Who's Next?

[Ricardo]

I actually think Tsitsipas is still a very good option. He has a good baseline game, but also a good North/South one. He's brave and can be aggressive, and he's ambitious. I think Khachanov is good, but I don't think he's multi-dimensional enough. Haven't seen a lot of DeMinaur, but not yet convinced. I do rather like Nick's game, too, but I think he's got too many issues, and is about to get passed by guys more serious about winning big.

Nick vs Med was an interesting match, more than the difference in their game it was great to compare how they fought in a close match.

 

[El Dude]

I appreciate you trying, Moxie. I feel bad - you have two really awful Nadal trolls, while we only have one (I'm talking about really bad ones, not just the garden variety fanboyism/girlism .

I'm sticking with my pick of Tsitsipas from the last time this question was asked, despite his recent performance. I think he's got the best combination of mentality, talent, diversity of skills, and experience. Long-term I like FAA, but don't think he'll start winning slams until 2021. But when he puts it together I think he'll dominate the field for a few years.

Zverev has the talent and experience, but his mentality is lacking. Medvedev, Khachanov, and Berretini aren't quite as talent, although have strong mentalities and some experience. But I don't think any of them could beat one of the Big Three in a Slam final, at least not yet. Maybe a worn-down Federer.

I don't think Coric will ever win a Slam - he seems to have a lower peak level than the rest. Same with Edmund, probably Hurkacz. I'm thinking the same of de Minaur, although with a slightly higher level. He might net a Slam if the stars align, but not for a few years.

I still think Shapo puts it all together and wins a few down the line, but he's still pretty erratic.

Not sure about the rest. There's something...soft?...about Fritz. I like Rublev and think he could end up in the Medvedev/Khachanov group, but less consistent. Still not sure what to think about Garin.

 

[Moxie]

I appreciate you trying, Moxie. I feel bad - you have two really awful Nadal trolls, while we only have one.

Maybe, but I can't really tell them apart. Has anyone ever seen them in the room at the same time? Hmmm? And really, is it quantity, or quality? Because while ours are spectacularly boring and banal, yours is really pretty vile. I'd say it's a close call.

As to the rest, I'm glad you're with me on Tsitsipas. I'd go with a lot of your assessment you put out there, otherwise.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I appreciate you trying, Moxie. I feel bad - you have two really awful Nadal trolls, while we only have one (I'm talking about really bad ones, not just the garden variety fanboyism/girlism .

I'm sticking with my pick of Tsitsipas from the last time this question was asked, despite his recent performance. I think he's got the best combination of mentality, talent, diversity of skills, and experience. Long-term I like FAA, but don't think he'll start winning slams until 2021. But when he puts it together I think he'll dominate the field for a few years.

Zverev has the talent and experience, but his mentality is lacking. Medvedev, Khachanov, and Berretini aren't quite as talent, although have strong mentalities and some experience. But I don't think any of them could beat one of the Big Three in a Slam final, at least not yet. Maybe a worn-down Federer.

I don't think Coric will ever win a Slam - he seems to have a lower peak level than the rest. Same with Edmund, probably Hurkacz. I'm thinking the same of de Minaur, although with a slightly higher level. He might net a Slam if the stars align, but not for a few years.

I still think Shapo puts it all together and wins a few down the line, but he's still pretty erratic.

Not sure about the rest. There's something...soft?...about Fritz. I like Rublev and think he could end up in the Medvedev/Khachanov group, but less consistent. Still not sure what to think about Garin.

I agree with your picks, El Dude and Moxie.

My top three picks are: Medvedev, Tsitsipas, and FAA.

Out of all three, Medvedev's has best mentality (as of right now). He is one of those players that even if he is down, he will fight until his body is shattered to pieces. Also, he is a clever tactician on the court. He could change tactics at any given moment.

Medvedev's main problem is that sometimes he gets too defensive from the baseline. While he is only 23 years old, he needs to mix being defensive and offensive earlier in the match. He does not want to get to very long matches especially at Majors. Also, it will be interesting on how his game will translate to Clay and Grass. While he did reach Monte Carlo semifinals this year, I am curious to see on how he does next year.

I totally agree with your Tsitsipas take. The one thing I like about Tsitsipas is that his game can translate to any surface. In addition, I could tell by his reactions that he has the desire to be a GREAT tennis player.

