The rise of Canadian tennis

[prairiegirl]

Finally, us Canucks who aren't hockey lovers have something to cheer about with Canadian tennis. Three male players in the top 60 and two in the top 25 is, I think, the best we've ever done. Then, there's Bianca's rise in women's tennis.

So, let's have some fun. How do you rate the current crop of Canadian players - how do you see them progressing? What do you think they'll achieve?

2 years from now --5 years from now -- 10 years from now

• Raonic
• Shapovalov
• FAA
• Bianca
• Polansky
• Pospisil
• Scnur

 

[Phoenix1983]

You failed to mention Bouchard, boy.

 

[Steve0904]

Bianca is going to win a slam one day, maybe multiple if she keeps working hard. FAA is our best hope for the men but because of stiffer competition and older guys holding up their bodies better he has it harder than Bianca IMO. I hold out hope for Shapo but he’s 2nd behind FAA.

The rest of them won’t do much of anything at slam level. Raonic included. He won’t make it back to a slam final if I was to take a guess.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Bianca is going to win a slam one day, maybe multiple if she keeps working hard.

You may come to regret these words, child.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Couldn't care less what country someone is from tbh. Doesn't affect whether I cheer for them or not.

Was happy to see Milos lose today.

 

[sbengte]

No P

Finally, us Canucks who aren't hockey lovers have something to cheer about with Canadian tennis. Three male players in the top 60 and two in the top 25 is, I think, the best we've ever done. Then, there's Bianca's rise in women's tennis.

So, let's have some fun. How do you rate the current crop of Canadian players - how do you see them progressing? What do you think they'll achieve?

2 years from now --5 years from now -- 10 years from now

• Raonic
• Shapovalov
• FAA
• Bianca
• Polansky
• Pospisil
• Scnur

No Peliwo on the list ?

Felix Arthur Ash-ime I thought was future GOAT based on birthday alone.

 

[Dan Lobb]

No doubt this is the most promising Canadian group ever.

Had a good group in the mid-1950's, Bedard, Main, Fontana.

 

[Deon Sanders]

You failed to mention Bouchard, boy.

He left out the only Canadian that should be on the list frankly

 

[Dartagnan64]

Raonic led the way but it's now time for the kids. Shapo and Felix should at least be solid players with a few ATP wins over their careers. They need to up their game to get slam titles. Bianca probably has the most solid game for her age and if she doesn't go all Bouchard with the Instagram, she's got a slam or two in her future.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

FAA is our best hope for the men but because of stiffer competition and older guys holding up their bodies better he has it harder than Bianca IMO

I think Bianca has it harder imo. FAA is more talented (Even more than Tsitsipas) in his age group and those Fedalovic will be gone when he's winning. Bianca got a lot including the current no. 1 and Bencic.

 

[Steve0904]

I think Bianca has it harder imo. FAA is more talented (Even more than Tsitsipas) in his age group and those Fedalovic will be gone when he's winning. Bianca got a lot including the current no. 1 and Bencic.

There’s not as many dominant forces in women’s tennis though. Only Serena really, and she’s more upset prone than ever, and maybe Osaka if she keeps up what she’s doing.

I understand that maybe by the time Felix is really ready to win consistently the Big 3 will be really old, but in the next 3-4 years Bianca has a better shot at a slam than Felix IMO.

 

[Steve0904]

You may come to regret these words, child.

Or I may not. I won’t regret them anyway, even if I’m wrong to be honest with you. I’ve been wrong before. It won’t be the first or the last time.

 

[Gazelle]

He left out the only Canadian that should be on the list frankly

The rise of something else than canadian tennis.

 

[Zeref]

The rise of something else than canadian tennis.

She no thicck

 

[texasleaguer]

Al Gore says the rise of Canadian tennis players is because of 'global warming'.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

She no thicck

Barely any shape at all, mate.

Still wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating cookies, especially if they were white chocolate and raspberry.

 

[Sudacafan]

I thought Canadians were different.

 

[fed1]

Clearly Tennis Canada was focused on building players while the USTA was focused on building a flashy campus in the swamps of Florida.

 

[Dan Lobb]

We have a new champion.

This must be the greatest singles win for any Canadian player, male or female.

Only possible exception, the three Canadian Open wins of Bedard.

Rusedski's win over Sampras at Paris.

 

[JustBob]

Clearly Tennis Canada was focused on building players while the USTA was focused on building a flashy campus in the swamps of Florida.

Yup. Long story short, the success arrived because:

- Tennis Canada looked at the most successful player development programs (France and Spain) and emulate that.
- Then went and got Luis Borfiga, the former director of coaching (tennis) at INSEP in France.

A lot more to it, but that's how it started.

 

[fed1]

Yup. Long story short, the success arrived because:

- Tennis Canada looked at the most successful player development programs (France and Spain) and emulate that.
- Then went and got Luis Borfiga, the former director of coaching (tennis) at INSEP in France.

A lot more to it, but that's how it started.

And the USTA went out and got Patrick McEnroe.

 

[Dartagnan64]

We have a new champion.

This must be the greatest singles win for any Canadian player, male or female.

