Different quirks and patterns make each player’s gameplay truly unique and intriguing. Some bizarre habits and routines of tennis players reveal surprising patterns and superstitions. Let’s dive into them.
Patterns Of Success
If Novak Djokovic gets to a drop shot that is well below the net, most of the time, he re-drops back cross-court. It’s a clear pattern he’s followed for over a decade. It’s effective because there is more margin for error, and the ball goes above the lower part of the net.
Carlos Alcaraz’s runaround forehand footwork is so pronounced in the way he shuffles over and adjusts it perfectly to get to the ball just in time, meaning if it’s a slow ball, he will do a very slow and clear shuffle to his left, holds his racket out the whole time, then rip it 100mph.
Alcaraz’s best serve is a wide quick on both his first and second serves. He uses the threat of the flat T serve to make it more effective by forcing his opponent to stand more centrally rather than the inverse, where the mixup out wide opens up the flat T serve.
Jannik Sinner will chase down lobs and has a pretty unique spinning backhand that is very effective, rather than hitting a tweener.
Alexander Zverev has changed the height of his ball toss significantly since 2020. He tosses much lower now (4.3 metres in 2020 to 3.5 metres in 2024), which has resulted in fewer double faults for him.
Aryna Sabalenka, out of nowhere, started playing lots of drop shots around Madrid this year. It’s a smart choice, as her powerful groundstrokes often keep the opponent behind the baseline.
Alcaraz plays even more attacking than his already quite aggressive norm on big points. It’s like he wants important points to be entirely on his racket without giving his opponents even a chance to redline and decide it on their terms.
When in doubt, Stefanos Tsitsipas will start rushing the net to regain some confidence by volleying at his opponent. He feels great there, and it helps him recover in many situations.
Patterns Of Failures
Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev both often can’t hit putaway forehand winners from highly advantageous positions and are forced to rest back to neutral in the rally.
If an opponent tries a drop shot against Tsitsipas, there’s a high percentage of chance he doesn’t even chase it.
Naomi Osaka hits the ball so flat that, at times, she has trouble putting away shots at the net because she doesn’t get enough net clearance. The same can happen to Elena Rybakina but not quite to the same extent.
Interesting Quirks And Serve Rituals
Frances Tiafoe is running around like a Gazelle, explosive and graceful during a point. But as soon as the point is over, he suddenly starts moving like a 70-year-old, kind of a limp.
Dominic Thiem closes his eyes while making contact with the ball. He always has and would rip the ball with his eyes closed.
Sofia Kenin’s no-look ball toss while serving is one of a kind.
Frances Tiafoe, during his ball toss, lets out a sound that sounds like “Awp.”
Jan-Lennard Struff always spins the racket before tossing the ball, and he barely bends his knees or leaves the ground when serving, yet he generates a lot of power.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
