Kei Nishikori Is The Current Youngest Champion on the ATP Tour, Not Donald Young

[daddy]

I have some more questions. Did you predict a slam win in Fed's future back in 1999? If you did can you back up where and when you made the prediction? Can you predict the next slam champion who does not currently have a slam?

It is not unheard of, I mean many predicted Federer was the one to take on the top guys and follow their footsteps. It was not only after his win vs Sampras in Wimby, it was much before. Noone claimed it would be so but generally many had the idea.

 

[andfor]

It is not unheard of, I mean many predicted Federer was the one to take on the top guys and follow their footsteps. It was not only after his win vs Sampras in Wimby, it was much before. Noone claimed it would be so but generally many had the idea.

From what I recall many thought he could be a top player if he got his head straight and if improved his shot selection and so on. "If" being the key word. If applies to many up and coming players. At the end of the day few players become Grand Slam contenders and even fewer true champions. Unfortunately by many overly high standards I see here on the boards most folks think that if a player doesn't win more than 1 GS or is not #1 or #2 in the world they stink.

Back to the topic. Nishikori might be a top player if.............

 

[mudskipper]

KN came in rather as an unknown but now that he`s out in the open his opponents will watch his game and find his weaknesses. They`ll know how to play him next time. He might not win another title for all we know.

 

[flyer]

I dont know what are you thinking about posting like this but let me just say that Young is so young that you just can not say anything right now. I know people his age were better, some of them and I know at least a dosen, hell I know people who won Wimbledon when they were 17yrs old remember the 1985 ? I dont recall Federer being this good at 17 ?

So what does that mean ? Noone can tell what is young going to do in the coming years, I mean he has what one needs to be very good if not great player, but not once have we seen players not being able to make the transition from Jr's to Pro tennis. Take Mahut as a good example - who is the guy right now ? Not worth mentioning .. but he is a former two times Junior slam champion plus a doubles Jr champ and many other things ..

Ok your right that some players develop faster than other but when you see these young guys play it is so, so telling. Some kids you can tell have great shots, or are really fast, but a lot of guys have these, whats harder to tell is if those players have "it." "It" is what seperates the champions form the talents. I firts saw Djokovic playing Monfils when they were both 18 in the first round of the US Open, the commentators were all over Monfils and his endless potential and did little to mention Djokovic. I knew just from watching the fifth set of that match that Djoko was for really, its hard to describe why but sometimes you just get that feeling, maybe it was that he was just so much hungrier and would do anything to win. I actually predicted Djoko would beat Fed at the '07 Aussie Open, in that I was a year early but see I knew how good he was going to be. I got the same feeling when I first saw Nadal and Tsonga play, you prolly do not beleive me and thats fine I might not either, but mark my words...Young is a fraud, he does not have what it takes and he will never ever win a Slam.

 

[flyer]

.....the same as I or anyone had for Federer in 1999. I did not know and other than taking guesses nor did anyone else for that matter. Crystal Balls only work in the movies. You know Fed was a hot head back then. He had lots of his own issues he wrestled with before he became a champion. I believe story has it(I could be off a little on details and am open to correction) in '99' if Fed did not get inside the top 100 his father was going to pull him off the tour. His parents did not believe in tennis as a career and wanted to send him back to school so he could get a real job.

You did not answer my question and I answered yours, now it's your turn. How do you define progression?

I have some more questions. Did you predict a slam win in Fed's future back in 1999? If you did can you back up where and when you made the prediction? Can you predict the next slam champion who does not currently have a slam?

Progession does not measure a players heart, their soul of a champion or a pretender, for that you must look deeper than just the ranking, you prolly can't you just watch and base your opinions on what the comentators tell you too beleive. I didn't predict Federer winning a slam but I also didn't say he wouldn't. I did however predict the Djokovic would be the next slam champion before the '07 Aussie when he wasn't even in the top 10. I can try and predict the next slam champion, Im man enough, not possitive but I beleive it will be Murray, at Wimbledon, you just asked who though not where so we'll just say Murray, do you wonna throw in a prediction or are you not confident enough?

