What year in the past decade was the best in tennis?

[Nadalgaenger]

Which year in the past decade was best in tennis (most memorable, best matches, etc.)?


Let's consider the decade year by year
2005: Federer dominance, Nadal's rise to power on the clay (highlights: Nadal/Coria Rome final, Federer/Agassi clashes on HC)

2006: Federer dominance everywhere except clay, where Nadal dominates (highlights: Federer/Nadal in Rome, Fed's run at history and win streak)

2007: Federer's dominance at AO, Nadal's establishment as King of Clay, rise of Djokovic to prominence, exciting Wimbledon and USO finals.

[B 2008[/B] Djokovic dethrones the "King" in AO SF (ending his 10 straight appearances in GS finals), Nadal dominates FO like never before; Nadal/Federer "greatest match ever"; Nadal's Olympic gold; Rise of Murray in summer HC season; Fed's resurgence at USO.

2009: Nadal's amazing AO victory; Nadal ousted at the FO!!! Fed finally victorious at the FO; Fed beats Pete's GS record with 5-set drama against Roddick; Del Potro's dramatic USO victory

2010: Fed wins another GS; Nadal dominates the rest of the year and wins 3/4 slams (first man ever to win GS on 3 different surfaces in a calendar year)

2011: Djokovic dominates tennis; The streak! Federer's dramatic victory over "unbeatable" Djoker at FO. Djokovic's dramatic victory over Federer at USO; Djokovic dominates Nadal on all surfaces.

2012: Amazing Djokodal AO final; Nadal asserts his dominance on clay; Fed surprises everyone and plays beautiful tennis again at Wimbledon; Murray finally wins a slam.

2013: Djokovic wins another AO; Amazing Djokodal SF at FO; Nadal another FO (ho-hum); Murray wins Wimbledon (first British champion since Perry); Nadal dominates summer HC swing and wins 2nd USO.

2014: Year of the Underdogs at slams (stranglehold of Big 4 broken); Excellent Wimbledon final;

My top 3: 1. 2008 2) 2009 3) 2011

 

[Inanimate_object]

Of the past 10 years, 2009 and 2012 were my favourites. Many amazing stories. Jaw-dropping Australian Open and Wimbledon finals, breaking the slam record, achieving the grand slam, emotional first slam titles.

 

[tenisdecente]

2011 was cool

 

[NatF]

Best three for me are 2005, 2009 and 2012 in no particular order.

 

[ruerooo]

2005 also contained the jaw-dropper that was the Safin-Federer AO SF and the Nadal-Correia Monte Carlo final (and the Nadal-Ljubicic Madrid final when Madrid was still a hardcourt tournament) as well as Rafa's maiden Slam/RG.

2008 - Rafa and Roger also won Olympic Gold medals, in addition to, between the two of them, what felt like pretty much everything else (except the AO, sigh).

2010 - Rafa won his Career Golden Slam (and I had a courtside seat :mrgreen: ).

2012 - Andy Murray broke the 77-year British drought and Vee and ReRe won all the Olympic Gold medals.

2013 - Rafa won everything again.

The FEDAL AO 2009 final really felt like the end of 2008 to me.

Hmm.

 

[Rebel-I.N.S]

2012 for me.

Big 4 all picking up a slam.

 

[FedererDropShot]

2012.

Djokovic establishing himself as the inevtiable AO king.

Nadal regaining his edge on clay against Djokovic.

Federer's return to Number 1 for a few weeks and a 7th Wimbledon title.

Murray's maiden slam at the USO.

The true 'Big 4' year.

 

[beltsman]

2008 and 2010

 

[Nadalgaenger]

2012.

Djokovic establishing himself as the inevtiable AO king.

Nadal regaining his edge on clay against Djokovic.

Federer's return to Number 1 for a few weeks and a 7th Wimbledon title.

Murray's maiden slam at the USO.

The true 'Big 4' year.

I don't have that many great memories of 2012 besides the Federer Wimbledon. I like Murray enough and all but I didn't find his first USO particularly moving and it ultimately doesn't appear to be especially significant given what has happened since. Besides the AO final, were there any great matches that year? I think Fed's beatdown of Murrovic at Wimbledon was awesome (Murray of course got revenge a month later and won Olympic Gold), but what else happened that year?

 

[Nadalgaenger]

2008 and 2010

Your avatar pic explains why you like these years.

