ESPN Tennis

It simply was one of those matches you won't soon forget. Breaks. Defense. Chokes. Brilliance. Punishment.

When all was said and done, Novak Djokovic finally beat Andy Murray in 4 hours, 50 minutes in this cat-and-mouse war of attrition. Djokovic will now face Rafael Nadal for the Australian Open men's title Sunday.

Here's how this epic unfolded:

Set 1: Djokovic 6-3, 47 minutes

Murray rattled from the outset: Although Murray fought off two break points in his opening serving game, he was promptly broken the next time he was up. It was as much a sign of nerves from Murray as it was Djokovic looking relaxed and confident. And after Murray broke Djokovic back, the Serb again returned the favor to take a 4-2 lead. Murray looked agitated, continually engaged in heated discussions with the chair umpire. Djokovic would go on to win the first set 6-3. Your Set 1 stats: A combined 35 unforced errors and nine winners. Ouch.

Djokovic's breathing: Djokovic has a long history of breathing ailments. This manifested itself again versus David Ferrer in a grinding quarterfinal matchup. It then appeared to be a factor after the fifth game of the first set when Djokovic was motioning to his camp. It did not appear to affect his movement, though.

Set 2: Murray 6-3, 65 minutes

Same ol', same ol': One game into the second set and Djokovic broke Murray again. An inauspicious start for someone trying to prove he has more resolve and resilience.

Soft second serve: According to ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert, Murray was hitting his second serve, at times, up to 30 mph less than his first, a huge disparity among the pro ranks. Djokovic, for his part, was clocked at over 120 mph.

Momentum swing and momentum swing after … : Down 2-0 in the second set, Murray settled down, but his game picked up. He broke Djokovic to tie the set at 2-all, and in the process hit a couple of screaming winners. Murray, who has long suffered from an unwillingness to seize control of rallies, was dictating play and hitting with aplomb. He would break Djokovic a second time to go up 4-2. Two more consecutive breaks by each player made it 5-3 Murray before he finally sealed the set with a hold.

Punishing set: The 42-shot rally in the middle of the set was a mere microcosm of a grueling second set. At its conclusion, Djokovic slumped over in an attempt to catch his breath. Clearly, the long side-to-side points took their toll on the defending champ. Murray did not appear to be nearly as affected, though both players were exceeding their allotted time in between points on a regular basis.

Set 3: Murray 7-6 (4), 88 minutes

What a start: After an 18-minute opening game, Djokovic finally held serve. Murray failed to capitalize on five break opportunities. Djokovic was doing a lot more running around than Murray, and as Gilbert asked: Would the toll of these long rallies and games take its toll on Djokovic? Murray was clearly dictating the points -- even if he wasn't winning them all.

No freebees here: You're getting the feeling that Nadal, who had his own arduous battles in the last two rounds, is sitting home smiling. Djokovic and Murray are working incredibly hard to win points. Based on the time of this match, you'd think they were deep into the fifth set.

Special concoction: Among Ivan Lendl's vast responsibilities, apparently, is to help charge up his new charge. Lendl was seen delivering a lemonade-like drink to someone to give to Murray. Who knows what it was, but both competitors needed something to rejuvenate them at this point.

Wowsers! Djokovic had Murray fetching balls from one wing of the court to another. The great Scot played remarkable defense in yet another excruciating rally to win the point and snag the break for a 6-5 lead. Murray had 11 chances to break Djokovic in the set and finally capitalized for the second time.

But … Just befitting of this match, Djokovic broke him back and sent the set into a tiebreaker. Murray would win it and take a two-sets-to-one lead over the defending champ. This match was now a war of attrition.

Set 4: Djokovic 6-1, 25 minutes

Oh, boy: The first game of the second set, and you'll (facetiously) never guess what happened: Djokovic broke Murray for the early lead. Should we have expected anything less?

Wheels coming off: Just like that, Djokovic took a two-break lead. It was obvious a fifth set was in the very near future. It would behoove Murray to now salvage any fight he has left for the decider. Djokovic had found a new level and dictated nearly every point. Murray did not help his case with some sloppy play. He finished the set with two winners and 11 unforced errors.

Novak's bounce: Djokovic showed us the true heart of a champion by dismantling Murray in a paltry 25 minutes. It's the best thing that could have happened to him -- win a set and save your legs.

Set 5: Djokovic 7-5, 65 minutes

The four-hour marker: Three games into the fifth set and the players have been on the court for four hours. So far, a fairly routine 2-1 Murray lead with no breaks of serve. Who would strike first?

Still waiting: Five games into the fifth and no breaks. Both Djokovic and Murray have been playing a little more conservatively to this point. But as ESPN's Chris Fowler notes, you get the feeling Djokovic can't be beaten after his exploits last season.

Fowler appears right: Djokovic finally converted a break point opportunity to take a 4-2 lead. You can kind of smell a third straight date with Rafa in a major final, right?

Not so fast, kids: Who is this mentally robust Brit? With Djokovic serving for the match, Murray breaks him without breaking a sweat. The score: 5-4 Djokovic with Murray to serve.

What a hold: Murray had a viable chance to break Djokovic and serve for the match. Djokovic held on in a heart-palpitating 11th game of the final set. This is now officially one for the ages.

And then … You kind of saw this coming. Murray had his chance and failed. So what does Djokovic do? Break Murray, of course. And now his chance to serve for the final.

That's a wrap -- finally! Djokovic saved his best for last, something we probably should have expected. Four hours, 50 minutes later and Djokovic finally advances. Unbelievable resolve by both players in a truly punishing affair. Bring on Rafa, baby.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha unveils his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

10. Oops, Serena did it again

Serena Williams and the U.S. Open are a fiery mix.

Two years after verbally abusing a linesperson in the semifinals, Williams went into attack mode when chair umpire Eva Asderaki enforced the hindrance rule early in the second set of this year's final.

