In which season was Djokovic at his best?

Despite winning 56 matches, three Grand Slam titles, and the ATP Finals, 2023 was not the best season of Novak Djokovic's career.

Despite playing fewer games than in his younger years, Djokovic still had a memorable season, including 27 wins in 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 – a feat no one else has ever achieved in history.

Since May, Djokovic hasn't been eliminated before reaching the finals of any tournament. He lost one group stage match at the ATP Finals but went on to win. Nole also reached the milestone of 400 weeks at number one in the ATP. "Most importantly, all of this was accomplished when he was 36 years old," legendary coach Brad Gilbert commented on Eurosport, suggesting that 2023 would be the best season of Djokovic's career. "If you ignore the numbers, this season will be his greatest."

Djokovic celebrated his record 24 Grand Slam titles 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). This was the third longest winning streak in history, starting at the Australian Open and ending before his loss to Federer in the Roland Garros semi-finals, contributing to Djokovic winning 10 titles in 2011.

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

That year's US Open was where Djokovic defeated both Nadal and Federer. He saved match points in his five-set comeback victory against Federer in the semi-final, then dominated Nadal in the final. That season, Djokovic's head-to-head record against the Federer/Nadal pairing was a staggering 10-1.

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

Legendary John McEnroe, commentating on the 2011 US Open, remarked: "Djokovic is having the greatest year in the history of this sport ." Sitting next to him, another American legend, Pete Sampras, said: "At least in my lifetime, I haven't seen anything like it."

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

Statistics prove that 2015 was Djokovic's best season. He won 82 and lost six matches that year, claiming 11 titles, including three Grand Slams. That was the season Djokovic held the ATP number one ranking for the entire year, overwhelmingly defeating the other three in the "Big 4" – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray – with a 15-4 record.

Djokovic won five finals against Federer, including Wimbledon, the US Open, and the ATP Finals. He also consecutively defeated Nadal and Murray in the finals of the season to win a total of 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

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

Djokovic's season can be compared to Federer's peak in 2006, when he won 92 and lost only 5 matches, reached the finals of all four Grand Slams, and won three tournaments. The Swiss legend won a total of 12 titles in 2006. This was also a crucial 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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