The fourth major tennis event of the year is about to begin...tomorrow. Yes, we're talking about the US Open Championships. So I'd figure I do a take on my predictions for the last major event of the year.
2011 has been a year of surprise in the tennis world. Novak Djokovic, a talented young man striving to be the best struggled in the past few years after a major downfall in 2008. Rafael Nadal, the ruthless bull from Spain (literally) seeking to maintain his dominance in the industry after capturing the last 3 majors in a row! Roger Federer, the king of kings, the maestro, the Swiss cheese, the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) was not so G.O.A.T.-y in 2010 and claims that he’ll do well this year but time and time again we see him defeated in every single event! Andy Murray, the English hope still wants to find that one breakthrough he needs to be on par with the 3 top players of the world.
While they are many talented players in the ATP Tour, tennis has always been about these 4 men. Sure there are people like Roddick, Cilic, Isner and so on but they haven’t been so ‘great’ in big tournaments as of late. BUT who knows they could perform well in the USO? We’ll see but for now, let’s put our focus on the 4 big guns.
#1 NOVAK DJOKOVIC
The man known to be ‘The Djoker’ in the tennis world didn’t Djoke around this year, if you know what I mean. After the Davis Cup win in 2010 Djokovic soared like an eagle and had an impressive run of 47 wins IN A ROW. WTF!? I know but it’s true. After 2008 he was basically sh*t; he struggled with his serve, his anger management, his strokes, he struggled with everything! But it took a complete 180 degrees turn after the Davis Cup. He clinched his 2nd Australian Open title then basically all other tournaments he participated in. He even defeated Rafael Nadal in clay tournaments and was seen as a favourite to win the Roland Garros. Unfortunately his streak ended in the semi-finals after being defeated by Roger Federer to simply show that Novak is still a human being. This time, however, that defeat didn’t pull him down. It merely scraped his motivation to be the best and what did he do after that defeat?: He won the Wimbledon, defeating Rafa once again and claimed the No. 1 ranking in the world. Djokovic is a big treat to Rafa in this year's USO. In fact, he’s a big treat to the whole ATP roster! The only thing that concerns me now is that recent shoulder pain he felt which made him retired in the finals of Cincinnati. Novak said it wouldn’t bother him in New York but I personally think that it’ll play its role once the tournament reaches the 2nd week.
I don’t think he’ll win USO simply because of the shoulder pain. Honestly.
#2 RAFAEL NADAL
With 3 straight major titles in 2010, the then world’s #1 seemed like he’s the ‘bauss’ in the business and became an instantaneous fan favourite (not that he isn’t already) in winning 4 major titles in a row. Unfortunately he couldn’t live up to his expectations. This humble dude from Majorca, Spain has shown the tennis world that IT TAKES MUSCLES to conquer tennis. I’m just joking don’t start a flame war. Haha :D Seriously speaking, Rafa has been an asset to this sport not because he’s the hunk or he’s humble but because he is one of the few people in the ATP that plays with a heart. He cries in tournaments he wins (remember Monte Carlo 2010?), he acknowledges opponents who played way better than he did in tournaments and best of all, and he keeps his composure like a baller. Rafa loves tennis, period. He truthfully told the world that he couldn’t do what he did in 2010 because he knew that there are other formidable forces to deal with and he was damn right about that. I don’t think he expected Novak to take over his No. 1 spot and defeated him twice in clay court tournaments. Losing to Novak countless of times in 2011 affected his game greatly and he was LUCKY Novak wasn’t in the finals on RG (Thanks, RF). So what are the chances of him defending his USO title? Quite high, IMO. With Novak being a little injured and Federer no longer being at his best I think there’s a chance he’ll win USO again.
#3 ROGER FEDERER
Ugh. A tough one, really. I honestly have no idea what to expect from the maestro anymore. He is 30 (Aug 8) now and generally 30 year olds don’t do well in tournaments, except if you’re Andre Agassi. His performance has been shadowed by younger opponents and he has only won ONE tournament this year which didn’t include any of the other 3 top players. Roger was seen crashing out early in tournaments except for RG this year which shed hopes to some that he could still play tennis like a true G.O.A.T. Unfortunately being in the finals of RG still raise doubts in me that the legend can win USO this year. I’m a big fan of him. I grew up knowing Roger and I still idolize him but 2011 is not his year. Good luck in the US Open, RF. You’ll need it.
#4 ANDY MURRAY
Andy has always been in a special reserved place in my heart. Sounds gay, no? :D Being the only hope for Britain burdens this young man a lot so he is always pressured in every single tournament he enters. He doesn’t win them but he knows how to make his opponent suffer the Murray-wrath whenever he plays…at least for a set. Murray needs to know how to strengthen his mind power. He’s a great player without a doubt but when he start making errors you’ll know the match is over. HE LACKS MENTAL STRENGTH. After ‘defeating’ Novak in Cincinnati Open people put high hopes on him to win USO. I think he has a chance to do so if he knows how to pressure his opponent instead of pressuring himself. Look at Novak, that bloke break racquets like it’s a hobby and swears (in Serbian) a lot BUT always manages to win the match. Murray is the complete opposite. Once you see him smash his racquets or swears (in English :D) he’s guaranteed to lose. I want Andy to win a major, I really do. He has the potential. I know he can do it. I WANT HIM TO WIN THE USO.
OTHER PLAYERS
GG GL HF (Good game, good luck, have fun). Haha :D
