A couple of years ago I thought the depth of mens professional high quality tennis was at an all time low. Womens tennis was strong with many personalities including Sharapova, Henin, the Williams sisters, Hingis, and Jankovic. Time can change everything.

The recent Aussie often was a showcase of young talent playing unbelievable tennis on the mens side. Verdasco, Monfils, Simon, Tsonga, Del Potro, Murray, and Djokovic have all roared up the ladder closer to Nadal and Federer. Federer couldn't believe he played so poorly in the 5th set against Nadal (losing 6/2) and broke down crying and dismayed at the end. Even Roger's girlfriend, Mirka, was in total shock! The last time I saw that was when Michael Chang's brother, Carl, sat in US Open stadium's front row for three hours after Michael Chang lost the final to Pat Rafter. Michael Chang never recovered. Will Roger ever to get so close in a Grand Slam again?

Sampras and Agassi came back. But Roger has a hungry, still improving 22-year-old in his way named Nadal. Put together all the young guns mentioned above and I don't like Roger's chances. I think Nadal has a better chance of winning the Grand Slam this year than Federer does of winning just one. Roger's best chance is the US Open because of the fast hard courts. In five sets anybody wish to take Federer against a rested Nadal? Maybe Tiger will show up after he comes back from injury to win another major!

One more interesting fact about Roger - he has asked, "please do not ever introduce me as the No. 2 player in the world." Okay as a Grand Slam Champion but not No. 2 over the megaphone or on TV. The last player to get dethroned was Borg by McEnroe at Wimbledon. Borg retired in the next couple of months. Could Federer be next?

Juan Martin Del Potro, a 20-year-old from Argentina is now ranked 7th in the world. He will go close to being the next No. 1 player in the world. How about 2011! Two young talents will rise quickly this year Ernests Gulbis, 45th in the world, and Kei Nishikori, 56th in the world. Sushi will never be so popular - just wait for the Kei. Speaking of food - Down Under in Australia, Thai restaurants and pasta bars have been all the rage the last 18 months. Very tasty too! Haven't seen any pasta bars in P-Cola? How about some shrimp on the barby over a plate of pasta with some Asian dressing sprinkled over the top, next to a cold gold. See ya...

On the ladies side Serena Williams wins so many close matches it is no fluke. She is that good, and I think when she is challenged is when she plays her best. Henin will come out of retirement and Sharapova better get back soon or that little dog will not be in any more pictures, but that's goooood.

The best young player is Victoria Azarenka whom I have watched the last two years in Miami. She will be top 5 this year, and she is like a lightning bolt. If she controls her intensity and firepower, she could go all the way.

Speaking of Miami, the Pro tournament down there is Key Biscayne - the last week of March and first week of April are terrific. It is the very best of all the pro tournaments, and you will never get closer to the players. The outside courts are right on top of the action and to watch Nadal and Federer practice only feet away is a dream. Make it happen and you will be rewarded, especially the first weekend of the event.

The Aussie often stirs my heart but Miami stirs my mind.

A special note of thanks - I must send out to the pros around the tennis community. When people can, they try to help and the family of tennis here in this area is a very strong unit. We all have ups and downs in life but in tennis our mind and body enjoy the game more than you know. That's why I live here with my family and tennis friends.

Thank you -
Brian Sakey