By Erik Gudris | Friday, November 7, 2014
We always expect Tomas Berdych to appear at the ATP World Tour Finals in London. For the fifth year in a row, the Czech star known for his big serve, social media wit and unique clothing line, is in the elite eight-man field. But though Berdych's presence in London is a given, can he change the other largely accepted notion that he only has an outside chance to win the year-end event?
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Though Berdych made it in, qualifying for London proved trickier this time. In fact, despite a strong start to the season, Berdych had to wait until the last week of the regular season before knowing he once again secured his spot in London. It was that battle to reach London that made Berdych appreciate it even more despite qualification becoming almost expected of him.
"No matter how many times you make that, it's probably never going to be, you know, like a routine thing. I mean, it's always just proof of having a great season, and especially in this era of tennis when you have the guys like, you know, all of them, and then so basically you kind of fight for only four spots," Berdych said last week in Paris. "So it's not easy. Really, what I really like especially this year, it's that, you know, I made it like myself."
2014 proved to be yet another solid season for Berdych. He climbed back to a career high ranking of No. 5 and earned two titles in Rotterdam and Stockholm. He reached the Australian Open semifinals for the first time as well. Still, Berdych didn't take the next step to reaching another major final again, and some are beginning to wonder if he ever will.
Now 29, Berdych is a veteran and finds himself in an interesting stage of his career. He still chases the top echelon of the game, but now has to contend with a new wave of players eager to move ahead as well. Reaching a career high ranking of No. 5 again this season felt appropriate for the often "man in the middle". Berdych, after all this years, still has something to prove against the very elite while having to look over his shoulder and the rising new wave behind him.
That's why London could prove to be something of not only final summation of Berdych's 2014 season but also a bellwether of what to expect from him next year. Certainly, with his success indoors, Berdych could again thrive under the lights. He's proven he can beat the very best on any given day, but can he have a career-redefining week by building and keeping hold of momentum should he earn a big win early in the round robin?
Berdych returns to London next week as expected. But can he change out expectations of his performance there by breaking out of the middle where we often find him week in and week out. If Berdych can fly above his expected place in London, it could make for an entertaining tournament for the player known as the "Bird Man".
Season Highlights:
Win/Loss Record 54-20
Winner: Rotterdam, Stockholm
Finalist: Dubai, Beijing
Best ATP World Tour Finals Appearance: Semifinals 2011
(Photo Credit: Getty)