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End of year Tour wrap up! |
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Written by David Sammel
Thursday, 20 November 2008 02:02 |
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 The
Shanghai Masters is over and the picture for next year
promises “swashbuckling entertainment”. It will be a
brave man who predicts the 2009 end of year Numero Uno.
Nadal has an unbelievable year to defend; Djokovic and
Federer less so with Murray even less. We know how
hungry Novak and Andy are to become number one and both
will work extremely hard in the off season. Nadal is
Nadal and if humanly possible he will be ready, but
hopefully his knees are not going to need surgery or
impede the progress of this fantastic example to any
sportsman in the world in any sport. His attitude to
competition is incredible backed up with humility.
Federer needs to sacrifice with an intensely hard off
season (in my opinion) if he is to regain the Locker
Room Power he possessed. He needs to make a statement to
the others at the beginning of the year that he is more
ready and stronger than he has ever been because
although he is still a great player there are many
players who now believe they can beat him. This makes
more matches that much tougher and the energy he needs
to use to win is extended. He now has the other “Big 3”
to beat in the Slams plus a gaggle of dangerous
believers just behind in Tsonga, Del Potro, Simon and
possibly Gulbis and Almagro (on clay). Federer is
arguably the greatest ever but it is possible he will
fail to win another Slam, although he is still my
favourite for Wimbledon if he sacrifices in the off
season. Australia will be really interesting. Djokovic
came back well to win the end of year Masters but more
is the pity that fatigue played a part in Murray not
making the final. I have admiration for Davydenko as a
fantastic pro who gets everything he can from his game
but unless he wins a major he will never be box office.
Winning a major transforms people in much the same way
as politicians evolve into statesmen if they become
President or Prime minister……it’s a confidence of
someone who has arrived in a unique position that only a
privileged few achieve. The older and more experienced I
become the more I value and respect the enormity of
winning 7 matches in a row in a Grand Slam, the momentum
and mental strength that this challenge demands. It is a
rare and precious commodity and can never be taken for
granted.
I keep saying the same thing about the women's game! The
women need a number one who is constantly the girl to
beat, the player setting the benchmark who can then be
joined as Federer has been firstly by Nadal and latterly
by Murray and Djokovic, all of whom bring a level of
consistency to the table. Venus and Serena are the
natural pace setters as Venus showed in Doha but
amazingly it was her first end of year Championship win!
Serena never plays more than 11 tournaments and Venus
around 13 so just not enough to consolidate the No1
position. I therefore hope Sharapova returns with the
same hunger and ability to serve as well. Shoulder
surgery has finished many a career. She is a natural
leader. Jankovic could be growing into the part but
needs the slam to cement a leadership role, whilst
Ivanovic needs the consistency. However the woman’s game
is interesting in that it is wide open and opportunity
abounds for any young player to emerge, talking of which
Britain has a gem in Laura Robson. Give her 3 years and
she could be a sensational star.MCTAStefania Boffa has been flying the flag with Fitzpatrick
injured and Vucic having a period of training (currently
qualified and in the 2nd round in Central America in his
1st tournament back). Anna has the all clear and will
resume tournament play in 2009. Stefi is within touching
distance of top 200 doubles after winning Glasgow 25K
(with Elliot) and last week made the final of the Jersey
10K. We also added a new player with great potential.
Jez flew out today and will begin Andy’s off season
training next week and we welcome Jim Edgar as a part
time coach to the MCTA and my daughter Roxanne as an
assistant trainer to Jez Green. She has recently
qualified as a level 3 personal trainer, sports
therapist masseur and nutritional advisor. Having played
tennis, she, like Jez is uniquely placed in
understanding players added to which her years of
experiencing Jez as her trainer helps perpetuate the
MCTA philosophy.
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