Felix Auger-Aliassime

[El Dude]

My favorite young player might be Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 18-year old born on the same day as Roger Federer, August 7th...although in 2000, when Roger turned 19 years old and was ranked #43 in the world. In other words, when FAA turns 19 this August, he'll be exactly half Roger's age.

Born in 2000, he might actually more properly be considered in the generation after Next...not sure what that would be. But his current rank of #60 make him easily the highest ranked player born in 2000; next is Rudolf Molleker at #183.

According to this guy, FAA grades as follows:
Forehand A-
Backhand B+
Serve A-
Movement A
Volleys B
Mental NA

( don't know anything about the linked Youtuber, Gill Gross, but he knows a lot more than I do and gives a really detailed analysis of FAA's game).

Gross says he has a lot of offensive potential due to both wings (forehand and backhand) having immense upside. Very good first serve, just needs to work on his double faulting. Excellent movement, volleys need work. Problem with consistency but Gross says what makes him so impressive is the whole package: no real weaknesses and lots of strengths.

Anyhow, really excited to see his "mini-breakthrough." I would guess he'll slow in his rise and most of 2019 will be about consolidating that top 100 ranking, maybe inching up a bit more into the 30s-40s. I do think he'll win his first ATP title or two this year, with an off-chance of reaching a 20-something ranking by the end of the year.

The big concern, of course, is his health. He's got a heart condition that hopefully he can manage.

 

[Moxie]

"Might be" your favorite young player?! Come on...you've been touting this kid since he was 5 days out of his mother's womb. Seriously, I like the kid. I think he's got a good head, too, even that was an "NA" in that fellow's assessment. The heart issue is very concerning. One would hope that if it requires medication to control, that his team can work with ITF/Wada to make it something that keeps him playing.

 

[El Dude]

"Might be" your favorite young player?! Come on...you've been touting this kid since he was 5 days out of his mother's womb. Seriously, I like the kid. I think he's got a good head, too, even that was an "NA" in that fellow's assessment. The heart issue is very concerning. One would hope that if it requires medication to control, that his team can work with ITF/Wada to make it something that keeps him playing.

Well, you know how it is: the heart likes what it likes. I have to watch him play more, but I seem to be veering in his direction as a "Roger Replacement."

 

[Moxie]

Well, you know how it is: the heart likes what it likes. I have to watch him play more, but I seem to be veering in his direction as a "Roger Replacement."

May be time to revive that thread about who's your next favorite.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

My favorite young player might be Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 18-year old born on the same day as Roger Federer, August 7th...although in 2000, when Roger turned 19 years old and was ranked #43 in the world. In other words, when FAA turns 19 this August, he'll be exactly half Roger's age.

.

I though it was Aug. 8th.

 

[El Dude]

I though it was Aug. 8th.

You're right. August 7 is my wedding anniversary to the ex-wife...a day that shall live in infamy .

 

[britbox]

"Might be" your favorite young player?! Come on...you've been touting this kid since he was 5 days out of his mother's womb. Seriously, I like the kid. I think he's got a good head, too, even that was an "NA" in that fellow's assessment. The heart issue is very concerning. One would hope that if it requires medication to control, that his team can work with ITF/Wada to make it something that keeps him playing.

Yeah, that heart issue is the big factor standing out for him right now.

 

[El Dude]

"Might be" your favorite young player?! Come on...you've been touting this kid since he was 5 days out of his mother's womb. Seriously, I like the kid. I think he's got a good head, too, even that was an "NA" in that fellow's assessment. The heart issue is very concerning. One would hope that if it requires medication to control, that his team can work with ITF/Wada to make it something that keeps him playing.

p.s. 5 days out of his mother's womb...let's see, August 13, 2000. Where was I? Living in Portland, OR. Madly in love with my now ex-wife, who I had met in March. Still almost five years from fatherhood. 26 years young...oh so young and innocent. And naive.

 

[herios]

My favorite young player might be Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 18-year old born on the same day as Roger Federer, August 7th...although in 2000, when Roger turned 19 years old and was ranked #43 in the world. In other words, when FAA turns 19 this August, he'll be exactly half Roger's age.

Born in 2000, he might actually more properly be considered in the generation after Next...not sure what that would be. But his current rank of #60 make him easily the highest ranked player born in 2000; next is Rudolf Molleker at #183.

According to this guy, FAA grades as follows:
Forehand A-
Backhand B+
Serve A-
Movement A
Volleys B
Mental NA

( don't know anything about the linked Youtuber, Gill Gross, but he knows a lot more than I do and gives a really detailed analysis of FAA's game).

Gross says he has a lot of offensive potential due to both wings (forehand and backhand) having immense upside. Very good first serve, just needs to work on his double faulting. Excellent movement, volleys need work. Problem with consistency but Gross says what makes him so impressive is the whole package: no real weaknesses and lots of strengths.

