Tennis' Big Four in 2012

By Shane Thomas

As 2012 is drawing to a close, it's been another sensational year in the world of men's tennis. And once again, the sport's "big four" of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have led the way. Here's a look at how the calendar year has been for all four men:

Too Many Clasicos? How Can You Have Too Much Of This?

By Shane Thomas

When Real Madrid and Barcelona were set to play in the quarter-finals of the Copa Del Rey, the howls of lament could be heard from fans and pundits; "Too many clasicos!", "I'm sick of seeing Real & Barca all the time!", "What's next, are they going to play each other every week!?"

Djokovic & Murray Serve Up Drama Worthy Of The Gods

By Shane Thomas


Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5 to reach the 2012 Australian Open Final.

It's been about 24 hours since the epic confrontation between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. I trust you've got your breath back. I sure hope the players have. No-one would begrudge either man a lie-in after yesterday's exertions.

With Rafael Nadal waiting in tomorrow's final, Djokovic went into the match looking to maintain his position at the top of the tennis mountain, Murray arrived looking to prove to his doubters that he belongs near the summit of said mountain. In the end, they were both successful.

A Lukewarm Australian Open Is Ready To Turn Up The Heat

By Shane Thomas

The men's tournament at the Australian Open has been a touch lukewarm thus far, not fitting of what is a golden age for men's tennis. But that should soon change as we've now reached the semi-final stage.

Despite the portents of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro, not to mention the coming names of Milos Raonic, Bernard Tomic and Alex Dolgopolov, the sport remains the domain of the big four, and it's those men who will slug it out amongst themselves in the first Grand Slam of the year.

Murray Left Dumbstruck As Djokovic Triumphs In Melbourne

By Shane Thomas

Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to win the 2011 Australian Open

Britain's 76 year wait for a Grand Slam tennis champion goes on after Andy Murray took a battering from the Serbian, Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open. What promised to be the tightest of finals became a procession after a hard-fought first set, in which Djokovic's fierce ball-striking cut Murray to ribbons. Figuratively at least, Djokovic didn't beat Murray, he beat Murray up.