How Djokovic's Historically Great Return Game Carried Him At Wimbledon
Cultivating break point opportunities is the beating heart of Novak Djokovic’s return to Grand Slam glory.
Djokovic defeated Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) to win his fourth Wimbledon title on Sunday, creating exactly 100 break points as he successfully navigated his way through seven matches during the past two weeks at SW19.
Since 1992 at The Championships, Lleyton Hewitt is the only other player to hit triple digits with break points created. Djokovic now takes over two of the top three spots on the critical leaderboard.
Top 10: Break Points Created at Wimbledon Since 1992
2002: Lleyton Hewitt = 110
2018: Novak Djokovic = 100
2013 Novak Djokovic = 96
2002: David Nalbandian = 95
1995: Andre Agassi = 91
1992: Andre Agassi = 90
1998: Tim Henman = 90
2012: Roger Federer = 89
1999: Tim Henman = 89
2002: Andre Sa = 86
It took exactly five points in Sunday’s final for Djokovic to dive into his predatory element – ready to pounce on a critical break point. Djokovic was poised to lace a trademark forehand or backhand return right back at Anderson, but both of Anderson’s first and second serves missed their mark, and Djokovic broke to start the match with a double fault gift.
Djokovic would see just four break points in the final, and would convert every single one of them. Twice during the tournament, he orchestrated a staggering 19 break points in a single match.
Djokovic Break Points: Wimbledon 2018
|
Round |
Opponent |
Break Points Won |
Total Break Points |
Conversion Percentage |
|
1 |
T. Sandgren |
7 |
19 |
37% |
|
2 |
H. Zeballos |
6 |
13 |
46% |
|
3 |
K. Edmund |
4 |
17 |
24% |
|
4 |
K. Khachanov |
7 |
14 |
50% |
|
QF |
K. Nishikori |
7 |
14 |
50% |
|
SF |
R. Nadal |
4 |
19 |
21% |
|
F |
K. Anderson |
4 |
4 |
100% |
|
- |
TOTAL |
39 |
100 |
39% |
The tournament average for break points converted was 36 per cent (804/4753), so Djokovic’s 39 per cent conversion rate was nothing special.
But when you look at how many break point opportunities were created by the other 127 players in the draw, you start to get a feel for the relentless scoreboard pressure the Super Serbian created. Djokovic was simply head and shoulders above everyone else who went deep in the tournament.
2018 Wimbledon: Break Points Created Leaderboard
100 = Novak Djokovic
68 = Rafael Nadal
62 = Kevin Anderson
58 = Roger Federer
Djokovic is widely regarded as one of the best returners in the history of our sport, and his return game was spectacular during the entire two weeks at Wimbledon.
2018 Wimbledon: Djokovic Returning Serve
No. 2 = Return Points Won vs. First Serve 36% (189/519)
No. 2 = Return Games Won 34% (39/116)
No. 5 = Returns In 74% (574/777)
No. 9 = Return Winners 10
T-13th = Return Points Won vs. Second Serve 56% (159/282)
When Djokovic broke Anderson, the average rally length on those break points was just three shots in the court.
Anderson Serving At Break Point
Set 1 0-0, 30/40 = 0 shots (double fault).
Set 1 1-3, 15/40 = 4 shots (Anderson backhand volley error).
Set 2 0-0, 15/40 = 6 shots (Anderson backhand groundstroke error).
Set 2 1-3, 15/40 = 2 shots (Anderson forehand groundstroke error).
Djokovic was also at his best from the baseline during The Championships this year, winning a higher percentage of points from the back of the court than any other year he has walked away with a Wimbledon title.
Baseline Points Won: Novak Djokovic Title Years
2018 = 55.9% (450/805)
2011 = 55.7% (397/712)
2015 = 53.7% (408/760)
2014 = 48.6% (427/877)
It wasn’t that long ago that Djokovic was being bundled out of the first round at March's two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events – the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open presented by Itau.
A lean year just turned gloriously golden.
