As we bid bye to the 2017 Academy Awards – and with the tennis awards season also a long way away, we wondered what it would be like if some of our favourite players were up as the films nominated for Best Picture this year. Notwithstanding all the drama surrounding the announcement of the last award of the ceremony earlier today, there were some remarkable movies in the hunt for the Academy's top prize in 2017.
Here's a look at which tennis stars could represent the Best Picture nominees at the 2017 Oscars:
Lion: Roger Federer
The former No. 1’s intercontinental struggles, unlike those of the young Saroo Brierley, may be restricted to Grand Slams, but we give this title to Federer just based on his courage in the face of a six-month layoff, injury, and because of age not being on his side.
Despite the presence of younger and fitter opponents, Federer powered through the first Grand Slam of the year to register what might otherwise have seemed nothing but an unrealistic dream.
No one, perhaps, would have called Federer the favourite to win the 2017 Australian Open despite his immense skill – but he stared down every critic and proved them wrong. And the Academy Award goes to...
Hell or High Water: Nadal
Much like the film in question, Nadal’s career in recent years has been quite the thriller. Nobody ever doubted his skill, but the will he, won’t he cliffhanger always remained.
Nadal himself is known for being among the strongest players on court psychologically, which is why the 2016 season was perhaps even more shocking for tennis enthusiasts. But the traditionally tenacious former No. 1 defied every naysayer – and his own demons from the past few seasons this Australian Open.
Rafa admitted that he had been so burned out that he had in the past season seriously considered calling time on professional tennis and retiring from the sport, but soldiered on regardless.
In moving on through hell and high water, Rafa wins an award.
And he also has an academy.
Hidden Figures: Denis Istomin
A beautiful film about the unspoken, marginalized minority – female African-American scientists at NASA, Hidden Figures delves into exactly what its name suggests. And this year, we’ve seen some magic from places we might least have expected it – for example, the racquet of Uzbek ace Denis Istomin. He may have entered the tournament as a qualifier - and struggled early on, but the 30-year-old was responsible for the biggest upset of the tournament, knocking out defending champion Novak Djokovic.
That perhaps paved the way for fans to witness yet another historic – nay, iconic final – the one between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Life, Animated: Gael Monfils
He’s known for being one of the most expressive players on court, and the antic-prone Gael Monfils might well be a Pixar character with his numerous expressions! The tall French ace is also perhaps the most flexible players we’ve ever seen.
So flexible, in fact, that he could well be a CGI, animated figure dreamed up by a couple of animators – a la Reed Richards, or Mister Fantastic, for those not very comic-book inclined.
Arrival: Alexander Zverev
He’s not an alien, but young Alexander Zverev is certainly a freak talent! All of 19-years-old, Zverev last year joined an elite club of players who won ATP titles in their teens. He shares space there with a couple of men named Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
What’s more, that debut title – at the ATP250 St. Petersburg Open – came over a certain Stan Wawrinka, fresh off his US Open victory.
Between that and his early performances in 2017, one could well say the young player – the youngest in the ATP Top 20 – has well and truly arrived.
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