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The subtle technical precision of Djokovic the shotmaker

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droogle
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Post by socal1976 Wed 11 Apr - 5:02

It is interesting that this is often a very contentious point when discussing the current world #1. There are many out there who feel that he lacks the killer shot, or wins principally on defensive skills and speed. Novak after all is not as smooth and fluid in his attack game as Fed (mainly because he doesn't have as dominant of a first serve), he doesn't have the unorthdox and eye catching forehand and long flowing hair of Nadal. His game is well rounded, consistent, and his movement and flexibility so above the bar that the technical ball striking ability seems to be overlooked. But with all that said and done Novak Djokovic is a truely great shotmaker and ball striker, his strengths however are a bit more subtle and can be easily overlooked by critics or by fans who don't have a deep understanding of the game. In fact, Djokovic is rated as having two different shots that are arguably the best in the game with his return and backhand. Therefore, I thought i would do a breakdown of what makes him unique and talented ball striker.

Return Game: Djokovic lead the tour in 2010 and 2011 in break percentage and is second just percentage points behind david Ferrer in the current return rankings at #2, but most likely he will finish tops in this stat again. Ferrer padded up his return stats on south American clay and Novak has yet to play on the clay. No player consistently gets into his opponents service games and applies pressure on the return as consistently as Novak. He is hard to ace and is also very lethal at being aggressive on the second serve return.

Forehand: Novak's forehand has always been a good shot, now it is one of the best forehands on a tour replete with massive forehands. Easily one of the top 10 on tour and maybe one of the top 5 on his day. He can match any of the big strikers in massively important cross court forehand to forehand exchanges.

Backhand: Backhand is probably the best in the world. No player hits the ball up the line as consistently and aggressively with his backhand as Djokovic, picking on the majority of the tour with the down the line backhand is crucial. Especially, with the propensity of most guys on tour to leave alot of space in their forehand corner so as to be able to more effectively run around their backhand.

takes the ball early and still defends so well Djokovic is a great defender no doubt, but what makes his defensive skills out of the ordinary and different than most retrievers is the fact that while Novak gets to virtually everything he still spends most of the match hugging up close to the baseline. And he has the skill to absorb any type of pace while giving himself and his opponent less time to react. Rarely will you see Novak play long periods of time 2 and 3 meters behind the baseline.

Change of direction:This is a bit of a combination of the first two points but there is no player on tour who off both wings can change direction as easily and error free as Djokovic does. In most matches the players hit cross court the vast majority of shots. Not in a Djokovic match. Djokovic is one of the rare breed who can take almost any ball off either wing and play it just as effectively cross court, inside out, or down the line. Wherever there is open court or a need to change the pattern of play Djokovic can hit into it. Probably again the best on tour at this very important and underrated category of ball striking.

serve: While not overwhelming in terms of getting a high number of aces on his first serve Djokovic has smartly focused on getting a high percentage of first serves in. And his second serve is one of the better second deliveries on the tour.

volleys: Another area where Djokovic has greatly improved over the last two and three years. In his matchups against Murray and Nadal he almost always comes to the net more often than the other two guys and wins a very good percentage of points at net. In a typical hardcourt match Novak will give you 8-12 net approaches a set.

The variety shots: Novak has probably the best drop shot in the game right now and one of the top backhand lobs in the game. His slice backhand still a work in progress is also vastly improved. His overheads he still has some issues with from time to time.

In short, in many categories Novak Djokovic not surprisingly has weapons that rate at the very top or near the very top in the game. His weaknesses of the past the serve, volleys, and slice backhand have all been solidified. While his weapons like the return, backhand, forehand, court positioning, and ability to change direction on the ball rank at the very top of the tour or near the top of the tour. Novak even has great lobs and drop shots to mix up in his game as well.

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Post by HM Murdock Wed 11 Apr - 5:44

Nice article socal. I also think that Novak's game is under-rated. I've been pondering this and I have a theory.

It has been said down the years that Federer is like a coaching manual brought to life. I don't think that is accurate. Federer's game has too many flourishes and, at his best, too much imagination and 'art' to be something that could be coached or even replicated.

