After 2009 US Open final, would you have predicted:

M

McEnroeisanartist

Hall of Fame
After Del Potro won the 2009 US Open final over Federer, after outclassing Nadal in the semifinals, a lot of people expected Del Potro to be the new dominate force in tennis. Some were even saying that Federer would be hit off the court by bigger players.

Since that match, Federer is 10-4 against Del Potro. Del Potro hasn't won another Grand Slam or reached #1 in the world. Federer would go onto win 3 more Grand Slams, finish #1 for 2009, and reach #1 again in 2012.

It just really surprises me the careers each had after that match and how the head to head has played out.
 
Injuries are only part of the reason. Thing is this forum completely underrates anybody with a defensive game, but when it's someone who hits the cover off the ball every chance they get they could've been No. 1, etc.

The guy had a horrible record against Murray and a losing H2H against old man Hewitt. He just cannot deal with defensive players that well, especially if they have a bit of variety to their games and can hit lobs in places he can't get to.
 
Federer, despite not having exactly as much power as Del Potro, is a far more complete player and can deal with a wider variety of players.
 
Nothing surprises me anymore outside the "big 4" or "big 3" whatever. They look like they become contenders for a short time then just wither away like a fart in the wind.

When the Big 4 retire its going to be like 2002 except for a very long period of time. Some random mug wins a slam, disappears, then other random mug wins a slam and disappears.

Whatever popularity the men's game once had will cease to exist. There may never be great players around again, and people will eventually quit wasting money going to these tournaments, and the gate receipts will decrease like crazy. And the revenue will drop.

When people say the Big 3 or 4 made the game popular once again, actually they are just keeping it afloat.
 
Sabratha said:
Injuries are only part of the reason. Thing is this forum completely underrates anybody with a defensive game, but when it's someone who hits the cover off the ball every chance they get they could've been No. 1, etc.

The guy had a horrible record against Murray and a losing H2H against old man Hewitt. He just cannot deal with defensive players that well, especially if they have a bit of variety to their games and can hit lobs in places he can't get to.
Click to expand...

As did federer until far after del potros injury (against only murray) and his head to head is practically even with hewitt discounting the us open match they played when delpo what well near dying from a 2 broken wrists. Del potros "hitting the chance off the ball" also came with the caveat that he was remarkably consistent at it, so i dont see what ur goal here is.
 
Sabratha said:
Injuries are only part of the reason. Thing is this forum completely underrates anybody with a defensive game, but when it's someone who hits the cover off the ball every chance they get they could've been No. 1, etc.

The guy had a horrible record against Murray and a losing H2H against old man Hewitt. He just cannot deal with defensive players that well, especially if they have a bit of variety to their games and can hit lobs in places he can't get to.
Click to expand...
What? He's 3-6 vs Murray and two of the losses were pre-2009 and the 2008 USO match was very tough for Murray. 3-4 since he hit his prime, several close losses. Pretty much even.

Healthy delpo would probably have a Murray-esque career in accomplishments with less consistency but also more impressive big wins and a more impressive top level.
 
Amalhotra said:
As did federer until far after del potros injury (against only murray) and his head to head is practically even with hewitt discounting the us open match they played when delpo what well near dying from a 2 broken wrists. Del potros "hitting the chance off the ball" also came with the caveat that he was remarkably consistent at it, so i dont see what ur goal here is.
Click to expand...
So you discount Del Potro but don't discount Hewitt who was playing with blood in his shoes and countless injuries at the time?

Just LOL.

My goal here is that he wasn't going to become some great player or No. 1 in the world, I think Del Potro did about as well as his body would allow. His backhand technique was always going to be a problem for him in the end and it's what gave him the injuries in the first place.
 
metsman said:
What? He's 3-6 vs Murray and two of the losses were pre-2009 and the 2008 USO match was very tough for Murray. 3-4 since he hit his prime, several close losses. Pretty much even.[


Healthy delpo would probably have a Murray-esque career in accomplishments with less consistency but also more impressive big wins and a more impressive top level.
Click to expand...
I disagree because of what I posted above. His backhand technique would always be a problem and unless he came in with a completely different backhand his wrist would still screw up and he'd still have to have surgeries.

It's too bad really 'cause he had a great forehand.
 
Sabratha said:
Injuries are only part of the reason. Thing is this forum completely underrates anybody with a defensive game, but when it's someone who hits the cover off the ball every chance they get they could've been No. 1, etc.

