Up and coming in 2014

[El Dude]

Which players do you see as up and coming? Not just "young guns" but they could be anyone who is on the rise and looks to make a significant jump in 2014. Obviously this would mainly be younger players, but given the overall disappointment--or at least late-blooming--of the younger players on tour, I think the conversation should be broadened a bit.

The first player that comes to mind is Vasek Pospisil. He'll be 24 in June, but is still only half a year older than Jerzy Janowicz and Milos Raonic. He finished 2013 at #32 and seems on the rise - his name just sees to be floating later and later into tournaments (he made it to the 3R at the AO so far) - and is now #24 in the live rankings. I don't expect him to be an elite player, but he could soon be a fixture in the top 20 and could even pop into the top 10 at points in his career.

A couple thoughts on obvious names. I tend to think that Milos Raonic is near his peak. I think he'll be in the #5-10 range at times in his career, but he's just on the outside of the top 10 right now.

I expect (or at least hope) that Jerzy Janowicz and Grigor Dimitrov to make another big move this year. Both finished 2013 just outside the top 20 (#21 and 23 respectively), and barring injury I expect both to establish regular places in the top 20 this year, even vie for the top 10 by the end of the year.

As for the really young guys, 18-year old Australian Nick Kyrgios remains one to watch. He defeated Benjamin Becker in the 1st round of the Australian Open, although

Also, here's a new name: A 17-year old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. He defeated Igor Sijsling in the first round of the AO to skyrocket into the top 400, although now faces the harsh reality of Rafael Nadal in the second round. I expect he's a long way from the top 100, but he's a name to take note of.

Dazir Dzumhur might be a name to pay attention to. The 21-year old is now into the 3R of the Australian Open.

There are a bunch of young players just in or on the verge of the top 100: Jiri Vesely (20), Jack Sock (21), Denis Kudla (21), Dominic Thiem (20), and a few others. Of the group, I have the highest hopes for Vesely, and 19-year old Lucas Pouille is also intriguing.

Anyhow, who are the up and comers in 2014?

 

[Moxie]

What about Jordan Thompson, the young Australian who troubled Janowicz on day 1? I watched our friend Thiem play K. Anderson a bit last night. It was kind of boring and I couldn't stay awake any longer, but I didn't see much to impress, especially. Probably not a great measure of his talents, though, at least on my part. I think tented was going to watch…maybe he or someone else has an opinion.

 

[Front242]

Not surprised that anyone is troubling Janowicz to be honest. He's been totally overusing the dropshot as always, but here they've either been way worse dropshots than usual or the surface is making them bounce miles into the air. He hit some horrendously bad ones against Andujar yesterday that got everything they deserved. A right royal walloping. Plus his serving is still predictable after a set or so. No body serves and I think he only had 4-5 aces yesterday, which is extremely poor considering Andujar isn't known to be a brilliant returner like Djokovic, Nadal or Murray. Over a long match he should definitely be at least in the 10-12 range if not more with his serve.

 

[Denis]

Nick Kyrgios is the one to watch I think. The others are part of a lost generation.

 

[El Dude]

Grigor made it to the 3R of a Slam for only the second time (FO last year). While I'm glad to see him playing more consistently, this is less exciting than it is surprising. I mean, he's going to be 23 in May and he's not yet made it to the second week of a Slam, or even the 4R.

As I've written before, historically age 21 is last year in which almost every great player has risen to an elite, or at least near-elite status. I do think there's truth to the idea that players are blooming later, but it shouldn't be that much later. At this point Grigor seems more likely to be near-elite player than an elite. I could see a Richard Gasquet-type career for him, maybe a bit better. I'm still hoping for more, though.

But yeah, Kyrgios is quite promising.

 

[Tennis Miller]

I'm just Kyrgios. Would you say that Janowicz is Vesely overrated? As for Vasek making it to the top by this Dzumhur? It's Pospisil.

Sorry, too many bad puns. I'll put a Sock in it.

Cheers
TM

 

[ftan]

and Kyrgios is fun to watch too

 

[tented]

Not surprised that anyone is troubling Janowicz to be honest. He's been totally overusing the dropshot as always, but here they've either been way worse dropshots than usual or the surface is making them bounce miles into the air. He hit some horrendously bad ones against Andujar yesterday that got everything they deserved. A right royal walloping. Plus his serving is still predictable after a set or so. No body serves and I think he only had 4-5 aces yesterday, which is extremely poor considering Andujar isn't known to be a brilliant returner like Djokovic, Nadal or Murray. Over a long match he should definitely be at least in the 10-12 range if not more with his serve.

How much longer can Janowicz keep up the drop shot after drop shot tactic? Players must be expecting them by now -- or at least those who have already played him at least once. I could be wrong, but I get the feeling it will no longer be as an effective shot in the next year or so, and then what?

Janowicz is to me, what Cilic has been for Nehmeth: overrated, with the tennis career equivalent of the Warholian 15 minutes.

 

[Moxie]

Well, Janowicz went down in 3 to Florian Mayer. He'd been wobbling the whole tournament. Not inspiring.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Janowicz's game means he's only really dangerous on faster surfaces, but even there, he needs to take a serious look at shot selection, attitude, strategic approach, etc...

 

[El Dude]

Looks like it will be one of the young(er) guys facing Rafa in the QF - either 22-year old Nadal or 24-year old Agut.

As I said in the Day 6 thread, it is very encouraging to see Grigor make it to the 4R and playing like he did. I only saw a few points but he didn't look too tired and looked very composed. Maybe there's hope after all...

 

[herios]

Looks like it will be one of the young(er) guys facing Rafa in the QF - either 22-year old Nadal or 24-year old Agut.

As I said in the Day 6 thread, it is very encouraging to see Grigor make it to the 4R and playing like he did. I only saw a few points but he didn't look too tired and looked very composed. Maybe there's hope after all...

Agut is actually 25y old. About time for him to make some noise. I am still pissed on JMDP, but if Robert won it and played well, then all props for him.

 

[Goldenboy]

Interested to see Agut v Dimitrov. Agut smoked Paire today, so don't discount his chances. But Dimitrov will expect to win and reach his first slam QF.

 

[Tennis Miller]

Looks like it will be one of the young(er) guys facing Rafa in the QF - either 22-year old Nadal or 24-year old Agut.

As I said in the Day 6 thread, it is very encouraging to see Grigor make it to the 4R and playing like he did. I only saw a few points but he didn't look too tired and looked very composed. Maybe there's hope after all...

El Dude, I am not one to point out anything as petty as typos. However, I found your projection of a possible QF matchup between today's Nadal and his 22 year-old self to be particularly noteworthy! Wishful thinking of a fantasy match perhaps?

Cheers

TM

 

[El Dude]

Ha ha, whoops.