Who tennis player sabotaged his game the most

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

I would go with Safin most underachieving.

But since no one will bring him up Agassi is an interesting mention. He admitted to not believing in himself until someone came along who really believed in him forgot who... was goofing off partying and doing drugs instead. If he'd always worked hard and believed wouldve achieved way more

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Fedr

There is indeed something to be said for Federer being better at all but one of the strokes in the game than Djokovic and yet finishing with a very inferior resume lol...

Part of that is Djokovic high percentage machine style is super consistent... but consistently throwing grand slam matches against him with multiple match points? Omg he shouldve won all of those

 

[Cortana]

Kyrgios.

He isn‘t a real tennis player anyway, plays more CoD than tennis and reached a Wimbledon final.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Hard to say he "sabotaged" his career when he's got 7 Majors, 4 years at #1, a boatload of career titles, and a firm spot in the all-time pantheon.

He did sabotage his 1990 Australian Open chances, though

Not hard at all. Mac winning 7 slams is underperforming to a huge degree. He should have won 12-14 and been #1 for 270 weeks. He was insanely good.

 

[Smecz]

I'm not sure if you remember, but there was a player called Martin Klizan, a left-handed player, very good technically, etc.

But he had a weak mentality, he did a lot of "tanking" on the court.

In his behavior and game he resembled Novak Djokovic a bit, I think he had a lot of potential and talent, but he lacked a good attitude and a strong mentality.

This is also a player who sabotaged his game a lot!!!

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Not hard at all. Mac winning 7 slams is underperforming to a huge degree. He should have won 12-14 and been #1 for 270 weeks. He was insanely good.

Only 12-14 and not 24? LAME!

 

[Musterrific]

Nalbandian got fat.

And he's ripped now that it doesn't matter anymore - what a moron!

 

[Musterrific]

Hard to say he "sabotaged" his career when he's got 7 Majors, 4 years at #1, a boatload of career titles, and a firm spot in the all-time pantheon.

He did sabotage his 1990 Australian Open chances, though

BeatlesFan is right though - Mac massively underachieved despite his impressive resume. To never win another slam after utterly destroying the tour in '84 due to self inflicted off-court BS? That's the very definition of sabotaging one's own game and career.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Also, lol at Serena Williams, arguably the most accomplished women’s player of the Open Era, being on this list

Arguably is the key word here, very arguably. But your overall point is correct she has no business being on that list.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

McEnroe by far. After Fed, he's clearly the most talented tennis player ever. He went 82-3 in 1984 but meets Tatum in December. He promptly loses loses both his rubbers in the Davis Cup in Sweden, then after Lendl beats him in the '85 USO final, takes a sabbatical.

He was never the same player, squandering his chances to win more slams. He descended into drug use, steroid abuse and all sorts of tacky off court drama with an extremely high maintenance wife.

He did underachieved this is correct, but his is he do talented? He was of course close to GOAT volleyer and had a great serve and good passes, but there were also several aspects of the game where he didn’t strike me as massively talented. Also not sure whether I would subscribe that Fed is THE most talented.

 

[artdeco]

Surely Tomic.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Safin, Rios, Kyrgios. Head cases with all the talent in the world. They all made it to at least one Slam Final and could have done so much more than they did if they weren't so unstable.

With all the praise they get here, neither Rios nor Kyrgios had/have a very high ceiling. Both of them have good hands and racquet skills which people often misjudge as talent. However, both of them also have serious flaws in their game. Rios never had a match where he beat a GOAT candidate/ATG in good form. His biggest scalps are the Agassi wins, but 98 Agassi wasn’t exactly prime. He reached one slam final where he got destroyed by a relatively poor final opponent. Never ever reached another semi. Kyrgios has some good wins against the big three, but also mostly when they were not at their best. If at all, I would say Safin is the one who massively underachieved. His two wins against Fed/Pete are legit and he won two slams. The Johansson loss alone was a complete squander.

 

[Smecz]

Surely Tomic.

Yes he was talented but Lazy

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

There is indeed something to be said for Federer being better at all but one of the strokes in the game than Djokovic and yet finishing with a very inferior resume lol...

Part of that is Djokovic high percentage machine style is super consistent... but consistently throwing grand slam matches against him with multiple match points? Omg he shouldve won all of those

Djo has the better backhand and better return, Fed the better serve, volley, forehand, passing shots are equal. However, Djo is both the better athlete and mentally stronger, so I don’t see why Fed should me so much better and squandered anything as compared to Djo.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

The usual suspects. Safin, Nalbandian, Ríos, Gulbis, Fognini, Shapovalov, etc.

I would add Gaudio, aside from that RG run he really underachieved. He had a bit of bad luck in his other RG runs, losing to Ferrero from a break up in the fifth, Ferrer from TWO breaks up in the fifth (would have been a nice match vs Nadal had he won), ran into Kuerten and gave him a decent fight.

