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2010 ATP Season Preview January 21, 2010

Posted by Paul in : Uncategorized , trackback

Doha. Auckland. Sydney. Brisbane. All destinations where the circuit has stopped. The ATP Calendar has already commenced with several events in and around Australia. But most tennis fans consider them mere tune-ups; small hors d’oeuvres for the entrée that is the first Grand Slam of the year. To the entire sports world, the tennis season does not really start until the proceedings are kicked off in Melbourne Park for the Australian Open. At that point, casual sports fans turn their attention to the sports we all know and love. With that in mind, I thought I would engage you in an ATP Season Preview, where I will attempt to answer some of the burning questions leading into this tennis year. Let the queries begin….

1) How will Roger Federer react in 2010?
2009 had certainly been one of Federer’s most life-altering years. In a 12-month span, the Swiss Maestro has accomplished more than some have in an entire lifetime. Away from the court, Federer’s personal life was completely transformed, as he became a father and a husband. Roger married long time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec in April. In late July, he welcomed his twin daughters into the world, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva. On the court, Federer was able to capture the only Grand Slam that had eluded him: Roland Garros. And with his win at Wimbledon, Federer won his 15th Grand Slam title, surpassing Sampras’ previous record of 14. With that accomplishment, many observers and peers were willing to crown Federer as the Greatest Player of All Time.
Along with these stellar accomplishments, Roger did show a good amount of frailty last year. In the Australian Open final, which he lost to Nadal, Fed played an uncharacteristic fifth set, that left most tennis analysts dumbfounded. Had Roger given up, or just played that badly when it mattered most? Those puzzling thoughts were only worsened by Federer’s post-match emotional outburst during the trophy presentation. His tears were flowing so much, and his sentiments so raw, that Nadal felt compelled to comfort the opponent he had just vanquished minutes earlier. It created a beautiful moment between rivals, but also opened our eyes to Federer’s psyche. The Grand Slam record meant so much to him, and falling short in the encounter in front of his idol Rod Laver was just too much for him to take. Another moment of vulnerability that came out of an otherwise spectacular year was his last match at a Major in 2009. Federer ended up losing the US Open finals match, after holding a 2-sets-to-1 lead to a much less experienced opponent. The way he let the match slip away, only to be over-matched by the power of his younger opponent (including a 6-2 fifth set score) left many pundits wondering if he could keep dominating the field in 2010. Yes, Roger may well be the greatest shot-maker of all-time. And yes, he may now have assured himself the top spot in the GOAT debate. But can he keep it up with the group of players that have been able to match up favorably against him? How is he to react to a year that has left him largely a transformed man? If we have learned anything about Roger throughout the years, it is his continued, consistent excellence at the Slams. At last check, the man had been in 22 straight semifinals. The Federer Express has reached ten consecutive Grand Slam finals, including 17 of his last 18. This type of constant dominance just doesn’t exist in an era known for its incredible depth. Knowing that, Roger is sure to give himself plenty of chances to bring home some Slam hardware this year. Count on Federer to give himself a shot at a few Slam titles this year, just by his sheer consistency at Majors. Count on it like Swiss clockwork.

2) Will Rafael Nadal manage his schedule more judiciously?
When Nadal first came on the Tour, many thought that his whip-like forehand and overall physical style may take a toll on this body. For a few years, there, that theory was dismissed as yet another unsubstantiated inference. Until last year. Our biggest fears about the Majorcan finally came true, as Rafa ended up missing key portions of the calendar with shaky knees and tweaked abdominal muscles; both of which seemed to hamper him throughout the year. Nadal has seemed to put quite a few many things behind him this past year, including the divorce of his own parents, which must have been a distracting and disheartening occurrence. If there is something that he must have learned (the hard way), it is that he must pick and choose his tournament dates with more judgment and care, if he is to remain atop the ATP rankings. His style is inherently physical both to him and his opponents. If given the appropriate rest, there is very little doubt in most tennis minds that he can regain a form that will make him a tough proposition for anyone to deal with. Look for Nadal to hand pick the Tour destinations where he will show up and play his best. On his off weeks, Rafa will make sure to kick his feet up just enough to allow for the adequate recuperation to a body that had already taken quite a bit of pounding. If Nadal is able to stay away from the Tour enough, he is sure to give the competition his best, when he does step on the court.

