Most dramatic moments of the 2012 tennis season: Part Three – Tennis Special
Rafael Nadal’s record-seventh Roland Garros title
Tennis clay-courts have never seen such a player like the Spanish number one, Rafael Nadal, in the history of the Open Era. After proving his mettle on the red dirt for years and years, Nadal has earned the title of the King of
Clay and he surely deserved to be called so.
Nadal’s dominance at the Roland Garros championships has been absolutely phenomenal. He won his first French Open title in 2005 and successfully defended his Grand Slam title until 2008. The Spaniard missed out the tournament in
2009, the only year when Roger Federer won this clay court mega event to complete his Career Grand Slam. Nadal returned to his favourite venue in 2010 and swiped his way to reclaim the championship for three successive years again.
His 2012 triumph over Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros was the moment he has been waiting for years. He broke the record of six French Open titles held by the German legend, Bjorn Borg, and accomplished a feat no one would have
thought to be done. This year brought Nadal his seventh trophy at Roland Garros, revealing the class of the man and his dominance on the red clay.
It is unlikely that Nadal will be defeated at the French Open and will continue to pile up the titles at this coveted venue.
A Grand Slam title going to Great Britain after 76 years
Tennis fans of the Great Britain have been dreaming of welcoming a Grand Slam trophy to their home. Fred Perry was the only British tennis player who won a Grand Slam title 76 years ago and no one else has been able to accomplish
that feat until this season.
The British number one, Andy Murray, has been the only hope of his home crowd for fulfilling their desire but his three losses in the finals of Grand Slam tournaments have been extremely disappointing for them. Murray has been
among the Top-four ATP Rankings for a number of years, yet not succeeding in winning a Major title. He lost the US Open title match once and the Australian Open final twice in his career until 2012 season.
Murray had his fourth opportunity at his home ground this season but was denied once again by Federer in the final of Wimbledon Championships. However, this loss proved to be the initiation of a new beginning for the Brit and he
avenged from Federer by winning the Olympic gold medal in London this summer.
The British dreams were finally materialised in New York when Murray finally hunted down Novak Djokovic in the title match of the US Open. Murray brought his entire nation to a standstill when he routed Djokovic in a five-set thriller
to bring home glory after 76 years of waiting.
No doubt it was a major breakthrough for the British number one professional and one of the most significant moments of the current season. Murray now aims to claim the world number one spot and bag a whole lot of Grand Slam trophies
in the coming season.
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