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[BigNose]

BN, if you'd bothered to read what I said, rather than picking on one line, you would see that I agree with you, though God help me for that.

I did read what you said. And you stated something as fact that is a load of nonsense. This is your nonsense statement:

"Hi All,

I think you could argue that Andy was lucky to get to the final, given that at times he didn't play his best tennis. However, I don't see it quite like that. "


And I pointed out that nobody could seriously argue Andy was lucky to get to the final.

[Fiverings]

Now he's got the large chimp off his back, how many slams are we predicting?

I'm going with four, only because he's started relatively late. I'll say one more US, an Australian and a Wimbledon.

 I know I'm coming to this late, but I'm going with 8, same as Lendl. I also think now he's done the Olympics he's going to go all out for a golden career slam, like his hero Agassi, which means RG in there somewhere, as well as AO and Wimbledon obviously .  Can't say if he'll do it, but its gonna be fun watching!

[Aileen]

Not sure Andy did anything really, i think Raonic is just being overhyped by the media because tennis is crying out for the next big thing, and he is just ahead of a really poor quality bunch. Bernard Tomic was disgusting in the USO, i think Goffin is a little bit frail and needs beefing up, and after that there really isn't much else, maybe Jack Sock or Grigor Dmitrov but not impressed with them either.

Tomic wasn't even trying when he played Roddick.  It was almost like he didn't want to be the player to beat him in his last tournament.

I notice you've made no mention of Dolgopolov.  Any thoughts on him?  He's another player who seemed to promise much but who tends to fade from time to time.  He does though suffer from an unpleasant liver condition known as Gilberts Syndrome, which can cause fatigue, muscle weakness and abdominal pain - in fact Dolgo once said that often he can't eat for 2/3 days at a time - so possibly that's part of the reason, but not all.

[The Gnome]

Tomic wasn't even trying when he played Roddick.  It was almost like he didn't want to be the player to beat him in his last tournament.

I notice you've made no mention of Dolgopolov.  Any thoughts on him?  He's another player who seemed to promise much but who tends to fade from time to time.  He does though suffer from an unpleasant liver condition known as Gilberts Syndrome, which can cause fatigue, muscle weakness and abdominal pain - in fact Dolgo once said that often he can't eat for 2/3 days at a time - so possibly that's part of the reason, but not all.

Yeah he's another tipped for great things but as yet nada, maybe that illness you mentioned is the reason - all in all i am quite happy to not see a breakthrough player until andy retires i like the top 4 now, and soon maybe it maybe just a top 3 or even 2 if rafa doesn't come back as he would like, that leaves Andy and Novak to share the spoils. But then who knows, one of those younglings may come out next year and really cause some trouble, but i really don't think the current crop will do so.

And to ABF, yeah Bedrych is looking to step up a bit but if so he really needs to get the mental side of his game in order, he's worse than Andy used to be for mental frailty.

Poor old Tsonga, i actually would not mind one iota if he managed to get a slam under his belt, i think he deserves it as on his day he is quite awesome. And Ferrer too, but i think his age is against him.

[BigNose]

Isner being in the top ten just goes to show the huge gulf there is now in tennis between the top 5 or 6 and everyone else. Sure, any of those outside the top 6 can cause upsets on their day and maybe have a few decent runs in slams but i really cannot see them beating the top guys when it matters.

I don't think there is a top 5 or 6. There is a top 4. Even 5 or 6 tend to get knocked out the Slams at unpredictably early rounds. But the top 4  rarely lose now before the semis. When they do lose it is inevitably to each other.

[Joe]

Tomic wasn't even trying when he played Roddick.  It was almost like he didn't want to be the player to beat him in his last tournament.

I notice you've made no mention of Dolgopolov.  Any thoughts on him?  He's another player who seemed to promise much but who tends to fade from time to time.  He does though suffer from an unpleasant liver condition known as Gilberts Syndrome, which can cause fatigue, muscle weakness and abdominal pain - in fact Dolgo once said that often he can't eat for 2/3 days at a time - so possibly that's part of the reason, but not all.

Gilbert's syndrome ought to be benign - many people have it, including me!

[ProdigyEng]

5 or 6, but not the french. I would love for Andy to win The Golden Slam, but I just don't see it happening.

[TheMadHatter]

Not sure Andy did anything really, i think Raonic is just being overhyped by the media because tennis is crying out for the next big thing, and he is just ahead of a really poor quality bunch. Bernard Tomic was disgusting in the USO, i think Goffin is a little bit frail and needs beefing up, and after that there really isn't much else, maybe Jack Sock or Grigor Dmitrov but not impressed with them either.

You forget Ryan Harrison and his younger brother Christian. I think Harrison and Tomic are the most promising (Tomic clearly has some mental issues right now, but the talent is there), but I agree, I don't see either of them or anyone else for that matter being able to reach the top of the game. This really is an incredible era, with three players separated by a single year becoming three of the greats, and only one player outside of those three being able to compete with them.

Looking a bit further on there is Quinzi who has big potential, but he's only 16 now so it would probably be a good few years yet. Then there is Kozlov (who is only 14). But then again, the Juniors only tell so much. Donald Young was far more dominant than Quinzi at the same age and look at him now.

Also, why top 6? There's a top 4 and a second group of 4 (Ferrer, DelPo, Berdych, Tsonga), and then the next bigger group (with Tipsarevic maybe somewhere in between). But top 6?