On grass, he was a disaster and on HC he showed he could play well (the match vs Federer in Canada 2003) but was largely mediocre. On clay he could have achieved much more with a better head, he had some great runs like Roland Garros 2004, Barcelona 2002 and a few others but was a total headcase.

 

[Sudacafan]

Safin. Imagine if he took tennis seriously. He won an M1000 with a hangover, destroying Nalbandian in the final.

I just don't remember if it was Madrid or Paris-Bercy.

That was because your own hangover?

 

[Tennfan123]

Gasquet

 

[accidental]

Coria’s mind sabotaged his own game so severely he actually retired. He couldn’t even play at atp level anymore at age 26 after being in the top 10 for 3 years. He also had one of the greatest choke jobs of all time in the 2004 French Open

 

[helterskelter]

All right,she is a Goat,but her behavior often did not help her win!!!

I meant that she is the goat of underachievement!

 

[Smecz]

I meant that she is the goat of underachievement!

I get it

 

[Arak]

Coria. Say what you will about the rest’s commitment to the game or professionalism; but none of them forgot how to hit a professional tennis serve.

From wiki: Despite having a consistent season in 2005, during his tournament victory in Umag he started to suffer from the service yips, a psychological condition that renders a tennis player unable to hit the ball at the correct moment when serving.

 

[bitcoinoperated]

I'd be interested in OPs reasoning behind

Martin Hingis
Agnieszka Radwanska
Mary Pierce

I'd say Halep, then Sharapova getting busted for failing drug tests. If you can't even play tennis because you are banned that is heavy sabotage. Novak probably cost himself some slams due to his vax stand.

Otherwise Roddick. Changes to his game seemed odd and seemed to fail. Raonic just seemed to go on a diet of pies so perhaps he's a candidate, no idea what else was going on.

 

[S'in-net]

If you're looking at longevity then the Swedish players all underachieved; starting with Borg
So Borg beats Wilander 6-1, 6-1, Geneva clay/September '81, and eight months later Wilander goes on to collect RG '82 vacated by Borg. Borg must have been crying in his beer, especially with that final.
Then Wilander himself follows Borg headfirst straight off the cliff, prematurely, winning his last slam at the age of just turned 24...
Whole host of others around that period as well including Sundstrom, Larsson, even Christer Allgardh who was a talent that never broke through, retiring at 26
Can include Carina Karlsen, the only qualifier to make women's quarters at AELTC, yet fell off the cliff with injuries about a year afterwards.

 

[travlerajm]

The key is to turn ur fat into muscle.

Tennis alchemy.

 

[ALCARAZWON]

Got to be Nadal.

 

[SpinWizard]

Thiem

 

[mike danny]

David Nalbandian’s lack of interest and commitment was fairly embarrassing for a top pro. The guy was exceptionally talented, absolutely amazing groundstrokes and return. In contrast, Andy Roddick was extremely professional, but his tactical choices in terms of his forehand severely handicapped him. Safin is in the same mold as Nalbandian, although in his case I think injuries were the bigger factor.


To me, Safin and Nalbandian were far more talented than Hewitt and Roddick and really should have been Federer’s main rivals before Nadal emerged. Credit to the latter two for their professionalism and work ethic.

Nalbandian was never going to be a main rival with that serve.

 

[mike danny]

Hard disagree. He had all the technical and physical advantages in the world. Easy serve (inconsistent but it was always a focus issue, not a technical issue). One of the best FH on tour, all the power and variety you could ask for in a 1H (and could hold its own against Rafa on clay). Exceptional feel at the net. Solid enough return that it wasn't a glaring Achilles heel (unlike Tsitsipas or Wawrinka). Athletic beast. Great court sense when his head was in the game.

Only problem, his head was rarely in the game.

Helped a lot by the fact that he's a lefty so Nadal's FH doesn't go into his one hander.

 

[Smecz]

I'd be interested in OPs reasoning behind

Martin Hingis
Agnieszka Radwanska
Mary Pierce

I'd say Halep, then Sharapova getting busted for failing drug tests. If you can't even play tennis because you are banned that is heavy sabotage. Novak probably cost himself some slams due to his vax stand.

Otherwise Roddick. Changes to his game seemed odd and seemed to fail. Raonic just seemed to go on a diet of pies so perhaps he's a candidate, no idea what else was going on.

