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Medvedev and Zverev copy Djokovic's game

2K views 34 replies 18 participants last post by  Nadalgoat2 
#1 ·
They realized that copying the most effective game ever is the way to go. So they are doing it, and this is why they have become so good and successful lately. This is why future generations will copy this game even more, and that will massively rise quality and appeal of this sport.

What do you say? Analyze and discuss.
 
#9 ·
Djokovic took a few things from Federer and Nadal, he played both prime to prime, specially Nadal and he learned a lot from them specially in the mental side but kept a rather simple and lackluster game with less variety.

Medvedev´s and Zverev´s game are certainly much closer to the Djokovic style but that might be a liability against Djokovic, they´re learning from playing prime Djokovic from the mental side but their similar gamestyle to Djokovic makes them more predictable and less disruptive, it´s always harder to top someone with a lot of experience in his own game than developing a new innovative style like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in their own time, that´s why Medvedev and Zverev are still in the middle 20´s and they can´t figure out how to consistently prevent Djokovic from winning slams left and right .
 
#13 · (Edited)
Novak was a defensive to offensive counterpuncher who has never relied on his serving to win matches outright but now employs more trips to the net & slicing.

Medved is not comfortable doing the latter & Zverev would b just another 6'6" average player outside top 10 w/o his service weapon.

They can attempt to copy but have little of the versatility across all surfaces that the no.1 possesses.
 
#15 ·
Djokovic is known for playing the most "nancy boy" version of tennis, whereby you take minimal risk and just wait for your opponent to make the error.
Jim Courier referred to this at the AO this year, saying that in tiebreakers Djokovic takes minimal risk and just gets the ball back in play until his opponent makes the error.
Courier said Nadal uses the opposite approach, trying to hit winners in the tiebreakers so it will be decided on his own racquet.
The Djokovic method works if you are young or fit enough to play those long rallies, and actually it works even better for Zverev because he's got the big serve to go with it, so he'll also get cheap points on serve.
 
#26 ·
To be fair, I think every coach in the world teaches their players to emulate Djokovic's game. It is the most effective and viable option for 99% of the tennis players. Play solidly, defend while and go for winners when you are in a good position. Novak and Murray have a very well-rounded game so if guys like Zverev and Medvedev can play like that yet also have a bit bigger serve due to their height, it is a great combination.

Nobody can emulate Federer because he is just so naturally skilled that it can't be replicated, while Nadal's is so unorthodox that it can only work for him.
 
#27 ·
To be fair, I think every coach in the world teaches their players to emulate Djokovic's game. It is the most effective and viable option for 99% of the tennis players. Play solidly, defend while and go for winners when you are in a good position. Novak and Murray have a very well-rounded game so if guys like Zverev and Medvedev can play like that yet also have a bit bigger serve due to their height, it is a great combination.

Nobody can emulate Federer because he is just so naturally skilled that it can't be replicated, while Nadal's is so unorthodox that it can only work for him.
Does that include slice-botting / pushing and bh error-botting?
 
#30 ·
A problem with that statement, while beauty is in the eye of the individual, variety is not. Federer has more variety than Djokovic, this we can state with absolute certainly. Whether or not you want to see variety is another thing. I'm sure opinions differ.

As for longevity, Federer has lasted reasonably well for someone who started out with a back problem, wouldn't you say?
 
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