2019 Tennis rewind: Nadal on top for 5th time, new faces challenge legends

This year witnessed a lot of young talents taking the throne away from the tennis biggies, however, Rafael Nadal’s season-ending finish at the top spot gave the men’s ranking a familiar look.

What changed was a new face making it to the top of the world in women’s rankings showing that old guard and legends can be overthrown.

The world number one Spaniard and world number two Novak Djokovic won two Grand Slams in 2019 each, to hold their young rivals at bay for another year. But Ashleigh Barty and teenager Bianca Andreescu were two new faces on the list of women’s Major winners as familiar names slipped from view.

As the year is coming to an end, AFP Sport travelled back in time to look at some of the major talking points of this season.

Can Nadal maintain his top spot in 2020?

The tennis top brass – Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer – with a combined age of 103 continue to dominate the men’s arena for a decade.

It was clear that to predict the imminent demise of the legends it’ll take a man who can offer more than just talent. Enter, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. An exciting combination of youngsters taking on the experienced ones in their homelands.

Also read: Federer outclasses Djokovic to reach ATP Finals semis, Nadal year-end No.1

Nadal laid bare without a title in 2019 till the time he entered the Italian open in May. He beat Djokovic in the final and lost just three matches in the rest of the season.

Nadal, with his French Open, US Open and Davis Cup glory, took the top position for the fifth time. But it was now time to face the challenge of a young crop in Medvedev who pushed Nadal all the way in the US Open final.

Also read: Medvedev thumps Zverev to win Shanghai Masters clash

ATP Finals winner Stefanos Tsitsipas after beating Dominic Thiem in London said, “I believe I’m really close to being crowned a Grand Slam champion.”

Rise of Ashleigh Barty

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, 23, rose from the relative anonymity of 15th in the world at the end of 2018 to top the rankings a year later, winning the French Open and the WTA Finals along the way.

Also read: Ashleigh Barty stays at number one in spite of Wimbledon upset

Teenager Bianca Andreescu of Canada soared even more dramatically, from 178th to fifth in the world, beating Serena Williams in the final of the US Open to become the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title.

“NextGen is here. You see many fresh faces and I think we’re only going to get better from here,” Andreescu announced during her winning run at Flushing Meadows.

Wimbledon Finals

Roger Federer had two Wimbledon championship points on his own serve to beat Novak Djokovic and win his 21st Grand Slam title. That would have taken him six clear of the Serbian on the all-time list and three clear of Rafael Nadal at the time.

Also read: Djokovic beats Federer to win fifth Wimbledon title in longest ever final

Instead, he faltered. Djokovic, in a match lasting a shade under five hours, won his 16th Grand Slam and two months later Nadal won his 19th.

“It’s such an incredible opportunity missed,” said the Swiss veteran, now 38 and who must fear his days as the all-time leader on the list are numbered.

Serena’s Court problem

Serena Williams is running out of opportunities to win the 24th Grand Slam singles title that would pull her level with Margaret Court’s record.

The 38-year-old American reached the final at both Wimbledon and the US Open but she won just four games against Simona Halep in London and lost in straight sets to Bianca Andreescu in New York.

Also read: Serena Williams juggles motherhood, fashion while chasing history

It followed defeats in the finals of both events the previous year, suggesting Williams is feeling the pressure.

Speaking after her US Open defeat, she downplayed the pursuit of Court’s record. “I’m not necessarily chasing a record. I’m just trying to win Grand Slams,” she said.

“It’s definitely frustrating, but for the most part I just am still here. I’m still doing what I can do,” she added.

The comeback of the year

In January, British former world number one Andy Murray admitted the 2019 Australian Open could be his last tournament during a tearful press conference. But the Scot, 32, returned to the court after hip resurfacing surgery and beat fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka in the final of the European Open in October.

Also read: Murray wins European Open, first singles since return from surgery

“It means a lot,” Murray said after his triumph. “The past few years have been extremely difficult…. I didn’t expect to be in this position at all, so I’m very happy.”

Welcome Coco Gauff

Having been the youngest player to come through Wimbledon qualifying, 15-year-old Coco Gauff stunned five-time champion, Venus Williams, in the first round in straight sets, belying her ranking of 313.

Also read: Wimbledon Day 1: Cori Gauff steals the show with dream debut

“My dream was to win. That’s what happened,” said the American whose run at the All England Club was eventually ended by champion Simona Halep in the fourth round. Gauff went on to make the US Open third round before winning a maiden title in Linz in the autumn having lost in qualifying.

At the end of 2018, she was ranked 875 but she will head into 2020 at 68.

(With inputs from agencies)