 

[flyer]

PS I releize I have played a part in the hacking of this tread, sorry for being and ignorant ahole.

 

[daddy]

Progession does not measure a players heart, their soul of a champion or a pretender, for that you must look deeper than just the ranking, you prolly can't you just watch and base your opinions on what the comentators tell you too beleive. I didn't predict Federer winning a slam but I also didn't say he wouldn't. I did however predict the Djokovic would be the next slam champion before the '07 Aussie when he wasn't even in the top 10. I can try and predict the next slam champion, Im man enough, not possitive but I beleive it will be Murray, at Wimbledon, you just asked who though not where so we'll just say Murray, do you wonna throw in a prediction or are you not confident enough?

Well you have todays players and then oyu have the young guns. I think about Monfils, Gasquet, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and a few other guys. They are the obvious choice, some of them already proven champions like Nadal, Djokovic on the way 90%. Some of them are french so we are left with Murray right ? Good pick.

I wanted to say - pick someone who is not so obvious ? Murray should really be a mentalcase not to win any slams in his career but that is still a possibility with his game and aproach to it ... Pick someone not so obvious like I dont know Robin Haase or whoever, maybe Ancic ? I know, no way you would say but who knows ..

 

[andfor]

Progession does not measure a players heart, their soul of a champion or a pretender, for that you must look deeper than just the ranking, you prolly can't you just watch and base your opinions on what the comentators tell you too beleive. I didn't predict Federer winning a slam but I also didn't say he wouldn't. I did however predict the Djokovic would be the next slam champion before the '07 Aussie when he wasn't even in the top 10. I can try and predict the next slam champion, Im man enough, not possitive but I beleive it will be Murray, at Wimbledon, you just asked who though not where so we'll just say Murray, do you wonna throw in a prediction or are you not confident enough?

Regardless of what a persons feelings are for him, DY's game and ranking has progressed. I agree that his mental game, toughness and shot selection could use a lot more improvement. Outside the top 20 who couldn't benefit from the same?

Predictions, I'm not afraid. As for yours, Murry is a little obvious, and talk about a mental case........For me, since you did, my choice in the face of the obvious would be Ferrer most likely at the French. I like Wawrinka's chances for a future slam on hard or grass. For a super long shot I'm going with Rhyne Williams for a slam in 2012!

 

[flyer]

Well you have todays players and then oyu have the young guns. I think about Monfils, Gasquet, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and a few other guys. They are the obvious choice, some of them already proven champions like Nadal, Djokovic on the way 90%. Some of them are french so we are left with Murray right ? Good pick.

I wanted to say - pick someone who is not so obvious ? Murray should really be a mentalcase not to win any slams in his career but that is still a possibility with his game and aproach to it ... Pick someone not so obvious like I dont know Robin Haase or whoever, maybe Ancic ? I know, no way you would say but who knows ..

Don't attack my pick, its who I think will win the next to win his first slam, I could have picked Tsonga, Nalbandian, someone like that, but then I would be going against what I thought which would defeat the purpose, if I thought Ancic or Haase was the nest slam champ I would pick them, if you want to pick someone not so obvious go ahead but dont bash me for such a stupid reason as giving my honest, reasonable opinion

 

[flyer]

Regardless of what a persons feelings are for him, DY's game and ranking has progressed. I agree that his mental game, toughness and shot selection could use a lot more improvement. Outside the top 20 who couldn't benefit from the same?

Predictions, I'm not afraid. As for yours, Murry is a little obvious, and talk about a mental case........For me, since you did, my choice in the face of the obvious would be Ferrer most likely at the French. I like Wawrinka's chances for a future slam on hard or grass. For a super long shot I'm going with Rhyne Williams for a slam in 2012!

