I would put Medvedev in top 3 maybe ahead of Nadal if we consider recent years.. That guy covers the courts with ease. Nadal is growing old and his best might be over. But yeah still one of the best. P.S I am a Nadal fan
I Love Federer...I Am A Fed Fan..But Irrespective of Return.. Djokovic is Hands Down The Best...But I Expected Nadal On Upper than Federer Atleast... Specially by the Stats
@@shadilyamouri2186 Then Fed should try the 2 hander If It's so tough. It's about who has the better return, not who has the most trouble to return because he has a one handed backhand
I think some of you don’t watch tennis, he can put winners on Isner or Karl pic serve, of course he doesn’t return the same way as djokovic do, but he clearly deserves his 4th spot, he is just the goat, and the goat is one of the best returners in tennis history
Somehow good returns are equated with winners in this video. Looks great fr a short video but totally overshadows other aspects. For eg: the consistent depth that Novak puts on his returns time and again without giving any sort of angle to the server make him the best returner in the game and not these flashy winners.
Even the ATP website says that Nadal is a better returner. www.atptour.com/en/stats/leaderboard?boardType=return&timeFrame=52Week&surface=all&versusRank=all&formerNo1=false
@@gregorsamsa555, Rafa was the tour leader for return stats in 2019 too. Federer is 86th in return stats measured across career. Please stop kidding yourself if you actually believe that Federer is a better returner than Nadal, which is objectively false.
One of the few lists where Federer doesn’t belong. It’s seems you’ve only put him on to make him look good. & to put him above Nadal that makes it even worse. Yes like the shots in this video show, he has hit some great returns over his career. But he is not an amazing returner overall. Lacks consistency. The career stats don’t lie. This is for all surfaces by the way. He doesn’t even make the top 20 of career 1st serve return points won, only ranks as 100 for career 2nd serve return points won. & doesn’t even make the top 50 for return games won.
I totally agree. They begun to show stats at Rafa's place at the list and, with that stats, he should be at least on top 3. In other hand, if we look stats, Roger it's not so good as him.
I would put Nadal and some others ahead of Fed. But the return points stat is not all. Federer is so confident in his service an ability to up his game when needed against lesser opponents that he often let the game unfold until money time. He will take the serv if he can, of course, but he won’t try too hard if it doesn’t come easy.
One innocent question. What do you eat man before making videos? Roger over Leyton & Rafa, even though you are mentioning Rafa is 2nd in winning return games across surfaces. Even Fed fans will put dislike man!!
@@jbodski Coria is the all time leader in percentage of 1st serve return points won, percentage of 2nd serve return points won, percentage of return games won, and percentage of break points converted. One doesn't achieve such numbers with a mediocre return of serve. Definitely deserved a a spot on this list.
Coria to be honest had only 3 good seasons, and gone... It would be like consider Ivan Ljubičić as better server than I don't know let say Richard Krajicek
I think the sample size has the be considered with him too, he has not played as many seasons on a high level as some of these players He defenitely deserves a spot tho
Tsonga at his best would rape the shit out of Nalbandian or Ferrer, better volleyer, way better serve and forehand, Nalbandian is better in terms of movement, return and backhand. But Tsonga's forehand rapes anyone at his top
Imagine picking Federer as a better returned than Nadal. And omitting Coria altogether. Coria has the all time highest stats for % of 1st serve return points won, % of 2nd serve return points won, and % of return games won. Amongst active players, Nadal leads the list in those three stats, along with % of break points converted. Federer is 86th in those metrics, for context. But gotta make him look good somehow, so put him above Nadal on this list. What a joke selection.
As a Fed fan, yeah I think he is too high on this selection, the return of serve is not his best tool. He mostly just blocks the ball, and doesn't have the stretch that other players can produce such as Hewitt or Nole.
Returning well is not about hitting winners all the time but about being able to neutralize your opponent from the very start of the point again and again, with a lot of consistency. And that’s what Novak does really well
A guy who won eight slams and was regarded by his peers as the best returner the game had ever seen had a “solid” return. Thank you for that brilliant assessment.
At first I was surprised too but you could say that Rafa's return game is insane but he is "just" a good returner not a great one if you compare him to Novak/Agassi. Rafa isn't aggressive on his returns. He just put the ball back in play (which he does with an amazing %) and THEN he wins the rally because he's a amazing player rather than an amazing returner. I don't know if I'm clear ?
His clay numbers obviously inflate his overall average percentage. Plus he’s 1000 miles behind the baseline on the return - that’s hardly something to shout about.
@@MomoDaman10 Still wins him more points than most players. He wins more return points than Federer on hc and clay; that certainly puts him above Federer. I have no idea what Federer is doing so high. Fed's s very safe returner, with his blocks.
