I see many threads, many opinion, but not a single one from someone who obviously pay attention to the details and have an eye for it. Here it is folks:
Medvedev was absolutely prefect tactically and his gameplan left Djokovic speechless.
- Firstable Medvedev didn't gave Djokovic any rhythm/momentum.
2 - Medvedev played smart and didn't try to crack the ball, but on the contrary return it regularly at different speed and in different ways, 3-4 times flat balls, and then topspin with high bouncing, and this ruined Joko's rhythm.
3 - You don't beat Djokovic with a shootout(yeah it can happen, but you got to be perfect, and it's harder), but by giving him no rhythm/momentum at all, and you have to use diversity. It might not look like that from the outside, but Medvedev definitely had played with great variety in his game.
4 - It's obvious from people that have an eye, that Djoko prefer/likes/love to eat his opponent pace, and use them against them, but Medvedev was genius and didn't let that happen. Purely and simple Medvedev didn't use much pace on his shots(when he does it, he was finishing the ball, not try to pressure him, but score a clear winner, which is the right thing), didn't push the ball hard, and try to outshoot Djoko, he was actually playing with Novak pace, and actually make Novak use force for his shots, which obviously going to waste you more energy. And we all know Djoko have hard schedule this year.
5 - Another very important aspect of Medvedev tactical gameplan was to not allow Djokovic to use his other strength sides, like using the angles, which he is so so good at. Medvedev was playing very deep balls in the center part, which makes it incredible hard for Djoko to make angles and move Medvedev left-right on the court. This also kills Djoko rhythm totally. Djoko doesn't have much options, he couldn't outpace Medvedev with high pace stronger shots, he can't create angles, and can' get into a decent rhythm.
6 - Medvedev did a good job tactically how to return Djokovic Serve. He was 5 meters away from the line, and did a good job returning most of Djoko serve back in play. Djoko didn't get an easy points, and was put under pressure in most of his serve game. This help big time with disrupting your opponents serve, and to make him miss more first serve, by going for more with it.
7 - Medvedev serve, it obviously Medvedev did his homework how to serve and get the most of it, against a brilliant returner like Djoko. This pretty much allow him to not feel much pressure on his own game, but actually put more back on Novak.
8 - Another very, very important aspect with the no rhythm/momentum was the insane fast pace that Medvedev impose. This is why i have talking how important is the time between the points, and what a cheat this thing is.
Medvedev was serving lightning fast. Zero time for rest, zero time for recovery, fast serving games, and your opponent is back on serve, more pressure on him. This allow for not turning the match into a physical battle, and turning the match into a war. And this also help Medvedev to pretty much not thinking on what's going on. You are not overthinking, playing to your tactics and instintcs and not overdo it.
And finally Medvedev also show great nerves of steel, but this is absolutely necessary to win the big titles. If you don't have one, just work with sport psychologist, understand what makes you cooldown in the tense moments, and even how to breath properly, and to let the stress out. There is million techniques out there, and breathing is probably the easiest an the simplest.
Djoko looked like that, because of Medvedev genius tactical gameplan. Medvedev game may not have the beauty of technique, but it's a brilliant in tactical way.
And this is what i wanna see way more from the newcomers and actual tactical gameplan, and how to actually win matches. Not i will try to outshot him, and when it's not happening, they have no Plan B, and keep repeating the same, and keep losing.
Medvedev was absolutely prefect tactically and his gameplan left Djokovic speechless.
- Firstable Medvedev didn't gave Djokovic any rhythm/momentum.
2 - Medvedev played smart and didn't try to crack the ball, but on the contrary return it regularly at different speed and in different ways, 3-4 times flat balls, and then topspin with high bouncing, and this ruined Joko's rhythm.
3 - You don't beat Djokovic with a shootout(yeah it can happen, but you got to be perfect, and it's harder), but by giving him no rhythm/momentum at all, and you have to use diversity. It might not look like that from the outside, but Medvedev definitely had played with great variety in his game.
4 - It's obvious from people that have an eye, that Djoko prefer/likes/love to eat his opponent pace, and use them against them, but Medvedev was genius and didn't let that happen. Purely and simple Medvedev didn't use much pace on his shots(when he does it, he was finishing the ball, not try to pressure him, but score a clear winner, which is the right thing), didn't push the ball hard, and try to outshoot Djoko, he was actually playing with Novak pace, and actually make Novak use force for his shots, which obviously going to waste you more energy. And we all know Djoko have hard schedule this year.
5 - Another very important aspect of Medvedev tactical gameplan was to not allow Djokovic to use his other strength sides, like using the angles, which he is so so good at. Medvedev was playing very deep balls in the center part, which makes it incredible hard for Djoko to make angles and move Medvedev left-right on the court. This also kills Djoko rhythm totally. Djoko doesn't have much options, he couldn't outpace Medvedev with high pace stronger shots, he can't create angles, and can' get into a decent rhythm.
6 - Medvedev did a good job tactically how to return Djokovic Serve. He was 5 meters away from the line, and did a good job returning most of Djoko serve back in play. Djoko didn't get an easy points, and was put under pressure in most of his serve game. This help big time with disrupting your opponents serve, and to make him miss more first serve, by going for more with it.
7 - Medvedev serve, it obviously Medvedev did his homework how to serve and get the most of it, against a brilliant returner like Djoko. This pretty much allow him to not feel much pressure on his own game, but actually put more back on Novak.
8 - Another very, very important aspect with the no rhythm/momentum was the insane fast pace that Medvedev impose. This is why i have talking how important is the time between the points, and what a cheat this thing is.
Medvedev was serving lightning fast. Zero time for rest, zero time for recovery, fast serving games, and your opponent is back on serve, more pressure on him. This allow for not turning the match into a physical battle, and turning the match into a war. And this also help Medvedev to pretty much not thinking on what's going on. You are not overthinking, playing to your tactics and instintcs and not overdo it.
And finally Medvedev also show great nerves of steel, but this is absolutely necessary to win the big titles. If you don't have one, just work with sport psychologist, understand what makes you cooldown in the tense moments, and even how to breath properly, and to let the stress out. There is million techniques out there, and breathing is probably the easiest an the simplest.
Djoko looked like that, because of Medvedev genius tactical gameplan. Medvedev game may not have the beauty of technique, but it's a brilliant in tactical way.
And this is what i wanna see way more from the newcomers and actual tactical gameplan, and how to actually win matches. Not i will try to outshot him, and when it's not happening, they have no Plan B, and keep repeating the same, and keep losing.
