Winter Break

As the pros enjoy a brief vacation, tennis fans get a chance to sit back and reflect on the year that was.

Despite some shaky periods, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal maintained their grip on the game’s big events, winning all four Grand Slams between them for the second straight year. Nadal captured his third straight French Open, while Federer took the other three majors and brought his total haul to 12 Slams, putting Pete Sampras’ record of 14 within reach.

To make it, the world No. 1 will have to hold off a mixture of established and emerging threats like Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Nalbandian, and capture at least two majors next season. If he doesn’t, the sport is in for a major shakeup as Federer’s stranglehold on the men’s game eases for the first time in four years. Either, the season ahead promises to be an exciting one.

Justine Henin emerged as the Federer of the women’s game this year, winning two Grand Slams and going undefeated during the post-Wimbledon half of the season. The Williams sisters staged another trademark come-from-nowhere resurgence, with Serena winning the Australian Open ranked No. 81 and Venus taking her fourth Wimbledon crown. A pair of Serbians, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic, made their way into the top 5.

Things will only get more crowded at the top as Maria Sharapova, having struggled with her shoulder and confidence all season, suggested she may be returning to form after a riveting battle against Henin in the Sony Ericsson WTA championships final that lasted nearly three and a half hours. Will all these players battle for the big titles next year, or will one manage to emerge as a dominant force?

Recap the seasons of all the top men and women and see what they should be aiming for next with TENNIS.com
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