Some of the best and original answers I've seen in all of these build a player videos. Grigor, you my friend, have earned even more respect as an athlete and student of the game.

I'm glad he mentioned Kei Nishikori's name.

@adambennaim5500

10 ай бұрын

I would put nalbandians backhand

@sultanabran1

10 ай бұрын

i've heard roger say kei has one of the best backhands on the tour.

@huzcer

10 ай бұрын

@@sultanabran1 Dimi was trying to be nice picking all these different players but everyone knows what the most effective and consistent backhand of all time is.

@sultanabran1

10 ай бұрын

@@huzcer well the interview wasn't asking who you think dimitrov thinks the best backhand is. is it? in any case, where in my comment does it agree or disagree with dimitrov or you?

@huzcer

10 ай бұрын

@@sultanabran1 get over yourself

Nishikori backhand shoutout I see Grigor is a man of taste

I’ve been lucky enough to see him play at Queen’s. So elegant and exciting and seems like a great guy

i love how people have different picks on everything but return is the only one wheres no room for debate :D

@MrChillywilly7

10 ай бұрын

Aggasi was no slouch on the return! But other than that, nobody comes close to Djokovic!

@Pie-oq4np

10 ай бұрын

Even BH shouldn't be debatable

@SARYM911

10 ай бұрын

@@Pie-oq4np Can't argue with the 24 slams but there have been a few right up there like Nalbandian...What puts Djokovic ahead on that side is reach and flexibility but his forehand and serve have been really good the last few years

I am glad he mentioned Davydenko! He gets not enough credit. He was a really good player

Wow, very well spoken and thoughtful variety compared to the rest...cant disagree with any.

This was the most interesting one

Forehand: Alcaraz Backhand:Wawrinka Serve: Kyrgios Return: Djokovic Slice: Federer Net game: Federer Speed: Tommy Paul Mental toughness: Djokovic But we miss the most important skill Consistency:Djokovic

@jamonleecarter8698

10 ай бұрын

Really consistency? 😂 then why not add novak’s retiring matches when losing, taking 10+ mins bathroom breaks while losing, calling medical timeout while losing?

@bsrussian

10 ай бұрын

Forehand alcaraz? It’s a great forehand but Federer, nadal, del potro, Gonzales all have better ones

@Bono9850

10 ай бұрын

@@bsrussian Yeah maybe, it's personal preference. But you're actually right, Del Potro's forehand was amazing.

@Eudemoni_

10 ай бұрын

speed Tommy Paul :D I go for Monfils every day

@6Whodini

3 ай бұрын

Net game Federer??? Realy. Roger is not a net player was.... never was net player ...and never will be a net player. Federer is a baseline player

Still don't understand when they pic Nadal Over Djokovic when it comes to mental toughness. There is no player in the world that can handle a hostile crowd like Djokovic. Specialy when he plays Roger or Rafa. And still he is ahead on the head to head versus both players

@user-cy6xl3vd3f

10 ай бұрын

Yeah me neither it's starting to feel like brain washing. I'd argue that Nadal has the best fighting spirit because he never gives up any point and plays each one like it's match point. However Djokovic has an ability to keep his composure in key moments that I've never seen in anybody else (except maybe Sampras), while having 99% of Rafa's fighting spirit.

@alburaq3290

10 ай бұрын

You're confusing mental toughness with being clutch. Djokovic is more clutch than Rafa. Mental toughness for me is how you overcome adversity and Rafa is second to none. We know how difficult it can be to come back from injury, Thiem is struggling for years. Nadal has made so many comebacks when his career looked finished. Unreal mental toughness and self belief. Nadal was always picking up injuries, missing large parts of the tour, missing many Masters and even Slams but he always came back stronger. He's the right pick for mental toughness.

@AaravYadav-em5tj

5 ай бұрын

The H2H which Djoker stat padded against 33+ Federer. Come on .... He did a vulture job.

