Top 20 Historic Tennis Moments (Part 2): Federer's Retirement, Nadal's Statue Unveiled at Roland Garros!

In a previous article, the author recounted the first half of tennis history's top twenty moments. Today, let's look at the latter half, which is chronologically closer to us.

11. The Stabbing of Monica Seles (1993)

This is arguably the most infamous on-court incident in history, perhaps without equal. The young prodigy Seles, seemingly destined for greatness, was directly challenging Steffi Graf, who had already achieved the Golden Slam. Had it not been for that shocking stabbing, the tally of Grand Slam titles between them would undoubtedly have presented a very different, seesawing narrative.

12. Official Introduction of Hawk-Eye Technology (2006)

Prior to this technology's implementation, incorrect line calls were relatively common in tennis. With the progression of the era, this more precise technological tool was proposed, scheduled, and successfully put into practice.

13. Serena Williams Achieves the "Serena Slam" (2003)

This feat began with the 2002 French Open. Serena proceeded to win Wimbledon 2002, the US Open 2002, and finally triumphed at the Australian Open 2003, securing four consecutive Grand Slam titles across two calendar years. Even more astonishingly, she replicated this incredible achievement several years later. Will she choose to make a comeback in the future?

14. The Classic Federer-Nadal Wimbledon Final (2008)

15. The Djokovic-Nadal Australian Open Final (2012)

Every clash among the Big Three is captivating, with epic matches aplenty, particularly these two! The former was immortalized in a documentary, making "Fedal" a defining rivalry; the latter resulted in the longest Grand Slam singles final in history by duration.

16. Novak Djokovic Achieves the "Novak Slam" (2016)

Djokovic's remarkable feat is similar to Serena's, also spanning two seasons. Eight years after his first Grand Slam victory, his perseverance finally paid off, culminating in the career Grand Slam.

17. Rafael Nadal's Statue Erected at Roland Garros (2021)

To date, the monumental achievements of the Big Three at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon need no further elaboration. Yet, Nadal's accomplishments at Roland Garros remain in a league of their own. Consequently, the unique bond between this clay court and him stands as the most special.

18. Roger Federer's Official Retirement (2022)

He may not be the absolute greatest player, but Federer's role in popularizing tennis is indelible. His retirement marked the end of an era, as Nadal poignantly stated, "A part of my life left with him."

19. Introduction of the Super Tiebreak (10-point) in Grand Slam Deciding Sets (2022)

Marathon deciding sets in Grand Slams have long been a topic of fascination. The 2009 final between Federer and Roddick is etched in history, while the record set by Mahut and Isner remains almost unimaginable. However, the demanding tournament schedule left players exhausted, leading to this reform as a necessary adaptation.

20. Carlos Alcaraz Becomes the Youngest Player to Complete the Career Grand Slam (2026)

Some individuals are born to shatter records. Alcaraz's previous best result at the Australian Open was merely the quarterfinals. Yet, once he broke through, he went all the way to the title. Achieving so much at such a young age prompts one to marvel: the vigor of youth is truly wonderful!(Source: Tennis Home Author: Luo Cheng Qi Ye)