Tennis View Magazine July.Aug2014 by Antoni Pham

EXCLUSIVE

THE MAKING OF A WIMBLEDON CHAMPION

ANDY MURRAY RAFAEL NADAL'S PASSION FOR THE SEA ROGER FEDERER'S PLAYER BOX EXPANDS AMERICAN SWEETHEART LINDSAY DAVENPORT PREPARES FOR THE HALL OF FAME

WHOSE READY TO UPSET AT WIMBLEDON? TENNIS TRAVEL TO STANFORD > TORONTO > WINSTON SALEM

JUDY MURRAY & TWITTER BE NICE OR BE BLOCKED! MICHAEL DOWNEY

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JULY.AUGUST 2014 CONTENTS

On winning Wimbledon 2013:

"That's what you put the hours in for. I had been working towards that for a long, long time. I had come close quite a few times and had some near misses. All those experiences made me want it more."

INSIDE THE PLAYER'S BOX ROGER FEDERER P. 20

P. 48

FINAL WORDS Jane Brown Grimes The 2014 Hall of Famer's contributions to the game

CHAMPION'S HONORS SERENA WILLIAMS Named to TIME's 100 Most Influential List

IN MEMORY Elena Baltacha [1983-2014]

ON THE COVER: Photography by Ben Duffy

By David Kane

01 FEATURES COVER FEATURE

ANDY MURRAY The Making of a Champion This year will be Murray’s ninth visit to SW19 as a professional, but 12 years ago, his Wimbledon story began in very different circumstances

Q&A JUDY MURRAY GETS SOCIAL If you're not nice, she won't play Exclusive Interview by Tracey DeFrancesco

Exclusive Interview by David Cox

LONDON CALLING Michael Downey brings an outsider’s perspective and a successful track record as the new head of British tennis Exclusive Interview by Tracey DeFrancesco

Exclusive Interview by Teresa Thompson

LINDSAY DAVENPORT As a 2014 Inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Davenport is anything but an "Unlikely Champion"

SNAKES IN THE GRASS The dirt devils had their day on the clay of Roland Garros. Now the spotlight shines on players whose weapons are designed to wreak havoc on the grass of Wimbledon By Chris Skelton

REGULARS 8

PUBLISHER'S POINT with Teresa Thompson

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT

WEB WORLD WITH ONLINE EDITOR CHRIS SKELTON

CONTENTS

CELEBRITY “GROUPIES,” SHARAPOVA EXPANSION WITH SUPERGOOP, JOHN ISNER, ROGER FEDERER AND MORE

“I SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE SEA WHEN I’M AT HOME, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER.”

P. 14

P. 55

JULY.AUGUST 2014

04 APRES COURT 54

05 STYLE

03 FIRST SERVE

CALL TO ACTION Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic donate to flood relief efforts in Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia TIDBITS Celebrity groupies, Sharapova's expansion with Supergoop, John Isner, Roger Federer and more QUIZ WHIZ: THE CHAMPIONSHIPS WIMBLEDON Test your knowledge on the oldest tennis tournament in the world

INSIDE THE PLAYER'S BOX Roger Federer's team of friends, coaches, agents and family

JUNIOR+COLLEGE NOTES The benefits of playing college tennis before going pro

EVENT SHOWCASE The Bank of the West Classic, Stanford, Calif., WTA

The Rogers Cup, Toronto, Canada, ATP

The Winston-Salem Open, Winston Salem, N.C., ATP

EVENT CALENDAR Follow the ATP and WTA pros throughout the month

TAKE NOTICE Eye-opening performances from Donna Vekic, Nicolas Almagro, Andrea Petkovic, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka and Caroline Garcia

RAFAEL NADAL SAILS AWAY Hailing from the picturesque Spanish island of Mallorca, Rafael Nadal is no stranger to the sea

BABOLAT GOES GREEN Babolat becomes the official Wimbledon licensee for racquets, shoes, bags and accessories. Here's a peek

BEHIND THE SCENES Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wants options, Dominika Cibulkova knows a good swing, plus a new pair of sunglasses to try for summer

SUMMER SOLE SEARCHING Ladies and mens' tennis shoes from top manufacturers

06 YOUR GAME 60

6 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

CLUB & LEAGUE Court Chat with Dennis McWilliams, new training tools and real life court conflicts resolved

NEWS & VIEWS 13-27 By Romana Cvitkovic

LADY-DATEJUST, AN EMBLEMATIC CLASSIC The Rolex timepiece is always a fashion statement and status symbol

PUBLISHER’S POINT

TERESA THOMPSON PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Teresa@TennisViewMag.com

CLOSURE TO CLAY,

ROLL OUT THE GREEN xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ith Wimbledon following quickly on the heels of Roland Garros in the calendar, this makes for one of the busiest -- and most exciting -- times of year in tennis. To put closure to the clay court season and lead into the grass, we have a cluster of articles in this issue related to London that I think you'll really enjoy. Here are just a couple... Senior contributor Tracey DeFrancesco went behind the scenes to chat with Mike Downey, the former head of "A lot of the credit for getting Andy over the final Tennis Canada who took the reins hurdle has to go to Ivan Lendl, who came in to work of Great Britain's Lawn Tennis with him and really helped him prepare better for the Association in January. Downey key matches,” she said. “Prior to Ivan coming in, we hadn't had anyone on the team with experience of believes a top priority for British preparing for a Wimbledon final or what it feels like tennis is to enable high-perforto win one or what it feels like to lose one." mance success, and to further that Murray's entire career and ambitions were cenagenda, he plans to piggyback on tered around winning The Championships. Now that he has, and still has plenty of good years left, he will the achievements of Andy Murray.

“People want icons, they want role models. It’s about pride. The pride is what is going to get people talking more about tennis and eventually playing tennis more,” says Downey. To read the article, London Calling, and learn why his move from Canada to London is personal as much as professional, turn to p.34. When it comes to Britain pride, I can't imagine anyone beaming brighter than Judy Murray, the mother of Slam winners Andy and Jamie. She told Tennis View that from a young age, Andy had been subjected to the pressure of being Britain's only hope for a singles title at The Championships. Ever since he turned pro nine years ago, the press has routinely asked him, "When will you win Wimbledon?" As a parent, she gave her children encouragement and surrounded them with good people. She says Ivan Lendl was the right coach for Andy at the right time.

8 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

need to step back and set new goals to keep his motivation high. Realistically, I doubt any accomplishment could trump last year's breakthrough, but somehow Andy will need to find inspiration. And that may be a primary task of his new coach. As far as Judy's role as mother, she will continue to provide emotional support if, and when, Andy needs it. But ultimately, when he competes, “he is in control of his own destiny," she says. Turn to p.48 for The Making of a Champion, our cover feature, where contributor David Cox of Britain spoke with Andy and heard stories of his childhood, how he trains and what impact his older brother, Jamie, a doubles specialist, had on his desire for success. Enjoy the issue! Teresa

FEEDBACK

THE VALUE OF TRANSPARENCY

DAVID COX

Since 1954, the International Tennis Hall of Fame has chronicled the history of the sport by honoring 235 tennis legends from 20 different nations. But how are nominees chosen? Currently, the general public does not know the qualifying criteria or the relative weight given to each category. For instance, does winning a single Major carry a 70% weight (and each additional Major more), 20% for the category of rankings, and 10% for sportsmanship? Or is there some other relative value that is considered for each nominee? Furthermore, greater transparency in the election process would give greater credibility to those inducted. Other sports such as baseball publish the percentage of votes received by each nominee, so why not tennis? Tennis is a sport of elite athletes and dedicated fans, and it deserves the transparency and credibility that is akin to other worldwide sports when deciding its Hall of Fame inductees. With the recent appointment of former player Todd Martin as CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, perhaps he could take a step towards opening these doors for discussion for players and fans alike. Guillermo Morales-Rubert CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE COMMEMORATIVE MEMBER INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME

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Tennis View (ISSN 1937-7894) is published by TAZ Publications, LLC. Copyright 2014 by TAZ Publications, LLC. Title “Tennis View” is registered US Patent and Trademark Office. The opinions expressed in Tennis View magazine are not to be considered official expressions of TAZ Publications, LLC. TAZ Publications, LLC does not accept any responsibility for the actions of its readers. The contents within Tennis View Magazine are for informational purposes only and should not be treated as health care or health management advice. The materials herein are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content in this magazine. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any material in this publication without written permission of TAZ Publications, LLC is expressly prohibited. Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising matter. Publisher does not assume responsibility for errors, omissions, and/or changes in advertising or editorial material. July/August 2014 Volume 7 Issue 4 Printed in the USA.

PUBLISHER AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Teresa Thompson PRODUCTION PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jay Thompson ART DIRECTOR AND DESIGN Antoni Pham EDITORIAL/CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT AND FIRST SERVE EDITOR Romana Cvitkovic EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS David Cox, Tracey DeFrancesco, Joey Hanf, David Kane, Raechel Kenealy, Nicholas Nemeroff, Chris Skelton, Urich COPY EDITING Raechel Kenealy ART AND PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Billman, Chaz Niell, Maria Noble, Mauricio Paiz, Michael Thompson CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Rana Mickelson ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Chris Skelton

"The journey from naïve young hopeful to a seasoned champion is always a fascinating path for a journalist to wander down, especially over the course of an interview. I first saw Andy Murray play when he was just 16. Back then he was far from the immense physical specimen he is these days and before his growth spurt, many wondered if he would prove too short to reach the top. But he had plenty of skill and most importantly, an intense belief in his own ability. I wanted to investigate how he developed into one of the tour’s toughest competitors and what forged that remarkable will to win."

TRACEY DeFRANCESCO

Talking to Michael Downey clears up any confusion as to why British tennis and the Lawn Tennis Association [LTA] was willing to hire a CEO from outside the UK. He possesses a strong record of leadership and success in business while also being open and friendly. Downey's passion for tennis is unmistakable. As head of Tennis Canada, he would cheer so loudly from the stands that the players could pick his voice out from the crowd. In addition to learning more about Downey's credentials and plans for leading the LTA, my interview will show fans the reasoning for why his least-favorite words in tennis are "Quiet, please."

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TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 9

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WEB WORLD

A Welcome From Tennis View's Online Editor

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ON-SITE TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

INTERNATIONAL TEAM

The backbone of TennisViewMag.com consists of our 10 digital contributors, who live throughout the United States and beyond. Their dedication allows us to refresh our website with new content throughout the day. Some articles respond to breaking news in the professional game, while others reflect on hot topics or forecast emerging trends.

There is no substitute for covering a tennis tournament at the event site, which you can count on us to do throughout the year. Whether it's from Melbourne, Australia or Indian Wells, California, we post ongoing articles exclusive to the website and captivating galleries of the tour’s most-talked about matches.

3 QUICK HIT NEWS

Just below the main home page slider is our popular Quick Hit News. This section contains shorter up-to-the-moment articles on topics such as a single key match, player or event, and often includes intriguing statistics as well!

4 SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

To encourage discussion, we have a comment section associated with articles, as well as interactive polls that allow readers to vote on key debates. For example, readers voted that Grigor Dimitrov would be the first of the rising men’s stars to win a major, and that Andy Murray's performance will suffer due to the break-up with coach Ivan Lendl.

Since our website is always evolving, please check back often to see what's new. We encourage your feedback and to share your ideas through the website comments section, Twitter (@TennisViewMag), Facebook (Facebook.com/TennisViewMagazine), or by email at info@tennisviewmag.com

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 11

FIRST SERVE ACHIEVEMENTS

FUNNY QUIPS

EVENTS

CONFLICTS

MAP OF AFFECTED FLOOD AREAS IN BOSNIA AND SERBIA

CALL TO ACTION

NOVAK DJOKOVIC AND ANA IVANOVIC DONATE TO FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS IN SERBIA, BOSNIA AND CROATIA Serbian tennis players were quick to respond for a call to action in one of the Balkan regions’ worst natural disasters in the past century. In May, Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia experienced rainfall and historical flooding that swallowed some cities whole, affecting or displacing over 1 million people and killing dozens. Submerged roads, bridges and railway lines worsened the situation and relief efforts; thousands were stranded and without electricity or clean water.

In the wake of tragedy, numerous nations sent humanitarian aid in the form of volunteers as well as food, clothes, blankets and boats among other necessities. On the home front, Serbian Novak Djokovic mounted a social media and news campaign to bring light to the dire situation in the Balkans. He donated his entire $500,000 Rome winnings to relief efforts, while UNICEF ambassador Ana Ivanovic and doubles player Nenad Zimonjic also made financial contributions. Fellow Serbian players Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki collected several tons of items and helped with efforts on the ground in Serbia, while Croatian and Bosnian players like Ivo Karlovic and Dusan Lajovic took to social media to encourage support.