Williams uttered a loud "come on" immediately after crunching a forehand (so the point wasn't over), with Asderaki then handing the point to Samantha Stosur. Stosur broke.

Here was part of what a seething Williams said to the diminutive Asderaki: "If you ever see me walking down the hall, walk the other way, because you're out of control.

"Totally out of control. You're a hater, unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow."

Another fine was on the way, this time for $2,000.

9. Djokovic's clay double

Beating Rafael Nadal on hard courts is one thing, but doing it twice on clay in the same season?

Novak Djokovic really got Nadal thinking when he crushed the Spaniard in both the Madrid and Rome finals.

Winning in Rome was particularly impressive for Djokovic since he contested a three-hour classic against Andy Murray the night before.

"I'm amazed with the way I'm playing, especially today given the circumstances and the condition I was in," Djokovic said. Had Djokovic beaten Roger Federer at the French Open, he could have made it three in a row against Nadal on dirt.

8. Kvitova opens her Grand Slam account

A star is born.

Petra Kvitova won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon -- and you can bet many more majors are on the way.

Two previous Czech women's winners at the All England Club, Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, watched as Kvitova downed a helpless Maria Sharapova in the final.

Navratilova dished out the praise.

"Kvitova has the potential to be one of the greats," Navratilova said.

Unlike Navratilova, whose success came from serving and volleying, Kvitova bludgeoned her way to the crown. The lefty serve and forehand made for a lethal combination.

Barring injury, she'll be No. 1 at some point next year.

7. Djokovic's grass delight

He won on hard courts in Australia, then handled Nadal on clay. But grass was supposed to be a surface that slightly mystified Djokovic.

Not so.

Without any grass-court prep, Djokovic battled his way to the Wimbledon title. He outlasted Marcos Baghdatis in a third-round slugfest, overcame several difficult moments against unorthodox Aussie Bernard Tomic in the quarterfinals and stole the first set versus Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semis before comfortably prevailing.

Up next was Nadal, and Djokovic swept past the bamboozled two-time Wimbledon champion in four sets, getting some help in the final game when Nadal's forehand faltered.

Only two days earlier, he earned the No. 1 ranking.

"This is my favorite tournament, the tournament I always dreamed of winning, the first tournament I ever watched in my life," Djokovic said. "I think I'm still sleeping, I'm still having my dream."

6. Rafa tops Roger in Paris

Topping Nadal in a French Open final would have been one of Federer's finest achievements. Sadly for Federer, he missed the opportunity.

And what an opportunity it was.

Nadal looked shaky in stretches, yet when Federer's drop shot narrowly missed wide on set point in the first set, the momentum shifted.

It ended in four sets, and Nadal bagged his sixth French Open title.

"I thought he was getting tired throughout the third set and also in the fourth," Federer said. "It was unfortunate I couldn't take my chances early on in the fourth."

5. Li makes history

Finally fully healthy, Li Na came close to becoming China's first Grand Slam singles winner in Melbourne.

But there was no stopping her, surprisingly, on the clay of the French Open.

Aided by the calming presence of Michael Mortensen, Li earned her title in Paris, ousting the likes of Kvitova, Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and the defending champ, Francesca Schiavone.

"China tennis -- we're getting bigger and bigger," Li said.

According to reports, 116 million television viewers in China took in the final.

4. The streak

An overzealous tennis schedule caught up with Djokovic in the fall. However, he strung together an almost unprecedented run to start 2011.

Djokovic won 41 in a row from January to June -- one shy of John McEnroe's men's mark set in 1984. The streak included the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Rome and Madrid.

Before Federer dethroned him in Paris, there weren't too many near misses, either (Nadal in Miami, Thomaz Bellucci in Madrid and Murray in Rome).

"Given there's more competition, more athleticism, deeper fields, I'd say his record is even more impressive than mine, especially given that in 1984, the major in Australia was played at the end of the year," McEnroe said.

Those to take a set off him during the streak? Federer, Nadal, Murray, Bellucci, Ivan Dodig, Feliciano Lopez, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Juan Martin del Potro.

3. Djokovic's New York TKO over Rafa

The culmination of the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry in 2011, this had to have been one of the most physically grueling matches of all time. And when that's part of the equation, not many would look past Nadal.

But Djokovic cast aside any lingering doubts about his stamina when he defeated Nadal in four sets and more than four hours. Call it a technical knockout.

Four Grand Slam titles played for Djokovic, and three won.

"He's jumped up a level," said seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."

2. Fed at his finger-wagging best

Djokovic had plenty on the line against Federer in the French Open semis. The Serb was seeking that 42nd straight win to start a season.

But Federer played one of the best matches of his career to prevail in four high-quality, supercharged sets to end the streak.

He was surely helped by the crowd, which chanted "Roger, Roger" and cheered in a fashion reminiscent of a Davis Cup series.

"It almost feels like I've won the tournament," Federer said.

Federer wagged his finger when it ended -- highly amusing.

1.The shot

It was quite simply the shot heard around the tennis world.

Djokovic saved two match points against Federer in the semis for the second straight year at the U.S. Open -- and this time they were both on the Swiss' serve.

Appearing to have given up and ticked he was getting no love from the New York crowd, Djokovic went for broke on the first match point and connected with an outrageous cross-court forehand return.

Federer sagged, Djokovic ascended, and that was it.

"I don't know how it happened," Djokovic said. "I read his serve and I was on the ball, and I had to hit it hard, and it got in, luckily for me."

Federer didn't cover himself in glory when he said he'd never have attempted such a high-risk shot.

"This is very hard to understand how [you] can play a shot like that on match point," he said. "But look, maybe he's been doing it for 20 years, so for him it was very normal."

It was Djokovic's year.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha unveils his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

20. Rafa disappears

Now you see him, now you don't.

Addressing reporters following a third-round win on a sticky day at the U.S. Open, Rafael Nadal suddenly began experiencing leg cramps.

