2015 - What Can We Expect?

[rafanoy1992]

I just want to add this: The last time a player won both the Australian Open and French Open in the same year was in 1992. Jim Courier accomplished this feat.

So, if winning the first two majors of the year is already tough enough, winning all four slams in the same year is almost impossible to do in the modern era.

 

[Fiero425]

I just want to add this: The last time a player won both the Australian Open and French Open in the same year was in 1992. Jim Courier accomplished this feat.

So, if winning the first two majors of the year is already tough enough, winning all four slams in the same year is almost impossible to do in the modern era.

IIRC, funny how Courier was holding 2 majors, but Sampras became #1 just before Wimbledon in '93! He hadn't been in a final of a major in almost 2 years ('91 USO), but he still ascended the thrown for good, cementing his coronation with his first Wimbledon title in '93; 7 overall! :clap :dodgy:

 

[Riotbeard]

No. 17 > 11 by a good margin. But he could well be on his way since winning say, 3 more slams after that (and he could well win more) would put him in the conversation. Anyway, this is fantasy talk for now.

I know it is fantasy...we are just having fun. The question is, 11 with a Grand slam versus 17 with none...how much of a game changer is it? Remember, none of the greats of the past 30 years could do it...

It would be an absolute game changer. The calendar year slam is the Holy Grail of tennis. If anyone did it, he would instantly be among the greatest who ever played, especially if they have the current resume that Nole has. Even more so if he finally beat Rafa in Paris, rather than just wait him out.

But nobody will do it next year. The old guard are getting on (Federer) or breaking down (Rafa) or settling down (Novak). And even if Novak played lights out next year, he's not consistent enough to win 28 slam matches in a row. Far as I know, for instance, Rafa will play in Paris, and even in a bad year (2014) he's shown that he's still prohibitive favourite there.

And Rafa won't do it either. Novak is favourite in Oz, but not so solid.

The two slams where nobody is favourite are Wimbledon and the USO. But they maybe the least interesting in 2015, and in Oz and Paris we may have huge eruptions of change. Inevitably, it has to happen in Paris. If Rafa won Oz, I wouldn't mind it at all, once it meant he took more time to get ready for Wimbo. The priorities for Rafa this year must be his health, and winning majors, with more slams off clay being a particular goal...

I think you are saying without evidence that Novak will be negatively effected by baby stefan. That being said of course, it is unlikely novak or anyone will get the calender slam. I would like Novak to make it into the double digit slam club on the back of one more 2+ slam year in his career. That would be pretty awesome.

I think next year will not be a 2011 for novak, but I could see him realistically bagging 2 slams, and would be shocked if he didn't get at least one. I think Novak is the favorite at Wimbledon next year (although by no means overwhelming). He has won 2 of the last 4 and been to the finals at 3 of the last 4.

I see another mediocre top 10 finish for Andy.

I see a surpise-ish slam winner.

Federer doesn't win another slam, ever (except on the legends tour). That's my view.

 

[Riotbeard]

I also think Kei gets a masters and another deep slam run.

 

[Billie]

Didn't I say it is hard to do, almost impossible (winning 4 majors)?

Yet some disregard that part and concentrate only on the second part of my sentence : if anybody could do it, it would be Nole. I am just having fun, but I knew in advance the reaction it would get. :laydownlaughing

My expectations for Nole is to do better than last year in Australia. He better!!!:exclamation: That is my immediate concern.

 

[Front242]

Better would have to mean winning it or who cares though really if a player just makes a semi instead of a quarter, etc!

 

[DarthFed]

I know it is fantasy...we are just having fun. The question is, 11 with a Grand slam versus 17 with none...how much of a game changer is it? Remember, none of the greats of the past 30 years could do it...

It would be an absolute game changer. The calendar year slam is the Holy Grail of tennis. If anyone did it, he would instantly be among the greatest who ever played, especially if they have the current resume that Nole has. Even more so if he finally beat Rafa in Paris, rather than just wait him out.

But nobody will do it next year. The old guard are getting on (Federer) or breaking down (Rafa) or settling down (Novak). And even if Novak played lights out next year, he's not consistent enough to win 28 slam matches in a row. Far as I know, for instance, Rafa will play in Paris, and even in a bad year (2014) he's shown that he's still prohibitive favourite there.

