Murray Wins London, Ends Year at #1

Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in the year-end final in London and secured the year-end number one ranking.  In this era of advanced equipment and player fitness and training, the style of play that I call “aggressive baselining” has been employed by an increasing number of players.  Murray, Djokovic and Nadal all play this style, which consists of consistent, hard hitting from the baseline, tremendous court coverage, and the use of passing shots that were impossible to make earlier in the open era in order to win points from players who dare to approach the net.  Aggressive baseline shots are not just rally balls, they are penetrating, heavy shots that force short balls from the opponent.  Once a short ball is hit, the aggressive baseliner pounces, hitting either outright winners or using the forehand to pin the opponent back and eventually bludgeon him to death.  This style of play is made possible by modern racquet materials and strings, which give a livelier shot with more spin, but it cannot be practiced effectively unless the player is fit and quick enough to cover a lot of court and maintain his stamina through long points. 

In the London final both Murray and Djokovic both used this style, but Murray was simply better at it.  Djokovic was uncharacteristically inconsistent from the baseline, as has been the case for several months.  He even missed a couple of sitters that any club player could have made.  So Murray, who lately has hit is ground strokes with newfound power and great consistency, and who has used his serve to win free points more frequently than in the past, prevailed in straight sets. 

As we look to next year, the following issues bear watching:

1) Will Djokovic, who has played his best early in the season over the past few years, recover his dominating level of play?

2) Federer will return.  How will he play?

3) Nadal did not make the quarters of a major this year.  What will he do in 2017?

4) Will any of the younger players break through and win a slam?  Top candidates are Raonic and Dominic Thiem.

5) Will Nick Kyrgios and Bernie Tomic learn to behave themselves, and if so, allow their talents to propel them to greater success?

6) Will Isner remain the top ranked American, or will he be supplanted by either Jack Sock or Steve Johnson?  Will of the very young Americans (e.g. Talyor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe) begin to have an impact?

Can’t wait to find out!