SERBIAN ANA IVANOVIC TOOK TO HER TWITTER

THE CITY OF OBRENOVAC IN SERBIA WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT AREAS

N E WS & V I E WS

ACTRESS AND HUMANITARIAN

ANGELINA JOLIE was one of the first celebrities to donate $50,000 towards relief efforts: “It is inspiring to see people in both countries come together to support their neighbors and fellow citizens. It is time for all of us to do the same, and to step up and help with the recovery. As well as addressing immediate needs, a long-term effort will be needed to repair homes and rebuild infrastructure. We must all be ready to stand by these communities for the long-haul.”

If you would like to make a donation to relief efforts, please visit:

• Serbian Red Cross: www.redcross.org.rs • Bosnian Red Cross: www.ckfbih.ba • Croatian Red Cross: www.hck.hr/en TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 13

FIRST SERVE

Celebrity “Groupies”

ISNER

QUOTABLES

PLAYS BALL American John Isner met and played a tiebreak against 10-time NBA All-Star Clyde “The Glide” Drexler during a recent ATP stop in Houston. “It was awesome,” Isner said. “I’m so lucky to be able to play professional tennis and through that I am able to do cool things like this. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for me.”

Actor KEVIN SPACEY, a selfdescribed Andy Murray “groupie,” has crisscrossed the globe during the past two-plus years to watch Murray play more than a dozen times. So what it is about the Scot? “His athleticism,” Spacey answers then jokes about his real intentions of sitting courtside for a Murray match. “I’ve often thought about whispering to [Andy], ‘Keyser Soze is behind you,’” Spacey says playfully, referring to the villain character in the 1995 thriller The Usual Suspects who won him his first Oscar. Here’s hoping that Spacey holds off with the pranks until after Wimbledon.

Known for playing newsman Ron Burgundy in two Anchorman films and donning a giant afro wig for his role in Semi-Pro, WILL FERRELL has been cast as famed tennis player Bobby Riggs in the upcoming film Match Maker. The biopic is reportedly based on a 2013 ESPN story which alleged that the former Slam winner threw his 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match against Billie Jean King in order to settle gambling debts. Ferrell is also set to co-produce.

SHARAPOVA EXPANSION

Maria Sharapova has announced her partnership with sunscreen maker Supergoop! and also takes on the role as equity owner. The brand focuses on sun protection at the core of its anti-aging skincare products, which Sharapova said she’s used for several years while playing in tournaments and spending long hours practicing in the sun in her home state of Florida.

4Maria Sharapova and Supergoop Founder Holly Thaggard

“All these extra events I do before a tournament – press, sponsor appearances, fan appearances – they actually sort of get me in the right frame of mind. I'm at a tennis tournament. I'm not on vacation at the beach somewhere. I think that gets my adrenaline going as well and excites me for what's to come.” -ROGER FEDERER

Sharapova’s decision to invest supports her ongoing agenda of expanding her business platform, which already includes premium gummy line Sugarpova. In fact, the brand recently unveiled a new flavor, Speedy, multi-colored yogurt gummies shaped like the iconic Porsche 911 sports car with whom she also has a sponsorship deal with.

JULY 23, 2006

Flashback

14 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

RANKED NO. 36 AT THE TIME, 19-YEAR-OLD NOVAK DJOKOVIC CAPTURES HIS FIRST ATP SINGLES TITLE BEATING NICOLAS MASSU OF CHILE 7-6(5), 6-4 IN AMERSFOORT. NEARLY FIVE YEARS LATER TO THE DATE, THE SERB WINS HIS FIRST WIMBLEDON TITLE AND CLINCHES THE NO. 1 RANKING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

“I learned so much from Wimbledon, from the people, from getting over that finish line for the first time. It’s a place where my wife shined, where I learned how to bow, where I learned how to grow up. So a lot of memories come flooding back when I am there. I look forward to any excuse to coming.” – ANDRE AGASSI

PATIENTLY WAITING Czech Tomas Berdych believes that Wimbledon still offers his best hope of becoming a champion – though he didn’t always believe it. "Yes. But I'm laughing because I remember really struggling in my first years on the grass. Then my first Grand Slam final [ended up being] Wimbledon! So everything is possible. The grass has changed significantly and you can move so much more easily [on it]. It suits my game now."

The Bryan brothers picked up their 98th team title by winning the Monte Carlo Masters this spring, with Mike becoming the first man in history to win 100 tour-level doubles titles. “It's amazing to hit triple digits,” said Mike. “It's a great milestone to say that you have a hundred, to be the first player to hit a hundred titles. Kind of snuck up on us pretty quick. Last few years we've been really hot. We always wanted to beat the Woodies' record of 61. Then trying to clip Todd Woodbridge's 83 titles. All of a sudden I’m at 99.”

BABY NEWS WHILE VACATIONING IN ATHENS, NURSING HIS WRIST INJURY IN APRIL, SERBIAN NOVAK DJOKOVIC AND HIS FIANCÉ JELENA RISTIC ANNOUNCED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THE TWO WERE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD TOGETHER. THE TWO DATED FOR EIGHT YEARS BEFORE THE 27YEAR-OLD PROPOSED LAST SEPTEMBER. MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE!

ATTEMPTED CARJACKING Wheelchair tennis’ 2013 US Open champion LUCAS SITHOLE and his brother were dragged out of their car by four armed men in a late-night carjacking attempt in their native South Africa weeks ago. The two were shaken but otherwise unharmed. The 27-year-old lost both his legs and his right arm in a train accident in 1998, and with his Slam title last year, became the first African player to win a wheelchair tennis Grand Slam event.

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 15

FIRST SERVE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wozniacki-McIlroy Split Just days after official wedding invites went out to guests, golf pro Rory McIlroy ended his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki, stating “The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves.”

TWINS AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS to Roger and Mirka Federer who welcomed twin boys Leo and Lenny on May 6th, 2014. This is the second set of twins for the couple who already have five-year-old daughters, Myla and Charlene. Federer called it a “miracle” and we would agree!

NOTHING BUT PRAISE Fourteen-time Slam winner Pete Sampras gives nothing but praise to his friend Roger Federer on the longevity of his career. "I'm amazed that he is up for more tennis," Sampras said. "He has done everything in the game and he could walk away tomorrow feeling great about it. But he still wants to travel and compete and I'm in awe of it. He is a true lover of the sport." Asked if Federer could win another Grand Slam title, Sampras said the Swiss "can do it" if he plays his best tennis. "That's why he's playing, I don't think he's playing for anything else but to win some more majors," said Sampras, adding that Federer's best chance would be on his favorite grass surface, at Wimbledon. In a separate press conference, Roger Federer welcomed the backing. “I'm happy he's being positive about my game,” stated the Swiss champ. “It gives me extra confidence to know that someone like him believes in me, is in my corner, and I can always call him up and ask him for any advice.”

JUAN MONACO RECENTLY RECORDED HIS 200TH MATCH WIN ON CLAY, BECOMING JUST THE FIFTH ACTIVE PLAYER TO DO SO, BEHIND RAFAEL NADAL, DAVID FERRER, TOMMY ROBREDO AND NICOLAS ALMAGRO.

RAFAEL NADAL HAS HIT THE 300 MATCH WINS MARK ON CLAY, CLAIMING THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE ON THE SURFACE IN THE OPEN ERA WITH A 300-21 RECORD (0.934). HE IS ALSO THE NO. 2 CLAY COURT TITLES LEADER WITH 43, BEHIND GUILLERMO VILAS WHO WON 46.

ROGER FEDERER BECAME JUST THE THIRD PLAYER IN THE OPEN ERA TO REACH 950+ CAREER WINS. ONLY JIMMY CONNORS AND IVAN LENDL HAVE SURPASSED HIM.

AUGUST 13, 1999

Flashback

16 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

WHILE RANKED NO. 3 AND WITH 22 MAJOR SINGLES TITLES AND A RECORD 377 WEEKS AS WORLD NO. 1, STEFFI GRAF ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL TENNIS. THE 30 YEAR OLD ADMITTED THAT "I'M NOT HAVING FUN ANYMORE." TWO YEARS AFTER RETIREMENT, ON OCTOBER 22, 2001, SHE MARRIED ANDRE AGASSI, THEN GAVE BIRTH FOUR DAYS FOLLOWING THEIR NUPTIALS TO SON JADEN GIL.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

with

JUDY MURRAY

JUDY MURRAY GETS SOCIAL BY TRACEY DEFRANCESCO

Judy Murray (@judmoo) is a fan favorite on Twitter. The mother of 2013 Wimbledon champ Andy Murray, Judy uses social media to show her followers what is going on in her personal and professional life. She tweets about things she likes, such as sweets and music. She posts photos from her travels around the world and her work with children and British tennis. But most notably, she makes witty remarks that let her personality shine.

Tennis View Magazine: Fans love your personality and wit on Twitter. Do you have a philosophy about how much to share or what types of topics to post? Judy Murray: I do a mixture of things. I retweet stuff about what Jamie and Andy are up to. I tweet things that I see when I’m at tournaments that are either interesting or amusing. It is a chance to show your personality a bit more. TVM: What's your advice for players dealing with social media and negative interactions? JM: You need to know why you’re using something. I know of many, many tennis players who receive abuse and threats over social media. Probably the key to it is not to read your mentions, just put out what you want to put out and follow who you want to follow. But if you go into your mentions where basically anybody can reply to you,

then young players who don’t have as much life experience can get very upset by some of the comments that are posted there. TVM: How do you respond to negative comments? JM: If anybody sends me a comment that’s abusive in any way, I just immediately block them. TVM: That’s an interesting perspective given how much social media interfaces with the business side of tennis. JM: Yes, social media is such a big part of players’ lives these days. Companies and sponsors are often looking at players’ followings on Facebook and Twitter to influence whether they could be a good ambassador for whatever it is they’re asking them to sponsor. So it’s important that they learn how to use it well. I think that’s where the WTA and ATP can advise, run workshops,

teach them the pros and cons, and the upside and downside of social media. TVM: What do you enjoy most about social media? JM: I quite enjoy Twitter. I think it’s a great way to engage with fans because you’re in charge of what you put out. Many people say to me, ‘Oh gosh, you don’t smile,’ when they see me at tournaments on the TV. Of course when I’m watching the boys play, I’m very serious about what they’re doing, and it’s very stressful for me, so I never look like I’m enjoying myself. So I get people saying, ‘Oh you’re so serious on TV, you’re scary’ or whatever, and I think, I’m actually nothing like that! Twitter is just like a fun way to show that you’re pretty normal and that you have a good sense of humor, so I like it for that sort of side of it.

JUDY MURRAY: TWITTER.COM/JUDMOO Followers: 96K+ Number of Tweets: 12.1K+ First Tweet: October 2, 2010 "Is jeff overton the 3rd Bryan Brother?" twitter.com/judmoo/statuses/26191234100

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 17

FIRST SERVE

UNTIL ITS DESTRUCTION AFTER THE 2009 WIMBLEDON, WHICH COURT AT THE ALL-ENGLAND CLUB WAS DUBBED “THE GRAVEYARD COURT”? [A] COURT 5

[B] COURT 11

[C] COURT 2

[D] CENTRE COURT

Who is the last female player to sweep all three available events at Wimbledon? (singles, doubles, mixed) A - Chris Evert B - Billie Jean King C - Serena Williams D - Venus Williams

DOUBLES TEAM HOLDS 4. WHICH THE MOST WIMBLEDON MEN’S DOUBLES TITLES? A) Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan B) Mark Woodforde/Todd Woodbridge C) John McEnroe/Peter Fleming D) Reggie Doherty/Laurie Doherty

PETE SAMPRAS PLAYED HIS FINAL WIMBLED ON IN 2002. WHO WAS HIS OPPONENT?

a. Goran Ivanisevic b. Lleyton Hewitt

c. Richard Krajicek d. Boris Becker

A/ B/ C/ D/

9 HOURS, 42 MINUTES 11 HOURS, 5 MINUTES 15 HOURS, 8 MINUTES 12 HOURS, 17 MINUTES

A > RICHARD KRAJICEK B > LLEYTON HEWITT C > GEORGE BASTL D > ANDRE AGASSI

QUIZ WHIZ: THE CHAM TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON THE OLD

18 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

HOW MANY ACES DID JOHN ISNER SERVE IN HIS 2010 WIMBLEDON OPENING ROUND MATCH B) 85 C) 120 D) 113 AGAINST NICOLAS MAHUT? A) 103

Bjorn Borg holds the record for most consecutive wins at Wimbledon. How many consecutive matches did he win? <A> 38 <B> 41

BEFORE ANDY MURRAY'S 2013 VICTORY, WHO WAS THE LAST BRITISH MALE TO WIN WIMBLEDON? (A) Andy Murray (B) Tim Henman (C) Fred Perry (D) Greg Rusedski

12.

