Biological age of the top 10

[Lawn Tennis]

So all this talk about the Federer/ Nadal era possibly having ended got me thinking. What are the biological ages of the top 10 players? Obviously, a professional tennis player is going through tons and tons more pounding of the body, so only guess their biological age as it applies to professional tennis players and their physcially demanding careers (i.e., a 25 y.o. ATP pro player has gone through significantly more wear than your typcial 25 y.o. human. Do not add years to their BA without considering how it applies to an ATP participant, etc.). The average pro player begins serious junior and challenger events at the age 15 and then typically retires around 30. So we can estimate the average pro tennis player lasts 15 years.

Rafa: 25 y.o. Many of you are starting to argue his ability to beat the "young gun" - a whole year younger Novak.. There doesn't seem to be only a year between them. Novak only now is showing his best, while Rafa has accomplished so much the past seven years, anything more is almost over-achieving. Obviously his style, his game is counter-productive to staying fit.

My guess on Rafa's bilogical age (BA): 29


Novak: 24 y.o. So this guy seems like the Sampras when he was 19 and showing the world what he was made of. Too bad it took him till 24 to figure it out. But maybe that doesn't matter. Perhaps Novak will do what Andre Agassi did and win big through his thirties. This one is tough for me to guess his biological age. He does have a grinding style, but nothing like Rafa's.

My guess on Novak's BA: 25

Roger: 29 y.o. I have friends who say Roger should retire. Then you have Roddick telling the press "they better be pretty darn good at their job, etc." The majority certainly seems to feel he may never win another slam. His smooth game and aggressive tactics have kept him healthy throughout a long 13 years of professional tennis.

My guess on Roger's BA: 27

Andy M.: 24 y.o. Andy Murray does have a defensive game similar to Djoker's which must effect his body. Hmm. I really am lost on this one. But I'll give his BA a go.

My guess on Andy's BA: 25

Robin Soderling: 26 y.o. Late Bloomer, Big hitter, doesn't play defense.

My guess on Robin's BA: 25

Tomas Berdych: 25 y.o. Another late bloomer, big hitter, who can play decent defense. I'm a big fan of Berdych so I want to say his BA is like 20, but that would be unrealistic.

My guess on Tomas' BA: 26

David Ferrer: 29 y.o. Here's an interesting one. David is a grinder like no other (other than maybe Rafa). He's a relatviely small dude, which must help his seemingly robust build. At 29, David is arguably the most fit top ten player here. Is he all of the sudden going to stop working or will we ever see a gradual decline? Given his ability to outlast anyone, his BA has to be favorable.. but for how long, right?

My buess on David's BA: 28

Jurgen Melzer: 29 y.o. Late bloomer doesn't do justice here. How does one suddenly discover their game after 12 serious years on tour? I don't see Jurgen Staying at the top too long, but also I dont' think it will have anything to do with his age, more mental.

My guess on Jurgen's BA: 27

Gael Monfils: 24 y.o. Another counter-puncher. Injured often. A big maybe overall.

My guess on Gael's BA: 26 1/2

Mardy Fish: 29 y.o. Just recently discovered a sincerely aggressive game. I don't see good fortunes for Mardy despite how I'd like to.

My guess on Mardy's BA: 31

 

[OddJack]

I agree, except:

Sod BA is 27

You did not include Del potro, that would be an interesting one,

I give him 26

 

[OddJack]

And that's why Rodge will have a lovely 2012 season

 

[namelessone]

My take on the top 5

Just look at when they started going pro and count from there.

Roger started winning slams 5 years after going pro, in 2003, and is now in his 13th season on tour. Roger is still very good but nowhere near as good as in the past and he is considered old in tennis terms.

BA: 27-28'ish due to easy game.

Rafa is in his 11th season on tour and certainly going downhill in numerous ways. If he wins a slam this year he will have been winning slams for SEVEN consecutive years. Young he is not.

BA: 27'ish due to constant grind.

Novak is now into his 8th season on tour and is peaking. The funny coincidence is that Roger,Rafa and Novak were perhaps their best game wise in their 8th year on tour, respectively 2006,2008 and 2011.

BA: 25'ish but grind will catch up to him in about 2 years time.

Murray is in his 6th season on tour(though he has the same age as Rafa) and is starting to develop into a very solid player.

BA: 24'ish, a player who is maturing but not too worn out physically.

Soderling is pretty much in Rafa's situation. He is still good but he is in his 11th season on tour and it is starting to show(for example I think Robin played much better in RG 09 and 10 than in this year).

BA:27'ish

To conclude, Rafa and Roger are much closer than their fans would like to think in overall mileage, Djoker has another 2-3 very good years ahead of him and I think Muzza's best is just ahead of him. Sod will still be solid and JDMP(who is in Muzza's generation) will come out banging in the next years if he can keep that wrist healthy.

 

[accidental]

I wouldnt put any of them as being younger than they actually are in terms of the wear and tear on their bodies. Even a guy like Connors who seemed ageless ended up with a hip replacement. When Agassi was 30 people were talking like he could play forever, but only a few yaers later he developed a permanent back injury the grind of playing. Theres a reason tennis players generally retire in their early 30s rather than late 30s like in other professional sports.