@RF-JWT Just in case you want numbers not only opinions www.atptour.com/en/stats/leaderboard?boardType=return&timeFrame=52Week&surface=all&versusRank=all&formerNo1=false
Most of these are attacking returnes on second serve which basically everyone can do, greater returns are the ones that are deep on the first serve bomb
I don’t think roger deserves to be in this list , his 1st return is good but 2nd serve return is week and defensive , His return skills declined after 2004-09 prime due to decline in movement and age
% points won in return games is different. Rafa is very effective not because of his return shot but because he's the best at rallies. That's why Djokovic has a better % of wins on return in the other two surfaces.
It's not like Djoker is just a good returner as well. He wins thousand of points because of his defense. People act like Rafa doesn't hit agressive returns, and they're the same people that claim Murray is conservative and boring while you can see him ripping the shit out the ball harder than anyone in this video
Well I knew who number one was going to be before the video started. And rightly so. I have personally never seen someone return serve better than Novak. I mean consistently, with control and depth and aggression when required. Not even close. I do agree with Murray and Andre being 2 and 3 though I probably would have swapped them round with Murray second. Andy is an incredible reader and returner of serve. In my opinion he is closest to Novak. Above Andre.
I agree with most of this list. I loathe Jimmy Connors, but he should be on this list. He went through whole title runs with his return alone because he had no serve. My list: 10. David Nalbandian 9. Ivan Lendl 8. Michael Chang 7. Lleyton Hewitt 6. Roger Federer 5. Rafael Nadal 4. Andy Murray 3. Jimmy Connors 1. Novak Djokovic 1. Andre Agassi Honestly, Djokovic and Agassi are a toss-up. Both are absolute murder on the return. Aggressive and accurate.
This is one of the main reasons I decided to stick with a 2hbh, it's better for handling returns. The 1hbh looks super sick and is satisfying to hit, but is generally a liability for me.
Yh. I'm a Fed Fan, but in general, I'm quite sure Nadal is better than Fed and Murray and possibly Agassi in returning. Just my opinion. Although he's never going to be better than Djokovic in returning.
@RF-JWT Um ... he is. I'm a Fed Fan, but you have to give credit to Djokovic. He often takes the ball early unless on clay, troubles the opponent, nullifies Federer's great serve, and you have Tsonga Wimbledon 2014 and the heartbreaking USO 2011 returns and much more.
@RF-JWT Oh, sorry. Yeah, people consider Nadal to be good returner because he's a good baseliner. Two very different things. Nadal's returns on grass, hard AND clay: takes it as late as possible and floats it up with ridiculous top spin to go as high as possible without making it into a smash for his opponent.
I reckon Federer use to be a better returner, 04-07 he could place it on a dime against even Andy Roddick. Now he probably just slides into the top 10 of today
Completely agree with this list. Till Novak blossomed to be the best returner of the game Agassi surely held that distinction. Funny to see Nadal and Federer so down the list in any tennis statistics but this list is without any doubt accurate.
And what about Jimmy Connors? He was aguably the best returner in the 80's. He should be on the list! Here's my top ten of the best returners of all time : 1. Novak Djokovovic 2. André Agassi 3. Jimmy Connors. 4. Miloslav Mecir 5. Roger Federer 6. Rafael Nadal 7. Andy Murray or John McEnroe 8. David Nalbandian 9. Nikolay Davydenko or Pete Sampras 10. David Ferrer
Before coming here I knew Federer would be on the list and comments would be complaining about it. It's a familiar pattern. FTR, I don't think he belongs above Nadal either. He's a special returner and an encyclopedia of returning does well to include his additions to the skillset, but in most years he didn't make the top 10 in the ATP return index, so by success alone I wouldn't include him at all.
Everyone saying Nadal is a better returner than Federer is dead wrong. Nadal has a better winning percentage for return points and return games because he is the best ever in neutral baseline rallies; however, when we isolate the return in and of itself, we can see that Federer is a much better returner than Rafa. Rafa has been upset on numerous occasions on grass because of his inability to return big serves. His long backswing makes it difficult to neutralize big serves and his return position really opens up the angles for big servers. Rafa's return position is only advantageous on the clay. On all other surfaces, Federer is a superior returner of serve.
Federer hits great return patches from time to time and is a master of defusing the big servers over his carreer. I dont see him on that list though because i myself remember too many games/sets/matches where he either returned horribly or didnt even put returns in play on big points. If you take federer of 2017 - maybe yes, but it s not fair to the others who have returned well over their entire carreers
Is Federer a better returner than Nadal?Nadal is the second best returner of all time based on stats. I think ATP should clarify which are the reasons to put Federer, Murray or Hewitt ahead of Nadal on this ranking
Isner who is a generational player with one of the biggest serve ever saying that djokovic its not only the n1 returner but n2 and 3 aswell says it all. .
