Are Nishikori and Dimitrov already superior players than Raonic?

[tennisdad65]

All 3 are extremely close. Too early to tell who will have the best career.

This year Nishikor and Raonic are about the same.. and both are a bit better than Dimitrov. I think Raonic has the biggest upside in the next 2-4 years and that's very scary.

 

[okdude1992]

All 3 are extremely close. Too early to tell who will have the best career.

This year Nishikor and Raonic are about the same.. and both are a bit better than Dimitrov. I think Raonic has the biggest upside in the next 2-4 years and that's very scary.

Raonic is very consistent, I'll give him that. But how does he have more upside? He has more holes in his game than the other 2, and he has 1 top 10 win all year. Nishikori is a slam contender right now, unlike Raonic. Dimitrov has a slightly higher peak level than Milos too IMO, but is far less consistent

 

[Midaso240]

Raonic is like Ferrer has been,he's very efficient at taking almost all the guys lower ranked than him to the cleaners,but poses little threat to the top contenders(obviously for different reasons than Ferrer).

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

Raonic is like Ferrer has been,he's very efficient at taking almost all the guys lower ranked than him to the cleaners,but poses little threat to the top contenders(obviously for different reasons than Ferrer).

The difference is Milos has NOT hit his ceiling yet! Ljubicic says he likes working with Milos due to the fact he can get BETTER! Milos NEEDS to get his return game going it is the only way. I was stunned he had 22 aces yet only broke Kei one time in the match. Milos needs to learn to return better stand inside the court on the second.

 

[heftylefty]

The difference is Milos has NOT hit his ceiling yet! Ljubicic says he likes working with Milos due to the fact he can get BETTER! Milos NEEDS to get his return game going it is the only way. I was stunned he had 22 aces yet only broke Kei one time in the match. Milos needs to learn to return better stand inside the court on the second.

Nice call! I agree Milos has not hit his ceiling. There is a lot of UpSide with him. The best male player in North America.

 

[tennisdad65]

Raonic is very consistent, I'll give him that. But how does he have more upside? He has more holes in his game than the other 2, and he has 1 top 10 win all year. Nishikori is a slam contender right now, unlike Raonic. Dimitrov has a slightly higher peak level than Milos too IMO, but is far less consistent

Exactly, Raonic has more holes in his game that he can fill. Reaching the semi's at Wimby is not a slam contender?

Right now Raonic's serve is the biggest weapon in tennis. Bigger than Feds/Nadals FH and bigger than Novak/Kei's BH. I really see him winning wimby atleast 2 times.

 

[okdude1992]

Exactly, Raonic has more holes in his game that he can fill. Reaching the semi's at Wimby is not a slam contender?

Right now Raonic's serve is the biggest weapon in tennis. Bigger than Feds/Nadals FH and bigger than Novak/Kei's BH. I really see him winning wimby atleast 2 times.

I wouldn't assume he can fill those holes so easily. And the same thing could be said for Isner, but he hasn't figured out how to improve his lackluster return game and movement.

As for the Wimbledon semi, while it was a good result, he had no chance to win the tournament. He got a nice draw, beat who he was supposed to, and then got embarrassed by Federer. Keep in mind Janowicz made the Wimbledon semi last year.

I like Raonic, I just think at the moment, Nishikori is a more legit contender at the top, while Milos is on track to be more of a bridesmaid (kind of like Berdych career wise)

edit: not sure why that mad emoji is there! Sorry

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I wouldn't assume he can fill those holes so easily. And the same thing could be said for Isner, but he hasn't figured out how to improve his lackluster return game and movement.

As for the Wimbledon semi, while it was a good result, he had no chance to win the tournament. He got a nice draw, beat who he was supposed to, and then got embarrassed by Federer. Keep in mind Janowicz made the Wimbledon semi last year.

I like Raonic, I just think at the moment, Nishikori is a more legit contender at the top, while Milos is on track to be more of a bridesmaid (kind of like Berdych career wise)

edit: not sure why that mad emoji is there! Sorry

I disagree Milos movement HAS IMPROVED! Look at the FO video on youtube or his match against Nishikori in Tokyo Milos IS moving much better. Milos has worked hard on his fitness. The problem is the RETURN if he does NOT improve the RETURN he will never win a slam.

