Peter Bodo 2018 Predictions Essay: Novak will return to No. 1

[Nishikorigoat]

Very interesting projections. Would be fascinating if Djokovic could recapture his best level starting with Wimbledon like he did a few years ago winning Wimbledon in 2014 going into 2015.

Do you think if the courts are fast at AO like this year Federer will have a good chance? He would be my favourite next year if the courts stay fast.

Clearly Federer the best fast court player on the tour when the ball is keeping low. However the signs are there that he is struggling to maintain the fitness required to be competitive over two weeks at a Major over five sets. If he couldn't manage Basel and Paris back to back indoors, then a few months later and a few months later in likelybrutal heat, no matter what conditions are like I think he will run out of gas by second week.

If conditions are like AO was this year, then Dimitrov may finally fulfill his potential. But I think conditions will revert back to normal an due slower and bounce more, which will suit Nadal.

Djokovic I expect to make his big statement around Miami time. I'd then expect him to challenge Nadal on clay but fall a bit short as per usual but then produce sublime stuff at Wimbledon. 4 wimbledons for Djokovic would be massive as it's arguably his worse surface.

Nishikori is the guy who should be able to challenge the top players, more so than dimitrov. While dimitrov has a suspect BH if the ball gets up, Nishikori has no weakness in his ground game and has one of best returns. His serve is underrated so if fit he should be winning majors.

Going back to Federer I just feel Father Time will beat him in 2018.

 

[Mainad]

Going back to Federer I just feel Father Time will beat him in 2018.

Didn't some of us think that about 2017?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Didn't some of us think that about 2017?

But at Fed's age, the difference between 35 and 36 is significant. He's declining monthly at this point. That's not to say he isn't capable of playing near peak tennis, but that will happen less and less. His recovery time will have also declined from age 35.

I really think Fed fans who predict or expect him to repeat 2017 are in for a rude awakening.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Nadal massive favourite for AO (neither Nishikori or Djokovic are likely to be match tight by then to challenge) and FO.

Wimbledon is where Djokovic will return to the big time. USO will be time for Nishikori to right the wrong of 2014.

While I think Nadal will get two Majors I think Djokovic will reclaim the no.1 ranking as over BO3 format he is the most complete across all the surfaces nowadays.

Nadal is the massive fav for the AO? Yeah, sure.

 

[PrinceMoron]

But at Fed's age, the difference between 35 and 36 is significant. He's declining monthly at this point. That's not to say he isn't capable of playing near peak tennis, but that will happen less and less. His recovery time will have also declined from age 35.

I really think Fed fans who predict or expect him to repeat 2017 are in for a rude awakening.

Two sets of twins and a repeat of 2017 is unlikely?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FiReFTW]

4 different GS champions would be great for tennis, also some new winners and new faces would be amazing, id be up for that for sure.
I do have 1 wish tho
Roger to win #20 and Roger to get to #1 even if its for a very short time, then im happy.

 

[Comb Over Champion]

2017 Predictions (2/5):

• Federer #18.
• Murray #1 consolidated.
• 3 new M1000 winners.
• Becker goes back to coaching.
• Nadal only Spaniard in YE top 20.

2016 Predictions (2/5):

• Andy Murray won't win a major.
• Djokovic will win 3 out of 5 big titles.
• Nadal is less likely to win a major than Fed.
• Serena will be #1 at the end of the year.
• Venus will be in the top 10 at the end of the year.

I don't exactly see how he's freakishly accurate.

He may not be freakishly accurate, but he is accurately freakish. Bodo is a competent writer in general, but as a tennis writer he is crap. Should have pursued a career as an opinion columnist in the Des Moines Gazette, or something like that.

EDIT: Just out of curiosity, I checked and there us actually a newspaper called The Gazette in Des Moines. I feel entitled to claim from now on that I possess supernatural abilities on par with those of Bododamus.

 

[Nishikorigoat]

Nadal is the massive fav for the AO? Yeah, sure.

Perhaps you have forgot who won the last HC Major! Whenever Nadal skips the preceding warm up event for a major or loses early he tends to go on and win the Major. Freshness is key for Nadal so my prediction looks good at this point.

 

[Nishikorigoat]

Didn't some of us think that about 2017?

He had 6 months off though before 2017- last year after Wimbledon his decline was very marked.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Perhaps you have forgot who won the last HC Major! Whenever Nadal skips the preceding warm up event for a major or loses early he tends to go on and win the Major. Freshness is key for Nadal so my prediction looks good at this point.

Just because he won the last major doesn't make him the massive fav. A fav sure, but you are stretching it a bit by saying massive fav.

 

[Nishikorigoat]

Just because he won the last major doesn't make him the massive fav. A fav sure, but you are stretching it a bit by saying massive fav.

Just don’t see Federer as a threat over BO5 sets over two weeks. Unless Djokovic comes back fit who can stop Nadal other than nishikori but he isn’t fit

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Just don’t see Federer as a threat over BO5 sets over two weeks. Unless Djokovic comes back fit who can stop Nadal other than nishikori but he isn’t fit

OK

 

[JMR]

2018 Predictions:

1. A ball will hit the net.
2. There will be blood.
3. Untimely unforced errors.
4. Well, that was an epic collapse!
5. Pain.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Crystal tennis ball says 2018 will be year of disruption
22 Nov, 2017
Peter Bodo

Here are five predictions for the coming year:

Grand Slams will produce four different champions


Nope!!!


Murray will struggle

Yes!!!

Disrupters will threaten the status quo


Njet!!!

Djokovic will earn back the No. 1 ranking

Maybe!!!

Zverev will crack the Grand Slam code

Nein!!! Lol

 

[Djokodalerer31]

Crystal tennis ball says 2018 will be year of disruption
22 Nov, 2017
Peter Bodo

Here are five predictions for the coming year:

Grand Slams will produce four different champions


Nope!!!


Murray will struggle

Yes!!!

Disrupters will threaten the status quo


Njet!!!

Djokovic will earn back the No. 1 ranking

Maybe!!!

Zverev will crack the Grand Slam code

Nein!!! Lol

Tbh at this point i would be surprised if Novak isn't number one as this season concludes...some kind of seventh wonder has to occur for Nadal to defend his top spot from Novak...Federer is doing it either, has to worry about his 2000+ points to defend so...2300 points advantage is not an advantage if you consider multiple factors...Rafa's knee injury...at best it won't allow him to play best tennis and he will likely lose before reaching finals on most of remaining calendar events, at worst - the injury will intensify further during one of remaining calendar matches forcing him to retire until the end of the season to be fully recovered by AO 2019! Second factor - Novak's health and motivation! He is fresh and hungry again and elbow injury no longer a problem, so isn't some shady spooky Guru, in addition to everything whatever the feud there was between him and his eife is obviously settled now as it is evident from most recent events (Jelena is smiling and supporting, Novak isn't grumpy anymore and also look happy...etc) Psychologically and physically he is on top again! Third and final factor - Novak traditionally plays well during both asian swing and season-ending indoors swing, especially in situations like now, when he is healthy and motivated! If i was Novak's hater i wouldn't expect anymore early "upsets" from the likes of Tsitsipas or other low ranked lower class player until the rest of the season! It is far more likely than not, that his Rogers Cup third round defeat was the last of this season's! Now if you are admirer of Serbinator like me on another hand - pick your drink, sit tight and enjoy the ride!