Tennis World n° 3

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PLAY + STAY All about the new ITF Campaign

BARCLAYS ATP World Tour Final

Special article on

WOZNIACKI Leading the attack on the Sisters

SATA news • The 2010 SA Open • The Champions Tour • Special on Rodney Heath • Amelie Mauresmo leaves tennis • Dunlop Fort Clay Court: the centre of the clay court season.

FROM THE EDITOR… I have in my hands an old tennis book, published in 1958: The Encyclopaedia of Lawn Tennis. It was written by Maurice Brady and it features a splendid introduction by Vix Seixas, a great of our sport. What interest me most was the heading “South African Championships”. The book is one of the few that contain a full hall of fame for the Johannesburg tournament, that started in 1891... In other words, it began when tennis had just been born. Wimbledon dates back to 1877, and it was little more that a competition among friends.

Some 14 years later, our sport had already travelled the oceanic routes to settle at the other end of the world. The first winner was LA Richardson and among the ladies, a certain Miss Grant.

What is most striking of the main South African tournament was the calibre of the winners. In just a few years, the standard had already become very high.

In 1909 the tournament was won by Reginald Doherty, Reggie to his friends, or Big Do, elder brother of Laurie. Two victories at Wimbledon in the singles, eight in the doubles (and also two US National Championships), four Davis Cups (it was he and his brother who, in 1903, won the old salad bowl for the first time, after the first two American successes in 1900 and 1902), three Olympic gold medals and first signatory of the Monte Carlo tournament on clay. And in 1910 after Doherty, came Tony Wilding, the great New Zealander.

He won four Wimbledons and two Australian Championships in doubles, four Davis and an enormity of successes in singles. “His forehand was powerful, hit with a lot of top spin, hard to be met by a volley. His backhand was sure. He was an elegant example of athletic virility, with great skill and a resolute character that helped him get to the absolute top in tennis.” This statement was made by Norman Everard Brookes, over 40 years after Wilding’s first appearance, who was six years his senior. Together, the two conquered the world of tennis.

We could go on; the superb hall of fame of the South African Championships would give us the opportunity. Norton, Farquharson, Sturgess, Vermaak who became finalist in Paris, defeated by Italian Pietrangeli. And still, Mrs Summers, Miss Fry, Miss Hart... The best of tennis. It is worth, however, paying attention to a significant fact: in those times of longer and far more difficult travels than today, all the best in our sport wanted to play in South Africa. This is the tradition of our tournament, it begins here. And it is well deserved.

But it doesn’t end here. Far from it. The first winner on the new course was Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, French, finalist at the Australian Open two years ago, an extraordinary resemblance to Muhammad Ali. What matters, however, is that Tsonga is one of the best expressions of modern tennis, a player capable of hitting a ball hard from the baseline as well as producing athletic volleys.

A tennis player who likes to take risks on each shot and who, by taking risk, reached number six in the ATP ranking in November 2008, affirming himself among the top 10 in 2009. He is tenth now...

It is as if Johannesburg has resumed a journey interrupted 20 years earlier, exactly from where it left off, which is with the champions. This is why the tournament that is about to take shape in the wise hands of SATA is awaited with much anticipation. So that it can continue along this path, to fill our hall of fame with yet another important appearance. Many rumours are going around about the final composition of the entry list. I would rather mention a single name, that of Gael Monfils, a French former number nine and today number 12. He is merely 23 years old, another young champion. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful way to continue the adventure?

TENNIS WORLD SOUTH AFRICA Published by Matchball Tennis EDITOR & DIRECTOR Federico Coppini federico.coppini@matchballtennis.com CONTRIBUTORS Nannie de Villiers, Pietie Norval, Danie Morkel, Matt Traverso, Donato Campagnoli, Jaco Burger COLLABORATION Tennis World SA is published in collaboration with Matchpoint Tennis Magazine (Italy).

Special thanks to director Daniele Azzolini and his editing team.

Matchpoint Tennis Magazine, Via Santa Giovanna Elisabetta 36/F 00189 Roma Tel: + 00 39 063 638 2189 segreteria@mpmtennis.com Francois Smith – Subscriptions and Logistics Nelize Ernst – Advertising Sales BUSINESS DETAILS MatchballTennis (Pty) Ltd 85 Jonkershoek Road Stellenbosch, South Africa info@matchballtennis.com ADVERTISING advertising@matchballtennis.com SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@matchballtennis.com MARKETING & PR Nicolette Booyens 082 856 8789 marketing1@matchballtennis.com INTERNET www.tennisworldsa.com

From our side, only one promise. On the Johannesburg tournament TennisWorld SA will give you all the juicy detail and more...

FC Federico Coppini info@matchballtennis.com TENNISWORLD SA

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GENERAL 10 Commit to living your dream!

12 Back pain in tennis players 14 High altitude vs. low altitude 15 Super dedicated or super crazy?! tennis player vs.

16 The the complete tennis athlete 18 Jetset 20 Amelie Mauresmo leaves tennis 24 Auckland: What a start!

25 Brisbane: A thrill named Kim 27 Doha: Transformer Koyla 62 Dunlop clay court MASTERS 30 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 32 Scorecards 33 Results formula is wrong, but people 34 The like it...

36 The Champions Tour TECHNICAL FILE 38 Ranking 40 Ready for Roland Garros 70 The rationale for mental training 72 Preparing for the match 76 A is for Analysis 78 Goal-setting 80 Play & Stay 82 Choices of champions EMERGING PLAYERS 42 Chiudinelli 44 Wozniacki 47 Berrer 48 Zeballos 49 Robson & de Brito 50 Russia’s future begins with “A” DAVIS CUP 52 Spain – home of Davis 54 Scorecards 55 Quotes 56 Bearing the red & yellow flag HALL OF FAME 58 Heath, the first Mac RANKINGS 64 ATP ranking 66 WTA ranking 68 ITF Junior rankings 69 Wheelchair Tennis RSA rankings SATA 86 The SA Open 88 Talking tennis with Robbie Koenig 89 Damian Hume in the States 90 Top players 92 Ian Smith 95 SA Schools under 13 Tour to USA 96 Christi Potgieter 97 Boskruin Tennis Club 98 Veterans 99 Durban Girls’ College 99 Wild cards 100 SATA national rankings 103 SATA tournament calendar ibc

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COMMIT TO LIVING YOUR DREAM!

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oday I want to talk to you about what it takes to change your life and produce greater results. I don’t know where you are right now but I would venture to guess that you’re probably not succeeding at the level that you think you could or should. I don’t know if you’re stuck in a dead-end job that you don’t like – where work is a task and a chore that you do just to get by – or whether you’re stuck in a situation where you started a business and you’re struggling to make that business succeed or whether you have a dream in your heart but you don’t know what to do to turn it into reality and make it happen.

Maybe it’s about a relationship that isn’t working for you or you feel like you can’t attract your ideal relationship. Or maybe for you it’s about improving your level of health and increasing your energy, or losing weight permanently and creating the body that you want.

Or maybe it’s a lack of fulfilment that so many people are suffering from, they may even have success on the outside but they still feel stressed out, overwhelmed, or frustrated inside. Life itself has become a chore as opposed to being an exhilarating adventure of realising your true potential and living the life you desire – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.

You see, most people explain away their lack of success by saying things like, “This can’t be done”, “Be realistic”, “It wasn’t meant to be”, “I’m too old to do this…”, “You gotta pay the bills…” A lot of time people feel stuck in their life, they feel like they don’t have a choice in terms of going out and making their dream happen.

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When you give up on your dreams, you are killing off your soul! Most people are dead at 30, buried at 70! They say, “I would if I could but I have these obligations, I couldn’t possibly make money and follow my dreams.” People have all sorts of limiting beliefs that stop them from really living their dream and being who they are.

And sometimes these beliefs are so repressed that we’re not even aware of

M AT T T R AV E R S O decision) is the commitment to follow your dreams, to make them come true, to live an extraordinary life; that’s when you truly live a magical life. And realise that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather it’s the realisation that there’s something more important than the fear. That’s the point you must reach if you want to have a breakthrough in any area of your life. You see, any challenge you

When you give up on your dreams, you are killing off your soul! the fact that we’ve got them. Now, over the last 12 years my obsession has been about seeking out the most powerful tools, techniques, skills, and strategies for creating changes in people quickly, easily, and permanently: that’s what my life is about and that’s why I’m speaking to you today.

Somebody once asked me about the moment that changed my life. I answer that the moment that changed my life was when I decided to change my life and I was prepared to do whatever it took. And here’s a critical defining characteristic that I’ve found to be a common denominator among all truly successful people: they’re willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to succeed.

If you’re in a situation that you don’t like, you have to have the commitment to do whatever it takes to follow your heart – and to me that’s what life is about. And the biggest commitment that you can possibly make to yourself (that which will change your life immediately because your life changes the moment you make a congruent and committed

might have always comes down to fear; such as “Can I really pull this off?” “Am I good enough?”... It’s always fear that prevents us from stepping up and making our life the true expression of our soul.

Look: you’re here for a purpose. In my live seminars when I ask people how many believe they were born with a purpose, virtually everybody in the room raises their hand. Then I ask a second question – and this is very revealing – I say, “How many people in the room feel as if they’re actually fulfilling their purpose each and every day?” and virtually nobody raises their hand to that question.

Now, once you’ve truly made the commitment to follow your dreams and live an extraordinary life, the next question is: “How do I do it?” and a lot of people will get caught up in the how before they make the commitment, and that’s a mistake because the how only reveals itself after you’ve made the commitment. So remember: the path only unfolds once you’ve made the commitment.

Then decide right now to really commit whatever it takes to make your dream

happen. Besides, you wouldn’t be able to dream it if you couldn’t achieve it.

Remember the old phrase? What you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. And if it’s a dream that you have then it’s your obligation, it’s your dharma, to make it real.

So make the commitment and decide how you’re going to show up in the world – the kind of person you’re committed to being – and decide what you want to spend your life on.

Because time will go by fast, 10 years will go by in no time. You’ll wake up one day and say, “Where did the time go?” and I want you to be able to look back on those 10 years and feel the joy of knowing that you’ve shaped those 10 years; it was your vision that shaped it, not the reaction to the environment.

So please make the most of the short allotment of time you’ve been given.

It’s a travesty how we’ve been so culturally and socially hypnotised and conditioned to stop believing in our dreams and instead fit into a tiny little box of what is expected of us… Go to school… get a job… get a mortgage… get a wife/husband… Surely there is more to life, don’t you think?

Listen, you are going to die anyway, so you might as well go for it! Be a player in the game of life! Play full out, step up, carpe diem, and take advantage of every moment you are given! Think, act, and live BIG – create a big game, where you’re challenged to be at your very best all the time! Life is not like a movie… you only get one take. Let your best come out; you are destined to express life in ways that no one else can. Live it and let it flow with your own special magnificence, today and every moment.

I sincerely hope that this message has inspired you to remember what’s most important and maybe moved you to step up and make your life the masterpiece it deserves to be, and I hope that for you this is the beginning of a new journey into pushing back the boundaries of your own life and constantly raising your standards. I hope someday to have the chance to meet you at one of my live programs or somewhere in the world, I’d love to hear how you’ve used the power of your dreams to make a difference in your life and in the people that you care about most. Till then remember the gift that you’ve been given – and give yourself the gift of knowing that your gift will never go away. Nothing can take your gift. And by the way, your gifts will make room for you if you make room for your gifts.

So I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to inspire you with my words but I also want to challenge you to raise the bar now for your whole life. Raise the bar on what you’re going to spend your time and energy on – whether it be contribution, love, growth, or gratitude; because, in the end, what we get will not make us happy, our ultimate reward is who we’ve become and what we’ve contributed in our lifetime. Because everything else is going to go away; someone else one day will own your car and someone else is going to own your home – because sooner or later you’re going to be worm food – thus the only thing you will take through those pearly gates is who you’ve become and what you have given away.

So please remember that life is a wonderful gift; and what we do with it is our gift back. We owe it to our creator, to our families, to ourselves; to live a truly fulfilled life. You can be unstoppable and you most definitely can and should go after your dreams. So enjoy the journey, dare to dream, and make each day an epic adventure! www.matttraverso.com

Remember that life is a wonderful gift; and what we do with it is our gift back.

MATT TRAVERSO An international leading authority on peak-performance and success coaching, Matt Traverso has helped thousands of people achieve breakthrough results and he is regularly featured in the press, on radio shows and on TV. He’s also written four books – Realise Your Ture Potential; The Abundance Zone; The Official NLP Practitioner Manual; and The Bible of Quantum Coaching.

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DANIE MORKEL

BACK PAIN IN TENNIS PLAYERS I

am sure that most readers of this journal is aware that 80% of all people will suffer from backache at some stage of their lives and most will know that backache have affected the careers of high percentage of sportsmen, especially tennis players. It was thus not a surprise that at the last 2009 Society of Tennis Medicine and Science World Congress in Valencia, the sport science team of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) of England reported a very high incidence of abnormal Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) scans of the spines on elite junior tennis players. They screened their junior tennis players randomly and found an alarming high incidence of pathology in the spines in 85% of players tested.

SOME RELEVANT ANATOMY

The bony skeleton of the back, the vertebral column, is made up 24 vertebrae, excluding sacrum and coccyx, that are connected to each adjacent segment by a disc and 2 facet joints. These facet joints are synovial joints like knee and ankle joints.

The function of the vertebral column is to provide protection and stability to the spinal cord. Like most of our joints the stability of the back is also dependant on a set of stabilizing muscles, which include the abdominal muscles.

Between each 2 vertebrae 2 nerve roots leaves through 2 openings.

Any condition that affects any of these structures, the vertebrae, discs, facet joints, and spinal cord and nerve roots can be the cause of backache. It is essential therefore that the proper cause of the backache is identified before the right treatment can be initiated.

This drawing illustrates the extension and rotation of the back in the service action. It is the hyperextension and rotation

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that often causes back problems. It is also the hyperextension in young players that can lead to stress fractures CAUSES OF BACKACHE

The most common cause of backache is caused by failure of the of the disc or facet joints between the vertebrae with pressure on the nerve roots or instability of the structures. When a nerve root is impinged (sometimes referred to as sciatica or slipped disc) the pain is most often referred to the leg and worse than in the back and with severe muscle spasms. More prevalent than nerve root impingement is backache caused by instabilities of the facet joints. This can lead to intermittent bouts of backache, most often on one side worse than the other, and sometimes with muscle spasm.

Other less common causes of backache are stress fractures or growth plate abnormalities in young tennis players, inflammatory arthritis like ankylosing spondilitis, infection like TB and tumours of bone or spinal cord.

When backache does not respond to conservative treatment the warning lights should flicker and further investigations must be done. A red flag should go up in backache in children or adolescents, backache with associating pain in other joints, with loss of weight and appetite and backache in the elderly.

TREATMENT OF BACKACHE

From the statistics that I quoted it is clear that most people and even more so tennis players will return to their activities after suffering from backache, the right diagnosis is essential to facilitate the quickest return to sport, but also to prevent chronic back problems. These days with the modern imaging available it is much easier to pin point the cause of backache.

Since most often the cause of backache is mechanical (disc or facet joints) and most

cases will respond well to conservative measures and it is not necessary to do special investigations initially. It is only when the backache is atypical or does not respond to treatment that special investigations, like X-rays, blood tests and scans are indicated.

The treatment consists of: 1. Sufficient rest and pain relief: The length of rest period is determined by the cause and severity of the injury.

Anti-inflammatory medication with sufficient analgesia must be given to break the pain cycle.

2. Good physiotherapy: Consists of soft tissue massage, trigger point treatment, mobilizations and proper back protection management programs (lifestyle adaptation) 3. Proper rehabilitation: Proper reconditioning including back protection, loosening-up exercises, proper stretching, back stabilizer strengthening and aerobic conditioning. The field of back stabilizer strengthening has evolved most probably the most of all muscle reconditioning in the last few years. It is important to focus on core strength and do eccentric or isometric exercises 4. Return to tennis: If a player repeatedly hurts his back in tennis, he or she needs to look at decreasing either rotation or for instance hyperextension on certain shots, for instance to change the service stance to be more square and decrease the rotation in that way.

5. Back pain should not be a career ending injury and if the correct treatment plan is followed most players should return to tennis.

6. Prevention is better than cure and a core stabilizing program should be followed from an early age.

In the next issue we will do an overview of back exercises and injury prevention.

A warm & friendly Italian welcome!

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All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, coffee/ tea making facilities, Radio/CD players as well as towels for the pool. One self-catering unit is also available. We also offer secure parking, a spacious public area, honesty bar with soft drinks and snacks as well as wireless internet.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to explore the famous winelands, or discover the area through many available excursions and day trips! Should you wish to relax then our quiet and welcoming garden around our lovely swimming pool is just the place.

A beautiful atmosphere with a fusion of Italian and African styles, make this affordable stay one to be repeated!

Italian and English spoken. German in progress!

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LOCAL

HIGH ALTITUDE VS LOW ALTITUDE

South Africa is probably the only country in the world where competitive tennis is played at 2000 m above sea level. Why is that and why do we have so many tournaments in Gauteng? What is the difference between playing in Cape Town and playing in Johannesburg?

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ince I started playing junior tournaments as a young boy, I have been travelling from Cape Town to Gauteng to compete in events there. When I became a professional player, many pro events were also held in Gauteng and today we have the SA Open in Johannesburg played in February and possibly the return of the Soweto challenger for men and women in April.

Many top junior national and international tournaments are played in Gauteng.

When our players that grow up at a high altitude go overseas and play internationally, they realise that almost all tournaments are played at sea level. How does this affect them?

When you hit a ball at high altitude, the ball literally flies off your racket like a rocket. This forces you to often decelerate your shots, because control is a problem.

When the same shot is played at sea level, it will land three meters shorter in the court. Hitting a “heavy ball” with height over the net is almost impossible to practice in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

In my opinion, this problem gets worse every year, seeing as technology gets better and the racquets have more and more power. It will continue to get more difficult for the average 12-year-olds to create racquet head speed without losing control in high altitude.

When the young players that I work with at Kainos Tennis Academy play events at hign altitude, it will often take them a week to control the ball in those conditions. Some players will not adjust in time before the events are finished.

This will normally happen to players with slightly “slower hands” than others. I have

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seen many pros adjust only after a week in Johannesburg, how can you expect a 14 year old to adjust in two days before they play a match under pressure?

Many discussions have been held about having more tournaments at sea level in South Africa and SATA agrees there should be more events there. With the country’s business centre in Johannesburg, it seems that financial backing for tennis often comes from Gauteng and there is a certain amount of pressure to have a lot of tournaments there. One understands that you would play your Davis Cup matches at high altitude, seeing that it is so difficult for the opponents to adjust, but most junior tournaments should be at sea level if we want to have top players back on the WTA and ATP tours.

A certain amount of junior tournaments needs to be played at high altitude, seeing as so many tennis kids live in Johannesburg and Pretoria, but there is no reason to have your Nationals in Bloemfontein at an altitude that it is difficult to play in. I personally love going to Bloemfontein for tournaments. The people are great, the venues are good and there are no traffic problems, but is it helping our kids’ tennis?

International touring teams are often chosen from results at high altitude, only to find them playing international junior events at sea level. Some players are much weaker at high altitude compared to sea level and vice versa.

Some people will argue that Wayne Ferreira and Amanda Coetzer both grew up in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein respectively, but we are talking about a different era where it was easy for men

who serve “big” to go to high altitude and win tournaments just with the serve.

The game has changed significantly since then and almost nobody wins matches by only serve and volleying. In Coetzer’s case, well, there is only one Coetzer and she was known as the fastest and fittest player on tour.

WHAT WOULD BE IDEAL? All the pros that visit South Africa would love to see the SA Open in Cape Town eventually. The mother city is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world and they all know that.

More ITF Futures and junior events at sea level around the country.

SATA, with its shared headquarters in the Western Cape, seeing that junior and senior tennis from there dominate the country’s local tennis scene.

I personally work with most of the players in the Davis Cup team and had a training camp in December with Jeff Coetzee, Izak van der Merwe, Raven Klaasen, Rik de Voest and the two up and coming youngsters, Ruan Roelofse and Nikala Scholtz. Most of these players want to spend their time in Stellenbosch or Cape Town when they are in South Africa and they can combine their offtime at home with world class tennis training at Kainos Tennis Academy in Stellenbosch or at Kainos Tennis Cape Town (based at Western Province Cricket Club under head coach, Stefan de Kock, who personally works with Raven Klaasen).

My philosophy is to do what the pros do.

They train at sea level. Are they wrong?

DEDICATED OR SUPER

CRAZY?!

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eing a professional sports person is not easy and it has its fair share of challenges along the way. When a player retires from the tour, they normally look very tired and almost relieved that their crazy lifestyle is coming to an end! But lately the women in international tennis seem to be starting a new trend… they just cannot seem to stay retired!

Only last week Justine Henin of Belgium made her comeback after being out of the game for 16 months and having made it clear that she was no longer motivated to play. In her comeback tournament in Brisbane on the Australian Gold Coast she made sure that no one doubted whether all her “ass kicking” abilities were still in tact. She only barely lost to her fellow country women, the comeback queen herself, Kim Clijsters in a third set tie breaker!

What is it with these women? Can they not make up their minds or are we just missing the point? In the last decade we saw the return of a few champions although some had better reasons than others. Take Monica Seles, who had no control over her reason for retirement from tennis after a lunatic stabbed her in Hamberg in1993.

The longest ever break between retirement and a comeback is 12 years! Kimiko Date (now Date Krumm) from Japan, left and got married, and after hearing that her husband would like to see her play she thought she would give it another go, just for fun. One year later she won the Hansol Korea Open in Seoul at the age of 39!

Now that is amazing.

I have thought about this a lot and realised that there are so many differences between

NANNIE DE VILLIERS

SUPER

Coach, international tennis commentator and junior winner of Wimbledon doubles 1994, Nannie de Villiers needs no introduction.

Her professional career includes winning 27 international women’s single and doubles titles and playing 32 grand slam tournaments. We asked her to tell us what is on her mind…

the ATP and WTA tour which people might not realise. Women start competing fulltime between the ages of 14 and 17. Men on the other hand have a few more years to mature and grow into their bodies, and mostly only get up to speed between the ages of 18 and 20.

Men also have the advantage of being able to compete for a long time, while having an almost normal lifestyle on tour. They get married and have children and their tournaments have even started catering for this, by having crèche facilities. Now the loving wife can go and support her hubby without having to worry too much about the little one crying too much next to the court. Ironically women do not enjoy the same facilities?!

Until recently women got married but kids of course were out of the question.

This trend has been overturned by players such as Rosanna de los Rios (PAR), Lindsay Davenport (USA), Roslyn Nedifer Fairbank (RSA) and of course super mom Kim Clijsters. They took time out, quickly had a baby and remarkably just got right back to what they do best! Absolutely amazing if you think about it!

Having played myself, I know how much preparation a tennis match requires and that you can never be certain what time you will be walking onto the court, as the match before yours could carry on for an extra hour or so. If you still have to make sure that your child is happy, nappy is clean, enough formula has been made etc.…then you certainly deserve and award!

But the question is still …why come back after being retired? Do they get bored at home? Is it a shortage of money? Did they miss the competitiveness and the

limelight? Why are almost none of the men doing it?

Well, from my own experience and from talking to a few of my fellow retired tennis friends, one thing always makes the topic…what do you do after tennis?

It really is a very strange job to retire from. A friend once said to me that he retired first and then started working for the first time.