 

[okdude1992]

I disagree Milos movement HAS IMPROVED! Look at the FO video on youtube or his match against Nishikori in Tokyo Milos IS moving much better. Milos has worked hard on his fitness. The problem is the RETURN if he does NOT improve the RETURN he will never win a slam.

I didn't say it hadn't improved. But I still think it is a weakness. Look at Cilic or Delpo who are around the same size, for example

 

[Mick]

IMO, if Raonic had the ground strokes and movement of Nishikori, he probably would have won multiple grand slam titles already.
Same thing if Nishikori had Raonic's serve.

 

[Bryan Swartz]

I think Raonic's return of serve is the big one now. His movement is good enough, better would obviously help but almost as good as Cilic in my opinion. It's not bad enough to stop him from winning a Slam. He needs more consistency on the backhand(and more willingness to hit it in rallies) and above all a better return of serve espescially on the backhand side. I don't know if he's agile enough to do that or not, but I think it's the biggest issue he can address(or be limited by his failure to address).

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Shanghai:

Raonic is totally taken out of his game by Monaco

He has his strange idea that just power can beat anyone, then he's surprised the balls are coming back

5-2 Monaco, Raonic W. O.
What is this?
He was beaten before by Monaco, so he must have realized the guy's too good for him.
He might not qualify in the end for London.

Just like for Dimitrov.

This whole young troika lost today, a SHAME.

At least Nishikori won 2 tourneys before.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

@chahuahua

Milos Raonic told me he hadn't been out of bed since arriving in Shanghai , had a fever after Japan Open final loss to Kei Nishikori

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I think Raonic's return of serve is the big one now. His movement is good enough, better would obviously help but almost as good as Cilic in my opinion. It's not bad enough to stop him from winning a Slam. He needs more consistency on the backhand(and more willingness to hit it in rallies) and above all a better return of serve espescially on the backhand side. I don't know if he's agile enough to do that or not, but I think it's the biggest issue he can address(or be limited by his failure to address).

This is it you are right! The RETURN is the biggest problem I feel too against Kei the Milos had 22 aces yet only ONE BREAK that is unacceptable. I don't like Milos return position he needs to learn from the top WTA pros like Serena, Venus, Eugenie, Petra Kvitova you attack the second serve. If you watch videos of Milos he stands too far behind the baseline on the second serve. Strangely enough I watched the You Tube video and I was impressed how Milos REALLY hit out on the backhand I was impressed he hit some really hard shots and winners.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I didn't say it hadn't improved. But I still think it is a weakness. Look at Cilic or Delpo who are around the same size, for example

Leave Milos alone he is WORKING on his movement he KNOWS it is a weakness. But he is moivng a lot better now he is getting a lot faster.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Best match of Raonic's life, and the most important.

Raonic b Federer in Paris

Commentators, French and British: Raonic was magnificent, mind blowing, brilliant, such aggressive intent, his serve best weapon in the game, in the zone, too big, too strong

Sorry for Fed.

And Dimitrov isn't even close for now. And I'm sorry about it.

 

[Richie Rich]

Best match of Raonic's life, and the most important.

Raonic b Federer in Paris

Commentators, French and British: Raonic was magnificent, mind blowing, brilliant, such aggressive intent, his serve best weapon in the game, in the zone, too big, too strong

Sorry for Fed.

And Dimitrov isn't even close for now. And I'm sorry about it.

LOL. he'll probably lose to Berdych tomorrow

 

[mike danny]

As of now both Raonic an Dimitrov have 1 Big 3 victory. Raonic has beaten Federer and Dimitrov has beaten Djokovic. Both have 1 slam semi to their name as their best GS result. You could argue Dimitrov has a bigger title than Raonic, a 500. Raonic has a masters 1000 final though. And could very well make it 2.

