$5.99 US | $6.99 CAN SEPT.OCT 2014 TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
SEPT/OCT 2014
INSIDE THE PLAYER'S BOX - ANDY MURRAY P. 22
CONTENTS
“THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS YOU NEED TO DO WITH TRAINING, BUT I WOULD SAY YOU CAN STILL IMPROVE EVEN IN YOUR 30S, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE DETERMINATION [AND] WILL TO BE OUT THERE ON COURT.” P. 44
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FINAL FRAME IN PERFECT FORM Tomas Berdych and Venus Williams strip down for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue
ON THE COVER: 17 Grand Slam Champion, Roger Federer, attempts to earn his 6th US Open title in 2014. Photo: ATP World Tour
01 FEATURES COVER FEATURE
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ROGER FEDERER, A LEGACY STILL IN THE MAKING At 33 years old and a father of four, the Swiss is looking to defy the odds and claim his sixth US Open title
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THE US OPEN PREVIEW Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams defend their titles while the veterans and young risers try to stop them. By Chris Skelton
By Kelyn Soong
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EXCLUSIVE: Q&A WITH SAM STOSUR Three years have passed since Sam Stosur smashed her way to the sole Grand Slam title of her career in Flushing, NY.
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By Tumaini Carayol
REGULARS 32
EXCLUSIVE: JOHN ISNER LEADS THE WAY John Isner, the No. 1 ATP American, carries the American flag By David Cox
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PUBLISHER'S POINT with Teresa Thompson
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FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT
TENNIS STARS NAMED TO FORBES’ TOP 100 WORLD’S HIGHESTPAID ATHLETES LIST
05 GAME
P. 24
YOUR
03 FIRST SERVE
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NEW RACQUET INNOVATION Dunlop introduces iDapt, a product giving players the ability to build their dream racquet
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SHOULD YOU PLAY WITH POLY? Polyester string is very durable and it may just help you hit with more spin, while lasting considerably longer without breaks
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CLUB & LEAGUE Court Chat with Fernando Velasco, Tennis Boutique jewelry spotlight, plus real life court conflicts resolved
NEWS & VIEWS 13-28 By Romana Cvitkovic
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GENERATION NOW Eugenie Bouchard enters the US Open red hot and on fire
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TIDBITS ATP Player Council Revamp, Business Interests, Engagements, Sharapova named face of Avon “Luck,” Health updates and more
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JUNIOR+COLLEGE NOTES A Q&A with American teen sensation Francis Tiafoe, an improbable tennis prodigy
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06 STYLE 56
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INSIDE THE PLAYER'S BOX Andy Murray's team of friends, coaches, agents and family FORBES HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES Which tennis stars made the list?
EVENT CALENDAR Follow the ATP and WTA pros throughout the month
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APRES 51
TAKE SHADE See clearly and look stylish this summer wearing new shades in the Maui Jim’s PureAir™ collection
SERENA WILLIAMS Evolution of a US Open fashion icon
HEALTH 60
ANKLE HEALTH At every level of play, the foot and ankle take a beating in tennis. Here's how to prevent and treat injuries
PUBLISHER’S POINT
TERESA THOMPSON PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Teresa@TennisViewMag.com
The US Open Horizon Roger's Revenge After undergoing a bit of a slump in 2013, Roger Federer has turned around his luck and fared very well at the Slams this year. Except for a hiccup at the French Open, where he only reached the fourth round, Federer earned a spot in the semi-final at Melbourne and the final at Wimbledon. Not bad for the oldest Top 20 player on the men’s' ATP tour! I find every tournament more exciting when he's in the mix and part of the conversation. We journalists can't help but discuss: Will Federer win another major? Can Roger maintain motivation? Will Federer fend-off the younger generation? To those questions, I still answer: yes, yes, and yes. And the US Open looks to be the Slam where Roger might peak in 2014. He's happy on the home front and healthy, so those aren't issues. And an early exit in New York last year, when Tommy Robredo shocked him in the fourth round, means revenge adds to his motivation. With the electrifying energy of Arthur Ashe Stadium, I expect the 33-year-old to give fans a lot of court time while he makes a run for the title. To read more about Roger, our cover personality, turn to p. 44.
Facing the Challenge Now, I want to turn my attention to an American who stole the hearts of so many tennis fans this time last year: Vicky Duval. At 17, and as a US Open qualifier, she unnerved World No. 11 Sam Stosur in the first round before falling to former top 5 player Daniela Hantuchova. The young American represented hope that the generation following Venus and Serena Williams was a vibrant one. For a professional athlete, Vicky's disposition is unusually sweet and innocent. Large expressive eyes, an easy smile, and a voice that is arguably the highest-pitched on tour, she is absolutely adorable. So when I learned that she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma this past June, I was heartbroken. Fortunately, the cancer was caught in a very early stage and she's undergoing treatment. And because of her overall good health and isolation of the cancer, she is expected to fully recover. At the tender age of 18, Vicky is facing the challenge with courage. "I picture myself healthy, stronger and competing again soon with even more appreciation for the game I so love. I am grateful in advance to my fans and friends for their support and positive thoughts while I undergo my treatment and fight this battle," she said in a statement recently. I met Vicky's mom, Nadine, last winter at a World Team Tennis charity event in Orlando. As Nadine approached me, she held the Nov/Dec 2013 issue of Tennis View magazine open to the pages where Vicky was featured. A proud parent, Nadine was overjoyed -- almost giddy -- as she told me that it was the best article on Vicky she has seen. At this time, my thoughts are with the Duval family as they fight for Vicky's health. Here at Tennis View, we will continue to monitor her progress and keep tennis fans up-to-date of the situation. For the rest of our issue, we have a lot of great articles, including an exclusive feature with John Isner, who talks about the state of men’s tennis in America [p. 32], an analysis of the US Open and who is expected to perform well [p. 39], how Serena's US Open wardrobe style has changed throughout her career [p. 56], and a lot more. Until next time, enjoy the issue! Teresa
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CHECK THIS OUT: Turn to p. 52 for a racquet innovation by Dunlop where you'll look twice in disbelief. I know I did!
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FEEDBACK
I was delighted to learn that you wrote an article about my Great Uncle Joe Hunt [Jan/Feb 2014], who I was named after. The article was amazing and one of the best that has been written about him, as it highlighted his interesting life and sacrifice to the country. I thought I had every photo of him (at least in digital form), but the photo that you used was a complete shock. Thank you so much for your tribute, Joe Hunt Seattle, WA
have started to drop you a note to say how much I enjoy your magazine along with the members at the John Powless Tennis center in Madison, WI. Well, finally I have done it!
I was a finalist in the 2013 Senior Games, the director of the National Tennis Teachers's College and the first to propose smaller courts for younger players. I think the USTA is starting players too young. If we want our children to enjoy tennis we need to make it fun. I believe that if you can keep a youngster on the court, you can keep them out of court!
Keep up the great job! John Powless Madison, WI
Daniel A. Young, Sr. Henderson, NC
KELYN SOONG is a multimedia
journalist from Washington, D.C. He received his master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and currently works at the Washington Post. He has covered tennis of all levels for various publications, including the Post, USA Today and USTA, and will rarely turn down an offer to play tennis. Roger Federer Cover Story, p. 44
CHRIS SKELTON is a senior contributor to Tennis View Magazine and the publication's online editor. He's also the content editor at Justia, a company that provides free case law, codes, regulations and legal information for lawyers, business, students and consumers. If Chris isn't sitting at his computer desk, good luck finding him. As an avid world traveler, he could be any number of exciting countries! The US Open Preview, p. 39
Teresa,
TUMAINI CARAYOL is a freelance writer from London, England. He began playing the sport at 5 years old and became a fan after the classic between Venus Williams and Martina Hingis at the 2000 US Open. Eventually, he competed in tournaments around England before back injury felled his hopeless prospects and forced him to quit, but the setback only intensified his love for the sport. He continues to wonder what could have been for Tatiana Golovin had her slightly more promising career not also been derailed by back injury.
We met a couple of years ago while I was playing in the World Senior Classic in Palm Springs at the Mission Hills Country Club and Tennis View Magazine had a display booth on site. So many times I
Q&A Sam Stosur, 2011 US Open Champion, p. 30
You’re Invited to Connect and Converse:
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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 Tumaini Carayol, David Cox, Raechel Kenealy, Nicholas Nemeroff, Chris Skelton, Kelyn Soong COPY EDITING Raechel Kenealy ART AND PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Billman, Chaz Niell, Mauricio Paiz, Michael Thompson CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Rana Mickelson ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Chris Skelton
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SOCIAL MEDIA Tracey DeFrancesco, Romana Cvitkovic, Maria Noble, Chris Skelton ADVERTISING Holly Pitot, Teresa Thompson info@TennisViewMag.com SPECIAL PROJECTS Kay Caldwell SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BACK ISSUES Subscribe@TennisViewMag.com EDITORIAL AND PHOTO SUBMISSIONS Editorial@TennisViewMag.com FEEDBACK Email comments to Editorial@TennisViewMag.com Include your name, phone number and email address. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for length and clarity.
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September/October 2014 Volume 7 • Issue 4 Printed in the USA.
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FIRST SERVE AC HIE V EME NT S
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Generation Now
“IT WAS A BIG MOMENT WALKING OUT ONTO CENTER COURT FOR A FINAL. I HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE NOW. I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. I HOPE I CAN WALK OUT TO MANY MORE FINALS. THAT'S THE GOAL.”
THREE YEARS REMOVED FROM HER MAIDEN SLAM TITLE AT WIMBLEDON, CZECH PETRA KVITOVA ONCE AGAIN CONQUERED THE FIELD AT THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB THIS PAST SUMMER. But she wasn’t the only surprise run in the draw. After reaching the semifinals in the year’s first two Slams, 20year-old Eugenie Bouchard made her first Slam final just two years after winning the junior girls singles title on the hallowed grass. The consistent results helped her crack into the top 10 for the first time this summer as she became the highest-ranked Canadian ever on either tour. While many in her shoes would have relished in such a career milestone, the determined Bouchard was not content with just being a finalist at Wimbledon – she was ready to add her name to the winner’s circle. “I’m always hard on myself,” admitted Bouchard after the final. “Maybe a bit too much. But that’s what motivates me to do better. I never want to be satisfied.” With the “Genie Army” of followers behind her, Bouchard is sure to be a continued forced to be reckoned with on court.
– Genie Bouchard
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Business Interests
ATPPLAYER COUNCIL REVAMP I The new ATP Player
Council, voted by players, was announced this past Wimbledon. The council, elected for a two-year term, is comprised of a number of returning members (KEVIN ANDERSON, GILLES SIMON, SERGIY STAKHOVSKY, ERIC BUTORAC, ANDRE SA and YVES ALLEGRO) as well as some new (STAN WAWRINKA, JOHN ISNER, JURGEN MELZER, RAVEN KLAASEN and BRUNO SOARES).
