Ages of the 4R players highlight the issues for the ATP compared to the WTA. Just 1 player over 30 for the WTA vs 9 for the ATP

[Lleytonstation]

3 out of 16 being under 25 isn’t good by any stretch. In most eras, you’d expect around half the players to be under 25.

I looked at the equivalent slams from 25 and 50 years ago;

- 1994 French: 12 out of 16 under 25
- 1969 French: 5 out of 16 under 25

It’s interesting that this era most closely resembles the early Open Era, in terms of the same guys dominating to an older age.

I should point out though, that it’s not just a case of Fedalovic remaining dominant. We have guys like Stan, Delpo and Fognini getting through to the latter stages still. Karlovic just became the first man since the 1970s to play and win a slam match in his 40s.

The era of the great Aussies finally ended when Connors and Borg exploded on to the scene in 1974. We’re yet to see equivalent players from today’s Next Gen - and I doubt we will for a few years yet...

Del Po and Stan are great players when in form, they could possibly have 2 or 3 or 5 or 6 slams if we took one or two of the big 3 out.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

3 out of 16 being under 25 isn’t good by any stretch. In most eras, you’d expect around half the players to be under 25.

I looked at the equivalent slams from 25 and 50 years ago;

- 1994 French: 12 out of 16 under 25
- 1969 French: 5 out of 16 under 25

It’s interesting that this era most closely resembles the early Open Era, in terms of the same guys dominating to an older age.

I should point out though, that it’s not just a case of Fedalovic remaining dominant. We have guys like Stan, Delpo and Fognini getting through to the latter stages still. Karlovic just became the first man since the 1970s to play and win a slam match in his 40s.

The era of the great Aussies finally ended when Connors and Borg exploded on to the scene in 1974. We’re yet to see equivalent players from today’s Next Gen - and I doubt we will for a few years yet...

I am saying it's better than it's been for quite a while. And that is a fact. We are finally seeing the young guys at least get half way deep into the draw.

There are also going to be no big teenage explosions hereon in men's tennis. The game has come a long way from the 70s and there is too much specialised coaching and training involved in the game now which favours the established players very much. It will take longer for young guys to break through. Now if you are asking why that isn't the case in the WTA, well, Vondrousova's non hitting arm stays down/non active in her forehand and she is in a quarter final. I mean, she is a good player and I like her but you wouldn't see such big technical deficiencies in a top emerging player on the men's side.