Top Ten Tennis Moments of 2017
Locker Room
December 28, 2017
What are your favourite tennis moments of 2017?
It’s so subjective of course, but here is a possible top ten, in reverse order.
You could just as easily pick ten other moments and focus, for example, on the Grand Slam triumphs of the brilliant Rafael Nadal, rather than some of his truly dramatic reverses.
Tennis has been blessed with all kinds of wonderful moments on court in the last twelve months.
And that shows what an incredible year 2017 was for the sport we all love.
10/ Serena Wins Australian Open
The year started with some history. Serena Williams finally secured that elusive 23rd Grand Slam singles title to edge clear of the great Steffi Graf. She did so by beating her sister Venus in the final – and it later emerged Serena was pregnant!
9/ Ostapenko Wins French Open
No one expected Jelena Ostapenko to win the French Open. Not even during the final, when the little Latvian trailed Simona Halep by a set and 0-3. But she launched an incredibly powerful comeback to fire 54 winners and take the title 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
8/ Shapovalov Defeats Nadal
Teenager Denis Shapovalov shocked the world at the Rogers Cup in Montreal by beating Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). His spectacular, carefree style of play made him an instant superstar and he is now regarded as the future of tennis, along with fellow youngster Alexander Zverev.
7/ Muguruza Crushes Venus To Win Wimbledon
The first set of the Wimbledon 2017 final was one of the most brutal ever seen on Centre Court. Garbine Muguruza finally came out on top 7-5 to subdue that famous Williams will to win. She took the title with a second-set bagel over the exhausted Venus. But nothing should detract from the beautiful ferocity of the opener.
6/ Federer Beats Kyrgios In Miami
An epic in three tie-breaks. Roger could have finished the controversial Australian in the second set, but failed to convert two match points. He finally finished the job an hour later – and both players received rapturous applause after Federer emerged the winner by 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (9-11), 7-6 (7-5).
5/ Konta Triumphs Over Halep At Wimbledon
The Wimbledon crowds were dreaming of a home title winner after Jo Konta matched Simona Halep blow for blow in a fantastic clash on Centre Court. The Brit thrilled by storming back to a 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory to book a place in the semi-finals.
4/ Del Potro’s Comeback Against Thiem
It seemed to be all over for Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open when he complained of illness after being brushed aside 1-6, 2-6 in the opening two sets by Dominic Thiem. But Delpo heard the crowd chant his name and hit back to win the last three sets 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, saving two match points in the fourth.
3/ Federer Wins Australian Open
No one thought this possible after Federer had taken so many months out with injury. But somehow he felt supremely refreshed and rode a wave of joy towards an unlikely dream. Roger still needed treatment towards the end of the final as he beat Rafael Nadal in a superb five-setter, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The tennis world gasped at the drama of it all.
2/ Nadal Edged Out In Wimbledon Thriller
It seems harsh to point out that Rafael Nadal, who won two Grand Slams and finished top of the pile, was even more memorable for some of his defeats in 2017. But no one will ever forget that final set against Gilles Muller, as Rafa’s comeback on Wimbledon’s Court 1 stalled. He eventually succumbed to a brilliant performance from the 16th seed, as Muller triumphed 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 15-13.
1/ Federer Wins Wimbledon
Although the final wasn’t the greatest match of the year, it didn’t lack drama as Marin Cilic burst into tears, knowing he couldn’t beat the legendary Federer on the day. Nothing and no one could deny the graceful Roger on his day of destiny. The sheer romance of an eighth Wimbledon title and nineteenth Slam for a man in his mid-thirties is unbeatable. What an amazing 2017 it was for the world’s favourite player, the best of the best.
That’s it! We can’t wait to see what 2018 holds, especially at Wimbledon!