A New Big Four?

[Riotbeard]

With Delpo gobbling up a another 500 today, I was thinking are we moving towards a new big four? Assuming Andy recovers relatively soon, Ferrer passing him in the rankings is temporary at best, and Delpo is closing the gap. Next year at the slams, the only major points Delpo is defending are at Wimbledon, so if he continues the forms he has had since Wimbledon into next year, he will probably pass ferrer who has a lot of points to defend including his two great runs in paris.

Will this be the creation of a new big 4? Each has some chance of beating the other. Each has at least a slam. Delpo might be the inferior member, but he's not a nobody. Also if Delpo replace Ferrers, it will mean that it will be even tougher for Fed to make it semi's when all four are in attendance.

Records against the current big four this year:
Federer:1-0
Rafa: 1-1
Novak: 1-3
Andy:1-0

 

[Kieran]

It seems a bit sudden, my friend. Let's see how far he pushes things next week, and the week after. And then Oz. Winning 500 events is great but it doesn't get a chap over da hump, ya know what I mean?

 

[Riotbeard]

It seems a bit sudden, my friend. Let's see how far he pushes things next week, and the week after. And then Oz. Winning 500 events is great but it doesn't get a chap over da hump, ya know what I mean?

I do and this is definitely speculative, but there is also a series of results starting with Wimbledon that gives some hope. This is definitely a speculative big four more akin to the one that existed prior to Andy winning a Major.

 

[Kieran]

Well that's true, and somebody else has to nudge their way in because to be honest, the last ten years has been slim on chaps taking the castle by force. del potro might be that guy - or next year could be just dominated by Rafa and Novak, with Andy as the third wheel and Roger in further decline. I know, I sound pessimistic, but there hasn't been much to give me confidence, not even DP at Wimbo.

But he is the obvious candidate, if there's to be another great player emerge, no matter how long he stays there...

 

[DarthFed]

Way too early to say this. At the end of the day DP has won 1 big tournament in his career and it came 4 years ago. Beating a washed up Roger is not some big win. DP has made progress this year and he might take the next step to become a real contender at slams again, but until he does...

 

[Riotbeard]

Way too early to say this. At the end of the day DP has won 1 big tournament in his career and it came 4 years ago. Beating a washed up Roger is not some big win. DP has made progress this year and he might take the next step to become a real contender at slams again, but until he does...

The win against Federer means much less to me than the Wimbledon Semi and the utter dismantling of Rafa in Shanghai. I will repeat this is speculative. Federer is more just one more piece of evidence than the core of the hypothesis. Another issue is what will be the result of moving into the number 4 ranking, which is likely I think. This will give him much clear paths into deep runs than previously and will make his life much easier prior to playing the top 3 guys.

Also, a guy can predict right or at least speculate right? Do I have to wait until Delpo wins a major to speculate that he will win a major

 

[Riotbeard]

Also this is speculation. I am not predicting that Delpo is about to be come our new god of Tennis, who will smite the persian xerxes rafa nadal.

 

[DarthFed]

Way too early to say this. At the end of the day DP has won 1 big tournament in his career and it came 4 years ago. Beating a washed up Roger is not some big win. DP has made progress this year and he might take the next step to become a real contender at slams again, but until he does...

The win against Federer means much less to me than the Wimbledon Semi and the utter dismantling of Rafa in Shanghai. I will repeat this is speculative. Federer is more just one more piece of evidence than the core of the hypothesis. Another issue is what will be the result of moving into the number 4 ranking, which is likely I think. This will give him much clear paths into deep runs than previously and will make his life much easier prior to playing the top 3 guys.

Also, a guy can predict right or at least speculate right? Do I have to wait until Delpo wins a major to speculate that he will win a major

Maybe not win a major, but winning a big event like an MS or the YEC would help. You are right that being in the top 4 makes life infinitely easier for him for draws. That should be the big goal in the foreseeable future.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Well, he is big, that's for sure.
We have to keep in mind though, even though he has a slam, we are still waiting for good results in Masters 1000. Andy had 7 or 8 Masters before he won his first slam , I think.

I think he is close...

 

[Riotbeard]

Way too early to say this. At the end of the day DP has won 1 big tournament in his career and it came 4 years ago. Beating a washed up Roger is not some big win. DP has made progress this year and he might take the next step to become a real contender at slams again, but until he does...

The win against Federer means much less to me than the Wimbledon Semi and the utter dismantling of Rafa in Shanghai. I will repeat this is speculative. Federer is more just one more piece of evidence than the core of the hypothesis. Another issue is what will be the result of moving into the number 4 ranking, which is likely I think. This will give him much clear paths into deep runs than previously and will make his life much easier prior to playing the top 3 guys.

Also, a guy can predict right or at least speculate right? Do I have to wait until Delpo wins a major to speculate that he will win a major

Maybe not win a major, but winning a big event like an MS or the YEC would help. You are right that being in the top 4 makes life infinitely easier for him for draws. That should be the big goal in the foreseeable future.

