Novak has only one dimension to his game.

[terribleIVAN]

The finale today proved Novak cannot alter his game and find a new strategy when his A game isn't enough.

He tried to go at the net but his approaches, volleys and drop shots attempts at the net were so amateurish it only made things worse for him.

It demonstrates how the general skill level of top players is actually decreasing, as the net game is completely deserted to the profit of fitness and power from the back of the court.

 

[roberttennis54]

LOL.
Yes we know. Though you are too harsh on Djokovic. He has great technique on all his groundies and a good drop shot too. It was bad today, but is generally good. However, players are a product of the courts. Bring back lighter balls and faster courts and things will begin to change. The first week at Wimbledon was faster than usual and we saw a number of attacking players do very well.

 

[smoledman]

Funny thing is on the first championship point Novak came to the net and played some really crisp volleys. It's almost as if his back has to be up against the wall to play some seriously good tennis.

 

[TheF1Bob]

Funny thing is on the first championship point Novak came to the net and played some really crisp volleys. It's almost as if his back has to be up against the wall to play some seriously good tennis.

That's good ol Novak for ya. Plays match points like a boss.

 

[roberttennis54]

Funny thing is on the first championship point Novak came to the net and played some really crisp volleys. It's almost as if his back has to be up against the wall to play some seriously good tennis.

Djokovic came to the net a lot in this match and was awful. Even worse than usual on the overhead. The only funny thing is when commentators try to sell the game and claim how great Djokovic is at net. I remember Mcenroe saying he was better than Federer.

 

[terribleIVAN]

You could actually sense Novak wasn't confident at all in his net game.

He had many, many opportunities to make a counter-time rush at the net while having Andy on the run, like Connors used to, but didn't dare because the net is simply a strange unknown place to be for him.

 

[terribleIVAN]

Andy nearly toyed with Novak today, not unlike 2011 when Novak toyed similarly with Rafa.

 

[Clarky21]

Djokovic came to the net a lot in this match and was awful. Even worse than usual on the overhead. The only funny thing is when commentators try to sell the game and claim how great Djokovic is at net. I remember Mcenroe saying he was better than Federer.

Jmac is senile.

 

[West Coast Ace]

I think the more accurate statement is that ND, for all his majors, still has some mental issues when things aren't going well. Letting the crowd get to him is ridiculous. He's lucky AU and the US don't have any good men or he'd be in a world of hurt. Come on, man. You're a champion. S*ck it up - the fans shouldn't affect you in the least.

 

[roberttennis54]

I think the more accurate statement is that ND, for all his majors, still has some mental issues when things aren't going well. Letting the crowd get to him is ridiculous. He's lucky AU and the US don't have any good men or he'd be in a world of hurt. Come on, man. You're a champion. S*ck it up - the fans shouldn't affect you in the least.

Interesting and it might have some truth. We don't know the players that well, but from what I have seen Djokovic and Serena more than any current player seem to really want to be loved by the public.

 

[TennisCJC]

Djoko was tired after Del Po match and I wouldn't make a whole lot out of today's loss. The grass also helps Murray's slice which is a lot better than Djoko.

The biggest weakness in Djoko is his transition to the net and his net game. His volley was pretty weak today and his overhead is not one of the better overheads. He should work on his transition, volley and overhead as he needs those shots to shorten points when tired and/or playing a retreiver like Nadal or Murray.

 

[TennisCJC]

Congrats to Murray and he played well.

But, he should send Del Po a case of good wine as Del Po wore out Djoko in the semis. Actually, he should send Del Po 2 cases as Del Po also wore out Federer before Murray's Olympic gold medal match.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Djokovic is in danger of becoming a one-tournament wonder.

Despite his great consistency, he still hasn't won a slam title outside of Melbourne, except in his God-like year of 2011.

 

[Clarky21]

Djoko was tired after Del Po match and I wouldn't make a whole lot out of today's loss. The grass also helps Murray's slice which is a lot better than Djoko.

The biggest weakness in Djoko is his transition to the net and his net game. His volley was pretty weak today and his overhead is not one of the better overheads. He should work on his transition, volley and overhead as he needs those shots to shorten points when tired and/or playing a retreiver like Nadal or Murray.

 

[Gandalf]

1.The finale today proved Novak cannot alter his game and find a new strategy when his A game isn't enough.

2. He tried to go at the net but his approaches, volleys and drop shots attempts at the net were so amateurish it only made things worse for him.

3. It demonstrates how the general skill level of top players is actually decreasing, as the net game is completely deserted to the profit of fitness and power from the back of the court.

1. Lol, no it didn't. It only proved he couldn't do it today.

2. They were never that good in the first place. The more opportunities you have/make/try to use them, bigger the chances of displaying that same, 'not good' level. Esp. with 2hbh players that have this trio of flaws.

3. Skill may have never been higher than today. You're mixing apples and oranges. Not playing S&V or basing your game on the net play doesn't equal lack of skill. Why is it being deserted? Because the other 'thing' is working at this day and age.

Hope this helps.

 

[Defcon]

It was obvious the Delpo match took its toll. And it was also clear that Djoker's shots had no bite at all, he was never able to gain any advantage in long rallies which is a big red flag considering his ground game, speed and retrieving is as good as anyone else.

 

[terribleIVAN]

Not playing S&V or basing your game on the net play doesn't equal lack of skill.

When the ebb and flow of the point gives you golden opportunities to conclude at the net and you hesitate to take them because you don't feel comfortable, i would venture to say yes, indeed, Novak is lacking skills in the net department.

This is by no means an attack on him only, as the majority of players play are in the same sorry state.

