Anyone else depressed about the present state of men's pro tennis?

SafinIsGOAT

Rookie
Today: 3 players, 1 surface, every final involves 2 of those 3, and they all have the same playing style. It's basically three guys playing their own little tournament and upping their Slam count.

At least during Federer's reign, the so-called "Weak Era", we got to see different players with different strengths making a run at the final. I found that more entertaining.
 

Alex78

Hall of Fame
I agree. It's completely beyond entertaining for me.
And if Murray doesn't come back 100% from surgery, we can already brace ourselves for 4 Nadal-Djokovic finals in the gs tournaments...
 

Midaso240

Legend
It's pretty annoying that guys like Wawrinka and Del Potro have the game to take out one of the top 3,but just can't keep it up over 5 sets. Always the same damn result. Can't wait for that magic moment when someone outside the big 3 beats one of them in a slam semi
 

DeShaun

Banned
When the box office draw of the current kings is no longer enticing, promoters will look at the landscape and accordingly tailor the playing conditions including surface speeds and ball sizes and weights to suit whoever looks to be coming up with significant marketability. This may be Dimitrov, Dolgopolov, or Peliwo for all we know...but Nadal has raised the bar over how best to pack butts into seats and that has been with grinding, long rallies dripping with drama and faux grunts.
 
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henryshli

Semi-Pro
It's pretty annoying that guys like Wawrinka and Del Potro have the game to take out one of the top 3,but just can't keep it up over 5 sets. Always the same damn result. Can't wait for that magic moment when someone outside the big 3 beats one of them in a slam semi

Which is why I always think that it is easier to win in 5 sets than 3 if you are better
 

adil1972

Hall of Fame
as long as federer is winning slams, i am fine

however when nadal win, i go into depression
 
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magnut

Hall of Fame
This is with a doubt the most boring era of tennis. At this point they might as well get rid of the serve and just do drop feeds for serves. If they don't,do something speed up the game to make it more exciting tennis will be dead in 5 years regardless of whatever new GOAT they are trying to market.
 

ark_28

Legend
This is with a doubt the most boring era of tennis. At this point they might as well get rid of the serve and just do drop feeds for serves. If they don't,do something speed up the game to make it more exciting tennis will be dead in 5 years regardless of whatever new GOAT they are trying to market.

I agree with this completely, the way the game and court speed has been slowed down is a disgrace! This is the man who can save our sport as he showed with his performance in Cincinnati this year.

IsnerHORIZ150937024WEB.jpg
 

magnut

Hall of Fame
Lol....isner? He's not really the type of player that inspires people. We really need a Rafter type player. Someone who is really likeable and plays a different style of game.

The only top player I find interesting to watch anymore is Gasquet because he can actually play gutsy at time. He did a lot of S&V in that semifinal against nadal. Probably the most interesting match of the tournamnent for me.
 

Tennisean

Rookie
The only top player I find interesting to watch anymore is Gasquet because he can actually play gutsy at time. He did a lot of S&V in that semifinal against nadal. Probably the most interesting match of the tournamnent for me.

Yeah, that'll really help the men's game, bring back the Paul Anacone clones.

And that Del Potro vs. Lopez match at the US Open wasn't interesting at all thanks to it's lack of that ultra entertaining S & V game. (major sarcasm alert)

I love how net-rushing-lovers see tennis through their own little S & V keyhole, where boring becomes beautiful.

Doubles has 'a lot of S&V in' it, which is why it's just so exciting to watch, if you've got insomnia, and need relief.

Face it, the S & V game is outdated and all but over. And most people won't miss that boringly desperate tactic in the least bit.
 

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
I agree with this completely, the way the game and court speed has been slowed down is a disgrace! This is the man who can save our sport as he showed with his performance in Cincinnati this year.

IsnerHORIZ150937024WEB.jpg

LOL if there's anyone i rather NOT prefer to Nadal or Murray is THIS GUY!!
got forbid.
 

