Are the Big Four Back? (Or is it too soon to say?)

[El Dude]

It seems to me that the Big Four are collectively playing their best tennis in a long time. Think about it: Andy Murray was injured late last year and recovering for most of this year, but seems to be playing a bit better in Miami. Roger struggled for most of 2013 and started rising again late in the year, while looking like drank from the fountain of youth over the last few tournaments and is finally playing great. Rafa's been amazing since early last year, and Novak's had ups and downs but basically been playing well (I know, Novak fans, this isn't 2011...but what are you gonna do?)

But the point being, it has probably been since the summer of 2012 that all four have been playing very well. There have been points since then when all four were playing, but not playing well, or three playing well and one out. But all four playing well? Its got to be before Lukas Rosol.

 

[rafanoy1992]

It seems to me that the Big Four are collectively playing their best tennis in a long time. Think about it: Andy Murray was injured late last year and recovering for most of this year, but seems to be playing a bit better in Miami. Roger struggled for most of 2013 and started rising again late in the year, while looking like drank from the fountain of youth over the last few tournaments and is finally playing great. Rafa's been amazing since early last year, and Novak's had ups and downs but basically been playing well (I know, Novak fans, this isn't 2011...but what are you gonna do?)

But the point being, it has probably been since the summer of 2012 that all four have been playing very well. There have been points since then when all four were playing, but not playing well, or three playing well and one out. But all four playing well? Its got to be before Lukas Rosol.

To answer your question, I think it is too soon to say they are back. Unfortunately, we would not able to find out until the grass "season" starts because Murray is not necessarily a threat on Clay. I do hope all of them will able to play well at the same time. Let's face it, no matter how much we like parity in sports, the best time to watch sports is when top teams/players play at their best level at the same time. Let's hope that we do get to see all members of the Big Four play in a Grand Slam semifinals once again preferably at Wimbledon.

 

[Front242]

It's really not long till RG and Wimbledon so that will paint the best picture imo. If Murray wins Queens and does well at Wimbledon then he's definitely back on track anyway.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

It seems to me that the Big Four are collectively playing their best tennis in a long time. Think about it: Andy Murray was injured late last year and recovering for most of this year, but seems to be playing a bit better in Miami. Roger struggled for most of 2013 and started rising again late in the year, while looking like drank from the fountain of youth over the last few tournaments and is finally playing great. Rafa's been amazing since early last year, and Novak's had ups and downs but basically been playing well (I know, Novak fans, this isn't 2011...but what are you gonna do?)

But the point being, it has probably been since the summer of 2012 that all four have been playing very well. There have been points since then when all four were playing, but not playing well, or three playing well and one out. But all four playing well? Its got to be before Lukas Rosol.

They never left.

Since 2009 TWO guys outside the Big 4 have won slams.

The big four have been gobbling up Masters 1000s and slams with no outsiders getting in

So when did the Big 4 leave.

Want a cold dose of reality? 2012 and 2013...exactly One player besides the Big 4 has a win in a Masters.....David Ferrer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATP_World_Tour_Masters_1000#2013_ATP_World_Tour_Masters_1000

Slams?
2012 and 2013...exactly One player besides the Big 4 has a win in..Wawrinka.

 

[El Dude]

Luxilon, you missed my point, I think. I'm talking all four playing well at the same time. To me it seems that they are collectively playing their best tennis in over a year and a half.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Luxilon, you missed my point, I think. I'm talking all four playing well at the same time. To me it seems that they are collectively playing their best tennis in over a year and a half.

Then you may have something. Murray, despite his histrionics and leg grabbing, played an unreal match today. Fed was just on a another planet. Nadal and joker are sharp as well.

Unfortunately you won't see all 4 in the semis.

 

[DarthFed]

I disagree. Murray has barely looked like a top 10 player since his return. Right now it almost looks like the days of the big 3 yet not quite. Let's remember that Djokovic currently holds no slams and somehow managed to lose in the QF of his favorite slam. Aside from last Fall he hasn't been playing well for a very long time now.

I think the only reason this is a thread is due to Roger showing signs of life. Roger was never going to remain a scrub this year but so far he has played a little bit better than I expected and it seems way better than many others expected.

 

[Moxie]

^ I get you, Dude. It's been a funny turn back from IW, when it looked like the "younger" players were really storming the castle, even though the final was still Djokovic/Fed. Of those insurgents, only Dolgopolov still stands, but the Big 4 are still in. Three of the Big Four are in excellent form, and when Murray comes back to his…if he isn't yet, it will still beg the question of how the pressing youngsters will do against them.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

I disagree. Murray has barely looked like a top 10 player since his return. Right now it almost looks like the days of the big 3 yet not quite. Let's remember that Djokovic currently holds no slams and somehow managed to lose in the QF of his favorite slam. Aside from last Fall he hasn't been playing well for a very long time now.

I think the only reason this is a thread is due to Roger showing signs of life. Roger was never going to remain a scrub this year but so far he has played a little bit better than I expected and it seems way better than many others expected.

Murray played out of his mind today....

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

big 4 are nearly back together..eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[isabelle]

I disagree. Murray has barely looked like a top 10 player since his return. Right now it almost looks like the days of the big 3 yet not quite. Let's remember that Djokovic currently holds no slams and somehow managed to lose in the QF of his favorite slam. Aside from last Fall he hasn't been playing well for a very long time now.

I think the only reason this is a thread is due to Roger showing signs of life. Roger was never going to remain a scrub this year but so far he has played a little bit better than I expected and it seems way better than many others expected.

Murray played out of his mind today....

