Tennis fans around the world are rejoicing as the grand slam season has kicked off. Things are most definitely exciting on both sides of the tour, leading many to speculate as to who will dominate the sport this year. Let's take a look at the men of the sport.
While recent years seemingly belonged to Federer and Nadal and their classic rivalry with one another, there are a few more players in the mix who should pose a threat to them both.
As a result, no one really knows who may finish out the year with the number one ranking in the world. There are three players aside from the two of them who have a real chance, though some fans would argue that even more could enter the mix.
Every conversation about the number one ranking in the tennis world should start with Roger Federer. He's the consensus favorite to occupy the top spot year in and year out, and 2010 should be no exception. Still, age will eventually catch up with him and so will some young talent. Can Roger hold onto his number one ranking for yet another tennis season?
The player who poses the biggest threat to Federer is Rafael Nadal, who seems to have his number whenever they meet lately. Having beaten him during their last two grand slam finals matchups, the key to Nadal's success this year will be his knees, which gave him problems last year.
While many are focused on Federer and Nadal, the bigger threat may perhaps be Juan Martin Del Potro. Standing 6 feet and 6 inches tall, his athleticism and power make him one of the most dangerous players in the world right now. While Federer, Nadal, and Del Potro are the most likely contenders, there are three more who shouldn't be overlooked.
One is Novak Djokovic, who seems to be playing some great tennis after a brief lull last year. He's won a grand slam before and there's no reason to believe that he can't win some more. Since he's ranked third in the world right now, a close eye should be kept on him.
Nikolay Davydenko is ranked number 6 and 28 years old. Despite the fact that he's never won a grand slam, some recent huge wins, including one over Federer himself, lead many to believe that he's currently the hottest player on the tour.
Finally, Andy Murray is just 22 years old but his maturity and tenacity propelled him to the number two spot in the world for a few months last year. His competitive spirit will certainly make him a player worth watching this coming year.
