What’s the best criticism of your favorite player?

[Kralingen]

Let’s change it up a bit. Instead of fervently defending everything your favorite player’s ever done, what do you think the best criticism or specific critique of them is?

Think of the one point that you can’t really refute about him or her. What makes your favorite player a MUG?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

My criticism for Rafa - He really is very stubborn at times, just refuses to change and adapt in many situations. Albeit its not as bad as Roger, but still very frustrating to see. He wasted 3 years of his prime by playing overly defensive tennis and not playing as efficient as 2017-present.

 

[Linelicker]

Rafa takes extra time to put pressure on opponents in big moments. Not a fan of that.

 

[Kralingen]

Albeit its not as bad as Roger, but still very frustrating to see.

This is not what this thread is about. No veiled insults towards other players.

I’ll start with Andre - he choked heavily and threw in a stinker in two winnable finals (90 RG/USO) at the beginning of his career then lost an excruciatingly painful one from 2-1 up to Courier at 91 RG. He mugged up a lot of his prime due to injury and mental issues.

The sad part is that aside from maybe the 94 USO-95 USO stretch, he never really was the undisputed best player in the world. Connors, Lendl, Mac all had truly dominant stretches as clear #1s, Andre never did.

 

[Tshooter]

Rafa hits too many winners. And he wins too many majors. Very selfish.

 

[weakera]

1. Should have played USO 2020
2. Should not have approached net on break point in Wimbledon 2018, missed backhand down the line at AO 2012
3. Should have hired Moya mid 2014 when it was clear that things were going badly

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

Kyrgios bromance with Djokovic. His tough-guy act is all fake.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

This is not what this thread is about. No veiled insults towards other players.

I’ll start with Andre - he choked heavily and threw in a stinker in two winnable finals (90 RG/USO) at the beginning of his career then lost an excruciatingly painful one from 2-1 up to Courier at 91 RG. He mugged up a lot of his prime due to injury and mental issues.

The sad part is that aside from maybe the 94 USO-95 USO stretch, he never really was the undisputed best player in the world. Connors, Lendl, Mac all had truly dominant stretches as clear #1s, Andre never did.

What insult are you talking about, man? Roger's been a stubborn guy and its not a top secret anymore

 

[Kralingen]

What insult are you talking about, man? Roger's been a stubborn guy and its not a top secret anymore

It’s about your favorite player only is my point

 

[mike danny]

Fed's H2H with Nadal. He really should've kept Nadal at bay while still in his prime. If he wins Wimb 2008 or/and AO 2009, nobody would say a thing about his H2H with Nadal. Those were important matches and Fed lost them.

Plus, he allowed Nadal to creep inside his head. He should've said to himself that he's MF-ing Roger Federer and imposed his will on Nadal.

 

[ojo rojo]

I wish he deployed the forkhand-down-the-baseline moar often..

 

[Kralingen]

I wish he deployed the forkhand-down-the-baseline moar often..

Wow. There may be valid critiques of other players but Suresh is flawless in every way. Any perceived criticisms are just examples of his excellent sportsmanship giving other players a chance.

Repoarted @JoelDali

 

[juanparty]

My criticism for Feddy is the numerous 40-15, that he never made Rafa nervous in RG, which makes him look like a player who did not know how to apply strategies, and he is very weepy

 

[Russeljones]

My criticism for Rafa - He really is very stubborn at times, just refuses to change and adapt in many situations. Albeit its not as bad as Roger, but still very frustrating to see. He wasted 3 years of his prime by playing overly defensive tennis and not playing as efficient as 2017-present.

This is probably it. The stubbornness is part of what catapulted them to the top, but it is also what caused some frustrating moments.

 

[juanparty]

I wish he deployed the forkhand-down-the-baseline moar often..

your favorite player is Carlton Banks?

 

[Oceans II]

Hard to pick out a flaw achievement, competition, h2h, versatility wise. Not a biggie but maybe Nole not winning a slam without dropping a set. Just sometimes drop a few unnecessary sets. Gets the job done which is most important. Funnily enough the times when Nole had steamrolled through a draw prior to the latter stages were the times when he suffered a shock defeat soon after.

 

[MichaelNadal]

My favorite player Novak is boring AF

 

[jl809]

Multiple Bo5 matches where Murray played 2 or 3 good sets against Djokovic and then dropped off a ****ing cliff for no discernible reason. Throws the 4th against him at AO 2012, nearly blows the US Open win from 2 sets up, then has THREE MATCHES (AO 13, USO 14, AO 15) where him and Djoker split the first 2 sets in TBs before Andy decides that’s enough and dips out, leaving Djoker to win some 6-2 or 6-3 sets.

It’s just pathetic because he had the game (and a clear strategy under Lendl) to compete with Djokovic. It was all between the ears. Wimbledon 2013 was the only time in a slam that he really fought from the first to the last moment.

