We've Never Had It So Good?

Mens tennis we are told is in a healthy state. I sort of agree because I love watching the top players. Lately however have felt that the rest of the top ten has become less competative.

Looking at ranking points (1) Djokovic has 12,860 and (10) Almagro has 2165. Almagro has just 16% of Djokovics points.

In August 2010 (1) Nadal had 10,925 and (10) Tsonga had 3095. Tsonga had 28% of Nadals points.

Looking further back the number 10 was even closer to the top player. Because of a change in the way points are allocated the totals look a bit smaller so its more useful to compare the percentages (eg I think players got 1,000 points for a slam win not 2,000 like today)

In August 2000 (1) Agassi had 3855 and (10) Coria had 1745 (49%)

In August 1990 (1) Edburg had 3209 and (10) Chang had 1358 (42%)

The top ten looks as if it used to be much more competative. More players had the ability to string wins together. I imagine that matches between top 10 players would have been more competative. Even last years top ten looked more healthy than the one we have at the moment.

The rest of todays top ten

(2) Nadal 11770 (91%) of Djokovics points
(3) Federer 4352 (75%)
(4) Murray 6705 (52%)
(5) Soderling 4325 (33%)
(6) Ferrer 4210 (32%)
(7) Monfils 2905 (22%)
(8) Fish 2505 (19%)
(9) Berdych 2410 (18%)
(10) Almagro 2165 (16%)

Based on these figures Soderling and players ranked below him wouldn't have made the top ten in 2000. Even Murray would be hovering at about 10. Have we never had it so good?

Top down eras are by definition harder to win slams in. Too much parity kills a tennis era quite frankly. Look at the 80s very few one slam wonders and it was one of the top heaviest eras of all time. Same with the Fedalovic era, the top guys greedily win all the trophies don't let the weaker players in the top 10 win anything. 90s we had a lots of one slams wonders, 80s very few, virtually none now.

I'm not a percentage person meself (although I was top in maths in me younger years ), but can't complain, can't complain....beautiful tennis years for all true fans.....The last 6-7 years, oh my....bring it on!