The guy had a horrible record against Murray and a losing H2H against old man Hewitt. He just cannot deal with defensive players that well, especially if they have a bit of variety to their games and can hit lobs in places he can't get to.
Click to expand...

Dare I say like you underrate Murray and Djokovic!?
 
Sabratha said:
I disagree because of what I posted above. His backhand technique would always be a problem and unless he came in with a completely different backhand his wrist would still screw up and he'd still have to have surgeries.

It's too bad really 'cause he had a great forehand.
Click to expand...
I haven't really given his technique that close of a look. Well it's been years since he's even hit his BH normally. Is it really that bad?
 
I think healthy Delpo would've been a dark horse (or pony) like Stanimal. A surprise major here and there when his signature shot clicked but by no means a dominant force. There's still time, I suppose.
 
metsman said:
I haven't really given his technique that close of a look. Well it's been years since he's even hit his BH normally. Is it really that bad?
Click to expand...
His backhand wasn't a bad shot but the technique behind it wasn't great. He should have really hit a one hander. If he did so he probably could have won quite a few majors and had a better career.
 
Amalhotra said:
As did federer until far after del potros injury (against only murray) and his head to head is practically even with hewitt discounting the us open match they played when delpo what well near dying from a 2 broken wrists. Del potros "hitting the chance off the ball" also came with the caveat that he was remarkably consistent at it, so i dont see what ur goal here is.
Click to expand...
Del Potro played the rest of 2013 and gave the top players a run for their money.

I don't see any reason to discount Hewitt's USO win since:

1. Delpo wasn't that injured as you make it out to be

2. Hewitt wasn't any healthier either. Quite the opposite. Physically he was more of a wreck than Delpo.
 
metsman said:
What? He's 3-6 vs Murray and two of the losses were pre-2009 and the 2008 USO match was very tough for Murray. 3-4 since he hit his prime, several close losses. Pretty much even.

Healthy delpo would probably have a Murray-esque career in accomplishments with less consistency but also more impressive big wins and a more impressive top level.
Click to expand...

That sounds a lot like this guy:

stan-wawrinka-us-open-tennis_3784513.jpg
 
After the USO 2009 final people predicted Del Potro would be a multiple slam winner, and they were right to do so.

Delpo has had 5 wrist surgeries, and despite that he still has won many titles, a Davis Cup, an Olympic silver medal, An Olympic bronze medal and made M1000 finals. And he might still win major. Without injury he would definitely have won multiple majors.
 
Anyone ignoring Del Po's horrible luck with injuries to talk about him being a lucky/streaky/one-dimensional etc. player is a hypocrite.

After US Open there was a very bright future in front of him, if not for injuries.

Alas, it was not meant to be.

:cool:
 
Tennis_Hands said:
Anyone ignoring Del Po's horrible luck with injuries to talk about him being a lucky/streaky/one-dimensional etc. player is a hypocrite.

After US Open there was a very bright future in front of him, if not for injuries.

Alas, it was not meant to be.

:cool:
Click to expand...
His injuries were caused by his playing technique, derp.
 
Sabratha said:
Want a better comparison?

Look at Safin.
Click to expand...

What does that have to do with anything? Safin didn't lose his wrists after winning the USO, otherwise he wouldn't have done squat after that run. People saying an injury-free Delp would've owned the tour are as delusional as those wackos who predicted Djokovic to get 18 slams. He was the original Wawrinka, period. And we've seen countless of times how an in form Delpo gave fits to all the top players, including Fed post peak. Don't forget Stan's still winless (on HC) against Roger. JMDP had a positive H2H with Fed (lol) at some point.
 
mike danny said:
Del Potro played the rest of 2013 and gave the top players a run for their money.

I don't see any reason to discount Hewitt's USO win since:

1. Delpo wasn't that injured as you make it out to be

2. Hewitt wasn't any healthier either. Quite the opposite. Physically he was more of a wreck than Delpo.
Click to expand...


His run post Wimby was pretty bad, he should've skipped the HC season. He's got a bit of Thiem's syndrome.
 
Tennis_Hands said:
Anyone ignoring Del Po's horrible luck with injuries to talk about him being a lucky/streaky/one-dimensional etc. player is a hypocrite.

After US Open there was a very bright future in front of him, if not for injuries.

Alas, it was not meant to be.

