[rocketassist]

Originally Posted by delboy

Ferru would kick their asses like he does now. I know it is a crime on MTF that he has got where he is through hard work while lacking natural talent but he is still unquestionably a better player than those guys.

He has the better recent results and deserves his ranking don't get me wrong but those three guys have better career results and bigger victories over the top guys.

[Saberq]

Originally Posted by Mark Lenders

Evidently. First and foremost, if the current top 4 weren't around, the courts/conditions would be sped up no doubt leading to Ferrer becoming a non factor. Ferrer's star power is 0, guys like Tsonga and Del Potro are infinitely more popular among tennis fans and neurals alile despite being ranked lower at the moment - in fact Del Potro's popularity is probably on the same league as the current top 4 (bar Federer of course) despite not winning a big title for more than 3 years, which is why there's this perceived 'hype' around him.

Besides the fact that the ATP would never allow even the slighest risk of someone like Ferrer being the face of the sport in any way, he doesn't have the mentality required to dominate anyway (or the game), so it's a moot point.

what?

[delboy]

Originally Posted by rocketassist

He has the better recent results and deserves his ranking don't get me wrong but those three guys have better career results and bigger victories over the top guys.

Those guys can raise their level beyond ferru and have a much better chance of beating the top 4 no doubt but those results are few and far between. In most meetings Ferru would beat all three of those guys and would always be the favourite like he always has for a reason.

[Mark Lenders]

Originally Posted by Saberq

what?

He's the only player who can often garner the crowd's support even if up against one of the top 4 and matches involving him (vs the top guys) are always hyped immensely by media and fans even when it's obvious he's going to lose. He's definitely one of the most popular players in tennis; I attend Estoril every year and he's supported even over our home players (even this year when Machado got a 6-1 6-0 drubbing he still got close to no support ).

For what it's worth, and while MTF is not all tennis fans and it's very debatable up to what extent it constitutes an accurate microcosmus of the tennis fandom, he was the 2nd most popular player here in 2012 behind Federer of course (who crushes everyone in tennis as far as popularity is concerned).

[delboy]

Originally Posted by Mark Lenders

He's the only player who can often garner the crowd's support even if up against one of the top 4 and matches involving him (vs the top guys) are always hyped immensely by media and fans even when it's obvious he's going to lose. He's definitely one of the most popular players in tennis; I attend Estoril every year and he's supported even over our home players (even this year when Machado got a 6-1 6-0 drubbing he still got close to no support ).

For what it's worth, and while MTF is not all tennis fans and it's very debatable up to what extent it constitutes an accurate microcosmus of the tennis fandom, he was the 2nd most popular player here in 2012 behind Federer of course (who crushes everyone in tennis as far as popularity is concerned).

yeah it aint hard to see why. the guy gives 100% every match and I dont see how anyone can dislike him.

[rocketassist]

Delpo has 1.2m Twitter followers, Muzza has just under 1.4m and Djokovic 1.5m so he's close in that regard.

[Mark Lenders]

Originally Posted by rocketassist

Delpo has 1.2m Twitter followers, Muzza has just under 1.4m and Djokovic 1.5m so he's close in that regard.

Yup. In terms of popularity he's surely up there with the non-Federer members of the top 4 (with less haters) and that's without even winning anything big ever since his wrist surgery.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by rocketassist

Delpo has 1.2m Twitter followers, Muzza has just under 1.4m and Djokovic 1.5m so he's close in that regard.

djoko is winning the twitter war against muzza? that is pretty crazy.

[JarkaFish]

Del Potro is popular because he has a cool sounding name.

[Andre♥]

Ferrer reached SF-QF-SF-SF on the last 4 Grand Slams. The only SF he didn't reach was in Wimbledon, in a match where he had some chances against Murray.

His Grand Slam performances are the reason why he is currently in the top 4. Not because he won Auckland or Bastad.

[MaxPower]

Originally Posted by Andre♥

Ferrer reached SF-QF-SF-SF on the last 4 Grand Slams. The only SF he didn't reach was in Wimbledon, in a match where he had some chances against Murray.

His Grand Slam performances are the reason why he is currently in the top 4. Not because he won Auckland or Bastad.

yet with all his QFs and SFs how many F does he have over his career? And does latest slam results is a lot due to Nadal and Soderling, two players that own him, have been missing on the tour.

Like this AO his draw was very smooth to QF where he should have lost to Almugro and then in SF he got dominated.

[Allez]

Won't last for long. Mighty Rafa is coming back and winning his 1st tournament of this comeback next week.

[Mark Lenders]

Originally Posted by MaxPower

yet with all his QFs and SFs how many F does he have over his career? And does latest slam results is a lot due to Nadal and Soderling, two players that own him, have been missing on the tour.

Like this AO his draw was very smooth to QF where he should have lost to Almugro and then in SF he got dominated.

Yeah, let's put bias aside and examine his herculean draws, see who he beat to reach those so very hyped SFs. FO 2012 - Murray, a reknowned clay titan USO 2012 - Tipsarevic, a player known for his many Slam semis AO 2013 - Almagro, player with many deep Slam runs and certified mental giant.

Oh wait...

He specializes in beating mugs and good players tired/injured/off their game, but once the SF stage comes around where only good players in good form are found he's completely exposed for what he is - an overrated vulture.

[Lestat]

Originally Posted by JarkaFish

Del Potro is popular because he has a cool sounding name.

really? in spanish sounds kinda stupid and a good excuse to make fun of him in the school

[Chase Visa]

Originally Posted by Mark Lenders

Evidently. First and foremost, if the current top 4 weren't around, the courts/conditions would be sped up no doubt leading to Ferrer becoming a non factor. Ferrer's star power is 0, guys like Tsonga and Del Potro are infinitely more popular among tennis fans and neurals alile despite being ranked lower at the moment - in fact Del Potro's popularity is probably on the same league as the current top 4 (bar Federer of course) despite not winning a big title for more than 3 years, which is why there's this perceived 'hype' around him.

Besides the fact that the ATP would never allow even the slighest risk of someone like Ferrer being the face of the sport in any way, he doesn't have the mentality required to dominate anyway (or the game), so it's a moot point.

How certain are you of saying that? Didn't court homogenisation start when all the big names still preferred quicker courts?