A sport-by-sport and team-by-team look ahead

BASEBALL

Easy labor? As the NFL and NBA brace for labor war, baseball players and owners are expected to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with relative ease. Owners can’t cry poverty when the Washington Nationals spent $126 million to buy Jayson Werth and the Colorado Rockies $134 million to extend Troy Tulowitzki; the Oakland Athletics offered $64 million to Adrian Beltre and the Florida Marlins $48 million to Dan Uggla.

Movie time: With Brad Pitt playing Billy Beane, the long-awaited “Moneyball” movie is scheduled to hit theaters in September. However, the A’s have not had a winning season since 2006, and the franchise has withered in the 21 months since Commissioner Bud Selig told them to let him determine where they could build their new ballpark. If the A’s stumble this summer, the movie will have an oddly nostalgic feel to it.

Way to grow: The San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers put on a nice World Series, and players like Buster Posey and Josh Hamilton should be household names. If the networks and MLB truly want to grow the game, give us a little less Derek Jeter and David Ortiz. If not, don’t point the finger for low World Series ratings at anyone but yourselves.

TOP NEWCOMERS

The Philadelphia Phillies traded for Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt within the past 18 months, each time refusing to surrender their top prospect, outfielder Domonic Brown. Now that Werth is gone, Brown’s time has come. And, now that Carl Crawford has left Tampa Bay, rookie Desmond Jennings replaces him in left field.

--Bill Shaikin

ANGELS

Welcome back: Even if the Angels don’t make a big free-agent splash, they’ll add an impact bat in 2011 with the return of Kendry Morales, who suffered a season-ending broken leg last May while jumping onto home plate after a game-winning home run. Morales in 2009 hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 runs batted in.

Pitching in: The Angels have the makings of a top-notch rotation with right-handers Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and Joel Pineiro, but they’ll be even better if Scott Kazmir (9-15, 5.94 earned run average in 2009) gets his act together.

Closing time: The Angels upgraded their bullpen by signing left-handers Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi, but they appear unsettled at closer. Fernando Rodney went 0-2 with a 5.65 ERA and four blown saves in September. If he struggles in April, he’ll probably be replaced by Downs, Kevin Jepsen or even 99-mph-throwing rookie Jordan Walden.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Mike Trout, who hit .341 with 10 homers, 58 RBIs and 56 stolen bases at Class-A last season, is a 19-year-old center fielder with power, blazing speed and advanced defensive skills. He could reach the big leagues by next September.

—Mike DiGiovanna

DODGERS

Who’s the owner: The ownership situation remains far from resolved. The marital agreement that Frank McCourt claimed made him the sole owner of the franchise was recently thrown out by a judge. The matter will likely be tied up in the legal system for a couple of years, as McCourt has vowed to prove in court that his ex-wife isn’t entitled to a share of the team – something believed to be necessary for him to hold onto the team.

Kemp is key: Considering the limited upgrades the Dodgers made to their lineup, the team’s fortunes could be dictated by the performance of the uber-talented but wildly inconsistent Matt Kemp. A Gold Glove and Silver Slugger recipient in 2009, Kemp regressed last season.

Donny Baseball: Don Mattingly will be managing in the major leagues for the first time. He faces the task of not only inheriting a team that was 80-82 last season, but also of replacing Joe Torre.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Juan Uribe. Unable to land the middle-of-the-lineup bat Mattingly wanted, the Dodgers settled for Uribe, one of the heroes of the Giants’ World Series run. Uribe, 31, established career highs with 24 home runs and 85 runs batted in, but had an on-base percentage of .310.

—Dylan Hernandez

BOXING / MMA

Pac-Man: The sport revolves around Manny Pacquiao, so the anticipation of his May 7 bout against XXX in Las Vegas draws most of the attention, as a super-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains indefinitely delayed by his domestic violence charges.

Best division: The junior-welterweight division is boxing’s best, and a Jan. 29 title bout between unbeatens Timothy Bradley of Palm Springs and Devon Alexander in Detroit will set the stage for the winner to fight England’s Amir Khan, with the preferred July site being Staples Center.

