What a difference a year makes.

[jings]

It's slightly stating the obvious I suppose but if you'd taken a look at the 8 players at the 2003 Masters Cup I would have lost money betting who would be turning up for the event this year. To recap Ferrero, Roddick, Federer, Agassi, Coria, Schuettler, Moya and Nalbandian qualified in that order. Given how all had played in 03 and supposing I was asked to pick 4 who'd show up again in 04 I would have gone with JCF, Roddick, Federer and probably Agassi. I may get lucky with Agassi if Coria drops out this year, but it puts into focus very clearly just what a wretched year Schuettler, and particularly JCF have had .... For completeness the 8 this year are Federer, Roddick, Hewitt, Moya, Coria, Safin, Henman, Gaudio.
The slight surprise might be Moya qualifying this year in 4th spot against 7th last year and Hewitt has certainly got his game back on track which is good to see. What am I trying to say .... not sure exactly but I'm sure JCF is looking at his new Head racquet and wondering how it unravelled so quickly. Of course he's been plagued with injuries this year, but my goodness we could do with him back in the game. To play as well as he did in 03 and be were he is now is quite humbling. Predictions of GOAT for Federer must surely always come with a health warning? Replace Gaudio with a fit and in form JCF in this years line up and it would be a blockbuster for tennis fans. Let's hope everyone turns up fit and raring to go.

 

[VictorS.]

Tennis is a game of peaks and valleys. Obviously we've seen Ferrero really struggle to recapture his magic of last year, mostly due to injuries and such. However, we've been treated to the re-emergence of Marat Safin, who can at times dominate. In addition, like you mentioned, Hewitt has also reemerged as a contender once again.

It's tough to say whether or not Ferrero can return to form. It seems kind of strange for him to switch rackets after experiencing so much success already with the POG. It was only 9-10 months ago...when he made the semis at the Aus. Open.