Only possible exception, the three Canadian Open wins of Bedard.

Rusedski's win over Sampras at Paris.

Probably Raonic win over Federer at Wimbledon 2016 was the greatest Canadian singles win.

But this was impressive because she's only 18 and won a Premier event. As a WC.

 

[Dan Lobb]

Probably Raonic win over Federer at Wimbledon 2016 was the greatest Canadian singles win.

But this was impressive because she's only 18 and won a Premier event. As a WC.

Yes, and it gave Raonic the Wimbledon runner-up hardware.

But that was not a tournament win.

Rusedski at Paris, over Sampras, was a tournament win.

Bedard won over two highly ranked players in the 1957 and 1958 Canadian titles.

 

[Steve0904]

Probably Raonic win over Federer at Wimbledon 2016 was the greatest Canadian singles win.

But this was impressive because she's only 18 and won a Premier event. As a WC.

Raonic's win may be more significant given that it was in a slam SF and at Wimbedon no less, but there's no replacement for coming in 1st place either. Raonic did awesome, but at the day he came 2nd. Andreescu did not, so in some ways this should be bigger news irrespective of the importance of the tournaments in question.

 

[Sparlingo]

What is so impressive about Adreescu is her mental game. She has an action plan going in but evaluates as she goes and changes things accordingly. And she has many different weopons to do that. This will not be the last we see of her and the males will start to win things too. This is the first of a series of "Is this the biggest Canadian win ever" situations. Keep this thread open.

 

[Spanglish72]

You may come to regret these words, child.

Troll

 

[Spanglish72]

Bianca & Felix are the only ones I see winning any slams.

 

[The Safinator]

Hilarious that just because there were some America's Hats in the second week of a big tournament, there is now a rise in Canadian Bacon...tennis. Let's see how they do in Miami.

 

[game..set..match]

I just wish my future wife Eugenie would focus more on her tennis. has so much potential

 

[Rubens]

And for the ladies here:

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Hilarious that just because there were some America's Hats in the second week of a big tournament, there is now a rise in Canadian Bacon...tennis. Let's see how they do in Miami.

It's more like Canadian Perogi tbh. Eastern Euro immigrants (or children of) are practically the only people here who take tennis seriously, much like various other western nations.

The only exception is Montreal where FAA is from.

The sport where I live is pretty dead. All the cool kids play pickleball. So I have no idea how we're outperforming the US lately. Luck I guess.

 

[el sergento]

Honestly, the WTA is such a joke that Andrescu has by far the better career prospects. Then I’d still put Milos at the top for men, followed by the 6’3 Felix. Shapo is last. The rest of the list is not even top 100 material.

 

[el sergento]

I just wish my future wife Eugenie would focus more on her tennis. has so much potential

Yes, as did Ana, no singles titles, Kournikova. So much potential.

 

[King No1e]

Bianca is going to win a slam one day, maybe multiple if she keeps working hard. FAA is our best hope for the men but because of stiffer competition and older guys holding up their bodies better he has it harder than Bianca IMO. I hold out hope for Shapo but he’s 2nd behind FAA.

The rest of them won’t do much of anything at slam level. Raonic included. He won’t make it back to a slam final if I was to take a guess.

That's harsh. I think he has at least a Wimbledon final, if not a title, still in him. Nowhere near our 2016 expectations for him anyway though.

 

[el sergento]

It's more like Canadian Perogi tbh. Eastern Euro immigrants (or children of) are practically the only people here who take tennis seriously, much like various other western nations.

The only exception is Montreal where FAA is from.

The sport where I live is pretty dead. All the cool kids play pickleball. So I have no idea how we're outperforming the US lately. Luck I guess.

Bouchard is also from Montreal.

For some reason, the national tennis center is in Montreal and it’s an awesome facility that’s open to the public.

In fact, tennis is so popular here it’s tough getting a court in the winter.

 

[el sergento]

That's harsh. I think he has at least a Wimbledon final, if not a title, still in him. Nowhere near our 2016 expectations for him anyway though.

I agree. Milos can still serve-bot his way to a slam semi or final far easier than the other canucks.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Troll

Predicting that an 18-year old is "going to win slams one day" always carries a risk.

 

[King No1e]

I agree. Milos can still serve-bot his way to a slam semi or final far easier than the other canucks.

No, if all he does is servebot, he won't make it. His net game needs to be on point if he is to win another Wimbledon.

 

[Fintft]

Bouchard is also from Montreal.

For some reason, the national tennis center is in Montreal and it’s an awesome facility that’s open to the public.

In fact, tennis is so popular here it’s tough getting a court in the winter.

But you do pay membership and court fees in the winter correct? And what about the summer? Any membership fees?

We do this at clubs in Ottawa.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Honestly, the WTA is such a joke that Andrescu has by far the better career prospects. Then I’d still put Milos at the top for men, followed by the 6’3 Felix. Shapo is last. The rest of the list is not even top 100 material.

I think the ATP where only 3 guys have won 90% of the slams for 15 years is a bit more of a joke. When Felix and Shapo peak at age 25, if those 3 guys are still winning slams, men's tennis is in serious trouble.

