It’s often said that men’s tennis is deeper and more competitive than it has ever been. And it’s true; the sport has never been played at a higher level. But over the last five years, it hasn’t been the excellence of the ATP as a whole that’s been most impressive. It has been the dominance of the top players despite that depth. Since 2006, we’ve seen three players—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—put together seasons that rank among the most gloriously accomplished of the Open era.
Now that the third and perhaps finest of those seasons, Djokovic’s remarkable 2011, is complete, it seems like a good time to look back at where it—as well as Federer’s and Nadal’s best years—fits among the greatest single seasons of the Open era. There’s no right answer, and that’s what makes this parlor game so much fun. Here we present our countdown of the 10 best men’s seasons since the Open era began in 1968.
No. 1: Rod Laver, 1969
Rod Laver’s 1969 season was not perfect. He lost 16 times. He had to go five sets five times at the Grand Slams. Twice he had to come back from two sets down to less than immortal opponents. Otherwise, it’s hard to argue with what the Rocket accomplished at age 31.
Laver may have lost 16 times, but he won 106 times (so much for tennis being less taxing in those days). He won 18 of 32 events he entered and was the first player to break the $100,000 mark in prize money. But what matters is that Laver was the last man to reach tennis’ Holy Grail, the calendar-year Grand Slam. Contrary to popular belief, his opponents were no slouches. He beat Tony Roche in an epic 90-game semifinal at the Australian Open in blistering conditions. He beat another Aussie legend, Ken Rosewall, for the French title. He beat the game’s next great champion, John Newcombe, in the Wimbledon final. And he finished it in cleats, on a ragged, rain-soaked Forest Hills grass court against Roche, a man who had beaten him twice that season.
Laver’s 1969 may not have been flawless, but it was perfect in its way. As great as all of the other seasons were, it’s a good bet that each of the players who put them together would trade theirs for a Grand Slam. Laver’s still the only guy on the list who’s got it.
Check TENNIS.com each day for the next season on the list.
A version of this story was originally published in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of TENNIS.