They meet several times per year and make recommendations to ATP Management and the ATP Board of Directors through the three Player Board representatives, whom the council elects. Having served as the President of the council since 2008, ROGER FEDERER elected not to run for a fourth consecutive term. Federer, who recently became father to a second set of twins with his wife, Mirka, explained, "It gets quite busy and I think that's one of the reasons now I think it's a good time for me to let it run
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its course and have somebody else lead the council from here on … We were able to be united and I think that's a huge part moving forward: that the players listen to each other, they trust each other, because then, as a tour, we can be much more successful.” The new council will have its first meeting in New York prior to the US Open, where the new President and Vice President will be elected.
French bank BNP Paribas, one of tennis’ biggest sponsors, has agreed to pay $8.9 billion for breaching US sanctions on Iran, Sudan and Cuba. According to Bloomberg, BNP spends about $41 million annually on tennis sponsorships alone. This includes being the main sponsor for the French Open for four decades running, as well as the title sponsor of the Davis and Fed Cup, two ATP Masters events and four additional WTA events, including the WTA finals in Singapore. This raises questions about whether BNP will cut back on dispensable expenses such as its sponsorships of sports. Only time will tell.
What if Rafa Never Won a Slam? THIS WAS THE QUESTION POSED BY THE SPORTS DATA ANALYSIS BLOG FIVETHIRTYEIGHT. IN A HYPOTHETICAL WORLD WHERE NADAL DIDN’T HOLD ANY OF HIS 14 SLAM TITLES, WHO WOULD HAVE THOSE TROPHIES GONE TO? BY SUMMING UP SEVERAL STATISTICAL ANALYSES AS WELL AS FRACTIONING TITLES BASED ON WIN-LOSS RECORDS, WE SEE SOME INTERESTING RESULTS.
In a non-Nadal world: • Novak Djokovic would have 1 more US Open title, and 1-2 French Open titles • Roger Federer would have 1 more Australian Open title, along with 2-3 additional French Open titles • David Ferrer would no longer be in the running for best player never to win a Slam, because he would have lifted a French Open trophy
RAONIC’S NYC ADVENTURES
QUOTABLES
ENGAGEMENT
LOVE MATCH FOR SELES Wedding bells are ringing for 40-year-old Monica Seles as she is set to marry her beau of five years, Tom Golisano. The 72-yearold billionaire is a philanthropist, former NHL team owner of the Buffalo Sabres, and dabbled in New York politics in the 1990’s. Seles is a nine-time Slam winner who retired from the game in 2008, having played her final match in 2003. The two live together in Florida but no wedding date has yet been set.
IN A RECENT MEN’S JOURNAL ARTICLE, WIMBLEDON SEMIFINALIST MILOS RAONIC DIVULGED THAT NEW YORK CITY FEELS LIKE A SECOND HOME TO HIM, ASIDE FROM HIS PARENT’S PLACE IN TORONTO. When he can manage in between training sessions in Monte Carlo and tournament travels, a few times per year, he’ll try and squeeze in week-long trips to Manhattan. He couch surfs at friend’s homes, visits art galleries studying up for potential future purchases, and indulges in his other sport passion, basketball, on the city’s courts. He also admitted to the logic behind why he is single. “I would be attracted to a girl who is ambitious, like me, and competitive, an artist or an actress,” he says. “But I can’t ask someone like that to travel with me and sit around while I’m in the locker room. How can you do this? Then she’s not ambitious.”
ENGAGEMENT
ON-COURT PROPOSAL Romance abounded in Den Bosch this summer as German doubles specialist Martin Emmrish proposed to his girlfriend of ten months, Michaella Krajicek, in unique fashion. After her first round win, Emmrich stepped onto the court, went down on one knee and popped the question. "It was a huge surprise!" a beaming Krajicek said afterwards. "The first 10 or 15 seconds when he came on the court I thought, 'Okay, it's nice to see him, but this is strange.' But then I saw he had tears in his eyes, and I was like, 'Oh wow,' and I realized what was going to happen! I was so focused on him the whole time I didn't hear anything he was saying! I just knew I was for sure going to say yes. That was all I knew in that moment."
Flashback
"I think the sport brings so many opportunities to women. It's brought me so many things in my life and my career. I don't regret any step I have taken. On one hand, sometimes I wake up and think, 'Well, I don't wish this on my kids!' But then when I'm playing the matches, I'm in front of thousands of people and the experience that the sport brings, I think, 'Of course I want my kids to do this.'" -MARIA SHARAPOVA ON WOMEN’S TENNIS
SEPTEMBER 9, 1968 DEFEATING TOM OKKER IN THE FINALS, ARTHUR ASHE BECOMES THE FIRST BLACK MALE TO WIN A MAJOR SINGLES TITLE.
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Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi was invited to the House of Commons, Westminster, London to celebrate the Pakistani player’s founding of the “Stop War Start Tennis” foundation. The 34-year-old doubles specialist delivered a keynote address to distinguished guests, diplomats and British parliament dignitaries. The occasion was meant to highlight Qureshi’s efforts to demonstrate how sports can build bridges to communities and nations that have suffered from the adversities of extremism and war. Through his foundation, Qureshi has been very active in facilitating tennis-specific wheelchairs among amputees and disabled tennis players.
NADAL NAMED HONORARY CITIZEN Leave it to Spaniard RAFAEL NADAL to receive Madrid’s highest honor in being named an honorary citizen and adopted son of the city. Born on the neighboring island of Mallorca, the 28-year-old was presented with a medal in recognition for his “outstanding sporting career and his close and continuing relationship with the city of Madrid through engagement with sports and the promotion of its values.” “It’s a very special day for me and I’m grateful for this honor,” said Nadal, the four-time Madrid Masters champion. “I feel very close to Madrid because I love the city and also because the people here always support me in a big way.”
LTA Hires Former Coach of Becker THE LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION HAS APPOINTED BOB BRETT, FORMER COACH OF BORIS BECKER, GORAN IVANISEVIC AND MARIN CILIC, AS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT. The 60-year-old Australian was recently hired on a 60-day contract by long-time ally Michael Downey, the LTA’s new CEO. Having previously consulted for Downey while he was at Tennis Canada, Brett was tasked with evaluating the British tennis system and its misfiring. Now, it seems his stay at the LTA will be for a longer term.
CHAZ NIELL
Qureshi Delivers Keynote Speech to Parliament
Li Na Splits with Coach After two years and an Australian Open title this past January, Li Na has split with her coach Carlos Rodriguez – though it may not have been planned. According to her agent, Max Eisenbud, the decision was based on Rodriguez’s responsibilities at his tennis academy in Beijing. Li will continue to train with Rodriguez when she’s in Beijing but will not travel with her to tournaments. “Basically, we were renting him from the academy,” Eisenbud elaborated. Still under contract for another 18 months, the academy owners no longer wanted Rodriguez on the road. Li hired Rodriguez, who coached Belgium's Justine Henin to seven Grand Slam titles, in July 2012.
“I think everyone in general plays the match of their lives against me. So every time I step on the court, I have to always be a hundred times better. If I'm not, then I'm in trouble. … If I'm not playing a great, great match, these girls when they play me, they play as if they're on the ATP Tour, and then they play other girls completely different. It's never easy being in my shoes.” – SERENA WILLIAMS
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FIRST SERVE H E A L TH U P DAT E S
HAAS OUT FOR SEASON
AGASSI SAYS NADAL IS GREATEST EVER Eight-time Slam winner Andre Agassi says Rafael Nadal should be considered the greatest tennis player ever, not Roger Federer. Agassi made the comments in an interview with Singapore newspaper Straits Times, saying Nadal's achievements are more impressive because he has had to deal with tougher opponents. Federer has 17 Grand Slam titles to Nadal's 13, although the Spaniard leads his Swiss rival 23-10 in head-tohead meetings. "I'd put Nadal No. 1, Federer No. 2," Agassi was quoted, adding that "it's just remarkable to me what he has done, and he has done it all during Federer's prime." The former No. 1 says "Nadal had to deal with Federer, [Novak] Djokovic, [Andy] Murray in the golden age of tennis. He has done what he has done and he's not done yet."
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Former world No. 2 and 15-time titlist Tommy Haas announced that he will miss the rest of the 2014 season following arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder this summer. A two-time ATP Comeback Player of the Year winner, he returned from rotator cuff surgery in 2004 and again in 2012 after right hip and elbow surgeries. Both times, he was able to return to the top 12 in the ATP rankings. But at 36 years of age, can the German return to the pinnacle of the sport for a third time? "It's a big step backwards in a long process,” admitted Haas. “But I want to hopefully come back again at some point and finish my career on my own terms when I'm ready for it."
ROBSON STILL SIDELINED Brit Laura Robson has pulled out of the US Open due to a persistent wrist injury that first flared up last December. Since then, she has undergone minor wrist surgery, having played only one full match at the Australian Open. "I went through a very, very depressed stage," told Robson to the BBC. "I didn't go on any tennis websites because I was so jealous of everyone able to play." Robson quickly admitted to being well “past that stage” and even took to commentating during this past Wimbledon. This month, the plan is to start playing mini tennis with sponge balls before trying to get some match play in before the end of the year.
When he’s not on the court, Grigor Dimitrov enjoys racing motorcycles and also loves to dance – though these days that’s a rare pleasure. “It’s nice to go crazy and sort of get everything out of your system,” he says. “But I’ll tell you something funny: I’ve never tried alcohol. I figure I can create my own buzz. Maria Sharapova gives me a hard time. She’s like, ‘Share a glass of wine with me.’”
P A R T N E R S H I P S
Sharapova Named Face of Avon “Luck” Adding to her already impressive list of sponsors including Nike and Porsche, Maria Sharapova was recently announced as the new face of Avon “Luck” – two new fragrances for him and her to be launched in Europe in September, followed by North America in October and Asia in November. “As an athlete, I’ve been very fortunate to travel around the world, be a businesswoman, humanitarian,” Sharapova said in an interview. “I’ve always been incredibly fortunate to have luck on my side, that’s why I’m so excited to be representing Avon Luck … a fragrance that reminds us to savor and truly enjoy our triumphs.”
Bouchard Drinks Up Deal with Coca-Cola Even before her dream run to the Wimbledon final in July, 20-year-old Genie Bouchard was still rolling in sponsorship offers thanks to her two Slam semifinal appearances in Melbourne and Paris earlier this year. Looking to leverage Bouchard’s growing profile as one of the world’s most promising young athletes, Coca-Cola Canada announced a three-year deal with the rising star. "Genie brings something extra special to the table. She is not only an incredibly talented tennis player but her down to earth style makes it so easy for people to relate to her," Michael Samoszewski of Coca-Cola said of the Canadian. "Her demeanor both on and off the court embodies happiness and active, healthy living; and because of this, she is truly is an inspiration and a perfect fit for our company.”
