2014 Crystal Ball

[Moxie]

Well for starters I hope we get to see a new Slam semi-finalist in 2014 as we did in '13 with Wawrinka and Janowicz. Over the last couple of years with the sole exceptions being 2011 and 2012 there was always at least one new member arriving in the "semis club".
Starting with...

2007: Gasquet, Djokovic, Gonzalez, Ferrer
2008: Tsonga, Murray, Monfils
2009: Verdasco, Delpo, Soderling
2010: Cilic, Melzer, Berdych
2011: nobody
2012: nobody
2013: Janowicz, Wawrinka
2014: ???

Who could it be in 2014?

realistic: Raonic, Kohlschreiber, Dimitrov, Nishikori
maybe: Pospisil, Gulbis, Fognini, Simon, Isner, Almagro
unlikely: Flo Mayer, Robredo, Anderson, Tomic, Paire, Istomin, Dodig, Dolgo
a-man-can-dream: Delbonis, Busta, Smyczek, Haase, Stak, Sijsling

Anyway, would be nice to see one of them having a shock run into the semis blowing up the establishment.

I'm bumping this post by Didi, because it's discussion-worthy, and responds to herios' point about new Slam SF-ists.

Looking back to 2013, this was a blockbuster year for mens tennis, with 2 main headlines:
1. The fall of Roger Federer from 2 to 6 ranked player, with only 1 250 event won
2. The return of Rafa Nadal, who captured once again Number 1 ranking.

Will be next year as eventful as this year? Difficult to say. But I think it will. Men's tennis was totally dominated for 2 years 2011-12 by the top 4, that has now ended.
Will there be some new or younger faces in the top 10?
Or new SF or Finalists in slams, like Ferrer this year?
I hope both wil become true.

The "Big 4" may still feature, depending on how Federer responds in 2014, obviously. But Didi has an interesting list of players who might make more noise next year. It does seem impossible that 2014 won't hold some surprises, though.

 

[ClayDeath]

its the return of the big 4 in 2014.

that is how I am seeing it. andy has already proven himself. he is a proven winner at the highest level in this sport.


only a matter of time before he takes his rightful place among the elite of the sport.

 

[herios]

Well for starters I hope we get to see a new Slam semi-finalist in 2014 as we did in '13 with Wawrinka and Janowicz. Over the last couple of years with the sole exceptions being 2011 and 2012 there was always at least one new member arriving in the "semis club".
Starting with...

2007: Gasquet, Djokovic, Gonzalez, Ferrer
2008: Tsonga, Murray, Monfils
2009: Verdasco, Delpo, Soderling
2010: Cilic, Melzer, Berdych
2011: nobody
2012: nobody
2013: Janowicz, Wawrinka
2014: ???

Who could it be in 2014?

realistic: Raonic, Kohlschreiber, Dimitrov, Nishikori
maybe: Pospisil, Gulbis, Fognini, Simon, Isner, Almagro
unlikely: Flo Mayer, Robredo, Anderson, Tomic, Paire, Istomin, Dodig, Dolgo
a-man-can-dream: Delbonis, Busta, Smyczek, Haase, Stak, Sijsling

Anyway, would be nice to see one of them having a shock run into the semis blowing up the establishment.

I'm bumping this post by Didi, because it's discussion-worthy, and responds to herios' point about new Slam SF-ists.

Looking back to 2013, this was a blockbuster year for mens tennis, with 2 main headlines:
1. The fall of Roger Federer from 2 to 6 ranked player, with only 1 250 event won
2. The return of Rafa Nadal, who captured once again Number 1 ranking.

Will be next year as eventful as this year? Difficult to say. But I think it will. Men's tennis was totally dominated for 2 years 2011-12 by the top 4, that has now ended.
Will there be some new or younger faces in the top 10?
Or new SF or Finalists in slams, like Ferrer this year?
I hope both wil become true.

The "Big 4" may still feature, depending on how Federer responds in 2014, obviously. But Didi has an interesting list of players who might make more noise next year. It does seem impossible that 2014 won't hold some surprises, though.

The Big 4 may still feature or not. I think is over. At least it got discontinued. I am expecting Del Potro to take charge at AO and catapult himself into the top 4, because he has only 180 points to defend there. while Andy Murray has 1200. The difference between them is less than 500, so his chances are very good to pass Andy after OZ and once there, his seeding for the bigger events this spring could make a difference.
If that scenario happens which is very likely, because Andy had his surgery and might not be full strength comes OZ, then 2 out of the former big 4 will be out of the top 4, that is why I am not seeing them to resume their domination.
Also I am not seeing Roger gaining any ground before March, as he defends a SF at OZ, which could be a tough task as well for him, when he will enter seeded 5-8.
That is what MY CRYSTAL BALL says.

