By Erik Gudris | Saturday, December 6, 2014
It was a year of comebacks from several current veterans, including Venus Williams and rising youngsters.
(Photo Credit: AP)
2014 was a year of comebacks from several current veterans, tennis greats from the past, and rising youngsters. The year also ended with a popular Grand Slam champion announcing his anticipated return next year.
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Venus Williams
While some thought that the seven-time champion might be done with tennis, Venus Williams proved in 2014 she is not going anywhere. The 34-year-old Williams claimed the Dubai title and reached three finals this season in Auckland, Montreal and Quebec City. She even posted a massive win over her little sister World No. 1 Serena Williams in Montreal, a result that propelled Venus back into the top 20.
David Goffin
The 23-year-old Belgian bounced back from a left wrist injury to have his best season ever. Starting out ranked No. 110 in the world, Goffin got on a massive hot streak in the summer. Goffin won three straight Challenger titles and then his first ATP title in Kitzbuhel. "La Goff" as he's known also won the Moselle Open later in the year to finish ranked at a career high No. 22 in the world.
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni
A former teenage standout, the now 32-year-old Lucic-Baroni recently spent several years away from the game. In 2014 though she roared back with a surprise win over Simona Halep at the US Open. A few weeks later, Lucic-Baroni claimed her first WTA title in 16 years when she beat Venus Williams in the Quebec City final. Her title run marked the longest wait between tournament wins in WTA tour history.
Maria Sharapova
The Russian superstar missed the late part of 2013 with a shoulder injury that left some wondering how she would recover. But Sharapova proved without a doubt what a resilient fighter she is in 2014.
Once again Sharapova shined brightest during the clay court swing winning titles in Stuttgart, Madrid, and then, her fifth Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. Sharapova finished the year on a high note by winning the Beijing title and ending it ranked at No. 2 in the world.
Victoria Duval
Sometimes the greatest comebacks happen off of the court. The young American standout won her first main draw match at Wimbledon. But then she revealed that she had just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma a few weeks earlier.
Taking time off for treatment, Duval kept everyone posted on her recovery with multiple messages on Twitter.
Duval recently got back out on the courts and is planning on a return in 2015.
Jimmy Connors
The American tennis great returned to the courts for the first time in many years back in March. Appearing at the PowerShares Series events in Nashville and Charlotte, Connors played in a exhibition against John McEnroe. It marked the first time Connors competed in public since his recent recovery from hip surgery.
Martina Hingis
Call it a comeback or a career reinvention, Martina Hingis shined bright in 2014. Now focusing on doubles, the Hall of Famer claimed two big titles this season in Miami and Wuhan.
Hingis, who enjoyed success in World Team Tennis, also reached the US Open doubles final with her partner Flavia Pennetta. Expect Hingis to once again be a factor on the doubles court in 2015.
Andre Agassi
The eight-time Grand Slam champion delighted fans in Asia by competing for the Singapore Slammers in the recent the International Premier Tennis League.
Speaking about the unique new format, Agassi said, "It’s a fun environment for us, you get to see so many matchups, the games played in different ways, it’s also good for the future of the sport.”
Juan Martin Del Potro
The "Tower of Tandil" found himself ending his 2014 season early due to a left wrist injury that required surgery. After taking several months off, Del Potro started training and practicing again in mid-October.
“Your constant support, good wishes and caring have been and will continue to be of the utmost importance along this journey,” Del Potro recently posted on his Facebook page. “I am deeply thankful and I believe that during next year I’ll be able to repay you, doing what I do best.”
Del Potro has kept his fans up-to-date on his progress with several inspiring videos that have made everyone more excited to see the Argentine back out on the courts next year.