Dont forget Federer had a bad back for a while and has suffered minor injuries now and then through his career like ankle strains etc. I would also think he is injured much more frequently than we all know but he just doesnt always disclose it.

 

[Feña14]

Interesting topic. As a Murray fan i'd say the injuries and health concerns make him a bit older than he is, although seeing how his game is becoming more aggressive, I can't see it being too much of an issue.

He's also the player in the top 10 who has the most to improve on, I feel we've probably only seen maybe 70% of what he can do. Hopefully injuries don't prevent us from seeing him reach his full potential.

 

[Lawn Tennis]

Interesting topic. As a Murray fan i'd say the injuries and health concerns make him a bit older than he is, although seeing how his game is becoming more aggressive, I can't see it being too much of an issue.

He's also the player in the top 10 who has the most to improve on, I feel we've probably only seen maybe 70% of what he can do. Hopefully injuries don't prevent us from seeing him reach his full potential.

When Murray is in the zone, I seriously believe he can beat anybody! There was a Masters 1000 event (Shanghai 2010) were Federer played unbelieveable tennis. Murray won 6-3, 6-2!

 

[Sentinel]

Other than Rafa, everyone else seems a year or so within their chrono ages (acco the the OP).

What of oldies like Kolya, Ljubicic and the other 29+ players ?

 

[namelessone]

Other than Rafa, everyone else seems a year or so within their chrono ages.

What of oldies like Kolya, Ljubicic and the other 29+ players ?

Kolya seems about 1-2 years younger than his 29(12 seasons on tour) years when he is healthy. He doesn't really grind and he takes ball early.

Ljubicic seems about his age, 32 years old though he can appear 30 on a good day

Ljuba in his 13th season right now and boy does he show it(see the 48 UE made in three sets against Nadal). Still posting some decent results though.

 

[zagor]

Nadal BA:23

He's at his peak playing his best tennis but other players are figuring him out and simply aren't intimidated by him anymore.Every player from Andujar to Ljubicic and Isner believe they can win against Nadal now and as a wise Nadal fan once said to me-believing is winning(as simple as that).

Federer BA:37

Talented shotmaker and a great fighter on court but due to his back problems and mono he declined before his time(which means he'll sadly never fulfill his potential) but due to his unprecedented fighting spirit he's still somehow contending for the big titles against all odds(he's an inspiration to us all).For those very brief moments he's not tired/injuried/feeling very old he can still dominate the field(WTF last year).

Novak BA:24

Having the best year of his career,everything seems to have finally clicked for him thus enabling him to play up to his potential and go toe to toe with even Nadal at his best.Famous for his winning streak,chest thumping and for one of the longest slumps I have ever seen a young player go through(lasted from 2008 AO to 2011 AO).


Murray is still a mystery,he's relatively prone to injuries and plays too defensive but has at times shown that he can mix up his defense with an aggressive all-court style.If he wins his 1st slam in the next 1-2 years we might see him switch to more carefree aggressive playing style(due to a heavy mental burden finally being lifted from his shoulders)which should prolong his longevity.

 

[Feña14]

Murray is still a mystery,he's relatively prone to injuries and plays too defensive but has at times shown that he can mix up his defense with an aggressive all-court style.If he wins his 1st slam in the next 1-2 years we might see him switch to more carefree aggressive playing style(due to a heavy mental burden finally being lifted from his shoulders)which should prolong his longevity.

You could be right about him cutting free if he wins a major. This French Open is a strange one, he's injured so playing quite aggressively in order to keep the points shorts, something we've wanted to see for ages. I'm loving the fact he's been quite successful with it and hope it encourages him to do it more in the future. On the other side of the coin though I want him to have time to rest and prepare for the grass court season, where I believe he has a very strong chance of winning his first major. I want him to win matches playing attacking tennis, but I also want him out to get his ankle right, I can't have it both ways

 

[joeri888]

Roger started winning slams 5 years after going pro, in 2003, and is now in his 13th season on tour. Roger is still very good but nowhere near as good as in the past and he is considered old in tennis terms.

BA: 27-28'ish due to easy game.

Easy game? To his body you mean?

I think his style is incredible hard to play..

 

[dominikk1985]

Nadal BA:23

He's at his peak playing his best tennis but other players are figuring him out and simply aren't intimidated by him anymore.Every player from Andujar to Ljubicic and Isner believe they can win against Nadal now and as a wise Nadal fan once said to me-believing is winning(as simple as that).

Federer BA:37

Talented shotmaker and a great fighter on court but due to his back problems and mono he declined before his time(which means he'll sadly never fulfill his potential) but due to his unprecedented fighting spirit he's still somehow contending for the big titles against all odds(he's an inspiration to us all).For those very brief moments he's not tired/injuried/feeling very old he can still dominate the field(WTF last year).

Novak BA:24

Having the best year of his career,everything seems to have finally clicked for him thus enabling him to play up to his potential and go toe to toe with even Nadal at his best.Famous for his winning streak,chest thumping and for one of the longest slumps I have ever seen a young player go through(lasted from 2008 AO to 2011 AO).


