Marcos Baghdatis, former world number eight and 2006 Australian Open finalist, has explained in an exclusive interview with Tennis365 why Novak Djokovic was the most difficult opponent of his career. The Cypriot, who played on the ATP Tour between 2003 and 2019 and has a record of 349-274, regularly faced the biggest names in the sport during his playing days – including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic.
He only won one of eight matches against Federer and one of ten against Nadal. He achieved both victories in 2010. However, Novak remained an insurmountable hurdle for him: Baghdatis lost all eight games against the Serb, even if he was able to win at least one set in five matches.
A lesson against Djokovic will never be forgotten
Baghdatis named Novak as his toughest opponent: “I would choose Djokovic simply for the reason that I have never beaten him. But it is very difficult to decide.” However, he emphasized that there were many outstanding players in his generation: “This generation with Andy Murray, Rafa, Roger, Novak – those were of course the four dominant players. But behind them you had the likes of del Potro, Wawrinka, Cilic, Ferrer, Tsonga, Berdych. So many players who were at a very high level.”
He remembers one match particularly clearly – the last duel with Djokovic at the Indian Wells Masters 2015, which he lost 1-6, 3-6: “I came off the court and had the feeling that the guy had taught me a lesson. And I never felt that way against another player. Not with Roger, not with Rafa. Even when I was young and played against Roger, I always thought: ‘Next time I can beat him’. But with Djokovic I had “Not that feeling – especially after this match.”
Djokovic was at the top of his game in 2015, finishing the season with an incredible 82-6 record and eleven titles, including three Grand Slams and six Masters 1000s.
