In the past we used to think that Monfils was too much of a showman to be a real tennis player. Fast forward to 2016, I don't think anyone has made quite as big improvements as what Monfils has done this season physically and mentally, with perhaps the exception of Thiem and Raonic. He still has a long way to go and much more for him to achieve but with this very solid win over Raonic (and Goffin) to make Masters semi here after a very strong win in Washington, things are really working for him this season. Had he not had momentum stalled by injury/illness, missing RG and losing early at Wimbledon, he'd be firm ATP race to WTF contender. (He's just passed Berdych in race ranking points for 8th). So I think we can say RIP Clownfils 2004-2015 and see what this new Monfils can do.
Let's give Monfils a big cheer and hope he can keep up the fine work. Let his dedication be a good example to the youngsters.
Umm. It's Thiem. No question about it. Monfils is playing more serious this season even though he'll never quit with the clowning. I don't see him as a top player but there's a bigger chance of him winning a Slam than for instance Nishikori. At least in my book
La Monf didn't improve, he's always injured or sick in 2016, like any others year, he's played half of the season for ages, he's unbale to play the whole season
sure, he's not the only one. See Gasquet, Tsonga, Nishikori as well. No one can really tell with these things at times. But talking solely about his game and application there, he's done a fantastic job.
A number of the younger players have improved more than Monfils this year, just because their games are maturing, but among the top 20 guys who are over 25-26 years of age, Monfils probably is the most improved player, either him or Murray. (Murray's improvement appears more subtle because he started from a higher level and Djokovic has been so good.)
he still has had great draws. Sorry, but beating Raonic or Karlovic deeper in draws doesn't magically make him appear better than in the past. I will give you that he appears mentally well put together this season, he's quite consistent.
but his level in terms of play is really no different than in the past. If he actually were to manage to break through and win a Master's 1000 event or upset someone who he has historically failed playing then I would agree, but that's left to be seen.
I mean Monfils has come close many times in the past to making big breakthroughs at slams. this season he has been consistent but until now has he even made it past a QF in anything above a Master's 1000 in 2016? ehh.
Monfils has always had the talent to make it big, so he's the same player, but just in a more or less decent form right now. I've seen some more genuine emotions as of late from Monfils which shocked me as he usually has a don't care attitude bundled with showmanship. If anything improved, it's his awareness that he's in a match that he can win; which is a big improvement for him.
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