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Brian Swartz · 06-11-2019, 12:44 PM

2066 Final Rankings

1. John Hart(29, IRE) - 13,110

I was going to do a rundown of Hart's accomplishments here, but I'm going to wait on that. I don't think it's fair yet to presume his reign is over. He might have been close to losing the perch, and still could be, but it was another year in which the Irish champion didn't spend a single week below #1. He was a busy beaver, winning 100 matches with 9 losses. That's a modern record for match victories in a year and his 5th straight season at 90+. His points from the tour finals provide the difference overall.

2. Nicolas Perez(24, ARG) - 11,900

Hart and Perez are assuredly the top two players in the world, but it's becoming a question of what order they'll be in. The gap from them to the rest is rather astonishing. Last year Nicolas won both hardcourt Slams and three Masters, but it wasn't quite enough. It's actually pretty surprising he didn't play Hart more often - the two were 3-3 but it isn't unusual to see 10+ meetings when players are this dominant. They had a strange pattern of alternating 'early' losses prior to the final, with Perez doing somewhat more of that. A fine 81-14 record is still a fair bit short of what Hart achieved. For now he is still chasing, and as management has noted defending the AO title where they had an epic confrontation last year is vital to any chance of ascending in the early months this year.

3. Srba Dogic(25, CRO) - 5,425

A number of players cycled through the 'best of the rest' third position last season, but a strong finish from Dogic gave the Croatian his career-best ranking and a legitimate shot at holding this position and closing the massive gulf on the power couple over the course of this year. He's been remarkably consistent the last few seasons, 63-68 wins, but his two big finals (USO and Paris) along with the lone 500 title (China Open) all came in late summer or after. If he can maintain anything close to that level for an entire year, he'll leave the main pack in the Top 10 behind.

4. Ali Solberg (27, SWE) - 4,985

A second 60-win season still seemed to have more ups and downs for the Swede who has made a career out of being a solid obstacle, but not quite a contender.

5. Seamus Hughes (29, IRE) - 4,775

A brief stop up at #3 for Hughes who faded a hair at the end of the year, and that's all it took. The hard-luck 'other Irishman' has always been very close, but not quite there when it comes to a permanent place in the Top 4 and even the absence of Meikeljohn didn't secure it for him as Dogic merely replaced him. 65-20 was his second-best overall mark, and 5th 60-win season out of the last half-dozen. Like Hart though, he's decidedly on the back half of his career ... but still just one big run from stepping up a spot or two. And getting credit for all of his points from the accountants would really help with that, since he should still be fourth right now ...

6. Barry Molyneaux(28, USA) - 4,750

The longtime #3 and top American player, Molyneaux is starting to slip a bit. Just 57 wins after having over 70 a few years ago, and it's been a steady decline over the interim. He's had a good run, and bizarrely there are no other US players in the Top 32. The national brand in tennis hasn't looked so weak as it does now in a long time.

7. Isa Solheim(27, DEN) - 4,020

Solheim has basically been a poor man's Solberg for a while now.

8. Brian Meikeljohn(28, IND) - 3,950

We're just waiting for the rest of his points to drop off here. This is a spot to be taken by whoever is worthy.

9. Emilien Mathou(25, FRA) - 3,630

He's no Kaspar, but few players are, and Mathou is the best the French have right now. He leads the race to see who'll be the new tour finalist this year.

10. Calisto Aviles(23, ESP) - 3,620

Over half his points came from those glorious two weeks at Roland Garros, allowing Aviles on the first page while winning less than 50 matches and losing better than a third of them. He did not so much as reach the quarters in any other major event, and lost in most of them much earlier. One of this year's big questions is whether he can repeat and/or break through in other events, at least on his favored clay. Right now I don't think the odds are good; it looks like a fluke.

11. Chisulo Mpakati(23, ZIM)

Mpakati had some fine moments, esp. towards the end of the year, but is still inconsistent. A run to the Canada final was the highlight, and he's knocking on the door now.

12. Lucas Perez(24, ARG)

The 'other Perez' continues a consistent rise.