@DaveOwen-vn6ie

4 ай бұрын

Your just SAD that they don't pick DJOKOVIC for EVERY category

@dontmindmymixedcontent7842

4 ай бұрын

Djokovic has broke his racket, Rafa has never and keeps cool

Can’t be mad at any of these picks, especially if he’s using each player once. Although I think someone like Alcaraz, Medvedev, De Minaur, or Monfils could’ve been used for speed over Davydenko. I also feel like using Nadal at “mental toughness” is a little bit of a waste when you can use him for forehand or footwork or speed, whereas you could plug Ferrer in at mental toughness. Also Dimitrov’s backhand slice is insane. It’s genuinely a match winner against certain players, and it’s the reason he stomped Murray at the US Open. I’d put it on the same level as Federer’s.

@TheRafaelBond

10 ай бұрын

lol, you dont pick by convenience or leisure for inclusion standards, if he feels Rafa is best for mental, he will take him for mental.

@lammie001

10 ай бұрын

No way his slice is on par with Federer. Forget about it

@thesoccergod

10 ай бұрын

@@lammie001 Not even close. Like a number of people have said, Fed's slice was a "swiss knife". Dimitrov's is cool but no way does he have the variety Fed had. Or the control.

@nenkoandreev8509

10 ай бұрын

There is no better Forehand than Federer's one...I am a Nole fan.

@twittertwice

10 ай бұрын

He played them. You watched!

For once creative and non boring answers

My picks are Forehand - Del Potro Backhand - Thiem Serve - Sampras Return - Djokovic Slice - Federer Net Game - Edberg Speed - Nadal Mental Toughness - Djokovic Competitiveness - Djokovic Celebration - Federer

@BigOllieSpin

10 ай бұрын

Backhand Thiem 😂😂😂 Celebrations definitely Medvedev

@traebeneck4994

10 ай бұрын

@@BigOllieSpinIn his prime, Thiem had one of the best backhands on tour PERIOD, and arguably has one of the greatest 1HBHs of all time. Maybe only Stan's is better, but Thiem's BH is close to GOAT status

@BigOllieSpin

10 ай бұрын

@@traebeneck4994 bs. Thiem's BH never ever was better than Zverev's

@traebeneck4994

10 ай бұрын

@@BigOllieSpinI never made that claim. I only said that Thiem has one of the greatest 1HBHs of all time (which would be difficult to argue against), and while his backhand was one of the best on tour regardless of 1H vs 2H, I never argued that it was THE best. It was obviously elite, easily top-10 or 20, but of course players like Zverev and Djokovic had FAR better backhands than his.

@cpt-r.federer5940

8 ай бұрын

@@traebeneck4994(I’m a fan of him) good but not better than Gasquet so i don’t know how could you say that

Dimitrov tried to mention not the same Player

ATP players interviewed common answers: Forehand: Roger Return: Novak Serve: Nick Kyrgios Mental Toughness: Rafa

@dimitrijespasic473

10 ай бұрын

Rafa being at mental toughness when Djoković is around is hilarious. He's a clear 2nd no doubt, but he's not Novak.

@natehanying54

10 ай бұрын

@@dimitrijespasic473 I dunno man you can watch Medvedev's interview as well. Same answer from him.

@dimitrijespasic473

10 ай бұрын

@@natehanying54 Yeah I watched it a week before this one. Still hilarious. I guess it would be alright if he had to use a player only once.

@alburaq3290

10 ай бұрын

​@@dimitrijespasic473You're confusing mental toughness with being clutch. Djokovic is more clutch. Rafa has faced a lot more adversity in his career, constant injuries, missing months of tour, losing form but he always comes back stronger. That is a sign mental toughness. Rafa is second to none.

@dimitrijespasic473

10 ай бұрын

@@alburaq3290 mental toughness is also winning when the crowd is against you. Constant interruptions, booing etc and he even started playing better.

Here’s a real test. Pick your player but you can only use each once and you can’t use Novak, Nadal or Roger? Server Isner, Forehand Pete, Speed Alcaraz, Return Andre, Backhand Nalbandian, Slice Dimitrov, mental toughness - Borg, Net game Edberg, Competitiveness Hewitt, Celebration Guga

@elchanclascocina

10 ай бұрын

Nice fun list! Interestingly or funny to me, the moment it got harder, the moment Borg quit... He did great meanwhile though, but couldn't/wouldn't handle not being the best.

