Every tennis season contains those brief stretches of time that can potentially prove pivotal.  Not only are they pivotal to the player in question, but they often have a significant impact on the year as a whole.  With the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai underway, the men’s game stands at one of those junctures, and it centers around Novak Djokovic.  Between Dubai and the upcoming Masters 1000 events at Indian Wells and Miami, Djokovic has reached a critical point that not only could shape the remainder of his season, but have a ripple effect on the landscape of the men’s game.

Djokovic clearly needs a good run from now through the end of March.  His shocking loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open erased any momentum he had accumulated from his spectacular finish to 2013.  It also dented his once-dominant aura, which already showed more than a few cracks early last year.  Hard courts are his best surface, so if ever there were a place and time to send a message to the rest of the field, it is during this hard-court interlude.  Solid results now would go a long way towards raising his confidence and pay dividends down the line.

A slew of deep runs or titles in the coming weeks would help the Serb in his quest to recapture the world No. 1 ranking.  An optimist would note that Djokovic comfortably sits at No. 2.  He is approximately 5,000  points ahead of No. 3 Wawrinka, so he is unlikely to be knocked from that perch any time soon.  But while Djokovic’s ranking is more than respectable, one could also argue that he sits uncomfortably at the No. 2 ranking. 

Not only is Rafael Nadal ranked ahead of him, but Djokovic trails the Spaniard by 4,000  points.  While Nadal must defend the Indian Wells title, he has nothing to defend in Miami, which he did not play last year.  On the other hand, unlike Nadal, Djokovic has space to improve on his 2013 semifinal result at Indian Wells.  He also has room to gain in Miami, where he was shocked by Tommy Haas in the round of 16 last year. 

As keen as Djokovic may be to gain on Nadal and take back the No. 1 ranking, he knows that winning the big titles – primarily the majors – matter more.  He recently talked about how he let some of these titles escape him in the last two years due to not being mentally tough enough.  That is why Djokovic hired Boris Becker as his coach, but there is no substitute for the confidence that winning matches and titles breeds. 

A major title does not just come from winning seven matches in a fortnight.  It comes from winning key tune-ups and other prestigious events against elite rivals.  Knowing one can bring the goods on those stages increases the odds of playing one’s best when the stakes are highest.  Therefore, if Djokovic hopes to launch a successful campaign at the remaining majors in 2014, he must launch that campaign soon.

Of course, three tournaments over the course of five weeks do not necessarily make or break a player’s season.  Many other intangibles will play a part in shaping the 2014 tennis season.  But Djokovic stands at an important juncture.  When he finds himself in a tight spot, or if things come down to the wire as the season comes to a close, these coming weeks could make the difference.  Djokovic must know that, and now it is up to him to seize his opportunity.