Don’t let that calm, mature demeanor fool you.  Venus Williams comes to play.  At 6’ 1”, Venus is quick, boasts a powerful serve and moves with flowing agility.  At 29 years old and with 15 impressive years on the tour, Venus Williams is still poetry in motion.

Venus reached the finals at Wimbledon where she has won five career titles.  Her sister Serena took the crown but Venus once again delighted the crowds with her strong play and resounding serve.  Unfortunately, that serve was missing in the finals and Serena outgunned her older sister.

That was her best performance of the Grand Slam year but Venus and Serena combined to win three of the four doubles titles.  They achieved their highest doubles ranking and finished the year at number three.  Few fans doubt their doubles prowess and they are generally the bookmaker’s favorite.

With seven singles and ten doubles Grand Slam championships under her belt, Venus is no stranger to center court.  It is possible that after 14 years on the circuit, the talented entrepreneur has begun to consider other options.  Her success at the major tournaments in 2010 may well determine her next move.

Venus in 2009

Although falling in the rankings to sixth, it was not a quiet year for the former world number one.  In February, Venus recorded her 40th tour championship at Dubai with wins over Elena Dementieva and Serena en route to the finals.  Later in the month, she and added her 41st title at Acapulco.

She had several other strong tournaments including a runner-up finishes at Wimbledon, Stanford, and at the Tour Championships to close out the year.  Her career earnings are now a hefty $25,066,990.  In 2009, she earned $3,126,894.  It was a superior year for doubles as she and Serena moved up 7 notches to their number three ranking.

Her annual won-lost record was a comfortable 38 –16 which boosted her career record to an impressive 553 – 137.  Venus holds more career wins than any active tour player.

In defeating top seed Dinara Safina at Wimbledon, Venus upset a world number one for the 13th time, also a record.  We suspect that as long as Venus continues to enjoy the rigors of life on the tour, a more mellow Venus will continue to win with her combination of finesse and experience.  Her singles wins may lower, but her doubles expertise remains unquestioned.

Like all her fans, we urge the elegant star to keep firing away!

What fans forget about Maria, is that she is just 22 years old.  Her glamour girl image, very public profile and photo appeal make it seem like she has been around longer.  The biggest problem for Maria is that she has suffered physical issues and perhaps lost some of her concentration along the way.

2010 will be a defining year for the statuesque Russian blonde who happens to sport one the game’s loudest grunts.  Her resounding on-court antics have alienated many of her competitors and she is known as an “unfun” matchup.  As the cameras and throngs around her testify, a match against Maria is all about Maria, her glitz, her glamour, her camera-presence, drawing power and behavior.

Despite the glitter, 2010 will be a crossroads year for the 6’2” blue-eyed looker.  In other words, Maria Sharapova, it is time to put up or shut up!

After she cashed in with her third Grand Slam title in Melbourne in 2008, Maria’s career has floundered hitting a holding pattern for months at a time.  Her use of rehabilitation time as endorsement recruiting and modeling opportunities has not inspired confidence in her tennis fans, who have begun to question her commitment to the game that made it all possible.

Her 2009 Grand Slam performances have done little to sway her dwindling galleries.  She is now regarded as just another opponent and, frankly, a bit past her prime, a bad fate for any 22 year-old.

Since her 2008 Australlian Open title, she was bounced in the 4th round in Paris, 2nd round at Wimbledon and did not play at the 2008 Open.  She withdrew from the 2009 Australian Open, reached the quarters in Paris, lost in the 2nd round in London and 3 round in New York.  These are hardly the credentials of one of the game’s elite stars.

Maria in 2009

Basically it was an inactive, unproductive season for Sharapova.  Injury sidelined her in the early months and she appeared out of competitive shape when she returned.  Despite moments of competitive fire, her overall play lacked the passion the big names bring to the table.

Maria withdrew from all tourneys until May but fared better than expected at Roland Garros.  It was September before she was able to capture her first event of the year in Tokyo.  That win marked her 20th career singles title.  However, the field lacked the biggest stars.

Her yearly earnings were just below $1 million while her career earnings stand at more than $13 million.  It seems that as the 14th ranked tour player, Maria will have to prove herself allover again.  We hope she has the heart!

Serbian superstar and national icon, Novak Djokovic, maintained his number four ranking at a time when he seemed poised to make a run at the top.  Known as a moody player who sometimes lacks the will to overcome minor setbacks, Novak continued to struggle in his Grand Slam appearances while prospering in his regularly scheduled tour events.

