When people talk of the threat posed in men’s tennis by the
next generation, they principally have Bernard Tomic and Grigor Dimitrov in
mind. Child prodigies and double junior slam winners, their talent has been
apparent for some time. Both have been earmarked as future major winners.
However, at the ages of 21 (Dimitrov) and 20 (Tomic), they
are rapidly becoming the current generation. Steady progress on the senior tour
needs to give way to a proper breakthrough this season, a task that will not be
easy.
Winning slams in the current environment is more difficult
than it ever has been, and whilst it is too much to expect this from them in
2013, it is worth noting that the current ‘big four’ were all firmly
established in the top 10 of the rankings by the age of 21.
Comparisons with the game’s elite might be unfair, but
Dimitrov – unluckily labelled ‘Baby Fed’ in some quarters - and Tomic should be
aiming to become the best of the rest. Soon they will be of a similar age to
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, looking over their shoulders at
the new breed that they themselves are currently seen as.
Dimitrov reached a career high ranking of 40th in January,
thanks largely to his first tour final at Brisbane. A straight sets defeat by
Murray provided useful experience and the Bulgarian is probably in better
spirits of the two.
Tomic has struggled since reaching his highest ranking of
27th in June last year, slipping back to 45th currently. He went one better
than Dimitrov, winning in his first tour final, at January’s Apia International
in Sydney.
Both men are therefore taking steps in the right direction,
but it is doubtful if they can take the leap needed to become regular
challengers at events. Dimitrov’s current weaknesses are physical; Tomic’s mental.
If they have not overcome them this year, they might never do.
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