With his first ever Robin Round exit in the Season ending Masters Cup, Roger Federer now stands in serious danger of being relegated into the spot below. Yes, the Swiss star would be thanking his lucky stars that after starting the year some thousand points ahead of his nearest competitor, The World No. 2, he has not ended the year as the third best in the world.
Aided by Federer's early exit, Djokovic's Shanghai triumph has brought him menacingly close to snatching the Swiss' sleep. Federer may end the year as the World No. 2, but Djokovic is closer than ever to the spot now, trailing by a mere 10 points - yes Razor thin, the difference, but still a difference. And it is by the skin of his teeth that Federer hangs to to the No. 2 spot. He knows it, and so does Djokovic.
And this makes things interesting come Australia 2009, for the seeding itself is not predictable at this moment. Will Federer be able to cling on to his No. 2 spot, or will Djokovic go for the kill and get to lead the Bottom half of the Draw for the first time in his career?
The Difference in points can be easily covered and extended by either player at Doha / Brisbane prior to the Battle for supremacy at the Melbourne Park. Either which way, Federer knows he has got his work cut out and so does Djokovic at the first Major of the year.
But irrespective of how the ranking may possible change when the season kick-starts next year, as the Swiss and the Serb mentioned recently, both of them will have their eyes and hearts set on the Numero Uno spot, not the one beneath. It remains to be who will finally get to bite the apple - and of course a Brit and a Spaniard, among others, may have something to say on their part!
With the Winds of Change sweeping the Tennis world Now, 2009 will be a year looked forward to with much anticipation and not for just a couple of reasons.
All we can say is...Bring it on!
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