Roger Federer is the main reason we will enter the dark age

[tennis_pro]

He was the first player to raise the bar so high that for a couple of years nobody could match it. Nadal did in 2008 while Djokovic joined the party in 2011 being forced to react to the new standard (Nadal's 2010 level) to be more successful. We have been spoiled so much that for nearly a decade almost each Slam had a history-in-the-making label attached to it.

The strings have been bent so much that it's impossible to keep the tension any longer.

Once Federer is gone and Nadal follows suit tennis will be in the 1st stage of the dark age. Djokovic being the last remaining player of the golden era and chasing history will keep some of fans interested but to a far lesser degree than when Fedal were still active. Once Djokovic retires we'll be in the full-blown dark age.

Don't get me wrong, there are players with potential to make the game interesting like Kyrgios or Zverev but they have potential for the times when the big 4 is no longer capable to win the big tournamnets, not to be a stand alone interesting great player.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

He was the first player to raise the bar so high that for a couple of years nobody could match it. Nadal did in 2008 while Djokovic joined the party in 2011 being forced to react to the new standard (Nadal's 2010 level) to be more successful. We have been spoiled so much that for nearly a decade almost each Slam had a history-in-the-making label attached to it.

The strings have been bent so much that it's impossible to keep the tension any longer.

Once Federer is gone and Nadal follows suit tennis will be in the 1st stage of the dark age. Djokovic being the last remaining player of the golden era and chasing history will keep some of fans interested but to a far lesser degree than when Fedal were still active. Once Djokovic retires we'll be in the full-blown dark age.

I said a while back, once Djokovic bows out, since he will be the last of the three, that will bring the curtain down for good on this golden age of professional tennis. Even after the longest day, the sun must set.

 

[tennis_pro]

I said a while back, once Djokovic bows out, since he will be the last of the three, that will bring the curtain down for good on this golden age of professional tennis. Even after the longest day, the sun must set.

This in so many words. Now I understand people who are crying right now to see Federer keep playing. They already know they won't be able to handle the fact that he's not an active player anymore. I never thought any player could be bigger than the game but I'm starting to have doubts about Federer. He, after he was being challenged by Nadal and Djokovic raised the game with them to such heights that the fall is gonna be absolutely brutal.

The higher you climb the harder you fall.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

You guys don't have faith in Thiem to usher in a new golden age?

 

[tennis_pro]

You guys don't have faith in Thiem to usher in a new golden age?

He's a good player and can get even better but he's not a stand alone leader of the crew that could attract the masses. Neither is Zverev, Kyrgios or anyone else born after 1989.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

This in so many words. Now I understand people who are crying right now to see Federer keep playing. They already know they won't be able to handle the fact that he's not an active player anymore. I never thought any player could be bigger than the game but I'm starting to have doubts about Federer. He, after he was being challenged by Nadal and Djokovic raised the game with them to such heights that the fall is gonna be absolutely brutal.

The higher you climb the harder you fall.

Yep. When they go, it is going to hurt a lot, because Novak is the last one, and when he goes, there will be no one left.

No one truly reached their levels, Murray and then Wawrinka are the closest we got to anyone challenging them, and the players after them failed miserably. We will likely have to watch tennis rebuild itself from the bottom up again, and it will take time.

 

[newpball]

Once Federer is gone and Nadal follows suit tennis will be in the 1st stage of the dark age. Djokovic being the last remaining player of the golden era and chasing history will keep some of fans interested but to a far lesser degree than when Fedal were still active. Once Djokovic retires we'll be in the full-blown dark age.

Don't get me wrong, there are players with potential to make the game interesting like Kyrgios or Zverev but they have potential for the times when the big 4 is no longer capable to win the big tournamnets, not to be a stand alone interesting great player.

Preposterous!

Tennis will be just fine, and perhaps will become even better now the sour F fans will rapidly disappear from the stage.

 

[bjsnider]

Don't worry, there will be a new generation of GOATs coming along due to the human tendency towards reproductive behaviour.

 

[Blocker]

No individual is bigger than the game. The game made Federer, Federer did not make the game. Tennis out lives all of its competitors. Get over it, tennis will keep on keeping on.

 

[helterskelter]

I said a while back, once Djokovic bows out, since he will be the last of the three, that will bring the curtain down for good on this golden age of professional tennis. Even after the longest day, the sun must set.

