Will 2017 be the year of the 30-something Slam?

[helterskelter]

The AO was the Slam most likely to be won by a 20-something in the whole of 2017, because Murray and Djokovic were still 29. But they will turn 30 shortly before Roland Garros and at that point all the top players will be 30 or more: Djokovic and Murray 30, Nadal turns 31 during Roland Garros, Wawrinka will be 32 by then, Federer is 35 and turns 36 before the US Open, even Berdych is 31, Monfils is 30, and Tsonga will be 32 in April. Sure, there's Raonic, Nishikori, and Dimitrov, but none of them have yet shown that they can do it. Nor has Thiem, although he's more likely to make major improvements than they are. Perhaps Zverev can win a Slam in 2017, but as he hasn't yet made round 4 of a Slam, that seems to me a bold prediction. I'd have thought it more likely that he'll make a deep run at either Wimbledon or the US Open, or both, and so set himself up as a realistic contender in 2018. Anyone else?

In 2015, all of the women's Slams were won by a 33-year-old.

 

[StanTheMan]

I'd say is pretty much it. I don't see anyone other than the big 4 and Wawrinka winnig any Slam this season.

With all due respect to their fans, Nishi, Raonic and mainly Berdych are just not good enough to win Slams (But then again CILIC has one, so who the **** knows. Still, I firmly believe they won't win any ever)

Zverev and Dimitrov might. Big servers with a solid ground game. Still...I'm not betting on them just yet. Maybe 2018, as you have pointed out.

Monfils is a ****ing clown. Sorry.

 

[MasturB]

Guru will take out Nadal Nole and lose to Fed in RG 2009 final.

 

[Vrad]

The only <30 year old I can see winning is the guy who did it before. Cilic. But the stars would really have to align for him to pull that off.

Raonic with a bit of luck in the USO or Wimbledon is also possible.

The FO would probably need a completely unexpected winner for an <30 to claim it, IMO.

 

[Meles]

The AO was the Slam most likely to be won by a 20-something in the whole of 2017, because Murray and Djokovic were still 29. But they will turn 30 shortly before Roland Garros and at that point all the top players will be 30 or more: Djokovic and Murray 30, Nadal turns 31 during Roland Garros, Wawrinka will be 32 by then, Federer is 35 and turns 36 before the US Open, even Berdych is 31, Monfils is 30, and Tsonga will be 32 in April. Sure, there's Raonic, Nishikori, and Dimitrov, but none of them have yet shown that they can do it. Nor has Thiem, although he's more likely to make major improvements than they are. Perhaps Zverev can win a Slam in 2017, but as he hasn't yet made round 4 of a Slam, that seems to me a bold prediction. I'd have thought it more likely that he'll make a deep run at either Wimbledon or the US Open, or both, and so set himself up as a realistic contender in 2018. Anyone else?

In 2015, all of the women's Slams were won by a 33-year-old.

Voted 3. Delpo or Dimi or another might arrive.

 

[Chanwan]

Voted 3. Delpo or Dimi or another might arrive.

Voted 3 as well, OP forgot about Delpo. Cilic has a slim chance too if he somehow gets hot again. Kyrgios, Zverev, Nishi, Milos and Thiem all have somewhat of a chance.

 

[helterskelter]

Voted 3 as well, OP forgot about Delpo. Cilic has a slim chance too if he somehow gets hot again. Kyrgios, Zverev, Nishi, Milos and Thiem all have somewhat of a chance.

I didn't forget about Del Potro. I ruled him out! Far too many injuries, far too restricted mobility as a result. No way he gets through seven best-of-five set matches at this stage.

 

[helterskelter]

Voted 3. Delpo or Dimi or another might arrive.

Nah, not Delpo. Perhaps Dimitrov or Thiem. Outside chance Kyrgios. I think it's too soon for Zverev, although it'd be nice if he made the semis of Wimbledon or the US Open, and set himself up for a possible title charge in 2018.

 

[helterskelter]

I would say that the top contenders for each Slam are:

Roland Garros: 1. Nadal, 2. Djokovic, 3. Wawrinka
Wimbledon: 1. Murray, 2. Djokovic, 3. Federer
US Open: 1. Djokovic, 2. Murray, 3. Nadal

The only <30 year old I can see winning is the guy who did it before. Cilic. But the stars would really have to align for him to pull that off.

Raonic with a bit of luck in the USO or Wimbledon is also possible.

