Tennis Players Who Have Improved Their Reputation the Most in 2014
The year of 2014 in tennis is nearing its completion. Trophies have been raised and winning cheques collected across the globe by a whole host of ATP and WTA stars, including those in the four biggest tournaments of them all in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.
One of the most captivating things about the sport is observing the changes in momentum throughout the year, sometimes related to the change in playing surface. Players hit solid runs of form at different points in the season, causing rankings to shift.
There is an almost constant swinging of a pendulum as players fight to break into the upper echelons of both the men’s and women’s circuit. Things are constantly changing from week to week in tennis.
For the ATP World Tour, everyone seems to be waiting for the Big Four to be dismantled by the future generation coming through, or by other more established, experienced players who sense vulnerability in those four men.
On the ladies’ side of the coin, we’re effectively looking for someone to challenge Serena and perhaps dominate when she decides to call it a day.
But who has really risen to the challenge in 2014 on the ATP and WTA tours?
Some important tournaments still remain to be played, but we’re going to look at who has made a positive name for themselves so far this year; those players that have either risen up the rankings and/or who have shown that they could have a say in the Grand Slams in the considerable future.
These people could be featuring in the headlines in 2015.
Honourable Mentions
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Nick Kyrgios
We all know what he achieved at Wimbledon, beating one of the greatest of all time in Rafael Nadal. He beat two higher-ranked players in New York (Mikhail Youzhny and Andreas Seppi) in making the third round there.
He’s currently at a career high of world No. 51 at the age of 19. He’s got a booming serve, explosive power off the ground, flair and confidence in his game. Add Thanasi Kokkinakis and recent U.S. Open boys singles and doubles champion Omar Jasika into the mix, and it’s very exciting times for Australian tennis.
Karolina Pliskova
The 22-year-old, tall Czech has been improving year-on-year. She’s definitely outdoing her twin sister Kristyna and is now positioned at No. 32 in the rankings.
She scored a great victory over Ana Ivanovic at the U.S. Open and reached the final in Hong Kong last week, eventually being defeated by Sabine Lisicki. She’s also reached finals in Nuremberg and Thailand.
Pliskova has got a big game, with a strong serve and forehand, and could be one to watch in the next couple of years.
Jiri Vesely
We continue with another young Czech, who rose almost 200 places up the rankings in 2013. It was always going to be a difficult task for Jiri Vesely to follow that this campaign. He did hit a career high of No. 66 in June but is back down to No. 78 as of 15 September.
The 21-year-old has produced some impressive performances along the way this year. He defeated Gael Monfils in the second round at Wimbledon; he ran Stanislas Wawrinka close at the U.S. Open, taking him to a tiebreak in two of three sets; and it took Andy Murray three sets to beat him in Indian Wells.
Vesely doesn’t make the main cut because he hasn’t improved greatly on last year, but he’s still working hard to eventually push himself right up the rankings.
The All England Club obviously see some potential in him too, after they awarded him a wild card for Wimbledon this year. Surely the only way is up for the Czech.
Stan Cracks into the Big Four in Australia
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We’ll start off with the Swiss earthquake that rocked Melbourne Park, cracking the games of the world’s top two. 2014 seems to have flown by but, in a bizarre paradox, the Australian Open feels like ages ago.
Early in 2013, Stan Wawrinka was desperately close to outlasting Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open fourth round. He lost 12-10 in the fifth set, in a match lasting over five hours. That contest was a sign that he had a chance at breaking through to the top level.
Late in the same year, at the U.S. Open, the Swiss No. 2 again lost to Djokovic in a tight five-setter. This time, the match was a semi-final (Stan’s first last-four Slam appearance). He was getting closer.
At the start of 2014 though, he was finally triumphant over the Serb. He took the match 9-7 in the fifth to avenge those last two hard-court Grand Slam meetings and make the semis.
Tomas Berdych was dealt with next, to set up a final with then-world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.
Stellar play from Wawrinka earned him the first set before the Spaniard faltered through injury and could barely get up to serve.
Nadal fought on but was eventually beaten in four sets, remarkably securing a first Grand Slam title for the Swiss.
