Dimitrov to work with Rasheed

[isabelle]

According to l'Equipe, Grigor hired Rasheed to be his new coach
Let's see if this new team works well. Rasheed didn't get along with Tsonga who's everything but a hard worker, maybe Grigor is ready to work like a dog ??

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Will Dimitrov also hire a tennis coach?

 

[Ricardo]

that should last about 2 months max, i don't know anyone who lasted with Rasheed really long; not that he is a bad coach.....

 

[El Dude]

Good, because something needs to change. Out in the R64 of Shanghai? What a disappointment he is. I know, Nishikori is a good player but he's the type of player that Grigor should be beating by now. Let's hope that 2014 show a breakthrough, because if not I'm afraid he's not going to be anything more than a top 20ish player.

 

[Ricardo]

Good, because something needs to change. Out in the R64 of Shanghai? What a disappointment he is. I know, Nishikori is a good player but he's the type of player that Grigor should be beating by now. Let's hope that 2014 show a breakthrough, because if not I'm afraid he's not going to be anything more than a top 20ish player.

really? he might be a slight fav if performance is up to scratch, but 'should be' is only if you are a very very heavy favorite. He is not.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

rasheed will work grigors boobs off rocky balboa style..

he will have grigor vomiting his underpants up over the mountains of California. :velo:

 

[El Dude]

Good, because something needs to change. Out in the R64 of Shanghai? What a disappointment he is. I know, Nishikori is a good player but he's the type of player that Grigor should be beating by now. Let's hope that 2014 show a breakthrough, because if not I'm afraid he's not going to be anything more than a top 20ish player.

really? he might be a slight fav if performance is up to scratch, but 'should be' is only if you are a very very heavy favorite. He is not.

Let me put it slightly differently. Kei Nishikori has, for the most part, reached his potential. He might peek into the top 10 now and then, but I think he's pretty much the definition of a "third tier" player - the type of player that is regularly ranked in the top 20, but rarely in the top 10 and (almost/probably) never in the top 5. Think Gilles Simon, Juan Monaco, Nicolas Almagro, Mikhail Youzhny.

Grigor Dimitrov has the potential to be more - a "second tier" player - someone regularly ranked in the top 10, occasionally reaching the top 5, and a darkhorse candidate at Slams and ATP 1000s; think Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Ferrer, David Nalbandian, etc. He's not there yet - he's not even a third tier player at this point - but he should get there. And even that is somewhat disappointing from his earlier promise (or hype) - as a bonafide "first tier" player; a top 5 regular who wins a Slam or three.

We still don't know what Grigor is going to be. Right now he looks like he's another Cilic or Gasquet - an underachiever who settles in more as a 3rd tier player (although to be fair to Gasquet, he's at least knocking at the door of 2nd tier these days). Most 1st tier players were at least 2nd tier by the time they were Dimitrov's age, which makes it very unlikely he'll ever be a true elite. But the promise is still there to be 2nd tier.

So when I said Dimitrov "should be" beating players like Nishikori, I mean to say that if he were on the developmental schedule that we thought, or hoped, he would be on, then he should be at least beating third tier players more often than not by now (at age 22); at this point he's still a "fourth tier" player - ranked in the 20-50 range, going deep in lower level tournaments with one or two better performances at higher tournaments, but no signs of being serious contenders to win more than the occasional ATP 250.

 

[tossip]

Dimotrov loves Hollywood..the easy celebrity life.He seems lazy and is more attracted to the celebrity part of tennis.I see Grigor as a top twenty player with a Nalbandian type of career,he doesnt have the hunger that Nadal displayed as a youngster or Federer s work ethic.
I think these days he enjoys being pova s BF more than anything...

 

[Front242]

A guy who showed the potential he has with a top notch performance to beat Djokovic at Madrid and giving a tough match to Nadal on his favourite surface at Rome, should definitely be faring better than he is. Improved fitness and less DFs at key moments and he'll be dangerous if he stays focused.

Sadly since beating Djokovic in Madrid earlier this year and playing a close match against Nadal in Rome he's pretty much done zilch. Hopefully his 2014 will be better. Personally I wish he'd dump Sharapova and focus on improving his tennis but he's presumably happy with her so good for him.

 

[El Dude]

Front242, change the names and dates and you could have been describing David Nalbandian some years ago?

 

[Front242]

Front242, change the names and dates and you could have been describing David Nalbandian some years ago?

So true. Apart from the Sharapova part. Still gutted about Nalbandian's retirement as I'd hoped he was gonna have successful surgeries like Haas and Hewitt and continue a bit longer but it wasn't to be. Still, he's aged noticeably in the last few months and probably didn't have it in him anymore. I mean, he really let himself go there.

