Predictions 2021

[Moxie]

The end of 2020 is approaching, and not a minute too soon for most of us. Time to make predictions for 2021. Maybe the first question is how much of the calendar even gets played? The tune-ups to the AO are a question mark. IW seems to be cancelled already. And no one understands the point system anymore. Roger is a question mark for the AO. Does Novak win it again? How much of a gathering force is the "rest of the field?" Does Thiem come out as the "other" player to beat, or is Medvedev ready to be that one, or the 4th Beatle? Is Jannick Sinner really the best of the kids, or is someone else going to break out? And this is a delayed Olympic year. All thoughts welcome.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The end of 2020 is approaching, and not a minute too soon for most of us. Time to make predictions for 2021. Maybe the first question is how much of the calendar even gets played? The tune-ups to the AO are a question mark. IW seems to be cancelled already. And no one understands the point system anymore. Roger is a question mark for the AO. Does Novak win it again? How much of a gathering force is the "rest of the field?" Does Thiem come out as the "other" player to beat, or is Medvedev ready to be that one, or the 4th Beatle? Is Jannick Sinner really the best of the kids, or is someone else going to break out? And this is a delayed Olympic year. All thoughts welcome.

Just posted on the ATP General News the ATP tour calendar for weeks 1-7 for 2021

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak has made the AO his own to date,I am picking him to win it again.
I am interested to see if Medvedev can produce his good form he showed in winning Paris and ATP Finals
Rublev continue his good form of 2020? I hope so
I am a big fan of Sinner his overall game translates to all surfaces,he is young,still I do not think many players would like to see him in their draw at the AO.
Sasha showed good signs towards the latter tournaments in 2020,maybe Ferrer is bringing out the best in him,still his mental ability to me in big points needs is still a question mark and also his serve can give him fits.
On a personal note I would love for Rafa to win the AO in 2021.....we gonna see no?

Because of the uncertainty of the tour and the expected cancellation of Indian Wells tournament again,though I am hearing that it could be moved to another date? I am only thinking of the AO at present.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I would say the safest bet that will happen in 2021 is that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will win 1 major each therefore Nadal will surpass Federer in the all time Men Grand Slam titles.

The other safe bet in 2021 is that a player other than the Big 3 will win a major (I do not know who will it be).

Finally, I would not be surprise if we see some spectators at the Olympics in 2021.

 

[Moxie]

I'm with Margaret that I would love Rafa to win the AO again this year. Finally the double career Slam. A second chance has been owing. But no one bets against Djokovic. I do like Rafa again for the French, though. I'm very interested to see how Thiem and Medvedev, particularly, come out of the gate.

I'm guessing that Roger is signaling that he won't go to Melbourne for the AO. He sounds like he's going to focus on the summer.

The post-AO without IW, and still in COVID could be as wild and wooly as 2020 has been. Who knows what will happen...when and where?

And the 2020 Olympic Games should finally be played. Travel to and from with (presumed) still quarantine will be tricky, after Wimbledon and before the US Open swing.

 

[Horsa]

I'm glad this year is almost over. It's been mainly about bad news. When it got to St. Andrews Day, I thought I could celebrate it then start celebrating Xmas like I normally do then I got more bad news. I've gone back to celebrating Xmas (as much as possible anyway as all Xmas events & parties have been cancelled due to this virus) as well as continuing with my "home-work" now. Then I'll plan for the New Year & hope that it's better than this 1. I hope things go back to normal (or as normal as possible anyway) next year but don't hold out much hope for that.

As I'm apprehensive about how quickly things will go back to normal I chose the last option.

As I've been talking so much about Xmas & New Year, I'd just like to wish everyone a Happy 1.

 

[shawnbm]

It is hard to bet against Novak in Melbourne, but I will go with Medvedev coming through. Nadal is still the guy to beat in Paris and I will stay on course and pick Dominic to come through there. I will hold off on SW19 and New York until later this year. It will be a year of significant change from past years me thinks. Happy New Year to all and may all have a safe and prosperous 2021!!!

 

[Moxie]

It is hard to bet against Novak in Melbourne, but I will go with Medvedev coming through. Nadal is still the guy to beat in Paris and I will stay on course and pick Dominic to come through there. I will hold off on SW19 and New York until later this year. It will be a year of significant change from past years me thinks. Happy New Year to all and may all have a safe and prosperous 2021!!!

Hey, Shawn! Nice to see you around, and also to see someone willing to go for a prediction. I was kind of wondering if @mrzz had paid you money to bet against Novak and Rafa in the first 2 Majors of the year. He has not been around to make his annual prognostication that THIS is the year that the Big 3 stop winning Majors. I kid. I will say that this could be the year to make those two choices, and fair to hold off on the later part of the year. Who really knows what anything is going to look like by June, much less tennis. Of the two favorites to win the first two Majors of the year, you still have to put your money on Nadal for the French. As to the AO, Djokovic seems to be distracting himself again with the politics, which doesn't help his cause. I'd love for Rafa to finally get his 2nd AO win, but Medvedev could easily be my 2nd choice. Some might say Thiem, based on last year and the USO win, but I like Medvedev's game more, when he holds his head together. As to Roland Garros, Thiem may have one in his future, but not, I think, after Rafa won it so comprehensively just a few short months ago, and against so many odds. He sent a big signal that he's not giving up territory there any time soon.

