How could a Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal final come as a shock? They had played 34 times, creating one of the chummiest great rivalries in sports, but not even the rivals saw this one coming. Injuries had spoiled their 2016 seasons. Federer, 35 years old, had not played an official tournament in six months. Nadal, 30 and with a suspect left wrist, had not reached a Grand Slam final in more than two years.

But their skills and, just as important, desire were still intact when they arrived in Melbourne, Australia, in January. Two weeks later, they met for the Australian Open title. It went the distance, and Federer prevailed, driving his one-handed backhand with new assurance and coming back from 1-3 down in the fifth set.

Long the sidekick in the rivalry, Federer went on to defeat Nadal three more times in 2017, but it would turn out to be both of their years. Each won two major titles, and they played their first doubles match together, representing Europe at the Laver Cup.