Busted Racquet is looking back at the 2011 tennis season. A full schedule can be found at the bottom of this post. Today, we look at the greatest point of 2011.
It's tough to remember now, but there was a time not so long ago when Novak Djokovic's ascension to the top of the tennis world hardly seemed inevitable. Entering the 2011 season, Djokovic figured to contend in Grand Slams as he had for the previous three years. Winning three in a single year and finishing the year as a clear-cut No. 1? Not even the most ardent Djokovic fans had that in their sights.
When Djokovic stepped onto the court in the finals of the Australian Open, he did it as No. 3 player in the world. He defeated Roger Federer in a Slam semifinal for the second consecutive major and faced world No. 4 Andy Murray in the final. The pair traded holds for the first nine games of the match before Djokovic got out to an early 30-15 lead on Murray's serve at 4-5. The two exchanged a 39-shot rally that highlighted Djokovic's sterling defense.
If Murray wins that point, it's 30-30 on serve in the first set. He didn't, and on the next point, Djokovic won the set en route to a victory in straights. For the rest of 2011, he never looked back.
Friday, Dec. 16 -- Shot of the year -- Djokovic at the US Open
Monday, Dec. 19 -- Greatest point
Tuesday, Dec. 20 -- Top 10 off-court stories of the year
Wednesday, Dec. 21 -- Top 10 funniest on-court moments
Thursday, Dec. 22 -- Biggest surprises
Friday, Dec. 23 -- Best and worst fashion
Tuesday, Dec. 27 -- Player superlatives
Wednesday, Dec. 28 -- Matches of the year (No. 10 to No. 6)
Thursday, Dec. 29 -- Matches of the year (No. 5 to No. 2)
Friday, Dec. 30 -- Match of the year