Nice to see some older players in there. S&V used to be stronger because it was a more successful strategy back in the fast court days. Except for Kyrgios and the genetic giants, there's no serving like Ivanisevic, Becker or Sampras anymore. Especially flat serve seems to have almost gone extinct. With that and using only active players once, this is my list: Serve: Kyrgios Return: Medvedev Forehand: Sinner (unless Nadal comes back) Backhand: let's take Stan's one hander. Volley: Mahut (as a doubles specialist) Dropshot: Alcaraz Lob: Murray Overhead: Tsitsipas Speed & athleticism: Montfils Fitness: de Minaur Mental toughness & competitiveness: Djokovic Without the constraint I'd take Djokovic on most, with Kyrgios' Serve, Alcaraz' dropshot and Tsitsipas' overhead. Yes, also the forehand. I think it's generally underestimated how much control and variety he has with that shot.

@loganthewolverine2030

10 ай бұрын

Did you watch the US Open final where Medvedev literally lost the match because of his forehand return? Refused to move forward and Novak won more than 40 serve and volley point on *one* side. Zero versatility as a returner. Take a look at Sebastian Korda instead.

@alburaq3290

10 ай бұрын

Medvedev is a bad pick over Djokovic for return. Tsitsipas has a better forehand than Sinner.

Here's my unpopular opinion list: *Serve* : Roddick (not too tall) *Forehand* : Malisse / Gonzalez *Backhand* : Nalbandian *Volley* : Muller / Mischa *Slice* : Dolgopolov *Dropshot* : Alcaraz / Janowicz *Speed* : De Minaur / Rafa / Alcaraz *Mentality* : Nole *Flexibility* : Srichaphan / Nole *Physique* : Verdasco / Berettini / Fucsovics *Power* : Del Potro / Rublev *Spin* : Guga / Rafa / Thiem *Lob* : Hewitt / Murray *Consistency in all* : Federer What else?

@DrFearfall

10 ай бұрын

That's a good list! Like the fact you've chosen some less obvious picks. Dolgopolov's offensive slice was insane, as was Gonzalez's forehand.

@Ushgulubululum

10 ай бұрын

Heres mine Serve - Karlovic Forehand- Agassi Backhand - Kuerten Volley - Woodforde Slice - Aguilera Dropshot - Rios Speed - Ferrer Mentality - Hewitt Flexibility - Djokovic Physique - Wawrinka Power - Nadal Spin - Nadal Lob - Medvedev Consistency in all Djokovic

@definitionsupervillain4583

10 ай бұрын

@@DrFearfall I miss Dolgopolov :'( Never plays a boring match

@nurassyl088

10 ай бұрын

amazing tennis knowledge

@MrChillywilly7

10 ай бұрын

Nalbandian backhand was so good! He could do anything with it! And looked effortless!

If only can use same player once my list would probably go something like: Forehand: Alcaraz Backhand: Wawrinka Serve: Isner Return: Schwartzman Slice: Dimitrov Net Game: Federer Speed: De Minaur Mental Toughness: Djokovic Competitiveness: Nadal Celebration: Medvedev

@BigOllieSpin

10 ай бұрын

BH or return Murray

@taylorbrewer5852

10 ай бұрын

Schwartzman return? A kick serve by someone super tall is pretty difficult for him to return just to his height

@Tronny

10 ай бұрын

Schwartzman literally survives solely on breaks, in his prime he had by far the most breaks on tour.

@gabrielametodieva8360

10 ай бұрын

Alcaraz forehand is great but it leaks a lot of errors and he hasn’t tuned it sufficiently to be on an all time great list imo. It has the potential to be but right now he has days when it’s just wild.

@traebeneck4994

10 ай бұрын

This is a ridiculously good list. Pretty close to what I'd pick personally

The perRFect player: Federer’s FH Federer’s BH Federer’s serve Federer’s volley

I love these videos. For mental toughness I wouldnt agree with pick any of the top 3 part, I think that the choice should be either Novak or Rafa, I give slight edge to Novak because he is always playing against the opponent and crowd, but Rafa is also a perfect pick as well so yeah. Other than that, I pretty much agree with everything, Kei pick is kinda surprising but its not a bad one

@sasho888prm

10 ай бұрын

If this was 2017 or earlier, you'd be picking Federer as well for mental toughness. But fans quickly forget things after a few years go by.

