Is Tennis In Limbo Right Now?

[REKX]

As a Federer and Nadal fan I grew up watching these two and it was amazing. Took the game to new levels and who knows if we will ever see those levels again.

Federer/Nadal are dominating right now, but not for the right reasons. Their games now are a lot weaker than their greatest forms, Federer 2017 doesn't compare at all with his prime, and Nadal at his best was dominating in all surfaces, even beat Federer during his prime in the 2008 Wimbledon final, something which by the rule books should be impossible, but Nadal still done it. He wouldn't have a chance on grass now.

Why has no one (or a group of players) emerged to dominate the sport? It's usually when the top players get over 30, the new players come out, it has always happened. But not this time, 25-27 year old tennis players who should be dominating far far above Federer and Nadal week in week out, simply are not there.

Its a shame kids today are watching Federer and will remember him for winning grand slams in 2017 and 2018 against a very weak field thinking this is or was his greatest form, where as we know the game he delivered from 2005-2008 was something beyond. The speed of his play, the aggressiveness and the way he would go for winners at insane times is something I haven't seen since then.

This can't be good for the sport, as definitely Federer and Nadal are on the last leg of their careers. Who do the companies market and promote next?

So when will this new player or players emerge to rightfully dominate the sport?

 

[sureshs]

No it is Monte Carlo right now

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Why do you have to preface every thread you make with "As a Federer and Nadal fan"

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

As a fan of women and Djokovic though, you're spot on.

 

[AlexanderTheGreat08]

It’s kinda funny how in 2007 Federer was the best HC & Grass player and Nadal the best on the Clay , Same thing happened in 2017 , The difference is that back then Nadal was able to reach Federer at Wimby and unable to reach him at HC Majors, Now He can reach him at the HC Majors but not at Wimbledon, Also Federer is unable to play Clay anymore

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Why do you have to preface every thread you make with "As a Federer and Nadal fan"

You should reference your username in each of your posts.

 

[REKX]

It’s kinda funny how in 2007 Federer was the best HC & Grass player and Nadal the best on the Clay , Same thing happened in 2017 , The difference is that back then Nadal was able to reach Federer at Wimby and unable to reach him at HC Majors, Now He can reach him at the HC Majors but not at Wimbledon, Also Federer is unable to play Clay anymore

I think around 2007 Nadal was still developing, he was very young and started off as clay court specialist.

I think 2008 was the start of his development as an all court player. His coach obviously reduced his racquet take back time, and other factors which made him very competitive against the greatest hard court/ grass court players.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Doesn't matter who you are a fan of. Yes, tennis is in limbo land.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Why do you have to preface every thread you make with "As a Federer and Nadal fan"

If he states that he likes both players the plebs won’t notice his obvious agenda.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

Only the many Fed fans would say it isn’t.

When Del Potro turns 30 in September there won’t be a single active GS champion in their 20’s.

In the 80’s we had TWO 17 year old GS champions.

 

[big ted]

I think there's too much money in the game for the younger players to be hungry..
I was reading the sampras book and he talked about becoming a millionaire after he won the US Open.. cut to now you have players like tomic and kyrgios who are millionaires with their results, it shows it's a different tour these days...
back then it seems it was more dog eat dog.. Now it's more like a buffet with plenty to go around for everyone..

 

[Plamen1234]

The lost generations failed to take the lead.Now there is new generation but they are also failing.So if the things continue like this Federer can be contender for GS at 39 year old age

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I think there's too much money in the game for the younger players to be hungry..
I was reading the sampras book and he talked about becoming a millionaire after he won the US Open.. cut to now you have players like tomic and kyrgios who are millionaires with their results, it shows it's a different tour these days...
back then it seems it was more dog eat dog.. Now it's more like a buffet with plenty to go around for everyone..

Well said, I think that is actually one of sports biggest maladies in general, not just tennis. Way too much money in it nowadays.

 

[Newballs]

Also Federer is unable to play Clay anymore

Not unable, just unwilling.

