Reflections

So 2012 is moving along and we're almost into the indoor part notwithstanding the Asian swing.
Now that the 4 slams are done and we can look back on the year what are your thoughts?

1. Best stand-out achievement? (Murray Gold & USO, Federer Sw19 & #1 weeks, Rafa 7 French's, Laura beating 2 ex-champions at USO, etc)
2. Most improved player?
3. Best come-back? (either in a match, or as a whole)
4. Biggest disappointment/letdown?
5. Best overall tennis moment?

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For me,
1. Rafael Nadal. A tough one this of course given what I listed above but simply from a historical perspective winning 7 French Opens is a mind boggling achievement on the most physically demanding of surfaces. Also, lets not forget he had to overcome his 0-7 H2H nemesis too, and the pressure on him to make history was huge - especially after the match had swung with the rain break.
2. David Goffin. Had a YE ranking #174 in 2011, now he's 56 and rising. Had a tough opening draw at USO (Berdych) or could have been higher IMO. The one to watch for me come 2013.
3. Brian Baker. Boy, what a story and comeback. And from out of nowhere really! Began the year playing in a lowly F2 Future event in Florida ranked #456. By 17 Sept. 2012 he's ranked 62 - his best ever ranking! The 27 year old has won two Futures tournaments, the Savannah Challenger in April, made Finals at Nice (beat Monfils and Davydenko, lost to Almagro), advanced to the second round of RG (defeated Malisse, lost a five set heartbreaker to Simon) and qualified for Wimbledon where he got through the 4th round.
4. Milos Raonic. Despite the fanfare he's been a damp squib at the slams. His time will come though. BTW - John Isner similarly despite a high ranking just doesnt show up at slams.
5. Laura Robson. The disbelieving almost embarrassed look on Robson's face after beating Clijsters at USO - truly announcing herself on the world stage and sending Kim into 2nd time but permanent retirement.

1) Has to be Murray at the US Open. Yes Nadal and Federer could have an equal claim, but when you have had to wait 76 years, only a handful of people would've witnessed both the Perry and Murray success.

2) David Goffin. The fact he was a lucky oser at the French Open and went on that amazing run was truly sensational

3) Tommy Haas. To start the year ranked 205 I think and at 34 to then break back into the top 50 is beyond amazing. Baker an unlucky 2nd.

4) Disappointment? Well for me it is seeing top players like Ljubicic, Ferrero and Roddick announce their retirements. Father time catches up with everyone, but disappointed because I enjoyed watching them play and yet to see the likes of Tomic and Raonic fool most with below par performances makes you wonder what we are missing out on now the old guard is vanishing.

5) Moment of the year? Got to be Rosol surely. I mean no-one and I mean no-one would ever have predicted him defeating Nadal at Wimbledon.

Cheers LK - just split the questions to separate out most improved from best comeback, as well as added best moment as may differ from best achievement.

Great shout for Haas! (Baker's 456 to 62 run is amazing although accept Haas has actually won big...)

1. Best stand-out achievement? (Murray Gold & USO, Federer Sw19 & #1 weeks, Rafa 7 French's, Laura beating 2 ex-champions at USO, etc)

I'm biased here but I have to say Murray. After the heartbreak of Wimbledon, he bounced back in some style with winning 2 Olympic medals (in his home Olympics too) and Britain's 1st major in 76 years or something.

2. Most improved player?

Hmmm. I'd be inclined to say Goffin too, although Robson has done superbly well this year after suffering injury after injury last year. I'll say Robson just nicks it for me.

3. Best come-back? (either in a match, or as a whole)

Brian Baker overall, absolutely. In a match, the best comeback for me is Murray v Cilic. Ok, Cilic bottled his 1st service game when serving for the set but Murray piled on the pressure from then on and never gave up.

4. Biggest disappointment/letdown?

Not Raonic for me, although I did expect more from him. I'll say Berdych. For a player ranked inside the top 8 and with a good grass court record he had a ridiculous summer. And aside from the start and the end of the match v Murray, he didn't play. Special mention to Lukas Rosol too, hits Nadal off the court and then gets beaten badly by Kohli.

5. Best overall tennis moment?

Murray's major.

Yes Berdych had that poor run vs Gulbis then Darcis. I really thought Goffin might take him at USO but he surprised us again. I guess Berdy now becomes the next guy to be the best player not to win a slam.

Cilic was a weird match for sure. A set and 5-1 up, then he stared into the headlights and didn't like what he saw. Amazing capitulation...but then he just seemed to run out of energy so needs to toughen up in this physical era.

Rosol is a good call, and probably also wins...

6. Weirdest place for a large tattoo on a Top 100 pro player
... THE ROSOL TATTOO

Which reminds me. Honourable mention to tattoo-king Tipsarevic for becoming a more consistently adept player in 2012 after his steep rise last year. His match vs Ferrer was very enjoyable (for a Ferrer match).

Oh and ...

