Milos' second serve really proving to be the difference maker thus far. Even so, you can tell he's closing in. There's work to be done, but the progression both physically and mentally is most certainly there.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mango For This Useful Post:
I dunno guys, I think Milos tops out as a 5-10 player. in a power vacuum where there's no Rafa/Nole/Fed/Andy, then he's got a chance at collecting a major or two. but the top dogs all have flawless movement, impenetrable defense, metronome groundstrokes and crazy versatility, on top of having at least one deadly weapon. Milos (and everyone else) can improve his serve return, backhand, etc. but not to the point where he's able to threaten the elites unless they're having a bad day.
that's nothing to be sad about though, having a Canadian boy in the top 10 is amazing. Genie on the other hand, is a completely different player than even at the Aussie. she's built up from excellent fundamentals, consistency and defense, and now she's added the ability to ragdoll her opponent left and right...reminds me of Djokovic actually. I'm comfortable saying without any homerism she has top 3 written all over her.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Inglewood Jack For This Useful Post:
I dunno guys, I think Milos tops out as a 5-10 player. in a power vacuum where there's no Rafa/Nole/Fed/Andy, then he's got a chance at collecting a major or two. but the top dogs all have flawless movement, impenetrable defense, metronome groundstrokes and crazy versatility, on top of having at least one deadly weapon. Milos (and everyone else) can improve his serve return, backhand, etc. but not to the point where he's able to threaten the elites unless they're having a bad day.
That's totally fair. Sometimes you need to take advantage of an upset and make your run.
I realize he got bounced at RG, but I look at what Wawrinka did at the 2014 Aussie Open. At his age and to take that Major when he did, really gives me hope. His match against Djokovic in the QF was pretty epic. He showed the tennis world anything is possible.
The Following User Says Thank You to Mango For This Useful Post:
I dunno guys, I think Milos tops out as a 5-10 player. in a power vacuum where there's no Rafa/Nole/Fed/Andy, then he's got a chance at collecting a major or two. but the top dogs all have flawless movement, impenetrable defense, metronome groundstrokes and crazy versatility, on top of having at least one deadly weapon. Milos (and everyone else) can improve his serve return, backhand, etc. but not to the point where he's able to threaten the elites unless they're having a bad day.
Raonic is already 3-1 against Murray (plus two walkovers), and Federer is on the decline. Djokovic and Nadal are on another planet right now, however. Until one or both of them breaks down, nobody is likely to rise above 3 in the world.
Raonic is already 3-1 against Murray (plus two walkovers), and Federer is on the decline. Djokovic and Nadal are on another planet right now, however. Until one or both of them breaks down, nobody is likely to rise above 3 in the world.
Rafa is 28 (today!) and Nole is 27...still close to their peak age, but not spring chickens either. I'll admit I never saw Rafa playing at this level for so long the way he punishes his body, but even he says that the days of sustained dominance are coming to an end. If Milos can hang around for another few years, these guys will be in their 30's and much more vulnerable to the early upsets. if you were the same age as those two guys then yeah your career is pretty much screwed, just like how an entire generation of players that were Federer's age never got a sniff of glory either.
this is also a plus for Genie that she's emerging at the end of the Serena era, although she's turning into a good enough talent not to need such a big opening.
I dunno guys, I think Milos tops out as a 5-10 player. in a power vacuum where there's no Rafa/Nole/Fed/Andy, then he's got a chance at collecting a major or two. but the top dogs all have flawless movement, impenetrable defense, metronome groundstrokes and crazy versatility, on top of having at least one deadly weapon. Milos (and everyone else) can improve his serve return, backhand, etc. but not to the point where he's able to threaten the elites unless they're having a bad day.
that's nothing to be sad about though, having a Canadian boy in the top 10 is amazing. Genie on the other hand, is a completely different player than even at the Aussie. she's built up from excellent fundamentals, consistency and defense, and now she's added the ability to ragdoll her opponent left and right...reminds me of Djokovic actually. I'm comfortable saying without any homerism she has top 3 written all over her.
Agreed. Like I said before you don't ever see glaring weaknesses in the best players. Nadal has improved his serve over the years so it's no longer a weakness and Djokovic is just so well rounded that you simply aren't going to beat those guys based on a big serve and forehand alone. I have to admit Milos footwork has looked a lot better in this tournament and his slice backhand should serve him well in Wimbledon his two handed backhand is pretty unremarkable and more of a defensive shot. That's nothing that can't be improved through practice and hard work so he may very well be able to get his foot in the door at the top as he peaks just when Nadal and Djokovic start to decline. Very exciting fans for Canadian tennis fans no matter how you look at it.
A lot of people are trying to romanticize (I can't think of a better term!) the fact she's meeting her childhood idol in the SFs. Genie's not having any of that. I definitely respect her comments about not wanting to put Sharapova on a pedestal and that Genie wants to be known at Genie, not Maria Jr.
Raonic is already 3-1 against Murray (plus two walkovers), and Federer is on the decline. Djokovic and Nadal are on another planet right now, however. Until one or both of them breaks down, nobody is likely to rise above 3 in the world.
That's pretty much it right on. When they inevitably retire in the next 3-5 years the door will be open but until then, good luck. Raonic has nothing to hang his head about after his last performances against Nadal and Djokovic. In each game he played well enough beat just about everyone in the world except them.
__________________
I hate to tell you this, but I’ve just launched an air biscuit
I dunno guys, I think Milos tops out as a 5-10 player. in a power vacuum where there's no Rafa/Nole/Fed/Andy, then he's got a chance at collecting a major or two. but the top dogs all have flawless movement, impenetrable defense, metronome groundstrokes and crazy versatility, on top of having at least one deadly weapon. Milos (and everyone else) can improve his serve return, backhand, etc. but not to the point where he's able to threaten the elites unless they're having a bad day.
There are only two players in the world right now that possess all those tools, most certainly not all the top players. Milos has pretty much shown he can tackle everybody else on tour in the form of repeated victory of very close matches - no one else on tour is stepping up to challenge these guys.
Let's also keep in mind he is young by tennis standards. You're comparing him to career grand slammers in the middle of their prime who will probably go down as two of the better players to ever play the game. To sell him short when he's still just 23 isn't only unfair but not realistic. His game has improved top to bottom in the last year and there's no reason to think he can't sort out the inconsistencies in his forehand/backhand in the next year.
This doesn't mean he's going to be a top 5 player at some point, but cementing yourself in the 5-7 rank is hardly a bad thing.
__________________
I hate to tell you this, but I’ve just launched an air biscuit
This doesn't mean he's going to be a top 5 player at some point, but cementing yourself in the 5-7 rank is hardly a bad thing.
It's fantastic. With Greg Rusedski bailing on Canada the only Canadian singles player I can recall having merit in the singles circuit (Nestor will go down as one of the all time great doubles players) was Glenn Michibata. Pospisil kind of gets overlooked because of Raonic but he's actually accomplished a lot for a Canadian male player on the tour and more than any other Canadian man getting his ranking in the top 30.
