2009 Australian Open – Men’s Breakdown – Top 10 and Players to Watch
Once again, Nick’s Picks along with Tennis Week will bring you in-depth coverage of the Australian Open. We begin today with the breakdown of the Top 10 Men and the Players to Watch. Check back everyday for insight leading up to the Open and then throughout.
Top 10 Seeds
Can Andy Murray win his first Grand Slam down under?
Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 188 lbs.
D.O.B: 06/03/1986
Turned Pro: 2001
Current Ranking: 1
Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Hamburg, Roland Garros, Queen’s Club, Wimbledon, Canada, and the Olympics
2008 Australian Open: Semifinals
Nick’s Thoughts:
Rafael Nadal no longer has to play second fiddle to anyone. His record in 2008 clearly shows what he can do. His brand of tennis demands both his body and mind give 100% (and more) every time he hits a ball. No matter what he does off the court with his physical trainer, it doesn’t guarantee that he will not wear down!
The surface at the Aussie Open fits well into his game. He was a semifinalist last year and I am sure he will be a contender again this year. Nadal needs to take one match at a time and after each match he should plan his next one very carefully and save his energy. I would rather see him do that than put in heavy practice time because it will be easier on his body. I would never, never bet against the “Iron Man.” He is a credit to the game on and off the court, and will be a contender to win this title.
Roger Federer (SUI)
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 177 lbs.
D.O.B: 08/08/1981
Turned Pro: 1998
Current Ranking: 2
Plays: Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Estoril, Halle, US Open, and Basel
2008 Australian Open: Semifinals
Nick’s Thoughts:
There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not asked what has happened to Roger Federer. I cannot answer this per se, but I can tell you this: Roger is one of the very best to have played the game and his career is far from over. I am sure he is going to add a few more Grand Slam titles to his trophy case!
Federer is looking to start the year with a bang, and winning the Aussie Open would certainly qualify as such. If he wins this, the players will not be so eager to face him as they are now!
Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Height: 6′2″
Weight: 176 lbs.
D.O.B: 05/22/1987
Turned Pro: 2003
Current Ranking: 3
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Australian Open, Indian Wells, Rome, and the Masters Cup
2008 Australian Open: Champion
Nick’s Thoughts:
Novak, this is the deal: You are the defending champion!!! In 2008, things were up and down and he has already begun 2009 with a loss in the first round at Brisbane. If you look at his game there aren’t many weaknesses, but the unknown is what happens inside his head.
Having Djokovic on the tour is a great thing for the fans, but he needs to accept the time playing rules and stay out of trouble for bouncing that ball! The first week of the Aussie Open will be my concern for him. He must come prepared for the battle and be ready to play as soon as he steps on the court. I think he could get into trouble, but I seem him staying around until week number two.
Andy Murray (GBR)
Height: 6′3″
Weight: 175 lbs.
D.O.B.: 05/15/1987
Turned Pro: 2005
Current Ranking: 4
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Doha, Marseille, Cincinnati, Madrid, and St. Petersburg
2008 Australian Open: 1st Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Is there anybody hotter on tour than Andy Murray? He beat Federer and Nadal at an exhibition to start the year, and then beat Federer and Andy Roddick in Doha to capture the title. He reached his first career Grand Slam final at the US open, and I really feel this is the year that he wins a Grand Slam. For the last three years I have touted Murray as one of the best players on the tour, and he is now showing everyone how good he is and will be. After Federer, Murray would be my pick to win this tournament. He is just too good to lose early again like he did in 2008.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)
Height: 6′2″
Weight: 200 lbs.
D.O.B.: 04/17/1985
Turned Pro: 2004
Current Ranking: 6
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Bangkok and Paris
2008 Australian Open: Finalist
Nick’s Thoughts:
I love watching Tsonga play, and he will automatically get the Aussie fans on his side! His talents are undeniable and when you combine that with his ability to entertain you get one heck of a player. Last year was magical for Tsonga, and he is going to need to recapture some of that in 2009. He has a lot of points to defend here and cannot afford an early exit. Tsonga must also avoid the injury bug, as he missed pretty much the entire summer of 2008 due to injuries. If Tsonga is fully healthy, watch out!!
