Top 5 Tennis Points of 2011

Last year presented many tennis fans and viewers with spectacular matches.

Even from the worst to the best tennis player broadcast on television or online, many dazzling shots were hit as well.

But what truly picked up a notch from 2010 was the overall quality of points in 2011 matches.

This list, filled with tons of Rafael Nadal points, just shows the world how much the athletes in tennis are improving each year and how tough it truly is to be a top player in the game.

Here are the five best points from the previous season.

Honorable Mention: Robin Haase Plays Squash?

This is more of a great shot than an incredible point, but it still is amazing to watch.

It just goes to show you that the point is never over and that defense can turn to offense in literally one shot.

Honorable Mention: Rafa Hits a Tweener Against His Rival

Again, this point is more recognized for the finishing shot than it is for the work the players put in before it was hit.

5. And Robin Haase Does It Again!

Not only did he get away with a ridiculously difficult upside-down-wrist-flick shot, but he managed to save the official winner for the next shot.

Andy Roddick's reaction after is priceless.

4. Rafa Hangs in the Point as Long as Possible

Rafael Nadal manages to make five insane defensive gets just to keep him in the point and then hits the passing shot winner against Juan Monaco on the sixth shot.

Nobody wants to play Rafa on red clay—sometimes it just is not fair.

Watch from 7:36-8:08.

3. Two Baseline Masters Go at It

The point itself, which exhibits a 49-shot rally, lasts a minute and nine seconds in total length.

This shows just how patient both of these players are even when they are taking risks by hitting tough, low-cutting slices and placing the ball to the respective opponent's weakness.

Watch from 7:31-8:48.

2. Djokovic and Nadal Play an Epic Point

I do not feel that this was the best point of the year (or match for that matter) simply because Novak was pounding away at the ball and never lost his positioning on the offensive side of the point.

Nadal's gets are amazing, though, and it is shocking that this is what must be done against him just to save one break point.

1. Djokovic and Nadal Play Another Epic Point

I think this point sums up 2011 in a nutshell. Even when Nadal played the best point he could possibly play (displayed here), it still took him a great deal of shot-making to finally win the point against Novak Djokovic.

For Rafa to have to play like this all the time and to win three sets on top of that is an unsettling thought.

He needs to find a quicker way to win points (perhaps with a better serve and aggressive return) and practice his overall consistency and depth (yes, he does exhibit that in this point, but he did not for the match as a whole).