Djokovic's losing record through the years points to his success

[masterclass]

Sometimes in order to see how good someone is, one has to look at them at their worst relative to others to gain perspective.

Since the start of 2011, Djokovic has lost only 42 matches and has withdrawn once to Tsonga (doesn't count as loss or win).

Player........ # Lost........# of Sets Lost/Won

Federer............9......................20/3

Nadal...............7......................18/6

Murray............6......................14/3

Del Potro.........3.......................6/1

Wawrinka........2.......................6/3
Nishikori..........2.......................5/2
Tipsarevic........2.......................4/1
Isner.................2.......................4/2

Ferrer...............1.......................2/0
Haas.................1.......................2/0
Robredo...........1.......................2/0
Tsonga.............1.......................2/0

Lopez...............1.......................1/0 (Only 2016 loss so far - retirement)
Berdych...........1.......................2/1
Dimitrov..........1.......................2/1
Karlovic...........1.......................2/1
Querrey...........1.......................2/1
Total..............42.....................94/25


Rather amazingly, only 12 losses were outside the top 10 and the loss to the worst ranked was #32 Nishikori in Basel 2011.

Pointedly, since Sep 2013, Novak has only lost once each to two of the three players where he had his biggest losing records, Nadal and Murray. Since that time, Novak has virtually stopped losing to two of his chief former competitors in age and ability. The reasons may be many, but the results have been very beneficial for Djokovic.

Though in comparison since 2014, Federer is still handing out defeats to Novak, he is not quite succeeding against Novak on the biggest stages - the majors. Given his age and matches played, one supposes that it is not surprising.

Now compare Novak's more recent losing record to his 0-54 record in the shorter time span from 2008-2010 after winning his first major:

Player........ # Lost........# of Sets Lost/Won

Nadal............10......................23/5

Federer...........8......................18/3

Roddick...........5......................11/1

Tsonga............5......................11/4

Murray............3.......................6/0

Haas................2.......................5/2
Verdasco.........2.......................4/1
Davydenko......2.......................3/3

Ferrer...............1.......................3/0
Safin.................1.......................3/0
Kohlschrieber..1.......................3/0
Berdych............1.......................3/0
Melzer..............1.......................3/2
Gulbis...............1.......................2/0
Karlovic............1.......................2/0
Ljubicic.............1.......................2/0
Llodra...............1.......................2/0
Niemenin.........1.......................2/0
Soderling..........1.......................2/0
Youzhny............1.......................2/0
Anderson K.......1.......................2/1
Malisse..............1.......................2/1
Rochus O...........1.......................2/1
Simon................1.......................2/1
Krajinovic..........1.......................1/0
Total................54..................119/25


Note that from 2008-2010 Novak had 13 losses outside the top 10 up to rank 32, similar to 2011-today, but he also had 10 losses to players outside #32, compared to 0 from 2011-today, including losses to countryman #319 Krajinovic, and Qualie #122 Kevin Anderson.
Of course, some of the other losses were to talented and quality players like Safin, Haas, Roddick and others who are no longer with us or are injured/declined.

So, has Novak improved so much, or have key players declined or disappeared from the tour, or some of both?

Regardless, from the point of view of his recent stellar limited losing record, Novak has clearly done what was needed to give him his success.
It remains to be seen for how long he will be able to keep his losses to a minimum.
As of now, it seems the best bet would be on new blood, and/or Novak's own decline at some point.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Federberg]

This is awesome! Thanks for this. Very interesting.

In answer to your question I think it is most definitely that key players have declined, or been injured. But that's the way the tour works and full credit to Novak for doing what he has to do. I hate to use the phrase, taking advantage.. that's the sort of nonsense people used to say about Federer in order to snipe at a dominant player. All a player can do is take care of business and Novak is doing it

 

[britbox]

Good concise stats masterclass, thanks for taking the time to post them.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

It remains to be seen for how long he will be able to keep his losses to a minimum.
As of now, it seems the best bet would be on new blood, and/or Novak's own decline at some point.

His one loss this year is due to an eye infection. His primary foil (at least in three setters) was brought low bathing his twins. Not sure why, but I am expecting Thiem to challenge him on the dirt. Of all the people Novak's played this year, Thiem is the guy who actually made him look uncomfortable.
We'll see.

 

[masterclass]

This is awesome! Thanks for this. Very interesting.

In answer to your question I think it is most definitely that key players have declined, or been injured. But that's the way the tour works and full credit to Novak for doing what he has to do. I hate to use the phrase, taking advantage.. that's the sort of nonsense people used to say about Federer in order to snipe at a dominant player. All a player can do is take care of business and Novak is doing it

Agreed with the last. It can be taken the wrong way. I reworded my original post. I also improved the title. Thanks!

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Ricardo]

This is awesome! Thanks for this. Very interesting.

In answer to your question I think it is most definitely that key players have declined, or been injured. But that's the way the tour works and full credit to Novak for doing what he has to do. I hate to use the phrase, taking advantage.. that's the sort of nonsense people used to say about Federer in order to snipe at a dominant player. All a player can do is take care of business and Novak is doing it

what key players declined? Novak fans would be all over you for sniping their idol, Fedal only lose to lowly ranked players in recently years because they finally stand up to them.... they are all still in their prime playing as good or better than ever.

 

[Moxie]

Oh, yes, Roger and Rafa playing as well or better than ever. B-) You're risking your street cred on that one, but it doesn't take away from what Novak is doing at the moment, to say that his old rivals are not what they were. His level is miles ahead of everyone, regardless of what the competition is up to.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

As Novak ages, the list of those he's lost to will grow and diversify. It happens to all of them. I would be interested to see how short Roger's "loss list" was over the previous five years up to when he was the same age as Novak is now.