ATP Predictions for 2013

I have already discussed where I think the women are heading in 2013 and its now time for my ATP predictions for 2013.  Next year promises to be another intriguing one with each of the top four earning one Grand Slam in 2012 and no dominant figure emerging through.  Here we go...

I predict that Novak Djokovic will maintain his world number one status with another super consistent year and two more Grand Slams to add to his total tally.  During the course of 2012, he dipped between the French Open and the Olympics, but bookended the year with the Australian Open and World Tour Finals title.  The tennis he has played over the past two years has been quite astonishing and he demonstrated this year that 2011 was no fluke.  I think the end of 2012 saw the beginning of the emerging rivalry with Andy Murray, which will become the one to watch on tour in 2013.  I believe Murray will win another Grand Slam in 2013, most likely Wimbledon where he came so close this year.  The Brit has broken the floodgates this year and although I do not think he will reign supreme, he will have another successful year winning several Masters 1000 events.

1. Novak Djokovic

Juan Martin Del Potro is my tip to break the elusive top four.  He threw together an excellent 2012, peaking towards the end of the season where he muscled in on the World Tour semi-finals and was one set away from the final.  If he can stay injury free, I have no doubt he's going to be a real threat in 2013.  Roger Federer slips two places to number four in my predictions.  There have been so many discussions and debates whenever Federer has a disappointing loss that he should hang up his tennis shoes.  I think he is still going to be very consistent on tour, but it has been well publicised that he will be playing a shorter calendar in 2013 with Doha, Basel and most significantly, Miami all omitted from his current schedule; with that in mind, I really cannot seeing him maintaining a top two spot...

3. Juan Martin Del Potro

You can just cannot count out David Ferrer and the seven-time titlist in 2012 is bound to be up there once more.  Perhaps he will not win quite so many titles in 2013 and I still cannot see a Grand Slam ever being added on his resume; however I think at least one more Grand Slam semi-final will beckon next year.  Tomas Berdych stays at number six in my predictions.  The hard-hitting Czech has been knocking on the door for quite a while, but has never quite mastered the consistency or mental toughness, although steadily improving, to completely breakthrough against the top guys.  I think he will reach another Grand Slam final in 2012, but will have to settle for a runner-up spot once more.  Rafael Nadal  is due to make a comeback at the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi later this month, ready for the first Grand Slam in Australia.  However I think it will take him sometime to hit top form again having missed the last six months.  He struggled last time he had a lengthy spell on the sidelines in 2009 and next year will be even tougher.

6. Tomas Berdych

My first new entry into the top 10 is Kei Nishikori.  The Japanese player impressed towards the end of 2012 with a stunning title run in Tokyo and I think he has the game and mental attributes to continue his assault up the rankings.  He missed a good two months of the 2012 season and I think like Del Potro, if he stay fit and healthy, then 2013 will be a great year for him.  Jo-Wilfried Tsonga drops one place to nine with another so-so year.  Tsonga is now coached by Roger Rasheed, Gael Monfil's former coach.  I think this is a positive move, but whether he can help the Frenchman to flourish against the big guns is another question.  My final slot in the ATP top ten for 2013 goes to Marin Cilic.  The Croatian was consistently posting solid results in 2012 and although mentally, I question whether he has the stickability factor, his game is strong enough to creep into the top 10.

10. Marin Cilic

Moving down:

Perhaps its because I am not a fan, but I believe Janko Tipsarevic will drop out of the top ten.  His rather lame performance at the World Tour Finals (yes, OK he did have health issues) was the final straw for me although I still predict he will be top 15.  Juan Monaco peaked last year and I will be surprised if he can maintain that form next year.  Mardy Fish has been hit with some tough health problems and is unlikely to remain in the top 20 unless he makes a stunning comeback to the tour.  I also predict that Gilles Simon, Fernando Verdasco and Florian Mayer will all fall in the 2013 rankings.

Juan Monaco

Moving up:

Jerzy Janowicz was the big star in Paris at the end of this year.  He jumped up to number 26 by virtue of reaching the final and I think he can make the top 15 by 2013 if that run does not turn out to be just a flash in the pan.  Sam Querrey and David Goffin are on my list to make the top 20 with Grigor Dimitrov and Gael Monfils cracking the top 30.  Monfils missed much of 2012 with injury and should be able to make up ground if he can shake off the injuries.

David Goffin

The off season blues are certainly kicking in now, but not long to go! I will be previewing the first events of 2013 as the new tennis season beckons...