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The Four Towers

Australian Open

by thepoolman147 (U13684589) 13 January 2009

It's a new year and men's tennis has never been in better shape.From the players vying for the slams and the No. 1 ranking(Nadal and co.), to the young guns looking to make their marks(Murray et al), this year promises to be one of he most exiting for the sport in decades.

Federer would be trying to wrestle the No.1 rank and his Wimbledon crown from Nadal. Federer start last year was nothing but crummy; this season, both Nadal and himself should be on their games, healthy and inspired.

As with the past few seasons, it is no longer a two man show. Murray now poses a sound threat to slams and the No.1 ranking.Murray always known for being the combustible shotmaker, has now improved his game in massive proportions in the last year with the incorporation of an excellent fitness regime.(remember Agassi's winter 'downtime').

Then there is Djoko,2008 Australian Open champ who although sputtered after winning his first slam,ended the season on a high by capturing the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup. (For no logical reason its name has been changed this year to the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals)

Taken together, Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray are the strongest, most competitive players tennis has seen in ages. They all are at, or near, the peak of their powers. With the likes of the steady Davydenko, big-serving A-rod and promising up-and-comers such as JWT, JMDP and Gulbis, the men's game has plenty of reasons to be excited.

PS. Whats with the new rebranding by the ATP? Apparently it is now called Atp 'world' Tour. hmmm.

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comment by Murray's Muscle (U11163019)

posted Jan 14, 2009

Hmm, if you think that there is no chance of Andy Murray being no.1 by the end of the year you don't know tennis too well. By the end of this year, even people with 0 points can still be no.1, I could be no.1, you could be no.2 it doesn't matter because the points are only the last 12 months

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comment by oldsaxon (U8398440)

posted Jan 14, 2009

I reckon Nadal is pretty solid for the French - none of his main contenders are truly comfortable on clay. I certainly can't see Fed stopping him in his current dip, nor Murray given his performances at that point last year.

Wimbledon is open, but Fed and Nadal will probably be in the mix and I'd put them about even on grass for the moment... I'd agree that Nadal was playing at his limit last year, if he can't repeat that then he'll find it hard to beat Federer.

The hard court Opens are probably the least predictable of all. However, I just can't see Nadal quite taking them... it could be any of the other three, and in fact I'd say they're close enough together that Oz and the US will probably be different people. Murray has a very good chance of being one of them.

Predictions for the 4:
Oz: Murray
RG: Nadal
W: Federer
US: Federer (confidence regained after Wimbles).

Who disagrees? Let's hear why.

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comment by elche2002 (U4430610)

posted Jan 14, 2009

Predictions for the 4:
Oz: Fed
RG: Nadal
W: Nadal
US: Nadal

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comment by shan_united (U11145201)

posted Jan 14, 2009

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comment by coolpixel (U6379863)

posted Jan 14, 2009

ss the key word being prime. federer is no longer in his prime and will be easily be beaten by murray on current form

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comment by clareisle (U13136602)

posted Jan 14, 2009

Shan , get real ,Andy wasn t playing on a fare playing field, it was his first GS final , and hadn t has his deserved 48 hour rest like Federer had . Ever known Federer play without his 48 hour rest at a GS final ... don t think so .Organisers always make sure he s looked after ... even now , when he s No.2

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comment by REDS_FAN_SAN (U9752712)

posted Jan 14, 2009

oz:murray
Rg:nadal
wim:nadal
us:murray

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comment by DeanMoriaty (U13783227)

posted Jan 14, 2009

Murray did not destroy federer! he played better than him.IF you talk about destroying some one watch 2008 us open finals.murray might have the better record against fed than fed against him.But in GSs Fed is a class above murray.
Guys!
honestly can murray even come close to beating federe even when he is in his prime?

NO.end of...

********************************

Considering this was Murray first grand slam final and the lack of preparation time he had then you are being very harsh in your opinion.

Federer was also almost 23 before he reached his first GS final. Murray is still 21.

Federer was a class everybody 2 years ago... this is no longer the case. There really is not a lot separating the top 4 players, which can only be good for tennis.

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comment by infuriated (U860515)

posted Jan 14, 2009

If Murray wants to go higher, certainly to make the top 2, he pretty much has to win a GS - and that's only right and proper. If he wins in Australia, he may go into the US Open knowing that taking the title there will make him No.1. If his form fades or he gets another niggling injury, he could lose a lot of points very fast leading up to the USO, and need to do well again there to avoid seeing his ranking plummet.

I love the thought of this year because I really don't know what's going to happen. I don't know if Nadal is shot, or if the prospect of a return to clay will fill him with a new fire. I don't know if Fed will be back to his best, or fade gently away. And I don't know if Djoko and Murray will push on and fulfil their promise, or fall into exasperating inconsistency.

Which is why tennis, and indeed all good sport, is so much fun!

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