Omega_7000

Legend
This is the so called "strong era"? :lol:

Give me a break! If Fed was out with injuries for months during his peak, lost in first rounds, deflate after winning his first two majors, his era would have looked strong too :roll:
 
Today: 3 players, 1 surface, every final involves 2 of those 3, and they all have the same playing style. It's basically three guys playing their own little tournament and upping their Slam count.

At least during Federer's reign, the so-called "Weak Era", we got to see different players with different strengths making a run at the final. I found that more entertaining.

if i am to take your uneducated line, i would even go as far as to suggest that this has been going on even before federer's recent decline, for federer is similarly a baseliner. in fact, tell me the difference between federer's "style" and safin's at the AO 2005 semi.
 

SafinIsGOAT

Rookie
in fact, tell me the difference between federer's "style" and safin's at the AO 2005 semi.

They both play first-strike baseline tennis on fast hard courts. That is, they start at the baseline and take the first chance they get to rip a groundstroke and follow it to net.
 
The problem now is the male tennis players outside of the big three I won't put Federer in the group he is old and on his way out. The players do not possess the mental toughness anymore and that what separates the big three from the rest. Stanislas Wawrinka had his opportunity to get to the US OPEN final but he played a poor tiebreaker and he blew his opportunity.
 

anantak2k

Semi-Pro
It's kind of sad but I stopped watching men's tennis this year apart from the interesting first few rounds of slams. And tennis was one of my favorite sports to watch alongside basketball and soccer.
Now its so boring and I feel like every point is a replay of the previous.

At the moment even women's tennis is more entertaining and they have more variety in their games. Also a much higher chance of seeing upsets and different players in the finals of slams.
 

10is

Professional
This is the so called "strong era"? :lol:

Give me a break! If Fed was out with injuries for months during his peak, lost in first rounds, deflate after winning his first two majors, his era would have looked strong too :roll:

Yep! ... and Hewitt, Safin and Roddick would be multi-slam champions - STRONGEST ERA EVER!

Anti-Fed logic. :rolleyes:
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
It's kind of sad but I stopped watching men's tennis this year apart from the interesting first few rounds of slams. And tennis was one of my favorite sports to watch alongside basketball and soccer.
Now its so boring and I feel like every point is a replay of the previous.

At the moment even women's tennis is more entertaining and they have more variety in their games. Also a much higher chance of seeing upsets and different players in the finals of slams.

I agree the womens game is more interesting. I have made this comment before but its not that I dont like nadal and joker. I just want someone to step up and actually challenge them at the slams. Not even beat them just make them work. Someone new. Anybody. Some 22 or 23 year old dude who wins a set or two. That would be nice.
 

90's Clay

Banned
Its been bad for years, I'm passed depressed, more bordering on Multiple Personality Disorder at this point when it comes to the state of the men's game
 
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Mainad

Bionic Poster
To be frank, the only things that are depressing me at the moment about men's tennis are Federer's loss of form and Murray's impending back surgery! :-?
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Today: 3 players, 1 surface, every final involves 2 of those 3, and they all have the same playing style. It's basically three guys playing their own little tournament and upping their Slam count.

At least during Federer's reign, the so-called "Weak Era", we got to see different players with different strengths making a run at the final. I found that more entertaining.

Well nothing to kill oneself over, but would like to see different players make the semis. I'm going on record that Big John Isner will see a major semi final next year, and one major quarter final.
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Well nothing to kill oneself over, but would like to see different players make the semis. I'm going on record that Big John Isner will see a major semi final next year, and one major quarter final.

Could be in final with a little luck.
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Well nothing to kill oneself over, but would like to see different players make the semis. I'm going on record that Big John Isner will see a major semi final next year, and one major quarter final.

Could be in final with a little luck.
 

Ajosin

Rookie
Yep! ... and Hewitt, Safin and Roddick would be multi-slam champions - STRONGEST ERA EVER!

