The tennis world had its share of intriguing stories during 2008.
Tennis newsThe tennis world had its share of intriguing stories during 2008.
Whether it was Rafael Nadals remarkable play, Roger Federers struggles, or the revolving door atop the WTA rankings, there was rarely a dull moment.
Expect more of the same when the new season begins in January. As we head toward the start of 2009 season, here are 10 questions to consider.
1. Can Rafael Nadal win a hardcourt major?
With four straight French Open titles, the Spaniard already is considered the best claycourt player ever. Nadal also broke through for his first Wimbledon victory on the lawns of the All England Club this past summer.
Yet, for all hes done, Nadal has never played in the final of a hardcourt major, going 0-for-10 combined in his career at Australia and the U.S. Open.
His nagging knee problems always seem to creep up in conjunction with the wear-and-tear of hardcourt swings and of his 11 losses this past year, 10 occurred on hardcourt.
He did capture two of his ATP-leading eight titles on the surface in 2008, but he clearly comes back to the pack when he plays on the hardcourt.
Rafa will dominate the middle portion of the schedule again, but dont expect to see him hoisting a trophy in Australia or Flushing Meadows.
2. Will Justine Henin come out of retirement?
Dont hold your breath. All indications are that the Belgian is content pursuing her education and taking part in her tennis clinics.
Because Henins retirement in May seemed like such a knee-jerk reaction to a few setbacks, there were plenty of people who thought she would regret the decision and reconsider.
She hasnt, and good for her. If only all of us could be happily retired at age 26.
3. Is James Blake fading?
This was a weird year for Blake, who hung around in the top-10 all season and finished at No. 10.
He made two finals and on both occasions suffered stunning upsets to players with no business beating him – Kei Nishikori and Marcel Granollers.
Then he went to the Beijing Olympics in August and beat Roger Federer for the first time in nine career meetings.
Of course, after that he didnt beat a player ranked higher than 30th the rest of the year and declined to play in Americas Davis Cup semifinal tie against Spain, citing fatigue.
Blake, who will turn 29 in December, is without a title since winning in 2007 at New Haven.
While his chances of a Grand Slam title are long gone and his days in the top-10 numbered, its hardly time to write Blake off altogether.
He came into 2008 fresh and played great to start the year, reaching the quarters at the Australian Open.
Dont expect the title drought to continue in 2009.
4. Can Maria Sharapova overcome her shoulder injury?
Sharapovas agent said she is recovering and will likely be able to defend her title at the Australian Open in January.
Whether shell be able to actually retain that title is another story.
Sharapova has not played competitively since July, when she was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff tendon in her right shoulder.
In late 2007, Sharapova revealed that she had been bothered by bursitis in the shoulder. The pain started to get worse when she aggravated the injury at Indian Wells in March, but she continued to compete until the problem was eventually discovered.
This shoulder has been nagging her for the past two seasons and it doesnt appear to be an injury thats just going to go away.
Sharapova has been advised that a strength and conditioning program – as opposed to surgery – will help remedy the situation.
Lets hope so, because there have been whispers that this problem could be a career-ender, and tennis cant afford to lose one of its most recognizable faces.
5. Whats wrong with Roger Federer?
Ummm, lets see. Made the semifinals at the Australian Open while unknowingly suffering from mono, lost the French Open final to the greatest claycourt player of all-time, narrowly lost the Wimbledon championship in an epic five-set battle with Nadal, and won the U.S. Open for the fifth straight year.
Whats wrong with Roger Federer is that he set the bar so high for so many years that anything less than perfection becomes a doomsday scenario.
The back problem that ended his season a bit sooner than expected is a point of concern, but if its not a lingering issue, look for the 13-time Grand Slam champion to make a statement this season.
6. Can Jelena Jankovic win a Grand Slam?
I hear many observers stating that its just a matter of time for the current world No. 1.
Sorry to say, Im not so sure of that. While Jankovic is fun to watch and one of the games most charismatic players, she has yet to prove that she can win when the spotlight is brightest.
The Serb certainly has been competitive at the majors, finishing as a finalist at the U.S. Open and turning in semifinal showings at the Aussie Open and Roland Garros.
Additionally, she has shown time and time again that she can beat the best players in the world.
However, there just seems to be something missing in those big spots.
7. Can Andy Murray win a Grand Slam?
For this guy, it IS just a matter of time. And wouldnt it be something if he became the first local since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon.
The Scot proved himself this season, reaching his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open with an impressive win over Nadal in the semis.
Murray lost to Federer in the championship at Flushing Meadows, but that was his only loss to the Swiss star in four meetings this year.
He won five titles in 2008 and ended the year ranked fourth. Murray is confident and appears primed for a career season.
8. How many majors will Venus and Serena Williams win in 2009?
More than one seems to be the safest bet – the Williams sisters have captured two or more Grand Slam events in seven of this decades nine years.
Serenas victory at the U.S. Open was her ninth major championship and Venus owns seven, having defended her at Wimbledon over the summer (by beating her sister in the final).
Since Venus can seemingly roll out bed and beat elite players on grass, theres no reason to think she cant claim her sixth Wimbledon title this year.
Serena had gone six majors without a title prior to taking the U.S. Open. The slump is over and shell be the favorite in Australia come January.
9. Can Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stay healthy for a full season?
If history is any indicator, no. But it would be great to see what the French No. 1 could do over a full campaign.
Despite missing almost three months due to a knee injury, he rose from 38th to sixth in the rankings this year and made headlines in January with his surprising run to the Australian Open final – where he lost to Novak Djokovic.
Injuries have been all to common for the 23-year-old, however, as hes been sidelined several times since 2004 with various ailments including a herniated disc and two shoulder injuries.
Having missed the French Open and Wimbledon this past summer, Tsonga is in good position to make a serious move in the rankings if he can stay healthy during 2009.
10. Can Ana Ivanovic return to the top of the rankings?
The 21-year-old Serb appeared to be a star in the making in June when she won her first Grand Slam championship at the French Open and ascended to No. 1 as a result.
But Ivanovic fell off the map after that and didnt reach another final until late October, when she captured her third title of the season at Linz.
She was dealing with a thumb injury post-Wimbledon and had more bad luck at the year-end championships, as she was forced to quit due to illness.
But those setbacks aside, Ivanovic never seemed particularly driven after the triumph at Roland Garros.
If motivated, theres no doubt she has the ability to reclaim the No. 1 ranking which she held for nine weeks this year.
Thursday, November 27th, 2008 at 11:00 pm and is filed under Tennis news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
