Serbian sport in 2014: Basketball team one of world's best

BELGRADE - In the year that is about to end, Serbia has had the world's top-ranking male tennis player and the best men's water polo team in the world, with its athletes claiming many medals in swimming, athletics, kayaking and wrestling, but the silver medal won by the Serbian men's national basketball team at the Mundobasket in Spain is what the nation will remember 2014 for.

For the first time in many years, entire Serbia was overwhelmed by feelings of trepidation after each shot attempted, rejoicing at each shot made and every brilliant move by the Serbian players, magnificently coached by Aleksandar Sasa Djordjevic, a celebrated former member of the national team.

The United States were the better team in the final and Serbia won the silver medal, but much more importantly, it once again has a team that is feared even by the very best and will go for the gold medal at EuroBasket 2015.

As a result, the men's national water polo team was unjustly overshadowed by the basketball team, despite winning the World League, the European championship and the FINA Cup.

Both national teams will be big hopefuls for their country at the Rio Olympic Games, as will Novak Djokovic, who ends 2014 as the world's best male tennis player.

Serbia's top-ranking male tennis player retained the number one spot with an unbelievable Wimbledon win over Roger Federer and subsequent brilliant performances in Paris and London. However, the Roland Garros title remains his dream following a defeat at the hands of the incredible Rafael Nadal in this year's final.

Serbia's highest-ranking female tennis player Ana Ivanovic won four WTA titles this year, making a return to the world's Top 10.

Swimmer Velimir Stjepanovic...