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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.

60. No double delight for Maria

Maria Sharapova double-faulted her way into a whole heap of trouble this season, especially when it mattered most.

Sharapova made six against Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon final, 10 in the French Open semis against Li Na and seven in a much-anticipated encounter with Serena Williams in Stanford. Yes, she lost each time.

And the number soared to 12 when she was ousted by Flavia Pennetta at the U.S. Open.

Kind of a foreboding statistic moving forward, eh?

59. Dodig dumps Nadal

With veterans Ivo Karlovic and Ivan Ljubicic fading, and Marin Cilic's slump, Croatian tennis fans had little to cheer about.

However, Ivan Dodig emerged from the woodwork.

Dodig, who possesses a nice all-around game, won his first title in Zagreb, reached another final on grass, made the semis in Barcelona and took the only set off Djokovic at the Australian Open.

Dodig's 1-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) three-hour win over Rafael Nadal in Montreal, when he rallied from 3-1 down in the second and 5-3 down in the third, though, took the cake.

"He didn't feel the pressure in the important moments," said Nadal, who was perhaps still reeling from his Wimbledon loss to Djokovic.

58. Harrison's temper tantrums

Ryan Harrison strung together a solid season, registering some impressive wins and playing the top players tough. His ranking rose by nearly 100 places. The 19-year-old owns a varied, attractive game, too.

But it's Harrison's temper that attracts the most attention. Fernando Gonzalez and Marat Safin would be proud of the way he demolishes his racket at times.

Harrison saved his "best" for the French Open, when he flung his racket over a fence and into a tree after losing in qualifying.

57. Czechs win Fed Cup

After winning the year-end championships, Petra Kvitova had one more bit of business: To lead the Czech Republic to the Fed Cup title.

Mission accomplished.

Kvitova won both of her singles matches against Russia -- which was without Vera Zvonareva -- and looked on as Kveta Peschke and Lucie Hradecka teamed to down Maria Kirilenko and Elena Vesnina in the doubles decider.

"Kvitova was the key to their success," Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev said. "She was just phenomenal."

The Czech Republic won its first title since the breakup of Czechoslovakia.

56. Lisicki and that serve at Wimbledon

When healthy, Sabine Lisicki is a force -- as Li Na discovered at Wimbledon.

Surging after winning a grass-court warm-up in Birmingham, Lisicki, a wild card, saved a pair of match points to eliminate the newly crowned French Open champion 3-6, 6-4, 8-6 in the second round. Her mammoth serve garnered the spotlight afterward.

"She is serving like most of the men are serving," said Li's coach at the time, Michael Mortensen.

Lisicki kept it up, landing in the semifinals, while Li continues to dip.

55. Milos' move

Rejoice, Canada, you have all the makings of a future Grand Slam winner in Milos Raonic.

Raonic, who is another monstrous server, showed signs of life at the end of 2010, but no one could predict how much progress the 6-foot-5 right-hander would make this year.

Raonic won his first title in San Jose, made the Memphis final the next week and reached the fourth round at the Australian Open as a qualifier.

Had he not had hip surgery in the summer, his ranking would probably be higher than 31.

54. The Rafa-Delpo appetizer

Before Nadal's thriller against Juan Martin del Potro in the Davis Cup final came their heavyweight fourth-round bout at Wimbledon.

Nadal won in nearly four hours in a contest that will largely be remembered for two things: The Spaniard injuring his foot late in the first set and then taking a medical timeout -- irking del Potro -- immediately prior to the first-set tiebreaker.

"For a moment at the end of the first set, I thought that I had to retire," Nadal said. "I didn't know what's going on. After that the pain goes a little bit down and finally I was ready to play."

Del Potro, nonetheless, demonstrated that he could win the tournament in the future.

53. Clijsters skips U.S. Open

Kim Clijsters' body didn't cooperate this season.

She entered the French Open with a bum right ankle and missed Wimbledon after reinjuring the ankle at a grass-court warm-up.

But worse was to come. Clijsters, the two-time defending champion, pulled out of the U.S. Open with a stomach injury.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed," she said. "I trained very hard this summer and felt in good shape to play the U.S. Open."

Clijsters didn't play post-U.S. Open, either.

