That was my thought, at least after "no f-ing idea." I really don't know what to think, to be honest -- mostly because I haven't looked too deeply into their injuries, and what the historic precedents are.
My gut says that Thiem will never return to his peak form of 2018-20ish. On the other hand, he could do a Del Potro, who came back in 2011-13ish, then again in 2016-18ish, even winning a Masters in 2018. But I think the tour is also a bit different now, with more young and hungry pups than five years ago. Thiem also turns 30 this year. I think most likely he doesn't win a big title, but it is possible.
As for Sascha, he's young enough (turning 26 in April) that he has time to recover and still have some years in his prime to win big titles, even a Slam. He's an X-Factor.
Murray...done, but he's been done--at least as far as big titles are concerned--for five years. But I'd love to see him surprise us, and for me the fairy tale story would be winning London and then retiring hoisting the trophy.
Rafa...who knows. The guy turns 37 this year, and has been slipping downward for a couple years, as far as Elo. So the cracks are showing, even if the "vase" hasn't broken apart yet. Can he hold it together long enough to win another Slam for two? I've long learned not to count him out, so who knows. But for him, it is more of a near-future thing, and I wouldn't speculate long-term. So I'm going to wait and see with clay season; I see no reason that, if healthy, he shouldn't still be the player to beat, though as of this moment, I'd put Novak ahead of him for RG. But that could change, depending upon how Rafa looks in the early clay tournaments.
p.s. to tented: I think she means Masters but not 500, which are not considered "big titles."