14. Il-Sung Jung(24, KOR)

Trying to answer the question of 'how good can you be playing in both disciplines' a few years before I have Guha take a crack at that issue, Jung is a big talent but also an unfocused one.

15. Ollie Haas(24, NLD)

15 players with 3k points or more. Haas remains a major threat on grass but hasn't distinguished himself anywhere else.

16. Harald Wentz(23, AUT)

Slid up to this spot at the end of the year. Bigger things are expected, and this means that ...

17. Sushant Chiba(30, SRI)

... Chiba is down another tier, at least for the moment. Meikeljohn will slide by, and he has at least a chance to surpass Rhodes who is a few hundred points ahead. If any such boost happens though it'll be temporary. Really I just want him to hang around for another year and then probably start into doubles. Should be more than good enough to retain a Top 32 spot for that long.

19. Tim de Jong(25, NLD)

A late-season slide for another one of those not-quite-there guys approaching their prime.

21. Constantino Gonzoles(26, ARG)

Had a couple moments late in the year, but still well below the next tier and I think Gonzo is about out of time.

22. Clavet Moniotte(25, FRA)

The no. 2 in France has not had near the success of Mathou, though they are basically the same age.

23. Santino Belmon(25, ITA)

After hanging around the drop point for a couple of years, Belmon made a push in the second half of last year. Can he keep it going?

24. Tobias Velilla(22, ARG)

The highest-ranking newcomer to the elite group this year, Velilla adds to an already-strong Argentine contingent.

25. Acke Kjaerstad(23, SWE)

A solid Swede, though I doubt he reaches the heights of Solberg.

30. Algot Hakanson(25, SWE)

Exactly where he was a year ago.

31. Patrick Sanchez(26, ARG)

And even more from Argentina as Sanchez pokes his nose back in.

32. Santino de Jesus(22, DEU)

Another newcomer to definitely watch, and the standard-bearer for rising Germany. We have a handful of declining players in the late 20s of the rankings, so there are places to be had for any who can seize them.

34. Amrik Kasaravalli(24, SRI)

This is now officially a first for me. With a couple players sliding by at the end, Amrik is the first player I've had promote from Challenger level and get sent back down while still on the upside of their career. He's in almost exactly the same situation he was a year ago. *sigh*

38. Helmut Edlund(22, SWE)

We have some new players to look at with new members in the club! Edlund had a 250 title last year in Los Cabos, and is only on the bottom side of the break because of a raft of losses in challenger finals. At his age, ascencion soon is likely.

41. Joao Narciso(22, BRA)

Narciso is now on the verge as well, not far from a breakthrough. That makes three Anilophiles seeking a secure spot at the elite tier in the new season. And with all of those coming up below them, we're rooting hard for them to make it - just so they get out of the way and stop taking Challenger points :P.

43. Willy Weigl(22, AUT)

Ok, make that four of them. Good grief. More packed competition.

93. Girish Shivakumar(20, SRI)

Down to the younger generation here now. Three challenger finals and a few semis, but no titles yet.

97. Shakti Vemireddy(20, SRI)

Four runner-up finishes, but also searching that first breakthrough.

124. Tommy Fitzpatrick(20, IRE)

One final and three semis at the challenger level, but who could forget that showing at the USO?

125. Mark Smith(19, GBR)

Doubling-down on his national bonus, Smith is going all-in on grass and figures to be a royal terror at Wimbledon in the future. Also owns a title at CH3 Loughborough.

130. Nasir Chittoor(20, SRI)

A couple finals and a couple semis; Chittoor has been gradually but consistently moving up while searching for that breakthrough. Just past 300th in doubles and barely qualifying for the national team in that.

192. Rakesh Kayeeda(20, SRI)

Kayeeda recently joined the challenger chase.

208. Ritwik Intodia(20, SRI)

Intodia is almost there ...

251. Helmut Hoetker(19, SUI)

And we have yet another now from the same generation.

251(D). Satyagit Guha(20, SRI)

Top doubles player for the nation now, and 692nd in singles where it's a slow rise.

It definitely looks like the Anilophiles are poised to rule tennis with an iron fist for at least the next decade. The chance of a #1 coming from outside our club ... well, it doesn't look good.

