“My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going,” said Novak Djokovic as he prepares to return to the Wimbledon Open after the fateful surgery. However, as the Serbian is on the path to recovery, tennis experts are debating and discussing the best serves on the tour. Eugenie Bouchard surprised everyone when she chose Djokovic’s serve as one of the best in the ATP!

On 20th June, in conversation with Steve Weissman and Andy Roddick on the Tennis Channel live podcast while discussing the Team USA Olympic roster and the best serve on the Tour, Bouchard was asked to choose her no.2 server on the tour. Her choice surprised everyone, which she admitted as she went on to explain the reason for it.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion does not have the strongest serve like his Big 3 counterparts. While Roger Federer’s best serve is 142.9 mph, Djokovic is way behind with his best serve at 136mph. However, Bouchard thinks that he is underrated when it comes to his service. She said, “My no.2 on the men’s side might be a little surprising. I’m with Novak Djokovic. I think he is very underrated with his serve.” She went on to explain her observations about his service.

“You know I see him going through service games, winning them so easily. I love his placement, particularly on it. And every time I’ve watched him play,” Bouchard added. However, she is not wrong if the Australian Open 2024 results are taken into account. Djokovic won 79% of points off his first serve, more than the other semifinalists. Moreover, his conversion rate was also impressive at 90.8%, only second to Jannik Sinner.

Bouchard’s observations are quite on point with respect to his placement. Despite not having something ‘extra’ in the department of height and strength, he makes it up with the effectiveness of his hard sliders. She further added, “It’s just he is not being the tallest player, not having the most power, but really being effective with. So that’s all to it!”

After this observation, tennis fans would be eager to see his serve to relate to the information shared. But the question that remains to be answered is – whether Djokovic would be able to make a strong comeback or not. However, there is talk about the end of the Big 4 era, and Roger Federer has a few words to say about Djokovic and others.

Roger Federer offers a few words of hope for Novak Djokovic

Federer underwent the same scenario as Djokovic currently struggles with. Though the Serbian ace has started to work right after coming out of surgery, maybe to reassure himself that everything is fine. However, Federer recently opened up about the end of the Big 4 era, as Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and now Djokovic seem to be struggling to stay in the competition. 

Acknowledging the rivalry between the top 4 players of the tennis circuit, Federer vowed to stand for the remaining pillars of the Big 4 as they make a heroic exit from the tennis circuit. He said, “We get along very well with Djokovic, Nadal and Murray. I will always be grateful for what they have done for me: if they need me I will always be there for them.”

Everyone is hopeful of Djokovic’s return. But whether the Serbian ace would be able to fight for the title, can only be answered will time. It would be a heartbreaking moment to bid adieu to the remaining Big3 in a short period!