Zverev; the biggest talent to emerge this decade.

[George Turner]

A good way to measure raw talent is how much of an impact players make at a young age. Most the greatest players emerged at a very young age and were world class at the age of 21, Mcenroe, Becker, Sampras, Agassi, Nadal, Fedr etc.

Zed recently turned 21. At this age he's won multiple masters, got to rank 3 and beaten a number of top 10 players. Comparing those achievements to the best players to emerge this decade, on the day they turned 21. Starting with the lost gen.

I am including players who have beaten Zverev, to avoid bias accusations

Nishikori
Career titles; 1
Best Results in majors, 4th round US open
Best Results in masters, Zero wins
Top 10 wins; 1. (David Ferrer)
Peak rank; 56

Raonic
Career titles; 1
Best results in majors; 4th round Auz Open
Best results in masters; 3rd round Indian wells and Monte Carlo
Top 10 wins; 3 (Youzhny, Verdasco x2)
Peak rank; 25

Dimitrov
Career titles; 0
Best results in majors; 2nd round Aus Open and Wimby
Best results in masters; 4th round Miami
Top 10 wins; 1 (Berdych)
Peak rank; 52

Goffin
Career titles; 0
Best results in majors; Zero wins
Best results in masters; Zero wins
Top 10 wins; Zero (hadn't played Berdych yet)
Peak rank; 173

Thiem
Career titles; 0
Best results in majors; 4th round US open
Best results in masters; 3rd round Indian Wells and 3rd round Madrid
Top 10 wins; 1 (Wawrinka)
Peak rank; 36

Kyrgios
Career titles; 1
Best results in majors; Quarter final Wimbledon and Aus Open
Best results in masters; Semi final Miami, Quarter final Madrid
Top 10 wins; 9 (Nadal, Federer, Gasquet, Raonic x2, Wawrinka x2, Berdych x2)
peak rank; 20

Chung
Career titles; half a title (next gen finals)
Best results in majors; Semi final Aus Open
Best results in masters; Quarter final Miami, Quarter final Indian Wells,
Top 10 wins; 1 (Zverev)
Peak rank; 19

Coric
Career titles; 1
Best results in majors; 3rd round French Open x2, 3rd round US open
Best results in masters; QF Cincinnati, QF madrid
Top 10 wins; 6 (Nadal x2, Murray x2, Thiem, Zverev)
Peak rank; 33

Looking here, it's clear Kyrgios is the only player whose talent is comparable to Zverevs. While Kyrgios is throwing that talent away Zverev has the right level of professionalism to get the most out of his potential. Out of the others Chung and Coric have a little bit more than the lost gen did.

Many say Shapo is the next Fedr but it's too early to know. For now, Zverev is the most talented player to emerge in nearly 10 years. Comparing his young days to the lost gen shows he's on track to have a much better career than them.

 

[reaper]

Apart from Kyrgios he's the best and only talent in (nearly) a decade. He's 8 years younger than Del Potro.
PS: Dimitrov is probably a talent in that his game looks very natural and fluent, but he came through very slowly in terms of ranking progression.

 

[King No1e]

 

[TahoeTennis]

Cough *no slams for any next gen* cough

Which is why:

Cilic and delpo > all next gen combined

 

[Im(moral) Winner]