The Last Word returns, and each weekday, starting on Monday, December 5, we'll give you our year-end thoughts about tennis' best players—this time focusing on the ATP and WTA Top 10. We'll alternate tours each day; here's who we've looked at so far.
Best of 2011
A victory over countryman John Isner earned Fish the title in Atlanta, but his run in Miami included wins of a higher quality. En route to the semis (l. to eventual champion Novak Djokovic), Fish blew away, in order, Richard Gasquet, Juan Martin del Potro, and David Ferrer.
Worst of 2011
Fatigue related to an obscure thyroid condition hampered Fish early in the year, which helps account for how he struggled against two men hovering around the Top 50 mark at the Australian Open. He squeaked by No. 50 Victor Hanescu in five sets, but No. 52 Tommy Robredo bounced Fish in the second round.
Year in Review
Fish embarked on 2011 needing to back-up the statement he made in 2010, when a decision to re-dedicate himself to the game led to a marked improvement in his fitness—and results. The big question was, After that turnaround (Fish finished 2012 at a career-high No. 16) would Fish have the discipline and determination to improve on that big step forward?
The answer was a resounding “yes.” Those of us accustomed to seeing Fish disappear for long, long stretches of time became converts as the American showed admirable consistency throughout the year—once he got a handle on that energy-sapping ailment that plagued him in January.
Fish had been to the quarters of a major just twice before this year, and had never been beyond the third round at Wimbledon. This year, Fish made the third round at Roland Garros, the quarters of Wimbledon (d. defending finalist Tomas Berdych in the fourth round, l. to Rafael Nadal), and the fourth round of the U.S. Open (l. to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga).
Although he only won Atlanta, Fish was a semifinalist at two Masters events (Miami and Cincinnati) and the finalist at a third, Canada (l. to Djokovic). His play earned himself a spot in the elite eight who contest the ATP World Tour Finals—the ultimate yardstick of consistency.
See For Yourself
Fish is one of the few impact players on tour who will attack and even serve-and-volley when the opportunity presents itself. Check out how he works on that neglected and notionally passé element of the game in this clip, with USTA (and personal) coach David Nankin as his hitting partner: