Djokovic's secret: beyond his backhand and his mind, it's video analysis!

Novak Djokovic is the tennis player who dominates almost every important statistic in the history of the sport: he holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles with 24 victories, is the Masters 1,000 champion with 40 titles, and he is the only one to have won every Grand Slam at least once. He also has the most Masters Cup titles (7) and has held the top spot in the world rankings for 428 weeks… So the numbers are in his favor, but they have also played a vital role in his rise to the top.

Data analysis

Djokovic's exceptional two-handed backhand, his ability to serve decisively in critical moments, and his winning mentality capable of shining on decisive points are often highlighted. However, after his victory against Monfils in the round of 16 of the ATP 250 in Brisbane, Djokovic also highlighted another aspect of his preparation. Passionate about statistics and video analysis of his opponents, he said his success is not based solely on talent or physical work, but also on tools he has perfected over the years. “Each player is unique and prepares differently. Some prefer to trust their instincts, while others, like me, delve into the details. I love statistics, especially video analysis. I am a very visual person. I like identify the playing patterns of my next opponents. I have invested a lot of time and money for this throughout my career, with the help of my team,” he said, as reported by the specialist site www.puntodebreak.com.

“The key is how you put it all into practice on the pitch. Anyone can look at stats, but it's about knowing how to use them effectively to drive your game. Once you're in the tournament, I like to keep things conceptual to have a clear idea of ​​my actions and my opponent's movements; That said, I prefer something simpler than the weeks before tournaments, where I like to deconstruct my game and that of my opponents to identify the subtleties that improve me,” he added.

Anticipate your opponent

Through his ability to “read” the game even before his opponent acts, Djokovic stands out for his meticulous work and sharp intuition. Considered by many to be the best raiser in history, it is however wrong to think that this is based solely on momentary reactivity. “This is closely linked to the development of the nervous system, which stabilizes around 10-12 years of age,” explained Manuel Moya, former physical trainer of players like Nicolás Almagro or Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo. “What is really improving is the response time based on reading the preindications. Experienced players are able to analyze the opponent's body position, racket, and ball height to anticipate the direction of their shot. With this discernment, they can move in the right direction in advance and make the right move to gain an advantage. Great receivers have this capacity for anticipation which allows them to very quickly visualize the movement and probable trajectory of the ball. This is called preindication training, i.e. making rapid decisions. It is a skill that we can work on to reduce response time, thus anticipating actions,” added Moya.

Djokovic will play today at 11:00 a.m. Spanish time in the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 in Brisbane against the American Opelka. The other three semi-finalists are already known: Perricardthe server of the moment who beat Mensik by 7-5 and 7-6 (7/5) and who could be Novak's next opponent; Dimitrovwinner of Thompson 6-1, 2-1 before the latter retired; And Lightweightwho outclassed Jarry on a double 6-4.