Nicolas Kiefer, unfulfilled potential?

Kiefer was once highly ranked (think he got to #4?) but succumbed to injuries and lack of confidence. It's actually surprising he is fighting so hard against top players recently - in the past, he used to throw big matches without making an effort.

Kiefer was really good, Germany really expected big things of him.
then some idiot made him all boring and defensive and he would just tap the ball in and play counter-attack, lost the plot, got injured and his marbles all at same time.

he was a pain to watch then.

journeyman for life

Very unfulfilled potential, underrated and can't seem to get a break. We've seen that talent so many times and thank God he got to reach no.4 already. But like most of you know, his injuries keep putting a stop to everything for him. I think he can still get better with age and it's becoming clear that he is one of the few on tour who can play with Roger and has the belief that he has a chance against him.

Too much pressure. Germans just can't live up to Becker and Graf.

KarolBeckFan said:

Too much pressure. Germans just can't live up to Becker and Graf.

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That is true. Tough job. And it's still even a burden to live up to Stich and Huber's achievements.

Stich, maybe. He won Wimbledon.

But Huber? Another German that never lived up to her potential, I don't think people are worried about living up to her accomplishments, to be honest.

KarolBeckFan said:

Stich, maybe. He won Wimbledon.

But Huber? Another German that never lived up to her potential, I don't think people are worried about living up to her accomplishments, to be honest.

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No, I'm saying that even with what Huber has accomplished, they still cannot get somebody to reach that kind of level.

KarolBeckFan said:

Stich, maybe. He won Wimbledon.

But Huber? Another German that never lived up to her potential, I don't think people are worried about living up to her accomplishments, to be honest.

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Anke did a hell of a lot more than Kiefer

CoreyH75 said:

Anke did a hell of a lot more than Kiefer

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Elaborate.

She won a few more titles, but that's about it.

KarolBeckFan said:

Elaborate.

She won a few more titles, but that's about it.

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CoreyH is not so wrong. Huber did more than Kiefer so far in his career. Not a "hell more", but overall more. She reached a Grand Slam and Tier I finals (Kiefer's best QFs or semifinals, respectively) and made the final of the WTA Championships only going down to Graf in five sets (Kiefer ATP Championships: semifinal).

Anke

Neely said:

CoreyH is not so wrong. Huber did more than Kiefer so far in his career. Not a "hell more", but overall more. She reached a Grand Slam and Tier I finals (Kiefer's best QFs or semifinals, respectively) and made the final of the WTA Championships only going down to Graf in five sets (Kiefer ATP Championships: semifinal).

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I understand that... but what I'm saying is that she's not done anything to really give her a legacy that people would want to live up to. No one really cares who made grand slam finals... they remember who won them.

KarolBeckFan said:

but what I'm saying is that she's not done anything to really give her a legacy that people would want to live up to.

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Sure, then I misunderstood you in your intention. That's right of course if you see it from that view.

If Keifer got his head straightened out a bit and pumped up, he could dismantle any player. (and if there isn't a breeze to throw off that insanely high toss!) most underrated player i've ever seen, phenomenal forehand AND backhand.

Yup, definitely more talented than big-shot Haas.....
But I still like Rainer the most amongst all Germans, though seemingly the least talented for them all. Well, seeing how long Agassi has been playing in the tour, who knows, maybe someday Nicolas may win a slam or something, stranger things have happned.

TheBoiledEgg said:

he was a pain to watch then.

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And he still is.

Too much was expected of him. I remember Cliff Drysdale saying that one day Kiefer might win Wimbledon (granted this was back in the late 90s).

Tennis_Passion said:

Yup, definitely more talented than big-shot Haas.....
But I still like Rainer the most amongst all Germans, though seemingly the least talented for them all. Well, seeing how long Agassi has been playing in the tour, who knows, maybe someday Nicolas may win a slam or something, stranger things have happned.

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Unfortunately, Rainer is done. Having a good year was the worst thing that ever happened to him.