BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Yeah, Donald Young was 0-9 in ATP matches before he won one and now he loses to a lucky loser in the 1st round. Not exactly progress. 
Kei Nishikori Is The Current Youngest Champion on the ATP Tour, Not Donald Young
- Thread starter Pancho
- Start date
Rhino
Legend
You're right, talking endlessly about this guy with the 2-16 record is fun. This kid is real good! That set he took off, um, Odesnik, was HOT, and apparently he can throw racquets further than any other player! Unbelievable stuff. I can't wait to have some more fun chats about him when the clay season is underway.
zagor
Bionic Poster
You're right, talking endlessly about this guy with the 2-16 record is fun. This kid is real good! That set he took off, um, Odesnik, was HOT, and apparently he can throw racquets further than any other player! Unbelievable stuff. I can't wait to have some more fun chats about him when the clay season is underway.
Read his post again.He was talking about Nishikori,not Young.
Leublu tennis
Legend
Thanks. Now tell that to Davydenko.
Yeah, Donald Young was 0-9 in ATP matches before he won one and now he loses to a lucky loser in the 1st round. Not exactly progress.
True if your only judging progess in that area alone. But he's made it to #95 with modest success on the challeger circuit during the last year.
Rhino
Legend
True .
aceroberts13
Professional
I think Nishikori will beat Sampras' Grand Slam record this year...:shock:
Seriously though the guy's got some serious talent. And by the way what's up with DY's hat? Please put that thing on straight Donald! I'm not oldschool it just looks bad.
Seriously though the guy's got some serious talent. And by the way what's up with DY's hat? Please put that thing on straight Donald! I'm not oldschool it just looks bad.
Katlion
Semi-Pro
I am happy for Kei. All the best to him, and just for the record, I never liked Donald Young
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
Kei has a long way to go...he won ONE atp title. that's it. When he gets to 5 titles, then maybe we'll revisit him. For now, it's all hype hype talk talk.
cknobman
Legend
I totally agree with you on this but also feel that the little talk hes recieving now is much more warranted than all the hype and talk Donald Young has recieved (even though hes hasnt done squat except compile a 2-15 record on tour).
Young doesn't have a big ground game like some other players, nor is his serve consistently big (he barely reached 130 once).
He needs to get bigger and stronger. He also needs to work on his mental attitude.
I personally think John Isner will have a better career simply because he's got that gunslinger type attitude on the court, going for every serve, no matter what, no matter the conditions. Ice cold veins, even when facing possibly the greatest of all time Roger Federer at the U.S. Open.
There have been plenty of "not so talented" players who had amazing careers because of their mental strength. Ivan Lendl was a perfect example of this. Sure, he had alot of talent, but no where near the likes of John Mcenroe. But he had a very successful career because his mental strength and he played like a machine.
He needs to get bigger and stronger. He also needs to work on his mental attitude.
I personally think John Isner will have a better career simply because he's got that gunslinger type attitude on the court, going for every serve, no matter what, no matter the conditions. Ice cold veins, even when facing possibly the greatest of all time Roger Federer at the U.S. Open.
There have been plenty of "not so talented" players who had amazing careers because of their mental strength. Ivan Lendl was a perfect example of this. Sure, he had alot of talent, but no where near the likes of John Mcenroe. But he had a very successful career because his mental strength and he played like a machine.
Not to hate, but did anyone else think it was so "James Blake" of James Blake to lose to this guy? James showed up big in the Davis Cup final last year, and at the recent tie, so he's got much goodwill accrued with me, but come on! Reminded me alot of his loss to Korolev at Vegas last year, where the ATP was essentially forced to scuttle round-robin play because it initially manipulated the rules to get Blake, and not Korolev, into the semis. Blake's still alot like many of us: not above a bad loss here and there.
thejuice
Hall of Fame
I think this is a good point but you are gonna probably get slammed by the Nishikori fans.
lol yeah I totally agree, I think Kei at least deserves this talk over what Young has been getting.
zapvor
G.O.A.T.
i agree. i think its a matter of perception. young being so overhyped that he has that much more scrutiny cast upon him in comparison to kei who noone really know until he beat blake. the rankings dont lie usually. and its just one result.
zapvor
G.O.A.T.
man i want to see more isner. hes very fun to watch and i agree with your sentiment-he just goes out and plays his game.
norcal
Legend
Agreed. I am a insta-fan of Kei's game but Blake lacks the ability to change it up when things are not going his way. I thought his experience would shine through in the third set but the opposite happened.
