Last week Amy shared her five wishes for the 2013 tennis season. I mostly agreed with hers, but I have a few wishes of my own:
1. For Quisner to be together in the top 10.
Okay, so does anyone remember two years ago when John Isner and Sam Querrey finished the year ranked No. 18 and 19 in the ATP Rankings and both seemed destined to keep climbing higher and higher in the name of talent and friendship? Just me? Well, of course, it didn’t quite happen that way. Sam Querrey fell through a glass table and got derailed for a couple of years. John Isner had a rough 2011 but then climbed up to the top 10 with a stellar few months in 2012. But because nothing is straight-forward with these two boys, Isner had some completely inexplainable losses the 2nd half of the season, just as Querrey was beginning to find his form.
Now they sit at No. 14 (Isner) and No. 22 (Querrey) in the rankings. Like it or not (hint: I love it), these two boys are the face of American men’s tennis for the next few years as Harrison (and Young?) get their act together. My wish is for both of them to find their form at the same time and climb back into the exclusive top 10 forever. Or at least for a month or two.
2. Venus Williams to win Wimbledon.
Look, a wish list doesn’t have to be realistic, does it? I just really want Venus to win Wimbeldon again. Singles, not doubles. She showed this year at times that when she is healthy and motivated she can compete with anyone. She finally won her first title in two years in October, and I think that with the Olympics pressure off and her ranking up she will be able to pick a schedule that best suits her physical needs and that will allow her to peak at the right time. The right time for her has always been Wimbledon. And really, do you want to be the one to count Venus Williams out?
3. Someone outside the Big 4 to win a Major.
Not to be a party pooper or anything, but I’m ready for a party pooper. I know that having a dominant Big Four has been God’s gift to the tennis universe, but I’m sorry. I’m bored. I need a surprise, a shock to the system, a Cinderella story. I need Delpo to pull a US Open 2009 again. I need Berdych to really put it all together. I need Jo to stop being so…Jo. I need Jerzy Janowicz to really go mad. I need SOMETHING. Anything. I just need the ATP to stop being so predictable on the biggest stages.
4. Agnieszka Radwanska to beat Victoria Azarenka.
Radwanska and Azarenka were the story of the first six months of the year, the clear No. 1 and No. 2 on the WTA tour. But Azarenka’s six wins over Radwanska in five months sort of put a damper on what was otherwise a fun rivalry. If Radwanska could solve her Azarenka problem, it would go a long way to putting her in contention for a Grand Slam and making the WTA tour even more interesting than it already is.
5. Julien Benneteau to win a title.
This one is self explanatory. Enter all the 250s you can, Benny. The weeks before and after Slams are particularly ripe for the picking, so plan your schedule accordingly. Time is running out!
of all your wishes I’d love the one concerning Venus to come true,yeah,that one:)
That’s the one I want to come true the most!
Totally on board with the Aga, Venus and no.3, I wouldn’t mind at all! Is it too much to ask?!? 😐
I hope not Sandy!! Fingers crossed.
The one regarding Julien Benneteau made me laugh out loud. I am with you on the Venus bandwagon. A Wimbledon title in singles would make every Venut jump for you. I want Azarenka to solidify her stay at the top ranking. I want a new narrative in men’s tennis. I really don’t care too much but a breakthrough for any player would make men’s tennis so much more interesting. Look what happened when we had breakouts on the women’s Tour.
I’m with you Karen. I really think the WTA is in such great shape for the rest of this decade, while I think the ATP is in huge trouble once Rafa and Djokovic and Murray begin to decline. Although at this rate Federer will outlast them!
1. Will not happen – would use caps but I will respect the writer
2. Will not happen 51% – Hopefully, Venus and Serena will aim for the calendar Slam in doubles
3. Will not happen – Big 4 too good
4. Will happen on red clay
5. Will not happen – Benneteau plays good for only one week a year like Llodra
So great to have you at The Changeover, Master Ace!
I think it’s interesting that you think that Aga will beat Vika on red clay, a surface she has not proved herself on (outdoors at least). I hope you are right! And hey–Benny only needs to play well for one week to win a title!
I am thinking that red clay is also Victoria’s worst surface. Other than Serena, Victoria is HC queen and Victoria destroys Agnieszka on grass.
I see a few people on here from the TW. This format is like old times.