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| 2012 Slam & Olympic Champions (left to right): Djokovic-Australian Open, Rafael Nadal-French Open, Roger Federer-Wimbledon, Andy Murray-Olympics & US Open. |
For the first time since 2003, each of the four majors has had a different champion - in '03 the champions were Andre Agassi (Australian Open), Juan Carlos Ferrero (French Open), Roger Federer (Wimbledon), and Andy Roddick (US Open). In 2012, the big four dominated the tour once again, each one taking home a major, with Andy Murray finally breaking through to win his first at the US Open. This year also produced slight changes in the rankings - Federer reclaiming the top ranking, Djokovic sitting at number two, Murray overtaking Nadal for the number three position (partly due to Nadal's absence w/a knee injury), and Nadal at number four. Federer added the honor of having the most weeks at number one - 300 weeks as of October 15th. Djokovic stood out among the four by making three slam finals (Aussie, French, US) and the semis at Wimbledon, winning the Australian Open in a epic final against Rafael Nadal. Djokovic also stood out by having only three losses to players outside of the big four - John Isner at Indian Wells, Janko Tipsarevic at Madrid, and Juan Martin Del Potro in the bronze medal round at the Olympics.
Roger Federer to date has won six titles, including Wimbledon, and three masters 1000 series events - the most of any of the big four. Roger turned 31 in August, but has clearly stated to his younger rivals that he is still a very serious threat on the tour. Roger's 76 career titles (17 majors) ranks him fourth all time in the open era. Even though Novak Djokovic only won one major this year, his presence was more clearly felt in all four, having been in three finals, and his earliest exit was in the semi finals at Wimbledon. He racked up five titles, and only lost three times this year to a player outside of the big four. Scot, Andy Murray, finally became a slam holding member of the big four this year by defeating his on court rival/childhood friend, Novak Djokovic at the US Open. Just a couple weeks before that he won an Olympic gold medal, beating Roger Federer on the grounds on the All England Lawn Tennis club. Andy racked up three ATP tour events, as well as the Olympic gold. Hopefully Mr. Murray's woes are all behind him. Even though the beginning of the year was rather good for Rafael Nadal, after winning the French Open, he has been plagued by his recurring knee injury. He hasn't played another tournament since losing in the Wimbledon round of 64 to Luke Rosol, who was the 100th ranked player in the world. Even still, Rafa was able to win four titles before his injury caused him to sit out the rest of the season. He's scheduled to return in late December to play an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi, but recently said of playing in London "Impossible? No. Difficult? Yes."
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| Victoria Azarenka-Australian Open; Maria Sharapova-French Open; Serena Williams-Wimbledon, Olympics, & US Open |
And a little shout out to the ladies tour. This year is the first in a couple years that there has not been four different slam title holders. The woman who won two majors was none other than a resurgent Serena Williams. Ms. Williams, who turned 31 in late September, also took home the Olympic gold. After being knocked out of the first round for the first time in her career at the French Open, Serena went 26-1, winning Wimbledon, Olympic gold, and the US Open. The last time one woman took home more than one major, was in 2010, and it was Serena Williams - that year, as well as 2009, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Victoria Azarenka won her first career major at the Australian Open, and Maria Sharapova completed a career grand slam by winning the French Open.