Playing tennis is an adrenaline rush which few things can surpass, but also something which consumes your whole life. It can make you forget that anything else exists.

It really doesn’t matter whether two countries are at war or that your friend is getting married… because you have a match to win, a ranking list to climb and money to make. One week flows into another and you live from hotel to hotel, flight to flight … and the rest of the world is having regular family lives and working nine to five!

There are probably 101 reasons why these women could not face sitting at home and watching the players that they used to beat, having all the shine. There are moments that nothing on earth can compare with…like walking onto a neatly mowed grass court at Wimbledon with your special grass court shoes, feeling so nervous and excited that you don’t think you will be able to hit a ball even if it were the size of a melon!

After having those feelings you can never again watch your favourite tournament on TV without feeling a deep sense of loss for not being there and competing.

So, whatever their reasons…I think I can understand…every May, during Roland Garros, I still wipe away a tear or two of my own…

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JACO BURGER

LOCAL

The Tennis Player vs. the Complete Tennis Athlete

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aybe you have never heard of the term strength and conditioning before. Maybe you have heard about it but have never made it part of your training regime.

Maybe you don’t see the importance of it yet. Strength and Conditioning refers to a structured plan in which you develop your body for tennis over the short, medium and long term. Let’s put it plainly turning a tennis player into a complete tennis athlete. Your physical development training should be just as important as your tennis development.

In the modern tennis era it is no longer enough only to hit balls five hours a day and do a few sprints now and then.

If you look at the top five men’s tennis players today you will find that the single thing that separates them from their counterparts is the fact that they are physically much better developed than their opponents. By physically I am not referring to how they look, in other words I am not referring to their six packs and their biceps. What I am referring to is the functionality they have on court. All of them are strong and explosive, their acceleration and agility on the court is phenomenal; they have balance in each shot they play, they have the flexibility that allows them to almost split when reaching for a ball that most people would only stand still and look at and their foot speed (quickness) are out of this world. Then you take that body and teach small and specific movement mechanics that turn these guy into living tennis machines. These guys spend at least two hours a day on their physical work and when they are not playing tournaments it can be as much as four

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hours per day. I have just completed a five week off season program with Jeff Coetzee, South African Doubles player in which he did on average 2,5 hours of physical work plus at least another hour of stretching per day. To which massaging and contrast bathing for another 90 minutes are added every second day. Just to give you an idea how important it is.

This is for a specialist doubles player, singles players have to do even more.

You are probably asking why I am telling you this. The answer is very simple. The only way to bring your amazing tennis skill to its full potential is by developing your body so that you become faster, stronger, fitter and more flexible than your opponents.

I have been specialising in tennis specific strength and conditioning for the past five years and I have worked with players from beginner level right through to players on the ATP tour. I have also been involved at most junior tournaments around South Africa with Sport Massage helping players like you recover sufficiently between matches.

The one thing that stands out in junior tennis throughout South Africa is that about 80% of players I massage at these tournaments do not follow any kind of physical development program. The muscle imbalances are so evident that I can see it with the naked eye, no tests needed. Of the remaining 20% I reckon only about half are receiving help from a tennis specialist. I am not saying this is the only reason, but I am convinced that this is one of the key factors our youngsters are doing well locally but as soon as they step onto the ITF circuit

they are overpowered by the international players who are physically in much better shape than they are. Have you seen at South African junior tournaments that almost no one does individual warm ups before they play a match? You almost feel stupid to do a warm up. Am I correct in saying this? Well, overseas you will never see any player step on court if the did not complete their warm up before the time.

I have been to many ITF tournaments and to a few ATP events the last five years and what I am telling you are facts. I am convinced that we all have the talent in SA to produce top professional players.

Besides all the other challenges South Africans face to reach a professional level, the one thing that is 100% in your hands is your physical preparation.

Unfortunately this is not something I can explain to you in one page or even a few pages. It is a process that you can only learn by spending time with a tennis specific strength and conditioning specialist just as you spend time with your coach. I can say with utmost confidence that you would not regret making a commitment to yourself and your tennis by adding this to your training schedule.

Now you are probably asking what the next step is. Follow the next few guidelines and see this as the start and build on it from here.

1.

Always Warm Up Properly. What is Warm Up? Five minutes of getting the hart pumping. Do this by: running, high knee running, butt kicks, side shuffling, and crossover shuffling, backwards running. Then progress into

muscle activation exercises e.g. squatting, lunging, side lunging, etc. Perform about one set of five reps of each. Thereafter you want to progress into dynamic stretching. Some exercises would include hamstring kicks, low centre of gravity side lunges, reaching quad stretches, ankle touches, calf walk ups, etc. You can then end off your warm up regime with some elastic band work for warming up the shoulder joint with some raised internal and external shoulder rotations, normal internal and external shoulder rotations and overhead extensions.

2.

Ensure that you drink lots of water and sustained energy released drinks while on court.

3. Warm Down after play. Give yourself a good 15 min after match play (if you have another match left for the day) and about 30 min at the end of your day. In this warm down session you will spend time to stretch all the muscle groups of your body. Stretch each body part twice for 30 to 45 seconds. Unfortunately I cannot explain all the stretches to you here, but you will be able to find a good stretching program at a tennis specific strength and conditioning specialist.

Remember that it is good to stretch all muscles but it is more important to stretch correctly and stretch the muscles

that tend to be stiffer more often. Take my advice and don’t just make use of a program or stretches you find on the internet. Chances that it is not relevant to you body might be good.

4.

Get to a tennis specific strength and conditioning specialist as soon as you can.

If you can’t go to someone on a regular basis, there are ways it can be managed. I have a long distance player management program, for instance, in which I help players who can only visit me two or three times a year. Do not compromise on a cheap alternative. In the long term it will cost you much more.

I hope that you are excited to make strength and conditioning part of your preparation for the coming year. Always remember that results do not come in days and weeks, but rather through months and years of diligent hard work.

Guys, it might sound like boot camp, and sometimes it is not fun, but I guarantee you that once you have seen the results you will never stop. If you don’t believe me, you can ask anyone who has ever trained with me or any tennis strength and conditioning specialist other than me.

Your success is up to you! Go and make it happen! Enjoy 2010 and make every minute countt

You are welcome to contact me with any questions at 082 373 1622 or email me at jaco@quikeningpulse.co.za

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JET SET

JETSET ANA RESTARTS FROM GROENEFELD

KIM DUMPS ANDY: TOO MUCH PLAYSTATION

The bad spell continues for Andy Murray, this time off the court too.

Welcomed as a hero at the Masters in London, the young Scot disappointed everyone by not even reaching the semifinals. It is perhaps why Murray decided to take refuge headlong into the parallel reality of video games, certainly a less stressful one. A little too far for his long-time fiancée Kim Sears who dumped him suddenly after a four year relationship. According to Sears, Murray spends up to seven hours a day playing Playstation, with a particular preference for the “Call of Duty” war game. A true videogaming obsession. And so it is that the Scotsman’s 2009 ends without an advancement in ranking and with one less love. The young Murray better put aside his joystick and virtual wars if he wants to aim for a 2010 of absolute leadership. His chances of reaching the number one are concrete; those of winning back gorgeous Sears’s heart appear unfortunately far less realistic.

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Ana Ivanovi´c has decided to return full time into the hands Sven Groenefeld, a coach with whom the Serbian has reached the top of the WTA ranking and raised the 2008 Roland Garros trophy.

This is not the first change in the very troubled season for the Serbian who during the course of the year ended her collaboration with Scott Byrnes – who had been her conditioner for the last three years – and hired coach Craig Kardon, only to then part ways after only four months. Then, between the Eastbourne and Wimbledon tournaments, she temporarily went back to the Adidas working group (Sven Groeneveld, Darren Cahill and Gil Reyes) “I feel rested and ready to start all over again. The most important is to stay injury free and train the best possible way. I will work again with Sven and that gives me confidence on how well we worked together two years ago,” said the Serbian, who dropped below the top 10 in the ranking.

ACCORDING TO SEARS, MURRAY SPENDS UP TO SEVEN HOURS A DAY PLAYING PLAYSTATION, WITH A PARTICULAR PREFERENCE FOR THE “CALL OF DUTY” WAR GAME. valid for the final of the trophy of Charleroi in Belgium. The Belgian had beaten fellow countrywoman Kirsten Flipkens in the semifinals, there too with a double 6–4.

Henin, 27, was set to play in another exhibition match in Cairo, against Russian Nadia Petrova. Her official return to the WTA circuit will be in Brisbane in January.

Other players can start shuddering.

MARIA IN SANTIAGO: TENNIS AND FASHION

Maria Sharapova has recently visited the Chilean capital to present some of her fashion items and to play in an exhibition match against a no less attractive Argentinean Gisele Dulko, so much so that the media have defined the encounter a “Beauty Contest”. “I love designing. I love the fact that it’s very creative. The world of tennis has opened up many doors in my career and I’ve been able to experience many of them and fashion is certainly one of them and I definitely hope that after my career I’ll be able to expand on that,” declared Masha.

MUSTER AND THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES

JANKOVIC IN LOVE IN ITALY

A curious exhibition was held in Salzburg: Thomas Muster, ATP number one in 1996, is finally back on the court.

His compatriot Sybille Bammer, a mother tennis player currently number 55 of the WTA rankings was the one to pay for the comeback. For the record, the men prevailed over the women for 6–3 6–2.

After a season that was far from exciting and which saw her slide to number eight in the rankings, Jelena Jankovic recharges her batteries and chooses Italy as her destination: the Ligurian Riviera to be precise. Why Italy? Simple, in Italy Jankovic has found love: Mladjan Janovic, a waterpolo player for Rari Nantes Savona and for the Montenegro national team who has lived in Italy for several years.

At Abissola, in between walks on the Riviera di Ponente and excursions to Cote d’Azur, beautiful Jankovic has no doubt been able to put the season that has just ended firmly behind her.

JUSTINE WARMS UP HER ENGINE

Belgian Justine Henin is preparing for her return after an eight month absence from the courts by beating Flavia Pennetta 6–4 6–4 in an exhibition match. The match was

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NEWS

AU REVOIR

THE FAREWELL: Amelie Mauresmo leaves tennis

DANIEL E AZZOL IN I

T

he year of Amelie Mauresmo was 2006. Federer won three Slams and, among the women, Justine Henin and Mauresmo faced each other twice.

There could have been nothing better. It was then that Miss Mauresmo underwent her metamorphoses.

One could have said Mauresmo transformed from pupa to butterfly had she not been much more than a fragile and fluttering little being, content with her normal fleeting life.

The young French lady has never hidden her muscles, in fact she has strengthened them and used her strength on those occasions when her ability seemed lacking. She has never stopped cultivating that all-court tennis of hers, which somewhat resembles the style of another tennis great, Gabriela Sabatini. Like Mauresmo, Sabatini had been weighed down by a burden of contradictions in which she was unable to dominate happily for extended periods as she played against warrior women. Mauresmo needed much more time than expected for her weak and delicate side to heal.

A candid soul in a body made for show.

And together with that a culture of diversity almost suffered, which forced her to expose herself impulsively, when still very young (it was on the eve of her first Slam final, in Australia in 1999), and tell the world about her happy love that burdened her so.

Young Mauresmo â&#x20AC;&#x153;came outâ&#x20AC;? and many wrote about it, many others went too

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far. Her voyage in search of herself had suffered a setback. At the time she might have regretted that liberating confession that forced her to work even more on herself in order to resume the journey she had undertaken. And she succeeded.

In tennis and in sports, as always, the proof is in the victories.

Australia, Wimbledon. The same opponent, Henin. Not the same match, because in Melbourne the Belgian was forced to withdraw, or perhaps she preferred to turn her back on the punishment that was taking shape. But somehow the two had set a date. Not in Paris, where Henin won, because there, in front of her people, Mauresmo has always struggled. The duel was set for Wimbledon, the most beautiful stage.

