Jack Sock
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Ended 2017: With the best results of his career, winning his first Masters 1,000 title in Bercy and advancing to the semifinals in his first ATP Finals appearance.
Starting 2018: At the Hopman Cup, teaming with CoCo Vandeweghe, and will then be the top seed in Auckland the week before the Australian Open.
Coaching Changes: None.
Prospects: It will be tough for Sock to sustain the new heights he took his tennis to at the end of 2017.
Juan Martin Del Potro
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Ended 2017: Playing at a consistently high level for the first time in many years, going 20-5 to end the year.
Starting 2018: He’ll play Auckland and then the Australian Open.
Coaching Changes: None.
Prospects: If Del Potro was a stock, I’d be buying. As long as he can remain healthy, he’ll have a strong 2018. Juan Martin should easily return to the top 10 for the first time since 2014. A higher ranking will help his results at the majors, where he won’t run into higher seeds until the second week. I predict Del Potro will reach his first major final since 2009.
Kei Nishikori
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Ended 2017: Cut his 2017 season short following Montreal in August due to a right wrist injury.
Starting 2018: He already pulled out of Brisbane as his wrist is not fully recovered, but is currently still scheduled for Sydney and the Australian Open.
Coaching Changes: None.
Prospects: It’s difficult to have high expectations for Nishikori until his wrist is 100%.
Milos Raonic
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Ended 2017: Sat our much of 2017 due to various injuries.
Starting 2018: Already pulled out of Abu Dhabi, but is still looking to play Brisbane and the Australian Open.
Coaching Changes: No top player in the men’s game has had more coaching changes in recent years than Raonic. After losing Carlos Moya at the end of 2016, both Richard Krajicek and Mark Knowles spent some time on Raonic’s team in 2017. Riccardo Piatti was a long-term member of Milos’ team, but Piatti split with Raonic in November and is now working with Borna Coric. Going into 2018, Knowles will continue working with Milos, and Javier Piles (former coach of David Ferrer) has recently joined the team as well. Got all that?
Prospects: With so many injuries and coaching changes of late, it will likely take some time for Raonic to get going in 2018.
