We all had the privilege of witnessing Djokovic dethrone “the master” Federer in the AO 2008. Now, with the French open approaching, one would wonder who will be the next 1st time slam winner.

Nadal should be the firm favorite for the French, and I think he will be too tough to beat on Grass too, so we are left with the U.S. open, and that is were Federer will be vulnerable again. This year is truly one of those years that Federer could play quite well and still not win anything. In fact, that could happen if he doesn’t win Wimbledon. I digress. Murray, Blake, Tsonga, Berdych, and Baghdatis have all shown promise to win a slam. It’s true that Tsonga was this close to actually beating Djokovic, but it’s a fresh start for everyone now. In my mind, guys such as Blake and Tommy Haas will not have a chance to win their first slams any time soon. The young guns are just to strong, and you could see them improving before our eyes. Berdych will definitely have a chance on hard courts though it should be Tsonga who performs the best at the U.S. Open. Murray should be able to perform well on all surfaces,  but I find it hard to believe that he finds a way to stay healthy for long. So looking at the list of potential 1st time slam winners, Djokovic looks like the only person who can probably beat Nadal and Federer in the same tournament, and he is not on the list. Not anymore. Nalbandian also has that ability, but I doubt he will play his best in slams. He hasn’t quite made it in slams and he probably never will. Who knows? But sorry young guns. Nadal will win the French. Federer will probably squeeze out a Wimbledon title, and Djokovic will win the U.S. Open. Maybe next year.