Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
Comparing this week to early 2023 November, two players dropped out of the top ten (Tsitsipas, Rune) and were replaced by de Minaur and Dimitrov. However, there was a lot of shifting around between 1 and 10, with only Ruud in the same spot.
In that sense, the top 5 seems fairly solid at the moment, but there is perhaps some vulnerability further down. Which player in the next group of ten is in the best spot to take advantage from a game perspective?
11) Tsitsipas - won his 3rd M1000 title, but will not end the year in the top 10 for the first time since 2019. Cut loose Papa Apostolos.
12) Paul - three titles this year and matched his career-high ranking. Not a lot of big wins, but reached his first major quarterfinal.
13) Rune - rough year, with coaching changes and not too much on-court success. Back with OG coach.
14) Humbert - two titles, career-high ranking, made it to first M1000 final, and wins over Alcaraz and Medvedev.
15) Draper - best year ever, first two titles, career-hgih ranking, first career major semifinal, and a win over Alcaraz on grass
16) Hurkacz - a few injuries in 2024 led to a rankings drop, but still one title (on clay to boot) and a second major quarterfinal
17) Musetti - best year ever, picked up the bronze in the Olympics, first major semifinal, and three finals.
18) Tiafoe - reached a second semifinal at the USO, first final at an M1000, and a coaching change.
19) Khachanov - typical year for Karen, a couple of titles.
20) Fils - two titles, career-high ranking, five top 10 wins, including one over Zverev.
In that sense, the top 5 seems fairly solid at the moment, but there is perhaps some vulnerability further down. Which player in the next group of ten is in the best spot to take advantage from a game perspective?
11) Tsitsipas - won his 3rd M1000 title, but will not end the year in the top 10 for the first time since 2019. Cut loose Papa Apostolos.
12) Paul - three titles this year and matched his career-high ranking. Not a lot of big wins, but reached his first major quarterfinal.
13) Rune - rough year, with coaching changes and not too much on-court success. Back with OG coach.
14) Humbert - two titles, career-high ranking, made it to first M1000 final, and wins over Alcaraz and Medvedev.
15) Draper - best year ever, first two titles, career-hgih ranking, first career major semifinal, and a win over Alcaraz on grass
16) Hurkacz - a few injuries in 2024 led to a rankings drop, but still one title (on clay to boot) and a second major quarterfinal
17) Musetti - best year ever, picked up the bronze in the Olympics, first major semifinal, and three finals.
18) Tiafoe - reached a second semifinal at the USO, first final at an M1000, and a coaching change.
19) Khachanov - typical year for Karen, a couple of titles.
20) Fils - two titles, career-high ranking, five top 10 wins, including one over Zverev.
