Novak Djokovic beat Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3 in the Year End Championship final, 2022 on indoor hard court in Turin, Italy
It was Djokovic’s record equalling 6th title at the event. He won all 5 of his matches. Ruud was playing his first final at the event and had topped his group with a 2-1 record
Djokovic won 64 points, Ruud 48
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (39/55) 71%
- 1st serve points won (33/39) 85%
- 2nd serve points won (11/16) 69%
- Aces 8
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (20/55) 36%
Ruud...
- 1st serve percentage (40/57) 70%
- 1st serve points won (31/40) 78%
- 2nd serve points won (6/17) 35%
- Aces 6, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (20/57) 35%
Serve Pattern
Djokovic served...
- to FH 53%
- to BH 44%
- to Body 4%
Ruud served...
- to FH 50%
- to BH 46%
- to Body 4%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 36 (18 FH, 18 BH)
- 13 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 9 Forced (6 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (36/56) 64%
Ruud made...
- 35 (22 FH, 13 BH), including 2 runaround FHs
- 12 Errors, comprising...
- 2 Unforced (2 BH)
- 10 Forced (3 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (35/55) 64%
Break Points
Djokovic 2/5 (4 games)
Ruud 0
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Djokovic 19 (9 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 1 BHV, 3 OH)
Ruud 8 (4 FH, 2 BH, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 4 cc (1 at net), 2 dtl, 2 inside-in, 1 inside-in/cc
- BHs - 2 dtl, 1 dtl/inside-out, 1 drop shot at net
- 1 from a serve-volley point, a first volley BHV
- 1 FHV was a swinging longline shot from just behind the baseline
Ruud's FHs - 2 cc (1 pass), 1 inside-out, 1 longline/cc
- BHs - 2 dtl (1 pass)
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Djokovic 20
- 15 Unforced (7 FH, 8 BH)
- 5 Forced (1 FH, 2 BH, 1 FH1/2V, 1 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 48.7
Ruud 24
- 12 Unforced (4 FH, 6 BH, 2 FHV)
- 12 Forced (6 FH, 5 BH, 1 BH1/2V)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.2
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was...
- 11/16 (69%) at net, including...
- 1/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
---
- 0/1 forced back
Ruud was...
- 3/7 (43%) at net, including...
- 0/2 serve-volleying, both 1st serves
---
- 1/2 forced back
Match Report
A clinically, masterful showing from Djokovic, who’s ability to take charge of neutral rallies and attacking from there is the big difference on a fast court
Its come out beautifully in numbers, with many things near identical, making it easy to isolate the difference between the two players
1st serve percentage - Djoko 71%, Ruud 70%
1st serve points won - Djoko 85%, Ruud 78%
2nd serve points won - Djoko 69%, Ruud 35%
In words, both players making hay with strong serves on this quick court, but Djoko twice as good when things start with 50-50 prospects
Djoko also has the stronger serve, though that hasn’t come out too clearly in numbers
Aces/Service Winners - Djoko 8, Ruud 7 (Ruud delivering 1 more first serve)
Double Faults - Djoko 0, Ruud 1
Unreturned rate - Djoko 36%, Ruud 35%
Virtually equal. But almost all Djoko’s first serves are tough. Ruud sends down a few regulation, in swing-zone first serves that are routinely returned and servers advantage neutralized with it. And Djoko draws weaker returns that allow him to take charge of rally right of the bat to a greater degree than Ruud
By contrast, Djoko doesn’t take charge with his second returns. He returns with comfort, but this isn’t a return-to-baseline & start-rally-on-front foot showing from him. Ruud for that matter returns second serve near as comfortably, perhaps without less heat, but no major difference there. What happens on both players second serve points is product of court action, not the returns
UEs - Djoko 15, Ruud 12
Close enough. Their breakdown hints at Djoko being more aggressive.
