Who is the greater volleyer - Alcaraz, Nadal or Djokovic?

[Hitman]

Djokovic basically beat both Alcaraz in Cincinnati and Medvedev in USO by being super clutch with his volleys. The Cincinnati performance was for me the best volley display Djokovic has ever produced. Alcaraz seems a natural at the net, never afraid to get to the forecourt to finish off points. Nadal has shown he has some incredible touch and finesse around the net also with some grear displays of volleying skills.

How do you rank the three? You can use whatever metrics you wish, from the variety of volleys, the disguise, the touch, the impetus to finish points off at the net, the clutchness on key points, the natural flair, and the textbook approach to closing off the net and effectively ending points more often than not.

 

[alexio]

missin @Impetus a bit..

 

[TheNachoMan]

Nadal > Djokovic > Tiny

 

[80s New Wave]

Nadal > Djokovic > Tiny

That sounds right for now. I do think alcaraz can improve with more experience and potentially be the best one of the three though. He looks a lot more comfortable moving forward than either Nadal or djokovic did early in their careers.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Based on where they were at Alcaraz's age I would say Alcaraz>Nadal>>>>>>Djokovic
Based on where they are now I'd say Djokovic=Nadal>Alcaraz

 

[One]

Nadal is nowhere close Djokovic. He goes to the net only when the point is already over. You cant even find his volley compilation on youtube.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Nadal is nowhere close Djokovic. He goes to the net only when the point is already over. You cant even find his volley compilation on youtube.

Plus his lefty serve was main reason he pulled players out so wide on backhand. Their weaker wing. He still didn't approach the net. Nole doesn't need lefty advantage. He went to the net on the back of his superior serve.

 

[NoleFam]

I think Alcaraz is the more natural volleyer than Nadal or Djokovic was at his age. He's making volleys and transitions he shouldn't even be able to comprehend at his age. It's really something to watch him up there. As for now, Djokovic has continued to evolve. Never stagnant (except regression with the overhead..lol...but it's a minor part of the game).

As for his volleys, A at this point. Djokovic looked like Edberg in that USO final. Just insane volleying and the touch and angles on them is something he was not even doing at his peak. He also goes to the net far more than Nadal and I think he has surpassed him as a volleyer.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Yes. Djokovic has surpassed Nadal now.

 

[Mediterranean Might]

Djokovic volleys have been elite this year, but let's not sit here and pretend like he was like this until very recently lol. Historically Djoko was a poor volleyer

Over the course of their careers: Nadal > Djokovic > Alcaraz
Right now: Djokovic > Alcaraz, Nadal is ????
At Alcaraz's age: Alcaraz >> Nadal >>>>>>> Djokovic

 

[FeroBango]

That Alcaraz stretch drop volley at 15-15 in the final game of the Wimbledon is the greatest shot of the year imo.

But Djokovic himself is in his Edberg era. Exciting times.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Tiny Carl > RAFA > Joker. Easy to look like a volleying savant when Sad Lad is sitting in the stands to return serve.

He is better now than nadal's best volley skills. Smash still an issue.

Djokovic was asked questions by Medvedev and Thiem in 2020, YEC didn't win a single match. He went home and made improvements.

 

[FeroBango]

Djokovic's half-volley at the bullet Meddy pass was an insane shot too.

 

[AO13]

Alcaraz to go down as one of the best volleyers of newer generation of tennis players.

His touch is incredible.

 

[The Blond Blur]

He is better now than nadal's best volley skills. Smash still an issue.

Djokovic was asked questions by Medvedev and Thiem in 2020, YEC didn't win a single match. He went home and made improvements.

No he’s not, he’s just a better volleyer than he used to be. But RAFA still has better touch and sense around the net etc.

 

[NoleFam]

No he’s not, he’s just a better volleyer than he used to be. But RAFA still has better touch and sense around the net etc.

Djokovic is making volleys now that Nadal never even attempted. Lol.

 

[WeekendTennisHack]

Neither Nadal or Djokovic are actually good volleyers. Alcaraz probably will be some day.

 

[nolefam_2024]

No he’s not, he’s just a better volleyer than he used to be. But RAFA still has better touch and sense around the net etc.

