2018 is over. What a year it was for tennis fans. It can be remembered for injuries, comebacks, controversies and more. Out of all of it, here’s my top five moments, in no particular order.

Halep vs. Kerber semi-final is the best match of the year 

This match happened almost one year ago, and I still remember it vividly. Every point seemed to last about 30 strokes, and in the Australian heat, both women were tested in terms of physical fitness. In the end it was Halep who prevailed after three hours of play 9-7 in the third. Check this extended highlight reel of the match by the Australian Open.

 

Halep and Wozniacki finally win a Grand Slam 

It took Halep a monumental effort to reach the Australian Open Final. However, it also took Wozniacki the same some sort of effort. On top of that, both women had been known for being at the top of women’s tennis without winning a Grand Slam and had faltered in numerous Grand Slam finals in the past. It was fitting that Wozniacki would win the Australian Open in January, while Halep won the French in May. Grand Slam demons were exorcised once and for all.

Laver Cup is here to stay 

If the first year of the Laver Cup was foundational, the second year really solidified it as a perfect team tennis tournament to follow the last Grand Slam of the season. Pitting up the top players in the world in a team competition for three days in a major city has proven to be a major hit. Call it an exhibition or whatever else it may be, this was high quality competitive tennis for a second year in a row. I look forward to more team competitions at the Laver Cup in years ahead.

Refereeing needs changing 

It can be argued that refereeing ruined the US Open Women’s final. However, it wasn’t just in that final that refereeing took a wrong turn. Earlier in the final, we saw Nick Kyrgios get coached by none other than the referee when it seemed he was blowing his second-round match. Let me get this straight, if you are coached by a referee it’s ok, but if you are coached by your own coach, then you get penalized. Things need to change.

Nadal wins unprecedented 11^th French Open

There are really no words to express the amazing career at the French Open from Rafa Nadal. So, I will leave it at that. Rafa Nadal won his 11^th French Open title in 2018.