Player Breakdown Four: Novak Djokovic

Djokovic's forehand is pretty good. He can play it safe or powerfully., but more error -prone. Sometimes, he tries to hit it too hard and comes up with too many unforced errors.

He should play it safe, and then, all of a sudden attack. Because of his number of errors, I may decrease his grade a little.

B+

Novak has a great backhand one of the three best on tour. His displaces such great, he places it beautifully, definitely deserves it's grade.

Grade: A

I really Novak has a great first serve. He may not have the best speed, but he knows how to place a ball. He can rack up aces, and his serve sets him up for easy forehands a lot. Not everyone will agree, but I think he has an elite serve.

Grade:A-

Novak produced a good second serve against Rafa in Cincy, but before then, he hadn't displayed much speed on it. I think he would have had a worse grade if not for his match vs. Nadal.

Grade: B+

Novak has a mediocre return on a first serve. But as soon as you take a second serve, he murders the ball and hits a winner, or a nice set up shot. He seems scared to attack on the first serve, which I think he would very good at.

His second serve return adds a bit to the grade.

Grade: B+

I don't see him coming up to net as much as he should. He has a good game at the net, but doesn't like to show it. I have seen him play very well, but also very poorly at the net. He can be good, but doesn't show it, lowering his grade.

Grade: B+

I don't like seeing Novak using the slice, because his two-handed backhand is such a great weapon. But, that doesn't mean that it's necessarily a bad shot. I actually like the shot a lot.

Grade: A-

I like his drop shot, even though he doesn't use it very often. It really gets his opponent running. He knows how to follow it up. What I like the most about it is that he uses at the perfect time.

Grade: A-

Novak doesn't have the best lob. He places it pretty well, but doesn't get it quite high enough. People have used it as an easy way to rack up points a the net.

Grade: B

Novak is one of the best movers on the tour. I love how he hustles down every ball he can and returns a good majority of them. I love watching the Serb for this reason.

Grade: A

Noavak has become a threat on clay and hard courts and is nearing stardom on grass, too. Just wait before he becomes a great player.

Hard: A-
Clay: A-
Grass: B+