He slumped in his chair, stayed put for a while, then slithered under a desk that was in front of the chair.

Nadal is considered a warrior, so it was quite the unexpected sight.

"It's nothing important," a smiling Nadal later said. "I had that hundreds of times but not in the press conference. If that happened in the locker room, nobody knows nothing, and that's normal thing."

Indeed. Nadal reached the final.

19. Fed ends on high

Without a major for the first time in a calendar year since 2002, Roger Federer needed to end the campaign on a high.

That he did.

Federer carries a 17-match winning streak into 2012 after triumphing in the Davis Cup, Basel, Paris and London. His title at the year-end championships was his sixth, a men's record.

"It's one of my greatest accomplishments, an amazing finish again to the season," Federer said. "I've never finished on such a strong note."

Can people now stop questioning his motivation?

18. "Aussie" Kim wins Down Under

It was about time Kim Clijsters won a Grand Slam outside New York. And call it fitting that Melbourne was the venue.

Clijsters became a favorite, or even more of one, in Australia when she dated Aussie Lleyton Hewitt.

"I finally feel like you guys can call me Aussie Kim because I won the title," Clijsters told the crowd at Rod Laver Arena after topping Li Na in the final. "Even when things weren't going good, you guys were really supportive of me, and I really appreciate it."

Not always a great competitor -- see last year's loss in Melbourne to Nadia Petrova and this year's defeat to Arantxa Rus at Roland Garros -- Clijsters hung tough against Li, reversing a one-set deficit. Li overcame Clijsters two weeks earlier in Sydney.

17. Death of the "Rafa Slam"

It's easy to forget, given Novak Djokovic's season, that 12 months ago Nadal was on the verge of becoming the first man in 42 years to win four consecutive majors.

Nadal seemed doomed in his quest.

An early-January illness hurt Nadal heading into Melbourne, and it likely had something to do with the Spaniard picking up a hamstring injury against David Ferrer in a marathon second game of their quarterfinal.

Nadal refused to retire -- he did so against Andy Murray at the 2010 Australian Open -- but tamely lost in straight sets.

"We don't have luck here," Nadal's coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, said. "We think that when he had the flu, he was more [susceptible] to getting hurt."

"This is one of the bad [moments], one of the negative moments," Rafael Nadal said. "I think I am very lucky sportsman about what's happened in my career. I have to accept the fantastic moments that I had during a lot of the years with the same calm when I have problems."

16. Revolt at the U.S. Open

Nadal wasn't so calm at the rain-affected U.S. Open.

Furious that organizers told him he had to play on a court that he felt was wet, Nadal snapped at tournament referee Brian Earley, "It's the same old story. All you think about is money."

Nadal, Murray and Andy Roddick marched into the referees' office later on the second Wednesday and let their feelings be known.

"We don't feel protected," Nadal said in a TV interview. "Grand Slams, they win a lot of money, and they are just working for that, not us. They are calling us on court, and it's still raining."

As a result of the players' anger, there is a chance for an off day for the men in between the semis and finals next year.

15. Fed inexplicably blows a two-set lead Wimbledon has become slightly bittersweet for Federer.

Sure he's won at the All England Club on six occasions, but he also lost to Nadal in arguably the greatest match of all time in 2008. Then this season on the grass, Federer relinquished a two-set advantage at a Grand Slam -- he had been 178-0 -- for the first time.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a carefree personality who actually believes he can rally from such a deficit, was the man who pulled off the 3-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"Kind of a strange feeling, because I did play well myself," Federer said. "I can't blame my poor returning or my poor serving or my poor movement or anything like that in this match, and that makes it a bit easier."

Tsonga upended Federer in Montreal two months later, although order was restored in the fall.

14. Djokovic's spring double

When Djokovic led Serbia to the Davis Cup title last year, it boosted his appetite for winning. Conquering Melbourne added to his confidence. But it was his back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami that cemented his belief.

Never before had Djokovic topped Nadal in tour finals, yet he edged a pair of three-setters in California and Florida.

As their rivalry unfolded and Nadal kept losing, his postmatch handshakes became less warm.

13. Rafa recovers in Seville

Statistically, it wasn't a bad year for Nadal, as he suggested. He won the French Open and landed in the final at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

But there was a sense that he needed a lift heading into 2012, especially after his performance -- and admission of a loss of motivation -- at the World Tour Finals.

Nadal got the boost he needed, leading Spain to the Davis Cup title in December.

He clinched the series with an absorbing four-set, four-hour win over Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro at a pumping Olympic Stadium in Seville.

"It was the most amazing atmosphere I have ever played in," Nadal said.

The turning point? Del Potro dropping serve when he was up a set, a break and serving at 40-0 in the second.

He failed to serve out the fourth set, too.

12. Djokovic sizzles in Melbourne

Representing Serbia last December (Davis Cup) and this January (Hopman Cup) was the perfect tonic for Djokovic. He entered the Australian Open rife with confidence -- and didn't flinch.

Djokovic tore through the field, dropping one set (to Ivan Dodig). He downed Federer in a semifinal that wasn't as close as the set scores hinted. He then eased past Murray to finally snap a three-year Grand Slam drought, longer than most everyone had expected.

"I don't want to stop here," Djokovic said.

He sure didn't.

11. Heart of a lion

You could forgive Francesca Schiavone if she decided to take it easy after winning the French Open last year. Nearing 30 back then, she had every right to sit back and bask in the glory of her success.

But no, Schiavone hasn't eased up.

In fact, you get the feeling she has an even bigger point to prove -- that she's no fluke.

Schiavone had a solid Grand Slam season, saving her most courageous display for the fourth round of the Australian Open. Schiavone saved six match points and toppled Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 1-6, 16-14 in 4 hours, 44 minutes, the longest women's encounter in Grand Slam history.

