in Tennis Articles

In men’s tennis one thing is for certain – who is on top! Roger Federer spearheads the men’s tour and, with his firm hold on the No.1 rank, the best finish the rest of the lot can hope for is one of the remaining top five spots. As Roger Federer continues to blaze through the tour, raising the bar and setting new records in the wake of the old ones that he seems to break ever so effortlessly, his rivals have their work cut out for them.

Moreover, Roger Federer recently became the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win a major without dropping a set and he is on a winning streak that is currently at a career-high of 36 matches. In a league of his own, Roger Federer has held the No.1 ATP rank for 156 consecutive weeks, with no indication of relinquishing it any time soon.

Therefore, with the No.1 spot beyond reach, how will the rest of the playing field fare? What can we expect in the way of movement in the men’s ATP rankings in the 2007 tennis tour.

No. 2 Rafael Nadal – With the clay court season on the horizon, the clay court king himself must be itching to assert his claim on the throne! Rafa, similar to Federer, is impressive in his own right. He is the first player since Andre Agassi in 1994-1995 to finish as season No. 2 in back-to-back years. He remains unbeaten on clay (26-0) and became the youngest back-to-back champion when he claimed the 2006 Roland Garros, the French Open.

Not to be too outdone by Federer’s penchant for breaking and setting records, Rafa has compiled an Open Era record 62-match clay court winning streak, surpassing Guillermo Vilas’ mark of 53 in 1977. Moreover, Rafa is the only player to beat

Federer more than once since the Swiss superstar took over No. 1 in February 2004.

By all indications, Rafael Nadal is on course to asserting his hold on the No.2 rank in the 2007 tennis tour,barring any injuries, of course.

No. 4 Andy Roddick – While there has been a lot of hype surrounding Andy Roddick’s improvements, particularly with his all-round game since the appointment of Jimmy Connors as his new coach, he has yet to live up to that hype.

Frankly, it seems unlikely that he ever will evolve past his one hit wonder label! This is not to say that Andy Roddick will not win another Grand Slam title, but the odds of him reaching the caliber of Federer, even for that matter Rafael Nadal seem to be quite the stretch of the imagination. Nothing could have highlighted that whimsical fancy more than the sound thrashing Federer delivered at the 2007 Australian Open that served to make a mockery of his claim that he was closing the gap on his esteemed Swiss counterpart.

Federer has raised the bar in tennis and heralded back into the men’s tennis tour the beautiful game of tennis; that is an all-court game, highlighted by speed, strategic all court coverage, volleys, rallies and, above all, intelligent plays. Gone are the days when baseliners and Sampras-like power-servers ruled.

Perhaps, if Roddick had lived in that era, he would have been a force to reckon with! But alas, and thankfully, today’s tennis reality is much more complex and the game much more exciting and for Roddick to survive in the top five, and advance from his current No. 4 rank his game will have to not only improve, but significantly change!

No. 5 Fernando Gonzalez – Speaking of change, Fernando Gonzalez has to be synonymous with that word. What a performance at the Australian Open! Who would have predicted that Fernando Gonzalez would be the finalist to face-off against the invincible Federer?!?

Now, if there is anyone that has managed to close any gaps in tennis, then here is the man that could boast of such a feat! Fernando Gonzalez, following the appointment of coach Larry Stefanki, is a different beast on court. His serve is to be contended with; his forehand is a sight to behold; and the variety he brings to his game makes him a tough opponent to play against!

If Fernando continues to bewilder opponents as he did at the Australian Open there is nothing to stop him from climbing the ATP ranks at the very least to the No. 3 spot!

James Blake – James Blake is one of those players that one cannot help but like. Not only for his inspirational ability to overcome trials and tribulations, but for his all-court performance. Hovering at No. 6 in the ranks of the ATP, James Blake started the 2007 season with a win at the Sydney Final. Although his Australian Open was cut short when he came up against a much better Fernando Gonzalez, he had a great run at the subsequent Delray Beach Final, only losing in the final to Xavier Malisse following a match suspension due to rain delay.

Regardless, James Blake is a threat, particularly to Andy Roddick as the two countrymen duke it out for the title of top American player. Irrespective of the current ATP ranks, it is only a matter of time before James Blake closes that gap! This could come as a result of Andy Roddick falling in the ranks as much as of James Blake climbing, but climb the ranks before the end of 2007 he should, at the very least to the No. 5 ATP rank.

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.

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