Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Sensational Serbian and current world No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic aims to round off his impressive year by clinching the Master’s title at the ATP World Tour finals in London.
Winner of three Grand Slams and 10 titles in all this year, Djokovic enters these finals following a prolonged period of rest, caused by an ongoing shoulder injury sustained at Basel Open.
The Finals pit the top eight players in the world in the current year against each other in an intensive schedule that tests their endurance. Ideally the ‘Djoker’ would continue his recuperation period although the temptation of London has proved too much.
He will be opening his campaign against the powerful Tomas Berdych and will also face an expectant Andy Murray who, the last Paris tournament aside, is perhaps the form player following his recent success in Asia. On home soil this could be now or never for Murray to prove he has the ability to compete with the best and claim a major title.
While not officially classed as a Major this tournament has such magnitude that it would provide him the confidence many believe he lacks to go all the way.
Also in Group A is the never-say-die Spaniard, David Ferrer.
In the other half of the draw, defending champion Roger Federer will be hoping to prove that he is still capable of beating the new generation of rising stars.
By his standards he has had a poor year, winning only three minor titles although enters the tournament on the back of a 12 match unbeaten run. However, questions remain about his desire to add to his haul of 16 Majors.
The intriguing match in the group stages pits Federer against Rafael Nadal who enters this tournament after a couple of weeks hard training, hoping to add to his French Open title ahead of a critical schedule of tournaments.
Other competitors include the colourful Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the never-say-die David Ferrer and the big-serving Mardy Fish who will be hoping his climb up the rankings continues after shedding 10kg.
While many believe this will be Murray’s year I believe that his exertions in Asia will have taken too much out of him and the pressure will tell.
Question marks over the fitness and form of Djokovic and Federer leave me to believe that Rafa Nadal will be lifting the trophy above his head by the end of the weekend.
