The Australian Open once again got the tennis year off to a great start and whetted out appetite for the forthcoming season. The master they call Roger Federer once again lifted that famous trophy, sending out a warning to all his opponents that he’s still the man to beat.

There again, it’s still very early in the season, and way too early to write anyone off yet. Look at the surprises last year threw up, a prime example being Juan Martin Del Potro winning the US Open title by beating Federer in the final.

Melanie Oudin, the 18 year old American, had a terrific 2009 and could really break through this year. Reaching the semi final in the US Open was the highlight of last year, who’s to say she won’t do even better this year?

On the women’s tour there is the young American Melanie Oudin, she as the surprise package at the 2009 US Open by beating some very big names to reach the semi final stage.

A young man with the aspirations to take Federer’s crown is Marin Cilic. A top ten player at only 21, he has started this year with 15 wins and only 1 loss. Watch out for him this year to really rattle the top players. The depth of his game at this young age is staggering, and he can only get better.

Nikolay Davydenko is no newcomer, but at 28 seems to be finally getting the recognition he deserves as a great player. In their last three meetings he has beaten Federer twice, which will no doubt be a thorn in Federer’s size.

The next player has been around for quite a while but is enjoying a great resurgence in his career. 28 year old Nikolay Davydenko is in the form of his life and has risen to #6 in the world.

Finally these are behind him and he is enjoying his tennis again. Currently ranked no.6, his recent form against Federer in particular has been very impressive. On form both physically and mentally, watch out for some great results from Davydenko in the coming year.

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If you are a tennis fan and actually play yourself, you may well have experienced a game on a clay court. This is the very old, red surface that has been used in countries like France and Spain since the game originated.

If you ever have the opportunity to play on clay; grab it with both hands! It really is a unique experience and one you will never forget. Just stepping on that stunning red surface is a thrill!

We are all fascinated by both its appearance and the way that red clay changes the game of tennis. Here are a few snippets of information that you may not already know.

This surface lends itself more to those that play from the baseline, as opposed to those who serve and volley. A great clay court player must have impeccable ground strokes.

If you do ever see a player approach the net while playing on clay, it is a very rare thing indeed. Those who rely on their booming serve will also find that it hasn’t the effect on this surface as it does on others.

So why is the strategy for this game so different? Well, it is very simple, the clay is a thick and heavy surface which sticks to the ball and therefore slows it Down considerably.

You won’t see the ball speeding up after it has hit the clay, as you would on a hard court. The thick clay will have the opposite effect.

As the ball has been slowed down; it will bounce a lot higher than on other surfaces, so the players have more time to get to the ball and return it. It is due to this that clay can claim to have some of tennis’ longest matches played on it.

The rallies are obviously longer and shots easier to reach than they would be on the fast courts. A sure fire winner on grass is probably reachable on clay.

Although the ball is easier to reach, the faster player will always have the advantage over their slower opponents.

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There are qualities which are vital to any great tennis player and as the world of tennis progresses on, these qualities are debated over by fans and players alike.

It can be fun considering the different perspectives and opinions of the many arguments that evolve from the different aspects of the game.

Some very important aspects are listed. Are there any that you would find most important?

Is it volleying? After all, a well rounded net game can pose a threat to any opponent and easily end a point. Look at the past success of players like John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, and even Pete Sampras to a degree.

Many tennis buffs would argue that the modern game favors baseline play over the net. After all, look at the dominance of Rafael Nadal from the back of the court. Even players like Andy Roddick, who once spent more time at the net, are recently favoring the baseline and opting for ground strokes.

Any player with a powerful serve can easily take control of the court if their opponent is unable to break them and this will give them an overall advantage. Take Roddick as a good example of a big serve.

How about speed though? Guys like Nadal can get to just about every ball, making it extremely difficult for their opponents to win points. The harder your opposition has to work for a point, the more unforced errors you’ll ultimately cause.

