Shots of the pros, EPISODE 1: Novak Djokovic's forehand

In this new video format, I will go deep into the best shots we've ever seen in tennis. Today, let's focus on Novak Djokovic's forehand. Djokovic is often praised for his backhand, which is logical because it's the best in the game.
But Novak's forehand can be underestimated even if he made three times more winners with his forehand than with his backhand at the 2023 Australian Open.
In this video, I'll help you to focus on three major aspects in the Novak's forehand :
1/ His preparation
2/ The whip effect
3/ The body transfer
Chapters :
0:00 - Intro : one of the best forehands in the world
0:25 - Three key points to focus on
0:43 - Novak's preparation (while moving)
1:37 - The grip is extreme!
2:02 - Novak's whip effet : a huge acceleration
2:51 - The contact point
3:21 - The path of his racket head
3:59 - His arm is bent!
4:18 - Your turn to play!
#tennis #tennistip #djokovic #novakđoković #tenniscoach #nolefam
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THE COACH
Patrick

[@wty989898]

Djokovic's forehand is very underrated - consistent and versatile

[@khanhnguyen-cy6jm]

Similar to Rafa’s backhand

[@tricker14]

@@khanhnguyen-cy6jm what 😭

[@jeevanpb3479]

​@@khanhnguyen-cy6jmRafa can't hit bh on slide.while nole can hit fh on slider by defense

[@saccount8009]

@@khanhnguyen-cy6jm bro

[@FMD023]

It’s consistency and depth control. His forehand already covers the 4 basic fundamentals of tennis. Control, power depth and consistency.

[@jimclawley9117]

You appreciate how much racket head speed Novak generates when you watch it live. His cross court forehand when pushed wide is the best in the game. I always felt Federer dominated him when he kept the ball central. When he’s moved wide, he gets crazy angles on both sides

[@rucas10]

Sensational video about Djokovic's forehand and the explanation and analysis of the blow is brilliant !

[@yogeshgurjar3290]

Thanks sir Love from Djokovic fan❤

[@grimson]

Something almost everyone gets wrong is the idea that the backhand is Novak's best shot. It's not. His backhand is just better than pretty much everyone else's backhand. But it's not better than his forehand. He has more winners and fewer errors on his forehand side than his backhand. It's extremely underrated.

[@FMD023]

It’s his overall consistency and depth control. If there was a positive or elite word for calling a pusher it’s kind of like that. He loves/ can grind out long rallies but when an opportunity opens up he’s going for the kill. His mental game is what has made him the goat now. How he can keep his cool From being down match points to come back and win. That’s the amazing part of his game people rewllly overlook

[@SwagDawg]

Probably not super relevant anymore... but I've always been fascinated with how nalbandian got so much easy power on the backhand and how he hit so many crazy angles.

[@gomriria2197]

The most underrated player ever

[@keyboardwarrior5315]

he has also mastered the forced and avoid unforced errors. His technique can be replicated but knowing where the balls are going is years of experience.

[@jozsefnagy8220]

Thanks!

[@federicotown8052]

Always some good content out there !

[@hearstzhang3881]

Awesome analysis

[@mounirbaich6563]

Wow this is amazing ❤

[@mantiskf]

Very many of the players with all time great backhands, only began to consistently win tournaments when their forehand became the weapon that hit the most winners. In some of the great rivalries, the one with the better Fh dominated.

[@federicotown8052]

Very nice !

[@caoy74]

Djokovic's bent arm is also his choice of style. He is not very aggressive. He is more balanced on his consistancy. A bending arm gives him move room to adjust at the price of power and topspin.

[@starlighthero6499]

Players can't really control whether they have a bent or straight arm at contact. It mainly depends on the natural genetics and forehand grip of the person.

[@haljam8828]

​@@starlighthero6499 genetics how?

