Maybe Berdych just declined?

[RF-18]

Has it occured to people that maybe he has declined and can't perform as good anymore vs the top guys? I mean he has beaten Murray 6 times before and 6 times Federer aswell. His h2h is pretty bad against Djokovic and Nadal though but in the past he was alot better vs the top guys.

Maybe the guy has declined? I don't know? Or does that only apply to your favourite players when they start losing?

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Has it occured to people that maybe he has declined and can't perform as good anymore vs the top guys? I mean he has beaten Murray 6 times before and 6 times Federer aswell. His h2h is pretty bad against Djokovic and Nadal though but in the past he was alot better vs the top guys.

Maybe the guy has declined? I don't know? Or does that only apply to your favourite players when they start losing?

Please stop...

 

[RF-18]

Please stop...

Well it is the truth. No one is talking about the possibility of maybe Berdych declining. He is always bad or a mug for losing for years now. But people forget he was more of a factor vs the top guys years back.

This word is used alot when certain players have lost in the past, and is used frequently on the forums.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Well it is the truth. No one is talking about the possibility of maybe Berdych declining. He is always bad or a mug for losing for years now. But people forget he was more of a factor vs the top guys years back.

This word is used alot when certain players have lost in the past, and is used frequently on the forums.

If someone like Berdych declined, they'd leave the top 50. Think: Moya, etc.

 

[Jonas78]

Has it occured to people that maybe he has declined and can't perform as good anymore vs the top guys? I mean he has beaten Murray 6 times before and 6 times Federer aswell. His h2h is pretty bad against Djokovic and Nadal though but in the past he was alot better vs the top guys.

Maybe the guy has declined? I don't know? Or does that only apply to your favourite players when they start losing?

Rule of thumb:

When a player you dont like loses more often than earlier, its the other players who is getting better.

When a player you like loses more often than earlier, it is decline.

The Ultronians will face this "problem" pretty soon (well, actually they already have). Feds weaker results post 2010 is according to the Ultronians because of weak competition pre 2010. I wonder how they will explain Djokovic weaker results from now on. If Fed cant decline, so cant Novak right?

Obviously, Bendych has declined.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

He's declined but remains at the top due to WEAK ERA

 

[RF-18]

If someone like Berdych declined, they'd leave the top 50. Think: Moya, etc.

Doesn't have to be the case at all...

 

[TheMusicLover]

Say what you will about Berdych, fact is that he's one of the most consistent players ever.
And he still is.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Doesn't have to be the case at all...

Kinda does when he's really not that good to start with.

 

[Chicharito]

Berdych has declined in the past year or so, why would anyone dispute that?

I do agree there has been a bit of revisionism on a guy who has beat all the top 4 at slams. Very good player.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Berdych - The Tim Henman of the current era.

 

[RF-18]

Berdych has declined in the past year or so, why would anyone dispute that?

I do agree there has been a bit of revisionism on a guy who has beat all the top 4 at slams. Very good player.

If you read what people write about him on this place you wouldn't sound so surprised

I haven't heard anyone talking about berdych and decline on this place. Only how bad he is when he loses, year after year.

But when certain other players comes into question (whom should not be mentioned) decline card gets pulled up faster than lightning.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

Berdych has declined over the last year. Would say it's quite noticeable. He gets destroyed nowadays when he has to play the Big Four, well, except Nadal and even that may change. Earlier, he used to make it pretty tough for them. Not all the time, granted, but with exceptions like the 2010 W final, he didn't usually get blown off the court. As to why nobody is talking about, well, who gives a ****, it's not like he was going to start winning slams now, having failed to when he was younger.  While we are on it, looks like Ferrer too has declined. Maybe Tsonga too. They are all getting on.

 

[Krish872007]

Of course he's declined. That's why he keeps bending over for all the other top 10 players and got served a double bagel by Goffin.

When he was playing his best tennis (around 2009-12), he was very good to watch - but even then he never had the mental strength to win a Slam.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Berdych's prime ended circa early '15 (despite Nadal's woes allowing Birdie to climb to career high no.4 before Stan's RG win), since then he's been slowly declining. It is quite clear, I've never had the idea to deny it. Used to trouble the big 4 at times (even Nadal a few times, although Rafael won in the end), now is their complete pidgeon to run around as they please. Early '15dych was capable of punishing Nadal's terrible play, as seen at the AO. Currentdych probably would lose that as well.

 

[mike danny]

Yes obviously Berdych has declined. Lesser players decline too. I notice that he has also lost a bit of power as well. I was watching the 2009 AO 4R against Fed and his power used to be scary back then

I guess him losing some power is because of age.

Having said that, he still would have never won a slam even without decline. Mentally he is just not up to it.

The guy will turn 32 this year. It's only a matter of time before he will exit the top 10.

