Tennis’s top ten players, how can they improve? (Part 1)
The top ten players on the Association of Tennis Professionals, or the ATP, have a strenuous year to look forward to in 2011. Near the end of the current decade, all four Majors tournaments have been played out and the next competition to take place will
be the Masters, near the beginning of the New Year.
The players will be fighting to maintain their points on the ATP ranking to keep from slipping to a lower position, this will require constant exercise, training and a gruelling practice regime. In this three part feature, some things that the top ten of
2010 need to improve as soon as possible are discussed. In Part I, the World’s top three tennis players will be analyzed.
World Number 1, Rafael Nadal: The 24-year old Spanish player has made tremendous progress at the game this year. He has completed his career Grand Slam with the hard court victory at Flushing Meadows, winning the 2010 US Open tournament.
Although, some might argue that he needs to fine tune his serve a little, the only major issue for Rafa this year is ensuring that he does not suffer an injury. The top player has suffered from trick knees this year, and they are possibly his only obstacle
next year. Experts concur that Rafa’s worst move would be overplaying at the fall hard courts, with the year-end championships not so far away. The young player is currently in Bangkok for the PTT Thailand Open.
World Number 2, Novak Djokovic: It is unanimously agreed that this 26-year old tennis pro from Serbia has enormous potential. He came closer to that same form in the last two rounds in New York at the 2010 US Open tournament than he has been in years, since
2008. Although, Djokovic might want to reassure himself of his Number 2 position by cementing it further, right now his focus should be the Davis Cup.
This is the first time that Serbia has had the chance to host the world’s premier international tennis event; hence it is up to Djokovic to put up a good performance. He should prioritize by putting the Cup above the ATP matches. So far, Djokovic seems to
be doing just that.
World Number 3, Roger Federer: Federer is now 29-years old, one of the most senior players in the Top 20 rankings. However, the Swiss player often called the Maestro, has made his priority the Grand Slam titles. Having achieved 16 victories in total at the
Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, the player seems fixed upon making a record of 20.
However, it is important for him to play in other big tournaments besides the Majors. It is the key to developing his confidence, so that he doesn’t become passive as he did during his semi final with consequent victor, Novak Djokovic. The secret behind
his victories is his aggressive gameplay. If he loses that, additional Grand Slam titles may become only a dream for Federer.
In the next installation, players Andy Murray, Robin Soderling and Nikolay Davydenko, and their game strategies will be discussed.
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