Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the m

When the 2016 tennis season unfurled Down Under, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic were the unchallenged champions of their elite orbits.By the end of the year, the No. 1 players had been unseated in shocking fashion by two exceptionally late bloomers, Angelique Kerber and Andy Murray.Williams was the WTAs top-ranked player for 186 consecutive weeks, equaling Steffi Grafs Open era record. Djokovic occupied the ATP World Tour throne for 122 consecutive weeks. Collectively, thats nearly six straight years of dominance.The year-end obituaries of the fallen No. 2-ranked players, however, sounded a bit shrill.As 2017 rapidly approaches, we can report that Williams -- now a doddering 35 -- and the 29-year-old Djokovic are still breathing. In fact, it wouldnt be a stretch to imagine them winning multiple Slams and reclaiming their No. 1 rankings.Amid all the hype and talk of change, its easy to forget that Djokovic won the first two majors of the season and made the final of the fourth; Williams lost to Kerber in the final of the Australian Open and beat her in the Wimbledon final.In retrospect, its now clear Serena spoiled us with a late-career surge that has no historic parallel. After turning 30, following the 2011 US Open, she won nine of the next 20 Grand Slam singles titles -- dominating womens tennis over a five-year span in spectacular fashion.She and Djokovic still have their supporters.Its Jan. 30, the Monday after the Australian Open ends, said Brad Gilbert, who coached Andy Murray, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick. And you tell me that [Serena/Djokovic] double happened. No, I wouldnt be surprised -- at all.Djoker has won six of those titles. Serenas like a stock -- how do you predict it? The fact shes played as little as she has -- shes 35, and shes probably the betting favorite. Sort of like Tom Brady and the Patriots. Dont focus on the age; look at the history.Both Djokovic and Williams struggled with injuries, which led to diminished confidence -- their signature weapon in recent years.Heading into this years US Open, Williams was still a favorite, and with a title, would have strung together another excellent year. Instead she got beaten by ascendant Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals.I wasnt able to move the way I wanted to move, Williams told the media afterward. When youre injured, youre thinking of other things when you should be just playing and thinking of your shots. My mind was just a little bit everywhere.So was her season. There were surprisingly early losses in the Rio Olympics in singles and, with sister Venus, doubles. Serena finished with two titles (Wimbledon and Rome) and played only 44 matches, her lowest totals in five years. And, for the second consecutive year, she shut her season down after the US Open.Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, was moved to call it a very bad season.Williams, who was dogged by shoulder and knee issues, literally limped away from the year.Djokovic nursed a nagging arm injury and, after winning the French Open to complete his career Grand Slam, tailed off drastically. After losing to Murray in the final of the ATP year-end event, Djokovic looked and sounded weary.Right now, he said to the media, the goal is just to rest a little bit. Its been a long season, a very nice year, a lot to reflect on, a lot to take in. Its time to leave the racket aside for a little bit, just recover.There will be no recovery for six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker, the coach who was the most notable collateral damage after Djokovics second-half swoon. After three years with Djokovic, Becker was terminated at the end of the season.Because theyre getting a bit older, both Djokovic and Williams will be playing in 2017 with an enormous sense of urgency. Its suddenly a shrinking universe, with all kinds of younger players -- Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Nick Kyrgios, Simona Halep, Pliskova and Madison Keys -- all looking for their first Slam win.Nearing 30, Djokovic has crossed that line of demarcation for male tennis players. Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal, who have won a total of 45 majors, collected only two among them after their 29th birthdays.Djokovic, with 12 Grand Slam singles titles, needs two to equal Sampras and Nadal and five to catch Federer. Williams is tied with Graf with 22 major titles, two behind all-time leader Margaret Smith Court.What must Serena and Djokovic do to successfully hit the reset button?Pam Shriver, and ESPN analyst who won 21 Grand Slam doubles titles, said they need to make an immediate impression.I think they have to play well in Australia -- maybe not win it but go deep in the draw, she said. For their own confidence and also sending a message to rest of the field. I think its going to be easier for Djokovic than Serena. I dont have lot of confidence in this mid-30s-take-four-months-off thing. I hope she can prove me wrong. Until then, I am skeptical.I think theyll both win majors; one of them will win more than one. The current No. 1s, Kerber and Murray, are in it to win it for the year. On the mens side, I think it will be the most unpredictable year since 2003 going back to Federers first Slam.Nike Air Max Vendita Online . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Vapormax Uomo Scontate . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. http://www.airmaxscarpescontate.it/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Air Max 95 Italia . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Air Max 720 Saldi . They hope to persuade the other team owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to put pressure on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Dustin Penner has signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Penner spent the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. He had two goals and 12 assists last season and seven goals and 10 assists in 2011-12. The 30-year-old left-winger had 32 goals and 31 assists dduring a career year in 2009-10 with the Edmonton Oilers.dddddddddddd. In 522 career NHL games, Penner has 137 goals and 138 assists. Penners deal is reportedly worth US$2 million. He previously made $3.25 million on a one-year contract with the Kings. Penner spent his first two seasons with Anaheim. 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