In the world of tennis, there exists a singular figure who stands tall amidst the crowd—a player whose name is forever etched in the hearts of fans and the annals of sporting greatness. Steffi Graf, the epitome of excellence, achieved what many deemed impossible—the elusive and awe-inspiring calendar-year Golden Slam. With unparalleled determination, she triumphed in all four Grand Slam singles tournaments while simultaneously capturing the Olympic gold medal in 1988, leaving a trail of awe and admiration in her wake.

Graf’s feat reverberates through the corridors of tennis history, a resounding testament to her grit and relentless pursuit of perfection. Merely 20 years old at the time, she defied the odds, surmounting formidable obstacles to conquer each Grand Slam event and emerge victorious at the Seoul Olympics. Amidst injuries, fatigue, and the immense pressure of her world-ranking status, Graf showcased her extraordinary talent and unyielding resolve, an inspiration to generations yet to come.

Her triumph stands as an indomitable testament to Graf’s insatiable hunger for success, her ceaseless toil, and her unbreakable spirit. The magnitude of her accomplishment solidifies her place among the pantheon of tennis legends, her 1988 campaign etched in the collective memory as one of the sport’s most awe-inspiring achievements. Graf’s Golden Slam will forever serve as a beacon of possibility, igniting the fire within aspiring athletes, beckoning them to reach for the stars and surpass the limits of human potential. We might have seen the Williams sisters grace the court and lift many titles, but there is no doubt that Graf laid the foundations before them.

The title for the player who holds the record for the fastest recorded serve in men’s tennis belongs to American John Isner, who achieved a staggering speed of 253 km/h (157.2 mph) in 2016. This remarkable feat occurred during a Davis Cup match against Australia, leaving spectators in awe of Isner’s incredible power.

Nevertheless, the existence of an ongoing debate surrounds the legitimacy of this record. In 2012, Australian player Sam Groth unleashed a serve that was reportedly clocked at an astonishing 263.4 km/h (163.7 mph) during an ATP Challenger event. However, it’s important to note that this serve was not officially recorded using ATP-sanctioned equipment, which subsequently prevents it from being recognized by the ATP.

While it remains a subject of speculation, the exact velocity of Groth’s serve cannot be definitively compared to Isner’s. The absence of official confirmation means that Isner’s serve stands as the acknowledged record for the fastest recorded serve in men’s tennis, supported by the ATP’s recognition and endorsement.

Although the debate adds an intriguing element to the conversation, the official record continues to be associated with John Isner’s astounding display of power and precision, cementing his name in the annals of tennis history as the possessor of the fastest recorded serve.

With every passing season, technology and playing equipment improved. Players became stronger and more physical. This resulted in them attempting to push the game beyond anything that has been seen before. This meant that players were playing faster and harder, resulting in these amazing speeds being recorded.

The Hawk-Eye electronic line-calling system made its debut in professional tennis back in 2006, specifically at the US Open. Created by Paul Hawkins, a notable British computer scientist, this revolutionary system utilised high-speed cameras to meticulously track the trajectory of the ball, effectively determining whether it had landed within the boundaries or outside.

Its introduction brought about a significant change in the sport, as players were granted the ability to challenge calls made by line judges. With the assistance of Hawk-Eye, approximately 25% of these challenged calls were ultimately overturned, showcasing the system’s impact on the game’s fairness.

Since its inception, Hawk-Eye has gained widespread recognition and is now an integral part of the majority of prominent professional tennis tournaments. This groundbreaking innovation has effectively reduced the occurrence of disputed line calls, ensuring a more equitable playing field for all participants.

Notably, the year 2020 witnessed another milestone for the Hawk-Eye system at the US Open. This Grand Slam event became the first to implement Hawk-Eye Live, an advanced version that enables automated line calls in real time. Praised for its exceptional precision and efficiency, Hawk-Eye Live has further enhanced the accuracy and reliability of line calls during matches, solidifying its status as a game-changing technology within the world of professional tennis.

There is no denying that tennis does need this kind of technology. Calls have to be made that can be the difference between success and failure. Therefore, this technology has made the game easier for the umpire while giving players complete confidence in each call.

Of course, a shuttlecock is a lightweight, conical projectile used in badminton and its forerunner, battledore, in the same way as a ball is used in other racquet sports, such as squash or tennis. Also known as a ‘bird’ or ‘birdie’, a shuttlecock consists of two parts, a base, or head, and a skirt. Natural cork, shaped into a hemisphere measuring between 25 and 28mm in diameter, is the material of choice for the base, although inferior versions featuring composite, or agglomerated, cork – that is, cork granules joined together with a binding agent – are also available.

Likewise, the skirt of a superior shuttlecock consists of a maximum of 16 natural goose or duck feathers. To achieve the required flight characteristics in the finished shuttlecock, the feathers are often taken just from the left wing and, much to the constenation of animal activists, plucked from live birds to avoid degradation. The feathers are inserted into corresponding holes punched in the base, overlapped to create the required aerodynamics and glued and sewn in place. At the widest end, the skirt typically measures between 58 and 68mm in diameter and, overall, the shuttlecock is between 85 and 95 mm in length and weighs in at between 4.75 and 5.5g.

Alternatively, for the sake of durability in shuttlecocks used by beginners and recreational players, the individual feathers can be replaced with a single, continuous piece of plastic material, usually nylon, to create the skirt. Aside from longevity, synthetic shuttlecocks are more bird and environment friendly, because feathers are no longer required, so neither is their washing, sterilisation and bleaching. They are permitted by the Badminton World Federation, by fly faster and offer less control than their feathered counterparts.

In the vast world of ATP Tour, one towering figure has emerged, casting an awe-inspiring shadow over the game of tennis. That figure is none other than the incomparable Novak Djokovic, a maestro of the sport whose prowess knows no bounds.

Djokovic’s reign is an enigma wrapped in a tapestry of triumphs, boasting an astonishing 95 ATP Tour titles that stand as a testament to his indomitable spirit and unyielding pursuit of greatness. With a resounding thud, he shattered the longstanding record held by the illustrious Roger Federer in November 2022, etching his name in the pantheon of legends.

But Djokovic’s domain extends far beyond the ATP Tour alone. His stranglehold on the grandest stages of tennis is a spectacle to behold, with an awe-inspiring tally of 23 Grand Slam singles titles that positions him among the gods of the game. Each conquest, a symphony of skill and resilience, serves as a vivid testament to his sheer desire to leave an indelible mark on the sport he cherishes.

Yet, Djokovic’s voracious appetite for victory does not cease there. A staggering 38 ATP Masters 1000 titles bear witness to his unrivalled command of the court, an intricate dance of power and finesse that leaves opponents mesmerised and spectators breathless. With every powerful serve and lightning-quick volley, he defies the limits of human capability, propelling the sport into uncharted territories of possibility.

This is an achievement that really does set the standard. While Nadal and Federer seem to have taken most of the plaudits, Djokovic cuts through the crowd and proves that he is simply one of the best.