Most Awaited Tennis Comebacks of 2018

2017 was a magical year, well, certainly for two biggest fan bases of the tennis world, Federer’s and Rafa’s. But it was a grim affair too considering the lacklustre draws, especially during the second half of the season. With the likes of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori sidelined due to injuries, 2017 was missing the fierce competition that we have been accustomed to. Well the year is almost over, and players are getting ready for their pre-season training to stage their respective awaited tennis comebacks and we are excited to see some of the biggest names back on the tennis court.

Marion Bartoli 

The 2013 Wimbledon champion has decided to come out of retirement in 2018. The Frenchwoman retired only a month after winning her maiden Grand Slam title citing injuries and then went on to lose a huge amount of weight due to a serious illness.

You might be wondering the need for her to come back after being sidelined for so long. Marion explained the cause and revealed that a controversial Wimbledon ban motivated her to return to come out of retirement.

“The start of this all came on the most difficult day of my life when Wimbledon decided to bar me from playing the legends’ matches because they thought I could have a heart attack and die on the court.

“From then on, I swore that if one day I was healthy again, I wanted to try to relive what I had been lucky enough to live three years before when I won the tournament.

“What saved me at that time was tennis, by hanging onto the great moments that I lived on court — that’s what kept me alive.”

Bartoli is targeting her return at Miami Open 2018! The Italians will certainly consider her as one of the most awaited tennis comebacks.

Stan Wawrinka

Stan the man had a decent first half of the season. He was a runner-up in Indian Wells and Roland Garros, losing to the brightest stars of 2017- Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. He pushed Federer to 5 in the SF in Melbourne but his second half of the season got derailed due to a knee injury.

Although the Swiss has pulled out of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) through injury, chances are that’s only a precautionary step for the Australian Open. Stan would again be a serious contender for big prizes next year if he stays fit. However, the 3-time Grand Slam champion has split with his longtime coach Magnus Norman and it will be interesting to see how he fares without him.

Victoria Azarenka

The two-time Australian Open champion is in the midst of a custody dispute for her child and recently pulled out of the ASB Classic in Auckland that was scheduled to begin on January 1. She has not played since Wimbledon and is forced to stay in California until the dispute is over.

Azarenka has been given a wildcard for the Australian Open and we can only hope that she makes it to the event that’s scheduled to begin on January 15. Not only will it be one of the most awaited tennis comebacks but also the most emotional, given what she is going through,

Andy Murray

Murray finished 2016 at the helm of ATP rankings, it looked as if the 30 year old Scott would finally be the player to beat the Grand Slams, but a chronic hip injury cut the season short for him.
Murray has now slipped 15 spots in the rankings. He did play an exhibition match against Roger Federer later this year, but it is yet to be seen whether or not he has acquired full match fitness. Australian Open will be a real mirror for Murray’s preparedness going forward.

“For sure, that’s the goal [to play in Brisbane], and we believe that he’ll get back to his best—100 percent.  He’s improving all the time which is all you can ask at this stage and obviously he will start to play matches, he’ll improve once he starts doing that as well. ” said Murray’s coach, Jamie Delgado

Sir, meanwhile has been putting Twitter to good use, taking digs at a particular world leader

Expect the Scot to be hitting top gear come Wimbledon!

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic pulled out of this year’s US Open due to a prolonged elbow injury, after having 2017 below his usual standards. Novak failed to defend any of his four majors this year and went out of the Top 10 for the first time in over a decade. He was blessed with a second child this year and looks determined to come back, buoyed by his new team that includes Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek.

“The new season is about to start and there is a long way to go back to where I left off,” he said. “We are aware that I need to go step by step, not hurrying anything. I feel much better now, and I can’t wait to play matches again.”

With age on his side, Novak Djokovic can undoubtedly return to the pinnacle of men’s tennis in 2018. His and Andy Murray’s return will mean that the Big 4 are back in action and it will be one of the most awaited tennis comebacks.

Serena Williams

It’s a known fact that when Serena Williams won her 23 major Down Under in 2017, she was pregnant. Alexis Olympia Ohanina Jr already has a major to her name! And she seems to be having the best time of her life off court.

The American was doubtful for the Australian Open, but her name did appear In the Australian Open entry list, but now it has been confirmed that Serena would make her return against Jelena Ostapenko- the Roland Garros champion- at the upcoming Mubadala World Tennis Championship on December 30. Anyone who has followed tennis for a while will be rooting for Serena and this makes her return one of the most awaited tennis comebacks.

“The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has long marked the beginning of the men’s global tennis season and I am excited and honoured to be making my comeback as part of the first women to participate in the event. I look forward to seeing the fans in Abu Dhabi at the 10th edition of the Championship very soon.” said Serena

The big question that remains is which of these players would be able to emulate the comeback stories of Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer and how long would it take for them to reach their full potential. Certainly the game has missed these giants and hopefully, 2018 will see fewer players facing the axe of physical injury and mental fatigue. 2017’s Australian Open was one for the ages and if these stars can make the line-up, we are in for some thrilling action Down Under!