Muguruza Signs with Mazda
Still basking in the afterglow of her quarterfinal run at the French Open, 20-year-old Garbiñe Muguruza has penned a deal to become a brand ambassador for Japanese car manufacturer Mazda. "Having brands that want to work with you is one of the best perks of being successful on the tennis court,” said the Spaniard in a statement. “I am very grateful to Mazda for becoming my first official partner off the tennis court and hope to be a part of the Mazda family for many years to come.”
Madison’s Passport American Madison Keys, the youngest player in the WTA top 50, has signed on as a Sports Illustrated Kids Special Correspondent. She will communicate with readers through “Madison’s Passport” – a series of monthly online videos capturing her life while travelling the WTA circuit. The 19-year-old will feature footage of her playing tournaments, training, exploring new cities, trying new cuisine and spending time with her fellow players. "I grew up reading the magazine,” said Keys about the collaboration. “So having my own space on the SI Kids website and being a part of the SI Kids family is really fun for me."
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Painting with Vika
G During her injury lay off earlier in the year, Victoria Azarenka accidentally discovered a new love for art after wiping paint on her shirt one day. When she lazily wore the shirt out after the paint had dried, she was surprised by the response of people asking where she bought the design. She turned that into talks with Nike for potential marketing and has even invited friends to her house to give their own inspiration to a big canvas.
TOURNAMENT NEWS PARENTING ADVICE FROM ONE CHAMP TO ANOTHER FRESHLY-CROWNED WIMBLEDON TITLIST NOVAK DJOKOVIC LOOKED TO FELLOW PLAYER ROGER FEDERER FOR SOME EXPERT PARENTING ADVICE GIVEN THE SWISS IS FATHER TO TWO SETS OF TWINS. THE 27-YEAR-OLD SERB AND HIS WIFE JELENA ARE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD IN THE FALL. "HE JUST ASKED ME HOW LIFE WAS ON THE ROAD, HOW IT IS TO BE A DAD," FEDERER SAID. "I THINK IT'S WHAT EVERY DAD, SOON-TO-BE DAD GOES THROUGH. YOU WANT TO GET SOME INFORMATION, SOMETHING YOU CAN WRAP YOUR MIND AROUND. I'M VERY HAPPY FOR THEM.” DJOKOVIC LATER ADDED: “WHAT CAN I SAY? IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NEWS THAT I EVER RECEIVED WHEN SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS PREGNANT. WE'RE TOGETHER ALMOST NINE YEARS, AND THIS IS THE CROWN OF OUR RELATIONSHIP."
NEW WTA GRASS EVENT IN MALLORCA
Known to tennis fans as the home of ATP player Rafael Nadal, the island of Mallorca, Spain will host a new WTA grass court tournament starting in 2016. Mallorca will join Birmingham in the second week of the expanded three-week swing, resulting in five WTA grass court events in the lead-up to Wimbledon. ISTANBUL TO HOST ATP 250-LEVEL
The ATP announced recently that Istanbul will host an ATP World Tour 250 tournament beginning next year. The first ever ATP event in Turkey will be played on clay at the end of April, and will expand the ATP’s global footprint to 62 tournaments in 32 countries. BILLIE JEAN KING NAMED WTA FINALS AMBASSADOR
Staying ever-involved in the game, WTA founder Billie Jean King has been named as an official ambassador for the WTA Finals in Singapore, joining Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. She will undertake a number of duties in the fast-growing tennis region of the Asia-Pacific, including community youth programs, educational forums and various promotional activities in the lead up to the championships in October.
OCTOBER 11, 1940
Flashback
20 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
CENTRE COURT AT THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB IS STRUCK BY GERMAN BOMBS DURING THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN IN WORLD WAR II. THE BOMBS DESTROYED 1,200 SEATS. THE CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE NOT HELD FROM 1940 TO 1945.
FIRST SERVE INSIDE THE PLAYER’S BOX
ANDY MURRAY
ANDY MURRAY Born: May 15, 1987 Birthplace: Dunblane, Scotland Age: 27 Residence: London, England and Miami, Florida Nicknames: Muzz/Muzza
22 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
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 A C H E S , A GE N T S , F A M I LY A N D E VE N P ET S !
Parents and Sibling: Judy and William; Brother Jamie. William is a retail area manager while Judy is the British Fed Cup captain and coached both of her sons in their youth. Older brother Jamie is married and was the first in the family to win a Slam – in mixed doubles at the 2007 Wimbledon Championships.
Famous Friends: Kevin Spacey, Ricky Gervais, Prince William, Ross Hutchins, David Beckham, and Sean Connery.
Girlfriend: Kim Sears is daughter of Nigel Sears, a former LTA coach. Andy and Kim first met at the 2005 US Open when they were teenagers, and began dating shortly thereafter. They broke up briefly in 2009, but since then, Sears has been a constant fixture in Murray’s camp. Often revered for her impeccable hair and fashion style, she holds a degree in English Literature from the University of Sussex, and is also an artist.
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Pets: Maggie May and Rusty. The couples’ two beloved border terriers, for which Sears runs an entertaining social media account, often get into their own mischief such as wearing “dad’s” Olympic medals among other adornments.
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Team: Freshly-appointed coach Amelie Mauresmo (1), herself a two-time Slam winner, joined an already strong Team Murray contingent back in June. Fitness trainers Matt Little (2) and Jez Green (3) have helped to strengthen Andy through activities such as sprints and bikram yoga. Hitting partner and soft-spoken Venezuelan Dani Vallverdu (4) is a childhood friend of Andy’s from their academy days in Spain. Other fixtures in Andy’s box include his website manager Rob Stewart (5) and agent Matt Gentry. TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 23
FIRST SERVE
Tennis Stars Named to Forbes’ Top 100 World’s Highest-Paid Athletes List Once again, familiar faces in the sport of tennis were named to Forbes’ annual list of the Top 100 World’s Highest-Paid Athletes. And for the second straight year, the only three women to make the list were all WTA players. Who made the list? Find out below! (List is compiled to reflect earnings and endorsements paid out between June 1, 2013 and June 1, 2014.)
Li Na
no.
7 no.
9
Rafael Nadal Roger Federer Age: 33 Total Earnings: $56.2 Million Winnings: $4.2 M Endorsements: $54 M
Roger Federer continues to be among the world’s best players even 16 years after turning pro. He holds the records for most singles Slam wins (17) and career prize money ($81 million). His endorsement portfolio is filled with long-term deals with blue-chip companies like Nike, Rolex, Mercedes, Gillette, Lindt and Credit Suisse, and his latest addition is champagne brand Moet & Chandon, which signed Federer to a five-year deal at the end of 2012.
24 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
Age: 28 Total Earnings: $44.5 Million Winnings: $14.5 M Endorsements: $30 M
Rafael Nadal had a monster 2013 season where he went 75-7 and finished ranked No. 1 in the world. He then reached the finals in Australia and added a ninth French Open title in June. The wins kicked in bonuses from sponsors, especially Nike, whose deal is heavily tied to his yearend ranking. Other current sponsors include Babolat, Mapfre, Banc Sabadell Atlantico, Richard Mille, Kia Motors, Mueller, and Poker Stars.
34 41
no.
17
no.
Novak Djokovic Age: 27 Total Earnings: $33.1 Million Winnings: $12.1 M Endorsements: $21 M
Novak Djokovic has been on an incredible roll since he elevated his game starting in 2011. He won five Slams and pocketed $38 million in prize money in the next two years. His endorsement profile has been elevated in recent years and is starting to match his game, with the Serb picking up lucrative deals with Peugot and Seiko this year. He also cashes in on $1 million-a-pop exhibition fees and is a popular draw for his spot-on impersonations of other players during these casual events.
no.
Maria Sharapova
Li Na
Age: 27 Total Earnings: $24.4 Million Winnings: $2.4 M Endorsements: $22 M
Age: 32 Total Earnings: $23.6 Million Winnings: $5.6 M Endorsements: $18 M
Despite an injury that restricted her to only one match in the second half of 2013, Maria Sharapova remains the top-earning female athlete for the 10th straight year. Her earnings took a hit when Nike sold Cole Haan in 2013, as Sharapova received hefty royalties on her best-selling line of Cole Haan shoes when it was under the Nike umbrella. She recovered though, launching her own candy line Sugarpova and selling 1.3 million bags in the first three months. In 2014, she also took home her second French Open title.
Li Na became a marketing phenom in 2011 when she won the French Open to become the first Asian-born tennis player to ever win a Slam singles event. This past February, she rose to a career-high ranking of No. 2 after winning the Australian Open, and triggered a massive bonus from sponsor Nike. Other endorsements include Babolat, Rolex, Samsung and Mercedes, as well as multiple Chinese companies.
Andy Murray
55 NM
no.
Notable Mention
Serena Williams
Andy Murray
Age: 32 Total Earnings: $22 Million Winnings: $11 M Endorsements: $11 M
Age: 27 Total Earnings: $17.4 Million Winnings: $5.4 M Endorsements: $12 M
Serena Williams has dominated the sport since turning pro in 1995 and currently holds a combined 30-4 winning record in Slam finals in both singles and doubles. Her $56 million in career prize money is almost double that of No. 2 on the list, Maria Sharapova. Williams’ endorsement deals include Nike, Wilson, Gatorade and OPI, and she owns a small stake in Sleep Sheets and the Miami Dolphins.
Though Andy Murray didn’t make the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes list, he did come in at No. 20 on the HighestEarning International Athletes list. After ending Britain’s 77year losing streak at Wimbledon in July 2013, new deals followed, including Fuse Science, which also sponsors Tiger Woods. Add that to already lucrative contracts with Adidas, RBS, Rado, and Head, and it’s no surprise why he’s on the list.
Maria Sharapova
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 25
FIRST SERVE
JUNIOR & COLLEGE NOTES Q&A: FRANCIS TIAFOE, AN IMPROBABLE TENNIS PRODIGY BY NICK NEMEROFF
Francis Tiafoe with coaches Frank Salazar and Misha Kouznetsov
TOP AMERICAN JUNIOR AND 16-YEAROLD FRANCIS TIAFOE FOUND TENNIS IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY. His immigrant father worked as a janitor at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in Maryland where Francis spent countless hours before ever even picking up a racquet. At age 8, with his minimal training but seemingly evident raw talent for the sport, one of the academy’s coaches saw his potential and not long afterward, the enthusiastic Tiafoe garnered a full ride in the center’s training and academic program. Now hailed as the next generation of American tennis, Tiafoe spoke with Tennis View Magazine about life on the road and expectations.
26 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
TVM: Last year at the US Open, you came through qualifying in juniors only to go out in the first round. What are you doing physically and mentally to prepare yourself for this year’s event? FT: Last year didn’t go too well, but I’ve been playing well since then … working harder and doing the right things, making my weaknesses stronger. So I think this year I’m going to hopefully go in with a lot of confidence. It will probably be my last junior tournament but I’ll play my hardest and hope for the best. TVM: Was there one point in time when you realized you could go far with your tennis? FT: Yes, when I won the under 14’s tournament, Les Petit As, in France.
