5 Reasons why Novak Djokovic will win the 2015 US Open

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, pictured at the 2014 US OpenIt is that time of the year again! The last Grand Slam of the year is just around the corner and players are training as hard as they can to finish the year on a high note.While men’s tennis is still being dominated by the usual suspects, this year has been just about one man: Novak Djokovic. The World No. 1 is way ahead of the rest, and about to finish another year of sheer dominance.The last time someone dominated the sport like this was Djokovic himself, back in 2011. Despite some shocking losses in between, he has shown that he can come back to play his best tennis when it matters most. Though the sting of losing to Stanislas Wawrinka in Paris still persists, lifting the Wimbledon trophy few weeks later has served as the perfect antidote.Flushing Meadows has by no means been the Serb’s favourite hunting grounds, with the last time he won the trophy four years ago, in 2011. Going by his recent form, however, it seems almost impossible for anyone to stop him from winning. His recent losses to Murray and Federer may have made things more interesting, but here are 5 reasons why he will still win the US Open :

#5 His favourite surface

We might still have to wait for a few years to know where Djokovic stands among other tennis legends but when it comes to hard courts, he is already among the best in history. With 40 ATP titles including seven Grand Slams on hard courts, he has been dominating the surface for the past few years. Hard courts bring the best out of his game.

In terms of his serve, hard courts give Djokovic’s delivery more of a punch than clay does, allowing him to collect the occasional free point, which always comes in handy.

As for Djokovic’s groundstrokes, hard courts give him the ability to use every single part of his arsenal. His forehand can become quite safe (hit with a ton of topspin), or very violent (when hit flat) in order to end a point right away .

Those backhand, down-the-line winners are never sweeter (or more damaging) than on hard courts. Not satisfied with his two-handed prowess, Djokovic has even been adding more one-handed sliced backhands to his repertoire over the past two years, and these tend to work far better on hard courts than anywhere else.

#4 His current form

At 28, Djokovic’s tennis undoubtedly is at its peak. With a 56-5 win-loss record this year including 6 titles and two Grand Slams, he has been the best player in the world by a significant margin. Other than one surprise loss to the big-serving Ivo Karlovic, he has only lost against Murray, Wawrinka and Federer.

With two majors and four Masters series victories, Djokovic is all set to repeat his 2011 heroics yet again.

For the past few years, Djokovic has been one of the fittest athletes around, and is second to none when it comes to physical and mental strength. He grows stronger as the rally goes on, controlling the play from the baseline with his flawless groundstrokes.

Though his two finals losses – in Montreal at the Rogers Cup and at the Cincinnati Masters this month to in-form Murray and Federer respectively – have raised some questions, he is expected to bounce back stronger in the US open to make up for his defeats.

As we have been seeing all through the year, defeats have only made the Serb stronger. Right after his three-set loss to Karlovic, he came back resoundingly to win his 5th Australian Open. Just when everyone thought Djokovic would be mentally crushed following a loss at Roland Garros, which he admitted had been “crushing”, he showed his resilience and dedication two weeks later by winning his third Wimbledon title.

#3 Absence of promising youngsters

Rafael Nadal was 19 when he won his first grand slam; Djokovic was 21 and so was Federer. Unfortunately, there is not a single player within the top 20 today aged below 23.

20th ranked Dominic Thiem is the highest ranked player aged below 23. Statistics say that tennis players peak at 24. The level of tennis from Russia’s Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic of Canada, both aged 24, are nowhere close to what was expected of them. While there have been occasional instances of a rookie beating a top seed, no player has been consistent enough to raise their game and challenge the ‘old guys’ at major events.

While some youngsters are busy dealing with their on- and off-court controversies, some are yet to realise their true potential.

Men’s tennis is still dominated by the Big Four (or five, if you consider Wawrinka). While it’s possible that an inspired performance by a youngster can cause an upset or two in the tournament, it is highly unlikely that they could trouble someone of the class of Novak Djokovic.

#2 The draws

Being the top seed has its perks. And Djokovic has clearly benefited the most from the draws that came out a few days ago.

Roger Federer and Andy Murray, the only players with the potential to pose an actual threat to the Serb, are in the other half of the draw. Having never lost at the quarter finals of a Slam in more than five years, the first week should be a breeze for the World No. 1.

Though he is on course to face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, Djokovic should be able to get the job done in straight sets considering the Spaniard’s abysmal form of late.

Djokovic will then face either Kei Nishikori or David Ferrer in the semis.

In the other half, Murray has to fend off Stan Wawrinka in quarters and then face Federer in the semi-finals. Even if Murray succeeds in overcoming the Swiss maestro, defeating the top two seeds in back to back matches will be a Herculean task. The Scot beat the Serb at the recently concluded Rogers Cup, but Djokovic will have the mental advantage over Murray when it comes to Grand Slams.

For Wawrinka, who is the current French open champion, the chances of succeeding are very slim, since he has to beat the top three seeds in consecutive matches in the second week.

If Federer betters Murray and reaches the finals despite his brilliant performance last week against the top seed, beating Djokovic in a best-of-five setter at this age is a different ball game. With Federer and Djokovic’s 21:20 head-to-head tally, Djokovic will be hungry to avenge his Cincinnati Masters loss against the Swiss.

#1 He understands its significance to his legacy

Though some players deny it, every player cares about the kind of legacy they leave behind. Unfortunately, Djokovic was overshadowed by Federer and Nadal for most of his career. His share of limelight had been obscured by his more illustrous counterparts. But now, with Federer in his mid 30s and Nadal struggling to find his form after coming back from an injury, Djokovic’s time has finally come.

With 9 grand slams already to his name and a good few years of tennis still left in him, Djokovic is catching up with the other two. Watching Federer in close quarters, Djokovic knows how difficult it is to win Grand Slams even if you are in good shape once you cross 30. He would have realised the importance of making most of his form before his time runs out.

With 9 slams to his name, the Djoker is now in 8th position, just one behind Bill Tinden and two short of legends Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. Winning again at New York would also strengthen his overall hard court dominance, which is now slightly imbalanced with 5 slams Down Under and only one in the USA.

If Djokovic wins this US Open, he will achieve the feat of winning 3 Slams in a year for the second time. Nadal has done it once. Federer three times.

But most importantly, it will take his Grand Slam tally to double figures, cementing his name in the history books along with the legends of the game.