10.

< C> 44 <D> 52

11.

Who is the last No. 1 seed on the WTA tour to lose in the first round of Wimbledon? A B C D

Martina Hingis Serena Williams Venus Williams Monica Seles

Since 1922, which WTA player holds the record for most losses in the finals of the singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Championship with seven? A/ Martina Hingis B/ Helen Jacobs

C/ Chris Evert D/ Steffi Graf

PIONSHIPS, WIMBLEDON EST TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD

ANSWERS: 1C; 2C; 3B; 4D; 5B; 6A; 7D; 8C; 9B; 10A; 11C; 12C TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 19

FIRST SERVE

INSIDE THE PLAYER’S BOX

ROGER FEDERER

A N IN - DE P T H LO OK A T T H E T E A M B E H IN D YO U R FA V O RIT E P L A YE RS , IN C LU DIN G T H E IR P A RT N E RS , C O AC H ES , A G EN T S , F A M IL Y A N D E V EN P ET S !

ROGER FEDERER Born: August 8, 1981 Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland Age: 32 Residence: Bottmingen, Switzerland; Dubai, UAE Citizenship: Swiss; South African Nicknames: Federer Express or FedEx, Swiss Maestro, Fed, Rog

Wife and Children: Miroslava; twin daughters Myla and Charlene and newborn twin sons Leo and Lenny. After meeting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics where both were entered in tennis, Roger and “Mirka” soon began dating but it took nine years before the two tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Basel. Mirka at one point served as her husband’s manager, but decided to focus on family and can often be spotted with 5-year-old twin daughters Myla and Charlene, and soon newest additions Leo and Lenny.

Parents and Sibling: Lynette and Robert; Sister Diana. Robert, a Swiss, and Lynette, a South African, met in a cafeteria while working for a chemical company in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two recall playing soccer in their home’s kitchen with Roger and older sister Diana, calling the games “cutthroat” at times and instilling in him a competitive spirit.

Agent: Tony Godsick. Federer’s agent while at IMG, the two paired up to create their own management firm last year, Team8. Godsick is married to former top-5 player Mary Joe Fernández. 20 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

Famous Friends: Anna Wintour, Gavin Rossdale, Pippa Middleton, Thierry Henry, Oscar de la Renta, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James.

Team: Federer has worked with Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi since 2008 and began his partnership with former world No. 1 Stefan Edberg this year. Federer’s physiotherapist, Stephane Vivier, is a former ATP trainer and came on board in 2009, while his long-time fitness trainer is Pierre Paganini.

TENNIS SERVED SOUTHERN STYLE

Winston-Salem Open

WINSTON-SALEM OPEN August 16 – 23

Wake Forest University

WinstonSalemOpen.com 336.758.6409

FIRST SERVE

POP QUIZ

JUNIOR & COLLEGE NOTES TO DO OR NOT TO DO? BENEFITS OF TAKING THE COLLEGE ROUTE BY NICK NEMEROFF

KEVIN ANDERSON

STEVE JOHNSON

22 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

EACH YEAR, ELITE JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYERS AROUND THE WORLD ARE FORCED TO DECIDE WHETHER TO MAKE THE JUMP TO THE PROFESSIONAL TENNIS CIRCUIT OR FURTHER HONE THEIR SKILLS THROUGH THE COLLEGE ROUTE. If you are able to succeed at the professional level, money and acclaim tend to follow. However, that is a big ‘if’ and a variety of factors must be considered before a player makes a decision that will affect the rest of their career. Many young players assume that because they were highly successful as a junior, it will translate into success at the professional level. The reality is that the jump between the juniors and the professional

game is a large one. Top 100 ATP player STEVE JOHNSON, a former University of Southern California standout and twotime NCAA Division I singles champion, understands this distinction and reveals why he chose the college route first. "I've [been told] that me going to college for four years was the dumbest idea I could make,” stated the 24-year-old. “I wasn't mature tennis-wise or good enough, fitness-wise, not even close to the right level. College gave me a chance to grow up and realize what was important and not important in my life.” Johnson’s stance on players needing time to mature are in line with the growing trend of players under

22 years of age finding less and less achievement on tour, while their older counterparts take home the titles. KEVIN ANDERSON, the top ranked South African male and a former NCAA doubles champion at the University of Illinois, says the financial aspect of turning professional is crucial. South Africa, which is far from being a tennis rich nation, hasn’t always had the financial support needed by players. “For players far from the tennis scene, funding isn’t always easy to come by,” Anderson said. “It’s a really expensive sport.” In a sport that has no guaranteed contracts, he believes that college is useful for providing players with “the right support structure” to allow them to finance their eventual professional careers. Though he didn’t take the college route, ROGER FEDERER accepts that while “there is actually no perfect route to becoming world No. 1,” any path to greatness involves one key ingredient – sacrifice. Whether it means sacrificing several years on tour by deciding to play college tennis, sacrificing financial security, or sacrificing time from family and friends, there is no way to get around making sacrifices.

YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO GO PROFESSIONAL, OR IS THE COLLEGE ROUTE RIGHT FOR YOU? TAKE OUR SHORT QUIZ TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR DECISION! 1 Are you able to practice and play long matches without breaking down physically? a. Yes b. No 2 Do you play your matches with a sound state of mind? a. Yes b. No 3 Will you have the immediate financial resources to jump-start a professional career? a. Yes b. No 4 If you decide to forgo college tennis, do you have a backup plan in case your shot at the pros doesn’t work out? a. Yes b. No 5 Are you comfortable with constant travelling and being away from home for extended periods of time? a. Yes b. No 6 Are you ready to make tennis a priority and job, one that is often unforgiving and financially straining? a. Yes b. No 7 Do you believe you are ready to compete with the best players in the world? a. Yes b. No

If you chose more "a's" than "b's" then you may be ready to take your shot on the professional tour. If you chose more "b's" than "a's" then a few years at the college level may be the best option for you.

EVENT SHOWCASE

The Bank of the West Classic

Tennis fans, kids and families gather to see top women's tennis

THE LONGEST-RUNNING WOMEN-ONLY PROFESSIONAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD IS THE FIRST STOP OF THE EMIRATES AIRLINE US OPEN SERIES

5 Dominika

Cibulkova

STANFORD UNIVERSITY TAUBE FAMILY TENNIS STADIUM JULY 28-AUGUST 3 WTA PREMIER EVENT TICKETS + INFO: WWW.BANKOFTHEWESTCLASSIC.COM 866-982-8497

IF YOU WANT TO WITNESS SOME OF THE BEST WOMEN TENNIS PLAYERS IN THE WORLD competing in California's beautiful Bay Area then plan to attend The Bank of the West Classic July 28-August 3. Already committed to the event are World No. 1 Serena Williams, French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, top Pole Agnieszka Radwanska and defending champion Dominika Cibulkova from Slovakia. Owned and operated by IMG, the WTA Premier event features a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw with total prize money of $710,000. Held on Stanford Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus at Taube Family Tennis Stadium since 1997, former champions include: Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Andrea Jaeger, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters. The tournament is situated in the heart of the Silicon Valley with a backdrop of the magnificent Stanford University. Whether you are simply attending a few day or night sessions with family or school

mates or you have secured tickets for the entire week with friends from the tennis club, you'll have a wide choice of ticket options. Individual session tickets for the opening round are on sale now and start as low as $30. If you plan on staying for an entire day of matches, Daily Double packages start at just $48. The Bank of the West Classic also provides fans with multiple money-saving ticket packages that start as low as $190 for Night Session Packages, $255 for Weekend Packages and $595 for Full Week Packages. Groups of 15 or more can also receive discounts of up to 20 percent. The event also offers a Ladies Day package that's complete with match tickets, lunch, champagne, prizes and photo opps with tennis players.

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 23

FIRST SERVE Rafael Nadal is the defending champion, having defeated Canadian Milos Raonic in the final last year.

EVENT SHOWCASE

Rogers Cup Toronto

A STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP ALONG WITH NEW OFF-COURT FESTIVITIES, MAKE THE BEAUTIFUL AND COSMOPOLITAN CITY OF TORONTO A GREAT SUMMER DESTINATION

TORONTO, CANADA AUGUST 2-10, 2014 ROGERS CUP PRESENTED BY NATIONAL BANK ATP WORLD TOUR MASTERS 1000 TICKETS + INFO WWW.ROGERSCUP.COM

THE BEST MEN’S TENNIS PLAYERS IN THE WORLD are heading to Toronto this summer to compete for the prestigious Rogers Cup presented by National Bank trophy. Taking place August 2-10, 2014 at Rexall Centre, Rogers Cup is an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event and one of the world’s biggest tennis tournaments. Rafael Nadal is the defending champion after he defeated Canadian Milos Raonic in the final last year. The list of players who have lifted the Rogers Cup trophy in the past is an exclusive one – in fact, only four athletes have captured the last 10 tournaments – Nadal in 2013, 2008, and 2005, Novak Djokovic in 2012, 2011, and 2007, Andy Murray in 2009 and 2010, and Roger Federer in 2004 and 2006. With the exceptions of Wimbledon and the US Open, Rogers Cup is the oldest tournament in tennis and the 2014 edition will continue to deliver awe-inspiring excitement, unforgettable moments, and history-making tennis to the city of Toronto. Beyond boasting a player field full of the world’s

24 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

best and a world-class venue to take it all in, Rogers Cup offers many off-court attractions as well. Set on 20 scenic acres, the Rexall Centre grounds feature world-class shopping, several delicious food and beverage offerings, interactive games and promotions, plus daily events such as autograph sessions and stage performances. With a focus on providing fans with the best experience possible, there is something for everyone at Rogers Cup. For the first time, Rogers Cup will also be featuring a theme, Art of Tennis. Unique events connecting the creative side of tennis to the arts will be taking place throughout the week. Among the other special events set for the tournament include Pizzaville Free Community Weekend, Opening Night festivities, and Rogers Cup Hall of Fame inductions. Combining the top tennis players on the globe with loads of off-court offerings make Rogers Cup a popular and exciting destination for sports and entertainment fans alike.

CELEBRA CELEBRATE TE The The G GAME AME T he HISTORY The HI STORY The The LE LEGENDS GENDS

LINDSAY DAVENPORT Hall of Fame Class of 2014

MEMBER S SHIP HI P Hall of F ame members enjo y exclusive exclusive y ear-round benefit Fame enjoy year-round benefitss while also pla ying an ac tive rrole ole in suppor ting our mission mission tto o pr eserve the history history playing active supporting preserve of ttennis, ennis, tto o honor the gr eatest champions o enc ourage y outh greatest champions,, and tto encourage youth ttennis ennis de velopment. M embership suppor o pr ovide a unique development. Membership supportt also helps tto provide landmark ffor or ttennis e visit ors ccan an celebrate celebrate their ennis ffans ans w orldwide wher worldwide where visitors y learning learning about its its rich history, lo ve ffor or the game b history, playing playing tennis, tennis, and love by tion at the Hall of Fame Fame Tennis Tennis Championships seeing the pr os in ac pros action Championships.. n mor e about the benefit T o lear ennisfame.com. To learn more benefitss of membership visit ttennisfame.com. Join online at tennis f ame. c om or b y phone at 401.8 4 9. 39 90. tennisfame.com by 401.849.3990. INTERNA INTERNATIONAL T I ONAL T TENNIS ENN I S HALL OF F FAME AME & M MUSEUM USEUM

NEWPORT, NEWPORT, RI RI

Photos:: Mik Mikee Baz, Getty Images, Images, International International n Tennis Tennis Hall of Fame Fame & Museum, Mu Kate Whitney Lucey

FIRST SERVE The champion of the 2011 and 2012 Winston-Salem Opens, Isner is having one of the best years of his career.

