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12 Days of Tennis: New Year's resolutions
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On the twelfth day of tennis, we ask...
What's your New Year's resolution? As the 12 Days of Tennis comes to a close, we each offer up one New Year's resolution for 2009. Check out our responses and resolve to set us straight below.12 Days of Tennis
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Webber: More off-the-court harmony in the tennis world. Perhaps we've gotten caught up in the holiday spirit, but is it too much to ask for the corporate leaders of tennis to just get along? There were far too many tennis headlines in 2008 that seemed better suited for the business section of the newspaper than the sports page. Event organizers in Hamburg, Germany unsuccessfully sued the ATP to preserve their status as a Masters Series Event. The endless debate over whether the current Davis Cup format makes sense raged on. There have been rumblings of a player boycott of the WTA Tour over scheduling commitments. Tennis has always faced business challenges because there are so many different stakeholders. However, the sport continues to expand its global appeal and entertain millions of fans each year. Let's hope 2009 brings more sanity and civility. It's much more fun to talk about stories on the court than matters arising from a court room.
Cronin: For Rafael Nadal to flatten out his forehand more on hardcourts (or else he'll never win a hard-court Slam) and for Ana Ivanovic to employ her deep-thinking brain on-court like she does off the court.
Pierce: Stay healthy! We saw far too many promising years hit the skids due to injury in 2008. For instance:
On the eleventh day of tennis, we ask...
What's the most important lesson from 2008? What did the year in tennis teach us? What lesson can we carry over into next year? Check out our responses and then teach us a lesson below.Webber: The Nadal Era has begun. We've been spoiled as tennis fans to witness the greatness of Roger Federer. 2009 should be the year in which Federer ties Pete Sampras' mark by capturing his 14th Grand Slam singles title. But 2008 marked the beginning of Rafael Nadal's reign as the new king of tennis.
Cronin: The single biggest lesson on the men's side is that players almost always peak by the age of 27 witness Roger Federer's very good, but not great year (by his standards anyway) and that it's a rare season to see any truly elite woman (such as the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova) go through an entire season without contending with troubling injuries.
On the tenth day of tennis, we ask...
What was the defining image of 2008? What's that one moment, that one expression, that one photo you'll never forget from the year in tennis? Check out our responses and then shoot us down with your own thoughts.Cronin: With the light fading and the grass of Wimbledon ready to bed down for the night after an epic four-hour battle, Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam title off clay in arguably the greatest men's final ever in his phenomenal 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 victory over five-time defending champion Roger Federer.
Pierce: Tough to argue here. There were great moments throughout the year, but Nadal falling to the Centre Court grass in near darkness was tennis' magnum opus. The stage, the circumstances, the match, the symbolic changing of the guard ¿ it all adds up to one unforgettable image. It didn't matter to the UK that they had gone another year without one of their own in the final. It didn't matter to the U.S. that an American wasn't involved. The play was too good, the stakes too high for anyone to deny they were witnessing something they may never see again. This could end up being the defining image of the whole tennis generation.
Webber: Rafael Nadal celebrates his Wimbledon victory over Roger Federer. The Wimbledon singles final was arguably the greatest match of the Open Era. After five hours and a pair of rain delays, Nadal collapsed on the fabled grass court, overcome by emotion after the Spaniard was finally able to seize victory in the unforgettable match. With camera flashbulbs popping as darkness descended upon the British capital, Nadal savored an epic win that solidified his standing as the top men's player in 2008. Nadal's celebration marked the end of an era at the All England Club. Federer was denied his sixth consecutive Wimbledon championship after heroically rallying from two sets down in the match. Sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words.
On the ninth day of tennis, we ask...
What was the biggest gaffe of 2008? Tennis players are in the public eye all the time, and they can't always behave. Who had the most memorable lapse in judgment? Check out our responses and then pass judgment on us below.Webber: Mikhail Youzhny takes on his racquet and loses. Youzhny may have been auditioning for a new reality show "When Racquets Attack..." when he suffered a monumental meltdown in April at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. In a match against Nicolas Almagro, the Russian was so displeased by his level of play that he turned his racquet on himself. Youzhny smacked his forehead three times with the frame of his racquet, creating a bloody gash. As the blood poured down his face, Youzhny was left wearing a crimson mask creating a YouTube image that will live forever. Perhaps the self-inflicted pain was the motivation Youzhny needed. He rallied from a 4-5 deficit to force a tiebreaker in the final set and win the match.
Cronin: After netting an easy backhand deep in the third set against Nicolas Almagro, Russia's Mikhail Youzhny violently smashed his head three times with his racket, drawing blood from his forehead that dripped down his face. The incident became an instant YouTube classic.
Pierce: Perhaps I'm
On the eighth day of tennis, we ask...
What was the second best Grand Slam match of 2008? We all know which was the best Grand Slam match of the year, but which match would've otherwise won that title? Check out our responses and then slam us below.Pierce: Roger Federer and Janko Tipsarevic at the Australian Open.
