Who's the third best player right now?

Third best player in the world?

  • Federer

    Votes: 21 29.6%

  • Thiem

    Votes: 41 57.7%

  • Medvedev

    Votes: 3 4.2%

  • Stefanos

    Votes: 1 1.4%

  • Other

    Votes: 5 7.0%
  • Total voters
    71
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Hall of Fame
Given how their results and level of play from let's say the beginning of 2019 until the COVID-19 lockout this past March, who has been the third best player in men's tennis behind Djokodal? It's definitely among these 4 players below:

Federer: 1 slam final, 2 slam semis, 4 titles won (2 RUs), 1 Masters Title (1 RU), 84% win percentage, 7 wins vs top 10 players, and currently ranked #4 in the world

Thiem: 2 slam finals, 5 titles won (3 RUs), 1 Masters Title, WTF runner-up, 71% win percentage, 12 wins vs top 10 players, and currently ranked #3 in the world

Medvedev: 1 slam final, 4 titles won (5 RUs), 2 Masters Titles (1 RU), made 6 straight finals in summer/fall '19, 8 wins vs top 10 players, 75% win percentage, and currently ranked #5 in the world

Stefanos: 1 slam semifinal, 4 titles won (4 RUs), 2 Masters runner-ups, WTF Title, 69% win percentage, 10 wins vs top 10 players, and currently ranked #6 in the world
 
Federer, because Thiem is just not that good on grass, where Fed is second only to Djoker there. This might change when the tour returns because one is only getting better and the other is only maintaining his level.
 
Jonesy said:
Federer, because Thiem is just not that good on grass, where Fed is second only to Djoker there. This might change when the tour returns because one is only getting better and the other is only maintaining his level.
Click to expand...

There will be not grass season until 2021 and Federer will be almost 40 by then.
Thiem is clearly much better on clay and since the final months of 2019 until now he is the better player on hardcourts aswell.
So Wimbledon is the only hope where the Swiss could still beat the Austrian and it remains to be seen whether Federer will be able to make it to a later stage of a major tournament.
:)
 
DSH said:
There will be not grass season until 2021 and Federer will be almost 40 by then.
Thiem is clearly much better on clay and since the final months of 2019 until now he is the better player on hardcourts aswell.
So Wimbledon is the only hope where the Swiss could still beat the Austrian and it remains to be seen whether Federer will be able to make it to a later stage of a major tournament.
:)
Click to expand...

Made the final and semis of two of the last three slams. LOL

It remains to be seen if Federer can be stopped from continuing to make it to the latter stage of a major tournament, not the other way around, tough guy! :D
 
DSH said:
There will be not grass season until 2021 and Federer will be almost 40 by then.
Thiem is clearly much better on clay and since the final months of 2019 until now he is the better player on hardcourts aswell.
So Wimbledon is the only hope where the Swiss could still beat the Austrian and it remains to be seen whether Federer will be able to make it to a later stage of a major tournament.
:)
Click to expand...
By 2021, Thiem will be almost 30 and will have lost a step. This will open up the door for Federer to sneak another one.
 
Hitman said:
Made the final and semis of two of the last three slams. LOL

It remains to be seen if Federer can be stopped from continuing to make it to the latter stage of a major tournament, not the other way around, tough guy! :D
Click to expand...

You laugh now but soon you will discover Father Time is undefeated!
:p
 
DSH said:
You laugh now but soon you will discover Father Time is undefeated!
:p
Click to expand...

When he defeats Federer let me know...let me see, last clay slam - semi, last grass slam - final, last hard slam - semi again....LOL

At least have your feet on the ground when you make such statements. Federer is consistently making it to the latter stages no matter the surface. When he stops doing that, then let us know. So it remains to be seen if he can be stopped, because right now it ain't happening on any surface.
 
travlerajm said:
By 2021, Thiem will be almost 30 and will have lost a step. This will open up the door for Federer to sneak another one.
Click to expand...

o_O
Thiem will be 27 years old towards 28, he will be at his peak; Meanwhile, Federer will be almost 40 years old and if you're talking about missing a step, I'm sure who will be most affected will be the one born in Basel.
 
Hitman said:
When he defeats Federer let me know...let me see, last clay slam - semi, last grass slam - final, last hard slam - semi again....LOL

At least have your feet on the ground when you make such statements. Federer is consistently making it to the latter stages no matter the surface. When he stops doing that, then let us know. So it remains to be seen if he can be stopped, because right now it ain't happening on any surface.
Click to expand...

Thiem is the better player now.
There is no need to be embarrassed to say it clearly and emphatically.
;)
 
DSH said:
Thiem is the better player now.
There is no need to be embarrassed to say it clearly and emphatically.
;)
Click to expand...


