G’day From Paris,
You see something different when you watch something many times instead of just once or twice. You see the same thing happening again & again & again. You learn more. You appreciate the subtleties and nuances that you never really picked up on before.
The last week I have been putting some GIFs of Novak Djokovic from Rome on Twitter and the response has been pretty amazing. The responses have been in two main areas. The first is from people commenting on how efficient Novak swings the racket and moves around the court. Amazingly so. It really pops out when watching these short, repeatable videos. The second response comes from people watching the GIFs and saying that it is helping their own game by seeing how simple Novak does it.
Here are the GIFs – all in one place. Enjoy!
Footwork is like a heartbeat
For example, at the baseline the heart beats at ~ 60 bpm. It’s active but not overly so. When you come to the net to finish the point, everything happens quicker. Faster feet. Smaller steps. Faster heart rate.#Djokovic example in Roma #ibi22 pic.twitter.com/nBl9f0dXc0
— Craig O’Shannessy
(@BrainGameTennis) Defensive backhand.
Notice how #Djokovic drags his right foot to assist with getting the correct spacing to the ball. He is running to the ball & slowing down with the drag at the same time. The agility is off the charts. You think you have him. He is SpiderMan— Craig O’Shannessy
. This is where a lot of players on tour are vulnerable at the baseline. The wide forehand can get problematic. #Djokovic has improved this specific shot over the years. Primary target = back cross. Slide to the ball. Not past it. Heavy spin for control. Don’t cook it. #ibi22 pic.twitter.com/ECJU2B5JYa
— Craig O’Shannessy
What’s more impressive?
The acceleration to the drop shot?
The long, controlled slide?
How low #Djokovic got at contact?
The short, sharp backhand?
Keeping the strings forward?
The stillness of the head?
The left arm counter balance?
The quick recovery?
What do you see?#ibi22 pic.twitter.com/yatcBwG7Da— Craig O’Shannessy
The #Djokovic 2nd serve. Look how far he lands in the court. This one is hit with heavy topspin to jump up high to the #Tsitsipas backhand return. I also like the high left hand that “anchors” the serve up in the sky. Everything is going up.
What do you like? #ibi22 pic.twitter.com/j0R4h2Y1li— Craig O’Shannessy
N. #Djokovic FH defense #ibi22 final. He adjusts to the tough ball with a smaller backswing & adding more spin for control. He needs to quickly get up the back of the ball so he plants his right foot & hits only off the right leg. Left foot comes up high to counter-balance.
— Craig O’Shannessy
Why is #Djokovic so so good at returning serve? The movement is clean. He splits forward & then continues to move forward. Contact is out in front. The energy flows. The swing path is spectacularly efficient. The head stays still and the return lands at the server’s feet. #ibi22 pic.twitter.com/4jJSKTDk2x
— Craig O’Shannessy
This #ibi22 #Djokovic backhand is so intriguing. I see him hit it a lot. Small steps to get side on & then to the ball. But he actually “snaps” backwards around contact. Watch his feet. They stay. Watch his shoulders. They recoil backwards. Very clean energy & balance.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/3geg5e1SQ9— Craig O’Shannessy
The #Djokovic backhand (heavy) slice.
The backswing starts normal but the follow through is different. He quickly cuts down & across the ball, meant to make it go lower & straighter to #Tsitsipas. Lots of sidespin & backspin to keep it under the hitting zone. #ibi22
You like it? pic.twitter.com/lEclcrKlLo— Craig O’Shannessy
The #Djokovic 2nd serve return. Sometimes in Rome he stood very deep to hit 2nd returns & just rolled a “moonball” return high & slow & deep back to the server. It’s a confusing ploy as he is always so insanely good at stepping in & taking time away.
Why the change?
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/ieTxECU4rX— Craig O’Shannessy
The post The Brilliance Of Novak Djokovic In 10 GIFs appeared first on Brain Game Tennis.
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