Men's Tennis Stars with the Most to Prove in 2017
In many ways, 2016 signifies a year of change for men's tennis.
With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal enduring injuries, we began to see glimpses of what life holds when those two icons retire. Their absence reduced the Big Four down to the dynamic duo of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Those bitter rivals reversed their roles in the second half of the season as Murray snatched the No. 1 ranking away to become the new king.
A younger generation also stepped up and emerged as contenders. They include Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and the always unpredictable Nick Kyrgios. Each of them displayed considerable talent, adding extra layers of depth at the top of the game.
Not to be forgotten, Milos Raonic's continued improvement saw him reach new heights, including his first Grand Slam final and a career-high ranking. Entering his prime, Raonic is rapidly unlocking the potential that could soon see him become a champion.
These developments will carry over into 2017, a season which figures to be a battle between the old guard and the new.
For a few specific stars, the spotlight burns extra brightly as they seek to answer questions about their future.
Nick Kyrgios
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Nick Kyrgios' 2016 season ended in ignominy: a suspension after being accused of tanking in Shanghai.
It's a shame that Kyrgios' errors in judgement overshadow his accomplishments, like the three titles he won or his six victories over top-10 opponents. He's a guy with everything in front of him, but his path is continually blocked by self-imposed barriers.
Mandated by the ATP to see a sports psychologist in the wake of Shanghai, the volatile Kyrgios says he's benefitted from doing so. The subsequent break also allowed him the opportunity to reflect.
As he told Australia's Fox Sports (h/t Tennis.com): "It's one way to look at (it), to get more time off with the people that you love, and I've been training as well. So it's set me up in good stead for 2017. It just gave me time to think about and analyze everything I've got to get better at."
Maturity and a sharp commitment to the game are the ingredients Kyrgios needs to take his career to the next level. All the physical tools are already there. In 2017, he'll have to decide whether he wants to be respected or vilified.
Kei Nishikori
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When 2017 rolls around, fifth-ranked Kei Nishikori will be 27 years old. A more important number for him is zero: his total of Grand Slam (and Masters Series) titles.
The agile, smart Nishikori is unquestionably one of the most impressive players in the world. Aside from his bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro, the Japanese ace won the Memphis Open and reached four other finals this year. But aside from a memorable victory against Andy Murray at the U.S. Open, he underachieved against fellow members of the top 10, going just 5-13.
Writing for The New Yorker, Louisa Thomas acknowledged that Nishikori is sort of stuck in a state of limbo.
"For years, Nishikori’s talent has been obvious. He is one of the most dynamic shot-makers on tour, fast and agile, with perfect strokes and incredible hands. Yet, despite his skill and high ranking, when the majors come, he’s rarely counted among the spoilers, let alone the favorites."
That stigma will continue to follow Nishikori until he breaks through to win big tournaments. A perfect microcosm of his predicament occurred at the World Tour Finals, where he lost three of his four matches, including a 6-1, 6-1 beatdown from Djokovic.
Nishikori belongs with the big dogs, but presently he's more bark than bite.
Rafael Nadal
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When Rafael Nadal won the 2014 French Open—his 14th Grand Slam title—many speculated about how soon he'd surpass Roger Federer's total. But 10 majors later, he's without a 15th victory. In fact, he hasn't even reached a semifinal during that span, only twice advancing to the quarterfinals.
Plagued by a series of injuries the past few seasons, the brittle Nadal's long downward slope makes one wonder if he'll ever become the player he once was. The physical style of play he employs takes a heavy toll on his body as the mileage adds up. Now 30 years old, he's running out of time to reverse that trend.
Calling 2017 a make-or-break season for Nadal isn't a stretch. With Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic leading the charge, the rebirth of Juan Martin del Potro and a new slew of young talent coming up, the ninth-ranked Nadal's at risk of becoming an afterthought.
But writing him off is a foolish endeavor. One of the greatest competitors the sport's ever produced, Nadal will go out swinging and give it his all to show people he's not finished. Maintaining a clean bill of health is conducive if he's to turn back the clock and become a champion once more.