Nishikori is superior to both at the moment by virtue of having reached a slam final. He also has more 500 titles than both Dimi and Milos combined. He also has more Big 3 victories than both Raonic and Dimitrov combined: 4 wins (2 vs Fed 2 vs Novak), including 1 slam win over one of them, which both Grigor and Dimi lack.

As of now Nishikori is superior to both, without a single shadow of a doubt, though you could argue that Grigor is the only one of the bunch to have titles on all 3 surfaces: clay,grass and HC

 

[Backspin1183]

As of now both Raonic an Dimitrov have 1 Big 3 victory. Raonic has beaten Federer and Dimitrov has beaten Djokovic. Both have 1 slam semi to their name as their best GS result. You could argue Dimitrov has a bigger title than Raonic, a 500. Raonic has a masters 1000 final though. And could very well make it 2.

Nishikori is superior to both at the moment by virtue of having reached a slam final. He also has more 500 titles than both Dimi and Milos combined. He also has more Big 3 victories than both Raonic and Dimitrov combined: 4 wins (2 vs Fed 2 vs Novak), including 1 slam win over one of them, which both Grigor and Dimi lack.

As of now Nishikori is superior to both, without a single shadow of a doubt, though you could argue that Grigor is the only one of the bunch to have titles on all 3 surfaces: clay,grass and HC

Nishikori is also 6-1 vs Dimitrov (0) and Raonic (1).

 

[jaggy]

I would have maybe agreed when the thread started but Milos is still improving

 

[torpantennis]

I would have maybe agreed when the thread started but Milos is still improving

Milos has improved most all the time. That dedication will probably get him to #1 eventually!

 

[veroniquem]

I don't understand this thread. All 3 represent the (near) future of tennis obviously. Why would you have to pick one (or 2) over the other(s)? I think they'll all have big wins over the next couple of seasons most likely. Raonic made semi at W, Nishi final at USO. Dimitrov won Queen's and did rather well at W. I think they're all getting there.

 

[mike danny]

I don't understand this thread. All 3 represent the (near) future of tennis obviously. Why would you have to pick one (or 2) over the other(s)? I think they'll all have big wins over the next couple of seasons most likely. Raonic made semi at W, Nishi final at USO. Dimitrov won Queen's and did rather well at W. I think they're all getting there.

Dimitrov made the W semis. I say that's much better than rather well...

 

[veroniquem]

Dimitrov made the W semis. I say that's much better than rather well...

Oh did he? I thought he lost in quarters but he beat Murray, didn't he? So, BOTH Dimi and Raonic made semis? Makes my point even more valid.

 

[cc0509]

Milos has improved most all the time. That dedication will probably get him to #1 eventually!

Yes, his dedication is what separates him a little bit. Nishikori seems more dedicated under Chang and if he can stay injury-free he should be a big threat as well.

 

[counterloop]

I don't understand this thread. All 3 represent the (near) future of tennis obviously. Why would you have to pick one (or 2) over the other(s)? I think they'll all have big wins over the next couple of seasons most likely. Raonic made semi at W, Nishi final at USO. Dimitrov won Queen's and did rather well at W. I think they're all getting there.

With all due respect, your point is ridiculous. What we do on this forum is put one player above or below the other. lol. That is what people do here.....Federer vs Nadal, Djokovic vs Nadal, Djokovic vs Murray, Nadal vs Sampras, Hewitt vs Safin....etc....etc...

 

[Otherside]

I just turn the tv off when the giant baby Raonic is on, nothing about his game or persona is fun for me, ha played like a boss though last night! since fed was on I had to watch

 

[counterloop]

I just turn the tv off when the giant baby Raonic is on, nothing about his game or persona is fun for me, ha played like a boss though last night! since fed was on I had to watch

Its funny because these new players don't have any personality and the sport is dying for some new young exciting players to latch onto. That's why the WTA jumped all over and hyped up Eugenie Bouchard the way they did. She was young, bold and very interesting for WTA fans who were and are sick and tired of the Serena vs Maria rivalry, which isn't really a rivalry.

 

[Breaker]

Its funny because these new players don't have any personality and the sport is dying for some new young exciting players to latch onto. That's why the WTA jumped all over and hyped up Eugenie Bouchard the way they did. She was young, blonde, and attractive.

fixed .