 

[Didi]

Dimotrov loves Hollywood..the easy celebrity life.He seems lazy and is more attracted to the celebrity part of tennis.I see Grigor as a top twenty player with a Nalbandian type of career,he doesnt have the hunger that Nadal displayed as a youngster or Federer s work ethic.
I think these days he enjoys being pova s BF more than anything...

As a fan of Grigor's game I'm afraid you are absolutely spot on. Dimitrov is 12-12 since beating Djokovic in Madrid which is poor beyond belief for this stage of his career. Rasheed seems a good choice for him but I won't be holding my breath, that's for sure. By the way what is Peter Lundgren doing these days? He's the only coach in the history of human kind who was able to make Marat Safin disciplined and committed to the sport. If you can handle the ultimate womanizer in tennis history, hell in any sports, then surely there must be some help for Grigor too?

 

[Riotbeard]

Good, because something needs to change. Out in the R64 of Shanghai? What a disappointment he is. I know, Nishikori is a good player but he's the type of player that Grigor should be beating by now. Let's hope that 2014 show a breakthrough, because if not I'm afraid he's not going to be anything more than a top 20ish player.

really? he might be a slight fav if performance is up to scratch, but 'should be' is only if you are a very very heavy favorite. He is not.

Let me put it slightly differently. Kei Nishikori has, for the most part, reached his potential. He might peek into the top 10 now and then, but I think he's pretty much the definition of a "third tier" player - the type of player that is regularly ranked in the top 20, but rarely in the top 10 and (almost/probably) never in the top 5. Think Gilles Simon, Juan Monaco, Nicolas Almagro, Mikhail Youzhny.

Grigor Dimitrov has the potential to be more - a "second tier" player - someone regularly ranked in the top 10, occasionally reaching the top 5, and a darkhorse candidate at Slams and ATP 1000s; think Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Ferrer, David Nalbandian, etc. He's not there yet - he's not even a third tier player at this point - but he should get there. And even that is somewhat disappointing from his earlier promise (or hype) - as a bonafide "first tier" player; a top 5 regular who wins a Slam or three.

We still don't know what Grigor is going to be. Right now he looks like he's another Cilic or Gasquet - an underachiever who settles in more as a 3rd tier player (although to be fair to Gasquet, he's at least knocking at the door of 2nd tier these days). Most 1st tier players were at least 2nd tier by the time they were Dimitrov's age, which makes it very unlikely he'll ever be a true elite. But the promise is still there to be 2nd tier.

So when I said Dimitrov "should be" beating players like Nishikori, I mean to say that if he were on the developmental schedule that we thought, or hoped, he would be on, then he should be at least beating third tier players more often than not by now (at age 22); at this point he's still a "fourth tier" player - ranked in the 20-50 range, going deep in lower level tournaments with one or two better performances at higher tournaments, but no signs of being serious contenders to win more than the occasional ATP 250.

I think Kei's ceiling is near where Ferrer's is, which is far from 3rd tier. I think you are a bit harsh here, but in general right. I have a lot more respect for kei than dimitrov.

 

[Moxie]

Dimotrov loves Hollywood..the easy celebrity life.He seems lazy and is more attracted to the celebrity part of tennis.I see Grigor as a top twenty player with a Nalbandian type of career,he doesnt have the hunger that Nadal displayed as a youngster or Federer s work ethic.
I think these days he enjoys being pova s BF more than anything...

As a fan of Grigor's game I'm afraid you are absolutely spot on. Dimitrov is 12-12 since beating Djokovic in Madrid which is poor beyond belief for this stage of his career. Rasheed seems a good choice for him but I won't be holding my breath, that's for sure. By the way what is Peter Lundgren doing these days? He's the only coach in the history of human kind who was able to make Marat Safin disciplined and committed to the sport. If you can handle the ultimate womanizer in tennis history, hell in any sports, then surely there must be some help for Grigor too?

Lundgren is a great idea. He couldn't hold Marat's head together for very long, but long enough to get him his 2nd Slam. (Was Safin the ultimate womanizer in all of sport? Well, could be true. I remember the Safinettes. *sigh* I hope that's not his legacy to tennis.)

 

[Ricardo]

Good, because something needs to change. Out in the R64 of Shanghai? What a disappointment he is. I know, Nishikori is a good player but he's the type of player that Grigor should be beating by now. Let's hope that 2014 show a breakthrough, because if not I'm afraid he's not going to be anything more than a top 20ish player.

really? he might be a slight fav if performance is up to scratch, but 'should be' is only if you are a very very heavy favorite. He is not.

