Djokovic News
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Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
Novak: The best match came in the right moment
Novak Djokovic, the world number one, said that the match against Kevin Anderson was his best in London this season.
"I think this was my best match, it came in the right moment. Anderson played great tennis this week", said Novak.
What brought such a big advantage to Novak was weak first serve from Anderson, and his great return on the second.
"That made the big difference. His first serve didn't function. I managed to use his second serve in this match", claims Novak.
The Serbian tennis player underlined what he is pleased with.
"I am pleased that I can play at the highest level. Week in week out, for the last five-six months. This tournament is one of the most important ones in the season and we always try to find what is left of our energy", says Djokovic.
When asked if this was one of the matches where he served the best he ever did, Djokovic replied.
"Possible. It's not very usual having more aces than Kevin"
In the big final he will play against Alexander Zverev.
"We already played in the group when he wasn't at his best level, but he was great against Roger. He is raising his level, it will be a similar approach to the one today. I will try to return as many first serves as possible. May the better player win", Novak was clear.
Novak Djokovic, the world number one, said that the match against Kevin Anderson was his best in London this season.
"I think this was my best match, it came in the right moment. Anderson played great tennis this week", said Novak.
What brought such a big advantage to Novak was weak first serve from Anderson, and his great return on the second.
"That made the big difference. His first serve didn't function. I managed to use his second serve in this match", claims Novak.
The Serbian tennis player underlined what he is pleased with.
"I am pleased that I can play at the highest level. Week in week out, for the last five-six months. This tournament is one of the most important ones in the season and we always try to find what is left of our energy", says Djokovic.
When asked if this was one of the matches where he served the best he ever did, Djokovic replied.
"Possible. It's not very usual having more aces than Kevin"
In the big final he will play against Alexander Zverev.
"We already played in the group when he wasn't at his best level, but he was great against Roger. He is raising his level, it will be a similar approach to the one today. I will try to return as many first serves as possible. May the better player win", Novak was clear.
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upchuck
Hall of Fame
After wimbledon I kept saying on this forum that Djokovic's performance was as good as his performances there during his peak years. People questioned it, especially Federer fans who have a stake in arguing these guys can't play the best tennis of their careers at 31. Now I don't think anybody doubts that Djokovic is playing as well as ever. Tomorrow he could become the first player in more than 30 years to win the WTF without dropping a set. He could also fail to drop serve in an entire tournament for only the second time in his career, the first being this year's Shanghai event.
nolefam_2024
G.O.A.T.
Today, is the first time I felt, Djokovic is playing at 2015 level again.
Next year can be very dominant. I don't think he will win RG or more than 1 clay masters but still dominant. He might be AWOL in clay season.
Next year can be very dominant. I don't think he will win RG or more than 1 clay masters but still dominant. He might be AWOL in clay season.
Fiero425
Legend
Those same detractors actually had the nerve to say Nole was pushing the ball! By the time he got to Nadal in that SF, both were taking full-blooded swipes at the ball! I guess some just can't handle Roger on his way out; with almost an inability to beat anyone in the top tier! His upsets are inexplicable like Kei's on Sunday!
RF-18
Talk Tennis Guru
Yesterday Djokovic only lost 5 points on his serve against Cilic. Today he lost only 7. He has yet to be broken this tournament and only faced 2 BPs in 4 matches. Tomorrow he could replicate the Shanghai performance where he didn't lose serve all tournament, wich he never did in has career ever at a tournament.
Breathtaking stuff. Djokovic's serve is IMO the shot that has stood out the most this year. It was already amazing, but this is a notch better than I've ever seen from him.
Breathtaking stuff. Djokovic's serve is IMO the shot that has stood out the most this year. It was already amazing, but this is a notch better than I've ever seen from him.
TheAssassin
Legend
Hope he keeps that efficiency on serve in the final as well. He's been flawless so far.
Subway Tennis
Legend
Is his second serve as good or better than 2015?
RF-18
Talk Tennis Guru
According to the stats, no. He won higher percentage of points behind his 2nd serve in 2015, but everything else is marginally better in 2018.
He has higher ace% in 2018
Higher 1st serve%
Higher % on points won behind the 1st serve
Higher % on points won on the serve overall
Higher hold %, but only marginally.
These stats are from june 1st this year till now. I used the same time frame in 2015 aswell. This makes it fairer to compare as Djokovic was a complete mess the first 6 months this year.
nolefam_2024
G.O.A.T.
With a good returner like Federer out of the picture, I think the serve numbers will continue to rise.
nolefam_2024
G.O.A.T.
Djokovic at his best again reminds me of Superman from the Injustice series. Peerless.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
I said that too, no one else was beating Nadal that day.
OldschoolKIaus
Hall of Fame
OMG he lost four games to Anderson.
Is Novak ill again?
Any news?
Is Novak ill again?
Any news?
Enceladus
Legend
Link to ATP article: https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/n...kovic-anderson-nitto-atp-finals-2018-saturday
NOVAK CONTINUES LONDON DOMINANCE
The dominance continues.
