ATP & WTA stars to watch in 2016

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  • The stars on the ATP and WTA tours who are set to shine in 2016.

    With Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams heading into the new season again as hot favourites for every crown, here are some other names to look out for in 2016…

    ATP

    ANDY MURRAY

    Reunited with Amelie Mauresmo, buoyed by a historic Davis Cup victory, and expecting a child with wife Kim in February, the Scot has a lot going for him heading into 2016. It will be interesting to see if he can step it up a notch and challenge Djokovic in the majors.

    RAFAEL NADAL

    Following his least successful season in over a decade, the Spaniard has lots of opportunities to gain points rather than defend and how he rebounds from 2015 could pretty much dictate his future in the sport. Are his troubles officially over?

    ALEXANDER ZVEREV

    One of the teenagers to look out for in the new season. The 18-year-old German – the youngest in the top-100 – has lots of potential, boasts a big game and grew up in the sport with both his father and brother enjoying professional careers.

    GRIGOR DIMITROV

    2015 was a big flop for Dimitrov but the ultra-talented Bulgarian has hired a new coach – Franco Davin, Juan Martin del Potro’s ex-coach – and could very much turn things around in 2016 if he is over his off-court troubles that hampered his progress this year.

    NICK KYRGIOS

    The young Aussie’s immense potential is undeniable and he has already reached three major quarter-finals. If he focuses on being consistent in the smaller events, keeps his body healthy, and wins a title early on in the season, we could see a new side of Kyrgios. His probation period ends on February 24.

    WTA

    BELINDA BENCIC

    The 18-year-old has already shown what she’s made of when she beat four top-10 players, including Serena Williams, en route to the Toronto title in August, and her US Open quarter-final appearance in 2014. The top 10 now beckons and perhaps a deeper run in the majors.

    AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA

    La Profesora’, as many of the players call her, may have found a new spring in her step with her incredible finish to 2015 that saw her win the WTA Finals. Could it give her the boost she needs to win that elusive first grand slam title?

    GARBINE MUGURUZA

    It will be incredibly challenging for the Spaniard to follow up her breakthrough 2015, in which she made the Wimbledon final and finished the year ranked No3, with more success in 2016. If she performs well in 2016, it will be the true mark of a champion. Keep an eye out for her at the Olympics.

    VICTORIA AZARENKA

    Could 2016 be the year Azarenka finally gets her schedule right, picks smaller tournaments, wins them, gets her ranking up to avoid terrible draws and get back to the top where she belongs? She’s the only player who could consistently threaten Serena at the majors and she has been missed.

    EUGENIE BOUCHARD

    The Canadian hit rock bottom halfway through the 2015 season, started to bounce back then was dealt a harsh hand when she fell on her head at the US Open and suffered from concussion. She seems healthy now and has a chance to recapture her 2014 form.

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