The new year is coming and with it new expectations are taking shape. Those bored with the spectacle of the same two top players grabbing all Grand Slams are awaiting return of Juan Martin Del Potro. He was the player to beat the top two in the U.S Open 2009. What to expect from him after the wrist injury. He has strength and shortcomings in his game. His game relies more on power hitting and even if he did not hit it from the middle of the racquet, the ball can still go at a fast pace. The shot does not have any excessive top spin. If he remained circumspect about hitting the same way he was hitting before with his yet to be fully tested wrist, his game will not come back to the same level in 2011. He will definitely climb up the ladder once more, but his story can not be that of a wild card winning a Grand Slam.
If not him, who could be the JMDP of 2011. The closest is Robin Soderling. He had wins at consecutive Semi-Finals of the French Open over the defending champions. But given his single dimensional game, it is a Herculean task for him. The next is Tomas Berdych. He is less one dimensional, but has to be at his super best to achieve this. If he were to clash with Rafael Nadal, one can expect him to be motivated for a sweet revenge.
Rafael Nadal had the most successful year of his career in 2010. He completed the career Grand Slam and has eyes on the ‘Rafa Slam’ at the Australian Open. He now makes adjustments on different surfaces. His hard court game is a bit different from his clay court game. He wants to play from nearer the baseline, hit a slightly flatter shot, put more power in his serve and assume an attacking mind set. He did not have these things earlier and was running like hare to compensate for the deficiency. The tragic result was that the legs gave way in 2009 and he went through an excruciating eleven month title drought. He was written off as a physical burn out by some pundits. He came back stronger and that speaks volumes about his mental fortitude. He has learnt his lessons and is making adjustments to his game and his schedule. He will get at least one Grand Slam in 2011.
Roger Federer - Rafael Nadal rivalry did not give us a Grand Slam final in 2010. Roger Federer is the biggest obstacle for the ‘Rafa Slam’. He is the most successful player post U.S Open. His skills have not diminished, though the speed on court might have diminished a little. Having overcome the challenge of all and pocketed a fifth ATP WTF title would have given his confidence a significant boost. He has pulled back one from the Head to Head lead Rafael Nadal enjoys over him. He is unlikely to go without a Grand Slam title in 2011.
Novak Djokovic, the one slam wonder so far and Andy Murray, the no slam wonder so far, can expect a rewarding 2011. Andy Murray - Rafael Nadal ATP WTF match has been hailed by many as the best match of the year. He has to perfect his risk taking ability and over come the fear of failure. Andy Murray story can take the same happy turn that Stefan Edberg or Amelie Mauresmo story took not long ago. Novak Djokovic has even a better balance of offence and defence than Andy Murray. He has overcome the sick tag long ago. Unlike Andy Murray, he has credentials even for the clay court season. His defeat of Roger Federer at the U.S Open might have filled him with renewed self-belief and his performance in Davis Cup must have filled him with self-assurance. There is a realistic chance of one of these two lifting one Grand Slam in 2011.
What 2011 will bring for us, only the time can tell, but we are definitely in for surprises.
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