Novak though, I do think is like a manual brought to life. He doesn't really have any weaknesses because almost everything is technically correct. But it is correct in an expected way. I don't think anything in his game is idiosyncratic.

When we talk of a "Rafa forehand", a "Del Potro forehand" or a "Federer forehand", people know what those shots look like. But a Djokovic forehand isn't as visually distinctive. Effective yes. But not that distinct.

And in terms of appeal, I think people like idiosyncrasies and they like weaknesses - look at the characters created for books and films! People tend not to be so drawn to technically correct and no weaknesses.

The one exception to this in Novak's game is the way he stretches and contorts himself in his retrieval. That's a distinctive trait and and that is often what elicits the most audience response when he plays. But some people write this off because they don't enjoy the retrieval element of tennis!

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Post by invisiblecoolers Wed 11 Apr - 6:24

Novak's return is one of the best, but to say he is un-aceable etc is just over cooking a good argument, Roddick at his prime handled Djoko much easily compared to Fed. A-Rod leads the Djoker 5-3 over all compared to say some thing like 2-22 against Fed.

Fed has one of those defensive return but puts the ball back on play most times, he and Nadal are hard to ace compared to Djokovic, on the otherhand Djoko has as an aggressive Return like Agassi which gets free points, this doesn't mean he is hard to Ace.

Ask John Isner, he would any day prefer to play Djoko over Fed. A 30+ year old Fed is still too hot to handle in the court compared to a prime Djoko.

I am not taking anything from Djoko, but just saying he got an aggressive Return which is better than Fed but Fed is most difficult to Ace compared to Nole.

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Post by socal1976 Wed 11 Apr - 7:17

Good posts by both IC and Murdoch. Well Invisible I never said Novak was unaceable there really isn't a player on tour or ever that is unaceable. I just said he is difficult or very hard to ace. Fed is good at blocking back the big servers no doubt and no question. But as a complete returner I think novak is in a different league.

As for Roddick, Novak hasn't had the good fortune to play Roddick in a long time. I don't think he played Roddick all of last year, Roddick lost most of the time to Djoko before Novak had his serving difficulties and Andy was able to get the upperhand during Novak's 2 year serving slump. But I think Roddick and that h2h are a bit skewed by the fact that Novak hasn't played Roddick in a great many months. Novak 2.0 I don't think would have much problem with the Rod

As to Murdoch's points I do agree Novak is a very technically sound player and I think when comparing him to fed even as a Novak fan I can concede that fed's game is more flashy. But as you said Novak has done a great job of addressing his weaknesses and becoming a complete player. His ballsriking brilliance is more subtle and understated, but amazing in its own right. Fed benefits from his smooth footwork and lethal first serve that allows him to play off the front foot in all of his service games.

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Post by noleisthebest Wed 11 Apr - 7:35

This guy sums it up for me so well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhviXA9H8cU&feature=relmfu

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Post by invisiblecoolers Wed 11 Apr - 7:42

Socal thumbsup

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Post by bogbrush Wed 11 Apr - 7:48

Stakhovsky was he's an example of systematic percentage tennis who plays like a wall.

I suppose he's played him and would know. Maybe not. I dunno.
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Post by noleisthebest Wed 11 Apr - 8:10

Every time a thread about Novak's tennis comes up I wait to see what people say, and end up shaking my head.

And I still find it disappointing that most people come as blinkered fans, failing to even understand, let alone explain world number one player's game.

You can go shot by shot, that's one approach, but tennis at that level is not a shot analysis: it's a game.

On most forums, people just regurgitate what pundits say and generally have no opinion of their own, that's why they end up venting out their daily frustrations through various offensive and aggressive comments.

Back to the topic: Novak game has nearly peaked: it should reach its golden heights next year, I'm talking improved/more confident approach shots. Fill out the rest Cool

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Post by bogbrush Wed 11 Apr - 8:37

I don't know why a quote from a professional tennis player is so unwelcome. Is that not a valid input to a thread about a player? I mean, what kind of forum do we want - uncritical, shallow, deferential or researched and divergent?