3) Can Andy Roddick capture a second Grand Slam title?
Perhaps the greatest thing that Roddick accomplished last year, apart from tying the knot with a swimsuit model, is increasing his appeal worldwide. His heroic effort against Federer at Wimbledon in that epic final earned him points globally as a top competitor in the Men’s game. And the way he took the loss, both with grace and honest emotion, made him even more human and likable to the mainstream audience that caught the match. Roddick was not this brash Texan that blew people off the court with a rifle for a serve. He became the sensitive man, who after not winning his 2nd career slam, let us into what he was feeling. The emotions were palpable for everyone. And his class in accepting defeat was something we could all relate to. Roddick may not have been the victor on that day, but he certainly won over a lot of folks in the audience. Looking at the number of Slam opportunities Roddick is presented with, before he reaches his athletic mortality, it would seem it hard to believe that he would be an odds-on favorite to win a Slam in 2010. Andy could certainly squeak his way into the winner’s circle with a few fortunate breaks (read injuries to top players, or early upsets in Slams). And considering his Herculean efforts of the past year, he would certainly deserve it. Through much of the middle years of his career, Andy has played the role of a tragic figure in Men’s Tennis. Let’s all hope he is compensated for his efforts of the recent past, with a Grand Slam win that would certainly be the bow on his Hall-of-Fame career.

4) How will Juan Martin Del Potro deal with success?
The man is now well-known the world over. With his first Grand Slam title, Del Potro went from being an obscure tennis player recognized only by tennis aficionados to global tennis star known by the most casual of sports fans. There are two things that Juan Martin will have to watch for, as he ventures into this campaign. First of all, in the sports world, there is a that little term called a “Sophomore Slump”. Last year, although not his first, Del Potro demonstrated to the tennis world why he deserved to be considered one of the game’s elites. The key is whether he will be able to maintain his position amongst the top players, without letting up. Players have now been able to see him play, and dissect his game. Coaches around the Tour have watched enough game tape of him, and are now poised to respond with their well-concocted stratagems. How he deals with his new-found fame and success is going to be critical to his maintaining good form in 2009. The other piece of the Delpo equation in ‘10 is his ability to go from the “hunter” to the “hunted”. Once one has won a Slam, you become a marked man in the tennis universe. Fellow competitors do not consider you their equal. You are now a potential scalp, they will be able to brag about to their entourage, if they can pull off the upset. Players rise to the occasion when playing you, and you find yourself having to take your opponents’ best punches match-in, match-out. That can certainly be a tall order for any young man. One thing is for sure about Juan Martin Del Potro. He has an uncanny ability to stay, or at least look relaxed. Having been in a few press conferences with him, over the past year, I have been impressed by his calm demeanor. On a couple of occasions, I even wondered if the man had a pulse. This uncommon quality is likely to serve him well, as the stakes are now raised for the Argentine. His capacity to handle this new pressure is going to be a determining factor on how well he builds on last year’s accomplishments.

5) Will Andy Murray assert himself as a true #3 in the rankings?
When Wimbledon rolls around the excitation of most Brits is palpable even from across the pond. The nation goes into a tizzy, as Murray attempts to make another run on the lawns at SW19. Andy Murray has long carried the hopes of Great Britain as its next great player. He has shouldered the burden of expectation with him, as he embarks into each Grand Slam. Murray has made questionable decisions with his coaches, prematurely separating himself from Brad Gilbert, ending a mentor-protégé relationship that lasted only 16 months. He’s also made odd personal decisions. This past year, the Scot parted ways with his long-time girlfriend Kim Sears, who had become a familiar fixture at his tournaments. Their break-up was reported to have happened over Andy’s penchant for video games. 2009 was supposed to have been the year for Andy to finally win a Major. He was physically fit. He had added bulk to a previously wiry frame. He entered the year, ranked 4th in the world. Murray was supposed to make a big splash at a Slam. Instead, he didn’t manage to meet expectations, reaching only one Slam semifinal (at Wimbledon), which was his best result. Yes, he took home 5 ATP titles. But if Andy is to be judged as one of the game’s greats, he will have to capture some Grand Slam hardware at some point. Perhaps it’s immaturity. Perhaps, it is just giving himself an opportunity to accept the pressure. Whatever the reason is, Murray needs to seize the day in 2010 and elevate his game when the lights shine brightest. If he doesn’t, the murmurs will start about him not making the most of his natural ability. And for such a heady player, it would be disappointing to see Murray not figure it out.

6) Can Djokovic focus on his game enough to be considered amongst the game’s elite players?
He’s got water named after him. Check that, water and an energy bar. Wait! A nice restaurant in Belgrade. A tournament that he helps run, once a year. To say that Djokovic has more going on in his life than just his tennis is a severe understatement. The young Serb oozes charisma and attracts business opportunities like a garden light draws in insects. The big question about Novak is whether he will maintain a discipline that will allow him to dedicate himself to the sport he has excelled at. In tennis, many have been distracted by off the court temptations and opportunities. One can only hope that Djokovic surrounds himself with positive influences that will help him recognize his true purpose as an tennis player: to put out his very best between the lines on a daily basis. It seems like the bright lights of stardom may have gotten to the young man. Let’s only hope he’s able to delegate some of his side responsibilities, while maintaining a singular focus on the skill that got him all the fame and fortune he already possesses. If he’s unable to do that in 2009, this year may serve him a humbling lesson that will have him re-evaluate his life and lifestyle.

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