WTF Field ...yawn?

[tacou]

I love WTF and look forward to it every year. This season though, the field is shaping up to be pretty boring. I think it sums up the state of the game right now (and no, not weak era, just very redundant).

IN:
Djokovic -- Completely dominant, especially indoor hard. He will run the table.
Murray -- Might skip it. If he doesn't, probably won't put much effort in. Even with max. effort, can be outplayed on this surface by Fed or Novak pretty easily.
Federer -- Total second fiddle this year. Should easily progress to the semis and, most surprising, get knocked out in a cool match while the victor gets steamrolled in the finals; more likely Fed makes finals and reaps a 7-5 6-3 loss
Wawrinka -- So spotty, and not very good on quicker courts.

ON THE CUSP:
Berdych -- Oh my lord when is Berdych going to drop out of the top..5?? This is the fifth best player in the world?!
Nishikori -- Would be nice to see him make a run to the finals and take some sort of step forward, but I've never seen a true champion in Kei and I won't hold my breath this fall.
Nadal -- Never done well at this tourney and is having one of the worst season's of his career. Withdrawal wouldn't be out of the cards.
Ferrer -- See: Berdych

There are about eight players who will be vying for the 9th spot, which could be interesting, but none should be expected to do much if they qualify.

Can anyone talk me out of this perspective? Can Stan or Fed win? Can Nadal get out of the group stage? Someone like Cilic or Isner make a surprise late season surge and take it all?
I just don't know you guys ....

 

[Nostradamus]

Take Ferrer out and put Monfils IN. then this tournament will be Exciting..................

 

[Sysyphus]

Agreed.

Feels a bit stale and mismatched to its concept when Grigor the Young Artist won't be participating. He would have potentially mixed things up.

It will get better within the next few years.

Also, I don't think Fed beating Novak in that format is without the realm of possibility. I believe he took a set even in 2013? Would likely come down to a few decisive points and to serving-form.

 

[tennisaddict]

Hope Raonic makes it to 9th and takes the place of injured Murray

 

[KineticChain]

Take Ferrer out and put Monfils IN. then this tournament will be Exciting..................

they should replace all 8 players with monfils

 

[Gary Duane]

I love WTF and look forward to it every year. This season though, the field is shaping up to be pretty boring. I think it sums up the state of the game right now (and no, not weak era, just very redundant).

IN:
Djokovic -- Completely dominant, especially indoor hard. He will run the table.
Murray -- Might skip it. If he doesn't, probably won't put much effort in. Even with max. effort, can be outplayed on this surface by Fed or Novak pretty easily.
Federer -- Total second fiddle this year. Should easily progress to the semis and, most surprising, get knocked out in a cool match while the victor gets steamrolled in the finals; more likely Fed makes finals and reaps a 7-5 6-3 loss
Wawrinka -- So spotty, and not very good on quicker courts.

ON THE CUSP:
Berdych -- Oh my lord when is Berdych going to drop out of the top..5?? This is the fifth best player in the world?!
Nishikori -- Would be nice to see him make a run to the finals and take some sort of step forward, but I've never seen a true champion in Kei and I won't hold my breath this fall.
Nadal -- Never done well at this tourney and is having one of the worst season's of his career. Withdrawal wouldn't be out of the cards.
Ferrer -- See: Berdych

There are about eight players who will be vying for the 9th spot, which could be interesting, but none should be expected to do much if they qualify.

Can anyone talk me out of this perspective? Can Stan or Fed win? Can Nadal get out of the group stage? Someone like Cilic or Isner make a surprise late season surge and take it all?
I just don't know you guys ....

I feel about the same way. I am very tired of grinding tennis, and that's mostly all I see these days.

Novak has to be the clear favorite in every tournament now, and I just don't enjoy his style of tennis.

 

[Nostradamus]

Hope Raonic makes it to 9th and takes the place of injured Murray

Oh no, Boring, all serve and all forehand, nothing else. very boring tennis. NO Raonic, fans dont' want him. Tsonga is more wanted by the fans than him

 

[Noelan]

I feel about the same way. I am very tired of grinding tennis, and that's mostly all I see these days.

