There were many memorable performances by many sporting figures this year and I thought it would just be fitting to name my 5 favorite sports performers for 2009.
No. 5 Juan Martín del Potro – Tennis
Juan Martín del Potro started playing tennis at the age of seven, won his first senior match in 2004 at the age of 15. In 2008, he became the first player in ATP history to win his first four career titles in as many tournaments. He turned pro in 2005 and this year he moved himself up 68 places in the world rankings to get himself to world number 5.
Highlight of the year: When he won the US Open by first beating Rafael Nadal, then world no 3, in the semi-finals to reach his first Grand Slam final. And then defeating world number one and five-time defending champion Roger Federer. It was Federer`s first loss in the US Open since 2003.
No. 4 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football
On 11 June 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo became the most expensive footballer when Manchester United accepted an unconditional offer of £80 million from Real Madrid for Ronaldo. From 2003- 2009 he scored 84 goals in 196 appearances for Man U. Since joining Real Madrid he scored 6 goals in seven games.
Highlight of the year: Undoubtedly, although off the field, his transfer from Man U to Real Madrid making him the highest-paid football player in the world
No. 3 Mitchell Johnson – Cricket
Johnson played for the Australian Under-19 side in 1999 but was hampered with injuries early in his career. In 2007 he made his debut for Australia in a test match against Sri Lanka. In 2009 while Australia toured SA, he developed the ability to consistently swing the ball into the right-hander and a star was born. Johnson was named man of the series, with 16 wickets and over 250 runs in 3 matches.
Highlight of the year: Being named the 2009 "Cricketer of the Year" after taking 80 wickets, making a century and 3 fifties in the 632 runs in the tests that he played
No. 2 Jenson Button – Formule One
He first drove in Formula One in the 2000 season, with the Williams team after winning the British Formula Ford Championship when he was 18 and a successful stint in Formule 3 where he won three times and was third overall.
After Honda withdrew from Formule One he was left without a drive for the 2009 season, until Ross Brawn came to the rescue. As a Brawn GP driver, He won six of the first seven races of the 2009 season, and amassed enough points over his rivals to secure the 2009 World Drivers' Championship, while also helping Brawn GP to secure the World Constructors' Championship in its maiden season.
Highlight of the year: Being crowned the F1 champion of 2009.
No. 1 Usain Bolt – Athletics
Accidentally discovered by his cricket coach, Usain Bolt is one of the most recognizable faces in sport today. Born in Jamaica and admiring Waqar Younis this sprinter is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. He holds the world record for the 100 meters, the 200 meters and the 4x100 meters relay.
Bolt was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for 2009. The media nicknamed him "'Lightning Bolt". He is almost just as famous for his athletic achievements as he is for his signature “Bolt Pose”
Highlight of the year: Breaking his own world records at the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany. In the 100m, Bolt improved his world record with a time of 9.58 s to win his first World Championship gold medal. The 200m he ran under 19.90 seconds, the quickest ever.,
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