And Rafa won't do it either. Novak is favourite in Oz, but not so solid.

The two slams where nobody is favourite are Wimbledon and the USO. But they maybe the least interesting in 2015, and in Oz and Paris we may have huge eruptions of change. Inevitably, it has to happen in Paris. If Rafa won Oz, I wouldn't mind it at all, once it meant he took more time to get ready for Wimbo. The priorities for Rafa this year must be his health, and winning majors, with more slams off clay being a particular goal...

I think you are saying without evidence that Novak will be negatively effected by baby stefan. That being said of course, it is unlikely novak or anyone will get the calender slam. I would like Novak to make it into the double digit slam club on the back of one more 2+ slam year in his career. That would be pretty awesome.

I think next year will not be a 2011 for novak, but I could see him realistically bagging 2 slams, and would be shocked if he didn't get at least one. I think Novak is the favorite at Wimbledon next year (although by no means overwhelming). He has won 2 of the last 4 and been to the finals at 3 of the last 4.

I see another mediocre top 10 finish for Andy.

I see a surpise-ish slam winner.

Federer doesn't win another slam, ever (except on the legends tour). That's my view.

We will see about that, I don't think Roger is a total scrub yet. Call it a bold prediction but I don't think his 2015 will be any worse than this past poor season, most likely it will be better.

 

[Billie]

Better would have to mean winning it or who cares though really if a player just makes a semi instead of a quarter, etc!

Yes, winning it would be the best scenario. But doing better than last year would be a positive thing for me, I am not that greedy.

 

[DarthFed]

You should be . Greed is a virtue

 

[Billie]

You should be . Greed is a virtue

No, I'll leave it to you. You can wish all you want, but it doesn't matter, you are not the one playing.

Besides, I like it when Nole pleasantly surprises me.:snigger

 

[brokenshoelace]

Novak will win 4 slams and 9 Masters 1000 events. But will pull out of the WTF final citing injury, before winning the Davis Cup a week later. It will officially cement the Novak era.

 

[Fiero425]

Novak will win 4 slams and 9 Masters 1000 events. But will pull out of the WTF final citing injury, before winning the Davis Cup a week later. It will officially cement the Novak era.

I think his 2011 season has already cemented Nole's era! In a lot of ways, he's underachieved; losing matches or titles within his grasp! It may seem a bit harsh, but it's happened enough times to take note; even his title wins being made more complicated by not serving out a match on several occasions! I feel anything from here on is gravy; sorta like when Borg won a few Wimbledons and all those FO's! No one's going to feel sorry for him because he never achieved a USO title! He was still elevated to God-Like status and continues to hold the respect of the tennis community even after 30+ years of retirement! There are only a handful who are lauded as much with admiration and awe!

I think Nole has secured his legacy even if he never takes another title! We all know he will add to his numbers and prove he's better than other players who have more majors! He's closing the gap in his head to head record with Rafa, unlike Roger who's woefully behind to his closest rival! I just never thought we'd see anything like Sampras again; even giving him a pass without a FO, but we've all been fortunate to see history being made that may not be surpassed in another 30 years! We've seen 3 players in quick succession win 3 majors in a season; Federer 3 times! Add on the career Grand Slams of Nadal and Federer since Agassi, it's quite possible it'll occur again with Nole within the next year or 2! :clap :angel:

 

[Riotbeard]

It would be an absolute game changer. The calendar year slam is the Holy Grail of tennis. If anyone did it, he would instantly be among the greatest who ever played, especially if they have the current resume that Nole has. Even more so if he finally beat Rafa in Paris, rather than just wait him out.

But nobody will do it next year. The old guard are getting on (Federer) or breaking down (Rafa) or settling down (Novak). And even if Novak played lights out next year, he's not consistent enough to win 28 slam matches in a row. Far as I know, for instance, Rafa will play in Paris, and even in a bad year (2014) he's shown that he's still prohibitive favourite there.

And Rafa won't do it either. Novak is favourite in Oz, but not so solid.

The two slams where nobody is favourite are Wimbledon and the USO. But they maybe the least interesting in 2015, and in Oz and Paris we may have huge eruptions of change. Inevitably, it has to happen in Paris. If Rafa won Oz, I wouldn't mind it at all, once it meant he took more time to get ready for Wimbo. The priorities for Rafa this year must be his health, and winning majors, with more slams off clay being a particular goal...