Also, don’t get me started on Andy getting a short ball, hitting a soft forehand and retreating to the baseline. He’s so tentative and it drives me ****ing nuts

 

[MichaelNadal]

Multiple Bo5 matches where Murray played 2 or 3 good sets against Djokovic and then dropped off a ****ing cliff for no discernible reason. Throws the 4th against him at AO 2012, nearly blows the US Open win from 2 sets up, then has THREE MATCHES (AO 13, USO 14, AO 15) where him and Djoker split the first 2 sets in TBs before Andy decides that’s enough and dips out, leaving Djoker to win some 6-2 or 6-3 sets.

It’s just pathetic because he had the game (and a clear strategy under Lendl) to compete with Djokovic. It was all between the ears. Wimbledon 2013 was the only time in a slam that he really fought from the first to the last moment.

Also, don’t get me started on Andy getting a short ball, hitting a soft forehand and retreating to the baseline. He’s so tentative and it drives me ****ing nuts

 

[RS]

Nadal - Not winning YEC once. Then kept getting whopped by Djokovic and Fed in non clay matches post 2013. At least with Fed it matters far less but with Djokovic it's far worse.

Agassi - Missing winnable slams due to personal problems.

Murray - I guess Stan winning the same number of slams despite Murray's far better consistency.

 

[mike danny]

Multiple Bo5 matches where Murray played 2 or 3 good sets against Djokovic and then dropped off a ****ing cliff for no discernible reason. Throws the 4th against him at AO 2012, nearly blows the US Open win from 2 sets up, then has THREE MATCHES (AO 13, USO 14, AO 15) where him and Djoker split the first 2 sets in TBs before Andy decides that’s enough and dips out, leaving Djoker to win some 6-2 or 6-3 sets.

It’s just pathetic because he had the game (and a clear strategy under Lendl) to compete with Djokovic. It was all between the ears. Wimbledon 2013 was the only time in a slam that he really fought from the first to the last moment.

Also, don’t get me started on Andy getting a short ball, hitting a soft forehand and retreating to the baseline. He’s so tentative and it drives me ****ing nuts

Hey, at least Murray didn't have some classic Next Gen collapses.

 

[jl809]

It’s been a long 15 years

 

[RS]

Multiple Bo5 matches where Murray played 2 or 3 good sets against Djokovic and then dropped off a ****ing cliff for no discernible reason. Throws the 4th against him at AO 2012, nearly blows the US Open win from 2 sets up, then has THREE MATCHES (AO 13, USO 14, AO 15) where him and Djoker split the first 2 sets in TBs before Andy decides that’s enough and dips out, leaving Djoker to win some 6-2 or 6-3 sets.

It’s just pathetic because he had the game (and a clear strategy under Lendl) to compete with Djokovic. It was all between the ears. Wimbledon 2013 was the only time in a slam that he really fought from the first to the last moment.

Also, don’t get me started on Andy getting a short ball, hitting a soft forehand and retreating to the baseline. He’s so tentative and it drives me ****ing nuts

Those 2 very bad injuries in his prime didn't help some the above. One which spanned like 3 years and burned Murray out totally.

 

[Tshooter]

My fav player Egg skips a lot of majors.

 

[jl809]

Those 2 very bad injuries in his prime didn't help some the above. One which spanned like 3 years and burned Murray out totally.

yeah USO 14 is one that in truth I totally give him a free pass for. He was not fully back yet after a really tough time. It’s just there was a flash in the middle of the match that looked great and then it vanished again

 

[RS]

yeah USO 14 is one that in truth I totally give him a free pass for. He was not fully back yet after a really tough time. It’s just there was a flash in the middle of the match that looked great and then it vanished again

The first 2 sets very high quality. Murray had some umph on his FH.

 

[slipgrip93]

Well, for maybe new fav, brand new next gen, youngest ever no. 1 ranked player, Carlos Alcaraz, there has been 'criticism' probably some of it trolling, of his height as a 'midget', when he's actually only an inch or so shorter than Sampras, (also 2nd youngest to win the USO, just a few months after Sampras by age), and still taller than Agassi.

 

[mike danny]

yeah USO 14 is one that in truth I totally give him a free pass for. He was not fully back yet after a really tough time. It’s just there was a flash in the middle of the match that looked great and then it vanished again

Doesn't AO 2014 fit this description better?

 

[Booger]

"Tomic is not very good at tennis"

Ok fair enough

 

[jl809]

Doesn't AO 2014 fit this description better?

Yeah, he did very well to make the QFs all things considered

 

[thrust]

It’s about your favorite player only is my point

Djokovic- Refusal to get vaccinated. Wasting his time at the Olympics, especially by playing mixed doubles.

 

[nov]

Djokovic broke racquets. Its nothing wrong to release emotions. But hes top player and show bad example for future kids which for sure going to continue this behaviour. He most likely took this behaviour from older players, but still he could change that!

 

[NonP]

Pistol is the best fast-court player ever. Who are these mugs calling the BOAT a mere 3-trick pony when the most infamous 1-trick equine of 'em all has been gifted 22 Slams and counting?

Boris likes the good life a little too much. Instead of enabling his behavior they should've put him in a fiscal sanitarium in the 1st place.

