Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams crowned ITF champs
SERBIA's Novak Djokovic and US player Serena Williams have been named this year's International Tennis Federation world champions, based on their performances in tournaments throughout 2012.
The sport's governing body also said that US brothers Bob and Mike Bryan were men's doubles world champions for the ninth time in 10 years, while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy were the women's equivalent.
Dutch wheelchair tennis legend Esther Vergeer won the title for the 13th year in succession after she won Paralympic singles gold for the fourth Paralympics in a row. Stephane Houdet of France won the men's award.
Djokovic, 25, finished top of the world rankings after successfully defending his Australian Open title and reaching the finals of the French Open and US Open. It is the second year in succession that he has been named ITF world champion.
Williams, 31, took her total number of grand slam titles to 15 in 2012 after winning Wimbledon and the US Open. She also finished top of the world rankings and won singles gold at the London Olympics.
Selection of world champions is based on results, with weight given to Grand Slams, the Olympics and both ITF international team competitions, the Davis Cup and Fed Cup.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal has confirmed he is ready to return to competitive tennis at the end of the month in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, following a six-month break to recover from a knee injury.
The 11-time Grand Slam champion said on his Facebook page that he ''can't wait to get back on court in Abu Dhabi,'' and that he ''would love to get my hands on the trophy again this year!''
The 26-year-old Nadal began practising on a court in his hometown of Manacor on the Balearic island of Mallorca on November 20 under the supervision of his uncle and coach Tony Nadal and a physiotherapist.
The Abu Dhabi tournament starts December 27 and will feature a six-man field that also includes top-ranked Djokovic and number 3 Andy Murray of Britain.
