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Is del Potro the fifth best tennis player on planet Earth at the moment?

The reality is that del Potro is easily the fourth best tennis player in the world

64K views 1K replies 183 participants last post by  Rychu 
#1 · (Edited)
It's a fact. He might not have been able to hang with the current top 4 post surgery, but he's still comfortably a better player than anyone else. He's also 5-5 in his last 10 matches against said top 4 so the signs are that the gap is closing, not increasing.

Surgery/injuries have affected his relative standing in the game compared to the current top 4, but that's all. He's still better than everyone else. This has been the case ever since his return.

Discuss.

 
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#132 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Unless he gets a proper backhand and or fitness levels improve he has no realistic chance at a deep run at a slam.
 
#135 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

when Novak is about to play Delpo I feel the same as if he is going to play Tsonga or Berdych.........so no
Well, you shouldn't ;)

H2H since Novak became the top player in 2011:

vs Tsonga - 8-0 (17-3 in sets)

vs Berdych - 9-0 (18-4 in sets)

vs Del Potro - 5-3 (could easily be 4-4 since he was a set and a break up in WTF semis).


Novak is dominating 'inconsistent' big hitters in the same way Federer in his prime did. You might not feel the difference between facing Tsonga/Berdych or Delpo, but Novak sure does ;) Even slightly injured JMDP is usually more of a handful to him.
 
#149 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

He might be (it's between Berdych and him), but it will be Milos some day. So watch out. Unless Gulbis gets there first.
Both Del Potro and those guys you mention have the potential to be more than the fifth best player. In fact, JMDP was once the third best player in the world, before leaving the tour for surgery.

Wow, didn't realize it was that close. :rolleyes: Again I realize how much I underestimate him.
It's hardly a surprise. What Djokovic mostly has over him is (much) better fitness and resistance to injuries during his prime (it's not only this, but mainly), hence the large difference in career achievements and current level. However, when JMDP is fit/healthy, he can most definitely compete on even terms with Novak on a tennis court and does not fear him (or anyone else) in any way.
 
#138 · (Edited)
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Mark Lenders, weren't you the one who said Gulbis was a better tennis player than Ferrer a few months ago? The same Ernests Gulbis who has only advanced past the 2nd round of a slam once.

Let's look at the last 4 meetings between Ferrer and Del Potro.

Ferrer defeated Del Potro on clay at the Davis cup final in December of 2011.
Ferrer defeated Del Potro on outdoor hardcourt at Miami, 2012.
Ferrer defeated Del Potro on grass at Wimbledon 2012.
Ferrer defeated Del Potro on indoor hardcourt at WTF 2012.


When Del Potro is on his A game, he is a much better player than Ferrer. Ferrer doesn't nearly have the weapons Del Potro has. However, the current Del Potro is rarely on his A game. Ferrer has produced much better results than Del Potro, and he currently is a better player.

The rankings are supposed to indicate the best players currently, not gauge future potential. Currently, Ferrer has better results than Del Potro, in every slam. In addition, he has owned him head to head.

On what basis does Del Potro qualify as a better player than Ferrer?

Mark Lenders you remind me of a friend who claims John Daly is a better golfer than Tiger Woods.
 
#140 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

That's like saying: who's #5, Dullpotro, Tsonga, Roddick or Blake?

Ferrer clearly got better and smarter and Dullpotro is too tall and slow. He choked on every surface against a bunch of players ranked below 20, not just vs. Federer.
 
#143 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Why is it that the third option is the only option containing strong emotive language by using the word 'blindly'? By choosing this option, members will be agreeing with the OP that they are ignorant or irrational in thinking that Ferrer is the fifth best player at the moment. Is it not possible to rationally consider 'X player' to be the fifth best player at the moment, given that he was ranked fifth for most of the time AND has the best results over the last 52 weeks of any player bar Fed/Rafa/Nole/Andy?

So by voting for Ferrer, members are in a lose-lose situation. They can vote Ferrer and be considered 'blind' or they can vote another option which they may not believe to be the 'reality'.
 
#150 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Why is it that the third option is the only option containing strong emotive language by using the word 'blindly'? By choosing this option, members will be agreeing with the OP that they are ignorant or irrational in thinking that Ferrer is the fifth best player at the moment. Is it not possible to rationally consider 'X player' to be the fifth best player at the moment, given that he was ranked fifth for most of the time AND has the best results over the last 52 weeks of any player bar Fed/Rafa/Nole/Andy?

So by voting for Ferrer, members are in a lose-lose situation. They can vote Ferrer and be considered 'blind' or they can vote another option which they may not believe to be the 'reality'.
Exactly why I haven't voted at all. For a supposedly "unbiased analyst" (in his own opinion), Lenders is sure good at biased polls.
 
