Tomas berdych... watch out

[madhatter911]

I saw Tomas berdych play in the pacific life open and even though he lost rather early i was astounded by what this guy can do. I here alot of critiscism for his attitude ect. but damn he can play. I also like that he shows emotions that the regular human being shows... its not like sampras or federer's robotic like face except for the occasional outburst. Berdych was hitting shots that i am sure federer would envy. People compare him to safin but i have seen both play and trust me berdych is even better. Do you think that berdych could make a push torward #2.... #1?.... and what if he finds the right coach? scary

 

[ChiefAce]

I saw Tomas berdych play in the pacific life open and even though he lost rather early i was astounded by what this guy can do. I here alot of critiscism for his attitude ect. but damn he can play. I also like that he shows emotions that the regular human being shows... its not like sampras or federer's robotic like face except for the occasional outburst. Berdych was hitting shots that i am sure federer would envy. People compare him to safin but i have seen both play and trust me berdych is even better. Do you think that berdych could make a push torward #2.... #1?.... and what if he finds the right coach? scary

Too tall and too slow, but he has great strokes.

 

[malakas]

I think that Berdych could be in the top5 and soon enough,if he found some more consistency and didn't had fighting spirit only in Spain.

But he is stupid with his comments,and should be careful.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

He hits with a lot of power off forehand, backhand and serve, and even can volley a bit - he's got a nice complete package. He certainly has the potential to play like a top player (1 or 2, as you say, he's beaten both Fed and Nadal before), but he's not really consistent enough with his performances to get the ranking that the two of them have. Those big strokes can have off moments and off days and off periods, and they cost him.

I'll agree that Berdych is better than Safin when and only when he gets two Grand Slams and a #1 ranking, not before then. A day where he is hot and hits winners all over the place doesn't make him better than a Grand Slam champion.

 

[federerfanatic]

He cant string good matches together. After a big win he sucks. After beating Nadal in Canada he played pitiful the next match vs Gasquet and only won 5 games in a 2 set loss. In Madrid he beat Roddick and Nadal, then played pitiful in winning only 4 games vs Gonzalez. He has sucked almost every time he has played Federer. You cant go around playing horrable matches at any point in time and reach the time, no matter how dangerous you are and big weapons you have.

 

[Heavy Metal Tennis Star]

the fast version of ivo karlovic, hahahahaha.

 

[Alexandros]

the fast version of ivo karlovic, hahahahaha.

Or not given that Karlovic has HORRIBLE groundstrokes whereas Berdych's overall groundstroke package is right up there with Safin, Federer, Nadal, Nalbandian and so forth.

 

[Fedexeon]

Berdych's forehand is not bad, but his backhand still need to improve.

 

[Nextman916]

He needs to shave some of that lead tape off his racquet, its doing all the work for him No but really the error of margin on his shots are very small, there is so much power coming from the racquet that if his face isnt near perfect when he strikes the ball it sails long alot. If seen this happen in his match against davydenko, he was hitting out so much and it was tough for him to correct the error. I truly think he plays the best against topspin players like Nadal because he has more height and pace coming at him to work with. Him being very tall can crush balls all over the place staying in.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

He has sucked lately.He better turn it around.

 

[Thrasher]

I think he is a very talented player who can beat anybody on a given day(who will be better than Safin). But at this stage, he is too streaky, and too much of a head case. I say give him some more time to develop, and it wouldn't suprise me at all to see him in the top 3.

 

[rfprse]

Berdych has a top 3 talent for sure.

His clean strokes and the way he generates effortless power always amazes me. Unlike others who pretend to volley, he can even stick the volleys a little.
Apart from better movement & fitness, what he needs is to develop a better second serve, such as a real kicker that can take advantage of his height.
With a second serve less prone to be exploited, his result could be more consistent.

 

[Sadyv]

His problem is always going to be his foot speed.

He can improve that mental attitude, get his fitness, and make some marginal gains in his movement, but he is always going to be slow on the court compared to most players.

His striking of the ball might be up there with Safin, but Marat fitness is superior, and the big Russian could really move out there on the court.

And not just for a big man, Marat was just fast.

 

[latinking]

Well he must do something right, I can't think of anyone else who has beaten Fed and Nadal. In fact he owns Nadal.

 

[lajollatnsplyr]

He is streaky and yes his strokes are huge. Berdych and Joachim Johansson play alike and both are streaky. Remember Johansson took out Roddick at the US Open a few years back. I thought we had a future top 5 but he too can't string matchs together. James blake and Bagdatis are falling into that same pattern...

 

[kingdaddy41788]

Berdych is amazing on his good days. I really like his style. But he is far too erratic to be in the top. He's got to get his attitude under control, and then he could be great. But, he is like Safin, and I don't see him changing his ways anytime soon...