Starting with the WTA tour Maria Sharapova won the third Grand Slam title of her career by defeating Ana Ivanovic in the Australian Open final. The French Open is now the only major missing from the Russian's trophy cabinet. Venus Williams won her fifth Wimbledon singles title, beating sister Serena in straight sets. And Jelena Jankovic became the only No. 1 tennis player who has not yet won a singles Grand Slam title. She reached her first Grand Slam final at the U.S open, but lost to Serena Williams 6–4, 7–5.
The biggest shock came in May when Justine Henin announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis. She's the first incumbent No.1 to quit - having spent 171 weeks at the top with 41 singles titles, including seven Grand Slams, to her name. But a knee injury, a general lack of sharpness and a probable lack of desire had transformed the Belgian into a beatable player. In a world of double handed big hitting I'm pretty sure we'll never see quite as sexy a one handed back hand again.
It's testament to the standads Roger Federer sets himself that winning the US Open, taking the Masters Series in Hamburg and Halle, with a 66-15 match record merits a poor year. I guess when you look back, the prevailing storylines are his health and the three-pronged attack from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Nadal won the French Open for the fourth consecutive time, tying Bjorn Borgs record in the process and becoming only the fifth man in the open era to win a Grand Slam singles title without losing a set. Meanwhile World No. 3 Novak Djokovic was in devastating form as he capped a huge season by racing to his first Tennis Masters Cup title in Shanghai on Sunday. The final victory earns Djokovic 50 points in the ATP 2008 Race and takes him to within just two points of second-placed Roger Federer at the season end.
He's become the first British player to win five titles in the Open Era, he's made it to No. 4 in the world and reached the US Open final. Yet for all this I can't say I'm the biggest fan of Andy Murray.
I don't think it's because of his disgraceful behaviour at the Olympics. It's not his zero charisma or monotonel drivel. Nor is it due to the fact that he wore a Paruaguay shirt when England were playing them in the 2006 World Cup. I don't even think it's his unecessary fist clenching after every point he wins.
The big three have undoubtedly become the big four this season. Murray has developed into a truely talented player with an unquestionable ability to scrap for points like no one else. Maybe it's the huge chasm in character between Murray and the rest that I take issue with: Federer is cool, calm, charming, a real gentleman. Nadal is quirky. His odd routines and colourful beach-like clothing is a breath of fresh air. And Djokavic is known for his sense of humour and light hearted approch. Murray appears grumpy and arrogant by comparison. He eats during press conferences and gives mind numbingly boring in interviews.
But enough of that. The big rivalry that is Nadal - Federer is fast approaching it's 4th year. The eagerly anticipated battle for No. 1 will begin in the first week of the 2009 season when both World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Roger Federer contest the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, beginning January 5. It's an encounter no tennis fan will want to miss.
WTA Rankings
1. Jelena Jankovic - Serbia
2. Serena Williams - U.S
3. Dinara Safina - Russia
4. Elena Dementieva - Russia
5. Ana Ivanovic - Serbia
6. Venus Williams - U.S
7. Vera Zvonareva - Russia
8. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Russia
9. Maria Sharapova - Russia
10. Agnieszka Radwanska - Poland
ATP Rankings
1. Nadal, Rafael - Spain
2. Federer, Roger - Switzerland
3. Djokovic, Novak - Serbia
4. Murray, Andy - Great Britain
5. Davydenko, Nikolay - Russia
6. Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried - France
7. Simon, Gilles - France
8. Roddick, Andy - United States
9. Del Potro, Juan Martin - Argentina
10. Blake, James - United States
The biggest shock came in May when Justine Henin announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis. She's the first incumbent No.1 to quit - having spent 171 weeks at the top with 41 singles titles, including seven Grand Slams, to her name. But a knee injury, a general lack of sharpness and a probable lack of desire had transformed the Belgian into a beatable player. In a world of double handed big hitting I'm pretty sure we'll never see quite as sexy a one handed back hand again.It's testament to the standads Roger Federer sets himself that winning the US Open, taking the Masters Series in Hamburg and Halle, with a 66-15 match record merits a poor year. I guess when you look back, the prevailing storylines are his health and the three-pronged attack from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Nadal won the French Open for the fourth consecutive time, tying Bjorn Borgs record in the process and becoming only the fifth man in the open era to win a Grand Slam singles title without losing a set. Meanwhile World No. 3 Novak Djokovic was in devastating form as he capped a huge season by racing to his first Tennis Masters Cup title in Shanghai on Sunday. The final victory earns Djokovic 50 points in the ATP 2008 Race and takes him to within just two points of second-placed Roger Federer at the season end.
He's become the first British player to win five titles in the Open Era, he's made it to No. 4 in the world and reached the US Open final. Yet for all this I can't say I'm the biggest fan of Andy Murray.I don't think it's because of his disgraceful behaviour at the Olympics. It's not his zero charisma or monotonel drivel. Nor is it due to the fact that he wore a Paruaguay shirt when England were playing them in the 2006 World Cup. I don't even think it's his unecessary fist clenching after every point he wins.
The big three have undoubtedly become the big four this season. Murray has developed into a truely talented player with an unquestionable ability to scrap for points like no one else. Maybe it's the huge chasm in character between Murray and the rest that I take issue with: Federer is cool, calm, charming, a real gentleman. Nadal is quirky. His odd routines and colourful beach-like clothing is a breath of fresh air. And Djokavic is known for his sense of humour and light hearted approch. Murray appears grumpy and arrogant by comparison. He eats during press conferences and gives mind numbingly boring in interviews.
But enough of that. The big rivalry that is Nadal - Federer is fast approaching it's 4th year. The eagerly anticipated battle for No. 1 will begin in the first week of the 2009 season when both World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Roger Federer contest the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, beginning January 5. It's an encounter no tennis fan will want to miss.
WTA Rankings
1. Jelena Jankovic - Serbia
2. Serena Williams - U.S
3. Dinara Safina - Russia
4. Elena Dementieva - Russia
5. Ana Ivanovic - Serbia
6. Venus Williams - U.S
7. Vera Zvonareva - Russia
8. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Russia
9. Maria Sharapova - Russia
10. Agnieszka Radwanska - Poland
ATP Rankings
1. Nadal, Rafael - Spain
2. Federer, Roger - Switzerland
3. Djokovic, Novak - Serbia
4. Murray, Andy - Great Britain
5. Davydenko, Nikolay - Russia
6. Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried - France
7. Simon, Gilles - France
8. Roddick, Andy - United States
9. Del Potro, Juan Martin - Argentina
10. Blake, James - United States
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