Its that time again, folks! Because nothing says “sport” like treating your favourite players as stock market, money making bet machines, am I right? Carry on.
Buy – Juan Martin Del Potro
What else is there to say? Oh, that I think he has the capability to be a number 1 some day? Oh, I went there. In an age where Fed and Rafa have really been the only ones who have mattered at the top, there’s been whispers of the fall of the two of them (specifically Fed, due to age), something really no one wants to see happen. But its going to, and in 3 years Captain BumblElf will be a shy 24. Fed will be 31. Rafa will be 26, Muzz and Nole will both be 25. Not that that’s old, but the US Open was THE statement for Juan that he can in fact beat anyone on tour. And hell, if he beat Fed in Paris, he just might have won the French Open (AKA for being a big time power player, he can play on clay). I don’t want to get too out of control with speculation, but it doesn’t even feel like Elf has reached the full potential of his game yet, and he’s already one of the most dangerous players on tour. You’ve been warned.
Sell – Robin Soderling
Sure, he made a slam final, and upset the King of Clay on the way (not to mention some other great clay players like Koala and Ferru) and it seems a bit risky because of his rather awesome end to the year. The fact of the matter is that he got his clock cleaned by Fed about 40 times last season, really failed to come up with any serious upset other than Rafa at RG, and only won one 250 tournament. He only turns 26 in August, but I have a hard time believing that Sod will be able to keep such a high level of play, or ranking, all year long. Perhaps Sod will be able to come up with another major upset or two, but I wouldn’t count on his ranking or play getting him much higher than he is now.
Buy – Jeremy Chardy
The 2006 Wimbledon Boys Champ and USO Runner-up made two 250 finals this year, losing the first to Jo in South Africa in February, and winning his first title in Stuttgart in July. He made the fourth round of the French Open, and at age 22, the Frenchie is slowly starting to creep his way onto people’s radar screens, finishing the year at the 32 rank. Oh, and he took a set off of Dick at Wimbledon in the first round, for what its worth, and beat both Marin and T-Rob. As his game continues to improve, along with his ranking, look for him to avoid big names in early rounds now that he’s in the top 32, and slowly creep his way up the rankings. Allez!
Sell – Tommy Haas
Some serious props need to be given to a guy who managed to adapt his game, and serve and volley his way into his first Wimbledon semifinal at age 31 (on courts that were supposed to be slow!) and still goes by the name “Tommy”. I’m getting visions of Rugrats. Not to mention he made the fourth round of RG and the third round of the remaining two slams. Not bad at all my friend. At the same time, there’s a reason why I call you “Old Man Haas”. Its because you’re old. Don’t expect another freak slam semifinal run from the German, who managed to finish the year inside the top 20 at 18.
Buy – Feliciano Lopez
Yup, Feli managed to finish the year ranked lower than both Blah and someone by the name of Horacio Zeballos (who?). But if Feli’s long hair gave him magical powers in the bedroom, getting rid of it gave him magical powers on the tennis court. After what was becoming an absolute joke of a year (and still ended with a losing record) and only getting to one quarter final all year, he knew he had to change it up. So he cut his hair. And made it to the Shanghai semifinals. Sure, everyone and their dog was injured (Feli retired against Rafa in the semi) but he beat Ferru and Sod along the way, no small feat. The dude has more talent than he let onto this year, that’s for sure, and much like Ana for the women, it seems nearly impossible that he could have an even worse year than he did in 2009.
Sell – Mikhail Youzhny
The Youz had a rather quiet yet effective year, winning the Kremlin cup and making three other finals. However, if you think Caro played a lot of tournaments, get this. The Youz played a whopping 31, five more than her. Hard to see the 27 year old’s ranking rising much higher than the 19 its at now.
I know Jills really likes Jeremy’s hair long, but he’s really hot with that short hair and the scruffy beard.
Great picture of Jeremy!
Since I fucking love Jeremy, Delpo, and Feli so much, I give your buy choices a A+ I definitely think Jeremy will have a better year now bc he’s finally seeded going into the AO and hopefully the other slams. No more playing Dick first round of Wimbledon.
idk about Sod- I agree he probably won’t rise any higher in rankings, but I think he’ll have another really solid year. But a lot of people are going to like the fact that you’re selling him lol
The Haas thing makes me sad. He’s getting older
It’s gonna suck when he retires.
I’d buy Delpo, Jeremy and Feliciano too but for very different reasons. *wink wink*
Hi, I’m Joan. I found it only recently but I really like your blog.
Ah, well welcome and thanks for reading! Can’t wait to get back to full blogging action in January
Thanks for the comment!
I would buy Rafa and Nole, sell Roddick and Sod.
I’m selling Gilles Simon, Jo Willy, Gael Monfils and Andy Roddick. Buying Jezzabelle, Peter Polanski, Marin Cilic and FeVer.
Holding…Rafa and Nole F.O.R.E.V.E.R.!!!!
Peter PoPo FTW!
I completely agree with your list here. Every single choice. And to further this a bit…
Sell-Roddick, Kolya, Stepanek, Robredo
Hold-Rafa, Nole, Murray, Nando, Jo, Gael
Buy-Cilic, Querrey, Ferrer (look what an amazing DC did for Nando)
Heh, I was thinking of doing Steps for a sell, as well Marin and Q-Man for buys.
Sadly with Sammy is though is how he’s going to deal with his arm injury. I know its healed and everything is better, but you have to wonder is if his forehands and serves will ever be quite the same ever.
Yeah, I was thinking of that. I would like to believe he’s the way he was physically before the stupid lapse in judgment.
Good point SA. The ole DC injectamazingness!!
Yep. Someone needs to bottle the DC injectamazingness (love that word btw) and sell it. It works wonders.
Plus, I have a soft spot for Ferrer and would love to see him back in at least the Top 15.
Ooh I’m liking the Jeremy pick,for more than tennis reasons
But,you’re buying Feliciano Lopez!?Feliciano Lopez hair products,maybe…but I don’t see anymore than that,a brave pick!And fuck someone needs to give Feli his own fragrance,hair product line or something…
Have to agree about Haas,really admire what the dude’s done this year but yup he’s OLDDD,after he won Halle Courier tweeted something about how it’s nice to see guys he played against still winning titles,so,yeah…And I’d sell Steps on those grounds too,he’s over 30 right?
My controversial buy,Rusty??I dunno,I see him having a good ’10 maybe?Although old with a hip replacement…Then i’d buy Reeshard (he needs some love) and sell Gilles and Ivo (because he shouldn’t be allowed to be a stock ha)…
And let’s face it,the curse of Haas has already returned…of course he was the first big tennis player to get swine flu,OF COURSE it had to be him out of everyone!
Rusty Lawnmower had a good year this year, I could see him doing well next year too. Gilles is a risky buy but a smart one… we’ll see. He looked a bit down and out this year. Reesh would be a solid investment if he can find his form from early 2009 and bring it back next year.
I’ve never heard of Horacio Zeballos (who? lol) either, but maybe he’s a good BUY for 2010. His ranking has steadily risen from around 200 at the beginning of 2009 to currently 45.