My opinions of Djokovis are well on record, but just to be certain I think he's the player for the moment (not of, for) because he is the best I've seen at staying in a point and making searching shots from difficult positions. He's kind of an attacking retriever. He's OF the time because in a faster era he'd have to play a different game and maybe he'd be as successful, maybe not. He's the worthy #1, big time, and he's not going away soon.
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Post by kemet Wed 11 Apr - 14:56

noleisthebest wrote:This guy sums it up for me so well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhviXA9H8cU&feature=relmfu

I'll say. I think he's a fan of Novak Djokovic Very Happy

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Post by Eskay Wed 11 Apr - 17:05

Djokovic does not play many stock shots to remain in the point. Like, Federer too doesn’t play many stock shots. In a single rally, one can see many potential winners from Djokovic. This is in contrast to many in top ten who play the usual cross courts to remain in the rally and pull the trigger when they get the appropriate return. Secondly, he has perfected his swing at the shot in such a way that the amount of top spin is optimum to take the ball deep and fast. Time is taken away from the opponent, even if they are the best retrievers. He takes the ball early and high, but hits the ball in a straighter line. This is in contrast to the parabola created by many who rely only on top spin. The result is that his forehand shot tends to become a winner more often than not. His forehand can be rated higher.

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Post by raiders_of_the_lost_ark Wed 11 Apr - 17:19

Eskay wrote:Djokovic does not play many stock shots to remain in the point. Like, Federer too doesn’t play many stock shots. In a single rally, one can see many potential winners from Djokovic. This is in contrast to many in top ten who play the usual cross courts to remain in the rally and pull the trigger when they get the appropriate return. Secondly, he has perfected his swing at the shot in such a way that the amount of top spin is optimum to take the ball deep and fast. Time is taken away from the opponent, even if they are the best retrievers. He takes the ball early and high, but hits the ball in a straighter line. This is in contrast to the parabola created by many who rely only on top spin. The result is that his forehand shot tends to become a winner more often than not. His forehand can be rated higher.

Wow!! This is an amazing post. Some revelation this one.
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Post by Guest Wed 11 Apr - 18:05

What Djokovic has improved on is the amount of pace to put on his groundstrokes. In 2007 & 2009 for me he would always try to take on the shot way to early and effectively played into his opponents hands. Now he is in a physical condition that has allowed him to become the best counter puncher on tour. Last year his dominance over Rafa was based on him pushing Nadal to the baseline and having the ability hit flat from the resulting return. The mix of defence and attack is joyful to watch. Like Nadal however if he comes across a flat hitting demon, he becomes un-stuck. At IW, Isner was to him what Soderling was to Rafa at RG in 2009. Emotionally Djokovic is much better. The self ranting and looking at his box has become less frequent. Mentally he has toughened up. Looking at the 2012 Djokovic and 2011 Djokovic the differences are there. I think the intensity level has dropped and the FH is a little inconsistent. What is frightening is that despite not being at the level of his 2011 version, he is picking up titles.

If I was to be ultra critical, it would be his footwork is scruffy. Like Nadal and Monfils, relies so much on sliding along the baseline.

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Post by HM Murdock Wed 11 Apr - 18:18

bogbrush wrote:He's kind of an attacking retriever.

I like this description. He is content to extend rallies and grind like a retriever but I always get the sense that, rather than waiting for an error from his opponent, he is waiting for the moment to pull the trigger himself.

I think the winners he hits are as impressive as anyone's. His 'highlights reel' is amazing! When they come at the end of a long, grinding rally though, I think it is the rally that sticks in the mind rather than the winning shot.

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Post by Mad for Chelsea Wed 11 Apr - 19:31

roughly speaking:

return: best in the world, probably best of all time (though these comparisons are hard to make).

serve: average (ie in the tour average), but with his rallying skills and returning skills he doesn't need it to be any better really.

forehand: very good. I'd say top ten in the world, probably not far off a top 5.

backhand: best in the world.

volleys: ever-improving, really impressed me at the net in Miami.

Lobs/dropshots: him and Murray are the best at these.

court coverage: best in the world.

etc.

However, what I would say about Novak (and this is not a criticism, far from it) is that he plays percentage tennis, in the sense that he waits for an opening, and pounces.

