Wawrinka, a beam of light in a dark night

The week tennis had started well, with the antics of Wawrinka and the joy of Nadal before the ATP World Tour Finals, but the tragic events in Paris last Friday put the world of tennis in fright...

The tennis week started well with the antics of Wawrinka and the joy of Nadal ahead of the ATP World Tour Masters, a tournament prepared in a joyful atmosphere by all players. Until the tragic events in Paris that put the world of tennis in fright...

1- Stanislas Wawrinka (+5).

This week, the tennis world was running smoothly, really smoothly, in a festive and relaxed late season atmosphere. In the image of Stan Wawrinka, one of the men of the year, the author of this beautiful photo bomb in London on the side-lines of the training sessions at the ATP World Tour Finals.

But the Swiss didn't stop there way with Novak Djokovic, to whom he offered the key chain of the horrible shorts with which he won Roland Garros.

And then horror, the attacks in Paris traumatized and terrorized the entire planet. And then inevitably, it was no longer time for laughing.

The funny tweets stopped, especially as he must now get back into the competition. In an atmosphere inevitably heavier than usual... And with an early defeat against Nadal at the ATP World Tour Finals. But thank you anyway to keep making us smile Stan.

2- Karolina Pliskova (NE).

A wonderful Czech team in Fed Cup by BNP Paribas that won against the Russians in final, after a crazy weekend and a fifth decisive point won in doubles. And the heroine of this final was Karolina Pliskova, she who, after losing her first match against Maria Sharapova, offered the equalization to her team in singles against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Sunday...

...Before finishing the job in doubles, with her accomplice Barbora Strycova (4/6 6/3 6/2).

And it was Lucie Safarova, substitute this weekend, who was responsible for leading the encouragement. It paid off!

Congratulations champions. And happy holidays.

3- Rafael Nadal (NE).

Another excellent news in the tennis world: Rafael Nadal is back with the will to get back on top. The proof with his statement before the ATP World Tour Finals: "Anxiety is gone. I had lost my mental strength, I just couldn't use it in the first months of the season, but now I can do it again. I’m happy with the way things are moving in the latter part of the season." A feeling he followed out on the court, with his convincing victory against Wawrinka for his first at the ATP World Tour Finals.

But the Spaniard, like everyone else, ended the week saddened by the events in Paris and paid a little tribute to the victims, in French.

4- Maria Sharapova (/).

A lot of work…

And comradeship between compatriots...

Despite this solid recipe, there was no success for the Russians, dominated at the end of the suspense in the final of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas by the Czechs, despite two victories in singles for Sharapova and finally the last decisive point lost by the duo Vesnina/Pavlyuchenkova.

5- Benoît Paire (/).

The French was named "Comeback of the Year" by his peers. A well deserved reward for the man who has just entered the top 20. And allowing him to take a holiday, resting, at home.

Come on, we even forgive his contemplative poses, somewhat funny in the countryside...

...Since he just won the Vendee Open, winning in final against Pouille (6-4, 1-6, 7-6). An ideal week then, where he was also able to test his new popularity.

Although for him too, this horrible Friday night hurt badly...

6- Ana Ivanovic (-4).

It was a nice week off for Ana Ivanovic in Dubai, with a concert of Katy Perry in the UAE, that she attended with her friend Caroline Wozniacki...

...And a little fun in Dubai...

Before going to Paris, where her boyfriend Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain of the German team, was playing a friendly match against France.

A match, which will remain infamous for both teams and the 80,000 spectators of this bloody Friday the 13th at the Stade de France.

7- Caroline Wozniacki (+7).

Champion holiday also for Wozniacki, who attended Katy Perry's concert with Ana Ivanovic before having a good time in New York, again in good company...

8- Richard Gasquet (NE).

No images of Gasquet this week, but a powerful testimony: at the Stade de France this Friday night, which was targeted by terrorist attacks, he talked about his memories of the evening the next day: "I arrived at the Stade de France a little late. The match had already started. We first heard two explosions. I heard strange noises at the Parc des Princes before but it was clearly something else. I had never heard such a thing in a football stadium. Besides, it was not a sound, it was a blast." Fortunately, to clear his head, he was able to leave for the ATP Finals in London, where Gasquet is a substitute, together with Marin Cilic. A role worth almost 95 000 dollars in compensation...

9- Jarkko Nieminen (NE).

The Finns played a jubilee last Monday. An exhibition match was indeed organized for the occasion with his friend of 20 years, Roger Federer, who came especially for the match.

Class. Good luck for the future Jarkko!

10- Eugenie Bouchard (-).

Small victory in this end of season for Eugenie Bouchard: she has just obtained her driver's license.

A Florida driver's license, because it's where the Canadian is living now. Less flattering however, Bouchard was nominated in the list of athletes competing for the "Golden boulard", a prize awarded by French newspaper L'Equipe to reward those who "have been the stronger to claim their very, very high opinion of themselves." Her competitors? Gatlin, Mayweather, Durant, Paul George, Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, among others...

11- Novak Djokovic (-10).

Djokovic's week? Not much, except that the undisputed world number 1 is obviously the major favourite for the ATP World Tour Finals in London. And he had the right words to express his sadness after the events in Paris, where he triumphed a few days ago.

We <3 Djoko

12- Kei Nishikori (NE).

A nice break in a (sponsored) suit in London...

...And a few balls played in training with Wawrinka before the start of the tournament...

...This was the week of Nishikori, who also sent a message in tribute to the victims of the attacks...

...Before conceding a first heavy defeat (1/6 1/6) Sunday, for the opening of the ATP Finals against Novak Djokovic.

13- Andy Murray (-6).

The Scot is always classy. Whether he's wearing a suit, smiling....

...Or when he pays tribute to France, victim of terrorist attacks on Friday night and home country of his coach Amelie Mauresmo.

14- Tommy Haas (NE).

Every happy event these days is particularly enjoyable, so we would like to welcome the daughter of Tommy Haas, born on the 11th of November.

Among the congratulatory messages, there was one from Maria Sharapova, his good friend on the tour.

15- Caroline Garcia (NE).

Good news, first victory this season for Caroline Garcia, who dominated the young American Louisa Chirico in the final (6/1 6/2) of the Limoges WTA 125 tournament.