Biggest bust in tennis history ?

[Bianca V.]

My money is on Nicole Vaidisova ..... that girl had it all big exciting game ...... looks ... the it factor .... walked away from the game when she was just getting started ..... tried to come back and was swallowed up in the ITF level blackhole so she tapped out again ...... she could have won a few slams imo

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Maybe she could have sneaked in a major but I wouldn't say majors. She definitely makes the list though. And she thought she would pick up where she left off but the damage done by Stepanek was too "deep".

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

I think one day Nick will be on this list. Not so bold prediction :)

[fedexpress06]

Before my time but sounds like Andrea Jaeger was a big time bust. Others to add to the list from the WTA are stosur, lisicki, and petrova. For the ATP, monfils, gasquet, Rios. There are more but I'm tired lol.

[Bianca V.]

At Nicole's best she was just as good Maria, Vika or Petra I think she was good for two or three slams Sek ........and she went from playing big matches to trying to beat the likes of Cici Bellis in small ITF tournaments

[Miss_Vee]

I cannot say Stosur is a bust. Lusicki maybe, cos she has this big serve and groundies. But she is a headcase.

[RU90]

Sabine is definitely on the short list. Goerges, too...both have some of the biggest weapons in the game (serve + forehand). 

Don't forget Donald Young...

[Miss_Vee]

Of course....D. Young. One of the biggest...

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Do you guys really think DY was a bust, looks to me more like too much hype due to junior results. I didn't watch him in juniors but watching him play on the ATP, I do not see it.

Now, I wanna say Monfils could qualify as a bust. Much as he has won titles, but he should have been in the majors' talk.

How about Ryan, is there still hope?

[Bianca V.]

I don't dislike Sabine but why did I het so much enjoyment out of watching her lose the Wimbledon final ..... she has this entitlement thing going on ........Donald didn't have the game or muscle mass to back up the hype so was he a bust or just a over hyped junior ???? Will we be adding Taylor Townsend to this list someday ?

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Taylor is a bust, pencil her in. You can't show up every year weighing heavier than the previous year and expect to make it on the WTA, it doesn't work, I don't care how much talent you have. And for those who think she has a health issue, then I say, she needs to find another sport, tennis is just un-forgiving.

DY was just over-hyped IMO. There is nothing in his game that can have him competing with the top guys. He would have to be as disciplined as Kei.

[Bianca V.]

You don't think we need to give Taylor more time before declaring her a bust

[tennis fan]

On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 1:38:08 PM UTC-5, Sekasi_ChangeIsComing wrote:

Do you guys really think DY was a bust, looks to me more like too much hype due to junior results. I didn't watch him in juniors but watching him play on the ATP, I do not see it.

Ok, so what is the definition for being a "Bust"?  Wouldn't it be not living up to the hype?
 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

I am taking it as someone who is really capable physically and talent-wise but for some reason (which is usually headcase) can't get out of his/her way. Or the person is just not as dedicated. For example, Nick has it all, but he might be a bust if he doesn't get his act together discipline wise.

Nicole had it all, but she couldn't handle the expectation. That is different from say Oudin the Russian slayer :)

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 1:54:53 PM UTC-6, Bianca V. wrote:

You don't think we need to give Taylor more time before declaring her a bust

I honestly don't see her changing her ways, she would need to go to some kind of boot camp and have a very strict coaching team around her when she comes out of boot camp. At this rate by the time she wakes up, she will be 25.

Now, what about that British girl Laura, can she get out of the ITF events and get back on tour? 

[RU90]

On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 1:54:18 PM UTC-5, Bianca V. wrote:

I don't dislike Sabine but why did I het so much enjoyment out of watching her lose  the Wimbledon final ..... she has this entitlement thing going on ........Donald didn't have the game or muscle mass to back up the hype so was he a bust or just a over hyped junior ???? Will we be adding Taylor Townsend to this list someday ?

I don't think physicality was his problem. He's 6'0" and might have had a kid's body when he first turned pro, but now he's filled out and athletic. Federer is one inch taller and even leaner than DY. 