52. Li's extended French Open hangover

Of the three first-time Grand Slam winners in 2011, Li struggled the most in the wake of her historic victory.

She went 6-9 after the French Open and ended the campaign with a demoralizing 6-1, 6-0 loss to U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur. Li, bizarrely, cut ties with coach Michael Mortensen and appeared lost on court in the fall.

"Beginning of the year was like fantastic," said Li, also the Australian Open finalist. "And after Roland Garros, I think I didn't win many matches. I mean, up and down all year, so I wish I could do the same level for next year."

51. Berdych loses one, wins one

It's not often that a player squanders a match point only to save one in his next encounter. But Tomas Berdych was an exception at the World Tour Finals.

The Czech let one get away against Djokovic, hitting an off-balance forehand into the net to keep the Serb in it. Another Serb, Janko Tipsarevic, erred on a volley when he held match point against Berdych two days later in London.

"I was a bit unlucky against Djokovic, but I got luckier here," Berdych said. Berdych rallied to beat David Ferrer to reach the semifinals.

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.

The post-Wimbledon slumber is almost over for the big three. They're getting ready to compete in Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati. Some of the elite women already have been in action, although the stakes are raised at Premier stops in Toronto and Cincinnati.

Here are a few things to watch in the next few weeks, leading off with the dominant men's world No. 1:

Gunning for Djokovic

Pressure? What pressure? Novak Djokovic looked completely at ease on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Tuesday. It's clear he can entertain no matter what the venue.

He faces a different type of pressure in Montreal, Cincinnati and, looking ahead, the U.S. Open. Djokovic wasn't the man to beat in Australia, was 50-50 with Rafael Nadal heading into the French Open, and not many picked him at Wimbledon. He's now the substantial favorite during the U.S. Open Series.

Having nabbed the No. 1 ranking, a new, driven Djokovic is determined to maintain his level. He'll lose more than one match this season, although winning in Montreal, Cincinnati and New York isn't a stretch. He's on his best surface.

A worry for Djokovic is the heat. He'll likely be tested in the broiling Ohio conditions. Djokovic had it relatively easy with the heat in Melbourne and London.

Rafa's remedy

Now wouldn't it have been nice to listen in on Nadal's practice sessions with Uncle Toni? Nadal's game has evolved since he turned pro, and he'll have to make more changes to cope with Djokovic, since he's 0-5 versus his buddy in 2011, dropping eight of the past nine sets.

Nadal enjoyed success very early in their Wimbledon final with the forehand down the line but abandoned it as the match wore on. Instead, his favored cross-court forehand to the right-hander's backhand took over, and it didn't work -- again. When Djokovic was stretched on the baseline, Nadal, a fine volleyer, stayed put rather than venturing forward. He's mindful of Djokovic's passing ability, but Djokovic, not as good of a volleyer, wasn't afraid to come in.

The dynamic among the top three is indeed peculiar. Nadal can't beat Djokovic, Djokovic has a tough time with Roger Federer, and Federer wants to avoid Nadal.

Fish's stamina

Players complain about the long season and injuries that result, then enter six tournaments in as many weeks. Strange.

But Mardy Fish did just that, and in a move smelled a mile away, bailed from the Legg Mason Classic in Washington -- as the second seed -- after going deep in Atlanta and Los Angeles. A heel injury was the official reason.

Who'd want to be a tournament organizer, eh? The heel, one suspects, will be fine in Montreal and Cincinnati.

But what about Fish's incongruous results in Canada and Cincinnati? He's played twice in the former, going 0-2, while finishing as the runner-up in Ohio twice, including in 2010. Fish has no points to defend in Montreal but plenty in Cincinnati to back up.

Serena's charge

Even before she hit a ball in Stanford, where she ended up winning the whole thing, Serena Williams meant business. She was in tip-top shape. Losing at Wimbledon to Marion Bartoli stung, although it shouldn't have given her roughly year-long hiatus.

Williams was far more efficient off the ground; the power in her strokes was also accurate, and being in better shape, she covered the court impressively.

The signs are ominous -- for her opponents.

Sharapova's answer

Maria Sharapova had reason to be confident as she embarked on the U.S. Open Series, having reached the semis at Roland Garros and final at Wimbledon. Never one to back down, the Russian said she'd look forward to playing Williams this summer, despite losing five straight to the 13-time Grand Slam winner.