The FO would probably need a completely unexpected winner for an <30 to claim it, IMO.

 

[Meles]

Nah, not Delpo. Perhaps Dimitrov or Thiem. Outside chance Kyrgios. I think it's too soon for Zverev, although it'd be nice if he made the semis of Wimbledon or the US Open, and set himself up for a possible title charge in 2018.

If Delpo recovery keep on track, UZ Open.

 

[drewdoo]

I thought Nadal is normally worn down by US Open...feel like he will manage his energy and level better this year?

 

[okdude1992]

Delpo, Dimitrov, Zverev are the only < 30 players I can really see getting it done. I guess maybe Cilic, Nishikori as well.

So definitely predict 3-4 slams won by the oldies.

 

[Chanwan]

I didn't forget about Del Potro. I ruled him out! Far too many injuries, far too restricted mobility as a result. No way he gets through seven best-of-five set matches at this stage.

fair enough though his Olympics + US Open run made it slightly possible for me.

 

[Meles]

fair enough though his Olympics + US Open run made it slightly possible for me.

Back to work.

 

[MichaelNadal]

It'll be the year of Donald Trump killing us all

 

[helterskelter]

It'll be the year of Donald Trump killing us all

He has the best killings. Honestly, the best. Such great killings. Believe me. You're going to get tired of the exquisiteness of his killings. They'll be beautiful killings. Although the losers and whiners and haters might moan because they can't kill so tremendously. Sad!

 

[helterskelter]

If Delpo recovery keep on track, UZ Open.

I just don't see it. Not that he doesn't have the shots. It's the body. I mean, his chances of making it through seven matches without an injury can't be much higher than 75%.

You don't give Thiem a chance for RG? I'd say he's fifth favorite at this point.

A year or two too soon for Zverev?

What about Kyrgios?

 

[Meles]

I just don't see it. Not that he doesn't have the shots. It's the body. I mean, his chances of making it through seven matches without an injury can't be much higher than 75%.

You don't give Thiem a chance for RG? I'd say he's fifth favorite at this point.

A year or two too soon for Zverev?

What about Kyrgios?

The modern game especially on hard courts is a fast high bouncing affair that requires a lot of strength and stamina. We now see Dimitrov has what it takes at age 25. Thiem at 2.5 years younger has a season to go to make dents at majors (dare we hope for some quality runs on Masters clay?) Zverev is too young, but his height helps and he's midway through a 5 year program with Jez Green. He's got a ghost of a chance on grass where Zed had one of the best first returns. Wimbledon is the place for a breakthrough and Kyrgios, Zverev, and Thiem match up well with Federer.

I'd not rate Thiem 5th favorite at French Open:
1. Nadal
2. Murray
3 or so. Djokovic
4. Wawrinka
5. Dimitrov (bombed on clay last year, but has had fine stats in the past.)
Zverev, Thiem, Nishikori, Delpo, Goffin have stamina/serve issues, but I suppose if Thiem delivers on clay he might be grouped with the top 5. He'd have to have enough game to make it to final 4 with very few losses of set.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

I would say that the top contenders for each Slam are:

Roland Garros: 1. Nadal, 2. Djokovic, 3. Wawrinka
Wimbledon: 1. Murray, 2. Djokovic, 3. Federer
US Open: 1. Djokovic, 2. Murray, 3. Nadal

So, Federer takes 6 months off and wins a hard court major - defeating Rafa Nadal - and despite this, he's only top 3 on your list of favorites to win Wimbleon? Djokovic flamed out to Sam Querrey last year at Wimbedon, and Roger nearly reached the final last year, essentially on one leg... Then on top that, you don't even have him in the top 3 for the U.S. Open, despite the fact that he's reached the final of the U.S. Open more recently than Murray and Rafa Nadal... Not to mention, in that 2015 final against Djokovic he had 23 break point chances, which for a 35 year old - taking on the world #1 at the time who had already won 2 Majors that year - is pretty ****ing good.

Such disrespect to the greatest of all time.

 

[Meles]

It'll be the year of Donald Trump killing us all

 

[Meles]

I would say that the top contenders for each Slam are:

Roland Garros: 1. Nadal, 2. Djokovic, 3. Wawrinka
Wimbledon: 1. Murray, 2. Djokovic, 3. Federer
US Open: 1. Djokovic, 2. Murray, 3. Nadal

No Fed at US Open? He's my #1 guy. No Clayray at RG? I'd have Dimitrov #4/5 at all three.