TVM: How do you balance your schoolwork with practice and traveling? FT: It’s tough. I do a lot of Skyping with the teachers when I’m gone. I do at least two hours every day even when I’m tired. I push myself with that because education is so important. It’s not a sure thing I will go pro; I could still go to college and then go pro. TVM: Outside of your own efforts, is there one person you would credit your success to? FT: My coach Misha [Kouznetsov]. I couldn’t ask for a better coach or a better person. He helped me financially as I was growing up and he’ll always be on my side no matter what. TVM: What does it mean to you to have been the youngest ever to win the prestigious Orange Bowl last year, and to be alongside past winners such as Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Jim Courier? FT: It’s a huge win and I’ll carry that forever but you have to move forward from it. People will look up to me for a while for it and I respect that, but I still have a lot more tennis to play to get where I want to be.
ART SEITZ (3)
It’s the big event that Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and most others played as a junior.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
with
FRANCIS TIAFOE
FAVORITE Shot: Forehand TV Show: Two and a Half Men Movie: The Other Guys School Subjects: History Hobby: Basketball Athlete: Kevin Durant Music Artist: 50 Cent and Biggie Smalls
“Juan Martin del Potro at his prime inspired me a lot, when he won a slam at 20. That doesn’t happen anymore. He’s a great person, a lot of people look up to him and he has a huge game. I always wanted to be like him.” – Francis Tiafoe
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 27
FIRST SERVE EVENT CALENDAR
Serena Williams - US Open 2013 Women’s Singles Winner Radek Stepanek and Leader Paes - US Open 2013 Men’s Doubles Winners
Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka - Women’s Doubles Title at US Open in New York
START ID
Rafael Nadal - US Open 2013 Men’s Singles winner
EVENT
Max Mirnyi and Andrea Hlavackova Mixed Doubles Champs - US Open 2013
LOCATION
SURFACE DRAW PRIZE
SINGLES CHAMP WEBSITE usopen.org
challengebell.com
128
$38.3M
Hard
32
$250,000
Rafael Nadal / Serena Williams Bojana Jovanovski
Carpet
32
$250,000
Lucia Safarova
$250,000
N/A
Aug. 25
Grand Slam U.S. Open
New York, NY, U.S.A.
Hard
Sept. 8
WTA
Tashkent Open
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Sept. 8
WTA
Bell Challenge
Quebec City, Canada
Sept. 8
WTA
Hong Kong Open
Hong Kong, China
Hard
tashkentopen.uz
Sept. 12 Davis Cup
Semifinals
Sept. 15 ATP
Moselle Open
Metz, France
Indoor hard 28
$556,000
Gilles Simon
Sept. 15 ATP
Negev Israel Open
Tel Aviv, Israel
Hard
28
$1,000,00
N/A
Sept. 15 WTA
Toray Pan Pacific Open
Tokyo, Japan
Hard
56
$1,000,000 Petra Kvitova
Sept. 15 WTA
KDB Korea Open
Seoul, South Korea
Hard
32
$500,000
Agnieszka Radwanska kdbkoreaopen.com/korea
Sept. 15 WTA
Guangzhou International Women's Open 2014 Guangzhou, China
Hard
32
$500,000
Shuai Zhang
guangzhouopen.org
Sept. 22 ATP
Malaysian Open
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Indoor hard 28
$910,520
Joao Sousa
malaysianopentennis.com/2013
Sept. 22 ATP
Shenzhen Open
Shenzhen, China
Hard
28
$590,230
N/A
Sept. 22 WTA
Wuhan Open
Wuhan, China
Hard
Sept. 29 ATP/WTA
China Open
Beijing, China
Hard
32
Sept. 29 ATP
Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships Tokyo, Japan
Hard
32
$2,440,070 N/A Djokovic / $5,427,105 Novak www.chinaopen.com.cn Serena Williams $1,297,000 Juan Martin Del Potro rakutenopen.com
Oct. 6
ATP
Shanghai Rolex Masters
Shanghai, China
Hard
56
$3,849,445 Novak Djokovic
shanghairolexmasters.com/index.aspx
Oct. 6
WTA
Generali Ladies Linz
Linz, Austria
Hard
32
$250,000
Angelique Kerber
generali-ladies.at
Oct. 6
WTA
Japan Women's Open Tennis 2014
Osaka, Japan
Hard
32
$250,000
hp-open.jp
Oct. 13
ATP/WTA
Kremlin Cup
Moscow, Russia
Indoor hard 28
$710,000
Oct. 13
ATP
If Stockholm Open
Stockholm, Sweden
Indoor hard 28
$718,700
Sam Stosur Richard Gasquet / Simona Halep Grigor Dimitrov
Oct. 13
ATP
Erste Bank Open
Vienna, Austria
Indoor hard 28
$679,619
Tommy Haas
erstebank-open.com/de
Oct. 13
WTA
BGL BNP PARIBAS Luxembourg Open
Luxembourg, Luxembourg Hard
$250,000
Caroline Wozniacki
bglbnpparibas-open.lu/en/home.php
Oct. 20
ATP
Valencia Open 500
Valencia, Spain
Indoor hard 32
$2,028,050 Mikhail Youzhny
Oct. 20
ATP
Swiss Indoors Basel
Basel, Switzerland
Indoor hard 32
$1,959,900 Juan Martin Del Potro swissindoorsbasel.ch
Oct. 20
WTA
BNP Parbias WTA Championships
Singapore
Hard
$6,500,000 Serena Williams
wtachampionships.com/page/WelcomeWTA
Oct. 27
ATP
BNP Paribas Open
Paris, France
Indoor hard 48
$3,587,599 Novak Djokovic
fft.fr/en/bnp-paribas-masters-official-website-0
Oct. 27
WTA
Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions
Sofia, Bulgaria
Hard
$750,000
sofia-tennis.bg/en/home
daviscup.com/en/home.aspx
32
8
8
Simona Halep
moselle-open.com
toray-ppo.co.jp
kremlincup.ru stockholmopen.se/en-GB
valenciaopen500.com
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28 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
with
SAM STOSUR
Q&A: FORMER 2011 US OPEN CHAMPION SAM STOSUR BY TUMAINI CARAYOL
“Back when I was playing ITF tournaments, another player was going to go and sleep in an airport [because we didn’t have a place to sleep]. A couple of us didn't want to do it, but we all ended up doing it together. Yeah, sleeping in a train station right in front of the police. It wasn't [the best idea]. But if you're going to do it anywhere, doing it in Japan is pretty safe!” – Sam Stosur
30 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
CHAZ NIELL
Sleeping in Train Stations?
hree years have passed since Sam Stosur smashed her way to the sole Grand Slam title of her career in Flushing, NY. Earlier in her career, the two-time doubles Slam titlist with a stalling singles career was deemed mentally vulnerable. But her run to the finals of the 2010 French Open, showed promising form as she toppled Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic in succession. At the last and simplest hurdle of her run, however, she fell away losing to Francesca Schiavone. Just as it appeared that Stosur’s one great opportunity to scribble her name into the history books had eluded her forever, she responded by once again defeating Serena Williams in the title match of the US Open a year later. In the years and months since, Stosur's drive has never eluded her but she has struggled to rediscover the form that powered her to the pinnacle of the sport. The same, however, can't be said of the personality she carries with her away from her high-kicking serves and nuclear forehands. Stosur is widely characterized as the calm, understated and relaxed jock of professional tennis but this doesn't fully illustrate the woman behind the shades who is so refreshingly earnest. Such qualities were present as she chatted to Tennis View Magazine ahead of another attempt to partner her sole US Open trophy with a second.
TVM: When was the last time you polished your US Open trophy? SS: Ooh, I've actually never polished it. It's getting rather tarnished. TVM: Do you look at it much? SS: I've got it sitting on a little shelf by the front door at my home, so every time I walk through the front door I end up seeing it. TVM: That's very convenient. SS: Yes, it is! (Laughs) TVM: How often do you go back home? SS: I went back during the middle east tournaments in February, then again during April for Fed Cup. But now I won't be back until after the US Open. TVM: What has been your worst travel experience? SS: When that volcanic ash [from the eruption of Iceland’s volcano, EyjafjallajÜkull] was going on a few years ago. [We deliberated between] "Do we go to the airport? Do we not go to the airport"? But it wasn't that bad in the end. TVM: Where do you see yourself after tennis? SS: I don't know. Doing something in Australia. It's obviously where I'm from and I think that's where I'll end up when I'm done playing. I don't know, I still would like to be involved in tennis in some way but I'm not too sure yet. What motivates you to keep on going? We saw Marion Bartoli win Wimbledon and then retire almost immediately. Have you ever had any temptation to do the same? SS: (Laughing) No, no. I still love playing. I love training. I like everything that you do to be a tennis player. For me, just keep trying to improve. Now that my ranking has gone down I'd love to get it back up to where it was.
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 31
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
with
JOHN ISNER
LEADING THE WAY
JOHN ISNER, THE NO. 1 ATP AMERICAN, CARRIES THE AMERICAN FLAG
“The Thing is, i don’T acTually follow Tennis ThaT much,” John isner says blunTly, as he aTTempTs To evade a series of quesTions on The fuTure of The american game. iT’s a surprising admission from a player ranked 11 in The world, buT Then isner’s paTh To The higher echelons of Tennis has hardly been convenTional. CONTINUED
"For me, I want to win so, so badly, so sometimes it kind of works against me, so I’ve got to try and relax and go out and enjoy it."
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 33
LEADING THE WAY
Isner arrived late to the professional game, only committing full time to the sport at the age of 22 after spending four years completing his degree at the University of Georgia. Virtually unheard of until his final year of college, he’s slightly bemused to find himself single-handedly carrying the flag for American men’s tennis. This unexpected burden involves the rather tire-
2010 Davis Cup - Sam Querrey and John Isner
some task of being repeatedly asked to explain why the nation that produced Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier now finds itself struggling to get a representative beyond the third round of majors. “I really don‘t think it’s any of my concern actually. I just worry about myself,” he says, a tad wearily, before launching into a defense of some of his younger compatriots. “I do believe that there are some players behind me in the rankings that are only going to continue to get better; Jack Sock being one of them. He’s actually just moved down to Tampa from Los Angeles. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Jack, and I know how talented he is and he’s working hard. He’s a guy that you’re going to have to keep an eye on along with Steve Johnson, Ryan Harrison. And Sam Querrey, it’s only a matter of time before he’s going to turn it around. It doesn’t look that good on paper right now, I guess, but really it’s not as bad as it looks.” Isner has been a constant source of encouragement and advice to the likes of Sock and Harrison, but there are still fears that the current crop could be something of a lost generation. While the future of American women’s tennis is considerably rosy with Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend and Victoria Duval making impressive progress, Sock has yet to prove he can develop into a world-beater, while Harrison has struggled since he burst onto the scene as a precocious teen. Isner stiffens when asked if the lack of a Sampras or Agassi-like figure harms the growth of tennis in the US. “I don’t know. I’ve done pretty good things. I’m 11 in the world, so it’s not too bad,” he replies quickly, before revealing that off-court he doesn’t follow the sport with the same fanaticism as Andy Murray and Milos Raonic, both tennis anoraks who will happily reel off stats and facts going back decades. “Of course I follow the results and check out the scores from the latest tournaments or whatever, but I can’t tell you who the best 18-yearolds are right now,” he says. “I’m actually mainly into American sports. American football, ice 34 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
2006 ITA National Indoor Doubles Champion with partner Luis Flores
CHRISTOPHER LEVY
"I think the more matches you play, the better you get with those pre-match jitters and pre-match pressure. There’s always pressure in every match; you get used to it."
