Top 5 Greatest Returners of Serve in Tennis History

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  • Опубліковано 21 гру 2024

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  • @IntuitiveTennis
    @IntuitiveTennis  Рік тому +1

    Top 5 Serves 👉 ua-cam.com/video/mIGrCiHkAKA/v-deo.htmlsi=jBTgaUYXo6hLV79f
    Top 5 Forehands 👉 ua-cam.com/video/_QX01OL9ZEw/v-deo.htmlsi=d57DZmtD5D0qxhk-

    • @leebrandt8597
      @leebrandt8597 2 місяці тому

      Pete Sampras is the geatest server in the history of the sport

  • @ericfreeman5795
    @ericfreeman5795 Рік тому +10

    Great video, Nick. And I loved how you gave the 90s players the recognition they deserve, considering the playing conditions back then. It is so annoying, after watching videos of the dominate players of past decades, to read comments by condescending know-it-alls with their "These players would be crushed by today´s players".
    Also, I love the mention of Jimmy Connors. Back in his prime, he could win on any surface. He won the US Open on grass, clay, and cement. The only reason he didn't have a shot at a calendar grand slam in 1974, where he won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, was because he was banned from playing at the French Open that year.
    Great video Nico.

  • @PrecisionPointTennis
    @PrecisionPointTennis Рік тому +7

    This is great. I’ve always believed Agassi had the best return and you explained it perfectly why it’s so. He learned it from me and Nick. That’s what o did best back in ‘85. Nick studied my forehand return of serve and video taped it and Agassi watched how I hit it. He never could return like he did later on back in ‘85. So proud of him. He is a legend and I’m grateful I got to train and play with him (and crush forehands of mine) before he became super great. Thanks for the video

    • @IntuitiveTennis
      @IntuitiveTennis  Рік тому +1

      🙌

    • @sleepyjoe5251
      @sleepyjoe5251 5 місяців тому

      @@IntuitiveTennis Stopped taking you seriously after this video. Putting Agassi above Djokovic on the return is something only a fed cultist would do. The Fedal bias is strong throughout your vids and it's clear you can't let go of your resentment of Novak for beating your idols.

  • @ap7498
    @ap7498 Рік тому +11

    Thanks Nic, good explanation. I would add an honorable mention for Monica Seles. I know in women’s tennis that they do not face the same level of serving compared to the men, but her mentality and execution on the return changed women’s tennis.

    • @IntuitiveTennis
      @IntuitiveTennis  Рік тому +1

      💯

    • @whatab0utb0b
      @whatab0utb0b Рік тому +2

      Man, I loved watching peak seles vs graf just about as much as Agassi vs Sampras back in the day. Such high level tennis and contrasting styles. An absolute joy to watch

  • @LionelHutz619
    @LionelHutz619 Рік тому +7

    i just want to say you are a legend for making great tennis content

  • @Sweeney-Kubach
    @Sweeney-Kubach Рік тому +4

    Andre was so observant that he seen that Becker would stick his tongue out on a kick serve and Andre knew what serves were coming. Andre and Krickstein are my all time favorite player’s, I have a few other modern and older players also, but when I was younger man I watched so much video of them because of their ability to stay in matches and they never quit. Great video Coach Nick.

    • @bobc7066
      @bobc7066 Рік тому +1

      excellent about Beckers tongue.

    • @narcyznarcyz-uv4td
      @narcyznarcyz-uv4td Рік тому

      I think That story was made up only to.make his book more interesting.. If you watch closly videos with Becker game you will find out that only in 1991 he was occasionaly sticking his tounge before service and also I noticed that a few times he had his tounge out in the same spot but service was once on backhand side and then forhand.. In 1995 they played 4 times ( Indian Wells , Wimbledon Us open and Exhibition in Africa) and Becker not even once did his tounge and still Agassi beat him 2 times .......

    • @Sweeney-Kubach
      @Sweeney-Kubach Рік тому

      @@narcyznarcyz-uv4td sure it was made up, that is why Andre destroyed Beckers serve!

    • @thomasmedeiros5722
      @thomasmedeiros5722 Рік тому +1

      I played against several players that definitely had “tells” when they were going to hit a certain placement or type of serve. One of those guys was a huge Boris Becker fan. My Becker clone would make a double move with his racquet and ball when he served flat down the middle. He also placed his toss in a different position on his big kick serves. I loved returning serve against this guy.