 

[Otherside]

Its funny because these new players don't have any personality and the sport is dying for some new young exciting players to latch onto. That's why the WTA jumped all over and hyped up Eugenie Bouchard the way they did. She was young, bold and very interesting for WTA fans who were and are sick and tired of the Serena vs Maria rivalry, which isn't really a rivalry.

agree, Bouchard is great! I donw really know why I hate raonic, his game is lady lake, the guy is dull and he just serves manic, Nishikori plays great but dont really feel him either, Dimitrov is really nice to watch, highly entertaining for sure!

Its looking grey after roger,nadal and novak, If they werent around I would not watch alot of tennis on the tv,

 

[Terenigma]

Raonic with another huge win. Federer and then Berdych back to back is a superb result. Hoping for another Nishikori v Raonic match because that would be the perfect setup. Both beating the best 2 players in the world followed by a consistant top 10 player then playing each other in the final.

Where is Dimitrov? Anyone seen him?

 

[torpantennis]

Nishikori-Raonic, the great young-gun rivalry building up!

 

[Otherside]

and there goes a nice tennis sunday, darn

 

[mike danny]

Well as of this moment the rankings are:

Nishikori>>Raonic>>Dimitrov.

With 2 masters finals now for Raonic vs 0 for Dimitrov, I don't think there is anything to argue about on who is better

 

[Lea]

2014: Dimitrov 3 titles> Raonic 1.
It is just the point of view. They are all great players.
Dimitrov had a bad finish of the year. The other 2- pretty good one.
Would be nice to see them all improving next year. Hope a slam or 2 goes for them.

 

[Gut Check]

As everyone is well aware, if Raonic wants to move up further he needs to find his top form more frequently against the top players and dig out a win every now and then, like his breakthrough against Fed yesterday. In terms of consistency though, he's already among the best, which is why he is ranked where he is.

Some players earn their ranking points via their best performances, while others like Milos have a talent for avoiding a rash of very poor performances. The absolute top as in "Big 3" (Murray is out until further notice) put together both of these pieces. The contenders only have one or the other.

2014 QF or better in majors and 1000s, including Paris;

Djokovic - 10
Federer - 10
Raonic - 9
Nadal - 6
Nishikori - 4
Dimitrov - 4

 

[mike danny]

2014: Dimitrov 3 titles> Raonic 1.
It is just the point of view. They are all great players.
Dimitrov had a bad finish of the year. The other 2- pretty good one.
Would be nice to see them all improving next year. Hope a slam or 2 goes for them.

Big finals this year though: Raonic 1, Dimitrov 0

Would Dimitrov have managed to do what Raonic did: beating both Federer and Berdych in consecutive days? We saw that against Fed he can't even win a set at Basel and against Berdych at Stockholm he couldn't eve hold serve to save his life.

He wouldn't have beaten both IMO. Raonic has that serve which enables him to weather the storm. Dimi doesn't have any big weapons to rely on when things get tough

 

[torpantennis]

Big finals this year though: Raonic 1, Dimitrov 0

Would Dimitrov have managed to do what Raonic did: beating both Federer and Berdych in consecutive days? We saw that against Fed he can't even win a set at Basel and against Berdych at Stockholm he couldn't eve hold serve to save his life.

He wouldn't have beaten both IMO. Raonic has that serve which enables him to weather the storm. Dimi doesn't have any big weapons to rely on when things get tough

Dimi has weapons, just doesn't (yet) have the repetitive patterns of play to use them.

 

[Terenigma]

2014 QF or better in majors and 1000s, including Paris;

Djokovic - 10
Federer - 10
Raonic - 9
Nadal - 6
Nishikori - 4
Dimitrov - 4

Im not going to dig around and check the plausability of that stat, instead ill just say Damn! I knew Raonic was on a good year but that is mighty impressive stat. Really hoping he can take Djokovic out in the final but i know it will need an almost flawless performance from him to do so.

 

[mike danny]

Dimi has weapons, just doesn't (yet) have the repetitive patterns of play to use them.