EVENT SHOWCASE

Winston Salem Open

THE LAST STOP ON THE ATP TOUR BEFORE THE US OPEN, THE WINSTON SALEM OPEN ALWAYS ATTRACTS A LIST OF STARS INCLUDING FERNANDO VERDASCO, TOMMY ROBREDO, GAEL MONFILS, ALEX DOLGOPOLOV, AND OF COURSE, JOHN ISNER

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY AUGUST 16-23, 2014 ATP WORLD TOUR 250 EVENT TICKETS + INFO WWW.WINSTONSALEMOPEN.COM PURCHASE TICKETS BEFORE JULY 1 TO RECEIVE A 10 PERCENT DISCOUNT

TWO-TIME WINSTON-SALEM OPEN CHAMPION AND TOP RANKED AMERICAN JOHN ISNER has committed to play the 2014 Winston-Salem Open, which will be held from Aug. 16-23 at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex. “Given his local ties and how much support he has given to the Winston-Salem Open even when he couldn’t play last year, having John return was one of our top priorities,” said Tournament Director Bill Oakes. “We’re very appreciative that he will again headline our field, and we know that Triad tennis fans will look forward to cheering him on in August.”

26 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

Fans who purchase tickets before July 1, will be rewarded with a 10 percent discount. "We hope that they will help us create another amazing atmosphere as we welcome some of the best players in the world to Winston-Salem.” The champion of the 2011 and 2012 WinstonSalem Opens, Isner is having one of the best years of his career. He returned to the top 10 this spring after a number of impressive performances, including a semifinal appearance at the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells in March. Isner won the eighth ATP singles title of his career in Auckland back in January and reached the semifinals in Delray Beach in February. A graduate of Greensboro’s Page High School and four-time All-American at the University of Georgia, Isner has never lost a match at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex. He will be returning to Winston-Salem after an injury prevented him from defending his titles last year.

Event Calendar

DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA BANK OF THE WEST CLASSIC

MARION BARTOLI AND ANDY MURRAY - WIMBLEDON

RAFAEL NADAL - ROGERS CUP

JURGEN MELZER - WINSTON SALEM OPEN

START ID

EVENT

LOCALE

SURFACE DRAW PRIZE

SINGLES CHAMP WEBSITE

July 7

ATP

SkiStar Swedish Open

Bastad, Sweden

Clay

$585,430

Carlos Berlocq

men.swedishopen.org

July 7

ATP

Mercedes Cup

Stuttgart, Germany

Clay

$585,430

Fabio Fognini

mercedescup.de

July 7

ATP

Hall of Fame Tennis Championships Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

Grass

$474,005

Nicolas Mahut

halloffametennischampionships.com gastein-ladies.at

July 7

WTA

NURNBERGER GASTEIN LADIES

Bad Gastein, Austria

Clay

$250,000

Yvonne Meusburger

July 7

WTA

Bucharest Open

Bucharest, Romania

Clay

$250,000

N/A

July 14

ATP

bet-at-home Open German Tennis Championships

Hamburg, Germany

Clay

$1,634,000

Fabio Fognini

bet-at-home-open.com

July 14

ATP

Claro Open Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Hard

$663,610

Ivo Karlovic

claroopencolombia.com

July 14

WTA

Collector Swedish Open

Bastad, Sweden

Clay

$250,000

Serena Williams

women.swedishopen.org

July 14

WTA

Istanbul Cup

Istanbul, Turkey

Clay

$250,000

N/A

istanbulcup.com

July 21

ATP

BB&T Atlanta Open

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

Hard

$568,805

John Isner

bbtatlantaopen.com

July 21

ATP

Credit Agricole Suisse Open

Gstaad, Switzerland

Clay

$585,430

Mikhail Youzhny

creditagricolesuisseopengstaad.ch

July 21

ATP

ATP Vegeta Croatia Open

Umag, Croatia

Clay

$585,430

Tommy Robredo

croatiaopen.hr

July 21

WTA

Baku Cup

Baku, Azerbaijan

Hard

$250,000

Elina Svitolina

bakucup.az

July 28

ATP

Bet-At-Home Cup Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel, Austria

Clay

$585,430

Marcel Granollers

bet-at-home-cup.com

July 28

ATP/WTA Citi Open

Washington D.C., U.S.A.

Hard

$1,399,700 / $250,000

Juan Martin del Potro / citiopentennis.com Magdalena Rybarikova

July 28

WTA

Stanford, California, U.S.A.

Hard

$710,000

Dominika Cibulkova

bankofthewestclassic.com rogerscup.com

Bank of the West Classic

Montreal/Toronto, Canada

Hard

$3,146,920

Rafael Nadal / Serena Williams

Aug. 11 ATP/WTA Western & Southern Open

Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.

Hard

$3,356,715

Rafael Nadal / Victoria Azarenka

cincytennis.com

Aug. 18 ATP

Winston-Salem Open

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A. Hard

$598,260

Jurgen Melzer

winstonsalemopen.com

Aug. 18 WTA

New Haven Open at Yale

New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A.

$710,000

Simona Halep

newhavenopen.com

TBD

Rafael Nadal / Serena Williams

usopen.org

Aug. 4

ATP/WTA Rogers Cup

Aug. 25 Major

U.S. Open

New York, New York, U.S.A.

Hard Hard

128

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 27

TAKE NOTICE

FIRST SERVE

EY E- OPEN I N G PERFORMAN CES

THIRD TIME THE CHARM 17-YEAR-OLD DONNA VEKIC ANNOUNCES HER ARRIVAL ON TOUR A runner-up in her first two WTA finals at Tashkent in 2012 and Birmingham in 2013, Croatian teenager Donna Vekic took home her first title this spring when she won the BMW Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur. Not only did she defeat her first top-10 opponent, Dominika Cibulkova in a tough threeset final, but the win made the 17-year-old the youngest player to win a WTA title in eight years. Based out of London the past few years, Vekic moved her team to picturesque Monte Carlo alongside coach David Felgate and new fitness trainer Josko Silic. After reaching a career high ranking of 62 in the world one year ago, Vekic finished the season as the youngest player in the top 200. With her improved fitness and youthful enthusiasm, she is on course to best her previous careerhigh this summer with continued good results.

“Even though I’m in the top 100 I’m still very far from my final goal, which is being No. 1. I’m always the one with highest expectations, but I try not to care what others say. It’s not easy sometimes but it’s the best thing to do.” TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 29

FIRST SERVE

TAKE NOTICE

EY E- OPEN I N G PERFORMAN CES

SOARING HIGH NICOLAS ALMAGRO DETHRONES THE KING OF CLAY FOR FIRST TIME IN 11 MEETINGS A win over Rafael Nadal on any surface is a reason to celebrate but even more so when it comes on red clay and in Barcelona. Nicolas Almagro handed Nadal his first defeat in the Spanish city since 2003, ending his 41match winning streak there. Almagro defeated his Spanish comrade for just the first time in 11 attempts with precision and focus. Despite having turned professional 11 years ago, Almagro puts this win in perspective. “It was a really good match against the best player on [clay]. It is a really important victory in my career,” stated the 28-year-old. One week prior, fellow Spaniard David Ferrer also stunned Nadal on the surface, for his first win against him on clay in 10 years. The previously impossible task of defeating Nadal on clay is suddenly a reality.

“Winning the last point against Rafa, I felt happy for all of my team.” 30 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

TAKE NOTICE

EY E- OPEN I N G PERFORMAN CES

WINNING FORMULA ANDREA PETKOVIC ENDS A NEARLY THREEYEAR TITLE DROUGHT Former top-10 player Andrea Petkovic has battled back from several injuries over the years and once again returned to the winner’s circle at a recent WTA stop in Charleston. The title, her largest to date, is her third career title and first since winning Strasbourg in 2011. "I don't know why but I just sort of broke down,” said an emotional but elated Petkovic. “I was just so relieved and proud that I've come back from all these injuries, and I never thought I would play in the finals of the big tournaments again, and so I was just proud and happy and everything just sort of came together." After a somewhat underwhelming start to the year with opening round losses at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, the run in Charleston was a welcome achievement and put her back into the top 30. Outside of two finalist appearances in Nurnberg and Washington, DC she will look to defend this summer, her climb up the rankings may very well be a smooth one barring any injuries.

“I’m going to have champagne and I don’t even drink champagne, but I’m just going to have it for the heck of it in the airplane … I’m going to walk around and dance with the cabin attendants. That’s what I’m going to do!” – Petkovic after her win in Charleston TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 31

FIRST SERVE

TAKE NOTICE

EY E- OPEN I N G PERFORMAN CES

SWISS EXCELLENCE ROGER FEDERER AND STANISLAS WAWRINKA MAKE SWISS HISTORY ONCE MORE It’s not uncommon to see an all-American or all-Spanish final on the ATP Tour these days. But an all-Swiss final? It hasn’t been done in 14 years until recently when Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka vied for the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters title. Though Wawrinka came out victorious in the end, only his second win in 15 meetings with Federer, it was a momentous occasion for the two close friends. "It's always special to play Roger," said Wawrinka. "We know it's always a strange match [to play each other], especially being in the final here. He's my best friend on the tour. We respect each other so much. Before and after, we are still very good friends. During the match, we just try everything to win.” Federer echoed the sentiment: "I think it's incredible that we are in the finals together. That we're able to have this moment together on a center court, it's so rare. This one is clearly very special, especially with the way [Stan’s] been playing the past few months, the number of hours we spent together on court either playing doubles or practicing, the times we've talked tennis. It's nice living a moment like this together in a final.”

"Of the first [few] months of the year [Wawrinka] is the most in form, he is leading the circuit. No discussion. He really is a player who, today, has no holes. He does everything very well and to a high level." – Rafael Nadal 32 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

TAKE NOTICE

EY E- OPEN I N G PERFORMAN CES

AIR FRANCE RISING 20-YEAR-OLD FRENCHWOMAN CAROLINE GARCIA MAKES HER MOVE Three years ago, Andy Murray watched a relatively unknown 17-year-old wildcard push Maria Sharapova to the brink in the second round of Roland Garros, and took to Twitter: “The girl [S]harapova is playing is going to be number one in the world one day [C]aroline [G]arcia, what a player u heard it here first.” Though Garcia is not No. 1 yet, she sits just outside of the top 50 in the rankings and recently scored some big career firsts. In April, the 20-year-old took home her first set of trophies in Bogota as she became the first player to pull off a singles-doubles title sweep on the WTA-level since Serena Williams at the 2012 Olympics. In the final, she also scored her first top-10 win as she defeated world No. 9 Jelena Jankovic in straight sets. The following weekend, she single-handedly advanced France to the World Group in Fed Cup, winning both of her singles matches as well as teaming up with veteran Virginie Razzano in doubles to take out the U.S. In the words of French Fed Cup captain Amelie Mauresmo, there is one quality that seems to separate her from the rest of the rising stars: “She is fearless completely.”

“It always brings some confidence, to not lose a match in one week. It doesn’t happen often during the year. I know my game is ready to have good matches, and to enjoy it and do the best I can.” TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 33

BY TRACEY DeFRANCESCO

michael Downey brings an outsiDer’s perspective anD a successful track recorD asthe new heaD of british tennis

ichael Downey haD just taken the reins as the presiDent anD ceo of tennis canaDa in 2004. that summer, he was showing atp chairman mark miles the rogers cup facility when they ran into a player arriving to practice. as they walkeD away, Downey askeD, “who was that?” miles answereD in Disbelief, “that was roger feDerer!” nearly a DecaDe later, in september 2013, great britain’s governing boDy of tennis, the lawn tennis association (lta), announceD a surprising choice from more than 350 applicants to replace roger Draper: michael Downey.

34 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

"I MADE A GOOD ARGUMENT THAT YOUR CEO DOESN’T HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD BACKHAND. YOUR CEO HAS TO BE ABLE TO LEAD AN ORGANIZATION AND RAISE FUNDS AND DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN."

with

ANDY MURRAY

"THERE WILL BE VERY FEW PLAYERS THAT WIN WIMBLEDON, THE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL, THE U.S. OPEN AND THE OTHER GREAT AWARDS THAT ANDY [MURRAY] HAS WON. WE CAN’T TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED." So how did a former beer executive from hockey-mad Canada who couldn't recognize one of the world’s most famous athletes come to be chosen as the new head of British tennis? The answer lies in the success of Downey’s nine-year tenure running Tennis Canada. Far from being embarrassed by the Federer incident, Downey holds that story up as an example of his outsider status and how he turned a weakness into an effective management style.

