Djokovic’s Unheralded Weapon: Shapovalov Reveals His Surprising Choice
Novak Djokovic, with his record-breaking 24 Grand Slam titles, is widely considered one of the most complete tennis players in history. His mastery of the court leaves opponents scrambling for answers, and few have found a way to consistently crack his seemingly impenetrable game.
Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov, despite eight attempts, is one of those who has yet to conquer Djokovic on the court. Sporting a slim two set win tally across their encounters, Shapovalov has experienced firsthand the sheer tenacity and adaptability of Djokovic’s tactics. And while most pundits and fans would point to his legendary return game or the sheer consistency of his backhand, Shapovalov recently highlighted a weapon he considers surprisingly underrated: Djokovic’s serve.
"I think his serve was very underrated. Especially under pressure the guy would serve on the lines,” Shapovalov said during an interview with the UTS Tour.
“I feel like Novak makes you play worse. He does nothing wrong but he will find whatever is not working that day but then hit it there every single time!”
Looking at the numbers, Shapovalov’s assessment hardly seems far-fetched. Djokovic’s serve has seen a noticeable improvement over the years. Notably, his average first serve speed jumped by 5% from 2015 to 2023, and his placements were incredibly precise, consistently landing centimeters closer to the lines in 2023 compared to eight years prior. Another telling statistic: Djokovic secures a remarkable 69% of points off his second serve, the highest percentage on the ATP Tour. This unwavering consistency forces opponents to constantly adapt, creating an almost insurmountable mental hurdle.
Shapovalov vividly remembers feeling the full force of Djokovic’s dominance in the 2019 Paris Masters final.
“I remember Paris the year I made finals, I played him in the finals and I heard rumors he had been sick all week. He was drinking his juices and drinking stuff all the time,” Shapovalov recalled.
“I was like I have got him, I am playing the best tennis of my life. The guy is not feeling good, he’s not 100%. This is my chance. No chance. The guy was toying with me.”
Djokovic went on to win that match convincingly, 6-3, 6-4, securing his sixth of what would become seven titles at the prestigious Masters 1000 event in Paris. It was a brutal lesson for Shapovalov, who realized that even an ailing Djokovic was a formidable opponent to be reckoned with.
As Shapovalov’s experience demonstrates, Djokovic’s effectiveness isn’t solely limited to his flashy groundstrokes. It’s the combination of diverse weapons, honed to perfection, that makes him such an exceptional force on the court. Perhaps it’s time we all start paying a little more attention to the hidden power of Djokovic’s serve.
## Djokovic’s Silent Weapon: Shapovalov Explains the Serve That Could Keep Championships Alive
**By [Your Name], senior Editor, world-today-news.com**
Novak Djokovic, with his record-breaking 24 Grand Slam titles, stands as a titan of the tennis world. His game,a symphony of strategic brilliance and seemingly effortless execution,has left opponents baffled and fans in awe for over two decades.
While his iconic return of serve and relentless baseline game often steal the show, fellow professional Denis Shapovalov offers a unique outlook: Djokovic’s serve, he argues, is a dangerously underrated weapon.
In an exclusive interview with world-today-news.com, Shapovalov delves deeper into this claim, highlighting the psychological impact and strategic finesse behind Djokovic’s serve.
**world-today-news:** Denis, you’ve faced Djokovic eight times now, experiencing firsthand the challenges of cracking his game. Many would point to his return or backhand as his primary weapons. You, though, emphasize his serve. Why?
**Shapovalov:** yeah, it’s true his return is unbelievable, his defense is impenetrable, and his backhand, well, it just doesn’t miss. But people underestimate his serve. It seems like a simple, straightforward weapon, but it’s so much more than meets the eye.
**world-today-news:** Can you elaborate? What makes djokovic’s serve so effective, especially under pressure?
**Shapovalov:** Firstly, Novak’s accuracy is remarkable. He can hit his spots consistently, forcing you to react rather than attack.
And when it matters most, those big points, those crucial game points, he steps it up another level. He has this uncanny ability to find the lines, even when the pressure is on.
**world-today-news:** Beyond sheer accuracy, what else makes his serve so strategically potent?
**Shapovalov:** The variations. He doesn’t just blast serve after serve. He mixes it up, keeps you guessing. He’ll use slices, kick serves, body serves, all aimed at disrupting your rhythm and dictating the point.
You mentioned the psychological impact. How does Djokovic’s serve affect your mindset as an opponent?
**Shapovalov:** When you’re returning against someone who places the ball so precisely under pressure, it definitely plays with your mind. It makes you think twice about attacking,makes you hesitate,and that hesitation can be all he needs to gain the upper hand.
**world-today-news:** Does his serve give him an advantage in terms of dictating the pace of a match?
**Shapovalov:** Absolutely. A strong serve allows him to control the tempo, to dictate where the rally starts. He can push you back,force you into defensive positions,and that’s where he excels.
**world-today-news:** so, while djokovic’s other skills are undeniably world-class, you believe his serve is frequently enough overlooked?
**Shapovalov:** Absolutely. I think people focus so much on his return and groundstrokes, that the serve gets overshadowed. But make no mistake, it’s a crucial weapon in his arsenal, one that often allows him to win crucial points and ultimately, championships.
