My predicted 2013 ATP year-end Top Ten



Djokovic in Perth Jan '13

My predicted 2013 ATP year-end Top Ten

We have eleven months of thrilling tennis ahead of us in 2013 but here are my predictions for the ten men who will be ranked in the elite come year end.  We will see how close I get!

1) NOVAK DJOKOVIC - I see the super flexible Serb finishing a third straight year at the top after a two Slam season. He finished 2012 strongly and appears on form at this very early stage in 2013. He loves playing in Melbourne and I see him taking a fourth title there and quite possibly a first title in Paris as well.  More thrilling battles with Murray will be a highlight of the year. 

2) ANDY MURRAY - I think the British No.1 will again clinch a year-end personal best ranking but fall short of the top spot. In order to threaten for the top spot the US Open champion will really need a career best clay court season with Masters 1000 finals on the dirt. I see him impressively defending his crown in New York and reaching a third final in Melbourne.

3) ROGER FEDERER - I don't see Roger getting back to the top spot (but that has been said before) but I'm sure he will have yet another strong season to remain close to the summit.  If Murray's not his half in Melbourne he should be in the final again and I think he will be a massive threat for an eighth title on the hallowed turf at SW19.

4) JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO - The Giant Argentinean was hitting his stride again during 2012 and I see him regaining a place inside the top 5 this year. The game's biggest forehand will be firing and I think will take him back to the US Open final and I think he'll have at least one other major semi-final, although I'm not sure a second Grand Slam will be his just yet.

5) RAFAEL NADAL - Assuming the Spaniard makes his long awaited return before too long I think he is clearly good enough to ensure he keeps a place in the top 5. But I think he could lose his Roland Garros crown to Djokovic and will bravely predict his first slam-less season since 2004. 

6) DAVID FERRER - The tour's workhorse will defend a lot of his 2012 points as he is just SO consistent.  I just don't think he has the firepower to take a Slam in such a strong era but he will go deep in all four majors again and if there is one first time finalist in 2013 surely it will be him. 

7) TOMAS BERDYCH - The big hitting Czech will I think retain his place in the elite with another season full of strong performances, with the odd weak loss, without really making a major breakthrough during the final weekend of the Slams. Another semi-final seems very possible.

8) MILOS RAONIC - The fast rising Canadian will I think be the newcomer to breakthrough into the top ten in 2013 if he continues to improve and build on his 2012 season. With the monster serve I see Raonic reaching the last eight of at least two Slams this year and possibly a run through to a semi-final, perhaps in New York.

9) JOHN ISNER - Isner cracked the top ten in 2012 before slipping back but I think he can get back into the elite this year.  The Giant American had poor results in the Slams last year and I am confident he can remedy that in 2013 as he can make a big impact on all surfaces. Surely he'll make a second last eight appearance and possibly more.

10) JO-WILFRIED TSONGA - I think the Frenchman can maintain his top ten spot, just, but am not predicting his strongest ever season after some unusual play at the end of 2012. I think Tsonga can reach at least two major quarter finals this year but am not sure he will go further than that.