  • @jeremyrogers1247
    @jeremyrogers1247 Рік тому +6

    My picks are similar to yours Nic but maybe I would put Novak at number 1. Federer and Nadal definitely worthy of inclusion in the list. If the list was expanded to top 10 returners I would have also included Andy Murray. The fact that the Big Three are in your top 5 also shows how fundamental the return of serve is for being a great champion.

  • @sergiosimbula
    @sergiosimbula Рік тому +3

    Love it that you put Agassi on top. Plus happy you mentioned Rios.

  • @returntotennis706
    @returntotennis706 Рік тому +1

    Great video! Andre Agassi return game was amazing to watch, made it look easy.

  • @paulc7804
    @paulc7804 Рік тому +3

    100% agree with your number 1 pick. Wimbledon Final 1992 against Goran Ivanisevic says it all. Fast Wimbledon grass courts where serve and volley was thought to be the only way to win at the time + One of the biggest servers ever.

  • @knotwilg3596
    @knotwilg3596 Рік тому +3

    I always like to give mine before I look at yours. 1 Djokovic and 2 Agassi are almost a given. But then? In today's game, I see Rune, with his aggressive stance in the court and quick reflexes, much akin to Fed's who however couldn't exert the 2HB Rune has. And on the opposite side Medvedev who is almost in the stands but has great court coverage. It's reminiscent of Nadal, who is hard to omit in any list. In the old days Borg was very good at neutralizing serve. During the high days of S&V it's hard to pick great returners. So I'll stick with 3 Borg 4 Nadal and 5 Rune or Meddy. I'm sure though your 3/4/5 will remind me of a few glaring omissions.

    • @bobc7066
      @bobc7066 Рік тому

      one person not getting enough respect because he was in the wood racket era.. was the real GOAT... Rod Laver.

  • @farid1406
    @farid1406 Рік тому +1

    Glad to finally see someone take the speed of eras into account. 'Dre had the best return of serve in history by my reckoning too. Great work!

  • @thomasmedeiros5722
    @thomasmedeiros5722 Рік тому +1

    Love your list. I am a senior player who was trained to play back in the day when Connors was at the top of his game. My coach always used Jimmy Connors footwork and tactics during our training sessions. I am 5’5” so I’m not going to serve aces but using JC footwork and tactics I developed a very strong return game. I got to watch Connors from behind the baseline at about 6 tournaments I went to and learned just watching him play. Eventually I got into coaching and my favorite return of serve player was Andre Agassi. Again it’s all about the footwork. Also with Andre it was about taking the ball on the rise and controlling the point.

  • @palavsudesh
    @palavsudesh Рік тому +2

    Great pick for Number 1 returner of serve!

  • @bobc7066
    @bobc7066 Рік тому +2

    great video...great analysis... and thanks for giving respect to all those players. Also, good reasoning for #1.. You are right... excellent era of big servers. It was definitely the era of serve and volley. Lastly... who was the only person to beat all of the big 3 in the same tournament?

  • @josephlerma4991
    @josephlerma4991 Рік тому +4

    Me personally I would’ve put Andy Murray on this list, returning was probably the best aspect of his game and he would usually hit his return right at ur feet if not past you

    • @jeremyrogers1247
      @jeremyrogers1247 Рік тому

      Yes, Murrays returning abilities are frequently mentioned by tennis commentators.

  • @babolat1979
    @babolat1979 Рік тому +2

    The stories of his Agassi’s father using the Dragon (ball machine) on Andre are nuts.

  • @hansolsson3409
    @hansolsson3409 Рік тому +2

    Great video Nick! 😀😀

  • @rickbruner
    @rickbruner 5 місяців тому

    Great analysis spanning all of modern tennis history, Nic. I've seen Agassi return up close and it was amazing. Particularly enjoyed and agreed with the Connors analysis. His ability to reach wide with the two-handed backhand and pummel the return with pace was the best in history IMO... and he did it with the steel T2000 racket -- with a head that was closer to a ping pong paddle than a modern composite tennis racket. That technology was part of the reason he couldn't take full swings/finishes like Djokovic.

  • @eddiepearce5307
    @eddiepearce5307 10 місяців тому +1

    that is a VERY intelligent and CORRECT video. Yea I agree Agassi the best facing all the serve and volley players Sampras namely. Who still holds record for aces in a year GORON I. It was another era and a BETTER one.

