Why was 2009 the best year in tennis history?

Looking back allows us to understand the present much better, to assess what we've lived through, and to get excited about the future. This is what we aim to achieve in this article, where, after reviewing data and recalling epic moments, we realize that 2009 was a splendid and unforgettable year in tennis. The Big 3 already dominated, but faced serious competitors. Was it the best season in history?

If you are fortunate enough to be young enough not to remember this year in tennis, you should know that you missed a series of historic moments that are hard to match. At that time, I was 16 years old, and I vividly remember all the ingredients of a unique recipe that allows us to argue without fear that 2009 was the best year in the history of men's tennis. 

Moments of great rivalry converged between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the clear notion that Novak Djokovic was destined to break that duopoly, a great version of Andy Murray, and two outsiders who defied predictions in major tournaments, such as Juan Martín Del Potro and Nikolay Davydenko.

How did the ATP ranking end that season and who won the most Grand Titles?

The equality that permeated among the best in the world that year meant that the major tournaments were very distributed. Rafael Nadal suffered a great shock with his first defeat at Roland Garros, one of the historic events of the year, but he managed to end the season with 1 Grand Slam (the 2009 Australian Open) and 3 Masters 1000. Roger Federer was the number 1 at the end of the year thanks to his titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, as well as 2 Masters 1000. 

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We can't forget Novak Djokovic, who was in the midst of maturing and had already made the firm decision to do everything in his power to infiltrate the Fedal rivalry. The Serbian offered some of the most unforgettable moments of the year, although he could only win one Masters 1000. Everything experienced that season felt like crashing against an apparently impenetrable wall, but he learned the lesson and fed off those disappointments to soon become the best in the world.

In addition, Andy Murray won 2 Masters 1000 and was a strong opposition to the emerging Big 3. Perhaps the most noteworthy and nostalgic aspect for fans analyzing the current state of the circuit is the performance of two players who managed to defy predictions in major tournaments by beating the best, such as Juan Martín Del Potro at the US Open and Nikolay Davydenko at the Shanghai Masters 1000 and the ATP Finals.

The unforgettable moments of a 2009 apotheosis for tennis

Nadal's feat at the Australian Open

The miracle of Melbourne that Nadal achieved endures in the memory and heart of all tennis lovers. That epic semifinal with Verdasco is considered by many as one of the greatest matches of all time, but what no one could imagine was that just 48 hours after that grueling match lasting over 5 hours, he would defeat Federer in five sets in a final that brought Roger to tears and left the image of two friends embracing, with Nadal visibly affected by the Swiss's desolation.

Nadal vs Djokovic, a match for the history books in Madrid

That semifinal was an ode to tennis by two men who gave their all for 4 hours and 3 minutes, offering a memorable spectacle that constitutes the longest match in history played in a best-of-three-sets format. Rafa would later pay for the effort in the final against Federer, but that match is part of the golden book of this sport's history.

Robin Soderling accomplishes the impossible mission and Federer completes the Career Grand Slam

Beating Nadal at Roland Garros seemed like a chimera and what no one could foresee was that a player like Soderling would do it in the round of 16. A worldwide shock came from that match, which ultimately led to Federer seizing the title and taking advantage of his opportunity. The way he survived his match against Haas in the round of 16 is now one of the moments that changed the course of this sport's history.

The recovery of the crown by the King of Wimbledon against a brilliant Roddick

It must have been devastating for Andy Roddick to play one of the best matches of his life and to be defeated by a Roger who came to Wimbledon needing to win the title after the setback of 2008. It was an epic final where the American lost his serve only once, to lose 16-14 in the fifth set.

Montreal and the best quarterfinals of all time in a Masters 1000

The only time the top 8 seeds have contested the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 tournament occurred in Canada that year. It's dizzying to see the names and their arrangement in the draw. Murray ultimately took the title, but this set of quarterfinals highlights the depth of the circuit that year.

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Del Potro makes a splash in New York

That year had it all, including a new Grand Slam champion. The level of tennis displayed by the Argentine at the US Open was astronomical. On the verge of turning 21, Del Potro dismantled Nadal in the semifinals and defeated Federer in a final that constitutes one of the great thorns in the heart of the Swiss.

Davydenko amazed the world in Shanghai and London

The Russian was always a headache for the best in the world, but even his most loyal followers could not have imagined a season-ending like he had. He became the champion of the Shanghai Masters 1000 by defeating Djokovic in the semifinals and Nadal in the final, then revealed a breathtaking performance at the ATP Finals in London, where he defeated Djokovic, Nadal, Soderling, Federer, and Del Potro in one week. Historic.

As a conclusion, it is worth noting that there have been many spectacular seasons on the ATP circuit, but the accumulation of historic and hardly repeatable events that took place in 2009 makes us think we are looking at one of the most glorious years of all time. What do you think? Is there any year you think is better than this one?

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Por qué el 2009 fue el mejor año en la historia del tenis?