 

[helterskelter]

No Fed at US Open? He's my #1 guy. No Clayray at RG? I'd have Dimitrov #4/5 at all three.

Nope. As @Big.Dangerous says, I have "disrespect for the greatest of all time." Whether that's true or not, I stand by my claim that Federer is not one of the top two favorites for Wimbledon and is not one of the top three favorites for the US Open. (He probably is #4 for the US Open).

I would have Dimitrov as #4 for Wimbledon. I wouldn't have him #4 for RG - that would be Murray. Perhaps Dimitrov #5 there, but probably either Federer or Thiem. Probably Wawrinka #5 for the US open, but perhaps Dimitrov #6.

 

[helterskelter]

So, Federer takes 6 months off and wins a hard court major - defeating Rafa Nadal - and despite this, he's only top 3 on your list of favorites to win Wimbleon? Djokovic flamed out to Sam Querrey last year at Wimbedon, and Roger nearly reached the final last year, essentially on one leg... Then on top that, you don't even have him in the top 3 for the U.S. Open, despite the fact that he's reached the final of the U.S. Open more recently than Murray and Rafa Nadal... Not to mention, in that 2015 final against Djokovic he had 23 break point chances, which for a 35 year old - taking on the world #1 at the time who had already won 2 Majors that year - is pretty ****ing good.

Such disrespect to the greatest of all time.

Federer had barely even turned 34 at the time of the 2015 US Open final, let alone 35!

But, yeah, I consider his age, recent injuries, and one Slam title in five years sufficient reason to put him third favorite for Wimbledon and fourth favorite for the US Open. The bookmakers go further than me: they have him third favorite for Wimbledon, just like I do. But that's actually pretty obviously what he is. They have him joint fifth favorite for the US Open, behind Djokovic, Murray, and Nadal, like me, but also marginally behind Wawrinka, and equal with Del Potro. I think he's marginally ahead of Wawrinka and way ahead of Del Potro - but clearly I think Del Potro's injury problems are more serious than they do.

 

[helterskelter]

I think you're right that Zverev might well breakthrough more quickly than some of the others, because he's so tall.

I would say about Dimitrov that his recent form can't just be chalked down to improvement at 25. After all, he's not done anything that much better than what he did in 2014 - when he nearly beat Nadal in the AO quarter-finals (3-6 7-6 7-6 6-2) and nearly beat Djokovic in the WI semi-finals (6-4 3-6 7-6 7-6). He was 22/23 then. Sure, he might be slightly better than that now, but the improvement isn't so far all that marked. Even at the AO recently, he lost a 6-1 set against Hyeon Chung and a 6-2 set against Denis Istomin. He seems so much improved because he didn't win a single match, or even if I recall correctly a set, in the whole of 2015 and 2016, and he's finally emerged from that bizarre slump.

The modern game especially on hard courts is a fast high bouncing affair that requires a lot of strength and stamina. We now see Dimitrov has what it takes at age 25. Thiem at 2.5 years younger has a season to go to make dents at majors (dare we hope for some quality runs on Masters clay?) Zverev is too young, but his height helps and he's midway through a 5 year program with Jez Green. He's got a ghost of a chance on grass where Zed had one of the best first returns. Wimbledon is the place for a breakthrough and Kyrgios, Zverev, and Thiem match up well with Federer.

I'd not rate Thiem 5th favorite at French Open:
1. Nadal
2. Murray
3 or so. Djokovic
4. Wawrinka
5. Dimitrov (bombed on clay last year, but has had fine stats in the past.)
Zverev, Thiem, Nishikori, Delpo, Goffin have stamina/serve issues, but I suppose if Thiem delivers on clay he might be grouped with the top 5. He'd have to have enough game to make it to final 4 with very few losses of set.

 

[Meles]

Federer had barely even turned 34 at the time of the 2015 US Open final, let alone 35!

But, yeah, I consider his age, recent injuries, and one Slam title in five years sufficient reason to put him third favorite for Wimbledon and fourth favorite for the US Open. The bookmakers go further than me: they have him third favorite for Wimbledon, just like I do. But that's actually pretty obviously what he is. They have him joint fifth favorite for the US Open, behind Djokovic, Murray, and Nadal, like me, but also marginally behind Wawrinka, and equal with Del Potro. I think he's marginally ahead of Wawrinka and way ahead of Del Potro - but clearly I think Del Potro's injury problems are more serious than they do.

