How far can Jack Sock go?

Jack Sock's potential?

  • Top 16

    Votes: 10 30.3%

  • Top 10

    Votes: 17 51.5%

  • Top 4

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • Masters winner

    Votes: 1 3.0%

  • Slam Winner

    Votes: 2 6.1%
  • Total voters
    33
QuentinFederer

QuentinFederer

Professional
How far do you all think he can go? I've been impressed with his form lately, and it's been nice to see him utilising his volleying skills. I can see him getting into the top 10 next year and who knows how far he can get after that.
 
I don't think he has the absolute love for the game or the work ethic to be a top 4 player, no doubt he has the talent. He is probably the best doubles player in the world right now.

I think he will hover just outside the top ten next year.
 
Jack Sock could easily become #1 and and an all time great in doubles. I think he has the tools to make it in singles, but it would require a lot of changes in his game, and I doubt he's gonna make them. I think he's a relatively unpolished diamond, who has plenty of room to grow by fitness and tactics alone. He's clearly too heavy, and yet he's actually a decent mover. He has very good hands, a huge forehand if he uses it correctly, and a huge serve if he goes for it. Yet he ends up doing nothing but adding spin to every ball. The only shot that really needs technical improvement is the backhand, and he needs to flatten out the serve and forehand, and for the rest it's all execution and tactics.

- Flatten out that forehand, it's monstrous, and all that spin doesn't do him that much favours in a lot of rally situations. His point construction often stagnates because spin alone doesn't hit you winners
- Flatten out the serve. He can easily hit up to 225kph but spins it in so often he ends up with a relatively mediocre serce percentage and 1st serve points won. I don't know which % he'd serve if he went bigger, but his 2nd serve is very solid, so I don't think it would be that big an issue, especially if his ground game improved.
- Learn to hit a forehand in closed stance. Now when he gets a sitter, he waits for it in open stance. If he runs into it, learn to hit it a bit flatter while taking it earlier you have a missing piece in his point construction right there. His net game is great, all he has to do is get there in a good way.
- Backhand needs work obviously. Hits too many purposeless slices and the topspin backhands don't do very much. The accuracy of the dtl backhand isn't actually that bad, and can surprise opponents at times, which is good. It doesn't need to be a weapon, but it needs to hold up better than it does and aid a little bit more in point construction should the opponent find his backhand
- Decision making. He hits WAY TOO ****ING MANY goofy shots. So often you'll see him hit a squash shot where he can still hit the easy putaway forehand and give his opponent a chance to pass him. Weird drop shots, trick shots, volley choices. He's got good hands, but he's wasting a % of points hitting touch shots where he should just do the straightforward thing
- Court positioning. His swings are pretty compact, he should stand closer to the baseline, especially when returning serve, it really hurt him in the Stockholm final. His forehand return is akward and needs work, his technique is bad to hit returns with, so he'll need to find a solution for that.

Man, I should be a tennis coach
 
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I agree that he is a brilliant doubles player. I think his backhand has improved this year but still needs a bit more work. He has a big forehand but I'm not sure if his wrist will hold up long term with his grip.
 
About as far as a used sock after self gratification goes. In the garbage.


The guy has been around for years. Hasn't done crapola yet. I understand Americans are DESPERATE to find a new superstar. But it ended after Pete/Andre. Sorry
 
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Was shocked when he was changing shirts to see he has a bit of a belly in him. If he got properly fit I've watched enough of his games to think he can be just inside top 10 for a while but he won't worry the very best.
Agree he could be No1 doubles player but wonder how many singles matches he has lost by entering the doubles.
 
90's Clay said:
About as far as a used sock after self gratification goes. In the garbage.
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sock-puppet.jpg

- why did you never call me back, 60's weed ? can't we do it again ?...
- 'cause you're just a mug sock.
 
