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| JMDP crushing that monster forehand - an awesome sight |
Favourite Player Countdown - Honourable Mentions
I love a countdown more than most so being a tennis blog it makes sense that my first countdown will be of my favourite players - those players that have inspired me, thrilled me and had me biting my nails on the edge of my seat. Players that i've cheered for, screamed for and cried for.
So between now and the end of 2013 I'm going to countdown my top 15 favourite players looking at why I love them, when it started and my favourite matches of theirs.
There will be retired players, active players, Grand Slam Champions and players without a career singles title. (My overall bias towards women's tennis will inevitably come through!)
So before the project gets going proper I'll go through five players who just missed the cut but deserve an honourable mention.
In alphabetical order:
Jennifer Capriati - the American had a rollercoaster career including one of the greatest comeback stories the sport has ever seen. I'm a sucker for a great comeback tale.
Her back to back Australian Open final victories against Hingis will live long in the memory, particularly the 2002 victory from the jaws of defeat where she clawed her way back from 4-6, 0-4 and fended off four championships points.
The incredible 2003 US Open semi-final versus Henin will go down as one of the great matches this century.
Juan Martin Del Potro - Watching the giant Argentinean slam that sledgehammer forehand is one of the great sights of the modern game. Awesome is the word. Nobody could watch Del Potro going after his shots and tell me he is not exciting to watch.
I hope that he will take another major title before the end of his career. When he's on top of his form he's the fifth best player right now after Djokovic, Federer, Murray and Nadal.
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| Edberg - one of the greatest ever volleyers |
Stefan Edberg - The Swedish legend was such a beautiful player to watch. I was lucky enough to watch him play for the final time at Queen's Club in his retirement year 1996.
Edberg had such style and attacking verve at the net and was such a nice character to root for and get behind. The six-time Slam Champ also gets extra points for being my Mum's favourite.
Flavia Pennetta - The Italian is a player I've really enjoyed watching the last few years and find it easy to support. Very talented and with a great feisty spirit she brings a good mix of attacking and consistent tennis.
I find myself sometimes wishing it had been her and not Schiavone that had broken through and taken a Slam. Still Flavia cracked the top 10 and has been a US quarter finalist three times - hopefully there will still be more to come.
Todd Woodbridge - I loved the Woodies, a truly magnificent doubles team. However it was always Woodbridge who was my favourite.
Perhaps it was because he always looked 19, even in his 30s, or the fact that he went onto win with Jonas Bjorkman but Woodbridge was always a wonderfully talented player who I loved to watch, especially on the lawns at SW19.
Coming soon - No.15 in the countdown!
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