2019 Crystal Ball Thread

[atttomole]

I predict a blistering 2019 for Rafa, with 3 slams, tying him with the great Federer. Djokovic wins the other slam.

 

[DarthFed]

I predict a blistering 2019 for Rafa, with 3 slams, tying him with the great Federer. Djokovic wins the other slam.

That can't happen. The tumor needs to be removed from the tour. I predict he has quadruplets with Xisca and is forced to take up fishing to feed his new family.

 

[Fiero425]

I predict a blistering 2019 for Rafa, with 3 slams, tying him with the great Federer. Djokovic wins the other slam.

:cuckoo: Seek serious o_O

 

[herios]

:cuckoo: Seek serious o_O

LOL

 

[Moxie]

There was a difference already in KK favour even before his improvement this year. KK was ball bashing with his BH too, Rublev cannot. His BH is quite weak.
I don't say he cannot improve it, but it will take a lot more effort for Rublev.

This is true, and also Rublev is not nearly as physically strong as KK.

 

[mrzz]

:cuckoo: Seek serious o_O

This is your best emoticon sequence ever. It is a little comic book story!

 

[Moxie]

This is your best emoticon sequence ever. It is a little comic book story!

Please don't encourage him.

 

[atttomole]

:cuckoo: Seek serious o_O

I was missing you mate. For 24 hours you did not post.

 

[Fiero425]

I was missing you mate. For 24 hours you did not post.

I wish I could say I was devastated by Nole's loss, but no! I'm happy someone from the "Next Gen" finally stood up; now 2 w/ KK in Paris!

 

[mrzz]

This is true, and also Rublev is not nearly as physically strong as KK.

Since I like and have watched a bit of those players, I can comment on that. Kachanov is physically stronger, yes, but Rublev's forehand is even harder -- even if this is apparently exaggerated as he has a much flatter hit than Kachanov's. Rublev is also even more offensive oriented. I would not say "just a ball a basher", because Rublev actually tries to work his angles (but, yes, like some crazy motha fucka). But, as @herios have put, KK's backhand is much much better than Rublev's, and that is a major difference. Also, a heavier top spin usually translates in fewer UFE's.

Other thing is that nowadays I guess we cannot put a ceiling on anyone, and that includes Rublev. If someone told us, early in 2013, that Wawrinka would become a major winner -- and for a time he was not only that but the greatest threat out there for Djokovic -- no one would even take that seriously. Maybe the same goes for Cilic and his lone major plus two finals. Even Anderson, one year before his first major final, who would have predicted it? In all three cases, we could have spent hours listing the reasons why they would never get anywhere (and, if we dig up the old threads, we probably did). Well, we were wrong.

And we are talking about players who were not that young anymore. So, as of now, I do not think we can rule anyone out. If we had at least a really long list of guys who could collective dominate... but we don't. No glass ceiling in sight.

 

[Moxie]

Since I like and have watched a bit of those players, I can comment on that. Kachanov is physically stronger, yes, but Rublev's forehand is even harder -- even if this is apparently exaggerated as he has a much flatter hit than Kachanov's. Rublev is also even more offensive oriented. I would not say "just a ball a basher", because Rublev actually tries to work his angles (but, yes, like some crazy motha fucka). But, as @herios have put, KK's backhand is much much better than Rublev's, and that is a major difference. Also, a heavier top spin usually translates in fewer UFE's.

Other thing is that nowadays I guess we cannot put a ceiling on anyone, and that includes Rublev. If someone told us, early in 2013, that Wawrinka would become a major winner -- and for a time he was not only that but the greatest threat out there for Djokovic -- no one would even take that seriously. Maybe the same goes for Cilic and his lone major plus two finals. Even Anderson, one year before his first major final, who would have predicted it? In all three cases, we could have spent hours listing the reasons why they would never get anywhere (and, if we dig up the old threads, we probably did). Well, we were wrong.

And we are talking about players who were not that young anymore. So, as of now, I do not think we can rule anyone out. If we had at least a really long list of guys who could collective dominate... but we don't. No glass ceiling in sight.

Believe me, I was not putting down Rublev or his chances. I agree with you that, esp. in light of Wawrinka's late career surge. Cilic and Anderson less so, IMO. 3 Majors is a hall of fame career, though. I think most of us do think there will be a pretty good scrum when Roger, then Rafa and Djokovic stop winning the big ones. But I think you're right to remind us to stop expecting too much too soon from all of them. We've been spoiled by the Big 4 (yes, I will say that, in this context rising up early and being so winning and consistent. And we've been burned by disappointments like Dimitrov. I think we'll have to have patience with a lot of the younger ones, but who can say what they may do in 5 years time.

