[Demosthenes]

i think after federer retires, novak will be #1 at some point.

but do you think anyone can be #1 besides roger or rafa until they both retire?

discuss. (always wanted to say that)

 

[Sunset of Age]

A rather pointless discussion I think, as we can't see in the future, and many things can happen. Fed and/or Rafa could get injured (Heaven forbid!), Nole might not be able to live up to the expectations, another talented young player might develop his game quicker than foreseen (what about Murray for instance?), whatever.

Personally I think Rafa should at least take over the #1 spot from Fed at a certain time in his carreer, it would be rather saddening for him if he couldn't manage that, regarding his already awesome results. But this is only wishful thinking, something like 'justice' barely exists for this matter.

Nole... first wait for him to win a GS, shall we?

 

[Demosthenes]

we shall.

and i don't see how it's pointless. it's merely a speculation thread. there's plenty of those floating around.

 

[Sunset of Age]

we shall.

and i don't see how it's pointless. it's merely a speculation thread. there's plenty of those floating around.

Yeah, that's true, sorry if I came across a bit harshly.

I find it rather difficult to speculate, though, for the simple reason that some players are getting hyped up so much and than shortly thereafter completely fail to live up to expectations.
Also, being a 'star' at young age doesn't have to mean anything. Okay, Sampras won his first slam at 19, and he became to be one of the greatest ever, but Hewitt, for instance, who could've thought that he wouldn't even be in the top 20 three years later? Or Safin for that matter?
On the other hand, Roger was a late bloomer, nobody expected very much from 'that headcase' when he was around 20, and see what has happened since... so my point is that I find speculating on this not just difficult, but in fact - impossible.

But well let's see what others have to say about this!

 

[LefandePatty]

Alexandra Stevenson.

 

[mangoes]

Well, I'm going to looking into my crystal ball.........the answer is YES.

 

[Marek.]

No, and even after Fed retires no one will be number one. The ATP is actually going to retire the number one ranking once Fed retires, highest someone will be able to go is 2.

 

[Sunset of Age]

No, and even after Fed retires no one will be number one. The ATP is actually going to retire the number one ranking once Fed retires, highest someone will be able to go is 2.

Don't tell Mr. Disney. :timebomb:

 

[Demosthenes]

Yeah, that's true, sorry if I came across a bit harshly.

I find it rather difficult to speculate, though, for the simple reason that some players are getting hyped up so much and than shortly thereafter completely fail to live up to expectations.
Also, being a 'star' at young age doesn't have to mean anything. Okay, Sampras won his first slam at 19, and he became to be one of the greatest ever, but Hewitt, for instance, who could've thought that he wouldn't even be in the top 20 three years later? Or Safin for that matter?
On the other hand, Roger was a late bloomer, nobody expected very much from 'that headcase' when he was around 20, and see what has happened since... so my point is that I find speculating on this not just difficult, but in fact - impossible.

But well let's see what others have to say about this!

true.

roger and rafa have (obviously) cemented their place as the top two players with three great seasons in a row (4 for roger). it will be interesting to see if novak can do the same next year. i'm expecting a little bit of a letdown, but hopefully he stays in the top five.

anything can happen in tennis, as we all know.

 

[KaxMisha]

No, and even after Fed retires no one will be number one. The ATP is actually going to retire the number one ranking once Fed retires, highest someone will be able to go is 2.

Kind of like the Soviet Union, where no one could rise any higher than the Secretary Of the Communist Party after Lenin died. :retard:

 

[mangoes]

No, and even after Fed retires no one will be number one. The ATP is actually going to retire the number one ranking once Fed retires, highest someone will be able to go is 2.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Good one!!

 

[World Beater]

in basketball, famous players have their number retired.

federer can have his number retired :lol:

 

[connectolove]

Djokivic seems to have what´s needed it.

 

[CmonAussie]

Djokivic seems to have what´s needed it.

exactly, i can see Djokovic becoming #1 within 2-3 years

 

[Sunset of Age]

roger and rafa have (obviously) cemented their place as the top two players with three great seasons in a row (4 for roger). it will be interesting to see if novak can do the same next year. i'm expecting a little bit of a letdown, but hopefully he stays in the top five.

anything can happen in tennis, as we all know.

It's obvious that both Rafa's and Roger's streak can't go on forever, the fact that they've both been able to keep up their levels for such a long time (for how long on #2 and #1 now? I've lost count... :angel is in fact incredible. So to be realistic, I think it will rather be their carreers getting a little bit less highlights in the future than Nole's, if only for the age factor (Roger) and/or the very demanding playing style (Rafa).
Of course Nole has a great future, but one just can't rule anything out - what if Gasquet, for instance, finally manages to live up to expectations? It might well happen. We don't know.

In any way, the upcoming seasons will be very interesting indeed.

 

[BlueSwan]

Rafael Nadal might very well end up being the greatest player never to reach #1.

But realistically, I think he will become #1 at some point. And yes, I think other players will be #1 while Fed/Rafa are active as well.

I believe that if Federer manages to beat the record for most weeks at #1 (needs two more years at #1), then his priorities will change. He'll play even fewer tournaments to prolong his career and focus completely on slams.

 

[FedFan_2007]

Realistically, 2008 is the Year of the Baby Fed(Gasquet). It's his time to shine.

 

[Apemant]

Kind of like the Soviet Union, where no one could rise any higher than the Secretary Of the Communist Party after Lenin died. :retard:

LOL good comparison.

 

[MaryX]

Rafael Nadal might very well end up being the greatest player never to reach #1.

But realistically, I think he will become #1 at some point. And yes, I think other players will be #1 while Fed/Rafa are active as well.

I believe that if Federer manages to beat the record for most weeks at #1 (needs two more years at #1), then his priorities will change. He'll play even fewer tournaments to prolong his career and focus completely on slams.

These are realistic predictions.

Next year will be very important for Rafa and if this trend continues (great first part of the season/average second part with injuries), there are chances that he won't become number one.I can't say I'd be very happy for that, cause there were worse tennis players on that spot.

As for Novak, one can't say for sure if he is going to be number one, too.Two years are long enough and there is possibility for other guys-younger and fresh (that haven't been chasing Federer for the last few years)to come out and make a noise.

Federer, however, won't be happy once he finds out he isn't as dominant as he used to be, and other young guys apart from Novak and Rafa pushing hard, so he won't be arround long after that-he'll say something like-"I want to spend more time with Mirka, we are planning to have a house full of kids and to talk about life all the time"...

 

[Cat123]

Once Federer has beaten every record there is too beat I too think he'll slow down. Rafa *has* to hope #1 spot, it'll be a travesty if he doesn't! He worries me though, his style of play means he'll quite possibly run out of steam before Fed does.