As the tennis season comes to a close, Ahmed Rizvi selects his best and worst of 2015.
THE BEST
Wawrinka goes ballistic
Ballistic is probably the best way to describe Stan Wawrinka’s nonchalant assault on an unsuspecting Novak Djokovic in the French Open final. Roland Garros was the “Final Frontier” for the Djoker and the Coupe des Mousquetaires looked well within his grasp as he walked onto the Chatrier Court, toting a 28-match winning streak and a 17-3 record against his opponent. The first set was a routine 6-4 cruise for the Serb, but then Wawrinka started hitting some absolute dream shots, finding the lines at will with his sublime, but blistering, one-handed backhands. Three sets later, the Swiss had completed an incredible and inconceivable turnaround, winning the contest 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, blasting 60 winners to Djokovic’s 30. This was the only grand slam match that the world No 1 lost all year.
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Nishikori’s tweener lob
It is never easy picking the year’s best when there have been some amazing shots played. Remember Leander Paes’ behind-the-back shot at the Australian Open, during a mixed doubles match alongside Martina Hingis? Or Stan Wawrinka’s around-the-post winner in the French Open final? Roger Federer’s tweener lob on Sam Querrey at Wimbledon comes to mind as well, as does Agnieszka Radwanska’s sky hook against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in Cincinnati and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s diving volley against Rafael Nadal in Shanghai.
However, the fans have voted for Kei Nishikori’s tweener lob over David Goffin in Montreal as the best play of 2015 and we will go with that.
Gluten-free grass
“I was assured that it’s gluten-free, it’s not processed, completely organic and natural, and I could eat it.”
— Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on the Centre Court grass at the All England Club, after chewing a few strands following his triumph in the final
Comment: Hold your horses! Serena Williams is the worthy award winner, not American Pharoah
THE WORST
Kyrgios’ trash talking
First, there was the swearing at fans at the Australian Open, and then he was accused of tanking a game at Wimbledon. Nick Kyrgios, however, refused to mend his ways and created a major controversy in Montreal when TV cameras caught him making some unsavoury comments about his opponent, Stan Wawrinka’s girlfriend.
An angry confrontation between the two followed later in the locker room, but Kyrgios claims playing on the same team (2015 champions Singapore Slammers) in the IPTL has allowed them to mend their relationship.
Bouchard’s handshake-gate
The year has been a nightmare for Eugenie Bouchard and not just on the courts, where she could win only 12 of her 30 matches. Starting the year at No 7, she has now slipped to No 49 in the rankings, and her insolence has only added to her woes. First, she took some rap in April after refusing to shake Alexandra Dulgheru’s outstretched hand at the draw ceremony ahead of Canada’s Fed Cup tie against Romania. Then in October, she decided to sue the US Tennis Association for what her lawyer describes as potentially “millions and millions”, after slipping in the locker room during the US Open. Guess, nothing can keep her out of the headlines.
... AND THE UGLY
Wawrinka’s chequered shorts.
Really, what was he thinking? Those chequered shorts that he wore in the French Open final were just hideous. And that’s putting it mildly. Yes, it won him the French Open, but Wawrinka seriously needs a new design team for 2016.