:cool:
Click to expand...
Misfortunes of del Potro and Soderling led to the free reign at the top that we've observed over the past few years.
 
Tennis_Hands said:
I completely agree.

I am still sad about what the big man had/has to go through.

:cool:
Click to expand...
Definitely. It's a real pity for tennis fans that there was this complete gouging of a decimated field for so long, though. Top guys feasting on aged and decrepit remnants. Turning again, finally, but it was a pretty fallow and predictable couple of years there. Guys like them (I may be forgetting a name or two) would have been wildcards to keep things in check a bit.
 
FedFosterWallace said:
Definitely. It's a real pity for tennis fans that there was this complete gouging of a decimated field for so long, though. Top guys feasting on aged and decrepit remnants. Turning again, finally, but it was a pretty fallow and predictable couple of years there. Guys like them (I may be forgetting a name or two) would have been wildcards to keep things in check a bit.
Click to expand...

Thank god for Wawrinka, he saved tennis. Shame Murray mugged up all those finals vs Nole tooz
 
-snake- said:
What does that have to do with anything? Safin didn't lose his wrists after winning the USO, otherwise he wouldn't have done squat after that run. People saying an injury-free Delp would've owned the tour are as delusional as those wackos who predicted Djokovic to get 18 slams. He was the original Wawrinka, period. And we've seen countless of times how an in form Delpo gave fits to all the top players, including Fed post peak. Don't forget Stan's still winless (on HC) against Roger. JMDP had a positive H2H with Fed (lol) at some point.
Click to expand...
Delpo is clearly better than Wawrinka. He was probably as good at 20 as Stan ever was (his 09 RG run was basically as good as Stan's 2015, his USO run was as good as any of Stan's HC runs, and he probably showed more consistency throughout the year than Stan ever has). I'm obviously not saying Delpo would have dominated the tour but I think he would have done better than Stan overall (probably similar # of majors but better overall accomplishments). Somewhere from 2-4 majors, probably a WTF, 4-5 masters, and a major threat for the big 3 at any slam and he'd have a few very big late round slam wins over the Big 3. That type of career. Basically as good as any non-ATG ever.
 
-snake- said:
What does that have to do with anything? Safin didn't lose his wrists after winning the USO, otherwise he wouldn't have done squat after that run. People saying an injury-free Delp would've owned the tour are as delusional as those wackos who predicted Djokovic to get 18 slams. He was the original Wawrinka, period. And we've seen countless of times how an in form Delpo gave fits to all the top players, including Fed post peak. Don't forget Stan's still winless (on HC) against Roger. JMDP had a positive H2H with Fed (lol) at some point.
Click to expand...
Del Potro "lost his wrists" because of his freaking backhand technique. Why is that so hard for like 80% of people to get? Safin hit a much cleaner backhand than Del Potro and that is why his injuries are more unfortunate in my eyes. It wasn't his game that failed him but his body. With Del Potro it's a bit more of both.
 
Sabratha said:
Del Potro "lost his wrists" because of his freaking backhand technique. Why is that so hard for like 80% of people to get? Safin hit a much cleaner backhand than Del Potro and that is why his injuries are more unfortunate in my eyes. It wasn't his game that failed him but his body. With Del Potro it's a bit more of both.
Click to expand...
With Safin it might just be his fitness and lack of training that caused his body to break down.
 
Sabratha said:
Del Potro "lost his wrists" because of his freaking backhand technique. Why is that so hard for like 80% of people to get? Safin hit a much cleaner backhand than Del Potro and that is why his injuries are more unfortunate in my eyes. It wasn't his game that failed him but his body. With Del Potro it's a bit more of both.
Click to expand...

And how do you explain his right hand injury? That was a voodoo curse? Also, you can't overlook the fact that Zvrv, Cilic, RaoMUG and Jmdp are taller than Marat.
 
metsman said:
Healthy delpo would probably have a Murray-esque career in accomplishments with less consistency but also more impressive big wins and a more impressive top level.
Click to expand...
Also a healthy Murray would problably have a Becker-esque career in accomplishments with even more consistency and winning some Slams in weak 2014-15 period, he was closing heavily the gap by Wimbledon 2013 and by some people he was the de-facto N°1 at that point with 3 of the 6 biggest titles in those 12 months (USO, WB and Olympics), then the back basically gave up and needed surgery, that affected mighty his ability to beat Djokovic in a consistent basis as pre-surgery Andy did.
 