I think you are saying without evidence that Novak will be negatively effected by baby stefan. That being said of course, it is unlikely novak or anyone will get the calender slam. I would like Novak to make it into the double digit slam club on the back of one more 2+ slam year in his career. That would be pretty awesome.

I think next year will not be a 2011 for novak, but I could see him realistically bagging 2 slams, and would be shocked if he didn't get at least one. I think Novak is the favorite at Wimbledon next year (although by no means overwhelming). He has won 2 of the last 4 and been to the finals at 3 of the last 4.

I see another mediocre top 10 finish for Andy.

I see a surpise-ish slam winner.

Federer doesn't win another slam, ever (except on the legends tour). That's my view.

We will see about that, I don't think Roger is a total scrub yet. Call it a bold prediction but I don't think his 2015 will be any worse than this past poor season, most likely it will be better.

I don't think Roger is a scrub. I think he will have a roughly equal season to this year, but I don't think he will get a slam. I think his best last chance came and gone, but it's certainly not impossible. I am just using my crystal ball to make a prediction.

Edit: forgot the "not" in "Not impossible"

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

I really think borna coric could bust his way though to the top 20 by end of 2015, he is atp ready.

he's got mental equilibrium and court iq and speed and decent serve already, plus feathery shots n stuff. I really think it could happen.

 

[tented]

We will see about that, I don't think Roger is a total scrub yet. Call it a bold prediction but I don't think his 2015 will be any worse than this past poor season, most likely it will be better.

I don't think Roger is a scrub. I think he will have a roughly equal season to this year, but I don't think he will get a slam. I think his best last chance came and gone ...

Yeah, I agree. He came awfully close at Wimbledon this year, of course, but I doubt he will get even that close again.

 

[DarthFed]

I think you are saying without evidence that Novak will be negatively effected by baby stefan. That being said of course, it is unlikely novak or anyone will get the calender slam. I would like Novak to make it into the double digit slam club on the back of one more 2+ slam year in his career. That would be pretty awesome.

I think next year will not be a 2011 for novak, but I could see him realistically bagging 2 slams, and would be shocked if he didn't get at least one. I think Novak is the favorite at Wimbledon next year (although by no means overwhelming). He has won 2 of the last 4 and been to the finals at 3 of the last 4.

I see another mediocre top 10 finish for Andy.

I see a surpise-ish slam winner.

Federer doesn't win another slam, ever (except on the legends tour). That's my view.

We will see about that, I don't think Roger is a total scrub yet. Call it a bold prediction but I don't think his 2015 will be any worse than this past poor season, most likely it will be better.

I don't think Roger is a scrub. I think he will have a roughly equal season to this year, but I don't think he will get a slam. I think his best last chance came and gone, but it's certainly impossible. I am just using my crystal ball to make a prediction.

It's fine I'm just giving you a little grief. Theoretically Roger should be worse next year than he is this year but the margins are small as we know. He could be mediocre 90% of the time and great 10% and if the 10% is 1 or 2 of the GS events then I'd take that over this year where it was kind of the opposite (he was great everywhere except GS, and he was pretty good at Wimbledon). I also think this is a bit of a building block year, new racquet and coach and rebuilt confidence. His motivation should be sky high with Nadal threatening to make his career look a lot less great than it currently is and the fact he hasn't done anything in 2 years too.

 

[Kieran]

Federer played 85 matches this year. That's more that even Daveed Ferrer. And now he's off in India somewhere, when he should cryogenically frozen and supping life-force through a straw, in an effort to rest his back and weary old bones.

I think 2015 could well be a hard year for Federer. Not even he can defy time forever...

 

[DarthFed]

^ He hasn't defied time the last couple years either though, has he?

 

[Kieran]

^^ Comparatively, he certainly has...

 

[herios]

^ He hasn't defied time the last couple years either though, has he?

Yeah and at one point the chicken will come home to roost...

I am predicting, unlike you of course, a worst year for Roger.
He is playing with fire, when he plays this much.
IMO, DC title was his last big title.
No more slams or YEC title for him.