Why doesn't Djokovic learn to hit smash? It cost him in all the last 4 slam losses.

FreeBird

FreeBird

Legend
At important points in all these matches, he came up with laughable smashes making himself pay heavily.

Wimbledon 2012:

3rd Set 4-5 15-30 and he comes up with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BpQscUlaZW8&t=6485

US Open2012:

2nd Set: 5*-6 15-30 and we see this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZI9Cv_OMkk&feature=player_detailpage&t=399

RG 13:

5th Set: 4*-3 40-40.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=OplDBIakSEw&t=6

Wimbledon 13:

3rd Set: 4-5* 40-40.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgQi241KgFY&feature=player_detailpage&t=12606

Apart from that it stripped him of Olympic Gold Medal chances in 2008:
At Match point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7pt-c9jDHc&feature=player_detailpage&t=7687

There is no denying that his overhead sucks but I don't understand why is there is no effort from his side? Is Marian Vajda in a deep slumber? How can somebody be so ignorant of this weakness? :mad:

No trolling or bashing please.
 
yea hes a pro he should never miss an over head look at Rafa and Roger evey overhead is put away 99% evey time
 
He just freezes up, and the OP is completely right in his observation. We're talking about a shot that has arguably lost him at least 3/4 of these matches. Forget about the loss of the point: it's mentally debilitating to miss those overheads. It's confounding, honestly. Definitely a psychological issue, but guess what I'd be doing against Djokovic on big points? Bringing him to the net and lobbing.
 
FreeBird said:
Wimbledon 13:

3rd Set: 4-5* 40-40.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgQi241KgFY&feature=player_detailpage&t=12606
Click to expand...
ep6.gif
 
I don't know but I hold my breath every time he goes for one.

He should just approach smashes logically: it's like serving, but with more margin for error. He should just aim for the court instead of trying to definitively put it away.
 
ctoth666 said:
He just freezes up, and the OP is completely right in his observation. We're talking about a shot that has arguably lost him at least 3/4 of these matches. Forget about the loss of the point: it's mentally debilitating to miss those overheads. It's confounding, honestly. Definitely a psychological issue, but guess what I'd be doing against Djokovic on big points? Bringing him to the net and lobbing.
Click to expand...

I believe this would be exploited by many more just like players started targeting Rafa's bh when they saw it as his Achilles heel.
 
I remember at the French Open this year he had issues putting away overheads as well...

If I recall, he actually ran into the net once and lost the point...
 
Some of you don't understand is that Djokovic is wearing contact lenses and depending on where the sun is it does affect his vision. even indoors with artificial lights, it could be difficult.
 
Seriously LOL at the OP. Why don't you try and reach a GS final yourself and see how good you are at putting away overheads?

Armchair critic at its best.
 
he clearly is not good enough to hit overhead volleys on a regular basis..

therefore he wasn't good enough to win those majors, which is why he lost.
 
This has been discussed before in the following threads :

Why has Djoker got such an awful smash ?
Djokovic teaches how to hit the overhead smash

I said in one of these threads that his sloppiness with overheads may have something to do with vision problems. Nerves is the last thing I would attribute this weakness to since this is a guy who slaps winners when MP down in big matches.

No matter what the actual reason for those overhead FAILs is , he should always wait for it to bounce on a crucial point. I cannot believe he still attempts it after having lost all these slams in the past. It was just unpardonable to attempt it in the fifth set of RG SF. He can practice it all he wants when up 40-0 on his serve, for instance.
 
syc23 said:
Seriously LOL at the OP. Why don't you try and reach a GS final yourself and see how good you are at putting away overheads?

Armchair critic at its best.
Click to expand...

This is unwarranted of you. I am not suggesting him the technique. I am just miffed at the way it is costing him grandslams and thus,discussing it. And this is what this forum is for, I guess? Going by your ways, nobody on this forum can discuss anything about pros.
 
Djoko doesn't learn to hit a smash for the same reason he doesn't learn to volley. He is not committed to attacking the net. Lack of net skill in general has costs him a lot as he has contributed many points to Federer, Nadal, and Murray due to his lack of confidence in attacking. He frequently moves in, hits a great shot that hurts his opponent, and then backs up to only watch his opponent hit a high floater back to reset the point. And, the opponent goes on to win a high percentage of these points where Djoko gives away the advantage. He does this on grass and hard courts where it really looks silly even in the modern game.
 
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