Grigor Dimitrov

Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
He is old enough to know he has very little time left. If he doesn't realize his potential in the coming 2 seasons we'll have to declare him a flop.
 
Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
joeri888 said:
What do you consider 'his potential'? Top 10? Would you call Monfils a flop for instance?
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Nobody in his right mind could have expected more of Monfils than he has already achieved.

Some might (have said) say Grigor's potential is to be Federer's successor. I certainly think he has it in him to become a top 10 player. He has to mature quick though.
 
J

joeri888

G.O.A.T.
Russeljones said:
Nobody in his right mind could have expected more of Monfils than he has already achieved.

Some might (have said) say Grigor's potential is to be Federer's successor. I certainly think he has it in him to become a top 10 player. He has to mature quick though.
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Monfils was a better junior than Dimitrov. Won 3 out of four Slams in 1 year I think.
 
Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
joeri888 said:
Monfils was a better junior than Dimitrov. Won 3 out of four Slams in 1 year I think.
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Your point is? He won 3 out of 4 Junior GS tournaments, hence we should expect him to win GS tournaments on the ATP tour while hurting himself every other point? He's a clown, please don't waste my time talking about Monfils.
 
J

joeri888

G.O.A.T.
Russeljones said:
Your point is? He won 3 out of 4 Junior GS tournaments, hence we should expect him to win GS tournaments on the ATP tour while hurting himself every other point? He's a clown, please don't waste my time talking about Monfils.[/QUOTE]

Not entirely objective I see. I don't particularly like or dislike Monfils, I just wondered what you expect of Dimitrov. Would you consider him having a career like Monfils a flop or a success?
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Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
Entering the top 10 would be success. But the truth is I don't know what to make of the boy, His destiny is in his own hands. Right now he is unpredictable, shot selection is close to 1/10.
 
Ash_Smith

Ash_Smith

Legend
The average age to ENTER the top 100 on the ATP tour is 22 and a half. At 20 and ranked 76 he has plenty of time!

cheers
 
M

morten

Hall of Fame
i was not impressed watching him live, like he tries to copy Fed too much, as well as being a bit stiff. His tennismind/decisions out there is not top notch either IMO....
 
Devilito

Devilito

Hall of Fame
Steady ranking progression is key. He really didn’t accomplish much this year if we’re to continue talking about him as a future great player. One day he might break into the top 20. That’s about as far as I see him going. Morten is right. His game is a bit stiff and tries to copy Fed too much and look good on court. Whenever I see him play he has zero strategy and just hits the ball with no purpose in regards to point construction. If he has a good day he wins. If he has a bad day he loses. His game is basic without much variety and mentally he doesn’t look solid at all. Good player but I don’t see him as a champion.
 
henryshli

henryshli

Semi-Pro
I've been following his season quite closely this year and I must say it's about a 4/10. He didn't win any matches that he was not supposed to and he lost a few matches that he shouldn't have lost.
Also his target at the beginning of the seadon was to finish in the top 40. He didnt come close.

His game isn't complete. He doesn't have all the shots and he is not a great mover.
 
Homeboy Hotel

Homeboy Hotel

Hall of Fame
Overhyped player because the guy imitates Federer's style by watching Federer groundstroke practice videos for the best part of his life.

However, I remain optimistic for him to become the next permanent top 20 floater.
 
ninman

ninman

Hall of Fame
Comparing Dimitrov to Federer is ridiculous in the extreme.

In 2001 when Federer was Dimitrov's age he was already being seeded for Grand Slam events and finished the year in the top 20. He had also beaten Sampras in the 4th round of Wimbledon and made the quarters at both the French and Wimbledon. By the end of 2002 Federer was a top 8 player, and by 2003 he was contending for the world number 1 ranking.

Dimitrov isn't even close to that level yet. If Dimitrov was currently ranked at around 15 in the world I'd say he's on the way to winning a GS, but right now he's just an average player at best.

If we go even further back Sampras had won the US Open in 1991, and was also being seeded for grand slam events. I'd say Dimitrov is well behind the curve.
 
Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
ninman said:
Comparing Dimitrov to Federer is ridiculous in the extreme.

In 2001 when Federer was Dimitrov's age he was already being seeded for Grand Slam events and finished the year in the top 20. He had also beaten Sampras in the 4th round of Wimbledon and made the quarters at both the French and Wimbledon. By the end of 2002 Federer was a top 8 player, and by 2003 he was contending for the world number 1 ranking.

