Player of the Year - Novak Djokovic

After his most recent success at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, there should be no argument that the player of the year, based on consistency and titles, should be Novak Djokovic.  Of the top eight players invited to play in the year ending championships, Djokovic was the only one to not drop a set during the tournament.  In Monday's final, he came from a break down in both sets to defeat Roger Federer in straights 7-6 (5), 7-5.

He has won six titles in 2012, but throughout the 2012 season, he has been at the back end of just about every big tournament, including the finals of three of the four majors.  He won the Australian Open by defeating Rafael Nadal in an absolute thriller.  He made it to the French Open final, losing to Nadal, and the US Open final, losing to Andy Murray.  The only slam final he wasn't in this year was Wimbledon, where he lost to Roger Federer in the semis.  In seventeen events, he failed to reach the semifinals only twice - Madrid (on the horrible blue clay) and the Paris Masters.  This year, Djokovic's game was most times at a level that could not be reached by Federer, Murray, Nadal, or any other the men's field had to offer.

All told, he has won one major, three Masters 1000 series events (Miami, Toronto, and Shanghai) , a title in Beijing, and the year ending championships.  Of all the top four players, he clearly has had the better record overall.  Nole is 75-12 on the year, and 24-10 against top ten players.  He lost the number one ranking to Federer in late June, but regained it again just this past week - currently holding a 2655 point advantage over the second ranked Federer.  He will definitely be the hunted come 2013.  With Nadal's injuries starting to get the better of him, Federer's age (mind you he is a young 31), and Murray's lack of mental toughness, one can only assume that Djokovic will be a force to be reckoned with for at least three to four more years to come.  Juan Martin Del Potro, who was once on his way to putting a dent in the big four's dominance, has been making head way, but lacks the consistency, fitness (mentally & physically) to really trouble Djokovic.  The rise of Novak Djokovic has given the other top players' futures a much bleaker tone.  Sure, he won't win everything, sure they will still give him battle, but Djokovic has an internal resolve that we have not even seen from Roger or Rafa.

Thankfully, we all get to witness the Golden Age of tennis.  At no other time in the sports history has the field run so deep with three, possibly four of tennis' best players ever at the helm.  Just like every time this year, I start to look forward to the next year's season.  Will Rafa ever be the Rafa of year's past again?  Will Murray build on his US Open success?  Will Roger be able to keep up with the young guns for much longer?  One thing I think can be counted on...Djokovic will keep on rolling!

ATP Top Four 2012 in review

2012 Slam & Olympic Champions (left to right): Djokovic-Australian Open, Rafael Nadal-French Open, Roger Federer-Wimbledon, Andy Murray-Olympics & US Open.

For the first time since 2003, each of the four majors has had a different champion - in '03 the champions were Andre Agassi (Australian Open), Juan Carlos Ferrero (French Open), Roger Federer (Wimbledon), and Andy Roddick (US Open).  In 2012, the big four dominated the tour once again, each one taking home a major, with Andy Murray finally breaking through to win his first at the US Open.  This year also produced slight changes in the rankings - Federer reclaiming the top ranking, Djokovic sitting at number two, Murray overtaking Nadal for the number three position (partly due to Nadal's absence w/a knee injury), and Nadal at number four.  Federer added the honor of having the most weeks at number one - 300 weeks as of October 15th.  Djokovic stood out among the four by making three slam finals (Aussie, French, US) and the semis at Wimbledon, winning the Australian Open in a epic final against Rafael Nadal.  Djokovic also stood out by having only three losses to players outside of the big four - John Isner at Indian Wells, Janko Tipsarevic at Madrid, and Juan Martin Del Potro in the bronze medal round at the Olympics.

