2008, a number that brings up so many memories to a tennis fan's mind. Can 2009 every top that remarkable year in tennis history? So much has gone by: the tempers, the wins, the underdog wins.
One of the year's surprises came very early in the form of The Australian Open. Roger Federer, a tennis superstar with the force of a wrecking ball, but he was met by Novak Djokovic, who put a stop Federer before the finals, for the first time in 10 slams to be exact.
Also to add on to this Australian Open, we cannot forget the Lleyton Hewitt match that sent Australians home at 4:44 AM. On the women's side, it was no surprise to see Maria Sharapova hoist the magnificent trophy in front of the Australian crowd.
After Australia, the tennis world travels to Roland Garros, but one of the most shocking stories of the year came before the first serve was launched.
On May 14, 2008, Justin Henin, a woman on top of the tennis world, held a press conference to establish immediate retirement from the sport of professional tennis.
After this retirement, a scramble for the top spot, five women would go on to hold the No. 1 spot before the season's end: Ivanovic, Jankovic, V.Williams, Sharapova, and, S.Williams.
But now off to France on the men's side Rafael Nadal, proved once again that he owned French clay and he would not be stopped, not even by Federer.
On the women's side is was a chain of fallen stars. Maria Sharapova was beaten by Dinara Safina, who was eventually beaten by Ana Ivanovic, who clinched the title as queen of the clay in 2008.
After seeing what events took place on the clay the tennis world was never expecting what could happen next.
The eyes of tennis fans immediately shifted to England, Wimbledon Centre Court. Some know it as "the greatest match ever played on grass." Roger Federer, the king of grass vs, an intruder in the form of Rafael Nadal.
Fans watched these two powerhouses of tennis stepped on the court and had no idea what they were in for. The match was an up and down roller coaster ride that eventually ended with Rafael parading on centre court with Wimbledon's title above his head.
On the women's side, another classic battle on grass was waged after many losses by high ranking players such as Dementieva, Jankovic, Ivanovic, etc.
When the smoke cleared there was only two remaining none other than the Williams sisters. Venus vs. Serena to determine the Wimbledon champion. Venus came out on top to win the tennis star sister rivalry.
With the hype of Wimbledon coming to a settle the courts of New York were rapidly approaching. Federer arrived on the courts of New York empty handed, win-less in the 2008 slam season, but all that was soon to change.
Roger blew the competition by without looking back to become one Grand Slam away from matching the slam wins of the great Pete Sampras.
On the women's court, it was time for the other side of the Williams family to take what was hers. Serena Williams took the final game to beat Jelena Jankovic and to become the 2008 US Open star.
For my honorable mention, I have to give it to Angesika Radwanska. I must say I followed her game all year, and she is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming tennis season.
As we begin this new tennis season we find ourselves asking what will happen who will win and it what fashion. We can only ask ourselves: Can 2009 compare to the roller coaster ride we enjoyed in 2008?
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