Tennis
Best ATP Return Specialists: De Minaur, Alcaraz, Djokovic & More Ranked
In men's tennis, a lightning-quick serve can dominate headlines, but the ability to return serve with precision and power is just as vital for climbing the ATP ranks. A great returner neutralizes an opponent’s biggest weapon, transforms defence into offense, and relentlessly pressures servers by creating break point opportunities. The ATP's composite "Return Rating" quantifies this skill, blending metrics like first and second serve return points won, return games won, and break point conversion. To rank the elite, we’ve combined this statistical rigor with expert consensus, creating a unique “SB Market Index” that balances data and industry perception..
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Alex De Minaur/Getty Images
The SB Market Index Verdict – How We will Rank The Best
This guide evaluates the ATP’s top return specialists using SportsBoom’s proprietary ranking model, the SB Market Index—powered by return performance metrics and shaped by Industry Insights, which reflect expert analysis and media perspectives.
Industry Insights
Beyond stats, how are these returners perceived by experts and media? “Industry Insights” reflect a consensus from surveyed opinions, assigning points based on how frequently each player is cited or ranked highly as a top returner.
Industry Insights
| Source | Alex de Minaur | Carlos Alcaraz | Tommy Paul | Jannik Sinner | Daniil Medvedev | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | Francisco Cerundolo | Sebastian Baez | David Goffin | Novak Djokovic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TheTennisGazette | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ATP Tour “Return Game” | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tennis365 Stats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| ESPN Top-5 Returners | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TennisInfinity “Best Returner 2023” | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bleacher Report | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Reddit Tennis Discussions | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Mentions | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
SB Score
Our “SB Score” statistically ranks these elite returners by normalizing their Return Rating against the highest in the group (Alex de Minaur’s 166.6).
| Rank | Player | Return Rating | SB Score |
| 1 | Alex de Minaur | 166.6 | 1.0000 |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | 165.6 | 0.9940 |
| 3 | Tommy Paul | 160.5 | 0.9634 |
| 4 | Jannik Sinner | 157.9 | 0.9478 |
| 5 | Daniil Medvedev | 155.9 | 0.9358 |
| 6 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 154.4 | 0.9268 |
| 7 | Francisco Cerundolo | 153.6 | 0.9220 |
| 8 | Sebastian Baez | 151.3 | 0.9082 |
| 9 | David Goffin | 151 | 0.9064 |
| 10 | Novak Djokovic | 150.6 | 0.9040 |
SB Market Index
To assess the best returners comprehensively, we’ve developed a two-part analysis. First, the “SB Score” leverages the ATP’s Return Rating to quantify statistical dominance. Then, we incorporate “Industry Insights,” drawing on expert opinions and media analysis. Combining these yields our final “SB Market Index,” a balanced ranking of the ATP’s return elite.
SB Market Index
| Rank | Player | SB Score (Value) | Industry Insights (Value) | SB Market Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Alcaraz | 0.9940 | 5 | 4.1988 |
| 2 | Novak Djokovic | 0.9040 | 5 | 4.1808 |
| 3 | Alex de Minaur | 1.0000 | 3 | 2.6000 |
| 4 | Jannik Sinner | 0.9478 | 2 | 1.7896 |
| 5 | Daniil Medvedev | 0.9358 | 2 | 1.7872 |
| 6 | Francisco Cerundolo | 0.9220 | 1 | 0.9844 |
| 7 | Sebastian Baez | 0.9082 | 1 | 0.9816 |
| 8 | David Goffin | 0.9064 | 1 | 0.9813 |
| 9 | Tommy Paul | 0.9634 | 0 | 0.1927 |
| 10 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 0.9268 | 0 | 0.1854 |
Analysing the Top Returners
Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Alex de Minaur tops the Return Rating charts (166.6), showcasing relentless tenacity and lightning-fast court coverage. His 54.70% second serve return points won and leading 46.60% break point conversion rate are among the best on tour. De Minaur’s 32.00% return games won cements his ability to turn defence into offense, making him a nightmare for servers. His speed and anticipation allow him to chase down balls most would concede, earning him the top SB Score (1.0000).