I see two (maybe even three?) main problems with Tsitsipas: First, he needs to be better with his return of serve. For the year, he is only winning 19% of his return game and only 35% on return points. Compared to Medvedev's stats, Tsitsipas is 5% lower on his return game won and 3% lower on return points won. It is part of the reason on why he 0-6 against Medvedev and FAA. Medvedev and FAA can break Tsitsipas' serve but Stefanos can't break their serves.

Second, sometimes he gets too emotional especially when he starts playing bad. While I understand he wants to win badly, he needs to realize that sometimes it is not the end of the world if he starts to miss a couple of balls. If he watched Medvedev this past summer, he will realized that the one of the keys in doing well on a consistently basis is to try to keep your emotions in check. If Tsitsipas can keep his emotions a little bit longer, he will start to win more consistently.

Finally, I do not know if it will be a big problem in the future, but he needs to tweak his second serve mechanics. Paul Annacone or Jim Courier pointed out that Tsitsipas throws the ball to his left often which causes him to hit his second weakly or he commits various of double faults.

 

[don_fabio]

I don't think Coric will ever win a Slam - he seems to have a lower peak level than the rest.

He's been having a terrible season so far and just split with Piatti. He is struggling with injuries and confidence and obviously still trying to find his game in general. He seems to lack some real weapons, though he proved he can be tough mentally. Probably not winning a slam unless he improves significantly.

It's like you have to combine a couple of these young guys, all their strenghts and then you have an elite player. Think you posted this on another thread where legends talk of young guys and big 3 and this is really how it looks like, I completely agree. Youngsters need to work on their weaknesses, because it's the weak side that brings them down. Their serving is also questionable. They are all big guys, but should serve better for their height. I believe that part will come with time.

I think we forgot about Kecmanovic. The young serbian is on the rise, had a good season so far and is under 20 years old. His game looks solid from all sides and is definitely a promising guy.

 

[El Dude]

He's been having a terrible season so far and just split with Piatti. He is struggling with injuries and confidence and obviously still trying to find his game in general. He seems to lack some real weapons, though he proved he can be tough mentally. Probably not winning a slam unless he improves significantly.

It's like you have to combine a couple of these young guys, all their strenghts and then you have an elite player. Think you posted this on another thread where legends talk of young guys and big 3 and this is really how it looks like, I completely agree. Youngsters need to work on their weaknesses, because it's the weak side that brings them down. Their serving is also questionable. They are all big guys, but should serve better for their height. I believe that part will come with time.

I think we forgot about Kecmanovic. The young serbian is on the rise, had a good season so far and is under 20 years old. His game looks solid from all sides and is definitely a promising guy.

Yeah, Kecmanovic is one to watch, and Jannik Sinner looks like he has good potential (currently #128 and just turned 18 last month).

But for me there is a player who is the entire package: Felix Auger-Aliassime. He needs to work out some kinks, especially his second serve and increase his endurance, but he is the most promising young player out there, in my opinion.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nobody talks of Alex Poperyin. I think he may have some good upward movement in the near future.

 

[don_fabio]

Yeah, Kecmanovic is one to watch, and Jannik Sinner looks like he has good potential (currently #128 and just turned 18 last month).

But for me there is a player who is the entire package: Felix Auger-Aliassime. He needs to work out some kinks, especially his second serve and increase his endurance, but he is the most promising young player out there, in my opinion.

I still haven't watch Sinner play so can't tell, but that guy's name came around already on a few occasions here.

I did watch FAA a few times already and I like him a lot. He seems to have all and his defence can be insanely good, Rafa's level like. 2nd serve is something he has to work a lot on. I've seen him making double faults like Zverev during US summer swing. I hope it doesn't become a mental problem there. He dipped in form too after having a great season so far and had a tough 1st round against Shapo in USO. We still have to see his mental level in bo5 and what he is capable of after a few rounds. I also think it's refreshing to see that he is a black guy and potential future #1 in a sport historically dominated by white guys. Maybe I have already mentioned that, but yeah he looks like a cool kid to me and maybe the easiest likeable character of all the next genners.