- Neutral UEs - Djoko 6, Ruud 9
- Attacking and Winner Attempt UEs - Djoko 9, Ruud 3
That’s a bit misleading if it implies Djoko’s always attacking, Ruud counter-punching and defending. They rally neutrally most of the time. Both players solid. Djoko’s in no rush to attack and picks and chooses when to do so
Which brings us to points ended aggressively. Winners + Errors Forced - Djoko 32, Ruud 13, no explanation needed
BH cc rallies tend to stay in neutral ‘til someone blinks. UEs on that side read Djoko 8, Ruud 6. Djoko’s BH dtl is standout shot of the match, particularly good even by his standard. There’s the odd, neutral longline change-up around middle of court, but its when he looks to finish the point out of the corner that it shines. 3 dtl based winners and bulk of Ruud’s match high 6 FH FEs (Djoko has 5 FEs total) are drawn by BH dtl. Ruud’s got a couple winners with the shot too (1 pass), but otherwise, rarely plays the shot. Misses one by miles near the end of match - which highlights how rarely he goes for it and how its not as easy as Djoko’s almost routine way of delivering the blow makes it look. Not overly hard hit, but perfectly placed
Both players doing well off the FH, with Djoko the more aggressive -
Winners - Djoko 9, Ruud 4
UEs - Djoko 7, Ruud 4
Here, serve sets up more of Djoko’s finishers, and Ruud not drawing as many overtly weak returns with first serves limits his chances to do the same as often. Like the BHs, the FH cc rallies are marked by clinically strong hitting. Not many short balls coming out of either player
Djoko longline change-ups on this side too with ease. And is able to overpower Ruud at times to take charge, independent of serve giving him advantage, to a greater extent than Ruud can to him (which is rare). Not quite as impressive as the BH play, which has little to do with advantage trickling out of the serve, and not a clear advantage overall for Djoko though his aggressive success is more eye-catching then Ruud’s neutral steadiness one
The ability to take charge gives Djoko far more chances to come to net to finish. Sans serve-volleys, Ruud can only make it to net 5 times, Djoko 15. Just the odd, manufactured approach by Djoko, but bulk flows organically from overpowering Ruud from the back, with a fair few near token approaches to shots which likely would have ended the points anyway
No break points faced, and not even a deuce game on Djoko’s serve. His 11 service games comprise 3 love games, 5 to 15 and 3 to 30
Match Progerssion
Djokovic’s first serve dominates the first set. He makes 21/29 or 72% and 12 of them don’t come back (or 57%), leaving him not much to do to hold. He loses 5 points in his 6 holds
Ruud by contrast serves 22/35 or 63% and 7 don’t come back (or 32%). What does, leaves him in charge and he’s very good at seeing that through to winning the point, particularly as he doesn’t end such points at a stroke but works over Djoko some
First serve points won in set - Djoko 18/21, Ruud 19/22
With near equal success there - Djoko for his serve being overwhelming, Ruud for clinically pushing and commanding Djoko when he has an advantageous starting position, things are decided on second serve points
Second serve points won - Djoko 6/8, Ruud 5/13
These (and a small number of Ruud’s first serve points) present neutral rallies. Sound play from both players in them. Djoko’s able to take charge more often, with his BH dtl doing plenty of damage
Just the 1 break to end the set, but Ruud’s got some work to do to hold before that. He faces 2 break points in second game - Djoko missing a routine second return on the first and a powerful FH inside-out winning Ruud the second. Has to save another in Game 8, which is brought up by Ruud making a terrible putaway FHV error in forecourt, but Djoko misses a regulation 1st return on it
Djoko breaks to end the set - a good wide return to win the opening point, and a strongly aggressive one that he ends with a FH inside-in winner are his most eye catching contributions, but he has a role in the 2 UEs Ruud gives up too, by leading the rallies on the those points
Second set is a little different. Djoko breaks early for 3-1 with a very strong game of powerful returns and commanding baseline shots. Ruud makes 4/5 first serves and and has 4 FEs in the game (1 FH, 2 BH and 1 BH1/2V serve-volleying)
Thereafter, Djoko plays a little more freely of aggression and misses a few ambitious aggressive shots, often early in rallies. Still makes more than he misses and doesn’t go into crazy-territory with it. Serve isn’t as devastating - he has 2 unreturneds in 17 points post-break - which means more weak returns, which means more ground winners too
He doesn’t take it easier on return, but Ruud serves his best after the break. 3 aces and a service winner in his remaining 2 service games for comfy holds to 30
In serving out, Djoko lands a first shot OH winner. He doesn’t miss an OH in the match, but hasn’t putaway OHs and/or needed multiple shots to get a winner off with it. Finishes the match with an ace
Summing up, masterful showing from Djokovic. Serve is particularly strong, return is comfortable and out of a no-weakness base off the ground is able to take charge and command play. BH dtl is particularly stellar
A sound one from Ruud too, whose serve isn’t far behind his opponent and who’s able to efficiently boss play when that serve gives him starting initiative. Sound and secure off the ground too, but thoroughly unable to up the ante from there, unlike his opponent
It was Djokovic’s record equalling 6th title at the event. He won all 5 of his matches. Ruud was playing his first final at the event and had topped his group with a 2-1 record
Djokovic won 64 points, Ruud 48
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (39/55) 71%
- 1st serve points won (33/39) 85%
- 2nd serve points won (11/16) 69%
- Aces 8
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (20/55) 36%
Ruud...