He absolutely dominated juniors just like Monfils did, and has reached only one tour final in his career to-date. That's a huge bust, IMO. And I do believe he isn't lacking in game. The reason he was so hyped was because his all-around skill and complete game impressed anyone who saw him.

[RU90]

Agree on both Townsend and Robson. Neither has been in the top 100 for the majority of their careers for various reasons.

[Bianca V.]

Mentally Donald did have what it took to be a force on tour it took him years to break out of the challenger level .... and didn't he love that ATP final to journeyman Russell ????

[Bianca V.]

Guys are we really giving up on Taylor maybe she needs more time

[Bianca V.]

Sometimes people need time ..... look how frustrating it was for me waiting for Sloane to finally win a title but she eventually did ..... then won like 3 more right behind it sadly she is injured now but atleast now that monkey is well off her back ...... same could happen for Taylor

[fedexpress06]

Not completely giving up on Taylor.  She can be 35 and make a deep run at a major.  This is the WTA.  Just ask Lucic-Baroni.  Taylor is way too young to be declared a bust.  She's 20.  She's headed there though lol.  

Definitely think Donald is a bust.  Is there time for Dimi to avoid the bust label? Australia was encouraging but so was Wimbledon 2014 and then look what happened.  

[tennis fan]

On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 6:08:20 PM UTC-5, Bianca V. wrote:

Sometimes people need time ..... look how frustrating it was for me waiting for Sloane to finally win a title but she eventually did ..... then won like 3 more right behind it sadly she is injured now but atleast now that monkey is well off her back ...... same could happen for Taylor

I would not even say that Sloane is out of the boat yet.   Yes, she has been injured for the last 6/7 months (I'm not sure how many actually noticed).

But it starting to seem like 2013 was a long time ago.

[Bianca V.]

True but I would take her winning titles at regular tournaments and building a foundation than jumping out making 2nd week at slams with nothing to back it up ...... she didn't go the way of the dreaded Oudin after a big slam result ..... that was always my concern .... and I think she will get to that next level later on .... she didn't make the semis of Australia then struggle to keep a top 100 ranking afterwards

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Bianca, don't lower the standards for these players, some of these girls are capable of much more most especially given how weak the tour is. Given Sloane's talent, if she does not have put it together and start consistently being in SFs at the majors or at least do a Halep and win big titles outside the major, then she should be a bust at the end of her career.

Now. Taylor like I said , she is going to need a miracle to right that ship. Whatever routine she is following is not working and she seems content to sit back and hope that lightning will strike. And Fedex, if Taylor does what Lucic did at 35 , she will still be a bust. Only winning a major at 35 can take her out of that category.

[RU90]

Does Sabine have some random run to a Wimbledon title in her? I wouldn't be surprised if it happens when you see the likes of Schiavone and Bartoli, lol. She has 131-mph serve that's gone to waste...

[Bianca V.]

Anything can happen in tennis so it's possible for Sabine to get another golden opportunity and get a shot at a Wimbledon final but I hope she cuts out that dramatic crying & carrying on ..... don't think that you are entitled.... be gracious and humble ..... and guys honestly I forgot Young was on tour lol

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

When I watched Sabine playing Serena in Miami, I was like why is this girl not winning majors? If Kerber can win 2 majors, so can Lisicki. She just needs someone to help her believe and put it together.

[joylan]

I find Sabine fall in rankings a little suspicious,. She was a top twenty player and broke Venus record for fastest serve. Now she can barely win a match

[Bianca V.]

Sabine is a head case ..... she felt that since she had a big game that she was entitled to win big ..... didn't happen that way so I think she is just down ..... but she isn't a natural athlete and very injury prone..... didn't I mention she is a head case when not playing the WS

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Bianca, surprisingly Sabine can run down many shots.
Joylan, no dope is going to pump your serve up

[joylan]

Steroids can definitely give you more power. What happened to her.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

I believe she was injured much of last year.

[RU90]

Shoulder injury, has been MIA this year

Interesting and probably true to say she isn't a natural athlete. Did have a few freak injuries

[Bianca V.]

Ok question is Julia a bust ??