Novak Djokovic reached the championship match at the Nitto ATP Finals on Saturday for his sixth straight appearance, beating Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the final at the season finale for the seventh time. It is Djokovic's first run to the title match at the prestigious year-end championships without dropping a set.
Djokovic is now 35-2 since the start of Wimbledon, a stretch during which he has won four titles and returned to the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings for the first time since the week of 31 October 2016. He will have a chance to cap it all off in the best way possible when he faces Alexander Zverev for the championship.
The Serbian pressured Anderson from the first game of the match, scrambling around the baseline to neutralise what might have been winning shots from the South African against a majority of players on the ATP World Tour. Djokovic broke when Anderson went for too much on a forehand down the line — perhaps pressured by the Serbian's defence — and launched his stroke long. The World No. 1 broke for a second time when Anderson missed another forehand, and Djokovic did not face break point in the 39-minute opener.
If Anderson had any hopes of battling to a decider, they slimmed out significantly when he was broken to start the second set. And then Djokovic later broke for a fourth time in the match with a cross-court forehand from deep behind the baseline, letting out a primal roar as he sensed how close he was to the final.
Anderson had done well all season to step into the baseline and dominate rallies after delivering his big serve. But Djokovic was able to neutralise that serve and push the World No. 6 behind the baseline and force him to either go for too much from a difficult position or let the Serbian control play.
Djokovic has won all eight sets he has played at The O2 this year, with only one of those sets going past 6-4. The 72-time tour-level champion has advanced to the final without losing a match on four previous occasions, winning the title three times. Earlier this week, Djokovic defeated Zverev 6-4, 6-1 in just one hour and 17 minutes, and he leads the German 2-1 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.
The Serbian will try to move to 15-0 against players inside the Top 10 in the ATP Rankings since the start of Wimbledon. Djokovic has only lost six sets in those matches.
Anderson won the pair’s first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting a decade ago in Miami. But Djokovic now leads their series 8-1, and has won 19 of their past 21 sets. This was a rematch of this year's Wimbledon final, where Djokovic triumphed in straight sets to claim his 13th of what is now 14 Grand Slam titles.
While fourth-seeded Anderson lost to the World No. 1, he became the first African to advance to the last four at the season finale (since 1970). This was the 32-year-old’s first appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Did You Know?
Anderson and Djokovic played doubles together at the Rogers Cup, reaching the quarter-finals before falling against Nitto ATP Finals qualifiers Nikola Mektic and Alexander Peya.
NOVAK CONTINUES LONDON DOMINANCE
The dominance continues.
Novak Djokovic reached the championship match at the Nitto ATP Finals on Saturday for his sixth straight appearance, beating Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the final at the season finale for the seventh time. It is Djokovic's first run to the title match at the prestigious year-end championships without dropping a set.
Djokovic is now 35-2 since the start of Wimbledon, a stretch during which he has won four titles and returned to the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings for the first time since the week of 31 October 2016. He will have a chance to cap it all off in the best way possible when he faces Alexander Zverev for the championship.
The Serbian pressured Anderson from the first game of the match, scrambling around the baseline to neutralise what might have been winning shots from the South African against a majority of players on the ATP World Tour. Djokovic broke when Anderson went for too much on a forehand down the line — perhaps pressured by the Serbian's defence — and launched his stroke long. The World No. 1 broke for a second time when Anderson missed another forehand, and Djokovic did not face break point in the 39-minute opener.
If Anderson had any hopes of battling to a decider, they slimmed out significantly when he was broken to start the second set. And then Djokovic later broke for a fourth time in the match with a cross-court forehand from deep behind the baseline, letting out a primal roar as he sensed how close he was to the final.
Anderson had done well all season to step into the baseline and dominate rallies after delivering his big serve. But Djokovic was able to neutralise that serve and push the World No. 6 behind the baseline and force him to either go for too much from a difficult position or let the Serbian control play.
Djokovic has won all eight sets he has played at The O2 this year, with only one of those sets going past 6-4. The 72-time tour-level champion has advanced to the final without losing a match on four previous occasions, winning the title three times. Earlier this week, Djokovic defeated Zverev 6-4, 6-1 in just one hour and 17 minutes, and he leads the German 2-1 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.
The Serbian will try to move to 15-0 against players inside the Top 10 in the ATP Rankings since the start of Wimbledon. Djokovic has only lost six sets in those matches.
Anderson won the pair’s first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting a decade ago in Miami. But Djokovic now leads their series 8-1, and has won 19 of their past 21 sets. This was a rematch of this year's Wimbledon final, where Djokovic triumphed in straight sets to claim his 13th of what is now 14 Grand Slam titles.
While fourth-seeded Anderson lost to the World No. 1, he became the first African to advance to the last four at the season finale (since 1970). This was the 32-year-old’s first appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Did You Know?
