In pictures: Our memorable moments of 2020

Even with the shortened tennis season, there were plenty of memorable moments, from record titles to a shock disqualification to playing on the rooftops.

20 December 2020

Jérémy Baudu

1/15

Forest fires threaten the Australian Open

- Why is this a memorable moment: Because it is rare to see Melbourne in the middle of thick black smoke. Forest fires threatened the Australian Open in January due to very high air pollution rates.
- The highlight: An impressive and disturbing image - Slovenian player Dalila Jakupovic kneeling on the court, having a violent coughing fit. She had to retire during qualifying, when the air quality was poor due to the fires.
- The Statement : "As soon as I warmed up, I had chest pains. On the match, after about 25 minutes, I had difficulties, such as an asthma attack, which I didn't have. I couldn't breathe out on the ground. I couldn't get up. I was very scared. " - Dalila Jakupovic
2/15

Indian Wells cancelled

- Why is this a memorable moment : It was the starting point of a stoppage of the tennis season which lasted four months. While most of the players were already there, ready to play the first Masters 1000 of the season, organisers were forced to cancel the tournament due to the spread of the coronavirus in California.
- The highlight : The statement from the Riverside County, Calif., public health department that declared a public health emergency in Coachella Valley following confirmation of a coronavirus case in the area. In the process, the organisers announced the cancellation of the tournament.
- The statement : "The players were in shock at first, but once we explained the situation to them, they understood perfectly. Health comes first. It's about saving lives, no more and no less." - Tommy Haas, Indian Wells tournament director
3/15

The possible fusion of ATP - WTA

- Why is this a memorable moment: Because in this difficult period when the ATP and WTA circuits were at a standstill and where everyone was communicating on their own, the idea of a merger between the two bodies was launched and got a hugely positive reaction.
- The highlight : A tweet from Roger Federer on April 22, 2020, which got things going. "I was wondering ... am I the only one thinking that now is the time for men's and women's tennis to be united and come together as one?"
- The statement: "I agree, I have been repeating it since the early 1970s. A voice, women and men together, has been my vision of tennis for a long time already. The WTA alone has always been just Plan B. I'm glad we're on the same page. Let’s make it happen." - Billie Jean King
4/15

Two girls playing tennis across the rooftops in Italy.

-Why is this a memorable moment:During Europe's lockdown, two girls went viral for their efforts playing tennis across the rooftops in Italy.
- The highlight:In a heartwarming surprise, Roger Federer visited the girls later in the summer - and even had a hit with them.
- The statement: "It was great. I have played in many cool places around the world. But this is definitely up there for me as a special experience. We showed that we can play anywhere and have fun with it. I had the best time, honestly.” - Roger Federer
5/15

Nadal gets to grips with technology

- Why is this a memorable moment: With no tennis, and stars separated during quarantine, some of the sport's biggest names had to find a different way to stay in touch.
- The highlight:Rafael Nadal hosted an Instagram Live with his friend and rival Roger Federer in April. The Spaniard had some technical difficulties - and got ribbed by Andy Murray in the comments.
- The statement: "As you can see, I'm a disaster in everything. But I'm trying hard." - Rafael Nadal
6/15

The Adria Tour fiasco

- Why is this a memorable moment: Because the exhibition tournament, organised by Novak Djokovic in the Balkans in June, with a large audience despite the global health situation, became a cluster of Covid-19. Four tennis players, including the world No 1, later tested positive for the virus.
- The highlight: Or lowlight. The video of an evening of players where we could see Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov and Dominic Thiem, shirtless in a nightclub... These images caused a lot of talk and the participants were strongly criticised for having done so in a time of a pandemic.
- The statement : “Yes, there are things that could have been done differently, including the episode in the nightclub. Am I going to be held responsible forever for a mistake? It's up to you to judge if it's fair. But I know the intentions were good, and if I had the chance to do the Adria Tour again, I would do it again." - Novak Djokovic
7/15

Matteo Berrettini wins the inaugural Ultimate Tennis Showdown

- Why is this a memorable moment: With the tennis season on hiatus, Patrick Mouratoglou opened up the doors of his academy in the south of France and launched an entirely new competition - the innovative Ultimate Tennis Showdown.
- The highlight: Matteo Berrettini became the first champion, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling final.
- The statement: “I have a lot of thoughts but I just have to enjoy this moment. It’s been an amazing five weeks.” - Matteo Berrettini
8/15