#167 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

So, if you have finished proving what everyone knows already (i.e. that Delpo is a bigger threat to the top 4 and that David is a MUCH bigger threat to the rest of the tour), how exactly does it prove that he is easily the better player?
Comes down to a matter of preference that cannot be proven either way with numbers.
Right now, Delpo's ability to beat 1 or 2 of the top guys in a slam means exactly jack squat cause he would most likely need to beat 3 of them to actually take the title.
If I were forced to bet on my life on one of them to win a particular slam, I would probably go with Ferrer.
 
#168 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

So, if you have finished proving what everyone knows already (i.e. that Delpo is a bigger threat to the top 4 and that David is a MUCH bigger threat to the rest of the tour), how exactly does it prove that he is easily the better player?
Comes down to a matter of preference that cannot be proven either way with numbers.
Right now, Delpo's ability to beat 1 or 2 of the top guys in a slam means exactly jack squat cause he would most likely need to beat 3 of them to actually take the title.
If I were forced to bet on my life on one of them to win a particular slam, I would probably go with Ferrer.
You should value your life a bit more, man. Low self esteem is not good.
 
#169 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Del Potro can barely keep consistent in a Masters tournament, which is one week in length and has best out of three set matches. Unless a miracle happens, I can not see Del Potro causing much harm at a Grand Slam, which is two week's in length and has best out of five set matches.
 
#180 ·
Lenders must be the most unbearable poster on here. Posting the same nonsensical garbage over and over until the weaker minded posters starts accepting his crap as truth. He trolls and trolls and then whines when people doesn't respect him.

Yes, delpo has a higher peak level than Ferrer. But who gives a shit? So does Berdych, Tsonga etc. If Delpo cannot produce that kind of form more than once every 3 years, it actually means that he is NOT a better tennis player than Ferrer, who almost always lives up to his high ranking. Add to that, Delpo is vulturing small tournaments just as much as Ferrer.

They have different playing styles and different weapons (yes, consistency and stamina are weapons too). But the ranking is neutral, it doesn't take sides. And it says that for the last 52 weeks, Ferrer has gone further in tournaments than Delpo. If Delpo can't overtake him then he's just not good enough, simple as that. And only idiots don't realize that injuries etc are part of the game.
 
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#196 · (Edited)
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world




Now this is finally a post from you that I can agree with. :yeah:


So many children in here confusing "higher peak level" with "better tennis player". Sad to see really.

Del Potro hasn't played a great tournament in 4 years. His fans can keep living in the past if they want, meanwhile today's Del Potro is not ranked #5 for one reason and one reason only: He has not earned it.

And I see now you are back with writing pure BS. :lol:

Beating Fed in the final of his home tourney, winning an Olympic Medal by beating Djokovic or beating Murray and Djokovic to reach the final of IW...those are all things Ferrer can only dream of :tape:
 
#181 · (Edited)
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Epic troll thread. Great counterattack from Lenders :lol: Although you forgot to mention that DP is still carrying the wrist injury and beating top 5 players - meaning he is the true GOAT :yeah: :smoke:
 
#183 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Ferrer can have all the wins over DelPo he wants. JMDP has beaten two of the Big 4 consecutively in two different tournaments. Ole Pony :worship:
 
#186 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

So many children in here confusing "higher peak level" with "better tennis player". Sad to see really.

Del Potro hasn't played a great tournament in 4 years. His fans can keep living in the past if they want, meanwhile today's Del Potro is not ranked #5 for one reason and one reason only: He has not earned it.
 
#188 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

So many children in here confusing "higher peak level" with "better tennis player". Sad to see really.

Del Potro hasn't played a great tournament in 4 years. His fans can keep living in the past if they want, meanwhile today's Del Potro is not ranked #5 for one reason and one reason only: He has not earned it.
Sure, beating Murray and Djokovic back to back and then almost complete the trifecta vs Nadal is not a great tournament. It's decent, but nothing like beating Llodra and Janowicz :rolleyes:
 
#191 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Sadly no. It'd be better if players like Delpo, Tsonga or even Berdych were the best players in the world, but no, Lenders, you are wrong this time.
Ferrer is the 5th best player, easily, in the last 12 months he won a M1000 and had MP in Miami this year.
Delpo, Tsonga and Berdych reached finals... Good, but not enough.
And let's not talk about slams.
 
#192 ·
Re: The reality is that del Potro is easily the fifth best tennis player in the world

Sadly no. It'd be better if players like Delpo, Tsonga or even Berdych were the best players in the world, but no, Lenders, you are wrong this time.
Ferrer is the 5th best player, easily, in the last 12 months he won a M1000 and had MP in Miami this year.
Delpo, Tsonga and Berdych reached finals... Good, but not enough.
And let's not talk about slams.
Let's be objective here though. Ferrer beat no top players in those runs, Del Potro beating Djokovic and Murray back to back alone shows a much higher level of player.
 
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