To his credit, he has rarely had injury problems.

 

[heninfan99]

Has it occured to people that maybe he has declined and can't perform as good anymore vs the top guys? I mean he has beaten Murray 6 times before and 6 times Federer aswell. His h2h is pretty bad against Djokovic and Nadal though but in the past he was alot better vs the top guys.

Maybe the guy has declined? I don't know? Or does that only apply to your favourite players when they start losing?

I don't think so. He's improved his movement and focused on getting lighter. He's in about the same position he has been.
Maybe Goran can help him out a bit. We'll see.

He's always suffered from a lack of variety in his game and belief. The physical decline is coming though. No avoiding it.

 

[tacou]

Say what you will about Berdych, fact is that he's one of the most consistent players ever.
And he still is.

exactly, he has been the exact same player for 6 or more years. maybe he will finally decline this season but too early to say. he had some random wins over rog that is about it for his career.

 

[TheMusicLover]

exactly, he has been the exact same player for 6 or more years. maybe he will finally decline this season but too early to say. he had some random wins over rog that is about it for his career.

I remember quite an upsetting win against Nadal, too, not that long ago.

Of course Berdych won't stay around forever either, and his age and mileage are surely starting to kick in.
Still, as much as folks always mock him for 'bending over' to the Top Dogs, one should keep in mind that he rarely fails to make up for his ranking just the same.

The double bagel served by Goffin of course being one of those total outside surprises. Goffin's reaction to it was quite telling, the guy was as surprised as everyone else.

 

[KINGROGER]

Brainless ball basher who can sometimes catch fire and GOAT someone like Fed off the court. As evidence in 2010 when he played lights out tennis to likely deny us a 4th Fedal Wimbledon final. Same story USO 2012 vs Fed.

 

[tennisaddict]

Berdych is a better player than ever before. He is just not able to keep pace at the rate the top 8 is progressing and hence is ranking is hovering around 10.

Same story with Ferrer . HIs defensive skills are brutal and improving even now . But the top 16 is better than ever before and he has to make do with top 20 ranking .

It is not pre 2010 anymore where the likes of Blake and Ljubicic can be in top 4

 

[InsideOut900]

Brainless ball basher who can sometimes catch fire and GOAT someone like Fed off the court. As evidence in 2010 when he played lights out tennis to likely deny us a 4th Fedal Wimbledon final. Same story USO 2012 vs Fed.

Elegant,talented shotmaker with smooth groundies and easy power off both wings who was unlucky to peak in the strongest era ever and get owned by peak mury,peak Novak and prime Nadal

 

[NatF]

I remember numerous comments about Berdych declining, right around the time he started getting called Bendych.

 

[KINGROGER]

Elegant,talented shotmaker with smooth groundies and easy power off both wings who was unlucky to peak in the strongest era ever and get owned by peak mury,peak Novak and prime Nadal

haha don't forget prime Federer too

 

[the green god]

I haven't heard anyone talking about berdych and decline on this place. Only how bad he is when he loses, year after year.

Because only four players exist in the ttw universe.

 

[TheMusicLover]

I remember numerous comments about Berdych declining, right around the time he started getting called Bendych.

He's been declining for about a decade now, no?

 

[NatF]

He's been declining for about a decade now, no?

Yup since he won his only masters title back in 2005

 

[mike danny]

Yup since he won his only masters title back in 2005

I can't exactly pinpoint the time Berd started his decline. I was thinking somewhere in mid 2014, when he started to get destroyed by Gulbis and Cilic in slams. But then I remembered that he got beaten by lesser players even in his so called best years.

What do you think?

 

[Steve0904]

No. He is at his peak now. The competition is just stronger.

 

[SinjinCooper]

A lot of talk about all the talk about a guy nobody ever talks about.

 

[dr325i]

Kinda does when he's really not that good to start with.

Berdych, Ferrer, Simon, Almagro, etc -- all of them were consistent top players that declined and in fact are INSIDE top 50, genius...

 

[NatF]

I can't exactly pinpoint the time Berd started his decline. I was thinking somewhere in mid 2014, when he started to get destroyed by Gulbis and Cilic in slams. But then I remembered that he got beaten by lesser players even in his so called best years.

What do you think?

He probably peaked around 2010-2012, 2013-2014 were quite lackluster from him with nothing really stand out. I think he played really well at the AO in 2015 but all that promise seemed to evaporate by year end.

 

[junior74]

Strong hair line, slim waist, no old man´s butt. No decline.

 

[Bender]

I thought pros reach their peak levels at age 34-36?

Maybe the Bird is saving up his energy for his peak later.

 

[Crocodile]

Injuries take their toll. Thomas has only missed one slam so he has been pretty consistent. Been to the semi finals a few times now at the Australian. That ball toss on his serve is a bit high.