Webber: Richard Gasquet vs. Andy Murray at Wimbledon.
Cronin: For pure drama, guts and emotional angst, nothing topped Dinara Safina's 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-2 defeat of Maria Sharapova in the fourth round of the French Open on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Sharapova let go of numerous chances to shut down the relentless Safina in the second set up 5-2 in games, holding a match point, and up 5-2 in the tiebreaker but she didn't, partly because the 22-year-old not-so-little sister of Marat displayed a mental toughness never seen from her before. Sharapova, who lacks faith in herself on clay and doesn't choose the right shots at crucial moments, was so angry that in third set, she screamed "You're an (expletive) choker" to herself.
On the seventh day of tennis, we ask...
What was the best outfit of 2008? There may never be a match for Bethanie Mattek's leopard print outfit at the 2007 U.S. Open, but we take a look at the players who gave it their best shot. Check out our responses and then dress up your own below.Cronin: With fashion queen Maria Sharapova missing the U.S. Open and the usually daring Williams sisters dressing conservatively, it was a down year for fashion. But Bethanie Mattek pulled out an eye-popping dress during the East West Bank Classic in L.A., a blood tank top splashed with black that looked like a female's vampire cocktail dress on Halloween.
Pierce: Maria Sharapova, for seamlessly blending work and leisure through her Wimbledon warm-up jacket. It didn't do much to help her play at the All England Club, but Sharapova's all-white business suit thing was worth a second look. It also came in handy for the many board meetings she had to attend after matches in London. Extra points to Sharapova for sticking it to the Wimbledon organizers, who try to suppress creativity with their archaic all-white dress code rule. That's what you get for trying to stifle individuality.
On the sixth day of tennis, we ask...
Who would like to have that one back? On the day America returns its unwanted presents, we look at the one player that most wants to have that one moment back. Check out our responses and then tell us why we should take them back below.Webber: Argentina's doubles loss to Spain in the Davis Cup final. Argentina came into the final as the heavy favorite hosting a Spanish team that was missing Rafael Nadal because of a knee injury. But the Spaniards got an unlikely singles victory from Feliciano Lopez over Juan Martin del Potro and entered the pivotal doubles match with the tie even at one point apiece in the best-of-five format.
Cronin: James Blake has accomplished a lot in his life, but he has never reached a Grand Slam semifinal. After upsetting Roger Federer in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Olympics, Blake had a chance to achieve one of his dreams by winning an Olympic medal. But in the semifinals against Fernando Gonzalez, he lost his cool and accused his foe of a lack of sportsmanship. In the third set, Blake claimed the Chilean touched a ball, which went out but he didn't admit it to the umpire. Gonzalez fought off three match points and won the marathon match 4-6, 7-5, 11-9. Blake then lost the bronze medal match to Novak Djokovic. "Playing in the Olympics, in what's supposed to be considered a gentleman's sport, that's a time to call it on yourself. Fernando looked me square in the eye and didn't call it," Blake said.
Pierce: Jelena Jankovic has heard plenty of criticism since taking over the No. 1 ranking without a Grand Slam win on her resume. She could've made it go away with a win in the U.S. Open final her first and only Slam title match. But she ran into Serena Williams in Flushing Meadows, and didn't have enough in a 6-4, 7-5 loss. Until she wins the big one, Jankovic will look back at this as the missed chance to silence her doubters.
On the fifth day of tennis, we ask...
Who got the biggest gift in 2008? On Christmas Day, we look at the players who benefited the most from something out of their control. Check out our responses and then treat yourself to your own thoughts below.Pierce: Roger Federer, when Andy Murray beat Rafael Nadal in the U.S. Open semifinals. Certainly Federer would've stood a pretty good chance against Nadal anyway, but he couldn't have been too upset to watch his living Spanish nightmare who won as many Grand Slam titles (2) in 2008 as the rest of the non-Federer top 10 combined ... for their careers bow out a touch early. Federer's thank you to Murray? A beating in the title match.
Webber: Justin Henin's retirement. Henin's abrupt departure from tennis created a major opening for the rest of the stars of the WTA Tour. When Henin lost to Dinara Safina in Berlin in May, no one other than Justine could have known it would prove to be the last time the Belgian would take the court professionally. Henin's retirement created a large void atop the rankings. Ana Ivanovic was able to move up to number one, but the Serbian could not hang on to the top spot.
Cronin: The entire WTA Tour after No. 1 Justine Henin shockingly retired in May, just prior to the French Open, which she had won in dominating fashion four times. Ana Ivanovic most benefited from Henin's exit, as she was able to win her first major at Roland Garros and seize No. 1, an accomplishment that would have been made much tougher if Henin hadn't burned out.
On the fourth day of tennis, we ask...
Who is Santa Claus coming for in 2009? On Christmas Eve, we look at the unheralded players who are poised for a big breakout in 2009. Check out our responses and then tell us the real answer below.Cronin: On the men's side, it's surely the surly Scot, Andy Murray, who beat Roger Federer three times in 2008, reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open and won two Masters Series crowns. Not only does he own a high-variety game and is smart, but he's a dogged competitor who believes he can take down any player on a great day.
