Has Grigor showed today that he might be the future of tennis ?

[jhar26]

the upside is that he's not just following up MC. all spring, he has shown that he has the game to beat anyone, including the Big 4. but i'm fully with you - there's much that remains to be seen before we can make a real conclusion about the state and prospect of Grigor Dimitrov.

But we could say this about every young player that's ever been in the position that he is in right now. You can never know for sure if they are able to do it until they actually do it. But his career trajectory so far looks very promising. Each year he improves significantly on his ranking. Recently he has been able to give players at the very top of the game a competitive match. Yesterday he was actually able to beat the #1 player in the worLd. What more can anyone expect of him?

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

consistency and fitness?

you're right, of course - we can never predict, but at the same time, we can take promising results for what they are: signs that more good could be coming up. i think the caveat that remains is in order to really make it far, beating a top guy in the early rounds of a master is not the most decisive factor of success for him at this point. or for anyone at any point really, since it's about winning or going deep in tournaments.

 

[jhar26]

consistency and fitness?

you're right, of course - we can never predict, but at the same time, we can take promising results for what they are: signs that more good could be coming up. i think the caveat that remains is in order to really make it far, beating a top guy in the early rounds of a master is not the most decisive factor of success for him at this point. or for anyone at any point really, since it's about winning or going deep in tournaments.

True. But as long as by the end of each season he's done better than in the previous one he's on the right track. Whether he'll ever be a winner of majors or 'just' a borderline top 10 player is too early to say. But at this point I think it's safe to say that if he stays healthy he's going to have a good career at or near the top. I don't know if he'll (result wise) be the new Federer or the new Tsonga, but I'm pretty sure that he won't be a scrub.

 

[herios]

I chuckled seeing that Grigor teamed up with Milos to play doubles (the best youngsters IMO) on the tour and they play today against the oldest active who also play singles Haas/Stepanek (35/34)

 

[El Dude]

I don't know if he'll (result wise) be the new Federer or the new Tsonga, but I'm pretty sure that he won't be a scrub.

Right. I think this victory increases the likelihood that he'll be at least a near-elite player, if not an elite.

I would add a small caveat: I'm pretty sure he's not going to be the "new Federer," but he could be pretty damn good and fall short of Roger.

It is also worth noting that Roger, like Dimitrov, took a bit longer to get to his peak form than many others. Roger didn't win his first Slam until he was just shy of his 22nd birthday - exactly Dimitrov's age. However, Roger had made it to two QFs a couple years before and was doing better in Slams by the age of 19 or so than Dimitrov has shown thus far. Roger was ranked in the 20s (like Grigor) at 19 years old and broke into the top 20 a few months before his 20th birthday, not making the top 10 for another year or so - a couple months shy of 21, and not for good until after his 21st birthday.

Every developmental curve is different. Hopefully Grigor will shoot up the rankings. I'm hoping he makes it into the top 20 this year and challenges for the top 10 next year and even, maybe, a Slam. But it might be 2015 or beyond for that.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Consistency and fitness will be the key. If he can improve his fitness and stamina, then I think he will be a huge factor. It doesn't do any good to pull off an upset and flame out in the next round. I still don't think he can pull a 5 setter out against any of the top 5.

 

[MartyB]

There is no doubt regarding the talent that Grigor has. How refreshing to see the regal one handed backhand finally making it's return (yes paved by Mr. Federer) by more players at the top. Loved his variety, heart & talent on full display. I do agree with others that six months from now we will see how far he will rise...

Never been a fan of Djokovic but I admired his graciousness & sportsmanship to Grigor after his victory. Nicely done.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

In the last 20 years, single handed backhand has spent way more time as number one than the double handed kind (courtesy of Pete and Roger), and I would like Grigor to continue the tradition. He has a long way to go, but the tools are there...rest is up to him. If he gets stronger both physically and mentally, anything can happen. This win was important. What he'll do with it is the key...

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Hopefully, he is inspired to get even fitter and increase his stamina.

 

[tented]

I moved all of the Maria & Grigor posts to the Off Topic forum, and merged them with a thread which was already there discussing them:

http://www.tennisfrontier.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=159

 

[herios]

Today's encounter between Gasquet and Dimitrov I think is important for Grigor, as he has not have beaten Richie in their first 3 encounters.
He has to show here his improvement overall and play confidently.

Edit: and it was an unconvincing first set by Grigor, 4-6

 

[Ricardo]

Short answer to the question, yes today he showed but we don't know about tomorrow and the days after. You just can't tell in one match, but you can if he keeps repeating it....

 

[herios]

Second set. In the first game, brainfart by Richie and Grigor breaks. Then, right away, he makes quickly 4UE, Richie didn't have to do anything and they are even.
Very dissapointing match so far.

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And Richie wins again against Grigor Dimitrov, who displayed a very lethargic game. He is still very inconsistent.

 

[tented]

Second set. In the first game, brainfart by Richie and Grigor breaks. Then, right away, he makes quickly 4UE, Richie didn't have to do anything and they are even.
Very dissapointing match so far.

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And Richie wins again against Grigor Dimitrov, who displayed a very lethargic game. He is still very inconsistent.

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And very frustrating. I keep waiting and hoping for him to really take off, with consistently great results, but it keeps not happening.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

well, to re-phrase the question - has he showed today why he is not the future of tennis?

now, there's worse things than losing to Richie G. not surprising - they're basically the same player, no? so it's a toss-up, with Richard having a couple of extra years of experience going for him.
but the basic problems still stand - while Grigor can display impressive levels and has the game to beat almost everyone, it's his day-to-day results that keep him from breaking through.

 

[SF Nadalite]

Gasquet has stepped it up lately - and looked good today - and more relevantly, showed the aspects of the game that highlighted what Dimitrov is missing.

One of tennis channel commentators made a surprisingly astute observations (shocking, I know) in that 4 or 5 years... when the reigning quartet will most certainly be fading away, it will leave a void that Dimitrov could be well positioned to occupy.

it would be shocking to see him win a masters or slam right now, but I would expect a 250/500 win would hardly be a big surprise...in fact, just the opposite: if he doesn't pull those down in the next year or two, it would be a really bad sign.

 

[herios]

Gasquet has stepped it up lately - and looked good today - and more relevantly, showed the aspects of the game that highlighted what Dimitrov is missing.

One of tennis channel commentators made a surprisingly astute observations (shocking, I know) in that 4 or 5 years... when the reigning quartet will most certainly be fading away, it will leave a void that Dimitrov could be well positioned to occupy.

it would be shocking to see him win a masters or slam right now, but I would expect a 250/500 win would hardly be a big surprise...in fact, just the opposite: if he doesn't pull those down in the next year or two, it would be a really bad sign.

Those hopes are stated based on how he played a few times this season, and not what he has offered today, because today, generally speaking Grigor played awful. And I am sorry, but Gasquet didn't play great either and he didn't have to.
And those opinions about the void, are a bit vague.. The top 4 won't leave the scene at once taking a grop retirement, and trust me, there will be many more challenegers than Grigo in the years to come.