Novak Djokovic came from a set down against Alexander Zverev to reach the French Open semi-finals.
Djokovic made history after beating Zverev, as he now progresses to the last four of the clay court major for the 13th time in his career.
Following his quarter-final victory over the world number three, Djokovic sent a message to Zverev as he now looks ahead to his next match.
Djokovic was praised for his serve against Zverev, but Tracy Austin has pinpointed a different shot that the Serbian used to outwit his opponent.
Tracy Austin praises Novak Djokovic for using the drop shot against Alexander Zverev
After losing the first set, Djokovic fought back to beat Zverev, 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4, in the night session match on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
When analysing how Djokovic turned the match around against Zverev, former top 10 player Chanda Rubin and two-time US Open champion Austin praised him for his use of the drop shot.
Djokovic hit a total of 35 drop shots against Zverev, with Austin labelling it a ‘masterclass’ from the 24-time Grand Slam champion on the Tennis Channel Live podcast.
“And then the drop shot, he used that shot often and especially towards the end of the match,” said Rubin. “Things got a little tight, but he kept pulling Zverev off the baseline on Djokovic’s terms and I thought that was a very good play.
“It was methodical, he played very strategically over the course of the match and after losing his serve early it just seemed like he settled in so beautifully. That’s going to hold him in good stead against Jannik Sinner.”
Austin added, “I love that stat, we don’t have that enough, the drop shot stats. But I think on clay that is so smart, because Novak hit 35 drop shots and Sascha hit 16 overheads. That’s like the drill we do, short and then up, short and then up.
“I mean Sascha starts to burn the legs and it makes Sascha’s forehand, his backhand not quite as powerful. I think it was a smart tactic, and incredible feel, but also the differential for Novak.
“He was able to keep his unforced errors down while still going really close to the lines, incredible depth. Mixing up some high ones, some slices when he needed to. It was a masterclass.”
Will Novak Djokovic’s drop shot tactic be effective against Jannik Sinner?
Djokovic will now play Jannik Sinner in his French Open semi-final, a player who he has lost his last three meetings against.
However, the Serbian has won his only previous against the Italian on clay, with Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci now previewing whether the drop shot will work against Sinner.
Macci has suggested that Sinner’s pace could make Djokovic using the drop shot less effective in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
He wrote, “Novak used the dropper against Zverev and it was a show stopper. Side to side at 6 ft 6 he can glide and slide but darting to the net he is not a jet. Sinners first step forward is a launched red rocket he gets there easier and has options in his pocket.”
Djokovic and Sinner will play for a place in the French Open final on Friday, June 6.
The winner of that semi-final will play against either Carlos Alcaraz or Lorenzo Musetti.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