I think that the x-factor wins over all others. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have a mental attitude that goes with winning. The type of ‘no lose’ attitude which, I think gives them an edge over their opponents.

With the ability to rarely be rattled, their stoic composure and never say die attitude wins them so many more matches than the stats would indicate.

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Tennis fans around the world are rejoicing as the grand slam season has kicked off. Things are most definitely exciting on both sides of the tour, leading many to speculate as to who will dominate the sport this year. Let’s take a look at the men of the sport.

Things will certainly be interesting in men’s tennis this year. It’s one of the first years in recent memory where fans legitimately believe that more than just two players have a chance at finishing on top.

Though Federer and Nadal occupy the top two spots in the world, there are a few players who could end up the year ranked at number one. Let’s take a look at the most likely finishers now.

No article like this would be proper without calling Federer the most likely person to rank atop the world. After all, he’s held a pretty firm grasp on the position for over eight years now. On the other hand, he’s getting older and others are catching up.

If Rafael Nadal can stay healthy, there’s no reason to believe that he can’t finish there. In fact, many believe that he would have finished there in 2009 had he not been forced to miss Wimbledon due to his knee injury.

On the rise is the young 20 year old Juan Martin Del Potro, whose incredible win at the US Open shocked many tennis fans. To knowledgeable ones, the Argentine’s emergence wasn’t such a surprise. The kid is incredibly talented and has what it takes to capture the world’s top ranking this year.

Then, there are two final players who will both have a go at the throne.

Novak Djokovic is one of those guys who everyone thought would be number one at some point, yet he hasn’t quite gotten there yet. He’s more mature at the age of 23, and could finally have both the physical and mental game to get there.

Then, there’s Andy Murray. At 22 years old, this British talent is on the rise and peaked as high as number two last year. With some big wins in 2010, he could be this year’s dark horse.

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Due to the Aussie Open marking the beginning of the new 2010 tennis year, the excitement is officially here again. There are several players making up a field that is now more up for grabs than it’s happened to be in quite a few years.

No longer are the days of Federer and Rafa Nadal dominating any tournament. There are some other players competing professionally with legitimate chances every instance a match commences.

Despite the fact that Federer and Rafa Nadal sit on the number one and two spots in the tour, there are two or three players that can potentially end up the year atop the field at number 1. Why don’t we get a look at the most likely heirs to the throne at this point.

Certainly, there is certainly Roger Federer. He may well at all times be considered the leading candidate to end up atop the the rankings, because he’s done this just about every season during the duration of the most recent decade. Nevertheless, his age of twenty nine reveals that he is getting up there in years.

If Rafa Nadal can stay in good health, there is no valid reason to that he can’t wind up there. In fact, plenty fans think that he may have ended up there in 2009 had he not been required to skip Wimbledon due to his knee condition.

Also in the mix is the burgeoning 20 year old Juan Martin Del Potro, whose incredible title at Flushing Meadows stunned lots of tennis devotees. To active ones, the young player’s win wasn’t such a shock. The kid is amazingly gifted and is good enough to seize the tour’s best ranking in 2010.

Finishing things off are a pair of additional possible men. Let’s take a glance at them both.

Novak Djokovic is among these guys who fans was sure might be the very best at some point, however he hasn’t exactly gotten there yet. He’s a bit more level headed at his age of 23, and may perhaps finally have both the physical and psychological game to get there.

Then, there’s Andy Murray. With youth on his side, this Scottish talent is still improving and found himself as high as the second spot in 2009. With a few big wins in 2010, he may well be 2010’s unexpected surprise.

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Just a year and a half ago, Justine Henin ruled the WTA tennis tour, and many were calling her the best women’s player of our generation. It seemed like no one could stop the diminutive but powerful Henin.

Many were calling her the Roger Federer of women’s tennis, and deservedly so. She was simply unstoppable at her best. Why did she retire in 2008, then?

