2019 Next 'Next Gen' Talk

[El Dude]

Of course not every young player turns out, but does it need saying? We can speculate, rank, etc, and then we can say "you never know," and then we can say "of course you never know, so let's speculate anyway." So around and around we go.

 

[Moxie]

That's what we're here for. I honestly think we try harder to game the youngsters than those that get paid for it do. And I think we do a better job. And you leading the pack. (Along with @JesuslookslikeBorg, who has always been a valiant scout of early talent.)

 

[don_fabio]

He did better than you remember, albeit once. And it was not at AO where he was at his best, it was in Miami where he reached the SF.

Thank you for correcting me. Sometimes I can't be bothered to check deeper.

 

[don_fabio]

Too much media around the young guys puts pressure on them too once they make some notable wins. They should all just stay humble and keep working hard and smart to become ready for big achievements. In tennis nothing is promised unless you work for it and prove that you can do it. Kyrgios is a good example of that, he could have been great competitor already, but instead is just fighting his inner deamons and so far chosed an easier path of not trying. This is why I already like Tsitsipas (and Thiem too), for taking it seriously and doing all they can to bring down the best players. I would add Medvedev and Khachanov for being commited too.

@Moxie and @El Dude, the speculation posts and constant re-evaluation of players and their futures is sometimes the most interesting part here on the forum, it gets better than newspaper articles. Sometimes people end up arguing about some small details about big3 for 2-3 pages, but when it comes to these threads it seems harder to spark discussions.

 

[El Dude]

Very pleased with Felix's results today, beating not one but two very talented players in Dimitrov and Kyrgios. Not bad for a day's work.

 

[Moxie]

Very pleased with Felix's results today, beating not one but two very talented players in Dimitrov and Kyrgios. Not bad for a day's work.

A great demonstration of calm and focus from the young man, it appears. I didn't see either match, but caught the end of FAA v. Nick, and the commies did say that it was a good job by him to stay focused v. Kyrgios. We do know that he can give an "odd rhythm" to a match, with his own focus issues.

 

[herios]

I saw some of both his matches. Beating Dimitrov these days does not take too much. Grigor just gave away both games when he was broken. Of course Felix still had to stay focused and not have glitches in his service game.
One thing concerns me though. His second serve is a huge liability. It is Verdasco type. He makes tons of DF. With top players he cannot afford it.
I hope he will work on it.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

To some extent FAA was helped by rain. If not for rain, he would have to play earlier in the week and that might have been tough for him after playing till Sunday at Stuttgart.

 

[El Dude]

His second serve is his only weakness and can be improved over time. He'll get there. Everything else, even if still raw, is a plus. He's such a well-rounded player.

 

[herios]

His second serve is his only weakness and can be improved over time. He'll get there. Everything else, even if still raw, is a plus. He's such a well-rounded player.

Of course it can be improved. No question about that.
He needs to also think it through when to go to the net. That is not a weakness, rather decision making in a split second. I have seen him passed with ease by Berrettini in Stuttgart.

 

[El Dude]

I love this tidbit: On their shared birthday in August, Roger Federer (38) will be exactly twice FAA's age (19). I hope we get to see these two play.

 

[tented]

I love this tidbit: On their shared birthday in August, Roger Federer (38) will be exactly twice FAA's age (19). I hope we get to see these two play.

That is interesting. Roger is playing guys who could be his kids.

 

[Moxie]

That is interesting. Roger is playing guys who could be his kids.

It was mentioned to Roger during RG that Casper Ruud was playing in the draw, and that in 1999, Roger's first year at RG, Christian Ruud was in the draw, Casper's father. (He didn't play either, but it's an nice perspective on his longevity.)

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It was mentioned to Roger during RG that Casper Ruud was playing in the draw, and that in 1999, Roger's first year at RG, Christian Ruud was in the draw, Casper's father. (He didn't play either, but it's an nice perspective on his longevity.)

Casper could have potentially played Roger, if he had kept his end of the deal intact.

Not sure whether the same is true of Christian.

 

[Moxie]

Casper could have potentially played Roger, if he had kept his end of the deal intact.

Not sure whether the same is true of Christian.

Here is the draw for RG 1999. Actually, Roger and Christian were both in the bottom half of the draw. Roger lost in the first round to Pat Rafter, but Christian made it to the 3rd round.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Here is the draw for RG 1999. Actually, Roger and Christian were both in the bottom half of the draw. Roger lost in the first round to Pat Rafter, but Christian made it to the 3rd round.

The only possibility is if they meet in SF. Chances were negligible that two unseeded players could have met in SF.

But, with Casper, the chances were fairly high as their expected meeting was in third round I think.

 

[Moxie]

The only possibility is if they meet in SF. Chances were negligible that two unseeded players could have met in SF.

But, with Casper, the chances were fairly high as their expected meeting was in third round I think.

That really wasn't the point.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

talking of young talent there are alot of blokes in top120 range age 21 or under i think, i did a check the other day..

players we might have heard of like c moutet, a popyrin, and that serb with a long surname nodody can remember so far..so the future is cool n groovy maaaaaaaan.

and small colin is officially flying the flag for so-called next gen in todays queens af with 37yr old lopez.

 

[Moxie]

LOL...you made me curious, so I went to the live rankings. Maybe you mean Miomir Kecmanović? I do wonder what his friends call him.

 

[DarthFed]

Casper could have potentially played Roger, if he had kept his end of the deal intact.

Not sure whether the same is true of Christian.

Roger did play Ruud in 3rd round of this RG