2015 Preview: ATP No. 1, Novak Djokovic

Since Novak Djokovic’s career year of 2011, in which he won 64 of his first 66 matches and three Grand Slam titles, his results have been less astounding but still outstanding. Take his 2014 season. He won seven tournaments, including Wimbledon and the ATP World Tour Finals, and finished the year with a sterling 61-8 record. Against the three other Grand Slam champions and year-end No. 2, Roger Federer, Djokovic went a cumulative 7-5.

Two matches kept Djokovic from coming close to matching that career year: A 9-7 in-the-fifth heartbreaker of a loss to Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open, and a disappointing four-set defeat to Rafael Nadal in the tournament the Serb most wanted to win, the French Open. The losses added to Djokovic’s heavily chronicled battle with the mental aspects of closing a big win. But he would win the war, finishing 2014 with a seventh Slam title, and at No. 1—for the third time in his career.

It can be summed up in two words: Roland Garros. It’s too early to call the French Open Djokovic’s great white whale, but that title is the only thing that has kept him from joining Federer and Nadal in the career Grand Slam club. If Djokovic finally secures that trophy, all other things will pale in significance.

While it’s true that Djokovic lost five of six Grand Slam finals before he won Wimbledon last July, reading too much into his apparently minute loss of motivation or confidence would be silly. The big enemy for Djokovic, a new husband and dad, could well be complacency borne of his own satisfaction and happiness.

Look for Djokovic to sustain his high level of consistency. In the past, he’s gotten him off to a good start at the Australian Open; don’t be surprised if the four-time champion revives that tradition in Melbourne.

For more 2015 season previews, click here.