Novak’s underrated serve: what many ATP players are now saying about novak's weapon
Christopher Eubanks recently told Andy Roddick on the Served podcast that many current players on tour view novak Djokovic's serve as an underrated element of his game. That observation lands against the backdrop of Djokovic's standing as a 24-time Grand Slam winner and one of the most complete players in the sport's history.
Christopher Eubanks' comments on Andy Roddick's Served
Retired tennis player Christopher Eubanks appeared on Andy Roddick's podcast, Served, and said many current players on tour believe Djokovic's serve doesn't get applauded as much as it should. Eubanks, who never had a chance to face Djokovic in his tennis career, framed the serve as an underrated part of the Serbian's profile.
Novak's serve in numbers: Djokovic, Federer, Nadal
The piece lays out career serving numbers that underline why peers might praise the shot. Novak Djokovic has landed 65% of his first serves and won those first-serve points 74% of the time, while points won coming off his second serve sit at 55%. Roger Federer landed 62% of his first serves and won 77% of those first-serve points. Rafael Nadal led the three on first serves landed at 68% but had a lower first-service points-won figure of 72%.
Where Djokovic's game can crack and how toughness is judged
The context also highlights a perceived vulnerability: Djokovic sometimes has a knack for losing focus or composure in tight matches, which leads to a significant number of errors. Even with that tendency, Djokovic is considered one of the most mentally tough players in tennis; the commentary notes, "You don't win that many Grand Slams without being mentally tough. " Those two assessments—occasional lapses in tight moments and a reputation for extraordinary mental resilience—sit side by side in the appraisal of his game.
Serve singled out among stronger elements of Djokovic's game
The commentary argues that while Djokovic's overall game is virtually flawless, some elements are simply stronger than others and the serve is one of those aspects. Peers on the ATP Tour, as summarized by Eubanks' remarks on Served, recognize the serve as an underrated weapon for the Serbian. The original context's statistical comparison of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal is presented alongside that judgment, though the source text trails off at one point—"For all three, their numbers fall into the"—which is unclear in the provided context.
All named facts above are drawn from the same set of observations: Eubanks' recent comments on Served, Djokovic's status as a 24-time Grand Slam winner and one of the most complete players, his career serve percentages and those of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the note that Eubanks never faced Djokovic in competition.