I am not arguing if Thiem is the better player now, I am smiling at your statement that you think it remains to be seen if Federer can make it to the latter stages of slams, when he made a slam final, and two slam semis in 3 of the last 4.

How about you don't write his eulogy just yet? Afraid he may get 21 and hurt Rafa's chances to surpass him? ;)
 
Thiem, definitely on hardcourt and clay. Federer would still be favoured over Thiem on grass.

Medvedev, Stan, Tsitsipas and many other players also have an argument here.

I think many of us believe (hope?) that Zverev will make his second big push when the tour restarts.

DSH said:
Thiem is the better player now.
There is no need to be embarrassed to say it clearly and emphatically.
;)
Click to expand...
Hitman said:
I am not arguing if Thiem is the better player now, I am smiling at your statement that you think it remains to be seen if Federer can make it to the latter stages of slams, when he made a slam final, and two slam semis in 3 of the last 4.

How about you don't write his eulogy just yet? Afraid he may get 21 and hurt Rafa's chances to surpass him? ;)
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The Robbie Koenig rule....... Federer will stop being a threat at majors when he stops playing majors. Until then, this maniac Roger is too dangerous to count out of winning anything!
 
Subway Tennis said:
The Robbie Koenig rule....... Federer will stop being a threat at majors when he stops playing majors. Until then, this maniac Roger is too dangerous to count out of winning anything!
Click to expand...

Pretty much this. I have seen people writing him off since 2008, especially here in 2013 and then even more so in 2016 and he kept coming back. Not wise to write of a player as legendary as Federer. And the guy is still very consistently making it to the business end of slam events. Never wise to do it to any ATG really, make such absolute statements, these guys have made a career of proving the naysayers wrong.
 
Hitman said:
I am not arguing if Thiem is the better player now, I am smiling at your statement that you think it remains to be seen if Federer can make it to the latter stages of slams, when he made a slam final, and two slam semis in 3 of the last 4.

How about you don't write his eulogy just yet? Afraid he may get 21 and hurt Rafa's chances to surpass him? ;)
Click to expand...

I think Corona has all but killed Fed's chances at 21, but it also will hurt Rafa if the U.S Open/French September double bizarre thing-o does not go through (I still have a hard time believing it really would, is tennis crazy). And Djokovic has already been damaged by it, probably the most of all.
 
flutzingitaway said:
I think Corona has all but killed Fed's chances at 21, but it also will hurt Rafa if the U.S Open/French September double bizarre thing-o does not go through (I still have a hard time believing it really would, is tennis crazy). And Djokovic has already been damaged by it, probably the most of all.
Click to expand...

Yeah, its just another added layer of complexity. I'd rather not go too much into the hypotheticals on that until we have a clearer picture on what actually officially will happen. Get your points though.
 
Hitman said:
Pretty much this. I have seen people writing him off since 2008, especially here in 2013 and then even more so in 2016 and he kept coming back. Not wise to write of a player as legendary as Federer. And the guy is still very consistently making it to the business end of slam events. Never wise to do it to any ATG really, make such absolute statements, these guys have made a career of proving the naysayers wrong.
Click to expand...

I've done it about Federer at least four times myself and always end up looking like an idiot.
 
Hitman said:
Yeah, its just another added layer of complexity. I'd rather not go too much into the hypotheticals on that until we have a clearer picture on what actually officially will happen. Get your points though.
Click to expand...

For sure! It is like Roddick said though, it will impact the history books, the exact impact remains to be seen. And of course none of us will know even then, since exactly what transpires in the fictional reality will forever be a what if too.

It feels crazy and trivial to even carry about anything tennis or record related at a time like this, but ultimately this will add a super complicated layer to everything and what happens.
 
flutzingitaway said:
For sure! It is like Roddick said though, it will impact the history books, the exact impact remains to be seen. And of course none of us will know even then, since exactly what transpires in the fictional reality will forever be a what if too.

It feels crazy and trivial to even carry about anything tennis or record related at a time like this, but ultimately this will add a super complicated layer to everything and what happens.
Click to expand...

I totally get it. I mean do we start throwing asterisks now? If RG gets played, and Rafa comes in tired from USO campaign and the conditions are also colder and damper and the ball doesn't bounce as high as it would during the height of spring and he loses, will there be asterisks on the slam record? If RG, USO get played and W doesn't, will there be asterisks put on the fact Federer couldn't play his fav slam while Nadal could play his twice before the next W? Would there be asterisks put on Djokovic if no slams gets played this year and the next one is AO, so he gets to play his fav back to back? Will Fedal have asterisks because Djokovic being the more inform player and younger player and fav on two of three surfaces is unable to defend his W title or compete for a USO title? Is there asterisk on Federer if Nadal and Djokovic lose a full season of contending for slams and by the time they return, the next gen have matured enough to take over, taking away their chances?, It can be a headache think about all these things, hence I try to stay away from these discussions when they go overboard.
 
