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12/23/09 5:23 AM | Ricky Dimon
As the 2010 ATP season rapidly approaches, it’s time to take a look at ten Top 100 players (in order of their ranking) who will be under pressure next year.
Novak Djokovic – Djokovic won more matches than anyone else on tour in 2009, but he came up short at the Grand Slams, failing to reach a final and appearing in only one semi. He will have to change that in 2010 if he wants to overtake Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, or just to hold off Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro.
Andy Murray – Like Djokovic, Murray had little to complain about in 2009 outside of the Grand Slams. However, also like Djokovic, the Scot failed to make it back to major final and he reached just one slam semi. Murray is only 22 years old, but it is time for him to win on the biggest stage in tennis.
Tomas Berdych – You are supposed to be on the rise in your early 20s, but Berdych has been on the decline. After wrapping up 2006 at No. 13 in the world, Berdych finished 2007 at 14th and concluded each of the past two seasons at 20th. If the 24-year-old Czech does not make the most of his talent and live up to his potential soon, his career will go down as a disappointment.
Marcos Baghdatis – A former Top 10 player, Baghdatis has been crippled by physical problems in each of the past two seasons. It might be hard to believe since the Cypriot has already been around for a long time, but he is still just 24 years old. He has time to return to Top 10 status…but the clock—especially given his propensity for injury—is ticking.
James Blake – Blake has been counted out before in his life, and he is certainly being counted out right now. At 29 years old (30 next week) and falling fast in the rankings, Blake could be at the end of the road following his 2010 campaign if he does not turn things around.
Richard Gasquet –Gasquet’s forgettable 2009 (both on and off the court) was defined by the cocaine scandal, which sidelined him for two critical months. The Court of Arbitration for Sport threw Gasquet a lifeline by letting him return full time in 2010; now it’s time for Gasquet to make the most of his second chance.
David Nalbandian – Hip surgery pretty much destroyed Nalbandian’s 2009 campaign. It’s a long way back for the Argentine, a former world No. 3 who is now 64th in the world, and his age (28 on New Year’s Day) is not conducive to returning from injury. Nalbandian needs to get going right away.
Philipp Petzschner – A relatively late bloomer on the ATP Tour, the 25-year-old Petzschner peaked at 35th in the world in September of this year, but he flamed out down the stretch and currently sits at No. 80. The future is now (or never) for Petzschner.
Dmitry Tursunov – A mainstay of the Top 30 between 2006 and 2008, Tursunov dealt with all kinds of injuries in 2009 and now registers at No. 89 in the world. At 27 years old, it is now or never for the Russian if he wants to return to prominence.
Ernests Gulbis – One of the most talented players in the sport, Gulbis lost his way both on and off the court in 2010. The Latvian is just 21 years old, so recovering from such a dismal year can be done. Recovering from two years like the one he endured in 2009, however, seems impossible. Already a Grand Slam quarterfinalist (2008 French Open), Gulbis needs to return to that level and he needs to do it now.
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with all the talent nalby has.....he just has to play a lot of matches at a higher level to make a sound comeback.....i kinda missed his backhand this year....wat a treat it is....gr8 rotation of the hips,body positioning and immense spin...whack......
vrael , 12/24/09 4:20 PM
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Nalbandian is going to make a strong return, I'm pretty sure of that.
He has been playing some exhibitions matches here in Argentina against Baghdatis, Gaudio, Massu and Moya and he looked really impressive!
Emiliano55 , 12/23/09 1:42 PM