Which is kinda bad. At 23 he should have figured it out by now

 

[torpantennis]

Which is kinda bad. At 23 he should have figured it out by now

Well, it took Federer quite a while to figure out that short slice/FH combo, to beat the likes of Hewitt/Nalbandian!

 

[Gut Check]

Im not going to dig around and check the plausability of that stat, instead ill just say Damn! I knew Raonic was on a good year but that is mighty impressive stat. Really hoping he can take Djokovic out in the final but i know it will need an almost flawless performance from him to do so.

Raonic's year has been a lot like Fed's albeit at a lower level, in that neither has really been picking up many of the bigger point counts from any one tournament (relative to their rankings) but have cumulatively put together very solid seasons from start to finish.

 

[R0ger Federer]

I'd say Ranoic us the least talented of three. Nishikori was been unlucky with injuries and dimitrov needs to sort out his mental game and stop being a grinder.

 

[R0ger Federer]

Raonic's year has been a lot like Fed's albeit at a lower level, in that neither has really been picking up many of the bigger point counts from any one tournament (relative to their rankings) but have cumulatively put together very solid seasons from start to finish.

Don't compare ranoic to fed in anyway its disrespectful. Why are you always under rating federer.
Unbelievable.

 

[Richie Rich]

comparing the three, at this stage, is really splitting hairs. all 3 have their +/- and all are ranked pretty closely to each other. wait 10 years and compare the careers then.

 

[Gut Check]

Don't compare ranoic to fed in anyway its disrespectful. Why are you always under rating federer.
Unbelievable.

Why am I always underrating Federer? LOL wot? Please give an example, without making things up.

Yes, sacrilege to ever mention these two in the same sentence together. You do have a point though. Today there was no comparison. Raonic was a far better player.

 

[merwy]

As everyone is well aware, if Raonic wants to move up further he needs to find his top form more frequently against the top players and dig out a win every now and then, like his breakthrough against Fed yesterday. In terms of consistency though, he's already among the best, which is why he is ranked where he is.

Some players earn their ranking points via their best performances, while others like Milos have a talent for avoiding a rash of very poor performances. The absolute top as in "Big 3" (Murray is out until further notice) put together both of these pieces. The contenders only have one or the other.

2014 QF or better in majors and 1000s, including Paris;

Djokovic - 10
Federer - 10
Raonic - 9
Nadal - 6
Nishikori - 4
Dimitrov - 4

But it's not really fair to judge them solely based on that stat, because Nishikori is not known for his good longevity and consistency throughout the season (mainly due to injuries). Nishikori has reached the USO final, and that's much bigger than anything Raonic has ever done.

 

[Gut Check]

But it's not really fair to judge them solely based on that stat, because Nishikori is not known for his good longevity and consistency throughout the season (mainly due to injuries). Nishikori has reached the USO final, and that's much bigger than anything Raonic has ever done.

Where did I say I am judging their success solely on that? It's just one stat among any myriad of stats one could choose.

 

[Beacon Hill]

But it's not really fair to judge them solely based on that stat, because Nishikori is not known for his good longevity and consistency throughout the season (mainly due to injuries). Nishikori has reached the USO final, and that's much bigger than anything Raonic has ever done.

Much bigger than anything he's ever done? Raonic has made two Masters finals. Those tournaments are one step below the majors. By making a major final, is Nishikori's accomplishment much bigger, or the smallest amount bigger that is possible? Compare Raonic making the semis of a major with Nishikori's final. Is Nishikori's accomplishment much bigger, or again the smallest increment better that is possible?

If Nishikori had made a major final, compared to Raonic making a Challenger final, sure, that's much bigger.

 

[KtM]

They were both knocked out 6-2,6-3 by Djokovic in this Paris Masters 1000 2014 tournament

Although Raonics results are better for this tournament both were knocked out by the same score by Djokovic so in terms of what this specific tournament indicates as to who is better that is up in the air for me. Of course Raonic beat Federer for the 1st time 1/7, but so has Nishikori twice in the past 2/4. We'd need to analyse deeper than a quick glance at the results, such as comparing Federer's form in these matches.