Home > Tennis > Tennis 2008: Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga out to Slam the world

Tennis 2008: Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga out to Slam the world

But just like the women's game, there are several young talents waiting to shake up the ATP tour and Grand Slams.

by Ilana Berger on 21 February 2008

Email this Article (1) Comments

100%

0 %

Mikhail Youzhny: Big things expected this year (Gettyimages.com)

Related Bet:

Free £10 bet when you register at

Related Events:

Women's tennis seems to be in good shape with many new talents emerging, but the men are giving them a good fight at the beginning of 2008. Here are some big names of the present, and some new prospects for the future . . .

Novak Djokovic - Birthdate 22-05-87. Birthplace - Belgrade, Serbia. Residence - Monte Carlo. Height - 6ft 2ins' (187 cm). Weight - 176 lbs (80 kg). Plays right-handed. Turned Pro in 2003. Coach - Marian Vajda. Current ATP singles ranking 3. Career high ATP singles ranking 3 (9-07-07). Current ATP singles race 1. Current Stanford ATP doubles ranking 276. Career High Stanford ATP doubles ranking 134 (20-08-07).

This great character has brought not only exciting tennis to his matches but much fun and good times for his fans all over the world. With his first Grand Slam title in his pocket, the sky's the limit.

'Nishikori is the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt'

Andy Murray - Birthdate: 15-05-87. Birthplace - Dunblane, Scotland. Residence - Dunblane, Scotland. Height - 6ft 3ins (190 cm). Weight - 175 lbs (79 kg). Plays right-handed. Turned Pro in 2005. No coach. Current ATP singles ranking 10. Career High ATP singles ranking - 8 (18-Jun-07). Current ATP singles race 5. Current Stanford ATP doubles ranking 327. Career High Stanford ATP doubles ranking 89 (2-04-07).

The promising Scot has yet to deliver. He has proven himself as far as a very good ranking is concerned and title winning, but he is definitely Slam potential - and that hasn't happened yet.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - Birthdate: 17-04-85. Birthplace - Le Mans, France. Residence- La Rippe, Switzerland. Height - 6ft 2ins (187 cm). Weight - 200 lbs (90 kg). Plays right-handed. Turned Pro in 2004. Coach - Eric Winogradsky. Current ATP singles ranking 18. Career High ATP singles ranking 18 (28-Jan-08). Current ATP singles race 2. Current Stanford ATP doubles ranking 75. Career High Stanford ATP doubles ranking 74 (11-02-08).

Beaten finalist at the Australian Open. Is a great athlete who will have to prove in the next three to five years he is no "one Slam wonder". A very good player with a refreshing attitude and fighting spirit.

Mikhail Youzhny - Birthdate: 25-06-82. Birthplace - Moscow, Russia. Residence - Moscow, Russia. Height - 6ft (182 cm). Weight - 160 lbs (72 kg). Plays right-handed. Turned pro in 1999. Coach - Boris Sobkin. Current ATP singles ranking - 8. Career High ATP singles ranking - 8 (28-Jan-08). Current ATP singles race 4. Current Stanford ATP doubles ranking 162. Career High Stanford ATP doubles ranking 43 (11-09-06).

At 26, the Russian has reached his best results and ranking since turning pro in 1999. It seems as if he has been around forever, but this Davis Cup hero for his country is only now reaching his best. This year might hold great things for him.

Now some of the new kids on the block . . .

Donald Young - Birthdate: 23-07-89. Birthplace - Chicago, USA. Residence - Atlanta, USA. Height - 6ft (182 cm). Weight -160 lbs (72 kg). Plays left-handed. Turned pro in 2004. Coach - Donald Sr. and Illona Young. Current ATP singles ranking 100. Career High ATP singles ranking 95 (11-Feb-08). Current ATP singles race 137. Current Stanford ATP doubles ranking 264. Career High Stanford ATP doubles ranking 203 (12-11-07).

Kei Nishikori - Birthdate: 29-12-89. Birthplace - Shimane, Japan. Residence - Bradenton, Florida. Height - 5ft 10ins (177 cm). Weight - 150 lbs (68 kg). Plays right-handed. Turned pro in 2007. Coach - Glenn Weiner. Current ATP singles ranking 131. Career High ATP singles ranking 131 (18-Feb-08). Current ATP singles race 24. Current Stanford ATP doubles ranking 991. Career High Stanford ATP doubles ranking 940 (20-Aug-07).

At 18 years, one month and 19 days, Nishikori is the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt (16 years, 10 months, 18 days) in Adelaide on January 11, 1998.

Comments (1)

by fredy exantus on February 21, 2008

Murray despite all the hype surrounding him;his game has not even made the semis of a grand slam just like Berdych and James Flake;sorry Blake! Andy Roddick who just lost to Philip Kohlschreiber should be questioned,not 22yo Tsgona who ALWAYS had the talent for anyone whose known him but was slowed down due to severe injuries:broken knee;herniated disc;bad shoulders;wrist and so forth. He,Tsonga unlike Roddick HAS variety and he is ALL court;ALL surface player. Can Tsonga get fitter;lose weight?No question!Is he willing to add shots in his game and work on becoming an even better all surface player unlike Murray who stinks on clay and Roddick who unless someone else knocks out Federer;Nadal;Djokovic and anyone who can read his serves and return better;move better won't win a tournament! What about James Blake?When are you folks going to get on his case for winning all of his 10 titles all on hard courts and the fact that he can't make the semis of a grand slam?Let's say NY since he doesn't play that great on grass;stinks on clay and despite all the rigged draws in NY he can't even make it far there?What about him losing to a nobody in Delray Beach's finals where he would have had better competion in Marseilles,France? Serbian and French tennis are looking good;the likes of Querrey;Isner;Young so far have proven that they all stink and are nothing but Great American "Hope" since all the hype in the world hasn't helped them achieve a damn thing! Djokovic got a sick Federer who couldn't serve at all;couldn't move and lost 6lbs in a week.Wasn't Djokovic the one who soon after lost in the 1st round in Marseilles?Didn't he lost last year in the first round in Cincy after beating Roddick,Nadal and Federer?How on earth could this guys be the next great thing if he loses like that when you have to be consistent week in and week out!