You make a good point. Fact is, Nishikori is obviously a closer who deserves the Glengarry leads (yuck, yuck). It's one thing to say that this is a match that Blake should not lose. By the same token, Nishikori's a teenager who had the gumption and, I'll say it, balls to win the whole friggin' tournament! Hey, kudos to him for having his act together that way.
Fedace
Banned
Davydenko is boring. Noone cares about him in Russia. but kei is now a instant superstar in Japan and his good looks definitely helps. He is set for life with all the endorsements.
Fedace
Banned
Hey, don't feel bad, he was born with a God given gift of incredible hands and hand-eye coordination. not to mention unbelievable racket head speed that rivals Agassi. Trust me, i wish i had those gifts too.:-?
cknobman
Legend
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
Well, if Young was 6'10" and had a massive serve like Isner, I'm sure he wouldn't "fold" so much.
If Isner were 6' and didn't have such a massive serve, what would he be? I don't know, you all watch him more than I do. Just throwing this out there.
Young would probably beat Isner from the baseline.
Andres
G.O.A.T.
All hype hype talk talk? The guy is 18 years old, and WON an ATP tournament in his 6th attempt!
He played 5 tournaments in his career before, and he wins the 6th. How many tournaments have other 'Greats' played until they won their first?
He's not overhyped. Unless Young (who IS hyped), Kei has a smooth, beautiful game, and has played 10 LESS tourneys than Young, and already has four times the wins (8-5 for Kei, 2-15 for Young)
goober
Legend
A very small percentage of people at age 17 have accomplished anything significant. All you can do is work as hard as you can towards your goals now. Better to realize that you are wasting time at not doing anything at age 17 than realizing it at age 40
Young and Isner just beat Fish and Melzer in doubles in San Jose.
Based on logic found on the TW message board about Donald Young his doubles win in SJ could then lead to one of the following conclusions:
Based on logic found on the TW message board about Donald Young his doubles win in SJ could then lead to one of the following conclusions:
- Fish and Melzer are the worst doubles team ever. They lost to a team with DY on it.
- Isner is the best doubles player in the world. He was able to carry DY.
- Fish and Melzer must have been hurt, how could they lose against DY.
- DY must have "TREED OUT"
- DY is clearly a much better doubles player based on this one result.
babolatking
Rookie
watched him play at img.. hes a beast..
thats all i can say.. a beast
thats all i can say.. a beast
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
He has 1 title, i think we shouldn't be so quick to judge how a player's career becomes after 1 title. That's all I'm saying.
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
anyone know the answer to this? I'm guessing Wilander was the fastest to a tour title.
As far as Kei, I like his game very much, but it is worth noting just how bad a field was present in Delray. It was a 32 player draw & there were only 2 players ranked in the top 60 there! There are challengers in Europe that have better fields. I wouldn't be surprised if the average ranking of all 32 players entered was the lowest of any tour event over the last year(well maybe after Newport) I mean, its pretty shocking to see someone in a tour level event get to play Delic in the round of 16 & Bobby Reynolds in the QF. Those guys almost exclusively play challengers. And I think Blake is more likely to suffer a shock defeat in a final than almost any other top player, guy is a pretty poor competitor with absolutely no ability to change his game when things aren't going well.
and as far as hype goes, don't forget Roberto Carretero, who won Hamburg as a qualifier. Many expected great things for him in his future after that(or at least good things) but he flamed out in a huge way.
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federerfanatic
Banned
How this thread is titled is ridiculous. Congratulations to Kei, but I honestly think some of you are hanging over the edge waiting for any opportunity or form to bash Young.
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
Darcis won only the 2nd event he ever played(Amersfoort last year)
Hewitt also won his 1st event in his 2nd event.
Aaron Krickstein won his 1st title in his 6th event.
there are probably others in this range.
was off on Wilander, he played several events before winning his 1st.