The odds factor in the expected health of the player at this point (really always?).

 

[Meles]

I think you're right that Zverev might well breakthrough more quickly than some of the others, because he's so tall.

I would say about Dimitrov that his recent form can't just be chalked down to improvement at 25. After all, he's not done anything that much better than what he did in 2014 - when he nearly beat Nadal in the AO quarter-finals (3-6 7-6 7-6 6-2) and nearly beat Djokovic in the WI semi-finals (6-4 3-6 7-6 7-6). He was 22/23 then. Sure, he might be slightly better than that now, but the improvement isn't so far all that marked. Even at the AO recently, he lost a 6-1 set against Hyeon Chung and a 6-2 set against Denis Istomin. He seems so much improved because he didn't win a single match, or even if I recall correctly a set, in the whole of 2015 and 2016, and he's finally emerged from that bizarre slump.

I saw all the Dimitrov matches at Brisbane and Auz. He is a markedly better player. Just looking at points stats. Dimitrov has won 54.7% of his points in 2017. For the same period in 2014 Dimitrov was at 52.8%. Dimitrov beat 4 of 5 top 10 players in 2017. 0 for 1 in 2014. He's just a markedly better player. Dimitrov won 51.6% of his hard court points the last three years. 2017 is off with a bang and against much tougher competition with so many top ten matches. Dimitrov could easily end up over 55% of points won in 2017.

Also, Chung may be back. He played extremely well in their match. Istomin beat Djokovic, but that doesn't knock Djoko down a lot in your eyes?

 

[helterskelter]

The odds factor in the expected health of the player at this point (really always?).

Well, 35 is still pretty old in today's tennis, and when we're four and a half months out from Wimbledon and six and a half months out from the US Open, I think that's a factor in Federer's odds: there's a non-negligible chance that he'll suffer a serious injury between now and then, and that chance is higher than for most younger players (though lower than for Del Potro), and a non-negligible chance that he'll slow down further. His defensive movement wasn't that great in Australia, even though he won the title.

 

[helterskelter]

Wait, those stats for Dimitrov in 2014 are just for the Australian swing, right? What about if you included the grass-court season, where he won Queen's and beat Murray (the reigning champion) before losing narrowly against the #1 and eventual title winner?

Anyway, while there is an improvement, I think it seems more marked because of how awful he was in 2015 and 2016. If his 2014 and 2016 were reversed, it would seem like a two-step improvement: some improvements from 2014 and 2015 to 2016 and further improvements to 2017. That would be great evidence for his coming of age, actually!

I'm interested to see whether he can keep this form up. Certainly he has the shots. It's mostly a question of dedication, strength, shot selection, concentration, and determination.

No doubt Chung and Istomin were playing well, and yes Djokovic is on miserable form - he lost the first set 6-3 against Daniil Medvedev in Davis Cup yesterday. But, still, throwing in two poor opening sets in Australia suggests to me that Dimitrov still needs to work on his mental game.

I saw all the Dimitrov matches at Brisbane and Auz. He is a markedly better player. Just looking at points stats. Dimitrov has won 54.7% of his points in 2017. For the same period in 2014 Dimitrov was at 52.8%. Dimitrov beat 4 of 5 top 10 players in 2017. 0 for 1 in 2014. He's just a markedly better player. Dimitrov won 51.6% of his hard court points the last three years. 2017 is off with a bang and against much tougher competition with so many top ten matches. Dimitrov could easily end up over 55% of points won in 2017.

Also, Chung may be back. He played extremely well in their match. Istomin beat Djokovic, but that doesn't knock Djoko down a lot in your eyes?

 

[Gary Duane]

I saw all the Dimitrov matches at Brisbane and Auz. He is a markedly better player. Just looking at points stats. Dimitrov has won 54.7% of his points in 2017. For the same period in 2014 Dimitrov was at 52.8%.

Impressive. If that stays there he's going to most likely win a slam this year.

 

[Qubax]

Maybe they will be won by 30 somethings and teenagers.

I'm kidding Zverev must be turning 20 at some point right?

In all honesty though, Zverev is the biggest long term threat to the Big 5. And he may in fact be the biggest short term threat.

