Monfils is the most talented current player.GOAT
- Thread starter RodSmooth
- Start date
Sure, he can pull off insane shots on the run...and hit the ball 120 mph on the forehand. But tennis isn't as much about talent as it is about taking your solid fundamentals and applying them in the correct situations, knowing when to go for your shots, when to play the percentages and when to take risks. So often players are flaunted as "the most talented player ever, but just needs some mental strength," but of course that could apply to anyone because mental strength is usually the make-or-break of whether you're going to be a top 40 player or top 5. All players can hit strokes, hit them hard and hit them in the corners; they've hit millions of tennis balls in their lives to become pros.
There is plenty of debate to it. In fact you are crazy to say that Monfils is more talented than Federer, Djokovic, etc. An in his prime Federer might actually be able to beat this guy playing every other shot between his legs.
I agree that Monfils might be able to beat Federer and others in a 100 yard dash, but that is not my definition of tennis talent.
tennisplayer1993
Professional
lmfao. this made me laugh out loud.
Sid_Vicious
G.O.A.T.
Obviously, depends on how you define "talent".
Monfils is without a doubt on the short list of most physically gifted players ever. But, the definition of talent could include some of the mental aspects of the game as well, IMO, where he falls short.
From just a physical standpoint though, the guy has been blessed with more than any player I've ever seen. Size, length, speed, agility, you name it, he's got it. Imagine if any of the Big 4 had Monfils physical makeup. How would you get anything by them? It's hard enough right now.
Monfils is without a doubt on the short list of most physically gifted players ever. But, the definition of talent could include some of the mental aspects of the game as well, IMO, where he falls short.
From just a physical standpoint though, the guy has been blessed with more than any player I've ever seen. Size, length, speed, agility, you name it, he's got it. Imagine if any of the Big 4 had Monfils physical makeup. How would you get anything by them? It's hard enough right now.
Sid_Vicious
G.O.A.T.
Gael can electrify the crowd when he gets an opportunity to chase something down and hit a crazy pass. However, as far as functional court movement is concerned, Monfils is not the cream of the crop. He is probably the fastest sprinter on tour (Murray I heard is very fast as well), but his lanky frame does get in the way of his ability to change directions. So often I have seen Monfils stumble awkwardly or make extreme moves just to keep his footing in a rally. Nadal and Djokovic might not be as explosive or cut as Monfils, but they have a better combo of movement skills (speed, footwork, balance) that matter most in tennis.
Another very important point, Monfils has very poor stamina relative to the top 5. Surely, stamina counts as a physical gift as well.
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Elite
Semi-Pro
If a tennis were a game of one set and one set only, Monfils would be the GOAT. He has periods of spark where he is jumping all over the court, hitting brilliant winners, and playing on adrenaline.
It annoys me that he doesn't have the drive to be a truly great player. After all, he gave up a very bright career in 100m sprints/athletics to fulfil his tennis aspirations.
It annoys me that he doesn't have the drive to be a truly great player. After all, he gave up a very bright career in 100m sprints/athletics to fulfil his tennis aspirations.
SwankPeRFection
Hall of Fame
Don't you have to be within the top 100 to even be in contention for GOAT? 
Sentinel
Bionic Poster
Don;t let sureshs hear that. He's the next FedererDon't you have to be within the top 100 to even be in contention for GOAT?
Sure, he has great movement, but movement is not the most important aspect of a person's talent in tennis. Monfils simply is not one of the most talented at striking the ball, which is the most important aspect of the game.
Don't disagree, but stamina can be gained and footwork can be learned through hard work. Having the length and athleticism of Monfils cannot. Despite what a Darwinist might believe, I can't make myself taller by hanging from a tree to stretch myself. That's my point. He's been blessed with more physically than those guys. They've just done more with theirs. (And its not like they have little to work with. They're pretty gifted athletes in their own right.)
Monfils is a little similar to an outfielder in baseball who loves to make the diving catch. But, why does he have to? Because he doesn't learn the position - he doesn't play in the correct spot, doesn't read the ball off the bat, doesn't get a good jump, so he has to make up ground and dive to make the catch. Another guy, perhaps not as athletic, has put the work in, he's in the right spot, sees it off the bat, gets a good jump and is standing there waiting for the ball to drop in his glove with time to spare.
GhostDog
Hall of Fame
Monfils is no doubt one of the most physically gifted tennis player ever, but his mental approach, and tennis IQ are severely lacking.
Plus, I know his work ethic, and dedication have been questioned as well.
The fact that he can never stay healthy hasn't helped either.
I hope he can get his act together.
Plus, I know his work ethic, and dedication have been questioned as well.
The fact that he can never stay healthy hasn't helped either.
I hope he can get his act together.
He does not even have a great vertical leap. I heard it was in the low 30's.
You know you have an elite athlete when, even untrained, they can vert leap 45 inches or higher. Guys that do that have an insane percentage of fast-twitch fibres, and they would excel at whatever sport you dump them in. Monfils is not one of these guys.
