Tennis analyst claims one shot is ‘the reason why Novak Djokovic is the GOAT’
Former ATP player Nicolas Pereira has declared that Novak Djokovic’s backhand is “the reason he is the GOAT and why he is winning so much.”
The Venezuelan – who works as an analyst for Tennis Channel – singled out the great Serb’s backhand return for particular praise, describing the shot as “something to behold.”
Djokovic will face world No 4 Jannik Sinner in his second match at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin on Tuesday night as he seeks a record seventh title at the event. He is currently tied on six year-end championships triumphs with Roger Federer.
The 36-year-old overcame world No 10 Holger Rune in his opening match at the prestigious indoor hard-court tournament on Sunday. The Serbian is the defending ATP Finals champion, having downed Casper Ruud in last year’s final to claim his first title at the event since 2015.
During a discussion on Tennis Channel, Pereira and former WTA world No 6 Chanda Rubin picked the three players with the best backhands from the eight 2023 Turin qualifiers.
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Pereira selected both Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, while neither he nor Rubin could look past Djokovic for their No 1 spot.
“It was very tight, it was very close call in my No 3, but I go with Zverev. It’s tremendous. When he is on, that backhand is just very penetrating. He can do the slice really well, he has improved the volley on that side and the return, it’s just very solid,” assessed Pereira.
“I have to go with Carlitos [for No 2]. I like the feel, I like the power when he is standing right on top of the ball, I like how firm he is and how much he can trust it under pressure.
“These guys are all so good, but I agree with Chanda with Djokovic as the No 1. That’s the reason why he’s the GOAT, that’s the reason why he’s winning so much. And the backhand return from Djokovic is just something that he hits it so pure, every time in the middle of the strings. It’s just something to behold.”
Pereira reached a career-high ATP ranking of world No 74 and registered wins against Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker and Thomas Muster, before retiring in 1997.
As well as placing the 24-time Grand Slam champion on top, Rubin picked Daniil Medvedev in second place and agreed with Pereira by having Zverev in third.
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