1. Hewitt 2. Agassi 3. Djokovic 4. Chang 5. Murray 6. Nalbandian 7. Ferrer 8. Nishikori 9. Davydenko 10. Nadal. Also Ken Rosewell and Jimmy Connors were amazing in different era's.
I'll bet many old timers started out by hoping Agassi was on the list, then hoping he would make the top 5, then top 3, and finally being disappointed when he made #2. And then nodding their heads in agreement when they saw #1.
James Blake Was Not A Bad Returner Himself. Good Forehand Return. Good Backhand Return. There Were More Good Returners, But Can't Remember Them All. Loved The Video. Top 10 Best Servers Next. Some New Highlight Reels Videos Next, Like Malivai Washington, Alex Corretja And Maybe Many More To Come. 👍 🎾 🇬🇧.
Not having Agassi No1, invalidates the whole list. In the server generation, quicker courts, best servers, inferior strings, the guy killed it eg. Wimbledon 92. One thing returning in an era where 98% of the players you face are baseliners and you can hit a high ball over the net, but when you have serve volleyers it's a different ball game. Hit the dipper, stand up on the baseline, go deep, the guy had it all. Later on his wingspan went down with his movement but was still the best. He also was less likely to stand deeper and return defensively later on in his career. Also on the low bouncing courts, slice out wide was a lot more effective back then. No way djokovic is in the same league.
What?! You know Isner has the fastest serve ever across generations, remember? regardless of court speed, the speed of serve remains the same, and if Isner said that the three best returners are Novak, Novak, and Novak, that means Novak is by far the best returner he ever faced! Agassi is great but his return percentage is by far lower than Novak! And that is what it is, Agassi is nowhere near Novak!
@@gauravb2807 Isner isn't coming in behind his serve on a fast court. Andre routineoy had to return against serve and volleyers with booming serves, on faster surfaces. He had less time to react and a smaller window to hit his return into. He couldn't just block serves back or stretch to get a racquet on the ball. He had to be offensive on his returns or otherwise it's an easy volley for the on-coming net player. If Isner had to play Agassi on the slow molasses courts we have now, Andre would pick him apart with aggressive returns.
@@gauravb2807 As answered below by others. In addition, serve speeds were not measured the same way, so hard to tell who is the fastest of all time. Having said that, a serve losses much of its pace on impact with the surface. Eg a graphic at Wimbledon 2002 compared to 1992 showed a ball bouncing a lot higher and reaching the opponent a lot later in 2002. Therefore, a slower serve could reach the opponent just as quickly, if not quicker.
Federer is a better returner than Nadal??? Highly dubious choice... Ferrer, Nalbandian and Corria are definitely better returners than Federer. Cant argue about the top 3
For so many years no one was better than Federer at returning the big servers like Roddick and Karlovic. Underrated skill of his imo, just other bits of his game are more obviously good.
Nalbandian should be in the top 3, with Agassi and Djokovic. In a way he's even better because he is equally awesome at punishing second serves and neutralizing fast first serves.
The most impressive natural reflexes are the ones of agassi, chang and nalbandian.. Look at the timing of their preparation. The taller players have an advantage thanks to their reach and power.
Federer has got every shot in the book and so the return as well. Nobody advances forward to big servers like Roger does. Nobody has the touch of Roger. You can cry as much as you can over his 4th position but he truly deserves it. GOAT.
According to statistics, this is the list of the players which have the best % of returngames won: 1. Coria - 35,3% 2. Nadal - 33,6% 3. Berasategui - 32,4% 4. Djokovic - 32,0% 5. Jordi Arrese - 31.8% 6. Andre Agassi - 31,7% 7. Thomas Muster - 31,7% 8. Michael Chang - 31,6% 9. Andy Murray - 31,6% 10. Sergi Bruguera - 31,5% Others in this video are placed: Ferrer (11th), Nalbandian (21st), Davydenko (23rd), Hewitt (22nd), Federer (55th).......so Federer is not exactly the most effective returner on the tour.
I get it this gotta be every tournament category included, but grand slams! You know this if you are Djokovic fan, because his absolute best and 2nd best serve return winners aren't included! One against Tsonga at the 2014 Wimbledon on match point, that was so good that had to be challenged using hawk eye LOL and another against Federer at 2011 USO final on that ill famous double match point of Federer with which he supposed to close out the match and advance into the final heheh...
If you think of the return as just one shot, then it is ok to place Nadal like it is in this video (maybe Top 5). If you think about the return game, Nadal as the video says is the 2nd best returner of all time (% of return games won) which is actually what matters. You could say that Rafa's return is not as aggressive or that he does not achieve a lot of winners, but it is a perfect return for his game, because it allows him to start playing a baseline rally and then win. So each player has a different standard of what is a great return considering his game.
I know this might sound strange, but I feel like one of the most underrated returners in history is Andy Roddick. Deserves to be on the low end of this list.