Pierce: Juan Martin del Potro. Something clicked with this guy after Wimbledon. Del Potro, a second-round loser in each of the first three slams, had a horrendous first half of 2008. Then, out of nowhere, he reeled off four consecutive tournament wins (Stuttgart; Kitzbuhel; Los Angeles; Washington, DC) and pushed Andy Murray to the limit in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. The second-half surge earned him a spot in the year-end Masters Cup tournament, where he lost out in the round-robin stage. He may be a year away yet, but the tall Argentine who will end the year ranked No. 9 is on the doorstep of greatness. He just needs to prove he can play with the big boys.
Webber: Marin Cilic. Let's start with the preface that we are all guessing to a degree when it comes to who could have a breakout year. Raise your hand if you projected Gilles Simon would finish the year ranked in the top 10. But we'll take a shot that Cilic could be ready to take the next step in his career in 2009. The Croatian moved from No. 71 at the end of 2007 to No. 23 at the end of 2008. Cilic won his first ATP singles title at New Haven and posted his best showing at a Grand Slam tournament by reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open and he did it all before celebrating his 20th birthday in September. With his smooth backhand and all-court game, Cilic should improve upon his tally of 37 match victories in 2008.
On the third day of tennis, we ask...
Who had the most volatile year? Not the best or the worst year, but which tennis player managed to combine phenomenal highs with crushing lows? Check out our responses and then shake things up below.Cronin: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. France's Jumping Jo came out of nowhere to destroy Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open semifinals, then just when he looked like a top-five player to be, he suffered yet another knee injury that took him out for most of the summer. But at year's end, he powered to his first Masters Series crown in Paris, qualified for the Masters Cup and ended the year ranked No. 6.
Pierce: Ana Ivanovic. The Serbian had about as up-and-down a year as you could have. Coming off a strong 2007 that saw her make two Grand Slam semis (and one final) and finish with a No. 4 ranking, Ivanovic wasted little time building on that success, reaching the Australian Open final. But she was humbled in that match by Maria Sharapova and seemed still a tier below the Russian and reigning No. 1 Justine Henin. Then Henin retired, and Ivanovic won the ensuing Grand Slam the French Open to suddenly attain the No. 1 ranking. Tennis' new superstar lost her luster in a hurry, though, falling in the third round at Wimbledon and missing the Olympics due to injury. She still managed to regain the No. 1 ranking in August, but then lost in the second round at the U.S. Open despite being the top seed. She also bowed out in the round-robin stage of the season-ending WTA Championships. She'll finish the year ranked No. 5 a slight step back compared to last year, but also a big step forward with her first Grand Slam win.
On the second day of tennis, we ask...
What was the best off-the-court news story of 2008? Maybe you liked Andy Roddick getting engaged. Maybe you're the type that prefers Jimmy Connors getting arrested. Check out our responses and give us the real story below.Pierce: Boris Becker getting dumped via text message. It happens to the best of us, but Boris Becker? The 41-year-old tennis legend said his 26-year-old girlfriend Sandy Meyer-Woelden "trampled on my soul" when she dismissed the relationship with a few keystrokes on the cell phone.
Webber: Boris Becker probably wishes he didn't have unlimited text messaging on his cell phone plan after being dumped that way in November. The six-time Grand Slam singles champion continues to remind us that the tennis court isn't the only place in which love can mean nothing. Perhaps this was some karmic payback for Becker, who reportedly broke up with his previous gal-pal last year by telling her not to come to his 40th birthday party. Let's not forget that Becker has confessed to conceiving a child in a legendary broom-closet liaison as well. Boris might want to consult with Doctor Phil for some dating advice in 2009.
Cronin: Beverly Hills resident Ashley Harkleroad received about $250,000 to become the first tennis player to pose naked for Playboy, nearly a quarter of her career prize money to date. But the attention took its toll on her tennis, and a few weeks after saying that boyfriend and coach Chuck Adams "is having to deal with female hormones," Harkleroad discovered exactly why she was having mood swings she's pregnant and is due sometime late next spring.
On the first day of tennis, we ask...
What was the biggest disappointment of 2008? The first installment of the 12 Days of Tennis looks at the players who didn't deliver on expectations this year. Check out our responses and then tell us how disappointed you are below.Cronin: Nicole Vaidisova. As bad as the super-talented Richard Gasquet was, or as disappointing as the 28-year-old James Blake was at the majors, the biggest bust of 2008 goes to the tall Czech teen.
Pierce: Andy Roddick and James Blake at the Slams. Though expectations haven't been too high for either of these guys in a while, they were still top 10 players in a year when Roger Federer showed some weakness.
Webber: Marcos Baghdatis. 2008 started with another memorable match for the charismatic Cypriot at the Australian Open. After his improbable run to the final in Melbourne in 2006, Baghdatis took on Lleyton Hewitt in the third round of the '08 Aussie Open.
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