the crowd, as if to say “are you not entertained,” and never looked back.

He broke Federer’s serve and went on to win the match, 6-7 4-6 6-3  6-2  7-5  (14-10 H2H).

"The Shot: Part II"

Going forward, Djokovic has proved his ability to stand alongside Federer and Nadal, in the discussion of all time greats; but he still has a long way to go. I am of the belief that the emergence of Djokovic was more about learning to defeat Federer. Knowing that he possesses the game to defeat Federer, has helped develop Djokovic into the player he is today. Their rivalry in the grand scope of tennis will certainly go down as one of the better rivalries the sport has seen. It may not have the prestige of “Federer vs. Nadal”, but I do believe it has had a huge impact on the “Djokovic vs. Nadal” rivalry as well.

If Djokovic can manage to go on a sustained run at the slams, like both Federer and Nadal have done; it will only raise the status of these personal rivalries. The two have already played 24 times, and their matches lately at the slams have been played at an entirely different level of intensity. Here is to hoping the two players meet again at each of the next few slams. I personally want to see them play at Wimbledon.

Here is a look at the head to head match by match: 

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