06-11-2019, 12:44 PM	#1065
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	2066 Final Rankings 1. John Hart(29, IRE) - 13,110 I was going to do a rundown of Hart's accomplishments here, but I'm going to wait on that. I don't think it's fair yet to presume his reign is over. He might have been close to losing the perch, and still could be, but it was another year in which the Irish champion didn't spend a single week below #1. He was a busy beaver, winning 100 matches with 9 losses. That's a modern record for match victories in a year and his 5th straight season at 90+. His points from the tour finals provide the difference overall. 2. Nicolas Perez(24, ARG) - 11,900 Hart and Perez are assuredly the top two players in the world, but it's becoming a question of what order they'll be in. The gap from them to the rest is rather astonishing. Last year Nicolas won both hardcourt Slams and three Masters, but it wasn't quite enough. It's actually pretty surprising he didn't play Hart more often - the two were 3-3 but it isn't unusual to see 10+ meetings when players are this dominant. They had a strange pattern of alternating 'early' losses prior to the final, with Perez doing somewhat more of that. A fine 81-14 record is still a fair bit short of what Hart achieved. For now he is still chasing, and as management has noted defending the AO title where they had an epic confrontation last year is vital to any chance of ascending in the early months this year. 3. Srba Dogic(25, CRO) - 5,425 A number of players cycled through the 'best of the rest' third position last season, but a strong finish from Dogic gave the Croatian his career-best ranking and a legitimate shot at holding this position and closing the massive gulf on the power couple over the course of this year. He's been remarkably consistent the last few seasons, 63-68 wins, but his two big finals (USO and Paris) along with the lone 500 title (China Open) all came in late summer or after. If he can maintain anything close to that level for an entire year, he'll leave the main pack in the Top 10 behind. 4. Ali Solberg (27, SWE) - 4,985 A second 60-win season still seemed to have more ups and downs for the Swede who has made a career out of being a solid obstacle, but not quite a contender. 5. Seamus Hughes (29, IRE) - 4,775 A brief stop up at #3 for Hughes who faded a hair at the end of the year, and that's all it took. The hard-luck 'other Irishman' has always been very close, but not quite there when it comes to a permanent place in the Top 4 and even the absence of Meikeljohn didn't secure it for him as Dogic merely replaced him. 65-20 was his second-best overall mark, and 5th 60-win season out of the last half-dozen. Like Hart though, he's decidedly on the back half of his career ... but still just one big run from stepping up a spot or two. And getting credit for all of his points from the accountants would really help with that, since he should still be fourth right now ... 6. Barry Molyneaux(28, USA) - 4,750 The longtime #3 and top American player, Molyneaux is starting to slip a bit. Just 57 wins after having over 70 a few years ago, and it's been a steady decline over the interim. He's had a good run, and bizarrely there are no other US players in the Top 32. The national brand in tennis hasn't looked so weak as it does now in a long time. 7. Isa Solheim(27, DEN) - 4,020 Solheim has basically been a poor man's Solberg for a while now. 8. Brian Meikeljohn(28, IND) - 3,950 We're just waiting for the rest of his points to drop off here. This is a spot to be taken by whoever is worthy. 9. Emilien Mathou(25, FRA) - 3,630 He's no Kaspar, but few players are, and Mathou is the best the French have right now. He leads the race to see who'll be the new tour finalist this year. 10. Calisto Aviles(23, ESP) - 3,620 Over half his points came from those glorious two weeks at Roland Garros, allowing Aviles on the first page while winning less than 50 matches and losing better than a third of them. He did not so much as reach the quarters in any other major event, and lost in most of them much earlier. One of this year's big questions is whether he can repeat and/or break through in other events, at least on his favored clay. Right now I don't think the odds are good; it looks like a fluke. 