#SmashTalk: Kyrgios the successor to Federer, Nadal?

We saw something of a generational shift over the weekend.

As Rafael Nadal fell in the rankings to join long-time rival Roger Federer outside the top four, Nick Kyrgios won his biggest career title in Tokyo and continued to push upward.

Is the talented Aussie the likely successor to the legendary duo of Federer and Nadal? Our panel of tennismash.com editorial staffers – Vivienne Christie, Paul Moore, Matt Trollope and Leigh Rogers – consider this, as well as who they’d like to see round out the field at the upcoming WTA Finals in Singapore.

Agree or disagree with the views presented? Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.

Neither Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal feature in the ATP top four this week, the first time this has happened since 2003. What did you make of this, and what do you think the future holds for tennis’s two biggest superstars?

VC: The absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the top four is a harsh reality that’s been looming for some time now. It’s incredible, really, that it has taken so long to eventuate. The question now is whether either man will return to that upper echelon. My heart screams “of course” but my head tells me that at age 35 and 30 respectively, it’s a long way back for these beloved champions. Neither has lifted a Grand Slam trophy for two-and-a-half-years and both have been increasingly troubled by injury. I’d love to be proven wrong, but I can’t see a return of the Big Four as we’ve known and loved it for so many years.

PM: I think we’ve all known for a while now that there is a slow changing of the guard in men’s tennis. That said, I don’t think we should read too much into this. In my opinion, Roger and Rafa are still bona fide forces in the men’s game. Hopefully Federer will come back fit as a fiddle in 2017. If he does he still has the second best game in the world. Rafa, meanwhile, is a trickier call. His glory days are almost certainly behind him, but he is still – and will always be – one of the most feared and admired players on tour.

MT: My first thought was simply about how this stat reflects the longevity and success of the pair. Federer and Nadal have become such enduring icons that it’s honestly hard to remember a time when they weren’t at the top of the game. And although they still technically are – Nadal is ranked fifth, Federer seventh – a little lustre has been lost by the fact they’re not in that top four. They were, after all, the first two members of the so-called “Big Four”. Fifth and seventh just doesn’t seem right. What will be interesting is to see how they rebound. With Federer hopefully healthy in 2017 and Nadal more confident, a possible return to the top four at this stage of their careers would be another line to add to their already spectacular resumes.

LR: Federer and Nadal’s longevity at the top has been incredible. This ranking change after 13 years reiterates how amazing the pair have been and just makes me appreciate their achievements even more. Will we see them back in the top four? Who knows – but rather than speculate about what the future holds, we should be thankful for having experienced such an intense and historic rivalry play out over the past decade plus and savour the final years of their careers. We might never see another rivalry like it.

As that was happening, Nick Kyrgios continued his own rise up the rankings with the biggest title of his career in Tokyo. Is Kyrgios the most likely successor to Roger and Rafa in terms of ability and fame?

VC: Unquestionably, Nick has the raw ability to become a multiple major winner. Whether he does it as many times as either Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal is a question that can only be answered through time. Let this exciting young performer stand out in his own way. With the growing maturity that’s been parallel to his stunning rise in 2016, even Nick would acknowledge that there will never be another Roger or Rafa – considering everything they brought to the game over so many years, it would be greedy to think that there could be.

PM: Yes and no (and I’m not sitting on the fence). Yes, he is the natural successor to Roger and Rafa in terms of marketing power. His game is exceptional, his polarising attitude appeals to the younger demographics, and he can fill a stadium. But no because he is a completely different type of player/person/marketing proposition. Roger and Rafa have carved a sacred place in the hearts of the tennis world. It seems unlikely that Kyrgios could do the same (unless he follows in the footsteps of someone like John McEnroe).

MT: What struck me was how calm Kyrgios was during his victorious week in Tokyo. This bodes well for the talented young Aussie – Federer and Nadal have been described as many things, but combustible is not one of them. Kyrgios is already ludicrously talented, with all the weapons necessary to win majors and ascend to the highest heights. And you certainly don’t want him to lose the edginess that has made him such a popular, magnetic and marketable figure, especially among younger generations. Yet increasing calmness may help him tap into a reservoir of week-to-week consistency and reliability that have been hallmarks of Federer and Nadal’s careers.

LR: With three titles and six top 10 wins (seven if you include a straight-set victory over world No.2 Andy Murray in the Hopman Cup) so far in 2016 – there is no denying that Kyrgios is a star on the rise. While a top 10 debut looks imminent – comparing him to Roger and Rafa is a big step. The 2017 season will be the telling test, especially to see if Kyrgios can consistently produce deep runs at the biggest events.

Three spots remain up for grabs at the WTA Finals in Singapore. Who would you like to see fill them?

VC: As a Grand Slam champion, there’s a sense that Garbine Muguruza has already earned her place. Then again, with a flair for the dramatic it would be just the Spaniard’s style to only qualify in these final weeks (and then probably go on to win it). There’s also some sentiment for the very likeable Svetlana Kuznetsova, who has had such a steady season. Beyond that, it comes down to who is prepared to invest the work in these final few weeks of the season – whether it’s Madison Keys, Jo Konta, Dominika Cibulkova or Carla Suarez Navarro, it will be a hard-earned honour.

PM: Honestly? I’m not that fussed. Will Serena play or will Kerber conjure up her Grand Slam form? That I care about. But will Konta overtake Keys who could overtake Muguruza … I’m not fussed. If I had to make a prediction of some sort I’d punt for Muguruza, Keys and Konta.

MT: I would happily accept the next three in line to qualify – Garbine Muguruza, Madison Keys and Jo Konta. Muguruza’s win at Roland Garros means she deserves to be there, and Keys and Konta are two emerging stars who would be debuting in Singapore – it’s always great to see new faces at this event, especially when they’re from Grand Slam nations like the US and UK – that can only be a good thing for the profile of the sport in these two significant markets. But if a player was to sneak in from outside the top eight at the last minute, I’d love it to be Svetlana Kuznetsova. Currently 11th on the Road to Singapore, she probably won’t make it, but the two-time major champ is one of the most talented players out there and a fan favourite.

LR: It is always exciting when the Race to Singapore comes down to the final weeks. French Open champion Garbine Muguruza deserves to be there, despite her frustratingly inconsistent form. Madison Keys made giant inroads in 2016 and also warrants a spot. Incredibly the eighth place looks like a battle between Dominika Cibulkova and Johanna Konta – two players who met as the world No.37 and No.49 respectively in the first round of the Hobart International in the second week of the season. Both have had super impressive seasons – but for me, a telling stat is that only one of Konta’s six top 10 wins for the season have come against a player who has qualified for Singapore. Cibulkova has five top 10 wins, but four have been against players already in the WTA Finals field. It makes it hard to argue the Slovak is not deserving of the last spot.