Roger Federer to date has won six titles, including Wimbledon, and three masters 1000 series events - the most of any of the big four.  Roger turned 31 in August, but has clearly stated to his younger rivals that he is still a very serious threat on the tour.  Roger's 76 career titles (17 majors) ranks him fourth all time in the open era.  Even though Novak Djokovic only won one major this year, his presence was more clearly felt in all four, having been in three finals, and his earliest exit was in the semi finals at Wimbledon.  He racked up five titles, and only lost three times this year to a player outside of the big four.  Scot, Andy Murray, finally became a slam holding member of the big four this year by defeating his on court rival/childhood friend, Novak Djokovic at the US Open.  Just a couple weeks before that he won an Olympic gold medal, beating Roger Federer on the grounds on the All England Lawn Tennis club.  Andy racked up three ATP tour events, as well as the Olympic gold.  Hopefully Mr.  Murray's woes are all behind him.  Even though the beginning of the year was rather good for Rafael Nadal, after winning the French Open, he has been plagued by his recurring knee injury.  He hasn't played another tournament since losing in the Wimbledon round of 64 to Luke Rosol, who was the 100th ranked player in the world.  Even still, Rafa was able to win four titles before his injury caused him to sit out the rest of the season.  He's scheduled to return in late December to play an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi, but recently said of playing in London "Impossible?  No.  Difficult?  Yes."

Victoria Azarenka-Australian Open; Maria Sharapova-French Open; Serena Williams-Wimbledon, Olympics, & US Open

And a little shout out to the ladies tour.  This year is the first in a couple years that there has not been four different slam title holders.  The woman who won two majors was none other than a resurgent Serena Williams.  Ms. Williams, who turned 31 in late September, also took home the Olympic gold.  After being knocked out of the first round for the first time in her career at the French Open, Serena went 26-1, winning Wimbledon, Olympic gold, and the US Open.  The last time one woman took home more than one major, was in 2010, and it was Serena Williams - that year, as well as 2009, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon.  Victoria Azarenka won her first career major at the Australian Open, and Maria Sharapova completed a career grand slam by winning the French Open.

Welcome back to Paul-Henri Mathieu

Just a quick post to welcome back Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, back onto the ATP Tour.  He has been off the tour since mid 2010 with a lingering knee injury.  Before his extended absence from the tour, he was ranked as high as number 38 in the world.  Paul-Henri has a total of four career titles, 2 indoor carpet/hardcourt, and 2 clay - the most recent title coming July '07 in Gstaad, Switzerland.  He is currently still in the draw in Montpellier, and will be playing Jarko Nieminen later today.  

He was never the most consistent player, but was definitely a joy to watch.  At 30 years old, he may not have much time left in the sport, so best of luck & health to him while he is still playing.  

Aussie Open 2012 Finals [mini] Review

Novak Djokovic - it ended with a kiss

He came, he saw, he conquered.  World number one, Novak Djokovic, entered the 2012 Aussie Open as the clear favorite, and he did not disappoint.  It may have taken him five hours and fifty-three minutes to do it, but he defeated on court rival, Rafael Nadal in five thrilling, action packed sets 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5.  Some are saying that this is the greatest match ever played, myself included.  It's the longest slam final in  the open era, and the longest Aussie Open match EVER.  It was a testament to the fitness, and dedication of both Djokovic and Nadal.  Almost six hours, and neither guy called the trainer to the court - imagine that.  On that day, men's tennis was taken to another level.  This match wasn't just long, it was nail-biting, it was gritty, and it was some of the best tennis from beginning to end that the world has ever lay witness to.  If you haven't seen it, I highly suggest that you watch the replay here.  Set aside some time, as it's something to be savoured and enjoyed.  It's tennis at it's best, the way it should be.  The magnificence of this match is something that no one can truly describe with words alone, it must be seen to be fully appreciated.  Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have put that much more distance between themselves and the rest of the men's field.  Props to Rafa, who fought and clawed the entire time, but unfortunately The Djoker still has Rafa's number.  In their last seven meetings, Nole has a 7-0 record against Nadal - all seven in finals, including the last three majors ('11 Wimbledon & US Open, and '12 Aussie Open).  Two of the meetings last year were on Rafa's beloved red clay, which bodes well for a possibly very exciting meeting at Roland Garros.  Given Nole's current form, and mental edge of the other players, a Grand Slam is not out of the question.  Let's be clear about the meaning of a Grand Slam - it's when a player WINS ALL FOUR MAJORS IN ONE CALENDAR YEAR.  So often we here of a player winning a Grand Slam, when in reality, they've won a major.  Not to belittle the accomplishments of winning a major, but winning A major is not winning a Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal

All credit to Andy Murray, who took Nole to five sets in the semifinals, even though he wasn't able to take him out of the tournament.  And even The Federer.  He was only able to take one set off Nadal in their semi, but it was a gallant effort none the less.  The big four are more than a couple of notches above the rest of the ATP tour, but when we talk about Djokovic/Nadal - as it stands right now, they are the cream of the crop.  They are the hunted, and there are no other guys in the field that will be changing that anytime soon.  