"I hope one day to show this DVD to my son," said Schiavone, who is not a parent.

The third set alone lasted three hours.

"At some stage, I was like, 'What's the score?'" Kuznetsova said. "It was hard to count. I was like, 'Who is up? She or me?'"

It was ultimately Schiavone on a day where the term "loser" didn't befit Kuznetsova.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha unveils his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

30. Henin retires, again

Unlike her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin's comeback didn't produce any Grand Slam titles.

This season, a nervous-looking Henin flopped in Melbourne, falling to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round.

Still hampered by an elbow injury sustained, ironically, against Clijsters at Wimbledon last year, Henin called it quits for the second time.

"I had hoped for a different return and dreamed of a different ending," Henin said.

Why Henin couldn't wait until the Australian Open ended to make the announcement is beyond many.

29. Woz's mystery man

No, not Caroline Wozniacki's boyfriend. We knew who that was pretty early: Rory McIlroy.

Rather, Wozniacki kept everyone guessing about the identity of her new coach.

The Dane reportedly began working with the mystery person in the summer, although she wouldn't name names. Wozniacki sent video tapes of her practice sessions to the new coach, getting help from afar.

Wozniacki managed to stay mum during the U.S. Open, too.

Earlier this month, however, a Danish newspaper reported that Spaniard Ricardo Sanchez -- who teamed with another Slam-less No. 1, Jelena Jankovic -- got the job.

28. It had to happen

What were the odds of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut meeting in the first round at Wimbledon? More than 140-1. So call it destiny when it happened.

"I joked with Nic last week, sent him a text saying, 'Just watch us play the first round,'" Isner said the day the draw was made. "He replied, 'No, that's not cool,' but now it's happened."

The rematch didn't live up to the immense, and understandable, hype.

Far from a 70-68 fifth set on Court 18, Isner eased past the slightly injured Frenchman 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6) on the new Court Three.

27. Fed finally wins Bercy

It was one of tennis' minor mysteries: Why hadn't Roger Federer ever reached a Paris Masters final? He'd played at Bercy eight times.

If ever there was a time to end the slump, it was this season since he didn't have to contend with Novak Djokovic (who bailed mid-tourney), Rafael Nadal (who skipped the event) or Andy Murray (a quarterfinal loser).

And sure enough, an inspired Federer swept to the title, not dropping a set.

"It's a special victory," he said.

26. Not so Fab

When two clay-court specialists met in the fourth round of the French Open, it was pure drama. We shouldn't be surprised that one was Fabio Fognini, given his late-night thriller against Gael Monfils last year.

Fognini saved five match points while essentially playing on one leg against veteran Albert Montanes, who tensed up at crunch time. But instead of Fognini being remembered as a hero, the Italian will go down as a villain for demanding -- and receiving -- a medical timeout when it appeared he was simply suffering from a cramp. Timeouts can't be called for cramps, and the educated folks at Roland Garros knew it.

Fognini was mostly booed when the 4-hour, 22-minute marathon concluded.

Perhaps to prove he was injured, Fognini bailed from his quarterfinal against Djokovic, altering the course of history.

25. The grudge match

David Nalbandian and Lleyton Hewitt don't particularly like each other.

There was that bump in their Australian Open quarterfinal in 2005, and on the eve of a Davis Cup semi a year later in Buenos Aires, Nalbandian said he couldn't "wait for [Hewitt] to have a taste of Argentine hospitality."

When Hewitt drew Nalbandian in the first round of the Australian Open this January, the prematch hype predictably overflowed. Thankfully that match didn't disappoint.

Devoid of any ill temper this time, the two hip-affected veterans battled for five sets and nearly five hours, with Nalbandian prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 9-7 after going into semi-tank mode when down a break in the fourth. He saved two match points, one with an outrageous half volley.

"It was that kind of match that nobody will forget it," Nalbandian said.

24. Kangaroo court

Obviously keen to give reporters something to talk about besides her Slam-less No. 1 label, Wozniacki took things to another level in Melbourne.

Besides setting the agenda for one of her news conferences, Wozniacki claimed a scratch on her leg came courtesy of an encounter with a kangaroo in Melbourne.

A wire service ran the story, only to have Wozniacki tell reporters later that it was a concocted tale.

"I'm sorry if I caused an inconvenience," Wozniacki said.

23. Fed punishes Rafa

Federer was in a confident mood as he prepared to face Nadal at the year-end championships. And he had every right to be considering his title at the Paris Masters and the fact that Federer had never lost to the Spaniard indoors.

Things went even better for Federer than he would have imagined.

He crunched winners from all over the court and comfortably defended Nadal's heavy crosscourt forehand.

The final score read 6-3, 6-0, Federer's most lopsided victory in their 26 encounters.

"This win ranks high because it's against my biggest rival, probably," Federer said. "It was a great match for me from start to finish. I've felt the power of Rafa in the past."

22. Slammin' Sammy upsets Serena

When Serena Williams reaches major finals, she usually wins. Entering 2011, her record was a sterling 13-3.

And when she was pitted against Samantha Stosur in the U.S. Open finale, not many gave the Aussie a chance.

But Stosur hardly blundered.

The serve and forehand worked great, as did her backhand, Stosur's weakest shot off the ground. She handled the occasion well, overcoming a minor blip after Williams clashed with the chair ump.

"I had one of my best days, and I'm very fortunate that I had it on this stage in New York," Stosur said.

Potential realized.

21. Kvitova storms to Istanbul title

To simplify matters: When Petra Kvitova is on her game, not many can beat her. Serena Williams is one of those few.

But with Williams and Clijsters absent from the year-end championships, no one managed to derail the Wimbledon winner in Istanbul.

This was the tournament -- not Wimbledon -- where Kvitova realized she's one of the best players, if not the best, in the world. She felt comfortable on the big stage.

