Jim Courier on TC : Alcaraz is like Federer, Sinner is like Djokovic.. they will enthrall for years.

[nolefam_2024]

Nadal

 

[nolefam_2024]

Djokovic

 

[nolefam_2024]

Federer

 

[Oval_Solid]

alcaraz is actually sampras
and sinner is courier
fonseca will probably be federer

 

[Rosstour]

Jim Courier says whenever we speak high of Alcaraz, Sinner also needs to be in conversation.

Brett Haber points out that Alcaraz is separating himself from the rest with 4 majors to 1.

Courier agrees with that but says Sinner has been solid and the level he has shown after USO 23 has been top .

Courier then likens Alcaraz to Federer and Sinner to Djokovic, stating they will enthrall audience for years. He says Alcaraz is known for the razzle dazzle, flashy, wow breathtaking style of tennis and
Sinner Just solid like Djokovic

This is during TC coverage during the Alcaraz-Monfils 3R Cinci match 2024.

Nice to see Courier not giving up on Sinner

How many times did Jim mention "Rafael Nadal" in that conversation?

 

[Lleytonstation]

Lol, he hit a couple of backhand down the line winners. I didn't say his game was as effective as Federer's; just that it looks like and reminds me of Federer's.

No he did not. But yeah other than the losing to Djoker and him having a one hand backhand, he gives me zero Fed vibes.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Yup



Yeah you have a real irrational hatred of this guy. Wondering why. He hasn't done enough

You seem like the kind of person to say "eye-talians" to be deliberately insulting

Not even sure how to take this. Him being italian has nothing to do with my irrational dislike of Mugsetti.

 

[Rosstour]

Not even sure how to take this. Him being italian has nothing to do with my irrational dislike of Mugsetti.

You were the guy that called him spaghetti or something, right?

Weird.

 

[Lleytonstation]

You were the guy that called him spaghetti or something, right?

Weird.

And? So anyone who pokes fun at it being cold, playing hockey, moose, or maple syrup I should get upset?

Kind of weird that you take offense? I like nicknames. Spaghetti is not a derogatory nickname unless you make it that way.

 

[Rosstour]

And? So anyone who pokes fun at it being cold, playing hockey, moose, or maple syrup I should get upset?

Kind of weird that you take offense? I like nicknames. Spaghetti is not a derogatory nickname unless you make it that way.

You definitely did not mean it as a compliment and I think we both know that. So yeah it was derogatory along with every comment you make about the guy

I understand negativity towards the B3 but Musetti has been on the average fan's radar for what, a year? He hasn't been a boor on court, hasn't taken any hardware from more popular players. The punishment doesn't fit the crime here

 

[socallefty]

Alcaraz doesn’t remind me of anyone - he is his own dynamic player. Sinner reminds me more of players like Murray and Zverev who hit hard to big targets than he does Djokovic. Sinner doesn’t hit balls on the rise to take time away from his opponent as much as Djokovic does amd neither does he change angles as often.

 

[Lleytonstation]

You definitely did not mean it as a compliment and I think we both know that. So yeah it was derogatory along with every comment you make about the guy

I understand negativity towards the B3 but Musetti has been on the average fan's radar for what, a year? He hasn't been a boor on court, hasn't taken any hardware from more popular players. The punishment doesn't fit the crime here

Well, that is your opinion. But he has been on my radar and have seen him blow matches for several years now. I also say it in jest. If spaghetti is offending people nowadays then so be it. Someone calls me Maple syrup I would laugh and have zero issue.

 

[Rosstour]

Well, that is your opinion. But he has been on my radar and have seen him blow matches for several years now. I also say it in jest. If spaghetti is offending people nowadays then so be it. Someone calls me Maple syrup I would laugh and have zero issue.

You make threads about how bad the guy is. What did he do to you?

 

[Lleytonstation]

You make threads about how bad the guy is. What did he do to you?

Can you point me to this thread you speak of? Any thread I started?

 

[Rosstour]

Can you point me to this thread you speak of? Any thread I started?

Don't care enough. Maybe you didn't start the Spaghetti thread. Point stands--what has he done that's so bad?

From where I'm standing, he's been one of the best players on tour this year, and probably had the best year of any player outside the New Big3 (Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sinner). And he won the hearts of his nation with his Olympic run. What a mug!

 

[NiCo515]

Sure Alcaraz lied at the PC a year or two ago when asked to comment at the same. Please express your shock towards the man himself. That'll teach him.

“I’ve said it many times my game is more similar than Roger’s game and I would like to play like him. I would love to play against him, at least just once, but yeah, hope to do it,”

"I always say that my idol is Rafa but I want to say that I really want to play like Roger, I’m not gonna lie, you know, his style, his elegance on the court is something amazing,” he said.