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Post by laverfan Wed 11 Apr - 22:49

There is a CC FH which stands out for me with the angle that he creates. Wonderful shot, executed on the run, even more impressive.

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Post by time please Thu 12 Apr - 1:09

Great article socal - it has been fantastic to watch Novak finally live up to his potential.

Looking forward to the rest of 2012.

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Post by socal1976 Thu 12 Apr - 2:24

Eskay wrote:Djokovic does not play many stock shots to remain in the point. Like, Federer too doesn’t play many stock shots. In a single rally, one can see many potential winners from Djokovic. This is in contrast to many in top ten who play the usual cross courts to remain in the rally and pull the trigger when they get the appropriate return. Secondly, he has perfected his swing at the shot in such a way that the amount of top spin is optimum to take the ball deep and fast. Time is taken away from the opponent, even if they are the best retrievers. He takes the ball early and high, but hits the ball in a straighter line. This is in contrast to the parabola created by many who rely only on top spin. The result is that his forehand shot tends to become a winner more often than not. His forehand can be rated higher.

I think this is a very good post by Eskay, I really enjoyed the comments of all the other posters particularly the non-djoko fans because afterall I am a bit biased in favor of Novak. I didn't want to do a fawning post so the objectivity brought by others has been pretty refreshing. Even DR. No alias Bogbrush has an interesting perspective with his attacking retriever post. Eskay I agree that Novak's forehand is interesting in that like you say it is a balanced shot. He hits it flat, deep, and with good pace and yet it is a shot with heavy spin and good margin. That is one interesting aspect of the Djokovic game in totality he has maybe the most balanced game on tour. And the forehand is a great example where he tries for a shot that is both safe and can be deadly to the opposition.

Also pretty much agree with MFC's breakdown or shot by shot analysis. MFC, i have been pleasantly surprised as well by how well Novak has been volleying and how frequently. For a player who I think 3 or 4 years ago was a poor volleyer I actually think he looks pretty good and comfortable in the forecourt in recent months.

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Post by droogle Thu 12 Apr - 2:29

His forehand is very loose now, very fluid. He's generating power effortlessly on that side. Though I guess that's obvious, otherwise there's no way he could keep it together technically over 5 sets against Nadal.

I've not studied it but I'm under the impression that (generalizing) whilst Federer launches himself into the forehand with his whole body moving forward, Novak tends to stay planted and generates power more with upper body rotation, which makes his forehand less flashy but less prone to error.

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Post by socal1976 Thu 12 Apr - 2:48

Droogle the thing that makes Djoko's forehand a bit safer from my perspective as compared to Fed's is that I think generally Fed hits it flatter. I think novak's forehand is in someways a hybrid of Nadal and Fed's. In that he hits it heavier than Roger and flatter and earlier than Nadal. Roger when he usually goes off with the forehand hits a great many in the net because of how flat he hits that shot. Novak has a big western grip and bit more up and down motion with his swing as Roger's is more across the body with flow through. Roger therefore has a forehand that will give him more winners but when he is off will give him more errors as well.

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Post by droogle Thu 12 Apr - 3:00

Yeah. I think Fed's been experimenting with more topspin in recent months. That match he lost to Isner on clay was really weird, he was moonballing and letting Isner hit massive forehands off the high balls. Which is probably why he lost.

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Post by noleisthebest Thu 12 Apr - 3:54

Fed's forehand definitely has more firepower, that's the difference; as far as placement goes, Nole's got more variety as he creates better angles with which he gets Nadal out of position. Fed can't do that and it's really hurting him.

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Post by droogle Thu 12 Apr - 4:00

I don't agree with that at all, Fed has way more variety/options on the forehand side.

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Post by noleisthebest Thu 12 Apr - 4:20

droogle wrote:I don't agree with that at all, Fed has way more variety/options on the forehand side.
what particular shots do you have in mind?

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Post by Guest Thu 12 Apr - 4:22

noleisthebest wrote:
droogle wrote:I don't agree with that at all, Fed has way more variety/options on the forehand side.
what particular shots do you have in mind?

The FH dropshot?

The FH slice?

The FH in general?