Kvitova will be on the big stage for many years to come.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha is unveiling his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

70. Dokic reunites with dad

Who saw this coming?

Former Wimbledon semifinalist Jelena Dokic, an often tortured soul, confirmed in September that she reconciled with controversial dad Damir Dokic.

Damir Dokic coached his daughter before an acrimonious split. He recently spent about a year in jail for threatening to blow up the Australian embassy in Belgrade.

"I am in a very positive and confident frame of mind in my life, and I really wanted to do this because I believe it is the right thing to do both for me and for all of my family," Jelena Dokic said. "My father was very receptive, and I believe he has changed greatly."

69. Cancer hits Kleybanova

Every so often, the idyllic tennis world gets gate-crashed. It happened in July.

Russian Alisa Kleybanova revealed -- on her 22nd birthday -- that she was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer.

"This is the toughest time in my life, and I hope it always stays the toughest time in my life," said Kleybanova, a gritty competitor but bubbly character off court. "I'm sure I'll be able to overcome this -- it's just a matter of patience and time."

We wish you well, Alisa.

68. Zvonareva crumbles in Istanbul

It wasn't as bad as her meltdown against Flavia Pennetta at the U.S. Open in 2009, but Vera Zvonareva's 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 loss to Agnieszka Radwanska at the year-end championships was still painful.

Zvonareva's first mistake was letting a tired Radwanska back into the match after cruising in the opening set. Then in the third, she failed to take advantage of three match points on her own serve. Radwanska helped saved the third match point, however, with some unbelievable scrambling.

Instead of tears from Zvonareva, there were painful looking smiles.

67. Ailing Andy

Andy Roddick, after being blessed with good health for most of his career, is now having a hard time staying fit.

As the defending champion in Miami, Roddick encountered breathing issues and moved gingerly in a second-round loss to Pablo Cuevas. A shoulder injury ruled him out of the French Open -- and hampered his Wimbledon prep -- before a problem with his oblique meant he had to skip a portion of the U.S. Open Series.

"It's been, I think, the toughest year I've had," Roddick said in Shanghai. "I feel like I've been starting and stopping a lot."

Despite the lack of fluency, Roddick managed to finish inside the top 15.

66. To Russia with love

Alex Bogomolov Jr. was named the most improved player on the men's tour, climbing more than 130 spots in the rankings. His season got even better when his desired switch from U.S. to Russia in the tennis world became official this month.

Bogomolov, a longtime U.S. resident, is suddenly the Russian No. 1, which means he's a lock to be on the Russian Davis Cup team when it meets Austria in February.

Bogomolov was appreciative of the help the USTA gave him in his formative years but said the opportunity to represent the country of his birth was too great to pass up.

"I'm going to do the best I can for my family," he said. "That's my main priority, my kid, my family."

65. Murray sizzles in Asia

The field might not have been as strong as in years past, as Roger Federer so eagerly pointed out, but Andy Murray winning in Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai in consecutive weeks was quite the achievement.

Murray responded in the best possible fashion after yet more disappointment at a Grand Slam (the U.S. Open).

"This is one of the best runs I've had, and I'm playing very well," Murray said.

Minor injuries surfaced thereafter, so he couldn't keep it going.

64. A classic tiebreaker

Novak Djokovic had to deal with not only the elements on a windy day in New York, but an unorthodox, unpredictable opponent in Alexandr Dolgopolov Jr. Their fourth-round clash produced arguably the best tiebreaker of the season.

Dolgopolov began by taking a 4-0 lead, only to see Djokovic win the next five points. The seesawing continued. Djokovic saved four set points and ultimately converted on his sixth attempt to win 16-14. Dolgopolov went down tamely in the next two sets.

"It was an interesting first set," Djokovic said.

The women's tiebreaker of the season also stemmed from a fourth-round match in New York. Maria Kirilenko edged eventual champion Sam Stosur 17-15.

63. Clijsters capitulates

Making her first French Open appearance in five years, this wasn't what Kim Clijsters had in mind.

Clijsters blew a set and 5-2 lead, as well as two match points, in a stunning 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 second-round defeat to tall, shy Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus.

Clijsters had missed the previous two months with an ankle injury, but that was no excuse. The inexperienced Rus was ranked 114th at the time.

"I started doubting a little bit," Clijsters said. "That's definitely the wrong attitude to have, especially for me on clay."

62. Seven in a row for Rafa

When all else fails, Rafael Nadal can count on winning in Monte Carlo.

Nadal, not having to confront Djokovic, made it lucky No. 7 -- in a row -- at the posh Monte Carlo Country Club after toppling good pal David Ferrer 6-4, 7-5 in a punishing final.

"It would have been impossible to imagine a few years ago winning seven titles here," Nadal said. "I'm a lucky guy to have done this by age 24."

When will Nadal lose in Monte Carlo?

61. Tennis players going splittsville

Two longstanding tennis romances involving Eastern Europeans came to an end.

Tomas Berdych and the oh-so-nice Lucie Safarova went their separate ways, with the former now dating a much younger model and the latter linked to a cage fighter.

Kirilenko, a former SI swimsuit model, and Igor Andreev also cut ties. Kirilenko moved on quickly, to Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin.

Ovechkin posted a picture of himself and Kirilenko on Twitter; "Me and my girlfriend Maria....she is my queen!!!!" was the accompanying caption.

What have you done for me lately? It's one of the great truisms in sports. It's OK if you're the bigger loser, as long as you eventually win -- and win last.

Just ask Roger Federer. How much less does his Slam-less season mean now that he ended the year with the prestigious World Tour Finals title? Just ask Novak Djokovic. His three Slams suddenly seem like ages ago. Since completing the trifecta in Flushing, the world No. 1 has been beset by injuries, burnout, losses and a whole lot of disappointment.