Even if the main argument were true, it would still be the case that even after the longest night, the sun must rise, and so whatever "dark age" would also be temporary.

But I don't think the past decade has in fact been a golden era at all, and so I'd expect the next era to be better, not worse. Having three players win virtually every major title for such an extended period of time has not been good. It'll be great if we do in fact get more variety again. (We might get sustained domination by just one or two players).

 

[user]

Once Djokovic retires we'll be in the full-blown dark age.

I have to say I'm surprised in a positive way.

But, even if this turns out to be true, that dark age won't last forever. Remember what happened after Sampras retired. It's not entirely same scenario, since you still had good players like Safin, Hewitt, Agassi etc. But none of them really compares to Sampras, the same way none of non Big 3 compares to them. It wasn't Safin, Hewitt or Nalbandian that "brought tennis out of the dark age", even though at the time, maybe all of them were expected to have a better career than Federer. By the time Djokovic retires (could happen in 4 or 5 years from now, who knows?), someone will step up.

We have been spoiled so much that for nearly a decade almost each Slam had a history-in-the-making label attached to it.

Yes, Federer is one of the main reasons we've been spoiled. Chasing all kinds of records has created a monster out of him (and the other two subsequently).

 

[nadal_winning]

Frankly, when Nadal retires from the sport of tennis, the sport is truly dead- Nadal is the only man whose name is completely synonymous with 'tennis'.

Luckily, I could still see Nadal being competitive at the slams (and winning them, in the case of Roland Garros) well into his mid-thirties.

 

[CYGS]

Don't worry Djokovic is the dark knight and will continue shining in the dark.

 

[tennisaddict]

Don't write the obituary for Fedal. They will come back strong.

Connors played till 39. Agassi till 36. Fed has couple of years left.

A rejuvenated Fed playing from beginning of season can cause enough damage. Be18eve in Wimb 2017/18 , USO 2017/18

 

[NoleFam]

It will be a sad day indeed. It always is when the legends walk away from the game, no matter who your favorite is. However, nobody is bigger than the game and the show must go on. It may not be as exciting (it won't be) but the game moves along. There will be other legends and more after that. It's a cycle and that is just the way it is.

 

[newpball]

Don't worry Djokovic is the dark knight and will continue shining in the dark.

But be worried about his rival, very worried, he is fast.....

 

[maruzo]

Frankly, when Nadal retires from the sport of tennis, the sport is truly dead- Nadal is the only man whose name is completely synonymous with 'tennis'.

Luckily, I could still see Nadal being competitive at the slams (and winning them, in the case of Roland Garros) well into his mid-thirties.

You sir, are an idiot.

But it's nice you have a delusional dream.

Better than not having one, I suppose.

 

[alex87]

He's a good player and can get even better but he's not a stand alone leader of the crew that could attract the masses. Neither is Zverev, Kyrgios or anyone else born after 1989.

I think Shapovalov is the player we are all looking for.
I watched him playing last night, he has great shots from both sides (his left ohbh is delicious) and a big charisma.
He's only 17 years old now, but I think we'll hear more about him in the near future.

 

[Smasher08]

Yep. When they go, it is going to hurt a lot, because Novak is the last one, and when he goes, there will be no one left.

No one truly reached their levels, Murray and then Wawrinka are the closest we got to anyone challenging them, and the players after them failed miserably. We will likely have to watch tennis rebuild itself from the bottom up again, and it will take time.

^^

Federer showed that the way tennis is played could be taken to ridiculous new heights, which in turn inspired Nadal, and together they inspired Djokovic.

I see a lot of promise in Thiem, Zverev, and Shapovalov. But I genuinely doubt we'll ever see quite a golden age like the one we've been privileged to witness for the last 14 years.

 

[Smasher08]

You sir, are an idiot.

But it's nice you have a delusional dream.

Better than not having one, I suppose.

It's Andrew. And he must think this is the greatest day of his life.

 

[Jonas78]

You guys don't have faith in Thiem to usher in a new golden age?

He might! But its more hope than faith

 

[BeatlesFan]

He's a good player and can get even better but he's not a stand alone leader of the crew that could attract the masses. Neither is Zverev, Kyrgios or anyone else born after 1989.

Thiem is no Federer just as Dimi was a pathetic, pale, pale shadow of the great one.