  • @tehatte
    @tehatte Рік тому +1

    Most people say Djokovic and Agassi are the best two but who is better I think it’s hard to compare. There’s different elements in the return. I didn’t watch Agassi a lot back then so I don’t know how he returns but for Djokovic it’s amazing about him is his reflexes, stretching ability, reading/guessing the server, and modification of the racket/power to put the ball back in deep.

  • @michaelgarza8271
    @michaelgarza8271 5 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for picking Andre.
    Bring back fast surfaces and fast balls.

  • @heinzconrads5243
    @heinzconrads5243 Рік тому

    So important that he points out the diffrent conditions of the 90ies.

  • @ustulo3488
    @ustulo3488 3 дні тому +1

    Younger casual fans probably almost never saw Andre play and don't understand the differences between how fast the surfaces were back in his era and the speed of the ball compared to Novak's era. That's why Andre is correctly number 1 just above Novak who is as talented as Andre on the return. Also everything you said about Andre competing against the fastest serving era ever is absolutely true. The only serve I've seen in recent years that is anywhere near as big as Goran, Sampras etc. is Nick Kyrgios.

  • @LuLu-nw6bi
    @LuLu-nw6bi 10 місяців тому

    The best offensive + defensive return - Nalbandian. He could punish weaker serves as well as neutralize the super speedy ones. His anticipation, reflexes and ball-striking off both sides were elite. The pace, the variety, placement, angles, shot-selection... top-spin, flat, slice, forehand or backhand, he had it all.
    The rest of the top 5: Agassi, Djokovic, Murray, Connors.

  • @andreh202
    @andreh202 Рік тому

    Exactly. Agassi was able to do his returns with blistering pace and topspin with the ball going down the line, whereas Djokovic's returns are more flat and sometimes , parrying the opponents' shots.

  • @grahamjohnston8489
    @grahamjohnston8489 Рік тому +1

    Novak modelled his backhand off of Andre’s. I don’t think he would be disappointed with this list. 👍

  • @narcyznarcyz-uv4td
    @narcyznarcyz-uv4td Рік тому

    That was my top list before watching your video:
    1 Agassi
    2 Djokovic
    3 Karol Kucera
    4 Becker
    5 Kafelnikov.
    I absolutely disagree about Nadal to have a great return but this is only my opinion , however I totally agree with the best 2 returners of the game....All.the best Nick and thanks for your videos..

  • @crunchtimeeats347
    @crunchtimeeats347 Рік тому

    Great list. Not sure if Rafa belongs on this list though. He had a great return game, by willing to fight like hell after he put the ball in. Not quite the same thing though. I like the suggestion of Seles in the top 5.

  • @alpsala
    @alpsala Рік тому

    Thanks Nick, I don't get any of this kind of information at Boylan Tennis Center.

  • @charliewalsh9247
    @charliewalsh9247 Рік тому +9

    Andre is the GOAT in returns. Period

  • @boriskostic6964
    @boriskostic6964 9 місяців тому +2

    Djokovic 1
    Agassi 2
    Murray 3
    Federer 4

  • @tomsd8656
    @tomsd8656 Рік тому

    I did the same, putting Agassi as the best returner above Djokivic, and needless to say, Djokovic fans were livid.

  • @SuperWhofan1
    @SuperWhofan1 Рік тому

    You got it right. Agassi was in a class by himself when it comes to returning serve.
    Anyone who disagrees is too young to watch him play.
    Agassi played during ERA of the big servers.

  • @josedeejay
    @josedeejay 6 місяців тому

    I love me some Agassi..definitely belongs on the list…but not number one
    Agassi was a great returner with good reading skills and reflexes. But he gambled a lot. You can see that when he misread the serve, sometimes he ends up on the opposite side of the ball. Not saying that’s bad. But other returners dont guess as much and go purely on reaction. Having better results on average.
    I also think roger is above nadal. But love the fact that you’re acknowledging both of them as top returners.
    Also, Murray should be very high since he has (or had) the best return games stats.
    1. Djoko
    2. Murray (numbers dont lie)
    3. Agassi or roger
    5. Rafa

  • @paulinooliveira6019
    @paulinooliveira6019 Рік тому +1

    You could make this kind of videos as a reaction video. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  • @arvpreenja3090
    @arvpreenja3090 Рік тому

    Connors was the pioneer in returning serves and Agassi took it to the next level. Djokovic perfected it.