Let's look at the 20 something contenders

Zverev long term is going to be #1 and a multi slam winner. I would think his chances of winning a slam by year are 2017 - 5%, 2018 - 50%, 2019 and beyond - 90% or more. I think a LOT of this young man....and he is the only consolation I have to Roger getting older. That and Rogers kids getting older.

Raonic - He has periods of looking unbeatable and steely eyed. But injuries or mental chokes at the biggest moments still plague him. Until you win and get over, you haven't won and gotten over.

Dmitrov - Probably the best chance of the lost generation and of anyone under the age of 30. However even Grigor is likely to crap his pants in the final.

No one else is a serious contender this year other then the old guys. I'm okay with Rafa padding on a French as along as Roger can get another SW19 crown.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Nope. As @Big.Dangerous says, I have "disrespect for the greatest of all time." Whether that's true or not, I stand by my claim that Federer is not one of the top two favorites for Wimbledon and is not one of the top three favorites for the US Open. (He probably is #4 for the US Open).

I would have Dimitrov as #4 for Wimbledon. I wouldn't have him #4 for RG - that would be Murray. Perhaps Dimitrov #5 there, but probably either Federer or Thiem. Probably Wawrinka #5 for the US open, but perhaps Dimitrov #6.

If you were any more salty, you'd be in the Dead Sea.

 

[helterskelter]

Zverev turns 20 before the next Slam: in April.

Maybe they will be won by 30 somethings and teenagers.

I'm kidding Zverev must be turning 20 at some point right?

In all honesty though, Zverev is the biggest long term threat to the Big 5. And he may in fact be the biggest short term threat.

Let's look at the 20 something contenders

Zverev long term is going to be #1 and a multi slam winner. I would think his chances of winning a slam by year are 2017 - 5%, 2018 - 50%, 2019 and beyond - 90% or more. I think a LOT of this young man....and he is the only consolation I have to Roger getting older. That and Rogers kids getting older.

Raonic - He has periods of looking unbeatable and steely eyed. But injuries or mental chokes at the biggest moments still plague him. Until you win and get over, you haven't won and gotten over.

Dmitrov - Probably the best chance of the lost generation and of anyone under the age of 30. However even Grigor is likely to crap his pants in the final.

No one else is a serious contender this year other then the old guys. I'm okay with Rafa padding on a French as along as Roger can get another SW19 crown.

 

[helterskelter]

Impressive. If that stays there he's going to most likely win a slam this year.

He has a decent outside shot at both Wimbledon and the US Open (although not much chance at Roland Garros). But he did have a pretty easy draw in Australia through the semis, so I think we need a larger and different sample before we read too much into his points-won percentage.

 

[Gary Duane]

He has a decent outside shot at both Wimbledon and the US Open (although not much chance at Roland Garros). But he did have a pretty easy draw in Australia through the semis, so I think we need a larger and different sample before we read too much into his points-won percentage.

I agree, but it's a very good start. I'm saying that if this holds, he'll do very well this year.

 

[chjtennis]

I get the feeling that only Fed and Murray will win slams out of all 30-somethings this year. I think we may finally see a slam winner in their early 20s or younger this year.

 

[Sambuccashake]

#previousgen is apparently the #currentgen as #nextgen turned out to be the #lostgen.

 

[helterskelter]

I agree, but it's a very good start. I'm saying that if this holds, he'll do very well this year.

Well, sure: it already took him to within five points of the Australian Open final.

A less encouraging result today, but at least he got through it against a dangerous opponent. Troicki's beaten him before, so that could be tricky, too. And Klizan as well. But, even so, he needs to back up his promise and put in consistent performances week-in, week-out. That means at least making the final in Sofia and probably winning the title. (He beat Goffin easily in Australia and I think he'd likely find Bautista Agut more challenging than Goffin as final opponents here).

 

[Gary Duane]

Well, sure: it already took him to within five points of the Australian Open final.

A less encouraging result today, but at least he got through it against a dangerous opponent. Troicki's beaten him before, so that could be tricky, too. And Klizan as well. But, even so, he needs to back up his promise and put in consistent performances week-in, week-out. That means at least making the final in Sofia and probably winning the title. (He beat Goffin easily in Australia and I think he'd likely find Bautista Agut more challenging than Goffin as final opponents here).

First of all, great stats at the beginning of the year for a guy who had great stats for all of the last year is pretty powerful, but that's not the case at all with Dimi. So it's too soon for me to get on the band-wagon.

I agree with @Meles a lot of the time, but I'm much more conservative about getting my hopes up. I wait for the chickens to hatch!