@mihailopavlovic2027

10 ай бұрын

@@sasho888prm I would still pick Rafa or Novak, because of the circumstances they've been in. Roger is not a bad take at all, I simply think that both Nadal and Đoković are mentaly tougher

@CkvEditz

10 ай бұрын

@@sasho888prmNah feds mental toughness was terrible he choked so many matches while having match point….

@sasho888prm

10 ай бұрын

@@CkvEditz Oh yeah, I guess he was lucky to win those 1 or 2 Slams once with a weak mindset

@blucat4

10 ай бұрын

For mental toughness, Hewitt. He was the toughest.

The best composition yet and by farrrrrr❤️🙏

Great list! Nalbandian for backhand on my list

@danguee1

10 ай бұрын

Best Nalbandian backhands are the best ever. But I've seen plenty of matches when David was off the boil - and so was his backhand.

Love how the players don't pick Nole for mental toughness, except Thiem who made it fair and said it's Rafa and him, but from my memory didn't he come up with/coin the term along with the celebration of pointing to his head?

Good to see some of the older players getting a look in for once but when is someone going to chose Sampras for serve? I guess most current players aren't really students of the game and pick what they know. That's why these build a players are a bit samey.

@loganthewolverine2030

10 ай бұрын

Or Agassi return and backhand. His return put fear in the hearts of weak second serves.

How can you not pick De Minaur for speed? He’s clearly the fastest

i thought i was the only one that found Kygrios serve crazy whenever I watched it. It just looks sudden and tricky all at once.

FH: Federer BH: Djokovic Serve: Isner Return: Djokovic Slice: Federer Net game: Edberg Touch: Federer Speed: Alcaraz Flexibility: Djokovic Mental: Djokovic Competitiveness: Nadal Celebrations: Medvedev

Ill do one with players most likely no one will mention: Forehand: Cerundolo Backhand: Altmaier Slice: Steve Johnson Serve: Veselý Return: Paul Net: Mischa Zverev Mental: Coric Speed: Ymer Competitive: Sinner Celebration: Safin

@loganthewolverine2030

10 ай бұрын

Haha, Safins celebration when he won the US Open, Australian Open slam finals and when he beat Federer in a 5 set marathon semi, were all just epic. 😅 Spoiler: there was literally no celebration, not even a smile. Coric mentally is incredible. From an absolute prodigal young talent (beat Nadal and Federer at their peaks very young) he has still stayed motivated though injuries, including winning a masters 1000. Never gives the opponent nothing on the court no matter how much pain he might be in. I would go with Takao Suzuki over Mischa Zverev, check his AO match highlights against Federer.

@tnuyx9405

10 ай бұрын

@@loganthewolverine2030 I chose Safin purely for the one where he pulled down his shorts. It was so insane that I had to include it. Coric doesn’t seem overawed by any occasion, and he fights so well. I’ll check out Suzuki

Best choices so far!

my perfect player: Humour- Andrey rublev Style - Andrey Rublev personality- Andrey rublev everything else- Mix of the big 3

Indeed Dimitrov has arguably one of the best slices on tour. However, my impression (from several of his interviews) is, he is too obsessed in this shot and uses it WAY TOO MUCH… It is working against most of the players, but to compete with the best players, say top30 in world, it is simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Because the top players normally are very solid and therefore not afraid of pure defensive shots without speed and penetration. Even if they have trouble handling the slice in the beginning, they have unbelievable ability to adapt and find a way out quickly. Especially Dimitrov’s slice is no longer a mixed-up surprising shot but rather a regular shot, it is just easy to get used to for the top players. Unless Dimitrov has no intention to improve and get higher in the ranking again, he should just stop or reduce using that slice.

@10INTHEBIN99

9 ай бұрын

Touch grass bro, he has a good slice and he just beat the #3 player in the world while constantly using it, grow up you child.

