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Brian Swartz · 09-30-2022, 04:27 AM

That Just Happened: 594 In Review

1. Sam Marino (27, SMR, 88%, 8.91, -0.03) - 13,140

This was Marino's year, but probably it shouldn't have been. Definitely more than a bit of luck to accomplishments. Won three Slams, two Masters, and the Tour Finals to turn what was expected to be a chaotic year into a clear reign for him. He's now sitting on exactly one full year at the top spot, but is getting up there enough in age that I think he will lose it by the end of the next year.

2. Ljubidrag Kusic (24, DEU, 94%, 8.97, +0.14) - 8,630

Winner at Miami and Shanghai, Kusic is the top challenger despite not making it to a Slam final. Did manage runner-up at the Tour Finals however.
He was 11th last year, and I had him tied for 6th overall at that point - I expected a move up, but ... not this. Now he's the favorite to be the top player on tour for the next couple of years. Definitely putting in the work to improve, and it's showing.

As this world goes, we appear to be at the onset of a weak era. There's not a great deal of top talent, though there is some, coming up right away. Not as much as is leaving.

3. Fred Roethlisberger (28, DEU, 87%, 8.96, -0.01) - 7,710

Recently under new management, it's possible Roethlisberger may switch to doubles. I wouldn't do it just yet if I was him though. He can contend for at least one more year - it was a somewhat disappointing campaign but he won Indian Wells with losses in the final of the Australian and USO to Marino. Very possible he could reverse those results this year, actually grading out a bit better than the #1.

4. Eman Radacanu (25, GBR, 93%, 8.88, +0.02) - 7,660

Up-and-down year highlighted by a run to the Wimbledon final. It's surprising Radacanu hasn't won there yet. Up from 8th a year ago, and the next two years figure to be his best. For that to happen, a bit more consistency needs to be forthcoming.

5. Helmut Nykvist (25, SWE, 92%, 8.98, -0.03) - 6,560

By a nose, Nykvist is theoretically still the world's top player on paper. Due to moderate levels of mismanagement and a strange affinity for indoor courts at the expense of more important surfaces, that has definitely not panned out as he slips a spot from 4th while coming into what should be his prime. It seems likely the Swede is destined to be a relative disappointment.

6. Lazaro Corral (25, ARG, 93%, 8.85, +0.03) - 6,325

Corral is a clay specialist and showed it with trophies at Roland Garros and Monte Carlo; the only player not named Marino to win a Slam this year. On the other hand, there were too many early losses in other events for a player of his abilities, even with the clay focus. If he's more consistent this year he could easily move up a spot or two.

7. Sinisa Kumric (26, CRO, 90%, 8.71, --) - 5,445

Kumric wasn't in last year's rundown, and at his age is a bit of a surprise. Doesn't really have the technical skill to hang with the others, but made enough of a clay focus to reach the RG final and win the Rome Masters. I'm expecting a short stay in the Top 10, but it could possibly last another year.

8. Felipe Avello (28, CHI, 89%, 8.85, +0.02) - 5,195

It's a fickle sport. Avello got slightly better if anything ... and tumbled from #2 to #8. His playing ability should have him in between I think, and I expect to see him inch back up some.

9. Victor Jensen (29, DNM, 85%, 8.73, -0.08) - 3,760

Jensen has accepted the verdict of time, and begun a doubles focus.

10. Chris Shank (30, USA, 82%, 8.55, -0.19) - 3,210

Ditto for Shank, who really fell off a cliff this year. These two are clearly about to go away.

11. Daniel Landon (24, AUS, 95%, 8.83, +0.18)

Landon will be taking one of those spots almost for sure. Got himself an honorable mention last year, and then made major steps to improve. Should be Top 5 at a minimum eventually.

One more spot will likely be taken by a veteran such as Barend Mollendorff or Arnaud Boyette, or perhaps rising Canadian Liam Mitchell (16th, 8.78).