Ferrer actually may be a bit better on hard courts then clay(his results do indicate this, take a look...http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/players/playerprofiles/pointsbreakdown.asp?player=F401) because he uses the ball's pace to take time away and pressure his opponent, similar to what Hewitt was doing when he was world number one and HAHAHA wawrinka has one decent tourny and hes your pick and you say murray is a nut case, I'll bet you've seen Stan play one time, hahaha, ok man those are your picks, I credit you for putting it out there, I guess we'll see

 

[andfor]

Ferrer actually may be a bit better on hard courts then clay(his results do indicate this, take a look...http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/players/playerprofiles/pointsbreakdown.asp?player=F401) because he uses the ball's pace to take time away and pressure his opponent, similar to what Hewitt was doing when he was world number one and HAHAHA wawrinka has one decent tourny and hes your pick and you say murray is a nut case, I'll bet you've seen Stan play one time, hahaha, ok man those are your picks, I credit you for putting it out there, I guess we'll see

I like how you tell one guy to not attack your picks and then laugh at mine. Not that you care, I like Ferrer's wheels, fitness and guts so that's some of my rational behind picking him at the FO. I've seen Wawrinka play twice, that's all I need. I like my long shot Williams best though.......

 

[flyer]

I like how you tell one guy to not attack your picks and then laugh at mine. Not that you care, I like Ferrer's wheels, fitness and guts so that's some of my rational behind picking him at the FO. I've seen Wawrinka play twice, that's all I need. I like my long shot Williams best though.......

Your right I shouldn't have attacked your picks...sorry, I guess we'll see

 

[daddy]

Don't attack my pick, its who I think will win the next to win his first slam, I could have picked Tsonga, Nalbandian, someone like that, but then I would be going against what I thought which would defeat the purpose, if I thought Ancic or Haase was the nest slam champ I would pick them, if you want to pick someone not so obvious go ahead but dont bash me for such a stupid reason as giving my honest, reasonable opinion

You are a bit too sensitive man. I just said it is not that hard to say Murray will win and it is too obvious pick for my taste. I do think he has a great chance but I challanged you to find someone not so obvious cause thats the whole point.

This is like saying that Hamilton will be the next young gun to win a F1 championship, no way I am going to count that as a prediction. Same as if you told me today is sunday, I predict tomorrow will be monday not tuesday ? Got it ? I like digging up players when they are fairly unknown and not so high ranked, do not forget Murray is already 20yr old guy who was top 10 when 19yrs old before suffering a wrist injury and has recorded wins against many top players including the great man himeself twice. That is too obvious, sorry if you can not take it.

 

[zagor]

You are a bit too sensitive man. I just said it is not that hard to say Murray will win and it is too obvious pick for my taste. I do think he has a great chance but I challanged you to find someone not so obvious cause thats the whole point.

This is like saying that Hamilton will be the next young gun to win a F1 championship, no way I am going to count that as a prediction. Same as if you told me today is sunday, I predict tomorrow will be monday not tuesday ? Got it ? I like digging up players when they are fairly unknown and not so high ranked, do not forget Murray is already 20yr old guy who was top 10 when 19yrs old before suffering a wrist injury and has recorded wins against many top players including the great man himeself twice. That is too obvious, sorry if you can not take it.

Yes,Murray is probably obvious candidate for a future slam winner but what do you think about Ancic's chances of winning a slam? I would love to see him win Wimbledon someday as he is one of my favourite players.He really had bad luck with injuries and sickness since 2006 but I think he is on his way to return to the top 10.He really has a game for grass but can play great on any surface.

 

[Causing_A_Racket]

Fed was 10 times better than Young at his age, anyway what ever I am right, Young will be lucky if he ever sees the top 10, he will never win a slam, Young beating Lopez is due to Lopez's inconsistency which as well know for years now not Young's. Bottom line the champs step up, Young hasn't and won't. You have made no factually valid arguments your stance is completely based on opinion.

And your frivolous posts are based on your incompetence regarding the development of young tennis players and hate of Donald Young, you claim "Fed was 10 times better at Young's age" but what did he win exactly?, was he consistant at that age?...erm NO and that was personified by his defeat to Henman at Wimby aged 21, so spin another record that one is extremely boring.