Sabratha said:
Safin was quite fit though IIRC when he started accruing injuries.
Click to expand...
well he lost like all of 03 to injuries so I wouldn't be surprised if that was cause of a lack of effort. He kinda tanked 01-02 pretty hard after winning USO. The 2nd slate of injuries happened when he finally committed and was playing his best tennis which is too bad.
 
Fedeonic said:
Also a healthy Murray would problably have a Becker-esque career in accomplishments with even more consistency and winning some Slams in weak 2014-15 period, he was closing heavily the gap by Wimbledon 2013 and by some people he was the de-facto N°1 at that point with 3 of the 6 biggest titles in those 12 months (USO, WB and Olympics), then the back basically gave up and needed surgery, that affected mighty his ability to beat Djokovic in a consistent basis as pre-surgery Andy did.
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:
 
Fedeonic said:
Also a healthy Murray would problably have a Becker-esque career in accomplishments with even more consistency and winning some Slams in weak 2014-15 period, he was closing heavily the gap by Wimbledon 2013 and by some people he was the de-facto N°1 at that point with 3 of the 6 biggest titles in those 12 months (USO, WB and Olympics), then the back basically gave up and needed surgery, that affected mighty his ability to beat Djokovic in a consistent basis as pre-surgery Andy did.
Click to expand...
Sure, that's a valid theory as well, although I doubt Murray adds more than 1 slam, but Delpo showed more balls in 09 against the big boys in slams than Murray ever did until he was like 25
 
metsman said:
well he lost like all of 03 to injuries so I wouldn't be surprised if that was cause of a lack of effort. He kinda tanked 01-02 pretty hard after winning USO. The 2nd slate of injuries happened when he finally committed and was playing his best tennis which is too bad.
Click to expand...
I just remember he came back after those horrible injuries in '03 to a strong training resume. Safin said the first time he won a slam he kinda didn't care but that his '05 Australian Open run was different because he put in the hours and effort to get there.

He also went from being like 85th in the world to 4th. Safin then lost the rest of his career to injuries..
 
metsman said:
Sure, that's a valid theory as well, although I doubt Murray adds more than 1 slam, but Delpo showed more balls in 09 against the big boys in slams than Murray ever did until he was like 25
Click to expand...
Sure Delpo's US Open 2009 is stronger win than Murray's Wimbledon 2016 (despite his awesome stats), but let me refresh you the wins that Murray had over Nadal in US Open 2008 (Nadal's peakest form and Andy's 1st Slam SF) and Aus Open 2010 (his best year Slam wise).
 
metsman said:
Delpo is clearly better than Wawrinka. He was probably as good at 20 as Stan ever was (his 09 RG run was basically as good as Stan's 2015, his USO run was as good as any of Stan's HC runs, and he probably showed more consistency throughout the year than Stan ever has). I'm obviously not saying Delpo would have dominated the tour but I think he would have done better than Stan overall (probably similar # of majors but better overall accomplishments).
Somewhere from 2-4 majors, probably a WTF, 4-5 masters, and a major threat for the big 3 at any slam and he'd have a few very big late round slam wins over the Big 3. That type of career. Basically as good as any non-ATG ever.
Click to expand...

Look, I like Del Potro quite a bit, but I don't see it happening.

Stan was a very opportunistic player to win those 3 Slams in the first place. To his own credit, he played well enough to take down non-peak versions of Djoker twice and then decided to show up in the weakest Slam of 2016.

I think people have a wrong opinion of Del Potro because he performed well at an young age. As it stands now, a player of his height can peak early when his 'legs' are fresh so to say. If he plays a full career, I think after a while he will start to slow down like Nadal after 2010.

So assuming Del Potro brings his best in every Major between 2010 and 2015, (assuming that would be his prime), I would still not give him any AO (even if he plays much better than he did so far),
RG he is not beating Nadal and I think his clay game would be too declined to beat 2015 Stan,
Wimby he is not beating Fedalovic and lost in 2013 to Djoker, so he may no beat Murray either.
He can win USO in 2012, granted he doesn't bump into Djoker in the QF. 2014 Cilic would be a toss up with 2009 DelPo.