It happened in California, and the streak was extended to six. It was ugly.

Sharapova got crushed in the quarterfinals, a huge blow. For a third time in the past two months, she foundered in a big match. And in those encounters against Li Na at the French Open, Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon and Williams in Stanford, Sharapova tossed in a combined 23 double faults. You almost expect a flurry of double faults now when the world No. 5 confronts top-quality foes.

She needs a morale boost.

The return of Kimmy

Kim Clijsters is back and in her favorite time of the season: Her U.S. Open Series record since 2009 is an impressive 26-3, punctuated by back-to-back crowns in New York.

But will this year be different?

Dissimilar to 2009, when Clijsters re-emerged on the circuit in a story high on feel-good factor, her health is a question mark. Clijsters was already struggling with a shoulder problem prior to two separate foot injuries surfacing, one suffered while the Belgian was at her cousin's wedding.

If Clijsters is 100 percent, even if results don't go her way in Canada, she'll probably be happy enough. She's overcome a lack of matches to win the U.S. Open in the past.

The show must go on.

Yes, without the world's most dominant female player (Serena Williams), its most marketable (Maria Sharapova), a second comeback Belgian (Justine Henin) and big-name veteran (Venus Williams) the women's year-end championships begin Tuesday in cash-heavy Qatar.

The WTA Tour's prayers were answered when it came to U.S. Open Champion Kim Clijsters, though. Clijsters has recovered in time from a foot infection to compete.

ESPN.com breaks down the eight competitors.

The favorites

Caroline Wozniacki: Wozniacki is in a bit of a no-win situation. If she wins the title in Doha, Qutar, especially without topping Clijsters, critics will say the Dane didn't have to beat anyone special. If she fails to win, it gives more ammunition to those who feel she's not a worthy No. 1.

Nonetheless, Wozniacki is on a roll, going 24-1 in her past 25. Further, for the first time in a while before a massive event, she's fit and/or rested. "I'm 100 percent healthy now," she told her website last week, also throwing in a great line about being followed by the paparazzi.

Kim Clijsters: Clijsters hasn't played since the U.S. Open, so rust figures to be a factor. Just how rusty is the question. If Clijsters finds her form quickly, the power baseliner has to be the leading contender.

Clijsters is without hubby Brian and bubbly daughter Jada, regulars in her entourage. Is that good in the sense she can focus entirely on tennis or bad since she'll no doubt be missing them?

Vera Zvonareva: Could Zvonareva be the sentimental favorite, slightly ahead of Francesca Schiavone? Zvonareva has had a breakthrough season, reaching two Grand Slam finals, and appears to have become calmer. She's still a work in progress on court. Claiming the title might take the Russian's confidence to another level, setting her up nicely for the Slams in 2011.

Don't count 'em out

Francesca Schiavone: Schiavone has a lovely all-court game and now the confidence to trouble big hitters on a hard court, as the Italian showcased at the U.S. Open. She enjoyed success on the recently completed Asian swing, too.

Although Schiavone has one eye on the upcoming Fed Cup final -- she loves representing Italy -- expect her to give it her all in Doha. At 30, she's the oldest competitor and one of two debutants.

"For sure I want to enjoy it, but I also want to keep going forward," she told the WTA Tour's website last week. "This is just the start for me."

Victoria Azarenka: Who knows what she'll do. Azarenka, only participating because of injuries to others, could lose all of her matches or go unbeaten.

The highly volatile 21-year-old, who went into meltdown mode in Doha in 2009, enters in good spirits, having won the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday.

Samantha Stosur: Despite reaching the fourth round or better at three of the Slams in 2010, Stosur remains a tad unpredictable, although not in the same class as Azarenka.

Given that Stosur has struggled in the past to believe she can mix it with the elite, it'll be interesting to see how she fares. The serve and forehand need to be working.

Little chance

Elena Dementieva: We all admire Dementieva for her work ethic and lack of excuses. It's refreshing, but Dementieva can't win a huge tournament. This year gave us more proof. Dementieva lost to Henin in Melbourne, Australia, and failed to finish off Stosur in New York. Still, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Russian in the semis.

