Who will be the YE Top 5 Players??
I think this is a fair question to ask here as we have seen some surprising results this year and some injuries arising. I have been thinking about this.
I feel like the top 10 is not performing as they should, which I think we all know and could see some people burst into the top 5-7 that we won't expect regularly... Here's what I have to say about the current Top 7.
1) Murray- Started off the year with a loss to Djokovic in Doha. Then follows an early loss in Melbourne, shocking loss to Pospisil in IW, and then an injury.
2) Djokovic- Taken out by Istomin in Melbourne, and is dropping nearly 2000 total points after IW/Miami. Also has an injury that might hold him out.
3) Wawrinka- In my opinion, might be the only player in the Top 5 that is playing like he belongs there. Only one shocking loss this year to Dzumhur in Dubai, but followed it up with an IW final appearance. So it's probably nothing to worry about long-term.
4) Nishikori- His only struggles have been on the clay this year. Will be interesting to see how he fairs out at Barcelona (where he usually plays well), Madrid, Rome, and RG. It could make or break his ranking since we know what we'll get out of him on hard surfaces.
5) Raonic- Hasn't played since Delray Beach, but had good results prior to that. I'm wondering how serious this injury is long-term.
6) Federer- Literally nothing to say here. Winning the two biggest tournaments of the year, is a great start. His loss in Dubai doesn't matter. We'll see which Federer comes out in Miami.
7) Nadal- Playing well. He could've went further in IW if he didn't get placed in Federer's draw. He seemed to have been playing well and his only losses have come to Roger and Querrey (who played his best tennis, I've seen).
Of course their are some guys outside the top 10 who have had nice wins this year...
Dimitrov- Great beginning of the year, Brisbane title, Sofia title, SF in Melbourne, but seemed to have slowed down a bit lately, but his only losses have come to three great hard court players. (Nadal, Sock and Goffin)
Sock - Won Auckland, Delray Beach, SF in Indian Wells
Kyrgios - Defeated Djokovic twice this year already
Berdych - Might not necessarily have nice wins, but which Berdych will show up this year??
Pouille- He's ranked 15 in the world and has virtually no points to defend until August, will be tough to fall much before New York...
A. Zverev- He has lost three out of the last four, but won the title in Montpellier. We all know his potential.
Del Potro- Started out injured, but has the potential to bust into the top 5-10 by the US Open. Can win big matches if he plays well obviously.
So... my question to you is, who will be the YE top five players? Or is it too early to call?
Here's my prediction...
1. Murray
2. Wawrinka
3. Raonic
4. Federer
5. Djokovic