After an eventful 2007 season filled with riveting matches, record-setting crowds and stories worthy of front page news, tennis fans across the globe have been left yearning for more.

While the sport’s casual followers may be inclined to recall the scandals that erupted during the most recent tennis calendar, the numerous on-court exploits realised by players, both veterans and newcomers, are not to be over-shadowed.

On the ATP Tour, two familiar foes and another on the cusp of brilliance waged  a battle for the right to tennis supremacy. In the end, Roger Federer proved once again to be the master of his trade, further adding to his legend and solidifying his status as the game’s greatest of all time.

'Federer proved once again to be the master of his trade, further adding to his legend and solidifying his status as the game’s greatest of all time'


For his part, Rafael Nadal remains the king of the ‘terre battue’ after capturing his third consecutive French Open crown and perhaps more impressively reaching his second straight Wimbledon final on a surface not well-suited to his style of play. The dynamic Spaniard seems well on his way to becoming the best world No.2 in history - one can only imagine the records he might be breaking if it weren’t for the Fed Express.

Not to be outdone was the stellar play of Serbian upstart Novak Djokovic who announced his arrival at the Rogers Masters Series summer event in Montreal, where he defeated the top three players in the world in consecutive matches en route to his first ATP Masters Series shield. And just weeks later advanced to his first Grand Slam final at the US Open.

The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour season saved the best for last, concluding in compelling fashion with arguably the match of the year in Madrid.

Justine Henin and Maria Sharapova engaged in a battle for the ages, a championship bout that showcased all that is right with women’s tennis. The feisty Belgian was victorious in the three-hour marathon final, capping a historical Federer-esque 2007 campaign that erased all doubt as to the identity of the world’s top player.

Despite coming up short, Sharapova salvaged a disappointing year with an impressive run in Madrid. So much was expected of the Russian starlet in 2007, but a nagging shoulder injury and battered self-belief prevented her from living up to the hype. Perhaps time away from the spotlight is precisely what Sharapova needed to appreciate her sport and revive her game just in time for a fresh start.

Youth was officially ‘Serbed’ in women’s tennis this season with the emergence of Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic whose bright personalities and big games were a welcome addition to the mix. The Tour was also marked by the return to form and departure of several formidable champions.

The sister act known as Venus and Serena Williams collectively won half of the season’s Grand Slam events and were major forces in every tournament they entered, returning to the Top 10 where they belong. Their candid demeanor is refreshing and strikes a chord with fans.

In the span of 12 months, Lindsay Davenport joined the ranks of motherhood and made a triumphant return to the Tour, winning two of the three events she played, a remarkable feat to say the least. On the other side of the coin, Kim Clijsters chose to hang up her racket for the sake of her new family. The Belgian darling will be sorely missed simply for being so nice and her storied career is sure to stand the test of time.

Meanwhile, Martina Hingis made a less graceful exit from the game, but her on-court accomplishments should not take a back seat to her recent misfortunes. The ‘Swiss Miss’ armed with her stylish game boasts a tennis resume of which legends are made and that’s how she should be remembered regardless of her alleged tarnished reputation.

While at first glance, it may seem that tennis is in a state of turmoil, the game continues to persevere in spite of itself, bearing a striking resemblance to the ‘little engine that could’, remaining a world-class sport thanks to its elite athletes and devoted fans.