Even the forehand drive volley shot that Agassi, Sampras ,Lendl or Roger knew and loved to make is gradually disappearing .

Novak could have won today if he dared to take the net, because he was able to put Andy on the defensive many times, but it's completely outside his nature, even when he's getting crucified from the back of the court.

 

[Netspirit]

Djokovic came to the net a lot in this match and was awful. Even worse than usual on the overhead. The only funny thing is when commentators try to sell the game and claim how great Djokovic is at net. I remember Mcenroe saying he was better than Federer.

I cannot name a single person, even on these boards, who still take that old man's rants seriously. He has a clear issue with Federer, so pretty much everyone is "better than Federer" at something if you ask BigMac.

 

[Gandalf]

When the ebb and flow of the point gives you golden opportunities to conclude at the net and you hesitate to take them because you don't feel comfortable, i would venture to say yes, indeed, Novak is lacking skills in the net department.

That is absolutely correct. But it is also very different from 'general lack of skill' mentioned before.

 

[Clarky21]

It was obvious the Delpo match took its toll. And it was also clear that Djoker's shots had no bite at all, he was never able to gain any advantage in long rallies which is a big red flag considering his ground game, speed and retrieving is as good as anyone else.

Then why didn't Cvac's match against Stan at the AO this year take its toll? How about his semi against Andy last year at the AO? Why didn't it take its toll? What about his semi in Rome against Andy in 2011? Why didn't it take its toll? What about his semi agaisnt Fed at the USO in 2011? Why didn't it take its toll?

Cvac was not tired, and I will never in a million years believe he was. Besides, Andy had to play a marathon against Hot Sauce in the quarters, then had to come from a set down to beat Jerzy. I would say he played more tennis at Wimby this year than Cvac did.

 

[smoledman]

Novak's lack of net prowess really highlights just how great Federer really is with his all-court game.

 

[terribleIVAN]

Novak's lack of net prowess really highlights just how great Federer really is with his all-court game.

Yes, Fed is one of the few top players that still plays total tennis, where you fight in whatever position the point is leading you instead of always trying to play it "safe".

It's so much more entertaining and elegant.

 

[nethawkwenatchee]

Congrats to Murray and he played well.

But, he should send Del Po a case of good wine as Del Po wore out Djoko in the semis. Actually, he should send Del Po 2 cases as Del Po also wore out Federer before Murray's Olympic gold medal match.

This is true but we should also mention that prior to the final:

Djokovic had spent 14 hours 26 minutes on the court
Murray had spent 14 hours 51 minutes on the court

Murray also had to come from two sets down over Verdasco in the QF and play a very physical three hour plus match in the SF with Janowitz

 

[Fiji]

He is a slow hc specialist

 

[rh310]

You could actually sense Novak wasn't confident at all in his net game.

He had many, many opportunities to make a counter-time rush at the net while having Andy on the run, like Connors used to, but didn't dare because the net is simply a strange unknown place to be for him.

It's my biggest ****-off about the mainstream men's game. It's become like the WTA, only with bigger groundies.

At least Rafa recognizes when a net approach is called for, and will finish the point up there.

 

[terribleIVAN]

That is absolutely correct. But it is also very different from 'general lack of skill' mentioned before.

O course it's not.

At one point, net skills used to be the cornerstone of the game; serve and volleyers were considered nearly unbeatable.

But we're not even talking about that; just to know how to close a point at the net when the opportunity presents itself, instead of having the look of a deer caught in the headlights, and retreat because you can't see yourself ever volleying.

If you can't do that, then you're hopelessly disadvantaged vs those who can.

Hope this helps.

 

[dr325i]

He is a slow hc specialist

hmm...is that why he's #1 for weeks/months now?
He had a completely off day. Just like Murray had against Verdasco. Grass is probably Novak's worst surface, yet, he managed to go this far.

Two tough losses last two GS's -- we'll see what it does to him...

 

[Gandalf]

If you can't do that, then you're hopelessly disadvantaged vs those who can.

As of course, Seles and Agassi proved before.

And Novak, without his many titles and results so far.

 

[terribleIVAN]

As of course, Seles and Agassi proved before.

Well, how many Wimbledon titles did those 2 win, combined ?

You can't seriously argue net play isn't part of general skills;it's blasphemy.

And i don't rate Novak at the same level when from the back of the court as these two; commentators have rather short memories and like to hype whoever is at the top in a given day.

 

[Fiji]

hmm...is that why he's #1 for weeks/months now?
He had a completely off day. Just like Murray had against Verdasco. Grass is probably Novak's worst surface, yet, he managed to go this far.

Two tough losses last two GS's -- we'll see what it does to him...

He just can win AO now.

Last year he only won the AO.

Could be the same story this year.

If Murray defends the USO it will be 2 years since the Serb can only win the AO.

 

[cork_screw]

He was probably tired from the 5 setter against delpo and probably forced himself to go more than he actually wanted to, forcing him to make volleys that he wouldn't be normally comfortable with.

I do think that Novak plays at a much more "motivated" state when he plays against Nadal than he does against anybody else. It seems like he has a vindetta to beat nadal more so than any other player and it goes beyond a match up thing.

 

[rajah84]

The finale today proved Novak cannot alter his game and find a new strategy when his A game isn't enough.

He tried to go at the net but his approaches, volleys and drop shots attempts at the net were so amateurish it only made things worse for him.

It demonstrates how the general skill level of top players is actually decreasing, as the net game is completely deserted to the profit of fitness and power from the back of the court.

That was Djokovic's B- game

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Maybe Novak should give his idol Sampras at call to help him out with the all court and net skills.