ATP: Return strength: Thiem with great length, Djokovic rarely too short

Evaluations prove: Dominic Thiem returns with good length from the outside – especially on the debut page. Not surprisingly: Novak Djokovic delivers great figures overall.

Good length on the return is the be-all and end-all – neutralizing the sharp impact grenades is the top priority on the recoil side. But how do the top 20 perform in terms of the length placement of their returns?

ATP data guru Craig O’Shannessy has evaluated the returns of the current top 20 on first serves (from all Masters events and the ATP World Tour Finals from 2011 to 2018). Its three return categories: short (into the T field), medium (behind the T field, but closer to the T than the baseline) and long (behind the T field and closer to the baseline).

Result on the debut side: Dominic Thiem is in the best position – with 33.7 percent long returns (but also 21.3 percent into the T-field, which is only slightly better than the average). Strong: Novak Djokovic, who only hit 17.9 percent of his returns into the T-field.

On the advantage side, Djokovic is leading twice: with 28.9 percent long returns and only 21.6 percent returns to the T-field. Thiem is also in fourth place with 26.1 percent long returns.

Not only the best Thiem and Djokovic on both sides, but also on average it becomes clear: The returns from the first side (i.e. returns with the forehand for right-handers) succeed more often with a good length than on the advantage side.

“Leading” in terms of (too) short returns on the debut side: Rafael Nadal with 31.8 percent; on the advantage side it is even 34.7 percent. Worst, i.e. shortest returner, is Sam Querrey with 37.6 percent. Good thing he has one of the best serves on the tour!

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