Roddick - the best 1 slam winner in history?

[watermelonslice]

I think Safin had as much potential and talent as Federer. Obviously, exactly how much pure talent Safin really had is a moot point, because a tennis match is a mental battle that Safin could not sustain most of the time. But it would be fair to say Safin was definitely an underachiever with only 2 grand slams to his name.

Juan Carlos Ferrero should also be thrown in as a one slam wonder who underachieved.

And to contribute to the latest discussion, I don't think Rafa struggles on hardcourt. He doesn't dominate on hardcourt like he does on clay, but he's clearly one of the best hardcourt players around today. The fact that he hasn't been able to win the US Open could probably be blamed on timing. Rafa's schedule is hectic and his style of play is very taxing on the body. He's gone deep at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the past 3 years, and consequently he's usually pretty worn out by the time US Open comes around. He's clearly capable of winning on hardcourts (e.g. 2009 Australian Open). He'll have had a nice long break after his 4th round loss at Roland Garros this year, so I would not be surprised if we were to see Rafa complete his own career slam at the US Open later this year.

 

[Roobs321]

What about best player to never make a GS final?

Henman? Davydenko? Haas?

and thats just the last 10 years.

 

[watermelonslice]

What about best player to never make a GS final?

Henman? Davydenko? Haas?

and thats just the last 10 years.

Honestly, I thought Henman overachieved by reaching the Wimbledon semis on so many occasions. He was a good player, but never a Grand Slam contender IMO. He definitely put everything he had on the line at Wimbledon - and the Brits are so ungrateful.

 

[dynamite kid]

Can't be Daydenko either.

Yeah he is consistent and knows his (limited) game inside out, but his ranking was based on playing alot of tournaments.

Never had the weapons to trouble top players playing well, I think he has made a few grand slam semis but been destroyed in all of them.

 

[watermelonslice]

Can't be Daydenko either.

Yeah he is consistent and knows his (limited) game inside out, but his ranking was based on playing alot of tournaments.

Never had the weapons to trouble top players playing well, I think he has made a few grand slam semis but been destroyed in all of them.

I'm not sure about Davydenko. I remember a couple of years ago, he was consistently ranked #3 or #4 and generally won his matches against lower ranked players. The likes of Federer banished Davydenko in Grand Slam semifinals multiple times. But I think he would be a Grand Slam contender to an extent in the absence of Federer and Nadal.

 

[matt_897]

I have always thought Davydenko was underrated, he's one of the best strikers of the ball. Was really consistent at his peak a couple years back, hasn't had the same consisent results this year. Whether he's the best player not to make a GS final, I'm not sure. Him and Haas are good candiates

 

[dynamite kid]

I'm not sure about Davydenko. I remember a couple of years ago, he was consistently ranked #3 or #4 and generally won his matches against lower ranked players. The likes of Federer banished Davydenko in Grand Slam semifinals multiple times. But I think he would be a Grand Slam contender to an extent in the absence of Federer and Nadal.

You have hit the nail on the head there. Consistent, played alot of tournaments. Also played near his seeding, basically a quarter final specialist in big tournaments.

IMO he never had the weapons to take out a major, it would take a massive run of luck and form, and the absence of Federer, Nadal and other top players. Hes like a poor mans Hewitt with nowhere near the mental toughness.

And if there was no Federer? Well then we sort of get back to the point of this thread - Roddick would not be the best one slam winner going around.

 

[Dr Awkward]

Nah. He's a great player but there are a few that would pip him. Such as Cash. Iv never actually felt that at any point in time Roddick has been the best player in the world. Fed has been the best for the past 7 years and before that Hewitt had the wood over Roddick.

Clijsters would actually have been up there if she hadnt won yesterday and if you were including women.

 

[dynamite kid]

Yes but this thread isn't about was Roddick the best player in the world at any point of his career. Its about the fact he is dead set unlucky to only have one slam from a great career, remember he has lost 4-5 grand slam finals to the man considered the best ever.

But i do see your point though and Cash is definitely worthy of the best 1 slam winner title.

 

[matty p]

If you are talking about best in terms of career achievments, then Roddick obviously comes very close. If we're talking about peak form, Djokovic is a better and more dominant all-court player than Roddick at their respective peaks and Del Potro is well on the way to surpassing him too.

 

[watermelonslice]

If you are talking about best in terms of career achievments, then Roddick obviously comes very close. If we're talking about peak form, Djokovic is a better and more dominant all-court player than Roddick at their respective peaks and Del Potro is well on the way to surpassing him too.

I'm not convinced Djokovic and Del Potro will be one-slam wonders though. I know Djokovic has hit if a bit of a plateau of late, but I still have faith in him.

 

[Power King]

^Djokovic is shitting me off.

Is simply not getting the most out of his talent.

Needs to grow a pair and make some finals in majors next year, as that's where he should be placing at least.

 

[watermelonslice]

^Djokovic is shitting me off.

Is simply not getting the most out of his talent.

Needs to grow a pair and make some finals in majors next year, as that's where he should be placing at least.

He needs to rid himself of the complacency that I'm sensing. He should not be content with making Major semis, he needs to WIN them.

 

[Dr Awkward]

I think Djoko is like many of the Russian female players. He came into tennis to make some serious coin for his family. Now that he has done that his motivation levels have just gone slightly off.

Would be very surprised if he didnt win another slam though.

 

[Drummond]

^Djokovic is shitting me off.

Is simply not getting the most out of his talent.

Needs to grow a pair and make some finals in majors next year, as that's where he should be placing at least.

He needs to rid himself of the complacency that I'm sensing. He should not be content with making Major semis, he needs to WIN them.

Agree with all of this. Got to be the being wasted talent going around. After his breakthrough at the AO hasn't even reached a Slam final since. As you said, he seems content with making the 2nd week of the Slams, keeping his ranking consistent and going deep in most tournaments without actually winning anything significant. He's still young and I'm sure he'll win a few more Slams but right now he's coasting.