After that victory, he was expected to push on and keep challenging for (and winning) majors. Pete Sampras himself said to BBC Sport that Stan was the “real deal.”
But Wawrinka hasn’t got particularly close since then at the other three Slams of 2014. Barring a great title in Monte Carlo (beating countryman Federer in the final), he has struggled to find that consistent level that he showed in the fortnight in Australia. He’s also back down to being Swiss No. 2 once more, at No. 4 in the world, but that is mainly down to the very consistent year that Federer has had.
Despite these struggles though, the Australian Open alone is enough to improve his reputation on the tour. His win has shown others, like recent U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic, that beating the Big Four can be done.
Cilic commented to BBC Sport before the final in New York: “Wawrinka opened the doors for us from the second group. Most of the guys have now bigger belief they can do it at the Grand Slams. It's a bit of a change-up year."
Stan’s game is certainly big enough, with his thumping serve and beauty of a backhand, to get close to doubling his Slam tally in 2015. Together with Magnus Norman, he needs to work hard in the offseason on his fitness and make sure he knows what he wants to do with the ball when he’s on the court.
The Only Way Is Halep
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Out of the limelight and in a quiet, measured manner, just like her demeanour on court, Romanian Simona Halep has developed into a major player in the women’s game.
At the tender age of 22, she’s already the second-best female in the world. With a lot of time on her side, can she be the one to take over when the Serena whirlwind sweeps away?
Her performances in 2014 leave us no reason to doubt it. She was magnificent in the Roland Garros final against Maria Sharapova, narrowly losing in three sets in a compelling match on Court Philippe Chatrier. Sharapova’s experience of Grand Slam finals carried her through in that one, but now Halep has a taste of what it’s like to play on the biggest stage possible.
After that thrilling contest, Simon Briggs of The Telegraph described Halep in this way: “She is an elegant and lightning-fast player that reaches balls that other players would not even consider to be worth chasing.”
She plays a very aesthetically pleasing and beautiful style of tennis. She’s a wonderful mover and defender. Despite obviously not being the most powerful player in the women’s top 10, her shots are aggressive. More importantly though, she is very precise in where she places the ball. “Places” is the correct verb to use too, as her ball-striking seems effortless and planned way in advance.
This particular point (against Agnieszka Radwanska in Indian Wells) shows her moving her opponent around the court with confident and precise—but high-percentage—groundstrokes, finished off with a delicate touch.
Other highlights this year for the young Romanian have been a run to the semis at Wimbledon, where she lost to Eugenie Bouchard, and trophies in Doha and at home in Bucharest.
She’s just been very consistent throughout, as reflected in her ranking of No. 2, and maybe she’ll take that extra step in 2015 to win a first Slam title.
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Grigor 'Showtime' Dimitrov Senses Glory
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More than anyone on the ATP tour, Grigor Dimitrov is the guy who we are waiting for to really shake up the top of the rankings. In fact, the Bulgarian is the player that most seemingly want to break through, because he possesses all the tools to be a star and drive the game forward (and because he plays the most like Roger Federer of the young guys).
On court, he is wonderful to watch, with his fluid groundstrokes and flair. Off the court, he’s got the looks and high-profile girlfriend (although this is subject to current speculation from Tennis World via International Business Times) to become idolised by fans.
What about 2014 though? Dimitrov’s ranking has improved from No. 23 (at the end of 2013) to his current No. 10. He’s now a deserved and genuine fixture inside that top 10.
This season he has won three titles on three different surfaces (in Bucharest, Acapulco and London’s Queen’s Club). Apart from an iffy first-round loss at Roland Garros, his performances at the Grand Slams were the best of his young career. He reached the last eight at Melbourne Park and took a set off finalist Rafa in their quarter final matchup.
England’s grass courts proved to be his most favoured surface though. He beat Feliciano Lopez in a barnstorming final at the Queen’s Club. Then, a few weeks later, he demolished a poor Andy Murray on his home Centre Court at Wimbledon. It was a convincing performance that commanded the Bulgarian a position at the top of the men’s game.
