Nakashima and Brooksby

[jrstrat]

These two recent college players are doing extremely well on the ATP tour. Nakashima is ranked #89 and Brooksby #130 and both are rising fast up the rankings. Nakashima has been in the finals of two ATP 250 tourneys this summer and Brooksby one ATP 250 final. Both are still in the ATP 500 Citi tourney with Brookbsy beating Frances Tiafoe in a battle last night.

It will be interesting to see which of these two will have a better career. Nakashima has the classic strokes while Brooksby has an unorthodox style but he is such a competitor. Both are just 20 years old.

 

[silentkman]

These two recent college players are doing extremely well on the ATP tour. Nakashima is ranked #89 and Brooksby #130 and both are rising fast up the rankings. Nakashima has been in the finals of two ATP 250 tourneys this summer and Brooksby one ATP 250 final. Both are still in the ATP 500 Citi tourney with Brookbsy beating Frances Tiafoe in a battle last night.

It will be interesting to see which of these two will have a better career. Nakashima has the classic strokes while Brooksby has an unorthodox style but he is such a competitor. Both are just 20 years old.

I don't think Brooksby ever played a college match.

 

[jrstrat]

I don't think Brooksby ever played a college match.

He enrolled at Baylor in January 2020 but was injured at the start of the season and then Covid canceled the season in March before he could return from his injury. He turned pro in December 2020.

 

[bobleenov1963]

I don't think Brooksby ever played a college match.

I got front row seat at both Mcdonald/Kyrgios & Tiafoe/Brooksby matches yesterday evening. Tiafoe is an idiot and deserved to lose. Brooksby is a tall dude, 6 ft 4', but his serve is horrible. I can't imagine he will crack the top 100's but I could be wrong.

 

[jrstrat]

You are going to be wrong on Brooksby not getting into the top 100. His ranking has gone up from #390 to #130 since March. He will be ranked around 115 when the next rankings come out even if he loses his next match and will have a great shot to break the top 100 later summer/fall. No doubt his serve needs to improve but he has made huge strides in his serve the last couple of years and I think it will continue to improve.

 

[silentkman]

I got front row seat at both Mcdonald/Kyrgios & Tiafoe/Brooksby matches yesterday evening. Tiafoe is an idiot and deserved to lose. Brooksby is a tall dude, 6 ft 4', but his serve is horrible. I can't imagine he will crack the top 100's but I could be wrong.

Seriously, what does a front row seat have to do with it? You must be special. Tracey Austin said that his serve was worse than it is now.

 

[bobleenov1963]

Seriously, what does a front row seat have to do with it? You must be special. Tracey Austin said that his serve was worse than it is now.

I was able to see him up close with his horrible serve for a 6 ft 4' guy. For a guy that tall, his serve should be a weapon, not a liability.

 

[silentkman]

I was able to see him up close with his horrible serve for a 6 ft 4' guy. For a guy that tall, his serve should be a weapon, not a liability.

'
according to Tracey, its better. I agree with you 100%. The with FAA should be interesting. FAA always disappoints me. watching him practice, he looks prefect.

 

[silentkman]

'
according to Tracey, its better. I agree with you 100%. The with FAA should be interesting. FAA always disappoints me. watching him practice, he looks prefect.

I like being further up to see the whole court.

 

[Nostradamus]

What happened to this guy ?? JJ Wolf. didn't he come out of college early so that he can play pro tennis ? because he was too good for college tennis. Isn't he supposed to be better than Brooksby ?

 

[atatu]

What happened to this guy ?? JJ Wolf. didn't he come out of college early so that he can play pro tennis ? because he was too good for college tennis. Isn't he supposed to be better than Brooksby ?

JJ Wolf is making progress as well, expect him to move up the rankings this summer also.

 

[bobleenov1963]

JJ Wolf is making progress as well, expect him to move up the rankings this summer also.

Making progress? Really? Is losing to guys with lower ranking than you also count as "progress"? The "mullet" lost to Ymer who ranks below him during the CitiOpen qualifying round. I wouldn't call that progress.

 

[Brickhouse8198]

Making progress? Really? Is losing to guys with lower ranking than you also count as "progress"? The "mullet" lost to Ymer who ranks below him during the CitiOpen qualifying round. I wouldn't call that progress.

