2009: (What a) Year Ahead in Tennis
There is excitement in the air as the new pro tennis season gets underway… Every year there are questions, rumors and debates regarding who will win the Grand Slams, who will end the year Number One, what new player will break through, etc. However, 2009 feels more intriguing than past years. On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal faces many challengers as he strives to maintain his place as the Number One ranked player. Roger Federer clearly wants both the Number One ranking back, as well as another Grand Slam
title or two as he chases Pete Sampras’s record of 14 Grand Slams. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is on their heels as well as players such as Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and others such as the talented Frenchmen, i.e. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet. The ATP World Tour will also be welcoming a new CEO in 2009.
On the women’s side, the questions are focused on which players will firmly establish themselves at the very top of the game and battle it out for the Number One ranking and Grand Slam titles. Women’s tennis has had several dominant Number One players, but 2009 feels like a transition year. There are many players in the mix this year, more contenders than in past years. For example, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic, Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, Dinara Safina, all have a realistic chance to win a Grand Slam title and end the year Number One. Even a former Grand Slam Champion such as Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, Amelie Mauresmo, who is working with a new coach, or U.S. Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, could challenge the top players with a few wins under their belt prior to a Grand Slam. Answers begin with the first Grand Slam of the year down under in Australia…
On the women’s side, the questions are focused on which players will firmly establish themselves at the very top of the game and battle it out for the Number One ranking and Grand Slam titles. Women’s tennis has had several dominant Number One players, but 2009 feels like a transition year. There are many players in the mix this year, more contenders than in past years. For example, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic, Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, Dinara Safina, all have a realistic chance to win a Grand Slam title and end the year Number One. Even a former Grand Slam Champion such as Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, Amelie Mauresmo, who is working with a new coach, or U.S. Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, could challenge the top players with a few wins under their belt prior to a Grand Slam. Answers begin with the first Grand Slam of the year down under in Australia…
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