They called him 'Baby-Fed', but is Gasquet's game most similar to Nadal's?

[always_crosscourt]

Nadal and Gasquet both like scurrying around 10ft behind the baseline trying to break down their opponent's backhand with topspin so they can attack a short ball. Whereas Nadal relies on his buggy-whip lefty forehand and hopes to play a righty who's backhand he can bully, Gasquet bullies his opponent's backhands with his own backhand. The Gasquet backhand (compared to that of a Haas or Youzhny) is a very modern, high-kicking shot, and the fact that he is a one-hander means he can out-topspin, and thus out-angle pretty much any two-handed backhand, making them uncomfortable in backhand-to-backhand exchanges and coughing up an attackable ball.

How to you rate this analysis?

Am I the only one who sees more similarities in Gasquet's game to Nadal than Federer?

 

[President]

Nadal and Gasquet both like scurrying around 10ft behind the baseline trying to break down their opponent's backhand with topspin so they can attack a short ball. Whereas Nadal relies on his buggy-whip lefty forehand and hopes to play a righty who's backhand he can bully, Gasquet bullies his opponent's backhands with his own backhand. The Gasquet backhand (compared to that of a Haas or Youzhny) is a very modern, high-kicking shot, and the fact that he is a one-hander means he can out-topspin, and thus out-angle pretty much any two-handed backhand, making them uncomfortable in backhand-to-backhand exchanges and coughing up an attackable ball.

How to you rate this analysis?

Am I the only one who sees more similarities in Gasquet's game to Nadal than Federer?

Lol, I was just thinking this watching Gasquet play today. He has a lot more in common to Nadal than Federer at this point, and plays soooo far behind the baseline. It's not nearly as effective for him because his forehand is garbage and he lacks Nadal's athleticism.

 

[Shaolin]

Dimitrov is the one everyone calls "Baby Fed", not Gasquet.

 

[JTJet]

Dimitrov is the one everyone calls "Baby Fed", not Gasquet.

This. You even search of "Baby Fed" on google and Grigor Dimitrov comes up.

 

[Zildite]

Dimitrov is the one everyone calls "Baby Fed", not Gasquet.

This. You even search of "Baby Fed" on google and Grigor Dimitrov comes up.

Gasquet was the original Baby Fed
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DE...an-Open-2008/Is-Gasquets-Glass-Half-Full.aspx

 

[JTJet]

Gasquet was the original Baby Fed
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DE...an-Open-2008/Is-Gasquets-Glass-Half-Full.aspx

That's interesting to know. Didn't know that.

 

[marc45]

"nadal hopes to play a righty whose backhand he can bully"....yes, great champions sit around hoping and praying for good draws, just like their fans

 

[Federer20042006]

Every promising young player with a 1-handed backhand is called "baby Fed." Kind of stupid.

And what people forget...Federer used to be referred to by some as a Baby Sampras.

 

[smoledman]

Dimitrov is the real deal.

 

[NickC]

Ritchie was called "Baby Fed" because of his beautiful technique on the backhand side.

 

[ruariatp]

I think it is in terms of their talent and good hands that both Gasquet and Dimitrov are compared to Federer. Neither of them play like him though...
Gasquet is a naturally defensive player - much like Nadal, though when he's confident and attacks, he's more effective.
Dimitrov, though his shots look similar to Federer's, plays more like Djokovic in my opinion...have you seen his flexibility?! It's crazy...

 

[heninfan99]

No, he's not like Nadal at all. Their forehand grip & techniques are totally different.

Many clay courters stand back so you can group hundreds of players together if you go by that. Nadal actually returned more forward at Wimby vs. Fed.

They compared him to Fed years ago because of his skills not so much for a similar style.

Gasquet has his own style. His forehand can be compared to Edberg's.