Do you think Djokovic and Murray are not using their attacking skills enough? Murray appeared to be in attack-mode at Wimbledon, but not in the US Open series. That is ironic, because Murray was facing a lot more pressure at Wimbledon. And Djokovic was a more attacking player in 2008-2011. Djokovic had a chance at Roland Garros but Nadal hit 22 winners in the 5th set to take it away.
britbox
Multiple Major Winner
I didn't see any Murray matches at the USO, but from the others I've seen since Wimbledon, he's looked a little flat. I'm thinking this is just a hangover from achieving his career dreams. He was never instinctively an attacking player though.
I haven't really seen that much of a swing with Novak. He's always had great defense. The main changes for me in 2011 were related to him being much better physically and also having a little more patience before pulling the trigger.
I haven't really seen that much of a swing with Novak. He's always had great defense. The main changes for me in 2011 were related to him being much better physically and also having a little more patience before pulling the trigger.
brokenshoelace
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Djokovic hasn't been too defensive in years. Murray is still pccasionally guilty of that but he's improved in that regard.
britbox said:
Yeah it seems like every now and then Murray goes on the attack for a slam but 90% of his slams have been rather conservative. He was in attack-mode in 2010 AO, 2008 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon. I think Djokovic attacked a lot in the clay events in 2011 in particular, but you are right his sudden mastery of stamina in 2011 changed his approach. The way he won the AO in 2008 was quite different to the others he won.
Broken_Shoelace said:
Djokovic was more attacking when he won the 2008 AO. Seemed to get more defensive since then, even before his crazy 2011 stamina.
brokenshoelace
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NADAL2005RG said:
Just because he was more offensive in one tournent over 5 years ago doesn't mean he's defensive now. Plus, his redults suggest he's been doing quite good for himself.
Broken_Shoelace said:
His AO results certainly (although that Wawrinka 4th round match was not terribly convincing). But to beat the big guns all-year, I'd recommend a more aggressive approach (especially when Djokovic supposedly has the ability to attack more than he is). But you are right, he's doing enough to get good results.
isabelle said:
I agree. I wouldn't call either of them a 'defensive player' (since there are like a hundred players on the tour more defensive than Murray/Djokovic), but I've seen Murray hit incredibly hard, so I sometimes wonder if he should be less defensive (as in try to end points sooner). But nah, Murray is not what I'd call a 'defensive player', and I agree he is like a chess player and a fine tactician. And he has the top-notch fitness to maintain that style if need be. At least by not unleashing his full power he knows he can turn to the power as a 'plan b' if things aren't working out; or even better he could play his usual style and just throw in a killer blow every now and then (which he did at Wimbledon, but not at the US Open).
Andrew William
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Everyone and their Uncle would love to be super aggressive every match. Some days you just don't have it. The line clippers are now out a smidgen. Or the weather is bad and playing it safe is wiser. That's what both Murray and Djokovic can do. Switch gears when necessary. Anyone can win matches when they're hitting on all cylinders. It's the truly special players who make due when they're not playing well. Rely on their feet and excellent technique to get through.
I would find Murray and Djokovic more entertaining if they were attacking as much as Nadal. Murray showed more aggression at Wimbledon this year, but not so much at the Australian Open and US Open. And Djokovic seems intent on winning with his retrieving more than anything, and that is why he was so physically gone after the Wimbledon semi. He may have just made the same mistake here at the US Open - Djokovic hit just 38 winners, Wawrinka hit 57 winners in their 5-setter. Nadal hit 35 winners in his 3 set semi. Djokovic had no problem recovering from his marathon 2011 USO semi vs Federer, or his 2012 AO semi vs Murray, however he was using the egg back then.