 

[big ted]

Well said, I think that is actually one of sports biggest maladies in general, not just tennis. Way too much money in it nowadays.

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2013/01/29/1226564/229346-tomic-ferrari.jpg

pic of a one time Grand slam quarterfinalist..

 

[Standaa]

"As a Federer and Nadal fan"

 

[Plamen1234]

Only the many Fed fans would say it isn’t.

When Del Potro turns 30 in September there won’t be a single active GS champion in their 20’s.

In the 80’s we had TWO 17 year old GS champions.

Nope.Tennis field is pretty weak right now.There is no denying this.It is time for new GS champions.This year we had news Masters 1000 champions though they are not really young.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

I think there's too much money in the game for the younger players to be hungry..
I was reading the sampras book and he talked about becoming a millionaire after he won the US Open.. cut to now you have players like tomic and kyrgios who are millionaires with their results, it shows it's a different tour these days...
back then it seems it was more dog eat dog.. Now it's more like a buffet with plenty to go around for everyone..

There is too little prize money in tennis...why play professional tennis when a player of the same caliber/rank earns more in team sports while having longer off seasons...

 

[Pagoo]

As a Federer and Nadal fan I grew up watching these two and it was amazing. Took the game to new levels and who knows if we will ever see those levels again.

Federer/Nadal are dominating right now, but not for the right reasons. Their games now are a lot weaker than their greatest forms, Federer 2017 doesn't compare at all with his prime, and Nadal at his best was dominating in all surfaces, even beat Federer during his prime in the 2008 Wimbledon final, something which by the rule books should be impossible, but Nadal still done it. He wouldn't have a chance on grass now.

Why has no one (or a group of players) emerged to dominate the sport? It's usually when the top players get over 30, the new players come out, it has always happened. But not this time, 25-27 year old tennis players who should be dominating far far above Federer and Nadal week in week out, simply are not there.

Its a shame kids today are watching Federer and will remember him for winning grand slams in 2017 and 2018 against a very weak field thinking this is or was his greatest form, where as we know the game he delivered from 2005-2008 was something beyond. The speed of his play, the aggressiveness and the way he would go for winners at insane times is something I haven't seen since then.

This can't be good for the sport, as definitely Federer and Nadal are on the last leg of their careers. Who do the companies market and promote next?

So when will this new player or players emerge to rightfully dominate the sport?

So kids will somehow remember Federer for winning against a "weak field", but they will forget Nadal won a slam with the weakest slam draw ever also in 2017.

Seems legit.

 

[r2473]

Is Tennis In Limbo Right Now?

 

[mike danny]

As a Federer and Nadal fan I grew up watching these two and it was amazing. Took the game to new levels and who knows if we will ever see those levels again.

Federer/Nadal are dominating right now, but not for the right reasons. Their games now are a lot weaker than their greatest forms, Federer 2017 doesn't compare at all with his prime, and Nadal at his best was dominating in all surfaces, even beat Federer during his prime in the 2008 Wimbledon final, something which by the rule books should be impossible, but Nadal still done it. He wouldn't have a chance on grass now.

Why has no one (or a group of players) emerged to dominate the sport? It's usually when the top players get over 30, the new players come out, it has always happened. But not this time, 25-27 year old tennis players who should be dominating far far above Federer and Nadal week in week out, simply are not there.

Its a shame kids today are watching Federer and will remember him for winning grand slams in 2017 and 2018 against a very weak field thinking this is or was his greatest form, where as we know the game he delivered from 2005-2008 was something beyond. The speed of his play, the aggressiveness and the way he would go for winners at insane times is something I haven't seen since then.

This can't be good for the sport, as definitely Federer and Nadal are on the last leg of their careers. Who do the companies market and promote next?

So when will this new player or players emerge to rightfully dominate the sport?

Fed in 2017 won the AO and the Sunshine Double in a pretty strong field. It was after that that things got worse.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Is Tennis In Limbo Right Now?