You know you have an elite athlete when, even untrained, they can vert leap 45 inches or higher. Guys that do that have an insane percentage of fast-twitch fibres, and they would excel at whatever sport you dump them in. Monfils is not one of these guys.
RodSmooth
Professional
I don't where u heard that from but that's wrong. He is one of those guys.
He's a legit 6'4.
Can easily gain muscle.
10 flat 100m, could go faster if he worked on technique.
People like me can get in the 30's in vertical.
You can clearly see in some pictures that monfils is easily in the high 40's, and most of the time he jumps from 1 leg.
To debate if he has tennis talent is one thing,but to downgrade his genetic superiorness is just a dumb thing to argue about
Monfils is gifted. At the same time I think he lacks an offensive win attitude. It is said that he was so talented as a youth that he simply depended on opponents losing. This has been an issue with Murray, that coaching from Lendl helped. I've also heard that Monfils is a nightmare to coach because he's not focused on winning. Monfils can be one of the most fun to watch, but I see his as being happy with being happy, and not wanting all the added stress and pressure from being number 1.
Hilarious. I feel a lot of forumites go "wow a ripped black guy he should be the best", which I find slightly disconcerting. He's not even the best French tennis player. Tennis is about a lot of different things, and Monfils doesn't have the technique to repeatedly hit those hard attacking shots he something pulls out, doesn't have the stamina for long matches, and doesn't have any kind of gameplan to win matches.
He has explosive athleticism and a hypnotic, grinding style, coupled with a massive first serve and great court coverage. That is not enough. I've backed him for years but given his recent injury problems and his clear lack of love for the game, I'm now of the opinion that has not listened to his coaches and has not trained productively enough down the years.
He has explosive athleticism and a hypnotic, grinding style, coupled with a massive first serve and great court coverage. That is not enough. I've backed him for years but given his recent injury problems and his clear lack of love for the game, I'm now of the opinion that has not listened to his coaches and has not trained productively enough down the years.
Duncan Bell
Hall of Fame
Rod is one of the worst posters on TTW
King of Clay
Banned
Talent rankings
1)Rafael Nadal
2)Juan Martin del Potro
3)Gael Monfis
4)Ernest Gulbis
5)Andrew Murray
1)Rafael Nadal
2)Juan Martin del Potro
3)Gael Monfis
4)Ernest Gulbis
5)Andrew Murray
RodSmooth
Professional
LOL
2. Del Potro
2. DEL POTRO
2. Del Potro
102. Del Potro
And monfils is #1 let's be honest
King of Clay
Banned
2009 US Open Final, both Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro played at their absolute best. Look who won, watch the 5th set.
RodSmooth
Professional
Do u know how many matches and examples I can throw outs there like that.
Del Potro slaps the ball just like berdych and Querry, that's nor skill or talent.
I respect ur opinion, but I strongly disagree
asusundevils1971
Rookie
GOAT at being injured... Well he might be behind Haas for that one too.. His ranking is so low he needs a WC for the French Open.
I just think it's an insult to Monfils to imply that he has achieved this level of expertise due to genetics or athleticism rather than working his *** off to develop skill. Maybe in the 100m dash genetics are the most important factor--though Colvin and Coyle might disagree--but tennis is a skill driven sport. And then of course so much of tennis is mental: the ability to strategize, adapt, persevere, etc. In my opinion, Monfils beat Gulbis because he was the stronger player mentally--not physically.
Frying Pan Forehand
Rookie
The guys physic is nothing compared to djokovic.
RafaIsBack
Professional
Monfils has a great serve but for some reason, his shots during the rallies are very weak (like Gilles Simon's). Also it's like he doesn't put any effects on the balls. It's weird because he's a very athletic player.
asusundevils1971
Rookie
Yeah, we don't need more people on PED'S Djokovic and Nadal is enough right now.
Thepowerofchoice
Semi-Pro
Lonely GOATherd
New User
La Monf is the GOAT in ATP for having ripped muscles. If I was a cannibal I could live off Monf's shoulder, tricep and bicep meat for months.
Andres
G.O.A.T.
His knees are bent. Mentally move his leg to a vertical position, and you'll see that's not a very good vertical.
THIS is a good vertical, even with bent knees.
AREYOUOUTOFYOURVULCANMIND
Rookie
Terrible troll attempt.
newpball
Legend
I suppose perspective is everything.
Severely lacking?
I think that all of the best 100 players of the world have a great tennis IQ.
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Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
His knees are bent. Mentally move his leg to a vertical position, and you'll see that's not a very good vertical.
THIS is a good vertical, even with bent knees.
Seen better at the Y
LeftyRighty
Rookie
I know right...I'm watching the match right now, and it's killin me. Just when I think he's about to put it away, he does something dumb lol
LeftyRighty
Rookie
damn. I wanted Monfils to pull that one out...I wanted to see him play almagro lol
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