Jelena Jankovic: Jankovic, the antithesis of Dementieva when it comes to excuses, dealt with more health problems in Moscow. It's too bad Na Li couldn't get into the tournament, since she'd be a much bigger threat than Jankovic. Jankovic only had one decent major and did virtually nothing (apart from Indian Wells) outside the clay-court campaign.

The tennis season is winding down. But for the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and Samantha Stosur, there's still much to play for.

We assess what's at stake for the top 10 women until the end of the year, starting with the world No. 1, who was conspicuously absent in New York.

1. Serena Williams: This time of the year has never been a top priority for Serena, nor should it be. The majors are over. However, given foot surgery ruled her out of the U.S. Open, Williams probably has a little more desire than usual to return to the tour. Will she or won't she play in the Fed Cup final? That's the big question.

2. Caroline Wozniacki: It was all going so well for Wozniacki in New York. She swept to the semifinals without breaking a sweat. Then came that ugly match against Vera Zvonareva. Wozniacki is still at that stage where she plays a heck of a lot, and that won't change in the fall. The Danish teen is chasing the No. 1 ranking. Let the education continue.

3. Venus Williams: How Venus would love to have that second-set tiebreaker against Kim Clijsters in New York back. The elder Williams blew a golden chance to win a first major outside grass in nine years. Given she's 30 and coming off knee woes during the U.S. Open Series, Venus should get in just enough matches, not more, to prepare for the year-end championships.

4. Vera Zvonareva: What a year for Zvonareva, reaching two Grand Slam finals. Unfortunately, and similar to fellow Russian Elena Dementieva in 2004, she failed to win a set in both finales. Zvonareva needs to work on her emotions. Although much improved, Zvonareva let rip on her coach in the U.S. Open final.

5. Kim Clijsters: She returned to the tour on her own terms and nothing has changed. She'll play as little as warranted. If it keeps her going for a while longer, then great. Clijsters plans to participate in only one event prior to the year-end championships. Don't get injured heading into 2011.

6. Jelena Jankovic: It seems Jankovic hasn't recovered from her exertions in the fall of 2008, when she played five weeks in succession to grab the No. 1 ranking. She's fading, barely above .500 in her past 13 matches. The Serb could thus do with a huge boost of confidence. Getting a full-time coach must be near the top of her to-do list.

7. Samantha Stosur: Has Stosur underachieved since reaching the French Open final? Perhaps. An arm injury didn't help. Stosur would gain a huge spark by qualifying for the year-end championships for the first time, because it appears she still doesn't think she should be mixing it with the elite.

8. Francesca Schiavone: Like Stosur, Schiavone has never played at the year-end championships. Unlike the Aussie, the confidence isn't lacking. Schiavone got her swagger back at the U.S. Open, where she delighted fans with her all-court game. Schiavone likes the fall swing, evidenced by her productive 2009. She'll be looking forward to another Fed Cup final.

9. Agnieszka Radwanska: Unless she turns into a power player, Radwanska will never become a serious threat at the majors. She failed to exceed the fourth round at the Slams in 2010. The serve, especially the second serve, is a weakness. Reaching the quarterfinals and semis the next two months probably won't be enough to land the Pole a direct spot at the year-end championships.

10. Elena Dementieva: She can't seem to win the big matches. There was the Australian Open. There was the U.S. Open. And at the French, a torn calf muscle prevented Dementieva from finishing her tussle against Schiavone in the semis. Dementieva will go hard during the fall -- just as she does every week on the tour.

Editor's note: Beginning Aug. 16, Ravi Ubha is unveiling the top 10 U.S. Open questions. Check back each weekday until Aug. 27 as we count down to No. 1.

4. Who is healthy enough to win?

They're dropping like flies.

After Serena Williams, the women's favorite, pulled out of the U.S. Open with a foot injury, Juan Martin del Potro followed suit, insufficiently recovered from wrist surgery.

Williams becomes the first women's No. 1 (she is for now) to miss the tournament since rankings were introduced in 1975, and del Potro is just the third man in the 42-year Open era unable to defend his New York crown.

Further, Justine Henin, who played at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in her comeback, won't compete because of an elbow injury suffered in southwest London. Exciting Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga can't catch a break. He's gone, too.