Hitman said:
I totally get it. I mean do we start throwing asterisks now? If RG gets played, and Rafa comes in tired from USO campaign and the conditions are also colder and damper and the ball doesn't bounce as high as it would during the height of spring and he loses, will there be asterisks on the slam record? If RG, USO get played and W doesn't, will there be asterisks put on the fact Federer couldn't play his fav slam while Nadal could play his twice before the next W? Would there be asterisks put on Djokovic if no slams gets played this year and the next one is AO, so he gets to play his fav back to back? Will Fedal have asterisks because Djokovic being the more inform player and younger player and fav on two of three surfaces is unable to defend his W title or compete for a USO title? Is there asterisk on Federer if Nadal and Djokovic lose a full season of contending for slams and by the time they return, the next gen have matured enough to take over, taking away their chances?, It can be a headache think about all these things, hence I try to stay away from these discussions when they go overboard.
Click to expand...
If tennis really does come back, I’d be surprised if the ATP doesn’t re-order the schedule for slams. Having two majors in back-to-back weeks sounds so bizarre to me lol
 
clout said:
If tennis really does come back, I’d be surprised if the ATP doesn’t re-order the schedule for slams. Having two majors in back-to-back weeks sounds so bizarre to me lol
Click to expand...

Well, the slams are ITF not run by the ATP.

The USO would naturally go first, since if the events are going ahead then USO will be the one likely to happen around the originally scheduled time. The French Tennis Federation will want to get their slam going by end of September, because as they head into October, the sun will be setting by 6pm. There will be long shadows cast over the courts because the sun will be much lower, and will also hinder servers. Plus if it gets dark that quick, they could quickly get a back log of matches, because weather in the fall in Paris isn't that good. It starts to get colder, so the clay will also be more damp, more like Hamburg conditions.

Players going deep in USO will also suffer from more jet lag as they will arrive later and prepare on another surface pretty much straight away from a slam the following week. Guys like Nadal will have fatigue as they are expected to go deep in NYC and when you are 34 you cannot take anything for granted.
 
Yugram said:
Done it once, right after AO 2018, and yet to be proven wrong. :cool:
Click to expand...

He's still far too dangerous man. I still think he could win any of the majors if the draw broke his way. The way he can finish matches so easily in early rounds and if he got in a final with an inexperienced in-form nextgen player that he matches up well with (ie Medvedev) he could just bamboozle them with variety.

My hope is that Nadal is able to extend his career the same way Fed has. It's looking like he will as he is ageing incredibly well.
 
Hitman said:
Pretty much this. I have seen people writing him off since 2008, especially here in 2013 and then even more so in 2016 and he kept coming back. Not wise to write of a player as legendary as Federer. And the guy is still very consistently making it to the business end of slam events. Never wise to do it to any ATG really, make such absolute statements, these guys have made a career of proving the naysayers wrong.
Click to expand...



You pretty misunderstood me.
I don't doubt Federer's hierarchy for a minute or his still hunger for glory; That is not at issue.
I am referring purely to the physical aspect. If for Nadal and Djokovic it will be increasingly difficult to win a Majorwith the passing of the months, especially if the 2020 season is canceled, it will be much more difficult for Federer who is evident, he can no longer deal with the monumental effort of winning 7 matches , 21 sets and many hours on the court in those two weeks that the Grand Slam tournaments last.

Of course you will remind me of Wimbledon and yes, he could have won and his record would have been much more difficult to beat but at the end of the day it was not, so and the important thing now is to observe that in his last two participations in those tournaments his body can no longer tolerate the demand and rigor necessary to reach the last rounds in a healthy way to compete at the highest level; see his matches against Dimitrov and Djokovic.

And I repeat, if it remains to be seen how this paralysis affects Nadal and Djokovic; the degree of affectation will be even greater for Federer and when Wimbledon 2021 arrives there will be no turning back for him, especially.
 
Hitman said:
I totally get it. I mean do we start throwing asterisks now? If RG gets played, and Rafa comes in tired from USO campaign and the conditions are also colder and damper and the ball doesn't bounce as high as it would during the height of spring and he loses, will there be asterisks on the slam record? If RG, USO get played and W doesn't, will there be asterisks put on the fact Federer couldn't play his fav slam while Nadal could play his twice before the next W? Would there be asterisks put on Djokovic if no slams gets played this year and the next one is AO, so he gets to play his fav back to back? Will Fedal have asterisks because Djokovic being the more inform player and younger player and fav on two of three surfaces is unable to defend his W title or compete for a USO title? Is there asterisk on Federer if Nadal and Djokovic lose a full season of contending for slams and by the time they return, the next gen have matured enough to take over, taking away their chances?, It can be a headache think about all these things, hence I try to stay away from these discussions when they go overboard.
Click to expand...