 

[herios]

its the return of the big 4 in 2014.

that is how I am seeing it. andy has already proven himself. he is a proven winner at the highest level in this sport.


only a matter of time before he takes his rightful place among the elite of the sport.

We will see who's vision will come true. We are on opposite sides

 

[Kieran]

The Big 4 may still feature or not. I think is over. At least it got discontinued. I am expecting Del Potro to take charge at AO and catapult himself into the top 4, because he has only 180 points to defend there. while Andy Murray has 1200. The difference between them is less than 500, so his chances are very good to pass Andy after OZ and once there, his seeding for the bigger events this spring could make a difference.
If that scenario happens which is very likely, because Andy had his surgery and might not be full strength comes OZ, then 2 out of the former big 4 will be out of the top 4, that is why I am not seeing them to resume their domination.
Also I am not seeing Roger gaining any ground before March, as he defends a SF at OZ, which could be a tough task as well for him, when he will enter seeded 5-8.
That is what MY CRYSTAL BALL says.

Good post! Actually, I'd love somebody else to win a slam - or two. It's gone a bit like the WTA in the 80's, same old faces smashing every available record. Some new blood would be welcome - or even some recent blood, like DP, if he can rouse himself that far...

 

[DarthFed]

Well for starters I hope we get to see a new Slam semi-finalist in 2014 as we did in '13 with Wawrinka and Janowicz. Over the last couple of years with the sole exceptions being 2011 and 2012 there was always at least one new member arriving in the "semis club".
Starting with...

2007: Gasquet, Djokovic, Gonzalez, Ferrer
2008: Tsonga, Murray, Monfils
2009: Verdasco, Delpo, Soderling
2010: Cilic, Melzer, Berdych
2011: nobody
2012: nobody
2013: Janowicz, Wawrinka
2014: ???

Who could it be in 2014?

realistic: Raonic, Kohlschreiber, Dimitrov, Nishikori
maybe: Pospisil, Gulbis, Fognini, Simon, Isner, Almagro
unlikely: Flo Mayer, Robredo, Anderson, Tomic, Paire, Istomin, Dodig, Dolgo
a-man-can-dream: Delbonis, Busta, Smyczek, Haase, Stak, Sijsling

Anyway, would be nice to see one of them having a shock run into the semis blowing up the establishment.

I'm bumping this post by Didi, because it's discussion-worthy, and responds to herios' point about new Slam SF-ists.

Looking back to 2013, this was a blockbuster year for mens tennis, with 2 main headlines:
1. The fall of Roger Federer from 2 to 6 ranked player, with only 1 250 event won
2. The return of Rafa Nadal, who captured once again Number 1 ranking.

Will be next year as eventful as this year? Difficult to say. But I think it will. Men's tennis was totally dominated for 2 years 2011-12 by the top 4, that has now ended.
Will there be some new or younger faces in the top 10?
Or new SF or Finalists in slams, like Ferrer this year?
I hope both wil become true.

The "Big 4" may still feature, depending on how Federer responds in 2014, obviously. But Didi has an interesting list of players who might make more noise next year. It does seem impossible that 2014 won't hold some surprises, though.

The Big 4 may still feature or not. I think is over. At least it got discontinued. I am expecting Del Potro to take charge at AO and catapult himself into the top 4, because he has only 180 points to defend there. while Andy Murray has 1200. The difference between them is less than 500, so his chances are very good to pass Andy after OZ and once there, his seeding for the bigger events this spring could make a difference.
If that scenario happens which is very likely, because Andy had his surgery and might not be full strength comes OZ, then 2 out of the former big 4 will be out of the top 4, that is why I am not seeing them to resume their domination.
Also I am not seeing Roger gaining any ground before March, as he defends a SF at OZ, which could be a tough task as well for him, when he will enter seeded 5-8.
That is what MY CRYSTAL BALL says.

I know you can't stand Murray but he will be right back where he belongs (in the top 3) by the end of RG. And assuming he is ready to go at AO no reason to think he won't make the SF at least.

Agreed about Roger, his play from AO to RG was certainly not great last year but the results weren't terrible and may actually prove hard to defend if he doesn't pick up his level. SF at AO and Dubai, final at Rome and QF at IW and RG. These would have been poor before last year but the game has changed. I think Roger's first chance to really climb the rankings will be at Wimbledon.

