Can these three inherit the Fedal kingdom?
Posted by tennisplanet on July 13, 2009
1. Murray.
2. Del Potro.
3. Cilic.
Given that everyone else on the tour currently is either a senior citizen or has passed that ’spark’ phase, the choice by default falls on these ‘least favorite to fall’.
As of now, Djokovic has eliminated himself with two freaking losses to Haas with no legitimate reason(s) for the hiccups.
Although Nadal falls in the same age group, he is way too old for obvious reasons to be clubbed with them any longer.
Murray clearly is at the head of the class despite bungling straight forward stuff at three Slams. He is still at that ’spark’ stage where typically things can take a U turn to ignite a great run. But if he fails to capitalize this year and reaches age 24 without any meaningful progress, he will have missed the boat for the big journey.
Both Del Potro and Cilic are right where the big stuff takes hold. They have managed to muster the right pieces for the big explosion at the right age. Both may still be couple of years from coming into their own, but the foundation appears laid for the launch if they decide on it later.
With an aging and injury plagued roster currently ruling the top ten, there appears very little resistance that can hold them back too long. With many already dethroning Djokovic from the No. 3 rank and Nadal pointing to zero interest in the rank race going forward, this is a perfect setting for the two to make the move.
With the ace demonstration Federer just put up at Wimbledon final, more and more freaks may now be looking down at tennis to make some easy money.
Karlovic has undoubtedly made the easiest over $3 million in any sports. He can easily play past age 50. There’s hardly any wear and tear. And he reached as high as No. 14 with even a win over Federer to boot.
Although both Del Potro and Cilic appear to expend more energy than Karlovic, it may be only because their serve hasn’t matured enough to reach bomb status.
So if these freaks do eventually take over the reins, they could prove to be the most long lasting and durable top ten or top five clowns ever. Agassi currently holds the record (that many believed will never be broken) of being in the top ten in three different decades, but that could turn into just routine BS for these people.
Need more proof? There’s no other player on the tour today who’s feared more by the top four than a 30-year old Karlovic. At this year’s Wimbledon, he beat Tsonga and Verdasco back to back before losing to an in-zone Federer.
If Karlovic’s track record is any indication, both Del Potro and Cilic need to make just minor adjustments to land amongst the top five – permanently – if not at the top.
Is it time for ATP to step in and make adjustments to throw off comparing players from different eras into another loop if it’s not already convoluted? Or are we looking at tennis’s popularity moving up another notch – in the wrong direction?
YMD said
No pretty hair on the list!
Alex said
Del potro’s serve is now getting closely there
joao said
I think that the Del Potro game has to improve in another area.
He needs to accelerate his forehand and backhand motion. Right now it is to slow and he needs a long time to wind up both motions, and that makes it hard for him to keep up the pace against fast players in the faster surfaces. That came to evidence in Wimbledon and at this year Australian Open. In Paris, in slower conditions, it was less noticible, but the problem is still there.
When he gets it going, as Nadal did over the last 2 years, then he can be a real force in all surfaces.