A big debate in tennis recently has been around the state of the ATP top ten, and whether or not it is weaker than it was 10 to 15 years ago, during the ‘big four’ era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, sparked the debate on social media by suggesting the level of today’s top ten is higher.
Many have disagreed with Mouratoglou, however, and think the likes of Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin Del Potro posed a bigger threat to Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray than the current top ten do to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
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Now, Jamie Delgado, who guided Murray to world number one status in 2016, has weighed in on the debate.
Jamie Delgado discusses the state of the current top ten
In an episode of ‘Off Court with Greg‘, Delgado said: “I think those guys, Jannik and Carlos, are incredible players, and I think they could mix it with the big four guys for sure.
“I do think that in yesteryear, like 10 years ago or so, we had more challengers to those guys. I think the level was a bit higher when I’m thinking of that time.
“Obviously, you had Roger, Novak, Andy and Rafa, and then behind them you had, just behind them, guys like Del Potro, Wawrinka and Berdych.
“I think those guys were more of a threat to the top four than some of the players now. In my opinion, the top 10–15 were stronger before, better players, I feel. But I think the general level on the tour, a guy ranked 30 in the world, 40 in the world, 50 in the world, I think is better now.
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“I can say that from a coach’s perspective. The last few years with Grigor, or I’ll have that feeling with Jack or whoever, every match is really difficult.
“I kind of feel that my player has to be on it. If he’s a little bit off it, he’s not playing quite as well, or his focus isn’t quite there, or he’s not moving quite as well as he should be, every match is super tough.
“Whereas I don’t know if, 10–15 years ago, sometimes the first round for the top guys was a bit more of a stroll in the park.
“So I think in the earlier rounds you’ve got to be on it now, there’s no question about it. But I think come the quarterfinals and semifinals, there was more danger and a bit more quality before.”
It is too early to tell if the current top ten is weak
The top ten has changed a lot in the past year, but many of the players who have cracked it recently are still in the early stages of their careers.
Jack Draper, Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Musetti have all made their top-ten debuts, and all three are in their early 20s.
It took many years for the likes of Murray and Wawrinka to compete with Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, and the same will likely be the case with Draper, Shelton and Musetti.
That said, several players in their late 20s who are mainstays in the top ten, such as Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, are yet to capture a Grand Slam title in the current era dominated by Alcaraz and Sinner.
Younger stars such as Jakub Mensik and Joao Fonseca are also looking to close the gap after enjoying breakthrough years on the tour last season.
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