Seriously though, 2008 was very exciting but 2010??? I hardly can think of a memorable event. Nadal beat Soderling and Berdych and then a tired Djokovic in GS finals. Great performance from him, no doubt, but I don't remember that many epic clashes. Best match of the year probably Fed/Djokovic SF at USO.

 

[Mustard]

2008.........

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Have to say 2012 - That was the REAL year of the Big Four.

The epic AO semis and final win by Djokovic against Murray and Nadal. Nadal breaking the RG record and denying Djokovic all four slams. Federer breaks weeks at number one, winning record breaking 17th slam by beating Djokovic and Murray. Murray winning OG, beating Federer and Djokovic and winning USO in a five set clash against Djokovic. Djokovic coming back strong in the fall to win the WTF and ending year end number one, outlasting Federer for both. Some other great moments include Federer beating Nadal in IW, Nadal winning MC and ending the seven match loss streak to Djokovic. Djokovic having an epic against Murray in Shanghai.

Add into that the Del Potro V Federer Olympics semi, Rosol's iconic match against Nadal and you have a year to remember. There was something for everyone.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

2009 would probably rank right up there with 2012.

Nadal V Verdasco - This is one of the greatest matches I have ever seen. Period. Nadal V Federer - Apart from the final set, this match was a blast to watch. Nadal winning his first HC major, in what I consider his greatest win.

The Nadal V Djokovic clay triology - You will be hard fetched to find three matches in sequence on clay better than what we saw from these two in MC, Rome and Madrid in 09.

RG 09 - Nadal V Soderling, the biggest upset in modern tennis history. Federer's great escapes against Haas with the most important forehand hit of his career, and the war against Del Potro in the semis. Federer career slam.

The grass - Murray wins his first grass title in queens. Wimbledon and the epic run by Roddick, having that five set war against Hewitt in the quarters, who played great also, then Murray in semis. The Federer V Roddick most games played final, with Federer breaking the slam record...history.

The rise of Del Potro, the first player to beat Fedal in a slam, and win the title, ending Federer's reign as king of NY. Federer's great pass against Djokovic in the semis.

The rise of peak Davydenko, beating Djokovic and Nadal to win Shanghai, and then beating Federer and Del Potro to win WTF. We got to see God mode Verdasco, God mode Soderling in 09...and lets not forget The Real Slam! So many players stepped up in 09, making it arguably the most crazy year in tennis history.

 

[uscwang]

Thanks largely to the Big 3, we've had a very exciting decade in tennis.
This decade easily include 5 of the Top 10 best years in the open era. It's really hard to pick one as the best.
But I'll say 2014 has been the least exciting year. Rafa pulled his back in the AO final. Novak vomited in the FO final. And Novak had his worst North American fall right after getting married.

 

[uscwang]

Why is this not a poll thread?

 

[uscwang]

I felt the best year will have to be one when the Big 3 were all healthy and played at levels near their best.
05 Rafa and Novak not there
06 Rafa just showed up. Novak not there.
07 Novak just showed up.
08 Big 3 all won GS. Novak not consistent yet.
09 Rafa suffered from injury and parents divorce.
10 Novak was really down.
11 Big 3 all played at very high level, although Fed didn't win a GS. Novak was injured towards the end of the year.
12 Big 3 all won GS. But Rafa fell off a cliff after FO.
13 Fed suffered from injury.
14 None of the Big 3 played particularly well. Rafa had injuries.

Overall, I'll vote for 2011.

 

[Algo]

2014, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2008

 

[Russeljones]

2009.

10 chars

 

[Nadalgaenger]

I felt the best year will have to be one when the Big 3 were all healthy and played at levels near their best.
05 Rafa and Novak not there
06 Rafa just showed up. Novak not there.
07 Novak just showed up.
08 Big 3 all won GS. Novak not consistent yet.
09 Rafa suffered from injury and parents divorce.
10 Novak was really down.
11 Big 3 all played at very high level, although Fed didn't win a GS. Novak was injured towards the end of the year.
12 Big 3 all won GS. But Rafa fell off a cliff after FO.
13 Fed suffered from injury.
14 None of the Big 3 played particularly well. Rafa had injuries.

Overall, I'll vote for 2011.

Was Federer really at his best in 2008? Wasn't that year pretty catastrophic for him?

