The Underachievers Club, who would you nominate?
- Thread starter Brett69
- Start date
chjtennis
G.O.A.T.
Good list, but I wonder if Isner could've done any better. Gasquet is talented, but he may have achieved the best he could've under the circumstances. I think Tsonga and Berdych should've won a slam each. Harrison is a massive disappointment, but maybe he is not as talented as I once believed. Dimitrov is still around top 20, so I hope he makes some dramatic improvements, but he really should have done better.
I want to add Janowicz, Gulbis, Monfils and Delbonis(I think this guy is pretty talented). Dolgopolov is a unique talent, but I don't know if he has what it takes to be ranked inside top 10 consistently.Dustin Brown, with his physical talent, could've become a better player with better coaching, maybe.
Brett69
Rookie
I can't believe I left off Tsonga and Berdych. Those two are hall of fame underachievers.
ANDYbhGENIUS
Professional
Tsonga, Berdych, Dolgopolov, the top 3 "chokers par excellence"
indeed Dome Of Fame underachievers.
Leaving out Almagro and Haase would be unfair.
indeed Dome Of Fame underachievers.
Leaving out Almagro and Haase would be unfair.
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Fiero425
Legend
Berdych has too much going for him to lose so much; playing only 1 major final! Tsonga's right up there IMO along with Grigor unfortunately! After his collapse with double break leads in 2nd/3rd sets against Murray at Cincy last year and multiple MP's; I'm done with him! Ferrer's the hardest worker out there and his brain just switches off and he doesn't know how to beat the elite players unless they give it to him like Rafa injured! All have woefully underachieved! 
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
Ilie Nastase is the founder and chairman of the board at underachiever's club. Lifetime term. When he, marat safin and Goran Ivanisevic feel like it, they semi-proudly induct the likes of Forehando Tabasco, Gasquet, Le Monf and Jo Tsonga.
Trouble is, many of the other members do not enjoy attending club functions. Marcelo Rios, Grigor Dimitrov, ryan harrison, ernests gulbis, jerzy janowicz, Mark Philippoussis, and Berdych....in the same room?
I do not care how good the snack bar might be, that's a club to avoid.
Trouble is, many of the other members do not enjoy attending club functions. Marcelo Rios, Grigor Dimitrov, ryan harrison, ernests gulbis, jerzy janowicz, Mark Philippoussis, and Berdych....in the same room?
I do not care how good the snack bar might be, that's a club to avoid.
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DreddyTennis45
Hall of Fame
There's a difference between "underachieving" and "wasting talent" imo.
Guys like Tsonga and Monfils would fit into the former category while the likes of Dimitrov and Harrison would fit into the latter.
DerekNoleFam1
Hall of Fame
Probably Tsonga and Berdych.
Gasquet definitely could have done more, but finds a way to lose to higher ranked opponents.
Monfils may make the "hot shot" on the ATP site consistently, but usually cannot maintain that, so not as underachieving as some may say.
Bernard Tomic is yet to show us what he is capable of too.
Gasquet definitely could have done more, but finds a way to lose to higher ranked opponents.
Monfils may make the "hot shot" on the ATP site consistently, but usually cannot maintain that, so not as underachieving as some may say.
Bernard Tomic is yet to show us what he is capable of too.
Noleberic123
G.O.A.T.
Wheres Monfils
Phoenix1983
G.O.A.T.
Can't decide between Tomic and Monfils.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
I'm shocked that no-one has mentioned Del Potro yet. The guy had potential to have a career similar to Murray. Assuming his prime would begin in 2009 that's 7-8 years he would be playing his best. Wasted 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, parts of other seasons too with his injuries affecting his play/mentally to some degree since 2010 too. A real waste.
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boredone3456
G.O.A.T.
I'd pretty much nominate most of the current French Brigade ( Tsonga, Gasquet, Simon and Monfils). All of them have talent and only Tsonga has come close to capitalizing on it. I'd also throw in Tomic, Isner (only seems to do well during the summer hard court season and a blip here and there on dirt) and maybe Dimitrov
VamosBamos987
Hall of Fame
Fognini, Monfils, Tomic, Dimitrov, Berdych
All the knuckleheads.
All the knuckleheads.
robbo1970
Hall of Fame
Ok, bit controversial here but I'm going to say Federer.
No slams titles in over 4 years. No Olympic singles gold medals. Only 3 slam final appearances in the last 4 years (compared to Murray's 7).
Don't get me wrong, I consider Fed to be the GOAT, I just think with his talent he should have achieved more.
