By Chris Oddo | Tuesday November 29, 2016
Monica Puig's unlikely run to Olympic Gold captivated the heart of many a tennis fan, and so did the other nine achievements we're highlighting here.
Photo Source: AP
Tennis is a funny sport. All alone on an island its participants engage in grueling physical and psychological combat. Oftentimes the best matches are rife with emotional pitfalls, desperate moments, meltdowns, angst and more. And, many times, there are tears when it’s all said and done.
LOTS. OF. TEARS!!!!
It’s hard to be a tennis fan. We spend long nights awake while our families are sleeping. Our pets think we’re crazy to do it and so do our friends, but in the end there’s a payoff to be had. We are given a glimpse of euphoria when the dust settles and the joy or the sadness come to fruition in all the flaming glory that we could have ever expected and more. And with that in mind we bring you the Top 10 tennis tearjerkers of 2016, in reverse order of course:
10. Juan Martin del Potro Begins his Comeback in Delray Beach
There’s something (everything?) about Juan Martin del Potro that makes our hearts sing. And to see the Tower of Tandil make his return at Delray Beach this February, no matter what the status of his backhand was, was absolutely brilliant. Of course it was the way that Del Potro handled himself and resonated with the moment that made it even more special. Some athletes just have that je ne sais quoi. Delpo most certainly has that, in spades.
9. Williams Ties Steffi Graf on all-time major title list
Serena Williams got her long awaited 22nd major title with a stunning performance at Wimbledon. Her victory over Angelique Kerber in the final on Wimbledon’s hallowed Center Court was epic, as was her post-match signal to the world—22!
8. Garcia and Mladenovic win the French Open title
The first all-French duo to win at Roland Garros since ’71 captivated the Paris crowd and celebrated with gusto. This was a beautiful victory for France and for Garcia and Mladenovic.
7. Andy Murray Wins second Wimbledon title
The victory in the final over Milos Raonic was rather routine, but Murray’s emotions and the way he celebrated with the Center Court crowd were anything but. Murray poured his heart and soul into his tennis during the Wimbledon fortnight and he let those emotions flow freely and beautifully when the title was won. So much joy, so much depth—just perfect.
6. Kerber Wins Australian Open
Angelique Kerber found her mojo in Australia this season. It was the place where she turned the corner and became a Grand Slam champion by beating Serena Williams in the final. Both players reacted beautifully to Kerber’s match point moment, and that hug between Kerber and Serena was simply epic. How do you not cry watching this?
5. Del Potro at Olympics
It started with his victory over Novak Djokovic, and it ended in the final when Andy Murray finally won the Gold. Murray won the title but Del Potro won the men's singles tearjerker award in Rio. Every round he won made us cry, cry, cry.
4. Nadal and Marc Lopez win Olympic Doubles
Look at the smiles. The emotion. The pure joy! Now--cry, cry, cry…
3. Djokovic wins Roland Garros
This victory—and the emotions—had been building for about three years for Novak Djokovic. After Djokovic fell to Wawrinka and was given a rousing minutes-long round of applause in Paris, there was a feeling that the logical step would be to win the title next year. The fans wanted it, Djokovic wanted it—and he got it. And when he did, it was too beautiful to put into words. No matter what you make of Djokovic’s finish to the 2016 season, this is the moment that will forever define it.
2. Argentina Wins Davis Cup
And just when we thought the magic had subsided, Del Potro strikes again in late November, leading Argentina to its first ever Davis Cup triumph in Zagreb. It was a fitting end to a dream season for Del Potro, and it will forever go down as one of the greatest Davis Cup finals in history.
1. Monica Puig Wins Olympic Gold
This was the best. No other way to say it. Everything about Monica Puig’s improbable, emotional run to Olympic Gold is everything we love about tennis and more. Pure, unbridled joy. The impossible dream come true.