He is currently playing his first few matches after months off due to abdominal surgery. So considering this is him coming back after surgery and went three sets with Isner I would say he is making progress.

 

[mikej]

I was able to see him up close with his horrible serve for a 6 ft 4' guy. For a guy that tall, his serve should be a weapon, not a liability.

yeah I’m not sure how high Brooksby will rise. Really good feel for the game, good head and baseline craft, and minimizes unforced errors so damn well, but with some obvious shots that are less developed than other guys at his level as well.

could be a positive - that he’s already a tough out and will only be tougher when he wins cheap points on serve

or he could be a guy that’s currently frustrating as hell to play because he’s unorthodox, but coaches will have their players better prepped against his style this time next year when there’s more video on him / experience against him

I think Korda and Nakashima are better prospects, but he might be the next best young American, assuming he develops his serve (would be absolute idiocy for his team to not make that a priority, so I assume he will)

 

[mikej]

Making progress? Really? Is losing to guys with lower ranking than you also count as "progress"? The "mullet" lost to Ymer who ranks below him during the CitiOpen qualifying round. I wouldn't call that progress.

i don’t understand how obsessed you are with players losing individual matches to those ranked below them. It happens every single week to all kinds of players, great ones and up and coming ones alike. Djokovic did it twice last week, and I think he’s having an ok year. I’m all about year to year rankings and results as a measure of trajectory - and yes we can say this was a year of stalling for Wolf, not a big surprise coming back from surgery. But let’s not act like anytime someone loses to someone below them in the rankings that it’s a sign that their overall trajectory is down

fwiw, ymer just beat another player ranked higher than him, Jordan Thompson - god save the queen, it’s almost like the higher ranked player doesn’t win every match on tour

 

[bobleenov1963]

i don’t understand how obsessed you are with players losing individual matches to those ranked below them. It happens every single week to all kinds of players, great ones and up and coming ones alike. Djokovic did it twice last week, and I think he’s having an ok year. I’m all about year to year rankings and results as a measure of trajectory - and yes we can say this was a year of stalling for Wolf, not a big surprise coming back from surgery. But let’s not act like anytime someone loses to someone below them in the rankings that it’s a sign that their overall trajectory is down

fwiw, ymer just beat another player ranked higher than him, Jordan Thompson - god save the queen, it’s almost like the higher ranked player doesn’t win every match on tour

Well, Djokovic has 20 GS titles so he has street cred. Wolf has nothing to show for yet.

I watched Wolf in practice and I swear the mullet game has not changed since 2019 when he lost to then the Florida Freshman. I watched FAA in practice and 2019 and in 2021. FAA's game has improved so much since with new weapons in his game. Sadly, I didn't see improvement in Wolf's game between then and now.

 

[mikej]

Well, Djokovic has 20 GS titles so he has street cred. Wolf has nothing to show for yet.

I watched Wolf in practice and I swear the mullet game has not changed since 2019 when he lost to then the Florida Freshman. I watched FAA in practice and 2019 and in 2021. FAA's game has improved so much since with new weapons in his game. Sadly, I didn't see improvement in Wolf's game between then and now.

a fair assessment, I’m not claiming he’s better than a year ago either (probably hard to expect that w the months off for abdominal surgery) - fortunately all these guys we’re talking about have a lot of time

 

[Nostradamus]

He is currently playing his first few matches after months off due to abdominal surgery. So considering this is him coming back after surgery and went three sets with Isner I would say he is making progress.

I am really enjoying watching Broosby though. he's look so goofy and he's not supposed to beat these big name guys and yet he finds a way to beat them. He does it by Pushing the ball. You guys love that ,, right ??

 

[mikej]

I am really enjoying watching Broosby though. he's look so goofy and he's not supposed to beat these big name guys and yet he finds a way to beat them. He does it by Pushing the ball. You guys love that ,, right ??

ah yes, his high percentage of DTL aggressive forehands and numerous trips to the net, simply a pusher (and frankly I hate Baylor and to some degree want to dislike this guy for committing to them for a year, like a dingus, but I’ll have his back for a minute here)

definitely plays some scrappy defense when needed, but anyone viewing him as a pure defender is in for a surprise when they run into him on the court, like Tiafoe

the hardest guys to play are those that can play all sorts of points, unpredictably - never know if he’s going to rip the second ball down the line, rally and scrap 10-15 balls back the next point, then chip and come in to finish off some unconventional volley the next point

there are many folks that will be shaking their heads like Tiafoe in the coming years

 

[andfor]

I'm giving these 3 players through the end of the year assess. Adding in Korda, this group of 4 is the best group of American players in years to finally be legitimate contenders for the top 10. Another good player to watch is 17 yr. old Martin Damm.

