Novak Djokovic's serve
Traced frame by frame from real footage.
Djokovic's serve is a platform-stance motion whose real weapon is the second serve. In 2023 he led the tour with 57.9 % of second-serve points won, often by aiming at the returner's forehand, which most servers avoid. He saved all eight break points he faced in the 2024 Olympic final.
- 1He sets up side-on with ball and racquet together, then tosses with the arm fully extended as the racquet swings down and back.
- 2At the trophy the knees bend deeply, and the racquet drops behind the back as he leaves the ground.
- 3Contact is at full reach, then the arm turns over across the front and he lands on the front foot.
Our own observations from the traced frames. Flip through the plate above to check them.
By the numbers
2023, 41 matches against right-handers: 55 % of his second serves went to the forehand corners, against 26 % for opponents. He led the tour with 57.91 % of second-serve points won.
Craig O'Shannessy, ATP Beyond the Numbers, Oct 2023Two remodels failed: in 2009–10 with Todd Martin, and in 2017–18 to protect his elbow. After returning to his old motion in 2018, his service games won rose from 83 % to 90 %.
Tom Perrotta, FiveThirtyEight, 2019 (ATP data)
2024 Olympic final
He beat Alcaraz 7–6 7–6 for gold and was never broken, saving all eight break points he faced.
BBC Sport, Aug 2024What you can copy
The idea worth testing: a second serve that surprises. Aiming at the forehand works for him because returners expect the backhand, and it sets up more serve-plus-one forehands. It's a tactical point, not club coaching advice.
Craig O'Shannessy, ATP