Tennis greatest: who is NEXT?

[Tennis Man]

I looked at the ATP rankings today and noticed a big potential void in the next few years to come. As the older players age there are no obvious rising stars on the horizon. Am I missing anything?

1 Nadal, Rafael (ESP), 24
2 Djokovic, Novak (SRB), 23
3 Federer, Roger (SUI), 29 (30 this year and probably retiring)
4 Soderling, Robin (SWE), 26
5 Murray, Andy (GBR), 23
6 Ferrer, David (ESP), 28 (close to retirement)
7 Berdych, Tomas (CZE), 25 (close to retirement)
8 Roddick, Andy (USA), 28 (close to retirement)
9 Verdasco, Fernando (ESP), 27 (close to retirement)
10 Melzer, Jurgen (AUT), who ???

and it's even worse in WTA:

1 Wozniacki, Caroline, 21 (not really that great)
2 Clijsters, Kim, 28 (when is she finally retiring?)
3 Zvonareva, Vera, 27
4 Schiavone, Francesca, 31 (retirement?)
5 Stosur, Samantha, 27 (retirement?)
6 Li, Na, 29 (retirement?)
7 Jankovic, Jelena, 26
8 Azarenka, Victoria, 22
9 Williams, Venus, 31 (retirement?)
10 Bartoli, Marion, 27 (retirement?)

 

[QueenSeles]

Raonic...........

 

[Beryl]

Berdych is close to retirement? Soderling is older than him.

 

[mcenroefan]

We've seen glimpses of who it might be: Dolgo might be something special.

 

[Tennis Man]

We've seen glimpses of who it might be: Dolgo might be something special.

That's a good one. I'm also optimistic about Azarenka on a women's side.

 

[The Baseline]

im not understanding the retirement theory you are reiterating. i dont think most of those individuals are retiring anytime soon. i can also see roddick play into his mid 30's. Look what agassi did, he had a long career, and even made the final at the 2005 us open. these guys are legit, i dont see them retiring anytime soon.

 

[BrooklynNY]

Raonic...........

Yup, hopefully he will be the best thing to happen, even more than he already is.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Raonic is the only serious one for the time being, the rest still have to confirm, look at Bellucci

 

[The Baseline]

Raonic is the only serious one for the time being, the rest still have to confirm, look at Bellucci

What about Almagro, i think he could just explode and break into the top 5 within a short time frame. Almagro could run the clay court season in europe just like he did in latin and south america.

 

[Manus Domini]

Harrison, Raonic, Dolgo. Young :lol:

 

[sureshs]

Somdev Devvarman

 

[The Baseline]

Somdev Devvarman

i would agree that somdev is here to stay. devvarman is a heck of a player who can defeat the likes of nadal and federer if theyre not on their a games.

 

[MrFlip]

Del Potro will get 50 more slams, Djokovic err....half.

 

[Matt Riordan]

Bernard Tomic...

 

[BrooklynNY]

Somdev Devvarman

I would say Dolgopolov, but Somdev looked like he was just scrambling like a maniac against Rafa...like you couldn't even see what his game was because he was just getting balls back and running and hoping Rafa misses.


Aside from him being fast, whats his game like?

 

[cc0509]

Raonic, Dolgo, perhaps Harrison.

 

[cc0509]

I would say Dolgopolov, but Somdev looked like he was just scrambling like a maniac against Rafa...like you couldn't even see what his game was because he was just getting balls back and running and hoping Rafa misses.


Aside from him being fast, whats his game like?

I think Somdev is a great player but he is 26 isn't he? Not exactly a baby in tennis years.

 

[TennisKid1]

Raonic has been stealing the spotlight, but there are plenty of guys on the rise. Dolgopolov has had a great year, definitely under rated. Harrison has made strides towards his rise through his efforts at indian wells and Tomic will come along in time as well. Not to mention Del Potro who is returning to form.