 

[insideguy]

Im actually looking forward to no fed and no nadal. The game moves on.

 

[SumYungGai]

Just wait. Thiem v Monfils will become the next Fedal. Thiemfils if you will.

 

[newpball]

Cheer up doomsday thinkers!

 

[jm1980]

Tennis survived other great champions retiring.

It will be fine

 

[newpball]

Stubborn F fans leaving Tennis Walhalla en masse:

 

[Elektra]

If you are a fan of tennis, then it will be just fine. If you are a diehard Federer fan then tennis seems it will go through dark ages. Majority of commentators and critics are Federer fans and over dramatizing the situation. Tennis can only get better once the ATP starts establishing the new generation and hopefully Federer and Nadal's decline will force these players to become better and more competitive. ATP will have to gamble and believe in the fact that tennis fans love the sport beyond just one particular player.

 

[Elektra]

Stubborn F fans leaving Tennis Walhalla en masse:

Rafa Fans are fanatic but got complex in trying to justify why their player is better then Fed and Djokovic.
Fed fans are cult fans, if you say one bad thing about his majesty then you are the worse person in the world!

 

[WarrenMP]

Just wait. Thiem v Monfils will become the next Fedal. Thiemfils if you will.

I hope that happens. Monfils is doing well this year. Gael has the talent and now a new found focus. Especially, after winning Citi Open. I like Thiem; he has that Nadal effect. I hope he can convert his skills into a multiple slams.

 

[Noelan]

Stubborn F fans leaving Tennis Walhalla en masse:

Easy to recognize some distinguished members of The Cult here

 

[Sysyphus]

Golden era isn't ending. In fact, it has not even begun.

We're only just about to enter the Age of Ali -- now you'll see what real domination looks like.

 

[Noleberic123]

Maybe we won't see players that good for 20 years. But tennis will be fine.

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

Tennis will become less predictable while the big 3 is gone, which is a great thing for the sport. There is no dark age coming whatsoever.

 

[Noleberic123]

I am surprised the OP included Djokovic. Maybe he isn't so bad after all..

 

[tennis_pro]

I am surprised the OP included Djokovic. Maybe he isn't so bad after all..

I aint

 

[tennis_pro]

Easy to recognize some distinguished members of The Cult here

youre funny

 

[TupeloDanger]

I hope that happens. Monfils is doing well this year. Gael has the talent and now a new found focus. Especially, after winning Citi Open. I like Thiem; he has that Nadal effect. I hope he can convert his skills into a multiple slams.

Monfils is older than Murray and Djokovic. Ain't no room for homeboy at the top.

 

[WarrenMP]

Monfils is older than Murray and Djokovic. Ain't no room for homeboy at the top.

Atleast a slam. is that too much to ask for? lol

 

[5555]

Novak Djokovic is the main reason we will enter the dark age.

 

[tennis_pro]

Novak Djokovic is the main reason we will enter the dark age.

Lol no. With Federers retirement were halfway there. With Nadals retirement were basically there.

Btw dis an opinion or a fact?

 

[TMF]

Novak Djokovic is the main reason we will enter the dark age.

A player can't take the sport to the dark age when fans don't care about him.


Is Djokovic the new Lendl - "The champion that nobody cares about"?

[url="http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/no-one-likes-novak-djokovic.544213/"]No one likes Novak Djokovic[/url]

 

[maruzo]

I wonder why nobody likes Novak. He basically plays the same way as Rafa. And he's not as shrewd tactically as Rafa.

The only reason I can think of is personal charisma. He's very lacking in this department where as Rafa has it in spades.

 

[90's Clay]

I think we have already entered the dark age.. It probably began last year. Real Rivalries are gone. The only reason to stay on and watch at this point is to see how many slams Nole wins.

Murray is beyond boring in every way imaginable and just doesn't have the talent of the Big 3 and not even close. . People are gonna get tired of watching no talent in tennis, and no consistency from anyone from one week to the next outside the usual 1-2 guys.

All these kids today just can't muster, more than maybe 2-3 weeks of top tennis.. When Nole retired its going to be something like 2001-2002 except for a very long period of time

 

[beast of mallorca]

He was the first player to raise the bar so high that for a couple of years nobody could match it. Nadal did in 2008 while Djokovic joined the party in 2011 being forced to react to the new standard (Nadal's 2010 level) to be more successful. We have been spoiled so much that for nearly a decade almost each Slam had a history-in-the-making label attached to it.