 

[daddy]

Yes,Murray is probably obvious candidate for a future slam winner but what do you think about Ancic's chances of winning a slam? I would love to see him win Wimbledon someday as he is one of my favourite players.He really had bad luck with injuries and sickness since 2006 but I think he is on his way to return to the top 10.He really has a game for grass but can play great on any surface.

See this one is a good bet, not a obvious one but the guy beat federer one year after he beat sampras and in the first round and he was the last one to do it and he was very young at the time. He is great on grass, good on HC and needs to get back in shape in order not to miss few of the most important years on a pro tour - next few ! So I think he has a chance althoug I expected him to climb up a ladder much faster. Damn injuries.

 

[flyer]

And your frivolous posts are based on your incompetence regarding the development of young tennis players and hate of Donald Young, you claim "Fed was 10 times better at Young's age" but what did he win exactly?, was he consistant at that age?...erm NO and that was personified by his defeat to Henman at Wimby aged 21, so spin another record that one is extremely boring.

Hey bud if you read the all the posts in this conversation you would have read that I wish Donald Young was going to be good, hence like him and am rooting for him, I just know what he is and what he isn't, because your new around here and obviously did not read all of my posts reguarding your comments just one I will not respond to the rest of your post because the answers are in my previous posts, I'll let your assertations with out actually reading the substance go this time because your new, but if you want to hav a conversation don't just read on sentance and start throwing words around, bring substance, facts, and analysis

 

[flyer]

You are a bit too sensitive man. I just said it is not that hard to say Murray will win and it is too obvious pick for my taste. I do think he has a great chance but I challanged you to find someone not so obvious cause thats the whole point.

This is like saying that Hamilton will be the next young gun to win a F1 championship, no way I am going to count that as a prediction. Same as if you told me today is sunday, I predict tomorrow will be monday not tuesday ? Got it ? I like digging up players when they are fairly unknown and not so high ranked, do not forget Murray is already 20yr old guy who was top 10 when 19yrs old before suffering a wrist injury and has recorded wins against many top players including the great man himeself twice. That is too obvious, sorry if you can not take it.

obvious it might be but i think its correct so thats what im going to pick, Im not gonna make a wrong prediction just to please you, if i thought it was an unobvious choice as i have in the past(Djoker) thats what I would have said...either way you still haven't made a prediction yourself

 

[andfor]

obvious it might be but i think its correct so thats what im going to pick, Im not gonna make a wrong prediction just to please you, if i thought it was an unobvious choice as i have in the past(Djoker) thats what I would have said...either way you still haven't made a prediction yourself

Just suggestion. Also pick a longer shot or two and then challenge him. I bet he'd make a pick then.

 

[daddy]

obvious it might be but i think its correct so thats what im going to pick, Im not gonna make a wrong prediction just to please you, if i thought it was an unobvious choice as i have in the past(Djoker) thats what I would have said...either way you still haven't made a prediction yourself

I did. Robin Haase. Donald Young. Mario Ancic. LOL

 

[andfor]

I did. Robin Haase. Donald Young. Mario Ancic. LOL

Sorry. Good job. Your turn now now flyer.

 

[slice bh compliment]

ANyone ever see Ancic play? Breathing, going for everything, playing his heart out, stepping up, serving like a genius. He is so committed, but I guess injuries and illnesses end up getting him.

If there were some potion to keep him healthy, I'd say he's got a shot at a Slam other than RG. Even there, I think he is capable of going deep and beting anyone apart from the very top guys on clay.

 

[daddy]

ANyone ever see Ancic play? Breathing, going for everything, playing his heart out, stepping up, serving like a genius. He is so committed, but I guess injuries and illnesses end up getting him.

If there were some potion to keep him healthy, I'd say he's got a shot at a Slam other than RG. Even there, I think he is capable of going deep and beting anyone apart from the very top guys on clay.

