Cincinnati Masters 2026, Ohio, US - ATP Masters 1000

[the AntiPusher]

Glad to see Fils finally get one. He was looking like a legit Masters contender in late 2024, when he won two 500s, but then had that setback in the second half of last year and some bumps this year. But it always felt like a matter of time. I'm not sure he's got the game to beat Sincaraz in a Slam, but he's going to be a darkhorse going forward.

Here's an update to a chart - the age of players when they won their first big title (Open Era first only):

View attachment 11034

El Dude this is really good and it really put things into a historical perspective. I doubt very serious if Gael is gonna be a hall of famer. How will history remember Monfils... The most gifted player who NEVER won a Big Title?

 

[mrzz]

Dude deserves it.

I will tell you what I tell everyone who refers to himself in the third-person: you should definitely see a psycholo... Oh, wait...

 

[El Dude]

El Dude this is really good and it really put things into a historical perspective. I doubt very serious if Gael is gonna be a hall of famer. How will history remember Monfils... The most gifted player who NEVER won a Big Title?

Thanks. I'd give the edge to Nishikori. I mean, Monfils might be the most athletic and fun player not to win a big title, but Nishikori was a better overall player at his peak. IMO.

A couple things can be discerned from that chart, as far as historic precedents go.

• Every 5+ Slam winner won their first big title by 21 (before their 22nd birthday).
• Stan Wawrinka is a huge outlier (as we know) - the only multi-Slam winner to win his first big title at 25 or older and he was 28.

Now I'm also thinking of Fonseca and Jodar. If they are going to make the cut as possible 5+ Slam winners, it means they have about two years to win their first big title. Meaning, they've got plenty of time. Again, at least based on historical precedents.

 

[kskate2]

That's got to ugly trophy in sports ..where did they get it from HomeGoods...

hey, chill. I like Home Goods. Not everything there looks like a dime store replica

 

[the AntiPusher]

hey, chill. I like Home Goods. Not everything there looks like a dime store replica

he does have the Barca championship

 

[kskate2]

the Barca, Stuttgart and Queens trophies is a man's hardware.

 

[El Dude]

This is Sad!!

Gaël Monfils has never won an ATP Masters 1000 title. Despite having recorded 146 wins at this level, he holds the record for the most victories without securing a title. His career has been marked by impressive performances, but a Masters 1000 title has eluded him throughout his time on the tour.

Ultimate Tennis Statistics hasn't updated since the end of 2024, but here are the players with the most GOAT points not to win a big title:

1. Kei Nishikori
2. Milos Raonic
3. Cliff Richey
4. Todd Martin
5. Gael Monfils
6. Fernando Gonzalez
7. Richard Gasquet
8. Henri Leconte
9. Wotjek Fibak
10. Jonas Bjorkman

Gael has another year and a half of play, but he probably didn't do enough (one 250) to do more than swap with Martin. Still, I think we can say that he's among the best players never to win a big title.

 

[Fiero425]

This is Sad!!

Gaël Monfils has never won an ATP Masters 1000 title. Despite having recorded 146 wins at this level, he holds the record for the most victories without securing a title. His career has been marked by impressive performances, but a Masters 1000 title has eluded him throughout his time on the tour.

Typical Frenchman; all flash! At least Noah won in Paris 1983 & Tsonga got to AO Final in '08! Fils has time, but Injury time off still an issue!

 

[kskate2]

And Nishi got to a slam final after beating Djoke. It's a shame he never claimed a M1000, but he's got a hitlist of top scalps he collected in his prime.

 

[the AntiPusher]

And Nishi got to a slam final after beating Djoke. It's a shame he never claimed a M1000, but he's got a hitlist of top scalps he collected in his prime.

I dont know if I can put the man made of glass ahead LeMonf or JowillieTs

 

[the AntiPusher]

Thanks. I'd give the edge to Nishikori. I mean, Monfils might be the most athletic and fun player not to win a big title, but Nishikori was a better overall player at his peak. IMO.

A couple things can be discerned from that chart, as far as historic precedents go.

• Every 5+ Slam winner won their first big title by 21 (before their 22nd birthday).
• Stan Wawrinka is a huge outlier (as we know) - the only multi-Slam winner to win his first big title at 25 or older and he was 28.

Now I'm also thinking of Fonseca and Jodar. If they are going to make the cut as possible 5+ Slam winners, it means they have about two years to win their first big title. Meaning, they've got plenty of time. Again, at least based on historical precedents.

That is where the math for me gets eschewed from reality .. if Fonseca and Jodar played during the era of the Big 4 plus Stan.. I Dont think they would come close to make the cut as possible 5+ Slam winners.. I think some players like Tsonga, Monfils, Nishikori, JMDP and Cilic aka cough drop are gonna have to graded based on their h2H vs the other top players. It not fair to continue to punish them because they played in the era of the immortals.

 

[Fiero425]

That is where the math for me gets eschewed from reality .. if Fonseca and Jodar played during the era of the Big 4 plus Stan.. I Dont think they would come close to make the cut as possible 5+ Slam winners..

It's wide open these days b/c Sincaraz will always have issues w/ their health & injury! The Big 3 were the most resilient of their era even w/ the consistent entropy of Rafa's body! Federer didn't have too many issues outside of the usual aches & pains in his arm & knee! He may have had MONO at one time! Djokovic was hampered early w/ breathing issues; since resolved! Then he helped himself by eliminating Gluten! His aches & pains were a little more serious in 2017 as he actually tried altering his serves motion ala Agassi! For an old man Novak's still quite flexible & healthy! The game just takes a real toll on players today so he won't last until 2028 OG's!

 

[kskate2]

I dont know if I can put the man made of glass ahead LeMonf or JowillieTs

Boi, put those drugs down. Nishi's limited time on court w/ his small frame was way more productive than Le Monf. Case in point:

 

[El Dude]

That is where the math for me gets eschewed from reality .. if Fonseca and Jodar played during the era of the Big 4 plus Stan.. I Dont think they would come close to make the cut as possible 5+ Slam winners.. I think some players like Tsonga, Monfils, Nishikori, JMDP and Cilic aka cough drop are gonna have to graded based on their h2H vs the other top players. It not fair to continue to punish them because they played in the era of the immortals.

Don't get me wrong: There's no certainty that Fonzie and Jodar will become greats. I was just pointing out that all greats (5+ Slam winners) won their first big title before their 22nd birthday, and that those two have time (about two years) to meet that benchmark. Of course meeting it doesn't mean they'll be greats, but not meeting it probably means they won't...at least according to all Open Era precedents.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Boi, put those drugs down. Nishi's limited time on court w/ his small frame was way more productive than Le Monf. Case in point:
View attachment 11037t

Well you can have Dr Front test me,, I may be the only person that test positive because my testosterone level is exceptional high because I am hooked on IG and TikTok models .. jajajaja no arguments today..Its my birthday which means today is a TRUCE..no competitive banter from me today