Rafael Nadal’s had an outstanding year — a year when he won a lot, lost a little, conquered the clay season (again), and toiled to reclaim the top rank in men’s tennis. But his exertions have cost him again — a knee injury threatens to keep him out of the Finals in London.
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What Roger Federer wanted to accomplish before the year began: to qualify for the quarterfinals at Australian Open. What Roger Federer accomplished: two Grand Slams, three Maters 1000 titles, world No. 2. The fairytale season is likely to culminate with another title at the ATP Finals for the Swiss genius.
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His record at the Slams this year wouldn’t reveal the richness of Alexander Zverev’s talent. For that, you’d have to look at the Italian Open and Rogers Cup, where the 20-year-old German took apart Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, respectively, in straight sets.
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Steadily, Dominic Thiem's climbing the ATP ladder, and, helped by the absence of heavyweights Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the Austrian’s broken into the top-5. A Masters 1000 title is still missing. But he’ll be a dark horse at the O2 arena if he gets past the round-robin stage.
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Marin Cilic’s been on and off this season, seeking form and struggling with fitness. After winning epic battles to reach the Wimbledon final this year, he was hampered (by a foot blister) and blown away by Federer.
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Baby Fed has come of age (finally) this year, it seems. He reached the semifinals of the Australian Open (the second time he’s reached that far in Slams), and won three titles, including the Cincinnati Masters (his first Masters title) by beating Nick Kyrgios in straight sets in the final.
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David Goffin began the year beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and world No. 1 Andy Murray at the World Tennis Championship. He’s yet to taste glory in Majors and Masters but Goffin will be pleased with the titles at Japan Open and Shenzen Open and a couple of runner-up finishes this year.
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With Federer skipping the Paris Masters and Nadal pulling out mid-tournament because of injury, Jack Sock grabbed the opportunity to win his maiden Masters title and book a berth at the O2 Arena.
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The title win at Estoril Open, a runner-up finish at Rio and four semifinal appearances (including one at the US Open) might get Pablo Carreno Busta a ticket to London if his fellow Spaniard, Nadal, pulls out because of his injury.
