Djokovic-Nadal Qatar Final Technical Analysis

[bjsnider]

I think the difference in this match was made by Djokovic's ability to disguise his shots, thus confusing Nadal, who was frequently left either flat-footed or wrong-footed. Djokovic was hitting hard, but not necessarily painting lines and hitting all-time great shots point after point. It was a tactical victory.

Here we have 1-4, 30-15, Nadal serves to Djokovic's forehand, a high-percentage play for him in 2015. Djokovic gets stick on it and unexpectedly returns across Nadal's body to his deuce side. Nadal responds with a defensive forehand.

The ball is hit up the line, Djokovic hits a running forehand.

Look at the options Djokovic has on his forehand here. But also, look at what Nadal is doing -- running back to cover his open ad court.

The cross court forehand Nadal is worried about is the easier shot, because it's over the lower part of the net, and there's a larger court surface. But Djokovic hits behind Nadal, easily winning the point by executing a workmanlike forehand.

Now, the same game, 30-30. Nadal serves to Djokovic's forehand again.

Djokovic returns over the low net into Nadal's backhand. Nadal responds with a safe rally ball to Djokovic's forehand.

Look at the angles Djokovic has on this shot. Most players would probably respond with a safe shot over the low net. But most of all, look at Nadal's flat-footed posture. He's got no idea where Djokovic is going to hit the ball. No idea. Djokovic is giving nothing away in his body language, eg. torso positioning etc.

Djokovic hits a tactical shot up the line. It's not a great shot, it doesn't hit any lines or use an impossible angle, but it works because of Nadal's flat-footedness. Nadal gets stick on it, hits it over the low net, but short and weak. Djokovic steps in.

Djokovic hits a winner to the open court. Note that Nadal is actually leaning the other way. He still can't read Djokovic.

Now we have a Djokovic service game. He's about to go up 40-0 for three set points. We pick it up as Djokovic hits a rally ball over the low net to Nadal's backhand.

Nadal responds with his own rally ball.

So now we look again at Djokovic's options. And again we nee Nadal flat-footed and confused.

Djokovic hits up the line. This is a great shot that catches part of the line. Nadal barely gets stick on it.

Weak shot lands in the middle of the court. Djokovic steps in and hits behind Nadal once again. Note that Nadal is leaning the other way as Djokovic is giving nothing away.

Now, finally, second set, Nadal serving at 15-30. We pick it up as he hits one of his ineffective slice backhands.

Djokovic runs around his backhand and takes control with a big forehand. Note his options, and Nadal's confused positioning.

Djokovic hits to Nadal's deep deuce corner. It's a hard shot hit precisely, but there's a margin for error. Nadal moves to get stick on it. Note the court positioning. Djokovic is firmly in control of the point.

Nadal moves to cover his open ad side. Djokovic hits behind him again.

This time it's a great shot that catches the back of the line.

It's impressive to be able to hit angles from the deep middle like Djokovic did in that sequence. It's also impressive that Djokovic can consistently go up the line or cross court equally well from either wing. Over the years, Djokovic has managed to develop these shots, but also disguise them enough that his opponents are totally in the dark about where the ball is going, and are thus reactive and defensive. No other player in tennis can do this right now, because even if they had the disguise, they can't go up the line as well as Djokovic. As long as Djokovic's forehand remains at this level in big matches, he's unstoppable.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

"I think the difference in this match was made by Djokovic's ability to disguise his shots, thus confusing Nadal, who was frequently left either flat-footed or wrong-footed. Djokovic was hitting hard, but not necessarily painting lines and hitting all-time great shots point after point. It was a tactical victory."


Couldn't agree more.


Nadal was stuck in the mud, as I say.


Djokovic does quite well what I suggested more than a year ago would represent a next important evolution in the game.. or perhaps re-emergence. You can't hit what you can't see, and I wasn't referring to power.