  • @ethanhan7402
    @ethanhan7402 Рік тому

    Hey Nick, if the next video is about best backhands, is it ok to not categorize single handers and double handers because i think to rank the best backhands is by regarding to effectiveness and how punishing a backhand must be. I've seen a lot of people making videos categorizing the backhands and I'm personally sick of it. I know single hander backhanders (including myself) have a disadvantage but i just wanna see if they can compete with the best of the best.

    • @bengray5013
      @bengray5013 Рік тому +1

      Disadvantage but also advantages to both single and double handed backhands

  • @armandoanderson3536
    @armandoanderson3536 Рік тому

    Agassi... in full agreement. Also the first power hitter to break out into the tennis scene, especially in the new era of graphite. I'm sure there were others but he made the biggest splash imho.

  • @bachnghiem6920
    @bachnghiem6920 Рік тому

    Agassi picked up Becker's serving habits so knew exactly where Becker was serving. Agassi revealed this later after he retired.

  • @krisztianszabo88
    @krisztianszabo88 Рік тому +1

    I'm a Rafa fan, and he does have one of the best return games (on clay), but in terms of the stroke itself, I wouldnt put Rafa in the top 3. Especially on quick surfaces, he often mistimes the forehand return, as he doesnt have time to finish his usual motion, and when he is not at his best, he tends to be too short on his returns, both BH and FH. Also, I think Murray would have deserved top 5 at least.

    • @IntuitiveTennis
      @IntuitiveTennis  Рік тому +1

      One of the best ?? 🤯 Nadal is on top of most return statistics (ahead of Nole)
      Atptour has all the data on their website

    • @TheNeoGriot
      @TheNeoGriot 2 місяці тому

      I don't understand all these people in the chat not respecting Nadal's return. As our host mentioned in the comment above me, Nadal leads most all-time return statistics. There is no doubt he deserves his place in the top 2 of returners based on ability to break serve. As far as individual return quality is concerned, we know that Rafa has some of the best hand skills in tennis history, and we saw at Wimbledon 2006-2011 (especially), that he can hug the baseline and shorten his swings brilliantly when he needs to. Rafa may stand far back (he revolutionized the game with this position, btw), and he may not always be looking to attack the return, but as the video says, his strategy is to neutralize the serve so you then have to contend him in the ground game. Also, his percentage of returns in play is extremely high for his career.

  • @c.m.t.9694
    @c.m.t.9694 Рік тому

    what about greatest returners on the wta tour?

  • @thefridgeman
    @thefridgeman Рік тому

    I would have put the same, Agassi first, then Nole.
    Liked Agassi a lot, we even copied his walking style on court :D

  • @RobTennisBeckenham
    @RobTennisBeckenham Рік тому +1

    you forgot Murray

  • @laurent9752
    @laurent9752 Рік тому

    Agree...

  • @mechkapechka
    @mechkapechka Рік тому +2

    Davydenko was the best returner season 2006 by stats ! in both his matches with Fed he broke him 3 consecutive games in the 3rd set in the USO SF and in the 4th in the AO QF.. who can say they broke Fed 3 consecutive games ? ... in a single season in 2 consecutive matches

  • @bendixonmusic7149
    @bendixonmusic7149 5 місяців тому

    Imo Murray needs to be on this list, especially over Roger and Rafa, Rafa’s numbers on return games won might be similar to Murray’s but that was more built on the back of Rafa’s ground game than his serve return

    • @TheNeoGriot
      @TheNeoGriot 2 місяці тому

      It's so strange that all these people can acknowledge that Rafa didn't have the strongest serve, yet cannot acknowledge how great his return game must have been to compensate for that. I mean, how else do you think the man won 22 grand slams without a great serve? His return game had to have been spectacular. The return of serve quality is judged by how high of a percetage you can get back into play, and how well the return gets the returner into a neutral or advantageous position....beyond that, the vast majority of return points are won from rallies, not straight up retun winners. For Rafa, neutral in a rally is almost always advantageous for him. Over their entire careers, Rafa was superior to Murray in both getting returns back into play and in neutralizing the return. So, no, Murray shouldn't be on the list over Rafa. I don't argue, though, that he shouldn't be on the list at all.

