Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Rocking Rackets Experimental (FAQ & Blitz Management)

Brian Swartz · 09-12-2022, 01:49 PM

That Just Happened: 592 In Review

1. Fred Roethlisberger (27, DEU, 9.00, 9.08, -0.02) - 9,265

Roethlisberger maintained his grip on the top spot almost the entire year, and has a nearly identical points total and overall playing level to where he was before. This despite not winning any Slams - he reached the AO final, won the Tour Finals, and added Masters in Shanghai, Cincinatti, and Canada. Leading Germany to the WTC crown is no small matter either. Fred appears to be right about at the peak of his abilities, and there continue to be no lack of quality challengers.

2. Chris Shank (28, USA, 8.82, 9.00, -0.01) - 7,530

Really impressive showing by Shank to maintain his abilities and actually rise a couple spots in the rankings over a year ago. It appears the prime of players is shifted somewhat later in this world due to how fast it is - the peak isn't quite as high, but longevity appears to benefit. In any case, Shank took the early US Masters in Indian Wells and Miami, making the final of the US Open and the Tour Finals. Yep, that's right, neither of the top two players in the world won a Slam. Strange year, to put it mildly.

3. Victor Jensen (27, DEN, 8.93, 9.02, -0.03) - 7,410

Jensen broke through this year with success on clay, winning the Rome and Madrid Masters. He wasn't fresh for Roland Garros as a result though, and suffered a surprising QF loss. Capturing the US Open title over Shank cemented him among the top players, and in fact earned Victor the #1 ranking for several weeks. He's in the same career phase as Shank now, doing everything he can to slow the decline.

4. Sebastian Toma (27, URU, 8.67, 8.70, -0.04) - 6,590

Toma didn't win any big events this year, but was the most consistent performer at the Slam events. Finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, he was in the last eight at all four of them - stunning given his lack of hardcourt focus - and also made the Rome final. Definitely a surprising year for Sebastian, a specialist who bucked the odds and almost maintained last year's #3 finish. Wouldn't be on him pulling it off again though.

5. Sam Marino (25, SMR, 8.96, 9.08, +0.08) - 6,540

Marino ranged all over the Top 10 this year, making it as high as #2 after winning the Australian Open. He was inconsistent though, a finalist at Cincinatti but losing in the 4th round at the USO. Particularly if he can't repeat down under, Sam will need to be more steady this year. He's as good as any player in the world, but even the slightest faltering will cost you in this era. Time is still on his side as well; Marino's a year at least, possibly two away from his best tennis.

6. Barend Moellendorff (27, DEU, 8.84, 8.94, -0.03) - 5,350

Moellendorff was #2 a year ago, and held onto that spot for quite a while. He has definitely plummeted from those lofty heights however. He made the semifinals or better in seven big events including the USO and Tour Finals, but won none of them - consistently not quite good enough is where he's at right now. I expect he'll have enough left in the tank to at least stay in the Top 10 another year or two.

7. Ken Grimes (27, AUS, 8.78, 8.90, +0.05) - 5,260

Despite some impressive work on his serve this year, Grimes did not win his home Slam as I anticipated. An embarrassing 4th-round exit there notwithstanding, he made a couple of Masters finals, semis at the USO and Tour Finals, and actually managed to finish above his finish of 8th a year ago. If Ken can do better in Australia this year, he could be positioned for a strong season - but he still doesn't quite have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the top players.

8. Ernie Sheriff (31, USA, 8.62, 8.71, -0.09) - 4,455

A simple story this year for Sheriff. Made a handful of QF appearances, but the main aspect is that he refuses to accept being too old to win Wimbledon. Seven in a row now for him, and almost half of his points for the year from that one fortnight. Ernie slid a few spots from 5th, but he'll last as long as he keeps owning the grass - and not a moment longer.

9. Juan Pablo Fuenmayor (27, ARG, 8.62, 8.57, -0.01) - 4,350

I expected Fuenmayor to depart the Top 10 this year. Then he went and shockingly won Roland Garros - while not making it to the quarterfinals of any other major event. Lightning could strike twice, but I think my expectation was still the correct one. Clay and indoor specialties give him a chance to have another breakthrough somewhere, but the odds are long.

10. Vito Loeffelmann (25, SMR, 8.67, 8.70) - 4,270

This is not the new face I expected in the Top 10, yet here Vito is. Another clay/indoor guy, Loeffelmann was a consistent force on the clay including the final in Madrid and Monte Carlo, semis in Rome and RG. That was enough of a resume to propel Loeffelmann, a very good player, past superior competition.

11. Felipe Avello (26, CHI, 8.83, 8.95)

Avello is worth noting as he spent some time in the Top 10 this year and is currently the sixth-best player in the world by my reckoning. While lacking in some other departments, he possesses one of the best serves in the world and has improved to the point of being a legitimate hardcourt threat.

15. Helmut Nykvist (23, SWE, 8.93, 8.97)

I thought we'd see more from the Swedish phenom Nykvist this year; mismanagement had a good deal to do with why we didn't, but he's still a threat and appears to be gradually making at least somewhat better decisions. I have him 5th, and within striking distance of the best in the world. But for that to matter, it's got to show up on the court at some point soon. In restrospect, my prediction last year for him to make the Tour Finals was laughable; Helmut did ascend some from 22nd, but didn't do nearly as much as I expected.

