Player of the Year - Novak Djokovic

After his most recent success at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, there should be no argument that the player of the year, based on consistency and titles, should be Novak Djokovic.  Of the top eight players invited to play in the year ending championships, Djokovic was the only one to not drop a set during the tournament.  In Monday's final, he came from a break down in both sets to defeat Roger Federer in straights 7-6 (5), 7-5.

He has won six titles in 2012, but throughout the 2012 season, he has been at the back end of just about every big tournament, including the finals of three of the four majors.  He won the Australian Open by defeating Rafael Nadal in an absolute thriller.  He made it to the French Open final, losing to Nadal, and the US Open final, losing to Andy Murray.  The only slam final he wasn't in this year was Wimbledon, where he lost to Roger Federer in the semis.  In seventeen events, he failed to reach the semifinals only twice - Madrid (on the horrible blue clay) and the Paris Masters.  This year, Djokovic's game was most times at a level that could not be reached by Federer, Murray, Nadal, or any other the men's field had to offer.

All told, he has won one major, three Masters 1000 series events (Miami, Toronto, and Shanghai) , a title in Beijing, and the year ending championships.  Of all the top four players, he clearly has had the better record overall.  Nole is 75-12 on the year, and 24-10 against top ten players.  He lost the number one ranking to Federer in late June, but regained it again just this past week - currently holding a 2655 point advantage over the second ranked Federer.  He will definitely be the hunted come 2013.  With Nadal's injuries starting to get the better of him, Federer's age (mind you he is a young 31), and Murray's lack of mental toughness, one can only assume that Djokovic will be a force to be reckoned with for at least three to four more years to come.  Juan Martin Del Potro, who was once on his way to putting a dent in the big four's dominance, has been making head way, but lacks the consistency, fitness (mentally & physically) to really trouble Djokovic.  The rise of Novak Djokovic has given the other top players' futures a much bleaker tone.  Sure, he won't win everything, sure they will still give him battle, but Djokovic has an internal resolve that we have not even seen from Roger or Rafa.

Thankfully, we all get to witness the Golden Age of tennis.  At no other time in the sports history has the field run so deep with three, possibly four of tennis' best players ever at the helm.  Just like every time this year, I start to look forward to the next year's season.  Will Rafa ever be the Rafa of year's past again?  Will Murray build on his US Open success?  Will Roger be able to keep up with the young guns for much longer?  One thing I think can be counted on...Djokovic will keep on rolling!