No. Fans are.

Tennis is doing well with some great young talent out there who play some amazing matches. It seems to be more that none of them are Nadal or Federer that matters more than their ability. Somehow, unless they can win everything so a "fan" can ride their coattails to TT infamy, they are weak or crap.

 

[big ted]

There is too little prize money in tennis...why play professional tennis when a player of the same caliber/rank earns more in team sports while having longer off seasons...

if they're just after $ then they should go to a different sport.. most past champions played because they love tennis (tho I suppose Agassi is an exception because he says he hated tennis, even tho he continually chooses to be involved in it to this day, even coaching for free, so not sure how truthful his revelation was...lol)

 

[Chadillac]

There is too little prize money in tennis...why play professional tennis when a player of the same caliber/rank earns more in team sports while having longer off seasons...

In most cases you will earn more teaching than playing. You can also teach much longer than you can play.

We had one guy, ranked top200. Won the tournament, took home like $1200 for winning a 64 man draw (6 matches). He did a clinic with the members and got $120 for a single hour.

 

[big ted]

Is Tennis In Limbo Right Now?

No. Fans are.

Tennis is doing well with some great young talent out there who play some amazing matches. It seems to be more that none of them are Nadal or Federer that matters more than their ability. Somehow, unless they can win everything so a "fan" can ride their coattails to TT infamy, they are weak or crap.

idk...I think something else is going on because a 39 year old just beat kyrgios..
I don't know what's going on but should a 39 year old that's not an all time great be beating anyone these days, let alone what most call the most talented player of the newer generation?

 

[SLD76]

Meh


A bit yes


frankly the field has been the weakest I've ever seen for like the past 4 or 5 years


it would be a shambles if fed and Nadal weren't around


Lost Gen failed to take over and now nextgen is on the clock


it may come down to the younger guys in nextgen like Tiafoe to lead the youth movement

 

[ollinger]

Who do the companies market and promote next?

ummm, is this something you actually care about?

 

[ollinger]

should a 39 year old that's not an all time great be beating anyone these days

I don't see why not. Tennis is a game of brief action punctuated by half a minute to rest. No reason why a 39 year old can't play fine tennis

 

[big ted]

I don't see why not. Tennis is a game of brief action punctuated by half a minute to rest. No reason why a 39 year old can't play fine tennis

well maybe, but I think karlovic is the only one who can get away with it since he doesn't really need to move that much to begin with..

 

[Sudacafan]

As a Federer and Nadal fan I grew up watching these two and it was amazing. Took the game to new levels and who knows if we will ever see those levels again.

Federer/Nadal are dominating right now, but not for the right reasons. Their games now are a lot weaker than their greatest forms, Federer 2017 doesn't compare at all with his prime, and Nadal at his best was dominating in all surfaces, even beat Federer during his prime in the 2008 Wimbledon final, something which by the rule books should be impossible, but Nadal still done it. He wouldn't have a chance on grass now.

Why has no one (or a group of players) emerged to dominate the sport? It's usually when the top players get over 30, the new players come out, it has always happened. But not this time, 25-27 year old tennis players who should be dominating far far above Federer and Nadal week in week out, simply are not there.

Its a shame kids today are watching Federer and will remember him for winning grand slams in 2017 and 2018 against a very weak field thinking this is or was his greatest form, where as we know the game he delivered from 2005-2008 was something beyond. The speed of his play, the aggressiveness and the way he would go for winners at insane times is something I haven't seen since then.

This can't be good for the sport, as definitely Federer and Nadal are on the last leg of their careers. Who do the companies market and promote next?

So when will this new player or players emerge to rightfully dominate the sport?

Can you please stop uttering your famous intro “As a Federer and Nadal fan”, although there is a less than 0.01% chance it’s true? Thanks.

 

[Chadillac]

well maybe, but I think karlovic is the only one who can get away with it since he doesn't really need to move that much to begin with..

