Ganstaz003
Rookie
Discuss!
Who is a more entertaining player to watch at peak level: Del Potro or Marin Cilic?
- Thread starter Ganstaz003
- Start date
Sounds like one to me. Few are as exciting and enjoyable to watch than Delpo.
thomasferrett
Hall of Fame
Neither hold a candle to peak Carreno Busta
ibbi
G.O.A.T.
I love watching Cilic when he plays well because when his return is on it's pretty amazing to watch, but it's hard to argue against Del Potro and his hammer of thor of a forehand. I also think he can play some really smart, deft shots when put under pressure like he did a couple of times yesterday when Fed attacked him at net.
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
those delpo-cilic polls are always a bit cruel... 
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/better-player-del-potro-or-cilic.580086/
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/better-player-del-potro-or-cilic.580086/
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TheAssassin
Legend
Cilic is ok, but Del Potro is on a different level.
TheAverageFedererFan
Professional
Del Potro. His peak was in 2009 in my opinion. His forehand and overall game was a bomb. And how he won the US Open by destroying Nadal in the Semifinals and being extremely clutch and playing a great match against Federer in the finals. Also how he beat Nadal in Miami and Federer in the WTF as well. Also giving Federer a clutch match in the 2009 French Open. And playing well in the 2009 Montreal Final.
Pahansuopa
Rookie
Both are one of the most one dimensional players in history to win a slam. Delpo is actually now almost watchable because he has to play with half a backhand. Now there is at least some change of tempo because of the slice.
Tall players are killing tennis. There is basically zero interesting rallies between two tall players. You always need atleast one shortish player who's able to move well to see great rallies and innovative shots. I know both players are exceptional movers considering their height, but they won't ever be my favourites. Cilic is like Delpo before the wrist injuries with technically better serve and better kick. Without tall players it could be possible to speedup courts and have even more variation in rallies and to have more net play. Now courts cannot be speeded up because tall players serves would become unbreakable.
Tall players are killing tennis. There is basically zero interesting rallies between two tall players. You always need atleast one shortish player who's able to move well to see great rallies and innovative shots. I know both players are exceptional movers considering their height, but they won't ever be my favourites. Cilic is like Delpo before the wrist injuries with technically better serve and better kick. Without tall players it could be possible to speedup courts and have even more variation in rallies and to have more net play. Now courts cannot be speeded up because tall players serves would become unbreakable.
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Bender
G.O.A.T.
It's not just the forehand imo.
His ability to unleash the forehand when it matters it what distinguishes him from most other big hitters in the game. Leads me to think he's more of a thinker than we credit him for.
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BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
The only person on the planet who would be voting for Cilic is Cilic's mother if she happens to stumble across this poll.
Steve0904
Talk Tennis Guru
I was actually thinking that last night (no pun intended). It's not just for the one rocket launcher FH, it's what he can do with it in a standard rally to set up the eventual kill shot and performing like that under pressure. And mentally he's the hardest of the big men to crack IMO. You can tell the Big 4 have a bit more respect for him than Cilic and other big guys because they know he won't go away mentally.
Cilic also has the charisma of a brick, whereas Delpo is a personable guy. Cilic is nice in interviews, but on court he's a bore.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Lol...Gilles Simon almost beat that "nobody in the world can beat him" player.
Hyperbole much?
09 Federer a hell of a lot tougher than 14 Federer too. 09 Delpo would beat 14 Cilic I'd put $$ on it
Not to mention, you know, 09 Delpo crushed 09 Cilic...at the USO..And has beaten him 6 times in a row..and 9 out of 11 matches.
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Shank Volley
Hall of Fame
Even if their games were the same, I would have to vote for Del Potro because Cilic just looks mad all the time. He doesn't have Del Potro's liability factor at all.
I do remember hearing that Cilic is extremely well spoken, and he's come across as such in interviews I've seen, but on the court he doesn't have any flair (relative to Delpo, of course. I'd love to hit shots like Cilic)
I do remember hearing that Cilic is extremely well spoken, and he's come across as such in interviews I've seen, but on the court he doesn't have any flair (relative to Delpo, of course. I'd love to hit shots like Cilic)
Shank Volley
Hall of Fame
If this thread was made a few months ago I'd have theorised that Cilic read the poll results before walking onto Wimbledon Center Court and it lead to a mental breakdown.
deacsyoga
Banned
Del Potro for the forehand, personality, and story. Plus actualy showing emotion on court rather than a robotic yet effective face and game, and never dropping a total stinker vs a top player like Cilic in the Wimbledon final this year or the U.S Open semis vs Djokovic a few years ago.
Cilic is definitely a better player than Berdych, both peak to peak and now in achievements, and Berdych is incredibly even more boring, and far more annoying.
Cilic is definitely a better player than Berdych, both peak to peak and now in achievements, and Berdych is incredibly even more boring, and far more annoying.
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
Del Potro could've made the big three the big four. (Yes, Andy Murray is not in the same category)
The Green Mile
Bionic Poster
Amazing poll so far...
Tshooter
G.O.A.T.
You’re very kind.
deacsyoga
Banned
The current Del Potro is not peak Del Potro. Peak Del Potro is 2009 before his wrist problems, and to a lesser extent 2012-2013 and that Del Potro did not have a weak backhand at all. A very strong 2 handed backhand.
metsman
G.O.A.T.
peak Delpo had no weak backhand.