The resulting semi-final against Novak Djokovic may have lingered in the mind of Dimitrov for a few weeks after the outcome had been decided. Three set points at 6-3 in the fourth set tiebreak were squandered and the Serb managed to take the match in four. He was right there with Djokovic though and that experience of a Grand Slam semi-final will help him going into 2015.
It’s been a hugely promising year for Grigor. His tough and testing work with taskmaster coach Roger Rasheed has improved his fitness no end. He’s always had the ability to play swift and powerful offensive tennis but strong defensive skills and movement are absolutely essential on the current ATP tour.
His reputation is consistently on the rise. There’s a great chance he’ll claim a maiden Slam title in the next couple of years.
Wozniacki Getting Back to the Top
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2014 has been a year that former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki won’t forget in a hurry. As she keeps being reminded by the media, she’s no longer with top golfer Rory McIlroy. It’s done her tennis the world of good though (and his golf too).
Her level during the North American hard court swing was arguably better than it was when she was reigning over the rankings in 2010 and 2011. She had a phenomenal run at the U.S. Open recently but unfortunately didn’t play her best in the final against best friend Serena Williams. The match against Maria Sharapova in the fourth round was outstanding.
After McIlroy winning two golf major titles this summer, it would have been some story had the Danish lady, who is still only 24, been able to claim her first Grand Slam crown in New York. However, nerves seemingly let her down a little and it was always going to be Serena’s day.
But to be recovering from a miserable breakup and respond with a Grand Slam final and strong runs in Montreal and Cincinnati, is mightily impressive. She has dedicated her life back to tennis and it is paying off considerably.
Another thing to respect about Wozniacki is her friendship with Serena Williams. The two have faced each other three times on court this summer and go hammer and tongs at each other out there. But, off the court, they get on like a house on fire, and spent lots of time with each other post-U.S. Open. Some say that you can't have friends among your rivals on the tour (a.k.a Genie Bouchard), yet these two opponents are proving that, of course, it can be done.
Time is on Wozniacki's side; she’s back in the top 10 and still has many years to try to regain that No. 1 ranking and with it win a major or three. If she can keep momentum up through the Asian swing, she still may have a chance at qualifying for the WTA finals.
Bautista Agut Bursts onto the Scene
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At the age of 26, Roberto Bautista Agut has left it relatively late to burst onto the scene with a career year in 2014.
The Spaniard had been languishing down on the Challenger Tour; however, slowly but surely over the past couple of seasons, his ranking has risen. As of 6 January 2014, he was at No. 73. After a year of unrivalled success though, he now sits at the lofty heights of No. 15 in the world.
The 6'0" Castellon de la Plana native bettered his best showing at each of 2014’s Grand Slams. He made the second week in Australia and the U.S., falling in the fourth round there. The former, in particular, featured a stunning five-set win over fifth seed at the time Juan Martin Del Potro (there’s a name we haven’t heard for a while).
At both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Bautista made the third round. He has also so far played the full contingent of Masters 1000 events for the first time in 2014, obviously due to having a much higher ranking. One particular highlight was reaching the semi-final on the clay of Madrid, before losing to countryman Rafa Nadal. Two titles have come along the way too in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Stuttgart.
Due to a lack of big weapons, the Spaniard may never challenge the very top of the men’s game. He has played each of the Big Four on a solitary occasion in 2014 and has been handed a comfortable straight-sets defeat every time.
What does Bautista do that’s reputable then? Well, he’s extremely consistent and makes a lot of balls out there. Plus, he moves very well and is an absolute trier. He is a player who is maximising the ability that he was given, to stand at the highest level that he can be.
Bouchard Wants to Rule the World
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The Canadian blonde bombshell, named after an English princess by her royal-loving parents, is gearing up to become the next queen of women’s tennis. One final, two semis and a last-16 in the Grand Slams this year for Eugenie Bouchard—but she’s nowhere near satisfied. This is one incredibly determined, focused and confident 20-year-old.
When asked if she was surprised at making the Wimbledon final and getting into the top 10, she told BBC Sport: “I would never say I was surprised because I have put in a lot of hard work in and it has been a long time in the making. I am always wanting to better myself and I am focused”.
