Grading Novak Djokovic’s 2016 Season and Looking Ahead to 2017

Only Novak Djokovic could win two major titles in 2016 and somehow face the kind of scrutiny that could classify his year as somewhat of a disappointment. Had Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray won two majors this year, the acclaim would never end.

Context and expectations are everything, so the Djokovic story needs to be told.

The short of it all is that Djokovic had an amazing year, one that he or anyone else would be glad to produce. We’re going to take time to applaud his epic achievements, but we’re also going to look at his relative struggles in summer and autumn.

What will it all mean for 2017 as the champion Serb gets ready to blow out the candles on his 30th birthday in late May? Does he have another dominant No. 1 reign ahead? Will he win two more major titles to pull into a career tie with Nadal and Pete Sampras with 14?

This is the fourth of our offseason superstar report cards. Previously we graded Stan Wawrinka, Nadal and Federer.

Grade: A

After years of long-suffering heartbreak, Djokovic finally lifted the French Open’s Musketeers’ Cup, the one championship he needed to complete his immortal legacy. Furthermore, he held all four Grand Slam titles, something no other superstar had accomplished in nearly half a century and all the more impressive to win against modern competition on red clay, grass and two kinds of hard courts in different hemispheres.

Djokovic is already a virtual lock for player of the decade, and he is arguably the most complete player of all time, particularly impressive given that his prime tennis beat back the two other superstars who can make similar legacy claims.

What’s not to love about his skills? Nobody is deadlier in turning defensive positions into lethal offense. Murray might be the better retriever, but Djokovic’s defense is deadlier in cutting through his opponents. His mastery of angles and line-hugging precision made him nearly unbeatable in big matches from 2015-16 when he won five majors in six attempts.

Before summer 2016 had started, Djokovic won Doha, the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and the French Open. This was even more impressive than his first half to 2015 when he won four Masters 1000 tournaments and the Australian Open.

It’s all the evidence needed to state that there has not been a player since Andre Agassi dominated the slower hard courts, and Djokovic has lapped the American legend with six Australian Open titles, five at Indian Wells and six at Miami (Agassi had four, one and six, respectively).

Throw in Djokovic’s red-clay accomplishments of two Monte Carlo titles, three at Rome, two at Madrid and …

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