After staying up all night to follow the Australian Open, all tennis fans feel a void at the end of January. The following weeks are less exciting than the Happy Slam. However, there are still captivating matches to hold us over until the Sunshine Double.
From February 12th to 18th, things get serious again.
ABN Amro Open
The first ATP 500 of the year kicks off tomorrow. Some members of the top 10 have decided to skip the draw: Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. But the player in the best form of the year is indeed present. Jannik Sinner is the number one seed in Rotterdam.
The first tournament after his victory at the Australian Open should be revealing of his mental state. Will he have even more confidence in his game? Will he need more time to digest the accomplishment of a career—or a lifetime? Underestimating Carlos Alcaraz’s ability to win two Grand Slams in as many years would be a serious mistake. Many players have never been able to repeat their initial feat: Juan Martin Del Potro, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem, maybe Daniil Medvedev.
The ABN Amro Open doesn’t just host the young Italian this week. Some very exciting matches are on the horizon that should already make tennis enthusiasts salivate. The showdown between Grigor Dimitrov, in great form this season, and Lorenzo Sonego could be brilliant. Just like a potential dream final between Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune.
Buenos Aires Open
Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t set foot on clay since his semifinal defeat at Roland Garros against Novak Djokovic. His slides and drop shots that bounce even less than on other surfaces have been missed by tennis fans. No more waiting, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s student will make his debut on Tuesday.
Winner of the tournament last year, ‘Carlitos’ has always played a flawless tennis in South America: devastating forehands, down-the-line backhands, and a string of drop shots. That’s the spectacle that should delight our eyes very soon.
Alone in the world, or almost. No tangible threat in the rest of the draw. It all depends on the Spaniard.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are the leading figures of this tennis week. This is not the first time; and certainly not the last.
Marnie Abbou
