The Most Interesting Statistics for Tennis' Top Stars in 2014

While players pore over the highs and lows of the last 12 months, the facts and figures from an exhausting year will help them better prepare for 2015. There may even be an interesting statistic or two for the top stars of 2014.

Milos Raonic may choose to focus on his return game, seeking a way to find the extra per cent that may be the difference between bettering his Wimbledon semi-final appearance this year and staying at the same level.

Coco Vandeweghe, currently ranked No. 39 in the world, might have caused a few eyebrows to lift given her presence in more than one of the year-ending categories.

The following slides will use ATP MatchFacts and the WTA Media Information System to analyse some of the most intriguing figures of the 2014 season.

Rafael Nadal

Vincent Thian/Associated Press

Rather than walking on water, beating Rafael Nadal as he glides on clay is perhaps a more stunning miracle. 

As the king of Roland Garros, this school of thought is not unsubstantiated. Yet one number in particular suggests that not every statistic serves the notion that the Spaniard is indomitable on clay.

While 71 per cent of first serve points won is still an impressive feat, Nadal is 7 percentage points off Marin Cilic, who played 12 matches less in 2014.

Nadal loyalists might balk at the implication that he does not rule every category, yet they can take some comfort in the next resounding statistic.

Nobody was within 7 percentage points of Nadal for return games won. The nine-time French Open champion won 44 per cent of return games faced, with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic sitting in second on 37 per cent.

Although Djokovic played 12 matches less than Nadal, David Ferrer played five matches more than Nadal's 28 and sits in third on 35 per cent—alongside Kei Nishikori and Gael Monfils.

The attacking instinct doesn't appear to be on the wane. Who would bet against him claiming a remarkable 10th title on the Court Philippe Chatrier next June? 

Coco Vandeweghe

Beck Diefenbach/Associated Press

Coco Vandeweghe may not have cracked the Top 30 by the end of this year, but she asserted herself in impressive style in more than one category.

The American hit the third most aces on the WTA tour in 2014, accumulating 306 in 36 matches.

Compare this to Venus Williams' 222 in 46 matches or Petra Kvitova's 263 in 55 and the No. 39 in the world will know she is on the right track.

Of course, big hitting can only get you so far. While Vandeweghe took some impressive victories this year, including wins against Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic in Montreal, she didn't progress beyond the round of 64 in any of the majors.

However, strong performances in other statistical categories will give her optimism.

She finished second, behind Serena Williams, in percentage of service games won and finished top of the first service points won category.

Vandeweghe also made it into the Top Five of the WTA's Most Improved Player for 2014 list. The figures suggest 2015 could be a strong year for the 22-year-old from New York. 

Milos Raonic

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Milos Raonic surpassed the 1,100 ace mark this year to corroborate his status as a serving giant.

Analyse 2014's statistics further, though, and you won't find the Canadian in the Top 40 of return games won on all surfaces based on percentage.

In 47th place, Raonic is closer to the foot of the list with only 16 per cent of return games won in 67 matches. Fellow ace specialists Ivo Karlovic and John Isner are also towards the bottom, which reinforces the notion that big-hitters tend not to be lethal returners.

Even Rafa Nadal, at the top of the category, has won just 35 per cent of return games on all surfaces. Yet, Novak Djokovic has played only two matches more than Raonic but has won 33 per cent

This is the level that Raonic must continue to aspire to, or to at least reach the levels of 2014 Grand Slam champions Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic, who both won 22 per cent of their returns.

Li Na

Aaron Favila/Associated Press

Although there might be a touch of sentimentality about the inclusion of the now retired Li Na, her consistency has earned her the right.

Finishing in the Top 10 of seven of the WTA's leading categories, the 2014 Australian Open winner will be missed for her wit as much as her ability.

Her memorable post-Grand Slam speech highlighted her infectious character, but only sheds light on half of what made her so well respected.

Li Na made the most of her 35 matches this year. She may not have finished in the Top 10 for first serve points won or first serve percentage, but she won 73.3 per cent of her service games to sit eighth in the rankings.

She also saved 60.2 per cent of break points and converted the third most at 52.8 per cent, finishing just behind fellow Chinese players Jie Zheng and Saisai Zheng.

Her ability to return well also sees her finish fourth for return games won with 46 per cent and second for points returned on second service at 59.5 per cent.

One of the game's finest ambassadors departs on the back of an impressive set of statistics. It is fitting that she should have won her second Grand Slam just eight months before her body told her it was time to stop.