In years past there's been similar groups of players come up. Typically 3 to 4 drop off and 1 peaks out between 30-60. We're finally going to see a real break through with at least a couple of these guys.

 

[Nostradamus]

I don't say this too often about asian american players because have been disappointed too many times, but Brandon when he reaches his full potential is most likely Top 10 player in ATP tour. He is already scary good and only getting better at a pace that we didnt' expect. Normally up and coming young player has problems with player like Evans who is very talented and crafty player with some weapons. Can he win a major ?? Who knows ? nobody knows but at this pace, he's giving himself a solid chance at it.

 

[jrstrat]

Nakashima wins easily today over Daniel Evans and plays Kudla next in the round of 16. Assuming he beats Kudla, if the seeds hold up, he will then play the winner of Paire/Dimitrov in the quarters and potentially a guy named Nadal in the semis.

 

[SVP]

What happened to this guy ?? JJ Wolf. didn't he come out of college early so that he can play pro tennis ? because he was too good for college tennis. Isn't he supposed to be better than Brooksby ?

His mullet is reason enough to pull for him. Mullet = the outstanding hairstyle since the 80s.

 

[silentkman]

Making progress? Really? Is losing to guys with lower ranking than you also count as "progress"? The "mullet" lost to Ymer who ranks below him during the CitiOpen qualifying round. I wouldn't call that progress.

c'mon they are separated by 58 points. That's one match at the 500 level. stop trippin.

 

[silentkman]

Well, Djokovic has 20 GS titles so he has street cred. Wolf has nothing to show for yet.

I watched Wolf in practice and I swear the mullet game has not changed since 2019 when he lost to then the Florida Freshman. I watched FAA in practice and 2019 and in 2021. FAA's game has improved so much since with new weapons in his game. Sadly, I didn't see improvement in Wolf's game between then and now.

no variety to FAA's game. Like i said, he looks perfect in practice. He played one or two points where he came to the net. He just wants to bang the ball. He does take his job seriously.

 

[jmnk]

I watched Wolf in practice and I swear the mullet game has not changed since 2019 when he lost to then the Florida Freshman. I watched FAA in practice and 2019 and in 2021. FAA's game has improved so much since with new weapons in his game. Sadly, I didn't see improvement in Wolf's game between then and now.

but, but did you see them up close from a front row seat? I (we all) need to know.......

 

[silentkman]

but, but did you see them up close from a front row seat? I (we all) need to know.......

touché

 

[jrstrat]

Big day for the two 20 year olds. Nakashima plays Kudla at 2 pm Eastern. Brooksby plays FAA in the second afternoon match.

 

[EasternRocks]

P funny and not a big deal since it was when he was younger, but there's a post on IG that Brooksby called out Nakashima as a scrub and someone that would never be able to beat him. Can't wait to see who between the two has the better career in the next decade.

 

[JLyon]

pretty impressive results for Brooksby and Nakashima, both starting to shine.
Particularly following Brooksby as I remember chairing his match when he won the National 12's HC years ago.

 

[mikej]

Brooksby up to a live ranking of 99 after destroying Millman

I’m not going to make a poll, but…an interesting poll question would be: name the next year in which Jenson Brooksby will not have a year end ranking inside the top 100?

with three 20-21 year olds in the top 100, this is the brightest US men’s tennis has looked in a long time

 

[jrstrat]

I got front row seat at both Mcdonald/Kyrgios & Tiafoe/Brooksby matches yesterday evening. Tiafoe is an idiot and deserved to lose. Brooksby is a tall dude, 6 ft 4', but his serve is horrible. I can't imagine he will crack the top 100's but I could be wrong.

