ATP World Tour Finals - The season comes to an end

The tennis season is coming to an end. After a long and exhausting season the last and the most important tournament in the tennis calender after the Grand Slams – the ATP World Tour Finals is upon us.

This whole season has been unprecedented and remarkable in many ways already. After many years we have seen for the first time, four different players wining four Grand Slams. Andy Murray has truly established himself as a member of the big four by winning the US open and the Olympic Gold medal. Speaking of Olympic – it was truly a memorable experience for all of us to see Olympics tennis getting limelight when it was played on the hallowed turf of Wimbledon, where Murray rode on home support and some inspired tennis to beat Roger in the finals to clinch the gold medal. This year we have also seen many players aged 30 and above making a mark on tennis courts – Roger Federer back in Grand Slam winning ways, David Ferrer having the most successful season of his life – winning six tour titles till now, and some others like old war horse Tommy Haas, who has played some inspired tennis this year.

But there has also been some criticism about the exhausting tour, most notably from Rafa and Novak. The long season has left many players tired or injured. Roger Federer has already withdrawn from the Paris Masters in order to be fresh for the year end tournament. We have seen the effects of the long tour on players this week – Novak getting knocked out in the first round where he later admitted that his lack of energy was a major reason for the upset. Next, we also saw Murray getting knocked out early, leaving the competition without the big four.

Next week, the World Tour finals start in London without a single day break between the Paris and the London events. Seven players have already qualified for the event, Tsonga being the latest one. The injury to Rafa has opened the door to one another player for the event which will be determined at the current Paris event. Roger will return for the event after a week’s rest and Novak and Murray will also have a few days to rest and prepare for the event after their early exits from the current Paris tournament. Now speaking of favorites, I think Murray will have the brightest chance after very successful last few months. The Olympics and the US open wins have given him a new found confidence which he never had before.

Another player who will be in running for the title I think is Del Potro. He has come back from his career-threatening wrist injury in a big way in this season. Last week, he defeated Roger Federer in the Basel final to lift the title. When he is in full form and fitness, he is capable of beating any one of the big Four. Berdych and Tsonga will also have their chances but consistency being a issue with both, I don’t expect any of them doing better than the semi finals. That brings us to Ferrer, he is in the form of his life at the moment and he is going to pose a big threat to Roger, Novak and Murray at the event. Although I don’t see him winning the title, I will not be surprised if he reached semis or even the final.

So with all that being said, I am eagerly waiting to see the best players in the world fighting it out on court for one last time this year. Now being a Rafa fan I would have liked to see him there but it is still going to be a great tournament to end one of the best seasons ever.

[Please give comments about who you think has the brightest chance to reach the final of the event]