Look Ahead to 2010: 5 Bold Predictions

As we saw this past year, anything can happen in tennis. We ended the decade with a bang, and hopefully, we'll start the new one just as "umph". When I did this same post last year, I wasn't what you would call "right on", but I guess that's what blogging is for, right?

1. Both the WTA and ATP have 4 different Grand Slam Champions

The women's tour has been pretty mashed up for a while now, but with the return of Justine Henin, and Kim Clijsters' 2009 US Open run, things will only get crazier. On the men's side, it used to be Federer and Nadal, and no one else was even ,mentioned, but with the emergence of Juan Martin del Potro, and the presence of threats like Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Nikolay Davydenko, we could see 4 different male slam winners in a year for the first time since 2003. In fact, it's pretty likely. Buckle up, everyone.

2. Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova All Return to the Top 10

Like I said, the women's tour will be one big smorgasbord in 2010. Henin dominated the tour before her unexpected retirement, and there is no reason she can't return to her previous level, or even better. Clijsters looked better than ever at 2009's end, and she proved that she can match the power and athleticism of any woman on the circuit. Maria Sharapova had a bright finish to the year, taking the Toray Pan Pacific Open title, and she will look to be a GS winner again. After all, she has won all her majors in even-numbered years.

3. Wozniacki Drops Out of the Top 10

Sure, Caroline Wozniacki's 2009 US Open run was impressive, but her inconsistency has lead me to believe that it was a fluke. With a new, more powerful generation of tennis rising, it seems to me that Wozniacki's style of play just won't be able to keep up. She is currently ranked 4th, but if heavy-hitters like Victoria Azarenka, Sharapova and Clijsters continue their ascents, look for it to be a long year for the Danish beauty.

4. James Blake's Misery Continues and He Retires

One of America's fan favorites, James Blake, didn't have the brightest 2009. He lost in the opening round at 3 of the 4 majors and was barely above a .500 winning percentage. Just 2 years ago, he reached the 4th spot in the rankings, and he now sits 40 spots below that. Look for the 30 year old's poor results to continue, and by year's end, expect the Tampa resident to retire.

5. Roger & Mirka Announce They are Expecting Another Child by December

Roger Federer and wife Mirka became parents to twin girls in July, but both have expressed desire to expand again. Perhaps the two will announce they are expecting a baby Roger near the end of 2009? I can hope, right?

Look Ahead to 2010: 5 Players to Watch For

We're just days away from ringing in the new year with family and friends, but more importantly, the beginning if the 2010 tennis season is inching closer and closer. The first week of tournaments is January 4th, so we have a few days to make our predictions and look ahead to the year's first slam, the Australian Open. We'll begin by looking for 5 players that will make big-time noise this year.

1. David Nalbandian- This Argentine had a crummy 2009, with a severe injury that shortened his campaign, and disappointing results, but with one of the best backhands in the game, and the experience to match it, Nalbandian will return to the elite. He now sits with a ranking of 64, but after surgery and a long 7 months of preparation, look for the former world number 3 to make a surprising run in Melbourne.

2. Sabine Lisicki- After winning her first ever title in Charleston, upsetting Caroline Wozniacki in the final, Sabine Lisicki continued her impressive play, finishing the season just outside the top 20. The 20 year old reached a GS quarterfinal at Wimbledon, and was 2nd on the WTA Tour in aces behind Serena Williams. Expect this German to make a lot of noise in 2010.

3. Richard Gasquet- Cleared if his now infamous cocaine scandal, Frenchman Richard Gasquet is ready to return to the ATP Tour with a chip on his shoulder. Once a fixture in the top 15, Gasquet career took a turn for the worse with zero titles in 2008 and a 2009 cut short by suspension. Now just outside the top 50, Gasquet, who is still just 23, will be a danger to the elite.

4. Shahar Peer- This Israeli has been on the tour for quite some time, but at just 22 years old, she has her whole career ahead of her. Shahar Peer won two titles in 2009 at recorded 39 match wins. She has said she plans to have an even better year in 2010, so the ladies of the tour should be aware of Peer and her fierce groundstrokes.

5. Petra Kvitova- Petra Kvitova made her mark on the WTA in 2009. At just 19 years old, she defeated then world number 1 Dinara Safina en route to the US Open 4th round. She won her premiere title earlier in the year in Hobart, and she reached the top 50. This Czech could definitely become a threat on the big stages.