Jack Sock

[secrettennisjunkie]

Time to talk a bit about my fellow Nebraskan, Jack Sock. Is this Masters semifinal with wins over Nishikori and Dimitrov just an aberration or a sign of an uptick for Sock? He is 15-3 this year (let's just forget about that Acapulco loss to Nishioka) and his recent success dates back to 2016 where he made the quarters at Shanghai and Paris.

He is currently #9 in the race. Obviously it's early but I think he could challenge for a spot in London. He'll likely win one or two more of the small American tournaments and only needs a slam QF or two really get into the conversation. I think he's gotten more mentally tough this year as shown by his gutty wins over Dimitrov and Jaziri.

Where do you see him going this year?

 

[herios]

As I said in the ranking thread, Jack needs to work on some weaknesses in his game: Movement, speed and BH. he reminds me of Mardy Fish before he worked on his fitness, in order to become a contender for the top 10.
he is now ranked 17, but the 10-15 ranked players are quite tough and Jack will not be able to push through them, unless he works and improves further in those areas I just mentioned.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Jack won't make it to London.

 

[El Dude]

Pretty much what herios said. He's a good player and could get a bit better, but I don't see him reaching the top 10 except for maybe a dig here or there. But it does look he's firmly establishing himself as a "third tier" player - meaning, seeded at Slams but not a regular in the top 10 (e.g. Almagro, Goffin, Bautista Agut, etc).

 

[secrettennisjunkie]

As I said in the ranking thread, Jack needs to work on some weaknesses in his game: Movement, speed and BH. he reminds me of Mardy Fish before he worked on his fitness, in order to become a contender for the top 10.
he is now ranked 17, but the 10-15 ranked players are quite tough and Jack will not be able to push through them, unless he works and improves further in those areas I just mentioned.

Are you saying he needs to work on his footspeed or speed of shots? The announcers are always praising his footspeed (but maybe they're just homers). Definitely agree his BH needs to get better.

 

[secrettennisjunkie]

Sock now the only man to reach the QF at the last 4 Masters. FWIW

 

[the AntiPusher]

As I said in the ranking thread, Jack needs to work on some weaknesses in his game: Movement, speed and BH. he reminds me of Mardy Fish before he worked on his fitness, in order to become a contender for the top 10.
he is now ranked 17, but the 10-15 ranked players are quite tough and Jack will not be able to push through them, unless he works and improves further in those areas I just mentioned.

Sock and Fish

That's a good American comparison..If Sock can get to Marty's 2.0 level, he has a chance but you are correct, there are areas of his game that needs tweaking for him to get to the next level.

 

[the AntiPusher]

As I said in the ranking thread, Jack needs to work on some weaknesses in his game: Movement, speed and BH. he reminds me of Mardy Fish before he worked on his fitness, in order to become a contender for the top 10.
he is now ranked 17, but the 10-15 ranked players are quite tough and Jack will not be able to push through them, unless he works and improves further in those areas I just mentioned.

Are you saying he needs to work on his footspeed or speed of shots? The announcers are always praising his footspeed (but maybe they're just homers). Definitely agree his BH needs to get better.

Foot speed is Djoker, Monfils, Murray or ole Rafa...there's a lot of other players that come to mind before Sock..maybe it is the announcers are homers.

 

[delPoFearhand]

As I said in the ranking thread, Jack needs to work on some weaknesses in his game: Movement, speed and BH. he reminds me of Mardy Fish before he worked on his fitness, in order to become a contender for the top 10.
he is now ranked 17, but the 10-15 ranked players are quite tough and Jack will not be able to push through them, unless he works and improves further in those areas I just mentioned.

Are you saying he needs to work on his footspeed or speed of shots? The announcers are always praising his footspeed (but maybe they're just homers). Definitely agree his BH needs to get better.

Foot speed is Djoker, Monfils, Murray or ole Rafa...there's a lot of other players that come to mind before Sock..maybe it is the announcers are homers.

Also depends on whether we're talking straight line (100 yard dash) or change of direction (like a shuttle drill). Djoker is probably at the top in change of direction, Monfils at the top of straight line. Adding in balance, the change of direction skill is generally more useful in tennis.

But yeah, I don't think Jack cracks the top 10 in either category. He has gotten better each year, but still not up there with the super quick guys.

 

[Front242]

As I said in the ranking thread, Jack needs to work on some weaknesses in his game: Movement, speed and BH. he reminds me of Mardy Fish before he worked on his fitness, in order to become a contender for the top 10.
he is now ranked 17, but the 10-15 ranked players are quite tough and Jack will not be able to push through them, unless he works and improves further in those areas I just mentioned.

Are you saying he needs to work on his footspeed or speed of shots? The announcers are always praising his footspeed (but maybe they're just homers). Definitely agree his BH needs to get better.

Foot speed is Djoker, Monfils, Murray or ole Rafa...there's a lot of other players that come to mind before Sock..maybe it is the announcers are homers.

According to the official stats it's Murray, then Federer as average fastest on tour.