Murray is still a mystery,he's relatively prone to injuries and plays too defensive but has at times shown that he can mix up his defense with an aggressive all-court style.If he wins his 1st slam in the next 1-2 years we might see him switch to more carefree aggressive playing style(due to a heavy mental burden finally being lifted from his shoulders)which should prolong his longevity.

What a dumb post. Roger never had any injuries exept a little back problems and that half year of mono. I'm not saying he is biologically younger than 29 but certainly not much older. he still reaches SFs all the time and never has to retire.

Ralph on the other hand had every thinkable injury on the planet:

-both knees are shot
-shoulder done
-oblique problems

He also had to retire a lot. Ralphs body is absolutely done.

 

[tusharlovesrafa]

Other than Rafa, everyone else seems a year or so within their chrono ages (acco the the OP).

What of oldies like Kolya, Ljubicic and the other 29+ players ?

.........................................

 

[Katla]

I have to say Federer actually looks the fresher of the two, compared to Nadal.

And Nadals biological age being lower than Noles? WTF? haha...

 

[Katla]

Look at Nadal, just look at him. His hair, bald spot, skin etc.
He looks 10 years older than 2 years ago..

 

[sureshs]

I have to say Federer actually looks the fresher of the two, compared to Nadal.

Not when they are facing each other ...

 

[Cassius Clay]

Roddick is almost bald, he looks 40.

Djokovic has the thickest hair on tour and behaves like a teen. He looks 20.

Nadal is balding and has wrinkles all over his face when he winces or grimaces, to be honest. He looks 30.

Federer is growing a belly and his arms look like those of an old man. He looks 34.

 

[sureshs]

Roddick is almost bald, he looks 40.

Djokovic has the thickest hair on tour and behaves like a teen. He looks 20.

Nadal is balding and has wrinkles all over his face when he winces or grimaces, to be honest. He looks 30.

Federer is growing a belly and his arms look like those of an old man. He looks 34.

Secret is the new Djokovic diet

 

[Towser83]

Hard to tell but Federer is doing well for his age. At the moment I think Djokovic is better physically than Nadal because he didn't batter his body when it was still growing. People laughed at him pulling out of matches but he did a smart thing because his body had time to grow to full strength before he really pushed it to the levels you need to win slams in this era.

One thing though that people often assume is that Federer never had injuries. Not quite true, he has had a few problems before but because he has skipped events and planned his schedule well, he's avoided making them serious problems. I'm sure he had a leg injury which kept him out of action for a month or two prior to the TMC 2005. Who knows if that lack of fitness cost him that final and a record win loss figure. Not saying it did but Federer has had injuries and may have hid them a bit.

 

[Netzroller]

Look at Nadal, just look at him. His hair, bald spot, skin etc.
He looks 10 years older than 2 years ago..

What does hair and bald spots have to do with it? It genetics, some people lose their hair when they're 20, others still have it at 90+
But that is not due to one's tennis style of play nor does it say much about your health or fitness. You don't need hair to be a great tennis player.
Otherwise, Davydenko would be a very old guy since like forever.
And how your skin looks has probably more to do with sunscreen...

Besides, everyone's talkig about Nadal being bald. Frankly I can't see it...

 

[Towser83]

What does hair and bald spots have to do with it? It genetics, some people lose their hair when they're 20, others still have it at 90+
But that is not due to one's tennis style of play nor does it say much about your health or fitness. You don't need hair to be a great tennis player.
Otherwise, Davydenko would be a very old guy since like forever.
And how your skin looks has probably more to do with sunscreen...

Besides, everyone's talkig about Nadal being bald. Frankly I can't see it...

I'm pretty sure Nadal is going thin on top. But you're right, look how much of Agassi's career was spent bald

 

[Lawn Tennis]

What a dumb post. Roger never had any injuries exept a little back problems and that half year of mono. I'm not saying he is biologically younger than 29 but certainly not much older. he still reaches SFs all the time and never has to retire.

Ralph on the other hand had every thinkable injury on the planet:

-both knees are shot
-shoulder done
-oblique problems

He also had to retire a lot. Ralphs body is absolutely done.

The more that I thought about it, made me want to reevaluate Rafa'a BA. Roger and Rafa seem to be about the same BA, so I'm guessing they're both around 27-28... Maybe Nadal could pass Roger, but Federer is almost five years older, so that has to mean for something.

 

[ximian]

This is all just conjecture. Rather pointless, really.

 

[jigar]

You should not forget Delpo in the conversation. His BA seems like 24 with injuries and other issues.

 

[Lawn Tennis]

This is all just conjecture. Rather pointless, really.

You are true in the fact that there is no undenying proof. However, no two people age at the exact same rate. Yes there is an average age; we are all born and die between 0 - 120 years. One's biological age can differ from their actual age by as much as 40 years or more. The average top 100 ATP age is about 26 or 27. That doesn't mean there are no teenagers/ 30+ y.o.s capable of being there.

I do agree with you that we aren't getting anywhere talking about this. But are you really somewhere else even when 500 miles away?