‘Novak Djokovic can anticipate the serve on the T or outside’, says top coach
Novak Djokovic has already started preparing for 2022, although he has not yet solved the mystery surrounding his participation in the ATP Cup and the Australian Open. The number 1 in the world appears on the entry list of both events, but an official confirmation from him is expected.
The Serbian champion has just returned from a formidable 2021, in which he touched a legendary milestone. Had he triumphed at the US Open, Nole would have become the second man in the Open Era after Rod Laver to win all four majors in the same season.
The victories at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon still allowed him to reach Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at 20 Slams. The 34-year-old from Belgrade also finished the year at the top of the ATP rankings for the seventh time in his career (permanently detaching Pete Sampras).
Through a short video posted on YouTube on Wednesday, Patrick Mouratoglou analyzed one of the main weapons in Djokovic’s arsenal. We’re talking about his exceptional response. No player has won more points than Novak on his opponent’s first serve in 2021.
The Belgrade boasts a percentage (of points won) of 35.8%, ahead of Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in this special ranking.
Mouratoglou on Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic takes steps either towards the T in the middle to prepare himself for serves launched along the center service line, or towards the sidelines so he is better equipped to handle serves going away from him.
“He’s doing the split step either inside, so he can anticipate the serve on the T or outside, so he can anticipate the serve out wide,” Mouratoglou said. Recently, former Grand Slam finalist Alex Corretja spoke about the Serb.
He felt that Djokovic will go down as probably the best in history, but he may still not be loved as much as his rivals Federer and Nadal. Speaking on the 20-time champion, Alex stated, “I think in a way, Novak is a little bit misunderstood all the time.
I don’t know if it is…
Source : tennisworldusa
