Kokkinakis or Krygios - who will achieve more?

[Federberg]

Today's the first time I've actually watched each of these two young Australian prodigies. I'm impressed with both. I think Nick Kyrgios has an awesome serve, great forehand, decent flat back hand and tremendous power. He has a bit to learn about containing his game and playing more controlled tennis, but he's fearless, and for my money entertaining to watch.

Kokkinakis, has shown he's a fighter, he also has amazing power, albeit less than Kyrgios. Great movement, and generally looks to be a more finished player than Kyrgios. I think they are both future top 5 players.

What do you folks think? Which of these two will have the more impressive career. I'm leaning towards Kokkinakis because he seems more polished, but Kyrgios looks like the sort who can go on mega streaks

 

[Front242]

I'm eager to see how Kyrgios will fare on grass this year. Potentially his best surface imo with his serve and big ground strokes. All it takes is a single break on grass to win a set as it's much harder to regain a break on grass than on slower surfaces and that will make him tough to beat if he serves like he did last year.

 

[Federberg]

Yes I'm looking forward to seeing him in SW19 as well. I do wonder whether grass or hardcourt will end up being his best surface. I worry about the slice into his flat backhand. We shall see!

 

[El Dude]

Who will achieve more and who will be the better player are two separate things. We can't possibly know the answer to the first, as so much can happen - injury, illness, loss of focus, Maria Sharapova, etc. But we probably can get a sense of upside.

I have no idea. As I've said before, Kyrgios reminds me a bit of Juan Martin del Potro in terms of his size and power and adequate movement. As you said, Thanasi seems to have a bit less power but better movement.

I'm really pleased that we have a handful of young players on the radar now, not only the two Aussies but Borna Coric, Alexander Zverev, Hyeon Chung, with a bunch of other young guys climbing the ranks. It has been years since we've seen such a wealth of young talent.

But what is unclear is who among them, if any, will separate from the pack and be "the" or one of the dominant players in the post-Nadalovic era. It could be that we have a more balanced era with a number of players vying for dominance. It will be fun to see how this all unfolds.

 

[Federberg]

Who will achieve more and who will be the better player are two separate things.

This is so true! My worry about Kyrgios is that he's such a tall player. A lot of those types are injury prone. I have a sneaking suspicion that Tomasi will have more time and opportunity to achieve greatness, but one can't underestimate Nick's capabilities

 

[El Dude]

Who will achieve more and who will be the better player are two separate things.

This is so true!

I am reminded of the most obvious examples: Roger Federer and David Nalbandian, who was clearly the better player but didn't accomplish as much as Roger.

 

[Federberg]

Who will achieve more and who will be the better player are two separate things.

This is so true!

I am reminded of the most obvious examples: Roger Federer and David Nalbandian, who was clearly the better player but didn't accomplish as much as Roger.

:laydownlaughing

 

[mrzz]

Federberg, I am the one who does not like Kyrgios... and you just misspelled his name in the thread title.... hope it was on purpose!!!

And, answering the question, Kokk will be bigger.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Who will achieve more and who will be the better player are two separate things.

This is so true!

I am reminded of the most obvious examples: Roger Federer and David Nalbandian, who was clearly the better player but didn't accomplish as much as Roger.

El Dude has been banned indefinitely and is sentenced to wash Cali's laundry untill further notice.

 

[Federberg]

Federberg, I am the one who does not like Kyrgios... and you just misspelled his name in the thread title.... hope it was on purpose!!!

And, answering the question, Kokk will be bigger.

Lol! It' going to take me a while to get it right. Very unusual name

 

[herios]

Who will achieve more and who will be the better player are two separate things.

This is so true! My worry about Kyrgios is that he's such a tall player. A lot of those types are injury prone. I have a sneaking suspicion that Tomasi will have more time and opportunity to achieve greatness, but one can't underestimate Nick's capabilities

 

[Billie]

Who really does know these things? They both have solid game, but usually it is the mental thing that makes a difference between good players and great players. How they deal with success, wins, defeats, are they going to be able to remain healthy?

Thanis looked OK today against Nole, but he did have a sore hip so that might have prevented him from showing his full potential.

But it is exciting to have some young guns that are making headlines and trying to find their way on the professional tour. It is not an easy thing to do, with so many professionals today who take tennis and the tour more seriously than ever before.

 

[herios]

Who will achieve more and who will be the better player are two separate things.

This is so true! My worry about Kyrgios is that he's such a tall player. A lot of those types are injury prone. I have a sneaking suspicion that Tomasi will have more time and opportunity to achieve greatness, but one can't underestimate Nick's capabilities

Tomasi is listed to be taller than Nick. But in his favor is that he seems to have a more compact movement, despite his height and a better posture. Nick looks slightly hunched, or at least, his spine is not straight. He's had a lot of injuries to date and I think he will have more than Tomasi.

 

[Shamal90]

I think Kyrgios plays better than Thanasi Kokkinakis. Kyrgios plays more aggressive.

 

[10isfan]

I think Kokkinakis will have the higher ranking averaged over their careers based on his emotional maturity. The way he has come back from being down in matches is impressive for someone so young.

 

[Front242]

Going by how injury prone Kyrgios is already (and he's still only 20) I think it's likely Kokkinakis will fare better. Apparently Wimbledon is questionable for Kyrgios due an elbow issue and it's clearly his best shot at going deep in a slam.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/05/dealing-elbow-injury-kyrgios-grass-court-schedule-unclear/55098/#.VWtvykZm50I

 

[TsarMatt]

Honestly, I think it depends on which player has the most sex before a game.