- 1st serve percentage (40/57) 70%
- 1st serve points won (31/40) 78%
- 2nd serve points won (6/17) 35%
- Aces 6, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (20/57) 35%
Serve Pattern
Djokovic served...
- to FH 53%
- to BH 44%
- to Body 4%
Ruud served...
- to FH 50%
- to BH 46%
- to Body 4%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 36 (18 FH, 18 BH)
- 13 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 9 Forced (6 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (36/56) 64%
Ruud made...
- 35 (22 FH, 13 BH), including 2 runaround FHs
- 12 Errors, comprising...
- 2 Unforced (2 BH)
- 10 Forced (3 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (35/55) 64%
Break Points
Djokovic 2/5 (4 games)
Ruud 0
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Djokovic 19 (9 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 1 BHV, 3 OH)
Ruud 8 (4 FH, 2 BH, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 4 cc (1 at net), 2 dtl, 2 inside-in, 1 inside-in/cc
- BHs - 2 dtl, 1 dtl/inside-out, 1 drop shot at net
- 1 from a serve-volley point, a first volley BHV
- 1 FHV was a swinging longline shot from just behind the baseline
Ruud's FHs - 2 cc (1 pass), 1 inside-out, 1 longline/cc
- BHs - 2 dtl (1 pass)
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Djokovic 20
- 15 Unforced (7 FH, 8 BH)
- 5 Forced (1 FH, 2 BH, 1 FH1/2V, 1 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 48.7
Ruud 24
- 12 Unforced (4 FH, 6 BH, 2 FHV)
- 12 Forced (6 FH, 5 BH, 1 BH1/2V)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.2
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was...
- 11/16 (69%) at net, including...
- 1/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
---
- 0/1 forced back
Ruud was...
- 3/7 (43%) at net, including...
- 0/2 serve-volleying, both 1st serves
---
- 1/2 forced back
Match Report
A clinically, masterful showing from Djokovic, who’s ability to take charge of neutral rallies and attacking from there is the big difference on a fast court
Its come out beautifully in numbers, with many things near identical, making it easy to isolate the difference between the two players
1st serve percentage - Djoko 71%, Ruud 70%
1st serve points won - Djoko 85%, Ruud 78%
2nd serve points won - Djoko 69%, Ruud 35%
In words, both players making hay with strong serves on this quick court, but Djoko twice as good when things start with 50-50 prospects
Djoko also has the stronger serve, though that hasn’t come out too clearly in numbers
Aces/Service Winners - Djoko 8, Ruud 7 (Ruud delivering 1 more first serve)
Double Faults - Djoko 0, Ruud 1
Unreturned rate - Djoko 36%, Ruud 35%
Virtually equal. But almost all Djoko’s first serves are tough. Ruud sends down a few regulation, in swing-zone first serves that are routinely returned and servers advantage neutralized with it. And Djoko draws weaker returns that allow him to take charge of rally right of the bat to a greater degree than Ruud
By contrast, Djoko doesn’t take charge with his second returns. He returns with comfort, but this isn’t a return-to-baseline & start-rally-on-front foot showing from him. Ruud for that matter returns second serve near as comfortably, perhaps without less heat, but no major difference there. What happens on both players second serve points is product of court action, not the returns
UEs - Djoko 15, Ruud 12
Close enough. Their breakdown hints at Djoko being more aggressive.
