The Humble Dropshot: Who Did/Does it Best?

[RaulRamirez]

It seems as though quite a few players have a pretty good dropshot in their arsenal -- more than I can remember from past eras.

So, who do you think had and has the best dropper -- in these four basic categories?

WTA (past): I'll still go with Evert as the gold standard. Also: Aga Radwanska
WTA (today): I love Swiatek's. She even hits it from difficult positions and with extraordinary accuracy.

ATP (past): ? Santoro?
ATP (present): ?

Oddly enough, I don't have definitive selections for the ATP, and am ready to be reminded and convinced.

 

[NAS]

For over head smash and dropshot shot
Djokovic, not even a contest

 

[Arak]

For over head smash and dropshot shot
Djokovic, not even a contest

Yes exactly. I mean the overhead smash has been renamed after him. What more proof does one need?

 

[Sysyphus]

stefan kozlov, no contest

 

[Arak]

It seems as though quite a few players have a pretty good dropshot in their arsenal -- more than I can remember from past eras.

So, who do you think had and has the best dropper -- in these four basic categories?

WTA (past): I'll still go with Evert as the gold standard.
WTA (today): I love Swiatek's. She even hits it from difficult positions and with extraordinary accuracy.

ATP (past): ?
ATP (present): ?

Oddly enough, I don't have definitive selections for the ATP, and am ready to be reminded and convinced.

How about Gaston?

 

[RaulRamirez]

How about Gaston?

Well, he certainly did it a ton and pretty effectively (now, I forget the match...was it in last year's RG versus...?), but I haven't seen him enough to judge it.

 

[Arak]

Well, he certainly did it a ton and pretty effectively (now, I forget the match...was it in last year's RG versus...?), but I haven't seen him enough to judge it.

It was against Thiem at RG. I have seen him do it continuously in his matches. It’s like his signature shot.

 

[RaulRamirez]

It was against Thiem at RG. I have seen him do it continuously in his matches. It’s like his signature shot.

I thought it was v Thiem....I really don't remember watching him all year.

Any dropshot artists in the past for you, or on the WTA?

 

[Goof]

Paire hits the most spectacular ones. Novak is the most successful with them. Rafa's are mediocre in execution, but he generally uses them at great times and really sets himself up well for the next shot with them.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Djokovic for sure

 

[RaulRamirez]

Djokovic for sure

Possibly, although at times, I think he goes to it a bit too often as a bailout when guys are staying with him or even out-rallying him from the baseline,
It's definitely up there as one of the best, though. I agree.

 

[Sir Weed]

What? No percentages?! MON!

 

[Sir Weed]

Dropshot in regards to good shot selection? Rog. Craziness? Mr. Dustin Brown.

 

[MasterZeb]

Novak’s droppers themselves aren’t that good. But he’s very good at using them at the right time when his opponent is pushed back.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Novak’s dropppers itself aren’t that good. But he’s very good at using them at the right time when his opponent is pushed back.

I'm slightly mixed, but mostly positive. His disguise/timing is usually good and his placement and slice - especially short to the deuce court side - can be great. I think Rafa has a great one from the FH side, and can really pull it out last-second, unexpectedly. Great hands.

 

[Milehigh5280]

I want to say Novak but I think he can over use them at times out of desperation. 2020 RG final for example

 

[Sir Weed]

I want to say Novak but I think he can over use them at times out of desperation. 2020 RG final for example

Melzer, anyone?

 

[Sir Weed]

Melzer eventually cut back on the dropshots but there was a time when it was like

if (countShots > 12)
dropshot();

 

[RaulRamirez]

Two names I want to add of fairly recently retired players:

WTA: Aga Radwanska
ATP: Fabrice Santoro

 

[PilotPete]

This is a bit like a poll and since Djokovic wins all polls around here, well there you go.

 

[RaulRamirez]

This is a bit like a poll and since Djokovic wins all polls around here, well there you go.

No, it's really an appreciation thread, as I'm not usually a fan of polls.
What would your answers be?

 

[NatF]

Coria in the recent past had a great drop shot. I think Janowicz used to have a good dropper too?

 

[rUDin 21]

Dolgopolov was excellent at DPs.

 

[ttwreader]

 

[RaulRamirez]

Dolgopolov was excellent at DPs.

Good one - the Dolg had all the shots.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Coria in the recent past had a great drop shot. I think Janowicz used to have a good dropper too?

Yes, to Coria....I think so on Jerzy, but it seems like ages since he last played...knee injuries?
If a good one, then maybe, its a feature of Polish players, as Radwanska had a brilliant one, and I really like Swiatek's as well.

 

[RaulRamirez]

I don't know her game too well, but looks like she has a very good one.
A lot of them seem to have too much "air", but she's so precise, that they work.

 

[NatF]

Yes, to Coria....I think so on Jerzy, but it seems like ages since he last played...knee injuries?
If a good one, then maybe, its a feature of Polish players, as Radwanska had a brilliant one, and I really like Swiatek's as well.

Jerry looked destined to be a top 10/20 player. One of those players that get lost to time.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Jerry looked destined to be a top 10/20 player. One of those players that get lost to time.

Yes, I remember him not being terribly polished, but he already had some big wins under his belt. Big guy (of course), who I thought could move, and wasn't all about ppwer - though he had a huge serve, But yeah, I may need to pull up a clip, as it seems like 20 years ago.

 

[NatF]

Yes, I remember him not being terribly polished, but he already had some big wins under his belt. Big guy (of course), who I thought could move, and wasn't all about ppwer - though he had a huge serve, But yeah, I may need to pull up a clip, as it seems like 20 years ago.

He was Berrettini'esque. Big serve and forehand but also good hands. Think he was a better mover than Matteo but he didn't have as good a forehand.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Jerry looked destined to be a top 10/20 player. One of those players that get lost to time.

I remember that performance at Paris in 2012 was it? Monstrous level, like Aslan at Dubai recently. Weird how not a whole lot followed, besides the Wimby semi for JJ.

 

[NatF]

I remember that performance at Paris in 2012 was it? Monstrous level, like Aslan at Dubai recently. Weird how not a whole lot followed, besides the Wimby semi for JJ.

...and then Ferrer vultured the title.

 

[junior74]

Lord Gulbis at his best hit delicious droppers.

 

[RaulRamirez]

I remember that performance at Paris in 2012 was it? Monstrous level, like Aslan at Dubai recently. Weird how not a whole lot followed, besides the Wimby semi for JJ.

He was a bit erratic, but I think mostly knee injuries got to him.

 

[Kralingen]

Sonego hits some nice ones

Djokovic has the best BH drop shot though it’s pretty unbelievable how he’s better off that wing than on the FH

Alcaraz looks to have some potential.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Sonego hits some nice ones

Djokovic has the best BH drop shot though it’s pretty unbelievable how he’s better off that wing than on the FH

Alcaraz looks to have some potential.

Good names.
Yeah, I can't picture Novak hitting a dropper off his forehand (not counting drop volleys, of course).
Rafa's the opposite - has a great one from the forehand, but I really can't picture his BH dropper.

 

[GoldenSwing]

Federer's dropshots when hit have crazy amounts of sidespin and he makes it look extremely casual

Djokovic's dropshots look more efforted, but I have to admit he is the best on tour at the moment, and he uses it the most. It literally won him 3 slams this year.

As others have said, Nadal probably has the #1 forehand dropshot.

Personal Favorites: Murray, Dologpolov, Kyrgios