Moving up one more spot is definitely the next big thing for him, and should be his goal.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I need to see on how well he does in the Majors. I know he has won one Major already, but I need to see some consistency in all four majors. I thought he will have spectacular US Open because of what he did in Wimbledon and winning Washington, but he disappointed me by losing in the 2nd round of the US Open.

I'm not saying he should win a major because we know how hard is to beat The Big Four in majors (Yes, I still put Federer in there), but I need to see him do well consistently in majors before he could be in the Big Four or Big Three.

 

[herios]

With Delpo gobbling up a another 500 today, I was thinking are we moving towards a new big four? Assuming Andy recovers relatively soon, Ferrer passing him in the rankings is temporary at best, and Delpo is closing the gap. Next year at the slams, the only major points Delpo is defending are at Wimbledon, so if he continues the forms he has had since Wimbledon into next year, he will probably pass ferrer who has a lot of points to defend including his two great runs in paris.

Will this be the creation of a new big 4? Each has some chance of beating the other. Each has at least a slam. Delpo might be the inferior member, but he's not a nobody. Also if Delpo replace Ferrers, it will mean that it will be even tougher for Fed to make it semi's when all four are in attendance.

Records against the current big four this year:
Federer:1-0
Rafa: 1-1
Novak: 1-3
Andy:1-0

Thank you for opening this thread. I am very optimistic about JMDP at this time. Well, I was also 4 years and it ended in a bitter injury, with a painfully slow recovery. I hope this time injury demons will stay away for a while...

And why not predict BEFORE it is actually happening? That is the fun of it. Once he did it, it is easy to say "I told you so".
I have a master plan, which includes him getting into the top 4 before the AO. That is for starters.

 

[Riotbeard]

With Delpo gobbling up a another 500 today, I was thinking are we moving towards a new big four? Assuming Andy recovers relatively soon, Ferrer passing him in the rankings is temporary at best, and Delpo is closing the gap. Next year at the slams, the only major points Delpo is defending are at Wimbledon, so if he continues the forms he has had since Wimbledon into next year, he will probably pass ferrer who has a lot of points to defend including his two great runs in paris.

Will this be the creation of a new big 4? Each has some chance of beating the other. Each has at least a slam. Delpo might be the inferior member, but he's not a nobody. Also if Delpo replace Ferrers, it will mean that it will be even tougher for Fed to make it semi's when all four are in attendance.

Records against the current big four this year:
Federer:1-0
Rafa: 1-1
Novak: 1-3
Andy:1-0

Thank you for opening this thread. I am very optimistic about JMDP at this time. Well, I was also 4 years and it ended in a bitter injury, wityh a painfully slow recovery. I hope this time injury demons will stay away for a while...

And why not predict BEFORE it is actually happening? That is the fun of it. Once he did it, it is easy to say "I told you so".
I have a master plan, which includes him getting into the top 4 before the AO. That is for starters.

Haha (I thought that was the point of predicting also Herios!). He is closing the gap with his win today and Ferrer's loss.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I do think Del Potro would enter into Big Four club very soon and once in
there would maintain his place for at least two years (except for may be a few
weeks here and there).

However, I am not so sure as to who he will push out. It could be any one
of Ferrer, Murray and Federer.

 

[herios]

I do think Del Potro would enter into Big Four club very soon and once in
there would maintain his place for at least two years (except for may be a few
weeks here and there).

However, I am not so sure as to who he will push out. It could be any one
of Ferrer, Murray and Federer.

Federer is out already. I know many still consider him as part of the big 4, but I am sorry, that is not the case anymore. He has done nothing this year to deserve to be part of a "Big 4".
An AO SF and a Rome final is not nearly enough, that is why is now ranked 7.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Del Potro first man ever to win 4 500s in a Calendar Year. Calendar Year Grand 500. The Del Potro 500.

 

[nehmeth]

Refreshing to see a thread not about the usual characters. And since most of what is written falls within the realm of speculation, I'd say he has a very good chance of building on the successes of 2013.

What they've done to improve his movement and his serve the past few years is excellent. He will never be the fastest on court, but he's one of the fastest of anyone his size. If they can do something to improve his endurance, all the better.

Hopefully he will remain injury free and terrorize the tour next year.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I do think Del Potro would enter into Big Four club very soon and once in
there would maintain his place for at least two years (except for may be a few
weeks here and there).

However, I am not so sure as to who he will push out. It could be any one
of Ferrer, Murray and Federer.

Federer is out already. I know many still consider him as part of the big 4, but I am sorry, that is not the case anymore. He has done nothing this year to deserve to be part of a "Big 4".
An AO SF and a Rome final is not nearly enough, that is why is now ranked 7.

I was talking about future as OP mentioned. Specifically, I was wondering who
will be in top 4 of the rankings by the end of next year.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

If Murray ever regains his level, it'll be the strongest top 4 of the 21st Century, now that Del Potro is consistent, Nadal is healthy, Djokovic is the ideal #2.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Not every top four is the same as big four.

In order for a top four to be called big four, they need to have
sustained dominance in the recent past GSs and 1000s.