Ever since his stirring upset win in the 2008 Australian Open and teamed with county mate Ana Ivanovic’s success in the same tourney, Serbian tennis has been on the rise.  The 2009 Grand Slam presented surprising roadblocks and some lackluster efforts for the lanky power player.  With nothing more than one semi-final appearance at the U.S. Open, it seemed Djokovic was overrated and in jeopardy of losing his lofty ranking to more aggressive players like Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick.

There is no question that Novak prefers the shorter tour events where there is a bit less scrutiny and a lot less media coverage.  Toward the end of the season, Djokovic attempted to reverse his downward Grand Slam spike by teaming up with new coach, American Todd Martin.  A fiery competitor in his own right, Martin may be just the cure for the sometimes-listless Djokovic.

An easy-going temperament has seen Novak unwilling to play through minor injuries and halt play in matches rather than attempt comebacks.  Other tour players no longer fear Djokovic’s big serve and solid strokes.  His questionable commitment makes his fair prey.

Djokovic in 2009

Despite his woes in Grand Slam events, Novak put together more tour wins than any other competitor in 2009.  His 76-18 match play record and 5 tour titles kept him in the top four rankings-wise.

The 22 year old won the Dubai Open, the Serbia Open, the China Open, the Davidoff Swiss Open and the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.  Along with his five wins, Novak remarkably lost in seven other tour finals.  Truly, this is an amazing accomplishment that does leave fans shaking their heads wondering about what happens in the bigger venues.

During the year, Djokovic posted 496 aces, landed 63% of his first serves, won 73% of his first serve points, saved a commendable 67% of break points against and won 85% of his service games.  These are strong numbers by anyone’s calculations.

Since retaining Martin, Djokovic went on a tear in the fall, winning three events.  His early departure at the London season finale was a bit disappointing but will his overall tour performance has solidified his ranking.  Novak should be entering the upcoming season with confidence.

Armed with a new coach and a deeper fitness regimen than last year, perhaps the Serb will put the off-season to work and show his legions of fans the fiery drive they have been waiting to see.  The tennis world awaits the arrival of the real Novak Djokovic.

Blessed with seemingly unlimited talent and even more potential, Andy Murray can best be described as impossible to predict.  Just when Murray appears to be at the top of his game and form, things seems to fall apart.

Despite his lofty number 2 ranking, he is still a player known for his potential rather then for his accomplishments.  There remains a large performance gap between heavyweights Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and even Juan Martin Del Potro and the nervous Scot.

Rather than embrace his talent, Murray seems to falter under the spotlight and when on center stage.  Rather than a career on the rise, the darling of the UK appears to be content losing in sub-par displays at critical points.  Such was certainly the case at all four of this year’s Grand Slams when he failed to get past the semifinals in any event.  The media and his fans are anxiously tiring of shrugging off mediocre play.

In the wake of his stirring Runner-up finish in the 2008 U.S. Open, and with a big win over Federer in the ATP Shanghai Open to close out 2008, this was to be Murray’s breakout year.  He entered the Australian Open as a bookmaker sweetheart only to be inexplicably scorched in the 4th round.  His work ethic has come under fire, as the redhead seems to value his privacy more than his tennis career.

Under the glitter of the two-week long Grand Slam Championships, Murray has always seemed ill at rest.  There is always mention of his devotion to his beautiful lady friend as if he is being set up to fail, which he inevitably does.

With all his tour successes, which include 14 tour Championships in his four years on tour, his Grand Slam history can best be described as dismal.  Perhaps, he will use the off-season to seek some competitive counseling and gain a smidgen of competitive fire.  While Andy has the talent, he lacks the ability to compete and to remain focused for Grand Slam events.  For Andy Murray, the time has come.  Simply, it is now or never.  There are just too many hungry players who understand what it takes to win.  Another year like this one and the endorsements will cease and Murray runs the risk of becoming just another every day player.

Murray in 2009

Despite a sub-par year on the Grand Slam circuit, Murray’s tour year fared better.  He claimed 6 of his 14 career championships in 2009 and earned a more-than-respectable $4 million.  Murray is fast becoming the men’s tour equivalent of Dinara Safina.  Championship players now view a bracket with Murray as a bracket in which they want to compete.

To go along with his career 221 – 75 won-lost record, Murray posted a robust 66-11 record in 2009.  He is just one of three players to break the 60 win barrier.

His 2009 titles include the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open, the ABN AMRO World Tennis Open, the Rogers Cup in Montreal, the AEGON Championship in England, the Sony Erickson Trophy in Miami and The Valencia Open.  There s no doubt that Andy knows how to win the weeklong tour events.

Is 2010 the year Murray will break through in a Grand Slam?  That probability rests squarely between the ears of the young star.  Show us the fire, Andy!

