The points system 5.0 vs a 5.5 is really subjective. To be honest I am not even sure where they get the rating system or how someone goes about getting a rating. The original debate wasn't a 4.5 vs a 5.0, it was BA vs PA and imo BA is drawing dead. As far as the references to how bad Ivanisevic or Philipoussis were once you get past their serves is WAY overstated. Kinda like Kournikova being a joke on the court, that wasn't the case at all. She was damn good but happened to betting looking than she was in tennis and therefore got criticized for how bad her tennis was. She did underachieve possibly, but she still had a great tennis career.

Not to further derail, but amazing article on different skill levels in pro tennis (granted a little dated now, but a great read):

http://www.esquire.com/features/spor...ng-theory-0796

I ****ing love tennis! and this thread

lol...you are joking right?

Dude i know more about tennis than 99% in this thread, and im also 99% sure Patrick is gonna win this match.

Funny to see people put up some rakning systems lol, esp people who know nothing about tennis, this isnt poker folks. If Patrick dies prematch then BA gonna win and thats his only chance. A REALLY good day BA will win 3games in a set.

we can play if youd like....i will start you off 1-0 and you can serve first or GTFO

Patrik played some college tennis in the US and was reportedly a top junior in Finland. He often works out twice a day. I was a fairly terrible junior tennis player, never breaking the top 50 in Florida in my age division and rarely breaking the top 100 (never finished the year in the top 100). I didn't play college tennis, and it's likely that my body fat percentage is above 20 percent.

You people are so stupid, and im pretty sure Patrick can play with some of swedish tennis pro friends who residence in Monte Carlo. Im also sure that BA doesnt have that connection net to play vs worldclass players.

Im in im actually going to Vegas this summer.But im pretty sure your the standard talk to much- back out american, experinced it too much unfortunately.

yeah thats fine.....I'm not trying to get into a pissing match but there is zero chance that someone 4 in the world is wasting their time "sparring" with Patrik. absolutely zero. That's all I'm saying

ok cool. obviously we need some type of wager. 5k? we can be the opening act and play right before Patrik and Brandon. This can be a whole 2 + 2 circus act.

Ok you gonna play Robin Soderling.

WTF are you talking about?

Grow up kids! (p- shottah and alwaysdegen)
Sorry BA, there is no way you gonna win this over 3set.

we both escrow... I will not back out. I have 0 singles ATP points, never have had even 1. I just like to gamble I am honestly probably giving you too much of a spot but like I said I wont back out and it looks like you are. If you are serious about this, we escrow 5k otherwise please stop talking.

Please stop derailing an interesting thread with nonsense. That match between you guys will never happen. Put your penis measuring somewhere else!

Agree with everything in this post.

11 to 1 would be a fair deal if you played only 1 set, but over 3sets, dont think so.

no plz don't i love it when stuff like this happens and some pseudo expert has to taste it.

So your indicating that p-shootah isnt Roger Federer ? What a disappointment, i thought so when reading this thread.

without getting involved in the specifics of BA vs PA...I've been a tennis coach for almost 10 years and have seen a wide range of skill sets match up against each other, and the country club I work at has hosted a ton of charity matches, high level jnr tourneys etc (and also has some former davis cup players hitting often, that I get to hit with semi regularly)...

one of the neat things about tennis is all the ways you can handicap a match. I am a very consistent player in very good shape physically (cardio especially) and when I play against my old coach (a former nationally ranked player with a rock solid game), the two biggest handicaps (at least in terms of what's helped me) have been 3 serves (you can NOT underestimate the benefit of being able to go for 2 bombs, especially if you have an above average serve) and the doubles alley. I would take one of those two handicaps over getting a Break as a spot, etc.

where is this huge skill difference? I looked at PA's record and although he is a god in practically everyway. Tennis doesn't seem to be one of them. He seems like a like a run of the mill D3 player, which is good but not something an ex Florida top 100? junior is going to have zero chance of beating. But I've lost a bunch betting on tennis so although I think I understand the game, my handicapping isn't very good. But my buddies tell me don't bet on tennis, especially at the challenger and smaller events.

i am pretty sure everybody (at least i have been) going by:

1. PA = 5.5
2. PA = in shape, works out 2x/day
3. BA = 20% body fat
4. BA = 4.5-5

if that's the case, 11-1 probably isn't enough especially w/o any concessions in terms of doubles alleys, serves, points/game, games/set etc.

that said, PA's record does look like he's a bit below 5.5 (wouldn't be #1 singles on any legit US D3 team) and would almost certainly get his ass whooped by my roomate who is a legit 5.5+ (couldn't make D1, undefeated though in match play all through college for a decent D3 college team as #1 singles).

so 1-4 may not be entirely accurate.

it's also, as has been noted, VERY hard to draw any hard conclusions w/o having seen both of these guys play in their current state.

Not 1 place in this thread where I said I was even good at tennis.

At least your indicating it in 50% of your posts.

if patrik gave me 11:1 odds, sure, I would play