Hewitt's a great pick!

only thing id change with the first 5 is Marat Safin backhand > Kei

Forhand=Sampras.Volly=Edberg.Mental=Björn Borg.Serve Sampras.Backhand one hand. Stan the Man.Two hands bakchand=David Nalbandian.

Interesting picks. I agree with 80%.

Someone picked davydenko for speed yesss

Its quite funny how Nole`s fans get offended why a lot of players and public pick Rafa for mental toughness as they would know better from their sofa. lol

@gabrielametodieva8360

10 ай бұрын

A lot of people are complaining on Instagram that Dimi didn’t pick Rafa for competitiveness. Calling him salty and Rafa hater. I found it funny 😂

@blucat4

10 ай бұрын

@@gabrielametodieva8360 Especially when he picked Hewitt, everyone knows he is the mentally toughest player ever.

he's right on all those choices really.

DJOKOVIC STILL CAN BEAT YOU PERFECT PLAYER.

@alburaq3290

10 ай бұрын

No chance. This perfect player serves like Kyrgios and returns like Djokovic himself so Djokovic will always be at a disadvantage. Not to mention other weapons and elite net play. This perfect player would be unbeatable by any real player other than Nadal on clay.

@tritone11

4 ай бұрын

Djokovic fans are the funniest😄

Amazing that he can keep a straight face with what he is being subjected to. Sad what we've come to in sports.

Nadal is a bit overrated on mental toughness. What has he done outside of clay which suits his game completely? Djokovic is doing it everywhere against a full stadium.

@alburaq3290

10 ай бұрын

Rafa has faced more adversity with constant injuries. Look at Thiem, his career is almost over after one injury. Rafa has missed so many Masters and Slams recovering from injuries, you lose form, you lose confidence, you lose match readiness. To overcome serious injuries and come back strong like Rafa has is the best sign of mental toughness. Djokovic has faced what only one serious injury and he took 1-2 years to come back from that. Nadal always lost momentum from injuries and still made comeback. 2009, 2013, 2014, 2021 he suffered many injuries that could have derailed or even ended career of a lesser player but Rafa always comes back stronger. You're unestimating how frustrating it is to get injured and lose your form and momentum and how hard it is to come back from that.

@cpt-r.federer5940

8 ай бұрын

The hostility of the public serves djokovic since years it helping him. When he had the public with him he lost in the US Open final

For backhand why not choose a left handed forehand player’s?

@SJ-di5zu

10 ай бұрын

Well if we’re being realistic with it, then you’d have to switch grips to hit two forehands, and that probably wouldn’t work well. If someone was to have two forehands, they would need to have a backhand return because serves come too fast for them to switch grips, and be able to hit defensive backhands. You would bare minimum need to have a good backhand slice/chip.

Amazing stuff!

For me Novak got strongest mental toughness he never gives up and fight like a warrior... he could be behind 6:0 6:0 and 5:0 and i would still have hope he can turn a match around.

@LaLa-ht3rp

10 ай бұрын

Except while playing at the Olympics. The mental pressure of winning for home country is too tough

@gabrielametodieva8360

10 ай бұрын

I mean Nadal has done this too and also I think Grigor tried to pick a different player for each category

Love Kei ❤

Mental Toughness: Novak

I’m surprised Isner isn’t picked as best serve.

Feds FH had far more off days and was far more vulnerabe under pressure than Rafas lol.

@DaggerMan11

10 ай бұрын

and Fed's forehand was also far more effective taken early on quick courts

@rhoclouds

10 ай бұрын

@@DaggerMan11 fed's forehand was inferior on every other surface. not to mention on the run and under pressure, his forehand was not consistent. it also couldn't return or defend as well as nadal's. "taken early on quick courts" is a specific condition on a specific surface whereas nadal's is much more versatile and reliable everywhere. at their peaks, i'm taking nadal's forehand on clay over fed's on grass too.

@DaggerMan11

10 ай бұрын

@@rhoclouds What does "every other" surface mean? There are medium-and-faster outdoor hardcourts, grass, and fast indoor courts. Fed's forehand is better on all of those surfaces. On clay and slow outdoor hard you can back Rafa.