Djokovic won more, a lot more, in 2011 than did Federer. In fact, Djokovic strung together more titles than Federer did all season by April. And, of course, there was the Serb's 43-match winning streak, the rare Indian Wells-Miami double, the Wimbledon title he so longed for and a host of other achievements most players can only dream of.

But there's one small detail the stat sheets don't share: It's Federer, not Djokovic, who will walk away from the 2011 season with a greater sense of satisfaction. Why? Federer ended this season at the sport's apex, looking way down at the poor souls who couldn't figure out how to stop his inexorable runs to the trophy ceremonies.

And if you're keeping track at home, that's three straight titles for Federer (none for Djokovic) to end the season.

What Djokovic accomplished is nothing short of mind-numbing. Not only the trio of majors, but the record five Masters Series shields he nabbed. It truly was a season of greatness, one that had him on a staggering pace to finish in historic fashion. His indomitable mindset and all-court resourcefulness redefined the sport's paradigm. He baffled Rafael Nadal over and over and over (and over), and he disheartened Federer. He made pundits look foolish and thrilled fans with his unwavering will to win.

But since his final act at the U.S. Open way, way back in mid-September, Djokovic's dominance has diminished, perhaps deteriorated. Now we've entered Federer's world of no-nonsense retribution. His titles at Basel, Paris and the World Tour Finals have again catapulted him to the top of the game, while his 17-match winning streak has spawned a renewed sense of hope.

If Federer can play like this for as long as he has recently, why not more Grand Slam titles? If he can display the mental fortitude and focus like he did in London, why can't he regularly thwart the likes of Nadal and Djokovic on a regular basis? Both of them showed long stretches of breakdowns and frustrations.

Sure, we get it: In his final three tournaments, Federer faced one of the big-four behemoths just once. But you saw the hammer he dropped on Nadal at the O2. The courts may better suit Federer during the indoor circuit, but a dismantling like that goes far deeper than these kinds of nuances. So many of these matches between the world's top players come down to belief and bravado. Now Federer is in an ideal position to carry his late-season surge into the Australian Open, where you can bet your bottom dollar he'll be just as much of a favorite as his nemeses.

Djokovic, conversely, has little to relish in right now but his laurels. And with so much unraveling lately, Djokovic's fragility, again, takes center stage. The season is a long, grueling crucible that takes incredible amounts of stamina and patience, and maintaining that level is nearly impossible. But the manner in which Djokovic foundered in the past couple of months leaves him with a lot of questions heading into 2012.

Someday, in hindsight, we'll marvel at Djokovic's grand accomplishments, but right here and right now, it's Slam-less Roger who exits the 2011 season as the major winner.

Exiting the tube station that leads to the O2 Arena, home of the ATP's World Tour Finals, you will see pictures of the players that are posted on several pillars.

Novak Djokovic is front and center, although are there two Djokovics? One has the Serb listed at 6-foot-2, while the other says 6-3. Must have been a misprint.

He is, for the record, 6-2, which is a fair bit more than David Ferrer. Yet the Spaniard continues to play substantially bigger than his 5-9 frame, as he knocked off the world No. 1 6-3, 6-1 to seal a spot in the semifinals from Group A. For the second straight night, a top-two player was crushed.

"I just wasn't there," Djokovic said. "It was the worst match I've played this season so far, definitely. So many unforced errors. You know, I'm not playing well. That's a fact. Maybe it's because of the length of the season. Maybe it's just because I'm not feeling well, you know, on the court."

At least Djokovic lasted a little longer than Ferrer's countryman, Rafael Nadal, who was taken apart by a sublime Roger Federer.

When Djokovic rallied from a match point down to beat Tomas Berdych on Monday, he seemed destined to turn the corner. He found a way to pull things out, which was sure to give him confidence in a stretch when he hasn't contested many matches. Perhaps the shoulder would continue to recuperate.

And early on, he was sharp. Unlike against Berdych, when he double-faulted on his first service point, he began with an ace. A good sign, or so it was thought.

In the first several games, Djokovic had much more zip on the ball from the baseline and was being aggressive, not pushed around, as he was versus Berdych. Incorporating the backhand slice threw Ferrer off, too, which made sense because Ferrer loves pace.

It seemed it was only a matter of time before he'd break, take hold of the encounter and cruise.

But it didn't happen, and when Djokovic was broken at 3-3, it was essentially over. There wasn't much fight, in truth. Midway in the second set, as errors mounted, Djokovic was rushing between points and looking as though he wanted to get off the court as soon as possible. The classy Ferrer, who beat a world No. 1 for the third time (Andre Agassi, Nadal and now Djokovic), obliged, not getting tight.

The stats demonstrate how far Djokovic is off his game. Entering the match as the second-best returner of first serves, having registered 36 percent of points won, he won a meager 14 percent against Ferrer. Ferrer might have had a little more pop on the serve, but he's not known as a massive server. Never has been.

Djokovic leads the tour in winning 58 percent of points on opponents' second serve; the figure against Ferrer finished at 31. Although he cleaned up behind his own first serve in the first two games (going 9-for-9), that number subsequently dropped.

Thankfully for Djokovic, he still has a good opportunity to advance to the final four. Such is the nature of round-robin tennis. But if he produces another shoddy display, fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic is sure to take advantage Friday.

"If I don't play at least 50 percent better than I did tonight, I don't think I'll have any chance," Djokovic said. "You always hope that tomorrow will bring something better. That's the way I'm thinking now."

Time for Djokovic to stand tall, indeed.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Whether Novak Djokovic will become a man for all seasons remains a mystery. What isn't a mystery is that in 2011, Djokovic is the man putting together one of the greatest tennis seasons of all time.

Djokovic has been near-flawless this year. He's won three of the four Grand Slams -- the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. He's nailed down 10 titles thus far with more tournaments still to play. He's assembled an amazing 64-3 season. And he dislodged Rafael Nadal from the No. 1 ranking, winning all six matches they've played, including the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals.