Novak has to be the clear favorite in every tournament now, and I just don't enjoy his style of tennis.

I can undarstand that you as many posters here can't stand dominance displayed from Novak through 2015 ,or doesn't like his style, whatewer you want to describe it,and that's OK.
But it sounds ironically when Nadal fan tells that hes tired of grinding tennis, guy mastered grinding way to win matches for years, used to have few winners and just 1/2 UE per set, but now suddenly tennis is boring when it seems like he fell of the cliff

 

[duaneeo]

Of the current top-16, I'd pick Nadal, Isner, Raonic, and Tsonga to join those who've qualified.

 

[tennis_pro]

Expecting a replay of 2014 but this time Federer will play the final.

 

[beltsman]

Djokovic will have exhausted himself prior to the WTF and Bull will show up and finally grab this glorified exhibition title.

Before you call me crazy, realize that Bull played his best tennis of 2015 at USO and just happened to run into Fognini who was fluking ball bashes on the lines.

 

[Slice'n'dice]

Seem to remember the courts being pretty slow, one of the reasons why Djokovic has enjoyed them so much.

Oh no, Boring, all serve and all forehand, nothing else. very boring tennis. NO Raonic, fans dont' want him. Tsonga is more wanted by the fans than him

Well that's no surprise, people love Tsonga. Have to agree though Raonic has to be one of my least favourite players to watch. Plus he's been pretty off form for a while now, would be surprised to see him do anything.

Djokovic will have exhausted himself prior to the WTF and Bull will show up and finally grab this glorified exhibition title.

Before you call me crazy, realize that Bull played his best tennis of 2015 at USO and just happened to run into Fognini who was fluking ball bashes on the lines.

Haha classic beltsman.

 

[beltsman]

Seem to remember the courts being pretty slow, one of the reasons why Djokovic has enjoyed them so much.



Well that's no surprise, people love Tsonga. Have to agree though Raonic has to be one of my least favourite players to watch. Plus he's been pretty off form for a while now, would be surprised to see him do anything.



Haha classic beltsman.

Federer is no problem - matchup. Djokovic will be exhausting after going all-out for masters. And like OP said, who else is there? Maybe Nishikori but he's made of glass. I really can't see anyone else stepping up.

 

[Nostradamus]

Federer is no problem - matchup. Djokovic will be exhausting after going all-out for masters. And like OP said, who else is there? Maybe Nishikori but he's made of glass. I really can't see anyone else stepping up.

one problem with RAFA is even if he is playing well, his topspin just sits up on this smooth indoor surface and saids Spank Me. Only chance Rafa has is if O2 arena decides to make the surface Very Rough and slow.

 

[tacou]

Agreed.

Feels a bit stale and mismatched to its concept when Grigor the Young Artist won't be participating. He would have potentially mixed things up.

It will get better within the next few years.

Also, I don't think Fed beating Novak in that format is without the realm of possibility. I believe he took a set even in 2013? Would likely come down to a few decisive points and to serving-form.

You're right Fed could certainly beat Novak on these courts best of 3. Would be a nice addition to the goat CV. But that being the most surprising outcome kind of reinforces the pretty straightforward narrative this year.

 

[tacou]

I can undarstand that you as many posters here can't stand dominance displayed from Novak through 2015 ,or doesn't like his style, whatewer you want to describe it,and that's OK.
But it sounds ironically when Nadal fan tells that hes tired of grinding tennis, guy mastered grinding way to win matches for years, used to have few winners and just 1/2 UE per set, but now suddenly tennis is boring when it seems like he fell of the cliff

Listen I'm no Novak fan and if nadal were in his position id be psyched.

But I'd still have to admit what a boring field it was. At this point Novak is a 90% fav, fed 9, and then the field.

From a pure entertainment stand point that's no good

 

[sportsfan1]

It's been the story of most big tournaments. DJokovic dominant and others non-contenders at worst and second fiddle at best. But it remains to be seen the level of interest DJ has in thetournaments the rest of the year, since he's had quite the slam year.

 

[Faker]

Nadal -- Never done well at this tourney and is having one of the worst season's of his career. Withdrawal wouldn't be out of the cards.

