Why are none of the big 4 serve-dominant?

Danny_G13 · 10-14-2012, 06:17 AM

I remember years gone by the top players could sweep through their service matches, often to love. Sampras could do it, Federer in his earlier days.

But now none of the big current 4 seem to have a domination on their service - the number of breaks between them is rather large.

Even against the lesser players none of the big 4 are truly dominant on serve - and the number of times Federer couldn't even get in a first service yesterday was staggering. 3 DFs in a row?!

Djokovic and Murray find the net on first service a lot, and Nadal's hard to judge given his continuing absence - but he was never a player with a famously dominant serve.

Any reason why the top 4 these days are almost more impressive on receiving than serving?

The Bawss · 10-14-2012, 06:23 AM

Slower surfaces.

Russeljones · 10-14-2012, 06:27 AM

Federer shouldn't be included for obvious reasons.

tennis_pro · 10-14-2012, 06:29 AM

Just because Fed had 1 crappy serving performance yesterday it doesn't mean he can't serve well. His serve is pretty darn dominant, it won him most of his matches this year.

No1e · 10-14-2012, 06:33 AM

Djokovic's serve only seems to be in trouble when facing Murray.

kaku · 10-14-2012, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No1e

Djokovic's serve only seems to be in trouble when facing Murray.

The top 2 returns in the game today put so much pressure on the opponents first serve. Novak can reach almost any serve and if you give Murray even a half second extra time on a return he will punish you

Steve0904 · 10-14-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bawss

Slower surfaces.

This. I also would say that they are all good/great returners, but as others have stated, I wouldn't say Federer is not serve dominant. He doesn't serve 140 MPH bombs, but he's dominant on serve more often than not.

*Sparkle* · 10-14-2012, 07:17 AM

Andy said something interesting in one of his post-match interviews when being asked about his serve. He said he thought he'd served pretty well. He'd have liked an extra few percentage 1st serves in, but that he wasn't aiming for 70% that some people think of as the ideal.

I can't remember the exact wording, but the point was that there wasn't any need to obsess about getting that percentage high if you are not relying on your serve to win you free points.

It is inevitable that the top players have a more rounded game, and while I'm sure they'd love a few free points, they aren't reliant on them.

hoodjem · 10-14-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny_G13

I remember years gone by the top players could sweep through their service matches, often to love. Sampras could do it, Federer in his earlier days.

But now none of the big current 4 seem to have a domination on their service - the number of breaks between them is rather large.

Even against the lesser players none of the big 4 are truly dominant on serve - and the number of times Federer couldn't even get in a first service yesterday was staggering. 3 DFs in a row?!

But I thought Fed has one of the greatest serevs of all time?

tennisaddict · 10-14-2012, 08:27 AM

First off, Fed's serve is very much comparable to Sampras and right at the top.

Today you have better returners and players with better all round game. Plus slow surfaces.

You just cant win matches with serve alone.

Isner , Karlovic and probably Berdych may have won majors in the 90's.

Roddick85 · 10-14-2012, 08:38 AM

Op shouldn't include Federer's serve in this, sure he had a horrible match serving wise yesterday in Shanghai, but he's usually got a very dominant serve. As the commentators said yesterday, Federer usually leads with his % of 2nd serve won, and when his 1st serve his on, it's not unusual to see him serve down to love.

TMF · 10-14-2012, 09:00 AM

The game has changed and the players today are much better returners. Since the 90s, both serving and returning have improved, but the quality return exceed quality serve. That's why it's an illusion to think the servers are inferior to the 90s

underground · 10-14-2012, 09:27 AM

OP hasn't seen Federer holding service games in 1 minute before.

djokovic2008 · 10-14-2012, 09:41 AM

Would somebody get the hold stats for the top four as I KNOW they are very impressive it's only when they play each other they serve badly.

The Bawss · 10-14-2012, 10:04 AM

Yo OP, Fed says hi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzxxNpClFXE

edit: and they didn't even include this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2u7Yx65-_I

veroniquem · 10-14-2012, 10:10 AM

I don't understand the op. Fed is definitely serve dominant, not necessarily ace dominant but there is more to a good serve (and that would include 2nd serve a well) than just aces.

kishnabe · 10-14-2012, 10:11 AM

When we get back to grass and fast indoor hard.....Federer serve is imaculous.

Murray served brilliant on grass this year.

Djokovic serve has been on the first 6 months of 2011. Has not appeated till this year Asian Swing.

Nadal Serve is randomly good...

10-14-2012, 06:17 AM	#1
Danny_G13 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 107	Why are none of the big 4 serve-dominant? I remember years gone by the top players could sweep through their service matches, often to love. Sampras could do it, Federer in his earlier days. But now none of the big current 4 seem to have a domination on their service - the number of breaks between them is rather large. Even against the lesser players none of the big 4 are truly dominant on serve - and the number of times Federer couldn't even get in a first service yesterday was staggering. 3 DFs in a row?! Djokovic and Murray find the net on first service a lot, and Nadal's hard to judge given his continuing absence - but he was never a player with a famously dominant serve. Any reason why the top 4 these days are almost more impressive on receiving than serving?

10-14-2012, 06:27 AM	#3
Russeljones Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,991	Federer shouldn't be included for obvious reasons. __________________ regards, RJ

10-14-2012, 06:29 AM	#4
tennis_pro G.O.A.T. Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 11,736	Just because Fed had 1 crappy serving performance yesterday it doesn't mean he can't serve well. His serve is pretty darn dominant, it won him most of his matches this year. __________________ "By the Nalbandian logic, I could beat Federer when I'm "in form". Nalbandian is only a threat to linesmen." - pvaudio

10-14-2012, 09:00 AM	#12
TMF G.O.A.T. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13,617	The game has changed and the players today are much better returners. Since the 90s, both serving and returning have improved, but the quality return exceed quality serve. That's why it's an illusion to think the servers are inferior to the 90s __________________ NadalAgassi: I think Serena's final slam tally will be something from 18-27. My best guess is 24 or 25 though; Nole(2010) will never win Wimbledon

10-14-2012, 10:04 AM	#15
The Bawss Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lyon, France. Posts: 2,721	Yo OP, Fed says hi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzxxNpClFXE edit: and they didn't even include this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2u7Yx65-_I Last edited by The Bawss : 10-14-2012 at 10:06 AM.