Let me put it slightly differently. Kei Nishikori has, for the most part, reached his potential. He might peek into the top 10 now and then, but I think he's pretty much the definition of a "third tier" player - the type of player that is regularly ranked in the top 20, but rarely in the top 10 and (almost/probably) never in the top 5. Think Gilles Simon, Juan Monaco, Nicolas Almagro, Mikhail Youzhny.

Grigor Dimitrov has the potential to be more - a "second tier" player - someone regularly ranked in the top 10, occasionally reaching the top 5, and a darkhorse candidate at Slams and ATP 1000s; think Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Ferrer, David Nalbandian, etc. He's not there yet - he's not even a third tier player at this point - but he should get there. And even that is somewhat disappointing from his earlier promise (or hype) - as a bonafide "first tier" player; a top 5 regular who wins a Slam or three.

We still don't know what Grigor is going to be. Right now he looks like he's another Cilic or Gasquet - an underachiever who settles in more as a 3rd tier player (although to be fair to Gasquet, he's at least knocking at the door of 2nd tier these days). Most 1st tier players were at least 2nd tier by the time they were Dimitrov's age, which makes it very unlikely he'll ever be a true elite. But the promise is still there to be 2nd tier.

So when I said Dimitrov "should be" beating players like Nishikori, I mean to say that if he were on the developmental schedule that we thought, or hoped, he would be on, then he should be at least beating third tier players more often than not by now (at age 22); at this point he's still a "fourth tier" player - ranked in the 20-50 range, going deep in lower level tournaments with one or two better performances at higher tournaments, but no signs of being serious contenders to win more than the occasional ATP 250.

catagorising players like this is a 'i know everything' approach that look impressive but its not that simplistic as you think. 1st tier? 2nd tier? 3rd tier? :laydownlaughing

"Dimitrov should be beating players like Nishikori" "Nishi has reached his potential", stating it as if it were facts is usually best left to the experts

 

[El Dude]

OK, Ricardo.

 

[Moxie]

Good, because something needs to change. Out in the R64 of Shanghai? What a disappointment he is. I know, Nishikori is a good player but he's the type of player that Grigor should be beating by now. Let's hope that 2014 show a breakthrough, because if not I'm afraid he's not going to be anything more than a top 20ish player.

really? he might be a slight fav if performance is up to scratch, but 'should be' is only if you are a very very heavy favorite. He is not.

Let me put it slightly differently. Kei Nishikori has, for the most part, reached his potential. He might peek into the top 10 now and then, but I think he's pretty much the definition of a "third tier" player - the type of player that is regularly ranked in the top 20, but rarely in the top 10 and (almost/probably) never in the top 5. Think Gilles Simon, Juan Monaco, Nicolas Almagro, Mikhail Youzhny.

Grigor Dimitrov has the potential to be more - a "second tier" player - someone regularly ranked in the top 10, occasionally reaching the top 5, and a darkhorse candidate at Slams and ATP 1000s; think Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Ferrer, David Nalbandian, etc. He's not there yet - he's not even a third tier player at this point - but he should get there. And even that is somewhat disappointing from his earlier promise (or hype) - as a bonafide "first tier" player; a top 5 regular who wins a Slam or three.

We still don't know what Grigor is going to be. Right now he looks like he's another Cilic or Gasquet - an underachiever who settles in more as a 3rd tier player (although to be fair to Gasquet, he's at least knocking at the door of 2nd tier these days). Most 1st tier players were at least 2nd tier by the time they were Dimitrov's age, which makes it very unlikely he'll ever be a true elite. But the promise is still there to be 2nd tier.

So when I said Dimitrov "should be" beating players like Nishikori, I mean to say that if he were on the developmental schedule that we thought, or hoped, he would be on, then he should be at least beating third tier players more often than not by now (at age 22); at this point he's still a "fourth tier" player - ranked in the 20-50 range, going deep in lower level tournaments with one or two better performances at higher tournaments, but no signs of being serious contenders to win more than the occasional ATP 250.

catagorising players like this is a 'i know everything' approach that look impressive but its not that simplistic as you think. 1st tier? 2nd tier? 3rd tier? :laydownlaughing

"Dimitrov should be beating players like Nishikori" "Nishi has reached his potential", stating it as if it were facts is usually best left to the experts

Ricardo, El Dude is as close to an "expert" as about anyone you're going to read. Nishikori, as much as I like him, has likely reached his level, as have so many others mentioned. And Dimitrov is not, after SO many years of being the next best thing, fulfilling the desired potential. I think El Dude is never far off with his "tiers," and makes considered arguments for them. So what is your objection to Dude's argument? That Nishikori is better than that? That Dimitrov isn't? He makes a coherent argument, and you can disagree, but don't just slag it off. He lays his own argument out very clearly. It's not hard to argue points with El Dude. His position is crystalline. Just make an effort.