THE GREAT WHITE NORTH Downey embodies the stereotypical Canadian: friendly, open and humble. The son of a schoolteacher and a marketer, he followed his father’s footsteps by working as a marketing sales director for pharmaceutical company Warner-Lambert after graduating from the University of Western Ontario. That job exposed Downey to international business, including a two-year position in Indonesia at the age of 27, which he says was a “phenomenal experience.” Downey gained a background in sports as the head of sales and marketing for the Toronto Raptors of the NBA, and then for NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. He was serving as regional vice president for Molson, Canada’s largest brewery, when

the opportunity at Tennis Canada surfaced. Even though he doesn't play tennis, Downey knew he was right for the job. “I made a good argument that your CEO doesn’t have to have a good backhand. Your CEO has to be able to lead an organization and raise funds and develop a strategic plan,” recounts Downey. He lived up to his promise by growing tennis participation in Canada 23 percent between 2008 and 2011 and increasing fan interest in the sport. Although Tennis Canada is a nonprofit entity, Downey instituted for-profit thinking that focused on results with pay-for-performance bonuses. “What I’m most proud of is that the culture of this organization has changed under my leadership,” he says, adding, “I really believe everything is driven by strategy. When I joined, we were spending $3 million or $3.5 million on tennis development. In 2013, we spent $12 million.” The commitment to development at all levels paid off with unprecedented results. Canada’s first two Grand Slam singles titles at any level came just days apart as Eugenie Bouchard and Filip Peliwo won the junior girls’ and boys’ Wimbledon

MICHAEL DOWNEY

titles in 2012. The following year, Canada’s Davis Cup team advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1913. The crowning achievement of Downey’s reign was Milos Raonic’s ascension to the top 10. The 23-year-old’s success on the pro tour captured national headlines even in the heart of hockey season. Raonic recalls how Downey supported him at the beginning of his career. “He’s not just doing his job as a businessman,” he told reporters. “He really cares about the players and has a good relationship with them.” Raonic has also spoken about Downey’s passion for the sport and describes being able to discern his voice from the rest of the crowd at rowdy Davis Cup matches. “There are two words I dislike in this sport, and they’re called ‘quiet please,’” Downey laughs. “I know why they're there and it’s the tradition of the sport, but I really think you’re telling your fans to be quiet and I just don’t think that is the right approach. You want to engage your fans emotionally, and they’ve got to be able to let it out.”

CREAM OF THE CROP

The LTA’s choice of a boisterous fan who doesn’t play tennis -- and isn’t British -initially baffled the tennis world. Upon closer inspection, however, Downey may be just the shake-up British tennis needs to capitalize on Andy Murray’s success while simultaneously reforming the organization’s otherwise unsatisfactory results. Downey’s January arrival at the LTA came in the midst of turmoil and national scrutiny. Former CEO Roger Draper was criticized for failing to make good on outlandish promises -- such as getting five British players in the top 100 by 2010 C ONT INUED

MILOS RAONIC TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 35

with

MICHAEL DOWNEY

-- while collecting an enormous annual salary package of £640,000 (about $1.06 million). At the end of 2013, Andy Murray was the only British man inside the top 150 while Laura Robson was the only woman in the top 100. The lack of depth in British tennis at the pro level was matched by a decline in recreational participation, a problem that threatened funding for the sport. A government body in charge of allocating taxpayer money to support sports development cut LTA funding in the wake of a survey showing a 9 percent decline in the number of Britons playing tennis. Sport England was debating whether to provide another £10.3 million in funding just as Downey joined the LTA. In contrast to his predecessor, Downey has a low-key approach to the job. His base salary of £300,000 (about $494,000 US) is a big reduction from Draper’s earnings. He is also aware of the public sentiment regarding grandstanding. “I’m not going to make grandiose statements on what achievements we’re going to make next year or the year after,” he says. “Those kinds of statements usually come back to hurt you.”

what is going to get people talking more about tennis and eventually playing tennis more.” Downey also emphasizes the impact of female players such as Laura Robson, named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2012, and Heather Watson, who in 2012 became the first British woman in 24 years to win a WTA singles title. “Tennis is unique in that the participation and fan base in most countries is evenly developed among men and women. This is one reason our sport is attractive to sponsors,” he explains. “Laura and Heather can help inspire young girls to become more active through tennis.”

LEADING THE LTA As a leader, Downey promotes transparency and communication to keep employees engaged. He arrived in London seeing his outsider status as an advantage that would allow him to approach the job with a blank slate, open to feedback from players, coaches and fans across Great Britain. Downey lists his top three priorities for British tennis as growing participation, developing public facilities to encourage year-round playing and enabling high-performance success. According to his philosophy, the efforts are intertwined and can all be bolstered by a crucial element: national pride. That’s where Andy Murray’s achievements come into play. “There will be very few players that win Wimbledon, the Olympic gold medal, the U.S. Open and the other great awards that Andy’s won. We can’t take that for granted,” Downey says. He believes that Murray’s success will have a positive long-term effect on British tennis. “People want icons, they want role models. It’s about pride. The pride is

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LAURA ROBSON

HEATHER WATSON

"THERE ARE TWO WORDS I DISLIKE IN THIS SPORT, AND THEY’RE CALLED ‘QUIET PLEASE'." A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE Although he knows that expectations soar high, Downey welcomes the challenge before him with the same optimism that helped him fight a life-threatening illness. At age 50, the same age at which his father succumbed to cancer, Downey was diagnosed with rectal and prostate cancer. For 18 months, he balanced radiation and chemotherapy with his duties at Tennis Canada. “Life’s about opportunity, and I was lucky,” he says. “I could have died six years ago, and you have to take advantage of these opportunities. If cancer taught me anything, it’s that you’re never too old. At 56, to have this opportunity is terrific, and I’m just going to make the most of it. I’m pinching myself.” Downey expresses excitement not only about leading the LTA, but also about traveling around Europe and experiencing new cultures. He credits the move to London for inspiring him to marry his partner, writer/producer Jinder Chalmers, in December of last year. “Tennis brought me Jinder,” Downey says as he joyfully explains that the two met on a plane while he was flying to Vancouver for a Davis Cup press conference. Another personal connection to tennis dates back to childhood. Downey recalls watching Wimbledon with his grandfather, Clarence, during summer visits. After the day’s matches ended, the two would pick up their racquets and hit the community courts. “I know my grandfather, wherever he is, he’s looking down and he’s pretty proud of his grandson that I’ve not only had a great run at Tennis Canada, but I have the great opportunity of leading the LTA.”

"I COULD HAVE DIED SIX YEARS AGO, AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES. IF CANCER TAUGHT ME ANYTHING, IT’S THAT YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD."

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

with LINDSAY DAVENPORT

A SPECIAL 2014 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE TRIBUTE

38 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

Lindsay Davenport Anything but an “Unlikely Champion” BY TERESA THOMPSON

THREE-TIME SLAM WINNER AND OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST LINDSAY DAVENPORT HAS A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR. NOT ONLY FOR HER 17 YEARS OF ON-COURT ACCOMPLISHMENTS, FOR WHICH SHE WILL BE INDUCTED INTO THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME, BUT ALSO FOR HER LIFE OFF THE COURT. A MOTHER OF FOUR, HER LIFE NO LONGER REVOLVES AROUND PRACTICING GROUNDSTROKES AND PICKING UP TENNIS BALLS. INSTEAD, SHE FOCUSES ON HER CHILDREN. IN 2007 WHILE SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT WITH HER FIRSTBORN, DAVENPORT MISSED THE TOUR AND HAD A “HUGE DESIRE” TO RETURN TO COMPETITIVE PLAY. TOTTING AROUND HER THREE-MONTH-OLD SON JAGGER, SHE WENT ON TO WIN BALI, LISTING IT AS HER GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT THANKS TO THE FOND MEMORIES OF HAVING HER FAMILY WITH HER. CONTINUED

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 39

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

with LINDSAY DAVENPORT

A SPECIAL 2014 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE TRIBUTE

Lindsay Davenport Turned Pro: 1993 Retired: 2010 Career Prize Money: $22,166,338 (4th in all-time rankings) Weeks at No. 1: 98 Career Record: 753—194 (79.5%) Career Singles Titles: 55 Singles Slam Titles: 3; 1998 US Open, 1999 Wimbledon, 2000 Australian Open Career Doubles Titles: 38 (including 3 Slams)

NOW, WITH A HOUSE FULL OF KIDS, THE ONLY RESPITE SHE OCCASIONALLY GETS IS WHILE TRAVELING FOR TENNIS CHANNEL COMMENTATING COVERAGE. TRAVELING SOLO, SHE WISELY USED HER FREE TIME IN PARIS FOR THE FRENCH OPEN TO CRAFT HER HALL OF FAME ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. A ROLE MODEL FOR MANY WHILE SHE PLAYED PROFESSIONALLY, DAVENPORT’S LIFE AFTER TENNIS HAS BEEN JUST AS INSPIRING AND EXEMPLARY.

Teresa Thompson: Congratulations Hall of Famer Lindsay Davenport! That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Lindsay Davenport: Thank you! It's a wonderful feeling. TT: Can you describe the moment -- what you were doing and your reaction --

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when you first heard about your Hall of Fame nomination and then when you were accepted? LD: I was first told last August that I had been nominated for the Hall of Fame. I was working in the Tennis Channel studio in Los Angeles. It was obviously an exciting moment. When I found out I had been accepted, it was actually pretty funny. I was at the very end of my pregnancy and since it was my fourth child, my doctor was having me checked very regularly. My doctor had just sent me to the hospital to be monitored more closely and my husband and I were in the room awaiting to hear if our baby was going to be delivered. Mr. Clouser [chairman of the ITHOF] called. We couldn't answer at that moment but we were both very happy when we heard his message. Our baby was born later that night and I touched base with Mr. Clouser two days later. TT: How important was the acknowledgement, professionally and personally? LD: The award is of the highest honor and extremely humbling. I never grew up thinking about the HoF, but became very aware of the possibility during my career. I believe there is no higher honor in this sport and I'm looking forward to making it official in July.

TT: What's the message you want to get across in your speech to your fans and the tennis industry? LD: Well, I'm not really concerned about the industry. I want it to come from my heart and I think it will be fun. This is a time for me to show my love to the sport that has truly given me everything in my life, and to everyone who has supported me whether it's been the fans, friends, or family. I just hope I can properly convey all my thanks to those who are in my life. TT: I know you're used to big stages, but this one is different. How do you think you'll handle it? LD: Hopefully calmly, but you never know! Who can forget Pete Sampras’ speech? There's always a certain level of anxiety when you have to speak in front of thousands of people. It's hard to know exactly the emotions that will be flowing, but I'm sure when I look over and see my four kids, my mom, sisters, nieces, and friends, it will be touching.

“This is a time for me to show my love to the sport that has truly given me everything in my life.”

TT: When you think of your alltime greatest tennis moment what comes to mind? LD: My greatest moment on the court was winning the US Open [1998, d. Martina Hingis]. That was the Slam I watched growing up; it was the first one I competed in at the junior level and also the first Grand Slam main draw I played in. My whole family flew in after I won my semi-final match and it was so nice to have everyone there. TT: You are adored by so many people and on so many different levels. I think part of the attraction is your "girl next door" vibe. Is this perception accurate? LD: That makes me laugh! I have learned you can't control what people think of you. I have absolutely loved my life since I stopped competing almost six years ago. It can be a tough transition for athletes, but I never liked the attention or scrutiny of what being a top player entailed. My husband and I are loving the years where it's all about the kids. I mean, we have four kids aged six and under, so there's not a lot of time for outside activities. Nothing has given me greater joy than raising my kids with Jon.

go back to the Grand Slams with a higher level of appreciation, and working with some of the greatest people has been such a high point. I look forward to continuing that work and look forward to getting this last baby out of diapers! TT: How would you like to be remembered? LD: That's really not something that I worry about. I was lucky to find tennis. I was an unlikely champion, and I was in a family that couldn't care less what I achieved or didn't achieve.

TT: Any thoughts on how your next 2-5 years will play out? LD: I have absolutely loved working for the Tennis Channel. Getting a chance to still be involved with tennis, getting to

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 41

SNA IN THE GRASS BY CHRIS SKELTON

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AKES The dirt devils had their day on the clay of Roland Garros. Now the spotlight shines on players whose weapons are designed to wreak havoc on the grass of Wimbledon. Few are title contenders, but any can fling chalk and high seeds around the All England Club. Meet some of this summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s snakes in the grass. CONTINUED

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 43

SNAKES IN THE GRASS he Wimbledon surface has slowed since the era of Pete Sampras, Patrick Rafter and Goran Ivanisevic. Yet grass still rewards explosive first strikes from players aiming to end points quickly. Look no further than the feats of Roger Federer, who will seek a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title this summer. In many ways, Federer defines the quintessential grass-court game: pinpoint serves, silky movement, deft volleys. He has won more titles at Wimbledon than at any other major, and he has defeated all of his Big Four rivals there. Having claimed two of three grass collisions

seismic serves with delicate touch, the Frenchman has mastered the two extremes that grass rewards. He has defeated both Federer and Nadal on this surface, in addition to top-10 stalwart David Ferrer. An equally impressive group of grass-court upsets belongs to Tommy Haas, twice a champion on the surface in Halle. Haas has toppled not only Federer and Djokovic, but Tomas Berdych and Tsonga, although most of those victories have come at non-majors much smaller than Wimbledon. A semifinalist at the All England Club in 2009, the 36-year-old German has found TOMMY HAAS that the fast surface masks his

“IN MANY WAYS, FEDERER DEFINES THE QUINTESSENTIAL GRASS-COURT GAME: PINPOINT SERVES, SILKY MOVEMENT, DEFT VOLLEYS. HE HAS WON MORE TITLES AT WIMBLEDON THAN AT ANY OTHER MAJOR, AND HE HAS DEFEATED ALL OF HIS BIG FOUR RIVALS THERE.