 

[shawnbm]

Hey, Shawn! Nice to see you around, and also to see someone willing to go for a prediction. I was kind of wondering if @mrzz had paid you money to bet against Novak and Rafa in the first 2 Majors of the year. He has not been around to make his annual prognostication that THIS is the year that the Big 3 stop winning Majors. I kid. I will say that this could be the year to make those two choices, and fair to hold off on the later part of the year. Who really knows what anything is going to look like by June, much less tennis. Of the two favorites to win the first two Majors of the year, you still have to put your money on Nadal for the French. As to the AO, Djokovic seems to be distracting himself again with the politics, which doesn't help his cause. I'd love for Rafa to finally get his 2nd AO win, but Medvedev could easily be my 2nd choice. Some might say Thiem, based on last year and the USO win, but I like Medvedev's game more, when he holds his head together. As to Roland Garros, Thiem may have one in his future, but not, I think, after Rafa won it so comprehensively just a few short months ago, and against so many odds. He sent a big signal that he's not giving up territory there any time soon.

I am not really betting against Nadal in Paris. But if someone is going to do it, my pick is the young Austrian--who now has the confidence he can win the big ones after New York and the manner in which he accomplished it. Should be an interesting few months.

 

[Sabratha]

No doubt Nadal's the favorite for Roland Garros but every given year someone new inches closer to dethroning him there (for good). Everyone has a used-by-date.

 

[tented]

No doubt Nadal's the favorite for Roland Garros but every given year someone new inches closer to dethroning him there (for good). Everyone has a used-by-date.

When it happens, it seems likely it will be Thiem on the other side of the net.

 

[Sabratha]

When it happens, it seems likely it will be Thiem on the other side of the net.

I think one of these years an unpredictable unknown big hitter like Soderling may dethrone Nadal. Thiem may be the one to enjoy the spoils in the final, however.

 

[shawnbm]

I picked the Russian in Melbourne and was proven wrong by the Serbian Slayer. Who knows with RG and Nadal? He could run it again even though I think the Austrian is most likely to hoist that one if any other does.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

My prediction is that RG will unfortunately be cancelled and that GOATdal will win his 21st slam at either Wimbledon or the USO.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

My prediction is that RG will unfortunately be cancelled and that GOATdal will win his 21st slam at either Wimbledon or the USO.

The French lock down is until the end of April so let us see.RG does not start until May 23rd,maybe like last year fans will not be allowed.

 

[Jelenafan]

My prediction is that RG will unfortunately be cancelled and that GOATdal will win his 21st slam at either Wimbledon or the USO.

if the dreaded 3rd covid surge in Europe goes on unabated, I could certainly see RG being postponed again unfortunately. Even with increased vaccination if the numbers don’t improve the public mood might not be conducive to hold it in May.

IMO The more vulnerable Major is Wimbledon. Roland Garos could be scheduled later in the year but if Wimbledon isn’t played in the short window it’s going away Again.

But I’m cautiously optimistic they will both be played this spring/summer.

 

[Front242]

My prediction is that RG will unfortunately be cancelled and that GOATdal will win his 21st slam at either Wimbledon or the USO.

If RG is cancelled (and it's very possible at this stage) they'll presumably postpone it like last year so it'll be within 3 weeks of the USO. If that happens, good chance Nadal will skip the USO again as he did last year which leaves Wimbledon with Djokovic the heavy favourite. Nadal doesn't suddenly become the favourite at Wimbledon after 11 years.

 

[Carol]

If RG is cancelled (and it's very possible at this stage) they'll presumably postpone it like last year so it'll be within 3 weeks of the USO. If that happens, good chance Nadal will skip the USO again as he did last year which leaves Wimbledon with Djokovic the heavy favourite. Nadal doesn't suddenly become the favourite at Wimbledon after 11 years.

Well, if RG is cancelled then Nadal would have more chance to do much better in WB. Novak the last two years has won WB very tight and of course he is far to be the most favorite like Nadal is in RG. And I don't think this year (unless an injury or the pandemia is getting worse and worse) Nadal is going to skip the USO

 

[Front242]

Well, if RG is cancelled then Nadal would have more chance to do much better in WB. Novak the last two years has won WB very tight and of course he is far to be the most favorite like Nadal is in RG. And I don't think this year (unless an injury or the pandemia is getting worse and worse) Nadal is going to skip the USO

I'm only saying he'd likely skip the USO if it's postponed to the same time as last year, potentially leaving him drained and/or a bit bashed up before the French Open which obviously he doesn't want. Fully expect him to play otherwise. Djokovic might not have won Wimbledon too convincingly of late but he's still the favourite there regardless.

 

[Moxie]

I'm only saying he'd likely skip the USO if it's postponed to the same time as last year, potentially leaving him drained and/or a bit bashed up before the French Open which obviously he doesn't want. Fully expect him to play otherwise. Djokovic might not have won Wimbledon too convincingly of late but he's still the favourite there regardless.

I agree with you...if they put RG after USO, I expect Rafa to skip it. It worked out for him last year, and he'll just be a year older this one. Also agree that Djokovic will be the favorite at Wimbledon, unless he has a real slump and Roger comes back to the grass in vintage form. And even then....