Class of 1985 - welcome to 30, boys

[El Dude]

Players turning 30 this year:

Stanislas Wawrinka
Tomas Berdych
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Nicolas Almagro
John Isner
Marcos Baghdatis

There are more, of course, but those are some notable names. Wawrinka and Berdych seem to be going strong with no sign of decline. Tsonga has been slipping over the last year or so and is now injured. Almagro was on the edge of the top 10 for a few years and then was injured for most of last year. We'll see if he can bounce back. Isner seems to be holding steady in the #15-20 range and, with his big serve, can probably stick in the top 50 for years to come if he wants (see "Karlovic, Ivo"). Baghdatis...well, I think its safe to call 2006 a fluke - even mediocre players have good tournaments and years.

 

[Federberg]

I would hardly call Baggy mediocre. I've watched Baggy many times, and sometimes live. He is not mediocre. An underachiever yes...

 

[mrzz]

^I agree. Besides, on a list that contains Isner, calling anyone else mediocre is a huge ofense...

 

[Denis]

Baggy makes tennis look like child play, too bad he plays like a child once too often. Fun and good player.

 

[El Dude]

An underachiever, fair enough. His results have been mediocre, though.

 

[Federberg]

^No argument there!

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Players turning 30 this year:

Stanislas Wawrinka
Tomas Berdych
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Nicolas Almagro
John Isner
Marcos Baghdatis

There are more, of course, but those are some notable names. Wawrinka and Berdych seem to be going strong with no sign of decline. Tsonga has been slipping over the last year or so and is now injured. Almagro was on the edge of the top 10 for a few years and then was injured for most of last year. We'll see if he can bounce back. Isner seems to be holding steady in the #15-20 range and, with his big serve, can probably stick in the top 50 for years to come if he wants (see "Karlovic, Ivo"). Baghdatis...well, I think its safe to call 2006 a fluke - even mediocre players have good tournaments and years.

Wow, interesting post! Hard to believe any of these guys are 30. Saw all of them as 18 year olds. I actually say Isner as a 15 year old.

Let's do a flashback to 1985. Top Ten, Slam Champions and contenders:

Becker, Edberg, Lendl, Mcenroe, Wilander, Mecir, Jaryd, Connors, Becker, Curren...

I actually saw Curren eating a Snicker bar before a practice session...imagine that today!

And ugh...running shorts to practice in...the kind with the slits of the side...dear lord, thank you for ending that.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I would hardly call Baggy mediocre. I've watched Baggy many times, and sometimes live. He is not mediocre. An underachiever yes...

Baggy's primary problem is too much "extracurricular" activities and lack of discipline.

 

[El Dude]

I would hardly call Baggy mediocre. I've watched Baggy many times, and sometimes live. He is not mediocre. An underachiever yes...

Baggy's primary problem is too much "extracurricular" activities and lack of discipline.

Marcos and I have much in common.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

1985..remember coming home from school during Wimbledon and the shock of McEnroe losing heavily to curren,

I knew he was dangerous but no way was I expecting that scoreline..to make it even worse, curren had a nightmare mullet/fringe/bowl cut hairdo perched on his head. 1985. yikes.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

1985..remember coming home from school during Wimbledon and the shock of McEnroe losing heavily to curren,

I knew he was dangerous but no way was I expecting that scoreline..to make it even worse, curren had a nightmare mullet/fringe/bowl cut hairdo perched on his head. 1985. yikes.

Yes, and he beat Connors too.

He had the distinction of being one of the guys to play with a wood racket all the way up until 1984.

 

[El Dude]

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Now that is what I'm talkin 'bout.:clap

 

[brokenshoelace]

Berdych's age surprises me. I know he's been around for a while but still, tough to believe he's 30 (or about to turn 30).

 

[Federberg]

1985..remember coming home from school during Wimbledon and the shock of McEnroe losing heavily to curren,

I knew he was dangerous but no way was I expecting that scoreline..to make it even worse, curren had a nightmare mullet/fringe/bowl cut hairdo perched on his head. 1985. yikes.

Me too! I had a cross-country run. Being a sprinter, I wasn't normally up for the run, usually I would run a bit then walk the rest of the way. But I wanted to get back to watch the match. I amazed one of my mates (who was a cross-country runner) because I actually kept up with him. Still don't know how I did it. But it wasn't worth it at all, to see my boy Mac lose that match. Almost as painful as Roger's 2008 Wimbledon loss and Edbergs loss to Becker! :cry