As Alex999 said, it's not all about the points. Forget runner-up and semi results and points - those are for bean counters. The typical fan only remembers winners of the big events. The #1 ranked player, Novak Djokovic, started out well, barely winning the AO, the least important major. Thereafter, Nadal dominated Djokovic 3 straight times.
Australian Open (Djokovic)
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Monte-Carlo (Nadal) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Rome (Nadal)
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Roland Garros (Nadal)
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Clay King Rafael Nadal, winner of his record 7th Roland Garros title, had an equivalent or better record against his top rivals head-to-head for the year. Nadal had the highest match winning percentage of the year - .875 (Djokovic - .862).
Unfortunately Rafa was unable to compete in good condition after Roland Garros (he competed at Halle/Wimbledon, but he was clearly not himself, losing early), so Federer's Wimbledon and Murray's Olympic and US Open wins were obviously tainted (*) because of Nadal's absence, as were Djokovic's later wins in Toronto, Shanghai, and perhaps a lesser extent, the World Tour Finals.
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In terms of overall quality and performance against his main rivals, it was an impressive year for Rafa even with his absence post Wimbledon, and many would say he deserves Player of the Year. His rivals realize they have work to do.
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Respectfully,
masterclass
P.S. Roger: Nole, you're the best! Nole: Whatever you say King Roger. Andy: After I cried, King Roger decreed I would win 1 slam and it happened. I guess I need to cry more.
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Australian Open (Djokovic)
Monte-Carlo (Nadal) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Rome (Nadal)
Roland Garros (Nadal)
Clay King Rafael Nadal, winner of his record 7th Roland Garros title, had an equivalent or better record against his top rivals head-to-head for the year. Nadal had the highest match winning percentage of the year - .875 (Djokovic - .862).
Unfortunately Rafa was unable to compete in good condition after Roland Garros (he competed at Halle/Wimbledon, but he was clearly not himself, losing early), so Federer's Wimbledon and Murray's Olympic and US Open wins were obviously tainted (*) because of Nadal's absence, as were Djokovic's later wins in Toronto, Shanghai, and perhaps a lesser extent, the World Tour Finals.
In terms of overall quality and performance against his main rivals, it was an impressive year for Rafa even with his absence post Wimbledon, and many would say he deserves Player of the Year. His rivals realize they have work to do.
Respectfully,
masterclass
P.S. Roger: Nole, you're the best! Nole: Whatever you say King Roger. Andy: After I cried, King Roger decreed I would win 1 slam and it happened. I guess I need to cry more.
