Reaching his potential

Federer's emergence spices up ATP, but women need Williams duo

By Candy Reid, SI.com

After winning the Junior Wimbledon Championship six years ago, Roger Federer was touted as the next Pete Sampras. But the stylish Swiss wasn't an overnight success in the senior game.

He finally became a household name, ironically, when he ended Sampras' 31-match winning streak at Wimbledon with a brilliant five-set victory in 2001. Injury brought Federer back down to earth almost immediately after that, but it wasn't long before he was winning titles and leading Switzerland in the Davis Cup.

His dream finally came true in the summer of 2003 when he lifted the Wimbledon trophy at Centre Court after seeming to breeze through the tournament. Not even a back injury could cause Federer to lose more than a set throughout.

He was also brilliant in the season-ending Masters Cup, and again to win his first Australian Open title, where his draw was extremely tough.

His fellow players admit than the 22-year-old has more talent than anyone else on tour. Now he's got the No. 1 ranking and could stay there for years to come.

Like Sampras, he has an all-court game, a cool head and is not one to blow his own trumpet. He doesn't have a huge serve like Pistol Pete but he still wins plenty of free points with it, and virtually all his other shots are as good or better.

It's an exciting time in men's tennis, and now that Marat Safin has proved he's back and capable of beating the best in the world, it's clear it's going to be a competitive season.

All credit to the Russian, who has just turned 24. He had a fantastic tournament, overcoming Andy Roddick and the ageless Andre Agassi, who after 27 sets didn't have enough in the tank to beat Federer. Nobody, no matter how fresh they were, though, would have beaten Federer on Sunday.

Safin missed most of 2003 due to a wrist injury, but it's good to have him back; he's another personality that the ATP tour needs.

Meanwhile, the WTA tour desperately needs the fully fit Williams sisters back.

The Belgian duo are great, with their contrasting styles, but it's becoming a forgone conclusion that they'll reach the final. What tennis fans want to see is a real battle, and they won't get it until Venus and Serena -- along with Amelie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati -- are back in fighting form.

Let's hope it happens soon.

Candy Reid is an anchor for CNN International's World Sport.