Thomas Muster collected his fifth title in Rome at the BlackRock Tour of Champions event, and then predicted that fellow Rome champion Novak Djokovic will one day become the World No.1.
Muster received a walkover when a shoulder injury forced Goran Ivanisevic out.. The Croatian had not played a competitive match for four months before his three-set win over Pat Cash on Saturday, and he woke with a sore shoulder. Ivanisevic hopes to be back in time for the BlackRock Tennis Classic in Hamburg next week.
Henri Leconte stepped in to play an exhibition with Muster on Sunday.
Pete Sampras will make his BlackRock Tour of Champions debut in Sao Paulo
“It’s my fifth Rome title so I’m pretty happy with that,” said Muster. “It’s unfortunate that it wasn’t against Goran, but I’ll take it!”
Muster won the title at Roland Garros in 1995, and although he still believes that Rafael Nadal is the favourite to collect a fourth consecutive title this year, he believes that Djokovic may have even greater potential.
“I would still just about make Nadal the favourite to win the French Open again, but I think he is already playing at capacity,” said Muster. “He doesn’t have the same reserves that someone like Novak Djokovic does. There is still a lot more to come from Djokovic, and he is getting very close to the No.2 position now. Djokovic is very confident right now yet he still has plenty of things that he can improve, so to be at the level he already is with things still to improve and time ahead of him, it means he can go all the way to No.1.”
With Federer still at the top of the game, and such competition to displace him, Muster believes that the sport is enjoying a golden era.
“The gap at the top of the game is definitely closing and it will make for a really interesting French Open,” said the Austrian. “Federer has always got a chance and I saw that he started playing early on clay this year by going to Estoril so he’s obviously taking it very seriously. He’s had a few ups and downs this year but that’s normal. The other guys are getting better all the time, but look at Federer’s results - you have to look very hard to find any imperfections in his game. But, it’s probably as open as it’s been in a long time. The French Open requires two weeks of consistent five-set tennis and it’s really tough. A lot will depend on the weather as well. If it’s good for two weeks, the guys like Federer and Djokovic have a much better chance. If it rains or if it’s colder, it’s much better for Nadal.
Next, the BlackRock Tour of Champions will visit Hamburg for the BlackRock Tennis Classic at the Rothenbaum Club, 14-18 May. Ivanisevic, Muster, Cash and Leconte will again be in action, with the 1991 Wimbledon champion and recent Barcelona finalist Michael Stich, Belfast champion Anders Jarryd, Belfast runner-up Mikael Pernfors and wild card debutante Marc-Kevin Goellner making up the field.
After that, Pete Sampras will make his long awaited debut on the BlackRock Tour of Champions in Sao Paulo, 21-24 May, 2008.
The Tour opened in Belfast in February with Anders Jarryd successfully defending his title. in Barcelona last month, Marcelo Rios triumphed.
Saturday: Victorious Ivanisevic Tips Ancic for Wimbledon Glory
Rome Preview: Ivanisevic, Muster Make 2008 Debuts in Rome
View Rome Order of Play