Gilles Simon (FRA)
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 152 lbs.
D.O.B.: 12/27/1984
Turned Pro: 2002
Current Ranking: 7
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Casablanca, Indianapolis, and Bucharest
2008 Australian Open: 3rd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Simon was one of the breakthrough players of 2008. For the first time in his career he is seeded in the top five of a Grand Slam (because Davydenko is injured), and with that comes a whole net set of pressures. Simon has never been past the third round of any Grand Slam in his career, and he needs to get into the second week on a more consistent basis to prove that he is a top five player. He plays well on the hard courts, and I look for him to get to at least the fourth round.
Andy Roddick (USA)
Height: 6′2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
D.O.B: 08/30/1982
Turned Pro: 2000
Current Ranking: 8
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: San Jose, Dubai, and Beijing
2008 Australian Open: 3rd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Roddick has a new coach, Larry Stefanki, and that has already paid dividends. Stefanki is one of the best in the industry, and with him at his side he reached the finals at Doha last week. We know what Roddick’s serve and forehand can do, and with the help of Jimmy Connors and Patrick McEnroe Roddick has really shored up his backhand. It is strange to think that Roddick has never been to the finals of this tournament, but I wouldn’t count him out this year. He needs a good draw, and if he gets one he has what it takes to be around at the very end.
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)
Height: 6′6″
Weight: 182 lbs.
D.O.B: 09/23/1988
Turned Pro: 2005
Current Ranking: 9
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Stuttgart, Kitzbuhel, Los Angeles, and Washington
2008 Australian Open: 2nd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Del Potro, like Simon, was one the big movers and shakers of 2008. He won four consecutive tournaments before the US Open and had a winning streak of 23 matches that helped propel him into the top 10. He has got the weapons and the talent to be a constant threat to win titles. Del Potro is still very young (only 20) and has a very bright future ahead of him. He’s never been past the second round down under, but this could be the year for him. I love Del Potro, but the question is: Does he have the physical stamina to win a Grand Slam? The engine ran out of gas at the US Open (and gas was pretty expensive back in September), and it was because he was overworked. If he can keep his energy up he is as good as anyone on the tour.
James Blake (USA)
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 183 lbs.
D.O.B: 12/28/1979
Turned Pro: 1999
Current Ranking: 10
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: None
2008 Australian Open: Quarterfinals
Nick’s Thoughts:
Blake has battled through many barriers, and now his age might be starting to catch up with him. He can play brilliantly on some points and then conk out on others! Blake is a fantastic guy and even when his career is over he will be successful in whatever he decides to do. Even though Blake is a top ten player, in my mind he is still a sleeper. If he gets into the second week he could be a guy that pulls off a big upset.
David Nalbandian (ARG)
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 175 lbs.
D.O.B: 01/01/1982
Turned Pro: 2000
Current Ranking: 11
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Buenos Aires and Stockholm
2008 Australian Open: 3rd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Nalbandian is a three-time quarterfinalist and has also been to the semis once at the Australian Open, but in the last two years he has failed to get past the fourth round. Nalbandian has always had issues with his weight and fitness which is unfortunate because he is incredibly talented. David can never be written off, but he lacks the physical make-up to go all the way.
Others to Watch
Gael Monfils (FRA)
Height: 6′4″
Weight: 177 lbs.
D.O.B: 09/01/1986
Turned Pro: 2004
Current Ranking: 13
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: None
2008 Australian Open: Didn’t play
Nick’s Thoughts:
There is no one I like watching more than Monfils. He slides, dives, spins, and is as entertaining as it gets on the tennis court. In fact, he should be in the Cirque du Soleil show! Having said that, Monfils has never been able to put it all together throughout an entire Grand Slam tournament. The closest he came was at last year’s French Open, where he reached the semis before losing to Roger Federer in four tough sets. This will be his fourth Aussie Open appearance, and he has never been past the third round. If he remains focused he is a threat to anyone.
Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
Height: 6′2″
Weight: 179 lbs.
