‘2011 Novak Djokovic was the best player of all time’, asserts former world No 7

Ewan West
Novak Djokovic with the 2011 Australian Open trophy
Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the 2011 Australian Open

Mardy Fish has declared that Novak Djokovic in 2011 was the best player of the all time, while also revealing the best version of Roger Federer he faced.

The Olympic silver medallist argued a peak Djokovic would defeat Federer on slower or medium paced surfaces, but gave the Swiss the edge on faster courts.

In 2011, Djokovic won 10 titles, including three Grand Slams and five Masters 1000 events, to compile a superb 70-6 (92.1%) record. He won all six of his encounters with Rafael Nadal and four of his five clashes with Federer during the season.

Djokovic’s 2015 season was even more impressive statistically, however, with a stunning 82-6 (93.2%) record. He won three majors, the ATP Finals, six Masters 1000 events and reached the final at every big event he played.

Federer posted an astronomical 81-4 (95.29%) ratio in 2005 – a year during which he two majors and four Masters 1000 tournaments. The Swiss defeated Fish in Indian Wells in the pair’s only meeting that year.

Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Fish discussed the best players he faced in his career and identified Djokovic as the greatest ever.

“The 2011 Djokovic and 2005 Federer were the best players that I ever played. If those two played on a medium paced hard court, I think Novak would win. If they played on a faster surface, I think Roger would win. [On] any slower surface, Novak would win. 2011 Djokovic – best player of all time,” said the American.

Djokovic defeated Fish twice in 2011 – in the semi-finals of the Miami Masters and the final of the Canada Masters. Prior to their meeting in Canada, Fish lauded the remarkable season the Serbian was having.

“It’s been incredible. I mean, I’ve said for a couple months now, I mean, knowing the history of the game, [John] McEnroe’s streak, [Ivan] Lendl’s eight straight finals at the US Open. [That] kind of stuff, you see that and you sort of wonder what it would be like to play those guys during that time,” said the six-time ATP titlist.

“I can step out of it. I played Novak in Miami. He kicked my butt in the semis. It would be pretty cool to look back. I mean, it’s going to be a pretty tough record to break or even come close to that. It’s so deep, guys are so good, everyone is so good, these Masters Series events are so hard.

“Every knock, if you will, if he had any, he’s answered tenfold this year. It’s been incredibly impressive. To win Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back is incredible. Then the two clay court events (Madrid and Rome), I mean, no one thought that that could be possible. He did it with, I mean, not ease, but straight sets both times. Pretty incredible.”

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