ROGER FEDERER

with Rafael Nadal, Federer toppled Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in succession two years ago. Those triumphs lifted him to his 17th and most recent major title, nearly a decade after Wimbledon witnessed his first. Stunned in the second round last year, Federer will exude resolve to erase that blot on his record. On the other hand, the birth of his twin sons may prove distracting and impact his focus or preparation. Plenty of veterans less legendary than Federer will hurtle toward the net with abandon this year. Among them is two-time Wimbledon semifinalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, hoping to rebound from an uneven start to 2014. Tsonga’s acrobatic athleticism has spawned plenty of highlight-reel exchanges at the All England Club, including a 2011 pas de deux with Djokovic that ended with both men sprawled chin-down on the grass. Fusing

JO-WILFRIED TSONGA 44 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

inconsistency from the baseline while showcasing his reflexes around the net. Haas must recover from a nagging shoulder injury, however, before eyeing a deep run. In contrast to their French and German peers, few Spaniards have thrived on grass. A key exception is Feliciano Lopez, who has achieved his best results of any major at Wimbledon. Far from the clay grinder that Spain typically produces, Lopez uses the angles of his left-handed serve to open the court for net approaches. His talent for serving and volleying has propelled him to three Wimbledon quarterfinals as well as a title last year on the Eastbourne grass. Two of the Spaniard’s most significant upsets came on this surface, where his retro style lifted him past Nadal and three-time Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick. Another man who uses the serve as an approach shot, Ivo Karlovic can intimidate even the steeliest competitor. At a stratospheric 6-foot-10-inches, Karlovic struck the fastest serve in ATP history three IVO KARLOVIC years ago. That 156-mph

Wimbledon draw last year, bursting through a section that had contained Federer and Nadal. Janowicz left the Center Court crowd silent in awe when he blasted 30 aces past Nicolas Almagro in a straight-sets upset. British fans quailed when he claimed an early lead against eventual champion Andy Murray before fading in their semifinal. If rain forces Wimbledon to close its roof, the Pole will become even more dangerous as controlled conditions bring out the best in his game. The advent of Janowicz may herald a bright era for Eastern European men’s tennis, as does the rise of a Bulgarian peer. Granted, Grigor Dimitrov has not yet left his mark on the ATP main draw at Wimbledon, but he won the 2008 junior title there, the first statement of his promise. Considering how brightly Federer has shone on grass, it should not surprise that the young star most similar to him has shone there, too. Dimitrov’s self-belief, often a question mark, has soared over the last several months. A key factor in best-of-five matches, his fitness has improved as well. Fitness was paramount for John Isner when he won the longest match in tennis history at Wimbledon in 2010. Four years later, his feat remains branded on the brain of anyone who watched. The 11-hour sprawl of Isner’s victory over Nicolas Mahut has overshadowed the two grass titles that he has claimed since then. The American towers at a height similar to Karlovic, which offers him the same serving advantages. Unlike Karlovic, though, Isner prefers to end points with insideout or inside-in forehands rather than following his serve to the net. Looming near Isner in the ATP rankings, fellow giant Milos Raonic ventures toward the net more often than the American does. Raonic has achieved little FELICIANO LOPEZ

bomb booked the Croat’s place in tennis record books, but his serve is lethal for reasons beyond speed. A player of Karlovic’s height can create unpredictable bounces and unique angles with that shot. Although his resume includes just one Wimbledon quarterfinal, he has battered Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka and former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro into submission on grass. Nadal has compared the experience of facing Karlovic to JOHN ISNER playing a goalie in soccer. Serving and volleying in the style of a Lopez or a Karlovic has not gained traction among the ATP’s younger stars. This rising generation has found success on grass by modulating from the onetwo punch of serve and volley to a one-two punch of serve and forehand. Some of the younger men also have integrated this modern grass-court style with vintage net rushing. The trailblazer in this group, Jerzy Janowicz became the first man born in 1990 or later to reach a major semifinal. He cracked the final four in an upset-riddled

“UNLIKE KARLOVIC, THOUGH, ISNER PREFERS TO END POINTS WITH INSIDE-OUT OR INSIDE-IN FOREHANDS RATHER THAN FOLLOWING HIS SERVE TO THE NET.”

on grass to this stage, ousted by the second round in all three of his Wimbledon appearances. His struggles on grass highlight some of the obstacles that tall men can face there. The slippery surface can test their fallible footing, and the low bounce can keep balls below their favored strike zone. And yet, Raonic has more than enough firepower on serve to strike fear into a contender with that shot alone. ewer formidable servers, and fewer grass specialists, have evolved in the baseline-bound WTA than in the ATP. A handful of women have turned grass into their best surface, however, by combining first-strike power with crisp net skills. While five-

CONT INUED

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 45

SNAKES IN THE GRASS One of those shot-makers has made stunning upsets an annual event at the only major where she shines. Surprise 2013 finalist Sabine Lisicki shocked two topfive women in Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska at Wimbledon last summer. Before then, Lisicki had defeated Maria Sharapova and Li Na at the All England Club as she reached four quarterfinals there in a five-year span. She has defeated the previous month’s Roland Garros champion at Wimbledon three times. Lisicki complements her booming serve, arguably the best among women her age, with feathery drop shots that seem to die almost as soon as they land on the lowbouncing surface.

“VENUS REVIVED HER FORTUNES EARLY THIS YEAR AFTER A BLEAK 2013 CAMPAIGN, CLAIMING A PREMIER TITLE IN DUBAI.”

VENUS WILLIAMS

time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams should enter the All England Club as the favorite, these women could create intriguing subplots to watch. Near the head of the list looms Venus Williams, who has won five of her seven major titles at Wimbledon. Her last triumph came six long years ago before Sjogren’s syndrome turned Venus into a shadow of herself. Still, nobody wants to duel on grass with a server who can crack 120 mph and a volleyer whose wingspan seals off most passing shots. Venus revived her fortunes early this year after a bleak 2013 campaign, claiming a Premier title in Dubai. Turning 34 shortly before the tournament, Venus will hope that her experience carries her past some of the WTA’s bold young shot-makers.

PETRA KVITOVA

SABINE LISICKI

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The grass mitigates the ebbs and flows in Lisicki’s volatile game, allowing her to win points quickly without stringing together long rallies. A champion at Wimbledon three years ago, Petra Kvitova benefits from the same characteristic of the surface. Like Lisicki, Kvitova relies on one-two punches of her serve and forehand while also taking risks with ultra-aggressive returns. She has claimed Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, and Agnieszka Radwanska among her marquee victims at Wimbledon. Far from consistent at most tournaments, Kvitova has reached at least the quarterfinals there in every year since 2010. Halting Kvitova at the All England Club last year, Kirsten Flipkens enjoyed a breakthrough similar to Janowicz by reaching her first major semifinal. Her exploits during that fortnight did not surprise, for she

“IF HEWITT DOES NOT FIT THE PROTOTYPE OF A GRASS SPECIALIST, NEITHER DOES AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA. THE UNASSUMING POLE HAS PRODUCED HER BEST RESULTS AT WIMBLEDON OF ANY MAJOR, HOWEVER, REACHING THE FINAL IN 2012 AND NEARLY RETURNING THERE IN 2013.”

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA

had reached three semifinals at the smaller grass tournaments in the Netherlands. Relatively unassuming in stature, Flipkens relies on placement more than power to take control behind her serve. She will follow it to the net more often than most women and complement it with biting volleys. Her backhand slice also exploits the low bounce of this surface. But what if a rising player lacks a fierce offense, anchored by the seismic serve of a Janowicz or a Lisicki? Another path to success on grass beckons, signposted by a former men’s champion and a recent women’s finalist. Streamlined in body and streamlined in game, Lleyton Hewitt has found ways to blunt massive serves without a massive serve of his own. The Aussie captured Wimbledon in 2002, just before Federer’s era of domi-

nance, and he is the only former men’s champion in the 2014 field outside the Big Four. He rarely lights up the stat sheet with aces and often struggles with his first-serve percentage, partly because he stands less than 6 feet. In contrast, Hewitt relies on keen reflexes, compact swings and a low center of gravity to parry an opponent’s first strikes with laser-like returns and passing shots. Those counter-intuitive grass weapons have carried him to seven titles on the surface. If Hewitt does not fit the prototype of a grass specialist, neither does Agnieszka Radwanska. The unassuming Pole has produced her best results at Wimbledon of any major, however, reaching the final in 2012 and nearly returning there in 2013. Her semifinal epic against Lisicki last year revealed a stark contrast between two styles that can succeed on grass. Using her opponent’s own pace against her, Radwanska blocked back vicious serves and returns with penetrating depth that often thrust the heavy-footed German off balance. A chasm KIRSTEN FLIPKENS in ball-striking power yawned between the two women, yet their encounter was far from a mismatch despite Lisicki’s eventual victory. As Radwanska proved that day, and as Hewitt has proven for more than a decade, there is no formula for success on grass. The brief season on this surface will expand by one week in 2015, offering elite players more time to adjust before launching their Wimbledon quests. Even then, however, these snakes and others will continue to lurk in the grass.

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 47

On winning Wimbledon 2013:

"That's what you put the hours in for. I had been working towards that for a long, long time. I had come close quite a few times and had some near misses. All those experiences made me want it more."

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R U M

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

with

Y A R

T H E

MA K I N G

O F

ANDY MURRAY

CHAMPION

in the days leading up to The Championships. The gentle yet eerie quiet is punctuated only by the murmurs of coaches, the occasional burst from the public address system and the soft thwack of racquet on ball around the back courts of the All England Club. For Andy Murray, it’s a rare chance to collect his thoughts and absorb the unique atmosphere before the inevitable annual hysteria begins to unfold once more. This will be Murray’s ninth visit to SW19 as a professional, but 12 years ago, his Wimbledon story began in very different circumstances.

THERE’S AN ALMOST ETHEREAL HUSH AROUND WIMBLEDON

C ON TIN UED

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On Ivan Lendl:

"He's been a big part of my life. He's made a huge difference in dealing with the mental side in pressure situations, and you can't replace someone like that easily. But the best thing to do was to move on."

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

with

Back then, Murray was far from the 185-pound, physical specimen he is these days. As a 15-year-old wildcard dwarfed by some of his competitors, few onlookers would have even noticed as he lost in three sets in the first round of the junior tournament. In 2002, Tim Henman was the darling of the crowds, but Murray’s potential as a future successor was already well known to those involved in British tennis. At the age of 12, the young Scot burst onto the radar by winning the prestigious Orange Bowl title, defeating players almost two years his senior.

urray was determined to live his dream of competing with the very best in the Grand Slams, but the thought of a tennis career was vague. “I knew for a long time that I wanted to eventually turn pro, but it’s hard to say when I first realized it would be possible,” he told me recently. “Winning big tournaments like the Orange Bowl as a junior definitely fills you with confidence that maybe one day you can compete at the highest level. But a lot of players have won the Orange Bowl and then not gone on to become pros, so it was far from guaranteed. It wasn’t until I won the US Open junior title in 2004 that I really thought I could make it.”

