The Unconventional Talents that Redefine Tennis: Beyond the Usual:

[mindmaster]

Title: The Unconventional Talents that Redefine Tennis: Beyond the Usual:

Hey Tennis Enthusiasts!
Let's dive into a topic that's close to my heart – talent in tennis. It's often simplified to technique, but there's so much more beneath the surface. Join me in unpacking the layers and redefining what true tennis talent is all about.

Body:

1. Forging Your Own Path:
   • Sure, technique is essential, but isn't true talent about crafting your own playing style? It's the players with that unique flair who leave an indelible mark.
2. IQ Over Everything:
   • Beyond hitting the perfect forehand, let's talk about playing IQ. Wilander is my prime example – maybe he could have attacked more, but he chose to outsmart opponents. Now that's talent!
3. Seeing Success Before It Happens:
   • Visualization is a game-changer. It's that underrated talent of picturing success before it unfolds. Which players do you think aced this mental game?
4. Overachievers Anonymous:
   • Overachieving isn't just a term; it's a talent. Those who consistently defy the odds, push limits, and overcome mental hurdles – that's where the true talent lies.

Real-World Examples:

1. Let's Talk Wilander and Company:
   • Wilander – unconventional, strategic, and maybe not the big hitter, but his game IQ is unmatched. Who are your underrated players that define talent in their unique way?

Conclusion: Tennis talent is a symphony of technique, playing IQ, visualization skills, and the audacity to break through limits. Have you noticed players like Wilander, relishing the joy of dissecting matches, offering strategic brilliance? It's not just about winning; it's about the thrill of outsmarting opponents
Share your thoughts! Who, in your playbook, epitomizes the essence of real tennis talent? Do you think players like Wilander could have dominated with an attacking style, or do they find more satisfaction in the intricate dance of strategic genius?
Let's kick off this discussion – spill your thoughts on what defines talent in tennis beyond the usual narrative.

 

[Aabye5]

In other words, tennis as Chess on the Run (David Foster Wallace quote)? I agree wholeheartedly that Tennis THINK is a thing.

Tactical IQ is underemphasized in today's game, which is why the big 3 have wrecked havoc on common decency and run roughshod over the rest of the tour. All three possess tactical IQ in great depth. Ever see Rafa analyze a game in his post-match interview? He knows precisely which forehand the interviewers are talking about and the score. Fed and Djokovic keep it a little closer to their chest but they talk the same way. JCF and Darren Cahill and Gilles Cervera know where their bread is buttered. My question is, can the kids analyze without them?

(The lack of tennis think is by far my biggest criticism against the guy in my avatar)

 

[Angrybirdstar]

Forging Your Own Path:

• Sure, technique is essential, but isn't true talent about crafting your own playing style? It's the players with that unique flair who leave an indelible mark.

Medvedev

IQ Over Everything:

• Beyond hitting the perfect forehand, let's talk about playing IQ. Wilander is my prime example – maybe he could have attacked more, but he chose to outsmart opponents. Now that's talent!

Bautista Agut

Seeing Success Before It Happens:

• Visualization is a game-changer. It's that underrated talent of picturing success before it unfolds. Which players do you think aced this mental game?

Maxime Cressy

Overachievers Anonymous:

• Overachieving isn't just a term; it's a talent. Those who consistently defy the odds, push limits, and overcome mental hurdles – that's where the true talent lies.

Ruud

Wilander – unconventional, strategic, and maybe not the big hitter, but his game IQ is unmatched. Who are your underrated players that define talent in their unique way?

Davidovich Fokina

 

[mindmaster]

In other words, tennis as Chess on the Run (David Foster Wallace quote)? I agree wholeheartedly that Tennis THINK is a thing.

Tactical IQ is underemphasized in today's game, which is why the big 3 have wrecked havoc on common decency and run roughshod over the rest of the tour. All three possess tactical IQ in great depth. Ever see Rafa analyze a game in his post-match interview? He knows precisely which forehand the interviewers are talking about and the score. Fed and Djokovic keep it a little closer to their chest but they talk the same way. JCF and Darren Cahill and Gilles Cervera know where their bread is buttered. My question is, can the kids analyze without them?

(The lack of tennis think is by far my biggest criticism against the guy in my avatar)

Yeah having not followed so much tennis in last few years, but seeing several matches of Alcaraz I have seen that he is not so mature as Rafa was in his age. Seeing him making totally unnecessery risks very often leading to an error in place when he was dominating point. He is too eager to hit those flashy winners using his very powerful shots. If he learns how to use his shots correctly he will start to dominate tour. If he has his best day Djokovic has no change to beat him. Seeing that wimby final he always looked like better player and could have win 3-0 if he had consistency of djokovic and Rafa. He has it all to be able to dominate. Speed, defensive skills, and huge power in his shots. But he must learn how to maximize his game. I would probably make him run half marathon after seeing him making those stupid mistakes if I was his coach, haha in special forces we really had to learn from our mistakes as we were really punished from even little mistakes.

 

[aldeayeah]

Nice try, ChatGPT.

 

[mindmaster]

Medvedev

Bautista Agut

Maxime Cressy

Ruud

Davidovich Fokina

Totally agree with Medvedev.

Not watching tennis much lately I have been wondering what kind of player Bautista Agut is really as only seen some glimpses of his matches, probable never seen whole match of him. Knowing that Piles started to coach him afer separating with Ferrer I was thinking that Piles will make him another damn fitness freak like Ferrer. I should watch some of his matches to see why you mentioned him.

From other players you mentioned I only know Ruud's game quite well and agree he has maximized his game to get almost number 1 and making 3 slam finals. He is a very good fighter but still not as tough as Rafa, Muster. I'm not really sure but I think without watching players who he played against in those slams that has taken advantage of pretty easy draws. you can correct me if I'm wrong.