[@waholoopesorry74]

Wrong

[@TheseHoesAreLoyal]

@@starlighthero6499 Genetics? 😂😂🤣🤣 I can hit with both bent arm and straight arm, what are you talking about

[@angeloterra]

bravissimo come sempre

[@H1tman3245]

First, i love your videos Patrick!!

[@BillYip-rb5wz]

Thanks. Good.

[@michaelbattat1236]

Excellent analysis as usual! Could you let us know when are the next few episodes? Thank you. Greetings from London

[@CHIRSJS33]

QUALITY!!!

[@miguellauandos1902]

Of course you make the best videos. And I know you’re coaching Rune. If there’s anyway you could make a video talking about the new modern, two hand backhand that those guys are hitting. Thanks again.

[@Charles-xm1ml]

Agree his FH is underrated. Thx Coach.

[@helloeveryone0123]

I’ve a eastern grip but I follow the same way Djokovic pushes his upper body forward to keep the ball in contact with the strings as long as possible. And it really helps.

[@ashalatha4030]

It's just wow.…! Analysis

[@user-bs2mv2bl1j]

Hello Patrick. Thank you very much for your valuable content, lot of respect. As a former tennis player and now a coach, I would like to know your opinion on two things: What do you think about playing international tournaments for kids - U12,U14, ITF U18 when they are not top in those categories VS. concentrate more on improving their game in practice and playing domestic tournaments. Second thing: How do you see ideal training plan/concept for children when they are still in the process of developing their bodies and growing in terms of quantity and redistribution of tennis/ physical prep./recovery/other complementary sports. Just an idea for some of your other videos🐻 All the best. Karo.

[@nikoladjelic9383]

Wow, feet, hips shoulders, movement. I have no idea what is important to be in balance to hit the right shot. Hours and hours of practice.

[@utilisateur4277]

La meilleur video de tous les coach que je suis. Supers explications. Vivement la suite. Mais j aimerais bien un petit brief suplementaire sur le fait qu on le voit sauter a l impact (ainsi que souvent la plupart des autres top joueurs en video) alors que c est formellement interdit pour les joueurs comme nous (je comprends bien le principe, point d ancrage et tout ca). Pourquoi pour eux c est cool?

[@egg1080]

o be honest, Novak doesn't have a single weakness in every skill. Almost every skill is at a very high level. Plus he has super strong mentality. That's why he's so great

[@gmailcgs]

Overhead smash is his weakest shot

[@thieunguyen4908]

His overhead is very shaky and unsteady for top tier level. I have never seen Novak backpedaling followed by a scissor kick overhead.

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

I don't think Djokovic's bent arm is because of his 'grip', he employs a semi western forehand grip just like Alcaraz, and Nadal, but those guys have a straight arm forehand at point of contact. I think the bent arm is a result of bio- mechanics, every person has a unique way of hitting their forehand.

[@pierre-marc.gareau]

Novak's forehand grip is in between semi-western and full western. He's more closed than Nadal, that's why he has to bend the elbow.

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

@@pierre-marc.gareau That doesn't make a difference, once the knuckle crosses the third bevel (eastern forehand), the grip becomes extreme and doesn't matter if it's semi or full western. The bent arm can happen in both semi western and full western grips, but not in an eastern forehand grip. I have yet to see a player who has an eastern forehand grip and also has a bent arm at point of contact. It's not bio mechanically possible.

[@pierre-marc.gareau]

@@Shankar-Bhaskar I agree 100% with you then. I thought you were saying that no matter the grip, bent arm can happen which like you said is impossible with the eastern grip. But I feel with a western grip like he's using, it's actually impossible to hit with a straight arm.

[@Shankar-Bhaskar]

@@pierre-marc.gareau That's exactly what I am saying, but what I still can't quite figure out is how guys like Nadal, Alcaraz, Rune can hit with a straight arm when they have semi western/ western forehand grips.

[@pierre-marc.gareau]

@@Shankar-Bhaskar Nadal's contact point is more far on the side of his body.

