Best of tennis 2013: From surprises to controversies

New Delhi: The countdown for 2014 has begun and as the new tennis season is geared up to begin with the Australian Open, it is important to rewind and relish the best of the 2013 season. The year 2013 witnessed the undisputed sovereignty of US tennis star Serena Williams at the top, while Russian sensation Maria Sharapova ruled the rich-list. Among men, Scottish Andy Murray finally triumphed on a Wimbledon in an emotional final, while Roger Federer's fall continued.Federer, currently ranked six, though remains a spectator's favourite across the globe. The year 2013, on the other hand belonged to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, as the duo provided us with some of the premium Tennis in recent times. So, here are some surprises, setbacks and controversies that ruled the headlines throughout the year 2013: 1. The first setback was of Rafael Nadal, who suffered his first ever opening round defeat at a Grand Slam tournament to Steve darcis of belgium. This was the first time since 1997 that a French Open men's champion lost in the very first round of Wimbledon. 2. Andy Murray defeated Benjamin Becker to win his 107th Grand Slam match breaking Fred Perry's record tally of 106. This was his first Grand Slam win in front of home crowd. 3. This year, Wimbledon witnessed numerous players retire in the first round due to injury. Marin Cilic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Victoria Azarenka, John Isner, and first round surprise Steve Darcis backed out from the tournament. 4. Roger Federer surprisingly lost to Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round that marked his first loss since 2004 in a grand Slam before the quaterfinals. 5. Bobby Reynolds' defeated by Novak Djokovic in the second round marks the first time American exit before the third round at Wimbledon since 1912. 6. At 42, Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm became the oldest woman player to reach third round of Wimbledon. 7. Six top women's seeds out of top ten got out before the third round. The defeat of Maria Sharapova was a major blow to the fans. This was the first ever worst performance by top ten seeds in a Grand Slam tournament. 8. Laura Robson, the first British woman to reach the fourth round after 15years in Wimbledon. 9. Wimbledon 2013 will be remembered for a record number of slips as Victoria Azarenka, Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki and many more slipped during their matches. 10. Fenchwoman Marion Bartoli defeated Lisicki in the finals. Seen above is Bartoli greeting her coach after Wimbledon win. 11. Polish Tennis player Agnieszka Radwanska created uproar back home with her racy photo shoot for ESPN body issue. American player John Isner too posed for the body issue. 12. Earlier this year, Sharapova was photographed with Bulgarian Tennis player Grigor Dimitrov. The two are currently dating each other. 13. Sharapova did her reputation no harm by appearing on the cover of some leading magazines. 13. A month after Sharapova appeared on the cover, arch rival Serena Williams too graced the cover of the same magazine. 14. TV reporter Alex Jones had a wardrobe malfunction while trying her hand at Tennis against Andy Murray.15. The year ended on a controversial note with Australian Tennis star Bernard Tomic spotted enjoying a lap dance.