 

[DownTheLine]

Raonic, Dolgo, perhaps Harrison.

How's it perhaps Harrison when Ryan beat him in IW and he always beat him as a Junior?

Even though this was probably a one show wonder for Donald Young, but if he gets it together he can be something very special like he was as a junior.

 

[DownTheLine]

I would say Dolgopolov, but Somdev looked like he was just scrambling like a maniac against Rafa...like you couldn't even see what his game was because he was just getting balls back and running and hoping Rafa misses.


Aside from him being fast, whats his game like?

...that's his game

 

[Bendex]

I think it's pretty clear that Novak will dominate the next decade. He's about the same age as Raonic and Dolgo (who could be solid top 10ers). Nadal will of course be up there too for as long as he can stay healthy.

Harrison - nothing special, just solid.
Tomic- could be interesting.
Delpo- too big, will not endure physically.
Young- LOL.

 

[adizzy]

I saw dolgo up close. he hits the c##p out of the ball. he doesnt care. and his servie might be the toughest to read....seriously look at his motion on you tube...the thing is when he start doing well he might hold back...ahh the ever frustrating cycle of life/tennis.

Devarman..im indian, btu come on...and like someone else said, hes already kinda old.

raonic...yes....

I was just going to start a new threat what ever happened to yuki bhambri

 

[Marty502]

Another forgotten one: Kei Nishikori. Only 21 years old.

He was ranked as high as 50-something, got injured for a long time and he was out of the rankings for a while. He's now on his way up,
Closing on his highest ranking ever, he should easily surpass it in the next weeks.

Tough luck on his side though, he could play against Nadal in Miami's 2R if he gets rid of Jeremy Chardy. Speaking of which...

I remember seeing Chardy play a few big matches. I think he did a really big upset at some MS event. Verdasco was it?
He's good.

Let's hope he doesn't join the rank of Dancevic and many others who were hyped beyond belief and fell short...

 

[TennisAddict121]

So wait Berdych (25 and has never has had an injury) is close to retirement but Nadal (the list is too long) is not? I believe we call that bias

 

[TennisAddict121]

...that's his game

Actually be is very different from that normally. He usually relied a lot more on angles and winners, in college at least. Maybe he doesn't have the firepower for the pros but I remember him hitting much flatter at UVA

 

[PCXL-Fan]

Delpotro - Even in suboptimal "wrist still hurting" form he's a shoe in for top 8 if he can stay injury free.

Dolgopolov - top 10-15. Great all court game solid ground game.

Raonic - unless injured at least top 15 for sure in a few years time, shows real promise though he is inconstant with his performances and injury prone like Delpo with his big frame.

19 yr old Harrison shows real promise. I'll be optimistic and say a solid top 10-15 and likely even higher by the time he's 23.

maybe Tomic

 

[Bendex]

The next big thing is probably a 13 year old somewhere. I don't see any great 16-20 year olds.

 

[juanparty]

Chuck Norris.

 

[cknobman]

Somdev Devvarman

????? Dude is freaking 26 already and has not even broke top 50!!!!!

 

[sureshs]

????? Dude is freaking 26 already and has not even broke top 50!!!!!

He got a college education at UV, that is why. He can always fall back on his education.

I liked the way he was unruffled while playing Nadal. No weaknesses. Just solid all-round game.

 

[cc0509]

How's it perhaps Harrison when Ryan beat him in IW and he always beat him as a Junior?

Yes, but Raonic has come a lot further, a lot faster more recently--i.e. look at the rankings. Milos is #34 and Harrison is what, #130 currently? But, who knows what is going to happen with either one of them. We shall see I guess.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

thing to remember with Tomic is he only turned 18 in November.

It just SEEMS like he has been around for years cos they wheel him out on a show court at the AO every year regardless...

The talent is there, but he's soooo fragile between the ears.
At least, he is now...

 

[cknobman]

He got a college education at UV, that is why. He can always fall back on his education.