But stringing together this type of season is an arduous process. So difficult, in fact, that most of the game's other great luminaries never came close to this kind of dominance. Pinpointing exactly what transformed Djokovic into a destructive force is not so cut and dry.

Four former Grand Slam champions -- Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Michael Chang -- kicked off the 12-city 2011 Champions Series senior tour last week and weighed in. While at their first tour stop at the Bank Atlantic Center in South Florida, the quartet were eager to chat about the new boss man of tennis, Djokovic.

"It's a progression being the best player in the world," Sampras said. "It just doesn't happen overnight. He has a firm handle at the top spot now and it's really one of the best years I've ever seen. To beat Nadal, one of the all-time greats all times, six times. To beat Roger [Federer], arguably the best player of all time, [four] times, it's just an incredible year. And I think he'll win more Grand Slams; he's that good."

Sampras had an opportunity to meet with Djokovic this summer when the Serb was in Los Angeles. The two had hoped to share a hit, but Sampras, disappointingly, could not because of a sore back. But the American was more than happy to be the voice of experience.

"We had dinner, and we just talked for a couple of hours," Sampras said. "He's really a nice kid, very sincere and he was interested in my career and how I stayed up on top of the game, which is what he's trying to do. I just told him what I tried to do, for my personality, was to try and keep it simple. At the Grand Slams I never wanted to do anything because I only wanted to focus on my tennis. I think he took what I said to heart."

To judge just how good Djokovic is these days, the former champions keyed in on his recent U.S. Open semifinal match. Djokovic faced two match points before coming back to beat Federer 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. The prevailing opinion is that match validated Djokovic's improved mental fortitude.

"He has a short memory now," Sampras said. "He used to be temperamental and would let bad points linger in his head. But he turned it right around in that third set [against Federer at the Open] to play great tennis."

Michael Chang said, "This year, Djokovic put his foot in the door and said, 'Hey, take a look at me.' It's been a lot of fun to watch him play this year. I've got to think it's something more than his [new gluten-free] diet. He's playing with an unbelievable amount of confidence. Even when he was down those two match points to Federer, he was kind of laughing it off and didn't get dejected."

Once Djokovic began believing, he was almost invincible; his style of play became really off-putting for players. It doesn't hurt that he finally made a few necessary technical improvements to his serve and forehand, which were the two weaker aspects of his game.

"He gives these guys trouble because he plays a little bit old-school, taking the ball earlier, catching the ball on the rise, driving the ball flat," Connors said. "And a lot of the topspin the guys drive at him comes right into his zone. He turns defense into offense pretty good."

The former champions view themselves as fans as well as experts of the game. So it's not surprising they're all watching Djokovic carefully to see how long he can keep up this amazing level. Although we've seen guys maintain control for long periods of time, there's always the next guy waiting to step up.

"This time last year we were talking about the Rafael Nadal era, and he had won three of the four majors and was the dominant force on tour," Courier said. "Now it's Djokovic. What it will be this time next year, well, that's why we watch because there's no way to predict it. But he's set the bar, particularly for Nadal, to go and try to solve the puzzle of Novak."

In the meantime, instead of wondering how long Djokovic can linger at the top, Connors laughingly suggested there could be a side business for the Serb.

"Not 16 months ago, he couldn't last two sets and now he's outdueling Nadal on clay," Connors said. "What he has done in the last year, not only with his game, but his conditioning, I don't know what it is. I don't even know if he knows what it is. But if he could bottle that and sell it, it would be unbelievable."

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well, shame on you again. But fool me 64 times and send me swiftly to the shrink.

We're all searching to unearth the Novak Djokovic secret. How did this jokester-turned juggernaut transform himself into the game's best? The diet details and this spaceship-like pressurized egg thingy that purportedly simulates high altitude and production of red blood cells are well-known. (By the way, it's been reported that side effects may include headaches, vomiting and fatigue -- not exactly a tennis player's winning formula. Also, odd that this form of oxygen therapy, which, in this case, is ultimately used for endurance can cause languish. Kind of counterintuitive, no? Maybe try something less involved -- you know, like a bed.)

Anyway, where were we? Yes, Djokovic and the butt-kicking cog he is. Event after event. Match by match. Set by set. He simply never succumbed to the rigors of the job. He never once failed the Rafael Nadal test (6-0 in 2011). He refused to let a couple of meager match points against Roger Federer come between him and his third Slam of the season. But now that the results of event after event, match by match and set by set are in, there's no choice but to confess the ugly truth: I was not a believer. Never once did I look to you in our (so-called) experts' picks. Heck, you weren't even my second choice. Once, I even had a fleeting thought of (gasp!) taking Andy Murray. Oh my goodness, how did it all go so wrong? (Another pressurized chamber tidbit: No tangible evidence, to this point, that it aids in making smart choices.)

So, Novak Djokovic, you of the absurd 64-3 record, a heartfelt apology is long overdue. I'm sorry for not being a true believer, from your mastery in Melbourne, to your beloved Wimbledon crown, to the trifecta in Flushing.

Through all those wins, titles (10), trophies (10, too) and accolades (a whole lot), I didn't have confidence in the man oozing with confidence, the force who singlehandedly ripped apart the dynamic duopoly of Nadal and Federer. And you accomplished all these feats by gracefully assimilating to each new environment, court surface and a new arrangement of fidgety foes just waiting to thwart the indomitable Djoker. They all failed. You did not.

But lest we forget, you defied the detractors in all those non-Slam events, too. Five Masters Series titles -- an ATP World Tour record. From Indian Wells to Montreal you were too good, too focused. And these were not flimsy opponents by any stretch. At the Rogers Cup, when so many of us foolishly predicted a post-Wimbledon letdown, your victims, in order, were Nikolay Davydenko, Marin Cilic, Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mardy Fish. Not exactly cupcakes. But the total number of sets you lost: one.

