Where's ATP tennis headed in 2012?

Djoker had a phenomenal 2011! Rafa went 0-6 against the Djoker in 2011! Fed went majorless in 2011, but is currently riding a 19 match win streak (including the wins in Doha this week)! Andy (Muray) has a new coach, and it's the iceman (Lendl)! That's the big 4 for you, in a nutshell. Having said all this, where's men's tennis headed in 2011?...intriguing if you ask me!

The Australian open will kickoff the 2012 grand slam season. I can't wait to see which man will be left standing at the end of the 2 weeks, in the gruelling summer down under!

Djoker is the least risky pick in my mind, given his grandslam domination in 2011. I think he has conquered the fitness/conditioning demons, and should be able to duke it out with the best, in long matches. I am going to go against the grain a little bit, and say Fed is next in line.He is putting together a nice little winning streak, and is kind of overdue to win a big one. He has been there, done it 4 times already at the AO...and by the way, is fit as a fiddle at the ripe old tennis age of 30!. Rafa is always a threat, but I am concerned his banged up shoulder may let him down at the end of the day. The x factor here is Mr. Murray. I think it is going to take a while for the Lendl-Andy synergies to kick in, and it may not be in time for a championship run in the first major of 2012.

Let's talk dark horses briefly...as much as the Tsongas and Berdychs of the world have had their day in the sun in 2011, I can't picture them holding aloft the AO trophy. You got be special to win 7 best of fives in 2 weeks, and I don't see it any of these guys...yet.

Let's get the party started!!