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pica_pica · 05-09-2009, 11:18 AM

Wow. Nice piece of research

Players now pay more attention to their physical endurance and avoid injuries.

Bazooka · 05-09-2009, 12:17 PM

Very interesting info, I suspected this was happening but seeing the numbers shows it all. And not only that, if you go to the Juniors, who are the "big talents" that we are expecting to storm the tour as teens in the next years? like Nadal did in 2005, Becker in the 85-86, Hewitt 98-00, Sampras 90.

This may be an important factor in Nadal's future, if no new talents are coming in clay, he may easily pocket many more RGs as I don't see any of the current players getting close to him in clay. I always expected him getting around 6 RGs, but honestly he's just 22, and with no opossition until 26 he would win 9 easily.

its.like.that · 05-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Drugs helping players (like Agassi) stay in the game longer.

Bazooka · 05-09-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by its.like.that

Drugs helping players (like Agassi) stay in the game longer.

You taking them all before posting won't solve the problem, you know. More will be produced.

Renaud · 05-09-2009, 12:46 PM

The fact is players don't play longer, Santoro being the exception.
It's the lack of young players that makes the average age so high.

Bazooka · 05-09-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renaud

The fact is players don't play longer, Santoro being the exception.
It's the lack of young players that makes the average age so high.

Indeed, there's nothing special at Moya retiring at 32, standard thing.

I can understand early retirement from guys like Federer or Nadal once they don't think they have chances at slams, but for the rest, going over 30 sounds like a good decision if they're earning their money. In the case of Moya, I guess his appearance fee when he was 27-31 would surprise more than one here.

amirbachar · 05-09-2009, 04:19 PM

I think the main reason is the transition period between the old and the new ranking systems - the older points are worth more than the new points.

philosophicalarf · 05-09-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennMirnyi

Mug era. Older players can keep playing until they're over 30 because competition is a freaking joke.

Moya is the perfect example.

Yup, Moya is the perfect example. That such a weak player could become number 1 tells you all you need know about the late 90s. Alternatively, in the early 90s a 39 year old made the US Open semis.

Anyway, looking at the graph it seems to be something that's happening for 20 years now. Most players now peak after 25, with the exception of the very best.

Burrow · 05-09-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelq

Definitely, this.Kids just can't keep up in the long baseline rallies against physically much stronger opponents.Talent alone is just not enough anymore.

I don't think someone of 19 is a child, you are pretty close to being fully developed when you are 19.

Ilovetheblues_86 · 05-09-2009, 04:58 PM

The 89-90 generation has not created future champions, the 91-92 will be better (Tomic, Dmitrov, Krajinovic).

Burrow · 05-09-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philosophicalarf

Yup, Moya is the perfect example. That such a weak player could become number 1 tells you all you need know about the late 90s. Alternatively, in the early 90s a 39 year old made the US Open semis.

Anyway, looking at the graph it seems to be something that's happening for 20 years now. Most players now peak after 25, with the exception of the very best.

There is just a tad difference between Moya 2009 and Moya over 10 years ago.

GlennMirnyi · 05-09-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philosophicalarf

Yup, Moya is the perfect example. That such a weak player could become number 1 tells you all you need know about the late 90s. Alternatively, in the early 90s a 39 year old made the US Open semis.

Anyway, looking at the graph it seems to be something that's happening for 20 years now. Most players now peak after 25, with the exception of the very best.

Yup what? I meant something diametrically different.

TennisViewer531 · 05-10-2009, 08:16 AM

I'm hoping Grigor Dimitrov will make it in the top 100 as a teenager... possible?

Audacity · 05-10-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacTheKnife

I can't speak for the rest of the world, but have some thoughts on the US. In this country you can sign one 5 contract in baseball, football, or basketball and make what Federer has in his entire career. If you were a parent, where would you push your kids. Unfortunately tennis is rapidly becoming a distant choice for young athletes in this country, and only recently have we began to try to do something about it. It remains to be seen if we can turn this thing around.
I noticed last week after Rome, I didn't even hear it mentioned on ESPN or any other news outlet who won the damn tournament. They were all to busy rehashing NBA playoff games.

Your spot on mate.

Radalek · 05-10-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TennisViewer531

I'm hoping Grigor Dimitrov will make it in the top 100 as a teenager... possible?

He has a whole year time to make it I guess?Tomic and Krajinovic should get there as teenagers by any means, but they are much younger than Dimitrov so it's early to tell.Can't see any other notable youngsters atm...