Will we ever see a top 10 player in their late 30's again?

[accidental]

Will we ever see a top 10 player in their late 30's again?

Such as Laver, Rosewall, Connors etc. Agassi was the most recent to be top 10 at 35 years old, and I think he could have stayed in the 10 until he was 38or so if he didnt have the injuries.

Do you think its possible with the game today and the high demands on athelticism?

 

[Grass_for_cows]

Will we ever see a top 10 player in their late 30's again?

Such as Laver, Rosewall, Connors etc. Agassi was the most recent to be top 10 at 35 years old, and I think he could have stayed in the 10 until he was 38or so if he didnt have the injuries.

Do you think its possible with the game today and the high demands on athelticism?

I think Roddick and Fed can do it but won't. Grueling schedule etc.

 

[Beryl]

Andy Murray will.

 

[rodrigoamaral]

i can see fed being there as he knows how to balance his schedule and has always stayed healthy..

 

[Tennis Is Magic]

I think Roddick and Fed can do it but won't. Grueling schedule etc.

Yeah, I think they're the only ones who could do it. Both of them have the serve to hang around a while if they wanted to, and could hang around on faster surfaces (which is really all you need, to be a top 10 player is to consistently put up quarters in 500s, maybe make a decent run in a Masters or two, and get a couple wins in slams). At least 1, maybe 2 will finish in the top 10 without a title, most likely. Other players rely too much on athleticism, speed, and counterpunching, and when they lose that step, their neutral balls become defensive, and their defensive balls become winners, and it will snowball from there. I don't think Nadal or Djokovic will be top 5 at 30, and wouldn't be top 30 at 35.

 

[kishnabe]

Federer is 29 right now....he will be 30 by August....so ya it won't be long!

 

[flyinghippos101]

I don't think Nadal or Djokovic will be top 5 at 30, and wouldn't be top 30 at 35.

While I'd generally agree with this, I'd still probably rate Djokovic's chances of being in the top 5 in his later years a bit higher than Nadal. Only because Djok has a more offensive mindset.

short points=less time on court=less wear and tear

 

[Tammo]

Tsonga might be able to since he doesn't wear down his body with long points (like Nadal) and cause he has a huge serve and forehand. Federer could play for another five years, but wouldn't really be a contender at the slams. Roddick can play but wouldn't be in the top ten anymore.

 

[accidental]

I can see Djokovic possibly playing top 10 tennis into his 30's.

He's a clean hitter with an offensive game, kind of in the Connors/Agassi mould. His movement will obviously deteriorate though. It would be pretty incredible if he's still out there sliding into the splits when hes 35 years old

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

i thought th equestion was 'will we', not 'could we'?

I have no doubt Federer, for example, could do it, but I really doubt he will.

 

[SStrikerR]

We definitely will, it just depends on a few factors. The ability of the payer, their health, and motivation. Fed has the ability and (as of now) the health, but who knows if he'll be playing past 31-32.

 

[Max G.]

Part of what contributed to Agassi sticking around and being good so late was because he wasted his talent in earlier years.

It's a mental thing. A player who feels like he did everything he could in his heyday won't feel like sticking around until their late 30s. But it has to be someone who *has* lots of talent and ability and discipline, because it's hard to stay good that long.

So, none of the current crop. They're either fulfilling their potential now (current consistent top 4, Soderling), OR don't have the ability to stick around that long (Gasquet, Monfils).

 

[2kJosh]

Federer is 29 right now....he will be 30 by August....so ya it won't be long!

He said late 30's did no one read that?????

 

[stringertom]

Late 30's: Improbable; Mid 30's: Possible

If you define late 30's as 37-39, only Rosewall (41 in 1975) and Laver (37 in 1975 also) qualify. Two of the four majors were played on grass, none on HC. Also, a large chunk of tourneys were played on carpet, a much easier surface on aging joints. Unless the balance of the calendar is moved from its current reliance on HC venues, I don't see a late-30's player having much chance of accruing enough points to stay in the top 10. Fed has the best shot but he may be crowded out of the top 10 by 2018 if he doesn't retire beforehand.

As to top-10er's in their mid30's, only Connors (36 in '88), Ashe (36 in '79) and Agassi (35 in 2005) qualify. Lendl was 32 ('92) when last ranked there. IMO, Fed will fall out of the top 10 or retire sometime between those age goalposts.

To speculate about current players in their mid-20's is an exercise in imagination. Too many variables will enter the equation before the 2020's, a decade both Nadal (LOL) and Djok will enter in their mid-30's. Injury, parenthood, burnout, new players not even in top age junior levels, etc.

 

[Netzroller]

i thought th equestion was 'will we', not 'could we'?

I have no doubt Federer, for example, could do it, but I really doubt he will.

This.
In order to be top 10 ten at that age you have to be outstandingly talented. I guess most of these guys have been so succesful at a younger age they just wouldn't not be satisfied with just being around and having no prospect at competing for the big titles.

If we include doubles, the situation might be a little different.

 

[Joe Pike]

Will we ever see a top 10 player in their late 30's again?

Such as Laver, Rosewall, Connors etc. Agassi was the most recent to be top 10 at 35 years old, and I think he could have stayed in the 10 until he was 38or so if he didnt have the injuries.

Do you think its possible with the game today and the high demands on athelticism?

We could even see one in her mid 40s.
Depending on whether Graf decides to return to the game.

 

[JustBob]

Do you think its possible with the game today and the high demands on athelticism?

Short answer, no. Tennis is more physically demanding than it's ever been.