2012 promises to be a delicious year for the ATP, and the storyline will definitely be Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.  Andy Murray and Roger Federer may make it into the conversation, but the battles, the wars, the awe will definitely be all about the big two.  I'm so happy to be able to witness this golden age of tennis.

Australian Open Preview - Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Redux

Well folks, it's that time of year again!  The beginning of tennis season is upon us, with less than a week before the first major, the Australian Open, begins.  This time last year everyone was expecting Rafael Nadal to complete his RafaSlam, but boy, oh boy did things change.  Novak Djokovic went on to win the '11 Aussie Open, then during the course of the year, beat Rafa is six finals - four times in masters series events [two of those on clay], and two majors' finals - going on to take the number one ranking by reaching the finals of Wimbledon, and ending 2011 with a 70-6 record.  

The top four players have distanced themselves from the rest of the field - there's 2455 points separating numbers four and five & and a staggering 8705 points between numbers one and five.  They will be the clear favorites going into the tournament, but there are also some possible spoilers running rampant in the field.  Two of the biggest spoilers could be the Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and depending on his confidence level, the Tower from Tandil, Juan Martin Del Potro.  Tsonga opened his 2012 bid by winning the title in Doha, defeating his countryman, Gael Monfils, 7-5, 6-3 in the final.  Jo-Willy and DelPo made it to the round of 32 & the round of 64 respectively in last year's Aussie Open, but each one of these guys is in a different place now. Tsonga has moved up into the top ten, currently ranked number six in the world, seven spots higher since Aussie '11.  DelPo's '11 Aussie bid was his first tournament back after having missed almost a whole year and he was ranked 484, a far cry from his current rank of number eleven.  If DelPo's fitness is up to par, he be could be a formidable opponent for either of the top four, especially an 'injured' Nadal or Federer.

Injuries affecting Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer could hamper their bids for more Aussie hardware.  Nadal has even said that he is not sure he will be playing at his peak when the Aussie Open comes around.  Roger had to withdraw from Doha because of back spasms which have caused him some difficulty since the 2010 Wimbledon.  Andy Murray has also shown some signs early on this season that he is battling injuries, although, it seems at times that he always in a battle with himself.  Even though he hobbled during the beginning rounds of the Brisbane International, Andy was able to come away from the tournament with a title, taking down Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-3.  Djokovic is coming off a historic year, which saw his body start to breakdown towards the end of 2011.  If he has indeed recovered from the stresses of last year, he will definitely be the player to beat.

Bernard Tomic

Milos Raonic

Then there are the possibles, one of them being Milos Raonic.  His breakout tournament was last year's Aussie Open, where he made it to the quarterfinals, being taken out the the scrappy Spaniard, David Ferrer.  He's already won a title this year, defeating Janko Tipsarevic in a tight three set final in Chennai 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4).  Also, Aussie native, Bernard Tomic has the ability to make it deep into the tournament.  I don't see either of these guys making it as far as the semi finals, but they are each capable of dealing out an upset along the way, especially if they happen to come up against a less than top shape Nadal or Federer.

The Aussie Open has always been one of the best majors to lay witness to and not just because of the tennis.  Aussies know how to throw a party!  There's always good tennis to be seen, and the beer mixed with the heat always makes for interesting sites as well, like this guy...

Aussie Streaker!

Australian Open TV schedule can be found here.  ESPN living streaming here (just click on the dates under upcoming).  And as always, live streaming for the Aussie Open (& EVERY other tournament of the year) can be seen at livescorehunter.com.

Enjoy!