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It would be nice to see him really step up his fitness, he played 30 matches in 30 days or something like that during October. I wonder how many days he spent in the weight room? Obviously he loves playing tennis but he could stay the highest ranked American for awhile ( it may have changed since Isner beat him ) but he is 24, Isner is 31 years old his days are numbered. He could have a great future ahead of him. I hope he becomes a top 10 player.
 
lol another mug, for sure. He seems like a nice guy who enjoys the game, but not the type to get super fit and spend 10,000 hours on the practice court.
 
Red Rick said:
- Backhand needs work obviously. Hits too many purposeless slices and the topspin backhands don't do very much. The accuracy of the dtl backhand isn't actually that bad, and can surprise opponents at times, which is good. It doesn't need to be a weapon, but it needs to hold up better than it does and aid a little bit more in point construction should the opponent find his backhand
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Was just watching his match vs. Gasquet in the Hopman Cup. He inexplicably hit several one-handers (topspin) in the middle of important rallies. I can't understand what he's thinking. His mess of a backhand is obviously his largest physical handicap, but I think that it's actually a product of some sort of mental/emotional weakness because he is clearly athletic enough to be able to learn to hit a proper two-hander. Very disappointed in where his game has gone.
 
MisterP said:
Was just watching his match vs. Gasquet in the Hopman Cup. He inexplicably hit several one-handers (topspin) in the middle of important rallies.
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Thats pretty disconcerting. Doesn't bode well for his game. In the ''off season'' he should've been constantly working on bettering that 2 hander.
 
MisterP said:
Was just watching his match vs. Gasquet in the Hopman Cup. He inexplicably hit several one-handers (topspin) in the middle of important rallies. I can't understand what he's thinking. His mess of a backhand is obviously his largest physical handicap, but I think that it's actually a product of some sort of mental/emotional weakness because he is clearly athletic enough to be able to learn to hit a proper two-hander. Very disappointed in where his game has gone.
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Shaolin said:
Thats pretty disconcerting. Doesn't bode well for his game. In the ''off season'' he should've been constantly working on bettering that 2 hander.
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I agree that he needs work, but come on guys. It was the Hopman Cup, an EXHO. He enjoyed himself without the pressure to win. He just imitated Gasquet and got a few laughs. Honestly, his play at the HC has showed signs that he matured in his game, unlike Nick Crybabyios.
 
projectone7 said:
I agree that he needs work, but come on guys. It was the Hopman Cup, an EXHO. He enjoyed himself without the pressure to win. He just imitated Gasquet and got a few laughs. Honestly, his play at the HC has showed signs that he matured in his game, unlike Nick Crybabyios.
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Oh if he was just doing it jokingly then thats different. I was having visions of a full on backhand identity crisis like Tsonga a while back.
 
Good tennis player. Not an athlete. Limits his upside, especially when he's chosen a spin-heavy, grinding playstyle that demands maximum fitness and athleticism at the highest levels. Probably too late to change.
 
Shaolin said:
Oh if he was just doing it jokingly then thats different. I was having visions of a full on backhand identity crisis like Tsonga a while back.
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Lmao no. Jack has barely enough intelligence to realize that a one-hander would complete offset both of his wings. HC is an exhibition, and they don't need to worry. Tsonga however......
 
SinjinCooper said:
Good tennis player. Not an athlete. Limits his upside, especially when he's chosen a spin-heavy, grinding playstyle that demands maximum fitness and athleticism at the highest levels. Probably too late to change.
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Dont confuse the spin on his forehand with him being some Spanish clay court pusher. The dude has one of the most lethal FHs on tour.
 
Jack Soft may crack the top 10 for a couple months. I don't see it happening for 5 years though. Great forehand but he needs to take singles matches seriously. He has tanked quite a bit.
 
tennis_pro said:
I think a sock can go up to the knee at most.
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LETitBE said:
just below the knee
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Ehem

d7bc9511577f1d3f0ffa82dfd84bd5f1.jpg

Big_Dangerous said:
Even 60's Weed's Johnson needs a Sock, albeit a dirty used sock after self-gratification. ;)
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Give that sock hair everywhere except on its head and you've got Sampras.

