He has always had good potential AP injuries has stalled his career so far surgeries on his left foot, lower back, shoulder and elbow and I am not making these injuries or surgeries up
I'm starting to get the sense that you don't like Novak
. But to be fair to the Serb, his explosion in 2011 was in the heart of Rafa's prime years. I've pointed out countless times that Rafa's 2011 results are EXACTLY the same as 2010, if you take Novak out of the picture. He was just as dominant against everyone else, but he just couldn't beat the gluten-free Novak. At least that year. They were pretty close overall after.
My main concern for Carlos is his wrist? I just hope it wont be chronic, I watched a small video of him in practice, hitting gently with his wrist, lets see when he does come back to the tour, he is projected to come back HC's and in time for the USOI'm starting to get the sense that you don't like Novak
And yes, Carlos has been a great young player - the best since Rafa, and one of the four or five best of the Open Era. But that doesn't mean he'll have a better career than Sinner, who has followed more of a Roger-esque career trajectory. I remember posting about it in 2023 and feeling hesitant to do so, because there was no knowing how good Sinner would become, but through 2023, his overall career trajectory and ELO very closely mirrored Roger through 2003 at the same age.
Meaning, Carlos was definitely better than Jannik through their 22nd birthdays, but that doesn't mean he'll be better from 22 on. We shall see. This year has brought up moderate concerns for both, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if ten years from now, we look back at 2024-25 as the peak of their shared dominance, with 2026-27 still dominant, but less so, and 2028 and on more balanced with other young players entering their primes (e.g. Fonseca, Jodar, maybe Mensik, eventually Kouame, etc).
Wu has good potential sad that his career has been stalled due to many injuries and surgeries
Yeah, I'm calling it (and Jannik's mystery issue) "moderate" because you've got to give such great athletes the benefit of the doubt that they'll recover/adjust, but wrist injuries are no joke.
Rafa had had six years of being Roger’s only competition, while he was still in growth and development, and even the season before this, he beat Roger, when aged only 17. He wasn’t growing peacefully in the shade, like Novak.I'm starting to get the sense that you don't like Novak
And yes, Carlos has been a great young player - the best since Rafa, and one of the four or five best of the Open Era. But that doesn't mean he'll have a better career than Sinner, who has followed more of a Roger-esque career trajectory. I remember posting about it in 2023 and feeling hesitant to do so, because there was no knowing how good Sinner would become, but through 2023, his overall career trajectory and ELO very closely mirrored Roger through 2003 at the same age.
Meaning, Carlos was definitely better than Jannik through their 22nd birthdays, but that doesn't mean he'll be better from 22 on. We shall see. This year has brought up moderate concerns for both, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if ten years from now, we look back at 2024-25 as the peak of their shared dominance, with 2026-27 still dominant, but less so, and 2028 and on more balanced with other young players entering their primes (e.g. Fonseca, Jodar, maybe Mensik, eventually Kouame, etc).
The dumb bastard is struggling in the first round, when he really needs an easy first week…I blame Jannik for 5 sets, I guess they need to shut the roof for darkness coming dont want the old boy squinting do we? he does wear contact lenses
I would rather Jannik win a GS this year and take your point winning all 9 Masters, he can shelve that this year just saying
Tell me about it lol , I also want to know how he got a nail in his shoe with blood coming from his white shoe, he did have a bad fall on the grass, I Hate the grass in the first week at WimbledonThe dumb bastard is struggling in the first round, when he really needs an easy first week…
I think you're underselling Jannik a bit, though I also see Andy as an ATG who had unfortunate career timing. In the 90s, he would have been right there with Agassi and just behind Pete, imo. Jannik actually reminds me a bit of Lendl, who I think is the most underrated ATG of the Open Era. I rank Lendl ahead of Connors and Agassi, and right there will Borg and Mac...and just a bit behind Pete. Sinner has a similar "terminator" quality, and is probably a bit more dynamic with his Novak-esque gumbyism.
The more I think of it, 2010 is Rafa's absolute best year ever. That was the year he was untouchable on all surfaces. Novak aside, Rafa being taken to 5 sets in the first round of the French Open, to a serve bot no less, starts to show the decline of Rafa in 2011.I'm starting to get the sense that you don't like Novak
NO WAY
I go back and forth on whether I think 2010 or 2013 was his best year, with 2008 being his clear third. There's a big drop-off from those three seasons and the rest of his career. Actually, I did a "top 50 seasons of the Open Era" project (which eventually became top 100) which I was planning on sharing eventually, if and when I become satisfied with my formula. But those three years are all in the top 15. My latest iteration had 2010 being #9, 2013 being #11, and 2008 being #15. his next cluster of seasons are all outside the top 40, though just barely so (2017, 2019, 2005 all in the 45-51 range).
I can see how 2008 was the most memorable season for a Rafa fan, but I think 2010 and '13 were slightly better. Also, while the Channel Slam is still very impressive, it is not what it was back in Borg's day when the surfaces were completely different. The Big Three all played during the slow grass era. Still very difficult, of course, but not like pre-2001.
I disagree strongly 2008 was Rafa's best, unplayable on the clay, won the Channel Slam and stopped Rogers winning streak on grass