- Neutral UEs - Djoko 6, Ruud 9
- Attacking and Winner Attempt UEs - Djoko 9, Ruud 3
That’s a bit misleading if it implies Djoko’s always attacking, Ruud counter-punching and defending. They rally neutrally most of the time. Both players solid. Djoko’s in no rush to attack and picks and chooses when to do so
Which brings us to points ended aggressively. Winners + Errors Forced - Djoko 32, Ruud 13, no explanation needed
BH cc rallies tend to stay in neutral ‘til someone blinks. UEs on that side read Djoko 8, Ruud 6. Djoko’s BH dtl is standout shot of the match, particularly good even by his standard. There’s the odd, neutral longline change-up around middle of court, but its when he looks to finish the point out of the corner that it shines. 3 dtl based winners and bulk of Ruud’s match high 6 FH FEs (Djoko has 5 FEs total) are drawn by BH dtl. Ruud’s got a couple winners with the shot too (1 pass), but otherwise, rarely plays the shot. Misses one by miles near the end of match - which highlights how rarely he goes for it and how its not as easy as Djoko’s almost routine way of delivering the blow makes it look. Not overly hard hit, but perfectly placed
Both players doing well off the FH, with Djoko the more aggressive -
Winners - Djoko 9, Ruud 4
UEs - Djoko 7, Ruud 4
Here, serve sets up more of Djoko’s finishers, and Ruud not drawing as many overtly weak returns with first serves limits his chances to do the same as often. Like the BHs, the FH cc rallies are marked by clinically strong hitting. Not many short balls coming out of either player
Djoko longline change-ups on this side too with ease. And is able to overpower Ruud at times to take charge, independent of serve giving him advantage, to a greater extent than Ruud can to him (which is rare). Not quite as impressive as the BH play, which has little to do with advantage trickling out of the serve, and not a clear advantage overall for Djoko though his aggressive success is more eye-catching then Ruud’s neutral steadiness one
The ability to take charge gives Djoko far more chances to come to net to finish. Sans serve-volleys, Ruud can only make it to net 5 times, Djoko 15. Just the odd, manufactured approach by Djoko, but bulk flows organically from overpowering Ruud from the back, with a fair few near token approaches to shots which likely would have ended the points anyway
No break points faced, and not even a deuce game on Djoko’s serve. His 11 service games comprise 3 love games, 5 to 15 and 3 to 30
Match Progerssion
Djokovic’s first serve dominates the first set. He makes 21/29 or 72% and 12 of them don’t come back (or 57%), leaving him not much to do to hold. He loses 5 points in his 6 holds
Ruud by contrast serves 22/35 or 63% and 7 don’t come back (or 32%). What does, leaves him in charge and he’s very good at seeing that through to winning the point, particularly as he doesn’t end such points at a stroke but works over Djoko some
First serve points won in set - Djoko 18/21, Ruud 19/22
With near equal success there - Djoko for his serve being overwhelming, Ruud for clinically pushing and commanding Djoko when he has an advantageous starting position, things are decided on second serve points
Second serve points won - Djoko 6/8, Ruud 5/13
These (and a small number of Ruud’s first serve points) present neutral rallies. Sound play from both players in them. Djoko’s able to take charge more often, with his BH dtl doing plenty of damage
Just the 1 break to end the set, but Ruud’s got some work to do to hold before that. He faces 2 break points in second game - Djoko missing a routine second return on the first and a powerful FH inside-out winning Ruud the second. Has to save another in Game 8, which is brought up by Ruud making a terrible putaway FHV error in forecourt, but Djoko misses a regulation 1st return on it
Djoko breaks to end the set - a good wide return to win the opening point, and a strongly aggressive one that he ends with a FH inside-in winner are his most eye catching contributions, but he has a role in the 2 UEs Ruud gives up too, by leading the rallies on the those points
Second set is a little different. Djoko breaks early for 3-1 with a very strong game of powerful returns and commanding baseline shots. Ruud makes 4/5 first serves and and has 4 FEs in the game (1 FH, 2 BH and 1 BH1/2V serve-volleying)
Thereafter, Djoko plays a little more freely of aggression and misses a few ambitious aggressive shots, often early in rallies. Still makes more than he misses and doesn’t go into crazy-territory with it. Serve isn’t as devastating - he has 2 unreturneds in 17 points post-break - which means more weak returns, which means more ground winners too
He doesn’t take it easier on return, but Ruud serves his best after the break. 3 aces and a service winner in his remaining 2 service games for comfy holds to 30
In serving out, Djoko lands a first shot OH winner. He doesn’t miss an OH in the match, but hasn’t putaway OHs and/or needed multiple shots to get a winner off with it. Finishes the match with an ace
Summing up, masterful showing from Djokovic. Serve is particularly strong, return is comfortable and out of a no-weakness base off the ground is able to take charge and command play. BH dtl is particularly stellar
A sound one from Ruud too, whose serve isn’t far behind his opponent and who’s able to efficiently boss play when that serve gives him starting initiative. Sound and secure off the ground too, but thoroughly unable to up the ante from there, unlike his opponent