Both had to adapt to come to net more. Djokovic is just more willing to.

Djokovic won 84% of net points vs Medvedev and Nadal won 73% in USopen 2019.

Djokovic is more calculated. Out of the 44 pts he came in, most were on the back of his serve. Nadal's serve isn't half as good as Nole. He gets some advantage due to lefty slice but he doesn't do s&v much.

 

[StrongRule]

Lol at Djokovic fans using that USO final as an indicator. Nadal also went a lot to the net when he faced Medvedev, for example in USO 2019. (and Med wasn't returning nearly as far back then. This year he really asked for it)

 

[The Blond Blur]

Djokovic is making volleys now that Nadal never even attempted. Lol.

Lol, I know you guys are happy Joker won. But saying things like he looked like Edberg is beyond hyperbolic.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Lol, I know you guys are happy Joker won. But saying things like he looked like Edberg is beyond hyperbolic.

The commentators said so. He won freaking 84% of pts at the net.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Both had to adapt to come to net more. Djokovic is just more willing to.

Djokovic won 84% of net points vs Medvedev and Nadal won 73% in USopen 2019.

Djokovic is more calculated. Out of the 44 pts he came in, most were on the back of his serve. Nadal's serve isn't half as good as Nole. He gets some advantage due to lefty slice but he doesn't do s&v much.

Joker being more willing to come forward doesn’t make him a better volleyer. It makes him a more frequent volleyer. 2019 Mad Lad F played better than he did in 2023. He basically rolled over in sets 1 and 3.

If you’re talking about S&V specifically, then Joker gets more out of his serve since his is much better than RAFA’s.

 

[NoleFam]

Lol, I know you guys are happy Joker won. But saying things like he looked like Edberg is beyond hyperbolic.

Well he did. Lol. 37/44 = 84%?? That is crazy.

 

[The Blond Blur]

The commentators said so. He won freaking 84% of pts at the net.

This is just so freaking lazy. *Insert person said this*. Who needs to watch and think for themselves when you can have someone else do it for you?

 

[nolefam_2024]

Joker being more willing to come forward doesn’t make him a better volleyer. It makes him a more frequent volleyer. 2019 Mad Lad F played better than he did in 2023. He basically rolled over in sets 1 and 3.

If you’re talking about S&V specifically, then Joker gets more out of his serve since his is much better than RAFA’s.

And that makes him better vollier. He has the serve.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Well he did. Lol. 37/44 = 84%?? That is crazy.

Dude, there’s a difference between winning a crazy amount of points at the net and volleying like Edberg, lol. You also have to take into account how inept Med’s tactics were.

 

[FeroBango]

Lol, I know you guys are happy Joker won. But saying things like he looked like Edberg is beyond hyperbolic.

Bit of a hyperbole I hope. It's quite cool to see him be so successful these days though, even if he never particularly looks a natural there. Nadal did right from when he was 16.

Alcaraz himself is bloody insane. I'm not going to put Djokovic above him there.

 

[The Blond Blur]

And that makes him better vollier. He has the serve.

Lol, no it makes him a better server.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Lol, no it makes him a better server.

And vollier. He is not Zverev. He is now following the serve to the net.

 

[NoleFam]

Dude, there’s a difference between winning a crazy amount of points at the net and volleying like Edberg, lol. You also have to take into account how inept Med’s tactics were.

Of course there is a little exaggeration in the comparison with Edberg but there is no denying Djokovic's volleying has continued to evolve and improve in the last couple of years. His volleying in the Cincy final also was darn good and I think the edge that helped him win.

 

[FeroBango]

The USO final was a tremendous display of ground game and net skills from Djoker. But Alcaraz is the more natural volleyer. His vertical movement is the single biggest factor in his success I'd say.

 

[junior74]

One match - against a guy returning from Ohio - was all it took for Novak's fans to side him with Edberg

 

[tex123]

Djokovic a greater volleyer than Nadal - LMAO.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Of course there is a little exaggeration in the comparison with Edberg but there is no denying Djokovic's volleying have continued to evolve and improve. His volleying in the Cincy final also was darn good and I think the edge that helped him win.

