Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open, Melbourne (hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open, Melbourne (hard)

brendan · Strong Club Player

I don't think top 10 is unrealistic, there have been far less talented players who've got that far

indiana · Tennis legend

Nor I. I just say I have little real feel now for how high he might go. The "bit stupid" is a back reference to Vandy's post.

But what he has effectively done with the Australian Open is put himself in a position that just replicating around top 50 level results for the remainder of the year ( essentially his last year ) should have in the top 30 at the end of it, ie he would hold the top 30 position that he will have on Monday just by defending the rest of his 2017. So surely he must be looking now to over the year move up from that new lofty minimum WR 27 position since reverting to on average WR 50 level results would not be the progression that evidence here has suggested.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Very pleased for Kyle. I just hope he stays fit and gets another full season in the ranking will look after itself. He is a major threat to all players bar Rodge, Cilic (but perhaps on clay) arguably Del Potro. Rafa will find him a handful unless he is fully fit which he isnt. Andy and Novak are knocked up. The new order is shaping up and Kyle is excellently positioned to be right up there.

Being seeded in slams will also give him some protection and he is well matched with his new coach, a man who knows his way around coaching a potential clay court GS winner.

Very exciting times undoubtedly he is going to get better and the old boys presently dominating the show worse!!

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Smudge226 wrote:
We didn't see the best of Kedders today, he was off colour a little and probably exhausted from competitive matches. He's proven he is top 16 at least, the ranking will catch up eventually. just hoping he is fully fit for Friday-week.. With his Improved performance levels this year, can't wait to see what he can produce on the dirt.

Much as I'd love him to lead our team in DC, I really hope he has a rest, and maybe just go out to support the team as Andy's done in the past. Changing surfaces is bad enough for the body, let alone after what Kedders has just put his through. I hope he makes the best decision with his teams for his and GB's long term benefit.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

On a slight aside, I heard on the TV/radio that Kyle took a couple of our juniors out to his training camp to help them along. Does anyone know who they were?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I think Ryan Storrie went with him. (Not a junior so I don't know if he's not who you had in mind). And did someone say Jonny Gray? (not sure about that - pretty sure about Ryan).

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Yes. It was Ryan Storrie and Jonny Gray. Jonny was interviewed this week on the news from Bisham Abbey and he mentioned it then.

Jiwan · Club Coach

Yup, not a good idea for Kyle to play.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Thanks CD and BiS, I just heard it somewhere that Kyle was helping out others as Andy helped him out, so was wondering who, and if they were next gen to keep an eye on.

indiana · Tennis legend

So Kyle will be WR 26 on Monday on 1667 points. He will be less than 300 points away from the top 20 with the WR 20 being some Murray chap on 1960 points.

JonH · All-time great

Over the next few weeks Tsonga is due to drop almost half of his points, and will fall below 40 or so in the rankings. Ramos-Vinolas will drop a fair few as well. Kyle has 25 points to drop I believe in next five weeks so should at least be able to rise a couple of places, maybe getting to top 20 by end of Miami is a good target?

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, if fit enough I assume he still has South American clay tournaments on his agenda. And the relatively slow Indian Wells hard courts should be pretty good for him.

Interesting to hear Pat Cash say that he thought that as long as Kyle continues to improve his movement then longer term hard courts would be even better for him than clay. His thinking was the additional profit Kyle would get on hard from his serve and attacking shots, particularly the fearhand though the backhand continues to improve. Did seem to make sense and clearly much future profit to be made in being very good on hard. Cash certainly sees hard and clay remaining better for Kyle than grass,

JonH · All-time great

The problem for kyle is he will end up being judged here in the UK on Wimbledon, and may not be a player suited to grass. No problem, but will be interesting to see how the press treat him over the years when he gets to the grass

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I look at it from another angle in that Kyle has a strong game, his serve is heavy enough to be unplayable on grass if he is hitting his marks in the way Federer does, his forehand fearsome and there will be a continued focus on his backhand and movement both of which have improved incrementally.

What really isnt apparent to the experts that have just started to watch is they see his game as it is. Great forehand good serve etc... but his major talent is his capacity and the discipline required for consistent self improvement is up there with Rodge, Rafa, Novak and Andy.

I also feel with clay is yes it suits his strengths and it also mitigates his weaknesss, however the big plus is that some of his potential rivals at the very highest level really struggle on it. Big servers in particular, hard doesnt do that.