Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Del Potro: Outlooks for 2011

*This article is in response to Ms. Vijaylakshmi Shetty's post.

The tennis season has come to an end—we can hardly wait for the next season to begin.

Tennis fans around the globe witnessed dominance in its purest form. In the World Tour Finals, Roger Federer played like he did from 2004 to 2006—not vintage Federer, not the Federer of old, but just Federer.  

He made the top eight look like qualifiers who were too excited or amazed to play a shot well. Federer almost bagelled Rafael Nadal! Oh, but of course, Nadal has an excuse: A three hour match surely tired him, the great athlete he his.

Hello, Johnny Mac!

After a fascinating year, let's see what should be in store next season:

Rafael Nadal had an excellent year, winning three grand slams and plenty of Masters 1000 titles.

Next year, expect Nadal to win Wimbledon. For a very strange reason, I don't see Nadal winning at Roland Garros.

But of course, he'll have many more chances to beat Borg's record. At the Australian Open, Nadal can definitely reach at least the semifinals, but I see Murray or Djokovic beating him. 

At the French Open, maybe Del Potro or Soderling can beat Nadal. At the U.S. Open, Nadal probably will make the quarterfinals, only to be ousted by a big-hitter.

The battle for No. 1 will be at full heat, but he will lose the No. 1 ranking.

Roger Federer is on the rise. He defeated Nadal in three sets and made it look easy! Federer should win the Australian Open and possibly the French Open. He should also finish the year No. 1.  

At Wimbledon, Federer might be beaten in the semifinals and at the U.S. Open, bet on a finals appearance. We should see Fed's slam tally skyrocket to 18.

Novak Djokovic had quite an up-and-down season. He made the semifinals at Wimbledon and the final at the U.S. Open. Djokovic should make the semifinals at the Australian Open, quarterfinals at the French Open, quarterfinals at Wimbledon and semifinals at the US Open.

Andy Murray. Oh, what a sad case! The Scot should make the quarterfinals at all the grand slams bar the Australian Open. Expect a finals result down under.

Next year, we'll see the "next champ" Juan Martin del Potro! Well, we have seen him this year, but only one round here, one round there.

First round losses at the Australian Open and French Open should do for the young Argentine. There should be an improvement of one round at Wimbledon, and a fourth round result at the U.S. Open.

2011 is mysterious, but hopefully my "crystal ball" has given me some "enlightenment!"