True, he played a great match even if Tsonga played poorly and helped Murray to win
Happy to see the Scottish wizzard back

 

[nehmeth]

I disagree. Murray has barely looked like a top 10 player since his return. Right now it almost looks like the days of the big 3 yet not quite. Let's remember that Djokovic currently holds no slams and somehow managed to lose in the QF of his favorite slam. Aside from last Fall he hasn't been playing well for a very long time now.

I think the only reason this is a thread is due to Roger showing signs of life. Roger was never going to remain a scrub this year but so far he has played a little bit better than I expected and it seems way better than many others expected.

Murray played out of his mind today....

True. He had lapses of course, but for the most part he played some pretty aggressive tennis against Tsonga. He played excellent defense when Jo was pummeling the ball, forcing the Frenchman to always hit the next shot - which Jo too often missed. He's not back to full form yet, but he was hitting jaw dropping winners out there today.

To the original question - Roger's play was sublime, but he still seems to lose the plot against the very best. Novak is still not sharp like he was at the end of last year, but he played a solid match against Robredo, took the opportunity to work on his dtl bh, his approaches and volleys, and hit the majority of his shots from around or inside the baseline. Rafa has been hitting the balls the way he did during the summer hard court season last year.

They're getting there.

 

[brokenshoelace]

It's not too soon to say they're back. It was too soon to say they were gone.

 

[DarthFed]

I disagree. Murray has barely looked like a top 10 player since his return. Right now it almost looks like the days of the big 3 yet not quite. Let's remember that Djokovic currently holds no slams and somehow managed to lose in the QF of his favorite slam. Aside from last Fall he hasn't been playing well for a very long time now.

I think the only reason this is a thread is due to Roger showing signs of life. Roger was never going to remain a scrub this year but so far he has played a little bit better than I expected and it seems way better than many others expected.

Murray played out of his mind today....

True, yet it is one match. Today should be a good test to see where he is at. I do think Murray will work his way back to form but it is taking awhile and we might not see him do much until grass season. And if Murray does return to his old self and Roger maintains his play then yes, it will be a dominant big 4 again.

 

[El Dude]

Let's remember that Djokovic currently holds no slams and somehow managed to lose in the QF of his favorite slam. Aside from last Fall he hasn't been playing well for a very long time now.

Let's also remember that Novak has won the last three ATP 1000s! That doesn't seem to fit the notion of him not playing well for a very long time. He did beat Roger, and while maybe Roger wasn't at his very best he was still playing quite well. I watched the end of the match against Robredo and Novak looked very good to me.

I feel like poor Novak is cursed with his greatness from the US Open of 2010 to the AO of 2012. He played at such an incredible level, yet has been quite good since - just not quite as good. We can't expect him to ever get back to that level, just like we can't expect Roger to ever get back to his ultimate peak of 2006, or Rafa in 2010 (although 2013 was close). In other words, we might have to accept the fact that THIS is Novak, and he's a pretty good player!

 

[Busted]

I disagree. Murray has barely looked like a top 10 player since his return. Right now it almost looks like the days of the big 3 yet not quite. Let's remember that Djokovic currently holds no slams and somehow managed to lose in the QF of his favorite slam. Aside from last Fall he hasn't been playing well for a very long time now.

I think the only reason this is a thread is due to Roger showing signs of life. Roger was never going to remain a scrub this year but so far he has played a little bit better than I expected and it seems way better than many others expected.

Murray played out of his mind today....

He'll need to bring it again today because I doubt Nole is going to roll over for him. I think he'll lose - and lose about 820 points in the rankings, too.

 

[Busted]

I feel like poor Novak is cursed with his greatness from the US Open of 2010 to the AO of 2012. He played at such an incredible level, yet has been quite good since - just not quite as good. We can't expect him to ever get back to that level, just like we can't expect Roger to ever get back to his ultimate peak of 2006, or Rafa in 2010 (although 2013 was close). In other words, we might have to accept the fact that THIS is Novak, and he's a pretty good player!

The inability to sustain that "greatness" is the difference between guys like Fed and Sampras (and Nadal) and guys like Nole - especially in the GOAT conversation. You have to be able to bring it year in and year out for 5, 6, 7 years in a row. So far Nole hasn't been able to do that. He's an excellent player but I wouldn't use the world "great" to describe him. And I'm not shading Nole. I like Nole. I just don't think he's ever going to make it to double-digits in Slam wins.

 

[Riotbeard]

Right time to ask the question, but too early to give an answer.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I feel like poor Novak is cursed with his greatness from the US Open of 2010 to the AO of 2012. He played at such an incredible level, yet has been quite good since - just not quite as good. We can't expect him to ever get back to that level, just like we can't expect Roger to ever get back to his ultimate peak of 2006, or Rafa in 2010 (although 2013 was close). In other words, we might have to accept the fact that THIS is Novak, and he's a pretty good player!

The inability to sustain that "greatness" is the difference between guys like Fed and Sampras (and Nadal) and guys like Nole - especially in the GOAT conversation. You have to be able to bring it year in and year out for 5, 6, 7 years in a row. So far Nole hasn't been able to do that. He's an excellent player but I wouldn't use the world "great" to describe him. And I'm not shading Nole. I like Nole. I just don't think he's ever going to make it to double-digits in Slam wins.

There are varying levels of greatness. Nole is great. Watching him, I don't know how that word doesn't describe him. But yes, he's not on the level of greatness of Federer, Sampras, or Nadal. Not yet anywa.

 

[calitennis127]

It's not too soon to say they're back. It was too soon to say they were gone.

So profound.