[fedexpress06]

On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 6:38:44 PM UTC-6, Sekasi_ChangeIsComing wrote:

Bianca, don't lower the standards for these players, some of these girls are capable of much more most especially given how weak the tour is. Given Sloane's talent, if she does not have put it together and start consistently being in SFs at the majors or at least do a Halep and win big titles outside the major, then she should be a bust at the end of her career.

Now. Taylor like I said , she is going to need a miracle to right that ship. Whatever routine she is following is not working and she seems content to sit back and hope that lightning will strike. And Fedex, if Taylor does what Lucic did at 35 , she will still be a bust. Only winning a major at 35 can take her out of that category.

Completely agree but the thing is, Taylor is way more talents than Lucic-Baroni and this is the WTA so it is possible lol.   

[joylan]

From what I can see Sabine played a full schedule last year. When was she injured.

[RU90]

"Ok question is Julia a bust ??"

Yes. Someone with her serve & FH should not just have a brief stint in the top 20.

[Bianca V.]

Ok I'm going out on a limb to say when in the hell is some one like Samantha Crawford not in the top 100 that girl is a beast .... she can destroy a player like Petra

[fedexpress06]

Thing is guys, any of these big hitters with no plan B are interchangeable.  I don't consider them busts.  They are just brainless fools with no plan B.  This should be reserved for players who have other things in their arsenal and simply due to lack of desire, passion, unwillingness to maximize their fitness level, lack of mental toughness, etc who are not fulfilling their talent.  Petrova was athletic, volleyed very well, awesome serve, and big hitter.  Sabine moves well for her size, great serve, good touch on the drop shot, etc.  Both are/were mental midgets. Townsend can hit big, volleys well, is crafty, etc but is fat. Those three I consider busts/potential busts (Taylor). Some of these players like Goerges, Crawford, etc are limited bashers.  They have nothing else.  Can't consider them busts. Now that I think about it, why am I so hard on Keys?  She has nothing else either.  

[Bianca V.]

Hold up FedEx ..... something has to be said for players who have a gear that makes them unplayable.....not even solid top 10 players have a gear that gives them the ability render whomever is across the net useless ..... those type of players can eat their Wheaties ... show up at a slam and destroy everyone... then crash a final ... consistent no ... plan B meh .... dangerous when on ... .... can take out anyone ... gotta give them credit for that

[fedexpress06]

On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 8:12:31 PM UTC-6, Bianca V. wrote:

Hold up FedEx ..... something has to be said for players  who have a gear that makes them unplayable.....not even solid top 10 players have a gear that gives them the ability render whomever is across the net useless .....   those type of players can eat their Wheaties ... show up at a slam and destroy everyone... then crash a final ... consistent no ... plan B meh .... dangerous when on ... .... can take out anyone ... gotta give them credit for that

There are 3847593875937539573 players like that on the WTA.  All interchangeable.  Does that mean they are all busts?  Nope.  They are just players who can hit the cover off the ball, get hot, and maybe win a big title here and there.  But that's it.  That's their game.  Does not mean they are busts if they don't achieve a lot.   For instance, is Fernando Gonzalez a bust?  He was a huge hitter who did nothing else all that well and could absolutely slaughter anyone when on but when the bashing wasn't working, he had nothing else to fall back on.  

[Graveller]

I always try to see several matches of 17-18y olds when they play their first WTA/ATP events... my expectations are the nbased on what I see in those matches; it doesn't matter whether they win or not (or whether they have a lot of power- I do not expect 17y olds to be supr-powerful already), but rather on theird skills, technique and point contruction. Some stand out right from the start, and that is  how I come up supporting players like Bencic, Kasatkina, Janowicz and Pouille when they were not even Top100.

And sometimes they end up disappointing me.... for ATP, the name Janowicz stands out atm (just like Malisse in the past was a disappointment for me)
In WTA, I end up with Barthel and Pavlyuchenkova who had a lot of potential but it does not seem to happen for both of them.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Barthel for sure, that girl is a total bust. 

Now Fedex, people like Gonzalez if anything over achieved, I wouldn't call him a bust. He hit the ball one way and that was, close your eyes and swing like he just smoked the pipe. 

Grav, hasn't Janowicz been injured on and off since that wimbledon run? Very hard to get momentum when you have to stop so often. Now, Pouille, let's see what 2017 brings.