Predictions & Wishes for 2025

Opinion

3 Predictions, 2 Wishes and 1 Question for 2025

Predictions

1️⃣ Jiri Lehecka cracks the top 10. Have you seen this guy’s legs? He’s built like Cristiano Ronaldo, just less plastic surgery. The Czech is back from injury, and made a statement quickly by winning Brisbane last week. If he can stay healthy, his booming game will take him to new heights this year.

2️⃣ Sabalenka repeats as year end No. 1. I think the reign of Aryna has begun. I wouldn’t be surprised if she won 3 (yes 3) slams this year, she’s that good. Perhaps the highest compliment I can give is that Serena is her best player comp — big serve, huge groundstrokes, fast, and a fighter. You could say I’m bullish.

3️⃣ Sinner wins Wimbledon, and proves that he isn’t just the hard-court king. That said, a possible suspension from his doping case could wreck his 2025 season. We’ll likely get that decision sometime in February or March.

Wishes

🙏 Dear 7 pound, 6 oz baby Jesus, please give us another Djokovic vs. Alcaraz slam final this year. Why? Because the tennis is just so damn good, and time is running out. Because I want to see if the now older GOAT still has it, or if the young gun has firmly snatched the torch away. Before we know it, Novak will be on the golf course with Rafa, Roger and Andy reminiscing about the good ol’ days.

🥥 Dear enlightened Buddha, please give us a second grand slam trophy for Coco Gauff. I’m not picky, any slam will do. But if that’s asking for too much, I just hope she finds a reliable serve and forehand, so her opponents have to beat her, rather than her beating herself. I can’t watch that.

Question

🤔 Is having a net game coming back into fashion, particularly in the men’s game? Is it becoming less of a nice-to-have, and more of a requirement to be the best in the world?

Trivia

Almost everyone has a losing record against Novak Djokovic. But one of these players below is sadly 0-20 against the Djoker. Who is it?

A. Karen Khachanov

B. Gael Monfils

C. Denis Shapovalov

D. Viktor Troicki

Find out at the bottom!

Meet the Player

Madison Keys

From: United States 🇺🇸

Best Slam Result: Final (Singles), SF (Doubles)

Career High Ranking: 7

Fun Fact: An earthquake hit while she was playing a match in Costa Rica

Game Analysis: If you’re a top seed, Keys is one of those players you really don’t want to see in the draw. Because on a good day, she just might double bagel you. Armed with one of the biggest forehands on tour and a booming serve, she’s a nightmare to play on fast courts. However, her high-risk style means she can be prone to unforced errors, particularly under pressure.

Career Prediction: At the age of 29, the American is likely on the back stretch of her fantastic career. That said, I think she’s still got game left. A US Open or Wimbledon quarterfinals is in her future.

News

This week: US-centric tour updates

🇺🇸 Queue the Star Bangled Banner. Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz led team USA to its second United Cup victory in three years, defeating team Poland in the final. Gauff won a tight 6-4, 6-4 contest against Swiatek to kick things off, getting her second win against the Pole in 60 days. Call it a streak 👀 Fritz continued his fine form, beating Hurkacz in a match that featured 30 aces.

🤖 The serve bot is back. Sort of. After being sidelined for two years with wrist and hip injuries, 6’ 11” Reilly Opelka made a triumphant return to the tour last week in Brisbane. The American stunned Djokovic in the quarterfinals, followed by a win over fellow serve bot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Unfortunately, he retired in the finals due to a back injury. If Brisbane was any indication of his progress since injury, the rest of the tour should be scared.

✌🏽 Peace out, tennis. Sort of. American journeyman Denis Kudla hung up his rackets after a career that spanned 16 years. The DC native won his first ATP point at the age of 15, and reached a career high ranking of 53 in the world. While Kudla’s playing days are behind him, he’s staying close to the game. As all balding ex-pros do, he’s gone straight into coaching, joining Reilly Opelka’s coaching staff.

Memes

Alcaraz x Laver Cup

Top left is just too good 😂 If you have a favorite, reply and let me know!

Answer

B. Gael Monfils

After last week’s loss in Brisbane, the beloved Frenchman is now 0-20 against the Djoker. A close second to this one-sided rivalry (if you can even call it that) is Gasquet vs. Nadal. The Frenchman was 0-18 against the Spaniard.