UFC: New heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is expected to make his first title defense in late spring/early summer vs. Junior Dos Santos, with the winner likely to meet Brock Lesnar by the end of 2011.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Mexico’s red-headed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is being groomed as boxing’s next big thing, and he’s slotted for a February fight at Nokia Theatre. UFC is adding lower weight divisions to its fight cards, and the star of that group is Jose Aldo.

—Lance Pugmire

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Repeat, part deux: Duke won’t need a fan wearing only a Speedo behind the basket to discombobulate its opponents. The Blue Devils are headed for a second consecutive national title for the second time, having also won in 1991-92.

Gobbling Pac-Men: Washington is a good team. We’ll give the Pacific 10 Conference that much. Beyond that, there’s … what, exactly? UCLA, which lost to Montana? Arizona, which has one star in Derrick Williams? Sending two teams to the NCAA tournament will be as good as it gets again for the Pac-10.

Here’s … Lavin! Steve Lavin, in his first season as the coach of the Red Storm, will take New York by force, if not Westwood. St. John’s will beat the Bruins in February at Pauley Pavilion and Lavin will celebrate with a late-night milkshake at old haunt Kate Mantilini.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Northwestern has never been to the NCAA tournament, despite hosting the first Final Four in 1939. No longer. Coach Bill Carmody will take the Wildcats to a place where none of his predecessors (including Tex Winter and Kevin O’Neill) could, becoming as legendary a figure on campus as Otto Graham and Stephen Colbert.

--Ben Bolch

UCLA

Speed thrills: Ben Howland sounds like a delivery-room nurse these days. “Push, push, push!” the UCLA coach can be heard repeatedly exhorting his team. The Bruins are pushing the pace off opponents’ turnovers and missed shots, a departure from the more deliberate offensive style long favored by Howland.

Baggage claim: A year after off-the-court issues plagued the Bruins, UCLA is passing its chemistry test. The freshmen and sophomores get along. The sophomores and juniors get along. If there were any seniors on this team they might lead a group rendition of Cumbaya.

Tourney time: There will be a reason to gather around the television come Selection Sunday in March, though it may be to learn the Bruins’ first-round NIT opponent. A weak Pac-10 and a lack of marquee nonconference victories will likely spell UCLA’s first appearance in the “other” postseason tournament since 1986.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

At his heaviest, Joshua Smith weighed more than 350 pounds. That was before Smith coined his own phrase: the freshman 50. The 6-foot-10, 305-pound center lost about 50 pounds after arriving at UCLA but still packs the kind of clout the Bruins sorely need in the paint.

--Ben Bolch

USC

Joneses trying to keep up: USC Coach Kevin O’Neill needs freshmen guards Maurice and Bryce Jones (roommates, but no relation) to avoid a mid-season slump and not wear down despite heavy minutes for the Trojans to remain competitive.

Different day, same zone: The Trojans lack shooters, so they’re usually stuck in quicksand against a zone defense. But recently, O’Neill moved 6-foot-10 forward Nikola Vucevic to the top of the key to spread it out. It has worked, so far. That could change come Pacific 10 Conference play.

Calling Mr. Jackson: With his developing inside game, mid-range shooting touch, and solid defensive instincts, freshman forward Garrett Jackson will play a lot. What and how much he’ll contribute is unclear.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Jio Fontan, a junior guard who transferred from Fordham, assumed a starting role as soon he became eligible in mid-December and his leadership, defense, three-point shooting and ability to attack the basket gave the Trojans a much-needed boost.

--Baxter Holmes

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ten equals 12: Nebraska becomes the 12th member of the Big Ten, if that makes any sense. It will be the league’s biggest shakeup since Penn State became the 11th member of the Big Ten.

Twelve equal 12: Utah and Colorado are heading west to join the newly-configured Pac 12 Conference, the league’s first expansion since Arizona and Arizona State joined in 1978. The Pac 12 will stage a title game at the home field of the higher-ranked divisional winner.

Where’s Texas: Can Texas and coach Mack Brown rebound from their worst season since 1997? The Longhorns finished 5-7 only a year after playing in the BCS title game, prompting the scapegoat resignation of offensive coordinator Greg Davis.