Dimitrov isn't even close to that level yet. If Dimitrov was currently ranked at around 15 in the world I'd say he's on the way to winning a GS, but right now he's just an average player at best.

If we go even further back Sampras had won the US Open in 1991, and was also being seeded for grand slam events. I'd say Dimitrov is well behind the curve.
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Only problem with this kind of logic is that if 10 years ago we applied it to Federer in a comparison with Boris Becker, you would have been telling him to find a new hobby. He doesn't have to be a good player, just saying the logic you're using is flawed.
 
E

Enigma_87

Professional
Russeljones said:
Only problem with this kind of logic is that if 10 years ago we applied it to Federer in a comparison with Boris Becker, you would have been telling him to find a new hobby. He doesn't have to be a good player, just saying the logic you're using is flawed.
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Federer was a late bloomer, but by the age of 20 he had 2 QF's in slams and played 5 finals(won 1). By 21 he won 1 MS and was finalist in another, and was beating top players like Guga, Hewitt, Safin, Roddick etc. He also qualified for the TMC, won all his RR matches and nearly beat the champion(Hewitt).

What I'm saying is Federer was already showing signs of his talent back then. Dimitrov is yet to play a final. The expectations I think are way too high to be remotely compared to Federer at this point, or ever in fact.
 
colonelforbin

colonelforbin

Rookie
Changmaster said:
Dimitrov vs Monfils US Open 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJNRnLP-fuU

One of the most entertaining match highlights video I've ever seen, and an amazing display of court coverage by both players. Monfils shows off his INSANE speed as usual, but look how fast and flexible Dimitrov is.
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Check it out :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YJNRnLP-fuU#t=594s
vs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FNlyrcsUDBw#t=451s
 
SLD76

SLD76

G.O.A.T.
Enigma_87 said:
Federer was a late bloomer, but by the age of 20 he had 2 QF's in slams and played 5 finals(won 1). By 21 he won 1 MS and was finalist in another, and was beating top players like Guga, Hewitt, Safin, Roddick etc. He also qualified for the TMC, won all his RR matches and nearly beat the champion(Hewitt).

What I'm saying is Federer was already showing signs of his talent back then. Dimitrov is yet to play a final. The expectations I think are way too high to be remotely compared to Federer at this point, or ever in fact.
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all of this here.
 
AM95

AM95

Hall of Fame
if i were grigor, i'd be spending my entire offseason improving my footwork/movement. he moves quickly, but somtimes he has horrible balance. if you watch some of his matches, he's constantly wrong footed and all over the place. worst part is, he does this in important moments and usually it costs him the set/match.
 
aimr75

aimr75

Hall of Fame
AM95 said:
if i were grigor, i'd be spending my entire offseason improving my footwork/movement. he moves quickly, but somtimes he has horrible balance. if you watch some of his matches, he's constantly wrong footed and all over the place. worst part is, he does this in important moments and usually it costs him the set/match.
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His backhand is also a liability
 
Bobby Jr

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
Devilito said:
His game is a bit stiff and tries to copy Fed too much and look good on court. Whenever I see him play he has zero strategy and just hits the ball with no purpose in regards to point construction.
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Good call. I also noticed he's changed his forehand a little so he rolls over it more - making it more unlike Federer's (slightly different grip obviously plays a part in that)... I think that this will see him return different in particular - and make it harder against big servers (regardless of anticipation/reading skills).

He has a very nice topspin backhand but the slice is pretty standard compared to the tour - nowhere near Federer's in class.

As you say, where Federer excels is not just stroke-making but in point construction. Dimitrov has a long way to go there. It could happen but too often he still seems like another young player who can hit great shots but who is strategically clueless against top players.
 
N

Netzroller

Semi-Pro
Haven't really made up my mind about him yet.
But you guys probably know Rajeev Ram. Watching the guy it looks a lot like Sampras - without the spice...
Right now I feel similar about Dimitrov. His motions are not as fluent as Federer's, his weapons are not as deadly, he is not as fast. I'm not sure if he can be top 10, don't think top 5 is possible.

However, maybe he proves me wrong. But for that to happen I belive it would be better if he developed his own game.
 