 

[Roddick85]

I'd pick 2009 and 2012. 2009 because it was the last great moment of Andy Roddick's career at Wimbledon, terrific final at the AO between Rafa/Roger and overall a great year for Roger.

2012 was also an interesting year. Roger had a great year and shared duties with Novak as world #1.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

I'd pick 2009 and 2012. 2009 because it was the last great moment of Andy Roddick's career at Wimbledon, terrific final at the AO between Rafa/Roger and overall a great year for Roger.

2012 was also an interesting year. Roger had a great year and shared duties with Novak as world #1.

Kind of sad that the standard of a "great year" for Roger has slipped so far that we can call it such when he makes 1 GS final and wins 1 GS.

 

[SpinToWin]

2009 and 2012 for me too.

 

[spirit95]

2006, 2011, 2012

 

[Chanwan]

2009 and 2012 for me too.

Probably for me too - though as a Fed-fan, I did enjoy the days of his monopoly quite a bit too.

 

[Sysyphus]

Hard to choose as so many of those years were exciting in their own way.

2005 was great, with the AO drama, somewhat surprising winner and great semi, Nadal ascending at RG, and some epics at the USO (Agassi's last stand, five-setters versus Blake and Ginepri).

2008 was great with Nadal momentarily taking the throne of tennis, winning that epic Wimbledon, and Fed regaining some glory at the USO. And Novak's maiden slam of course.

2009 had three epic slam finals, plus two historical feats by Fed. It was also a more open and surprising year than most.

2012 was also rather good. Fitting with one slam each for the "big four".

Probably for me too - though as a Fed-fan, I did enjoy the days of his monopoly quite a bit too.

Hi Chanwan, how you been?

I agree—I didn't mind the Fedopoly much at all 8)

 

[Amalhotra]

2009, 2005, 2013
no order

 

[InjuredNo?]

1. 2006: Baghdatis breaks through, Federer awesome. Hewitt finally exposed. Big 4 of Federer, Nadal, Nalbandian, Davydenko was much more entertaining than modern Big 4.

2. 2012: A beautiful Wimbledon is the main reason.

3. 2009: Nice drama that year during all the slams.

 

[mike danny]

Hard to choose as so many of those years were exciting in their own way.

2005 was great, with the AO drama, somewhat surprising winner and great semi, Nadal ascending at RG, and some epics at the USO (Agassi's last stand, five-setters versus Blake and Ginepri).

2008 was great with Nadal momentarily taking the throne of tennis, winning that epic Wimbledon, and Fed regaining some glory at the USO. And Novak's maiden slam of course.

2009 had three epic slam finals, plus two historical feats by Fed. It was also a more open and surprising year than most.

2012 was also rather good. Fitting with one slam each for the "big four".



Hi Chanwan, how you been?

I agree—I didn't mind the Fedopoly much at all 8)

Dn't forget the RG semis which were both entertaining 5 setters. They more than made up for a lack of an epic RG final.

 

[Sysyphus]

Dn't forget the RG semis which were both entertaining 5 setters. They more than made up for a lack of an epic RG final.

Very true! Those were thrillers.

I remember I was away competing in a tournament myself that weekend, and followed the semi by mobile. I was so pi*sed when it looked like Fed would lose his RG opportunity to Delpo—was it 1-2 or 0-2 he was down?

 

[mike danny]

Very true! Those were thrillers.

I remember I was away competing in a tournament myself that weekend, and followed the semi by mobile. I was so pi*sed when it looked like Fed would lose his RG opportunity to Delpo—was it 1-2 or 0-2 he was down?

He was down 1-2.

Then rebounded like a boss.

 

[Chanwan]

Hard to choose as so many of those years were exciting in their own way.

2005 was great, with the AO drama, somewhat surprising winner and great semi, Nadal ascending at RG, and some epics at the USO (Agassi's last stand, five-setters versus Blake and Ginepri).

2008 was great with Nadal momentarily taking the throne of tennis, winning that epic Wimbledon, and Fed regaining some glory at the USO. And Novak's maiden slam of course.

2009 had three epic slam finals, plus two historical feats by Fed. It was also a more open and surprising year than most.

2012 was also rather good. Fitting with one slam each for the "big four".



Hi Chanwan, how you been?