What a shocker.

Carlos Alcaraz picks between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as he makes playing style admission

Carlos Alcaraz has made an honest confession about his playing style involving tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

www.tennis365.com

Note: these comments from Alcaraz is merely a confirmation of what many of us already have seen in his game. To think it isn't like Fed's at this point is what is nuts.

How does Alcaraz saying that he'd like to play like Federer prove anything here? I have two eyes and can see that he plays nothing like Roger. I'm just amazed that anyone could even come up with that comparison.

 

[FeroBango]

How does Alcaraz saying that he'd like to play like Federer prove anything here? I have two eyes and can see that he plays nothing like Roger. I'm just amazed that anyone could even come up with that comparison.

Your eyes amaze me too. Also read the article and other quotes. Look up press conferences from 2022 on. You'll find quite a few answers.

 

[-NN-]

In terms of aggressive intent and tempo, Alcaraz has always reminded me much more of Federer than Djokovic or Nadal.

Ultimately, he's not that much like any of them. I haven't seen someone like Alcaraz before.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Don't care enough. Maybe you didn't start the Spaghetti thread. Point stands--what has he done that's so bad?

From where I'm standing, he's been one of the best players on tour this year, and probably had the best year of any player outside the New Big3 (Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sinner). And he won the hearts of his nation with his Olympic run. What a mug!

Look I am a hater. So be it. I also believe Musetti wouldnt be a top 20 player 10 years ago. Just my opinion. He is predictable and has zero weapons from my point of view.

Not really sure why you are trying to have a go? But yeah, not a fan, sue me.

 

[zagor]

Just stop it. Mugsetti has zero slice. Against Djoker he was helpless on that backhand side. Djoker just abused the backhand. Absolute zero threat to Djoker and his slice was brutal. Mugsetti never had a chance with that one hand backhand vs Djoker. He had zero ability to hit it down the line or hit a winner off the backhand wing.

It was like watching an old Fed match vs Djoker or Rafa.

... wait.

Reminding of doesn't mean said player is anywhere near as good as the guy he's being compared to. For example years ago I thought that Igor Andreev plays like a right handed Nadal, not sure the dude ever even cracked top 20 while Nadal won 20 FOs.

To me Musetti's game resembles Fed's quite a bit, certainly more so than any other player in the top 20.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Reminding of doesn't mean said player is anywhere near as good as the guy he's being compared to. For example years ago I thought that Igor Andreev plays like a right handed Nadal, not sure the dude ever even cracked top 20 while Nadal won 20 FOs.

To me Musetti's game resembles Fed's quite a bit, certainly more so than any other player in the top 20.

You may see it that way, but I genuinely do not. Dimitrov reminds me of Fed. Dimitrov and Musetti doe not remind me of each other either.

 

[zagor]

You may see it that way, but I genuinely do not. Dimitrov reminds me of Fed. Dimitrov and Musetti doe not remind me of each other either.

Yeah, in these cases there's always a lot of subjectivity involved. For me personally, Dimitrov never really reminded me of Fed, he was IMO robotic compared to Fed. Musetti on the other hand does, I hope he becomes a staple top 10 player.

 

[Incognito]

The only thing he has of djokovic is the sliding backhand.

He is super fast like young Nadal and he speaks spanish. The only 2 things they have in common.

Carlos is definitely more like Fed. Attacking style, very competent at the net and can actually execute a half-volley with regularity. The best fore court game i’ve ever seen from someone with a 2 handed bh since Borg. He doesn’t have brick hands at the net like djokodal lol.

 

[zagor]

Why is this forum hesitant on listening to the actual bloody subjects of this discussion? Pretty funny ngl.

I wouldn't take pros' words as gospel truth to be honest. It's not me being arrogant but they sometimes have hilarious takes (that are proven very wrong in reality).

That said on this one I agree. Aside from them both being fast and Spaniards Nadal and Alcaraz are nothing alike IMO. Alcaraz loves to hunt the lines with the FH and keeps you on your toes because he can suddenly inject pace and hit winner from every part of the court, that's Fed. Djokodal are high % players (note I didn't say the're defensive players, but high %), it's a different approach to the game.

Keep in mind, people generally have short memories in sport and many of today's forum members didn't even watch young Fed who glided around court and blasted FH winner after FH winner. Fresher in ther mind is the old Fed who relied on serve, touch and tactics because he didn't have the legs and explosive FH of his youth.

And yes, Alcaraz has two Wimbledon titles pretty playing indoor half the time. Indoors isn't as much an issue as we think it is.

Indoors is not and wasn't an issue for any ATG in the history of the game, except Nadal. It bears repeating, Borg won 22 titles on indoor carpet.

