Tracking the Emerging Stars of Tennis

[El Dude]

Thanks for that @El Dude... I kind of lump Thiem and Vesely in more with the Nextgen rather than the previous bunch of Dimitrov et al... Maybe, it's just the way they are maturing. I liked what I saw of Vesely last year... he flew under the radar a little as people focused on Zverev and Thiem... Even Fritz seemed to garner more attention. I'm still not overly convinced with Lucas Pouille in the '94 group.

In the 95 group Kyrgios of course has the tools but not the head. I think Sackmann's view of Kyrgios being a one dimensional player is harsh. Like you, I don't think Kyle Edmund's ceiling is really high.

I like Karen Khachanov in the Class of 96... I think he might be the surprise package. More later.

Yeah, Vesely and Thiem were paired in my mind coming up a few years ago. In fact, at one point Vesely was further along (or at least higher ranked) than Thiem, but Dominic had that big jump in 2014, and then again in 2015. I also agree that they are more "NextGen," which is why I started with 1993.

And I agree that Sackmann's view is a bit harsh. I don't think Kyrgios is as one-dimensional as Ivo or Isner or even Philippoussis. Maybe Raonic at most, and probably even less so than him.

 

[britbox]

On the second part... I think Zverev has huge potential... and I'm not really bandwaggoning either TBH - I said it when he was outside the Top 100. He's also got a huge frame to fill into... this guy is nailed onto winning slams IMO... the one concern I have with him, is a lot of the bigger fellas on tour run into injury problems. I don't see Fritz in the Top 40 next year... I think he's not just behind Zverev in years but talent and top end also.

 

[El Dude]

I agree that Fritz doesn't have the same ceiling as Zverev, and I was a bit worried when he seemed to stall out. But after watching the highlights of that match vs. Federer, I was impressed - the kid's got game.

Right now Zverev is the best prospect in tennis, in my opinion. Aliassime might have similar, or even greater, potential, but is too young--and has health concerns--to get really excited about. Yet. But after Zverev, Fritz might be next for me. Or to put it another way, other than Zverev there is no other young player (born 1993 or later) that I think has significantly better prospects than Fritz.

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

I agree that Fritz doesn't have the same ceiling as Zverev, and I was a bit worried when he seemed to stall out. But after watching the highlights of that match vs. Federer, I was impressed - the kid's got game.

Right now Zverev is the best prospect in tennis, in my opinion. Aliassime might have similar, or even greater, potential, but is too young--and has health concerns--to get really excited about. Yet. But after Zverev, Fritz might be next for me. Or to put it another way, other than Zverev there is no other young player (born 1993 or later) that I think has significantly better prospects than Fritz.

I'm not as sold on Fritz. Of the emerging players... I think Zverev, Thiem will win majors. I also think Kyrgios will win one... but he hasn't got the head to be dominant. Kyrgios might be a poor man's Marat Safin... not on the same talent level, but the weapons to cause damage. My guess is that at some point in his career, he will put it together and snag a big one. Not sure if he'll win a major, but I fancy somebody like Karen Khachanov over Fritz.

 

[Mastoor]

Junior #1, Miomir Kecmanovic (17) IMG Academy student from Serbia, won his second Orange Bowl becoming the first boy to defend it since 1974.

I think I read he is planning to play only senior tournaments in the New Year so we may see him in atp soon.

 

[Moxie]

I'm not as sold on Fritz. Of the emerging players... I think Zverev, Thiem will win majors. I also think Kyrgios will win one... but he hasn't got the head to be dominant. Kyrgios might be a poor man's Marat Safin... not on the same talent level, but the weapons to cause damage. My guess is that at some point in his career, he will put it together and snag a big one. Not sure if he'll win a major, but I fancy somebody like Karen Khachanov over Fritz.

Khachanov certainly had a pretty good year. He's about 18 months older than Fritz. I'm like El Dude, maybe, in that I'm hoping for good things for Taylor, as the future of US men's tennis. And he showed an excellent serve, and some very calm head at the beginning of the year. I sort of get that he looks more stalwart than superstar, but he's young.

I like your point that Kyrgios is the poor man's Safin. You and I were both Safin fans, so I will say I don't even know if Kyrgios is less-talented than Safin. They share the craziness, for sure. But Kyrgios has a mad-live arm, which Marat never had. Nick is well-placed to be a woefully squandered talent, unless he pulls his head together. Of all the youngsters we're talking about, including Zverev and Thiem, and don't think any of them can touch Kyrgios, if he could get his shit together.

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

Edmund seems to have as much charisma as a dead fish.

 

[britbox]

Nice side story on Duckhee Lee of South Korea who is totally deaf. Will look out for this young fella.

 

[Mastoor]

Edmund seems to have as much charisma as a dead fish.

They'll teach him to say f-word 150 times a minute while slapping his calf. That will make him more charismatic.

He's playing some good tennis though.

 

[Carol]

I think that Carreño has something to say too. I like his style and he is getting better and better ranking numbers. I wouldn't be surprised if he would be the #10 soon or pretty close

https://www.google.com/search?q=Car...&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=PqJWyAbKUhA9sM:

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

 

[Tennis Fan]

They'll teach him to say f-word 150 times a minute while slapping his calf. That will make him more charismatic.

He's playing some good tennis though.

It seems like that's the way the describe charisma these days.

 

[britbox]

The Nextgen race for Milan



The way Zverev is progressing, he might end up in London, not Milan.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

^^big foe wants to look out for that massive odd looking plant lurking behind his shoulder. looks a bit sinister.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

duck hee lee..goaty name. now all he needs is a goaty game.