Honoured with a tough final fought between two players who have always known how a racquet should be used.

It was Mauresmoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s masterpiece. It started taking shape at the beginning of the second set and it felt very much like a rebellion. Henin had dominated the first, her shots flowing most enjoyably.

Swift, essential, as grass dictates. But Mauresmo multiplied her efforts, found her serve and, above all, set herself up for attack. This being the element that was needed, the cornerstone of the match. The attacks took Henin by surprise, forced her to make some naive mistakes and ended in Henin losing her passing shot. Mauresmo rushed her, and on that rush she continued to work, attacking, pushing Henin towards the baseline.

Wimbledon made Mauresmo the real number one of tennis. Not for very long (she would close that season in third place), but in a full, accomplished way.

She had already been there, firstly in September 2004 after the quarters at the US Open that had followed the second semifinal on grass for the Championships. But the important victories that transformed her record into domination were still missing. All of those came together in 2006, except for one, the one that Mauresmo points out as the cornerstone of her career, the victory at the Masters of the year before. “It was this success that changed my life”, she explained without going into detail. The truth is that her success drove away her fear, the ancient enemy of a young lady who should have won everything and who instead took 10 years on the tour to become aware of herself and her resources. These include her formidable physical build and tennis of a superior quality.

Fear went away with the onset of her much awaited, much cherished victories. “I don’t want people to speak of my fragile nerves and my insecurities anymore,” said Mauresmo on the grass of Wimbledon in the interview that the public had been waiting for to give their final applause, with the winner’s embossed plate under her right arm almost like a baguette. “I have become another now”, she announced.

Mauresmo had finally become herself.

The Mauresmo that she had chased for so long and that she had always believed existed. Somewhere.

It took 10 years for her to surface.

“A joy that comes from more mature grapes,” she had said after the victory at the Australian Open uncorking the bottle of Sauterne, a Chateau

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NEWS d’Yquem. When Mauresmo speaks of herself – today less so than in the past, after getting her fingers burnt by her youthful revelations, when she told of her love for a Sylvie who used to follow her everywhere – she presents herself precisely as that Sauterne, a white wine that must be pressed from very ripe grapes to yield its very best. She had bought the bottle with the promise that she would open in on her first Slam victory. She waited for a long time, perhaps too long. But it was not in vain.

That cork that imprisoned her spirits, restrained her character, blocked her soul and her shots finally popped.

momentum. In the end she took notice of it. Those much awaited victories had brought fulfilment. Mauresmo rebelled, forged ahead for more seasons, but has never been the same again. As early as 2007 she lost touch with the Top Ten club, and in the last three years she has just won in Antwerp and Paris, in the indoor tournament.

She is 30 after all, but she has been on the professional courts since 1993, for 17 seasons. She leaves with some regret, and with a certainty; now she can be herself, all the time. And this is what she had always sought.

What Mauresmo could not have known was the suite to her competitive sporting history.

A third part of her that has forced her into chasing and fighting again, but which came about with too much

“I don’t feel like training anymore” Mauresmo said goodbye with tears in her eyes. “If I have gathered you here it is to announce that I will put an end to my tennis career,” she said to the press convened in Paris. “I am moved, it is a decision which I have taken after careful consideration. Perhaps I am a little tired, and I have been playing for 17 years, almost half my life. The truth? I have no more desire to train. Above all I am mentally tired. For 25 years I have devoted myself to tennis and I feel that it is time to stop. If I look back I see the extraordinary things that happened; I was fortunate to have a fantastic career, to have experienced a magical, incredible period.”

Emotional and determined . . . “I feel proud of myself and without remorse,” she said almost vehemently. “I think I have become aware that I should bring my career to a close after Wimbledon.”

Her last appearance dates back to 2 September last year, when she was defeated by Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak (6–4 6–0) in the second round of the US Open. “My future is not yet decided. I want to take some time for myself. I have a few ideas. I will no doubt continue to look after my body, doing sport. I like to run; I wouldn’t mind to take part in a marathon once.”

“For 25 years I have devoted myself to tennis and I feel that it is time to stop.”

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In an interview with Paris Match she had said that in her future there was “the dream of building a family and having a child” and she was wondering about the possibility of adopting one or the benefits of assisted fertilisation. For sure, Mauresmo has never regretted making her homosexuality public: “I have suffered from it, but I have never regretted it, it was an obstacle to the stability of my life.

Now I am happy and in love.”

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NEWS

FAB R IZI O FI D EC AR O

AUCKLAND: What a start!

J

ust one more step and she would have begun the new year as well as she had finished 2009, finding herself once again on her knees, happy and successful. In Auckland Flavia Pennetta started off the season with a final, the eighteenth in her career (equalling Sandra Cecchini’s record). A dazzling start as she hadn’t had in years – four to be precise – since 2006 when she surrendered to Safarova in the final at the Gold Coast.

In New Zealand, the player from Brindisi began with a bang. Before the final, in fact, the top Italian player and number one seed had literally walked over her opponents: six games to Craybas, four to Suarez Navarro (thus wiping out any memories of that blasted second round in Paris in 2008), only three games given to Dominika Cibulkova. In the semifinals, Pennetta faced Italy’s other sister, Francesca Schiavone. Both came to the penultimate act having granted in total only 13 games to their opponents, as if to say that up to that point they had never even been concerned. But Schiavone, as she often does, stepped onto the court with her body only, leaving her head in the changing rooms, the victim

of uncontrollable nerves. The all-Italian semifinal lasted 57 minutes. All Pennetta needed to do was send the ball to the other side and wait for Schiavone to make a mistake. Between shanks and balls out, the final result was a tough 6–3 6–0 with the lioness storming off court.

In the final Yanina Wickmayer was waiting for Pennetta, the 20-year-old Belgian who had been disqualified for a year by the anti-doping commity two weeks earlier for not honouring her appointments three times in a row, and two weeks later magically acquitted. The start was encouraging, 3–1 to Pennetta and Wickmayer particularly faultprone. From that moment onwards, the Belgian number one adjusted her aims and began to smash across the court.

Forehand, backhand, serves, short balls and impeccable volleys – above reproach.

Pennetta, who during the winter break had put on a bit of muscle, was never able to reach Wickmayer’s balls in time and the latter showed no sign of slowing down. The Belgian did not even quiver when serving for the match, closing with yet another winning shot in the vicinity of the line. 6–3 6–2 was the final result, after little more than an hour of play.

Pennetta has very little to regret, perhaps she could have made a few less mistakes, but as she admits herself “Today Yanina played an incredible game.” The victory for Wickmayer completes the Belgian’s jackpot for the beginning of the season.

While the young lady from Lier raised the trophy in Auckland, indeed, in Brisbane the final was an all-Belgian affair with returned players Clijsters and Henin facing each other as not seen in years. The doubles victory went to the usual Black and Huber pair who defeated friends-foes Schiavone and Pennetta in the semifinal only at the super tie break of the third set. They might not be in the same league as the Belgian team, but girls, what a beginning!

Results

Aukland

SINGLES 1st Round: (1)F Pennetta (ITA) b. J Craybas (USA) 6–2 6–4; C Suarez Navarro (ESP) b. (q)E Gallovits (ROU) 6–4 7–5; D Cibulkova (SVK) b. A Dulgheru (ROU) 6–0 6–3; (7)A Rezai (FRA) b. JCoin(FRA) 6–4 6–3; (4)F Schiavone (ITA) b. (q)S Cohen-Aloro (FRA) 6–2 6–3; S Mirza (IND) b. S Voegele (SUI) 5–7 6–1 7–5; A Cornet (FRA) b. (WC)M Erakovic (NZL) 6–4 6–3; (6)E Vesnina (RUS) b. A Brianti (ITA) 6–1 6–4; (5)V Razzano (FRA) b. (q)M Niculescu (ROU) 7–5 6–4; (WC)K Date-Krumm (JPN) b. A Chakvetadze (RUS) 6–1 6–2; I Olaru (ROU) b. (q)E Baltacha (GBR) 6–2 6–2; (3)(WC) Y Wickmayer (BEL) b. J Goerges (GER) 6–3 7–5; M Rybarikova (SVK) b. (8)A Medina Garrigues 6–2 6–3; S Peer (ISR) b. P Hercog (SLO) 7–5 6–3; M Kirilenko (RUS) b. T Malek (GER) 6–2 6–3; K Kanepi (EST) b. (2)N Li (CHN) 6–1 6–3 2nd Round: (1)F Pennetta (ITA) b. C Suarez Navarro (ESP) 6–2 6–2; D Cibulkova (SVK) b. (7)A Rezai (FRA) 6–3 6–4; (4) F Schiavone (ITA) b. S Mirza (IND) 6–0 6–3; A Cornet (FRA) b. (6)E Vesnina (RUS) 6–1 6–1; (WC)K Date-Krumm (JPN) b. (5)V Razzano (FRA) 3–6 6–3 6–2; (3)(WC)Y Wickmayer (BEL) b. I Olaru (ROU) 6–2 6–2; S Peer (ISR) b.

M Rybarikova (SVK) 6–1 6–0; M Kirilenko (RUS) b. K Kanepi (EST) 6–2 6–3 Quarterfinals: (1)F Pennetta (ITA) b. D Cibulkova (SVK) 6–1 6–2; (4)F Schiavone (ITA) b. A Cornet (FRA) 6–2 6–3; (3)(WC)Y Wickmayer (BEL) b. (WC)K Date-Krumm (JPN) 6–2 6–2; S Peer (ISR) b. M Kirilenko (RUS) 6–0 3–6 6–1 Semifinals: (1)F Pennetta (ITA) b. (4)F Schiavone (ITA) 6–3 6–0; (3)(WC)Y Wickmayer (BEL) b. S Peer (ISR) 6–4 7–5 Final: (3)(WC)Y Wickmayer (BEL) b. (1)F Pennetta (ITA) 6–3 6–2

DOUBLES Semifinals: (1)C Black/L Huber (ZIM/USA) b. (3)F Pennetta/F Schiavone (ITA/ITA) 6–1 5–7 [10–8]; V Uhlirova/R Voracova (CZE/CZE) b. N Grandin/L Granville (RSA/USA) 6–2 3–6 [10–8] Final: (1)C Black/L Huber (ZIM/USA) b. V Uhlirova/R Voracova (CZE/CZE) 7–6(4) 6–2

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FAB R I ZIO FID ECARO

BRISBANE: A thrill named Kim T

hey may not have the charm of Grace Kelly or Ingrid Bergman, but Alfred Hitchcock would have been proud of them. At the first official encounter after three and a half years – the Brisbane International final – Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin packaged a thrilling match of such pathos that it would have mesmerised the undisputed master of the thrill.

Clijsters battered her rival for a set and a half, making her grind kilometres unnecessarily and moving into the lead at 6–3 4–1 on her serve. Was the match over? Not at all: Clijsters, as she sometimes does, had a long timeout, Henin rebounded with pride and in the blink of an eye, the match’s fate was completely reversed. Henin took eight games in a row squaring the sets and racing to a 3–0 lead in the third. Perhaps the Clijsters of a few years ago, the one who used to be affected by the countrywoman’s temperament at a nervous level, would have crumbled.

Her 2009/10 version, with the good degree of stability achieved outside the court, is instead of a different ilk. So it was that Clijsters awoke from her torpor, reacted, and the level at which the ball

was exchanged, to this point alternating, was definitely raised. The last stages were nerve-wracking: trailing 4–5, Clijsters saved two match-points with her serve and reached the tiebreaker, where she was the one to miss three opportunities to close the match. On the 6 all, however, Henin committed an unexpected double fault and Clijsters succeeded on her fourth opportunity with an accelerated forehand.

After nearly two and a half hours of fierce battle, the Pat Rafter Arena’s standing ovation welcomed the handshake (not a particularly warm one, to tell the truth) of the top two.