He has stated so many times that one of his main goals this year is to play in the WTF. I'm still hopeful for the asian and indoor season but obviously I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't make it out of groups unless he makes it really far in the next few tournaments.

 

[tacou]

He has stated so many times that one of his main goals this year is to play in the WTF. I'm still hopeful for the asian and indoor season but obviously I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't make it out of groups unless he makes it really far in the next few tournaments.

Yep. Big nadal fan. Just being realistic. Again , if counting on nadal to make this a memorable tourney, no good.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Quite sterile, yes.

 

[moonballs]

Things to watch for in this year's wtf

1 will federer beat djokovic in the final?

2 who will be the lucky three to gain h2h against the h2h goat?

I think it will be a great tournament!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Quite sterile, yes.

MIght as well call it the Ultron invitational.

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

they should replace all 8 players with monfils

Maybe the WTF of the challenger tour will be more interesting than the actual WTF if Brown plays it.

 

[KineticChain]

Maybe the WTF of the challenger tour will be more interesting than the actual WTF if Brown plays it.

i really like Brown too, maybe even more than monfils. he's always excited to unleash a monster forehand. whether it goes in or not, he doesn't care, he'll do it again next point. monfils gets mopey when he doesn't get his slap/trick shots in, then he stops trying and becomes boring to watch.

 

[tacou]

It's been the story of most big tournaments. DJokovic dominant and others non-contenders at worst and second fiddle at best. But it remains to be seen the level of interest DJ has in thetournaments the rest of the year, since he's had quite the slam year.

True, but seeing the 7 guys ranked below him puts into perspective what is there to challenge him: fed for 2ish sets, and Stan on occasion. I really can't believe berdych is 5 in the world. So 2010.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Agreed.

Feels a bit stale and mismatched to its concept when Grigor the Young Artist won't be participating. He would have potentially mixed things up.

It will get better within the next few years.

Also, I don't think Fed beating Novak in that format is without the realm of possibility. I believe he took a set even in 2013? Would likely come down to a few decisive points and to serving-form.

Grigor not in b/c: sucks. 5 words or less.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

If Djokovic maintains his current level, he wins. If he drops to "I'm only worth 10000 ranking points" kinda levels and Fed doesn't drop, then Fed might win.

But what will actually happen is a nasty blind side attack from Wawrinka for the title.

And then I wake up.. to Djokovic winning the title.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

The most fun WTF roster would be:

Djoker
Fed
Andy
Monfils
Coric
Thiem
Kok
Kyrgios

I mean Djoker prob gonna win even if it was Top 8, might as well at least make it exciting by booting the snoozefest of Byrd and Ferrer

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Exactly. Can some young bucks make their presence felt and have a late season surge PLEASE k thx.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

The most fun WTF roster would be:

Djoker
Fed
Andy
Monfils
Coric
Thiem
Kok
Kyrgios

I mean Djoker prob gonna win even if it was Top 8, might as well at least make it exciting by booting the snoozefest of Byrd and Ferrer

This.

Right now, the field is Fedovic, sometimes Murray, and a few basically nameless also-rans, with Wawrinka also swooping in out of nowhere on occasion.
I want some real action, Fed vs. some young guns would be ideal.

Fed vs. Pouille. Now.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Seriously though, barring a miracle from Fed this is the biggest gimme Novak has had since Miami, and that's really saying something.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

No it's not a gimme. It's a tournament that will involve the top 8 players, or most of them depending on withdrawals and whatnot. If Djokovic drops his guard then somebody else will swoop in to win it.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

No it's not a gimme. It's a tournament that will involve the top 8 players, or most of them depending on withdrawals and whatnot. If Djokovic drops his guard then somebody else will swoop in to win it.

You know what I mean.
If everyone plays to their average level Novak will win easily, same as the last two years.
He's simply too good on the surface.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Yeah but he's making an extraordinary thing look ordinary, but it remains extraordinary. When was the last time someone even won four YEC in a row? That's what he'll be aiming for in 2015.

I believe Federer will be gunning for this tournament and Djokovic had better watch out.




..