Professional Tennis Players Association

Professional Tennis Players Association
9/15

The disqualification of Novak Djokovic

- Why is this a memorable moment: For the first time in the history of modern tennis, a world No 1 was disqualified in a Grand Slam. Frustrated at being broken in the first set by Pablo Carreño Busta in the round of 16, Novak Djokovic hit a ball that hit a linesperson's throat. The tournament management then decided to disqualify him.
- The highlight: This gesture of frustration from Djokovic might never have happened if he had converted one of his four break points obtained in the first set. He led in particular 0-40 in the game preceding his disqualification.
- The statement: "I am really sad and drained after this story. I checked in with the linesperson and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling good. I am extremely sorry I caused her so much stress. It was completely unintentional. It was very bad of me." - Novak Djokovic
10/15

The seven masks of Naomi Osaka

- Why is this a memorable moment : Naomi Osaka's political commitment has caused a lot of talk. During her seven matches at the US Open, the Japanese woman wore seven masks with seven names of people who have been victims of police violence or anti-black racism - Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Philando Castile and Tamir Rice.
- The highlight: A few days earlier, Naomi Osaka had boycotted her semi-final at the Western & Southern Open in protest against police violence in the United States. Her commitment continued during the US Open, with her seven masks.
- The statement : "I am aware that millions of people watch tennis around the world, and maybe not everyone knows the Breonna Taylor story. And maybe seeing me wearing this mask, they will Google search. I just want to raise awareness. I think the more people in the know, the more interested they will be." - Naomi Osaka
11/15

The coronation of Thiem, a stressful finale

- Why is this a memorable moment: This is the first time in 15 Grand Slam tournaments that the men's title has escaped the Big 3. Dominic Thiem is also the first player born in the 1990s to win any Grand Slam.
- The highlight: The final between Thiem and Alexander Zverev will be remembered for its scenario, the Austrian having won the match after coming from behind, but also for his tie-break in the fifth set. Nerves in the stomach and fatigue in the legs, the two players only pushed the ball while waiting for the opponent's error.
- The statement: "The problem was my nerves. I was super tense. I hadn't been so tense in a very long time. I couldn't remember that feeling. I didn't know how to get rid of it." - Dominic Thiem
12/15

The WTA players pay tribute to the Original Nine, 50 years on

- Why is this a memorable moment: Fifty years on from the Original Nine's iconic photo, each holding a dollar to symbolise their new independent professional tour, the players of the WTA paid tribute to them.
- The highlight: Many of the top WTA players mimicked the famous pose in tribute - with 10 players from the Strasbourg tournament field snapped together.
- The statement: "These women changed the history of our sport. We wouldn't be here without you." - Alizé Cornet
13/15

Under the lights for Nadal and Sinner

- Why is this a memorable moment: Rafael Nadal beat Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open quarter-final, finishing after 1am on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
- The highlight: This was the latest finish to a match at Roland-Garros - 1.26am local time.
- The statement:"Of course, is not ideal [to] finish a match at 1:30 in the morning, but the problem is the weather - it is too cold to play. I know [soccer] players play under these conditions, but is little bit different. They are all the time moving. We stop. We come back. We stop on the changeovers. It is a sport that you are stopped in a lot of moments, no? I think is little bit dangerous for the body [to] play with these very heavy conditions.” - Rafael Nadal
14/15

Hurricane Swiatek at Roland-Garros

- Why is this a memorable moment:Because nobody saw it coming, and Iga Swiatek was a real hurricane at Roland-Garros. Her longest match of the tournament lasted one hour and 24 minutes (in the final against Sofia Kenin) and she didn't lose a single set to win her first Grand Slam, at just 19.
- The highlight:Her victory against Simona Halep. Big favourite for Roland-Garros, the Romanian was swept away by Swiatek in the round of 16, 6-1, 6-2. The Pole has never been so impressive as she was on that day, and this victory gave her a boost of confidence to go and lift the trophy.
- The statement: “I know there are no limits. You can be young and not be a favourite, but you can still be successful in tennis. Winning a Grand Slam, I dreamed of it, but it seemed very far away. It seems completely crazy to me." - Iga Swiatek
15/15

13th Parisian coronation for Nadal

- Why is this a memorable moment: By winning his 13th Roland-Garros, Nadal became the first player, man or woman, to have won the same tournament that many times. A new major title, the 20th, which also allowed him to equal Roger Federer's record in the number of Grand Slams won.
- The highlight: Nadal won the first set in the final 6-0 against the world No 1 - a demonstration of superiority, at home, at Roland-Garros, against his great rival of recent times, in unusual conditions (in autumn, under the roof, with new balls).
- The statement: "I worked as I had to do with my team, with a clear program. As a team. I am surrounded by great people. In a way, today, having played at this level, I dedicate it to all those who helped me. I realise that most people will see me with the trophy, will say to themselves, 'Hey, he won again'. It's much more complicated than that, I tell you." - Rafael Nadal

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In pictures: Our memorable moments of 2020

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