Both had arrived at the crucial match with only one set down, lost in the quarterfinals, Clijsters to Czech

Safarova (for 6–0, one of the lapses in concentration on which she will need to work) and Henin to Hungarian Czink. The other matches were two straight journeys. Henin’s was especially significant, because she was as aggressive as ever with both groundstrokes.

The 27-year-old from Liège, at her first commitment after the 20 month break, asserted her own rules at her debut on Petrova (number 2 seed) and in the semifinal on Ivanovic´ (number 3) who in 2008 had conquered Paris in her absence.

A couple of hours after the final Henin communicated her withdrawal from Sydney due to tendonitis in her leg: a precautionary decision, made in order to be competitive at the Australian Open.

Given her precedents, it may be fair to suspect that this might be one of her usual excuses presented to diminish the victories of her opponents. In any event – and malice aside – we can say that tennis has missed the rivalry between the Belgians. With their return, the women tour, for too long dominated by second leads, has recovered two genuine protagonists.

Results

Brisbane International – Brisbane, Australia, 3–9 January 2009, $ 220,000 – Cement

SINGLES 1st Round: (1)K Clijsters (BEL) b. T Garbin (ITA) 6–2 6–1; (WC)A Molik (AUS) b. E Makarova (RUS) 6–4 1–6 6–4; L Safarova (CZE) b. AL Groenefeld (GER) 6–7(5) 6–4 6–1; (6)A Wozniak (CAN) b. (q)G Voskoboeva (KAZ) 6–2 6–2; (4) D Hantuchova (SVK) b. (q)E Ivanova (RUS) 6–1 6–7(5) 6–1; A Szavay (HUN) b. S Peng (CHN) 5–7 6–4 6–2; V King (USA) b. S Bammer (AUT) 6–4 6–1; A Petkovic (GER) b. (8)I Benesova (CZE) 6–7(6) 6–2 6–1; A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) b. (5)A Kleybanova (RUS) 6–4 2–6 6–2; R Vinci (ITA) b. S Errani (ITA) 6–4 2–6 6–2; T Bacsinszky (SUI) b. (q)A Kudryavtseva (RUS) 6–4 7–6(3); (3)A Ivanovic (SRB) b. J Dokic (AUS) 7–5 1–6 6–3; (7)M Czink (HUN) b.

L Hradecka (CZE) 6–4 3–6 6–3; B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) b. O Govortsova (BLR) 6–4 6–1; (q)S Karatantcheva (KAZ) b. (WC)C Dellacqua (AUS) 6–2 0–6 7–6(1); (WC)J Henin (BEL) b. (2)N Petrova (RUS) 7–5 7–5.

2nd Round: (1)K Clijsters (BEL) b. (WC)A Molik (AUS) 6–0 6–3; L Safarova (CZE) b. (6)A Wozniak (CAN) 6–3 6–1; (4) D Hantuchova (SVK) b. A Szavay (HUN) 6–3 6–1; A Petkovic (GER) b. V King (USA) 4–6 6–2 6–1; A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) b. R Vinci (ITA) 1–6 6–4 6–1; (3)A Ivanovic (SRB) b. T Bacsinszky (SUI) 6–2 2–6 6–4; (7)M Czink (HUN) b.

B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 6–3 2–6 6–1; (WC)J Henin (BEL) b. (q)S Karatantcheva (KAZ) 6–4 6–3.

Quarterfinals: (1)K Clijsters (BEL) b. L Safarova (CZE) 6–1 0–6 6–4; A Petkovic (GER) b. (4)D Hantuchova (SVK) 6–4 6–2; (3)A Ivanovic (SRB) b. A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 6–2 7–6(6); (WC)J Henin (BEL) b. (7)M Czink (HUN) 6–2 3–6 7–6(5).

Semifinals: (1)K Clijsters (BEL) b. A Petkovic (GER) 6–4 6–2; (WC)J Henin (BEL) b. (3)A Ivanovic (SRB) 6–3 6–2.

Final: (1)K Clijsters (BEL) b. (WC)J Henin (BEL) 6–3 4–6 7–6(6).

DOUBLES Final: A Hlavackova/L Hradecka (CZE) b. M Czink/A Parra-Santonja (HUN/ESP) 2–6 7–6(3) [10-4].

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FA B R I Z I O F I D E C A R O

DOHA: Transformer Koyla

The revenge of the robot

I Nikolay Davydenko will not stop.

First the London Masters Cup, now the rich Doha tournament.

He is a new nightmare for Roger Federer (two defeats by the Russian after 12 successes) and Rafael Nadal (beaten for the third time in a row). And now that he seems to have taken the measure of the strongest players, he too becomes a potential favourite for the Australian Open in Melbourne.

t is becoming difficult for him not to repeat himself considering that, since last autumn, he has been stringing one prestigious success after another.

Indeed, Doha has swept away any doubt and unequivocally established a new reality: what we have in front of us is the brand new Nikolay Davydenko.

More mature, calmer, confident in his resources.

In the past, he would be the first to have the intimate awareness of not being able to go beyond a certain result, of not having the arsenal required to disturb the top players in the events that matter.

Now, at the ripe age of 28, Davydenko has finally seen the right window of opportunity to join the race to the top, in a tennis no longer dominated by the irrefutable leading duo. The talent for geometry, the footwork and the sense of anticipation had always been there: what was missing was just that extra pinch of self-esteem.

In this perspective, the resounding victory at the ATP World Tour Finals in London has proved to be crucial and, even more so beating Roger Federer for the first time – albeit with difficulty and on his 13th attempt.

In Qatar, Davydenko has literally dominated the Federer semifinal, with a margin that the final score of 6–4 6–4 does not fully do justice. He succeeded

in dominating almost all rallies, thanks to excellent tactics aimed at preventing the top athlete from Basel from deploying his skills of all-court tennis player (his impressive 100% first serves record in the opening set is something almost worthy of Mats Wilander’s envy who missed two points in three sets in the final of the 1988 Roland Garros against Henri Leconte).

Federer not in top physical condition And if Federer did not appear to be in top condition, the final produced against a very warm Rafael Nadal should suffice to dispel any remaining doubts about the quality of the 28-year-old born in the Ukraine.

Indeed the Mallorcan looked like a different player (since the exhibition match at Abu Dhabi) compared to the last appointments of 2009. The winter break has helped him find his pace and the ball depth, besides some muscle.

In the crucial match he stepped onto the court and annihilated a Davydenko who was still in the changing rooms with a terrifying 6–0 in the first set. The new Davydenko’s message became clear: if a similar situation had occurred in the past, at the sight of the Tiger of Manacor bearing his teeth and sharpening his claws, the scrawny Davydenko with his receding hairline – seemingly anything but the tamer of fierce animals – would

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hardly have been able to enter the cage (i.e. the match). This time, however, he did not give an inch, continuing to believe undauntedly in his chances of victory. And this new state of mind has borne fruit. From the beginning of the second partial onwards it was a real battle, fought on levels of excellence.

Davydenko earned himself a break advantage and maintained it up to 5–4.

At this point, though, he did not convert three set-points and went on to lose his serve. Once again people thought it was over, especially considering that in the subsequent tie-break, Nadal came to the match-point twice, and always on his serve. Contrary to expectations, timid Davydenko attacked with two-handed courage on the first, coming to the net to take a point, and on the second Nadal was the one to commit one of his very rare errors with his forehand.

Davydenko did not convert a fourth set ball, but the fifth was the good one.

Yet the Mallorcan started better in the third, flying to 3–1 and 15–40 on the opponent’s serve, but the Russian rebelled against a defeat that seemed imminent, rescued the break, and on Nadal’s serve he secured his victory (and with it, the usual kiss from his wife Irina on the stands), after 2 hours and 43 minutes.

And Nadal has not won a tournament since May A very eloquent expression was written all over Nadal’s face (as it had been on Federer’s the previous first day) at the moment of the handshake: the Spaniard and the Swiss really wanted it. Those of Davydenko’s, even if obtained in an ATP 250, are “true” affirmations. In fact, the number one in the world has not won an ATP tournament since last August (Cincinnati), number two since May (Rome), meanwhile Davydenko has been scooping up trophies, conquering six in the last six months. Certainly, until some time ago, no one thought him capable of concerning the top players in the tournaments. When the game got tough, it was always the usual four or five disputing the title, and he was not among them. Now, in view of his recent performances, he will arrive at the Australian Open for the first time with the pressure to be included in the restricted group of the great.

Should he win, or at least reach the final in Melbourne (so far he has never succeeded in a Slam tournament), it would not be a surprise. Last year Andy Murray actually followed a similar journey towards the first Major of the season. Many had him as the favourite

and he was defeated in the second round already by Verdasco. We shall see if the new Davydenko will be able to cope better than the Scotsman with these fresh expectations.

The number 20 Of the 25 ATP finals Nikolay Davydenko played he won an impressive 80%.

The tournament It’s tough to be Federer...

The final between Nikolay Davydenko and Rafael Nadal has provided an extraordinary epilogue to the first tournament of the new season, the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open in Doha.

After risking a knock out in the first set and saving two match-points in the second, the 28-year-old Russian climbed back to his 20th ATP title in 25 finals played. In any event, both players of the crucial match have displayed a good Slam form, and in Melbourne everyone will certainly have to deal with them.

Rather disappointing, instead, was Roger Federer’s week: the number one appeared distant from the top and he suffered a straight loss against Davydenko in the semifinals, after giving a set to Gulbis in the quarters.

Results

Qatar Exxon Mobil Open 2010 – Doha, Qatar, 4–10 January 2010, $1 024 000 – Cement

SINGLES 1st Round: (1)R Federer (SUI) b. C Rochus (BEL) 6–1 6–2; E Korolev (RUS) b. M Vassallo-Arguello (ARG) 6–2 6–3; A Seppi (ITA) b. O Hernandez (ESP) 6–4 7–5; E Gulbis (LAT) b. (6)A Montanes (ESP) 6–2 7–5; (3)N Davydenko (RUS) b. (q)M Kukushkin (KAZ) 6–2 6–0; M Chiudinelli (SUI) b. P Lorenzi (ITA) 7–5 6–3; (q)B Becker (GER) b. D Koellerer (AUT) 5–1 ret.; (7)I Karlovic (CRO) b. F Fognini (ITA) 6–4 6–4; (5)V Troicki (SRB) b. D Gimeno (ESP) 6–1 7–5; O Rochus (BEL) b. (WC)A Al Haji (QAT) 6–1 6–0; L Kubot (POL) b. (WC)K Maamoun (MAR) 6–0 6–2; S Stakhovsky (UKR) b. (4)M Youzhny (RUS) 7–6(11) 6–2; (q)S Darcis (BEL) b. (8)G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6–4 6–1; (WC)Y El Aynaoui (MAR) b. (q)R De Heart (USA) 7–6(3) 7–6(4); P Starace (ITA) b. F Gil (POR) 6–2 6–0; (2)R Nadal (ESP) b. S Bolelli (ITA) 6–3 6–3.

2nd Round: (1)R Federer (SUI) b. E Korolev (RUS) 6–2 6–4; E Gulbis (LAT) b. A Seppi (ITA) 6–4 7–5; (3)N Davydenko (RUS) b. M Chiudinelli (SUI) 6–3 6–4; (7)I Karlovic (CRO) b. (q)B Becker (GER) 4–6 6–3 6–2; (5)V Troicki (SRB) b.

O Rochus (BEL) 6–2 6–2; L Kubot (POL) b. S Stakhovsky (UKR) 6–2 7–6(5); (q)S Darcis (BEL) b. (WC)Y El Aynaoui (MAR) 6–3 6–1; (2)R Nadal (ESP) b. P Starace (ITA) 6–2 6–2.

Quarterfinals: (1)R Federer (SUI) b. E Gulbis (LAT) 6–2 4–6 6–4; (3)N Davydenko (RUS) b. (7)I Karlovic (CRO) 7–6(4) 7–6(7); (5)V Troicki (SRB) b. L Kubot (POL) 4–6 6–4 7–6(1); (2)R Nadal (ESP) b. (q)S Darcis (BEL) 6–1 2–0 ret.