I should start to follow more tennis again being stuck in times when my favourite players were still playing. as my favourite players used to be in last decade players like Ferrer, Robredo, Simon, and earlier Hewitt Canas, Coria, Mantilla etc. loving long rallies. Rafa became my favourite player in 2005 and still is, but I'm not interested of watching early round matches of the very best players as they dominate in early rounds. Who do you think I should start to follow as loving defensive play? Off course I Know Djokovic is the best defender ever but he can overhit most players with high percentage attack and nowadays everybody attacks when having chance like players I mentioned. Maybe except simon. Who would be in modern game similar to those players having limited ability to attack and mostly being forced to grind down his opponent?

 

[mindmaster]

Nice try, ChatGPT.

Haha, I just learned to use it and discussed about these things giving my opinions to him and told him to make thread with giving my opinions of talent as I suck in writing. It did ok job but definitely not perfect in giving my opinions clear. Someone here told me to use chat gpt and then tried and it has really been funny experience with thinking how to use it in different things. I don't think there is nothing wrong using chat gpt to help in writing. In the end I must tell that my other posts here has nothing to do with chat gpt

 

[aldeayeah]

Haha, I just learned to use it and discussed about these things giving my opinions to him and told him to make thread with giving my opinions of talent as I suck in writing. It did ok job but definitely not perfect in giving my opinions clear. Someone here told me to use chat gpt and then tried and it has really been funny experience with thinking how to use it in different things.

The intro / bullet points / conclusion structure, repeating the same stuff several times, is a dead ringer for ChatGPT-generated content

You're doing fine on your own IMO! Don't give up

 

[Angrybirdstar]

Not watching tennis much lately I have been wondering what kind of player Bautista Agut is really as only seen some glimpses of his matches, probable never seen whole match of him. Knowing that Piles started to coach him afer separating with Ferrer I was thinking that Piles will make him another damn fitness freak like Ferrer. I should watch some of his matches to see why you mentioned him.

he has a unique Eastern grip + flexed wrist forehand that's great for taking the ball early and playing aggressively, which lets him play well on grass and fast hard courts, but hurts him on clay and slower hard courts. he also has a beautifully clean, flattish backhand that doesn't ever break, but is probably a bit underused offensively for how good it could be, because he tends to go for more percentage, grinding play. he tends to play best in the first few months of the year when he lets loose from the baseline and isn't too worn down, lays dormant until grass season, and then after Wimbledon checks out. he's also of course a fitness freak and very good at constructing points.

I'm not really sure but I think without watching players who he played against in those slams that has taken advantage of pretty easy draws. you can correct me if I'm wrong.

yeah definitely, but he has also shown an unexpectedly high level on the serve + forehand in those runs that tends to get overlooked

Who do you think I should start to follow as loving defensive play? Off course I Know Djokovic is the best defender ever but he can overhit most players with high percentage attack and nowadays everybody attacks when having chance like players I mentioned. Maybe except simon. Who would be in modern game similar to those players having limited ability to attack and mostly being forced to grind down his opponent?

besides Medvedev, people will say de Minaur, but that guy tries to play aggressively and just can't against top opponents because his technique limits his power so he's limited to scrambling. maybe Zverev and Khachanov on outdoor hard if you love defense to the point of masochism, or Rune on clay if you want really fun defense interspersed with flashes of offense.

 

[mindmaster]

The intro / bullet points / conclusion structure, repeating the same stuff several times, is a dead ringer for ChatGPT-generated content

You're doing fine on your own IMO! Don't give up

Thanx, and for the feedback too

 

[mindmaster]

he has a unique Eastern grip + flexed wrist forehand that's great for taking the ball early and playing aggressively, which lets him play well on grass and fast hard courts, but hurts him on clay and slower hard courts. he also has a beautifully clean, flattish backhand that doesn't ever break, but is probably a bit underused offensively for how good it could be, because he tends to go for more percentage, grinding play. he tends to play best in the first few months of the year when he lets loose from the baseline and isn't too worn down, lays dormant until grass season, and then after Wimbledon checks out. he's also of course a fitness freak and very good at constructing points.

So is he a bit like agassi taking ball early and move defensive players having that edge of taking ball and making more hurry to his opponent until their legs give up?

yeah definitely, but he has also shown an unexpectedly high level on the serve + forehand in those runs that tends to get overlooked

besides Medvedev, people will say de Minaur, but that guy tries to play aggressively and just can't against top opponents because his technique limits his power so he's limited to scrambling. maybe Zverev and Khachanov on outdoor hard if you love defense to the point of masochism, or Rune on clay if you want really fun defense interspersed with flashes of offense.

I'm surprised that you mentioned Zverev as he is so tall. I have watched him a bit and thought that he plays surprisingly safely to player of his size, but is his game really so much defensive that it relies on defense? Must watch some of his matches.
I know De Minaur is very fast, seeing some highglights of his matches. I have felt that despite his speed he doesn't have retrieve skills of best defenders. It was fun to watch Canas back in the day as he was retrieving shots even if he needed to go chase it from audience almost. I think his retrieving was before djokovic the best I had seen so far. Nadal was maybe better in turning defense to attack but Canas was harder to finish point with one shot. Having talked with Nieminen, he also said as he had played against canas in Basel that he was chasing ball even from audience.

thanx for giving nice tips

 

[mindmaster]

I also think that work ethic is part of talent too unlike most people think. Hunger for success and motivation is needed to be succesful too but is it a talent? I don''t actually use a word talent when comparing players like Nadal and Federer. When finding junior to try make him successfull I think about who has most potential to success. I try to find athlete with right personality to have chance to success instead of watching who is most skillfull, but off course that is important aspect when making a choice of who is most potential to succeed.