Everybody knew who was gonna be no.1 on the list ✌🏽
Yeah baby
It would be disrespectful not to put Djokovic
Yeah some of his returns are absolutely crazy
Novak is the best returner of all time. He is like a wall, the ball will keep coming back.
Agassi is
@@disguy9447 nop
Unless you hit an ace😉
@@michelegavelli2479 yes
Yes
just considering players in activity, I'd say:
1.Djokovic
2. Nadal
3. Murray
4. Schwartzman
5. Nishikori
6. Medvedev
7. Federer
8. Goffin
9. Bautista Agut
10. Fognini
Just considering results: 1) Djokovic, 2) Nadal, 3) Federer, 4) Agassi.
Good list, Murray is better than Nadal in this department for me. Cheers.
Bilal Attal nice, thanks!
Murray > Nadal
I would put Medvedev in top 3 maybe ahead of Nadal if we consider recent years.. That guy covers the courts with ease. Nadal is growing old and his best might be over.
But yeah still one of the best.
P.S I am a Nadal fan
I Love Federer...I Am A Fed Fan..But Irrespective of Return.. Djokovic is Hands Down The Best...But I Expected Nadal On Upper than Federer Atleast... Specially by the Stats
Federer has a single handed backhand and it’s way tougher to return like federer rather than nadal’ way to return
Shadi Lyamouri why does he have it then?
@@shadilyamouri2186 Then Fed should try the 2 hander If It's so tough. It's about who has the better return, not who has the most trouble to return because he has a one handed backhand
No chance. Federer is the best in the world at neutralising big serves. He shreds isner karlovic roddick etc
I think some of you don’t watch tennis, he can put winners on Isner or Karl pic serve, of course he doesn’t return the same way as djokovic do, but he clearly deserves his 4th spot, he is just the goat, and the goat is one of the best returners in tennis history
Somehow good returns are equated with winners in this video. Looks great fr a short video but totally overshadows other aspects. For eg: the consistent depth that Novak puts on his returns time and again without giving any sort of angle to the server make him the best returner in the game and not these flashy winners.
Too true
Very well said
You are totally right
Did they seriously put Federer ahead of Nadal... What the hell. Like Federer is a good returner but Nadal is definitely better.
Idk about that
Even the ATP website says that Nadal is a better returner.
www.atptour.com/en/stats/leaderboard?boardType=return&timeFrame=52Week&surface=all&versusRank=all&formerNo1=false
Still dont know about that
Last couple of years, I think overall Roger is stronger than Rafa on return. Interesting...
@@gregorsamsa555, Rafa was the tour leader for return stats in 2019 too. Federer is 86th in return stats measured across career. Please stop kidding yourself if you actually believe that Federer is a better returner than Nadal, which is objectively false.
One of the few lists where Federer doesn’t belong. It’s seems you’ve only put him on to make him look good. & to put him above Nadal that makes it even worse. Yes like the shots in this video show, he has hit some great returns over his career. But he is not an amazing returner overall. Lacks consistency. The career stats don’t lie. This is for all surfaces by the way. He doesn’t even make the top 20 of career 1st serve return points won, only ranks as 100 for career 2nd serve return points won. & doesn’t even make the top 50 for return games won.
roseschocolate1991 That is so true. I agree completely, I love Fed, but you are certainly right...
I totally agree. They begun to show stats at Rafa's place at the list and, with that stats, he should be at least on top 3. In other hand, if we look stats, Roger it's not so good as him.
I would put Nadal and some others ahead of Fed. But the return points stat is not all. Federer is so confident in his service an ability to up his game when needed against lesser opponents that he often let the game unfold until money time. He will take the serv if he can, of course, but he won’t try too hard if it doesn’t come easy.
@@useyourheadpliz yea no, that's just bullshit
@@Johnny-cz2wv Wow, strong argumentation there Johny, you definitely convinced me!
6:43 That is probably the best return I have ever seen. That was faster than most of the first serves on the WTA.
djokovic's return against tsonga at the wimbledon is better
One innocent question. What do you eat man before making videos?
Roger over Leyton & Rafa, even though you are mentioning Rafa is 2nd in winning return games across surfaces. Even Fed fans will put dislike man!!
As good of a returner as Federer is, he shouldn’t be number 4 on this list
Legend says Djokovic once stole a bike. That's the only thing he hasn't returned.
Stolen joke.
Coria should've been here, after all, he has the highest percentage of return points won ever. Nadal is next on that list.
Fair, but they're talking specifically about the return of serve -- return points won needs to consider other factors. Good point though!
@@jbodski Coria is the all time leader in percentage of 1st serve return points won, percentage of 2nd serve return points won, percentage of return games won, and percentage of break points converted. One doesn't achieve such numbers with a mediocre return of serve. Definitely deserved a a spot on this list.