Isner and Andy Roddick 2009 US OPEN Match
hockey, NBA, college basketball and baseball, too. Not so much into track and field, though, but I respect those athletes so much; they’re probably the best athletes in the world.” Isner is most animated and engaging when discussing his beloved football teams. He grew up in North Carolina and remains an avid follower of the Carolina Panthers. It was there in his hometown of Greensboro that his fierce competitive instincts were honed.
NOT JUST A ‘NICE GUY’ An outwardly placid character, it would be easy to underestimate Isner as one of tennis’ “nice guys,” a somewhat cruel branding used for players with a perceived lack of killer instinct. But one only has to look at the number of epic five-setters he’s won over the years, including his record-breaking three-day Wimbledon battle with Nicolas Mahut, to dismiss that as folly. Beneath the calm exterior, Isner is a ruthlessly tough competitor, a streak that was first forged in the backyard of his parent’s house, playing ball games with his older brothers, Nathan and Jordan.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
MAURICIO PAIZ
with
JOHN ISNER
“My fondest tennis memory as a teenager is probably when I was first able to beat Jordan,” he said. “I think I was about 14 years old, and he was 17. He didn’t like it too much. I wouldn’t say I dominated him from then onwards, but eventually I kept getting a little bit better, and a little bit better – we haven’t played in quite a long time now! But there was always a little bit of competition there; you always want to try to beat your older brother, whatever it is.” But while the teenage Isner was driven by trying to better his older brothers, he would soon find himself hooked by a far more powerful motivational force. Isner’s relish for the team environment began as a freshman playing college tennis for the University of Georgia, and that has continued through to the Davis Cup, where he spearheaded the US past the might of Switzerland and France and into the semifinals last year. Isner remains a local hero in Georgia, attracting mass crowds whenever he plays the US Open Series tournament in Atlanta, and the stories of his college exploits are now legendary after he led them to the NCAA title in his senior year. He may have competed on the biggest courts in the world including a packed Arthur Ashe stadium, but winning that title in front of 5,000 spectators in his college town remains one of his fondest memories.
COLLEGE HERO “I’ve always considered myself a team player, and that’s why I enjoyed college tennis so much,” said Isner. “I played high school tennis in North Carolina, and the competition wasn’t really that great compared to this level. But for me, any time I get to play for someone really other than myself, it suddenly becomes a lot bigger, and the same goes for Davis Cup. It’s such an honor to play Davis Cup.” The psychological aspect of knowing that other people are relying on him to deliver seems to have been the key to some of Isner’s best performances. “Yeah, I mean there’s probably several reasons why I play better as part of a team. The environment’s often more rowdy. There’s a lot on the line in Davis Cup, there’s a lot of pressure and you have to sort of embrace that pressure and go out there and enjoy it. Just like in any match. But when you know that you’re doing it for your teammates, your captain, your coach and your country, that makes you dig even deeper.” C ONT INUED
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 35
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
with
LEADING THE WAY
Isner's Top Picks 4 Americans to Watch “I do believe that there are some players behind me in the rankings that are only going to continue to get better...It doesn’t look that good on paper right now, I guess, but really it’s not as bad as it looks.”
1. Sam Querrey, 26 6-foot-6 Ranking: 67 Trains in Las Vegas, NV Best US Open Result: 4R, 2010
2. Jack Sock, 21 6-foot-1 Ranking: 75 Trains in Tampa, Fl. Best US Open Result: 3R, 2013
3. Ryan Harrison, 22 6-foot-2 Ranking: 133 Trains in Boca Raton, Fl. Best US Open Result: 2R, 2012
4. Steve Johnson, 24 6-foot-2 Ranking: 70 Trains in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Best US Open Result: 3R, 2012
Isner’s coaches have long sought to find a way to take that team spirit and channel it into the often-lonely environment of the ATP Tour. When he first turned professional in 2007, Isner admits that going from the constant camaraderie of college to the harsh realities of life in the cutthroat world of elite sport, was something of a rude awakening. With funds tight, he had to learn quickly how to fend for himself. “It was a tough adjustment because I was so used to being on a team and really having a lot of stuff just done for me. In college, they really treat you so well, especially when competing for them. Back then, I never had to worry about plane tickets, never had to worry about hotel reservations. I was always with the team and going out to dinner with friends and stuff. Suddenly I had to learn how to cut corners here and there to pay the bills, but luckily I had a lot of success early on and once I started getting accustomed to the pro tour, it became a lot easier.” Isner made headlines when he reached the final of just his second main tour event as a wildcard entry in the formerly-named Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, DC. His opponent that day was Andy Roddick. “I was an unknown to pretty much everybody,” Isner smiles. “Andy managed to find out a couple of things about me from his brother. But back then, I was just this tall guy with a good serve. I didn’t play too much pro tour when I was in college you see. I would just kind of go back home for the summer instead of [playing] on the circuit.” A few weeks later he found himself in the rather surreal position of playing Roger Federer in the third round of the US Open, just his eighth tournament as a pro. He won the first set before the Swiss learned to tackle the fearsome Isner serve. “I remember it well,” he says. “Roger was at the very peak of his game back then, it seemed like, so it was a neat experience for me. It was a little intimidating, but at the same time, I had nothing to lose. I had a lot of fun out there.”
THE US OPEN “Fun” has always been the way Isner has viewed the US Open, which probably
36 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
JOHN ISNER
explains the consistency of his performances at Flushing Meadows over the years. It’s the only major where he’s made the quarterfinals and the scene of one of his finest performances, a five-set win over Andy Roddick in 2009. “That was a good one, one of my best memories for sure. Andy was top five in the world, I believe, and the No. 1 American at the time, so it was a great one for me. I remember just being on Ashe, and it was a packed house. It was the last afternoon match, but afternoon turned into night and the place started to fill out and it was an electric atmosphere.” Five years on and once again Isner is the only realistic hope of an American presence on the men’s side going into week two. Such a status means he’s rarely short of advice. Some have suggested that he copies Andy Murray’s approach of gathering together a larger team to try and recreate the environment in which he seems to thrive. From a tennis perspective, his Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe has been consistently calling for Isner to show more aggression on the court and try to use his size to impose himself more on opponents. “I can’t see myself copying Andy. It’s not quite the same,” Isner replies. “It’s more like teammates, which makes the difference. I travel with two people, which I think is definitely plenty. Most of the top guys travel with two people, at least the top 30 anyway. It’s my coach and my chiropractor, and he’s more than just getting me adjusted and what not. He does a lot of good stuff. And Pat’s right. For guys like me and Sam (Querrey) and other bigger players, you do have to be aggressive, but it’s easier said than done.” The US Open swing always sees more of an enhanced media focus on Isner these days, but he insists it doesn’t bother him, even if it feels a little strange. “The thing is, I was never pegged to be the next great American player,” he says. “I went to college for four years. I never actually thought I could do what I’m doing now. I’ve been four years in a row in the top 20. Didn’t think I could do that. I’m doing good things, and I honestly don’t care what anyone else says. I’m just trying to do what I can, as long as I can, and that’s it.”
DREAMSTIME.COM
THE US OPEN PREVIEW
BY CHRIS SKELTON
For some contenders, the US Open offers the chance to put an exclamation point on a campaign full of achievements. For others, the final major of the year marks an opportunity to salvage a disappointing season by their standards. Here, we take a look at who could take the biggest bite from the Big Apple in 2014. C ON TIN UED TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 39
THE US OPEN PREVIEW
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ROGER FEDERER: Falling just a set short of a record eighth Wimbledon title, Federer announced his return to relevance in a year where he also has reached two Masters 1000 finals. The Swiss father of four will be eager to erase the aftertaste of a fourth-round fiasco against Tommy Robredo in New York last year. Almost as much as Wimbledon, the fast courts of the
RAFAEL NADAL
US Open will reward Federer’s focus on firststrike tennis. He has not defeated Nadal at a major since 2007, however, and Djokovic has won their last two meetings in New York after the Swiss appeared to have his number there. It’s hard to imagine Federer winning the US Open without facing either of his archrivals, but the 33-year-old has played his best tennis in the second half of the season as he ages.
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CHAZ NIELL (3)
A few more chinks in the Spaniard’s armor have emerged this year, even on his beloved clay. Losses to opponents like Nicolas Almagro and Alexandr Dolgopolov rarely happened during Nadal’s prime. But he defended his Roland Garros crown once again and won all three of his matches at majors against Big Four rivals Djokovic, Federer and Murray. A relatively early exit at Wimbledon should raise no eyebrows, for an even earlier defeat last year did not prevent Nadal from securing his second US Open trophy. This tournament was the toughest nut for him to crack in his career Grand Slam, but it has been his second-most productive major over the last few years. The world No. 2 proved in 2013 that he could dominate even the fastest hard courts by becoming just the third man to sweep Canada, Cincinnati and New York.
A YEAR AGO, MURRAY’S HISTORIC TRIUMPH AT WIMBLEDON SEEMED TO SIGNAL HIS EMERGENCE AS A TRULY EQUAL PARTNER IN THE BIG FOUR. The situation has changed dramatically since then, in part because the twotime major champion underwent back surgery after last season’s US Open. Murray did not reach a final in the first half of 2014, nor did he defeat a top-10 opponent. He looked listless in his losses at all three majors, while matches against Djokovic, Nadal and Federer showed a clear gap separating him from those contenders. But Murray stands just two years removed from his breakthrough title at the US Open, which he has named as his favorite major. He might gain belief from past victories over Djokovic and Nadal there.
STAN WAWRINKA
GRIGOR DIMITROv
MAURICIO PAIZ
YOUNG GUNS
Novak Djokovic
CHAZ NIELL (3)
He may have won only one title in New York, but Djokovic has been an inevitable presence in the late rounds there since 2007. The top player in the world seeks his fifth consecutive final at the US Open after winning more matches at majors than any other player this year. Defeating Roger Federer to claim his second Wimbledon crown, Djokovic holds the momentum in that key rivalry. He also defeated Rafael Nadal in a marquee hardcourt final in Miami this year. However, he has played some of
his least-convincing tennis when he has the least to prove. Motivation may be harder to find than usual for the Serb with a major title barely in his rearview mirror and his first child just over the horizon. The fast surface also leaves him somewhat more vulnerable to explosive servers than the slower courts at the Australian Open, where he has shone brightest.