I agree—I didn't mind the Fedopoly much at all 8)

Great thanks, you? And yeah, 2005 was probably the best in terms of the Fedopoly years (the Safin-semi, Rafa's ascendance, Nalbandian WTF etc. - and even though it was just a 2 slam year for Fed, I'm not sure he's ever played better - he lost just 4 matches all year and came within a whisker of winning 3 of those (Safin, Gasquet, Nalbandian).

 

[TheMusicLover]

2006.

Rome final for the win.

 

[tacou]

For me, 2008. I am a Nadal fan so obviously I am biased. However, part of the year's greatness included Murray beating Nadal in the USO semis and then Federer kind of regaining his mojo. I also remember his match against Andreev at USO, which was a very fun watch.

The FO final was a let down in many ways, but to see Nadal purely dominate the best player in the world at the time, followed by the amazing Wimbledon final, was something to behold. A number of other memorable moments at that year's Wimbledon, including Safin's run.

I am a Tsonga fan as well and his AO run was crazy. His Paris run was equally as mesmerizing. Lots of other great moments in 2008.

Well, maybe 2010...heheh

 

[beltsman]

Your avatar pic explains why you like these years.

Seriously though, 2008 was very exciting but 2010??? I hardly can think of a memorable event. Nadal beat Soderling and Berdych and then a tired Djokovic in GS finals. Great performance from him, no doubt, but I don't remember that many epic clashes. Best match of the year probably Fed/Djokovic SF at USO.

It's because Nadal in 2010 played at a level never seen before and won three slams in a row, which is incredible.

 

[NatF]

2005 had 4 epic 5 set masters finals and a 5 set YEC final. Something missing from later years due to format changes. The AO was awesome with Hewitt's epic run and that SF with Safin defeating Federer.

Nadal emerged and had epic rivalry on the clay with Coria that year. He was also involved in two of those 5 set masters finals too - both of which were great matches.

There was some great matches in Davis Cup too, like Ljubicic's run against the USO beating Agassi and Roddickm the later in a 5 setter. The Argentina vs Australia clash was memorable too.

At the USO Federer had some entertaining matches with Santoro, Hewitt and Agassi. There was the epic QF between Blake and Agassi too.

 

[MichaelNadal]

2008 was amazing, and the buzz around tennis was just huge at the time. You even had hidden gems like Fed/Tipsy which I remember watching live

 

[Deleted member 716271]

No mention of 2011? A new low even for this place.

Such bias and underrating of Novak.

Unbelievable.

 

[The Green Mile]

2009 and 2005 were probably my favourites years. Closely followed by 2006 :wink:

 

[smoledman]

Any year that Federer dominated.

 

[jg153040]

09 and 11 for me. Best years.

09 What a crazy emotional year. Changing of the guard, Rafa makes Federer cry and finally bets him in HC final. Rafa wins his first HC slam and his only AO slam from epic five setters with Fed and Verdasco. Then Fed wins FO and Rafa gets beaten there the only time. Also how Fed won FO, with close matches by a thread. Federer actually was nr.1 on clay that year, but Rafa was nr.1 on HC. Fed then winning thrilling W final, becoming officially the greatest. Davy won WTF. Delpo after double bagel beat Fed in USO final, when Fed was two points away from winning. Every slam had a close five setter final, except for FO, but even then Fed had two close five setters with Haas and Delpo. Best year.

11 Djokovic coming from nowhere and interrupted Fedal dominance. That was great.

 

[NatF]

2008 was amazing, and the buzz around tennis was just huge at the time. You even had hidden gems like Fed/Tipsy which I remember watching live

Kohly and Roddick was crazy good too.

 

[Chanwan]

2005 had 4 epic 5 set masters finals and a 5 set YEC final. Something missing from later years due to format changes. The AO was awesome with Hewitt's epic run and that SF with Safin defeating Federer.

Nadal emerged and had epic rivalry on the clay with Coria that year. He was also involved in two of those 5 set masters finals too - both of which were great matches.

There was some great matches in Davis Cup too, like Ljubicic's run against the USO beating Agassi and Roddickm the later in a 5 setter. The Argentina vs Australia clash was memorable too.

At the USO Federer had some entertaining matches with Santoro, Hewitt and Agassi. There was the epic QF between Blake and Agassi too.

All good points, especially the 5 sets epics.

 

[NatF]

All good points, especially the 5 sets epics.

Thanks, good to see you posting again.

 

[SpinToWin]

Kohly and Roddick was crazy good too.