ATXtennisaddict
Hall of Fame
Kei just needs 1 more ATP singles title to become the most successful Japanese player. I checked and Matsuoka had only 1 ATP singles title in his career.
Of course, Kei wants to be #45 or higher too. So good luck to him, i'll be rooting him on.
Of course, Kei wants to be #45 or higher too. So good luck to him, i'll be rooting him on.
Phil
Hall of Fame
Hate to break it to you, but his game is NOTHING like Andre's game, and that includes both the "style-is-everything"/hair extension young Andre and the mature, ultra-fit bald version of Andre.
He really doesn't deserve much pub (though he's being hyped on this board now, like so many others)...not yet, at least.
Fedace
Banned
He is going to win Wimbledon one day, mark my words.:shock:
Fedace
Banned
this guy is for real. his racket head speed is very close or better than Federer's and that is something special.
I agree - Nishikori is Nishikori, let's just celebrate his talent, play, attitude, emergence . . . none of which has anything to do with DY.
Will be very interesting to see if he can handle Roddick serve or not.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
I saw Nishikori play Hartfield from courtside tonight and he has this flick at the end of his strokes that puts a lot of pace on the ball unexpectedly. He also hit a jumping, scissor-kicking, arm-swinging high forehand volley. Something I have NEVER seen before.
saram
Legend
I have hit the rewind button about twenty times on my DVR to watch that shot as well. It is a unique and amazing shot, isn't it?
first the Agassi comparison now Federer. What's next a Samurai and then God?!?
You need to dial it back some. You remind me of the guy who just got back from watching Qualifying. You make the claim you just saw then next GOAT. Then the guy goes out and loses the 1st round main draw to a no-name player in straight sets. Give the guy some time. He went from no Challenger wins and a ranking of #244 to winning an ATP Title. Do you want him to be the next Steve Darcis? Steve's not a bad player but he won a title last year, then nothing.
Remember this. A lot of new guys on tour have a hot streak early. Maybe not this hot but a hot streak none the less. Then the rest of the tour figures them out (ask Steve Darcis, Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick, Tommy Robredo etc.), and work a game plane to exploit their weekness, and they cool off. It happens to most every player. It even happened to Federer early on before the greatness and happens today on a limited basis against Nadal on hardcourts.
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I was at Bolletieri's with my 9year old and other juniors for 10 days last month,got to watch Kei work out with his coach and other players .He was on stadium court most mornings and as I had loads of spare time I got to watch him quite a lot.He's not that tall but very strong ,has excellent balance and returns fantastically well off both wings(his coach was hitting big kickers to the backhand a alot).He has an explosive forehand ,probably the best at the academy .I think the Agassi comparison is fair ,he certainly has huge potential.Watch out for Giacomo Miccini ,very powerful Italian junior.
EasternRocks
Hall of Fame
Certianly Kei Nishikori is a japenese prodigy. He has shown that he can play in clutch situations, and has won an ATP level tournament at such a young age. Now, he must display bigger things that will come. I hope he wins the SAP Open, and to take out American Andy Roddick.
Good luck 2 him!!!
Good luck 2 him!!!
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Wait, was that match last night televized? If so where?
saram
Legend
Sorry to get you all hyped up--he hit the same shot against Blake in the finals of Delray. I have watched that match a few times already. I know if you got to the ATP website, there is a link to watch streaming video of it. But, I'm not paying $9.95 to watch it...
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
I saw Steve Darcis' loss to Jesse Levine on Monday from behind the baseline. Darcis sucks, plain and simple. No backhand at all. Levine is not very good either and had no business winning an ATP match but he did against Darcis. Seeing Nishikori play in person, he's a much better player. Very creative, very smart, knows when to change the pace, trajectory, and spin of his shots to take his opponent out of his rhythm. He even serves and volleys as a surprise tactic. Also plays very good defense and is able to go from defense to offense very quickly - a la Federer.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Actually, that was not the same shot against Blake. Against Blake, that was a leaping, scissor-kicking forehand off of the bounce. Against Hartfield last night, he did it as a volley at the net before the ball bounced. It was sort of a high forehand/low overhead. Maybe he was trying to do an "Air Sampras" but the ball was too low?