Does Djokovic now have the worst serve in the top 5?

[rovex]

After watching his Davis cup matches, his serve was appalling. I don't remember how many DF's he made in both rubbers but it was a lot. Good returners would of punished that serve more than what Querrey and Isner did. I wouldn't be at all surprised if doesn't manage to beat a top 10 player in the slams this year.

 

[number.432]

After watching his Davis cup matches, his serve was appalling. I don't remember how many DF's he made in both rubbers but it was a lot. Good returners would of punished that serve more than what Querrey and Isner did. I wouldn't be at all surprised if doesn't manage to beat a top 10 player in the slams this year.

I didn't get a chance to watch the whole match. Saw just some bits and pieces. Although when I first saw his new motion in Dubai. I thought it was a good move his team made. With his previous motion, his right shoulder opened way too much. So now I think he's getting used to this new one which will be very good for him in the long haul.

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

It was due to the horrendous surface.
It's like they played on mud.

 

[jrod]

I didn't get a chance to watch the whole match. Saw just some bits and pieces. Although when I first saw his new motion in Dubai. I thought it was a good move his team made. With his previous motion, his right shoulder opened way too much. So now I think he's getting used to this new one which will be very good for him in the long haul.

Are you serious? His new motion is appalling, and I'm being generous. If he keeps it up I bet he'll have shoulder issues inside a year. As for the DF's, that's due to his fragile state of mind more than his awkward service form.

 

[rovex]

From what i can remember, he rolled in a first serve for a break point since he didn't want Isner to crank a second serve DTL like he did towards to end when he read where most his serves were going.

 

[Anaconda]

Murray doesn't have a better serve than Djokovic.

 

[number.432]

Are you serious? His new motion is appalling, and I'm being generous. If he keeps it up I bet he'll have shoulder issues inside a year. As for the DF's, that's due to his fragile state of mind more than his awkward service form.

Yes I thought it is better than his old one. I mean that arch in his back is always a good thing to have but not overly open right shoulder.

 

[rovex]

Murray doesn't have a better serve than Djokovic.

If we are talking about 1st serves, then now certainly Murray.

 

[number.432]

From what i can remember, he rolled in a first serve for a break point since he didn't want Isner to crank a second serve DTL like he did towards to end when he read where most his serves were going.

and Isner dumped that return into the net.

 

[jrod]

Yes I thought it is better than his old one. I mean that arch in his back is always a good thing to have but not overly open right shoulder.

To me his new motion looks highly unnatural and forced. In fact, it looks down right uncomfortable.

 

[Anaconda]

If we are talking about 1st serves, then now certainly Murray.

The serve alone isn't restricted to the 1st serve. Or it shouldn't be. The reason Sampras' serve was great is because he had the best 2nd serve ever.

 

[batz]

It was due to the horrendous surface.
It's like they played on mud.

He served 12 DFs in the Dubai semis and 13 in the final.

 

[number.432]

To me his new motion looks highly unnatural and forced. In fact, it looks down right uncomfortable.

I see what you getting at. Could be because he is very flexible hence overly opened right shoulder. I think they are working on getting him into a sufficient trophy position -- sampras like.

and yes I don't like looking at that straight right shoulder/arm much but I think that's what they are heading to.

 

[tennis_pr0]

IMO Djokovic's new service motion is no better but no worse than his old service motion. His serve was never and probably will never be a big weapon, its just an average serve. He hits his first serves usually around 120, placed fairly well, and his second serve around 90, with good spin. In a sense it's like a Nadal serve, he hits his spots well, usually has a high first serve percentage, and when he makes a first serve it sets up the point well for him.

 

[rovex]

and Isner dumped that return into the net.

That' exactly right. Better returners would of punished Djokovic. He can't win a GS with that serve i'm afraid to say.

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

He served 12 DFs in the Dubai semis and 13 in the final.

But also, in Dubai he hit a lot of service winners in the sets he won. Which was rather impossible in Serbia.

He did hit a few first serve winners, but most were due to placement and Isner's inability to move well, and return.

The only thing that helped Isner is the fact that his serve has this out of this goddamn world bounce, even on such a slow surface.

 

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

1st serves of top 8:

1. Soderling
2. del Potro
3. Roddick
4. Federer
5. Davydenko
6. Murray
7. Nadal
8. Djokovic

2nd serve:
1. Federer
2. del Potro
3. Roddick (these 3 are all very close)
4. Soderling
5. Nadal
6. Davydenko
7. Djokovic/Murray- Djokovic's is better, but god, can he double fault!

 

[rovex]

There is no doubt in my mind had that match been played on HC Isner would have won handily in 4 or even in staright sets.