09-12-2022, 01:49 PM	#42
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	That Just Happened: 592 In Review 1. Fred Roethlisberger (27, DEU, 9.00, 9.08, -0.02) - 9,265 Roethlisberger maintained his grip on the top spot almost the entire year, and has a nearly identical points total and overall playing level to where he was before. This despite not winning any Slams - he reached the AO final, won the Tour Finals, and added Masters in Shanghai, Cincinatti, and Canada. Leading Germany to the WTC crown is no small matter either. Fred appears to be right about at the peak of his abilities, and there continue to be no lack of quality challengers. 2. Chris Shank (28, USA, 8.82, 9.00, -0.01) - 7,530 Really impressive showing by Shank to maintain his abilities and actually rise a couple spots in the rankings over a year ago. It appears the prime of players is shifted somewhat later in this world due to how fast it is - the peak isn't quite as high, but longevity appears to benefit. In any case, Shank took the early US Masters in Indian Wells and Miami, making the final of the US Open and the Tour Finals. Yep, that's right, neither of the top two players in the world won a Slam. Strange year, to put it mildly. 3. Victor Jensen (27, DEN, 8.93, 9.02, -0.03) - 7,410 Jensen broke through this year with success on clay, winning the Rome and Madrid Masters. He wasn't fresh for Roland Garros as a result though, and suffered a surprising QF loss. Capturing the US Open title over Shank cemented him among the top players, and in fact earned Victor the #1 ranking for several weeks. He's in the same career phase as Shank now, doing everything he can to slow the decline. 4. Sebastian Toma (27, URU, 8.67, 8.70, -0.04) - 6,590 Toma didn't win any big events this year, but was the most consistent performer at the Slam events. Finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, he was in the last eight at all four of them - stunning given his lack of hardcourt focus - and also made the Rome final. Definitely a surprising year for Sebastian, a specialist who bucked the odds and almost maintained last year's #3 finish. Wouldn't be on him pulling it off again though. 5. Sam Marino (25, SMR, 8.96, 9.08, +0.08) - 6,540 Marino ranged all over the Top 10 this year, making it as high as #2 after winning the Australian Open. He was inconsistent though, a finalist at Cincinatti but losing in the 4th round at the USO. Particularly if he can't repeat down under, Sam will need to be more steady this year. He's as good as any player in the world, but even the slightest faltering will cost you in this era. Time is still on his side as well; Marino's a year at least, possibly two away from his best tennis. 6. Barend Moellendorff (27, DEU, 8.84, 8.94, -0.03) - 5,350 Moellendorff was #2 a year ago, and held onto that spot for quite a while. He has definitely plummeted from those lofty heights however. He made the semifinals or better in seven big events including the USO and Tour Finals, but won none of them - consistently not quite good enough is where he's at right now. I expect he'll have enough left in the tank to at least stay in the Top 10 another year or two. 7. Ken Grimes (27, AUS, 8.78, 8.90, +0.05) - 5,260 Despite some impressive work on his serve this year, Grimes did not win his home Slam as I anticipated. An embarrassing 4th-round exit there notwithstanding, he made a couple of Masters finals, semis at the USO and Tour Finals, and actually managed to finish above his finish of 8th a year ago. If Ken can do better in Australia this year, he could be positioned for a strong season - but he still doesn't quite have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the top players. 8. Ernie Sheriff (31, USA, 8.62, 8.71, -0.09) - 4,455 A simple story this year for Sheriff. Made a handful of QF appearances, but the main aspect is that he refuses to accept being too old to win Wimbledon. Seven in a row now for him, and almost half of his points for the year from that one fortnight. Ernie slid a few spots from 5th, but he'll last as long as he keeps owning the grass - and not a moment longer. 9. Juan Pablo Fuenmayor (27, ARG, 8.62, 8.57, -0.01) - 4,350 I expected Fuenmayor to depart the Top 10 this year. Then he went and shockingly won Roland Garros - while not making it to the quarterfinals of any other major event. Lightning could strike twice, but I think my expectation was still the correct one. Clay and indoor specialties give him a chance to have another breakthrough somewhere, but the odds are long. 10. Vito Loeffelmann (25, SMR, 8.67, 8.70) - 4,270 This is not the new face I expected in the Top 10, yet here Vito is. Another clay/indoor guy, Loeffelmann was a consistent force on the clay including the final in Madrid and Monte Carlo, semis in Rome and RG. That was enough of a resume to propel Loeffelmann, a very good player, past superior competition. 11. Felipe Avello (26, CHI, 8.83, 8.95) Avello is worth noting as he spent some time in the Top 10 this year and is currently the sixth-best player in the world by my reckoning. While lacking in some other departments, he possesses one of the best serves in the world and has improved to the point of being a legitimate hardcourt threat. 15. Helmut Nykvist (23, SWE, 8.93, 8.97) I thought we'd see more from the Swedish phenom Nykvist this year; mismanagement had a good deal to do with why we didn't, but he's still a threat and appears to be gradually making at least somewhat better decisions. I have him 5th, and within striking distance of the best in the world. But for that to matter, it's got to show up on the court at some point soon. In restrospect, my prediction last year for him to make the Tour Finals was laughable; Helmut did ascend some from 22nd, but didn't do nearly as much as I expected.