As Novak Djokovic wins the first Men's Grand Slam of this tennis year, I am going to take a look at the leading contenders for the remaining Men's Grand Slams and give my predictions.
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| More glory for Djokovic? |
Firstly who else to start with but the World Number One and the man of the moment Novak Djokovic (right) who is without doubt the one to beat. Over the last year he has established himself as the undoubted number one. His record of 70 wins out of 76 matches in 2011 says it all. He has also brought this form into 2012 with an unbeaten start. After being the world number three for a few years and really taking a back seat as he struggled to break the dominance of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, 2011 was his break-through year. He won the Australian Open in 2008 however did not build on it however this did give him the confidence to know he was capable of wining Grand Slams. He has been improving from 2007 when he reached the US Open final. The potential was there and his breakthrough in 2011 is testament to the two greats of Nadal and Federer to keep him at number three for so long. Although I think that these two have made him a greater player as he knew the level that he needed to get to to compete. Also his progression in 2010 where he reached the quarters at Australian and French Opens, the semis at Wimbledon and then the final at the US Open showed a clear progression that set up the 2011 success. This jump is something that Andy Murray has failed to yet achieve.
SkyBet make Djokovic 8-1 to win the remaining three Grand Slams titles in 2012. They also make him 9/4 to win two of the three. This is an interesting bet and the one I would look at if I were to have a flutter. On current form he is unstoppable and he has already proven he can win at Wimbledon and at the US Open. My fear for the clean sweep is that of the French Open (Roland Garros) as this is his weakness. That is why 8-1 is not a good price and should be more around 16-1. Beating the likes of Nadal at the Australian Open is an incredible achievement however it will take an exceptional performance to beat him on 'his' surface that of clay at Roland Garros. Nadal dominance at Roland Garros is sensational. He also holds a 9-2 winning advantage over Djokovic on clay, although that 2 for Djokovic have come the last two times they have played.
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| More French Open success for Nadal ? |
Rafael Nadal (left) is facing therefore a huge fight in order to regain the World Number One spot. Djokovic would seem to have the advantage over Nadal on hard-court surfaces with an 11-5 advantage. The feeling is that Djokovic has the edge over Nadal and last weekend's result will not have helped Nadal. To play so well and for it still not to be enough will be hard for the Spaniard to take. Djokovic has now won the last seven encounters, all were finals and twice on clay. However the French Open is Nadal's tournament and one clay surface that I can not see him being beaten on at the moment. If fit for the French Open then I think his dominance will continue. SkyBet go even money on this being the case. I am confident, that if fit, Nadal will be at the latter stages of all the Grand Slams this year and would not be surprised to see Nadal/Djokovic the final at every Grand Slam.
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| Does he still believe? |
Roger Federer - The great man is entering the final few years of his tennis career however is still the best player to watch. The effortlessness in which it seems he plays is incredible. He makes the game look so easy and elegant compared with many other players where strength and power is the order of the day. Even though Federer (right) has both of these qualities he is majestic in his approach and that is why he is the greatest player I have ever seen. It is his style that allows him to play year after year as he does not get the injuries of the other, e.g Nadal style gives him knee trouble.
However he has not won a Grand Slam since 2010 but it would be wonderful for him to win Wimbledon this year however I do not think it will happen. The question is does Federer still believe he can win? I think he does and that is why he had continued to play. I hope he has at least one more Grand Slam in him and hope that that is Wimbledon. Although it is a sign of the times when SkyBet go 2/5 that he will not win a single Grand Slam this year. This a man who dominated men's tennis for years and has won 16 Grand Slams. At the US Open last year Federer was on the cusp of winning before Djokovic antics. He for me would present a greater challenge to him then Nadal does. I think a real test for Djokovic would be a French Open final against Nadal and a Wimbledon one against Federer. Two matches that would be incredible to watch. That is my wish for 2012.
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| Will 2012 be his year? |
Finally Andy Murray (right), he has threatened for years however not quite made it. With new coach Ivan Lendl his game will improve however not to the standard it needs to for success this year I feel. I do not think he will win any of the Grand Slams despite his recent display against Djokovic I just feel he does not have the mental toughness to win a tournament. Could you ever imagine Murray doing what Djokovic did last week? The answer is no. That is why SkyBet offer of 1/4 that he will not win a Grand Slam in 2012. However a positive for Murray is that this is what many said about Djokovic a few year ago and look at him now. So there is hope, however I can not see him making a genuine impression this year.
So I predict that all Men's Grand Slams will be won by one of the top three this year. However ones to watch are young Bernard Tomic who I think will have a big year and Juan Martin Del Potro. A few years ago he looked terrific however injury has hampered him however he may be a surprise player this year and maybe one to watch out for at the US Open later this year.
Also this year there is the Olympics and so another aim for the top players. Will be an interesting tournament with the final at Wimbledon. My tip is Roger Federer however this could be a shock result as the players may still be tired from Wimbledon only finishing 3 weeks earlier.
Predictions: French Open- Rafael Nadal
Wimbledon- Novak Djokovic (but would love it to be Roger Federer)
US Open- Novak Djokovic
Olympics- Roger Federer
Ones to watch: Bernard Tomic and Juan Martin Del Potro
It is looking like a terrific year of tennis is in store and one many can not wait to unfold.
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