NECOMERS TO WATCH

Start with the newcomer coaches at Miami, Florida, Pittsburgh taking over programs that have won national titles. The new Pac-12 has to replace several top quarterbacks, including Washington’s Jake Locker. Will it be Keith Price or Joe Montana’s son, Nate?

--Chris Dufresne

UCLA

Staff changes: A 4-8 season led to defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough and wide receivers coach Reggie Moore getting fired. Coach Rick Neuheisel has a 15-22 record since coming back to UCLA, the worst three-season start by a Bruins’ coach since 1922. The biggest change will likely be Neuheisel having a greater say play-calling in 2011.

A bowl game … or else: After getting off to the worst three-year start by any Bruins’ coach since 1922, if Neuheisel doesn’t at least get the Bruins to a bowl game he will have one foot out the door heading into the final year of his contract in 2011. The last two UCLA coaches in that spot were sent packing.

A new offensive line … again. For the fourth consecutive year, the Bruins will need to retool the offensive line. They can only hope to get an upgrade. The front produced a 1,000-yard rusher this past season but seemed to view pass blocking as optional. Center Kai Maiava’s return from a broken ankle should help this effort.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

The running team in the nation in 2010? Whoever was playing UCLA each week. The Bruins allowed eight teams to top 200 yards rushing and two went over 300. Eight running backs went over 100 yards, two in one game, with two topping 200 yards. What should make this better is the aging process. Defensive tackle Cassius Marsh and defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa and linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, all freshmen this past season, will get better and stronger. They are the type of players that create dominant defensive fronts.

--Chris Foster

USC

Fate is near: Coach Lane Kiffin enters a new year with hope, but no real idea, about whether the NCAA’s Infractions Appeal Committee will provide any relief from the bowl ban and scholarship reductions imposed on the program last June. USC goes before the appeal committee in late January and will probably learn its fate a month or two later.

QB III: Quarterback Matt Barkley enters his third year as the starting quarterback. Will the junior play like a Heisman Trophy candidate bound for the NFL, as he was at midseason in 2009? Or will inconsistent decision-making stunt the offense?

Fight on: The Trojans’ defense, under the direction of Monte Kiffin, looks to rebound from a subpar performance emblemized by consistent late-game breakdowns.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Receiver George Farmer, like former Gardena Serra High teammate Robert Woods, made a verbal commitment to the Trojans and is capable of making an immediate impact. However, keep an eye on redshirt freshman tailback D.J. Morgan. He didn’t get Dillon Baxter’s hype, but he might be more of a game-breaker.

--Gary Klein

GOLF

Tiger, tiger: It’s stating the obvious but there will be no bigger story in 2011 than Tiger Woods and whether he really is back and winning majors or is merely back, clawing to win a tournament. Will he be the Tiger of pre-Thanksgiving 2009 or the meeker, scrambling, middle-of-the-pack Tiger in his scandal-shortened 2010 season?

Coming up: There’s a bunch of young talent pushing forward and some of it is Southern California-raised. Rickie Fowler, 22, from Murrieta, finished 32nd on the PGA Tour money list this season, his first full year on the tour, and qualified for the Ryder Cup team. He dresses with flair and is a creative shotmaker. And Ryo Ishikawa, a 19-year-old from Japan was on the leaderboard for a couple of days at the 2010 Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. He’s got game.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Jamie Lovemark, 21, a two-time All-American from USC, finished first on the Nationwide Tour money list in 2010 and has earned his PGA Tour card for 2011. He seems ready. But no young player was better than 21-year-old Rory McIlroy of Ireland — or seems more ready to win a major. McIlroy tied for third at both the British Open and PGA championships and was a star on the Ryder Cup team.

--Diane Pucin

HIGH SCHOOLS

New boss: There will be a new commissioner for the CIF Southern Section. Will assistant commissioner Rob Wigod be promoted, or will an outsider be hired to run the largest sports section in California? Whoever gets the job has major issues to confront, such as the rocky relationship between private and public schools.

As simple as 1, 2 … Left-hander Henry Owens of Huntington Beach Edison hopes to lead his team to the Southern Section Division 1 championship. Then maybe get a million-dollar contract. Expected to be a first-round draft pick in June, the 6-foot-7 Owens has a fastball that exceeds 91 mph and a curveball that routinely fools batters.