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Post by noleisthebest Thu 12 Apr - 4:28

legendkillarV2 wrote:
noleisthebest wrote:
droogle wrote:I don't agree with that at all, Fed has way more variety/options on the forehand side.
what particular shots do you have in mind?

The FH dropshot?

The FH slice?

The FH in general?

I forgot about the slice Wink
Still, in the big match picture, the FH slice doesn't play such a big role these days, esp against Nole and Rafa. As soon as he starts hitting those against them, the really is over for Fed.

Maybe on clay. Really look forward to it. Would absolutely LOVE to see Nole in the final against Fed. Wouldn't mind Rafa either.

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Post by droogle Thu 12 Apr - 4:29

Everything, just far more feel and variety, ability to improvise and blend seamlessly between shots. The option he lacks is to play almost constantly at full stretch doing the splits, keeping the upper body upright. Novak's legs are like an independent entity that allow his upper body to keep doing the bread and butter stuff from all positions.

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Post by paulcz Thu 12 Apr - 4:58

I also bring something to bolster Nole' s game. I have read the analysis of the last Australia open from Richard Schönborn, one of the most respected tennis coach of Germany, who advised to Becker and Graf.
Just to point out the most important points, all supported by statistics. He did emphasize Nole's dominance by these technical-tactical points:
- the ball placing, Nole plays more accurate balls, i.e. more in the court corners, gets balls more in the depth of the court
- hitting zone (rally hit point), Nole hits closer to the base line. Interesting thing is that he plays BH more in front than FH
- Nole hits balls faster and nearly did not retreat back
- return strike point, this is really striking difference between Nole and Nadull
- servis pattern, Nole had strong dominancy in more accurate serves

Come to the conclusion, Nole was more active and took control of the game. If Nole is at his top, there is no chance for Nadull to outplay him. If Richard should give Nadull any advice then he should move his rally hit points closer to the baseline and play much faster.
Nole is the only player who can dismantle Nadull's defence. Even though Roger is not able to do it. That is very shortly. No wonder, that Nole is the best Cool


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Post by noleisthebest Thu 12 Apr - 5:13

paulcz wrote:I also bring something to bolster Nole' s game. I have read the analysis of the last Australia open from Richard Schönbern, one of the most respected tennis coach of Germany, who advised to Becker and Graf.
Just to point out the most important points, all supported by statistics. He did emphasize Nole's dominance by these technical-tactical points:
- the ball placing, Nole plays more accurate balls, i.e. more in the court corners, gets balls more in the depth of the court
- hitting zone (rally hit point), Nole hits closer to the base line. Interesting thing is that he plays BH more in front than FH
- Nole hits balls faster and nearly did not retreat back
- return strike point, this is really striking difference between Nole and Nadull
- servis pattern, Nole had strong dominancy in more accurate serves

Come to the conclusion, Nole was more active and took control of the game. If Nole is at his top, there is no chance for Nadull to outplay him. If Richard should give Nadull any advice then he should move his rally hit points closer to the baseline and play much faster.
Nole is the only player who can dismantle Nadull's defence. Even though Roger is not able to do it. That is very shortly. No wonder, that Nole is the best Cool
Cool Hug

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Post by paulcz Thu 12 Apr - 5:21

noleisthebest wrote:
paulcz wrote:I also bring something to bolster Nole' s game. I have read the analysis of the last Australia open from Richard Schönborn, one of the most respected tennis coach of Germany, who advised to Becker and Graf.
Just to point out the most important points, all supported by statistics. He did emphasize Nole's dominance by these technical-tactical points:
- the ball placing, Nole plays more accurate balls, i.e. more in the court corners, gets balls more in the depth of the court
- hitting zone (rally hit point), Nole hits closer to the base line. Interesting thing is that he plays BH more in front than FH
- Nole hits balls faster and nearly did not retreat back
- return strike point, this is really striking difference between Nole and Nadull
- servis pattern, Nole had strong dominancy in more accurate serves