 

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

Overall best serve

1. Karlovic
2. Roddick
3. Federer
4. Soderling
5. Del Potro
6. Djokovic
7. Nadal
8. Isner
9. Querrey
10. Murray

 

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

^ I'd say Robin above Fed on average. Isner as well.

 

[Anaconda]

1st serves of top 8:

1. Soderling
2. del Potro
3. Roddick
4. Federer
5. Davydenko
6. Murray
7. Nadal
8. Djokovic

2nd serve:
1. Federer
2. del Potro
3. Roddick (these 3 are all very close)
4. Soderling
5. Nadal
6. Davydenko
7. Djokovic/Murray- Djokovic's is better, but god, can he double fault!

I'm speechless!

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

1st serves of top 8:

1. Soderling
2. del Potro
3. Roddick
4. Federer
5. Davydenko
6. Murray
7. Nadal
8. Djokovic

2nd serve:
1. Federer
2. del Potro
3. Roddick (these 3 are all very close)
4. Soderling
5. Nadal
6. Davydenko
7. Djokovic/Murray- Djokovic's is better, but god, can he double fault!

On 1st serve: DelPo is way too high. He can hit aces, but he is not very consistent. Davydenko is also too high, he can hit winners with it on hard court but his stuff is almost returnable, a good point for him is the fact that he is consistent with it.
That Nadal serve should he higher, that spin is very nasty.

2nd serve: DelPo again, too high.

 

[decades]

jp mcenroe thought djoker had a big serve back in 2008. I think he no longer believes that.

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

Overall best serve

1. Karlovic
2. Roddick
3. Federer
4. Soderling
5. Del Potro
6. Djokovic
7. Nadal
8. Murray
9. Isner
10. Querrey

Why is Murray there above Querrey or Isner?
Number 2 to 4 are very close.

 

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

On 1st serve: DelPo is way too high. He can hit aces, but he is not very consistent. Davydenko is also too high, he can hit winners with it on hard court but his stuff is almost returnable, a good point for him is the fact that he is consistent with it.
That Nadal serve should he higher, that spin is very nasty.

2nd serve: DelPo again, too high.

You may be right re: delPo. idk, I never get to see him play. :twisted: Davydenko is mainly based on consistency, which Murray and Nole have zero of. Nadal....Federer has trouble with it, but that's about it.

 

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

Why is Murray there above Querrey or Isner?
Number 2 to 4 are very close.

Your right Murray is hit or miss. Isner and Querrey are better overall.

 

[rovex]

Why is Murray there above Querrey or Isner?
Number 2 to 4 are very close.

No idea why he has Djokovic's serve soo high up. I would put him last on that list.

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

You may be right re: delPo. idk, I never get to see him play. :twisted: Davydenko is mainly based on consistency, which Murray and Nole have zero of. Nadal....Federer has trouble with it, but that's about it.

The Nadal first serve is really nasty, there are quite a few people that have trouble with it, while others simply don't mind it (Soderling).

But to all of you, where the 'eff is Verdasco?...

That guy is like a better version of Nadal when it comes to serve.

 

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

The Nadal first serve is really nasty, there are quite a few people that have trouble with it, while others simply don't mind it (Soderling).

But to all of you, where the 'eff is Verdasco?...

That guy is like a better version of Nadal when it comes to serve.

Mine was top 8 only, Dasco is better than most of them

 

[rovex]

But to all of you, where the 'eff is Verdasco?...

That guy is like a better version of Nadal when it comes to serve.

Exactly! His serve his soo underrated.

 

[Ripster]

After watching his Davis cup matches, his serve was appalling. I don't remember how many DF's he made in both rubbers but it was a lot. Good returners would of punished that serve more than what Querrey and Isner did. I wouldn't be at all surprised if doesn't manage to beat a top 10 player in the slams this year.

I'll make that bet with you in a second. Even on an off-day he can take Cilic, Gonzalez and Soderling. Not to mention when he's "on" he can pretty much beat any of the top 10 on any surface, aside from maybe grass (which I think he can still do well on).

 

[President]

I'll make that bet with you in a second. Even on an off-day he can take Cilic, Gonzalez and Soderling. Not to mention when he's "on" he can pretty much beat any of the top 10 on any surface, aside from maybe grass (which I think he can still do well on).

Really? What happened the last time he met Soderling?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpp5KeYJY5E

Djokovic's serve was never that great; it had pretty good consistency with average power and good placement.

 

[OJ ROD]

Just saw the last three games of the Dubai final on you tube. What is it exactly that he changed? I thought I read it was the take back but it seems the same.