 

[Urkezi]

I thought pros reach their peak levels at age 34-36?
Maybe the Bird is saving up his energy for his peak later.

Exactly. The OP has been preaching that for so long that I wonder how can he forget and create such a useless thread? Berdman is just waiting to reach his peak and for Roger to finally exit it, so he can replace him in the Big 4.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Has it occured to people that maybe he has declined and can't perform as good anymore vs the top guys? I mean he has beaten Murray 6 times before and 6 times Federer aswell. His h2h is pretty bad against Djokovic and Nadal though but in the past he was alot better vs the top guys.

Maybe the guy has declined? I don't know? Or does that only apply to your favourite players when they start losing?

This happened:

 

[Druss]

Has it occured to people that maybe he has declined and can't perform as good anymore vs the top guys? I mean he has beaten Murray 6 times before and 6 times Federer aswell. His h2h is pretty bad against Djokovic and Nadal though but in the past he was alot better vs the top guys.

Maybe the guy has declined? I don't know? Or does that only apply to your favourite players when they start losing?

These days players peak around 33 or 34.....just look at Federer. Berdych hasn't peaked yet!

 

[stiggytennis]

I think Berd may be past-it, motivation, age, constant beatings off Nole and Murray.
But still consistent, and has earned a great living out of tennis. Retirement may be around the corner.
Maybe one last effort this year, and you never know, he might get lucky.

 

[mike danny]

I think Berd may be past-it, motivation, age, constant beatings off Nole and Murray.
But still consistent, and has earned a great living out of tennis. Retirement may be around the corner.
Maybe one last effort this year, and you never know, he might get lucky.

Not just those 2. Constant beatings from pretty much the entire top 10 for 2 years now.

 

[stiggytennis]

Not just those 2. Constant beatings from pretty much the entire top 10 for 2 years now.

I was surprised how well Fed dealt with Berdych at last years AO, and that showed some of his decline to me.
But yeah, he rolls over against the top 10 these days.
A shame really, because he's very good, and I would have like him to of employed some more volleying and variety.

 

[mike danny]

I was surprised how well Fed dealt with Berdych at last years AO, and that showed some of his decline to me.
But yeah, he rolls over against the top 10 these days.
A shame really, because he's very good, and I would have like him to of employed some more volleying and variety.

Berdych generally speaking is pretty one dimensional. His only plan is to just hit you off the court. And when that doesn't work, he doesn't have a plan B.

 

[mike danny]

I was surprised how well Fed dealt with Berdych at last years AO, and that showed some of his decline to me.
But yeah, he rolls over against the top 10 these days.
A shame really, because he's very good, and I would have like him to of employed some more volleying and variety.

Watch this match:

Look how scary Berdych's power was back then. He has lost some of that power as he aged.

 

[SinjinCooper]

Strong hair line, slim waist, no old man´s butt. No decline.

Alas, three years ago now.

 

[stiggytennis]

Watch this match:

Look how scary Berdych's power was back then. He has lost some of that power as he aged.

Yeah, he looks a bit looser and free flowing, phenomenal power.
Was Fed getting a little coaching at around 22mins?

 

[Incognito]

Strong hair line, slim waist, no old man´s butt. No decline.

Ewwwww

 

[Goosehead]

M-MAYBE SKELETOR JUST DECLINED.

.....BUT WE WERE TOO BUSY NOT WATCHING HIM PLAY TO NOTICE.

 

[Meles]

If you read what people write about him on this place you wouldn't sound so surprised

I haven't heard anyone talking about berdych and decline on this place. Only how bad he is when he loses, year after year.

But when certain other players comes into question (whom should not be mentioned) decline card gets pulled up faster than lightning.

I was hoping for it earlier this year and then the Wimby SF.

Berdy's small dip in the rankings is unfortunately only due to his appendix issues (missed US Open.) Alreadly looked good in Doha so this is not decline (Ferrer is decline.)

The evolution of the game accounts for much of Berdy's continuing dissapointment.

 

[Meles]

Bendych may yet grow a pair with Goran's help. As the number one advocate of Berdy's demise I can say the only decline atm is of course is his speed where he would have been his fastest a long time ago. Today's modern game is about power and Berdy's very average serve for such a tall player is a big weakness.

Recent Berdy highlights were his lighting up at Wimbledon when he got such a weak draw (SF.) Appendex issues have messed up most of the rest of his season, but he did put on an impressive forehand display against Murray at Bercy in their tiebreaker before the Muzziah forced his submission (up around 6-1 in breaker.) Looked in dangerous form against Tsonga at Doha recently. No signs whatsoever of decline, sorry to say. He'll be hard to keep out of WTF in 2017.