I did not see him live but I followed pretty much all of his career cause our neighbours Croats show all his matches on national tv and my cable has their chanels so it was not so hard to do being a h/c tennis fan. He is also one of a few really nice and humble guys on the tour, I remember one of the interviews with Mats Wilander being a host on eurosport, it was great to see him being so down to earth and everything, really classy guy. He was in quarters of wimbledon then, I think it was 2006 and around 9th or 8th in the world. Federer knocked him out I think. He had a hard match with Djokovic before that, tight 5 setter.

 

[zagor]

See this one is a good bet, not a obvious one but the guy beat federer one year after he beat sampras and in the first round and he was the last one to do it and he was very young at the time. He is great on grass, good on HC and needs to get back in shape in order not to miss few of the most important years on a pro tour - next few ! So I think he has a chance althoug I expected him to climb up a ladder much faster. Damn injuries.

Exactly,Mario is the last person to beat Federer on grass that should count for something.I remember when Ancic got into the semis at Wimbledon in 2004
(he lost to Roddick there who was probably playing the best grasscourt tennis of his life) I thought that he was going to get to at least the final in the next few years,I remember that even Becker was impressed with him that year.He can also play on clay,he got some very good results on clay in 2006 when he reached the quarters in Rome(lost to Nalbo),semis in Hamburg(lost to the eventual champion Robredo) and quarters at FO(he lost to Federer there,there is no shame in that).At Wimbledon he ran into Federer(he beat Djokovic there also in a great match)again and lost but he played very well against Federer who was just on fire that match(one of the best matches I've seen him play on grass).Then he had some accident on vacation and missed USO and barely missed a place at TMC.After that he got mononucleosis,he found out after the 2007 Davis Cup clash between Croatia and Germany and it all went downhill.Here's hoping that he stays healthy the next few years.

 

[daddy]

^^^ I believe he was surfing when he injured himself for the firt time late in 2006 right ? That is the only single thing he did and I did not like it. He is still young but he has a whole life ahead for such things and only a few years, 5 at most to peak in his career. That was a mistake. Mono, well, he could not do a thing about that I guess, just bad bad luck.

 

[Causing_A_Racket]

Hey bud if you read the all the posts in this conversation you would have read that I wish Donald Young was going to be good, hence like him and am rooting for him, I just know what he is and what he isn't, because your new around here and obviously did not read all of my posts reguarding your comments just one I will not respond to the rest of your post because the answers are in my previous posts, I'll let your assertations with out actually reading the substance go this time because your new, but if you want to hav a conversation don't just read on sentance and start throwing words around, bring substance, facts, and analysis

Are you oblivious to your own futile words now?, YOU CLAIMED "YOUNG WILL BE NOTHING" so how on earth could i be inclined to believe you have indeed supported Donald?, no "supporter" would be so quick to write off an 18 year old with as much potential as Donald has and thus i have to render you a hater, and excuse me i've provided plenty of "substance" thank you very much (like my analogy regarding Feds development) but it seems to have been lost on you in the heat of your frivolous and feeble statements.

 

[boreas]

Well, Nishikori just got destroyed by Montanes (ranking outside top 50) 7-5 6-2, so he didn't do much with his much deserved wildcard, either. What's his record been since Delray? Like 2 and 3? I think we need to stop looking so hard for the next big thing. Nishikori and Young are both going to be good players given time and maturity.

 

[JLyon]

Well, Nishikori just got destroyed by Montanes (ranking outside top 50) 7-5 6-2, so he didn't do much with his much deserved wildcard, either. What's his record been since Delray? Like 2 and 3? I think we need to stop looking so hard for the next big thing. Nishikori and Young are both going to be good players given time and maturity.

Nishikori did not get destroyed he blew a 4-1 lead in the first set, he is young and just did not close out the first set against a seasoned vet. Learning experience for Kei.

 

[andfor]

Looks like all Nishikori's early round defaults are bringing into question his mental toughness.