Men's Tennis 2012: Top Slam Contenders on Each Surface

It used to be the same, year in, year out: Nadal would take the French Open, and Federer would take Wimbledon. They would even always be the ones to meet each other in the finals.

Things have changed, though, and next year could be very different in terms of the top contenders for not only those tournaments, but the Australian and US Open as well. 

This article will examine each surface and my opinion on the top four candidates who could take the titles, taking into account their current form and likelihood of having a solid 2012. 

Australian Open

Novak Djokovic

Being the defending champion, the odds of Djokovic winning are clearly high.

However, he was hampered by injury during the latter part of the year, and whether he will fully recover in time is yet to be seen. If his serve is lackluster and his shoulder bothersome, the title could very easily go to somebody else.

Roger Federer

Finishing the year strong, Federer looks solid going into the Australian next year. He played a closely-contested semi against Djokovic the year prior, and if the Serb isn't 100 percent, I would say Federer's the favorite to take the title.

Andy Murray

Though I don't personally like his chances, he must be included. The Australian Open has always been his best tournament, having made two finals there, and if he can face somebody other than the big three in the final his chances are solid. Look for him to make a big run there.

Jo Wilfried Tsonga

Having made the final in 2008 and having had stellar form at the end of the season this past year, Tsonga could be very dangerous. Look for him to make a deep run, and if the draw is in his favor, to maybe run away with it.

French Open

Rafael Nadal

Considered by many to be nearly unstoppable on the surface, Roland Garros has been his since he was a teenager. 

He has struggled with motivation and injuries at the end of the year, though, and this year he took the title but not in convincing fashion. 2012 might finally be the year where it goes to somebody else.

Roger Federer

Considering his struggles lately on even his best surfaces, few predicted his run to the final this year. 

If he can find a way to play the same intelligent, patient tennis on the surface, look for him to do the same.

Robin Soderling

The Swede has been looking more and more fragile lately, but the French Open has always been his best tournament. The surface allows more time for his long windups and big groundstrokes, and he made a run to the final in both 2009 and 2010. If healthy, look for him to be dangerous.

Juan Martin Del Potro

Surprisingly, the Argentinian is remarkably dangerous on clay, perhaps for the same reasons as Soderling. He made a run to the semis in 2009, pushing Federer to five before succumbing, and pushed Djokovic in a tough match this past year.

If he can get back to 100 percent next year, this could be his next grand slam title.

Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic

Djokovic surprised many this year by winning the title, considering it was the first year since 2003 in which somebody other than Federer or Nadal won.

He played exceptionally intelligent grass-court tennis, though, and if he's healthy next year I would say he's the clear favorite.

Rafael Nadal

The final was a strange, seesaw affair, with Djokovic taking both of the closer sets. Nadal, as in many of his matches with Nole this year, seemed at a loss.

However, he always plays well at the All-England club and, though no longer the favorite, is practically guaranteed to make it into the latter stages of the event.  

Jo Wilfried Tsonga

Tsonga was the big surprise at Wimbledon this year, making the semis after handing Federer his first five-set loss, having been up two sets to none.

He then pushed Djokovic in a closely-contested final, and has demonstrated that his big game is suited well to the surface. Look for him to maybe go all the way next year.

Tomas Berdych

Since his run to the final in 2010, Berdych hasn't done much of note. When his game is clicking, though, there are few out there who can stop him, and I would say that his style of play translates well to the grass at the All England Club. 

It all depends on which Berdych shows up, though, so don't be surprised if he makes the finals or if he loses in the second round.

US Open

Novak Djokovic

The US Open has always been the Serb's favorite surface, and after beating both Fed and Nadal, he was able to take the title for the first time.

Don't expect it to be the last, though, as I would argue that the hard courts there suit his game better than any other surface.

Roger Federer

The last two years it should have been Federer in the final, not Djokovic, had he been able to capitalize on his match points either time.

If the Swiss can keep his head on straight, this is his best surface aside from grass. Look for him to make another deep run next year, and maybe the final if the right Federer shows up.

Juan Martin Del Potro

He did it in 2009, rocketing forehands that broke the sound barrier.

It all depends on if he can fully recover, though, and if he remains stagnant where he was in 2011, don't expect him to be a favorite.

Andy Murray

Once again, Murray made a deep run, but once again he was stopped by either Federer or Nadal.

Next year, though, it's possible that neither could make it to the later stages, so it could be Murray's chance to capitalize and finally take his first major title.