No slams titles in over 4 years. No Olympic singles gold medals. Only 3 slam final appearances in the last 4 years (compared to Murray's 7).
Don't get me wrong, I consider Fed to be the GOAT, I just think with his talent he should have achieved more.
batz
G.O.A.T.
Got to be Gasquet. In November 2007 he played Murray in the QFs of the Paris MS with the winner taking the 8th slot at that years YEC - Reeshard won in 3. At that point, their accomplishments to date had been quite similar, if anything, Richard was ahead (Murray hadn't even gone past R4 of a slam at that point). To say their career paths diverged from then would be a bit of an understatement!
Novak And The Net.
Banned
Thought Becker underachieved a little bit.
From 2005 onwards it has to be the following -
1) Thomas Berdych - O Slams
2) Gael Monfils - O Slams
3) Tsonga - O Slams
4) Richard Gasquet - O Slams
5) David Ferrer - O Slams
6) Gilles Simon - O Slams
7) Milos Raonic - O Slams
8) Kei Nishikori - O Slams
9) Grigor Dimitrov - O Slams
10) Jerzy Janowics - O Slams
11) Ryan Harrison - O Slams
12) John Isner - O Slams
13) Alexander Dolgopilov - O Slams
14) Bernard Tomic - O Slams
15) Fabio Fognini - O Slams
These guys should have won at least one major but they did not, the likes of dimitrov and raonic still have enough time since they are around 24 years of age along with the likes of Tomic but they need to be winning something of relevance like a masters 1000.
The likes of Wawrinka, Del Potro, and Cilic have done their talent justice by winning a major or two and they seized their opportunity hence their not underachivers but ultimately none of these guys are double digit slam holders to be fair. At best they can beat anyone but too inconsistent to win title after title. The likes of Big three and Murray have really dealt a psychological blow to the above mentioned names since 2005 as well as the lost generation and new generation of players.
1) Thomas Berdych - O Slams
2) Gael Monfils - O Slams
3) Tsonga - O Slams
4) Richard Gasquet - O Slams
5) David Ferrer - O Slams
6) Gilles Simon - O Slams
7) Milos Raonic - O Slams
8) Kei Nishikori - O Slams
9) Grigor Dimitrov - O Slams
10) Jerzy Janowics - O Slams
11) Ryan Harrison - O Slams
12) John Isner - O Slams
13) Alexander Dolgopilov - O Slams
14) Bernard Tomic - O Slams
15) Fabio Fognini - O Slams
These guys should have won at least one major but they did not, the likes of dimitrov and raonic still have enough time since they are around 24 years of age along with the likes of Tomic but they need to be winning something of relevance like a masters 1000.
The likes of Wawrinka, Del Potro, and Cilic have done their talent justice by winning a major or two and they seized their opportunity hence their not underachivers but ultimately none of these guys are double digit slam holders to be fair. At best they can beat anyone but too inconsistent to win title after title. The likes of Big three and Murray have really dealt a psychological blow to the above mentioned names since 2005 as well as the lost generation and new generation of players.
M
maxxy777
Guest
Cilic
ArcspacE
G.O.A.T.
NastyWinners
Hall of Fame
Would it be fair to mention Murray? Supremely talented and only has 3 finals in all of his final appearances. Has the build to have a bigger serve, but the 2nd serve was his detriment for such a long time. Has great hands at the net and doesn't get up there as much as he should be. Has the size to hit bigger groundies too and for such a long time was content with rolling the ball in instead of being offensive.
The Green Mile
Bionic Poster
Simon doesn't/didn't have the right skill set necessary to win 7 best of 5 matches. His taxing style will/would never allow it. Especially not in this era.
disgruntledamsel
Professional
Another thing, I may be wrong, but I seem to recall someone posting a stat that Federer has lost more matches having had match point than any other player. So, despite him being arguably the GOAT, he really should have even more victories than he has... (Seems blasphemous to say he's the biggest underachiever though.)
Federer career is massively dented by Nadal. Otherwise, he could have 8-12 majors in a row and get 20-25 majors until 2011. Murray has done incredible well in the presence of the other 3. His achievements are impressive when considering competition he had.
junior74
Talk Tennis Guru
11 finals, 3 titles. He has never met Nadal in a slam final. Only Federer and Djokovic (and Raonic).
Not rising to the occasion is the definition of not achieving. In this way, Federer and Murray are worst.
chjtennis
G.O.A.T.