Two men made their debuts in a major semifinal at Wimbledon, and both of them possess the weapons to threaten at the US Open. Even before his fortnight in SW19, Milos Raonic compiled a consistent season at the elite events, including quarterfinals at both Indian Wells and Miami. Raonic has enjoyed playing close to home in the past, notching his first Masters 1000 final appearance in Canada last summer. His record against the Big Four leaves much room for improvement, however, and a straight-sets loss to Federer at Wimbledon displayed few signs of progress. Fellow first-time semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov has tested the giants of the game more regularly, including an upset over Djokovic in early 2013. Dimitrov defeated Raonic at the Australian Open this year in a matchup of future stars, and his more balanced game has matured by leaps and bounds.
Rarely a factor in New York until last year, Wawrinka suddenly charged to the semifinals after ending Murray’s title defense. His sensational championship run at the Australian Open made him the first man to defeat Djokovic and Nadal at the same major. Finally emerging from Federer’s shadow, Wawrinka regrouped from a spring lull to post the best Wimbledon result of his career. His elongated groundstroke swings do not suit the fast courts as smoothly as the surfaces at the first two majors of the season, but he wields a more imposing serve than many of his top-10 peers. The question remains whether Wawrinka has the competitive appetite to go all the way. He might feel content with already having achieved more than he ever could have expected in his career.
C O NT INUED
MIlOS RAOnIC
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 41
THE US OPEN PREVIEW
Tracing the opposite path from Sharapova, Li reeled off 17 wins to open the season but has faded in the following months. She finally conquered the Australian Open after several near misses there, which might bode well for her chances at the other hard-court major. Li’s best result at the US Open came last year with a semifinal run, showcasing her streamlined stroke production and balanced game. She has few flaws for opponents to exploit, other than the mental frailty that may have prevented her from winning as many majors as her talents would have earned her otherwise. Splitting with coach Carlos Rodriguez in the wake of Wimbledon might leave Li vulnerable in New York. Like Murray, she hadn’t defeated a top-10 opponent this year through Wimbledon. Unlike Murray, the 32-year-old Li must sense her window to contend closing.
After a dismal start to 2014, Sharapova turned around her fortunes on the clay and seized her fifth major title. Her greatest successes over the last several years have come in the first half of the season, and she has reached the US Open quarterfinals just once since winning the tournament in 2006. This trend may seem surprising for a player who embraces the glamour of New York and whose first strikes rank among the most ballistic in WTA history. The fast courts can be a double-edged sword, exposing Sharapova’s flawed mobility in rallies that she doesn’t control from the outset. And she tends to play her best tennis when she has something to prove, not quite the case this year. Still, Sharapova is probably the toughest in the women’s field by virtue of her sheer stubbornness and resilience alone.
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CHAZ NIELL (2)
MARIA SHARAPOVA
MAURICIO PAIZ
Li Na
SERENA WILLIAMS While she retains the top ranking, Serena has not been the best player at the biggest tournaments this season. The defending champion enters New York with just six total victories at the first three majors in 2014, a stark decline from her 2012-13 results. Injuries have troubled Serena for much of her career, but she was simply outplayed by Ana Ivanovic, Garbine Muguruza and Alize Cornet when it mattered most. Serena loves playing under the spotlight of her home major, however, and she still unleashes the best serve in the WTA. The key to her tournament lies in surviving the unheralded foes of the early rounds. When she does, Serena generally dominates the opponents worthy of her steel. Moreover, she will recognize that the US Open marks her last chance to make a statement this year, an opportunity that she shouldn’t let go lightly.
Victoria Azarenka
The heat is on Azarenka in New York, where she lost consecutive three-set finals to Serena in 2012 and 2013. A nagging ankle injury derailed
most of her season, and meager results since last year’s US Open leave her ranking on a precarious perch ahead of the North American hard courts. If she can shake off the rust from her absence, Azarenka’s fluid transitions from defense to offense will catch more powerful but less agile opponents off guard, turning their own pace against them. Her serve remains a concern in terms of both velocity and double faults, but nobody can wreak more havoc in return games than this two-time major champion. Azarenka remains a temperamental personality, even on a good day, so one of her challenges will be keeping her emotions in check with so much at stake and so many watching.
Simona Halep
Not many women have enjoyed a rise more meteoric than Halep, virtually irrelevant last spring but now a well-entrenched member of the top five. She has won titles on every surface and earned plenty of fans for her ability to punch well above her size in a sport studded with statuesque women. Halep impressed by battling tenaciously in her maiden major final at Roland Garros, and she has stayed too consis-
tent for too long for us to doubt that she can sustain her success. On the other hand, she still has not proven that she can defeat a handful of key champions at the top of the WTA, such as Sharapova, Williams and Azarenka. One also wonders whether someone not accustomed to playing so many matches, and who subjects a small body to so much strain, will stay fresh late in a long season.
MAURICIO PAIZ (2)
CHAZ NIELL
EUGENIE BOUCHARD
Remarkably, this 20-yearold won more matches at the first three majors in 2014 than any other woman. Bouchard had appeared at only three of these events in her career before racing to consecutive semifinals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. She built on that success by moving a step further at Wimbledon, scoring two top-10 wins en route. A brash blonde with a bulletproof backhand and a scorching serve, Bouchard has struck some observers as the second coming of Sharapova. Already reflected in her results, her fierce will to win sets her apart from most other women of her generation. Bouchard will attract plenty of attention in New York, not all of it related to her tennis, so she will need to keep herself focused on the task at hand.
Petra Kvitova Just when she has been discounted, this mercurial lefty reminds the world of her potential. Nobody expected much of Kvitova heading into Wimbledon after early stumbles at the first two majors, and she nearly fell again in the first week. Once she survived that threat, Kvitova suddenly caught fire and looked every inch a champion capable of standing toe to toe with the best in tennis. She is one of the few players who can outhit a Maria or Serena when her roughhewn but lethal weapons are clicking. Despite a title at the Rogers Cup two years ago, though, Kvitova often struggles with breathing issues in North America. Few could fault her for resting on the laurels of her unexpected Wimbledon triumph, and she rarely strikes a rich vein of form for more than a few weeks at a time.
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 43
ROGER FEDERER
A LEGACY STILL IN THE MAKING
AT 33 YEARS OLD AND A FATHER OF FOUR, THE SWISS IS LOOKING TO DEFY THE ODDS AND CLAIM HIS SIXTH US OPEN TITLE STORY BY
44 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
KELYN SOONG
GETTYIMAGES
WITH ONE CRACK OF A FOREHAND, ROGER FEDERER WENT FROM BEING A POINT AWAY FROM REACHING HIS SEVENTH CAREER US OPEN FINAL TO UNRAVELING AND EXITING FLUSHING MEADOWS. That was in 2011, when Novak Djokovic took down an increasingly mortal Federer after saving a match point with an expertly timed forehand return. One round later, Djokovic would claim his first US Open crown and cap off one of the best seasons ever by a male tennis player. Since that defeat, Federer has continued to post inconsistent results and his ranking fell to No. 8 earlier this year. Despite his apparent drop in form over the last three seasons, the Swiss still collected another major title—Wimbledon in 2012—as he extended his record Grand Slam trophy haul to 17. And while many players of a similar age have retired, the 33-year-old Federer presses on, able to notch victories over younger and higher-ranked opponents in a sport that statistically does not favor those over 30. Amid talk of a youth movement at Wimbledon this summer, Federer reached his ninth final at the All England Club before falling to Djokovic in a thrilling five-set battle. Earlier this year, he also made a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open, where he defeated No. 4 seed Andy Murray before losing to long-time rival Rafael Nadal. But each passing year has seen Federer drift a step further away from hoisting another trophy at Flushing Meadows. Federer fell to Tomas Berdych in the 2012 quarterfinals and was stunned by Tommy Robredo in the fourth round last year, the earliest US Open exit for the Swiss since 2003. A win there this season would mark an Open era record of six titles in New York, but more significantly, it would build upon Federer’s legacy and strengthen his case as the greatest male tennis player of all time. C ONT INUED
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 45
ROGER FEDERER
A LEGACY STILL IN THE MAKING
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
W
hen tennis players reach their 30s, questions of retirement are inevitable. According to the sports data analysis blog FiveThirtyEight, only 10.3 percent of tennis majors have been won by a player who is 29 or older. The rate drops to 3.3 percent for players who are 31 or older. After Federer’s second-round loss at Wimbledon last year, which ended his streak of reaching 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals, murmurs of retirement grew louder. But the Swiss denied that he would be leaving the sport any time soon, like recently retired stars James Blake (34 years old), David Nalbandian (32), and Andy Roddick (31). “I still have plans to play for many more years to come,” Federer said after the match. Only seven players – Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe, Andre Agassi, Ken Rosewall, and Andres Gimeno – have won a Grand Slam at an age older than Federer was at Wimbledon in 2012. And just two – Roswell and Gimeno – were older than what Federer will be when the US Open begins this month. “Any major now would add an enormous amount to his legacy,” said Darren Cahill, a former US Open semifinalist who now serves as an ESPN analyst. “To be able to win again at his age, in this era of champions…would put a very large cap on his already wonderful legacy.” The longevity and consistency at majors among the “Big Four” of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray has been unparalleled. Federer himself has taken notice of the trend, having arrived on the Grand Slam scene in the early 2000s during an era where early-round exits were more common among high seeds.
“THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS YOU NEED TO DO WITH TRAINING, BUT I WOULD SAY YOU CAN STILL IMPROVE EVEN IN YOUR 30S, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE DETERMINATION [AND] WILL TO BE OUT THERE ON COURT.” -Stefan Edberg
“I think I've been surprised by how consistent I've been personally. But even more so by everybody else [for whom it] is just like normal to get to quarters, get to semis,” Federer said earlier this summer. “For everybody to follow suit and do it, some even almost better than me, has been the most impressive thing about these group of guys.”
GUIDANCE FROM A FORMER NO. 1
H
eading into the last major of the season, Federer has already amassed more titles on the year than he collected in all of 2013. His sole trophy last season came on the grass courts at Halle against Mikhail Youhzny, a player who has never solved the Swiss star’s game in 15 attempts. To guide him out of the slump, Federer enlisted the services of his childhood idol, former world No. 1 Stefan Edberg. “I think Stefan’s [role] comes in most with little hints, little advice here and there, and just observing what is going on,” Federer said in May. “If I have any questions, I can always ask him. It’s really nice for me to have him as such an inspirational person in my team.” Edberg, whose serve-and-volley style earned him six major titles, including two US Opens, has encouraged Federer to attack the net. Under his tutelage, Federer has appeared more at ease with the larger racquet head he began exploring a year ago.