[@denisfogel6000]

The kids FH at 0:24 is also very underrated 🤣

[@TeamTennisfr]

Very important to consider that it's not necessary a choice to be arm bent or extended at impact. If not you could lose your time trying to do something that is not natural for you. And it's possible to have a huge forehand with a bent elbow at contact. See Kyrgios and many others.

[@kelvintrollol]

Do you think Novak's elbow problems are from the grip? I am just speculating but in the bodybuilding community, people think when you do bicep curls with palm up, it is 90% biceps, 10% brachioradialis. But if hammer curls, it is 70% biceps and 30% brachioradialis. So more burden on the biceps causing imbalance around the elbow joint and also palm up distorts the elbow from its natural position.

[@topspin1715]

Interesting point, it is possible but if you recall he had elbow surgery some years ago. Maybe he re injured it again and being older 35-36 now is not helping him either.

[@bournejason66]

Most of the pros on tour use bend arm forehand

[@topspin1715]

@@bournejason66 yeah I think it’s nearly all of them, only exceptions can be counted on a single hand (Alcaraz, Nadal, Federer, Jason Bourne) 😁

[@kelvintrollol]

@Bourne Jason My point isn't bent arm or not. My point is his western grip. Index knuckle on bevel 5. I hit with a bent arm too but with the same eastern/semiwestern that Federer uses.

[@topspin1715]

@@kelvintrollol Djokovic uses western grip? I use semi western like you.

[@asock69]

patrick really is the kakashi of tennis

[@markchan006]

When I first learn to play forehand, I tried to emulate Djokovic's racket prep. It's simple and effective.

[@waholoopesorry74]

That's very silly. Why would you not try to emulate a player with good form

[@melvinc23]

@@waholoopesorry74 ofc a player with 23 slams has crap form!

[@humanentity2214]

Is he using a semi western forehand grip?

[@hopehope5656]

what grip does use novak ? semi western ?

[@user-ln1jl7zp2v]

His forehand his great when he his having time but what about his forehand when we agress novak in a zone down the middle (slightly forehand). His grip and movement foster him to be faster however he can adjust his forehand and does he makes lot of mistakes ?

[@ClaudioPrado-em3dq]

Well is a real good tip, but I believe that recreational tennis players should not try to copy the technique of pro players, who have years of daily practice of their tennis. I think that amateur players should look for the most efficient simplicity in their shots.

[@batuhanaksoy3993]

Which grip he use? Western or semi-western or between thr western-semi western?

[@yakzivz1104]

this is the best breakdown of Novak's forehand. Djokovic's forehand is better than Fed's to me.

[@mateoperezdeandrade6529]

Can you please do Carlos Alcaraz forhand?

[@waholoopesorry74]

why... one of the worst shots on tour. Hits it as hard as he can every time... no variety. A lot like Rublev

[@johnholdsworth1878]

The most important piece of this video is 2:33 to 2:39. The angle of attack is almost completely flat.

[@dalina4009]

Djokovic forehand technique is the reason why he has so many issues with his elbow.

[@paulorogerio3733]

Como traduzir para português ?

[@FMD023]

I never knew how far eastern his grip is.

[@PRiKoL1ST1]

What forehand grip does mole use?

[@mjidbenbrahim6261]

Semi-western grip.

[@anatolydyatlov3235]

Oh man is total western grip not semi because he has not extented arm nadal use semi

[@alihassan9611]

Hi I noticed that djokovic is losing lots of points in his returns because he insists on returning the ball in the direction of his opponent although the rest of the other side of the court is empty.

[@PSS_FUN]

Please give a breakdown of Rafa or Alcaraz forehand and backhand

[@waholoopesorry74]

Alcaraz? Who's that?

[@PSS_FUN]

Are you mad or what 😂

[@vijaynarsapur147]

Right eye dominant?

[@patrickmouratoglou_official]

he is

[@marekw.9816]

Can't wait to try this and spray balls over the fence.

