No Alcaraz, Sinner: Novak Djokovic creates his 'perfect' tennis player [Watch Video]
(Courtesy : @atptour/Twitter)
Novak Djokovic hails Roger Federer’s forehand as the greatest the sport has ever seen.
In a lighthearted behind-the-scenes video from the 2025 Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, tennis legend Novak Djokovic shared his vision for the ultimate tennis player, excluding himself.
Produced by WIVO Productions, the segment features Djokovic being mic’d up on court, responding to an interviewer’s prompts to assemble the perfect athlete from past and present stars.
Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, meticulously selected attributes:
John Isner’s towering serve for its power and precision; Roger Federer‘s elegant forehand, often hailed as one of the most fluid in history.
Andre Agassi’s laser-like backhand for its depth and aggression; Pat Rafter’s volleys, evoking the serve-and-volley era’s finesse.
Rafael Nadal‘s unbreakable mental game, symbolizing resilience under pressure; Bjorn Borg’s footwork for its speed and endurance; and Boris Becker’s tennis IQ for superior shot selection and strategy.
Creation of Djokovc’s perfect player
Isner possessed one of the most dominant and unreturnable serves in tennis history, towering height, pinpoint accuracy, and sheer power that often ended points instantly on fast surfaces.
Federer’s forehand meanwhile is legendary for its silky smoothness, effortless whip, precision, and versatility, able to hit winners from anywhere with beautiful topspin or flat pace.
Agassi’s two-handed backhand was a laser: flat, deep, aggressive, and incredibly consistent, allowing him to dictate rallies and redirect pace with pinpoint control.
Australian great Rafter was a classic serve-and-volley master as his volleys were crisp, instinctive, and touch-perfect, finishing points at net with elegance and fearless aggression.
Nadal’s unbreakable mental toughness defines resilience echoing the famous line, “The Spanish never die”. He fought through pain, never gave up, turning defense into offense, and thriving under extreme pressure across surfaces, particularly clay.
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Djokovic himself was a worthy contender for this slot, having built a reputation for proving his critics wrong time and again.
Borg’s movement was elite—light, explosive, and tireless, covering the court like no one else in his era with perfect anticipation and balance on clay or hard.
Becker’s tactical intelligence shone through smart decision-making, reading opponents early, varying pace/spin, and choosing the right shot at the right moment under big-match tension.
The Serbian star emphasized mentality as the cornerstone, stating, “You can develop the shots!” When forced to choose just one trait, he doubled down on mental strength, underscoring its role in his own record-breaking career.
Which player’s forehand did Novak Djokovic call the greatest ever?
Djokovic hailed Roger Federer’s forehand as the greatest in tennis history.
Whose serve did Novak Djokovic select for his ideal player?
He chose John Isner’s serve for its power, accuracy, and dominance.
Which player was picked for the backhand and why?
Djokovic selected Andre Agassi’s backhand for its consistency, depth, and aggression.
Who did Novak Djokovic choose for net play and volleys?
He picked Pat Rafter, praising his classic serve-and-volley skills.
Which player represented mental strength in Novak Djokovic’s selection?
Djokovic chose Rafael Nadal for his legendary mental toughness and resilience.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.