(Long Beach) Poly wants a title: The Jackrabbits will have to knock off Santa Ana Mater Dei, Woodland Hills Taft, Etiwanda and a school in Northern California, but they are favored to win a Division I state championship in boys’ basketball.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Parker Cartwright from Los Angeles Loyola is a freshman point guard who earned lots of respect on the youth basketball circuit as an eighth-grader and there’s no reason he isn’t ready to do the same at the varsity level. He’s smart, poised and polished.

Amber Munerlyn from Corona Santiago is a rising standout in girls’ soccer. The sophomore has become a top college prospect. As a member of the U16 national team, she had two goals in Denmark to help team win championship.

—Eric Sondheimer

HORSE RACING

Dirty is good: Southern California horse racing is projecting a happy 2011 season, because Santa Anita has put dirt back in, replacing the controversial synthetic surface. The annual Boxing Day opener, through closing day April 17, can keynote a strong racing year. If the dirt is sound, horses will be, too.

Synthetic worry: Hollywood Park and Del Mar still have the synthetics and Del Mar’s appears to be the most problematic, so racing will keep a close watch — presumably in the wake of success at Santa Anita.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

He’s new to the West anyway. Top national trainer Steve Asmussen’s Eastern operation will have a West Coast base at Santa Anita for the first time. Also interesting will be the Triple Crown contender Boys of Tosconova, who finished second to Uncle Mo in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He is headquartered in the East, but runs for Californians Mace and Samantha Siegel, and would be a candidate for Derby preps here.

--Bill Dwyre

MOTOR RACING

A new leader? In NASCAR, look for Jimmie Johnson’s five-year reign as Sprint Cup Series champion to finally end, with Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin among the drivers to dethrone him. Joey Logano, 20, will have a breakout year and make his debut in the Chase for the Cup title playoff, while Danica Patrick will earn her first top-10 Nationwide Series finish.

Power up: In IndyCar, Penske Racing’s Will Power will win his first race on an oval track and again challenge Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon for the championship, and Simona de Silvestro will make headlines with a strong sophomore season.

On the rebound: In Formula One, seven-time champion Michael Schumacher will rebound from his poor 2010 showing but it won’t be enough to catch the likes of reigning title holder Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. And in NHRA top-fuel drag racing, look for Tony Schumacher – whose streak of six consecutive titles was snapped this year by Larry Dixon – to roar back with yet another championship.

--Jim Peltz

NBA

It took a lot of doing to arrange the NBA’s Year of the Rookie, with Blake Griffin sitting out the 2009-10 season before making his debut this season, along with Washington’s John Wall, the most ballyhooed young point guard since Magic Johnson.

Not since Johnson and Larry Bird joined the NBA together in 1979 have two such great prospects come along. Bird won the Rookie of the Year award but, one-upping him in a way no first-year player ever had, Johnson struck back by becoming the Finals MVP after starting at center in place of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the Game 6 victory over the 76ers as the Lakers won the title.

While Griffin wowed fans with each passing game, this season’s rookie competition has been undermined by Wall’s injuries that have forced him out on four occasions in the first seven weeks.

So if Griffin looks like a good bet to be Rookie of the Year... and an all-time great if he stays healthy. it may be a good thing. As reader Joe Gates of Culver City noted: “I think we can safely say that if John Wall wins Rookie of the Year, Blake Griffin will not win Finals MVP.”

--Mark Heisler

CLIPPERS

Staying out of court: That is, the court of law, not the basketball court. They currently have proceedings involving two former General Managers, Elgin Baylor and Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy is taking the Clippers to arbitration in April, attempting to get paid the money owed him from the remainder of his contract. Baylor is suing the Clippers and owner Donald Sterling for wrongful termination.

Progress of the young Clippers: At times, they have had three rookies in the starting lineup, especially early in the season, because of lingering injuries to veterans Baron Davis and Chris Kaman. High points came with wins against Oklahoma City and San Antonio and low marks were more frequent with games riddled with turnovers.