@loganthewolverine2030

10 ай бұрын

Federer is a creative attacking player trying to end points with his forehand and Nadal is a defensive counter puncher who is trying to extend points. Given those things, Dimitrov is trying to say Federer does not miss much. Nadal's goal is too not miss.

@alburaq3290

10 ай бұрын

Rafa forehand is best on clay but Federer has better forehand on hard and grass. Nadal's forehand can be rushed like Alcaraz. That's how Djokovic dominates their hard court head to head. Its a big weakness. Overall Federer has the better forehand. My pick would be healthy Del Potro. Even top players feared his forehand.

His choices are interesting! He seems like a great guy. However, mental toughness and competitiveness were just journalists attempting to put Rafa in there 🤦‍♂️ plus, if competitiveness equals fighting spirit (which seems to be the case with Lleyton Hewitt), it means that mental toughness has to mean something different. And the only thing I can think of is composure in key moments. And in that case, it seems obvious to me that the best choice is Novak Djokovic.

He just wanted to say - if you want to be a GOAT you don’t need best FH, BH, Serve or slice. You need mental toughness. RAFA 💪

@traebeneck4994

10 ай бұрын

To be fair Rafa probably has the best FH of all time

@cpt-r.federer5940

8 ай бұрын

@@traebeneck4994only on clay. Federer has the better overall. His 20 GS with a one hander prove it

Sampras easily the best serve....

Obvious question and you still get it wrong

Competitiveness…. Andy Murray

Mental tougness: Djokovic - he is playing against the crowd, covid agenda etc.

He really pulled a sascha and put himself in there 💀

@SJ-di5zu

10 ай бұрын

Yeah but it’s actually justified here. Dimitrov has an amazing slice, and he had already used Federer for forehand. It’s not like Sascha putting himself as the “strongest player on tour” lol

@aswinsrikanth408

10 ай бұрын

but dimitorv's slice is defo the best in the business Not a bad choice at all

@coreystenson2010

10 ай бұрын

I wasn't expecting to get pressed by everyone over a joke 😞

Big words from someone who can't win a GS,... LOL

Why people picking Rafael over novak on mental toughness.

@blucat4

10 ай бұрын

Why anyone picking anyone over Hewitt?

@alburaq3290

10 ай бұрын

Because Rafa is more tough mentally. Djokovic is more clutch. People confuse clutchness with mental strength.

What is he smoking surly Djokovic is both superior than anyone on competitiveness and mental toughness. Otherwise why would he be still top player

He loves the slice cause he is a pusher

@gabrielametodieva8360

10 ай бұрын

Lol what an expert opinion. So eg Medvedev who has topspin backhand is not a pusher but Dimitrov who hits more winners than the average players is a pusher. Cool cool.

@matthewchang7252

10 ай бұрын

Grigor has one of the best slices on tour, it can really put the opponents in a pickle when used well. John McEnroe once said that he had the best slice on the tour. Maybe you’re just a guilty pusher and want to vent your frustration on professional tennis players that spent thousand of hours honing their craft (especially the graceful players like roger and grigor)…

Fed literally sent the forehand at W2019 🤣🤣 (just joke guys, i love all members of big 3)

Wrong

4:20 does Dimitrov support the Z movement in Russia by supporting Youzhny's soldier salute celebration? Thought emoji Thought emoji

@gabrielametodieva8360

10 ай бұрын

Yeah you know Youzhny actually was the one who created the Z movement 15 years ago

i dont understand how you can not choose nole for mental thougness....the guy won 96 titles against the crowd, the media, the politics, came back from the most sets down, i mean nole 1000%

@darrenlucas7362

10 ай бұрын

Yea these guys are nt smart

@millenium13constantin58

10 ай бұрын

You can use a tennis player only once. Who's your pick for best return if not Nole?

@sasho888prm

10 ай бұрын

Djoko was already picked for return. Have a rakia and chill out a bit.

@artankaraxha6050

10 ай бұрын

Yes there also were bullets, rockets and what not over him but he still is SuperDjokochetnik!

@blucat4

10 ай бұрын

I don't understand how you can not choose Hewitt ..

Dimitrov reminds me of croatian football player Dejan Lovren