My thoughts exactly, was hoping to see Coria
Coria to be honest had only 3 good seasons, and gone... It would be like consider Ivan Ljubičić as better server than I don't know let say Richard Krajicek
I think the sample size has the be considered with him too, he has not played as many seasons on a high level as some of these players
He defenitely deserves a spot tho
It's a shame that most people know Nalbandian because of him kicking the line umpire and not all his other incredible tennis qualities
Nalbandian and Rios, 2 best players to never win a GS title, imo.
@@michelez715 I would replace Rios with David Ferrer, IMHO far better fighter on court, lot more consistent player
@@gregorsamsa555 Let's merge them then. Marcelo's talent, with Ferrer's fighting spirit.
Tsonga at his best would rape the shit out of Nalbandian or Ferrer, better volleyer, way better serve and forehand, Nalbandian is better in terms of movement, return and backhand. But Tsonga's forehand rapes anyone at his top
@@theobecquet8477 Ferrer lacks raw power while Tsonga and Rios mental sharpness...
Nadal 6 Federer 4 ?
I'm à big big fan of Roger, but your list is not correct
Imagine picking Federer as a better returned than Nadal. And omitting Coria altogether. Coria has the all time highest stats for % of 1st serve return points won, % of 2nd serve return points won, and % of return games won.
Amongst active players, Nadal leads the list in those three stats, along with % of break points converted.
Federer is 86th in those metrics, for context. But gotta make him look good somehow, so put him above Nadal on this list. What a joke selection.
As a Fed fan, yeah I think he is too high on this selection, the return of serve is not his best tool. He mostly just blocks the ball, and doesn't have the stretch that other players can produce such as Hewitt or Nole.
thank u, i was gonna ask who had the all time highest stats
Coria won nothing. How can he be in that list?
@@nicolaspalma9362 pregúntale a los grandes sacadores, a Nole y a Nadal si Roger no es un magnífico devolvedor de saques.
@@nicolaspalma9362 pregúntale a los grandes sacadores, a Nole y a Nadal si Roger no es un magnífico devolvedor de saques.
Returning well is not about hitting winners all the time but about being able to neutralize your opponent from the very start of the point again and again, with a lot of consistency. And that’s what Novak does really well
Djokovic is just in a league of his own
Djokovic va Tsonga at Wimbledon is the best return Ever played
Yeah but greatest is vs Federer USO 11
@@andrejmitrovic4958 ouaip grrrr 😭
@@--Jonas-- tg
Maybe I am biased,
But for me this is the best return ever
4:00
@@bilalattal2707 great return for sure, but best ever? Maybe the best of that tournament or best of thet year...
You mentionned the fact that Rafa is 2nd in terms of return games won in history across all surfaces but you ranked him at 6th WTF
his return of 2nd serve is not great : he return often to short
@1 % of % 1 no
There is no question, here Novak is best, but Agassi was a solid returner
Djokovic isn't as agressive as Agassi were on his returns.
2nd all time "tHEre iS nO QUesTIon Agassi WaS a SOLid rEtUrneR"
Well no shit sherlock
@@masters.1000 better reach, reactions, flexibility, control. Djokovic is better
A guy who won eight slams and was regarded by his peers as the best returner the game had ever seen had a “solid” return.
Thank you for that brilliant assessment.
@@masters.1000 He may not be as agressive but he is more consistent,and better overall. So your argument sucks
Only an absolutely nut job would put Fed above Nadal in this list. (I'm a big Fed fan).
This is more about ending the point on the return
Great to see the recognition Nalby deserves, but... ¿No Coria?
Guillermo Coria should be here! His numbers at clay (Return) are insane!!
Miss the one in Paris masters when Isner hit the ball to 2.16 m
It was amazing return from Novak
Why isn't there Kei?
Probably #11 if not #10 by the end of his career
Novak- the best returner ever and will soon be best player ever too-GOATT
How in the hell is Nadal 6th in the list, being the 2nd best in the history (all surfaces).
At first I was surprised too but you could say that Rafa's return game is insane but he is "just" a good returner not a great one if you compare him to Novak/Agassi.
Rafa isn't aggressive on his returns. He just put the ball back in play (which he does with an amazing %) and THEN he wins the rally because he's a amazing player rather than an amazing returner. I don't know if I'm clear ?
@@themightysk Absoutely spot on imo
His clay numbers obviously inflate his overall average percentage. Plus he’s 1000 miles behind the baseline on the return - that’s hardly something to shout about.
@@MomoDaman10
Still wins him more points than most players.
He wins more return points than Federer on hc and clay; that certainly puts him above Federer.
I have no idea what Federer is doing so high. Fed's s very safe returner, with his blocks.
Momo Benzema so, it still counts just because it’s inflated by clay, that’s still perfectly fair tennis that he’s played and won
Where is KEI NISHIKORI！
Nishikori should be there instead of Federer. Even Federer fans know he doesn't belong to this list.