Anyhow, really excited to see his "mini-breakthrough." I would guess he'll slow in his rise and most of 2019 will be about consolidating that top 100 ranking, maybe inching up a bit more into the 30s-40s. I do think he'll win his first ATP title or two this year, with an off-chance of reaching a 20-something ranking by the end of the year.

The big concern, of course, is his health. He's got a heart condition that hopefully he can manage.

Did you dropped Rublev like a hot potato?

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Good comeback win from the kid today against Cuevas.

 

[El Dude]

Did you dropped Rublev like a hot potato?

He was always only a contender and I still like him. I just don't see him as a future elite - more of a 2nd tier type (at best).

 

[herios]

He was always only a contender and I still like him. I just don't see him as a future elite - more of a 2nd tier type (at best).

Ok, you just hyped Rublev one-two years ago, when you saw him more than you do now.
That is why I felt uneasy about you talking up Felix, it seems like you have the ability, albeit involuntary, to jinx the young talents.

 

[Moxie]

Ok, you just hyped Rublev one-two years ago, when you saw him more than you do now.
That is why I felt uneasy about you talking up Felix, it seems like you have the ability, albeit involuntary, to jinx the young talents.

In fairness to El Dude, he has been talking a lot of the youngsters. I don't remember him being especially partial to Rublev, but he has definitely been a champion of FAA.

 

[herios]

In fairness to El Dude, he has been talking a lot of the youngsters. I don't remember him being especially partial to Rublev, but he has definitely been a champion of FAA.

He has been championing Rublev as well, not to same extent like Felix, but quite a lot. I can pull his quotes up anytime.

 

[Moxie]

He has been championing Rublev as well, not to same extent like Felix, but quite a lot. I can pull his quotes up anytime.

Be that person, if you want. He's been championing a lot of the youngsters, as I said. But I think it's clear that he's been especially fond of FAA for a long time.

 

[El Dude]

Ok, you just hyped Rublev one-two years ago, when you saw him more than you do now.
That is why I felt uneasy about you talking up Felix, it seems like you have the ability, albeit involuntary, to jinx the young talents.

Again, herios, I wish I I had the powers you think I have! I con't have magical powers to jinx professional players by things I say on an internet forum. Would be cool if I did .

As for Rublev, I enjoy watching him play. He's fiery, he hits hard, but he's also clearly limited. When young guys show up, it is hard to differentiate between future elites, second tier, etc. I don't know if I was as much more optimistic about Rublev a couple years ago as I saw a wider range of outcomes. I think they've narrowed, with the high end being shaved off. I do think he'll eventually put things together and jump into the mix with NextGen second tier players like Khachanov, Medvedev, Coric, etc. He might be a Philippoussis type - more of a third tier #10-30 guy who can have a very strong tournament and win a big title or two. Or he could be a consistent contender like Tsonga. Or he could flail around in the 50-100 range for a few years, have a late surge and win a Masters at 27. Who knows.

Regardless, I think the next elite group will be Zverev, Tsitsipas, and eventually FAA. Still not sure about Shapo.

 

[Moxie]

In the last few years I remember @Johnsteinbeck touting Dominic Thiem to us very early on, @JesuslookslikeBorg bringing Borna Coric to our attention, also very early; El Dude pushing for FAA, and I will say, I was an early booster of Frances Tiafoe. Other than that, I think it was general purposes pointing out of the new kids with potential, from all of us.

 

[El Dude]

In the last few years I remember @Johnsteinbeck touting Dominic Thiem to us very early on, @JesuslookslikeBorg bringing Borna Coric to our attention, also very early; El Dude pushing for FAA, and I will say, I was an early booster of Frances Tiafoe. Other than that, I think it was general purposes pointing out of the new kids with potential, from all of us.

I started closely tracking young players in 2013, I think, when it looked like "Lost Gen" was going to either be late blooming or passed over, so I started looking for the next wave. At the time, there were literally no young players (age 21 and younger) in the top 50. Tomic was the highest ranked 21-yeare old at year's end at #51.

If I remember correctly, I discovered that the youngest guy in the top 200 was an 18-year old kid named Nick Kyrgios at #182. Scanning the rankings, he was also the only teenager in the top 200.

From that point on, my interest in following young players grew. Now i regularly check the rankings for young guys. I find this page useful: http://tennisabstract.com/reports/rankingsByAge.html

 

[Ricardo]

p.s. 5 days out of his mother's womb...let's see, August 13, 2000. Where was I? Living in Portland, OR. Madly in love with my now ex-wife, who I had met in March. Still almost five years from fatherhood. 26 years young...oh so young and innocent. And naive.

Honestly, who gives a rats ass about your love story with your irrelevant ex? One thing to be young, innocent and naive but another to be old, gossipy and still naive

 

[Ricardo]

He has been championing Rublev as well, not to same extent like Felix, but quite a lot. I can pull his quotes up anytime.

He has been trying to hype up whatever, dogs and cats even. Whichever youngster, elite blah blah blah, 3 months later he is second tier blah blah blah.....always the same pattern.