By Erik Gudris | Friday, December 12, 2014
Controversial players, like Fabio Fognini, headlined a 2014 season filled with shockers and blunders throughout the year.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Controversial players, unexpected announcements and bad mistakes left many tennis fans either shaking their heads in disgust or speechless in dismay. Here's a rundown of the moments most of us would like to forget in 2014.
2014 in Review: Offbeat Moments | Hot Shots | Under-20 Moments | Top Selfies | Comebacks
Melbourne Heat Wave
Record humidity and temperatures over 100F at this year's Australian Open caused massive problems. While the tournament's official doctor said that conditions were ok enough to play in, many players found themselves literally fainting or wilting in the searing heat as others criticized the decision to not cancel or postpone matches until cooler temps prevailed. Fortunately, weather forecasters are predicting a milder summer for next month's Grand Slam down under.
Miami Fiasco
A player withdrawal right before a match is unfortunate. But two in a row right before a big semifinal is a nightmare for event organizers. That's what happened at the Miami Open when both Kei Nishikori (groin injury) and Tomas Berdych (stomach ailment) each withdrew from their respective men's semifinals within hours of each other. That left tennis fans on site both angry and bewildered.
Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal advanced by walkover into the final with the Spanish star summing up the wild day on Twitter by saying, "Sorry for Kei. Sorry for Thomas. Sorry for the tournament. Especially sorry for the fans."
Italian Irritant
If one looked up the word controversy in the 2014 tennis dictionary, it's likely you would find a photo of Italy's Fabio Fognini next to it. The often over-emotional Italian found himself involved in multiple incidents involving bad language and bad taste from Wimbledon to China. While Fognini was slapped with various fines and warnings, don't be surprised if Fognini earns more groans and boos from fans next year.
Sharapova Questions Ivanovic Time Out
The debate on the legit use of medical time outs once again heated up, this time between Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova in Cincinnati. The two WTA stars engaged in a hotly contested semifinal that saw Sharapova battle back from a set behind to force a decider. When Ivanovic called a lengthy time out during a Sharapova service game that the Russian later lost, Sharapova told the umpire afterwards to "check her blood pressure".
Ivanovic would go on to win the match while Sharapova later suggested that all those who take MTO's be charged $2500 for doing so. While Ivanovic defended her use of the MTO, the issue of when players should be allowed to use them continues on.
Monfils Gets Bad Advice in Cincinnati
Gael Monfils got some really bad advice from chair umpire Carlos Bernardes during the Frenchman's third round match in Cincinnati against Roger Federer.
In the second set, a Monfils shot that Federer let go appeared to touch the line. Bernades called the point in favor of Federer though and assured Monfils that his shot was out. Monfils wanted to challenge, but Bernardes talked him out of it.
Unofficial review actually showed the ball in. Monfils would win the set, but lose the match that often had both players not happy with the umpire.
Peng Shuai Battles the Heat in New York
China's Peng Shuai, despite playing in her biggest match ever against Caroline Wozniacki in the US Open semifinals, found herself battling a tougher opponent in the soaring temperatures on court.
Affected by heat illness and cramps, Shuai suffered greatly as concerned fans watched while officials, doctors, and even a worried Wozniacki tried to help. Ultimately, Peng decided to retire and later made a full recovery.
The scary scene raised new questions on if players suffering health issues in a match should be allowed to make the final decision to keep playing or not, or if that should be decided by medical staff and officials.
Li Na Says Goodbye
Despite Li Na not playing during the late summer due to a knee issue, many held out hope that the Chinese star would return to the courts soon. That didn't happen as Li made, for many, a surprise retirement announcement just before the start of the Wuhan Open in her hometown.
The tennis pioneer, and two-time Grand Slam champion, left both the sport and many Chinese fans in shock and in tears as she said her good-byes. Especially during an emotional final ceremony in Beijing.
Grigor Dimitrov Blows Off ATP Finals
Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov had a breakout 2014 season. His good results allowed him to be designated an alternate for the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Yet, Dimitrov declined the offer. While some tried to argue in favor of his decision, Dimitrov didn't help things by posting pictures online of himself posing in various locations around London during the same of the week of the tournament while he was spending time with his girlfriend Maria Sharapova.
The ATP, also noticing this, responded with a friendly, yet mild rebuke of Dimitrov's actions.
"Mirka-Gate" Rocks ATP Finals
When Stan Wawrinka was seen yelling at someone during the late stages of his intense semifinal versus Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals, many wondered who his anger was aimed at. Turns out it was none other than Federer's wife Mirka who apparently called Wawrinka a "cry-baby".
Federer, who saved multiple match points, won the match. But later, as first told by chair umpire Cedric Mourier to reporters, Federer and Wawrinka got into a heated exchange afterwards about Mirka's comments during the match.
Federer and Wawrinka made up in due haste though and went on to win Switzerland's first ever Davis Cup title the following week.
Wawrinka's Bizarre Bathroom Chat With French Davis Cup Team
Stan Wawrinka and his year-long simmering feud with French players throughout the year and during the Switzerland/France Davis Cup tie spilled over to a bizarre bathroom confrontation.
During the Davis Cup post event dinner, Wawrinka found himself confronted by French players, including Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils before all men left on good terms.