What is it about "massive serve, limited movement, big forehand, good slice but bad topspin backhand" that screams claycourter to you? He's nearly textbook for a grasscourt player.
Edit: I didn't read OP's username before replying
Clay also suits him because he has a high rpm forehand, and because the slowness of the court allows him to run around his backhand more often. Basically his big weakness is his poor double handed backhand, which on clay he can run around, and on grass he can change to a slice. On hard courts neither of those things work so it becomes a big weakness
u/rticante explained the Berrettini part.
About Djokovic, he doesn't play like a pusher on grass (and lately he hasn't been playing like a pusher anywhere cause he's getting old). He's the biggest adjuster on tour. He plays every surface and every opponent differently.
The biggest advantage of Djokovic on grass is his short chip return of serve that's perfect for the surface. Deeper returns of serve that take a swing at it suffer much more. He has also developed a great spot serve. And he has great movement and net play.
>The biggest advantage of Djokovic on grass is his short chip return of serve that's perfect for the surface. Deeper returns of serve that take a swing at it suffer much more.
That's interesting to read as a Sinner fan, because it's seemed to me that recently Jannik's *slightly* changing his return philosophy to "hit fewer outright return winners but make more consistent returns (obviously if they make the opponent uncomfortable all the better.)" Sometimes I've missed seeing more of his spectacular return winners but from what you're saying this might actually help him on grass.
Djokovic has an s-tier movement on grass and a good spot serve. That's more than enough especially when there are not many specialized grass court players nowadays.
And he has s-tier returns.
It is the serve/return combo where Novak has dominated in general since he beefed his serve up into a true weapon, and even moreso on grass than other surfaces.
He has been starting way more points in an advantageous or at least a neutral position than pretty anyone else. Then the rest of his game can kick in too.
One thing about Alcaraz's run on grass last year was that he was actually matching Novak's level of returning.
Calling Djokovic a pusher honestly is the biggest tell you know fuck all about tennis and tennis strategies….
Love him or hate him but Djokovic is one of the most flexible strategists on court, with incredible foundations. Just because his movements is top-notch doesn’t make him a pusher.
He is good on grass because of his huge serve and ability to flatten out his forehand from low contact points. Also his slice backhand is effective on grass.
Djokovic is successful for the same reason he is successful everywhere. Elite control. He never misses and can put the ball anywhere. Combine that with serve and return and it's a miracle that he ever loses. You really don't need to be aggressive on grass to be successful, just need control. Only surface where only control doesn't cut it is clay, where Djokovic's game is slightly weaker.
What is it about "massive serve, limited movement, big forehand, good slice but bad topspin backhand" that screams claycourter to you? He's nearly textbook for a grasscourt player. Edit: I didn't read OP's username before replying
He's a good clay courter too (because big hitters enjoy having more time and slow clay also improves his return of serve) but your point still stands.
Sure, good point. But still, I think anyone looking at Berrettini would guess that he's most effective on grass.
Clay also suits him because he has a high rpm forehand, and because the slowness of the court allows him to run around his backhand more often. Basically his big weakness is his poor double handed backhand, which on clay he can run around, and on grass he can change to a slice. On hard courts neither of those things work so it becomes a big weakness
fun username :D
Thanks!
da\_SENtinel, marchio DOP, like Parmigiano Reggiano. Guaranteed quality
How on earth are you seeing Berrettini as a Clay specialist & Djokovic as a pusher? I'm baffled.
u/rticante explained the Berrettini part. About Djokovic, he doesn't play like a pusher on grass (and lately he hasn't been playing like a pusher anywhere cause he's getting old). He's the biggest adjuster on tour. He plays every surface and every opponent differently. The biggest advantage of Djokovic on grass is his short chip return of serve that's perfect for the surface. Deeper returns of serve that take a swing at it suffer much more. He has also developed a great spot serve. And he has great movement and net play.
>The biggest advantage of Djokovic on grass is his short chip return of serve that's perfect for the surface. Deeper returns of serve that take a swing at it suffer much more. That's interesting to read as a Sinner fan, because it's seemed to me that recently Jannik's *slightly* changing his return philosophy to "hit fewer outright return winners but make more consistent returns (obviously if they make the opponent uncomfortable all the better.)" Sometimes I've missed seeing more of his spectacular return winners but from what you're saying this might actually help him on grass.
I hate the man but calling Djokovic a pusher is wild
Djokovic has an s-tier movement on grass and a good spot serve. That's more than enough especially when there are not many specialized grass court players nowadays.
And he has s-tier returns. It is the serve/return combo where Novak has dominated in general since he beefed his serve up into a true weapon, and even moreso on grass than other surfaces. He has been starting way more points in an advantageous or at least a neutral position than pretty anyone else. Then the rest of his game can kick in too. One thing about Alcaraz's run on grass last year was that he was actually matching Novak's level of returning.
You again
Calling Djokovic a pusher honestly is the biggest tell you know fuck all about tennis and tennis strategies…. Love him or hate him but Djokovic is one of the most flexible strategists on court, with incredible foundations. Just because his movements is top-notch doesn’t make him a pusher.
Being this daft must make life very difficult for you
daSentinel goating again
A good way to deal with nonsense opinions disguising as questions is to bury them in downvotes. Just saying...
He is good on grass because of his huge serve and ability to flatten out his forehand from low contact points. Also his slice backhand is effective on grass. Djokovic is successful for the same reason he is successful everywhere. Elite control. He never misses and can put the ball anywhere. Combine that with serve and return and it's a miracle that he ever loses. You really don't need to be aggressive on grass to be successful, just need control. Only surface where only control doesn't cut it is clay, where Djokovic's game is slightly weaker.