The 2014 ATP Moods Awards

For me the biggest story of 2014 was Roger Federer's superb return to top form. Although he missed out on his biggest objective—namely winning another Grand Slam—the Swiss achieved a series of astonishing accolades, the most important being bringing Switzerland its first Davis Cup trophy. We can even say the season belonged to Switzerland with its top two players finishing inside the top 4. While Roger is an established presence at the top of the rankings, it was Stan who stole the spotlight with his maiden Grand Slam success in Australia. However, nothing compared to Marin Cilic's shocking triumph at the US Open.

2014 was a year when the young guns really rose to the occasion. Nishikori made the final at Flushing Meadows, Gulbis reached the semis at Roland Garros, while Raonic and Dimitrov achieved the same feat at Wimbledon. The foursome also broke into the top 10 for the first time, anticipating an imminent change of guards. 

While some got to shine bright, others weren't that fortunate. Juan Martin del Potro and veteran Tommy Haas where sidelined for most of the season, while Rafael Nadal struggled with serious injuries after his Roland Garros victory.

Exciting new Aussie prospect, Nick Kyrgios, made headlines at Wimbledon where he stunned Nadal to reach the quarterfinals. Hard-working Russian, Nikolay Davydenko, a former regular top 10er  hung up the racket after failing to regain top form.

All in all, it was an exhillarating 2014, which opens the door to a more sensational 2015. Tennis Moods looks back at all these incredible stories and rewards these amazing champions. Congrats to all the 2014 ATP Moods Awards winners!

The 'World's Greatest' Award (for the best player of the year)

Winner: Roger Federer

Runner-up: Novak Djokovic

The 'He Found Love' Award (for the most improved player of the year)

Winner: Kei Nishikori

Runner-up: Milos Raonic

The 'Homecoming' Award (for the most spectacular comeback)

Winner: David Goffin

Runner-up: Andy Murray

The 'He Works Hard for the Money' Award (for the most hard-working player)

Winner: Andy Murray 

Runner-up: David Ferrer

The 'Here I Am' Award (for the newcomer of the year)

Winner: Grigor Dimitrov

Runner-up: Roberto Bautista Agut

The 'We Are Young' Award (for the most promising youngster on the tour)

Winner: Nick Kyrgios

Runner-up: Borna Coric

The 'Talk That Talk' Award (for the wittiest player on the tour)

Winner: Bob & Mike Bryan

Runner-up: Novak Djokovic

The 'Broken Hearted Boy' Award (for the most disappointing player of the year)

Winner: Juan Martin del Potro

Runner-up: Tommy Haas

The 'King of Hearts' Award (for the Tennis Moods' favourite)

Winner: Roger Federer

Runner-up: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

The 'I Will Always Love You' Award (for the player who retired this year and will be missed the most)

Winner: Nikolay Davidenko

Runner-up: Olivier Rochus

The 'When We Collide' Award (for the most spectacular doubles team)

Winner: Bob & Mike Bryan

Runner-up: Vasek Pospisil & Jack Sock

The 'Fashion of His Love' Award (for the best dressed player throughout the year)

Winner: Grigor Dimitrov

Runner-up: Roger Federer

The 'Imagine' Award (for the most emotional story of the year)

Winner: Stan Wawrinka winning Australian Open

Runner-up: Roger Federer losing the Wimbledon final

The 'I Dreamed a Dream' Award (for the accomplishment of a dream)

Winner: Marin Cilic winning US Open

Runner-up: Stan Wawrinka winning Australian Open

The 'Clash of Titans' Award (for the most exhilarating duel of the year)

Winner: Roger Federer & Novak Djokovic

Runner-up: Roger Federer & Stan Wawrinka

SEE ALSO: The 2011 ATP Moods Awards, The 2012 ATP Moods Awards, and The 2012 ATP Moods Awards

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Nick Kyrgios, The New Teen Superstar

Belief is crucial in beating Rafa Nadal, but there's a long way from believing it to being able to execute it. Nick Kyrgios found a shortcut when he stunned the world No.1 to advance to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal on his Wimbledon main draw debut.

The Aussie young gun has had a stellar juniors career—in 2013 he won the Australian Open singles title and the Wimbledon doubles crown with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis—and at 19 years old, he showed he is ready to take on the biggest aces of the game. Although a two-time champion, Rafa has found it difficult to transition from clay to grass-courts lately. You'd think that last year's stunning first-round defeat to Oliver Rochus would require revenge, but the Spaniard failed to impress en route to the fourth round. Kyrgios, who famously saved nine match points against Frenchman Richard Gasquet, took full advantage of his opponent's poor form. He delivered a killer performance and won the match 7-6,5-7,7-6,6-3.

"I think I was in a bit of a zone out there," Kyrgios told BBC television. "It hasn't sunk in what just played out out there. I played extraordinary tennis. I was struggling a bit on return, but I worked my way into it. I served at a really good level and I'm really happy.

"You've got to believe you can win the match from the start and I did. I'm playing unbelievable tennis on the grass. He hit extraordinary shots, but he's always going to bring that."

While the recently crowned French Open champion is left to heal his wounds, the Aussie teenager is enjoying his overnight stardom. He goes on to battle another rising star, Canadian Milos Raonic.

Kyrgios has the game to go very far. Plus, he proved he has the mental strength to battle in the grown-ups league. It remains to be seen how well he will cope with his new-found status as the Aussie golden kid. While Lleyton Hewitt did a brilliant job, winning two Grand Slams and reaching world No.1, bad boy Bernand Tomic has yet to fulfill the promise. Hopefully Nick will fare better! He has great pedigree and huge potential.

Young sensation Nick Kyrgios proved you need strong belief to take down the big guns. The Aussie teenager produced the performance of his career, stunning world No.1 and recently crown French Open champ, Rafael Nadal, 7-6,5-7,7-6,6-3 to reach his maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal.

photos: GETTY IMAGES