The Tennis Galaxy is abuzz with action both on and off the court. Let us take a quick look at what is happening in the tennis world.
Big 4
All paths in the ATP converge to the Big 4. In this section let us see what the Big 4 are up to.
Rafael Nadal did not have much time to celebrate his ascent to the number 1 ranking. Such is the nature of the busy world that a world class athlete like Nadal exists in. He has bigger and more important things to deal with and the topics Nadal discussed during his interviews at Shanghai ranged from the PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma therapy) treatment he received for his knees to his views on too many hard court tournaments being played. Rafa also joined Djokovic in voicing their support for Victor Troicki regarding the doping case Troicki has been dealing with. His week went from bad to worse with the “beat down” [as Brad Gilbert would put it] he received from Juan Martin Delpotro. Nadal next plays in Roger Federer’s home town event Basel.
Novak Djokovic continued his white-hot fall season run by adding the Shanghai crown to his Beijing title. In a final that was filled with supreme shot making from both sides of the net, by Djokovic and his opponent, Delpotro, Djokovic hit that all-important last shot to claim his 2nd ATP Masters 1000 title of the season. The year end no.1 is almost a done deal, can Nole do some last minute magic like he tends to do in his tennis matches? The Tennis Galaxy eagerly awaits. Please take a look at some of the magical display from Djokovic and Delpotro, below.
Roger Federer continued to stumble and falter in what is officially his worst tennis season in a decade. He lost to Gael Monfils at Shanghai – his first event since the US Open. Federer’s biggest shot for the week came off-court where he decided to end his 3-years coaching relation with Paul Annacone.
Juan Martin Delpotro deserves a honourable mention in our Big 4 as Andy Murray is recuperating from his back injury [Good Luck and hope to have you back soon Andy!]. His tennis in Tokyo and Shanghai has been in Big 4 league and it would be hard to find anyone who has anything negative to say about this gentle giant from Tandil. His racquet and shot-making have been far from gentle, as you must have seen in the video above.
Rest of The ATP
The rest of the ATP head to tournaments in Moscow, Stockholm and Vienna. Of note, will be Richard Gasquet, Milos Raonic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who are 3 of the 5 players in contention for 3 possible spots in London. Federer and Wawrinka being the other two. Gasquet is in Moscow, Raonic in Stockholm and Tsonga in Vienna, to make sure they can seal one of the spots in London.
Also, of special mention is a brief return for Joachim Johannason – the guy I thought would be the next big thing in Swedish Tennis, if not ATP – back in 2005 that is. Talking about Swedish Tennis, Robin Soderling has started his own brand of tennis balls – RS
Enjoy Tennis and Life, folks…………..
SportzCosmos 
nice summary. although feel strongly that Federer is just a brand now (he is the number 1 brand in men’s tennis even now), not a player to be in top 4. Ferrer/ Berdych should be in the top 4. I feel there is no coming back of federer into the top 4 in the near future or future there after.
JayK:
I think Federer is going to make another run at the top 4…. he is making the right moves…. let us see where it will get him!
He might or he might not, till he doesn’t he isn’t. I wish him the best, if he does make a come back, I think the GOAT race ends there and then.
Don’t really see a Federer comeback at all.
I agree with Roger Laver. I think Fed still has some good tennis left in him to get to another GS final. Let’s face it, the -so-called “Big 3” are also getting older and will become more injury prone as the years begin to take their toll on their bodies. Murray is already showing signs of breakdown with his back problem, and his ever-constant split knee-cap. And, Nadal has umpteen maladies that come up, without warning, whenever he goes deep in a tournament. The only one who’s injury exempt at the moment is the djoker, but he also seems to have a few niggles, but we only hear of them whenever he loses.. Thus, none of the “big 3” is without problems. But, as the saying goes, if you play, then you’re fit.
Federer’s main problem is his back, coupled with his advanced tennis years. he does have quite a lot of miles on his legs and other body parts, but with adequate rest between GS, I think he’ll win some more titles. However, regardless of his health and advancing tennis years, he’ll always be a threat whenever he plays. That said, let’s not count him out just yet. Allez Fed!!!
Stan’s game is very similar to Fed’s, but his one-handed BH is even more formidable, because he’s got a very strong physique ala as the Brits say “beefy boy”. I do not doubt djoker and nadal are going to be happy to see him on their side of the draw. I liked his classy way of celebrating his GS victory, which is so much more refreshing and pleasing to the eye, viz. the cave man howls and shirt ripping of the incredible hulk. Go Stan, give them some hell — stand up, be counted and respected.
I’m hoping that my fave JMDP will get over his wrist problems (he hits too hard) and be a very consistent force to give the top 3 some headaches, and make the domination by those 3 a very unpredictable state of affairs whenever he shows up in the slams. At the present time, with the draw format the top guys do not have anything in the way of tough competition until maybe R16, and the QFS going forward. It would be nice to to see Rounds 1 through 4 much more competitive, instead of only QFS through finals. Unfortunately, the majority of the early matches are a huge “yawn” due to lack of self-belief in themselves; they lose their matches against the so-called “big 3” in their locker rooms before even taking the court.
Truly no matter if someone doesn’t know after that its up to other viewers that they will assist, so here it happens.