Semifinals: (3)N Davydenko (RUS) b. (1)R Federer (SUI) 6–4 6–4; (2)R Nadal (ESP) b. (5)V Troicki (SRB) 6–1 6–3.

Final: (3)N Davydenko (RUS) b. (2)R Nadal (ESP) 0–6 7–6(8) 6–4.

DOUBLES Final: G Garcia-Lopez/A Montanes (ESP) b. (2)F Cermak/M Mertinak (CZE/SVK) 6–4 7–5.

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S T E FA N O S E M E R AR O

The victory of Nikolay Davydenko, master without Slam

This is the first time that the Masters goes to a tennis player who has never won a Slam. But the Russian has lined up all the winners of the 2009 Majors. Fresher than them, he has dominated by reiterating that he is capable of playing good tennis

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he best player won. Is this enough? Not really, because this time the graduate is called Nikolay Davydenko, he only ranks number six in the world and he is the first pro never to have reached a Slam final. And then we should explain in detail how it was that, in what should be the most successful imitation of a tennis World Championship, the winner was the “ugly duckling” in the group, the champion without a sponsor for his racquet. One who knows how to play tennis, in spite of the arrogance or shortsightedness of those with prejudice. One who presses on and gets everywhere, who has tactics and courage.

This is just to say that the problem – if indeed a problem exists – is not his, but rather of a tournament that brought to London somewhat jaded champions, who were a little tired and much in need of a holiday.

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Slam winners are beaten One always expects that the winner of the Masters, with its colossal jackpot (Davydenko has won $1 510 000), should be the number one or at most the number two in the world. Instead Davydenko, the first Russian capable of winning the ATP finals, has pocketed all the big certificates. In one week he beat the winners of the four Slams of 2009: Nadal in his group, Federer (for the first time in 13 matches) in the semifinal and Del Potro in the final. And as we said he did so without stealing anything, without scandals. He only lost the match of round robin against Djokovic, which helped him to warm up after a few days’ rest in Moscow, then went on to impress for his continuity and brilliance of performance.

The others, the many others, were instead no match, neither for themselves nor for the occasion.

In spite of some limits to its formula – spot on for public and organizers, a bit shaky in terms of comprehensibility and sporting spirit – the Masters still remains a competition at top level. This year it was brought back to Europe, within a modern structure – the O2 Arena – and it was all but sold out.

Nadal was the most disappointing of all, but already since the eve it had become apparent that in London he would play for duty and honour rather than out of real conviction. Only some very isolated sparkles of the true Nadal were seen, for example in the second set against Davydenko. Apart from that, Nadal still appeared far removed from his best standard. But not from his proverbial warmth and courtesy. Despite the burning setbacks, he has always appeared in the press conferences with a smile on his face, unlike for example Djokovic, darkest and ill-tempered after the defeat suffered against Soderling. Djokovic said he was tired, and indeed he had arrived at the Masters with the most appearances: 96. Many less than those that Vilas or Kafelnikov had accumulated in their most fertile years, but many nonetheless for a top level tennis that wears out more neurons than muscles.

There is some way to go Both Djokovic and Murray, in fact, have given the impression that they still have some way to go from the point of view of continuity and mental toughness.

Murray also suffered from the tension of playing at home; Djokovic will, however, have to look into managing himself differently next year, since on more than one occasion this year he has arrived exhausted at the appointments that really count.

Federer played very badly in the semifinal against Davydenko, whereas he had impressed in the two... second halves of the matches against Murray and Soderling, where he had played at times as a genuine enlightened by regaining his fluidity, that sovereign superiority of the great days. Against Del Potro, in the rematch (indeed, re-loss)

of the US Open final, he reiterated his vulnerability to those opponents who display the ability to stand up to him with tenacity, especially those who have demonstrated that they know how to beat him. That of Federer against Del Potro was perhaps the best match of the week: uncertain, intense, full of beautiful play. It was a truly anticipated final, even if somewhat disturbed by the game counts, the calculations to see who would be granted a pass to the semifinals with what score.

Umpire, please explain!

In the previous match Murray even had to ask the umpire for some enlightenment on the regulations. In the end it became apparent that even Federer had not grasped all the variables too well (“After winning a set I was sure to pass,” he said, whereas a 6–0 in the third would blatantly annihilate him).

Federer, as we have mentioned, was discouraging against Davydenko, especially in that horrible first set, and he rightfully lost. The other semifinal between Del Potro and Soderling was a battle of heavy artillery that reminded many of the times of the duels between Ivanisevic and Rosset. Uncertain indeed, but a skeleton of a match with very little flesh for the spectators, all set on forehand and serve, on anorexic exchanges.

The third Argentine He has permanently expanded the club of the best to five, matching among other things the number of finals reached at the Masters by Vilas (in 1974) and Nalbandian (in 2005). But his two predecessors had won the big match, Guillermo against Nastase, David against a heroic Federer hobbled by an ankle injury. Del Potro, perhaps a little tired because of the semifinal the previous night, instead posed little resistance to a Davydenko who was in great form. If last year in Shanghai he had surrendered to Djokovic, this year he was able to engrave his name on the trophy. The first Russian male to win something big in London, where Alex Metreveli snatched an anomalous final at Wimbledon in 1973, and where neither Safin nor Medvedev nor Kafelnikov have ever achieved great things.

Perhaps it is no accident that for the last two years it has been him, the least top of the top players, the human Playstation as Del Potro defined him, to make it to the end.

The Masters arrives at the end of a long season, which as we said demands a lot of the strong players in terms of concentration and mental endurance.

“Thank God this is the last press conference of the year,” grunted without meanness Federer after his defeat against Davydenko.

Soderling found himself ahead by a break in the third set, on the 4–2, but was unable to close, and then collapsed into the tiebreaker, exiting headlong and almost without greeting the public, enraged perhaps for not being able to become the fourth Swedish finalist at the Masters after Borg, Wilander and Edberg.

It is not surprising that a retrieved Soderling – similarly to Nalbandian in 2005, who was rescued at the very last when he already had a fishing rod in hand – an unexpected Davydenko and a Del Potro who played very little after the US Open were the most compelling during London’s week.

Del Potro had arrived in London in the wake of an injury to his abdominal muscles; he had started off a little quietly but was able to recover, winning a couple of matches to rebound and send out a strong signal. He is not a single tournament champion, as someone had surmised after New York.

The impression one gets is that the flaws of the Masters, starting with the formula and the placement, can hardly be rectified. We will continue to keep it and enjoy it as is, for what it can offer, even if sometimes instead of Russian caviar one happens to have to make do with a little Russian salad.

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scorecards

F ED E R I C O C O P P I N I

Verdasco 7 Apart from the third set against Federer, he fights like a lion but collects only crumbs.

He needs quality in the key moments, without melting like snow in the sun. Still one of the more enjoyable notes of 2009.

Murray 6 He is an advert against risk-taking. He often burns his extraordinary talent with little proactive attitude. All of this, plus a pinch of misfortune, excludes him from the semifinals. It certainly hurts to rethink about that service game on the 1–5 in the third set against Federer, which at the time had appeared insignificant.

Nadal 4 The Nadal of these past months always gives the impression that the game depends on others. He has less staying power, less strength and gets lost in the important points of the match. The rest is only chatter.

Del Potro 9 Out of the pampas of Argentina comes the new product of the South American school.

He can hit blows from each zone of the court and possesses that venomous gaze that can often block his opponents.

Djokovic 6 Tired in the head, with legs that don’t turn, he tries with poor results to collect the last of his energy scraping the bottom of the barrel. Unfortunately, when you run out of petrol and you find yourself in the desert...

Davydenko 10 Diligent, clean, essential, he shines in this last Masters 2009. When it is supported by a good physical condition, his lacklustre and minimalist tennis leaves indelible traces in his appalled opponents.

Federer 6 + At times he paints the court leaving the spectators in ecstasy. At others he sits sluggishly in front of his palette and limits himself to a few distracted brushstrokes. He is not perfect; if he were, it would be a trivial painting.

Soderling 8 + No doubt, this is not a meteor. He beats like few, has improved his lateral movements and, although not a top player, he denotes a clearer tactical reading.

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results

Barclays ATP World Tour Finals London, 22-29 November 2009 – indoor cement Group A (4) A. Murray (GBR) b. (5) J.M. Del Potro (ARG) (1) R. Federer (SUI) b. (7) F. Verdasco (ESP) (5) J.M. Del Potro (ARG) b. (7) F. Verdasco (ESP) (1) R. Federer (SUI) b. (4) A. Murray (GBR) (5) J.M. Del Potro (ARG) b. (1) R. Federer (SUI) (4) A. Murray (GBR) b. (7) F. Verdasco (ESP)

6–3 3–6 6–2 4–6 7–5 6–1 6–4 3–6 7–6 (1) 3–6 6–3 6–1 6–2 6–7 (5) 6–3 6–4 6–7 (4) 6–3

Group B (8)R. Soderling (SWE) b. (2) R. Nadal (ESP) (3)N. Djokovic (SRB) b. (6) N. Davydenko (RUS) (6)N. Davydenko (RUS) b. (2) R. Nadal (ESP) (8)R. Soderling (SWE) b. (3) N. Djokovic (SRB) (6)N. Davydenko (RUS) b. (8) R. Soderling (SWE) (3)N. Djokovic (SRB) b. (2) R. Nadal (ESP)

6–4 6–4 3–6 6–4 7–5 6–1 7–6 (4) 7–6 (5) 6–1 7–6 (4) 4–6 6–3 7–6 (5) 6–3

Group rankings Group A 1. R. Federer 2. J.M. Del Potro 3. A. Murray 4. F. Verdasco

Matches 2–1 2–1 2–1 0–3

Sets 5–4 5–4 5–4 3–6

Group B 1. R. Soderling 2. N. Davydenko 3. N. Djokovic 4. R. Nadal

2–1 2–1 2–1 0–3

5–2 5–3 4–3 0–6

Semifinals (6) N. Davydenko (RUS) b. (1) R. Federer (SUI) (5) J.M. Del Potro (ARG) b. (8) R. Soderling (SWE)

6–2 4–6 7–5 6–7 (1) 6–3 7–6 (3)

Final (6) N. Davydenko (RUS) b. (5) J.M. Del Potro (ARG)

6–3 6–4

Doubles – final (2) B. Bryan/M.Bryan (USA) b. (7) M. Mirnyi / A. Ram (BLR/ISR)

7–6(5) 6–3

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n the first two editions (Tokyo 1970 and 1971 Paris) the Masters was played with a group of six and seven players respectively. In Tokyo matches were played with a tiebreaker on the five all. Laver and Smith concluded with four victories and a defeat; Smith prevailed because he had won the direct encounter (4–6 6–3 6–4) on the first day of the tournament.

Barthes, first concession As a concession to the organisers in Paris, the best of the French – Pierre Barthes – was added to the first six in the Grand Prix ranking. However, Nastase won all six his matches, wiping away any controversy or doubt.

The dual group formula with crosssemifinals was inaugurated in Barcelona, in 1972. Nastase was able to take revenge beating Smith in the final, against whom he had lost a few weeks before in the Davis final in Bucharest.

The formula is wrong.

But people like it...

The latest edition the Masters, the 40th since it was born, almost by stealth, in Tokyo in 1970 has inevitably reiterated the issue of its formula. It is appropriate to revisit how it has changed.

RINO TOMMA S I

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In 1973 the Masters was played in Boston a few days after Australians, Laver and Newcombe, had dominated the US in Cleveland in the Davis final. Defeated sharply by Gorman within the group, Nastase went on to beat Okker in the final who was losing in the semifinal against Newcombe, injured and forced to withdraw on the 3–5 in the third set in the semifinals.

