If Nadal doesn't make a big comeback next year, what is there to look forward to in 2022?

S

Sampras-Bruguera 1993

Legend
Novak is guaranteed at at least one slam next year (Novak probably wins 3 slams next year) . This gen isn't up to par to take over as this year showed. It took a gassed Novak with a tough draw, and Sampras-like serving day for Med to even beat him. Today shows a rested Novak isn't losing to Med in big pressure matches. Unless Nadal comes back and makes it interesting with the GOAT race, this is looking like boring times the next 2-3 years
 
G

goldengate14

Professional
nachiket nolefam said:
Djokovic will win 1/2 slams next year. Rest most likely by next gen.
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Djokovic needs to win Australia. Its must win for him. I dont think he will as he seems to struggle with pressure. Ive just seen he beat Medvedev which surely now does beg the question what happened in NY as looking at the score he murdered Meddy bear today alhough ive not seen the match as was playing myself so correct me if im wrong.
It does look like 22 majors plus might be needed to win slam race outright.
 
N

ND-13

Hall of Fame
AnOctorokForDinner said:
More beautiful collapsing, of course.
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This.

I am excited to see the next gen collapsing again and again. Look forward to the Dmitrov-Raonic- Nishikori- Thiem- Goffin-Pouille- Khachanov-Rublev-Tsitsipas-Zverev-Coric-Medvedev , losing time and again in the years to come , when it comes to big matches.
 
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AnOctorokForDinner

AnOctorokForDinner

Talk Tennis Guru
ND-13 said:
This.

I am excited to see the next gen collapsing again and again. Cannot look forward to the Dmitrov-Raonic- Nishikori- Thiem- Goffin-Pouille- Khachanov-Rublev-Tsitsipas-Zverev-Coric-Medvedev , time and again in the years to come , when it comes to big matches.
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Finding twisted beauty in the karmic injustice of the wussiest gen earning the biggest money compared to their predecessors.
 
R

Ray Mercer

Hall of Fame
Nothing. The sport is at an all time low right now. Without Federer and Nadal the sport is dwindling. Even the return of Federer can't get me excited because of how poor he looked this year. It's a sad time for tennis.
 
Headhunter_Tennis

Headhunter_Tennis

New User
Federer is without a doubt Finished
Nadal too is at that stage where Federer was in 2019, he probably has another final in him but not a title?

The story in Tennis now and next year will be all about how the next gen further bridge the gap between them and Novak.

They might have bridged the gap between themselves and Fedal.... 2021 gave us enough signs of that

So that's the narrative for 2022-23, Novak vs next gen on keeping his edge or losing it.
 
Third Serve

Third Serve

Talk Tennis Guru
tbh not much unless Fed and Thiem somehow come back strong

this is probably the least I’ve been interested in the tour. Still fun to watch which is why I’m still here but it could be more fun.
 
Hitman

Hitman

Bionic Poster
You just never know when that explosive break out is going to come.

Nobody saw 2011 coming, nobody.
 
TearTheRoofOff

TearTheRoofOff

G.O.A.T.
Well, we're in quite the several-year time sandwich. Not much to look back on, not much to engage with now, and little to set reminders for in the future.
 
killerboss

killerboss

Professional
Even if Nadal returns I think a lot of people have even become bored of the big 3 in itself. Djokovic USO run felt like it was being overshadowed by a WTA player. Still would be better than the current crop of players though.
 
nolefam_2024

nolefam_2024

G.O.A.T.
People are definitely bored of big 3. Now the new Gen should take over. They might do in 2022. In 2021, we had Hurkacz, Tsitsipas and Norrie as first time masters winners. Karatsev, Hurkacz, FAA were first time slam semifinalists. Berrettini and Tsitsipas were first time slam finalists and Medvedev is first time slam winner. The tide has shifted already. Nole will play ridiculously low amount of tournaments now that his GOAT status is cemented. We can finally move on to new players.
 
Hitman

Hitman

Bionic Poster
nachiket nolefam said:
People are definitely bored of big 3. Now the new Gen should take over. They might do in 2022. In 2021, we had Hurkacz, Tsitsipas and Norrie as first time masters winners. Karatsev, Hurkacz, FAA were first time slam semifinalists. Berrettini and Tsitsipas were first time slam finalists and Medvedev is first time slam winner. The tide has shifted already. Nole will play ridiculously low amount of tournaments now that his GOAT status is cemented. We can finally move on to new players.
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I'm all for these new guys taking over, I am watching them more now than the old guard anyway.
 
Rosstour

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Third Serve said:
tbh not much unless Fed and Thiem somehow come back strong

this is probably the least I’ve been interested in the tour. Still fun to watch which is why I’m still here but it could be more fun.
Click to expand...

Why do people think Thiem is going to come back and have some big impact?

firstly the injury he has is to his wrist--what happened to Becker and DelPo post-wrist injury?

secondly he was a reliable RG pigeon for Rafa and that is about it.
 
