THE year 2016 has been a historic one in the world of tennis. On the global stage, the most remarkable achievement was Novak Djokovic completing the career grand slam.

The Serb won his first title at Roland Garros in May to not only make sure that he has won each major title at least once, but he also became the first man to simultaneously hold every grand slam title since Rod Laver in 1962.

Serena Williams equalled Steffi Graf’s record of 22 grand slam titles while closer to home, Andy Murray became world No.1 for the first time in his career. On a less positive note, Maria Sharapova became the highest profile tennis player ever to be banned for doping, Roger Federer failed to win a tournament for the first season since 2000 and Nick Kyrgios was banned from the tour for his unruly behaviour.

So all in all, it has been a pretty eventful year. Excitingly for tennis fans everywhere though, 2017 could be equally remarkable. Here are my predictions for the next 12 months.

ANDY MURRAY WILL COMPLETE THE CAREER GRAND SLAM

The Scot finished this season on a remarkable high; a career-best winning run of 24 matches saw him grab the No.1 spot from Novak Djokovic, who had looked utterly unbeatable earlier in the year.

The Serb has been dominant in the Australian Open in recent years but Murray now looks to have the belief that he can get the better of him in the first grand slam of the year.

With Rafa Nadal plagued by injury, the King of Clay is no longer the heavy favourite at the French Open and so with Murray continually improving on the surface, it is not unthinkable that the world number one could win the first two grand slams of the year to add to his Wimbledon and US Open crowns.

SERENA WILLIAMS WILL BEAT MARGARET COURT'S RECORD OF 24 GRAND SLAMS

Williams won only one grand slam title in 2016 but at her best, she remains the best player on the WTA Tour.

She has appeared crippled by nerves at times when chasing the Graf’s Open Era record of 22 grand slams but now that she has matched it, the pressure is off the American leaving her free to use her last few years on tour to cement her status as the greatest female player of all time.

ROGER FEDERER WILL RETIRE

The Swiss was plagued by injury in the second half of 2016, something that he has never had to deal with in the past.

The 17-time grand slam winner is desperate for one last major title but at the age of 35, his time is rapidly running out. Already outside of the world’s top 15, 2017 will be the year that he hangs up his racket for good.

JUAN MARTNI DEL POTRO WILL RETURN TO THE TOP FIVE

The Argentine is one of the most entertaining players in the game but wrist injuries have severely hampered his progress since winning the US Open in 2009.

In the past year, Delpo showed flashes of his brilliance, including reaching the final of the Olympics, but he lacked consistency. In 2017, he will rectify this and return to his rightful place towards the top of the rankings.

MADISON KEYS WILL EMERGE AS THE SUCCESSOR TO SERENA WILLIAMS

Williams may still be the best tennis player in the world when she is in the mood but at the age of 35, she cannot have many seasons left. There are several young pretenders to her throne but in 2017, 21-year-old Madison Keys will emerge from the pack and establish herself as the next big thing.

The world No.8 will miss the Australian Open due to wrist surgery but reuniting with Lindsay Davenport as her coach is a hugely positive move for the American and is likely to pay dividends.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV WILL REACH A GRAND SLAM FINAL

For all too long, the big four have been impenetrable, with the next generation seemingly reluctant to take on the mantle.

However, Alexander Zverev from Germany is the most promising player to appear on the ATP Tour for several years and with the scalps of Federer, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic already under his belt, the 19-year-old has proven that he has the talent to make it to the top.

2017 will be too early for him to win a major title but he will make his maiden appearance in a grand slam final.

MARIA SHARAPOVA WILL NOT BREAK THE TOP 20

Maria Sharapova will return to the tour at the end of April having served a 15-month suspension for taking meldonium. The Russian former number one is amongst the most driven players on the tour and her ban is unlikely to have diminished this desire to succeed.

But the damage that such a lengthy lay-off can inflict should not be underestimated; the game has moved on since Sharapova last played a competitive match and the 29 year-old will struggle to return to where she left off last January.

Whether all or even some of these predictions come to fruition remains to be seen. Irrespective of that though, 2017 is going to be an intriguing one in the tennis world.