Bit harsh some may think but in relative terms it is a generation that just hasn't come through at the highest level. And at least so far, and they are all well through their 20s with overall the older generations not what they were, one doesn't need a crystal ball to look back on all that they have achieved or not achieved so far.

I think Vandenburg has just named many of the leading players in the old generation and remaining leading players in the old old generation for a general comparison, and certainly not to say they have all won Slams.

We have been very privileged to see Fed and that "Old Gen". The so-called "Generation Useless" is at least a Disappointing Generation. Hopefully the "Current Gen" at least can come through more but the next best longer term hopes of really stepping up to the plate may well be that Next Generation who as I alluded to do have though to really show it more at Slams level. They have more time on their side and some good looking prospects ( and a Zverev more than that but so far not at Slam level ).

Edit: I tend to agree with CD calling the useless/disappointing whatever generation also more of the current generation though his "Nearly-There" generation should indeed be at least that and Kyrgios needs finally to sort out his head and such as Thiem ( the consistently best so far ) and Edmund take more advantage soon of the disappointing and then aging generations ahead of them. When opportunities arise they need to look to take them rather than consider, or others to consider for them, that their absolute best may yet be to come. That may end up not good enough at the highest level depending on how younger players develop.

Jaggy1876 wrote:

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Overall I would say this has been the poorest year for Tennis in the mens game, especially in the Slams. The French was dull, Wimbledon completely overshadowed by the World Cup won by a 70% Djokovic and even the usually best Slam of them all the Aus Open wasnt what it once was.

Maybe weve been spoiled but the 10 year period from 2006-16 has produced some pinnacle Tennis.

I fear for the Sport with all the changes, dumbing down of the Sport, threat of ending 5 Sets etc. Generation wise there are no World Class players ready to dominate and inject personality and interest back into the Sport. Once Federer and co Chuck it, one last year next year I think for Fed and Andy, then interest will plummet, especially in the British mens game with the absence of any top 16 contenders.

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 I think this is one reason why ATP will decide when they determine these things over the next few months to move the Tour Finals away from London. I cant recall if it ends in 2019 or 2020 but the next venue is up for tender and if Andy does go by then (he probably will) and Fed, then I suspect wider GB interest will fade; a new venue may well be the right call. 

Jaggy1876 wrote:

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I think if Andy cant compete at top 16 level by Aus Open he will make a decision to retire end 2019. I really expect 2019 to be his final year, it wouldnt surprise me even if he retired end of this year. He has achieved more than any other British player in modern times and doesnt really have anything else to prove which is why I think he will retire and concentrate on family and other interests.

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 I think the Olympics motivate Andy enormously. Winning gold at a third Olympics puts him into an elite group of British athletes , ideally singles but a gold is gold in the Olympics so doubles would still motivate him enormously. 

For Federer,  Olympic gold is one thing missing from his list , Nadal and djokovic also, I reckon they will all be highly keen to play Tokyo, singles and or doubles. The issue in doubles is having a partner strong enough. Andy has Jamie and maybe ny then Joe or someone else at the top level. Novak has lajovic who can play good doubles. Nadal has Carreno Busta perhaps. Federer may or may not have Stan Wawrinka , he probably won't be playing then,  behind that no one really. In mixed , Andy may also have options,  the other guys don't seem to want to play mixed but Andy with laura showed he has the appetite for Olympics tennis. I reckon he will be there. 

theemptyvessel wrote:

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I tend to agree that Andy will not want to walk away before one more shot at the Olympics. I do think that he will look very carefully at his schedule from now on and manage his workload to avoid any risk of another injury. When he took over as number 1 I thought he had a great shot to finally get the AO title that had eluded him and I could have seen him then focus on chasing a French title to complete the career golden slam but I think the disaster of the last 18 months has ended any hope of that.

I still think he may fancy his chances of an Aussie crown if he can get back close to his best but I think he has played his last match on clay in that brutal semi with Wawrinka and so I expect going forward he will copy Roger and play a little at the start of the year and then skip the clay before getting ready for the grass followed by a limited hard court schedule. He has no need to chase the number 1 ranking and I believe he can skip a few mandatory events now due to his time served should he attain a ranking that would qualify him.

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 Correct, all Andy should is play the slams, minus the FO, and then 7 masters (minues 2 clay ones), a maybe 2 500m, Queens and one pre AO. 

Born2WinTennis wrote:

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flamingowings wrote:

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Vandenburg wrote:

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indiana wrote:

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See after Borna Coric (21) the next youngest player left in the L16 is Dominic Thiem who turns 25 tomorrow ( and has also now beaten Kevin Anderson to reach the QF ).

The remainder are 8 from 26 to 29 and 6 over 30s.

Another Slam fairly passing by the Next Generation.

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 We need to define these generations

Old Old Gen: Federer, Kolhshreiber, Lopez, Seppi, Baghdatatis- This gen is almost done 34+

Old Gen: Nadal, Novak, Murray, Stan, Cilic, Del Potro, Tsonga, Gasquet, Berdych, Isner, Anderson, Fog 29-34 ish

Generation Useless : Goffin, Dimitrov, Roanic, Steve Johnson, Jack Sock, Swartzman, Busta, Nishikori,  26-29

Current Gen: Thiem, Edmund, Pouille, Krygios, 23-26

Next Gen:Zverev, Chung, Jarry, Khachanov, Rublev, Tsitsipas, Shapavalov, Coric, Medvedev below 23

 

Looks like generation useless may never win a slam in their career, as the new gen below them will soon take over. 

 

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 "The useless gen" are mainly called "The Lost Gen". Otherwise I quite agree. Goffin etc might, might get a slam but I feel current/next gen are already better than a lot of them and will be the new top players and then the lost gen will retired. Quite a few of them fall into the "Berdych/Ferrer" category of being a slam RU but that's it (Roanic, Nishikori).

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I really like those definitions of players. I'd never thought about that stat of anyone born in the 1990s winning a slam...incredible, I wonder how long that will last, 2-3 years I might guess.  A 100% fit Raonic or a 100% focused (not on his commercial interests) Nishikori have the talent to win a grand slam when Fed, Novak and Nadal retire. However when they have all retired the probability is that Zverev (assuming he addresses his current grand slam performances), Thiem and potentially others from the Next Gen category will dominate them.

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 This is actually quite interesting; whether Useless or Lost or whatever name we give them, I don't see anyone from that group winning a slam. Dimitrov seemed the most likely perhaps at end of last year but has lost his way this season and I dont see that changing.

Dropping down to current gen, Thiem looks the most likely and his performances in Slams give me cause to think he could make that step up in the next year or so. The others, much as I like Kyrgios as a talent, he will never hold it together for 7 best of 5 matches and win one of these events, he just won't. 

So it is then the Next Gen. In that group a few seem promising - I personally dont see Zverev (Lendl or not) winning a slam. Others make me believe much more - Tsitsipas, Khachanov, Shapovalov are the ones that excite me the most, Coric and the other Russians are interesting but not quite there - Chung also interesting if he can get his fitness back. I think one of those guys could push on - I think Federer is finished winning slams now, Murray not sure, Nadal and Djokovic may keep the pack at bay next year but in next 24 months someone else should break through I feel