I checked, and nobody has ever won it four times in a row.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Yeah but he's making an extraordinary thing look ordinary, but it remains extraordinary. When was the last time someone even won four YEC in a row? That's what he'll be aiming for in 2015.

I believe Federer will be gunning for this tournament and Djokovic had better watch out.




..

I checked, and nobody has ever won it four times in a row.

This will be his third on a dominant streak.
Fed should've statistically won in 2012 I reckon, meaning that Novak's performances there are still more or less in line with historical stats if he wins this year.
Not that it means much.

 

[sportsfan1]

True, but seeing the 7 guys ranked below him puts into perspective what is there to challenge him: fed for 2ish sets, and Stan on occasion. I really can't believe berdych is 5 in the world. So 2010.

.....
But what will actually happen is a nasty blind side attack from Wawrinka for the title.

And then I wake up.. to Djokovic winning the title.

Has Stan ever challenged DJ outside of Slams? He's usually lost in straights. It was a one sided loss at Cinci this year, and at 2014 WTF - 3 and 0.

 

[tacou]

That's why I said "on occasion," and why I don't think he has any shot at this title.
Again, just really hammering things home about the game today: Novak wins, Fed challenges him, Murray and Stan occasionally get into form

 

[mattosgrant]

I love WTF and look forward to it every year. This season though, the field is shaping up to be pretty boring. I think it sums up the state of the game right now (and no, not weak era, just very redundant).

IN:
Djokovic -- Completely dominant, especially indoor hard. He will run the table.
Murray -- Might skip it. If he doesn't, probably won't put much effort in. Even with max. effort, can be outplayed on this surface by Fed or Novak pretty easily.
Federer -- Total second fiddle this year. Should easily progress to the semis and, most surprising, get knocked out in a cool match while the victor gets steamrolled in the finals; more likely Fed makes finals and reaps a 7-5 6-3 loss
Wawrinka -- So spotty, and not very good on quicker courts.

ON THE CUSP:
Berdych -- Oh my lord when is Berdych going to drop out of the top..5?? This is the fifth best player in the world?!
Nishikori -- Would be nice to see him make a run to the finals and take some sort of step forward, but I've never seen a true champion in Kei and I won't hold my breath this fall.
Nadal -- Never done well at this tourney and is having one of the worst season's of his career. Withdrawal wouldn't be out of the cards.
Ferrer -- See: Berdych

There are about eight players who will be vying for the 9th spot, which could be interesting, but none should be expected to do much if they qualify.

Can anyone talk me out of this perspective? Can Stan or Fed win? Can Nadal get out of the group stage? Someone like Cilic or Isner make a surprise late season surge and take it all?
I just don't know you guys ....

I enjoyed reading that, and while I like to look at things positively I cant really disagree with a single thing you said.

 

[tacou]

I enjoyed reading that, and while I like to look at things positively I cant really disagree with a single thing you said.

Good point. I don't like negative threads/negative people, but I've been busy moving into a new place lately. When I finally got to take a breath and check out the race to London, I realized I had very little interest :[

 

[AngieB]

Yeah but he's making an extraordinary thing look ordinary, but it remains extraordinary. When was the last time someone even won four YEC in a row? That's what he'll be aiming for in 2015.

#Minor

I believe Federer will be gunning for this tournament and Djokovic had better watch out.

#PTL #JC4Ever

Angie​

 

[Zetty]

Unbelievable, how is Ferrer still around to be on the cusp, feels like I haven't seen him past a QF in an important tournament since last year.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Unbelievable, how is Ferrer still around to be on the cusp, feels like I haven't seen him past a QF in an important tournament since last year.

The tour is in transition.

 

[President]

Unbelievable, how is Ferrer still around to be on the cusp, feels like I haven't seen him past a QF in an important tournament since last year.

He actually had a good start to the year but since the French Open was basically sidelined by injury until just recently.

 

[xFedal]

Unbelievable, how is Ferrer still around to be on the cusp, feels like I haven't seen him past a QF in an important tournament since last year.

Ferrer understands the importance of the top 8 tournament called World Tour Finals, hence his trying his best to earn enough points to qualify and compete at the highest level against top notch competition.