Anti-Fed logic. :rolleyes:

I think you are wrong. Fed played all kinds of guys in slam finals that weren't in that list. No way Hewitt/Safin/Roddick would have dominated the game, they were not good enough.
 

90's Clay

Banned
Well Safin definitely had the talent to dominate the game to some degree (even with Fed around).. Unfortunately, his focus and brains never matched his talent

Hell If Safin had a fraction of Nadal's drive, Fed would be a single digit slam winner right now
 

magnut

Hall of Fame
Yeah, that'll really help the men's game, bring back the Paul Anacone clones.

And that Del Potro vs. Lopez match at the US Open wasn't interesting at all thanks to it's lack of that ultra entertaining S & V game. (major sarcasm alert)

I love how net-rushing-lovers see tennis through their own little S & V keyhole, where boring becomes beautiful.

Doubles has 'a lot of S&V in' it, which is why it's just so exciting to watch, if you've got insomnia, and need relief.

Face it, the S & V game is outdated and all but over. And most people won't miss that boringly desperate tactic in the least bit.

Quite a well constructed post. You really are impressive with your tremendous knowledge of the game.
 

intrepidish

Hall of Fame
Men's tennis look very good to me. I think some people just don't like one or more of the big winners now.

Hard to imagine on such a 'reasonable' forum.
 

10is

Professional
I think you are wrong. Fed played all kinds of guys in slam finals that weren't in that list.

You "think"? I KNOW you're wrong. Even aside from encountering them in the Final, how many times did Federer defeat Hewitt, Safin, Roddick enroute to the Finals? (hint: It's a rhetorical question.)

If not for Federer, Hewitt would have easily dominated most of 2004 and 2005; Roddick would have at least one more US Open, an opportunity at one more AO and 2 Wimbledon titles (or Hewitt would have at least one more of either), and Safin at the VERY LEAST would have had one more AO.

Suffice it to say from 2004-2006, in the absence of Federer, most of the major titles would have been shared in one combination or another between Hewitt, Roddick and Safin.
 
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SafinIsGOAT

Rookie
Well Safin definitely had the talent to dominate the game to some degree (even with Fed around).. Unfortunately, his focus and brains never matched his talent

Hell If Safin had a fraction of Nadal's drive, Fed would be a single digit slam winner right now

Agreed. I've estimated that Safin would have 22 Slams if he didn't suffer so many injuries.
 

timnz

Legend
Surface/Conditions

It is the 'one surface' (as you say) today that depresses me the most. It basically is destroying tennis. It has turned tennis into ping-pong.

Defenders of the takeover everywhere of slow court tennis say - 'we don't want to go back to serve-fests of the past'. But what they fail to recognize is - that is not what critics of today's conditions are asking for. We are asking for variety. Some fast court tennis, some slow and some medium. Also asking for a restoration of the indoor season (Actually seasons as it used to be).

I truly believe that the defenders of today's ping pong tennis conditions have either not been exposed to quality all court tennis, so they don't know what they are missing, or have someone forgotten it.
 

Readers

Professional
It is the 'one surface' (as you say) today that depresses me the most. It basically is destroying tennis. It has turned tennis into ping-pong.

Defenders of the takeover everywhere of slow court tennis say - 'we don't want to go back to serve-fests of the past'. But what they fail to recognize is - that is not what critics of today's conditions are asking for. We are asking for variety. Some fast court tennis, some slow and some medium. Also asking for a restoration of the indoor season (Actually seasons as it used to be).

I truly believe that the defenders of today's ping pong tennis conditions have either not been exposed to quality all court tennis, so they don't know what they are missing, or have someone forgotten it.

It's 1 single sport, not 4, 5 different ones.
 

gregor.b

Professional
Yeah, that'll really help the men's game, bring back the Paul Anacone clones.

And that Del Potro vs. Lopez match at the US Open wasn't interesting at all thanks to it's lack of that ultra entertaining S & V game. (major sarcasm alert)

I love how net-rushing-lovers see tennis through their own little S & V keyhole, where boring becomes beautiful.