Rookie of the Year: All Blake Griffin’s to lose, right? Debate seemed to cease after he went off for 44 points against the Knicks.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Griffin, of course, who is forging a special on-court partnership with third-year guard Eric Gordon. Let’s appreciate them while they’re still around in Los Angeles.

--Lisa Dillman

LAKERS

He’s back: The Lakers can look forward to Andrew Bynum getting back in better shape and becoming a factor for them in 2011.

Best of the best: The Lakers will look forward to trying to get the best record in the Western Conference, and perhaps in the NBA.

Defense, defense: The Lakers will look forward to defending their NBA championship, hoping to win a third consecutive title for the second time in franchise history.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Lamar Odom, when and if he goes back to the bench, will have a great impact with a reserve group that already is playing at a high level most of the time.

Will Lakers Coach Phil Jackson retire for sure or will he come back for yet another year? That is a mystery question. If Jackson does retire, will Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw become the new Lakers coach? If Shaw is hired — and he is a leading candidate — it would be a seamless transition for the franchise.

--Broderick Turner

NFL

On the homefront: The league hasn’t had a team in the nation’s second-largest market since the Raiders and Rams left after the 1994 season. That won’t change in the immediate future; no teams will relocate until the labor issue is solved. But the league wants to prove to its players that it can “grow the pie,” and the No. 1 way to do that is by taking a team that’s unperforming financially and transplant it to Los Angeles.

Safety first: Concussions and the treatment of them have become a major issue for the NFL, which has put a greater emphasis on player safety. The league is working with equipment manufacturers to create even better helmets and neck protection, as well as state-of-the-art shoulder pads and, essentially, body armor.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

St. Louis had high hopes for Sam Bradford when they made the former Oklahoma quarterback the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft and Bradford has more than delivered. He’s incredibly poised and accurate, as well as being a leader. The key for Bradford will be taking another step forward in his second season, just as Joe Flacco did in his sophomore year in Baltimore.

--Sam Farmar

NHL

Sid the Kid: Sidney Crosby reaches Gretzky-esque heights and takes over the NHL scoring lead while leading the Pittsburgh Penguins back to Stanley Cup contention in their first season in their new arena.

Ownership and attendance issues: The Dallas Stars are for sale. The Phoenix Coyotes, league-owned more than a year, need Chicago financier Matthew Hulsizer to keep the ice from melting beneath them in the desert. The New York Islanders need a new arena. Crowds have been thin in Columbus, Atlanta, Anaheim, Colorado and elsewhere.

Storm clouds gather: The labor agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players’ Assn. will expire in September 2012 and owners have been rumbling about reducing players’ share of the revenue pie. Former baseball union boss Donald Fehr, who is expected to become the NHLPA’s executive director, will make the buildup to the next negotiations very interesting.

--Helene Elliott

DUCKS

Finished Finn? This could be the final go-round for right wing Teemu Selanne, who ranks among the NHL’s career goalscoring leaders. Selanne, 40, has been plagued by a groin problem this season. But when he’s able to play he can still work his magic.

In their defense: Their defense corps was their strength when they won the Stanley Cup in 2007 but that was then and this is, well, different. They’ve pieced a group together that isn’t half-bad some nights but isn’t very good other nights.

Hello, is anybody there? The Ducks have dropped to the bottom third of the NHL in attendance. The economy and an on-ice decline have hit them hard. If they can hold things together and make a playoff run—and maybe face the Kings—they could regain some of their lost audience.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Defenseman Cam Fowler, projected to be a top-five draft pick in June, somehow fell to No. 12 and the Ducks got a steal. The 19-year-old is smart, makes good reads and decisions and should fill out physically. He figures to be a cornerstone of their defense for years.

--Helene Elliott

KINGS

Great expectations: The Kings tied a team record last season with 46 wins and set single-season records for road wins (24) and road points (51) while making the playoffs for the first time since 2002. That raised the bar for this season, and merely qualifying for postseason play this spring won’t be enough.

Too quick to dismiss Quick: Some preseason predictions had Jonathan Quick losing his starting job to rookie Jonathan Bernier. Quick has kept the role with his outstanding play, which must continue for the Kings to be competitive.

