Top Ten Thoughts about Tennis in 2010 Part III
The tennis season is officially over for both the Association of Tennis Professionals and the Women’s Tennis Associations, and pro tennis players will breathe a sigh of relief as the off season finally kicks in for a well deserved break after a long year.
However, the year’s longevity isn’t the only thing it is noticeable for; 2010 was by far one of the most thrilling and surprising seasons to be played in this decade. This is a fitting closure to the decade. While the players may be resting, the critics and
fans certainly aren’t; there is a sense of eager anticipation in the air for 2011, and the exciting end to this year has only pumped up their enthusiasm. Many spectators are still blown away by the phenomenal performance of Federer, and are already predicting
happenings for the next year in tennis. This year has indeed been one to bookmark, with a surprise at every turn. 2010 will be remembered as the year of comebacks of Thomas Muster, as well as that of a career Grand Slam and substantial improvements Rafa. The
Spaniard took away the US Open and managed to make it to the final of the Barclay’s ATP World Tour Finals, a surface which he has professed to be his worst nightmare. The first two parts of this series detailed six of the most interesting points to keep in
mind for this year and the next. The third and last instalment of this three-part feature discusses the last four of the ten thoughts.
1. French tennis pro Nicolas Mahut deserves to be issued some wild cards for tournaments in the coming year. The right handed player debuted in 2000, and at the age of 28 is still a viable player. In addition to this, former World Number 1 Thomas Muster
has also made an unexpected and serious return to the game. This is not easy for a player of Muster’s age. The 43-year-old should be issued a wild card at the French Open clay courts in Roland Garros; after all, Muster did win the tournament in 1995.
2. Another player to remember and keep in mind is 22-year-old Marin Cilic. The tennis pro from Medjugorje debuted in 2005, and at six feet six inches is one of the tallest players on the tour. Although his game might have faltered, especially during the
clay season, Cilic has a tradition of beginning the year on the right foot. He is definitely someone to watch out for in January, where he will be making his usual strong start.
3. Yet another player to be on the lookout for is Marcos Baghdatis. The 25-year-old Limassol player is definitely planning a big comeback, after dropping out of this year’s Davis Cup in order to train once again and focus on getting back into the ATP’s top
ten players. Despite the fact that he was injured, Baghdatis still managed to end the year as World Number 20.
4. For most tennis fans, it is only a matter of waiting, especially since the two week reduction of the Association of Tennis Professionals season will not be put in action until the year 2012. The month of December is all that stands between yet another
11 month long season. The anticipation is only increased in this time, which the ATP seems to know – it is already setting up advertising campaigns for next year’s season-ending event.
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