In 1974 the Masters was played on grass for the only time and won by surprise by Vilas who beat Nastase in the final. On this occasion there was also a concession to the local organisers with the insertion, after the top seven in the point ranking, of the best Aussie; Newcombe.

In 1975 the Masters was played in Stockholm and it was a difficult edition.

Nastase was disqualified in the game against Ashe, but not excluded from the tournament, following a series of contrasting decisions.

In 1976 in Houston the Masters presented the first of the many instances in which two players met each other twice (within the group, and then in the final) and the one who had won the first match (Fibak) was defeated in the rematch by Orantes.

Single elimination In 1977 the Masters found a prestigious venue at Madison Square Garden in New York, and there it remained for 13 seasons. In this period it also changed its formula because single elimination was introduced for four seasons (1982– 1985) and the amount of participants was also changed (from eight to 12 and 16). Why then has it returned to the groups I never knew and, above all, never understood?

In 1980 the tournament took place that best pointed out the flaws of the Masters. In the round Robin Borg, already qualified, is easily beaten (6–0 6–3) by Gene Mayer. In the other group Connors and Lendl were presented with this perspective: the winner would meet Borg in the semifinal; the loser would meet Mayer. For no reason in the world would

Connors have voluntarily lost a match; Lendl did so, thus enduring the insults of Connors but gaining $19 000 in return.

The year after, to avoid this embarrassing situation, it was decided to determine the pairings for the semifinals with a draw to be held on court.

And thus it was that in 1987, just a few minutes after beating Wilander in the third match of the group, Edberg learnt that he would again meet the rival the day after and the infallible law of the Masters prevailed because Wilander took his revenge.

Edberg himself benefited and suffered from the same law. In 1989, the last edition played at The Garden, he lost against Becker in the group and beat him in the final; in 1990 when the Masters was transferred to Hanover the same Edberg beat Agassi in the group and was defeated in the final.

For five consecutive years between 1991 and 1996, Sampras and Becker met twice – within the group and in the final – and each time the one who won the first match lost the second. In 1994 Boris Becker gave a lesson of sportsmanship to all (Lendl included). In the third match of his group he faced Edberg. Having already qualified, he could choose: by losing he could eliminate Sampras, whom he had already defeated in the group; by winning he would qualify him with the risk of meeting him in the final.

Which is precisely what happened.

Operation Shanghai Germany had become the capital of tennis. After five years in Frankfurt, the Masters was transferred to Hannover but the decline of Becker and Stich (winner in 1993) led the organizers to seek new solutions. In 2000 it was played in Lisbon, in 2001 in Sydney, in 2002 and 2003 even in Houston where the tournament reached its lowest point from an organisational point of view. So it was that the offer of Shanghai became viable, a commercial operation that has not done much good to the prestige of the tournament, which eventually returned to Europe the following year.

In closing this brief history there should be little need for me to explain why I do not like the formula. The template should have been that of the Dallas WCT finals: eight qualifying rounds, quarters, semifinals and a final three sets out of five, with the insertion in the days of rest of the female Masters, which has now been leased to the Doha’s petrodollars.

A project that is too simple to be implemented, also because it is not easy to get the two unions to agree and it is too much to expect that the ITF should intervene, this year’s tournament has reintroduced the old problems. When Federer and Del Potro found themselves one set all in the third match of the group, they could have reached an agreement (although I write this, I am sure that they did not do so) to exclude Murray from the semifinals, an opponent that could have been annoying in London.

Davydenko, a great test In the end Davydenko won, with full credit, he who gave a great demonstration of class, where by class I mean the ability to play the important points well. Davydenko did so in the crucial moments of the challenge with Federer and during the entire match in the final against Del Potro.

After having bored my readers for years with my criticism of the formula, I have noted that many fans like the Masters just as it stands. Unfortunately the fans’ support (and therefore the opportunity to see one’s favourite player at least three times) ends up prevailing over the logic and the history of tennis and sports. The formula, I repeat this ad nauseam, is ideal for a show. The problem is I do not like shows, maybe because I have watched too much sport.

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THE CHAMPIONS TOUR Pat Rafter chose the most elegant way to get fulfilment at the end of the Champions Tour. In the magnificent setting of nineteenth-century Royal Albert Hall of London, the double Slam winner took his revenge for the 2001 Wimbledon final against Ivanisevic, defeated Stefan Edberg for the first time in his career and won the last 2009 appointment of the champions of the past.

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o tell the truth, Ivanisevic exited the competition as a true gentleman by saving the tournament in the crucial challenge against the Australian when, leading 5–3 in the first, he had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury. If he had won the partial he would have automatically qualified for the final and Rafter would have been eliminated, his only chance being to impose himself in straight sets.

The show would have been deprived of its final episode because Ivanisevic would have won in his group but he would not have been able to be on court the following day.

In the last tennis week of the year, London hosted the Theatre of Champions, the sixth and final stage of the senior ATP tour that had also been played in Barcelona (Mantilla), Sao Paulo (Enqvist) Algarve (Rusedski), Paris

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(Enqvist) and Chengdu (Enqvist) during last year. The structure is the same as for the ATP Finals: two groups of four each, with the difference that the semifinals are skipped and the two winners meet directly in the final. On one side Cedric Pioline (current champion), Pat Cash, Pat Rafter and Goran Ivanisevic, on the other Greg Rusedski, Stefan Edberg, Mark Philippoussis and Younes El Aynaoui.

Among the notable names that took part in the 2009 season were Stich, Krajicek, Bruguera, Rios, Muster, Chang, Kafelnikov, McEnroe and Borg (engaged in China, winner over McEnroe and defeated by Ivanisevic and Cash). Thomas Enqvist was the absolute performer with three trophies and no defeats, but he declined the last English appointment.

The prestigious setting of the Hall creates just the right contrast in a show

characterised by the carefree attitude of the players and of the public who is more interested in having fun than seeing competitiveness. The stands encircling the theatre on a number of levels are all occupied by the merry guests of the many sponsors ranging from banks to Facebook. The flutes of cuvee are mandatory and each gallery has a personal waiter who tops up solicitously at each court change. The stands resemble miniature 12-seater restaurants with during gala evenings.

During the final, Rafter hits him in the chest with a close forehand passing shot and Edberg throws himself on the ground as a dead weight, arms stretched out. Rafter suddenly jumps over the net and goes to perform mouth-to-mouth which predictably becomes the subject of the interview after game. “Stefan, you have been the envy of all the women present today when you were revived by Pat that way...” “ It was fantastic, I would say. You and I can talk about it later.” And Rafter glosses: “Perhaps not.”

During an evening match, the French jokingly invite some noisy spectators in a balcony to share their libation and a bottle of sparkling wine is thrown onto the court. Leconte is quick to grasp it but he inevitably misses the flutes launched thereafter, which crash next to a line judge. Among general laughter, the bottle is uncorked and the four on court join the bacchanalia drinking directly from the bottle while half-hearted attempts are made at restoring at least some semblance of order.

Rather than a tennis tournament, the feeling is that of being a guest at a high society reception where other guests chat and joke amiably cheered up by the company of the court jester: the game of tennis. As for the players, they do everything they can to not spoil the atmosphere of the party: they exchange

The formula caters for the “advanced” age of the participants who fight for two canonical sets to then eventually solve the dispute in a tiebreak to 10. In order to be invited to the tour – in addition to being “retired” – one must have been number one in the world or a Slam finalist or even a singles player in a victorious Davis.

The imposing figure of Wimbledon which looms large over the event, especially in the rematch between Ivanisevic and Rafter, takes shape with one of its musts: the streaker. Dressed only in a red coat and a thong, a podgy spectator jumps into the court during the final, does a couple of numbers at the

The formula caters for the “advanced” age of the participants who fight for two canonical sets to then eventually solve the dispute in a tiebreak to 10. jokes on court, organise little shows, and generally carry on cheerfully.

A little girl in the stand next to the press naively asks her mother how come one of the two players is called “ Iceberg”.

Naivety aside, the glacial Swede who left no space for emotions during his professional career is the embodiment of the jovial atmosphere and most of the time he is indeed the one performing.

Like with all rules, a loophole can always be found: each tournament has two wildcards at its disposal...

But the true performances for the audience are the doubles. Mansour Bahrami is a stage animal and he always delivers pure fun, whoever he may pair with. No lesser performer is Henry Leconte, the author of one of the funniest gags of the tournament.

net with revealing somersault and gets a high-five from Edberg and Rafter before leaving the stage. Tattooed on his chest ‘Streak.com’ where an account of what happened can probably be found.

The Champions Tour was born in 1997 with the first match between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg since the historic Wimbledon final of 1981.

The American is one of the legends of the event with four final successes (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2003). In 2008 Pete Sampras took part in the London stage and was defeated in the semifinal

by Pioline. There are currently three appointments scheduled for the 2010 tour: February at Delray Beach, March in Zurich and in Luxembourg on a date to be announced.

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TECHNICAL FILE

As many tennis enthusiasts may know, as of the beginning of 2009 ATP has redefined the relationships between tournaments and re-classified the various events. This has been a true revolution which initially had not been fully understood, if not perhaps underestimated, but which has substantially affected the fabric of the tennis system. The importance of historically significant tournaments has been diminished while the relevance of those that are economically more attractive has increased.

The criteria for the allocation of points to placements other than the winner have also changed. This has resulted in a series of repercussions within the ranking system itself, which today appears very different if compared with the one that would have resulted on the basis of the points allocated until the end of 2008.

(The table applies to all tournaments in the tour: Grand Slam, Masters 1000, Masters 500, Masters 250, Challenger, Future) PLACEMENT

The two tables that follow should help the reader better appreciate the extent of the impact of the changes introduced by the ATP.

Winner

1. 2008 ranking. Ratio of points assigned to the intermediate rounds to those assigned to the winner of the tournament

Round 16 Round 32 Round 64

(The table applies to all tournaments in the tour: Grand Slam, Master Series, International Series Gold, International Series, Challenger, Future) PL ACEMENT

POINTS/WINNER RATIO

Winner

1

1

Runner-up

7/10

0.7

Semifinalist

9/20

0.45

1/4

0.25

Round 16

~3/20

~0.15

Round 32

~3/40

~0.075

Round 64

~3/80

~0.0375

Quarterfinalist

38 3 8

2. 2009 ranking. The new relationships established by ATP World Tour for the past season

TE TENN T EN NN ISWORL IS SW WORL O RL D SA A

Runner-up

POINTS/WINNER RATIO DIFFERENCE

1

1

6/10

0.6

(- 10%)

Semifinalist

9/25

0.36

(- 9%)

Quarterfinalist

9/50

0.18

(- 7%)

9/100

0.09

(- 6%)

9/200

0.045

(- 3%)

1/100

0.01

The first point to note is the substantial reduction in the points allocated to the players. As a matter of fact, the changes required by the ATP have ended up affecting the classification for the whole of 2009 because a large proportion of points could not be defended, in spite of parity of results obtained.

The changes introduced have undoubtedly been beneficial to the tournament winners. More specifically, they have rewarded consistency of results rather than the achievement of mediocre results in important tournaments. Furthermore, all players

who during 2008 had accumulated many points in the richer tournaments have been penalised. As a matter of fact, the “doubling” of value of the tournament (you will recall that Masters 1000 used to be worth 500 points, whereas they are now worth – namely – 1000) has created a paradox, since the tournaments that used to be worth 300 points (for example, the ones denominated International Series Gold) are now worth 500 points and not 600 as one would have logically expected. This has caused a loss of points even in the case of a victory at the tournament. The same happened to all those tournaments that were worth 250, 225 and 200 points and that have not been “doubled”, thus ending up in the category currently denominated Masters 250. This particular aspect has created the relegation of such ancient and charming tournaments as those of Queen’s and Newport, which today only earn 250 ATP points and are therefore worth a quarter of a Master Series, when only last year they were worth half.