D.O.B: 11/15/1983
Turned Pro: 2001
Current Ranking: 15
Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Umag
2008 Australian Open: 2nd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Verdasco has one of, if not, the best forehands in the entire game. It is a deadly weapon that has helped him climb into the top 20. The Aussie is the only Grand Slam that Verdasco hasn’t been to the fourth round of and I think he might just change that this year. Why, you ask? Because I feel he has more confidence after playing in the Davis Cup finals at the end of last year. He just reached the finals at Brisbane, and has what it takes to compete with the big boys.
Marin Cilic (CRO)
Height: 6′6″
Weight: 180 lbs.
D.O.B: 09/28/1988
Turned Pro: 2005
Current Ranking: 20
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: New Haven
2008 Australian Open: 4th Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Cilic is someone I have been high on for a while now. He is tall, moves well, and has big weapons from both sides. Last year he put the world on notice when he reached the fourth round as an 18-year old, and he has already won his first title of the year in Chennai. This kid is darn good. Watch out big boys!!
Radek Stepanek (CZE)
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 167 lbs.
D.O.B: 11/27/1978
Turned Pro: 1996
Current Ranking: 23
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: None
2008 Australian Open: 1st Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Stepanek lives and trains at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and his game is very predictable: He is steady, doesn’t want to over-hit, doesn’t have a huge weapon, and doesn’t have a big weakness. He forces the opponent to work overtime and you will hardly ever see him panic. Stepanek can go a long way (as he just did in Brisbane), but lacks the big guns to win the tournament.
P.S. He is a darn good volleyer!
Ivo Karlovic (CRO)
Height: 6′10″
Weight: 230 lbs.
D.O.B: 02/28/1979
Turned Pro: 2000
Current Ranking: 26
Plays: Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Nottingham
2008 Australian Open: 3rd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Karlovic spent a month at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy during the off-season training and working on his game. He focused on his backhand and believe me, he is hitting it better than he has ever has before. If he can hit the backhand consistently and add his low biting slice the entire ball game changes for him. That would be the icing on the cake for Ivo, because he already has the lethal forehand, super serve, and excellent volleys. Karlovic cannot play defensive from his backhand side throughout his tournament. When he is playing his best he can beat anyone in the world at anytime.
P.S He is also a true gentleman!
Ernests Gulbis (LAT)
Height: 6′3″
Weight: 169 lbs.
D.O.B: 08/30/1988
Turned Pro: 2004
Current Ranking: 51
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: None
2008 Australian Open: 1st Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Gulbis seems to pick up big wins, but he can never string them together to be a real threat to win a major tournament. Being ranked in the 50’s doesn’t allow him to get an easy draw, but a seeded player should be aware of what Gulbis is capable of doing. I think this may be the year that Gulbis asserts himself and he makes his move into the top 20. Look out for him in 2009!
Kei Nishikori (JPN)
Height: 5′10″
Weight: 150 lbs.
D.O.B: 12/29/1989
Turned Pro: 2007
Current Ranking: 59
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
2008 Titles: Delray Beach
2008 Australian Open: Didn’t play
Nick’s Thoughts:
Not many players made more of a splash than the young Japanese star, Kei Nishikori. He has trained at the Academy since he was a boy and has an outstanding support team behind him. This will be Nishikori’s first Aussie Open and he has only played in two other Grand Slam events in his career. He reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2007, where he beat Juan Monaco and David Ferrer before falling to Juan Martin Del Potro.
For many young players that join the tour the first couple of years can be hard on their bodies. We have worked extremely hard with Kei in the offseason to get him stronger and fitter in preparation for 2009. At the same time, he is still very young and this is going to be one of the obstacles he will have top hurdle to make his way up the rankings. I have a feeling this young boy will bring a lot of excitement to the Tour, and I think he is primed for a big year and ready to become a top 20 player. The entire IMG/Bollettieri Tennis Academy will be rooting him on!
Japanese Nishikori fans are relieved to learn his injury on his arm is minor. His first Australian Open will be tough for him because of his recent injury, but we are rooting for him all the way!
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