 

[mrzz]

I still haven't watch Sinner play so can't tell, but that guy's name came around already on a few occasions here.

I watched him play Wawrinka at USOPEN. It is always hard to predict who will be really really good, but I think Sinner qualifies. He's got big shots, does not seem to have any glaring deficiencies and for some odd reason I thought he has that "extra" bit that makes you win majors. He actually seemed to enjoy the moments were Wawrinka turned into Stanimal. Actually this is the true reason I expect him to do well.

 

[calitennis127]

You're trolling all threads with Rafa crap. No one is crying...just thinking was a ass you are.

Lmao Moxie.....this is hilarious. But why do you have to talk down like this to the board's resident homosexual superstar? In these dark times, where divisive leaders rule the day (say that phrase to yourself in an adenoidal pseudo-poetic Obama voice), we need to be more accepting and inclusive, especially toward those who feel marginalized. If Nadalfan2013 feels that to escape his oppression he must talk about Nadal non-stop, then please let him. He has experienced so much pain as a gay person throughout his life that none of us could ever relate to what he has gone through. We must have empathy for him and let him be happy.

So let me show you in my subsequent posts how he should be treated.....

 

[calitennis127]

Good analysis. The next 5 years will definitely be a battle between Nadal and Medvedev for the slams and the no.1 ranking...

Totally agreed. Djokovic is finished because he is a meany pants. Now we are going to have lots of funsy matches to watch between Rafa and Daniil!!!! Can't wait. They're going to be sooooo cool.

 

[calitennis127]

Rafa played amazing and should have finished the match in 3. He was extremely solid and playing at an unbelievable level. Even though he probably had a bad moment to be broken back, credit has to go to Medvedev who absolutely was painting the lines on every shot for the rest of the set and the match. Nadal was still able to hang in there and eventually get the win but Medvedev was playing the amazing level that brought him a stunning summer season where he pretty much beat everybody. Nadal was still amazing and to say that he was not playing at a high-level is also an insult to Medvedev and everyone he beat this summer.

Totally agreed. Medvedev was superdooper ultra-amazing, but as usual, Nadal found a way to be even more sooperdooper ultra-amazing. He was so sooperdooper awesome that I don't know if I can find enough sooperdooper superlatives to describe how ultra-awesome Nadal was!!!!!

 

[calitennis127]

@Moxie Yes you guys were talking about Nadal.

Don't worry Nadalfan2013. It's too bad Moxie doesn't appreciate how awesome Nadal is. But you do and you should never be ashamed of it!!!!!

 

[calitennis127]

I learned to troll from watching Federer fans do it for the last 10-15 years, so talk to them. Federer fans who were moderators were banning Nadal fans from forum after forum just for questioning Federer's GOATness and defending Nadal. Meanwhile they insult Nadal over and over as a ped cheat, only clay champion, faking injuries, etc. over and over. So please stop complaining about my few little "go Nadal" comments.

Yeah you're totally right. All you're doing is hitting back at those meany-pants pro-Federer bullies who don't appreciate how super-awesome Nadal is. Keep standing up to their bulliness, buddy! Fight the good fight. Don't let Moxie discourage you.

 

[calitennis127]

Stop being a crybaby. You guys questioned his form and I disagreed. Move on.

Yeah, you're right. Moxie really is a crybaby. You know who is a crybaby too? Federer. Because he cried in 2009 after the Australian Open final. And do you remember who made him cry?

Yeah, that's right. Nadal did. Why? Because, as you know Nadalfan2013, Nadal is sooperdooper ultra-awesome!!!!!

 

[Nadalfan2013]

@calitennis127 Every word you write is spectacular. Good job!

 

[El Dude]

I think its funny that Nadalfan2013 doesn't realize that calitennis127 is making fun of him.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

I think its funny that Nadalfan2013 doesn't realize that calitennis127 is making fun of him.

@calitennis127 is right that Nadal is superdooper ultra-awesome and it will be even more superdooper ultra-awesome when he gets the slam record very soon... B-) Truer words have never been spoken

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I think its funny that Nadalfan2013 doesn't realize that calitennis127 is making fun of him.

Party pooper

 

[Moxie]

I think its funny that Nadalfan2013 doesn't realize that calitennis127 is making fun of him.

Somehow I suspect that is willful.