Come to the conclusion, Nole was more active and took control of the game. If Nole is at his top, there is no chance for Nadull to outplay him. If Richard should give Nadull any advice then he should move his rally hit points closer to the baseline and play much faster.
Nole is the only player who can dismantle Nadull's defence. Even though Roger is not able to do it. That is very shortly. No wonder, that Nole is the best Cool
Cool Hug

Bubbly

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Post by socal1976 Thu 12 Apr - 10:08

Good post Paul especially in regards to the quality of Djokovic's placement on his shots. Always maintaining good average depth and locating the ball outside of the center of the court where it can be hit. I have also noticed that Novak plays further up in the court on the backhand as opposed to the forehand. I think that has to do with the fact that his backhand is so compact while the forehand is a bigger swing and therefore requires more time to execute. The great difference between Nadal and Djoko, one of many is that while both guys are great defensively, Novak is a great defender but stands up closer to the baseline on average and hits the ball earlier. This combination of great defense and aggressive court positioning really makes Novak very special.

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Post by dummy_half Thu 12 Apr - 19:53

The key improvement for Djokovic has been his speed of court coverage - most of the baseline shots have always been there (the serve went wonky for a while, and he's improved his front court play immensely over the last 2 or 3 years). As with when Nadal was at his best, it is that difference of quarter of a step between being in position where you have to defend and where you can be more aggressive. It just makes for a cumulative advantage, as Djoko gets a better strike on the ball, and as noted already will probably get good depth and placement off either wing, then will get a slightly easier shot next as he starts to force his opponent back and can himself keep forward to the baseline. It ends up with either a relatively straight-forward winner or with the opponent having to try a high risk shot to get back into the point.

At the moment there are several strengths in his game and no significant weaknesses - while the serve is not itself great, it is plenty good enough when you have the rest of Djokovic's game to back it up with

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Post by socal1976 Fri 13 Apr - 2:02

Good post DH, I like your point about the cumulative advantage Djoko has in the rallies. He gets the ball back a little bit better than his opponent is expecting and gradually takes control of the point till he works his way in for the high percentage finish. His opponent hits a big shot and doesn't get the pay off he is expecting or the same type of reward for the risk because Djoko gets the ball back well enough to negate the advantage most of the time. And then he starts to work his way to bossing the point.

The serve isn't great, I often wonder how good Novak would have been with a better serve. I will say this I think his serve is starting to get better again. He served better in Miami then he has the whole season. Plus I think his second serve is one of the stronger second serves on tour. Unlike Murray for example Novak can win big matches playing off his second serve when he just isn't hitting his first serve.

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Post by Guest Fri 13 Apr - 2:20

I am surprised with all the armchair tennis talent we have here on 606v2, no-one has mentioned the importance of Djokovic' culinary technique. The way he ducks the gluten and his use of the egg chamber is eggemplary.

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Post by socal1976 Fri 13 Apr - 2:23

Because Nore Staat this thread is about shotmaking not about gluten freedom or whatever.

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Post by Mad for Chelsea Fri 13 Apr - 2:32

free the gluten! Braveheart

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Post by sportslover Fri 13 Apr - 2:46

Easy there socal on NS - Judging by his recent posts he is either practicing his "Stand up Comic routine" or a change in medication may have been implemented!

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Post by Guest Fri 13 Apr - 3:00

Actually I think I might have misdialled the setting in my oxygen tent. I have a very important match ahead of me against the club champion no less.

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Post by socal1976 Fri 13 Apr - 3:04

Nore Staat good luck then and dial up the hyperbaric chamber.

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Post by lydian Fri 13 Apr - 3:51

lol at the last few comments.
Djokovic definitely has precision shots...they're almost drill like...infact too drill like for me to really get into his game but I respect the quality of his shotmaking and retrieval skills. But I'm not sure the precision is "subtle", I think its very clear that his shotmaking is based from excellent footwork and a very "simple" technique on FH and BH, a technique that doesnt rely on stretch shortening cycles like Nadal's and Federer's do so doesnt have as many segments where things can go wrong in timing (there are positives to their technique though).
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Post by socal1976 Fri 13 Apr - 6:09

Lydian, i think Djoko's ballstriking ability is more subtle and less easily appreciated. A lot of commentators watch his game and don't really comment on some of these finer points discussed on the thread. Others who seem to have an agenda want to only focus on the fitness and physical tools of the #1. We hear comments by people that he has no weaknesses but lacks weapons or the killer shot. I know that you don't subscribe to those theories but they are definetly out there in the tennis world and on this site as well. But I think when compared to the speed and fitness part of his game that the shotmaking aspect gets little or no recognition. Djoko's rebuilding of his serve has been an integral part of his rise and he has worked to strengthen the totality of his game.