Kohli when on was a sight to behold... A shame that he is one of the most inconsistent players on tour...

 

[NatF]

Kohli when on was a sight to behold... A shame that he is one of the most inconsistent players on tour...

Yeah, one of my favorite players to watch. Baghdatis and Hewitt was really great that tournament too.

 

[mike danny]

It's because Nadal in 2010 played at a level never seen before and won three slams in a row, which is incredible.

Never seen before? Federer played at that level before Nadal.

 

[NatF]

Never seen before? Federer played at that level before Nadal.

Djokovic surpassed it the next year

 

[vanioMan]

2009 would probably rank right up there with 2012.

Nadal V Verdasco - This is one of the greatest matches I have ever seen. Period. Nadal V Federer - Apart from the final set, this match was a blast to watch. Nadal winning his first HC major, in what I consider his greatest win.

The Nadal V Djokovic clay triology - You will be hard fetched to find three matches in sequence on clay better than what we saw from these two in MC, Rome and Madrid in 09.

RG 09 - Nadal V Soderling, the biggest upset in modern tennis history. Federer's great escapes against Haas with the most important forehand hit of his career, and the war against Del Potro in the semis. Federer career slam.

The grass - Murray wins his first grass title in queens. Wimbledon and the epic run by Roddick, having that five set war against Hewitt in the quarters, who played great also, then Murray in semis. The Federer V Roddick most games played final, with Federer breaking the slam record...history.

The rise of Del Potro, the first player to beat Fedal in a slam, and win the title, ending Federer's reign as king of NY. Federer's great pass against Djokovic in the semis.

The rise of peak Davydenko, beating Djokovic and Nadal to win Shanghai, and then beating Federer and Del Potro to win WTF. We got to see God mode Verdasco, God mode Soderling in 09...and lets not forget The Real Slam! So many players stepped up in 09, making it arguably the most crazy year in tennis history.

As a Nadal fan, my memories of 2009 and 2012 are not among my fondest.

As a tennis fan, these two years are really the best (plus 2008 ). I think 2009 beats all other years in terms, tho. Way too many epic matches, tournaments, SFs and Fs. From Nadal's dominance early on, to Federer's rise to #1, to DelPo's amazing run at the USO and Davydenko playing video-game tennis at the end of the year. Add Roddick, Djokovic (especially on clay), Verdasco, Soderling, Murray... Nothing beats 2009, imo.

 

[Steve0904]

2009 would probably rank right up there with 2012.

Nadal V Verdasco - This is one of the greatest matches I have ever seen. Period. Nadal V Federer - Apart from the final set, this match was a blast to watch. Nadal winning his first HC major, in what I consider his greatest win.

The Nadal V Djokovic clay triology - You will be hard fetched to find three matches in sequence on clay better than what we saw from these two in MC, Rome and Madrid in 09.

RG 09 - Nadal V Soderling, the biggest upset in modern tennis history. Federer's great escapes against Haas with the most important forehand hit of his career, and the war against Del Potro in the semis. Federer career slam.

The grass - Murray wins his first grass title in queens. Wimbledon and the epic run by Roddick, having that five set war against Hewitt in the quarters, who played great also, then Murray in semis. The Federer V Roddick most games played final, with Federer breaking the slam record...history.

The rise of Del Potro, the first player to beat Fedal in a slam, and win the title, ending Federer's reign as king of NY. Federer's great pass against Djokovic in the semis.

The rise of peak Davydenko, beating Djokovic and Nadal to win Shanghai, and then beating Federer and Del Potro to win WTF. We got to see God mode Verdasco, God mode Soderling in 09...and lets not forget The Real Slam! So many players stepped up in 09, making it arguably the most crazy year in tennis history.

I would also go with 2009. Basically for the reasons listed here.

 

[mike danny]

As a Nadal fan, my memories of 2009 and 2012 are not among my fondest.

As a tennis fan, these two years are really the best (plus 2008 ). I think 2009 beats all other years in terms, tho. Way too many epic matches, tournaments, SFs and Fs. From Nadal's dominance early on, to Federer's rise to #1, to DelPo's amazing run at the USO and Davydenko playing video-game tennis at the end of the year. Add Roddick, Djokovic (especially on clay), Verdasco, Soderling, Murray... Nothing beats 2009, imo.

What was interesting in 2009 is that even Roddick got further at RG than Djokovic.