I'm especially regretful for not buying into your clay-court prowess (actually, awesomeness). In Rome, I vividly remember watching you scrap with Murray in a three-hour instant classic. The next day that clay creature known as Nadal was waiting -- ready to snap that insane streak of yours. But he couldn't even squeeze a set out of you.

And this coming a week after bullying around the Spaniard on his home turf in Madrid.

Sure, there was that slight hiccup at the French Open. Hey, a 16-time Grand Slam champ (that's a record) will do that to you -- once in a while. But you rebounded so eloquently on the lush lawns of Wimbledon, where Jo-Willy and Rafa could each muster only a solitary set against you in the final two rounds. That's where you finally captured your dream.

Novak, there are a few noteworthy tournaments left into which we know you'll sink your teeth. But at this point, even lackluster outcomes won't soil a mighty season that's challenging the very best in tennis lore. All those confounding results from a guy who was the scorn of the sport seem like ages ago. You've found the precise balance of goofiness off the court and gravitas on it. You've convinced us that fitness is no longer an impediment (please note, no hyperbaric chamber jibber-jabber here). Whatever your routine is, it's proved to be a panacea to all those problems of yesterday.

You've converted me; I only wish it didn't take so long to put my faith in your profound ability to make the rest of the tour look so darn pedestrian. It took 64 times, but I now genuflect to your tennis genius. I believe.

This year's Grand Slams are in the books, and talk about eventful. For the fifth time since 2004, a men's player won three majors in a campaign -- but it wasn't Rafa or Roger. The women produced three first-time winners, none of whom was, bizarrely, Caroline Wozniacki.

The end of the Slam season means it's time for our Grand Slam awards.

Here goes:

Men's player of the year: Novak Djokovic

Easy, eh?

For a few years, Djokovic drifted. He was one of those players who seemed destined to go deep at majors and beat the top two here and there, but not deliver at crunch time.

That all changed.

Winning the Davis Cup last year whetted his appetite; he said bye to gluten, and the serve became a useful weapon. Along with his already-dominant baseline game, this proved to be a perfect mix.

The result was emphatic victories at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

Let's hope the back injury he aggravated over the weekend doesn't keep him out long term.

Women's player of the year: Li Na

That Li won a major wasn't a shock. The surprise was that she won at the French Open, the only Slam where she hadn't reached the quarterfinals prior to 2011.

But it was no fluke. Li downed two in-form players (Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka) before topping the defending champ, Francesca Schiavone, to become China's first Grand Slam winner.

And she was the only women's major winner of 2011 to get to at least the semis at two Slams, landing in the finale in Melbourne.

Most disappointing men's player: Andy Murray

Murray had his best Grand Slam year, reaching a final and three semis. But he still can't get over the hump.

Will he ever?

Murray failed to win a set in the Australian Open final, making it three straight-set losses in all three of his Slam finals.

Until he tinkers with his game and plays aggressive in all of his matches, his best chance of ending the drought comes from the unlikely scenario he doesn't have to face at least two of the big three.

Most disappointing women's player: Caroline Wozniacki

Wozniacki proved to be a memorable figure at Slams. She concocted a tale revolving around a kangaroo and orchestrated her own press conference in Melbourne. In New York, her relationship with Rory McIlroy and the identity of her new coach were hot topics of discussion.

Unfortunately for the Dane, no one was talking about her snapping out of a much-maligned Grand Slam drought. A more defensive player than even Murray, she was out-powered by Li, Daniela Hantuchova, Dominika Cibulkova and Serena Williams at the majors.

The good news for Wozniacki: She's younger than Murray and doesn't have to deal with anything that closely resembles the big three on the women's tour.

Best men's match: Roger Federer-Novak Djokovic, U.S. Open

This award was a toss-up between their meetings in Paris and New York. The French Open was a higher-quality affair, and forceful chants of "Roger, Roger" from the crowd made for a Davis Cup atmosphere. The Fed prevailed, ending Djokovic's unbeaten start to 2011.

But that semi didn't go five and feature perhaps the shot of the year: Djokovic slapping a cross-court forehand return to save a match point.

The most punishing match of the year? Djokovic's slugfest versus Rafael Nadal two days later.

Best women's match: Svetlana Kuznetsova-Francesca Schiavone, Australian Open

The lion-hearted Schiavone backed up her breakthrough 2010 by reaching another French Open final and progressing to the quarterfinals in Melbourne.

She went deep Down Under the hard way, saving six match points against Kuznetsova in 4 hours, 44 minutes, the longest women's match in Grand Slam history. The final set ended 16-14.

"At some stage I was like, 'What's the score?'" Kuznetsova said. "'Who's serving?' I had no clue sometimes. I was like, 'Who is up, she or me?'"

Best comeback: Serena Williams

Like her or not, Williams deserves much respect for playing at Wimbledon in the aftermath of a life-threatening illness. And once there, she didn't disgrace herself, losing a tight match to Marion Bartoli in the fourth round.

Williams, with her discernible desire, was the heavy favorite in New York, coasting to the final before succumbing to Samantha Stosur.

You wonder if the result would have been different had Williams' toe been 100 percent and if she were afforded a more generous turnaround time after the semifinals.

Biggest breakthrough: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Pavlyuchenkova had long lived with the tag of highest-ranking teen in the top 100. But she hadn't yet made any noise at Grand Slams.

That changed at the French Open, where the flat-hitting, tenacious Pavlyuchenkova upset Vera Zvonareva to advance to a first quarterfinal. Then, blowing a hefty lead against Schiavone, Pavlyuchenkova turned the tables and rallied against the Italian in New York to reach yet another Slam quarter.

Most memorable Slam: U.S. Open

The Australian Open, where Nadal sought to complete the "Rafa Slam" (remember that?) featured ample drama.

Player power, rain delays, banged up courts and retirements -- plus the exciting matches -- gave the edge to the U.S. Open, however.

Bring on Australia.