2017 in numbers: A review of the year in tennis

IT was supposed to be ending, not a new beginning.

The 2017 tennis year was not, as had been widely and breathlessly forecast, about the rise of fresh-faced “NextGen” types, but a throwback to a more classical era.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer combined to author a season which will surely never be eclipsed for class, persistence and more than large dollop of romanticism.

While the women’s game was a veritable revolving door after a pregnant Serena Williams departed centre stage with a seventh Australian Open and 23rd major under her wing.

Switzerland's Roger Federer (L) and Spain's Rafael Nadal dominated men’s tennis for yet another season.

As Jelena Ostapenko, Garbine Muguruza and Sloane Stephens emerged — and re-emerged — to feast on morsels left in Williams’ absence, 2017 was almost totally about Rafa and Roger.

Both returned from worrying injury lay-offs to deliver appreciated reminders of enduring style, brilliance and skill.

Beaten in an Australian Open classic by Federer, Nadal progressed to a record 10th French Open title before snaring the US Open crown.

Federer followed Melbourne Park success with a resounding eighth and 19th grand slam overall at Wimbledon.

Between them, Nadal and Federer amassed 13 titles, including all four majors and the lions’ share of Masters crowns, to finish the season at No 1 and No 2 respectively.

Ashleigh Barty had a breakout year in 2017

With the imminent return of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka as well as Kei Nishikori, Milols Raonic and Tomas Berdych from injury, January’s Australian Open will provide a fascinating gauge of whether Rafa and Roger can extend their twilight dominance.

Endlessly ambitious, Nadal and Federer tweaked already stunning games in search of even higher levels.

Saddled with a dodgy knee and back, Federer opted for outrageously offensive tactics with a slightly larger racquet to log a 52-5 record.

Nadal finished the year as world champion with a 67-11 tally, beefing up both serve and backhand with devastating effect.

The sum total of their imperious rivalry led to a secondary focus on how they managed to overcome injury and schedule appropriately after troubled 2016 campaigns.

Proving once again imitation is the best form of flattery, Murray, Djokovic, Wawrinka and Co cut short problematic seasons to reboot for 2018.

The proof will be in the pudding at Melbourne Park.

Joker unlikely for Aus Open

The women were not immune, either, as Simona Halep, Sam Stosur. Garbine Muguruza, Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Johanna Konta, Timea Bacsinszky and Madison Keys spent time away from battle with an eye on larger spoils.

Ash Barty extended an echoing comeback theme, forging to a career-high mark of No 17, vaulting more than 250 places to win the Newcombe medal.

The Queenslander’s breakout year leaves her as the nation’s highest-ranked player heading into the Australian Open.

There, her credentials — along with those of Nick Kyrgios and several other Australians — will be tested in the fiercest fire.

Barty, 21, is the rarest of talents and in the form of her life, having found balance and perspective off-court.

Ditto for Grigor Dimitrov, the hardworking Bulgarian who is edging ever closer to a major breakthrough.

A semi-finalist on Rod Laver Arena last January, Dimitrov won the ATP Tour World Final to finish the year at No 3 — and among the heirs apparent.

Nick Kyrgios can expect a fierce test at the Australian Open.

Others in the same bracket are German Alexander Zverev and Austrian Dominic Thiem, while Marin Cilic climbed to No 4 and, most surprisingly of all, American Jack Sock cracked the top eight with Masters success.

Stalwarts Kevin Anderson (US Open final) and Sam Querrey (Wimbledon semi) posted career-bests as maturity in the men’s game overwhelmed callow promise.

Kyrgios continued to run hot and cold, albeit with chronic hip soreness, twice downing Djokovic and excelling in Davis Cup where Australia made the semi-finals under Lleyton Hewitt.

Murray started the year at No 1, surrendering the mantle to Nadal, who regained it for a record third time and held off Federer in the process.

On the WTA Tour the No. 1 baton changed hands repeatedly, moving from Williams to Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Muguruza and Halep.

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Barty eyeing top ten ranking

It was a similar tale at the majors and the premier events for the women.

The nine largest events had as many different winners.

Williams at the Australian Open, Elena Vesnina (Indian Wells), Johanna Konta (Miami), Halep (Madrid), Ostapenko (French Open), Muguruza (Wimbledon), Stephens (US Open) Caroline Garcia (Beijing) and Caroline Wozniacki (WTA Finals) shared the limelight.

Much in the same vein as Federer and Nadal, Venus Williams was a flag-bearer for the sports elders.

At 37, she reflects on a season where she contested the Australian Open, Wimbledon and WTA Finals, the US Open semis and the fourth round at the French.

In eight tournaments, it took the eventual champion to terminate her challenge.

For Australians, the comeback story was Barty.

Her revival crowned a remarkably productive year for Australia’s leading women.

Daria Gavrilova and Stosur also won singles titles, while Destanee Aiava and Jaimee Fourlis continue to make serious headway.

As ever, that development will be put into context in the grand slam furnace of the January 15-28 Australian Open.

Courtesy: Herald Sun
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