It is again time to hand out our year-end awards. Today, we look at the top controversies of 2015, but click here to check out the rest of our list.
Top controversies of the year
1. Aussie bad boys, Kyrgios edition
It began with Nick Kyrgios' swearing at spectators at the Australian Open. And it didn't stop there. Later in the season, he spewed a few choice words in his Wimbledon matchup against Richard Gasquet, an encounter in which the Aussie was also accused of tanking a game. But that was nothing compared to Kyrgios' insipid comments he made to Stan Wawrinka in reference to the Swiss player's girlfriend. That was hands down the top tabloid moment this season. Nick Krygios was the controversy that just kept on giving.
2. Eugenie Bouchard's fall and lawsuit
Since her locker room fall at the US Open, Bouchard's career has been less on court and more in the courts. Bouchard, who hadn't won many matches entering New York, looked like she might be regaining her form when the mishap happened. Bouchard, who was diagnosed with a concussion, has not completed a match since.
She is now suing the USTA for what her lawyer describes as potentially "millions and millions."
Although Bouchard alleges the room was dark and there was a slippery substance underfoot, the USTA says she should never have entered it at night with no tournament employees present.
3. Blake's mistaken tackle and arrest
While tennis was making the sports section of New York newspapers during the US Open, James Blake made headlines after he was violently tackled and mistakenly arrested as a credit card fraud suspect. The incident triggered another debate on police use of force, especially when Blake, a well-regarded former No. 4 who grew up around the New York area, decided to speak up about his experience.
4. Serena's body image debate
A New York Times article stirred up quite a commotion when it dipped its toe into the perceptions female players have of their physiques. The inference that most players wouldn't want to be as muscular as Serena Williams produced a backlash. The topic even drew the ire of J.K. Rowling, who took a swipe at a fan's insult of Serena on social media.
5. Federer fan running on court
A fan who wanted a picture with Roger Federer ran onto center court in the opening round of the French Open and managed to get right next to the 17-time Grand Slam champion. While the patron didn't get his photo, he did stir a cavalcade of controversy.
It led to scrutiny of the tournament's security, especially when Federer criticized the repeated lapses. "It happened yesterday in the practice, too," he said at the news conference immediately afterward. "It's just a kid, but then three more kids came. And today on center court where you would think this is a place where nobody can come on. I can speak on behalf of all the players. That's where you do your job; that's where you want to feel safe."
6. Nadal's umpire ouster
At the Rio Open back in February, Rafael Nadal, who is notoriously slow in between points, was angry about receiving too many time violations. He wanted more flexibility in the humid conditions, and did not like the rule being applied for a clothing change. Nadal later asked that chair umpire Carlos Bernardes be removed from the Spaniard's matches.
The request was approved, raising questions about whether players should have influence on who umpires their matches. Tennis officials later confirmed that such requests are known to happen and are taken into account.
7. Davis Cup captain selection, Spanish edition
It started with Carlos Moya, fed up with the commitment from his Spanish players, resigning as Davis Cup captain.
The Spanish Federation then decided to hire Gala Leon Garcia, a woman, to replace Moya. The decision started a maelstrom of backlash, including from Nadal's Uncle Toni, who asked if a woman could truly understand the nuances of a men's game.
Nadal himself said, "It's like I appointed myself to run a hospital," before backtracking on that comment.
It culminated in a secret player meeting at Wimbledon, with an angry letter condemning the federation and leading to the resignation of both the captain and the federation president. Calm was somewhat restored when Conchita Martinez, yes, another woman, was named as new captain, though Spain still finds itself relegated to a zonal group in Davis Cup.
8. Davis Cup captain selection, French edition
Yannick Noah led the criticism of the French team following its loss against Switzerland in the Davis Cup final a year ago. Now, the former French Open champion turned pop superstar is the captain himself.
The position of former captain Arnaud Clement had looked shaky since that Davis Cup final, and a loss to Great Britain in this year's quarterfinal only assured Clement would not be staying. Speculation about who would fill the spot began even before Clement's firing was official, with everyone from Amelie Mauresmo to Noah being mentioned.
But while the players were split on whether to keep Clement, they did not like the way the transition was handled.
9. Aussie bad boys, Tomic edition
Kyrgios' friend and compatriot wasn't far behind. A hailstorm of complaints about Tennis Australia at a Wimbledon news conference got Bernard Tomic suspended from the Davis Cup team. The following week came news of the Australian's arrest at a Miami hotel for not turning down music during a party in his luxury suite. The charges were eventually dropped, but his mugshot will stick around.
10. Eugenie Bouchard's twirl
Bouchard's season ended in controversy, but it started that way, too, at the Australian Open.
Just days before, Serena Williams had pirouetted on court to show the crowd her backless dress, and when Bouchard completed her match, the on-court interviewer said, "Give us a twirl." It sparked an immediate debate in which the request was called sexist and inappropriate.
Bouchard implied she didn't like the question, but then said she had no problem getting non-tennis questions.
Some eyebrows had also been raised a year ago, when she was asked about her ideal date. From now on, the interviewers might be advised to stick to forehands and backhands.