Alex de Minaur Reveals Two Key Factors That Set Novak Djokovic Apart on Grass Courts
Following his spirited performance against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2025, Australian star Alex de Minaur gave rare insight into what makes the Serbian legend so dominant on grass courts. Despite pushing Djokovic in a closely contested four-set battle, de Minaur was ultimately outmaneuvered by the seven-time Wimbledon champion. In his post-match comments, the Aussie was quick to highlight two key areas that, in his view, separate Djokovic from the rest of the field on grass: his serve and his return game.
“He Elevated His Serve” – Djokovic’s Tactical Precision
While Djokovic’s return game has long been hailed as among the greatest in tennis history, it was his serving that impressed de Minaur most during their Centre Court clash.
“He just elevated his serving level. From one set to the next, I felt like I had no chance with my second serves anymore,” said de Minaur.
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On a surface like grass, where service dominance can dictate the flow of a match, Djokovic’s ability to adjust and serve with precision under pressure proved critical. After a sluggish opening set, Djokovic found his rhythm, landing a high percentage of first serves and mixing up pace and placement to keep de Minaur guessing.
The Return Game: Pressure from Start to Finish
The second element that de Minaur emphasized was Djokovic’s return game — a hallmark of his greatness and particularly lethal on grass.
“You think you’re doing okay on your own serve, then all of a sudden, he steps up and puts that pressure back on you with his returns,” de Minaur explained.
Djokovic’s ability to neutralize his opponents’ serves and initiate baseline rallies from returning positions is what has made him nearly unbeatable at Wimbledon. His anticipation, footwork, and precision create immediate pressure, often forcing errors or passive responses that he can control.
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This ability to combine serving strength with an elite return game makes Djokovic a complete grass-court player — one capable of controlling both ends of a service game, even on a surface that traditionally favors big servers.
De Minaur’s Take: “That’s What Makes Him So Tough”
Although disappointed with the result, de Minaur was candid in his admiration for Djokovic’s strategic mastery.
“It’s that combination — the serve and the return — that makes him so tough to beat. He can turn matches around quickly and doesn’t let you breathe for a second,” he said.
De Minaur played one of his best matches of the tournament, taking the opening set 6–1 and pushing Djokovic in extended rallies. But as the match progressed, Djokovic’s class and adaptability began to shine through. He adjusted his court positioning, raised his first-serve percentage, and kept pressure on de Minaur’s serve to flip the momentum — eventually winning 1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4.
