I've always been enthralled by the power of trends in the tennis world. Players have such a gift for copying each other at every level.

I signed a representation deal with Caroline Wozniacki when she was 10 years old. I negotiated contracts for her when she was 13 or 14.

During this period, the Williams sisters' domination was at its greatest. They had consigned Martina Hingis to the history books and everybody agreed that in the future, if a player did not have such power, it would be impossible to get to the No.1 spot.

A little woman called Justine Henin then proved that to be nonsense by

Heading into the second week of the US Open, it's a good time to look back on what's happened during a busy first week.

The outside bets to lift the trophy have, once again, been disappointing.

Tomas Berdych and Marcos Baghdatis both went out in the first round. David Nalbandian, Andy Murray and Mardy Fish lasted a bit longer but eventually reached their limits.

And so once again Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer seem to be on course with Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling as their main opponents.

When it comes to winning a Grand Slam, there's no improvising.

Both Baghdatis and Nalbandian are

Last week I started looking at the incredible diversity that exists in the game of tennis and running through the different aspects of the game.

Some players possess qualities that are way above average and it is interesting to take a look at the main aspects of the game and the players that best demonstrate such tactics.

And here I will continue to look at those features and single out my favourite three players that embody that skill.

6. The best game mixers

1. Roger Federer

2. Olivier Rochus

3. Marin Cilic

These players know how to play the ball a number of different ways so they never

Diversity is what makes tennis so special -
different surfaces, different balls and changeable weather conditions support
the variety factor. Not to mention the wide mixture of games.

Even if there are very few serve and volley
players in the modern era, many players possess their own assets. Technique,
shot selection, game phases and tactics are what build players.

Each player makes their shot selections in
order to use their best assets to target their opponent's weaknesses.

My job is to use all this information to
build a plan highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of my player's

The two main headlines hitting the news in the past couple of weeks both refer to top players changing their coaching set-ups.

Andy Murray officially split with coach Miles Maclagan while Roger Federer announced that he has hired Pete Sampras's former coach Paul Annacone on a part-time basis.

The beginning of August is the best time for players to assess their situation as Roland Garros and Wimbledon are over and there's usually a lull in the schedule.

Before important tournaments get underway in Toronto and Cincinnati, leading up to the US Open, players tend to take a break to recharge their

Richard Williams is a controversial figure who loves having two of his daughters ranked as the top two players in the world - and who has always been portrayed as a big troublemaker.

He would lift signs emblazoned with the words 'Welcome to the Williams show' when his girls competed in their early Grand Slam finals - and he was pleased with himself for doing so.

He is not shy of putting on a show, or making shocking statements. He admitted deciding to procreate after watching a tennis trophy ceremony on television, so stunned was he by the amount of money printed on the cheque. And he also

Serena Williams was again victorious in a Grand Slam final to win her fourth Wimbledon title and 13th Major.

Her resume is starting to look like that of a legendary champion.

Serena and Rafael Nadal constantly remind us of who they are by sending strong messages: "Winning is my obsession and I will find a way to do it".

That's what strikes me the most about them.

They never think of losing and fight as hard as they can to avoid defeat.

Isn't that the way of showing us the will to win that defines them the most?

I had the same feelings watching Nadal against Robin Soderling and Andy Murray.

Recently we've seen the older generation winning the major tournaments.

Kim Clijsters claimed the US Open after not playing for more than two years due to her pregnancy, while Serena beat Justine Henin, also returning to the game after not playing for a year and a half, at the Australian Open.

Francesca Schiavone made the headlines at Roland Garros, while Samantha Stosur and Vera Zvonareva had very promising results, reaching the final in Grand Slams.

They are playing the best tennis of their career after passing the age of 25, which is a real shock to some viewers and even some tennis