Baghdatis on Modern Tennis: 'So Much Data, So Many Improvements'
Former World No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis Analyzes Today's ATP Game, Highlights Tactical Shifts from His Era
Former top 10 player Marcos Baghdatis was a standout competitor in the 2000s and 2010s. A finalist at the 2006 Australian Open against Roger Federer, the Cypriot retired in 2019 but has remained involved in the tennis world.
The 40-year-old has joined Qinwen Zheng's team ahead of the Sunshine Double. In an interview, Baghdatis discussed the major changes in the game between the current era and about fifteen years ago.
"Before, It Was More Tactical, You Could Work the Ball"
"The tour has evolved. Science evolves, everything in the world evolves. Tennis is more powerful, players are taller, more imposing, stronger. It's definitely different from 15 years ago. Before, it was more tactical, you could play slower, work the ball.
Now, everything is about power. Rallies were slower before, but the courts are slower today, the balls bounce higher. It's different, but everything evolves. There's so much data, so many things that are improving.
"When I See Some Players Today, I Always Wonder How My Game Would Disrupt Them"
When I see some players today, or players who have won Grand Slam tournaments, I always wonder how my game would disrupt them, what I would do in certain situations if I were still playing.
I think I could manage to beat them. But actually doing it is a whole other story. It's a very difficult question to answer. Visually, yes, I see tactical possibilities. However, going on court and doing it is a completely different thing," Baghdatis told Clay.
If the tactics are right, but the strategy is wrong, battles may be won, but the war is lost." - AU
In the last match between Sinner and Zverev, at one point Sinner had twice as many UEs as Zverev. Sinner's strategy is to hit the ball so fast the opponent has difficulty getting to the ball and difficulty getting in position to return well and consistently deep. Baghdatis still thinks, like Zverev, tactics are more important than strategy.