Tennis moments of 2020: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka and Andy Murray | Tennis News

From controversy, to activism, to Grand Slam greatness, maiden champions and a significant return to motion from one among tennis’ old-guard, we glance again at a shortened season because of the coronavirus pandemic, however action-packed from begin to end

Novak Djokovic unintentionally struck a lineswoman with the ball through the US Open

World No 1 Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka and Andy Murray all make the record for probably the most unforgettable tennis moments of 2020.

Novak’s second of insanity

There’s just one place to start out.

Djokovic was in imperious type. He had gained all his earlier 26 matches in 2020 – regardless of the lengthy break in skilled tennis because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Djokovic sits beside the Norman Brookes Problem Cup trophy after successful his eighth Australian Open at first of 2020

His superior type mixed with the absence of each Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer noticed him as overwhelming favorite to say an 18th Grand Slam, which might have moved him only one behind Nadal’s 19 and Federer’s report haul of 20.

The world No 1 was untouchable so far as most observers have been involved, each on and off the court docket, that was till one impetuous act turned his fortunes the wrong way up.

Enjoying a fourth-round match towards Spanish twentieth seed Pablo Carreno Busta behind closed doorways on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Serbian was a pissed off determine after simply shedding his service sport, falling 6-5 down within the first set. Then got here a second of insanity as Djokovic took a swing on the ball on his solution to the chair and it hit a feminine line choose within the throat.

Djokovic checks on the lineswoman after the incident which shook the tennis world

He instantly went to apologise, however the harm had been performed. Throughout a prolonged dialogue involving Djokovic, US Open event referee Soeren Friemel, Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli and chair umpire Aurelie Tourte, Djokovic tried to plead his case, however after 10 minutes of backwards and forwards the decision had been reached. The favorite had been defaulted from the event in a stunning flip of occasions.

Djokovic fled Flushing Meadows and left all of the questions for others to reply.

“I feel it was not intentional. I do not assume anybody of us do that deliberately. It is simply the second. It was dangerous luck,” stated his opponent, Carreno Busta.

In an Instagram message Djokovic posted simply hours later, he stated the incident had left him “unhappy and empty” and “extraordinarily sorry”.

And the brand new…

Dominic Thiem lies down on his again in disbelief after successful the US Open

Males’s tennis was assured a brand new Grand Slam champion topped for the primary time since Marin Cilic’s shock victory on the 2014 US Open, and a primary main winner born outdoors the Nineteen Eighties.

Step ahead Austria’s Dominic Thiem. He had already suffered Grand Slam heartbreak, shedding the French Open twice earlier than ending as runner-up to Djokovic on the Australian Open earlier within the yr.

Thiem embraces Alexander Zverev after an exhilarating ultimate at Flushing Meadows

However this was to be his second as he gained an epic encounter towards Alexander Zverev 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 (8-6) to say the most important title of his profession.

Osaka making a distinction

Naomi Osaka wore seven masks about black lives throughout her run on the US Open

Naomi Osaka gained her third Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows with a superb comeback victory over Victoria Azarenka, however her success shall be remembered as a lot for her influence off the court docket as on it.

The 22-year-old, who’s of blended Japanese and Haitian heritage, used her platform to attract consideration to racial injustice, sporting a special facemask for every match bearing the identify of a black sufferer of violence.

It was becoming that she lifted the trophy within the enviornment named after Arthur Ashe, a pioneer and activist who was the primary black man to win Wimbledon.

By successful her third main title, Osaka joined Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Angelique Kerber as the one lively feminine gamers to have gained a minimum of three.

“She’s been one among my good mates. She will get it, she simply will get it and all the time looks like a step forward. Having performed the issues she’s performed, she’s a famous person there is not any query about it and she or he’s not afraid to talk her thoughts. I applaud that. You are clearly going to get backlash and she or he would not care, that is how she feels and she or he desires to be heard, and deserves to be. She purchased seven masks to the US Open and stated ‘I plan to make use of all seven’, what do you say to that? Particular. Requested what the magic of all these masks was, she stated ‘what did it imply to you?’ She simply will get it, I am a fan and may’t wait to see what she has in retailer for us sooner or later.

Frances Tiafoe on Naomi Osaka

Tennis‘ latest famous person

Poland’s Iga Swiatek kisses the Suzanne Lenglen trophy after

Iga Swiatek introduced herself on the large stage by successful the ladies’s French Open title.

The 19-year-old from Poland shocked Australian Open champion and WTA participant of the yr Sofia Kenin within the ultimate, successful all her matches on the event with out dropping a set.

Swiatek might be a significant risk in 2021

Swiatek’s father, Tomasz, was an Olympic rower who competed within the quadruple sculls occasion on the 1988 Video games in Seoul. Her preliminary foray in sport got here in swimming, however Swiatek stated: “I used to be fearful of water so tennis was a lot better for me.”

The AC/DC and Weapons N’ Roses fan, who gained the 2018 Wimbledon women’ junior title, is uncommon in not simply utilizing a sports activities psychologist however travelling with one. She’ll be one to look at in 2021.

Rafa’s Grand Slam mission

Rafael Nadal gained a record-extending thirteenth French Open title

There at the moment are two GOATs in males’s tennis after Rafael Nadal equalled Roger Federer’s all-time Grand Slam report of 20 majors after successful his thirteenth French Open title in early October.

It has been a really robust yr, however to win right here means every thing to me. As we speak, I do not take into consideration the twentieth or equalling Roger on this nice quantity, for me right this moment is only a Roland Garros victory. Roland Garros means every thing; I’ve had a lot of the most-important moments of my tennis profession right here. Thanks very, very a lot to everyone, to all the organisation and to the group. Simply enjoying here’s a pure inspiration and the love I’ve with this metropolis and this court docket is unforgettable.

Rafael Nadal on successful the French Open

He skipped the US Open, misplaced in Rome and there have been doubts he might play in autumnal situations with the slower Wilson tennis balls. However he rapidly dispelled these rumours by flying by the sphere earlier than destroying Djokovic for the lack of simply seven video games in a one-sided ultimate.

He took his report to an unimaginable 100-2 in Paris as he continued to re-write the historical past books.

Murray Mania is again!

Andy Murray made his return to Grand Slam tennis

Nice Scot! Andy Murray returned to Grand Slam singles motion on the US Open with a clear invoice of well being after two hip surgical procedures and three years of on-and-off rehab. The aid to see him again on court docket was there for all to see.

He returned in classic vogue too after battling again from the brink of defeat to win a five-set epic towards Yoshihito Nishioka.

All eyes shall be on Murray on the Australian Open

Three weeks later, the previous world No 1 gained simply six video games in what was the joint heaviest Grand Slam defeat of his profession when he was knocked out of the French Open by Stan Wawrinka.

The 33-year-old will start the 2021 season on the Delray Beach Open after accepting a wildcard for the ATP 250 event earlier than making his return for February’s Australian Open.

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