Shank Volley
Hall of Fame
Don't try to argue with that Fabresque guy he's only 17. When Del Potro was at his best this kid was only 9 years old.
titoelcolombiano
Legend
Delpo - doesn't burst into tears when he's losing
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Sent from my E6853 using Tapatalk
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
There is no discussion possible. See the polls results.
deacsyoga
Banned
Since it asks about being fun to watch. Cilic shows no emotion at all, and his game is boring other than its impressive power when he is really in form. Del Potro plays with passion and emotion, his show of emotions and fist pumps and yelling when winning big points alone is worth more than Cilic in entertainment value.
Steve0904
Talk Tennis Guru
Fabresque
Legend
Bringing up someone’s age is pretty irrelevant. It’s not impossible for me to look back at other results from previous years (and yes I have seen Delpo’s matches from 09 and 2013), and I still stand by my opinion that his backhand wasn’t a strong point and that opponents could pin him in one corner and completely tear him apart.
Anyways I still stand by my opinion that Cilic is a more entertaining player to watch. Unless you’re from Argentina and want to scream delpo 100 Times in a row like a football fanatic.
Krish872007
Talk Tennis Guru
Cilic just takes an absolute beating whenever he comes up against Del Potro in the polls.
Roddick85
Hall of Fame
They both have big games, although I think that peak Del Potro is above Cilic as far as power goes on both wings, not so much now but the forehand is still one of the, if not the most powerful one on tour. If you look past their game, Del Potro is a lot more likable/charismatic and has the "humble giant" reputation, all of that made him the fan favorite he is today. His story of injuries and "he could've been" had it not been for them draws sympathy as well. Cilic on the other hand, nothing personal, but he's got no charisma at all and that makes him a bit dull to follow.
Shank Volley
Hall of Fame
It's entirely relevant because you're presenting your thoughts as an educated opinion, which is disingenuous.
"Peak Cilic is waaaaaay harder to beat than peak Delpo. You could always exploit his weak BH. Cilic has a strong overall game and it’s hard to find a weakness. As for watching, I find Cilic more entertaining, but that’s just an opinion."
You weren't watching tennis when Del Potro was at his very best in 2009, and as such you can't make such a blanket statement as the one above. You can say, for example, 'I've seen a few match replays and the ones I watched made it seem like Del Potro's backhand wasn't very good.'
The fact of the matter is that for all the flak that trolls and fanbase fanatics get around here, your opinion on anything that happened in tennis before around 2012 has to be taken with the largest grain of salt of anyone on this website.
I don't lay claim to any specific knowledge of tennis back when Laver and the old legends used to play, or even when Bjorn Borg was setting the tour on fire, because respectively I wasn't alive to see it, and then wasn't old and experienced enough to recognise the quality of play I was seeing. I think it would be disrespectful to do otherwise. Same goes for you.
abmk
Bionic Poster
You are wrong. It was a pretty solid and powerful BH. It was a strong point. Opponents could not pin him down in one corner.
D
Deleted member 307496
Guest
Is it REALLY irrelevant? You're the same kid who said Roddick would only reach 1 GS SF in this decrepit era lmao.
You probably think 2014-2017 was a strong era because it's all you've seen and you have nothing to compare it to.
I lived through 2008-2010 at a much older age than you and I saw the rise and fall of Del Potro. No version of Marin Cilic (effectively the Gaston Gaudio of this era) would ever take 2009 Federer to 5 sets in a major final.
Even in 2013 when Del Potro had already undergone surgery and wasn't the same player anymore he still took Novak to 5 sets at Wimbledon and many at the time felt he had a chance at winning the whole event if he got past Novak.
Cilic has made another final and wilted under pressure against the same player Del Potro defeated in the same round 8 years previously.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Perhaps only Berdych is more boring that Cilic.
True Fanerer
G.O.A.T.
Milos is pretty boring as well. Delpo matches I enjoy. Cilic has his moments I guess where he is somewhat entertaining
ZiggyStardust
Professional
Depends on whether you like forehands or backhands more.
FYI, the correct answer is the forehand. Del Potro
FYI, the correct answer is the forehand. Del Potro
S
SafinSucks
Guest
Both boring to watch.
Yes, Marin Cilic is boring to watch for the most part, but guys please stop pretending that Juan-Martin Del Potro is exciting to watch either.
Thanks.
@Ganstaz003
Yes, Marin Cilic is boring to watch for the most part, but guys please stop pretending that Juan-Martin Del Potro is exciting to watch either.
Thanks.
@Ganstaz003
Delpo is never boring!
N
nikdom
Guest
This requires a thread?
Del Potro by light years (assuming he's playing in peak form)
That forehand alone would require it's own highlight reel.
Del Potro by light years (assuming he's playing in peak form)
That forehand alone would require it's own highlight reel.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
It should be said that Del Potro is at times entertaining, but at times disappointing.
He has such a big upside, that if you are sold on him, in the end you may find yourself with results not meeting the high expectations he originates.
I am a long time fan of him. Several setbacks because of health issues, and maybe others as well.
Anyway, he is a very exciting player to watch.
He has such a big upside, that if you are sold on him, in the end you may find yourself with results not meeting the high expectations he originates.
I am a long time fan of him. Several setbacks because of health issues, and maybe others as well.
Anyway, he is a very exciting player to watch.
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