Past The Numbers
Why Djokovic’s serve, not his return, has helped him keep close to the highest of the game
Infosys ATP Past The Numbers examines Djokovic’s serving success
October 01, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil
Novak Djokovic has gained 88.3 per cent of his service video games in 2025 getting into Shanghai.
By Andrew Eichenholz
Novak Djokovic has lengthy been thought-about top-of-the-line returners in tennis historical past. Though the Serbian continues to be performing nicely in that a part of the sport, he stays close to the very prime of the game due to his improved serving.
In accordance with an Infosys ATP Past The Numbers evaluation, the Serbian has gained the next charge of service video games in 2025 than he has in all however two seasons in his profession.
World No. 4 Djokovic has completed contained in the Prime 3 of the year-end PIF ATP Rankings in 15 of the previous 18 years, together with incomes a document eight ATP 12 months-Finish No. 1 offered by PIF honours. Solely twice has he gained a greater proportion of service video games than he has this season.
Novak Djokovic‘s Serving Statistics
| Stat | 2025 | Profession |
| Service Video games Gained | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| First-Serve % | 66.6% | 64.9% |
| First-Serve Pts Gained | 76.4% | 74.2% |
| Second-Serve Pts Gained | 55.3% | 55.5% |
Djokovic’s greatest service video games gained proportion in his profession got here in 2015, when he ranked fifth on the ATP Tour at 89.5 per cent. In 2023, he ranked second — behind solely Stefanos Tsitsipas — at 88.4 per cent. This yr the Serbian is fourth at 88.3 per cent, solely trailing Jannik Sinner (91.3%), Taylor Fritz (90%) and Reilly Opelka (88.7%).
Getting into the Rolex Shanghai Masters, the 38-year-old is nicely forward of his profession common of 86.1 per cent. He has additionally outperformed his profession averages in first-serve proportion (66.6% to 64.9%) and first-serve factors gained (76.4% to 74.2%), whereas remaining close to degree in second-serve factors gained (55.3% to 55.5%).
However the important thing pattern is that three of his six greatest serving seasons when it comes to service video games gained have come because the begin of 2022.
Djokovic’s Finest Serving Seasons (By Service Video games Gained)
| 12 months | Service Video games Gained | Match File |
| 2015 | 89.5% | 82-6 |
| 2023 | 88.4% | 56-7 |
| 2025 | 88.3% | 31-10 |
| 2013 | 88% | 74-9 |
| 2014+2022 | 87.7% | 61-8, 42-7 |
Djokovic’s service surge just isn’t restricted to that one statistic, both. Earlier than 2021, the 100-time tour-level titlist had by no means gained greater than 76 per cent of his first-serve factors in a season. This yr, he’s on tempo to take action for the fourth time.
The 40-time ATP Masters 1000 champion has averaged 5.5 aces per match in his profession. This season, he has averaged 8.4 aces per match.
In accordance with Fritz, Djokovic is ready to mix his supply itself together with his baseline sport to create a tough puzzle to resolve for opponents.
“I feel what makes it robust is he serves nicely, he serves aggressive on second serves. It is robust to reap the benefits of his serve for a way nicely he additionally returns and simply is [playing] from the baseline,” Fritz mentioned earlier than falling to Djokovic on this yr’s US Open quarter-finals. “He backs it up extremely nicely with the serve. So it is robust to typically get on him the way in which that he is, I assume, getting on you with the return.”
From 2010 by means of 2021, Djokovic was one of many prime three gamers on the ATP Tour in return video games gained annually he certified for the leaderboard. He by no means positioned increased in service video games gained than return video games gained throughout these years.
However in 2022 he ranked fourth in each classes, earlier than putting three spots increased in service video games gained in 2023 (second vs. fifth) and 6 locations increased thus far this yr (fourth vs. tenth).
Djokovic’s return continues to be a drive, however his serve is what stands out at this time.
