Topic: This is what I think Djokovic and Nadal need to do in the future

[williamchung7]

Both of them should make volley as routine weapon in their game. It is good weapon, no doubt about it.

It can save your energy men!

[FedFanForever]

Volley, we don't need no stinkin' volleys meyn. 

[sid]

With the way Djokovic is playing over the last 12 months,Nadal needs to stay away from him in the tennis draws,for as long as poss.That's the needs ATM.Clay could be mighty interesting this year.This just might be the year that both Fed & Nadal are not in the top 2 for rankings.

[Bazcovic]

Ultimately, the wear and tear of the countless baseline encounters degrades the physical health of a player.
The rallies and thus the match length increases and increases.

How can Djokovic and Nadal remain fit an entire year?
Either shorten the points or shorten the season.

I'm very curious how their fitness will develop this (olympic) year.

[williamchung7]

One thing really annoying me is that I see there are a lot of chances for them to come to net, they choose not to.....

[monstertruck]

One thing really annoying me is that I see there are a lot of chances for them to come to net, they choose not to.....

Ayuh, no doubt about it.
I think most players of this generation have spent tens of thousands of hours bashing from the baseline and just don't have as much practice time transitioning to and finishing in the forecourt.
Let's not forget the ball is moving much faster these days, quite often in the shape of an egg!

[Babblelot]

Every time they slide to an abrupt stop when stretched moving laterally I look to see if the ankle rolls and the bone is sticking out of the skin.

[monstertruck]

'The slide' on hardcourts has me mesmerized.

Either that or it's the rum.

[falcon]

Its painful to watch them play the way they were playing. No way is Rafa going to last till USO if he plays the same way the whole year. That actually goes for Nole too

[swish]

One thing really annoying me is that I see there are a lot of chances for them to come to net, they choose not to.....

Nadal is very good at passing, though Djokovic did have some chances while Nadal gets pinned in the duece court corner.
It could end some points earlier but with Djokovic's endurance he'll just stay back and wear anyone down so that is working.
 
 

[FedFanForever]

I'm wondering what permanent damage this match will do to Nadal. I wouldn't be surprised if he has severe tendinitis flare-up that takes him out of the rest of the year.

[Bazcovic]

One thing really annoying me is that I see there are a lot of chances for them to come to net, they choose not to.....

Nadal is very good at passing, though Djokovic did have some chances while Nadal gets pinned in the duece court corner.
It could end some points earlier but with Djokovic's endurance he'll just stay back and wear anyone down so that is working.

True. Same applies to Murray, he is such a good passer.
But there are also excellent baseliners and returners 

They are just too good at everything. That's the problem.

[monstertruck]

I think they all have some work to do on their serves.

Nadal showed some improvement in that dept. during AO 2012, with increased variety and willingness (and ability)to go up the 'T' in the ad court.  Overall, I thought there was an obvious change in strategy (especially against Nole) on the serve to be a bit more aggressive.  If he stays the course and continues to develop this aspect of his game, Raf may soon possess the key to break the spell DJoker has cast over him in recent months.

Perhaps this will be the next evolution in men's tennis.
Players develop serves and returns that can be used as powerful weapons to set up points for their almighty groundies.

I am eternally astounded no female player has sought to excel at these most important aspects of the game in order to dominate the lackluster field of the past millenium.  JFC, how hard is it?

[Start da Game]

one thing i have noticed for why players are not moving forward is - most of them are not good with punching the volleys deep and take another volley or two.......they try to end the point with one volley.......that's why they go for high percentage dropper 90% of times.......at least droppers land somewhere inside the court than blatant missing with deep volleys.......

even if it's djokovic or nadal or murray who occasionally volley, most of the times they don't try to hit deep volleys and aren't willing to take another volley.......fed volleys better compared to them but he too has his share of troubles against quality passing.......



 

[monstertruck]

Agreed.
I've often wondered how the extreme grips on the FH and the majority of pros using 2HBH impact the ability to transition to the forecourt and be comfortable/competent with the grip change.  Certainly a far cry from days of old when players served with continental grips and then used an eastern on the FH and single handed BH.

[Babblelot]

Hadn't thought about it monster,  but you may be on to something with respect to Rafa trying to serve differently to Nole.  It might account for all of those returns that were blasted back at his frets which really gave him fits.   Work in progress perhaps. 

And serving to the body was very effective.