By Chris Oddo | December 14, 2016
Will Serena Williams make it 23 majors in 2017? It's one of our ten burning questions about the 2017 tennis season.
Photo Source: Jordan Mansfield/Getty
Gosh, there’s already less than three weeks to go until the 2017 tennis season kicks off. Before you settle down for a long holiday slumber, contemplate these 10 questions. But don’t stress too much about it. All will become clear in due time…
1. Will the time off give Federer a shot at another major title?
The million dollar question, right? There are certainly theorists huddled on both sides of the fence. Pessimists say that the maestro will be 36 by next year’s U.S. Open, it’s hardly an age where tennis players remain in the Top 20, let alone thrive. But believers will quip that Federer made the right move by skipping the back half of 2016. If anyone knows how to make use of a six-month training block, it’s the Swiss maestro, owner of more Grand Slam singles title than any other player. So, what did Roger learn up there in those Swiss mountains this summer? Will he be fit and explosive enough to play tennis on his terms in 2017? If he was able to make the Wimbledon semifinals in poor form and health last July, what can he do when he’s well rested, 100 percent fit and re-energized?
Our Answer: We think Federer will provide an upside surprise and make a Grand Slam final in 2017, likely at Wimbledon.
2. What Will Sharapova’s Game be like? How will she be received?
On Thursday tennis fans will get a glimpse of Maria Sharapova as she takes on Monica Puig in an exhibition in Puerto Rico. It will give us a good indication of what the Russian will play like after a year off due to a meldonium ban. It will also give us an idea of how the public will react to seeing her back in the game. When she finally makes her return to the tour this spring, how will the public and her peer’s reception impact her performance? If it is unanimously positive, will it inspire her? If it is mixed, and there is antagonism, will it make things tougher for her?
Our Answer: Sharapova is too strong and too determined not to be a premier player after her return. She’ll probably need some time to get match tough, but expect her to be a factor by the summer. And who knows, maybe the time off will have been good for her body. Maybe she’ll be less injury prone when she returns.
3. Who will take the next step?
There are a handful of players that can become impact players on tour in 2017. Here’s a few names: Thiem, Zverev, Pouille, Kasatkina, Keys. All players made major strides in 2016, but there is certainly opportunity for each to climb a little higher on the tennis totem pole next season. These are five names that will be eagerly watching right out of the gates, but there are others we’ll be keeping close tabs on as well: Raonic, Osaka, Goffin, Konta.
Our Answer: Most likely to take big steps? We’ll say Zverev, and Kasatkina.
4. Who will finish the ATP season as No.1?
This is another million dollar question. Now that Andy Murray has taken the reins from Novak Djokovic, can he demonstrate that staying power that the other three members of the Big Four have demonstrated in year’s past? Naturally, he’ll need to stay healthy as well—that’s never an easy challenge, particularly as he approaches the big 30.
Our Answer: We think Djokovic takes the No.1 ranking back, but we expect a competitive, compelling race.
5. How will Novak Djokovic perform without Boris Becker?
Speaking of Novak Djokovic, we don’t think the loss of Boris Becker will have a significant impact on his game or his ability to win big matches. If Djokovic can reclaim that burning desire to win and be the king of tennis, we think it’s there for the taking. The 12-time major champion knows how to dominate the men’s game, with or without Boris (he’s won six major singles titles each way). But he also knows of the significant amount of dedication that it will require. Is he satisfied and thus prone for a flatline season, or is Nole hungry to keep knocking on the door of the tennis pantheon?
Our Answer: We think Djokovic pulls it together and adds to his Grand Slam cache in 2017. He could even nab a pair of majors. But never again will he be as dominant for a long stretch as he once was. He’ll be 30 in May, after all. That’s downright geriatric in tennis.
6. What does Rafael Nadal have left in his tank?
Rafa is an interesting story. For the Spaniard the quest is probably no longer about all-out domination or even consistently inspired play over the course of a season. For Rafa it will be about weathering valleys and being opportunistic when there are peaks. Timing is everything in tennis, and if Nadal can raise his game at the right times, he’ll be in the mix at majors. We don’t expect him to rack up titles or challenge for No.1. But we do believe that Nadal will summon his magical powers long enough and often enough to be a major player in 2017. In retrospect, he did that quite often in 2016, despite major injuries at crucial times. Imagine Nadal’s 2016 without the heartbreaking Roland Garros withdrawal and the subsequent post-Olympic injuries. At times it felt like his game and his focus was good enough to get him to the final weekend of majors. From there, who knows what happens?
Our Answer: Rafa’s major challenge will be to stay healthy. He’s learned how to play more aggressively over the past few years, but with his serve and his game, he’ll always have to grind a bit. He’ll need very good health at the right times of the season to make big splashes at majors. Is it too much to ask? We don’t think so.
7. What does Serena Williams have left in the tank?
Jeez, all the tennis stars are old now! Does that mean that they can’t win majors and continue to smash tennis records? Heck, no! But it certainly won’t get any easier for Serena Williams as she is set to turn 36 next season. Age is just a number, and Serena is arguably the greatest woman to ever pick up a racquet, but she’ll have to fight to keep fit as well as fighting a hungry cast of characters on the WTA Tour, all of whom believe less in the myth of untouchable Serena and more in the reality of a Serena that is beatable, especially on slower surfaces and on off days.
So we’re going to find out how bad Serena wants to win a 23rd major title in ‘17, and if she does accomplish No.23, we’ll probably find out how bad she wants to catch Margaret Court’s 24. With Serena, the premise has always been: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. But is her will significant to overcome her advanced tennis age? She’s playing for major titles only, and now, more than ever, she’s also playing against the clock. Can she get it done and cement her legacy further in 2017?
Our Answer: We think Serena has a great shot to win another major. The faster, serve-friendly grass at Wimbledon comes to mind. But can she stay healthy? Last year was very tricky, with shoulder issues wreaking havoc. Williams is a different player without that vaunted serve. How many aces are left in that magical shoulder of hers? We’re dying to find out.
8. Can Kerber, Murray stay on top?
It will be a huge challenge for Angelique Kerber and Andy Murray to stay on top through 2017. Both were tremendous in 2016, but have they had enough time to recover and are they going to be fueled by the same desire after a winter of content?
Our Answer: We don’t think either finishes the season at No.1. But we do look forward to them both proving us wrong if they so desire.
9. Can Juan Martin del Potro win a major?
The gift that keeps on giving. That’s Juan Martin del Potro, who will begin his season in good health and with lots of confidence after winning Olympic Silver and the Davis Cup in a whirlwind comeback year that saw him consistently captivate tennis fans with emotional displays and gut-wrenching battles. At times, we forgot just how fragile the Tower of Tandil can be. There were moments when we actually stopped worrying about his wrists and just sat back and enjoyed his brand of heartfelt tennis.
We can only hope for more of the same in 2017.
Our Answer: There’s another level to that Del Potro backhand, and if the Argentinean can make that shot nearly as effective as it once was while simultaneously staying healthy, we think he can be back in a major final again. From there, it’s hard to see him losing. Nobody in tennis harnessed the power of his emotions better than Del Potro in 2016.
10. Which WTA player is next in line for maiden major title?
Last year it was Angelique Kerber and Garbiñe Muguruza. Who will it be in 2017? Is it finally Simona Halep’s time? Can Agnieszka Radwanska get on the magic carpet and ride it to what would surely be a universally acclaimed major title run? What about Karolina Pliskova? The Czech proved to be a big match player (finally!) in 2016. What can she do for an encore?
Our Answer: We’re saying that Halep and Radwanska each get one. Why not?