A talent of otherworldly proportions, Nick Kyrgios has thusfar in his career been held in check only by his mentality, which is perhaps of an unfathomable nature. His apparently never-ending drama of the psyche notwithstanding, the Aussie’s awesome power coupled with exquisite touch, when clicking on all cylinders, is thrilling, and seems unbeatable. The Guardian has described his playing style as “powerfully flamboyant, sometimes ridiculously-brilliant game, which is something to behold.” And, as of the current moment, in the 2020 Australian Open, his oft-quirky {and sometimes downright bizarre} mindset seems focused and solid, more or less. What will the future hold for Mr. Kyrgios?
In 2017, the ATP rated Kygrios as the fifth best server in the history of professional tennis – with better results than players such as RogerFederer, GoranIvanišević, and PeteSampras. Ivanišević has said “[Kygrios] is a tennis genius. You can’t prepare for Nick Kygrios, he is the best server in the game by far. It’s impossible to create tactics [against him].”
Make no mistake: at age 38, Federer, the greatest shotmaker, and arguably the greatest period, in the annals of tennis history, remains very much a threat to capture the Australian Open 2020 title. His game is still impeccable, and his ceiling is still higher than that of any other living player.
Note: for more on this great man, see earlier post on this site here.
Gauff, at the age of 15, is making waves in women’s tennis. She shows tremendous poise, court sense, competitive toughness, and confidence already. Plus, her backhand is otherworldly.
The 22 year old Osaka is blessed with a wondrous all-court game, and no shortage of power. She covers the court extremely well, and is a fierce competitor, as she demonstrated during the 2018 US Open final, under difficult circumstances. Already a 2-time grand slam event champion, Naomi ought to be at or near the highest echelons of tennis for years to come.
The astonishing 20 year old has immense possibilities; called “a combination of Nadal and Federer” by former great Mats Wilander, Denis merely has to harness his skills to rise to the top of men’s tennis. He’s still a bit volatile/mercurial, as his early exit from the 2020 Australian Open illustrates. But his off-the-charts shotmaking abilities are something to behold.
Aryna has at her disposal groundstrokes of remarkable power; her forehand, particularly, is a thing of beauty. A formidable shotmaker.
Addendum: On January 28, 2023, Sabalenka captured her first major championship, at the Australian Open. With her triumph at the 2025 US Open, she now has 4 Majors to her credit.
This masterful, stylish, dominant Swiss athlete, RogerFederer, has achieved such towering heights, in tennis, that he is generally considered the sport’s greatest ever practitioner. He has given many, many thrills over the years…with his nonpareil artistry and creativity; his indomitable will; his uncanny proclivity to produce his best when it matters most, when so many others wilt. Always so aware, so ready to seize command of the point. There’s just an extra gear/dimension to his game we’ve not seen before. An undeniable sense of synergy pervades his shotmaking. He has a unique way of taking time away from his opponent with his feet and timing. Winners from every court position flow from his racquet. His touch is exquisite. At his best, Roger’s game was—and, is—nothing short of poetry, the poetry of a genius…a slightly mad one, at that.
I’ll always recall my first viewing, against American Andy Roddick, in the 2003 Wimbledon semi-finals. His preternatural grace and *feel* for the game I simply found astonishing. Magical. When Federer closed out the second set with, really, something no one had seen—a running, forehand half-volley {usually a defensive shot} utterly whipped into the corner for an uncontested winner—both men had to smile. Commentator John McEnroe, quite capable of producing his *own* magic with a racket, was incredulous. “That’s not possible.”
On a personal note, I was fortunate enough to partake of the Great Man at very close quarters; a practice session. Being at such proximity to Mr. Federer would have to be included in one’s rather intimately scaled coterie of “Religious Experiences”. Plus, he also rather casually did something impossible. He’s like that.
The grace also masked an assassin-like ruthlessness that could torture opponents. NickKyrgios, the temperamental Australian star, has said that Federer is the only player who has ever made him feel like he really did not know what he was doing on a tennis court.
From the great RafaelNadal, on his immortal rival: “If he is playing very good, I have to play unbelievable. If not, it’s impossible, especially if he’s playing with good confidence. When he’s 100 per cent, he’s playing in another league. It’s impossible to stop him.”
Bideodromage 