"The 2011 Djokovic and 2005 Federer were the best players that I ever played" admits Mardy Fish with former taking top spot
ATP
Former
tennis player Mardy Fish stated that Novak Djokovic in 2011 and Roger Federer
in 2005 are the best players he has ever faced.
Djokovic's
2011 season is widely recognized as one of the best years by a male tennis
player. He won ten titles, including three Grand Slams and five Masters 1000
tournaments.
Serbian
tennis player achieved an incredible 41-match winning streak, ending the year
with an impressive record of 70 wins and only six losses. Notably, he dominated
his head-to-head encounters against Nadal and Federer, with a 10-1 record.
Read also
Federer's
2005 season was nearly flawless, with 81 victories and just four defeats,
securing an impressive 12 titles. Among his achievements were Grand Slam
victories at Wimbledon and the US Open, in addition to winning four Masters
1000 tournaments.
“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 Mardy Fish.
In 2005,
Fish faced Federer in the first round of Indian Wells, falling to the Swiss
maestro with a score of 6-3, 6-3. Federer went on to claim the tournament
title.
In 2011, at
the age of 30, Mardy Fish encountered Djokovic twice, but unfortunately
suffered defeat on both occasions. They met in the semifinals of the Miami
Open, with Djokovic prevailing 6-3, 6-1. Later, in the final of the Canadian
Open, Djokovic emerged victorious again, defeating Fish with a scoreline of
6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
The former
world No. 7 has commended Djokovic's remarkable performance in 2023, despite
the Serbian player being 36 years old.
“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 former silver medalist in the Athens 2004 Olympics.
“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.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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