 

[Martin J]

And yes, Alcaraz has two Wimbledon titles pretty playing indoor half the time. Indoors isn't as much an issue as we think it is.

I don't think it's about the roof, it's mostly about the court (different court base anyway). These courts (called indoor hard, but are actually closer to carpets as they are removable) don't take the spin well nor amplifies its effects so you can't bully opponents with weight (which Nadal, for example, relies on) nor push them back as easy. Even Fed complained about it, stating that courts aren't spin friendly, and never really liked the carpet that much.

That's why player with flatter, more penetrating, forehands (Sampras, Becker, Djokovic, even Fed who can flatten it often enough) were very successful playing indoors.

 

[zagor]

I agree. Alcaraz knows best and who he plays similar to. I definitely see more Federer in alcaraz because he plays amazing attacking tennis and has that awesome FH too. That why he’s already the best on grass and it suits his game the most like it did with Fed.

He's still developing as a grass courter but he clearly loves the fact that he can just blow away people on grass with his FH if they give him the smallest opening. Novak was in better form in the Olypmics but I think that clay also helped him against Alcaraz who was running out of patience because he had to work for points more.

 

[FeroBango]

He's still developing as a grass courter but he clearly loves the fact that he can just blow away people on grass with his FH if they give him the smallest opnening. Novak was in better form in the Olypmics but I think that clay also helped him against Alcaraz who was running out of patience because he had to work for points more.

It does feel like the kind of surface tailor made for him. Not so slow that even his brutal strength is rendered a little less potent but fast enough that his eyes light up at the innumerable openings he sees to unload. He takes it early the best at CC.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Jim Courier says whenever we speak high of Alcaraz, Sinner also needs to be in conversation.

Brett Haber points out that Alcaraz is separating himself from the rest with 4 majors to 1.

Courier agrees with that but says Sinner has been solid and the level he has shown after USO 23 has been top .

Courier then likens Alcaraz to Federer and Sinner to Djokovic, stating they will enthrall audience for years. He says Alcaraz is known for the razzle dazzle, flashy, wow breathtaking style of tennis and
Sinner Just solid like Djokovic

This is during TC coverage during the Alcaraz-Monfils 3R Cinci match 2024.

Nice to see Courier not giving up on Sinner

Sounds like Courier is desperate to lift up this generation of male players in anticipation of Djokovic retiring in a year or so. He can play that game, but trying to sell the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner as the next Federer and Djokovic is a deflated fantasy at best.

 

[Rosstour]

You may see it that way, but I genuinely do not. Dimitrov reminds me of Fed. Dimitrov and Musetti doe not remind me of each other either.

What Musetti has that Dimitrov doesn't is the "magician" skillset and creativity

What reminds people of Fed re Musetti is the touch shots, especially off the 1HBH

He has one of the most dangerous backhands on the tour now and arguably the best 1H at the moment. He can go inside or outside with it, that's what sets him apart. His FH/serve suck compared to Fed's obviously but they are catching up with his BH which is why he's done so well lately.

I can see why ppl would hate him, the tour obviously needs more pure baseliners and less variety

 

[jm1980]

Musetti plays the most like Federer of any player on tour. You can tell he idolized him. Even has a really good slice and reminds me of Roger's.

Musetti plays like Federer, if Fed didn't have a forehand or a serve

 

[nolefam_2024]

Musetti plays like Federer, if Fed didn't have a forehand or a serve

Lol yes

 

[nolefam_2024]

Musetti is only good on clay
Federer's worst surface.

Too much spin

 

[NoleFam]

Musetti plays like Federer, if Fed didn't have a forehand or a serve

He makes up for it with the pretty backhand though. He does remind me of Federer though even down to his footwork. Saying he plays like him or modeled his game after him, doesn't mean he's anywhere near as good.

 

[Rosstour]

Musetti is only good on clay
Federer's worst surface.

Too much spin

Finals at Queen's, SF at Wimbledon. Only losing to the eventual champ or surface GOAT. It's time to update the file on him

 

[NoleFam]

Yeah, in these cases there's always a lot of subjectivity involved. For me personally, Dimitrov never really reminded me of Fed, he was IMO robotic compared to Fed. Musetti on the other hand does, I hope he becomes a staple top 10 player.

Yep, agree with all of this. I never got the Dimitrov/Federer comparisons but I do see the similarity in Musetti.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Yep, agree with all of this. I never got the Dimitrov/Federer comparisons but I do see the similarity in Musetti.

Dimitrov is baby Federer

What don't you get. Or see ?

 

[NoleFam]

Dimitrov is baby Federer

What don't you get. Or see ?