Leo Smileater yup lmao
Hewitt and Federer better return than Nadal? Are u kidding me???
@RF-JWT Just in case you want numbers not only opinions
www.atptour.com/en/stats/leaderboard?boardType=return&timeFrame=52Week&surface=all&versusRank=all&formerNo1=false
Most of these are attacking returnes on second serve which basically everyone can do, greater returns are the ones that are deep on the first serve bomb
Spot on.
I don’t think roger deserves to be in this list , his 1st return is good but 2nd serve return is week and defensive , His return skills declined after 2004-09 prime due to decline in movement and age
In 2009 Fed was 27 years old, declain due age??
I love how early Murray takes his returns, absolute beaut.
Overall stats wise on all surfaces and everything, rafa return % are best followed by djokovic .
% points won in return games is different. Rafa is very effective not because of his return shot but because he's the best at rallies. That's why Djokovic has a better % of wins on return in the other two surfaces.
It's not like Djoker is just a good returner as well. He wins thousand of points because of his defense. People act like Rafa doesn't hit agressive returns, and they're the same people that claim Murray is conservative and boring while you can see him ripping the shit out the ball harder than anyone in this video
Well I knew who number one was going to be before the video started. And rightly so. I have personally never seen someone return serve better than Novak. I mean consistently, with control and depth and aggression when required. Not even close. I do agree with Murray and Andre being 2 and 3 though I probably would have swapped them round with Murray second. Andy is an incredible reader and returner of serve. In my opinion he is closest to Novak. Above Andre.
I agree with most of this list. I loathe Jimmy Connors, but he should be on this list. He went through whole title runs with his return alone because he had no serve.
My list:
10. David Nalbandian
9. Ivan Lendl
8. Michael Chang
7. Lleyton Hewitt
6. Roger Federer
5. Rafael Nadal
4. Andy Murray
3. Jimmy Connors
1. Novak Djokovic
1. Andre Agassi
Honestly, Djokovic and Agassi are a toss-up. Both are absolute murder on the return. Aggressive and accurate.
I would say that the best are obviously Djokovic and Agassi. Perhaps might go with Agassi because he played on faster courts though.
This is one of the main reasons I decided to stick with a 2hbh, it's better for handling returns. The 1hbh looks super sick and is satisfying to hit, but is generally a liability for me.
Too bad the stats were not available back then, I have a feeling that Connors would feature quite well in that list.
Nadal is the first in the return points win and he is 6 here lol
Exactly
Yh. I'm a Fed Fan, but in general, I'm quite sure Nadal is better than Fed and Murray and possibly Agassi in returning. Just my opinion. Although he's never going to be better than Djokovic in returning.
@RF-JWT Um ... he is. I'm a Fed Fan, but you have to give credit to Djokovic. He often takes the ball early unless on clay, troubles the opponent, nullifies Federer's great serve, and you have Tsonga Wimbledon 2014 and the heartbreaking USO 2011 returns and much more.
@RF-JWT Oh, sorry. Yeah, people consider Nadal to be good returner because he's a good baseliner. Two very different things. Nadal's returns on grass, hard AND clay:
takes it as late as possible and floats it up with ridiculous top spin to go as high as possible without making it into a smash for his opponent.
First in return games won but that’s not just about the return of serve itself. I think Murray and Djokovic have better returns than him.
Not just returner ,he is the best defender of all time
I reckon Federer use to be a better returner, 04-07 he could place it on a dime against even Andy Roddick.
Now he probably just slides into the top 10 of today
Completely agree with this list. Till Novak blossomed to be the best returner of the game Agassi surely held that distinction. Funny to see Nadal and Federer so down the list in any tennis statistics but this list is without any doubt accurate.
My favorite part of my game and the most overlooked part for many amateur and professional players!
Whether "ATP" returners or not, Jimmy Connors should be way up there.
And what about Jimmy Connors? He was aguably the best returner in the 80's. He should be on the list!
Here's my top ten of the best returners of all time :
1. Novak Djokovovic
2. André Agassi
3. Jimmy Connors.
4. Miloslav Mecir
5. Roger Federer
6. Rafael Nadal
7. Andy Murray or John McEnroe
8. David Nalbandian
9. Nikolay Davydenko or Pete Sampras
10. David Ferrer
Sampras tf?
“Nadal sits 2nd on the all-time list of percentage of return games won”
Puts him at 6th place.
@@TheNegligibleThinker-TNT How can you win return games without having a good return of serve?
Before coming here I knew Federer would be on the list and comments would be complaining about it. It's a familiar pattern. FTR, I don't think he belongs above Nadal either. He's a special returner and an encyclopedia of returning does well to include his additions to the skillset, but in most years he didn't make the top 10 in the ATP return index, so by success alone I wouldn't include him at all.
