10 Wackiest Tennis Moments of 2012

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10 Wackiest Tennis Moments of 2012

By Chris Oddo

(December 7, 2012) -- For as much as tennis gets a prim and proper rap among jocks, we get our own set of wacky moments -- both from athletes and fans alike -- and thanks to YouTube, we can use it to reminisce during this off-season. From tweeners to golden sets to missing handshakes and extra bounces (that's you, Ms. Huber!), our list of the craziest moments of 2012.

1. Nalbandian's Punt, aka it wasn't Serena Williams

The kick heard around the world shocked everyone, even David Nablandian himself. Though more shocking to him, probably, was the consequence of his action: the Queen's Club tournament defaulted him and awarded the trophy his opponent, Marin Cilic. And more shocking to us: this all happened while the Argentine was up by a set (though trailing 3-4 in the second). And relief: Serena Williams was not involved in the harm of this lines official.

2. Berdych Booed in Australia

Pundits labeled Tomas Berdych a crybaby after this incident at the Australian Open. (Would you be smarting if an ATPer clocked you with a passing shot while you stand at the net?) The Aussie faithful, a rough and tumble bunch who take pride in their toughness, let the Czech have it. Berdych and Almagro met three more times in 2012 -- including the Davis Cup final in Prague -- and Berdych won all of those encounters. Did he get it out of his system?

3. Bob Bryan's Surprise Tweener at the U.S. Open

What possessed Bob Bryan to hit this tweener? It was the turning point of the 2012 U.S. Open for the Bryan Brothers. Still, I don't get what possessed him. That's why some guys play the matches (and win Slam titles) and some guys write about them I guess.

4. Tomic Wrestles Naked

Everybody's down on Bernie Tomic these days, but this naked romp is highly commendable in so many ways. For one, he was killing two birds with one stone: cardio and balance training all in one (take that, Pure Barre!) When he takes the Australian Open title home next season -- you heard it here first -- players and trainers everywhere are going to start the naked hottub wrestling craze in full.

5. Baghdatis' Racquet-Smashing Clinic

Marcos Baghdatis elevated himself to rock star status with this classic tirade. Better inanimate objects than line judges -- right, Marcos? You go, Daddy!

6. Gasquet Pukes, Dimitrov Cramps

Nobody even remembers who won the match or how long the rally was that caused this puke- and-cramp fest. All we know is that we enjoyed watching it. (Way to channel your inner Sampras, Ricky!)

7. Shvedova's Golden Set

Yaroslava Shvedova's brilliance was more absurd than it was wacky. Shvedova became the first person to achieve a golden set at a major, and the first pro tennis player to go golden in 29 years.

8. Serena's Crip Walk

Serena Williams' 15-second victory dance after winning Olympic gold got more ink than her rollicking roll through the Olympic draw. Anything to get the mainstream press interested in tennis is good, right? Wrong. By the time the U.S. Open rolled around, she was shutting down journalists who was still asking about the dance on the AELTC lawns.

9. Huber Cheats in Australia

Hard to be a fan of Liezel Huber after watching this despicable moment. Ah, but I guess she thought she got that ball on one bounce. Playing her in juniors must have been a real dream....

10. Martina on Dancing With the Stars