[@kbroph10]

Aren't you going to mention the color of his shoelaces? A lot of good stuff laced with some HOOIE! Can't turn his wrist without using his elbow? Ladies and gentlemen...there is an alien in the room. The knee bone's connected to the elbow bone. LoL :)

[@MikeHammerForEver]

Great video, but I disagree in one thing: Novak could hit his forehand with a straight, unbent arm. Nadal does and he has the same grip.

[@LondonHasFallin]

It's taking a toll on his elbow 😔 I feel that will be his retirement injury.

[@FC_Partizan]

Patrick is the best trainer in the world

[@rammohan1991]

you mean he has trained chardy , dimitrov , tsitsipas to glory

[@FC_Partizan]

@@rammohan1991 That means his players are nothing special ?

[@waholoopesorry74]

Every player he has coached, with the exception of Rune, have turned out worse than they were before he was hired. Just look at Serena and Halep. Horrible performance after Patrick came on board

[@rammohan1991]

@@waholoopesorry74 amen to that . He is nothing more than a charlatan and a snake oil salesman .

[@jackspradlin4183]

Nadal has more extreme grip and hits straight arm forehand, I started semi western grip and have no problem hitting with a straight but loose arm, Novak grip is semi western like most pros.

[@blissgenixinc]

Nole's elbow is injured! Thanks Patrick 😡

[@drlouiscardinal752]

Too much detail for my game lol …..but I assume the pros learn from these…..I can take more home from Patrick’s “short” videos

[@ianbuick8946]

How to play good at tennis: Be skinny. On a serious note: the more we rely on hip rotation the better we'll play tennis.

[@Jaksha]

You are not holding the same grip as Nole.

[@istvanmarton9913]

Really!? I think i could build a space ship sooner than execute Novak forehand as described

[@ilips6588]

When you load that much, you need to be quick on the ball and quick to move your arm..I believe amateur players like ourselves should rather get their inspiration from junior tennis players..12 year old boys or teenage girls..

[@pieterfaasen9148]

Not practical to copy for the average player.

[@Nill757]

Fine analysis, mostly swing and strike. Better than most anything else on the net. Yet its also mostly not useful for the game of tennis which requires movement. It appeals to the weekend club player who imagines executing that swing while standing still and never moving at the center baseline. All the accurate details of the swing simply will not be available if they can not move well, arriving on time, balanced, with good posture, good flexibility. Anybody in the phone book can clumsily run a few steps to the side. It's the athleticism of Djokovic's play that draws the eye here, where he is shifting weight, on time, coordinated, often off the ground. All that takes a lot of effort, completely unrelated to swinging the arm. These videos do nothing to improve it.

[@hayder.e8812]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rammohan1991]

Dear Mr.Patrick , please spare Hulger Rune from your vice like grip of ruining careers . Please let atleast one young talented guy make it . yours respectfully , a Rune fan

[@charleslucas2657]

Ce qui est étonnant c'est que le mouvement de coup droit est à peu près ce qu'il y a de plus malsain pour un bras. On a mal pour lui. Le sport nuisible pour la santé, je trouve que c'est un problème.

[@meshalsinnen5917]

No no no. Hitting a forehand well isn't so complicated.

[@c0mpuipf]

this guy spat like 4 times in the first 30 seconds wtf?! 😹

[@roter13]

Fix Coco's forehand

[@utsavsinha5157]

Nothing in this video needs to be taught specifically. If you just observe diligently, you will start hitting like him. I have done it myself without a coach.

[@waholoopesorry74]

Easily one of the worst shots among the all time greats. I would take Federer's backhand over Novak's forehand any day

[@juanmira429]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Novak's forehand is more efficient than Federer's and it's one of the best forehands in the world. Federer's backhand is his worst stroke, very overrated.

[@gotohellpunk]

But his forehand is not as beautiful and elegant and majestic as Federer and thus is inferior /s

[@juanmira429]

But is more effective, so is better