That is a great breakdown and probably why they are trying to play 2 slams in September, which given what the danger to the human race now I think is stupid. The ATP is paranoid about any futher conflicts to the whole Big 3 chase that they have built up forever, and even human safety is secondary. :rolleyes: Time to get the ball and the meal train rolling again y'all.

Also watch the WTA players almost all boycott the two September slams, and them and the ITF pay Serena a whole bunch of money just to play in essentialy a challenger field and win #24 and #25.
 
Hitman said:
I totally get it. I mean do we start throwing asterisks now? If RG gets played, and Rafa comes in tired from USO campaign and the conditions are also colder and damper and the ball doesn't bounce as high as it would during the height of spring and he loses, will there be asterisks on the slam record? If RG, USO get played and W doesn't, will there be asterisks put on the fact Federer couldn't play his fav slam while Nadal could play his twice before the next W? Would there be asterisks put on Djokovic if no slams gets played this year and the next one is AO, so he gets to play his fav back to back? Will Fedal have asterisks because Djokovic being the more inform player and younger player and fav on two of three surfaces is unable to defend his W title or compete for a USO title? Is there asterisk on Federer if Nadal and Djokovic lose a full season of contending for slams and by the time they return, the next gen have matured enough to take over, taking away their chances?, It can be a headache think about all these things, hence I try to stay away from these discussions when they go overboard.
Click to expand...
Thanks for saving us the headaches.
Just kidding: all good points, as the controversies and discussion points will never end.
 
Hitman said:
Pretty much this. I have seen people writing him off since 2008, especially here in 2013 and then even more so in 2016 and he kept coming back. Not wise to write of a player as legendary as Federer. And the guy is still very consistently making it to the business end of slam events. Never wise to do it to any ATG really, make such absolute statements, these guys have made a career of proving the naysayers wrong.
Click to expand...
Why don't you convert into a fed fan hitman?
You'll be as legendary and respectable as @BeatlesFan in our cult;)
 
Stepanek is #1 player. No contest, really.

Kyrgios seems like an insecure bragger, so he is lying about his lying. No soup for you!

Giving #2 to Gasquet. Think he gets around a lot. Early rounds exits makes for deeper runs on the town.

So #3 gotta be Tomic.
 
I think it's Thiem (with Federer 4th), but I would still give Federer decent chances of beating Thiem at a HC major tbh. Grass and clay are an obvious split anyway.

The others I don't even entertain until they show some form of consistency.
 
Steve0904 said:
I think it's Thiem (with Federer 4th), but I would still give Federer decent chances of beating Thiem at a HC major tbh. Grass and clay are an obvious split anyway.

The others I don't even entertain until they show some form of consistency.
Click to expand...

If its a final Federer probably wins for sure. Heck if we by some miracle ever get a RG final between Thiem and Federer before Fed retires, Thiem would probably choke and Federer wins. Thiem is a walking bye in big finals, even Masters finals.
 
flutzingitaway said:
If its a final Federer probably wins for sure. Heck if we by some miracle ever get a RG final between Thiem and Federer before Fed retires, Thiem would probably choke and Federer wins. Thiem is a walking bye in big finals, even Masters finals.
Click to expand...
Indian Wells 2019???
 
Depends on the surface. Federer's still the 2nd best on grass, until proven otherwise. Djokovic might not be 2nd best on clay.

I can't understand why are people giving Thiem a hard time! He didn't choke at AO final! So he couldn't beat Djokovic at AO, but neither did Federer, Nadal nor Murray since '07, in 11 tries! And none of them could extend Djokovic to 5 sets since '12!

Thiem was expected to beat Djokovic in his very 1st attempt, when Federer, Nadal and Murray couldn't do it in 11 tries! You can't be serious!!!

Does anyone still remember the Djokovic-Nadal final in 2019? Or the Federer-Djokovic SF, just before the Thiem match? Were those straight 3-set affairs?
 
zuluzazu said:
Indian Wells 2019???
Click to expand...

OK so that is his only win in what, 9 combined slam/WTF and Masters finals now? Can't even beat overhyped Tsitsipas to win the WTF coming in undefeated. Can't even beat a subpar Djokovic from 2 sets to 1 in the very winnable Australian Open final of this year. Can't even push an old Nadal on clay when they meet at RG, despite beating him in other clay matches. Can't even beat Zverev in Masters finals.

Watch a Wimbledon 93 Novotna moment is sometime in his future I bet. It is inevitable, probably more inevitable than a slam title (although I think both happen at some point).
 
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