Daily Data Viz: Heights of the best servers on ATP Tour in 2015

Who are the top servers and service returners on the ATP Tour in 2015? Here's how height plays a role in determining these rankings.

Who are the top servers and service returners on the ATP Tour in 2015?​

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are the exceptions to the rule that height is a determining factor in winning service games. These two are able to win despite being the “little guys” in the serving game. What they lack in power they are able to make up with placement, variety and strong baseline games to back up their serves.

Let’s take a look at the best service returners for 2015:

On return of serve the advantage seems to go to the little guys. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are the tallest guys in the top of the return game. They combine exceptional quickness and court coverage, things that aren’t as usually abundant in the games of taller players. It appears that 6’2” Djokovic has the best combination of height and quickness—and it’s no surprise that he is the top ranked player in the world.

Check SI.com's 2015 U.S. Open data hub page throughout the whole tournament for the latest data-driven infographics and charts from IBM, the official technology partner for the U.S. Open. IBM captures and analyzes the data that powers all of the Grand Slams, as well as the digital platforms that extend the experience to fans around the world.