 

[el sergento]

But you do pay membership and court fees in the winter correct? And what about the summer? Any membership fees?

We do this at clubs in Ottawa.

The national tennis center is 100% public, no membership fees: 25$ an hour to play on hard, $30 on clay. Two ways, that’s 15$ an hour to play in world class facility.

The other clubs are private and yes, you pay a membership and court fees. But even at the larger private clubs it’s hard to et a court at a decent hour. I end up playing 9-11 at night usually.

 

[el sergento]

I think the ATP where only 3 guys have won 90% of the slams for 15 years is a bit more of a joke. When Felix and Shapo peak at age 25, if those 3 guys are still winning slams, men's tennis is in serious trouble.

Depends what you mean by joke. I mean, both tours are laughable for different reasons. Regardless, It’s undeniable that it's easier to come out of nowhere and win a slam in the WTA than on the ATP. Hence why I see Andreescu getting a FO or something. Whereas Felix and Shapo can have amazing careers and never win a major.

 

[el sergento]

No, if all he does is servebot, he won't make it. His net game needs to be on point if he is to win another Wimbledon.

One would be amazing enough

 

[sureshs]

Finally, us Canucks who aren't hockey lovers have something to cheer about with Canadian tennis. Three male players in the top 60 and two in the top 25 is, I think, the best we've ever done. Then, there's Bianca's rise in women's tennis.

So, let's have some fun. How do you rate the current crop of Canadian players - how do you see them progressing? What do you think they'll achieve?

2 years from now --5 years from now -- 10 years from now

• Raonic
• Shapovalov
• FAA
• Bianca
• Polansky
• Pospisil
• Scnur

They are mostly all children of recent immigrants, right? I doubt whether Canadian weather is conducive tennis to tennis. Probably requires a real hunger to excel in tennis as a Canadian.

 

[el sergento]

They are mostly all children of recent immigrants, right? I doubt whether Canadian weather is conducive tennis to tennis. Probably requires a real hunger to excel in tennis as a Canadian.

They have winters in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Russia.........and western Canada is pretty much the same climate as Western Europe.

Also, what’s with this recent immigrant nonesense? With everything going on in the world, are we still supposed to consider children of recent immigrants as less than fully fledged citizens?

And how come no one doubts Federer and Wawrinka’s Swiss bonafides, or Hingis. All three are descendants of recent immigrants to Switzerland. Federer has a South African passport ffs.

 

[IowaGuy]

No, if all he does is servebot, he won't make it. His net game needs to be on point if he is to win another Wimbledon.

Raonic played pretty solid on the slow-ish courts of Indian Wells, only getting broken once by Thiem in 3 sets. His net play was some of the best that I've seen from him recently.

If he's playing well at Wimbledon he could definitely be a contender!

 

[BGod]

Raonic will win a Slam because his serve will allow him likely another 7-10 years of contention if the draw opens up.
Andreescu and Shapovalov is our best chance to have an all-time player.
Felix might be a nice also-ran who picks up a few Slams as well.

Pospisil and Polansky are done, don't understand the OP on those.

Schnur is unlikely to do much as a late bloomer here but maybe like Pospisil he can have one or two deep runs at Slams.

 

[el sergento]

They have winters in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Russia.........and western Canada is pretty much the same climate as Western Europe.

Also, what’s with this recent immigrant nonesense? With everything going on in the world, are we still supposed to consider children of recent immigrants as less than fully fledged citizens?

And how come no one doubts Federer and Wawrinka’s Swiss bonafides, or Hingis. All three are descendants of recent immigrants to Switzerland. Federer has a South African passport ffs.

Raonic will win a Slam because his serve will allow him likely another 7-10 years of contention if the draw opens up.
Andreescu and Shapovalov is our best chance to have an all-time player.
Felix might be a nice also-ran who picks up a few Slams as well.

Pospisil and Polansky are done, don't understand the OP on those.

Schnur is unlikely to do much as a late bloomer here but maybe like Pospisil he can have one or two deep runs at Slams.

Mostly agree, but I still put Felix in front of Shapo due to size and physicality. Felix has so much more room to improve his already very good serve, whereas Shapo is held back by size.

Prospisil should focus on doubles. I mean, he already won a slam and his body is so brittle.

 

[King No1e]

One would be amazing enough

My mistake LOL

 

[BGod]

Mostly agree, but I still put Felix in front of Shapo due to size and physicality. Felix has so much more room to improve his already very good serve, whereas Shapo is held back by size.

I've seen both guys live from early on and my problem with Felix is he's going too much the way of a Coric, Goffin, Medvedev, Khachanov is the serve-forehand-safety backhand.

Shapovalov and Tsitsipas are going for it. Felix' latest loss to Nishioka was astounding. I sat through that entire match live and my word the kid has a LOT to do. He's inconsistent as all hell playing a much safer game than Shapovalov. So to me, like Roger, if Shap gets more consistent on his line shots he'll seriously start reaming people. And that's the thing, Felix will be up against Shap and Tsitsipas and I don't see how he gets consistently past those styles. As I too think Zverev has maxed out.