To repeat from last night...
We've reached the point of diminishing returns regarding improvement in the game, especially regarding technology. Djokovic has actually evolved at a time where it might be realistic for him to hold ground at the top of the game into his 30s, with a delayed "rubber band" effect of the tour catching up, which will only probably properly start with the generations that come after Nishikori/Dimitrov/Raonic. You could call that lucky for Djokovic or just call it impressive that Fedalovic collectively hit a pseudo-ceiling for tennis performance, where progressing further or even just matching their level depends on being the total tennis player, rather than exploiting niches in the tactical and strategic framework of tennis.
Sometimes, quantum leaps can be observed regarding the quality of tennis, which is what Federer did starting from 2003/2004. Sampras rested on his laurels and the quality of the game at the top level stagnated for nigh on one decade. Due to this ebbing and flowing — with not one, not two, but three players having an obsessive perfectionist attitude this era — we've reached a point where there's no obvious space or tactic to dethrone the level that's been reached. One simply must now be good enough to climb Everest, which Federer, Nadal and Djokovic managed. Will the following generation ever be good enough to get there and do they have the talent? Djokovic has room to spare due to the heights he has reached, so who is going to seriously dethrone this master of all surfaces, unless he suffers not just a slight decline, but a significant one?
As such, I expect that should Djokovic remain motivated, he'll be on top for a long time yet. I think only Nadal is capable of putting a run together that could take the top rank away now. Nishikori and others? They can sneak Slams, but to dethrone Djokovic they'll need to be consistent all year round and on all surfaces.
It's up to a guy like Kyrgios IMO to readdress the balance of tennis. He provides a prototype which could unlock the defence of Djokovic — he could provide a very new angle of attack for Djokovic to deal with. Nishikori? He's too similar to Djokovic to be consistently beating him at his own game.
Originally Posted by Tutsi Frutsi View Post
Kyrgios? The guy has no reasonable talent except servebotting, just look at his inside in forehand - one of the most comical shots on the entire tour He reached QF's of AO due to the easiest draw ever and QF's of Wimbledon due to Gasquet's clowning. I'm way more impressed with Coric, he possess the mentality and athletic ability of future №1. Actually the most talented player in younger generations is Tomic, but his workethic and poor footwork don't help him to maky any breakthrough.
Nolefans shouldn't be obsessed with weak era accusations/excuses because Nole has valid rivals of his own age:Nadal and Murray. It's not his business how much they declined.
Coric is very limited technically. He's a very good athlete though, maybe even a great one. He's also very resourceful. You know no better than me who will rise from those who are currently teenagers. I chose Kyrgios and not Coric because Kyrgios provides a unique puzzle for Djokovic should he put his game together. Coric is based on the Djokovic archetype, though with snappier and more abbreviated stroke mechanics and a more fluid core rotation (and much less flexibility). So if Coric can do what Djokovic more or less does but better, then he might dethrone Djokovic, but for that to happen he'd need to surpass Djokovic at his own game. Djokovic is the master of that game. Kyrgios plays differently. He could prove to be a worthy foil to Djokovic's paradigm. Focusing too much on the specific player suggestion misses the point somewhat, which is more to do with play style than necessarily a specific player.
The overriding point is that if Djokovic is to be dethroned from his top position by someone other than members of the Trifecta, then I imagine that they'd need to give Djokovic a totally new look, a new configuration. The road Coric is heading down, he'll always be slightly behind Djokovic unless he's genuinely as or more talented. Don't get me wrong, I think both Coric and Kyrgios could find great success on the tour. We just don't know, but the archetype Coric is basing his game on is the safer bet for top level success on the tour given recent evidence, but doesn't inspire me with confidence that he'd ever end up being better than Djokovic unless the great Serbian gets old.
I think many do view it this way when trying to decide who the best athlete in tennis is.
I view it with regards to how suited the athlete is specifically for the rigours of tennis.
The best tennis athlete might not be the best overall athlete.