Not a lot of commentary out there on Rublev's fitness. The guy plays among the most matches every year for a top 10 player and he rarely breaks down. The simplicity of his game helps...when tired he's not forced to make difficult shot choices...his game is his game. I made this comment last year in jest, but I kind of think Draper needs to move to a hot climate and train year-round.
Draper's fitness has improved greatly but I feel he does need to try conserve energy a bit more where possible. He may have a natural limit on energy due to his size, he's listed as 85kg (compare Alex De Minaur at 69kg, he's ~20% heavier) so will be using a lot more calories to throw himself around. It may not be possible to consume enough calories before/during a match to sustain these efforts.
I guess him chasing down every ball does add pressure to his opponents but ultimately the better plan may be to up the aggression and conserve a bit more where possible
The best analysis I have seen on Rublev and his grip. I certainly agree about the similarly to Tsitsipas. They both have exactly the same grip and both seem to have identical compact reactive brake technique.
On the fist grip, I find that there is some loss in control, stability and topspin production without the index finger of a trigger grip "steering" the handle. Is that something you have noticed as well?
I have seem some topspin rpm data on the Rublev forehand and his is up there, certainly not sacrificing any topspin. Tsitsipas has identical grip and technique to me and his rpm rates are in the very top tier of the ATP.
Not a lot of commentary out there on Rublev's fitness. The guy plays among the most matches every year for a top 10 player and he rarely breaks down. The simplicity of his game helps...when tired he's not forced to make difficult shot choices...his game is his game. I made this comment last year in jest, but I kind of think Draper needs to move to a hot climate and train year-round.
Draper's fitness has improved greatly but I feel he does need to try conserve energy a bit more where possible. He may have a natural limit on energy due to his size, he's listed as 85kg (compare Alex De Minaur at 69kg, he's ~20% heavier) so will be using a lot more calories to throw himself around. It may not be possible to consume enough calories before/during a match to sustain these efforts.
I guess him chasing down every ball does add pressure to his opponents but ultimately the better plan may be to up the aggression and conserve a bit more where possible
Just checked and Rublev listed at 75kg
Grip analysis is really interesting.
The best analysis I have seen on Rublev and his grip. I certainly agree about the similarly to Tsitsipas. They both have exactly the same grip and both seem to have identical compact reactive brake technique.
On the fist grip, I find that there is some loss in control, stability and topspin production without the index finger of a trigger grip "steering" the handle. Is that something you have noticed as well?
I have seem some topspin rpm data on the Rublev forehand and his is up there, certainly not sacrificing any topspin. Tsitsipas has identical grip and technique to me and his rpm rates are in the very top tier of the ATP.