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
Carlos Alcaraz, with a Return Rating of 165.6, dominates with an aggressive, all-court style. His tour-leading 35.20% first serve return points won shows his fearless ability to attack tough serves. Winning 32.60% of return games, Alcaraz seizes momentum with explosive movement and bold shot-making. His SB Market Index leadership (4.1988) reflects both statistical excellence and strong expert recognition.
Jannik Sinner (ITA)
Jannik Sinner ranks fourth (Return Rating: 157.9) but leads with a 57.00% second serve return points won, punishing weaker serves. His elastic movement and sharp serve-reading make every service game a battle, though his 27.80% return games won suggests room for growth. Sinner’s balanced SB Market Index (1.7896) underscores his rising reputation.
Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Novak Djokovic, ranked 10th in Return Rating (150.6), remains a return legend. His 53.10% second serve return points won and 40.40% break point conversion rate reflect his clutch mentality. Djokovic’s flexibility and pinpoint accuracy, combined with his deep return position, keep opponents on edge. His co-leading Industry Insights score (5) drives his high SB Market Index (4.1808).
Other Notables
Tommy Paul (USA): A well-rounded returner, Paul’s 44.50% break point conversion rate showcases composure under pressure, though his lack of Industry Insights points limits his SB Market Index (0.1927).
Daniil Medvedev (RUS): Known for his deep return stance, Medvedev’s 33.20% first serve return points won and 28.00% return games won reflect consistent disruption, earning a solid SB Market Index (1.7872).
Clay Court Influence? Players like Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Francisco Cerundolo, and Sebastian Baez benefit from clay’s return-friendly nature. Baez’s 34.00% first serve return points won is notable on slower surfaces.
Different Styles, Same Goal
Elite returners achieve success through varied approaches. Alcaraz’s aggression turns returns into offensive weapons, while Medvedev and Djokovic rely on depth and consistency. De Minaur’s speed and court coverage retrieve seemingly unreachable balls, frustrating opponents. Anticipation and serve-reading are critical across all styles, enabling these players to dictate rallies early.
The Impact of a Strong Return Game
A potent return disrupts an opponent’s service rhythm, forcing second-guessing and generating break-point opportunities. Against weaker second serves, top returners like Sinner and De Minaur dominate, capitalizing on high second serve return points won. This ability to break serve often separates contenders from champions in high-stakes moments.
The Contenders: A Snapshot of Return Mastery
Alex de Minaur (AUS): De Minaur’s speed and tenacity make him a return nightmare, topping the SB Score with elite break point conversion.
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP): Alcaraz’s aggressive returns and first serve dominance, paired with expert praise, crown him the SB Market Index leader.
Novak Djokovic (SRB): Djokovic’s legendary flexibility and clutch returns earn him near-equal footing with Alcaraz in the SB Market Index.
Jannik Sinner (ITA): Sinner’s second serve punishment and rising reputation make him a return force to watch.
Daniil Medvedev (RUS): Medvedev’s deep returns and consistency disrupt serves, earning solid expert and statistical recognition.
Tommy Paul (USA): Paul’s clutch break point conversion highlights his potential, despite lower expert mentions.
Francisco Cerundolo (ARG): Cerundolo’s clay-court return skills translate to a respectable SB Market Index ranking.
Sebastian Baez (ARG): Baez’s first serve return prowess on clay boosts his profile among return specialists.
David Goffin (BEL): Goffin’s steady returns earn him a place among the elite, with modest expert backing.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP): Davidovich Fokina’s clay-friendly returns show promise, though he lacks expert mentions.
Conclusion and Disclaimer
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s top SB Market Index rankings reflect their statistical and expert-recognized dominance as returners. Alex de Minaur’s statistical leadership and Jannik Sinner’s second serve mastery highlight the depth of talent among ATP returners. A masterful return, whether through aggression, consistency, or speed, proves as decisive as a booming serve.
Disclaimer: This analysis uses ATP Return Ratings for the SB Score and surveyed Industry Insights. Different methodologies, statistical models for Return Rating, or sources for insights could yield different conclusions. This is for illustrative and discussion purposes.
With a decade of sports writing expertise, Nigel Naicker has crafted compelling content across football leagues like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, as well as cricket and UFC. A passionate storyteller since 2014, Nigel joins the SportsBoom team, ready to deliver insightful narratives across various sports disciplines.