 

[tennis24x7]

Nah, not Delpo. Perhaps Dimitrov or Thiem. Outside chance Kyrgios. I think it's too soon for Zverev, although it'd be nice if he made the semis of Wimbledon or the US Open, and set himself up for a possible title charge in 2018.

I think Zverev has the best chance and the best game to win a slam this year.

 

[Meles]

I think Zverev has the best chance and the best game to win a slam this year.

A couple more years to get to slam stamina, but hoping he does some damage to the field soon.

 

[helterskelter]

First of all, great stats at the beginning of the year for a guy who had great stats for all of the last year is pretty powerful, but that's not the case at all with Dimi. So it's too soon for me to get on the band-wagon.

I agree with @Meles a lot of the time, but I'm much more conservative about getting my hopes up. I wait for the chickens to hatch!

I agree that @Meles likes to become quite optimistic about new players quite quickly. But it's understandable - he's been waiting a long time for a new guy to make a breakthrough! Personally, I'm enjoying seeing the old guys hang on a bit longer. They will lose control at some point.

And to be fair to @Meles he is well aware that it's tough for younger players these days, something that most posters deny (e.g. when talking about "weak eras" and "lost generations" and what not).

 

[Meles]

I agree that @Meles likes to become quite optimistic about new players quite quickly. But it's understandable - he's been waiting a long time for a new guy to make a breakthrough! Personally, I'm enjoying seeing the old guys hang on a bit longer. They will lose control at some point.

And to be fair to @Meles he is well aware that it's tough for younger players these days, something that most posters deny (e.g. when talking about "weak eras" and "lost generations" and what not).

Its a very nice blend of old and new on tour presently. Its unrealistic to expect ATGs all the time and we have three of the best at the moment. Zverev tracking exceptionally well at young age. One ATG may be all we get for a while. These three had technolgy change help them burst onto tour. Now lack of change is not helping. Dimitrov is showing what it takes to break through now. On hard courts especially players need to be mature and strong. They also need to be fairly tall which reduces themtalent pool (thank those poly strings.) Thiem is dropping the ball right now, but its early in season.

 

[helterskelter]

Its a very nice blend of old and new on tour presently. Its unrealistic to expect ATGs all the time and we have three of the best at the moment. Zverev tracking exceptionally well at young age. One ATG may be all we get for a while. These three had technolgy change help them burst onto tour. Now lack of change is not helping. Dimitrov is showing what it takes to break through now. On hard courts especially players need to be mature and strong. They also need to be fairly tall which reduces themtalent pool (thank those poly strings.) Thiem is dropping the ball right now, but its early in season.

I suspect that Thiem will only make it on clay. He could win RG one day, though. Dimitrov needs to make a Slam final within the next year - otherwise, he'll be 27 before he does so, and on course to track Wawrinka as a late developer.

 

[stringertom]

I think Zverev has the best chance and the best game to win a slam this year.

He needs to produce in these next three slams to approach the learning curve of our recent ATGs in their late teens/early 20's.

fedr made back to back QFs in his eighth and ninth slams, with one 4R before that in his fourth slam.

djovic made a QF in his sixth slam and SFs in his tenth and 11th slams and a final in his 12th.

ndl won his fourth and seventh slams and made the final in his eighth.

zvrv now enters RG'17, his eighth slam, with three 3R outs as his best.

To paraphrase Andy Dufresne, "Get busy winning or get busy losing."

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

He needs to produce in these next three slams to approach the learning curve of our recent ATGs in their late teens/early 20's.

fedr made back to back QFs in his eighth and ninth slams, with one 4R before that in his fourth slam.

djovic made a QF in his sixth slam and SFs in his tenth and 11th slams and a final in his 12th.

ndl won his fourth and seventh slams and made the final in his eighth.

zvrv now enters RG'17, his eighth slam, with three 3R outs as his best.

To paraphrase Andy Dufresne, "Get busy winning or get busy losing."

Zev should reach a slam quarter this year, maybe even a semi. USO it is, hope he gets a good draw.
Whats good about Zev is that he has the belief that he can beat the living legends, he seems to have a different kind of confidence than the other youngsters we have seen recent years. Kyrgios has a sort of a fake confidence, his bad behaviour comes from low self belief, such a shame, Kyrgios could be incredible, what a waste.
So, basically, Zev will win AO18!

