Mens year end championships

[fedfan]

Real shame for him to miss the trip. Soderling could definately be a dark horse on a quick indoor court with his booming shots.

[ati4850]

Group A: Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, Fernando Verdasco

Group B: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling

Should be a great tournament.

[Coolhand Texas]

I think those are some pretty even groups. I really want to see if del potro can back up his last win vs Roger.

[jayl0ve]

Roger vs. Chokeabitch is the likely final.

[petrelli83]

Group A: Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, Fernando Verdasco

Group B: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling

Should be a great tournament.

really a great tournament if many of them don't withdraw as often happens in the final master...
hope in great matches!

[fedfan]

Very good balance between the two groups. How fit is Del Potro is the question, but Murray and Federer would be most likely to advance.

Davydenko and Djokovic have both beat Rafa indoors recently, and Soderling has the big game to beat him, it could be very tight but you would still put money on Rafa getting through with Djokovic.

[jayl0ve]

Rafa's just not playing well at the moment. He's a very proud yet humble man, and I think there's a lot bothering him (mostly physical) that he just won't mention to the press. He's not really a contender, to me. It's all about Roger, Chokeasnitch, and Soderling, to me. They seem to be the most confident and playing at the highest level.

[Gunz Buz n LustBANNED]

For me, I can never count out Nadal. As long as he deems himself fit, he's always a contender; fact. I'm really dissappointed that Arod isn't playing as I've always enjoyed his flair on court and has been playing very well this season. Ive never really liked Soda-King and Roddick would have looked so good in that lineup along with Djokovic, Rafa and Davy. I am definitely putting Nadal or Delpo to win if he is 100%, if not then Fed will stroll it.

[emate007]

I predict Del Potro will have a sudden outbreak of `WTF AM I` syndrome, and fold in at least 2 of his 3 group matches. He's always been good and the US open win was clutch, but the year end event might prove too much.

I´m never going to bet against Nadal either. If he´s playing, he´s a contender though I agree that he´s looked troubled by something recently. Maybe self esteem problems because Nike has him in polo shirts and khaki pants instead of sleeveless tees and pirate gear.

[Gunz Buz n LustBANNED]

I agree, something is amiss with Nadals general outlook/demeanor (not sure of the word to describe it). To add on with your suggestion regarding Nike deterring his natural look, it could also be the fact that his parents divorced this year and hes lacking confidence in general from not winning a tournament since May since his comeback.

I'm not on the same boat regarding Del Potro epiphany . Watching him comeback after throwing away a 2 sets to 1 lead against Fed by double faulting twice in a row and then still having the nerve to come back and win against arguably the greatest player of all time on arguably the greatest stage is a feat that should forever remind him he has defeated his biggest demon; mentally speaking. I think if hes on call he really has a shot

[jayl0ve]

Nah...it's definitely not his wardrobe To be honest I really like his 'new look' over the old pirate gear- that look was just really weird, to me...people laugh at me when I say this, but I think how you look on court is a big deal Like...I don't think you should try to be a great dresser or anything, but I think it's a mistake to go out on court in some booty-ass gear. At that point, I'm already thinking "This guy looks like a retard, I want to punish him".

Nadal just seems to be playing at around 60% lately. He's missing balls that he normally wouldn't, he's not making as many spectacular 'gets' as usual, his serve is suffering, he just doesn't seem as quick and crisp with his movement as he usually does...also, I've already mentioned this somewhere else, but he really seems like he's lost some muscle mass. His arms just don't look as Hulk-like as usual.

[Gunz Buz n LustBANNED]

Or as I like to say, Master-chief esque.

[ati4850]

Just a feeling, but I think Davy will do well in London. Semi for sure, but I think the russian is a contender for a place in the final.

[KluddKalle]

At that point, I'm already thinking "This guy looks like a retard, I want to punish him".

LOL!

You could be on to something here...OR, maybe you start focusing on the wrong things (like clothing) and your ugly-dressed opponent gets an advantage over you. Maybe this has been Nadals thing and now that he dresses normal everyone just se a tennis-player on the other side of the court?

Someone should tell him this and maybe he'll be the first real on-court-cross-dresser in top tennis?

[jayl0ve]

As for your 'focusing on the wrong things' comment...I understand this, but this is why I said "You don't have to try to be a great dresser".

You shouldn't worry about wearing 'fashionable' or 'cutting-edge' clothes or anything, but I think you should just make sure that you look 'decent' and 'presentable'...this is something I even follow in 'real-life' tennis...I always try to look my best on the court if I'm playing a good player. I don't want somebody to look at me and think "What a bum!" and immediately get some psychological advantage (even if this psychological advantage is misplaced/ill-informed). I know that, when I'm playing a guy who is dressed like a slob, I think "He can't be taking himself too seriously..."