Greatest match of 2009

There have been some great matches this year, with two of Rafael Nadal's Australian Open clashes - the semi-final against Fernando Verdasco and the final against Roger Federer - sticking out.

But for me the award must go to the semi-final of the Madrid Masters between Novak Djokovic and Radael Nadal. It was simply outstanding.

There was unbelievable tennis and incredible shotmaking throughout. Djokovic was sublime, dominating for most of the match and enjoying three match points.

But each time it seemed he must go out, Nadal managed to save himself with shots that were just out of this world, before going on to win the tie-break 11-9 in the deciding third set. Incredible.

Greatest shot of 2009

I've gone for Roger Federer's break-point-saving forehand cross-court against Tommy Haas in the French Open at Roland Garros.

I've chosen it not just for the brilliance of the shot but also for the context in which it was played, because at the time Federer was as good as out of the tournament.

Two sets down, trailing 3-4 and 30-40 Federer seemed done for: all Haas had to do was to convert the break point for 5-3 and serve out the match.

But Federer was nerveless, despite the fact that he'd been missing cross-court shots all day. He went for a full-blooded, cross-court forehand winner - and pulled it off triumphantly to save the game.

Having been five points from defeat he never looked back, and went on to win both the match and the tournament.

Player of the year

It has to be Federer, for all that he's achieved. He's not quite what he was in 2008 and he isn't the player he once was, but to come through and complete the career Grand Slam and then overtake Sampras's Wimbledon record was outstanding.

And he thoroughly deserves it, because he's been a brilliant ambassador for the sport both on court and off.

Surprise of the year

There's only one contender for this: Robin Soderling beating Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.

We've since found out more about the context - particularly Nadal's injury problems - which change how we see it a little. But for pure shock value at the time, Soderling's win was extraordinary.

Nadal had always looked unbeatable at Roland Garros, but the Swede played the match of his life to beat him.

Disappointment of the year

Rafael Nadal's knees. They've really started to betray him.

It's such a shame on so many levels. When Nadal won the Australian Open in an incredible final at the start of the year, it looked like we were set up for one of the most amazing tennis seasons we'd ever seen.

It really felt like Nadal had a realistic chance of winning the Grand Slam, but it was not to be.

While people are hoping it's merely a blip in his career, I fear that it's more serious than that.

Let's hope the doctors can fix him up. But if they can't get to the root of his problems then the career of one of the sport's greatest champions will be sadly blighted. We should cherish every chance to watch him while we still can.

Villain of the year

Not Serena Williams, despite her outburst and lack of repentance at the US Open, but the ATP for what came out of the Andre Agassi drug revelations. That was the story this year that left me feeling the worst.

The revelation that the ATP had let Agassi get away with a positive drug test was a total shock to me, and reflects incredibly badly on the guardians of the sport.

I've nothing at all against Andre, but after a positive drug test he should have been banned. He must surely have been expecting to get banned at the time.

Player to watch in 2010

Without a doubt, Marin Cilic. For my money the single best performance at the US Open this season came from Cilic in the early stages of his match against Juan Martin del Potro.

He was cleaning del Potro's clock, completely outclassing him - until the nerves started to kick in and undid his challenge.

Despite the collapse, he showed that he is a better player than Del Potro - even though the Argentine went on to be a worthy winner of the tournament.

All Cilic needs to do is solve the problem of those faulty nerves, and the world of tennis is his for the taking.

He's in good company on that score, incidentally: people spent years talking about how Pete Sampras would never amount to anything unless he overcame his nerves. Yet Sampras did so, and after that the floodgates opened for the American.

If Cilic stays fit in 2010 then he must be certain to rise into the top five. I would not at all be surprised to see him win four or five Grand Slams over the next few years.

Rule change for 2010

Toilet breaks and injury time-outs have long been a bugbear of mine, and though the women's tour in particular has started to look at them they're still used tactically far too often.

Using the rules to call for a break in play is a minor form of cheating when used to rob opponents of their momentum. It takes the energy out of the game, slows things down for spectators and reduces the spectacle of the match.

The rules on toilet breaks and treatment have been in place for a long time, but in years gone by people almost never used them.

Cramping, for example, always used to be seen as an element of conditioning. Why should a player be able to get treatment for reaching the limits of their own fitness? If you cramp, tough.

I know it's very difficult to police these things, but the tour needs to address the issues before they get out of hand.