Martin Hingis:

Agnieszka Radwanska:
He had a lot of whims on the court, was offended by the whole world, had a lot of negative energy, and had enormous talent and potential
Mary Pierce:
Her Father
the conflict with her father sabotaged her game, and she focuses on the game until the end...
I'm reading now that several tennis players had a lot of problems with their fathers, coaches. Example: Jennifer Capriati

The 5 Worst Tennis Fathers of All Time

Most tennis fathers are just like other sports dads. They are passionate about their child's participation. They may occasionally get riled up when they perceive their child is being slighted...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

Now, when I read your post, I realize that if we were to actually create a vote on which player sabotaged his game the most, the list of players would be very, very long...A never ending story

 

[bitcoinoperated]

Martin Hingis:

Agnieszka Radwanska:
He had a lot of whims on the court, was offended by the whole world, had a lot of negative energy, and had enormous talent and potential
Mary Pierce:
Her Father
the conflict with her father sabotaged her game, and she focuses on the game until the end...
I'm reading now that several tennis players had a lot of problems with their fathers, coaches. Example: Jennifer Capriati

The 5 Worst Tennis Fathers of All Time

Most tennis fathers are just like other sports dads. They are passionate about their child's participation. They may occasionally get riled up when they perceive their child is being slighted...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

Now, when I read your post, I realize that if we were to actually create a vote on which player sabotaged his game the most, the list of players would be very, very long...A never ending story

Hingis '99 was one GS at 19yo. I wouldn't see that as max level career sabotage. She bounced back well but just wasn't a 6' big flat hitter so was a transitional champ at best.

ARad, though I liked watching her had zero firepower. That was the real issue. Is that top level sabotage? Is she going to be a mass monster?

Pierce, I'll take your word for it. Tennis parents are awful and she had some religious thing for ages so I'd chalk the whole drama up to WTA headcase.

 

[Smecz]

Hingis '99 was one GS at 19yo. I wouldn't see that as max level career sabotage. She bounced back well but just wasn't a 6' big flat hitter so was a transitional champ at best.

ARad, though I liked watching her had zero firepower. That was the real issue. Is that top level sabotage? Is she going to be a mass monster?

Pierce, I'll take your word for it. Tennis parents are awful and she had some religious thing for ages so I'd chalk the whole drama up to WTA headcase.

Mothef Hingis has a bad influence for her,
because of this, she dramatized a lot, the pay, she was very sensitive about herself...

Martin won 6 Gs and she was number 1,If it weren't for her mother's possessiveness, who knows how much Martina would have won...

It doesn't help, it even makes it more difficult, the truth is that the parent often behaves as if he would play better on the court... haha

Moreover, he thinks that if he sees his child's mistakes because he has a better field of vision because he is sitting in the stands, it is so easy for the player to correct the mistakes... Heh

Generally sabotaging your children in tennis is a very common phenomenon...Ehh

 

[thrust]

Good,but she has a two big failures at the Us Open,Arguments with referees that were unnecessary!!.

True, but that does not take away the quality of her tennis, it is a personality problem.

 

[Smecz]

?!

 

[Smecz]

True, but that does not take away the quality of her tennis, it is a personality problem.

?!

 

[Smecz]

True, but that does not take away the quality of her tennis, it is a personality problem.

Sorry for ?!,your post was not displayed

Now do things...

Yes, it just didn't help her in playing, not everyone is John Mccenroe!!

 

[dyslexical-scope]

Jimmy Connors sabotaged his perfected tennis play when he strayed from the glory of the T-2000

 

[Jonesy]

Sinner.

If he picked tennis at age of 3 like everyone else instead of 13 we would be watching him peak much sooner.

Plus, what he hell is he doing with that 12 year old body at 22? He must hit the gym or the injuries will continue to plague him.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Sinner.

If he picked tennis at age of 3 like everyone else instead of 13 we would be watching him peak much sooner.

Plus, what he hell is he doing with that 12 year old body at 22? He must hit the gym or the injuries will continue to plague him.

This is so exaggerated. If these players do play at 3, they are not entering competitions. Sinner was playing tennis as a hobby for a long time before turning 13. I don't think he would have made much difference to his journey.

 

[Smecz]

Sinner.

If he picked tennis at age of 3 like everyone else instead of 13 we would be watching him peak much sooner.

Plus, what he hell is he doing with that 12 year old body at 22? He must hit the gym or the injuries will continue to plague him.

He recently mentioned it in an interview, and from what I know, he started going to the gym

 

[Jonesy]

This is so exaggerated. If these players do play at 3, they are not entering competitions. Sinner was playing tennis as a hobby for a long time before turning 13. I don't think he would have made much difference to his journey.

If he had focused solely on tennis at early ages like most players do he would be much better. Some fine motor skills you only get that young. Competitive skiing took Sinner away from the right path.

 

[Jonesy]

He recently mentioned it in an interview, and from what I know, he started going to the gym

That is good.

 

[nolefam_2024]

If he had focused solely on tennis at early ages like most players do he would be much better. Some motor skills you only get that young. Competitive skiing took Sinner away from the right path.

I don't think so. He learned other motor skills which are also good for tennis.

 

[Jonesy]

I don't think so. He learned other motor skills which are also good for tennis.

I think while skiing might have its benefits he could have a much better touch and serve if he went the other path.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

This is so exaggerated. If these players do play at 3, they are not entering competitions. Sinner was playing tennis as a hobby for a long time before turning 13. I don't think he would have made much difference to his journey.

I used to look at this to see if any high end pros started late, google search always said every player I looked up started between 3-6 years old