Roger Federer and Stefan Edberg 2014 Wimbledon
CONT INUED
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MAURICIO PAIZ
“I HAVE A VERY BUSY LIFE AS IT IS, SO I NEED TO BE WELL ORGANIZED. ACTUALLY BY NOW MY WIFE MIRKA AND I HAVE FOUND A GOOD RHYTHM. …THE HANDLING [OF THE KIDS] DURING THE TOURNAMENTS AND ALL THAT, I FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO IT.”
ROGER FEDERER
A LEGACY STILL IN THE MAKING
48 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
“Putting the work in has never been a problem for Roger,” Cahill said. “And now he looks to have come to terms with his new racquet; it’s now swinging like an extension of his arm. Stefan is now a regular face and voice in his camp and there’s some peace that comes with knowing that you’ve turned over every stone possible to get the most out of yourself.” During the past off-season, a number of former major champions agreed to coach current stars. Djokovic teamed up with Boris Becker in December, while Michael Chang joined Kei Nishikori, and Marin Cilic continued his work with Goran Ivanisevic. Murray recently replaced eight-time major champion Ivan Lendl, who coached him to the 2013 Wimbledon crown, with Amelie Mauresmo, a former WTA No. 1. Edberg agreed to work with Federer, confident that the Swiss was still a contender at majors. "There are different things you need to do with training, but I would say you can still improve even in your 30s, as long as you have the determination [and] will to be out there on court," the 44-year-old Swede told The Wall Street Journal during Wimbledon. "You still have a shot."
FAMILY MATTERS
E
dberg wasn’t the only addition to Federer’s camp this past year. In May, Federer withdrew from the Madrid Masters to be with his wife Mirka and their newborn twin boys, Leo and Lenny. It was the second set of twins for the couple, after daughters Myla Rose and Charlene Riva were born in 2009.
“THIS IS A HUGE TOURNAMENT, WHICH I LIKE A LOT, AND I’VE HAD SUCH AMAZING SUCCESS THAT OBVIOUSLY EVERY YEAR [WHEN] I COME BACK HERE TO NEW YORK, I FEEL THAT IT'S A PLACE THAT'S VERY SPECIAL TO ME AND WHERE I USUALLY PLAY MY VERY BEST TENNIS.”
While Federer insisted that his routine had not changed significantly, he struggled upon returning from a brief paternity leave, losing to world No. 47 Jeremy Chardy at the Rome Masters. Since then, the father of four has settled into a comfortable arrangement and returned to form. “I have a very busy life as it is, so I need to be well organized,” Federer said recently. “Actually by now we have found a good rhythm. …The handling [of the kids] during the tournaments and all that, I feel like we've gotten used to it.” Having a smoothly organized family situation will be essential for the Swiss when he plunges into the media circus of New York.
SHINING UNDER THE NEW YORK SPOTLIGHT
T
he US Open has always been a welcoming place for Federer. The All England Club may seem the most appropriate venue for his graceful style on court, but Federer has excelled in the noisy, cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium. His first title at the US Open was a straight-sets dismissal of Lleyton Hewitt. That win in 2004 started a streak of five consecutive titles in New York. “This is a huge tournament, which I like a lot,” Federer said, speaking of Flushing Meadows. “And I’ve had such amazing success that obviously every year [when] I come back here to New York, I feel that it's a place that's very special to me and where I usually play my very best tennis.” The Swiss receives a hero’s welcome each time he steps onto Arthur Ashe Stadium and feeds off the electric energy. He has appreciated the support of the New York fans even during his losses, such as the 2011 semifinal against Djokovic. “That the crowd got into it was fantastic,” Federer said after that match. “Every time you get reminded how great the crowd is here in New York.” In addition to his rivals in the “Big Four,” the emergence of younger stars like teenager Nick Kyrgios or 23-year-old Wimbledon semifinalists Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov make the chances for another US Open title more difficult. Even with the increasing challenges, though, Federer’s results at the Grand Slams this year have proven that he remains a threat to win another US Open title, a notion that might have been easily dismissed a year ago. After battling Djokovic for nearly four hours before succumbing in the fifth set at this year’s Wimbledon final, Federer left the tournament confident and full of hope. “There is no guarantee that you're going to ever be there again or not,” he said of reaching another Grand Slam final. “Or maybe there's much more to come.”
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 49
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TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 51
YOUR GAME
GEAR SHOWCASE
InnovatIve Game-ChanGer
TENNIS RACQUETS MADE TO ORDER DUNLOP INTRODUCES iDAPT, AN INNOVATION GIVING PLAYERS THE ABILITY TO BUILD THEIR DREAM RACQUET
Choices. Everyone loves choices, especially when they are making a purchase. "Whether it's mobile phones, skis, golf clubs, or any number of products on the market today, consumers have come to expect the ability to have direct input into what they use," said Kai Nitsche, V.P. and General Manager of Dunlop Sport Group Americas. Following several years of product research and development, Dunlop has recently announced the release of the iDapt line of tennis racquets, a product that gives players the ability to individualize and adapt their frame based on their playing needs. The technology allows players to customize the headsize, look, feel and length of their racquet, a process that is revolutionary. At first glance, curious shoppers are amazed when they see that their iDapt racquet begins as several components and requires assembly. And herein lies the beauty of the racquet: iDapt allows players to make several individual choices to suit their game, including: racquet head; the look of the racquet; feel (via Shock Sleeve); racquet length; and, gripsize. "Tennis has become so performance oriented, and every player is different. With iDapt, players finally have a say in not only how their racquet performs and feels, but even how it looks," said Hunter Hines, Director of Marketing and Product Development. “iDapt technology gives players hundreds of choices to have a frame made to best fit the way they play. It’s all about giving players the ability to truly choose their best fit.” Beginning August 15, 2014, the iDapt range will be available in select stores across the US where each racquet is built immediately by a certified dealer. All components fit each iDapt racquet head universally, so if a player wants to make a change to their racquet in the future, like a different feel, grip size, or handle length, any part can be interchanged quickly and easily. Also, replacing one component of a racquet, rather than an entire racquet, is economical and can be handled by any iDapt certified racquet shop.
52 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
PATENTED iDAPT RACQUET FEATURES *initial range
WEIGHT OPTIONS The racquet features designated "Blast Zone" areas on the frame where weight may be added to further enhance the power, sweet spot, and/or stability. Weights are non-toxic silicone (not traditional lead), and are available in 3-gram strips.
4 HEADSIZE OPTIONS 1. iDapt 98 (98sq. inches) 2. iDapt 100 (100sq. inches – 16x19 string pattern) 3. iDapt 100S (100sq. inches – 14x18 string pattern) 4. iDapt 105 (105sq. inches)
This uniqueness has created excitement and intrigue among players looking for a perfect racquet. And when athletes take iDapt to the court for the ultimate test, Dunlop is applauded further for creating a high-performance racquet with unparalleled power, control and feel. "Dunlop is a brand with a tremendous history of innovation," said Nitsche. "With iDapt, we are giving players of all levels access to individualized technology that has historically been available to an elite few. We are proud to be the brand leading this product breakthrough into tennis.” In this competitive market, responding to consumer needs is smart business. iDapt gives recreational tennis players choices that result in the purchase of a true customized racquet, a product representing magnificent foresight by Dunlop. Now that's brilliant business.
To build your own racquet and find an iDapt dealer in your area, visit dunlopidapt.com.
2 RACQUET LENGTH OPTIONS 1. Standard 27" 2. Extended 27.5"
3 SHOCK SLEEVE OPTIONS 3 COSMETIC OPTIONS Each headsize is available in 3 different looks, so players truly can choose a look that suits their game and personality, which has never been available before.
1. Firm: Offers players maximum frame response and feedback 2. Medium: 20% softer to provide a blend of response and dampening 3. Soft: 25% softer than the Medium sleeve, giving players the most cushion and comfort
6 GRIPSIZE OPTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
G0 G1 G2 G3 G4 G5
4" 4-1/8" 4-1/4" 4-3/8" 4-1/2" 4-5/8"
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 53
YOUR GAME
GEAR & STYLE
POLYESTER STRING THE PROS USE IT. SHOULD YOU?
“Polyester string is the answer for baseline players who generate their own power and tend to break a lot of strings.”
TUNE IN TO ANY MEN OR WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL TENNIS MATCH, AND THE ADVANCEMENTS OF THE MODERN GAME EMERGE IMMEDIATELY. Players swing faster and inject more energy into their shots. As a result, they generate unprecedented amounts of power and topspin.
Bob Patterson, Special Projects manager for the United States Racquet Stringers Association and owner of the racquet stringing company, Racquetmaxx, attributes this trend to the proliferation of polyester and co-polyester strings. “Polyester and copolyester are kind of the hot item and have been for the last four or five years,” Patterson said. Today’s professionals have shifted towards polyester and co-polyester strings because of the stiffness and durability that allows them to inject plenty of topspin. Patterson cites Rafael Nadal as the prime example of what polyester strings can accomplish. Nadal uses polyester string on both the crosses and mains of the racquet to facilitate his topspin-oriented strokes. DURABILITY Polyester string is the answer for baseline players who generate their own power and tend to break a lot of strings. Today's professionals are bigger, stronger and swing faster, so polyester’s durability and lack of movement in the string bed are very attractive features. In fact, all of the top 10 men and women currently use polyester or a co-polyester mix. An area of confusion with polyester is how long it lasts. Experts say that recreational players should not confuse polyester's durability with resilience. While polyester does not break easily, it does lose resilience or responsiveness much faster than other material
54 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
BABOLAT RPM TEAM
does. This loss of resiliency is why many pros request racquets be strung during matches. Recreational players, though, must remember to replace string when it loses its feel. A lot of players assume that their strings only need to be replaced when (and if) it breaks. To keep your racquet performing its best regular maintenance is necessary and that means fresh string. THE ELBOW Contrary to popular belief, Patterson says that it is not the stiffness of the string that causes arm injuries. Instead, it is that recreational players tend to play with dead string -- string that is past its prime and unresponsive. Old string not only reduces performance, but also is hard on the arm. And regardless of whether the strings are polyester, natural gut or another material, it is important to replace string regularly. If a softer string is preferable but the spin effect of polyester is desirable, using a softer synthetic or natural gut in the mains or crosses may be a good compromise. Due to customer demand, Patterson says that manufacturers are currently working to develop polyester string that is softer, more elastic and more forgiving on the arm. TENSION At the same time that more players are turning to polyester, they are opting to reduce their string tension. “When I first started working on the pro tour back in the early 90s, it wasn’t uncommon
for people to string in the high 70s and even as high as 80 pounds or more,” Patterson said. “Now you have guys stringing as low as 35 pounds.” But why are the hardest-hitting professionals opting to reduce their string tension, considering that lower tension leads to less control and more power? The answer lies in the stiffness of polyester strings. Gut and synthetic string are softer and have a lot of stretch, which allows the ball to embed into the string. To compensate, players lower their tension, which gives the ball more pop. “I think people have finally caught on that if you’re using a polyester or co-polyester string, you have to lower the tension to get the best benefit from it,” Patterson said. Choosing string can make all the difference in the comfort and success of your stroke, but what works for the pros will not work for everyone. “The general public doesn’t pay enough attention to the string,” Patterson observes, adding that “it’s not rocket science, but it is racquet science.” There's a learning curve to understanding string, so recreational players are advised to take their time in the decision-making process. When determining if polyester string is the right fit, don't be hesitant to demo a variety of strings to find what works best. And to help cut through the confusion, find a good stringer. –Staff
Players wanting the spin and control of the RPM Blast– but with a softer, more flexible response turn to the Babolat RPM Team. A lowdensity co-polyester monofilament that's available in 16 and 17 gauges, and color black. babolat.com
HEAD HAWK TOUR Players seeking great bite and an abundance of spin should reap the rewards of using the Head Hawk Tour string. A Co-polymer Monofilament that's available in 16, 17 and 18 gauges with choices in colors grey or white. head.com
DUNLOP EXPLOSIVE Explosive poly provides excellent “snap back” effect for maximum string movement and bite, adding weight to every shot. A monofilament Polyester that's available in 16, 17 and 18 gauges with choices in colors silver or yellow. dunlop.com
SOLINCO TOUR BITE SOFT This softer, more forgiving version of Solinco's Tour Bite string blends power, control, and spin potential with improved comfort. This soft co-polyester monofilament is available in 16, 16L and 17 gauges in color silver. holabirdsports.com
GAMMA GLIDE CROSS Every main string will play better, provide more spin, power and comfort thanks to Glide Cross' “lubricity” (defined as the inverse of friction). Glide is available as a half set, a mini reel, and as a hybrid set with either GAMMA Moto polyester or GAMMA Live Wire XP. gammasports.com
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 55
EVOLUTION OF A US OPEN FASHION ICON
Serena Williams US Open 2013
Who could ever forget the lycra catsuit Serena Williams wore at the 2002 US Open, or the jean skirt and knee-highs just two years later? Not even the five-time US Open titlist herself. "My favorite outfits would probably be the catsuit from the 2002 US Open, or the jean skirt from the 2004 US Open,” Williams revealed recently. “I helped design them too. They were just super cool." Even early in her career, Williams knew how to turn heads on and off court. Along with sister Venus, they set the bar with daring color combinations, crop tops, cut outs and body-hugging designs. Ten years later, and Serena is still a tennis fashion icon, transforming her look into a more feminine one with athletic silhouettes, bold colors and clean lines. So would she ever wear the iconic catsuit again? “I probably would yeah, why not? I still have it, of course!”