Djoker can change water with emotions. He can absolutely turn it into a salty variety when he does this:

Henin is a good-looking woman. Of course the implication is that there's something wrong with her features in the 1st place. Talk about a backhanded compliment.

You're welcome.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Federer - Used to take like 10 seconds between serves under pressure. Imagine if he tried to focus more and took 30 seconds before serving on MPs against Djokovic? It would have made difference imo. Instead he used to rush himself as if he somehow wanted to escape the situation - win or lose. It reflects poorly on his mental strength.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Federer - always believed his talent alone would do the job. Never studied games of rivals like Djokovic does and developed proper game plans. Even as far as in 2011 - he used to say "match is always on my racket except it's Nadal on clay". This mindset helped him to dominate tour for four years but it harmed him more once ATG rivals started challenging him. He would have solved Murray problem much earlier if he tried to adjust his game for him.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Thiem did not play his best tennis in most of his big finals.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Multiple Bo5 matches where Murray played 2 or 3 good sets against Djokovic and then dropped off a ****ing cliff for no discernible reason. Throws the 4th against him at AO 2012, nearly blows the US Open win from 2 sets up, then has THREE MATCHES (AO 13, USO 14, AO 15) where him and Djoker split the first 2 sets in TBs before Andy decides that’s enough and dips out, leaving Djoker to win some 6-2 or 6-3 sets.

It’s just pathetic because he had the game (and a clear strategy under Lendl) to compete with Djokovic. It was all between the ears. Wimbledon 2013 was the only time in a slam that he really fought from the first to the last moment.

Also, don’t get me started on Andy getting a short ball, hitting a soft forehand and retreating to the baseline. He’s so tentative and it drives me ****ing nuts

Problem with Murray that he had to play well above his average level to compete with Djokovic in Slams. You can't sustain that level for long. On top of that Murray doesn't have a sound mature mind. Too many mental ups and downs in single match. Abusing his box and getting distracted by nothing etc. It's miracle he managed to get two wins against Djokovic in Slams. He found Djokovic on his worst day - otherwise he wouldn't win a single Slam meeting. He just didn't have what it takes to beat Djokovic in Slams. Compared to this Wawrinka had everything to beat Djokovic - big offensive game, strong mindset and ability to rally long. That's why he defeated Djokovic more often in Slams. And his wins were far more impressive.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Kyrgios bromance with Djokovic. His tough-guy act is all fake.

It was evident long before 2022 w final, tho.

 

[ND-13]

2-1 at USO, bud

 

[thrust]

Djokovic broke racquets. Its nothing wrong to release emotions. But hes top player and show bad example for future kids which for sure going to continue this behaviour. He most likely took this behaviour from older players, but still he could change that!

I AGREE, smashing and throwing racquetts is juvenile and not worthy of a pro player.

 

[Underdog]

Well, I really dislike how Nadal never plays to the server’s pace. I think it’s rude.
As per playing stuff, allows himself and other to put himself on a too passive defensive position too often, especially during his best days physically.

 

[jl809]

This was a fantastic idea for a thread btw, great responses by and large too

 

[GabeT]

Get vaxxed! Need I say more?

 

[Underdog]

Also, a few regrets:
1. Not going down the line or drop shot with that backhand on BP at W 2018
2. Hitting the backhand wide at AO 2012
3. Not playing the 2020 USO
4. Never winning YEC
5. Blowing chances at Masters he’s neven won, especially Miami
6. Very bad looking h2h off clay since 2013
7. Losing to freaking Soderling in what could have turned out to be a 10 year streak
8. Getting injured at AO 14 final (not his fault, tho) and during AOs 10 and 11 for that matter.
9. Playing poorly at W 12 and 13.
10. Losing AO ‘08 to Tsonga.
11. Playing too passive to hit through Djokovic the whole 2011 season
I think those are all the significant flaws Nadal has on his side.

 

[Kralingen]

This was a fantastic idea for a thread btw, great responses by and large too

This board takes itself way too seriously, some humility and self reflection would be welcome..

 

[lrdrdy]

Ive known for a long time that Novak is unrivaled on a hard court. But his USO record is indefensible. I dont think people understand how often he has made it to the final, semifinal, and quarterfinal, and came up short. Every year I watch the US open to watch him lose in some unexpected way it sucks

 

[President]

I dislike Nadal's time wasting and (at times) strategic MTOs and bathroom breaks. He also played way too passively on hard courts for far too long, he should have been a hard court grand slam contender by 2007 or so. His record against Novak on hard courts in the last decade or so is very poor.

 

[tennis_pro]

My criticism for Rafa - He really is very stubborn at times, just refuses to change and adapt in many situations. Albeit its not as bad as Roger, but still very frustrating to see. He wasted 3 years of his prime by playing overly defensive tennis and not playing as efficient as 2017-present.

"Nadal is bad at something, but Federer is worse, so all good."

 

[toby55555]

Steffi rarely hit a top spin backhand so a question mark as to whether her game would hold up against today’s slow court baseline sluggers.

 

[NastyWinners]

Not my favorite but one of them -- Murray playing too defensively. With his hands he should have been at the net more often than he was.