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It all depends on the year.

Some years a large number of young players with great potential arrive on the circuit, and at times on the other hand, some years lack good players.

To give an example, 1982 was an exceptional birth year: it saw the arrival of great players such as Coria, Nalbandian, Roddick, Paul-Henri Mathieu, Robredo and also Mahut (a high level player with strong potential as a junior) or Acasuso.

On the other hand, in 1998, Dominik Hrbaty was the only under-20 player in the Top 100, announcing the arrival of an entire generation bereft of young talent.

Today, we find ourselves in a situation where there exists a plethora of talented young players. About twelve will be able to legitimately find a place within the Top 10 in the next three or four years: Robin Söderling and Mario Ancic for those players born in 1984; Marcos Baghdatis, Thomas Berdych, Nicolas Almagro, Stanislas Wawrinka for those born in 1985; Richard Gasquet and Gaël Monfils born in 1986; Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray born in 1987; and finally, Juan Martin Del Potro and Evgeny Korolev born in 1988.

A clever mix of maturity in the game, madness and self-confidence prove necessary to enter the Top 10. A potent cocktail that has been served these last few years by players such as Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal or Lleyton Hewitt in their ascending early years.

Which one of the players mentioned above holds the key to success in their hands? Who will need more time, who will not find the solution? Amongst those who are the most ready, we must point out the players who have already made an appearance in the famous Top 10: Mario Ancic, solidly anchored from now on and Marcos Baghdatis. The former is solid and hardworking though not brilliant, and the latter, on the other hand, has panache but lacks consistent results.

Next, Andy Murray also seems ready. The presence of Brad Gilbert by his side gives him more and more confidence and lets him make wiser tactical choices when confronting all types of opponents. He continues to have consistent results and is starting to destabilize the best; witness the battle against Ljubicic in Doha and his great match against Nadal at the Australian Open. Only a shortage of physical endurance can be an obstacle to a more rapid rise.

Novak Djokovic, for his part, also seems on the verge of cracking the Top 10. Armed with enormous self-confidence that can teeter on arrogance when he announces that he will beat Federer at the Australian Open, he confronts his opponents without fear and sure of his capabilities. He plays a simple and solid game that is directed forward and possesses excellent physical aptitudes. He is a good contender for the Top 10.

Thomas Berdych is also ready in my opinion. While his results in 2004 and 2005 were very unstable, he seems to have found the right energy and almost systematically beats lesser-ranked players. His self-confidence makes him appear unlikable at times. His game, on the other hand, is simply superb in its efficiency and elegance. He is ready.

Finally, Söderling and Wawrinka, who both have an excellent level of play, will also need an extra year at minimum. However, their chances to reach the Top 10 are real.

Richard Gasquet is an interesting case. Called the Mozart of tennis due to his immense talent, he has long suffered from the media pressure coupled with the expectations of the French public and has taken a while to step up to the plate. Today he seems solidly anchored in the Top 20; getting to the Top 10 is another story. Whether on a self-confidence level, maturity in his game or the optimization of his capabilities, he seems a bit lacking.

Gaël Monfils is the enigma of the group. Completely uncontrollable and temperamental, capable of the best and the worst, for the moment not possessing a clear vision of the style of game he must display, his choice in the coming weeks as to the team who will be in charge of his athletic future will be crucial for his near future. He is nevertheless ranked above the Top 50, and seems, in the opinion of many, further away from the Top 10 than the others.

Del Potro and Korolev, just like Söderling and Wawrinka, will need a minimum of an extra year, which is primarily due to their young age.

Here then is the list of players I see in the Top 10 by the end of the year:

Federer, Nadal, Roddick, Murray, Ancic, Davydenko, Djokovic, Gonzalez, Berdych, Baghdatis

Patrick Mouratoglou - February 2, 2007