After that semi-final win over Halep at SW19, Jana Novotna added on BBC Sport: “When you don't see a massive celebration it means the job is not done yet and she will be back on Saturday [the final] to complete the job.”
Bouchard is not happy at just being up there now; she wants to be the best. She gives off the impression that she doesn’t mind who she tramples on to get there.
Despite taking a few steps back in the last few weeks, post-Wimbledon, 2014 has shown that she will hold a major say in the destination of those four famous Grand Slam trophies for a good few years to come.
Thiem to Make a Move
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After this season, there’s plenty to get excited about when we consider the recently turned 21-year-old Austrian Dominic Thiem.
His year-end ranking in 2013 stood at No. 139. Right now, as of the week beginning 15 September, a No. 36 is placed by his name. That’s right, over 100 places different. In his first full year on the tour, he’s now the youngest player inside the world’s top 50.
Ranked outside the top 100, Thiem’s start to 2014 involved a lot of qualifying for tournaments, at which he was very successful. He won through three rounds to get into the main draw in Australia and then impressively took out Joao Sousa in four sets, before losing to Kevin Anderson in Round 2.
Headway was made through qualifying and a couple of rounds at the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid too. After a disappointing grass-court campaign, Thiem just came up short at his home tournament in Kitzbuhel in Austria, losing a three-set final to another young gun, David Goffin.
The recent U.S. Open was where heads started to turn and eyebrows began to be raised at the Austrian’s game. After Lukas Lacko was easily dispatched in his opener, Round 2 was against good friend and training partner Ernests Gulbis.
He showed immense courage and confidence to rally from a two-set deficit to defeat the Latvian No. 12 seed in five. After the match, he told ATP.com: “It's a great moment and a great day but honestly I would've hoped that this moment had happened against anyone other than Ernests. It was a very strange situation.”
Thiem went on to beat Feliciano Lopez in straight sets next, before finding Tomas Berdych too hot to handle in the fourth round.
Wonderfully and surely uniquely, he actually dissects his matches on his Facebook page after, giving a little paragraph about how it went and frequently using his favourite word, "mega."
He told The New York Times about it recently:
"For me, it’s a nice routine. You still remember which good things you did, which bad things you did, what you can make different in the next match. It’s also helpful.
I think the people can get to know me a little bit better, how I am. That’s important, I think, because on the court you have to act different than outside, and if the people see that you are a nice, normal person outside, then I think it’s very positive.
"
Thiem has the makings of being a star: a powerful serve, solid groundstrokes (including a beautiful one-handed backhand) and he cares about his fans. Watch out for Dominic Thiem.
17-Year-Old Belinda Bencic Waltzing Up the Rankings
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Swiss tennis fans have been rather spoilt over the past decade with one particular man winning an obscene amount of titles and matches. Then, this year, another male native won a Grand Slam title.
Over on the women’s side, the success of Martina Hingis is not a distant memory at all. Now though, there’s a new 17-year-old on the scene who is looking to stretch the Swiss tennis legacy into another decade.
Belinda Bencic has been heralded as a potential superstar for a while now, but 2014 is where she has really put the accelerator down on her development.
Supported and coached by Hingis and Melanie Molitor (Hingis’ mother), Bencic had a magical run at the U.S. Open, where she beat two top-10 players back-to-back (the first top-10 wins of her career). Both Angelique Kerber and Jelena Jankovic were dispatched in straight sets, putting the Swiss girl in a maiden Grand Slam quarter final. Peng Shuai unfortunately thrashed her in the last eight.
Last year, she finished at No. 212 in the world. Currently, as of 15 September, she’s at an astonishing No. 34 in her first year as a professional.
Bencic told the Express: "The last 12 months were really great for me...I improved my ranking always, slowly, step by step, so I think that was very good. I think in Charleston [where she made the semis] it was also a great tournament for me. I just started believing in myself.”
Kevin Mitchell of The Guardian commented after Bencic’s run at the Open: “One day, surely, Bencic and [Aleksandra] Krunic [another young gun who had a strong run at the U.S. Open] will contest a Grand Slam final.”
Under the guidance of Martina Hingis and her mother, the Swiss lady has a very good chance of making it to the big time.
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