 

[herios]

I don't put a ceiling or lid on anyone's potential either.
I am just assessing at the moment where are they and how much they need to improve to become a potentially great player.
Currently, from the up and comers, the 1996 born crowd ( Khachanov, Coric, Medvedev), Zverev (1997) and Tsitsipas (1998) look the best bets.

 

[El Dude]

^I basically agree with that, although don't see the 1996 crowd (adding in Chung) as being on the same level as Zverev/Tsitsipas, at least in terms of upside. I know you're talking about the immediate future, though, and in that regard I agree that those five are the most primed to do some damage next year.

As far as the longer term (3+ years out), I think the future elites are Zverev and Tsisipas, and adding in the two young Canadians (hopefully).

Then you have a growded group in the 2nd tier, #5-15 range: the 1996 guys, plus Thiem, Rublev, Tiafoe, Kyrgios, Fritz, de Minaur, maybe a few hangers-ons from LostGen and older guys.

 

[Fiero425]

^I basically agree with that, although don't see the 1996 crowd (adding in Chung) as being on the same level as Zverev/Tsitsipas, at least in terms of upside. I know you're talking about the immediate future, though, and in that regard I agree that those five are the most primed to do some damage next year.

As far as the longer term (3+ years out), I think the future elites are Zverev and Tsisipas, and adding in the two young Canadians (hopefully).

Then you have a growded group in the 2nd tier, #5-15 range: the 1996 guys, plus Thiem, Rublev, Tiafoe, Kyrgios, Fritz, de Minaur, maybe a few hangers-ons from LostGen and older guys.

I just hope we aren't saying the same thing in 4-5 yrs w/ old man Fed hanging still in the top 10 w/ Nole & Rafa still leading the tour! :whistle:

 

[herios]

^I basically agree with that, although don't see the 1996 crowd (adding in Chung) as being on the same level as Zverev/Tsitsipas, at least in terms of upside. I know you're talking about the immediate future, though, and in that regard I agree that those five are the most primed to do some damage next year.

As far as the longer term (3+ years out), I think the future elites are Zverev and Tsisipas, and adding in the two young Canadians (hopefully).

Then you have a growded group in the 2nd tier, #5-15 range: the 1996 guys, plus Thiem, Rublev, Tiafoe, Kyrgios, Fritz, de Minaur, maybe a few hangers-ons from LostGen and older guys.

I am not buying into the Kyrgios stock.

 

[El Dude]

I am not buying into the Kyrgios stock.

I'm not either as far as a consistent level, but I do think he'll have his day - or at least his tournament here or there. He's just too damn talented not to.

 

[Carol]

The Tour needs better competition, I mean the injured players like Nadal, Murray, Wawrinka, Delpo Tsonga and others coming back healthy and competitive and also the young ones improving like Khachanov, Tsitsipas, Zverev and others, then we'll see really who will be ready to win the GS because right now and after the last tournaments the Crystal Ball seems to be not too clear

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Uncle Toni says Roger would never win a slam again .

 

[monfed]

faker will win AO. dull will win his last slam and the last RG. USO will have a new winner. Fed will win #21 at Wimbledon.

 

[Michael;Kiwi]

1. Djokovic will win 2 slams
2. Rafa will win the French Open
3. Federer makes one slam final and one slam semi, but can't break through. He manages one Masters title
4. 90's still can't take any slams, and 80's win the Masters 6-3
5. Final Top 10: 1. Djokovic, 2. Zverev, 3. Nadal, 4. Del Potro, 5. Anderson, 6. Federer, 7. Cilic, 8. Thiem, 9. Tsitsipas, 10. Nishikori
6. My guess is that Del Potro or Anderson takes the fourth slam
7. 90's player wins ATP Finals for the third consecutive year. I think it could be Tsitsipas, who will definitely qualify at 9.
8. De Minaur and Shapovalov make a Masters 1000 final and break into top 15
9. Murray does almost nothing, but Wawrinka starts climbing and finishes 17-23
10. There is a super surprise Masters winner at some point as well as many surprise slam Quarterfinalists and probably Semifinalists.
11. Outside of the clay season, Nadal struggles consistently even more than this year.
12. Shapovalov continues to stay around 30 in the rankings
13. Ferrer wins at least 3 matches in his final tournament in Barcelona.
14. Federer retires after winning 10th Basel title without telling anyone. His final victory is his 103rd title over Del Potro.