11. Chisulo Mpakati(23, ZIM) Mpakati had some fine moments, esp. towards the end of the year, but is still inconsistent. A run to the Canada final was the highlight, and he's knocking on the door now. 12. Lucas Perez(24, ARG) The 'other Perez' continues a consistent rise. 14. Il-Sung Jung(24, KOR) Trying to answer the question of 'how good can you be playing in both disciplines' a few years before I have Guha take a crack at that issue, Jung is a big talent but also an unfocused one. 15. Ollie Haas(24, NLD) 15 players with 3k points or more. Haas remains a major threat on grass but hasn't distinguished himself anywhere else. 16. Harald Wentz(23, AUT) Slid up to this spot at the end of the year. Bigger things are expected, and this means that ... 17. Sushant Chiba(30, SRI) ... Chiba is down another tier, at least for the moment. Meikeljohn will slide by, and he has at least a chance to surpass Rhodes who is a few hundred points ahead. If any such boost happens though it'll be temporary. Really I just want him to hang around for another year and then probably start into doubles. Should be more than good enough to retain a Top 32 spot for that long. 19. Tim de Jong(25, NLD) A late-season slide for another one of those not-quite-there guys approaching their prime. 21. Constantino Gonzoles(26, ARG) Had a couple moments late in the year, but still well below the next tier and I think Gonzo is about out of time. 22. Clavet Moniotte(25, FRA) The no. 2 in France has not had near the success of Mathou, though they are basically the same age. 23. Santino Belmon(25, ITA) After hanging around the drop point for a couple of years, Belmon made a push in the second half of last year. Can he keep it going? 24. Tobias Velilla(22, ARG) The highest-ranking newcomer to the elite group this year, Velilla adds to an already-strong Argentine contingent. 25. Acke Kjaerstad(23, SWE) A solid Swede, though I doubt he reaches the heights of Solberg. 30. Algot Hakanson(25, SWE) Exactly where he was a year ago. 31. Patrick Sanchez(26, ARG) And even more from Argentina as Sanchez pokes his nose back in. 32. Santino de Jesus(22, DEU) Another newcomer to definitely watch, and the standard-bearer for rising Germany. We have a handful of declining players in the late 20s of the rankings, so there are places to be had for any who can seize them. 34. Amrik Kasaravalli(24, SRI) This is now officially a first for me. With a couple players sliding by at the end, Amrik is the first player I've had promote from Challenger level and get sent back down while still on the upside of their career. He's in almost exactly the same situation he was a year ago. sigh 38. Helmut Edlund(22, SWE) We have some new players to look at with new members in the club! Edlund had a 250 title last year in Los Cabos, and is only on the bottom side of the break because of a raft of losses in challenger finals. At his age, ascencion soon is likely. 41. Joao Narciso(22, BRA) Narciso is now on the verge as well, not far from a breakthrough. That makes three Anilophiles seeking a secure spot at the elite tier in the new season. And with all of those coming up below them, we're rooting hard for them to make it - just so they get out of the way and stop taking Challenger points :P. 43. Willy Weigl(22, AUT) Ok, make that four of them. Good grief. More packed competition. 93. Girish Shivakumar(20, SRI) Down to the younger generation here now. Three challenger finals and a few semis, but no titles yet. 97. Shakti Vemireddy(20, SRI) Four runner-up finishes, but also searching that first breakthrough. 124. Tommy Fitzpatrick(20, IRE) One final and three semis at the challenger level, but who could forget that showing at the USO? 125. Mark Smith(19, GBR) Doubling-down on his national bonus, Smith is going all-in on grass and figures to be a royal terror at Wimbledon in the future. Also owns a title at CH3 Loughborough. 130. Nasir Chittoor(20, SRI) A couple finals and a couple semis; Chittoor has been gradually but consistently moving up while searching for that breakthrough. Just past 300th in doubles and barely qualifying for the national team in that. 192. Rakesh Kayeeda(20, SRI) Kayeeda recently joined the challenger chase. 208. Ritwik Intodia(20, SRI) Intodia is almost there ... 251. Helmut Hoetker(19, SUI) And we have yet another now from the same generation. 251(D). Satyagit Guha(20, SRI) Top doubles player for the nation now, and 692nd in singles where it's a slow rise. It definitely looks like the Anilophiles are poised to rule tennis with an iron fist for at least the next decade. The chance of a #1 coming from outside our club ... well, it doesn't look good.