French Open 2011: Grading Novak Djokovic in Each Aspect of His Game
Prior to 2011, Novak Djokovic was known in the tennis world as "that No. 3 guy with a buzz cut who impersonates other players".
The man from Belgrade did put in the odd fight or two but could never really break into the Top Two bracket dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal the last few years.
Djokovic finished the 2010 season with a loss to Federer in the semifinals of the year-end Tour Finals, capping his fourth successive year ranked No. 3 in the world.
The big Serb's serve needed a major revamp, and so did his fitness.
But Serbia's Davis Cup triumph in December, in which Djokovic played a big part, did something to his confidence that could define his career.
The huffing and puffing man known for retiring halfway through a match due to breathing problems was gone.
Out came a lean, mean fighting machine (much credit goes to his nutritionist who, after Djokovic spent almost eight years on the ATP Tour, finally figured out that Djokovic was allergic to gluten).
Djokovic is rejuvenated and seemingly invincible, with an impeccable 41-0 win-loss record this season. He's won all seven previous tournaments he's entered and compiled a 7-0 record against Federer and Nadal.
At the 2011 French Open, Djokovic was hardly tested until his third-round match against former world No. 4 Juan Martin del Potro.
The duo engaged in a scintillating overnight thriller which saw Djokovic lose his first set of the tournament. But he eventually won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
He then put Frenchman Richard Gasquet to sword in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 fourth-round rout.
As Djokovic—who has a quarterfinal bye thanks to an injury to Fabio Fognini—goes into his semifinal match against Federer, here's an assessment of his game so far in the tournament.
Service
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Once a major thorn in his side, Djokovic's serve is now one of his biggest weapons.
The Serb himself admitted last year that his serve wasn't winning him any free points, as he recorded more double-faults than aces.
But 2011 has seen a tremendous improvement in his service delivery, with a whopping 65 percent of his first serves going in. This has improved to 71 percent in the 2011 French Open.
He has served 101 aces this season, 16 in this tournament.
He has also won 84 percent of his service games.
A little more fine-tuning would do Djokovic good, and he'll need it against the likes of Federer and Nadal.
Grade: A-
Service Return
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During this year's Indian Wells semifinal, Federer mustered just one ace against Djokovic in 13 service games.
In the final of that tournament, Nadal, who has a 65 percent first-serve-in record this year, couldn't even manage to get in 50 percent of them against Djokovic.
It's almost next to impossible to ace Djokovic in the form he's in. And the sheer power of his returns rattles even the best.
In his match against del Potro, Djokovic had a conversion rate of 77 percent and 64 percent in his first and second serves, respectively.
Del Potro's was 65 percent and 45 percent.
Djokovic has won 18 return games in four rounds so far in the French Open.
The inability to score free points off Djokovic not only makes him a threat to any opponent, but it instills a bit of fear into the opponent—something Djokovic feeds on.
Grade: A+
Groundstrokes
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Djokovic's game is centered on aggressive baseline play.
His groundstrokes from both wings are powerful, sharp and penetrating.
Djokovic also ranks high in terms of court coverage and showcases superior dexterity—something that has drastically improved since his diet change.
A recent Hawkeye analysis suggested that Djokovic's groundstrokes carry farther over the net than most players.
The fact that he's able to generate a copious amount of topspin just adds to the intimidation quotient.
Grade: A
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Backhand
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The great thing about Djokovic's game is how complete it is.
If his forehand packs an Ali-esque punch, his backhand is just as powerful.
Djokovic's two-handed backhand is widely regarded as the best in the game and is triggered by an extensive hip rotation backed by a punch from the core.
He can use this technique to hit the ball cross-court or down the line—as he wishes—with seamless efficiency.
Djokovic's ability to switch sides effortlessly allows him to be more patient in his stroke-play and dictate terms.
He has that uncanny ability to turn defense into offense before the opponent figures out what's happened— just ask Gasquet.
Switching sides does add to the risk factor, but Djokovic couldn't care less!
He's smart, he's nimble, he's powerful and he's ready to pull the trigger before you know it!
Grade: A+
Drop Shot
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Federer will always remember that night in January 2008 when Djokovic ended the Swiss' streak of 10 straight Grand Slam finals with a drop shot to win their Australian Open semifinal.
Djokovic has a well-disguised backhand underspin drop shot in his vast arsenal, which he uses when required.
Djokovic even uses it against the likes of Nadal, one of the fastest players approaching the net. Nadal has an exceptionally high conversion rate against drop shots, but Djokovic has even found a way around that!
He has scored a lot of points against Nadal in the past by hitting the ball wide to the Spaniard's forehand then placing the return short against his backhand, which has less reach.
Djokovic has used the shot to perfection in the tournament so far.
Grade: A
Final Score
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It is often said that the essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.
Evidently, the word "fail" does not exist in Djokovic's dictionary this season.
He is gunning for his maiden Roland Garros title, which would see him eclipse John McEnroe's best start to a season and clinch him the world No. 1 ranking.
He's waited a long time for this, and it will be interesting to see how he shows up to possibly the two biggest matches of his career.
But if his current form holds, it should be a breeze.
Grade: A
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