Is Kei Nishkori proof against modern game ?

[Nostradamus]

Kei proved that small guy can push around and beat up big guys. He beat Berdych and Raonic to win Japan open. prototypical Big men in modern game who is supposed to dominate talented small guys like Kei was beaten and actually outpowered from the baseline.

Kei proved Small men can still win Big tournaments over prototypical big men of modern game of tennis. So are the experts wrong in saying that you have to be 6'4" and must have 130 mph serves and big time power as well as speed to win big tournaments and majors ?

[The Bawss]

Yeah, but he has nasty power for his size. All he needs is a serve to really break through.

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Kei proved that small guy can push around and beat up big guys. He beat Berdych and Raonic to win Japan open. prototypical Big men in modern game who is supposed to dominate talented small guys like Kei was beaten and actually outpowered from the baseline.

Kei proved Small men can still win Big tournaments over prototypical big men of modern game of tennis. So are the experts wrong in saying that you have to be 6'4" and must have 130 mph serves and big time power as well as speed to win big tournaments and majors ?

I never understood why people said that tennis requires you to be tall. I mean why? You know that height isn't synonymous to power, right? Nishikori hits hard enough.

[chrischris]

Nishikori is proof OF the modern game. You need all the shots + the legs and the mind.

[1477aces]

What do you mean? Nishikori is the typical modern pusher like nadal and djokovic. Though nadal and djokovic are tall, the have little power and serve worse than ferrer.

[ductrung3993]

Originally Posted by 1477aces

What do you mean? Nishikori is the typical modern pusher like nadal and djokovic. Though nadal and djokovic are tall, the have little power and serve worse than ferrer.

[SoBad]

He packs a lot of power in a small body.

[nereis]

Being 5'10-5'11 isn't so much a detriment so long as you are a phenomenal athlete with great hand-eye coordination who can generate more explosive power per pound than taller guys.

Case in point: Agassi, Connors, Chang, Hewitt, Ferrer, Nalbandian.

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by nereis

Being 5'10-5'11 isn't so much a detriment so long as you are a phenomenal athlete with great hand-eye coordination who can generate more explosive power per pound than taller guys.

Case in point: Agassi, Connors, Chang, Hewitt, Ferrer, Nalbandian.

Agassi wasn't a great athlete. Connors is incomparable to the modern era. Chang didn't have great power either. Neither did Hewitt. Ferrer is strong, but his shots don't have explosive power either. Nalbandian has the power to do damage, but he also isn't a great athlete.

[SoBad]

At least he doesn't do illegal performance drugs and then lie about it to the governing bodies.

[smoledman]

nishikori hits with huge power.

[President]

The modern game is more about defense than offense, look at 3 out of the top 4. Also, Nishikori's forehand is a very explosive and heavy shot and his backhand is one of the cleanest on tour.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by dangalak

I never understood why people said that tennis requires you to be tall. I mean why? You know that height isn't synonymous to power, right? Nishikori hits hard enough.

But it is. There's a simple reason why tall guys like Del Potro, Berdych, Soderling, Rosol, etc. can hit their groundstrokes so hard. They can generate more torque with the same swing. Torque = Force x Distance. So with the same amount of force on their swing, they can generate more torque because their arms are longer so they hit the ball further away from where the force is applied (shoulder).

And of course, no one is going to argue that all else being equal, taller players can hit their serves bigger than shorter players can due to leverage and angle (and net height).

[ruerooo]

I don't know who the "experts" are that the OP says are saying you "have" to be 6'4" to play quality tennis -- I do know that some of these same alleged experts do seem to be decrying how hard movement gets when a player gets to be about 6'5" or so.

That said, someone on one of the other threads the other day was decrying players who were "short" as "poor representatives of the game". Do people not know about Ollie Rochus?

What is Kei, 5'9" or so? He's not short.
He's always been good enough that Rafa said some years ago that he would probably be a Top Ten player some day. I really am not sure I understand all the surprise.

[smoledman]

Kei is 5'10" and super strong and fast. He's proof of the modern baseliner BUT he can do magical things around the net too.

[jaggy]

Originally Posted by SoBad

At least he doesn't do illegal performance drugs and then lie about it to the governing bodies.

Or attack cities and eat their buildings

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

But it is. There's a simple reason why tall guys like Del Potro, Berdych, Soderling, Rosol, etc. can hit their groundstrokes so hard. They can generate more torque with the same swing. Torque = Force x Distance. So with the same amount of force on their swing, they can generate more torque because their arms are longer so they hit the ball further away from where the force is applied (shoulder).

And of course, no one is going to argue that all else being equal, taller players can hit their serves bigger than shorter players can due to leverage and angle (and net height).

Agree, taller guys with Longer arms provide more swing speed and more power in turn. but i think Nishikori just has uncanny timing on his shots like Agassi did. and if you time the ball perfectly every time with good torque and swing speed, you can produce Huge power.
Other guys can't do that if they are small because they are not as Blessed with that kind of talent.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by ruerooo

What is Kei, 5'9" or so? He's not short.

5'9" or even 5'10" is indeed short for pro tennis these days. When was the last time a guy under 6 feet tall won a Slam or was ranked #1?

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Agree, taller guys with Longer arms provide more swing speed and more power in turn. but i think Nishikori just has uncanny timing on his shots like Agassi did. and if you time the ball perfectly every time with good torque and swing speed, you can produce Huge power.
Other guys can't do that if they are small because they are not as Blessed with that kind of talent.

I'm not saying that it's impossible to hit with power if you are not tall, but it's just easier to do so if you're tall. Guys like Del Potro and Berdych don't even appear to be swinging that fast but can still generate tons of power. If you're short, it requires more precise timing and taking the ball earlier. And of course, it's much easier to blast serves if you're taller.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I'm not saying that it's impossible to hit with power if you are not tall, but it's just easier to do so if you're tall. Guys like Del Potro and Berdych don't even appear to be swinging that fast but can still generate tons of power. If you're short, it requires more precise timing and taking the ball earlier. And of course, it's much easier to blast serves if you're taller.

Off topic but what tension does Kei string his racket at ? I like to duplicate it in hopes of playing just like Kei did in the final of Japan open.