09-30-2022, 04:27 AM	#61
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	That Just Happened: 594 In Review 1. Sam Marino (27, SMR, 88%, 8.91, -0.03) - 13,140 This was Marino's year, but probably it shouldn't have been. Definitely more than a bit of luck to accomplishments. Won three Slams, two Masters, and the Tour Finals to turn what was expected to be a chaotic year into a clear reign for him. He's now sitting on exactly one full year at the top spot, but is getting up there enough in age that I think he will lose it by the end of the next year. 2. Ljubidrag Kusic (24, DEU, 94%, 8.97, +0.14) - 8,630 Winner at Miami and Shanghai, Kusic is the top challenger despite not making it to a Slam final. Did manage runner-up at the Tour Finals however. He was 11th last year, and I had him tied for 6th overall at that point - I expected a move up, but ... not this. Now he's the favorite to be the top player on tour for the next couple of years. Definitely putting in the work to improve, and it's showing. As this world goes, we appear to be at the onset of a weak era. There's not a great deal of top talent, though there is some, coming up right away. Not as much as is leaving. 3. Fred Roethlisberger (28, DEU, 87%, 8.96, -0.01) - 7,710 Recently under new management, it's possible Roethlisberger may switch to doubles. I wouldn't do it just yet if I was him though. He can contend for at least one more year - it was a somewhat disappointing campaign but he won Indian Wells with losses in the final of the Australian and USO to Marino. Very possible he could reverse those results this year, actually grading out a bit better than the #1. 4. Eman Radacanu (25, GBR, 93%, 8.88, +0.02) - 7,660 Up-and-down year highlighted by a run to the Wimbledon final. It's surprising Radacanu hasn't won there yet. Up from 8th a year ago, and the next two years figure to be his best. For that to happen, a bit more consistency needs to be forthcoming. 5. Helmut Nykvist (25, SWE, 92%, 8.98, -0.03) - 6,560 By a nose, Nykvist is theoretically still the world's top player on paper. Due to moderate levels of mismanagement and a strange affinity for indoor courts at the expense of more important surfaces, that has definitely not panned out as he slips a spot from 4th while coming into what should be his prime. It seems likely the Swede is destined to be a relative disappointment. 6. Lazaro Corral (25, ARG, 93%, 8.85, +0.03) - 6,325 Corral is a clay specialist and showed it with trophies at Roland Garros and Monte Carlo; the only player not named Marino to win a Slam this year. On the other hand, there were too many early losses in other events for a player of his abilities, even with the clay focus. If he's more consistent this year he could easily move up a spot or two. 7. Sinisa Kumric (26, CRO, 90%, 8.71, --) - 5,445 Kumric wasn't in last year's rundown, and at his age is a bit of a surprise. Doesn't really have the technical skill to hang with the others, but made enough of a clay focus to reach the RG final and win the Rome Masters. I'm expecting a short stay in the Top 10, but it could possibly last another year. 8. Felipe Avello (28, CHI, 89%, 8.85, +0.02) - 5,195 It's a fickle sport. Avello got slightly better if anything ... and tumbled from #2 to #8. His playing ability should have him in between I think, and I expect to see him inch back up some. 9. Victor Jensen (29, DNM, 85%, 8.73, -0.08) - 3,760 Jensen has accepted the verdict of time, and begun a doubles focus. 10. Chris Shank (30, USA, 82%, 8.55, -0.19) - 3,210 Ditto for Shank, who really fell off a cliff this year. These two are clearly about to go away. 11. Daniel Landon (24, AUS, 95%, 8.83, +0.18) Landon will be taking one of those spots almost for sure. Got himself an honorable mention last year, and then made major steps to improve. Should be Top 5 at a minimum eventually. One more spot will likely be taken by a veteran such as Barend Mollendorff or Arnaud Boyette, or perhaps rising Canadian Liam Mitchell (16th, 8.78).