G

Gerco

Semi-Pro
Novak already said it during an interview, he´s not gonna hand it to them, meaning they have to earn it..But they still can´t do it yet (except for Med)
 
MichaelNadal

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Milehigh5280 said:
I actually believe 2022 will be the most intriguing and wide-open season in years. The gap between Novak and next gen will only narrow as time goes by. It's very possible we get one or two new slam winners next year. Not to mention a possible new number one player. It's not all doom and gloom
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:unsure:
 
ollinger

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
Gulbis does not even turn 34 until the end of next August. He is poised for a comeback and can be a major factor in 2022
 
Rosstour

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Another win for Novaaaaaaaaaak

Wins AO, beats Rafito again at RG and we're right back in CYGS mania.
 
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Zetty

Zetty

Hall of Fame
Medvedev world #1. Every match Novak has against Meddy is gonna be a battle from now on. Good luck old chap.
 
socallefty

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
I really enjoyed the Slams in 2021, but not the Masters tournaments as much because of the absence of Djokovic, Thiem and Nadal in many of them. I would wish for a repeat of the finals at the Slams in 2022 with maybe the only difference being Djokovic playing Nadal in the final of the FO22 and Thiem making one of the hardcourt Slam finals instead of Medvedev playing two of them. I hope that Djokovic, Nadal and Thiem will play most of the Masters tournaments also unlike this year.

I would also enjoy it if the younger players like Sinner, Alcaraz, Ruud and Hurkacz win more titles than Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Zverev and get ahead of them in the rankings.
 
Headhunter_Tennis

Headhunter_Tennis

New User
nachiket nolefam said:
People are definitely bored of big 3. Now the new Gen should take over. They might do in 2022. In 2021, we had Hurkacz, Tsitsipas and Norrie as first time masters winners. Karatsev, Hurkacz, FAA were first time slam semifinalists. Berrettini and Tsitsipas were first time slam finalists and Medvedev is first time slam winner. The tide has shifted already. Nole will play ridiculously low amount of tournaments now that his GOAT status is cemented. We can finally move on to new players.
Click to expand...

I wish big 3 were 10-12 years younger, I am not sure if I wanna see the next gen play nd win, they are all boring and garbage.... Not 1 player who is exciting
 
R

Ray Mercer

Hall of Fame
Milehigh5280 said:
I actually believe 2022 will be the most intriguing and wide-open season in years. The gap between Novak and next gen will only narrow as time goes by. It's very possible we get one or two new slam winners next year. Not to mention a possible new number one player. It's not all doom and gloom
Click to expand...

The problem is none of these new players play the game with any creativity or flair and the only reason they're succeeding is age finally catching up to the old guard. 90% of the tour are baseline grinders with no offensive talent or flair. If a young 2003 Federer emerged or a 2005 Nadal fans would be ecstatic.
 
Kralingen

Kralingen

Talk Tennis Guru
Sampras-Bruguera 1993 said:
Today shows a rested Novak isn't losing to Med in big pressure matches.
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The thing is that a rested Novak is far from a guarantee in Slams. a) the 5 set format might work against his legs, and b) playing a tough QF plus a Zverev SF in 4 hr matches will hurt him.

For me the story of 2022 will be the return of Thiem and how Tsitsipas/Zverev react to their failures of 2021. The rest of the non-Slam winners are irrelevant (except perhaps maybe Shapo if he undergoes a lobotomy and replaces his frontal cortex)

Thiem really was missed this year. Never thought I'd be saying that. Then again, looking at Wimbledon you could even say this year was missing RaoMUG lol.
 
James P

James P

G.O.A.T.
Kralingen said:
The thing is that a rested Novak is far from a guarantee in Slams. a) the 5 set format might work against his legs, and b) playing a tough QF plus a Zverev SF in 4 hr matches will hurt him.

For me the story of 2022 will be the return of Thiem and how Tsitsipas/Zverev react to their failures of 2021. The rest are irrelevant (except perhaps maybe Shapo if he undergoes a lobotomy and replaces his frontal cortex)

Thiem really was missed this year. Never thought I'd be saying that. Then again, looking at Wimbledon you could even say this year was missing RaoMUG lol.
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I'm incredibly interested in how Thiem will return (much less so with Nadal and Federer, although I'm glad to see them come back). It'll be interesting to see if he can resume his place near the top of the #1 contender list alongside Med, Zed, and Tsitsipas just behind Novak. I feel like we're finally getting some depth beyond the Big 3 era and want to see it expanded.
 
Kralingen

Kralingen

Talk Tennis Guru
James P said:
I'm incredibly interested in how Thiem will return (much less so with Nadal and Federer, although I'm glad to see them come back). It'll be interesting to see if he can resume his place near the top of the #1 contender list alongside Med, Zed, and Tsitsipas just behind Novak. I feel like we're finally getting some depth beyond the Big 3 era and want to see it expanded.
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It's a big if but a 2020 AO level, a 2019 FO level, and a 2020 USO level from Thiem (if he can somehow get close to that) would have been good enough to win 1-2 Slams this year imo. If he comes back like 90% of his former self he will be a genuine contender, and he doesn't have sucky ROS like Tsitsipas or mental fragility like Zverev. Plus he has actually beaten Novak in Slams and hoisted a trophy before. That makes a big difference.