Of the Next Gen players, I'd put Medvedev in there. He's got great serves, but his returns (like the one against Dan Evans!) blow my mind.
i really like your top 10 selection here. ;)
Federer has THE best one-handed backhand return of all time. No one even comes close
No
Lmao, there's a bunch of players ahead of him
Gabriel Felipe for example?
Lendl was better on returns
@@gabrielfelipe7440 nah, I think he's the best we got
Everyone saying Nadal is a better returner than Federer is dead wrong. Nadal has a better winning percentage for return points and return games because he is the best ever in neutral baseline rallies; however, when we isolate the return in and of itself, we can see that Federer is a much better returner than Rafa. Rafa has been upset on numerous occasions on grass because of his inability to return big serves. His long backswing makes it difficult to neutralize big serves and his return position really opens up the angles for big servers. Rafa's return position is only advantageous on the clay. On all other surfaces, Federer is a superior returner of serve.
Yeah, and Roger destroyed Rafa in 2017 (in that year Rafa actually improved a lot his serve) because of improved return and especially backhand
Federer hits great return patches from time to time and is a master of defusing the big servers over his carreer. I dont see him on that list though because i myself remember too many games/sets/matches where he either returned horribly or didnt even put returns in play on big points.
If you take federer of 2017 - maybe yes, but it s not fair to the others who have returned well over their entire carreers
Is Federer a better returner than Nadal?Nadal is the second best returner of all time based on stats. I think ATP should clarify which are the reasons to put Federer, Murray or Hewitt ahead of Nadal on this ranking
Murray is the best returner on 2nd serve, and Djokovic is the best against 1st serve (hard hit vs block return), I think.
would love to see under where they rank high on a certain surface where they also rank on other surfaces
Name of soundtrack?
Isner who is a generational player with one of the biggest serve ever saying that djokovic its not only the n1 returner but n2 and 3 aswell says it all.
.
Great vid. I would have added players like Coria who was an excellent returner especially on clay (where he was the best according to the stats).
Hey thats the best *atp* returners. On Grand Slam, Davis and Olympics others are the best returners 🤣
Mgo Umk thats the stupid things that I heard today.
@@grandegrande4319 that sentence is up there for me aswell.
Can someone tell me the name of the song that's used here ?
1.Guys, how ON EARTH you can rank Federer above Nalbandian and Ferrer?
2.No Nishikori and Goffin?
To make things better, I agree with your top 3.
For me Agassi is number one in this list.
1. Hewitt 2. Agassi 3. Djokovic 4. Chang 5. Murray 6. Nalbandian 7. Ferrer 8. Nishikori 9. Davydenko 10. Nadal. Also Ken Rosewell and Jimmy Connors were amazing in different era's.
hewitt #1? What?
Sampras has said that Hewitt and Agassi returns were absolutely aggravating to a serve-volleyer
I just see the title and it came to my mind Nole !
i agree that world number one Novak is the best returner for sure thats one of the reasons he is still number one
Is there an official stat for the player that has been aced the most? (Maybe the worst returner?)
I'll bet many old timers started out by hoping Agassi was on the list, then hoping he would make the top 5, then top 3, and finally being disappointed when he made #2. And then nodding their heads in agreement when they saw #1.
Borg, Connors. Wilander. Lendl ... I gues this was 90s and later?
How can you possibly defend putting Hewitt above Nadal? Other than that great list
On fast surfaces Nadal's return is not that consistent
@@vivahernando1 I agree with you, on clay his awesome but other faster surface, he's average especially his forehand return.
6:44 murray wanted to destroy that ball
James Blake Was Not A Bad Returner Himself.
Good Forehand Return.
Good Backhand Return.
There Were More Good Returners, But Can't Remember Them All.
Loved The Video.
Top 10 Best Servers Next. Some New Highlight Reels Videos Next, Like Malivai Washington, Alex Corretja And Maybe Many More To Come. 👍 🎾 🇬🇧.
For me the best returner all time is Agassi, n.2 Djoko and n.3 Lewitt
Djokovic is the best of all time
*returner
@@zafferung4440 player also
So you are going to put Federer but not Nishikori?
LOL. True.
Not having Agassi No1, invalidates the whole list. In the server generation, quicker courts, best servers, inferior strings, the guy killed it eg. Wimbledon 92. One thing returning in an era where 98% of the players you face are baseliners and you can hit a high ball over the net, but when you have serve volleyers it's a different ball game. Hit the dipper, stand up on the baseline, go deep, the guy had it all. Later on his wingspan went down with his movement but was still the best. He also was less likely to stand deeper and return defensively later on in his career. Also on the low bouncing courts, slice out wide was a lot more effective back then. No way djokovic is in the same league.
