What will Djokovic change now?

[Levi_Ackerman]

Prior to 2011, Djokovic changed a hell of a lot to become the champion he is now. In 2013, in the face of multiple defeats to Nadal, he tweaked his game once more. Notably, he improved his forehand and became more aggressive - employing the serve and volley like never before. He also brought Boris on board. Thought I think that was a massive waste of money on his part as Boris, in my opinion, was an unnecessary addition, given that Vajda is considered the second best coach currently on tour! Tio Toni is the best! Magnus Norman is somewhere up there as well. See this article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1805454-ranking-the-best-coaches-in-tennis-today

In the aftermath of his defeat to Wawrinka, what will Novak change now? Does he even need to change anything?

Side note: Djokovic referred earlier this year to his current form as his "prime". If he cannot win RG in his prime (2015) or in his best year on tour (2011), will he ever win it?

Let's discuss!

 

[Krish872007]

He tweaked his serve between 2013 and now (2015), but I don't see anything obvious that he needs to change even after the loss, and I don't believe he will change anything. He may try something out over the off-season, but he should be well prepared heading into Wimbledon. The keys, as usual, will be executing his game and dealing with pressure from the crowd (particularly in a match against Murray or Federer) and dealing with the pressure that comes with being a Wimbledon defending champion.

 

[Bryan Swartz]

I agree that he doesn't need to make any big changes. He's lost three times this season: Karlovic at the beginning of the year, Federer(Dubai) when he just missed his chances(0-7 BP, Roger was 2-2), and of course Wawrinka at the French. Everyone has days when they don't play their best and/or the other player goes nuts. Aside from just making the most of your chances, it might benefit him to hit more aggressively when faced with a player like Wawrinka, but that can be a double-edged sword. When a guy is playing fabulously they will often regress to a more 'normal' level later in the match, so going away from character can actually hit a player out of the match.

Regardless, when you are 41-3 and all the losses have been competitive, it's not time to hit the panic button .

 

[ollinger]

All he needs to change is socks and sportsbrief. He's had a good year and lost in Paris to a guy who played out of his mind. His game is sound and he'll be just fine.

 

[jwjh]

Sadly, Nole can't change astrology. He won't depend his Winbledom title or win this year's US open.

 

[Levi_Ackerman]

Watching Djokovic's match against Wawrinka, you realise how much out of his comfort zone he has been playing recently. Suddenly, he was stuck behind the baseline retreating further and further as he was prone to doing against Nadal at the US Open 2013. I think that's all it takes to beat him.

The way Djokovic plays now, i.e. where he seems to be the perfect balance of offensive and defensive, I think, doesn't come naturally for him. I think, like Rafa, he is naturally a someone who likes to stand behind the baseline and attack from there. It takes a lot of concentration from him to be aggressive and I think once an opponent can force him to break that concentration or break it for him, say by taken a set off him, he becomes undone.

 

[RF-18]

I think he is doing fine as it is. Plays very aggressive tennis and goes to the net often, and his serve is perfectly mixed. He can do all sort of things with it.

What could he possibly improve after this 6 months he has had? I think he just has to keep going. Don't try to change now. It was just one loss.

 

[Levi_Ackerman]

I think he is doing fine as it is. Plays very aggressive tennis and goes to the net often, and his serve is perfectly mixed. He can do all sort of things with it.

What could he possibly improve after this 6 months he has had? I think he just has to keep going. Don't try to change now. It was just one loss.

I agree. But I think the amount of times Wawrinka passed him during the RG final might just dissuade him from coming to the net. However, it most certainly didn't dissuade Federer at the Wimby 2014 finals even though Djokovic almost certainly passed him every time he (Federer) attempted the serve and volley.

 

[kebabra22]

Although Djokovic consistenly reproduce the picture how he's at piece in his mind given the fact that he's a dad and a husband now (+{!?) I don't buy it.. he's not authentic (btw key reason why he's rarely favourite with crowd), and he had everything to beat wawrinka, but he didn't.
What I'm trying to say here is that reason of his defeat is not in his game strategy nor shots (although the fact how world no.1 is volleying is disgraceful).
No doubt he is a great player, but not the greatest, nor he will ever be. Greatness is achieved much above one's technical skills, game strategy, talent ... It takes to be a REAL DEAL - this is what makes the difference. And this when you really WIN.
Not sure this can be changed.

 

[tennis_commentator]

Djokovic has never had a weapon as big as Wawrinka's current groundrokes.
And he never will.
There is no solution.
Just as Djokovic has never had a solution for Rafa's down-the-line forehand.
That's why he's stuck on 8 slams instead of having 14 or 17.

 

[Gazelle]

His game is absolutely fine, no need changing that. Winning every MS he enters tells enough about the level he is playing at.

He only needs brain surgery, to fix the excessive choking in slam finals. Or hope he only meets Murray from now on, but I wouldn't rely on that.

 

[tennis_commentator]

^ Would Djokovic win all those masters events if the finals were still best-of-5-sets?

 

[Easy Rider]

Lets put it this way :

Rodick (prime): Big big serve and trying to materialize on that blasting returns, fhs, bhs, net rush in hope to break opponent serve
Nadal : Wicked Fh from every part of the court choking his opponent like python
Murray : great retrieving game, similar to nadal but without huge weapon
Federer : serve, fh, bh slice, great all court game etc etc
Wawrinka : penetrating Bh, devastating Fh, serve is weapon when dialed in

We could discus this into more details, but the point is : you can see clearly what these guys play and how, you can say they have some developed style and winning matches playing their tennis

Djokovic : he is mixture of everything. He is the best when he bites you, hang on your weakness and doesnt let go like a pit bull.
When he is in real trouble, he is ready to retrieve till the next day, knowing he is super fit. If he cant find ur weakness on the given day, he is in REAL trouble

Playing little bit defensive and Wawrinka can blow him away, Nadal will drive him left and right
Playing little bit offensive and Fed will mix him up easily, Murray will play in his comfort zone

Everything is out of his comfort zone if some opponents stroke is not broken on the given day (opponents meaning top players)

my two cents


edit : so there is nothing he can change/adjust cuz he is in his prime now. And he is the one who adjust his game according to how opponent plays