The strings have been bent so much that it's impossible to keep the tension any longer.

Once Federer is gone and Nadal follows suit tennis will be in the 1st stage of the dark age. Djokovic being the last remaining player of the golden era and chasing history will keep some of fans interested but to a far lesser degree than when Fedal were still active. Once Djokovic retires we'll be in the full-blown dark age.

Don't get me wrong, there are players with potential to make the game interesting like Kyrgios or Zverev but they have potential for the times when the big 4 is no longer capable to win the big tournamnets, not to be a stand alone interesting great player.

No love for the Muzziah ? Whatttt ?

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I remember the original dark age well unlike OP (who once admitted he started watching tennis only in the last few years). It WAS discouraging when Hewitt won Wimbledon. I did NOT watch that final and yes I was so happy Sampras could win US Open one last time before signing off. And yet, just the next year, Fed took over the mantle and the rest is history. So I am not going to be too pessimistic. Yes, if what's happening in WTA is any indication, then this time could be different. But let it unfold and let time be the best judge. Besides which, I am among the minority here that plays tennis without thumping an NTRP number (or telling others they can't be above such and such NTRP number) so I happen to find it very instructive to watch ATP players go at it. I may have had a different opinion when I wasn't playing tennis but now I am not watching just for the spectacle, I keep soaking up different plays and patterns all the time and from that point of view ATP is still very rewarding to watch. Like say the Thiem-Zverev match at RG. Heck, Thiem-Djokovic had some spectacular points even if the result was a foregone conclusion. I can only hope enough people keep the faith so that I am not deprived of watching tennis on TV (streaming is very inconvenient and also works out costlier than my TV subscription).

 

[ultradr]

He was the first player to raise the bar so high that for a couple of years nobody could match it. Nadal did in 2008 while Djokovic joined the party in 2011 being forced to react to the new standard (Nadal's 2010 level) to be more successful. We have been spoiled so much that for nearly a decade almost each Slam had a history-in-the-making label attached to it.

The strings have been bent so much that it's impossible to keep the tension any longer.

Once Federer is gone and Nadal follows suit tennis will be in the 1st stage of the dark age. Djokovic being the last remaining player of the golden era and chasing history will keep some of fans interested but to a far lesser degree than when Fedal were still active. Once Djokovic retires we'll be in the full-blown dark age.

Don't get me wrong, there are players with potential to make the game interesting like Kyrgios or Zverev but they have potential for the times when the big 4 is no longer capable to win the big tournamnets, not to be a stand alone interesting great player.

Not only Federer.
Actually it's not the Federer.
It's the tennis tour system change abrupted.
The bar was lowered so that Federer suddenly look like a genius winning all year long.

ATP created a system to promote a few top players from ~2003 or so.
That created monster popular (and holy) player like Federer and vilians like Nadal and Djokovic.
And this tour system favors top players stay longer.
That's why we have very old top players.

ATP exploited the system with all these coordinated tweaks like homogenized surface, ranking and tournament systems etc.
Tennis' popularity will have a let down after this.

 

[5555]

Lol no. With Federers retirement were halfway there. With Nadals retirement were basically there

With Fedal retirement we're 30% there.

Btw dis an opinion or a fact?

I'll answer that question when you answer mine (http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...-really-that-good.568993/page-5#post-10510134).

A player can't take the sport to the dark age when fans don't care about him.

Is Djokovic the new Lendl - "The champion that nobody cares about"?


[URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/no-one-likes-novak-djokovic.544213/']No one likes Novak Djokovic[/URL]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/
[URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/']
[URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/'][URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/']N[URL='http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/is-djokovic-the-new-lendl-the-champion-that-nobody-cares-about.529603/']obody cares about Johann Sebastian Bach. People prefer to listen pop music. So, following logic, music is better off without Bach than Spice Girls.[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[TMF]

Nobody cares about Johann Sebastian Bach. People prefer to listen pop music. So, following logic, music is better off without Bach than Spice Girls.

No one said anything about caring these type of music. We are talking about Nole who isn't a likeable player and is playing in a shadow of Fedal.

Stay on topic.

 

[tennis_pro]

With Fedal retirement we're 30% there.

Is this a fact?