Tennis: Novak Djokovic Ranked Over Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer In Best Of Decade List

KEY POINTS

Novak Djokovic is hailed the Best of the Decade
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer placed at second and third
Djokovic could make a case for greatest of all time

Novak Djokovic is ranked No. 1 in the Top 10 Best of the Decade list assembled by a Tennis site, being placed over the two other members of the “Big 3” and household names Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

The Serbian star is hailed as the most outstanding Men’s player of the last decennium by Tennis.com in what they describe as “one of the best and most consistent 10-year runs in Tennis history.” Nadal and Federer, the consensus complements to the trio of greats, are placed second and third, respectively.

The 32-year-old Novak Djokovic is still trailing the two legends in terms of the total number Majors titles: his 16 against Federer’s 20 and Nadal’s 19. But filtering the category to the last 10 years only, Djokovic came out way ahead with 15 Majors as compared to Nadal’s 13 and Federer’s five.

“Our obsession with this race obscures the fact that over the past 10 years, Djokovic has passed his rivals by,” Steve Tignor of Tennis.com said.

The 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist got the numbers to back up the list as he dominated his two rivals on a combined 42-25 masterful record. He also finished at No. 1 in five seasons as compared to Nadal’s four, with Federer not even seizing one.

Moreover, Novak Djokovic is the first Tennis player since Ron Laver in 1969 to capture all four Majors at the same time after winning the French Open in 2016. He is also the only player in the Men’s class to win all nine of the Masters 1000 tournaments.

“In winning 15 of his 16 majors—sprung by a 2011 season that saw him begin 41–0— and turning around head-to-head series records against Nadal and Federer, Djokovic rightfully stands on top. In addition to his Grand Slam accolades, Djokovic became the first ATP player to win all nine Masters 1000s, the first to win seven Australian Open crowns, and he finished as the year-end No. 1 five times,” said Matt Fitzgerald of Tennis.com as he justifies Novak Djokovic as the Best of the Decade.

Completing the list are (4) Andy Murray, (5) Stan Wawrinka, (6) Marin Cilic, (7) David Ferrer, (8) Tomas Berdych, (9) Juan Martin Del Potro, and (10) Dominic Thiem.