Miami will always be the "Fifth Slam" to me

Those were some interesting finals over the weekend, huh?

Andy Murray knocked off David Ferrer today to win his second career Sony Tennis Open and Serena Williams added to her Miami haul with her sixth title there, rallying to knock off Maria Sharapova.

Three of those four are future Hall of Famers, while Ferrer has been one of the most consistent performers in the men's game over the past few years. In other words, the finals featured some marquee names--as it has throughout the tournament's history.

Why, though, did this year feel so different?

I don't know if it was the fact Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were absent or what, but it seemed like there was a little less prestige attached to the tournament. Maybe it was coming off the heels of Indian Wells, which has been referred to as the "Fifth Slam" of late.

But whoa, when did that happen?

Indian Wells has always been a nice event as the first Masters 1000 tournament of the year. But since it's kicked up the prize money, revamped the facility and become a coed tournament, Indian Wells has become a highlight on the calendar.

I'm old school enough to remember the "Lipton" being the top non-Slam for both the men and women, and Indian Wells, nice though it was, being considered a warm-up for Miami.

Now, though, players are skipping it for whatever reason where once that never would've been the case. And Indian Wells has completely won over the players--particularly when it comes to comparing the venues.

But I hope Miami can turn the tide on where it stands, or at least find itself on equal footing again.

There's too much history behind the tournament.

(Photo: The Associated Press)

I'm intrigued by Andy Murray in the desert

That's like the weirdest headline I think I've ever wrote, but it kind of says it all—or at least segues into this post!

Murray hadn't played since the Australian Open before showing up at the first ATP World Tour 1000 event of the season. He's made it to the quarterfinals where he has a beast of a match next up in Juan Martin del Potro. An in-form Murray should be in decent shape against the Argentine, but how well is he playing?

He's had some interesting results this week, getting tested—and testy—in a couple of matches, but he's gotten through without too much fuss.

If anything, his results in Indian Wells in '13 are way better than they had been the past two years, when he was knocked out in the first round.

Maybe the reduced schedule so far this year will pay some dividends. By that same regard, though, he could be rusty against a player who's already won a title this year.

It's intriguing, to say the least (which I guess I kinda did!)

Photo: The Associated Press

David Ferrer and Kei Nishikori: the throwbacks

David Ferrer and Kei Nishikori captured their 20th and third career singles titles, respectively, this weekend in Buenos Aires and Memphis. Ferrer was just doing what he's been doing the past few years, winning tournaments, while Nishikori's victory solidified his up-and-coming status.

Their games are pretty different, to say the least, from that of the ATP's other weekend winner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. David and Kei would never be confused with Jo-Willy, with their games being built on picture-perfect groundstrokes, great returns, superior court movement and a great court sense.

I refer to them as "the throwbacks" because the way they play has always been, and always will be, a part of the pro game. The equipment might get more technologically advanced and the game might get even faster, but it seems there will be room for guys like Ferrer and Nishikori to threaten the top players. They probably won't be Slam winners anytime soon, but titles will be won.

And it looks like these two will be leading the way for a time to come.

(Photo: The Associated Press)

The ball has not been dropped

There's plenty of Van Sias-written material out there in the ether!

So I missed the Australian Open on TTA?, but it was for an OK cause: I wrote something for the website AskMen.com and I've also been writing more for Tennis View Magazine's website. I am kind of kicking myself for not doing my usual, exclusive, guaranteed-on-point, always-entertaining predictions from the Round of 16 on, where I've been batting .750 on my men's picks as of late. (The women, about .500 or—gulp—worse.)

But I'll 'fess up and say that my winner picks that were bandying about in my head didn't exactly pan out: I had Andy Murray and Serena Williams all the way, without a doubt. Obviously, the world number ones, Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka had other plans.

Anyway, all of them aside, let's talk about Tennis Talk, Anyone?: I've missed it—and you, too! I'm going to announce an ambitious plan where between the other sites I write for, and my other blog (The Doubles Alley), I intend to do something on at least one a night, on a rotational basis. I have to hit the Alley tomorrow, then something else the next day and maybe something else after that before I return to TTA?, if not sooner.

I could never let things get too lax: This is the grandfather of them all (and my baby, too!)

Welcome 2013!

I know it's something the players on either tour aren't exactly thrilled with, but the short offseason sure is a good thing for the tennis fan!

Tournaments for the new year kick off this week with events ranging in locales from Australia to India in preparation for the year's first Major, the Australian Open. Big names are all out there ready to do battle: among them, Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and David Ferrer.

There are others, of course, but these four are the creme de la creme. And why shouldn't they be considered that? You can't knock what they accomplished in 2012: Ferrer led the tour in titles, Murray captured his first Slam, Sharapova completed the career Slam and Serena's '12 needs no explanation.

It would be hard to discount their potential for the season ahead, so I won't do that here! Rather, I'm just glad to be able to catch them and their peers back in action. It's been too long.

(Even though the players themselves probably wouldn't say so!)

(Photo: Getty Images)

So, about Serena and 2012...

That latest news about Serena being recognized as WTA Player of the Year should lead to greater accolades, in my opinion.

Like her being named athlete of the year—across all sports.

Who really had a bigger year? LeBron James won Olympic Gold, his first NBA Championship, and was regular-season and finals MVP. Not to deny James' obvious talent, but you can't discount his teammates helping with those achievements. And that's something that has to be taken into account for other stars in team sports, such as Eli Manning or Miguel Cabrera.

If you were to look at performers in individual sports outside the tennis world, you would probably have to take a hard glance at Rory McIlroy (who actually isn't without his own tennis ties). A Major title, plus a few other titles along the way is definitely solid.

Nice, but that season by Serena … wow. She captured the four biggest tournaments of the year's second half and did so in such convincing fashion. Nobody in any sport displayed such dominance, especially against opponents considered their toughest challengers.

So AP, SI (Sports Illustrated) and any other letter-like organizations, please recognize what we were witness to in '12 and name her athlete of the year. TTA? is doing it!

(Photo: The Associated Press)

Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic for ... bragging rights?

Truth be told, I thought Andy Murray's dream season would've continued with a finals trip, but I guess one thing in this tennis world of ours holds true:

Never doubt what Roger Federer can do!

Now, he and Novak Djokovic are a few hours away from battling in the title match at the World Tour Finals. Not to be too cliche, but I think this is as big a tossup as it gets. Federer's win over Murray was a very nice one, particularly after he just fell to Juan Martin del Potro in round-robin play.

Speaking of del Potro, he fell to the hammer that is Djokovic in a tight battle. But if there's one thing Djoko knows how to do it's gut out a win.

All that being said, I'm not sure who to pick to win it all. (Wait, what's that? Show some guts, you say. and make a pick? Got it!)

OK, I'll pick Djokovic. I think despite Fed playing very solidly up to this point, the world  number one might just have a little bit too much everything for Federer. There's not a ton riding on this match, just the fact that it's always better to win the last match of the year rather than be that other guy.

It should be an interesting one.

(Photo: AP)