Of course his wrist being messed up with a 1HBH seems like such a massive red flag that I am tempering my expectations heavily, at least until clay season.
 
TennisFan3

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
Sampras-Bruguera 1993 said:
Novak is guaranteed at at least one slam next year
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Are you serious? He will win at least 3 or maybe even all 4 and CYGS.
If these Next gen can't even beat him in BO3 - they sure as hell ain't beating him in a slam.

Until there is a next big time player - Novak will be unstoppable. The current gen of Med/Titsp/Zed are just NOT good enough. Let's be realistic here. They will NEVER beat Novak at slam level.
 
TennisFan3

TennisFan3

Talk Tennis Guru
Hitman said:
Nobody saw 2011 coming, nobody.
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Yeah but that was Novak. Who was a potential ATG and a GREAT player. You forget Novak had done plenty before 2011.
ALL of the next Gen are PATHETIC. None of them looks like being a GREAT player or a multislam winner. By definition they can't have a breakthrough like Novak.
2011 ain't happening in 2022/2023.

There will be a NEW STAR that we haven't yet seen or who is a junior. The current crop is NOT good enough. It's pretty simple.
A 34.6 year old Novak beat Med. Imagine what a younger Novak might have done to Med?
 
Z

Zoid

Hall of Fame
I think Novak struggles next year. He turns 35 and the younger crop of players are all coming into their prime:

- Zverev
- Medvedev
- Tsitsipas

have all troubled Novak and they are only getting stronger. Thiem will also be back next year and may be a threat for the second half of the season.


These guys below are also in their prime: I don't think they can consistently beat Novak, but if you have to play 3 or 4 of these guys on the way to a final, they can certainly gas you like we saw in the US.

- Berrettini
- Rublev
- Hurkacz
- Fritz
- Khachanov
- Karatsev
- Schwartzman

Then there are players who are younger but are starting to knock on the door.

FAA
Shapo
Sinner
Brooksby
Ruud
Korda
Musetti

I think Alcaraz by next year is a top 10 threat by mid-next year also.

Add Rafa, and there are 15-20 strong players and a legit crop of 3-4 guys who can beat Novak over 5 sets on their day.

Medvedev's win was huge not just for Medvedev, but for all the younger guys: once the first win breaks through, the rest can come quickly. It's the 4-minute mile phenomenon.
 
The Big Foe fan

The Big Foe fan

Hall of Fame
Sampras-Bruguera 1993 said:
Novak is guaranteed at at least one slam next year (Novak probably wins 3 slams next year) . This gen isn't up to par to take over as this year showed. It took a gassed Novak with a tough draw, and Sampras-like serving day for Med to even beat him. Today shows a rested Novak isn't losing to Med in big pressure matches. Unless Nadal comes back and makes it interesting with the GOAT race, this is looking like boring times the next 2-3 years
Click to expand...
Expect the vacuum cleaner to clean up on more titles.
 
The Big Foe fan

The Big Foe fan

Hall of Fame
Hitman said:
You just never know when that explosive break out is going to come.

Nobody saw 2011 coming, nobody.
Click to expand...
Novak still had potential though.
His technical game was flawless, only stamina and execution lacked.
Whereas the NextGen players all have atleast 2 common technical flaws, forehand and return, bloody all of them.
 
The Big Foe fan

The Big Foe fan

Hall of Fame
GabeT said:
I think Novak will be the only over 25 at Turin. The tide has turned
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Tide hasn't turned, it looks turned because fedal are injured.
I can guarantee, if fedal can comeback to atleast their 2019 selves (not even asking prime level or incredible post-prime highs like 2017), then the top3 would again be federer, nadal and Djokovic in any order.
 
Third Serve

Third Serve

Talk Tennis Guru
Kralingen said:
It's a big if but a 2020 AO level, a 2019 FO level, and a 2020 USO level from Thiem (if he can somehow get close to that) would have been good enough to win 1-2 Slams this year imo. If he comes back like 90% of his former self he will be a genuine contender, and he doesn't have sucky ROS like Tsitsipas or mental fragility like Zverev. Plus he has actually beaten Novak in Slams and hoisted a trophy before. That makes a big difference.

Of course his wrist being messed up with a 1HBH seems like such a massive red flag that I am tempering my expectations heavily, at least until clay season.
Click to expand...
ehhhhhhhhhhhh
 
Nate7-5

Nate7-5

Hall of Fame
Ray Mercer said:
Nothing. The sport is at an all time low right now. Without Federer and Nadal the sport is dwindling. Even the return of Federer can't get me excited because of how poor he looked this year. It's a sad time for tennis.
Click to expand...

I still enjoy watching pretty much everything.
 
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