Monday, December 24, 2012

The 2012 WTA Moods Awards

2012 was an extraordinary season! Serena returned to top form with victories at Wimbledon, the Olympics and Flushing Meadows, Sharapova completed a career Grand slam, following a clay-court fairytale, while Azarenka won the Australian Open and skyrocketed to the top of the rankings after an immaculate start to the year. The three dominated clearly, but Agnieszka Radwanska, Sara Errani and Angelique Kerber also enjoyed their moments of glory. Serena straightened her doubles credentials too, teaming up with sister Venus to dominate the grass-court season. Tennis darling Kim Clijsters said goodbye this year, leaving a void hard to fill in our hearts. As soon as the New York queen retired, a new star emerged, as young hope Laura Robson stepped into the limelight with a stunning US Open campaign. Tennis Moods looks back at all these incredible stories and rewards these amazing champions. Congrats to all the 2012 WTA Moods Awards winners!

The 'World's Greatest' Award (for the best player of the year)
Winner: Serena Williams
Runner-up: Victoria Azarenka

The 'She Found Love' Award (for the most improved player of the year)
Winner: Angelique Kerber
Runner-up: Sara Errani

The 'Homecoming' Award (for the most spectacular comeback)
Winner: Venus Williams
Runner-up: Sorana Cirstea

The 'She Works Hard for the Money' Award (for the most hard-working player)
Winner: Sara Errani
Runner-up: Agnieszka Radwanska

The 'Here I Am' Award (for the newcomer of the year)
Winner: Laura Robson
Runner-up: Mona Barthel

The 'Talk That Talk' Award (for the wittiest player on the tour)
Winner: Victoria Azarenka
Runner-up: Andrea Petkovic

The 'Broken Hearted Girl' Award (for the most disappointing player of the year)
Winner: Andrea Petkovic
Runner-up: Flavia Pennetta


The 'Queen of Hearts' Award (for the Tennis Moods' favourite)
Winner: Victoria Azarenka
Runner-up: Marion Bartoli

The 'When We Collide' Award (for the most spectacular doubles team)
Winner: Serena & Venus Williams
Runner-up: Maria Kirilenko & Nadia Petrova

The 'I Feel Pretty' Award (for the the most beautiful player)
Winner: Maria Kirilenko
Runner-up: Julia Goerges

The 'Fashion of Her Love' Award (for the best dressed player throughout the year)
Winner: Maria Kirilenko
Runner-up: Venus Williams

The 'Paparazzi' Award (for the most memorable outfit of the season)
Winner: Serena Williams (US Open outfit)
Runner-up: Victoria Azarenka (Melbourne outfit)

The 'We Miss You' Award (for the player who retired this year and will be missed the most)
Winner: Kim Clijsters
Runner-up: Gisela Dulko

The 'Imagine' Award (for the most emotional story of the year)
Winner: Victoria Azarenka winning Australian Open
Runner-up: Maria Sharapova winning Roland Garros

The 'Clash of Titans' Award (for the most exhilarating duel of the year)
Winner: Victoria Azarenka & Serena Williams
Runner-up: Victoria Azarenka & Maria Sharapova

SEE ALSOThe 2011 WTA Moods Awards

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Sunday, December 23, 2012

The 2012 ATP Moods Awards

What a sensational year has 2012 been! So many amazing stories, so many great comebacks, some heart-breaking retirements, but overall an exhilarating season. It started with Novak's extraterrestrial defence in Melbourne highlighted by the epic final against Nadal. The Spaniard got his revenge though, sweeping through his favourite red dirt with victories in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and Roland Garros, straightening his credentials as the best clay-court player of all time. It was long time coming, but Federer finally collected his 17th Slams, making an emphatic return to number 1 following his stunning Wimbledon triumph
With Nadal sidelined by a persistent knee injury, the latter half of the season belonged to Andy Murray. The Briton claimed the Olympic gold medal in London to the delight of the host nation. He then broke the 'curse' becoming the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win a Grand Slam. In a topsy-turvy Flushing Meadows final, Andy defeated Novak Djokovic in a marathon five-setter. The Serb however stepped into the limelight at the right moment, securing the number 1 year finish with an impressive success at the ATP World Tour Championships in London.
Tennis Moods looks back at a rich 2012, recognizing the stand-out players of the year. Congrats to all the 2012 ATP Moods Awards winners!

The 'World's Greatest' Award (for the best player of the year)
Winner: Roger Federer
Runner-up: Andy Murray

The 'He Found Love' Award (for the most improved player of the year)
Winner: Andy Murray
Runner-up: Juan Monaco

The 'Homecoming' Award (for the most spectacular comeback)
Winner: Tommy Haas
Runner-up: Sam Querrey

The 'He Works Hard for the Money' Award (for the most hard-working player)
Winner: David Ferrer
Runner-up: Rafael Nadal

The 'Here I Am' Award (for the newcomer of the year)
Winner: Brian Baker
Runner-up: Jerzy Janowicz

The 'Talk That Talk' Award (for the wittiest player on the tour)
Winner: Novak Djokovic
Runner-up: Mike & Bob Bryan

The 'Broken Hearted Boy' Award (for the most disappointing player of the year)
Winner: Gael Monfils
Runner-up: Mardy Fish

The 'King of Hearts' Award (for the Tennis Moods' favourite)
Winner: Roger Federer
Runner-up: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

The 'We Miss You' Award (for the player who retired this year and will be missed the most)
Winner: Andy Roddick
Runner-up: Arnaud Clement

The 'When We Collide' Award (for the most spectacular doubles team)
Winner: Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan
Runner-up: Robert Lindstedt & Horia Tecau

The 'Fashion of His Love' Award (for the best dressed player throughout the year)
Winner: Roger Federer
Runner-up: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

The 'Imagine' Award (for the most emotional story of the year)
Winner: Roger Federer winning Wimbledon
Runner-up: Andy Murray winning the Olympic gold medal

The 'Clash of Titans' Award (for the most exhilarating duel of the year)
Winner: Novak Djokovic & Andy Murray
Runner-up: Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal

SEE ALSO: The 2011 ATP Moods Awards

photos: GETTY IMAGES