Left out: Without a high-scoring left wing on their top line the Kings won’t have the skill and depth to challenge for the Stanley Cup. They have the salary cap space and assets to swing an impact deal before the Feb. 28 trade deadline.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Eight rookies have played for the Kings this season, mostly in limited roles. Defenseman Alec Martinez has the skills and smarts to provide offense without sacrificing defense.

--Helene Elliott

OLYMPICS

To everything, there is a season: There’s always a lot of turnover after the Games, and some Vancouver stars are reaping rewards and pondering their futures. Figure skating gold medalists Evan Lysacek of the U.S. and Kim Yuna of South Korea haven’t competed this season, though Kim — now training in Artesia —plans to compete at the 2011 world championships. Skiers Lindsey Vonn (gold and silver) and Julia Mancuso (two silvers) are thriving on the World Cup circuit.

When the season is summer: The 2011 season will be crucial for athletes who have the 2012 London Games in their sights. Among them: sprinter Tyson Gay, who beat Olympic 100-meter champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica in August for Bolt’s first loss in the 100 in more than two years, and also ran a world-leading time of 9.78 seconds. Michael Phelps, winner of a stupendous eight gold medals at Beijing in 2008, has said he plans to compete in London but might change his program and drop the 400-meter individual medley.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Gymnast Mattie Larson of Los Angeles, 18, won the floor exercise title at the U.S. championships and took silver in the all-around and third on the uneven bars.

--Helene Elliott

SOCCER

American favorites: Two tournaments take center stage for the U.S. in the soccer year ahead: the June 26-July 17 Women’s World Cup in Germany, where the Americans will be among the favorites, and the June 5-25 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the U.S., with the final set for the Rose Bowl and the American men trying to reclaim the title that Mexico won in 2009.

Heading south: Also of note internationally is the 12-team South American championship, or Copa America, which will be played in Argentina July 1-24 and features Japan and Mexico as invited guests.

Bigger, bigger: Major League Soccer’s ranks will grow by two teams to 18 when the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps make their debuts in March. Teams will play a 34-game schedule between March 19 and Oct. 22.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Look for breakthrough years by forward Alex Morgan on the U.S. women’s national team and by defender Eric Lichaj on the U.S. men’s team.

—Grahame L. Jones

SPORTS MEDIA

Tweet crazy: Look for more use of social media by sports teams, sponsors and individual athletes as a way to drum up the fan base.

It’s for the fans: Pro teams especially are beginning to use social media as a way to promote fan giveaways or amp up attendance. Individual athletes use social media to keep fans up to date on what they want fans to know. Lance Armstrong, for example, has been using Twitter to promote his charity appearance or, for example, his recent trip to Iraq where he Twittered about running with the troops.

WHO TO WATCH

And a couple of names to watch this year: Mike Mayock, who shone on the NFL Network’s draft coverage, stepped into Pat Haden’s job as NBC analyst on Notre Dame football games and earned nearly universal praise. ESPN’s Dan Shulman has big shoes to fill as he replaces Jon Miller as the main voice of the sports network’s Sunday Night Baseball game.

--Diane Pucin

TENNIS

Rafa vs. Roger: It appears 2011 will bring us more of the same in men’s tennis while women’s tennis might be missing what it had. There is no indication that Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer has lost interest in winning majors. Nadal finally collected what had been missing, his first U.S. Open, last summer, to go along with his French Open and Wimbledon major titles in 2010 and he will now be aiming for a “Rafa Slam,” should he win the Australian Open to start 2011. Most likely standing in his way? Defending champion Federer.

Serbian push? Third-ranked Novak Djokovic made it to the U.S. Open finals and led Serbia to a big Davis Cup championship and seems willing to break up the Nadal-Federer major tournament dominance.

WTA woes: With Serena Williams already declared out of the Australian Open because of a foot injury and Venus now over 30, there is no rudder for the women’s game. Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki needs to actually win a major.

WHO TO WATCH

There are signs of life from 23-year-old Ana Ivanovic who seemed poised for greatness after winning the French Open and Indian Wells in 2008. After seeing her ranking plunge, Ivanovic is back up to No. 17 and with a new coach and some confidence. Another major isn’t out of reach.

--Diane Pucin