Tennis world en n 49 Tennis World issue 49 | Page 13

both already called an end to each, the Swiss and single year since Juan
their 2017 seasons, so they Spaniard were guaranteed a Carlos Ferrero in 2003.
are definitely out. As it spot at the year-end event Thiem also had a very good
stands, Wawrinka will quite a while ago. More year, reaching the semi-
probably still qualify for surprising are the early finals at Roland Garros and
London, even though he can’t inclusions of youngsters the final of the Masters 1000
play, but Djokovic would Alexander Zverev and in Madrid.
probably not make the cut Dominic Thiem. The Also already qualified are
anyway (he is number 10 in German, who is also first in Marin Cilic and Grigor
the race at present). the Race to Milan, won two Dimitrov, both of whom had
Wawrinka is still riding high in Masters 1000 events (Rome solid, consistent seasons.
the race because of his and Montreal) in 2017. He is Cilic, of course, reached the
excellent performances in the the first player outside of the final at Wimbledon, while
first half of the year: he Fab 4 to win two such events Dimitrov won the title in
reached the semi-final at the on different surfaces within a Cincinnati and reached the
Australian Open and the final
at Roland Garros. So even
though he hasn’t played in
quite some time, his quick
start to the year means he
might still technically qualify.
Murray has not officially
called an end to his season,
but since he is at number 13
in the Race and unlikely to
suddenly return and win in
Bercy, it’s unlikely that he will
make the grade.
On the other end of the
spectrum, several players
have already qualified, and
this group is led by Federer
and Nadal. With two Slams