Her retirement had everything to do with the fact that she simply grew tired of the lifestyle that comes with that of a professional athlete. The training and the grueling schedule had taken their toll on this champion.

There were personal initiatives that she preferred to focus on, including a camp for children where she’d teach them how to play tennis.

It wasn’t until a few months ago during the fall of 2009 in which Henin announced that she’d be planning a return to women’s professional tennis. Fans of the sport rejoiced, as her presence would certainly add an interesting element to the state of the female game.

Many wondered if Henin would be able to compete at the level she previously played at. After all, nearly two years away from the sport could leave her rusty and a bit older. Will she be able to return to the world’s number one ranking that she firmly occupied before she called it quits?

Boy, were they wrong. Justine Henin looked as if she never took a day off after easily beating Nadia Petrova in straight sets at Brisbane. The competitive fire still burns in this warrior. In fact, some people claimed that she looked as if she never even took a day off.

From here, there’s one thing on her mind, and no one’s doubting she can get there. Expect to see her back at the top in due time.

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Andy Roddick comes into the 2009 US Open at a crossroads of his career.

After a strong showing at the Wimbledon 2009 tournament, Andy Roddick is back to top form. He’s spent countless hours each week focusing on keeping his body in the best shape possible, and Roddick’s tennis has markedly improved as a result.

At the same time, Roddick is aging and the clock is ticking on his career. His role in men’s tennis is crucial right now, as he’s really the only player who stands a chance to bring the US its first grand slam since Roddick captured the championship in 2003.

Roddick is older than all of the men’s top 5 tennis players, with the exception of the world’s top-ranked player, Roger Federer. And as far as Federer’s concerned, he’s playing better tennis than he has in quite some time, as he’s experienced a revival of his own.

The writing is on the wall for Andy Roddick. He was literally inches away from overcoming one of his obstacles in the 2009 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, but that must be forgotten as he looks to make a solid run at the two hard court slams and of course on grass at Wimbledon.

At this point in his career, Roddick’s window is beginning to close. He probably has three or four effective years left, but many tennis players age into their late 20s as they slide in the rankings.

He got a slight taste of what he is capable of at Wimbledon, now it is up to Andy Roddick to close the deal and hush any critics he may still have.

There would be no better place for Roddick to win than in front of a home crowd in New York. Time will tell if he has what it takes.

Andy Roddick is at an inflection point as far as his career is concerned. The 2009 US Open could dictate where his career goes from here.

After a strong showing at the Wimbledon 2009 tournament, Andy Roddick is back to top form. He’s spent countless hours each week focusing on keeping his body in the best shape possible, and Roddick’s tennis has markedly improved as a result.

While Roddick is in great shape at the moment, time isn’t exactly his friend right now. Currently 26, he’ll be 27 by the end of the calendar year, which really only leaves him with a few more years to play effective tennis. The American tennis world is counting on Roddick to come through for them, as other Americans like Blake, Fish, and Querrey aren’t considered legitimate contenders for a Grand Slam.

At year’s end, he’ll be 27 years old. While he currently stands 5th in the world, three of the four ahead of him are four years younger or more. The other? Roger Federer, who has had a rebirth of his own to coincide with Roddick. In fact, Federer has been the thorn in his side for years.

It must be frustrating for Roddick, who was literally points away from winning his first ever Wimbledon again Roger Federer in the finals earlier this summer. This was a classic match that truly could have gone either way.

Realistically, he might only have seven legitimate chances left in his career. By the end of 2011, he’ll be on the verge of 30 years old, which might as well be 60 in tennis years.

Wimbledon was a perfect showcase of Roddick’s talents. With one of the best serves in the game and some impressive ground strokes, a fit Andy Roddick could stick around as one of the world’s elite players for quite some time if he keeps up this level of fitness.

There would be no better place for Roddick to win than in front of a home crowd in New York. Time will tell if he has what it takes.