The question is rhetorical but still legitimate in some way:
Both players belong to the tall new generation of big serving powerful hitters.
Both players move well for their size and have an attacking mindset.
Both players are injury prone.
Delpo has won his only slam 3 years ago and has not been able to come back to that threatening level.
Raonic is beginning to build that threatening momentum by playing close matches against top players: He beat Murray in Barcelona, and almost beat Federer last night.
Is it only a matter of time before he has his breakthrough?
He has been improving gradually and steadily, and if he continues to do so at the same rate he could be a real force this time next year.
He comes across as match soft, mentally inexperienced, someone who trusts his game solely and has not yet learnt to pace the tempo of a match as well as that some points are more important than others.
This time last year, he looked like a new Cilic to me, big serve and forehand, but has come miles ahead this year improving his movement and adding depth to his game and shot selection.
It will be interesting to see how he fares on grass.
His game is a good combination of aggressive baseline hitting and s&v-ing, he plays certain patterns well, yet, I feel with that serve he ought to be coming forward a bit more. It will spare him physically in the long run, too.
As for Delpo?
The jury is still out. Wouldn't mind seeing them play each other soon
Is Raonic a New Del Potro?
posted on 10/5/12
My first thread, and you're stealing it..doh!
No worries Nitb
I think they differ more than it may appear at first site.
For now the way i see it is:
Delpo is a builder: uses what's on the court
Raonic is a creator: comes up with his own ideas
posted on 10/5/12
Yes there are similarities but Rao's serve is certainly a more devastating weapon and his FH seems more agressive actually. I also think he moves a bit better.
posted on 10/5/12
"I think they differ more than it may appear at first site."
that was the idea of the thread, I, too think they are quite different, Delpo, although aggressive, plays safer than Raonic, is a more fluid lateral mover, he is not letting his size hinder him at all.
Raonic is not as fluid as Delpo but his game is more raw in attacking direction, in some ways he reminds me of Petra Kvitova, unpolished gem that instinctively goes forward.
That's why I think he needs to utilize that serve and tune his game into forward moving more.
His inside-out forehand is good enough for it.
He's got a lot of potential and a got temperament on him which is promising.
posted on 10/5/12
I think Delpo is going to be a world class player in years to come, up there in the top four for a while. Will Ranic be able to do that as well? That's a possibility!
posted on 11/5/12
Raonic is certainly proving to be a very exciting talent - it will be fascinating to watch him on the hardcourt swing.
posted on 11/5/12
so long as he's in Nadal's quarter
posted on 23/6/16
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