7. Most boring player to watch?
Marcel Granollers...the "I look like I've just been tango'ed man of tennis".
... THE GRANOLLERS LOOK
Don't even get me started about the quality and attractiveness of his rapier-like game.
Pure unadulterated agricultural beauty

Best stand out achievement

Has to be the match billed as the most important for over 40 years. Djokovic going for a slam and Nadal trying to hold onto the one thing he still owned after Djokovic's magnificent win. I don't know how either could hit a ball there was so much at stake. Nadal winning his 7th RG

Most improved player

Azarenka. To me she went from a bland also ran to a star. Winning the AO her first slam and then claiming the number 1 position. But in a way what IMO showed her star quality was the US Open. Great match beating Sharapova then losing to Serena in the final. One of the stand out matches of the year (male or female). Total professionalism and high quality play throughout. And then after what could have been a devastating loss she sort of flicked off a switch and was ok. Mentally she is so strong. She will always be very tough to beat.

Best come back. (I will go for match)

Tricky as Federer made great come backs against both Del Potro at the FO and Benneteau at Wimbledon. But I will chose Djokovic against Tsonga at the FO. Djokovic was hanging from a thread and he had to play the French crowd as well as Tsonga.

Biggest Disappointment/Let down

Nadal getting injured... It was all set up so nicely. Nadal regaining confidence. Federer in great form. Djokovic clinging to number one. And then Pfft. The bubble burst.

Best overall tennis moment

Easy peasy. The FO final. Although it did last quite a bit longer than a moment. If not for this tough competition then Federer winning Wimbledon would have been in with a chance.

Funny it does feel like the season is over...

Best standout achievement - Federer #17/#7 closely followed Murray USO/OG closely followed by Nadal #7 @RG

Most Improved Player - Kerber closely followed by Baker

Best comeback - Federer v Benneteau followed by Djokovic v Tsonga. As a player, Berdych, after some disappointing loses, the run at USO.

Best overall Tennis moment - Murray in tears being hugged by Federer @ W.

HE.. There is quite a bit of Tennis to come this year, despite the last slam having been played.

There more tennis to come LF, but I guess there is the feeling that with Nadal absent, Federer in his own words spent, Djokovic in not quite the place he was and Murray riding the crest with other players not making impacts that we have a damp squib ending to 2012 through Asia, Basel, Paris, London. I hope not. Hopefully, Federer will come back for Basel (presume obligated to play there), skip Paris as he doesn't normally like it there and play WTF.

Another improved player is actually Azarenka...she's now incredibly tough to beat as she showed at USO after the first set was taken from her easily.

I actually feel the same about the Asia swing lydian. Can't say it is exciting me as much as say the Clay/Grass swing. It feels like a winding down session before the WTF. That said I hope someone does make a breakthrough at Shanghai as it will make the race to London a bit more interesting. I think as Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray have made the WTF it in some ways kills interest in the Asia swing. I shall still watch the events mind you in case someone springs a surprise.

Azarenka has improved, though her grunting hasn't!

Nadals 7th French Open was always gonna happen anyway with Djokovic struggling on serve.

Best stand out achievement was Cilic losing the 2nd set.

Most improved for me is Tsonga, his play at the French Open and Wimbledon confirms he's now an all rounder.

Best Comeback was Federer Del Potro French Open which we remember for Del Po's final fantasy style forehands followed by Feds Optimus Prime Soldiering.

Biggest disappointment is Djokovic's performance at USO.

Best Overall moment is Federer returning to number 1 to pass Sampras.

Best stand out achievement of Year, Federer, followed by Murray and then Nadal and then Djokovic.

1) Federer. Winning Wimbledon... In the previous 9 slams he had only made one final and he lost it. In the previous two Wimbledon tournaments he hadn't made it past the quarter final stage. He tied the record with Sampras for winning 7 Wimbledon titles.
... and regaining the No. 1 ranking and breaking Sampras record. He lost his No 1 ranking over two years ago (May 2010), to younger more fitter talent.

2) Murray. Beating the defending champion of the US Open in five sets to win his first Slam title ... a major breakthrough.
... and winning the Olympics beating Roger Federer on grass and over a best of five set match. He also beat Djokovic to reach the Olympic final.

3) Nadal. For winning his seventh Roland Garros tournament and breaking Borgs record (who would have won more if he hadn't retired ... losing interest in the game).

4) Djokovic . For winning the Australian Open and getting to two other slam finals.

Best stand-out achievement:

Federer claiming #1, #7 and #17 in the Wimbledon Final. In many ways a career defining performance from The Fortunate One, who struck a tournament-high 62 winners in 4 sparkling sets.

Best come-back:

Tommy Haas emerging from the wilderness to win Halle - defeating Federer, Berdych and Kohlschreiber en route - and reaching World #21.