Also, some people like Tarantino (who looks like an evil Federer) are into feet. So for them, Jack Sock sounds more like an invitation or a type of sock than a person's name...
cc0509 said:
Top 10. He's FAT for a pro athlete! He needs to get in better shape.
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Hopefully he pulls of a Mardy Fish and loses weight. I'm just hoping that Sock does so far sooner than Fish did, who left it way too late.

And on a side note, it's somewhat unfair that we can talk about Sock's weight so openly, yet the moment you make a similar comment about Taylor Townsend, suddenly it's hateful and bigoted.
 
Bender said:
Ehem

d7bc9511577f1d3f0ffa82dfd84bd5f1.jpg


Give that sock hair everywhere except on its head and you've got Sampras.

Also, some people like Tarantino (who looks like an evil Federer) are into feet. So for them, Jack Sock sounds more like an invitation or a type of sock than a person's name...

Hopefully he pulls of a Mardy Fish and loses weight. I'm just hoping that Sock does so far sooner than Fish did, who left it way too late.

And on a side note, it's somewhat unfair that we can talk about Sock's weight so openly, yet the moment you make a similar comment about Taylor Townsend, suddenly it's hateful and bigoted.
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Because that would be politically incorrect and a lot of people who don't even know why get offended. These people tend to also be the types that will eat the food of a certain country but will not associate with people from that country.
 
Good volleyer, good speed, huge serve... But he needs to stop using the forehand from the backhand doubles alley as a rally shot and work on getting that backhand to ATP level.
He keeps putting himself out of position with that forehand from anywhere game. He's fast enough to pull it off enough to get good wins but I don't see that game plan being top 10. Of course Raonic plays a similar game and is top 10 (and he's slow) so what do I know.
 
Shaolin said:
Dont confuse the spin on his forehand with him being some Spanish clay court pusher. The dude has one of the most lethal FHs on tour.
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I don't confuse anything. His forehand isn't lethal against good players. It isn't even acceptable against them. He's 0-for-his-life against legit contenders. His FH only limits him while serving to ooh and aah the couch potato set -- armchair analysts who look at guys hitting hard with lots of spin and assume the result must be awesome, even if the results say the exact opposite. Right now, it's too spinny to be a weapon at the top level. If he's happy taking Ryan Harrison to school with it, more power to him, but that ain't going to win him any slams.
 
sportmac said:
Good volleyer, good speed, huge serve... But he needs to stop using the forehand from the backhand doubles alley as a rally shot and work on getting that backhand to ATP level.
He keeps putting himself out of position with that forehand from anywhere game. He's fast enough to pull it off enough to get good wins but I don't see that game plan being top 10. Of course Raonic plays a similar game and is top 10 (and he's slow) so what do I know.
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Raonic has a legitimately great serve. Sock doesn't. Raonic also has a much better forehand.

And even if Raonic isn't a legit slam contender, Sock's still only 2-8 against him with a "great" FH against a guy who moves like a stump. He literally has no weapons to use at the elite level.
 
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I was frustrated to watch his match with Harrison today. He should have easily taken Harrison. Greater, Harrison was serving amazing week today but Jack had done really poor shot selections at times. Too many drop shots that went good enough. Too many acute angle inside out forehands that missed their mark, etc. And Socks serve want much of a weapon. Less than 50% of his first serves went in.
I'm hoping that this was just some off season rust. He's got to play smarter and better to move up into the top echelon of players.
 
QuentinFederer said:
How far do you all think he can go? I've been impressed with his form lately, and it's been nice to see him utilising his volleying skills. I can see him getting into the top 10 next year and who knows how far he can get after that.
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Couldn't agree more. I think 7 or even 6 in the ranking is a distinct possibility.