 

[Denis]

Ok here goes. I found a really nice crystal ball. Novak gets the calander slam (yes, you read that correctly) IF:

- Nadal does not improve;
- Murray does not improve;
- DP does not significantly improve;
- Novak does not encounter mental lapses when playing Murray and Nadal

I know, it's a pretty cool crystal ball I found. I think Wimbledon might be the most difficult one since that is not Novaks' best surface.

Let's hope we get some new players in the mix, that would be nice. The Fedster will be a nice poster feature for most QF at slams the crystal ball says. Reaching a semi would require him to meet Ferrer if Ferrer is ranked high enough, so maybe at Oz if he is lucky.

I think Murray will be ranked higher at the end of the season than now, but I don't think he'll win any slams, might suffer a post-Wimby dip in that respect. Nadal will be a machine for sure. I'm expecting many Rafa-Nole finals. Curious if we will finally see some Nadal - Murray matches again.

For the rest I have no reason to believe that the season will be very different from this year.

 

[kskate2]

Ok here goes. I found a really nice crystal ball. Novak gets the calander slam (yes, you read that correctly) IF:

- Nadal does not improve;
- Murray does not improve;
- DP does not significantly improve;
- Novak does not encounter mental lapses when playing Murray and Nadal

I know, it's a pretty cool crystal ball I found. I think Wimbledon might be the most difficult one since that is not Novaks' best surface.

:lolz: You are indeed funny Denis if you think one man will get a calendar slam with the men's field so deep right now.

 

[DarthFed]

I don't think Nole is winning Wimbledon again unless he gets an easy path to the final and faces Nadal instead of Murray. Rafa can definitely beat him on grass but that's a close call, Nole-Murray on grass is not. It might not be as ghastly as this year but I think Murray has a clear edge on Nole there.

 

[Moxie]

Ok here goes. I found a really nice crystal ball. Novak gets the calander slam (yes, you read that correctly) IF:

- Nadal does not improve;
- Murray does not improve;
- DP does not significantly improve;
- Novak does not encounter mental lapses when playing Murray and Nadal

I know, it's a pretty cool crystal ball I found. I think Wimbledon might be the most difficult one since that is not Novaks' best surface.

:lolz: You are indeed funny Denis if you think one man will get a calendar slam with the men's field so deep right now.

Don't mess with Kskate, Denny. She reckons she's got the Genuine Kskate Crystal Ballâ„¢ ("Accept no substitutes!") and she keeps that thing nice and shiny. : :laydownlaughing

 

[herios]

Ok here goes. I found a really nice crystal ball. Novak gets the calander slam (yes, you read that correctly) IF:

- Nadal does not improve;
- Murray does not improve;
- DP does not significantly improve;
- Novak does not encounter mental lapses when playing Murray and Nadal

I know, it's a pretty cool crystal ball I found. I think Wimbledon might be the most difficult one since that is not Novaks' best surface.

Let's hope we get some new players in the mix, that would be nice. The Fedster will be a nice poster feature for most QF at slams the crystal ball says. Reaching a semi would require him to meet Ferrer if Ferrer is ranked high enough, so maybe at Oz if he is lucky.

I think Murray will be ranked higher at the end of the season than now, but I don't think he'll win any slams, might suffer a post-Wimby dip in that respect. Nadal will be a machine for sure. I'm expecting many Rafa-Nole finals. Curious if we will finally see some Nadal - Murray matches again.

For the rest I have no reason to believe that the season will be very different from this year.

Don't worry Denis, I like your ball all right, looks actually better than mine, I might need one of that to to replace mine with it

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Here are my top 10 predictions for 2014 Season.

1. Nadal and Djokovic will win AO and FO (in some order).

2. Federer will win at least one big title (GS, WTF or ATP1000).

3. Del Potro will win at least one big title (GS, WTF or ATP 1000).

4. Gasquet will exit top 10.

5. Raonic will enter top 10.

6. If at all someone wins more than one of the five BIG titles (GS and WTF),
it will be Djokovic.

7. Switzerland will at least be a finalist in DC.

8. Nick Grygios will enter Top 100.

9. By end of 2014, Novak will get married, Andy will announce engagement and Stepanek will split up.

10. By end of 2014, Federer will have more children than the GS trophies that Murray will have.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

To find out what John Wertheim's crystal ball says read

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20131227/roger-federer-marion-bartoli-2014-tennis-predictions/