2010 ATP Preview
After a month off, the ATP season begins in earnest next week in Australia. It is only a few weeks away from the Australian Open, the first of the 4 Grand Slam events. After a year which saw records set, former champions returning to the top, new challengers surfacing, and more drama than a daytime soap, what will the 2010 season bring? Everything starts with the big 2, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. These two have been battling for years and only now is the rest of the field looking to gain on them.
Roger Federer
Considered by many to be the greatest to ever play the game, and with the results to prove it, Federer is still the man to beat. He has been in the finals of 17 of the last 18 Grand Slams, and became only the second man in history to reclaim the ATP year-end number 1 spot after losing it for a year. After some thought he was in decline after the 2008 season, Federer rebounded in 2009 and once again established himself as king of the court. The most challenging opponent he faces is Father Time as Federer is approaching 30 years old.
Rafael Nadal
After years of playing second to Federer, Nadal had a breakout season in 2008, finally earning the Number 1 title. He appeared to be on his way to an equally dominant 2009 season when he was upset by Federer in Madrid and Robin Soderling in the French Open. Following that, Nadal was sidelined for 9 weeks with tendinitis in both knees. He was never able to fully regain form during the rest of the season. Nadal has a physically demanding style of play that will require him to be fully healed and in shape in order to excel. If his body will take the pounding on the court, Nadal will be feared by anyone opposing him.
Novak Djokovic
After finishing the year ranked 3rd for the 3rd straight year, Djokovic is looking to break through. In 2009, he reached the quarter-finals or better in 19 of 22 tournaments. He reached the finals in 4 of his last 7 tournaments. Djokovic has already won a Grand Slam event (2008 Australian Open) and has the skills to win more. Younger than Federer or Nadal, Djokovic has yet to reach his prime.
Andy Murray
Great Britain has been pinning their hopes of a homegrown Wimbledon Champion on Murray, who is from Scotland. Murray made it to the semi-finals in 2009, his best Grand Slam result of the year. He has made it to the quarter-finals or better in 4 of the last 8 Grand Slams. Overall, Murray’s 66-11 record is the best winning percentage on the tour. It is only a matter of time before he celebrates on the big stage.
Juan Martin Del Potro
The youngest of all Top-10 players, Del Potro captured the attention of everyone by upsetting Nadal in the semi-final and Federer in the final of the 2009 US Open, his first Grand Slam victory. Del Potro has the size (6’6”), speed, and touch to make another run for more titles.
Other notables
American Andy Roddick enjoyed a comeback year in 2009, compiling a 48-15 record. He has won at least one title for nine consecutive years. He peaked at Wimbledon, losing to Federer in an epic final match in which he only lost one service game. Roddick improved his conditioning and will make another run for his second Grand Slam title.
Robin Soderling of Sweden came on strong at the end of 2009, compiling a 40-10 record since May. He finished the year ranked in the top-10, and reached quarterfinal or better in 2 of the 4 Grand Slams.