Biggest disappointment:

The French Open. A tournament that had the potential to be as electrifying as the FO of 2009 fizzled out without so much as a whimper. Federer was playing his worst clay-court tennis since 2008, Djokovic was poor throughout and should have been eliminated by Tsonga and Seppi, Ferrer choked and rain pushed the Final into a 4th week. A forgettable and simply rubbish event.

Best overall tennis moment:

Federer vs Murray - Wimbledon Final - The Dream Match

The next most memorable and electrifying moment would be: Lukas Rosol hitting forehands that Shook the World.

1. Best stand-out achievement?
Rafael Nadal sealing glory at the French Open final to beat Bjorn Borg's incredible record at the French Open.
7 stunning titles at this venue for Rafa, and no one has ever dominated clay like Nadal has. Incredible.

2. Most improved player?
Laura Robson for taking a step up in her career- the teenager beat both Clijsters and Li Na in the US Open.

3. Best come-back?
Rafael Nadal coming back from a set and a break down in the Australian Open semi-final against Roger Federer. An incredible display- and in my opinion that was the one of the best matches of the year.

4. Biggest disappointment/letdown?
Rafael Nadal missing the last half of the season due to injury. He was looking in great form after winning the French Open with the loss of only one set.

5. Best Overall Tennis Moment?
Rafael Nadal falling to the ground in tears of joy after Djokovic double-faulted match point down in the French Open final.

How the Frak I got him into 4 of those I don't know

I have played fast and loose with the rules and added a new category

Best stand out achievement: Andy Murray beating 76 years of history, the elements and Novak Djokovic all in one match to take his first major title.

Achievement - Honourable mentions: Federer winning Wimbledon and regaining the no1 spot, Nadal winning an historic victory at RG and Djokovic surviving that semi and that final at AO.

Most improved player: Laura Robson although an honourable mention goes to Goffin.

Best come back: Murray final set in USO (may be a little biased there )

Biggest disappointment / let down: TBH the whole chasing pack - with couple of exceptions the ATP has been the story of 4 players again. There are some very talented players below them but they have failed to string it together well enough.

Best overall tennis moment: I have two and no prizes for guessing what they are

It Must Be Love wrote:How the Frak I got him into 4 of those I don't know

Ha ha! Don't you think Nadal improved his mental strength when playing Djokovic? Also your not alone giving the AO Nadal Federer semi a high rating. It was excellent. At the time though all people could think of was Nadal and Djokovic. Federer was supposed to be in semi retirement. If people knew then what they knew now (Federer would go on to win Wimbledon and re claim the number one) then I believe that match would have been more anticipated and appreciated.

Another perfectly good thread hijacked by Nadals servants. Sickening act of petulance

1. Best stand-out achievement?
Fed making #17 #7 287 weeks, closely followed by Nadal's #7, closely followed by Murray breaking the Perry hoodoo

2. Most improved player?
Murray - the chasm he crossed this year is immense

3. Best come-back? (either in a match, or as a whole)
Match: Fed vs. Benneteau, Murray vs. Fed across Wimbledon and the Olympics, Djoko vs. Tsonga - less because he didn't end up winning the tournament
As a whole: Haas

4. Biggest disappointment/letdown?
I wanted Djoko to give Nadal the silver bullet at MC

5. Best overall tennis moment?
3rd Set Fed vs. Del Potro at the Olympics.

stand-out achievement: I think I'll go with Nadal at the FO. Just an unbelievable record. To do it by beating his bete noire made it extra special.

most improved player: Laura Robson. The game's always been there but she's had a tough time with injuries (and maybe a bit of laziness too). Broke through at the US Open by knocking out two slam winners in succession and is now knocking on the door of the top 50.

Best come-back: Brian Baker, with Haas a close second. Just love his story, fantastic stuff.

Biggest disappointment: Bernard Tomic. For me the most likely to break into the top echelons of the game, but his attitude has got worse if anything. The talent's there, but if the mind isn't he won't make it, which would be a pity.

Best overall moment: I'm going double moment with Murray winning Olympic Gold (I was in the Olympic Park that day, special moment watching on the giant screen ) followed by the Us Open a month later to finally get that duck off his back.

Great thread!


For me:

1. hard to decide between Federer capturing a 7th Wimbledon and Nadal a 7th Roland Garros - both immense achievements for any age. I perhaps, if I have to pick one over the other, slightly lean towards Fed not because of personal preference so much but because it was so unexpected and it capped a great run to take back the No 1 ranking over some giants of the game at the ripe old age of 30 soon to be 31.
2. have to agree with lydian about David Goffin.
3. Brian Baker is quite some story and must be the come back story of the year. Honorable mention to Tommy Haas too.
4. Raonic, Tomic and Dimitrov have continued to disappoint and I find it hard to pick one who is more frustrating than the other! Personally disappointed with Tsonga's form after RG.
5. Again, I have two moments that I am loathe to choose between - the first is Fed winning Wimbledon and securing No 1, and the second is Murray coming good and winning the USO