The atp wont put karlovic vs djok/nadal (side of draw). Its hard to believe they have only played 8 times in over 25 yrs on tour (combined). But not really when you understand how it works, they make matches like vince mcmahon

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

Meh


A bit yes


frankly the field has been the weakest I've ever seen for like the past 4 or 5 years


it would be a shambles if fed and Nadal weren't around


Lost Gen failed to take over and now nextgen is on the clock


it may come down to the younger guys in nextgen like Tiafoe to lead the youth movement

Tiafoe you say??

He hits quite forcefully but cannot direct a ball into an open court with any sort of precision.

Tiafoe will lead movements alright, that have nothing to do with skill.

 

[ojo rojo]

All time low..

 

[Deleted member 77403]

As a Federer and Nadal fan I grew up watching these two and it was amazing. Took the game to new levels and who knows if we will ever see those levels again.

Federer/Nadal are dominating right now, but not for the right reasons. Their games now are a lot weaker than their greatest forms, Federer 2017 doesn't compare at all with his prime, and Nadal at his best was dominating in all surfaces, even beat Federer during his prime in the 2008 Wimbledon final, something which by the rule books should be impossible, but Nadal still done it. He wouldn't have a chance on grass now.

Why has no one (or a group of players) emerged to dominate the sport? It's usually when the top players get over 30, the new players come out, it has always happened. But not this time, 25-27 year old tennis players who should be dominating far far above Federer and Nadal week in week out, simply are not there.

Its a shame kids today are watching Federer and will remember him for winning grand slams in 2017 and 2018 against a very weak field thinking this is or was his greatest form, where as we know the game he delivered from 2005-2008 was something beyond. The speed of his play, the aggressiveness and the way he would go for winners at insane times is something I haven't seen since then.

This can't be good for the sport, as definitely Federer and Nadal are on the last leg of their careers. Who do the companies market and promote next?

So when will this new player or players emerge to rightfully dominate the sport?

I was just looking for Wimbledon 2008 to be mentioned....glad I wasn't disappointed.

 

[zagor]

As a Federer and Nadal fan I grew up watching these two and it was amazing. Took the game to new levels and who knows if we will ever see those levels again.

Federer/Nadal are dominating right now, but not for the right reasons. Their games now are a lot weaker than their greatest forms, Federer 2017 doesn't compare at all with his prime, and Nadal at his best was dominating in all surfaces, even beat Federer during his prime in the 2008 Wimbledon final, something which by the rule books should be impossible, but Nadal still done it. He wouldn't have a chance on grass now.

Why has no one (or a group of players) emerged to dominate the sport? It's usually when the top players get over 30, the new players come out, it has always happened. But not this time, 25-27 year old tennis players who should be dominating far far above Federer and Nadal week in week out, simply are not there.

Its a shame kids today are watching Federer and will remember him for winning grand slams in 2017 and 2018 against a very weak field thinking this is or was his greatest form, where as we know the game he delivered from 2005-2008 was something beyond. The speed of his play, the aggressiveness and the way he would go for winners at insane times is something I haven't seen since then.

This can't be good for the sport, as definitely Federer and Nadal are on the last leg of their careers. Who do the companies market and promote next?

So when will this new player or players emerge to rightfully dominate the sport?

Ctrl-F "2008 Wimbledon final", lulz.

Do elaborate if you will on that mythical period of Nadal at his best dominating all surfaces. I can only think of 2010 and even that year he had losses on HC to past their prime weak era clowns Roddick and Ljubicic, in addition to losing to Baggy, GGL and surviving 1st week of Wimbledon by the skin of his teeth. Oh and was also getting spanked by Murray at AO before he threw in the towel.

 

[zagor]

Only the many Fed fans would say it isn’t.

When Del Potro turns 30 in September there won’t be a single active GS champion in their 20’s.

In the 80’s we had TWO 17 year old GS champions.

Last time I checked, Fed isn't the current #1 and plenty of Nadal fans are talking the "strong" CC field of Thiem, Goffin, Carreno Busta and Chung.