ANDY MURRAY

spent one off-season studiously analyzing videos of Pete Sampras’s service motion in an attempt to gain some extra rotation and power. “I wouldn’t say my style is modelled on anyone,” he said. “I work hard on every aspect of my game all the time, and I always have done. I haven’t ever consciously thought I want to hit the ball like a certain player. It's important to me to have my own unique style.” Murray has never been afraid to do things his own way and make tough decisions for the good of his career. Shortly after that first Wimbledon appearance in 2002, he abandoned his childhood home and uprooted to Barcelona. He barely spoke a word of Spanish, but he had heard first hand of the array of practice partners and facilities on offer to Rafael Nadal in Mallorca, and he quickly realized that if he stayed at home, he risked being left behind. Murray came under the wing of former world No. 7 Emilio Sanchez, who owned an academy on the outskirts of the city. Sanchez was about to discover the intense drive and focus that would quickly establish Murray as the star performer in his squad. As he recalls with a laugh, though, his first impressions were anything but positive. “He came with very good reports saying he was very talented, but when I first met him, he was walking with his head down and shoulders slumped, and I was thinking, ‘He doesn’t look like much of a player!’” Sanchez soon found that, with Murray, appearances can be deceptive. “He’s always been extremely passionate, even if he doesn’t always show it,” he said. “It meant he put more effort in than players, he worked harder and he substituted the things which were maybe initially lacking in his game with that passion. That’s why he’s become one of the best in the world and won Grand Slams.” Murray’s ferocious, almost obsessive work ethic has always been key in transforming perceived weaknesses into strengths. Sanchez was impressed by his intrinsic ability to anticipate and CONT INUED

DESTINED TO BE A WINNER s a teenager, Murray’s considerable talents were initially nurtured by the affable Leon Smith, who currently serves as British Davis Cup captain. Their paths first crossed when Murray was playing tennis at the age of 7, but even then it was obvious he was a born winner. “The qualities that you see in Andy now are something he's probably had since birth,” Smith said. “He fights hard, he hates to lose and he’s always had that combination of competitiveness, professionalism and attention to detail.” Growing up, Murray idolized Andre Agassi after watching enthralled as the pony-tailed showman from Las Vegas won Wimbledon in 1992. But while he shares Agassi’s bullet return, the similarities end there. When it came to his own game style, Murray has always been resolutely individualistic, only looking to other players when he felt it could benefit him. He

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

with

ANDY MURRAY

read his opponents’ every intention. While his movement is now held up as a shining example for other players, those quick changes of direction weren’t always so natural, especially for a teenager starting to undergo a growth spurt. “What was immediately impressive was that he had a lot of resources to answer whatever you did to him,” Sanchez said. “He had good hands, and if the other player came to the net, he would always make him volley or pass him. When they attacked him, he would counter-attack even faster. But we had to work a lot on his footwork. With most of the players from Spain, there’s a difference in the way they move. It always seems like they have more time and more options of where to hit the ball. By the time he was 17, Andy began to move so well that whether he was defending or attacking, he was always balanced.” UNAFRAID OF NEW CHALLENGES urray was a quick learner, and with Sanchez, he began to learn the value of letting his opponent lose rather than always feeling the need to go for winners. And with practice partners like former world No. 1 Carlos Moya regularly dropping by, Murray was never short of a challenge. “Andy was always a player with a lot of character,” Sanchez said. “One of his best qualities was that he was never afraid of anything. Moya was amazed as they were hitting and Andy was taking him on. Every time he faced a new challenge, he found a way to step up and showed he had the tools to cope. That’s down to mental toughness within the player as well as talent. Andy always believed and had very high expectations. His goals seemed very high and demanding, but he had a clear idea of how he wanted to get there, and throughout his career he’s found ways to break barriers to achieve them.” Murray grew up regularly playing against adult players at his local club from the age of 5. He feels that playing them helped install that fearless mentality whenever he moved to the next level. “From a very young age, I played a lot against players who were much older than me, which was great for my confidence back then,” he said. “When I moved up to the higher levels of competition, it was easier for me to compete and play my best tennis despite the age gap. It also gave me that innate confidence and self belief, so when I played, I believed I could win.”

Recovering from back surgery:

"Most players will tell you coming back from surgery takes time. It's more in the back of your mind, when you start out again. The first few matches aren't easy. It's tough to get it out of your head."

THE POWER OF SIBLING RIVALRY aving an older brother, Jamie, who was for many years both bigger and stronger than Andy, also helped in his development. Their mother, Judy, is full of stories of how the two brothers would relentlessly taunt each other as kids if either came second-best at anything. “Jamie and I were both very competitive when we were younger in pretty much everything we did,” Murray smiles. “Whether we were playing football, tennis or even racing around the garden, we always wanted to beat each other. It’s a trait we’ve both carried into our professional careers. I've also got a good record against lefties thanks to Jamie.” Murray may only see his brother fleetingly on tour, when their busy schedules coincide, but he’s fiercely proud of his career as a doubles specialist, and they have teamed up on many occasions. They competed together in both the London and Beijing Olympics, as well as winning multiple tour-level titles. Murray strongly disagrees with John McEnroe’s suggestion that doubles doesn't appeal to fans and that the game should be eliminated. “I wouldn’t agree it’s no longer relevant. It’s been an important part of the sport for a long time,” Murray counters. “Maybe there is room to improve the format so more

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people watch it, but I definitely don’t agree with scrapping it altogether. Doubles specialists like my brother can and do have very long and successful careers, and they also work extremely hard on and off the court.” Growing up, the brothers dreamed of winning Wimbledon titles, and Andy's victory last summer meant that they had finally both achieved their childhood ambitions. Jamie may not quite have scaled the same heights, but his mixed-doubles victory with Jelena Jankovic in 2007 was the first title by a British player at Wimbledon in 20 years. However, it took a surprising length of time for them to get together to reflect on Murray’s history-making exploits. “We managed it eventually,” he laughed. “Jamie had to fly out for a tournament the day before the Wimbledon final and then ended up going on quite a good run right up to the end of the season with his doubles partner John [Peers], so we didn’t actually get to fully catch up until Australia earlier this year. We are both really competitive, so there is always banter flying backwards and forwards. It's great that we’ve both managed to get our names on the wall at the All England Club, though!” The nature of Murray’s character means that he’s far from satisfied with just one Wimbledon title. With several more years of his prime to come, his relentless appetite for progress continues. “The key is to never stop working. You can always improve,” he said. “The game is pretty physical these days, and one of the main reasons I can play the way I play is because of my physical conditioning. But it’s also getting tougher. There are a lot of promising young players coming through, and there are also a lot of strong older guys on the tour. It’s probably the closest the tour has ever been in terms of competition. It’s gotten tougher for everyone to win tournaments, which is great for the fans.” But as the queues begin to form and the countdown to the start of The Championships intensifies, one cannot help but wonder if Murray occasionally misses those simpler times at the start of his career, when expectations were lower and he could sneak through the famous gates almost unnoticed. Back then, tennis framed life rather than the other way around. “Not really,” he says. “I travel a lot, which can be quite hard. It means I don’t get to see my family, my girlfriend or my dogs as much as I would like, but I definitely wouldn’t change anything. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to do what I do as a job, and life has turned out pretty well so far!”

style

BY URICH

LADY-DATEJUST,

AN EMBLEMATIC CLASSIC A ROLEX WATCH is a fashion statement. An icon. A status symbol. A right-of-passage to some. But foremost, it is a precise mechanical timepiece. Although it is an elegant piece of jewelry, it is not delicate, and when strapped to your wrist, you need not be careful. Similar to the men’s Rolex Oyster – a timepiece worn by explorers, mountaineers and adventurers – the Lady-Datejust is rugged and willing to take anything you throw at it. Albeit smaller in size and redesigned a bit, the women’s style uses the same type of case as the men’s version. And of course, both watches undergo the same scrutiny in testing and engineering that results in a precise product. The watch case, called an “Oyster Case,” is very robust, secure and strong. Composed of 18K yellow gold, everose gold (Pink Gold), stainless steel or a mixture of the aforementioned, every Rolex case is created from a solid block of the metal. And just as the case name would imply, when the timepiece is submerged in water, it is secure like an oyster's shell. The winding crown is a part of the water resistance system of the watch case. Each crown actually screws onto the case to ensure the seal is proper. The watch engine, otherwise known as "movement," is engineered in Switzerland by the finest watchmakers in the world. “Perpetual” is a term used by Rolex to describe the self-winding mechanism where the motion of the person wearing the timepiece actually helps wind it. Dials vary from simple to the ornate with Arabic or Roman numerals or other configurations with precious stones or designs. You can slay dragons, jump from airplanes, dive into the deep blue and still wear the LadyDatejust to the Opera that night. It will look as good as you do. Simply put, a Rolex is made to be worn and enjoyed.

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SAILS AWAY RAFAEL NADAL

Hailing from the picturesque Spanish island of Mallorca, Rafael Nadal is no stranger to the sea. “I spend a lot of time on the sea when I’m at home, especially in the summer,” commented Nadal recently. “I live in front of the sea and the port is three minutes from my home.” Passionate about yachting, he recently enjoyed a day of sailing in Monte Carlo aboard the historic 1909 gaff cutter Tuiga. He joined the sailing crew, manning the rudder and learning the ropes. “It was a wonderful way to enjoy an afternoon,” he continued. “It was a special experience for me. I am from an island, so the sea, the sails and everything involved means a lot to me … The way the crew works together to get the boat moving is impressive. Everyone working towards the same goal. It’s beautiful.”

When not winning Slams, Nadal trades in his racquet for some fun in the sun with friends and family around the Mediterranean Sea, including diving, snorkeling, and fishing in the open sea. “I like the peace and quiet of being at sea. It's different.”

FUN FACT: Nadal’s sister Maribel dishes that although her brother loves the sea, he is sometimes afraid of it.

“He loves fishing and jetskiing, but he won’t jetski, nor will he swim unless he can see the sand at the bottom. Nor will he dive off a high rock into the sea, as his friends do all the time!” Even the biggest champion of all has some fears.

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 55

YOUR GAME

GEAR & STYLE GEAR SHOWCASE

BABOLAT GOES GREEN ALREADY PLAYING A SUPPORTING ROLE IN THE FRENCH OPEN with a range of equipment, Babolat has strengthened its presence at the Grand Slam level becoming the Official Wimbledon Licensee for racquets, shoes* (*except in Japan), bags and accessories this year. Whether tennis lovers want to adopt the champions' equipment or show their Grand Slam spirit, Babolat offers a complete product range. Babolat.com

TENNIS SHOES THE PROPULSE 4, DESIGNED FOR THE SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS OF TENNIS PLAYERS, MAKES ITS GRAND SLAM DEBUT AT WIMBLEDON. EVER MORE EXPLOSIVE WITH DYNAMIC COLORS AND AUDACIOUS STYLE, THE WIMBLEDON VERSION OF THE PROPULSE 4 IS ULTRA-INNOVATIVE AND ADAPTS TO EVERY COURT SURFACE. ADULT $129.95 / JUNIOR $69.95 FLIP-FLOP A "SO BRITISH" PAIR OF FLIP-FLOPS WILL SINGLE YOU OUT AS A DEVOTED FAN OF WIMBLEDON! $19.95 RACQUET A FLASHY LOOK FOR THIS NEW EDITION OF BABOLAT'S MOST VERSATILE RACQUET, THE POWERFUL AND ELEGANT BABOLAT PURE DRIVE WILL DISPLAY THE WIMBLEDON LOGO STARTING IN SPRING 2014. WEIGHT 10.6 OZ. / HEAD SIZE 100 SQ. IN. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR JUNIORS. $199.00 BAGS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND CARRY TENNIS EQUIPMENT WITH FUNCTION AT HEART. THE TEAM WIMBLEDON X12 RACQUET HOLDER $52.50 OR THE TEAM WIMBLEDON BACKPACK $42.50.

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TSONGA WANTS OPTIONS

LOVE AT FIRST SWING

punky DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA says there's no easy path to success, it takes practice, eating right and mental conditioning. Oh, and the perfect racquet doesn't hurt, she adds! She switched to a new model earlier this year, and although she wasn't looking for a replacement, she says the minor adjustment in specs made a big impact and helped her reach Top 10 in the world. TENNIS VIEW MAGAZINE: YOU WEREN'T LOOKING TO SWITCH RACQUETS WHEN YOU TRIED THE DUNLOP M4.0, BUT IF RESULTS ARE ANY INDICATION, YOU'RE PLEASED? DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA: I almost knew from the first swing that the racquet was going to be the one for me. Players often go on feel and this just felt right. I'm very pleased with the switch.

TVM: HOW DOES THE HEAD SHAPE, WHICH IS 15 PERCENT ROUNDER, IMPACT YOUR BALL STRIKING?

TVM: YOU ADDED 5MM TO THE LENGTH, WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF AN INCH. IS THAT SMALL VARIANCE NOTICEABLE?

DC: There's a slightly bigger sweet spot, but more importantly there's a nice increase in both power and control. My swing speed is a little faster too.

DC: Oh, yeah, I can tell the difference. I'm only 5-foot-3 and at the top level a little difference in length and reach can make a big difference. I'm always looking to improve and the extra reach gives me a bit more power and a bit more reach.

s France's JO-WILFRIED TSONGA indecisive when it comes to choosing a racquet or why else would he display several different racquets on the bench during competition? "I change racquets because of the tension. For example, on grass, when it's really dry, then I use a higher tension. But if it gets cold and humid, I want racquets with less tension." During competition, Tsonga likes to keep his options open, disclosing that switching racquets isn't necessarily based on atmospheric conditions. "Sometimes I change racquets depending on the game itself. If I have the idea that I'm not controlling enough, I would use a racquet with a higher tension."