I thought Delpo did not belong in this thread because he didn't waste his talent himself but rather was forced away from tennis due to injuries. However, I see what you mean and agree that Delpo could've won more slams and achieved a lot more had he stayed fit.
chjtennis
G.O.A.T.
The only regret he should have would be contracting mono infection which shortened his peak. Other than that, I don't know if we should call him an underachiever.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
I thought it was an "underachieved" rather than "wasted" thread. Injuries play a big role in tennis, unfortunately.
chjtennis
G.O.A.T.
Really hard to decide whom to call underachievers. Some people even call Federer or Murray underachievers. Maybe we should call Djokovic an underachiever as well because he suddenly became a different player after winning Davis Cup and going gluten free diet. Pretty much every player has some story which makes them underachievers if we implement this strict judgement. I think OP simply meant to talk about the players who failed to make good use of their talents and failed to achieve anything notable.
TheMaestro1990
Hall of Fame
I would nominate these guys + Dimitrov
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
Stich seemed like a multiple slammer. You look at him on a good day and you wonder how courier has quarduple his slams.
Tommy Haas was conditioned for greatness from age 13 on. Just the best coaching, training and equipment....very high level player, but not a lot of years in the top five. No slam finals.
Tommy Ho was unreal as a junior, then got hurt. I think it was his back.
Del Potro is an odd case because of his injuries.
How about Krajicek?
Tommy Haas was conditioned for greatness from age 13 on. Just the best coaching, training and equipment....very high level player, but not a lot of years in the top five. No slam finals.
Tommy Ho was unreal as a junior, then got hurt. I think it was his back.
Del Potro is an odd case because of his injuries.
How about Krajicek?
cc0509
Talk Tennis Guru
Berdych has overachieved IMO. He's been consistent for 10 years and has made close to $25 million in prize money alone but he doesn't have huge weapons given his height and he's a mental cream puff.
heftylefty
Hall of Fame
I don't want to say Tommy Haas has underachieved because he's my favorite player to watch. But technically he has not achieved as much as his talent suggest. However, in fairness, he as been dinged up for most of his career. It would hard press to say he wasted his talent.
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heftylefty
Hall of Fame
In this rare case I have to agree. Rios had more raw talent than even McEnroe, in my opinion. Dude was sick with it.
Roddick85
Hall of Fame
I'd go with Berdych & Tsonga, has it's pretty clear to me that their best years are behind them and they simply never lived up to they're potential, so they are true underachievers.
I can see why people would think of Dolgopolov, but I think he also has some kind of illness that affects his stamina?
Those saying Del Potro, I can't understand. I mean the guy's career was almost killed due to injuries. For the little that he's played, he's achieved great things.
Much too early to tell in Kyrgios case. Dimitrov might have underachieved so far, however he's still got time to make up for it and end with a better career.
I can see why people would think of Dolgopolov, but I think he also has some kind of illness that affects his stamina?
Those saying Del Potro, I can't understand. I mean the guy's career was almost killed due to injuries. For the little that he's played, he's achieved great things.
Much too early to tell in Kyrgios case. Dimitrov might have underachieved so far, however he's still got time to make up for it and end with a better career.
mightyrick
Legend
My top three would be:
1) Rios
2) Coria
3) Nalbandian
1) Rios
2) Coria
3) Nalbandian
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
Some of these supremely talented club members suffered from various afflictions, both
Physical and mental. In addition to the injuries, these members suffered from confidence issues (too much or too little), occasional lack of motivation, maybe too much pressure/motivation, and sometimes, they suffered the unfortunate fate of walking into a grand slam final in front a true all time great.
But, good list here so far.
Physical and mental. In addition to the injuries, these members suffered from confidence issues (too much or too little), occasional lack of motivation, maybe too much pressure/motivation, and sometimes, they suffered the unfortunate fate of walking into a grand slam final in front a true all time great.
But, good list here so far.
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Stretchy Man
Professional
Gasquet's done very well considering he's got one of the weakest forehands on the tour and doesn't have a huge serve. Dustin Brown would get my vote. How can a guy with that serve and those shots be ranked 80 in the world? Somethings not right there.
Tardigrade
Banned
Legendkillar
New User
Big heads up for this man.
Mesmerising FH! Sadly another career cut short.
Mesmerising FH! Sadly another career cut short.
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
several posters here
Shaolin
G.O.A.T.
My favorite player to watch, hands down. Like a hybrid of Agassi and McEnroe with the movement of Federer. Sadly, alcohol, injuries and just having a crappy attitude ruined what could have been. Still I'm thankful for being able to see him play in his prime.
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