Top 5 would be a dream come true, And a slam final might just make that happen.
 
ANDYbhGENIUS said:
Couldn't agree more. I think 7 or even 6 in the ranking is a distinct possibility.

Top 5 would be a dream come true, And a slam final might just make that happen.
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I think if he can consistently serve at 65-70% first serves or more then he will be top 10. If he can find a few small improvements on the backhand then he will definitely get top 10.
 
QuentinFederer said:
I think if he can consistently serve at 65-70% first serves or more then he will be top 10. If he can find a few small improvements on the backhand then he will definitely get top 10.
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I like his mental approach, quite laid back, but fierce as well, hates to lose, and doesn't get that nervous anymore, he is maturing, and has a lot of fun playing with touch at the net as well. I mean in singles ;) No doubt in my mind he will be a regular top 10 player in a few years, maybe a tad sooner, and then will stay there for 3-4 years.
 
Red Rick said:
- Decision making. He hits WAY TOO ****ING MANY goofy shots. So often you'll see him hit a squash shot where he can still hit the easy putaway forehand and give his opponent a chance to pass him. Weird drop shots, trick shots, volley choices. He's got good hands, but he's wasting a % of points hitting touch shots where he should just do the straightforward thing
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This is one of my favorite things about Sock and he seems to be doubling down on it if you watch the Chardy match. It wasn't just the Hopman exo tennis, he seems to be determined to carry cheekiness right into serious match play. My read is that he derives confidence and energy from that playstyle, so it may be worth throwing away a few points when you look at the big picture.
 
projectone7 said:
I agree that he needs work, but come on guys. It was the Hopman Cup, an EXHO. He enjoyed himself without the pressure to win. He just imitated Gasquet and got a few laughs. Honestly, his play at the HC has showed signs that he matured in his game, unlike Nick Crybabyios.
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I need to rewatch highlights to be sure, but I have the impression that he has been hitting a number of one handers at Auckland too.

Overall, I think the criticisms of his backhand game are overstated, and I feel like there has been noticeable improvement of it in any case during his good run in 2016.
 
Huge confidence booster for him today winning the ASB classic !

Late in the 2nd set, Sock was only 2 points from winning the match... And then Sousa caught for about 6 games. At 1 point i think Sousa won about 10 out of 12 points to take the 2nd set. Jack hung in there in the 3rd. Sousa started hot but Jack weathered the storm and eventually prevailed in the 3rd set.
 
ComeBackKimiko said:
Overall, I think the criticisms of his backhand game are overstated, and I feel like there has been noticeable improvement of it in any case during his good run in 2016.
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I didn't get to see the full match live but in the extended highlights I watched of the final Sock landed some tasty THBH DTLs. Also some solid service returns off that wing. It broke down a couple times under pressure but overall another positive outing showing that it's not a fatal weakness, Sousa was hitting with plenty of heat at Sock's backhand at times yet he was able to at least stay in the rallies with it and sometimes do more.
 
ComeBackKimiko said:
I didn't get to see the full match live but in the extended highlights I watched of the final Sock landed some tasty THBH DTLs. Also some solid service returns off that wing. It broke down a couple times under pressure but overall another positive outing showing that it's not a fatal weakness, Sousa was hitting with plenty of heat at Sock's backhand at times yet he was able to at least stay in the rallies with it and sometimes do more.
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Some good examples of this start at around 11 minutes in the following video:

 
Good player. At best he will fluke a top ten showing at some point like Isner etc. Will never win a major - especially on clay. He only looks good when he's playing similarly ranked peers who can't quite crucify him over his very average athleticism.
 
He just won his 2nd title. 24 years old, in the top 25, top 10 is entirely possible. Of course it's sport, so anything is possible, but barring the sweetest draw of all time(and even then) he's unlikely to ever make a slam final.

He seems like a really nice guy, but that ain't worth **** in competitive sport.
 
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