J

j00dypoo

Rookie
yeah just watching those 2009 highlights I would think the guy is federer (looks, not skill). I haven't seen him play much but he does show some promise. I'd say top 20 for now unless he matures a heck of a lot in the coming years.
 
Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
Enigma_87 said:
Federer was a late bloomer, but by the age of 20 he had 2 QF's in slams and played 5 finals(won 1). By 21 he won 1 MS and was finalist in another, and was beating top players like Guga, Hewitt, Safin, Roddick etc. He also qualified for the TMC, won all his RR matches and nearly beat the champion(Hewitt).

What I'm saying is Federer was already showing signs of his talent back then. Dimitrov is yet to play a final. The expectations I think are way too high to be remotely compared to Federer at this point, or ever in fact.
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I can't remember if he had had an injury by that time (Fed). Grigor lost a lot of ground due to a shoulder injury I believe.
 
Lsmkenpo

Lsmkenpo

Hall of Fame
He looked to have gained a little more power on his serve and ground strokes this season.

It doesn't really matter if he is able to replicate Federer's strokes perfectly, he doesn't have his movement, that is what will keep him from being a champion.
 
aimr75

aimr75

Hall of Fame
AM95 said:
not really. his bh is really good for his age/level.
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I've watched a few matches of his including one live and it's definitely his weakest shot. He racks up a heap of unforced errors on that wing from the matches I've watched
 
ZeroSkid

ZeroSkid

Banned
AM95 said:
if i were grigor, i'd be spending my entire offseason improving my footwork/movement. he moves quickly, but somtimes he has horrible balance. if you watch some of his matches, he's constantly wrong footed and all over the place. worst part is, he does this in important moments and usually it costs him the set/match.
Click to expand...

Very true he is always hitting shots in awkward positions, he is tall and quite skinny too, make he needs to bulk up
 
B

BeHappy

Hall of Fame
I don't think his game looks like Federer's anymore than Federer's looks like Sampras's, Or Lubijic, Troicki and Ancic's serves look like Ivanisevic's, anymore than Murray's serve looks exactly like Greg Rusedski's etc.


I think it's pretty obvious Federer copies the way he stands and moves on the court from his idol Edberg, the way he stands to return serve etc.
 
CityTennis22

CityTennis22

Rookie
He looks up to Sampras, but it's been quoted on several occasions that Edberg was his idol growing up. As this is the most impressionable time for a tennis player, it's no wonder that he copied some of Edberg's idiosyncrasies.
 
Devilito

Devilito

Hall of Fame
Federer's game early on had obvious influence from Sampras. You’d have to be blind to not see that. There was almost no part of his game that resembled Edberg’s
 
Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
Devilito said:
Federer's game early on had obvious influence from Sampras. You’d have to be blind to not see that. There was almost no part of his game that resembled Edberg’s
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I also never saw anything from Edberg in his game, that's why it surprised me he was quoted as Roger's idol.
 
Bobby Jr

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
BeHappy said:
I think it's pretty obvious Federer copies the way he stands and moves on the court from his idol Edberg, the way he stands to return serve etc.
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Huh? Federer starts hunched over with his legs far apart... Edberg did a little tap-dance.

I can see the similarity if you meant Federer also stands on the right hand side of the court when returning deuce-court serves and on the left side of the court for advantage-side serves. :)
 
M

morten

Hall of Fame
you are all right, or wrong, he idolized Becker, Sampras and Edberg(among other classic onehanded backhandplayers i guess) and later on said he loved Rios` game(And Michael Jordan... ) :) I do not think it was one player. Imo he does not look much like Sampras or Edberg, more like Becker with better movement combined with excellent timing like Stich(who is THE king of timing together with McEnroe)
 
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Russeljones

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
Bobby Jr said:
Huh? Federer starts hunched over with his legs far apart... Edberg did a little tap-dance.

I can see the similarity if you meant Federer also stands on the right hand side of the court when returning deuce-court serves and on the left side of the court for advantage-side serves. :)
Click to expand...

Man you nailed it, I stand corrected HAHA :)
 
henryshli

henryshli

Semi-Pro
Russeljones said:
Err he got to 52nd this year. You could say that was in the neighbourhood. ;)
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No it doesn't count. Mid year rankings are dubious. It depends on the timing of tournaments etc. His target was to finish in top 40 plus this thread is about the year he's had not a few weeks here or there.

Unfortunately he is too tall to be a tennis legend. 6ft1 is where you want to be.
 
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