Men's Tennis: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Other Predictions for 2012

This year in men's tennis hasn't been much of a roller coaster; as Novak Djokovic's mother Dijana put it: “For four years, it was Roger, Rafa, Rafa, Roger. Now it is Novak, Novak, Novak, Novak.”

Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic won three out of four majors, but the French Open is still the one that has evaded him. At Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal was triumphant, dropping only three sets the entire tournament to secure his sixth victory there, his tenth slam overall.

Roger Federer, however, seemed a step slower, as he only reached one grand slam final (the French Open) and for the first time since 2002, he failed to win a slam for a whole year.

Andy Murray also failed to win a grand slam this year, and even though he reached the finals of an Australian Open, he is being criticized for the inability to win a major, despite being ranked so highly.

Those are the main men's players; the top contenders for slams. 

Now here are some predictions for next year for the top men and also the lower-ranked men.

Enjoy!

Donald Young Does Almost Nothing the Whole Year

This young American's name has been mentioned a few times when talking about grand slam contenders.

I think it's ridiculous.

There's no denying that he's a tough player loaded with talent, but I don't see him even getting to the semis of a slam. Despite the fact that he is a consistent hitter, he doesn't really have any weapons, and doesn't stand a chance against the top four players.

He was supposed to be the top junior at age fifteen. Years later, he hasn't really done much besides get to the quarters of the US Open.

Once.

Suddenly, this man who was a qualifier for the Open is a slam contender?

I like watching him play and I like him, but realistically, I don't think he's going to come close to a major.

Milos Raonic Breaks Through

Unfortunately for Canadians, Milos Raonic and the sport of tennis, he could not play the US Open due to an injury.

However, the young Canadian has been showing that he has tremendous amounts of potential; that he is eager to become a top player.

Raonic is one of the biggest hitters on tour, as he can pound the ball off of both flanks, as well as his serve. He is a very good mover and quite fast, but lately it just seems that he doesn't have the kind of killer instinct that top players have (but cut him some slack because he's just 20).

His best result at a grand slam was in this year's Australian Open, where he came into the tournament as a qualifier. As he beat Michael Llodra and Mikhail Youzhny, Raonic proceeded to the fourth round, only to lose to David Ferrer.

Nonetheless, it showed us what he was capable of doing.

I think that he will crack the top fifteen next year and establish himself as a real threat to top players. 

Andy Roddick Gets Worse and Worse

Lately, Andy Roddick hasn't exactly been the hottest player on the ATP circuit.

He won his one and only slam in 2003 (the US Open), but between then and a couple of years ago, he hadn't done amazingly. Then, he found a new coach in Larry Stefanki and at the beginning, the partnership worked out very well.

The American got to the final of the 2009 Wimbledon, losing 16-14 in a heartbreaking fifth set to Roger Federer.

Now, however, everything has gotten worse for Roddick.

His serve, though very good, isn't as huge as it was a few years ago. His forehand doesn't have as much spice and most importantly his backhand, which used to be powerful drive, has turned into a defensive slice. His footwork has gotten a little worse over time; his net game is still subpar.

The thing about Roddick, though, is that he stands so far behind the baseline that he doesn't seem like he has an attacking mindset.

In 2012, I don't think he can pick up his form.

Novak Djokovic Conquers Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic has been taking things from Rafael Nadal non-stop.

Last year, the Spaniard won everything in the clay season: Monte Carlo, Rome, Madrid and finally the French Open. This year, Djokovic won Monte Carlo and Rome, stealing two of the defending champion's trophies.

Last year, Nadal won Wimbledon convincingly. In addition, he won his first US Open (quite comfortably.) 

Djokovic grabbed both of those this year. He beat Nadal in both finals in four sets, all played at a very high level.

Next year, I predict Djokovic will extend his dominance from the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open to the French Open.

(Who knows, will Novak even win the Olympic gold medal, which Rafa won in 2008?)

Rafael Nadal Grabs Wimbledon Back from Djokovic

Nadal will win his third Wimbledon, his eleventh slam total.

He will beat Djokovic in the final.

At this year's Wimbledon, both men walked through to the final at the All-England Club and put on a great show. Though it was only four sets, it was much closer than it seemed, because Nadal was really giving Djokovic a run for his money.

Djokovic was playing at an extremely high level throughout the match, except for in the third set. Nadal could have capitalized after crushing Novak in the third set 6-1. Instead he played a feeble, error-filled final set.

First of all, I think Djokovic won't be able to play as well as he did this year at Wimbledon. Second, Nadal will come back stronger next year; he will be more motivated after losing.

Next year, he will pounce on the opportunity to make a comeback, as he has done so many times in the past.

Andy Murray Wins His First Grand Slam

Andy Murray has been knocking very hard on the door of grand slams.

He's been to three grand slam finals—two Australian Opens and the US Open—but has lost all in straight sets, one to Djokovic and two to Federer.

Next year, I think that pure motivation will give him a huge boost and propel him to get on the scoreboard of majors.

Though Djokovic is playing well, Murray beat him at the Western and Southern Open. Despite the fact that Djokovic retired because of an injury, the Scot will have confidence from that, and he will be able to beat him in a final of a slam.

He has shown that he can crush Nadal on some surfaces, and he will do precisely that in the semis.

That tournament will either be the US Open or the Australian Open, as he excels on hard courts.

Roger Federer Goes Slamless...Again

For the first time since 2002, Roger Federer has not won a grand slam in a calendar year.

Federer made the Australian Open semifinals, but was hammered in straight sets by an on-fire Novak Djokovic. At the French Open, he snapped the Serb's streak of forty-something straight wins in a row, but lost in four sets to Rafael Nadal in the final.

At Wimbledon, Federer cruised to the quarterfinals and a two-sets-to-love lead against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but somehow, the Frenchman came back to win it in five.

At the US Open, Federer had a flashback. He held two match points against Djokovic in the semifinal and again ended up losing.

I really don't see how things can improve for the Swiss Maestro in 2012. With Nadal, Murray, Djokovic and others getting better, Federer won't win a slam.

He might even retire.

Others

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: The hard-hitting Frenchman will get to his second grand slam final.

Juan Martin del Potro: "Delpo" will crack the top five.

Mardy Fish: The American's year won't be repeated, and he will fade away.

Richard Gasquet: He will do well at the French Open, but not that well at any other majors.

Robin Soderling: The injury-prone Swede won't be able to handle his pain and will drop in the rankings.

David Ferrer: Ferrer will stay in the top 10 and do well in the clay season, but nothing else.

Concluding Predictions

The Australian Open will go to Murray.

The French Open will go to Djokovic.

Wimbledon will go to Nadal.

The US Open will go to Djokovic.

Federer won't win anything; neither will Donald Young. Raonic will crack the top ten and Roddick's situation will deteriorate.

Those are my predictions.

Please leave your comments and feedback.