A Changing of the Guard in men's tennis...May be.

Slowly but surely you’re seeing a changing of the guard in the men’s tennis world. At the top, the change is glacierly, but it does appear that Djokovic has marched past Federer and is ready to challenge Nadal for supremacy. Andy Murray, possibly defeated in the mind as much as on the court, is less a threat. Federer will certainly be a dark horse for the event, if his game clicks at right time for this event. After seeing Murray's  performance in  Rome semis, he is getting back his timing and confidence. Of course some of it is Killer Cahill presence in his coaching staff. Murray could have a new beginning in French  open 2011, we all know how talented is Andy Murray. Roger Federer might salvage his year just peaking at right time for French open.

Most surprisingly  Nadal's demolition by Novak  in Rome last weekend was eye opener for me, I thought Madrid final was high altitude and it favoured Novak, but in Rome it should be Nadal's turf. But still too early to say changing of the guard, lets see what  happens to Nadal in French open 2011, a slam and best of five setter and we all know Federer and Nadal usually  peak at these time, in terms of conditioning and form. But if Novakcan dethrone Nadal in French and Roger in Wimbledon then we can see this writing on the wall we all know how good Novak is on hard courts.  

Tennis history is replete with notable encounters, epic matches that have shaped its course. Generations of different styles and players have come and gone, much as a wave that inexorably ebbs and flows.
It has been the rule of 10: every 10 years, a new age, new rulers, a new dominant style of tennis. In the 1970s, Borg came to rule over the Lavers and Newcombes, only to be overtaken by McEnroe and Lendl in the mid-'80s.

The pattern moved, and in the 1990s, the baton was passed to Sampras, and then in the 2000s to Federer. Where the baton will pass now is still very much being decided.
Of course, these transitions didn't happen in a vacuum; matches and tournaments were played, of special significance, that signaled the change. these changes won't happen over night, we all see pattern and confidence. The confidence and fluid movement of Novak is hard to overcome these days.
These were the 'Changes in the Guard,' the historic moments when the power struggles at the top of tennis visibly shifted in the favour of the younger, of the would-be successor.

Anyways.. these are my observations, could be totally out of touch, readers feedback will be really appreciated.

Harish Kandwal