I’m not saying he hasn’t improved, I just don’t think he’s as good as the other 2.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Nadal fans shouldn't use so many laughing emojis. This is 2023/ not 2022

 

[NoleFam]

Both had to adapt to come to net more. Djokovic is just more willing to.

Djokovic won 84% of net points vs Medvedev and Nadal won 73% in USopen 2019.

Djokovic is more calculated. Out of the 44 pts he came in, most were on the back of his serve. Nadal's serve isn't half as good as Nole. He gets some advantage due to lefty slice but he doesn't do s&v much.

How many times did Nadal come to the net in 2019 in a 5 set match?

 

[The Blond Blur]

And vollier. He is not Zverev. He is now following the serve to the net.

Never said he was like Zedrot. And again, it’s easier to do that when Med isn’t doing anything to adjust his tactics on return.

 

[NoleFam]

I’m not saying he hasn’t improved, I just don’t think he’s as good as the other 2.

And I think you're incorrect. There's no way Nadal is a better volleyer than him at this point. For one, he doesn't even come to the net enough. On grass, he comes to the net less than any former Wimbledon champ in the OE. I compiled the stats recently.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Never said he was like Zedrot. And again, it’s easier to do that when Med isn’t doing anything to adjust his tactics on return.

Nadal had same opponent. Same court. Djokovic was better.

 

[nolefam_2024]

How many times did Nadal come to the net in 2019 in a 5 set match?

75 times I think. Djokovic came in 44 in 3 set. So about the same.

 

[Kralingen]

Body of work:
Raz
Nadal
Djokovic

Recency Bias:
Djokovic
McEnroe
Edberg

 

[The Blond Blur]

And I think you're incorrect. There's no way Nadal is a better volleyer than him at this point. For one, he doesn't even come to the net enough. On grass, he comes to net less than any former Wimbledon champ in the OE. I compiled the stats recently.

Again, there’s a huge difference between coming into the net a lot and being a better and more natural volleyer. A big part of the reason RAFA doesn’t come in a much is because his serve isn’t nearly as good.

 

[NoleFam]

75 times I think. Djokovic came in 44 in 3 set. So about the same.

I went and checked. 66 times. Medvedev came in 74 times. That's a rarity for Nadal to come in that much.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Nadal had same opponent. Same court. Djokovic was better.

That same opponent played far better in 2019 and was in much better form throughout the entire NA HC swing compared to his 2023 self.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I went and checked. 66 times. Medvedev came in 74 times. That's a rarity for Nadal to come in that much.

Ok then Nole came in more frequently.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

One match - against a guy returning from Ohio - was all it took for Novak's fans to side him with Edberg

Nuff said, NO EXCUSES.

 

[NoleFam]

Again, there’s a huge difference between coming into the net a lot and being a better and more natural volleyer. A big part of the reason RAFA doesn’t come in a much is because his serve isn’t nearly as good.

If you're not coming in a lot, you're not really hitting difficult volleys. Nadal comes in mostly when the point is over. When does he ever even serve and volley? That's where you can see the true skills.

 

[nolefam_2024]

That same opponent played far better in 2019 and was in much better form throughout the entire NA HC swing compared to his 2023 self.

Why is this that same opponents play better vs Nadal only? I see this a lot from michealnadal threads. Epic and stuff. It's the same guy but your guy has it harder.

I made peace with accepting there is no way Djokovic would have easier path to RG than Nadal long ago. Because he isn't better there. Same thing applies to Nadal who isn't better outside clay and finds same guys Djokovic convincingly beat, difficult.

 

[CoolCoolCool]

Nadal is nowhere close Djokovic. He goes to the net only when the point is already over. You cant even find his volley compilation on youtube.

 

[The Blond Blur]

If you're not coming in a lot, you're not really hitting difficult volleys. Nadal comes in mostly when the point is over. When does he ever even serve and volley? That's where you can see the true skills.

Again, the serve plays the biggest time when it comes to serve and volley. You guys are being so hyper reactionary to his performance in this last final. Medvedev couldn’t have been more inept on return if he tried.