 

[samprasvsfederer123]

well novak doesnt always serve this bad, in their worst look at murray serve thats a serve that was just disgusting, in ao 2010 final

 

[Buckethead]

After watching his Davis cup matches, his serve was appalling. I don't remember how many DF's he made in both rubbers but it was a lot. Good returners would of punished that serve more than what Querrey and Isner did. I wouldn't be at all surprised if doesn't manage to beat a top 10 player in the slams this year.

Nadal has the honor to hold that trophy.

 

[CocaCola]

Sad, but yes...I remember how well he served in USO 2007 (he was 1st or 2nd by number of aces) and AO 2008. No wonder he had the best GS results at those two. Now its still a good serve but nothing more than that.

 

[Djumex]

Nothing to add to this thread really..........posters prety much covered the theme..........
He did change his serve motion.
I thing is sure....Djokovic is not afraid to try new things to improve his game...imo that's good for him.....
He is both a dinamic player and personality...imo he needs to change things because his pure talent can "soak it up" and make him a better player.............
Most players are reluctant when it comes to changing anything they already have or should I say learned..........some are just plain lazy......

Change is always wellcome!.............anyone agree?

 

[zagor]

Nothing to add really in this thread......posters prety much covered the theme..........
He did change his serve motion.
I thing is sure....Djokovic is not afraid to try new things to improve his game...imo that's good for him.....
He is both a dinamic player and personality...imo he needs to change things because his pure talent can "soak it up" and make him a better player.............
Most players are reluctant when it comes to changing anything they already have or should I say learned..........some are just plain lazy......

Change is always wellcome!.............anyone agree?

Definitely not always,you don't change the formula that works.However it's obvious Novak himself is not satisfied where his game is at the moment so a change is welcome in his case.

 

[reversef]

What does this thread mean? I didn't see Djokovic's matches in Dubai or DC. From what I read, it seems that he had a few problems. Those things happen, and even more if you try to adopt another motion. But Djokovic's serve is good. If only Rafa had Djokovic's serve, he would be almost unbeatable.

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

What does this thread mean? I didn't see Djokovic's matches in Dubai or DC. From what I read, it seems that he had a few problems. Those things happen, and even more if you try to adopt another motion. But Djokovic's serve is good. If only Rafa had Djokovic's serve, he would be almost unbeatable.

Nadal's serve is better than Djokovic's.

 

[PSNELKE]

1st serves of top 8:

1. Soderling
2. del Potro
3. Roddick
4. Federer
5. Davydenko
6. Murray
7. Nadal
8. Djokovic

2nd serve:
1. Federer
2. del Potro
3. Roddick (these 3 are all very close)
4. Soderling
5. Nadal
6. Davydenko
7. Djokovic/Murray- Djokovic's is better, but god, can he double fault!

what the hell?
davydenko has a better serve than tsonga,verdasco and cilic?
that´s ridiculous
denko´s serve is too harmless

 

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

what the hell?
davydenko has a better serve than tsonga,verdasco and cilic?
that´s ridiculous
denko´s serve is too harmless

Okay, a lot of people misunderstood this. I meant the world's top 8 ranked. That is (in order) Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, del Potro, Davydenko, Soderling, and Roddick

 

[NoleDjoko]

djokovic new service motion is good he just needs
to get used to it so he can reduce that double faults

 

[Markov]

Nah, Nadal's is even worse.

 

[Li Ching Yuen]

Nadal's serve NOW, in 2010 is way better than Djokovic's.

 

[reversef]

Djokovic changed his motion, he needs some time to adjust. It doesn't make him a bad server.

 

[NoleDjoko]

his new motion is way better for his shoulder
plus his 1st serve % is way up check the davis cup match statictics

 

[coloskier]

If you are talking about 2nd serves, I think there is a tie at the bottom with Djokovic and Murray. 85mph 2nd serves are now getting teed off on. If Isner can tee off on Djokovic's 2nd serve, anyone in the top 50 can.

 

[Deleted member 22147]

Worst second serve is probably Murray, but Djokovic's is hellish too and Nadal's has always been shabby.

 

[Jonny S&V]

Djokovic changed his motion, he needs some time to adjust. It doesn't make him a bad server.

His new motion isn't just changed from an aesthetic standpoint, it puts WAY too much torque on his shoulder (particularly the rotator-cuff). If he continues to serve this way, he IS going to get injured. People say that Roddick's serve-motion is hard on his shoulder, but he correctly squeezes his scapula into his back so the shock of the ball on the racquet is displaced down the body, rather into the shoulder. Djokovic, on the other hand, does not.

An exaggerated example of what his new motion does to his shoulder is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib6UhXlKsCc

Brr, it hurts watching this video (WARNING: Not for those with shoulder issues)...