With Brookbsy's win vs Millman in the quarters, he is now ranked #99. It did take two days but your prediction that Brookbsy will not crack the top 100 is wrong.

 

[mikej]

It did take two days but your prediction that Brookbsy will not crack the top 100 is wrong.

yeah, that’s hilarious

 

[collegetennisisthebest]

Brooksby is not purely a defensive player. His back hand down the line when he has been trading cross court backhands .....is a shot that is going to win him many points., He has trememdous racquet control off both sides. He keeps the opponent pinned very deep in the court. Remarkable results for someone that was not able to play tennis for 14 months.

 

[mikej]

Brooksby is not purely a defensive player. His back hand down the line when he has been trading cross court backhands .....is a shot that is going to win him many points., He has trememdous racquet control off both sides. He keeps the opponent pinned very deep in the court. Remarkable results for someone that was not able to play tennis for 14 months.

yep anyone who takes as many balls DTL as he does is far from a pure grinding defender - he absorbs pace well, and generates his own well and often times unpredictably, good combination

 

[mikej]

holy hell is this kid good - and i have no idea whether he wins this match vs sinner or not (if i had to bet i'd say not), but it doesn't seem even sinner can really overwhelm him with power from the baseline

 

[FiddlerDog]

What happened to this guy ?? JJ Wolf. didn't he come out of college early so that he can play pro tennis ? because he was too good for college tennis. Isn't he supposed to be better than Brooksby ?

 

[andfor]

He had an abdominal injury and surgery last year. He just started playing again a few weeks ago.

 

[Bender]

I kinda didn't realise Nakashima was a college player

 

[andfor]

Played spring semester 2019 then turned pro after the next fall semester. Then Covid hit 2020. Probably a good move for him. Brandon Nakashima – Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site (virginiasports.com)

 

[Adman]

"Nakashima & Brooksby" sounds like a very respectable brand name for lawyers or even better tailors.

If they don't really make the cut, why not join forces...

 

[sureshs]

I kinda didn't realise Nakashima was a college player

Just for a year I think

 

[collegetennisisthebest]

Just for a year I think

only for the spring semester

 

[mikej]

Brooksby is a tall dude, 6 ft 4', but his serve is horrible. I can't imagine he will crack the top 100's but I could be wrong.

since bobleenov so delights in making fun of other people's predictions, can we just all agree to bump this prediction of Brooksby not breaking the top 100 every time he gets a new career high for the next several years? cool, deal

Brooksby now with a live ranking of #88

 

[Clemson_tennis]

Gotta love Baylor milking Brooksby’s cup of coffee time in Waco.

 

[mikej]

Brooksby is a tall dude, 6 ft 4', but his serve is horrible. I can't imagine he will crack the top 100's but I could be wrong.

Brooksby now with a live ranking of #79

 

[jrstrat]

Brooksby will play the Joker next in the largest tennis venue on the planet, Arthur Ashe stadium. That is a little bit of a step up vs playing challenger matches in front of 50 fans which he was doing up until two months ago.

Brooksby gets a lot of discussion on the pro tennis boards on this site. A lot of folks think he is an interesting prospect with a unique game, others think he is a pusher that will never have a chance to beat a top 10-15 player (even though he has already beaten a top 15 player in FAA).

 

[Clemson_tennis]

I would love for Brooksby to give him a good match. It could potentially be a big day for tennis in America. Lots of people with Labor Day off, just flipping channels. Casual fans could get interested in a young American testing Djokovic going for the grand slam. Could be one of the biggest days for American men’s tennis in quite some time.

 

[mikej]

I would love for Brooksby to give him a good match. It could potentially be a big day for tennis in America. Lots of people with Labor Day off, just flipping channels. Casual fans could get interested in a young American testing Djokovic going for the grand slam. Could be one of the biggest days for American men’s tennis in quite some time.

Diokovic is not going to take Brooksby lightly - I’m sure he sees some of himself as a teenager in his determined counter-puncher game

and if Djokovic is locked in, it’s 3-4 sets

 

[mikej]

The amount of people in US player development that are going to be wanting to weigh in on Brooksby’s serve over the next year or two will be ridiculous. Hope he can listen to a small circle and tune the rest out. Like JMac said, his serve development may be what determines whether he’s a multi-GS champion down the line.