Doubles has 'a lot of S&V in' it, which is why it's just so exciting to watch, if you've got insomnia, and need relief.

Face it, the S & V game is outdated and all but over. And most people won't miss that boringly desperate tactic in the least bit.

Maybe MOST people won't miss it, but people who CAN play tennis will miss it.
 

ark_28

Legend
It is the 'one surface' (as you say) today that depresses me the most. It basically is destroying tennis. It has turned tennis into ping-pong.

Defenders of the takeover everywhere of slow court tennis say - 'we don't want to go back to serve-fests of the past'. But what they fail to recognize is - that is not what critics of today's conditions are asking for. We are asking for variety. Some fast court tennis, some slow and some medium. Also asking for a restoration of the indoor season (Actually seasons as it used to be).

I truly believe that the defenders of today's ping pong tennis conditions have either not been exposed to quality all court tennis, so they don't know what they are missing, or have someone forgotten it.

I think you are spot on.. In the 90's it was not just serve fest it was the contrast in style that made for compelling tennis.. Sampras v Agassi.. Great serve and volleyer v great baseliner and returner.. Back in the 80's was similar with the Borg-McEnroe matchup... Now the game has been reduced to a slug fest from the baseline.

Isner is one of the few players on tour as I said before that plays tennis limit should be played. All out attack complimented by his huge serve, he looks to win points rather than simply waiting for guys to miss.
 

intrepidish

Hall of Fame
I think you are spot on.. In the 90's it was not just serve fest it was the contrast in style that made for compelling tennis.. Sampras v Agassi.. Great serve and volleyer v great baseliner and returner.. Back in the 80's was similar with the Borg-McEnroe matchup... Now the game has been reduced to a slug fest from the baseline.

Isner is one of the few players on tour as I said before that plays tennis limit should be played. All out attack complimented by his huge serve, he looks to win points rather than simply waiting for guys to miss.

What nonsense. Isner plays tennis as it should be played? Americans cheered Monfils rather than the one dimensional tennis of Isner at the US Open.

I was around for the 90s and 80s and a little of the 70s and I don't miss them one little bit.
 

Bendex

Professional
Isner is one of the few players on tour as I said before that plays tennis limit should be played. All out attack complimented by his huge serve, he looks to win points rather than simply waiting for guys to miss.

Look at the highlight reels of the top 3 players compared to Isner, Karlovic, etc.. I really don't understand some of you guys. If you want to see non-stop net rushing, you can still watch doubles.

Maybe re-watch some of the old matches on youtube. It's just serve, net rush, error... serve, net rush, error... serve, net rush, error...
 

Roddick85

Hall of Fame
Is the current state of men's tennis completely boring? Not totally, there's still some entertaining players to watch, but I can see how the dominance of the top 4 in the last 6 years can be boring for some. I would love to see Tsonga, Del Potro, Wawrinka, Gasquet win GS finals, but it just isn't happening. Courts being slowed down surely doesn't help they're case, but it's not the only reason they can't bring they're game to another level.

The way the game is thought nowadays and has been for the last few years is also why most players adopt the same style, aka defensive baseliner. If you look at what is being teached in the tennis schools aka baseline top spinner, it's hardly a surprise that youngsters all play the same. These kids are thought to hit top spin shots from the baseline and not get away from there because they will otherwise be passed. I recall playing a few juniors last year and most of them struggled when given low bouncing slices and looking foolish when being brought to the net. They also were pretty much identical clones of each other, tennis wise. If we're going to see more entertaining tennis, this has to change.

The only redeeming factor in today's game for me is Roger Federer. He can still win a slam imo and he does make the match up with the grinders a lot more interesting due to contrasting style. When the day comes and he decides to hang the racquet for good, it's quite possible that I will lose interest in Tennis. There's only so much grindfest that I can stand watching, having to go through this all the time will be too boring.
 
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