Like @zagor said, he's too robotic or jerky in his game to be like Federer's. Federer was smoother in his strokes. Musetti for all his shortcomings definitely has the fluid style.

 

[Lleytonstation]

What Musetti has that Dimitrov doesn't is the "magician" skillset and creativity

What reminds people of Fed re Musetti is the touch shots, especially off the 1HBH

He has one of the most dangerous backhands on the tour now and arguably the best 1H at the moment. He can go inside or outside with it, that's what sets him apart. His FH/serve suck compared to Fed's obviously but they are catching up with his BH which is why he's done so well lately.

I can see why ppl would hate him, the tour obviously needs more pure baseliners and less variety

Okay, I can buy that a bit.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Like @zagor said, he's too robotic or jerky in his game to be like Federer's. Federer was smoother in his strokes. Musetti for all his shortcomings definitely has the fluid style.

Looks like proto fed to me. But agree to disagree.

 

[zagor]

What Musetti has that Dimitrov doesn't is the "magician" skillset and creativity

What reminds people of Fed re Musetti is the touch shots, especially off the 1HBH

He has one of the most dangerous backhands on the tour now and arguably the best 1H at the moment. He can go inside or outside with it, that's what sets him apart. His FH/serve suck compared to Fed's obviously but they are catching up with his BH which is why he's done so well lately.

I can see why ppl would hate him, the tour obviously needs more pure baseliners and less variety

This, Musseti's game has flair, fluidity and creativity which DImitrov IMO doesn't.

DImitrov at his best is solid in all parts of the game but that's it, he's more solid than he is a shotmaker.

In general I always thought Fed played like an Italian or French player, he has just been so ridiculously successful with that style even though it shouldn't lend itself to day-in day-out consistency. It's what makes Fed special.

 

[socallefty]

Alcaraz is just like Federer. That’s why he is breaking racquets and complaining that the court is too fast and it is a different sport out there on a fast court. Just like Federer used to do…right?

 

[Martin J]

Alcaraz is just like Federer. That’s why he is breaking racquets and complaining that the court is too fast and it is a different sport out there on a fast court. Just like Federer used to do…right?

Wrong.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Alcaraz is just like Federer. That’s why he is breaking racquets and complaining that the court is too fast and it is a different sport out there on a fast court. Just like Federer used to do…right?

Exactly

Next joke plz

 

[CHillTennis]

His job depends on it

You took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[SonnyT]

Federer was not razzle dazzle flashy at all, he was grace and efficient attacking tennis. Alcaraz is more Nadal-like than Federer.

Nadal was unforced error adverse; Carlos is anything but!

 

[nolefam_2024]

Nadal was unforced error adverse; Carlos is anything but!

So Carlos is combination of big 3

But his play style is like Nadal's
Standing back and running

 

[CHillTennis]

Musetti plays the most like Federer of any player on tour. You can tell he idolized him. Even has a really good slice and reminds me of Roger's.

It's too bad that Man-bunly is a mug.

 

[Sudacafan]

Carlos the shepherd is nothing like djoker. Carlos is ultra aggressive and struggles on return.

Are shepherds aggressive?

 

[Lleytonstation]

Are shepherds aggressive?

They sure are when they have sheep on the loose.

 

[messiahrobins]

A lot of good points in here. To me, I always thought that Djokovic saved the more aggressive forehand for the big dogs. Against players where he didn't think they could hurt him as much, he dialed it back. Then when he played Federer and Nadal, for example, he ramped it up. A good example is 2015 Wimbledon. He ramped his forehand acceleration way up for Federer in that final, something he was not doing as much in earlier rounds. He did it against Nadal at the ATP Cup as well. He was hitting his forehand like 84 mph on average in that match. So day in and day out, he doesn't do that so I guess that kind of underlines the point you were making.

As for Alcaraz, he is more high risk. He will blast it much earlier in rallies and go for the outright winner more than Novak, at least the Novak after 2008. Federer was like that at his best as well and was more aggressive earlier on that particular shot. So I think we mostly agree here.

In the Majors Nadal broke the Djokovic FH down and it was how at the Slams Nadal dominated the rivalry. Outside the slams it wasnt the FH that damaged Nadal ,it was the Novak BH that utterly destroyed Nadal's FH CC.
Against Federer it was the Novak BH CCthat did alot of damage as those BH to BH contests always went the way of Novak.
Against Alcaraz the points you make about the Novak FH are bang on as he has spotted that Alcaraz's FH is vulnerable if he has no time and Novak absolutely creams the FH to FH rallies to get the short ball to attack. He does the same to Sinner but Sinner actually hits a much bigger ball than Alcaraz so he is harder to overpower.