Four big names out.

Other contenders and dark horses have their own concerns.

Maria Sharapova might be the co-favorite among the women, with Kim Clijsters. Sharapova skipped the rain-affected Rogers Cup in Montreal courtesy of a left heel injury. Her agent, Max Eisenbud, said in an e-mail, though, that Sharapova was "all good" for the season's final major.

Clijsters was visibly bothered by her left hip in Montreal, and the Belgian's 13-match U.S. Open Series winning streak subsequently ended. Clijsters plans to use tape as support, adding that the current hip injury isn't as painful as the one in 2006.

"I am in no doubt over my participation in the U.S. Open," Clijsters told reporters. "I will likely have some strapping on my leg, but that does not mean that I will not be at full fitness."

Samantha Stosur, a French Open finalist, made her return this week in New Haven, Conn., after an injury to her serving arm.

"A combination of rest and some time in a hyperbaric chamber has the Queenslander ready to begin her U.S. Open assault," the Aussie's website disclosed.

Venus Williams, without a non-grass major since 2001, missed Montreal and Cincinnati with a left knee complaint.

Ana Ivanovic, a former world No. 1 who was drifting, showed signs of life in Cincinnati, reaching the semifinals. Then she hurt her left ankle. Ivanovic withdrew from New Haven, saying she was "feeling a lot of pain." That doesn't sound good for New York.

Russian teen Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, on a roll since Wimbledon, also withdrew from New Haven, tweeting that her leg and shoulder weren't 100 percent.

Andy Roddick was hindered by a mild case of mono and didn't play in Toronto, but he got the match practice he wanted in Cincinnati. His semifinal showing put him back in the top 10. Fellow American John Isner doesn't know whether he'll be fit after the right ankle injury he picked up in Cincinnati. Even if he does play, what kind of shape will he be in?

Tomas Berdych, finally playing the way we all thought he could, was undone by a right leg injury in Cincinnati.

And there are three months of the season remaining.

Editor's note: Beginning Aug. 16, Ravi Ubha unveils the top 10 U.S. Open questions. Check back each weekday until Aug. 27 as we count down to No. 1.

7. Will Kim Clijsters repeat in Flushing?

Despite being straight-sets affairs, the past two U.S. Open women's finals have been pretty entertaining -- postmatch included.

Jelena Jankovic giggled repeatedly when seeing herself on the big screen against Serena Williams in 2008 and stole the show in the awards ceremony, engaging in a tug of war for the microphone with emcee Mary Carillo in an Oscar-worthy performance.

Last year, Kim Clijsters' young daughter, Jada, gleefully pranced around the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium as Mommy, a wild card, posed for photos with the trophy. The audience smiled. Oh, the uncomplicated joys of childhood.

What are the odds of Jada making an encore appearance?

Following an inconsistent season, Clijsters could be termed the favorite for the upcoming edition, especially with a question mark surrounding the health of Serena Williams and Samantha Stosur, the absence of Justine Henin and the general decline of the major Russian threats, Maria Sharapova excluded.

Clijsters, 27, has made it perfectly clear she wants to have another child with hubby Brian Lynch. They're holding off -- for the moment. When Jada hits school age in Belgium in roughly three years, Clijsters plans on staying home, she said recently. Bye bye tennis, again. A second retirement might come sooner than that. So the window to pile up majors is closing.

Her comeback against Sharapova in Sunday's final of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open was telling. Clijsters needed a boost after disappointing at Wimbledon, where she crumbled against Vera Zvonareva in the quarterfinals after winning the first set.

Clijsters' victory over Bethanie Mattek-Sands in Montreal on Wednesday extended her U.S. Open Series winning streak to 13 matches. She's won 14 consecutive matches at the U.S. Open and 19 of her past 20 on U.S. hard courts. Besides a game suited for hard courts, Clijsters enjoys rapturous support from American fans, and the feeling of home, important to the Belgian, is boosted by having a place in New Jersey. The combination might be enough to overcome the pressure; Clijsters had none of it 12 months ago.

Clijsters suffered at January's Australian Open, routed by Nadia Petrova in a mere 51 minutes.

The signs point to Clijsters ending the Grand Slam campaign in much better fashion.