Lorenzo Musetti recently offered insights into what he believes to be Novak Djokovic’s most formidable weapon on the court. The Italian player emphasized Djokovic’s exceptional return of serve, describing it as a game-changer that sets him apart from other players.
“It’s true that on his forehand, he is always waiting for the right moment to change direction and try a winning shot. After that, we can say what we want from Djokovic, but his return of serve remains an incredible shot. It is the most impressive thing,” Musetti remarked.
Musetti praised Djokovic’s ability to handle serves with a level of skill that few others possess. “The way he manages to send serves where 90% of players can’t even do it or at least put the server in a good position, that’s what makes the difference,” he added.
Djokovic’s return game has long been regarded as one of the best in the history of tennis. His uncanny ability to read serves and execute precise, powerful returns often puts his opponents on the defensive right from the start of the point. This skill, combined with his agility and mental toughness, has been a critical factor in his numerous victories and his sustained presence at the top of the sport.
Reflecting on his own experiences playing against Djokovic, Musetti acknowledged the psychological and physical challenge of facing such a consistent and strategic player. “Playing against Novak is always a test of your limits. His precision and timing on the return are just on another level,” Musetti concluded.
As Djokovic continues to chase more titles and records, his return of serve remains a cornerstone of his game, enabling him to outmaneuver and outlast some of the best players in the world.
Musetti in Paris, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked world no.16, the Italian has achieved a composed 37-22 match record in 2024. The Italian is currently playing in Paris where he overcame the world no.31 Gael Monfils 6-1 6-4
, the world no.37 Mariano Navone 7-6(2) 6-3, the world no.12 Taylor Fritz 6-4 7-5, the world no.4 Alexander Zverev 7-5 7-5 and the world no.19 Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 1-6 6-3.Djokovic in Paris, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.2, Novak achieved a compiled 28-7 match record in 2024. The Serbian is currently having a run in Paris where he defeated Matthew Ebden 6-0 6-1, the world no.161 Rafael Nadal 6-1 6-4, the world no.70 Dominik Koepfer 7-5 6-3, the world no.11 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6(3) and the world no.16 Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-2.
Novak Djokovic will square off with the world no.3 Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday at 12:00 pm on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Their record is 3-3.
The Serbian was the runner-up in Wimbledon.
Novak won 98 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Djokovic has scheduled to compete next in Montreal (National Bank Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 5th of August.
Lorenzo Musetti and Novak Djokovic squared off 8 times. Their record is 7-1 for Djokovic. Before, the last time they competed against each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-4 6-2 in the semifinal in Paris (Olympics) on the 2nd of August 2024.
Lorenzo Musetti and Novak Djokovic |
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