Last edited by socal1976 on Fri 13 Apr - 7:30; edited 1 time in total

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Post by noleisthebest Fri 13 Apr - 7:21

socal1976 wrote:Lydian, i think Djoko's ballstriking ability is more subtle and less easily appreciated. A lot of commentators watch his game and don't really comment on some of these finer points discussed on the thread. Others who seem to have an agenda want to only focus on the fitness and physical tools of the #1. We hear comments by people that he has no weaknesses but lacks weapons or the killer shot. I know that you subscribe to those theories but they are definetly out there in the tennis world and on this site as well. But I think when compared to the speed and fitness part of his game that the shotmaking aspect gets little or no recognition. Djoko's rebuilding of his serve has been an integral part of his rise and he has worked to strengthen the totality of his game.

That's my point ... pundits' regurgitation....it's good to turn the sound off...MOST OF THE TIME Laugh

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Post by socal1976 Fri 13 Apr - 7:37

Well Nitb, I agree not many commentators out there who provide insight that you can really appreciate. But it has been an interesting sideways compliment of Novak that he is well rounded but lacks any killershots or weapons. And ofcourse I find that most amusing because he is probably the only player on tour that has two shots that are widely considered the best on the tour. As well as bringing a well balanced and varied arsenal of shots to the table.

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Post by bogbrush Fri 13 Apr - 8:02

Djokovic is an excellent player with many great attributes, but I dont get the 'subtle'. His game is very straightforward imho.
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Post by dummy_half Fri 13 Apr - 8:04

Socal

I think one of the issues, as Lydian alludes to, is that Djokovic's stroke production is very compact and a lot less flamboyant than Federer or Nadal or many of the big power-hitters, so there is a perception that he doesn't have weapons. Murray has a bit of the same reputation, but if you watch either of them they hit more than their share of winners off both wings.

One of the key things is timing, something Djoko has down great especially on his backhand (again, I'd say Murray is pretty much his equal in this). This means he can 'get away' with the short and compact swing without compromising pace and control.

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Post by noleisthebest Fri 13 Apr - 8:08

Novak's forehand is far from compact, it's so smooth and elegant you have to be blind not to love it!

Here's a little reminder Wink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCT91QgbLG4

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Post by dummy_half Fri 13 Apr - 9:05

There's an interesting rally about 3:30 into the linked video of Djokovic against Federer, which allows a comparison of their techniques.

A couple of things I notice:
1 - Djokovic has the racket back in preparation for the shot very early, and noticably earlier than Federer when playing similar rallying forehands
2 - I stand by my comment that he has a fairly compact swing - the backswing is short and the power comes with the follow through plus the body rotation and forward movement.

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Post by socal1976 Fri 13 Apr - 9:15

I do agree, Dummy Novak's clinical technique on the groundies and his compact swings are not as eye catching. But having a very compact swing is actually an advantage is you can manage to generate spin and pace with it. Less to go wrong with the swing. Plus the fact that Djoko is so good in the rallies and lengthy points changes Novak's risk/benefit anlaysis a little bit. Because he is so solid and so fast and can play the counterpunching style with success sometimes against some opponents on certain days it behooves Djoko to play safer and still be able to win. He can play it safe and win and hit big shots and win. Certain days, against certain opponents he will grind it out, but that doesn't mean that he isn't a brilliant striker of the tennis ball and doesn't have that club in the bag as well so to speak.

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Post by noleisthebest Fri 13 Apr - 21:26

I think Nole's forehand is beautiful to behold, much more graceful than just about anyone bar Federer.

The element that stands out to me is the follow through motion, which is unique due to his upper body rotation and his head remaining so still, it looks electric even in slow motion !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AJYfkJ4hc

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