What?! You know Isner has the fastest serve ever across generations, remember? regardless of court speed, the speed of serve remains the same, and if Isner said that the three best returners are Novak, Novak, and Novak, that means Novak is by far the best returner he ever faced! Agassi is great but his return percentage is by far lower than Novak! And that is what it is, Agassi is nowhere near Novak!
@@gauravb2807 Isner never played Agassi
@@gauravb2807 Isner isn't coming in behind his serve on a fast court. Andre routineoy had to return against serve and volleyers with booming serves, on faster surfaces. He had less time to react and a smaller window to hit his return into. He couldn't just block serves back or stretch to get a racquet on the ball. He had to be offensive on his returns or otherwise it's an easy volley for the on-coming net player. If Isner had to play Agassi on the slow molasses courts we have now, Andre would pick him apart with aggressive returns.
@@gauravb2807 As answered below by others. In addition, serve speeds were not measured the same way, so hard to tell who is the fastest of all time. Having said that, a serve losses much of its pace on impact with the surface. Eg a graphic at Wimbledon 2002 compared to 1992 showed a ball bouncing a lot higher and reaching the opponent a lot later in 2002. Therefore, a slower serve could reach the opponent just as quickly, if not quicker.
Federer is a better returner than Nadal??? Highly dubious choice... Ferrer, Nalbandian and Corria are definitely better returners than Federer. Cant argue about the top 3
Yes
Yez
For so many years no one was better than Federer at returning the big servers like Roddick and Karlovic. Underrated skill of his imo, just other bits of his game are more obviously good.
They're also better returners than Nadal too
@@oliverrooney6409 Federer is a great reader of serve, tends to return better against bigger servers, but lacks consistency
How are the novak returns vs matchball federer not here :D
When Gonzalez goes for the return, he goes for the return
Nalbandian should be in the top 3, with Agassi and Djokovic. In a way he's even better because he is equally awesome at punishing second serves and neutralizing fast first serves.
wheres nishikori?
In Japan 😉
@@gregorsamsa555 In Miami probably lol
Davydenko is the best returner in 2006 By a huge margin should've wrote that
The most impressive natural reflexes are the ones of agassi, chang and nalbandian..
Look at the timing of their preparation.
The taller players have an advantage thanks to their reach and power.
Federer has got every shot in the book and so the return as well. Nobody advances forward to big servers like Roger does. Nobody has the touch of Roger. You can cry as much as you can over his 4th position but he truly deserves it. GOAT.
gulbis ? nishikori ?
Federer at #4, what a joke. Have you seen his joke of a 2nd serve return over his whole career?
According to statistics, this is the list of the players which have the best % of returngames won:
1. Coria - 35,3%
2. Nadal - 33,6%
3. Berasategui - 32,4%
4. Djokovic - 32,0%
5. Jordi Arrese - 31.8%
6. Andre Agassi - 31,7%
7. Thomas Muster - 31,7%
8. Michael Chang - 31,6%
9. Andy Murray - 31,6%
10. Sergi Bruguera - 31,5%
Others in this video are placed: Ferrer (11th), Nalbandian (21st), Davydenko (23rd), Hewitt (22nd), Federer (55th).......so Federer is not exactly the most effective returner on the tour.
Biased because of % of clay games played..
Surprised not to see Connors in this list. I would place him near the top. Otherwise good list.
I get it this gotta be every tournament category included, but grand slams! You know this if you are Djokovic fan, because his absolute best and 2nd best serve return winners aren't included! One against Tsonga at the 2014 Wimbledon on match point, that was so good that had to be challenged using hawk eye LOL and another against Federer at 2011 USO final on that ill famous double match point of Federer with which he supposed to close out the match and advance into the final heheh...
Hewitt's returning was so good he basically ended the serve + volley game
Slowing down of courts ended serve & volley game. Agassi, Connors, Lendl et...i don't think they were serve & volley player yet played good.
If you think of the return as just one shot, then it is ok to place Nadal like it is in this video (maybe Top 5). If you think about the return game, Nadal as the video says is the 2nd best returner of all time (% of return games won) which is actually what matters. You could say that Rafa's return is not as aggressive or that he does not achieve a lot of winners, but it is a perfect return for his game, because it allows him to start playing a baseline rally and then win. So each player has a different standard of what is a great return considering his game.
Btw it is unbelievable that Coria is not there...
Novak saved the ball girl's life at 10:21
8:10 fantastich. lmao
How is Nadal no2 all time in return percentage on all surfaces yet ranked no 6 in this video???? makes no sense.
I know this might sound strange, but I feel like one of the most underrated returners in history is Andy Roddick. Deserves to be on the low end of this list.
Okay, this video would be fine if they put “in no particular order” somewhere
Top 2 was evident : the King and his heir.
There's a difference in having a great return and return games % won.
@tennistv, did you really put Nadal the 6th? Gotta be kidding me
I love Federer and all, but I really don't think he should be placed that high on the list - especially above Nadal...