Not to mention that most TTW Fed fans seem to agree tennis is in very bad shape now.

 

[zagor]

I think around 2007 Nadal was still developing, he was very young and started off as clay court specialist.

I think 2008 was the start of his development as an all court player. His coach obviously reduced his racquet take back time, and other factors which made him very competitive against the greatest hard court/ grass court players.

Developing Nadal seems to be much better on grass than the fully matured Nadal that is a beast on HC, how come? Did Nadal stop being an all-court player on grass after the age of 25?

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Developing Nadal seems to be much better on grass than the fully matured Nadal that is a beast on HC, how come? Did Nadal stop being an all-court player on grass after the age of 25?

He had to sacrifice his grass court abilities to be more consistently successful on HC.

 

[zagor]

He had to sacrifice his grass court abilities to be more consistently successful on HC.

But I thought at his best Nadal is dominant on every surface? It still doesn't make sense that the baby CC specialist makes two WImbledon finals back-to-back while the fully developed, all-court version can't reach WImbledon QF (despite the weak grasscourt field as his fans claim).

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

But I thought at his best Nadal is dominant on every surface? It still doesn't make sense that the baby CC specialist makes two WImbledon finals back-to-back while the fully developed, all-court version can't reach WImbledon QF (despite the weak grasscourt field as his fans claim).

Injuries.

 

[SLD76]

Tiafoe you say??

He hits quite forcefully but cannot direct a ball into an open court with any sort of precision.

Tiafoe will lead movements alright, that have nothing to do with skill.

he's 20

 

[SLD76]

Injuries.

Nadal is now allergic to grass


I can relate , I get hay fever too

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

he's 20

so? Over 18 so age is irrelevant.

Tiafoe is seriously under-talented. Breaking top 20 would be a miracle. To think that he is considered one of the "hopefuls" is painful enough for tennis' next gen flagships.

 

[SLD76]

so? Over 18 so age is irrelevant.

Tiafoe is seriously under-talented. Breaking top 20 would be a miracle. To think that he is considered one of the "hopefuls" is painful enough for tennis' next gen flagships.

He's won an ATP tournament at an age comparable to players who go on to win masters and slams


But, whatever you say



I'm glad you weren't around when Wawrinka was 19/20

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

He's won an ATP tournament at an age comparable to players who go on to win masters and slams


But, whatever you say



I'm glad you weren't around when Wawrinka was 19/20

Athleticism.

My point is that Tiafoe does not read the game very well, but maybe he will develop in that area.

I am glad you weren't around when Wilander was 17, or Henin was 16.

 

[SLD76]

Athleticism.

My point is that Tiafoe does not read the game very well, but maybe he will develop in that area.

I am glad you weren't around when Wilander was 17, or Henin was 16.

I was actually


And I remember for years people wondering when Henin would win a slam, given her talent

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

I was actually


And I remember for years people wondering when Henin would win a slam, given her talent

Then we get back to your Tiafoe age argument. Wilander and Henin (and Hingis was the ultimate), read the game extremely well. Tiafoe has serious deficiencies in that department, there is no way around it, but maybe Tiafoe can compensate or develop some of his weak points. Age though is not the main driver here.

 

[SLD76]

Then we get back to your Tiafoe age argument. Wilander and Henin (and Hingis was the ultimate), read the game extremely well. Tiafoe has serious deficiencies in that department, there is no way around it, but maybe Tiafoe can compensate or develop some of his weak points. Age though is not the main driver here.

what a lovely apples to oranges argument


also, you're really going to compare player development in this slow court era from an era from 30 and 20 years ago?

 

[SLD76]

if anything , the fact that Frances has won an ATP title so young speaks louder than Henin and Wilander as teens in this slugfest slow court era

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

what a lovely apples to oranges argument

care to elaborate/explain? What are the apples, what are the oranges here? I thought we were talking about reading the game, not court speeds.

Live in your bubble if that fancies you. I am elsewhere and done with this contraversation.