Anderson and Djokovic played doubles together at the Rogers Cup, reaching the quarter-finals before falling against Nitto ATP Finals qualifiers Nikola Mektic and Alexander Peya.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Reason Novak is so good is his accuracy of shot making. He isn't the hardest hitter of the ball, and all the pros know that. but he is so accurate he makes up for lack of pace. and he is also one of the fastest players on the tour. so he is able to maintain his #1 ranking. but he isn't the kind of player that can maintain that type of game over a long period of time
RF-18
Talk Tennis Guru
There is plenty of pace in his shots when he wants to. But it's part of his game to take off some of the pace and go for more accuracy instead. He moves the opponent around, at the same time he also tires them out, but he is trying to find an opening to open the court for himself. Controlled aggression is a fitting word.
I think the way he has played these past months is something he can definitely maintain. I don't know what you are talking about.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
No, he is the most accurate player on tour. I saw his practice one time and his ability to hit the lines were uncanny. I never seen that before. he can aim for and hit the lines up to 25 times in a row. I never seen that ever.
Roddick85
Hall of Fame
I agree Agassi got aced a lot against Sampras, but it was even worst for the rest of the tour, Sampras was after all one of the if not the greatest server of all time. Also, conditions heavily favored servers most of the time back then while today's conditions favor returners. Agassi easily the best returner of his generation as far as I'm concerned.
Djokinho
Rookie
In any sport the respect that the opponent has is important because it generates fear.
Djokovic played very well in 2015 and 2016 but one of the main factors of his dominance is that the others knew that they could not beat him.
This is happening again, the opponents enter mentally defeated! So he just needs to move on.
Djokovic played very well in 2015 and 2016 but one of the main factors of his dominance is that the others knew that they could not beat him.
This is happening again, the opponents enter mentally defeated! So he just needs to move on.
Sampras is not even close beeing the best server of all time, who are Karlovic and Isner.
Agassi was great, but not against huge first serves.
Even Ivanisevic returned Sampras first serve better than Agassi.
upchuck
Hall of Fame
The thing about him that's amazing is he CAN give the ball a big whack when he wants to, but chooses not to most of the time. That match against Anderson, in the second set, there were several times he simply chose to take control of the points early with huge shots and quick winners, and I think he generally hits harder and is more aggressive against Federer and Nadal than other players. He's clearly determined that there is no need for him to consistently hit the ball with all of his power.
You cannot be serious about Karlovic and Isner. They may have had faster serves, but who served best under pressure? The answer is Sampras, Federer and lately, Djokovic.
MasterZeb
Hall of Fame
Pepe might be absent physically, but the spirit of Pepe is immortal
nolefam_2024
G.O.A.T.
Zverev completely dominated Djokovic from start to finish.
Congrats.
Congrats.
nolefam_2024
G.O.A.T.
Djokovic hasn't won a title since he became no1 again.
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
Enjoy the longer video of Djokovic's 2018 comeback.
uscwang
Hall of Fame
I'm reading a book by former Univ S California tennis coach George Toley, a key figure in post-war tennis society in LA, then a center of world tennis. He told a story about Don Budge, who was playing on the pro tour after the second world war. He lost his serve after an arm injury. It was coach Toley who helped him rebuild his serve, from scratch, I mean from shadow swing without a racquet! Budge competed with Bobby Riggs and Pancho Ganzalez, both from southern california, at the highest level, but never quite reach the dominant level he reached on the amateur tour.
It reminds me of Novak's comeback this year with a rebuilt and improved serve after elbow injury.
It reminds me of Novak's comeback this year with a rebuilt and improved serve after elbow injury.
Enceladus
Legend
As No. 1 in the current 4th period (since November 5, 2018) played only one tournament. Sooner or later he will achieve the ATP title as No. 1 in the current period.
Of the 72 ATP titles that Djoker has won so far, 30 titles won as World No. 1 (4 titles in 1st period (July 4, 2011 - July 8, 2012); 5 titles in 2nd period (November 5, 2012 - October 6, 2013) and 21 titles in 3rd period (July 7, 2014 - November 6, 2016)).
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Enceladus
Legend
No1e on vacation in Japan
nolefam_2024
G.O.A.T.
So Novak wins when he is number 1. Must be reverse for Nadal.
Enceladus
Legend
Other interesting facts are that Djoker 8 of 14 GS titles won as the World No. 1 (9 times No1e was 1st seed (in Wimbledon 2014 Djoker was 1st seed and 2nd player of the ATP rankings), when wins GS tournament) and each time won the title at Australian Open, when Djoker was in No. 1 position (2012-13, 2015-16).
I wish I could see again Serbinator with Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Perhaps in next year
NuBas
Legend
Enceladus
Legend
Djoker congratulated the Croats for this year's victory in Davis Cup.
Great pics! Interesting that both countries competed in WC and DC finals. Chances are most French would have rather won the WC?
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
Enjoy your vacation, heavyweight champion of the world. You earned it.
Enceladus
Legend
Ultron in the gym with Zverev brothers.
NuBas
Legend
I didn't know Jelena played tennis at a decent level:
Shame on Novak for holding the phone the wrong way
How did you find that video?
Enceladus
Legend
No1e and Jelena launched another of their charity campaigns.
