How tennis could evolve in the coming years

How tennis could evolve in the coming years – Part 1

Sport is constantly evolving and tennis over the last decade has eptimosed the need to be at the forefront of these changes. Those at the top of the sport react quickly to evolving landscape of the sport and are adept at meeting the changing demands.

However, to be a Roger Federer, a Rafael Nadal or even a Novak Djokovic, you must be capable of leading from the front and catalysing the revolution. It is imperative to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the change rather than react to it.

Over the last decade the sport has been dominated be these three aforementioned figures, all of who have had their own extended stay at the very top of the rankings. During this time a subtle patter has developed in the transference of power from one great to another.

Roger Federer’s Domination

Many argue Federer is the greatest player of all time and in his success there is no greater example of galvanising a change in the way tennis is played. In fact, the Swiss maestro is so unique in his talents that even in 2015, as his career is in the latter stages, he seems to be developing a new style that has returned him to the business end of the big events.

When Federer emerged on the world scene, the archetypal player at the top of the rankings could be generalised into certain descriptors. Take Pete Sampras, the most successful player on the men’s side in the previous generation.

The American’s success may have garnered him a loyal following, but his brand of tennis and also his personality were markedly different to that of Federer’s. A key observation to make when looking in shifts of power is how the incoming threat is so contrasting in style to the established player.

Sampras was metronomic in many ways. Both his first and second serve were potent weapons, mainly because of it’s unerring consistency and placement. He seemed to take the emotion out of big moments, sacrificing flair for the percentage play.

For a modern day look no further than Milos Raonic. Whilst Sampras was vastly more talented off the ground than the Canadian, their demeanour on court certainly draws a few parallels. Level headed almost to the point of being difficult to watch, flair is the last thing on their minds.

Federer expressed his personality on the tennis court from a young age

Flair is maybe the first word many would choose when describing Federer. He makes tennis seem like an art form at times and throughout his career has been known to be more adventurous in the bigger moments. He has saved match points in the Wimbledon final with a ripped backhand pass the was by no means the percentage play.

Whilst both playstyles were attacking, this is where the similarities end. Sampras executed his game style wonderfully and so Federer had to offer something entirely different. He expressed his personality on the tennis court, which was fiery in his youth but soon flourished into something mesmerising.

Rafael Nadal’s Challenge

Federer’s reign of dominance lasted remarkably long. Big hitters tried and failed to hit him off the court, no matter how fast the surface was. Going toe to toe with him from a shot making perspective was amazingly ineffective. Nobody seemed able to end Federer’s reign of terror.

Then along came Rafael Nadal. Characterised by shot production that belonged on clay court, the dogged Spaniard challenged Federer in a big way, on all surfaces.

His topspin forehand added a new dimension for Federer to contend with, as the ball would kick high and out of his hitting zone, most notably on his one handed backhand. Federer had beaten defensive players before, but Nadal had something more.

The patience in his play was a contrast to the forceful nature that Federer won his matches with. The grit and dogged determination was such a contrast to the relative ease that the Swiss man played with, even though it was still the same sport.

Nadal was dynamic. His will to win was in evidence in the first round of a smaller event right through to the final of the French Open, a place he would come to love. He brought something new to the sport and it worked in a big way.

Part Two: The Djokovic Era and Beyond

Federer and Nadal seemed set to be the only enduring icons from this decade of men’s tennis. Only Nadal seemed capable of overcoming Federer and only Federer looked good enough to out fight Nadal, when along came Novak Djokovic.

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The Serb has transformed the tennis world once again and many have labelled the time since 2011 and his incredible start to that season as the Djokovic era. It is now up the the chasing pack to come up with the solutions to dethrone the current world number one.

Federer and Nadal will have their say, as will Andy Murray, who seems closer than most to forcing this new change. The youngsters emerging into the Top 10 are also making their voices heard as everyone searches for a way past the new head of men’s tennis. Part 2 is coming soon.

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