DRESSING FOR HER BODY TYPE:
“I look for things that are really great for curves. I have a really small waist, so I like high-waisted pieces. And I love tank tops.” Serena Williams US Open 2004
56 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
Serena Williams US Open 2002
Serena Williams, June 2013
SERENA WILLIAMS:
OFF COURT ELEGANCE:
Not only has Serena’s on court style matured but her off court choices have become more sophisticated and demure, especially over the past two years. Accessorizing with perfectly-coiffed curls, natural-looking makeup and colorful nails, she has evolved into a refined beauty.
Serena Williams, August 2013
Serena Williams, August 2012
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 57
YOUR GAME
CON FLI CT & RESOLUT I ON CLUB & LEAGUE
COURT CHAT
Fernando Velasco, a PTR and USPTA Master Professional, is the director of tennis at Grey Rock Tennis Club in Austin, Texas. Currently ranked No. 1 in the Texas Division of the USTA's Men's 70 Singles, he enjoys regular competition as well as teaching.
IN QUESTION:
SERVING LOCATION Tennis View Magazine: During the warm-up before a match, what’s the best way to disguise a weakness, while at the same time recognize my opponent's weakness? Fernando Velasco: A world-class pro once told me that during warm-up he would feed the first ball to the center of the court. If the opponent hit the ball with his forehand, it usually determined his strong stroke. When warming up for a match, I try to hit with consistency and control, not with power. Usually, that will disguise my “weaker” shots. Also, during warm-up, I try to hit all shots, even if they are long, wide or second bounces, which helps bring “rhythm” to my game. TVM: Do you have a good tip to improve mental toughness during the nerve-racking tiebreaker? FL: In all my of clinics, I instruct players to practice tie breakers, sometimes starting at 0-0, 2-2, or even 1-6 or 6-1. I train my players to play the point, not the score. They become used to being under pressure and this helps them during match play.
TVM: In doubles, what’s the best way to determine positions -- deuce vs. ad side -- when both partners prefer the same side? FL: In teams that I coach, I train my players to be able to play both sides equally. This way, if one of the teams gets “blown out” on the first set, they should be able to change positions for the second set and still feel comfortable. Usually the player with the stronger return on the deuce side should take this side. This player can build a “lead” and not put too much pressure on the player on the ad court.
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CONFLICT During a dou-
bles match I played recently my opponent faulted on his first serve, then before he served his second serve moved his location from the middle T at the baseline of the court to the doubles alley. Are we allowed to move locations between the first and second serve? RESOLUTION Yes, the server
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is allowed to change positions along the baseline for the second serve after a first serve fault. The server may stand into the doubles alley in doubles, or to the singles sideline in singles.
L
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.
58 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
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YOUR GAME
HEALTH
THE ANKLE YOUR MOST INJURY PRONE AREA Tennis is physically demanding, and the ankle area works overtime to handle the continuous stop and go, side to side, front and back, and up and down movements. Usually the flexible ligaments surrounding the ankle that hold the bone and joint in position absorb the movement and return to their normal position. But if you roll, twist or turn your ankle past its normal range of motion, ligament may be damaged. Now is the time to see a doctor to determine the severity, treatment plan and recovery period.
ASSESS & RECOVER
1
2
3
MILD INJURY
MODERATE INJURY
SEVERE INJURY
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [AAOS], a grade 1 sprain is mild and has caused microscopic tears to the collagen fibers resulting in minimal tenderness and swelling. Immediately following the accident, and several days thereafter, treat with the RICE approach [rest, ice, compress and elevate] to reduce pain and swelling.
A grade 2 sprain is categorized as moderate impairment. This level of sprain typically results in complete tears of some but not all of the collagen fibers in the ligament. The injured will have moderate tenderness and swelling, bruising and may experience a decreased range of motion and joint instability.
If the sprain involves a complete tear or rupture of ligament, the injury is considered severe, or grade 3. The patient will experience significant swelling, tenderness and instability. Treatment consists of a longer period of immobilization and physical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to reconstruct the torn ligaments.
In addition to treatment with the RICE approach, immobilization with a boot or splint and physical therapy with range-ofmotion and stretching/strengthening exercises are common.
Healing and returning to normal activity is the goal, and many variables will determine how long that might take. Allowing the ankle to heal gradually is critical and will increase the chance of you returning to normal activity – as well as tennis – without setbacks.
When most of the ankle pain and swelling have dissipated [usually after 2 to 5 days], athletes can begin treatment, including weight bearing and isometric exercises as tolerated. Return to Sport: 2-4 weeks on average
Return to Sport: 6-8 weeks on average
Return to Sport: 3-6 months on average
R.I.C.E. TREATMENT Rest Ice Compress Elevate
60 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
Don't walk on the ankle. Apply immediately to keep the swelling down and three to four times daily for 20 to 30 minutes each session. Dressings, bandages or ace-wraps to immobilize and support the injured ankle. Keep your ankle above your heart level for 48 hours. – Staff
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MAX VADUKUL FOR ESPN THE MAGAZINE
FINAL FRAME
TOMAS BERDYCH, THE HANDSOME TENNIS STAR HAILING FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC, SHED HIS CLOTHES FOR ESPN The Magazine. BERDYCH BECOMES ONLY THE SECOND ATP PLAYER TO POSE FOR THE BODY ISSUE, FOLLOWING IN JOHN ISNER’S FOOTSTEPS LAST YEAR.
I N PERF EC T F O RM
TOMAS BERDYCH AS FEATURED IN THIS YEAR’S THE BODY ISSUE BY ESPN The Magazine
Fashion is important to Berdych, but as an independent man, he's not willing to compromise personal style or comfort. He remembers the era when Rafael Nadal wore shorts that were almost full-length pants. "Now I'm the one who comes out and plays in the old-school short shorts. But I'm comfortable in them. I like to be in the position of doing something different." On the court, the tennis star says he's a target and that everyone wants to beat him. Berdych trains hard to fend off his rivals and has been known to go the distance on the pavement. "I do a lot of biking," he told ESPN. "I need that mileage and the long-distance stuff because tennis demands it. My fitness trainer is always trying to convince me to do an Ironman. I can probably run the marathon, I can make the 112 miles on the bike, but I will never swim for 2.4 miles. I will die after 100 meters." When Berdych isn't competing, one of his favorite outlets for relaxing and having fun is Twitter, where he's been known as funny and unpredictable. "That was the reason I got on social media. Tennis players need to be very focused and very intense, and I can show tennis players are not just hitting the little yellow ball and moving in between the white lines. I'm always trying to show my personality outside of the court."
TENNISVIEWMAG.COM | SEPT.OCT 2014 63
MAX VADUKUL FOR ESPN THE MAGAZINE
FINAL FRAME
ESPN The Magazine's THE
I N PERF EC T F O RM
VENUS WILLIAMS AS FEATURED IN THIS YEAR’S THE BODY ISSUE BY ESPN The Magazine
64 SEPT.OCT 2014 | TENNISVIEWMAG.COM
BODY ISSUE SET OUT FIVE YEARS AGO WITH ONE MISSION: TO CELEBRATE THE ATHLETIC FORM. EACH ANNUAL ISSUE FEATURES ROUGHLY 20 OF THE WORLD'S MOST ELITE ATHLETES POSING (TASTEFULLY) NUDE. IN YEARS PAST, The Mag HAS FEATURED SPORTS ICONS FROM SERENA WILLIAMS AND COLIN KAEPERNICK TO KERRI WALSH JENNINGS (WHO POSED 8 MONTHS PREGNANT!), APOLO ANTON OHNO AND GOLF LEGEND GARY PLAYER. In addition to posing nude for the issue, in the accompanying story Venus Williams exposes harrowing new details about her ongoing battle with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. “At my worst point, I wasn’t able to play tennis at all,” says Williams. “Just the whole quality of my life was compromised. You are so tired it hurts. You have to accept that you’re never going to be 100%.” The American adds that there are consequences if she exerts herself in practice. “If I train too hard then I won’t be able to do anything the next day. There would be times when I’d park my car at home, and I fell asleep behind the wheel because I was so tired! It’s a balance between pushing myself as much as I can and being reasonable about what I can achieve and what my body will tolerate.” Whether on or off the court, the consummate champion doesn't accept defeat easily. She says she'll find creative ways to win even during her weakest moments. "You have to find different avenues in order to get your top health level, and you have to be tough. You can't make any excuses, even though you have one of the biggest excuses available. It's a roller coaster, but thankfully I've enjoyed roller coasters since I was a child."
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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.
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