Serving vs Returning - ATP Article

Returning Trumps Serving

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/djokovic-infosys-return-2015-london

Some interesting numbers. Djokovic numbers are fantastic.

Berdych's 2nd serve return numbers were better than I realised.

Novak at 60% of points won on his 2nd serve is probably the key stat that explains the improvement in his results this year.

I said the same thing in a thread two years or three ago noting how few of the top players were big servers and most were good returners. Most people argued with me. The reason is that with the new technology power is more attainable by a wider range of pros. Therefore those that can neutralize that power more effectively will have more success. Funny I said the exact same thing years ago

First the journalists copy my golden era line in 2008, now they steal this.

Returning is more closely linked to ability to hit forehands and backhands in general. So, if you can return well, you can likely hit backhands and forehands well. So 80% of the shots you hit.

If you can serve well, well you can just serve well, and maybe smashes. Maybe 10% of shots.

So if you can hit 80% of shots well, that will have more of an effect on your chances to win tennis matches than if you can hit 10% of shots well.

Hence the reason that few of the top players are big servers and most are good returners.