MADE IN A SHADE

or the sophisticated cat in all of us, MAUI JIM introduces Anini Beach sunglasses. Designed to accent skin tone and eye color, the shades feature duo-toned colorways: Gloss Black with Light Blue and Neutral Grey lenses; Gloss Tortoise and Peacock Blue with HCL速 Bronze Lenses; Tortoise and Blush with HCL Bronze Lenses; and Amethyst with Maui Rose lenses that are designed to heighten contrast for fast moving sports. $199 mauijim.com

TECH TALK: Now that Summer is here, remember to protect your eyes from the bright glare of the sun. And when you play tennis, look for a pair with tennis-specific lenses. "Usually bluish-green in color, tennis-specific lenses filter out all colors except the optic yellow of the tennis ball," says Ryan Woodring, Holabird Sports Product Specialist. "This technology highlights the ball, while still protecting your eyes from the sun." Some lenses also feature gradient tints that are darker at the top, offering superior protection on serves and overheads!

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 57

YOUR GAME

GEAR & STYLE

LADIES

S H O ES S H OWCASE

SUMMER SOLE SEARCHING

Asics Gel Solution Speed 2 Borrowing from its predecessor, the 2nd incarnation of the GEL-Solution速 Speed keeps the same lowprofile sole geometry yet features a more flared sole for added stability. $130 asicsamerica.com

Diadora Star K V Legendary tennis brand Diadora is now distributing performance tennis footwear in the US. The collection is split into five contemporary models, all featuring Diadora's latest technologies to help players compete at their best under the most challenging conditions. Distributed in the US by Dunlop Racquet Sports, Italy's Diadora top shelf shoe features a Kangaroo leather upper for lightweight speed, maximum durability and comfort. $149.99 diadora.com

Wilson Rush Pro Developed for the aggressive, competitive player, the lowest to the ground court feel maximizes acceleration and controls deceleration with enhanced comfort. $120-$130 wilson.com

KSWISS Ultra Express A running-inspired tennis shoe that's designed with lightweight and breathability enhancements helping athletes move faster and stay cooler. $100 k-swiss.com

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Nike Lunar Ballistec Rafael Nadal’s shoe of choice, the Lunar Ballistec offers a glove like fit and meets the highest standards expected of serious tennis players. $165 nike.com

MENS’

Babolat SFX Team All Court M Extra high performance technologies for ultra light, ultra smooth footwork with a custom fit. Great feel Long lasting heel comfort with Vibrakill technology. babolat.com

Head Sprint Pro Speed up your game with the lightweight and durable seamless upper Sprint Pro with a little wider forefoot. New Head Hybrasion plus rubber compound for improved durability. $129.99 head.com

FILA Sentinel Expect form-fitting comfort from Sentinel's memory foam lined heel and a tongue that doesn't flap or stray thanks to an internal support elastic strap. $100 fila.com

adidas Barricade V Classic It's back and as good as ever, the shoe is durable, cushioned, and supportive and lives up to its "classic" billing. $110 holabird.com

Prince T22 A top selling shoe in U.S. tennis shops, the T22 is known for its unsurpassed fit, stability and signature forefoot straps. princetennis.com

TECH TIPS: While the outsoles of shoes have improved, the biggest technological advancement in tennis shoes is in the cushioning, says Ryan Woodring, Holabird Sports product specialist. "Manufacturers spend millions of dollars each year in an effort to develop new proprietary cushioning materials—like Nike Zoom, adidas adiPrene, and ASICS GEL—that are lighter and more resilient, while providing better impact absorption and energy return." To help stretch the wallet Ryan suggests buying shoes with an outsole guarantee.

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 59

YOUR GAME

CON FLI CT & RESOLUT I ON CLUB & LEAGUE

IN QUESTION: COURT CHAT

I WASN'T READY!

Dennis McWilliams, the sports director at Lakeway World of Tennis in Austin, Texas, steps off the court to talk about an important stroke of the game: the inside-out forehand.

Tennis View Magazine: How relevant is the insideout forehand in tennis? Dennis McWilliams: With so many players running around their backhands to hit the inside-out forehand it has become a huge offensive weapon and a stroke you should learn to hit. TVM: How can this stroke affect the point? DM: I like working with a one-two punch attitude in that if you can pull your opponent off on that side, their shot tends to come back towards the middle of the court. That leaves a lot of room to pull the second shot to the opposite side and really get your opponent running. I also like putting a little inside-out spin on a forehand down the line approach shot just to make the opponent work a little harder for the pass. TVM: What's the most important skill a player must have to hit this shot? DM: Footwork. The inside-out forehand requires a player to move well and have great footwork to get in position. The shot is worth the extra effort, because when it's done correctly, it can really pull your opponent off the court.

Training Tool

CONFLICT During a doubles

TVM: Do you have a favorite motivational quote of the moment? DM: You can't hit it if you can't get to it. Work on your footwork. TVM: Before you get back to the court, can you recall a funny tennis story? DM: I tell me male tennis pros who work with our ladies team tennis program, since you spend so much time training women after awhile you are just "one of the girls." The women discuss and say anything in front of you. Just get use to it!

VohBe Develop precision net clearance skills with the Vohbe sticks and take your game to the next level. A new invention for tennis, the Vohbe stick provides visual feedback on accuracy, net height clearance and the related ball landing. Excellent training tool for players and coaches. Starts at $39 VohbE.com

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match, my partner served a ball that was clearly in by 6 inches, but our opponents called it â&#x20AC;&#x153;out.â&#x20AC;? It was called out by the receiver's partner who was standing on the baseline and was only called out after the receiver missed the return. While I was questioning the call with the opponents my partner served again. No one was ready for the serve because we were talking, but since the serve was out our opponents called double fault and claimed the point. I stated we weren't prepared for the serve and that it should be played over. They told me I was wrong. What should we have been done in this case? RESOLUTION It's your opponent's call to make so they were correct to take the point. In the future, I would advise your partner to pay closer attention to what is going on in front of her before serving.

HAVE A COURT CONFLICT?

Email your questions to editorial@TennisViewMag.com for publishing consideration. Conflicts collected by USTA player Kay Caldwell; Resolutions provided by Bill Kelly, USTA Official.

US OPEN

DESTINATION

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F I N A L WO R DS

Jane Brown Grimes “TO SUCCESSFULLY SERVE SO MANY DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES OVER SUCH A LONG PERIOD OF TIME IS REMARKABLE.” – CHRIS EVERT

GROWING UP IN NEW YORK, JANE BROWN GRIMES’ FAMILY MADE AN ANNUAL TRADITION OF ATTENDING THE U.S. TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE WEST SIDE TENNIS CLUB, WATCHING THE MORNING’S FIRST SERVE AND STAYING AFTER DARKNESS FELL. WHILE SHE REMEMBERS IT BEING THE HIGHLIGHT OF EVERY SUMMER, THE ANNUAL FAMILY EXCURSION WAS ALSO THE BEGINNING OF A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO TENNIS. Over time, the girl who watched Billie Jean King, Althea Gibson, and other greats compete evolved from an avid fan to a dedicated tennis industry executive who has been instrumental in growing the sport through leadership roles at the ITF, USTA, WTA, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In July, Brown Grimes will be recognized for her impact on tennis when she is presented with the sport’s highest honor–enshrinement in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. “I've been lucky to work in a sport that I've loved all my life. Frankly, that has always been enough of a reward. But when I was told that I had been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, it really blew me away. There is no honor that could come close to this. I'm very grateful.” In the 1970s, Brown Grimes was recruited by tennis greats Sarah Palfrey Danzig, Bill Talbert, and Joseph F. Cullman 3rd to oversee the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Under her leadership, the Hall of Fame amassed a significant collection integral to preserving the sport's history.

The buildings and grounds—the site of the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships in 1881—were restored and named a National Historic Landmark. In the 1980s, about a decade after women’s pro tennis had gotten off the ground, the tour was challenged with contradictory interests of players, the ITF, and the sponsor, Philip Morris. During this time, Brown Grimes was appointed Managing Director of the Women's Professional Tennis Council, now known as the WTA Tour Board. Armed with her signature diplomacy and passion for tennis, she successfully negotiated the move away from the Virginia Slims tobacco sponsorship to General Foods, Philip Morris’ non-tobacco division, essentially ensuring the tour’s future. “Jane’s goal has always been to do what is best for tennis,” commented Chris Evert. “To successfully serve so many different constituencies over such a long period of time is remarkable. Because her style is understated, many do not realize how effective her diplomatic skills and knowledge of the game have been in fostering major developments in tennis. I’m thrilled to see her be honored in the Hall of Fame.” In January 2007, Brown Grimes began a two-year term as Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA, where she took on initiatives that remain central to tennis in America today. The US Open experienced unprecedented growth, setting records in both in revenue and in fan attendance. Among many contributions, she helped launch USTA 10 & Under Tennis, a demographic that has since seen significant growth. In addition to her executive roles, she has served on numerous ITF committees and is active on the Fed Cup Committee. She is committed to utilizing tennis to create opportunities for people, and for many years, she has shared her love of the sport by working on grassroots and youth tennis programming. Safe to say, when Brown Grimes is enshrined in the Hall of Fame in July it will be more than a career accolade, but a celebration of her life’s work.

Largely an individual sport, tennis is populated by fascinating people whose talents, perseverance, and love for the game have been the foundation for its rich history. In partnership with the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Tennis View highlights great legends and characters. 64 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

COURTESY OF USTA JENNIFER POTTHEISER

LEADER, GAME CHANGER, HALL OF FAMER

C HAMP I ON’S HON ORS

SERENA WILLIAMS NAMED TO TIME’S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL LIST

An inspirational figure worldwide, Serena Williams has once again been named to Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list. Alongside other “Titans” in her category, including Beyoncé and Hillary Clinton, Williams stands as one of only three athletes honored on the list. In his tribute to her, NBA Miami Heat player Dwayne Wade spoke of his friend’s champion character. “There is no doubt that she has made an incredible impact on the world of tennis,” states Wade. “But it’s her determination to never give up that has always resonated with me … I respect her relentless work ethic, focus, drive and discipline … I admire her ability to fight and how she has defied the odds with sheer determination and heart.” He continues: “Serena does not take her abilities for granted. She deserves all of her success, because she is one of the most hardworking and disciplined people I know. She is a world-class athlete and a true champion in every sense of the word. Serena is on a mission — and how amazing that we all get to witness it.” Li Na was featured in Time’s list last year, while Novak Djokovic held the honors in 2012. Williams was also named in 2010, Rafael Nadal in 2009 and Roger Federer in 2007.

TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | JULY.AUG 2014 65

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BACK OF THE BOOK

IN MEMORY

Elena Baltacha [1983-2014]

FORMER WTA PLAYER ELENA BALTACHA PASSED AWAY ON MAY 4, 2014, SIX MONTHS AFTER RETIRING FROM PROFESSIONAL TENNIS. THE THIRTY-YEAR-OLD LOST A BRIEF BATTLE WITH LIVER CANCER, WITH WHICH SHE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE START OF THE YEAR.

The former British No. 1, affectionately known as “Bally,” is remembered as a fighter with a gentle heart. She played over a decade on the WTA Tour, mostly on smaller courts between sparser stands. Ostensibly ordinary, she overcame countless adversity from a liver condition in her teens to injuries that kept her off the court for months at a time. In spite of these obstacles, Elena reached the third round of three Grand Slam events and earned a wildcard into the London Olympics in 2012, where she thrilled the home crowd with two well-played matches. Ever a patriot, Elena was a Fed Cup stalwart who was a presence on the court and off as a mentor to a new generation of British talent. Recovering from a foot injury, she played her way back into top-50 form during her final year on tour, winning an ITF event in her home country and pushing world No. 10 Maria Kirilenko to three sets a week later. Retiring in November of last year, she married coach Nino Severino and looked poised to settle into a new life. When she was diagnosed with liver cancer two months later, fans hoped she would recover as fellow players Alisa Kleybanova and Ross Hutchins had. In the months following her diagnosis, Elena launched a fundraiser in her name for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Helping to organize an all-star exhibition featuring Andy Murray, Martina Navartilova, and Tim Henman, the June event was instead played in her honor. Always smiling, always a fighter, Elena leaves us with a beautiful memory of one of tennis’ prized daughters.

66 JULY.AUG 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM

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