At the end of 2008, there was an undercurrent about the greatest player to grace the courts.  Perhaps, there were even some whispers.  Stern challengers like Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray seemed poised to move Federer further down the ladder.

Needless to say, the whispers have stopped.  The retirement rumors have ceased and the best player in the world has clawed his way back to a heady, well-deserved top billing.

In the four 2009 Grand Slams, the Swiss star won in Paris and at Wimbledon and finished second at Australia and in the U.S. Open.  For some players, that would be a happy career.

His Grand Slam prowess is highlighted by his record 15 titles and six runner-up finishes.  Since 2004, The Swiss star has reached the semifinals or better in every Grand Slam event except the 2004 French Open.  While clay is his least-favorite surface, Roger showed his mettle with his first Championship at Roland Garros in 2009.  There is no question that Federer trains meticulously for the grueling two-week Grand Slam, events.  No player in history has a better record and more stirring wins over a bevy of up and coming younger challengers.  Truly, his mental preparation and durability give Roger the edge in tight matches.

Federer in 2009

2009 was a year of accomplishment for  Roger Federer.  Not only did he set the record for most Grand Slam victories but he also recaptured his number one ranking and dispelled rumors of retirement.  Faced with choices, the trim star worked on his foot speed and sharpened his game to new heights.  The results yielded big dividends.

Losing a gripping five set final to Rafael Nadal at Melbourne started the year with disappointment but that despair turned to joy at Roland Garros.  With that win, Roger became just the sixth player to hold all four major titles.  After capturing his 6th Wimbledon title, he set a new standard with 15 Grand Slam titles.  There is little reason to believe he will not add to the benchmark total.

In addition to his Grand Slam prowess, Roger finished the year as the top ranked ATP World player.  His 2009 match record stood at a remarkable 59-10.  On the hardcourts, Federer compiled a stirring 37-8 record compared to his 4-2 record on carpet, 10-1 clay record and 7-0 grass record.  This man does not go away and is just plain hard to beat.  Bring you’re A game or get out-of-the-way.  The express is en route!

In 2009, Federer added the Western and Southern Financial Group-Masters and the Mutual Madrilena Madrid Open championships to his two Grand to total 61 career titles.  With a bit of rest and a bit more practice and with endorsements following wherever he goes, Federer is already preparing for Melbourne in 2010.  Watch out Australia, the Cool Hand Roger Federer express is coming your way!

After winning four consecutive French Open Championships, tour opponents may have wished the fiercely competitive Spaniard would stay on his favorite surface.  Those who know the feisty former number one player know that compromise is not his style.  Nadal saw an opening and raised his game to take advantage of his extraordinary speed and shot-making skills in pursuing excellence on all surfaces.

Despite his all court progress, the popular Rafa had a disappointing 2009 Grand Slam season.  While clawing his way to his first hard court major of the year in Melbourne where the left-hander toppled Roger Federer yet again in a five-set final, injuries to his knees hobbled the star and contributed to a surprising 4th round exit in Paris and a non-appearance at Wimbledon before rebounding with a semi-final loss to eventual U.S. Open Champion Juan Martin Del Potro in New York.  Nadal also possesses the 2008 Wimbledon Grass Championship to round out his resume.

By August, Nadal had rested the tendonitis in both his knees and resumed competitive competition. If Rafa has a weakness, it is the toll his ball-hawking abilities take on his battered limbs. This year he suffered and no player is looking forward to a healing off-season more than Rafa.

Many fans do not realize that Rafael Nadal is an accomplished doubles player. Rafa has earned five Grand Slam doubles championships. With a career match record of 399 – 88 and 36 career championships and more than $26 million in earnings, Rafa would like nothing more than to unseat Roger Federer and regain his number one world ranking.

Rafa 2009 Season

Although saddled by injuries, Rafa made the most of the season.  His 2009 match record was a sterling 64-11 as he earned more than $5.3 million.  In holding the number two ranking, Rafa won five titles in 2009, including the ATP World Tour Masters Rome, The Barcelona, the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells and the Australian Open.  Not bad for a player in pain.

Long known as a feisty, game competitor, Rafa may be the player other competitors like least to play.  He simply does not quit and never disappears.  Every retrieved ball presents an opportunity to strike a winner.  When in form, Nadal’s shotmaking skills are unequalled.

The 23 year old Nadal is just one of three players to have battled his way to more than 60 wins in 2009.  Unfortunately, he was fighting an abdominal strain at the end of the season.  Assuming he rehabilitates well in the brief off-season, Rafa has the tools to give Federer a run for the money in 2010.  Beware of the testy Spaniard.  He gives no quarter.