 

[Krish872007]

Very astute analysis - thanks for sharing.
Technical genius from the Djokovic camp the last year or so. They've clearly worked on game plans and patterns for certain players and as long as Novak continues to stick to the plans, he'll have success and most of these movements and patterns should become relatively instinctive.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

or, according to 60's weed:

 

[haqq777]

I think the difference in this match was made by Djokovic's ability to disguise his shots, thus confusing Nadal, who was frequently left either flat-footed or wrong-footed. Djokovic was hitting hard, but not necessarily painting lines and hitting all-time great shots point after point. It was a tactical victory.

Here we have 1-4, 30-15, Nadal serves to Djokovic's forehand, a high-percentage play for him in 2015. Djokovic gets stick on it and unexpectedly returns across Nadal's body to his deuce side. Nadal responds with a defensive forehand.

The ball is hit up the line, Djokovic hits a running forehand.

Look at the options Djokovic has on his forehand here. But also, look at what Nadal is doing -- running back to cover his open ad court.

The cross court forehand Nadal is worried about his the easier shot, because it's over the lower part of the net, and there's a larger court surface. But Djokovic hits behind Nadal, easily winning the point by executing a workmanlike forehand.

Now, the same game, 30-30. Nadal serves to Djokovic's forehand again.

Djokovic returns over the low net into Nadal's backhand. Nadal responds with a safe rally ball to Djokovic's forehand.

Look at the angles Djokovic has on this shot. Most players would probably respond with a safe shot over the low net. But most of all, look at Nadal's flat-footed posture. He's got no idea where Djokovic is going to hit the ball. No idea. Djokovic is giving nothing away in his body language, eg. torso positioning etc.

Djokovic hits a tactical shot up the line. It's not a great shot, it doesn't hit any lines or use an impossible angle, but it works because of Nadal's flat-footedness. Nadal gets stick on it, hits it over the low net, but short and weak. Djokovic steps in.

Djokovic hits a winner to the open court. Note that Nadal is actually leaning the other way. He still can't read Djokovic.

Now we have a Djokovic service game. He's about to go up 40-0 for three set points. We pick it up as Djokovic hits a rally ball over the low net to Nadal's backhand.

Nadal responds with his own rally ball.

So now we look again at Djokovic's options. And again we nee Nadal flat-footed and confused.

Djokovic hits up the line. This is a great shot that catches part of the line. Nadal barely gets stick on it.

Weak shot lands in the middle of the court. Djokovic steps in and hits behind Nadal once again. Note that Nadal is leaning the other way as Djokovic is giving nothing away.

Now, finally, second set, Nadal serving at 15-30. We pick it up as he hits one of his ineffective slice backhands.

Djokovic runs around his backhand and takes control with a big forehand. Note his options, and Nadal's confused positioning.

Djokovic hits to Nadal's deep deuce corner. It's a hard shot hit precisely, but there's a margin for error. Nadal moves to get stick on it. Note the court positioning. Djokovic is firmly in control of the point.

Nadal moves to cover his open ad side. Djokovic hits behind him again.

This time it's a great shot that catches the back of the line.

It's impressive to be able to hit angles from the deep middle like Djokovic did in that sequence. It's also impressive that Djokovic can consistently go up the line or cross court equally well from either wing. Over the years, Djokovic has managed to develop these shots, but also disguise them enough that his opponents are totally in the dark about where the ball is going, and are thus reactive and defensive. No other player in tennis can do this right now, because even if they had the disguise, they can't go up the line as well as Djokovic. As long as Djokovic's forehand remains at this level in big matches, he's unstoppable.

Great analysis. Much respect for taking time out and posting pics while analyzing in-depth and that too all step-by-step.

 

[Gazelle]

I think it's a bit over analyzing, but still nice to read.

The main reason of the beatdown was Djokovic hitting a lot harder than Nadal on all shots. Nadal was moonballing around, and Djokovic killed them off.

 

[NoleFam]

Good analysis. The disguise is created by being in an open stance on a lot of his shots. I think on the women's side, the Williams sisters brought this type of tennis to the forefront in the late 90's. You can't read it because they use the same stance whether they are going cross court, down line or up the middle. It takes great timing to be able to do that consistently though.