Mr Djokovic Finishing Strong

We've known for a long time what a danger Novak Djokovic is to his fellow players. After all, he has beaten all the top players, has several masters titles, and has won the Australian Open. While he's won more matches than anyone else this year the world seemed to focus more on Federer and Nadal (and even Murray) since January. Now that the year is winding down, the marathon man Djokovic seems stronger than ever while Federer is distracted and Nadal is struggling for form.

For most of the year some speculated that the controversial racquet change Djokovic made was affecting his game too much. For me, his forehand was clearly off and he was struggling for confidence. All of a sudden, none of that seems to be an issue. Over the past few weeks in Basel and Paris Novak has been striking his forehand as well as I have ever seen. Unlike Federer, Djokovic doesn't often spray this shot into the stands. And unlike Nadal, Djokovic can penetrate through the court quite easily. Both Roger and Rafa displayed their greatest weaknesses to Novak as they fell tamely over the recent weeks to the Serbian.

If the world number 1 and number 2 can't regroup and get these weaknesses under control again, the rock solid Djokovic will be standing there ready to knock them down. Novak in my mind is the big favorite going into the year end championships in London. Nadal showed yet again that no matter how badly he is getting his butt kicked he will not change his game drastically enough to throw he defeater off course. Roger just seems incredibly unfocused to me. Granted he has a good reason (the new kids) but if he seriously wants to be a contender for several more years he will have to find a better balance. Murray's tame game won't work well on an fast indoor surface against the elite players in the world. He is still far too defensive in his play.

Now there are other players who will be in London, but all things considered at the moment Novak Djokovic is the strongest force in tennis.