As the 2018 season approaches in just a few weeks time, we asked the writers of UBITennis to review the 2017 season and predict what might happen in 2018. Remember the 2018 season starts with ATP and WTA tournaments in Brisbane, Doha, Pune, Auckland, Shenzhen and the Hopman Cup.
1. Who was the ATP Player of the year?
Alex Burton: David Goffin
Pawan Atri: Rafael Nadal. ‘It was a tough call but I give it to Nadal.’
Diego Sampaolo: Roger Federer
Tony Fairbairn: Rafael Nadal. ‘It was a tight decision but Nadal ended the year world number one and played the more tournaments, so he deserves it more.’
Adam Addicott: Roger Federer. ‘The most impressive thing about Federer’s season was that he skipped the clay season and still won seven titles and two grand slams.’
2. Who was the WTA Player of the year?
Alex Burton: Garbine Muguruza
Pawan Atri: Garbine Muguruza. ‘Undoubtedly Muguruza.’
Diego Sampaolo: Garbine Muguruza
Tony Fairbairn: Garbine Muguruza. ‘By far the best player on the tour. Her Wimbledon run was especially impressive.’
Adam Addicott: Caroline Wozniacki. ‘Part of the reason why I think she deserves the honour is because she uses her experience as something to build upon and never gives up.’
3. What was the ATP match of the year?
Alex Burton: Dimitrov v Nadal – Australian Open Semi-Finals
Pawan Atri: Federer v Nadal – Australian Open Final
Diego Sampaolo: Federer v Nadal – Australian Open Final
Tony Fairbairn: Kyrgios v Federer – Miami Semi-Finals
Adam Addicott: Del Potro v Thiem – US Open Fourth Round
4. What was the WTA match of the year?
Alex Burton: Garcia v Svitolina – China Open Quarter-Finals
Pawan Atri: Halep v Ostapenko – Roland Garros Final
Diego Sampaolo: Halep v Ostapenko – Roland Garros Final
Tony Fairbairn: Muguruza v Kerber – Wimbledon Fourth Round
Adam Addicott: Muguruza v Kerber – Wimbledon Fourth Round
5. What is the most memorable moment of 2017?
Alex Burton: ‘Federer coming back from a 6 month break to win the Australian Open.’
Pawan Atri: Roger Federer’s Australian Open victory.
Diego Sampaolo: Roger Federer’s Australian Open and Wimbledon victory.
Tony Fairbairn: Rafael Nadal winning ‘La Decima’ at Roland Garros. ‘It was a special moment in Tennis history. A moment nobody will forget.’
Adam Addicott: Roger Federer winning the Australian Open. ‘Prior to the first grand slam of the season, I wasn’t very optimistic about a Federer-Nadal final. Yet both men proved me wrong with the outstanding performances.’
6. What was the biggest surprise or shock of the 2017 season?
Alex Burton: Denis Istomin knocking out Novak Djokovic of the Australian Open.
Pawan Atri: Jelena Ostapenko’s French Open Win
Diego Sampaolo: Grigor Dimitrov’s ATP Finals Win
Tony Fairbairn: Kevin Anderson reaching the US Open Final.
Adam Addicott: Jelena Ostapenko winning the French Open. ‘I know women’s tennis has been known for its open field in tournaments, but Jelena Ostapenko took it to extreme at the French Open.’
7. Grand Slam Predictions for 2018?
Alex Burton: Australian Open – Roger Federer, Roland Garros – Nadal, Wimbledon – Murray, US Open – Del Potro or Zverev.
Pawan Atri: ‘Federer will win his 20th grand slam and Zverev will win his maiden major title.’
Diego Sampaolo: ‘Australian Open: Djokovic wins on his comeback. Roland Garros: An 11th title for Nadal. Wimbledon: Federer wins his 20th grand slam. US Open: Zverev wins his maiden grand slam.’
Tony Fairbairn: Australian Open: Djokovic and Muguruza. Roland Garros: Nadal and Svitolina. Wimbledon: Djokovic and Serena Williams. US Open: Dimitrov and Pliskova.
Adam Addicott: ‘For the women, Serena Williams will win another grand slam title. The experience of Muguruza, Sharapova and others will prevail. As for the men,I think as the year progresses, the big four will continue their domination of the grand slams. Although, I would not expect Djokovic or Murray to shine straight away. Federer and Nadal will be the men to beat at the start of the year in Melbourne.’
