The cheering has stopped on another year in the tennis world, but the memories will last a lifetime. If some of the high and low-lights have faded away, there’s no need to worry–we’ll refresh your memory.
But first there was some unfinished business to end the year. There were player “issues” at both season-ending championships—the men struggled to figure out who would play and who would take a pass, while the women seemed to dreaming of their post-season vacations. Plus, the Davis Cup final ended up featuring two countries—Croatia and Slovakia--that didn’t even exist when Martina Navratilova started playing tennis… the first time.
Despite all the distractions and rigmarole, the end the year featured terrific matches, drama and a fitting end to a memorable season of tennis. So, without further ado....
 5 Most Memorable
Season-Ending Headlines
1. She’s Baaaaaaaaack!
The biggest season-ending news from the world of tennis was without question the return of former women’s No. 1 Martina Hingis. Why did she retire? Was it her foot? Was she tired of playing? Was she afraid of getting muscled around the court? Only Martina knows. But what everyone does know is that her announcement has added some spice to the off-season, and her much anticipated return to tennis will be one of the biggest stories of 2006.
2. As Phil Rizzuto Would Say… “Holy Cow!”
On one amazing day in China, David Nalbandian gave hope to a tour full of players who thought Roger Federer may never lose again, especially if it was on Sunday. Down two sets to “The Master” (see the July 2005 TENNIS Magazine) on a fast surface, Nalbandian beat Federer at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Nalbandian’s comeback against Federer was as improbable as 5’7” Spud Webb winning the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk title. But to everyone’s surprise they both happened. The Argentine held on to win a fifth-set tiebreaker and shocked the world.
3. Amelie, Amelie, Wherefore Art Thou Amelie?
France’s Amelie Mauresmo showed up, and stepped up, to win the biggest title of her career in a three-set classic over countrywoman Mary Pierce. Displaying her brand of creative and entertaining tennis, Mauresmo was able to create a positive memory for those who watched Sony Ericsson WTA Championship, and shed the image that most of the players went on vacation (mentally) a week too soon.
4. Those Crafty Croatians
Starting with their upset of the American Dream Team in California earlier in the year, and ending up facing Slovakia in the finals, the Ivan Ljubicic-led Croats completed their Cinderella run to the Davis Cup title. The only disappointment that could be found (if you’re a Croat fan) is that Ljubicic only went 2-1 in the final, finishing one win shy of John McEnroe’s record 12-win campaign of 1982.
5. Ball Models
Madrid has done it again. The ATP Masters Series tournament hired models as ball girls. If the players are distracted by someone talking 50 yards away, how can they play with scantily clad women lined up around the court? Somehow they manage. Next year Madrid, being an equal opportunist tournament, will have male models retrieving balls when the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships come a-calling in 2006.
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 A Quick Stroll Down Memory Lane
(circa 2005)
The 2005 season had its share of highs and lows, so we asked the editors at TENNIS/TENNIS.com to share their most memorable moments with us for this issue of The Scoop:
They’re Back & They’re Bad*
Kim Clijsters… No shocker that after missing virtually all of 2004, TENNIS magazine publisher Chris Evert awarded Kim her 2005 Chrissie Award. And who can dispute her as a Comeback Player of the Year winner given her rise from No. 134 to start the season to finish No. 2 overall. Wow. If you’re looking for a runner-up in the category, look no further than the 2005 queen of No. 2, Mary Pierce. Pierce had a great year, coming back from a mediocre millennium and finishing as the runner-up at the French and U.S. Opens, as well as the WTA Championships.
*Bad: meaning good in the pop culture sense of the word. (If this is something that you’re learning for the first time, please refrain from using “bad” in this context. You’ll save yourself the public humiliation.)
Break on Through to the Other Side
There were many players on both tours who broke through the barrier of relative anonymity and into the mainstream in 2005. Rafael Nadal’s monster season would have had him atop the Player of the Year list if it weren’t for that pesky Roger Federer. But the French Open, four Masters Series, and seven other titles made a pretty solid case for Breakthrough Player of the Year–especially for a player who had only one previous professional title. His move from No. 51 in the world to No. 2 didn’t hurt either.
Other players making a serious impression on the tours in ’05 were Richard Gasquet and Ana Ivanovic. Gasquet was one of only four players to beat Federer the entire season, which is a big feather in anyone’s cap. But three titles and a move from outside the Top 100 to 21 is enough to lock him in as a Breakthrough honorable mention. With her first title, steady play, and solid appearances in the majors, the 17-year-old Ivanovic went from No. 97 in 2004 to No. 16 in 2005.
Taste and Timing Are Everything
Every year there are players who make a statement through their fashion choices on court. Some come out looking sharp in new styles, while others simply appear to have lost the ability to think rationally.
Always looking dashing on court is Roger the Great. Heck, as long as you’re going to win tournaments, you might as well look good holding the trophy. As they have with Federer, the good folks at Nike scored a double with Maria Sharapova. The blonde bombshell’s well conceived combinations are not only striking but also are hot commodities on the shelves.
On the other side of the coin, Serena Williams’ ill-timed decision to don a pair of $40,000 diamond earrings in the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation and the un-natural disaster known as Dominik Hrbaty’s peek-a-boo back, blouse-like shirt, were enough to earn the crowns for Worst Fashion Decisions of the Year. Serena, save the earrings for Fashion Week, and Dominik, do yourself (and us) a favor… don’t save the shirt.
The Best of the Best
There were a lot of great matches in 2005, but the one that had the players, the atmosphere, and the great play, thus living up to all the hype was Andre Agassi vs. James Blake. Sure there might have been other matches with more at stake, but two Americans slugging away in a five-set thriller at night, at the U.S. Open, for a birth in the semis was enough to tip the scales in their favor.
 Don’t Miss…
- TENNIS.com Holiday Gift Guide
presented by American Express
Procrastinators rejoice! We’ve assembled a veritable bank of gift ideas for the holidays just for you. Check out TENNIS.com’s Holiday Gift Guide for your one-stop idea warehouse for tennis enthusiasts. Click Here to view.
- TENNIS.com’s Best and Worst of 2005 Reader’s Poll
Weigh in on the year that was… Vote on TENNIS.com and engage in friendly banter with tennis fans from around the world on our message boards.
Click here to vote.
- On Sale Now! TENNIS Magazine's Year in Pictures
For the first time ever, TENNIS Magazine has published a Year In Pictures special issue. This oversized, photo packed collectors' edition features the best tennis photography of 2005 and is available in stores and online at www.TENNIS.com/yip.
- TENNIS.com Exclusive Coverage from the Aussie Open
Coming in January, TENNIS.com is your one-stop source for everything Australian Open. Beyond the live scores, headlines and photos, make sure to check out our exclusive on-site reporting by TENNIS.com editor Peter Dopkin and Tennis Magazine Senior Editor Pete Bodo on the TennisWorld blog. Vote on the daily polls, chat on the message boards and enjoy the Australian Open with us.
From all of us at TENNIS.com, we wish you and yours a happy holiday season.
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