Bottomline, all Major winners in the last 6-7 years played great tennis and Del Potro would have it the hard way.:oops:

Fedeonic said:
Sure Delpo's US Open 2009 is stronger win than Murray's Wimbledon 2016 (despite his awesome stats), but let me refresh you the wins that Murray had over Nadal in US Open 2008 (Nadal's peakest form and Andy's 1st Slam SF) and Aus Open 2010 (his best year Slam wise).
Click to expand...
Nadal was kind of poor in that USO semi. He looked unusually tired a played just well enough to not get wiped from the court in straight.
2010 AO might still be Murray's best win over an elite in form opponent.
 
InsideOut900 said:
Look, I like Del Potro quite a bit, but I don't see it happening.

Stan was a very opportunistic player to win those 3 Slams in the first place. To his own credit, he played well enough to take down non-peak versions of Djoker twice and then decided to show up in the weakest Slam of 2016.

I think people have a wrong opinion of Del Potro because he performed well at an young age. As it stands now, a player of his height can peak early when his 'legs' are fresh so to say. If he plays a full career, I think after a while he will start to slow down like Nadal after 2010.

So assuming Del Potro brings his best in every Major between 2010 and 2015, (assuming that would be his prime), I would still not give him any AO (even if he plays much better than he did so far),
RG he is not beating Nadal and I think his clay game would be too declined to beat 2015 Stan,
Wimby he is not beating Fedalovic and lost in 2013 to Djoker, so he may no beat Murray either.
He can win USO in 2012, granted he doesn't bump into Djoker in the QF. 2014 Cilic would be a toss up with 2009 DelPo.

Bottomline, all Major winners in the last 6-7 years played great tennis and Del Potro would have it the hard way.:oops:


Nadal was kind of poor in that USO semi. He looked unusually tired a played just well enough to not get wiped from the court in straight.
2010 AO might still be Murray's best win over an elite in form opponent.
Click to expand...


Wake up man, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were weak as f*ck. Any decent player would've vultured titles during that period.
 
Sabratha said:
Thing is this forum completely underrates anybody with a defensive game, but when it's someone who hits the cover off the ball every chance they get they could've been No. 1, etc.
Click to expand...
I just can't emphasise this enough. Anyone who defends is apparently a pusher.

A few weeks ago, someone legitimately complained that reaching and tapping an offensive ball back into play 'isn't real tennis'.
 
Last edited:
InsideOut900 said:
Look, I like Del Potro quite a bit, but I don't see it happening.

Stan was a very opportunistic player to win those 3 Slams in the first place. To his own credit, he played well enough to take down non-peak versions of Djoker twice and then decided to show up in the weakest Slam of 2016.

I think people have a wrong opinion of Del Potro because he performed well at an young age. As it stands now, a player of his height can peak early when his 'legs' are fresh so to say. If he plays a full career, I think after a while he will start to slow down like Nadal after 2010.

So assuming Del Potro brings his best in every Major between 2010 and 2015, (assuming that would be his prime), I would still not give him any AO (even if he plays much better than he did so far),
RG he is not beating Nadal and I think his clay game would be too declined to beat 2015 Stan,
Wimby he is not beating Fedalovic and lost in 2013 to Djoker, so he may no beat Murray either.
He can win USO in 2012, granted he doesn't bump into Djoker in the QF. 2014 Cilic would be a toss up with 2009 DelPo.

Bottomline, all Major winners in the last 6-7 years played great tennis and Del Potro would have it the hard way.:oops:
Click to expand...

delpo would have a shot at USO 13 vs nadal/djoko
a lesser shot, but still a shot at USO 15 djoko/fed

a shot vs nadal of USO 10 as well
USO 16 - assuming still in prime form, I'd favour him over Stan/djoko

basically the only year I don't give a decent shot at the USO is 2011 - he's not getting past that version of djoker.

RG - I'd give him some chance at beating 14 RG nadal
and assuming a 7 year prime span at RG, 15 is still a decent shot for him ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

skypadq
what do you truly belive for 2009 US open final ? roger wasted chance that make ' roger slam '
Replies
4
Views
550
tsurismo5
T
roysid
Federer - Del Potro in 2009
Replies
6
Views
2K
MG1
MG1
M
As a Federer Fan, why Del Potro annoys the hell out of me
2 3
Replies
131
Views
9K
cc0509
cc0509
M
When 3 or 4 members of the Big 4 make it to Grand Slam semifinals
Replies
6
Views
1K
DSH
DSH
M
After 2008 Wimbledon final and 2009 Australian Open final, would you have predicted..
Replies
16
Views
2K
mike danny
mike danny
Back
Top