Milos Raonic
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Milos Raonic might well be the most talented current player—man or woman—without a Grand Slam title.
Will 2017 finally be the year he gives up that distinction?
The soon-to-be 26-year-old Canadian keeps inching closer to the summit. He took another big step towards his destination at Wimbledon, defeating Roger Federer in a five-set classic to reach his first major final. Andy Murray would get the better of him in straight sets, but those two weeks marked significant progress for Raonic.
In 2016, Raonic began to progress in other areas of his game, improvements that helped him reach a new career-high ranking of No. 3. We all know how deadly his thundering serves are, but better returning fueled his rise.
As Craig O'Shannessy wrote for ATPWorldTour.com, "Raonic greatly improved his return game this season, evolving from a player too reliant on serving, to creating a more potent, balanced attack. He got the mix right."
That added nuance and balance turned Raonic into a legitimate contender. He's no longer a one-trick pony.
In his last match of 2016, a three-hour-and-38-minute epic against Murray in the World Tour semifinals, he played some of the boldest tennis of his career in defeat.
With Raonic growing more comfortable on the big stages, expectations are mounting for him to burst through his ceiling.
Roger Federer
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Roger Federer's ability to stave off time and remain relevant into his mid-30s is extraordinary. But not even the Swiss legend is immune from injury and decline.
His 2016 began with dreams of winning his first major title in four years and capturing a gold medal in singles at the Olympics. They unraveled after a semifinal run at the Australian Open, where Federer tore his left meniscus preparing a bath for his young daughters. It's sort of ironic that the man renowned for his elegance and finesse suffered an injury in such a fluky way doing an everyday task.
Trying to rush back into action, Federer wouldn't fully recover. After a back injury forced him out of the French Open (snapping his streak of 65-straight Grand Slam appearances), he played through the pain at Wimbledon. A rush of brilliance saved him from a two-sets-to-love deficit against Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals, but his run—and season—ended with a loss to Milos Raonic in the next round.
Opting for a full rehabilitation of his ailing knee, Federer began a hiatus following Wimbledon. His absence loomed large throughout the summer and fall, but it was necessary for him to focus on his health in order to continue playing.
Federer, in an interview with La Nacion's Isabelle Musy (h/t Gatto Luigi of Tennis World), reaffirmed his belief that 2016 wasn't the beginning of the end but rather just a roadblock.
"The goal is to be as stronger as ever in December before coming back better than what people expect. My dream is to keep winning Grand Slam events and comeback at the top of the rankings."
At age 35, Federer doesn't have many opportunities left to add that elusive 18th major. Down to 16th in the rankings, he'll face tougher draws upon his return. All of this adds extra meaning to whenever he plays as the sun continues to set on his storied career.
Novak Djokovic
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At the French Open, Novak Djokovic reached the pinnacle by defeating Andy Murray in the final to complete his quest for the career Grand Slam.
He was at the height of his powers, becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four majors. Talk of a calendar Golden Slam didn't seem all that far-fetched.
Things spiraled out of control afterwards, and he's yet to regain his footing. A win at the Rogers Cup in July marks the last time he's held a title. Dealing with distractions off the court, the normally zen Serb began fighting himself, showing cracks in his facade of calm.
Tension mounted in his camp with each maddening loss. Eventually, it lead to him relinquishing his No. 1 ranking and a mutual parting from coach Boris Becker, who questioned Djokovic's work ethic.
"He didn't spend as much time on the practice court in the last six months as he should have and he knows that," Becker told Sky Sports' Michael Kelleher.
Staring up at Murray, Djokovic has 4,000 points to defend as the reigning champion at the Australian Open, BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open. Not running the table—and that seems likely given the current status of his game—would give Murray extra breathing room.
The Djokovic team, which will again be led by longtime coach Marian Vajda and now includes spiritual advisor Pepe Imaz, has their work cut out for them. It's true that he's still right in the thick of things, but reclaiming his throne won't be possible unless he rediscovers what put him there in the first place: his passion and ability to handle pressure.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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