I liked the way he was unruffled while playing Nadal. No weaknesses. Just solid all-round game.

Sure I feel the same as you. I was just questioning how someone could think he is the next tennis "great". He may very well be a great player but he's too old to really have time to become a tennis "great".

 

[Marius_Hancu]

What about Almagro, i think he could just explode and break into the top 5 within a short time frame. Almagro could run the clay court season in europe just like he did in latin and south america.

I'm saying I'm waiting for him and Wawrinka to do just that for 2-3 years. Nothing. Not really with the big boys.

Also, 25 already ...

 

[SlapChop]

I think if Nadal is to really make an era for himself and really be in the equation for GOAT that he would need to be a dominate player for the next 3 - 4 years. I am not too confident that he will maintain that long but I could be proven wrong.

As history shows from tennis and from other sports there might be a 3 - 4 year lull from the Federrer era to another truly dominate player that can maintain #1 for multiple years.

If you are looking for the players to be coming up after that it is pretty much a toss up. The next era player would likely start to break out at the age of 22 or 23 so right now they would be 18 - 20 years old.

 

[MrFlip]

Would you die if you drank wee?

I dont know but its a bloody good question. Who here would eat a spider?

 

[PSNELKE]

Heck, why is Dolgo still considered beeing a young gun.???
The guy is just 2 months younger than JMDP and Cilic Bang.

 

[SlapChop]

The true NEXT player probably isn't even playing ATP tournaments yet.

 

[nikdom]

Juan Martin Del Potro...

He'll be back. And he's going to win more Grand Slams.

 

[The Baseline]

I'm saying I'm waiting for him and Wawrinka to do just that for 2-3 years. Nothing. Not really with the big boys.

Also, 25 already ...

but wouldnt you agree, almagro could shock everyone and could explode and win a couple of slams very quickly.

 

[PerfectStorm]

The 18 year old Ryan Harrison might be the next big thing. He really impressed me when I first saw him beat Ivan Ljubicic at the US Open. He has beaten Milos Raonic at Indian Wells and also played well against Federer even though Harrison lost the match. Also Raonic seems to show promise after beating Verdasco in the finals at San Jose.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

but wouldnt you agree, almagro could shock everyone and could explode and win a couple of slams very quickly.

Only if he believes in himself, and I feel that confronted with the best, he loses that freewheeling attitude.

 

[The Baseline]

Only if he believes in himself, and I feel that confronted with the best, he loses that freewheeling attitude.

its all mental with almagro, lets all be honest and true to ourselves, almagro is the most talented player behind federer and nadal in the world.

 

[Tennis Man]

Can I just point out average physical peak is 27? NO SIGN OF ANY OF THESE GUYS PACKING IT IN SOON.

Ferrer is playing the tennis of his life at the moment, roddick said he will play till at least 30 and if he's still one of the top guys will continue to do so. Did federer not say he would play till his daughters could watchy him and remember it? Berdych statement is a joke. and the melzer comment is laughable, do you know nothing about tennis

quit trolling

Thanks for your opinion and feedback.

 

[fps]

Can I just point out average physical peak is 27? NO SIGN OF ANY OF THESE GUYS PACKING IT IN SOON.

Ferrer is playing the tennis of his life at the moment, roddick said he will play till at least 30 and if he's still one of the top guys will continue to do so. Did federer not say he would play till his daughters could watchy him and remember it? Berdych statement is a joke. and the melzer comment is laughable, do you know nothing about tennis

quit trolling

I think it's a little lower in tennis, because of the hard hours on court I'd say a player should be at his peak around 24/25. The idea that Berdych is close to retiring is absurd though hahaha, hey they're all close to retiring if by "close" you mean "in the next 10 years".

 

[Tennis Man]

The idea that Berdych is close to retiring is absurd though hahaha, hey they're all close to retiring if by "close" you mean "in the next 10 years".

I'd say the next 3-5 years based peak performance and statistics of retiring pros.