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The curtains are down on the ATP calendar for 2017 and every tennis fan who followed the action closely will agree that it's been one of the most unpredictable years ever. With injuries hampering some of the top players, the 2017 season was a rocky terrain that gave a new pathway to novel faces, giving them a chance to etch their names among the sport's elite.
While it's been a year of resurgence for the Spanish Matador Rafael Nadal and the Swiss great Roger Federer, whose feats need no mention as they touched the zenith at world No 1 and 2 respectively, it's been a breakthrough year for some fresh faces too.
Kevin Anderson leaped a massive 53 spots from 67 at the start of the season to get inside the top 20 at 14, thanks largely to his scintillating run to the US Open final. Another notable star Juan Martin Del Potro also had a terrific season, returning to No. 11 from his 38th rank at the start despite beginning late this year after skipping the Australian summer.
Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev made waves on the circuit with Dimitrov scripting a sensational end to the year. He notched up the biggest title of his career at the Nitto ATP Finals, ending the season at a career-high No. 3.
The rising German superstar Zverev rose to the occasion on the ATP Masters 1000 stage, capturing two of the prestigious titles in Rome and Montreal and becoming the youngest champion at that level since Novak Djokovic a decade ago. Rising from No. 24 to No. 4, Zverev showed the world that he has the weapons to conquer a Grand Slam crown very soon.
The American Jack Sock and his brilliance at the end of the season made for quite a spectacle too. A maiden Masters 1000 title in Paris and then a semifinal showing at the Nitto ATP finals pushed him inside the top 10, to No. 8.
But now that the year 2017 is done, it's time to look forward to the coming season. It's a daunting task to make any prediction, but that shouldn't stop us from analysing the chances of those who hold the capability to finish among the top 10 in 2018.
1. Novak Djokovic
The Serbian giant will look to do a Federer or a Nadal this season as he attempts a comeback from a long injury layoff. Having ruled the tennis kingdom for nearly half a decade, the 12-time Grand Slam champion will look to get back to winning ways.
Assuming he stays injury-free, it's fairly safe to predict that Djokovic will surge again, and reclaim the No. 1 spot at some point.
Prediction: No. 1
2. Rafael Nadal
A lot remains unpredictable when it comes to the World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. With recurrent knee and wrist injuries, only time can tell whether the Spaniard can maintain his hold over the top spot.
He was far from his best on hard courts this year even though he did win in New York, where perhaps the depleted draw worked as a catalyst. But whatever happens on the quicker courts, Nadal's supremacy on red dirt means that he should have very little trouble staying inside the top five.
Prediction: Top 5
3. Alexander Zverev
The whole tennis world will be eyeing the German in 2018 to find out if he can build on his exploits this year and establish himself as a genuine top player. It was painful seeing his performance at the Slams this season, as he reached the second week just once.
That said, if he carries on the brilliance he showcased at the Masters 1000 events, there's no reason why he cannot hang in at the top.
Prediction: Top 5
4. David Goffin
The dimunitive Belgian David Goffin showed the world that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to something. Coming back from an injury hiatus and taking two titles in the Asian swing, Goffin displayed a stellar run of grit and confidence this season.
He took the Nitto ATP Finals and the Davis Cup by storm with his scintillating shot-making blended with a fine balance of aggression and composure. If he can ride this massive wave of self-improvement into the next year, he will have a shot at breaking into the top five.
Prediction: Top 5
5. Marin Cilic
The Croatian had missed the American summer because of injury but he has shown great consistency from the middle of the season onwards, reaching the quarterfinals in 10 out of 12 events.
It's difficult to say how Cilic will fare in 2018 but it's safe to assume that he does have the potential to attain a career-best ranking in the near future.
Prediction: Top 10
6. Roger Federer
The storied resurgence of Roger Federer this year has been remarkable.The Swiss stepped on the court and carved out some trail-blazing history, breaking records at will and conquering the hearts of a billion fans.
But I fear to say that this might not be the same scenario in 2018, with some of the best in the sport making their comebacks. Also, since he will likely sit out of the clay season again, it will not be a surprise if he tumbles down from his current No. 2 ranking.
If he continues to stay healthy and away from injuries, he can most certainly still enjoy being comfortably ensconced inside the top 10. Battling with time has been the Swiss great's most striking ability, and it'll be interesting to see how much longer he continues winning that battle.
Prediction: Top 10
7. Juan Martin Del Potro
The mighty Argentine, The Tower Of Tandil, Juan Martin Del Potro has always been a powerhouse of talent. After a difficult start to the year, Del Potro picked up the pieces by reaching the semi finals of the U.S. Open - beating Federer on the way.
Flaunting his lethal serve and deadly forehand, the Argentine posed a threat to many top players in 2017 and will likely continue doing that next year. Bulldozing inside the top 10 should not be much of an issue for Del Potro if he manages to stay healthy and devoid of injuries.
Prediction: Top 10
8. Andy Murray
It's a little difficult to predict much about former World No. 1 Andy Murray given his hip injury which of course he's hoping to overcome. Since he avoided going under the knife for correction and opted for rest instead, you wonder whether the painful injury will resurface again in 2018.
Murray will look to capitalize on the opportunities in the coming year by playing most of the big events and try getting back into the top 10. But I am a bit apprehensive about his chances.
Prediction: Just outside top 10
9. Dominic Thiem
The Austrian has been my personal favourite for more reasons than one. That said, this season clearly saw him struggling on surfaces other than clay. It was extremely painful for his fans to see him fade away in most of the hard court events.
Even though he does sit on the World No. 5 position with 4015 year end points, his performance in 2017 wasn't too impressive, with fatigue often getting the better of him. That said, if he replicates his feats on clay in 2018, that should be enough to have him hooked inside the top 10.
Prediction: Top 10
10. Milos Raonic
Having made the finals of the 2016 Wimbledon championships, the Canadian might have expected to go the distance this year too. But with a lot of injury problems to tackle, Raonic failed to make an impact.
What makes him stand out is his mighty serve, a lethal forehand and a backhand that also looks promising now. If health stands by his side, Raonic could well pose a threat and make a comeback into the top 10.
Prediction: Top 10
Stanislas Wawrinka
Actually Wawrinka has always been the top player, and its unfair if he is omitted from the list. But looking at his recent split from Magnus Norman, a successful partnership till now, its gonna be very much intriguing to see how things shall look for Stan after he returns from a knee injury that kept him away since Wimbledon. Also struggling with consistency, its tough to tell if Wawrinka can hold his nerves and catch up on the lost time and form.
Jack Sock
Agree, the American has been on a splendid run this season. But its been a rather easy route for him towards the Masters title in Paris taking down Kyle Edmund,, Lucas Pouille, Fernando Verdasco, Julien Benneteau and Filip Krajinovic. Time should tell and also his questionable fitness if things will be the same for him in 2018. But it looks a little impossible that he hangs on inside the top ten in the coming season.
Grigor Dimitrov
Taking the Nitto ATP Finals title and finishing the season at World no 3 was indeed a monumental feat for the Bulgarian. But then this was possible with most of the top players missing from the action. Also most of his wins were registered at the start and the finish of the year. If at all Dimitrov looks to stay inside the top ten, he will need to show more consistency.
Having made this analysis, it is a known fact that the Future is uncertain. We can just sit back and enjoy the coming season with a little background from this year to track what lays ahead
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