 

[Zebrev]

Zev should reach a slam quarter this year, maybe even a semi. USO it is, hope he gets a good draw.
Whats good about Zev is that he has the belief that he can beat the living legends, he seems to have a different kind of confidence than the other youngsters we have seen recent years. Kyrgios has a sort of a fake confidence, his bad behaviour comes from low self belief, such a shame, Kyrgios could be incredible, what a waste.
So, basically, Zev will win AO18!

I think US Open may be his best chance. The big four + Stan will all be 30+ at that stage, and it is late in the season. A hard hitting youngster like Zverev who is playing well is liable to blow anyone off the court, no matter if his opponent has better experience and technical know-how.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

I think US Open may be his best chance. The big four + Stan will all be 30+ at that stage, and it is late in the season. A hard hitting youngster like Zverev who is playing well is liable to blow anyone off the court, no matter if his opponent has better experience and technical know-how.

The "oldies" seem to time their for for the slams and skip tournaments here and there. They are maybe not tired by USO like other players. But for sure hope so

 

[Meles]

I suspect that Thiem will only make it on clay. He could win RG one day, though. Dimitrov needs to make a Slam final within the next year - otherwise, he'll be 27 before he does so, and on course to track Wawrinka as a late developer.

Watching Thiem at altitude on fast courts in Sofia he seems like a duck out of water. Despite winning Acapulco he's not done much on hard courts and he did have to serve out of his mind to take that event. Zverev vs Thiem at Rotterdam should be a great test Wednesday.

Dimitrov looks so fast right now. He looks like a far better player than Wawrinka except in Sofia final he wanted to win so badly he lost 4 straight games from 5-0 up and had to break Goffin at 4-5 to take the match. No signs of choking in 2017 until that point. If that was just a home country blip (most partisan crowd imaginable in his home country), then I'll be suprised if Dimitrov does not surpass Wawrinka. Right now Dimitrov is almost like having Sampras back on tour with his level. Grigs serve is much improved to where this comparison is not laughable, but Pete still much better on serve. Dimitrov return and defense stronger. They are so similar in the way they both seem to pull off their breaks in matches. Dimitrov may be the best player ever at putting up a wall of pressure and he's been coming up with truly amazing shots at critical junctures in matches. This shot making with the defense puts the opponent under immense pressure. Dimitrov is a very slippery player right now (hard to nail down what makes him so special) and expecting great things in 2017.

 

[stringertom]

Watching Thiem at altitude on fast courts in Sofia he seems like a duck out of water. Despite winning Acapulco he's not done much on hard courts and he did have to serve out of his mind to take that event. Zverev vs Thiem at Rotterdam should be a great test Wednesday.

Dimitrov looks so fast right now. He looks like a far better player than Wawrinka except in Sofia final he wanted to win so badly he lost 4 straight games from 5-0 up and had to break Goffin at 4-5 to take the match. No signs of choking in 2017 until that point. If that was just a home country blip (most partisan crowd imaginable in his home country), then I'll be suprised if Dimitrov does not surpass Wawrinka. Right now Dimitrov is almost like having Sampras back on tour with his level. Grigs serve is much improved to where this comparison is not laughable, but Pete still much better on serve. Dimitrov return and defense stronger. They are so similar in the way they both seem to pull off their breaks in matches. Dimitrov may be the best player ever at putting up a wall of pressure and he's been coming up with truly amazing shots at critical junctures in matches. This shot making with the defense puts the opponent under immense pressure. Dimitrov is a very slippery player right now (hard to nail down what makes him so special) and expecting great things in 2017.

I can't remember a Sampras 2-set match where he served NINE DFs. LOL!

Thiem with altitude sickness in Sofia at 550 meters? LOL! He's just too long on takeback to hug the baseline and play aggressively in rallies. He should have reviewed Silent K's approach to the same altitude on HCs in Chengdu. Or, play in like fedr and take time away. Thiem has no plan B!

Troll betterer my friend!

 

[helterskelter]

With Nadal beating Thiem, the final of Roland Garros will see a 32-year-old play a 31-year-old. So, the 30-something Slam is halfway to fruition.

Let me note that after Ashe won Wimbledon in 1975, there were only three men's singles Slam championships won by someone aged 31 or more until last year's US Open (Connors at 1983 US Open, Sampras at 2002 US Open, Agassi at 2003 Australian Open). Now, we'll have had three in a row won by someone aged 31 or more.