  • @michelvoortman4725
    @michelvoortman4725 8 місяців тому

    Same players again. I wouldn't have mentioned Muster and James Blake (shouldn't he be on the forehand list?). My top 5 in no particular order: Agassi, Hewitt, Djokovic, Murray and Nalbandian. Nalbandian could be replaced by David Ferrer or Davydenko. Honorable mention: Richey Reneberg (see if people know who that is).

  • @unitedpvp1372
    @unitedpvp1372 Рік тому +1

    Although I think novak has the best return ever, I can't be mad with andre being #1

  • @benjitall1536
    @benjitall1536 5 місяців тому

    Too much weight given on the era of brilliant servers and quicker surfaces. They're the only two factors that gives Agassi an edge. Nevertheless, Djokovic had moments where his return of serve shined on match points... in an atmosphere where crowds were against him. Djoker also survived a barrage of amazing serves by Raonic, Berrettini and Hurkacz to name a few and his h2h against a lot of servebots and amazing servers in general is nothing short of amazing. Doing this with a long career span...have to give Djokovic the slight edge.

  • @sarkology
    @sarkology Рік тому

    Doesn’t Coria have the best return game statistically? I think he has the hugest % break of serve in tennis history. And Agassi is ahead of Novak on that list too, and facing tougher conditions to break

  • @davidaldrich3488
    @davidaldrich3488 Рік тому

    When I saw this A A was the immediate answer before watching

  • @pierre-marc.gareau
    @pierre-marc.gareau Рік тому +1

    My favorite Novak's return was... in Serbia just before Australian Open 2022.🙊

  • @pocketmatch8358
    @pocketmatch8358 Рік тому +2

    Hmm I think this channel lost some credibility with that opinion. I doubt Andre Agassi can save 40-15 against Fed at 2019 Wimbledon

    • @brianbarrett192
      @brianbarrett192 Рік тому

      No.

    • @knotwilg3596
      @knotwilg3596 Рік тому +2

      That would indeed have been hard at 49 years of age. Likewise Novak at 4 years of age would probably not have been able to return a Sampras serve.

    • @pocketmatch8358
      @pocketmatch8358 Рік тому +3

      @@knotwilg3596 that makes no sense. Agassi in his early 30s played against federer and got whooped. Couldn't return feds serve, while Novak in his early 30s returned Fed's serve with unparalleled returning

    • @pocketmatch8358
      @pocketmatch8358 Рік тому +1

      @hamburgerfeet5516 a least dominant Federer? You mean the 2006 Federer who won 10 majors+ between 2004 - 2008?
      He played Fed in his best years. Fed won more majors between 2004 -2008 where Andre played him than majors in feds 30s

    • @pocketmatch8358
      @pocketmatch8358 Рік тому +1

      @hamburgerfeet5516 your original comment stated “a less dominant Federer.” And I was pointing out Fed was not less dominant in 2006, if anything he was more dominant. And Agassi could not break through Fed in returning.
      Roddick only beat a baby djokovic. I’m not crazy about djoko, I’m a Fedal fan. But even I know djokogod returns are miles ahead of Agassi

  • @bzo218
    @bzo218 Рік тому

    If you fast forward along the timeline you can watch the water puddle dry

  • @bandohabandoha2482
    @bandohabandoha2482 Рік тому

    It’s Agassi

  • @donaldwong415
    @donaldwong415 Рік тому

    Connors Top 2

  • @MERIDIAN2251
    @MERIDIAN2251 Рік тому

    Myself

  • @tonydaysog9164
    @tonydaysog9164 6 місяців тому

    1. Connors 2. Agassi 3. Borg 4. Nadal 5. …..

  • @higgsboson2280
    @higgsboson2280 Рік тому

    Murray! What?

  • @Shaludance
    @Shaludance Рік тому

    How are you so sure players of today cannot return even way better on the older faster surfaces and vise versa.

  • @bengray5013
    @bengray5013 Рік тому

    Stats prove Agassi is the best returner ever...

  • @muriloborges9481
    @muriloborges9481 Рік тому

    Agassi is not better than Djokovic return…point…he was awesome, but not the best

  • @yongli4304
    @yongli4304 Рік тому

    Putting Nadal ahead of Federer is ridiculous. If you put Agassi ahead of Nole, because nowadays player all stand way behind the baseline, then Nadal is the one who started all this.

  • @boriskostic6964
    @boriskostic6964 9 місяців тому

    I disagree I think Federer has a better return than Nadal

  • @mail2vw
    @mail2vw 6 місяців тому

    Agassi picks Djokovic