The 2011 ATP season will have some fascinating subplots and questions that need answering. Can Rafael Nadal embark on an era of dominance? Is Andy Murray capable of winning a slam? Can Roger Federer win another major? Will Juan Martin del Potro return to his best after injury?
All these questions can clearly be answered in the affirmative, but the most likely to happen according to the tennis odds, and the reason why all of these permutations cannot come to fruition collectively, is the Nadal factor. The world number one was so dominant at his best this year that it seems more likely that he will clear up at the majors than they be shared around.
Once Nadal returned to full fitness in the early part of the European clay court season, there was no stopping him. Injury forced him out of the Australian Open at the quarter final stage, but he won every other major and was by some distance the best player in each event.
In 2010 Nadal became the first player ever to win a slam on each surface in a calendar year and just the second in the Open era, after Rod Laver, to win three consecutive majors in one season. He is undoubtedly capable of winning all four in 2011. Federer’s record haul of 16 majors will surely be soon under threat.
It is of course ridiculous to write Federer off. He definitely has more major titles in him but it is undeniable that some of his magic has ebbed away. The great Federer-Nadal rivalry might be a thing of the past, but expect the Swiss legend to be the main threat to the favourite, particularly at Wimbledon.
After a strong start, ATP tour tennis betting pundits note that Murray somewhat lost his way in 2010 and needs to find the consistency needed to lift the big trophies. More slam final appearances beckon, but doubts remain as to whether he can beat Nadal and Federer when it really matters.
Del Potro is something of the forgotten man after a sustained injury absence. He can be good enough to win another major, as he did in New York last year, but he will not find it as easy as Nadal did to bounce back from serious injury problems. 2012 is a more realistic target for majors for the Argentine.
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