The sum total of these innovations – not all of which have been weighed up very thoroughly – has brought about a revision of the rankings. This appears evident if the current rankings are compared with the ones that would have

ensued had the results achieved in 2009 been accounted for with the scoring system that was applicable in 2008...

2009 TOP 9 RANKINGS

1

Federer, Roger (SUI)

10 550

2

Nadal, Rafael (ESP)

9 205

3

Djokovic, Novak (SRB)

8 310

4

Murray, Andy (GBR)

7 030

5

Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG)

6 785

6

Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS)

4 930

7

Roddick, Andy (USA)

4 410

8

Soderling, Robin (SWE)

3 410

9

Verdasco, Fernando (ESP)

3 300

If the 2008 points had been used (even when doubled – both figures are reflected in the above table), it is evident that the 2009 rankings would have differed from the current ones, both in the points as a whole and in the last four positions in the Top 9.

And the rankings would thus have looked as follows (the position held in the real ranking is reflected in brackets)...

10

Tsonga

(10)

11

Gonzalez

(11)

12

Stepanek

(12)

The difference can be further illustrated by calculating the theoretical increase in points if the “2008 System” had been applied to the 2009 rankings.

13

Monfils

(13)

14

Simon

(15)

15

Robredo

(16)

16

Cilic

(14)

For instance, the points that would have been allocated to the players with reference to the Top 20 are illustrated below...

17

Hass

(18)

2009 TOP 9 RANKINGS WITH 2008 POINTS

1 Federer, Roger (SUI)

5 830 11 660

2 Nadal, Rafael (ESP)

5 055 10 110

3 Djokovic, Novak (SRB)

4 525

9 050

4 Murray, Andy (GBR)

3 860

7 720

5 Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG)

3 730

7 460

6 Roddick, Andy (USA)

2 830

5 660

7 Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS)

2 805

5 610

8 Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) 9 Soderling, Robin (SWE)

2 495 2 310

4 990 4 620

8

Soderling

+ 1 210

9

Verdasco

+ 1 690

10

Tsonga

+ 1 440

11

Gonzalez

+ 1 280

12

Stepanek

+ 1 470

13

Monfils

+ 1 355

14

Cilic

+ 1 040

15

Simon

+ 1 335

16

Robredo

+ 1 395

17

Hass

+ 1 075

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39

TECHNICAL FILE

Ready for Roland Garros The ball leaves the strings easily without losing control; impact is not hard but comfortable. The excellent compromise between speed and control allows players to hit hard and defend themselves without special precautions. And wear resistance is very good. It is really a super ball...

There was great expectation in the Italian market for the arrival of the ultimate clay court ball, the Dunlop ball that will be used at Roland Garros as usual and will now also feature in all the major tournaments on clay, starting from the three Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. At last, all major tournaments on clay will be played with the same ball without the need for players to become accustomed to different situations, week after week.

THE TEST WITH ANDREAS SEPPI This was an important piece of news that deserved a deeper look. We had one carton of balls delivered and we went onto the court with our testers to assess the new ball. For the occasion, we also asked top Italian player Andreas Seppi for an opinion, after letting him try it during an exhibition match against Fabio Fognini.

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The balls come in a metal tube of four, with eye-catching graphics featuring a wave of clay. The ball bears the classical Roland Garros signature, with no mention of the Dunlop brand: “What else?” as Clooney would say.

First impressions are excellent: highly playable right from the beginning, even fresh out of the tube. Easy exit from the strings but without losing control and the impact is not at all hard but rather comfortable. A good compromise between speed and control is what is expected most of a tennis ball, for hitting hard or defending oneself without having to workaround and without favouring one type of play over another.

The ball is very stable from the first game without the normal half-hour adjustment time. Wear resistance is satisfactory on clay, but also after a full hour at a good pace on a fast and very abrasive surface, the felt remained clean (as did the writing, always clearly visible) and the

consistency almost unchanged. In short, a ball that an average club player may be able to use for about three hours without major problems.

A TOTAL OF 17 GAMES WITHOUT CHANGING BALLS But what does Italian number one Andreas Seppi think? “A beautiful ball because you can control it well and you can spin it excellently.” His coach Massimo Sartori is of the same opinion: “I just needed to see a few exchanges from the bench to understand that they are very good because, although Seppi was playing on a fast surface, you could see long exchanges and this means they aren’t too fast and can be controlled well. Moreover, whilst not playing at full power, he and Fognini still played 17 games without changing the balls six times. This means that their wear resistance is not bad!”

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41

EMER EM ERGI GING NG PL LA AYE AY YERS RS

An incredible ascent made by the Swiss reserve who became a player when he was well over 28.

I

t may be that growing up in Federerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shadow made things easier. There is a higher teaching, a master to imitate, and it is natural to set ambitious targets.

Marco Chiudinelli is 28 years old and lately he renewed his best ranking, 830 positions higher than last year. He was number 864 on 10 November 2008; today he is number 56, after being 54 in November 2009. Few players have made greater leaps during their careers; very few have succeeded in joining the top 100 players. After a second-rate career (never below number 130) and a shoulder injury suffered in November 2007, which kept him away from the tennis courts for eight long months, Chiudinelli made us fear that he might say good-bye to tennis for good. But then he succeeded in the most incredible year of his long career which began in 1998.

42 42

TENN TE T ENN E NN N ISWORL IS S WORL OR L D S ORL SA A

And there is no doubt that Chiudinelli (of Italian origin) knows Federer well.

They are more or less the same age, only one month and two days difference (Federer was born on 8 August 1981; Chiudinelli on 10 September of the same year), they carried out their junior activities together, and they are both from Basel. At the age of 16, Chiudinelli decided to undertake a tennis career, giving up his previous dream to become a football player, which he had entertained throughout his teens in the ranks of the junior team of Basel, one of the historical Swiss soccer clubs. He used to play tennis too, but he chose to take a different course at 16. Federer was one of his first opponents, and among the members of the city tennis club there is still someone who remembers a match between the two of them, little more than children, when Chiudinelli won among the freaks and tears of both rivals.

The two players faced each other again in the semifinal of the home tournament in Basel. The event was the pearl of a growing season for the player from Basel and even if in the end he was defeated, the hugs and congratulations paid

by Federer convinced him that he had found his way.

Furthermore, the first set of that challenge – which ended in a tie break – was full of tension because of the resistance opposed by Chiudinelli to Federer’s supreme tennis: 9–7 towards the end, before the 6–3 which concluded the second set.

“The shot which Marco has improved” declared Corrado Tschabushnig, the Italian manager in whom he has placed his trust, “is without the shadow of a doubt the two-handed backhand, which has become a true winning weapon, whereas formerly, mainly because of his shoulders and back aches and pains, he would simply place it. Fortunately throughout the whole season Marco has not suffered from physical pains, also thanks to the valuable contribution of Serbian Davis Cup team’s athletic conditioner.”

Actually, Chiudinelli’s whole career has been plagued by physical problems.

The period from 2005 to 2008 was marked by an incessant succession of misfortunes.

With his fairly good serve and tough groundstrokes, Chiudinelli had already reached the third round at the US Open in 2006, starting from the qualifiers, besides two second rounds in prestigious tournaments such as Halle and Gstaad.

At the end of the year he was among the first 150 players in the world. But at the end of that season the Rhinelander’s body had already appeared worn out by tennis strains and in the following season he managed to participate in very few tournaments because of a knee injury which cost him 300 positions in the world ranking. The worst moment in his career, however, occurred last year, after attaining success in the First Division Swiss Championships with the Ried-Wollerau team. A very serious shoulder injury forced him to skip the remainder of the season, thus zeroing

the points he had attained in the world rankings up to then.

Just as Chiudinelli was thought of as being at the end of his career, the revival came. The tremendous, outstandingly rapid rise of the Swiss player began in the early months of the year, with the two second rounds which he reached in Johannesburg and Dubai, and later with the victory at the challenger of Tenerife.

After an uncertain beginning to the summer, Chiudinelli gave an encore in the third round of the US Open, again moving from the qualifiers and yielding honourably only to Davydenko.

Once the Davis chapter against Italy in Genova was over (in which he had played in the doubles and been defeated with Wawrinka by Starace and Bolelli), Chiudinelli gave his absolute best towards the end of the season, conquering the quarter finals at the Bangkok tournament (where he yielded to Tsonga after a well balanced match) and the semifinal in Basel.

Now Chiudinelli wants to best exploit the maturity he has acquired and the years of competitive tennis still at his disposal. “Next year we’ll try to keep a position around the top 50 in the world,” says Tschabushnig, “the opponents will no doubt be more hostile both because their level will be higher, and because they will have learnt to understand Marco’s game better, and will be able to confront him with more determination and concentration.”

And the plans for 2010? Here they are: “We will begin the season in Doha, to proceed onto Australian cement courts, Sidney or Auckland, and finally the Australian Open. Following the commitment of the first rounds of Davis against Spain on clay in February, we’ll decide whether to play in Dubai or in Rotterdam.”

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43

EMER EM ERG ER ERGI GIING NG PLA LAYE YER RS S

W

WOZNIACKI

omen, everybody knows, are unpredictable. Indeed, they are so in tennis as well. If the male ranking has been more or less unchanged for the past years, the female ranking often undergoes significant changes. Of course there are the Williams sisters (Serena more so than Venus) who can still defeat anyone whenever they want to. Dinara Safina has never won a Slam, but was world number one before Serena returned to the top. With her, three other Russians were among the top 10, all experienced players such as Kuznetsova, Dementieva and Zvonareva.

Then the two Serbians, Jankovic (number eight) and Ivanovic (dropped to number 22) whom we are watching to see what else they can devise for next season, after their golden moments and great tumbles.

The return of Clijsters who, after two years of inactivity, has resumed playing and has conquered the US Open with the greatest of ease; then the imminent return of Henin...

But all this happens while a group of young and tough maidens are ready to oppose the progress of the great. All of them cherish only one dream: being number one. Some of them will make it; others will remain small meteors. But

The kids of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;89 and â&#x20AC;&#x2122;90 are ready for the podium.

The Danish girl leads the attack on the Sisters

44

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who are the most promising? The first name is Caroline Wozniacki, born in 1990, who ended the season at number four, the youngest player in the world among the top 10.

She is one who seems to have already reached her target eventhoughher astounding career has only just begun.

A Danish girl from Odense, but of a Polish origin, during her career she has obtained six titles, three of which in 2009 (Ponte Vedra Beach, Eastbourne and New Haven), reached the final in the latest US Open (where she was defeated by Clijsters) and interrupted the rising American Melanine Oudin’s dream in the quarterfinals. She is now preparing for the new season and, now that she has attained the top five ranking, she has declared that she will play in fewer tournaments, 16–18 instead of the 26–27 which she used to tackle before, being a true Stakhanovist of the tour. Instead, she will devote more time to the doubles, probably partnering with Spanish Medina Garrigues, who was “orphaned” after her historical partner Ruano Pascual announced her intention to retire from tennis a short while ago. The blonde girl had already shown a certain liking for Spain with the friendship that binds her to Rafael Nadal.

Recent rumours had them as much more than friends, but they have always played them down.

In the end we cannot avoid mentioning Wozniacki’s experience at the Masters in Doha, the first in her life. There Wozniacki had to face two battles: one against her opponents, and the other against her own muscles. In the first match against Victoria Azarenka, she won a set that looked lost, recovering from a 2–5 in the third set and holding off a match point. Not even one day to recover, and Wozniacki appeared changed for the worst. She even seemed to have learnt from Azarenka to miss her opportunities; she allowed Vera Zvonareva to recover

on 6–0 5–2; she even wasted two match points and, after reaching the score of 5–4, she collapsed to the ground in agony because of cramps. Among shrieks and tears, under the worried eyes of her sporting parents (her father is a soccer player, her mother a volley ball player), she got up and – limping –won the match. The muscle pain did not prevent her from winning, but it became a constant factor in her latest tournaments.

In fact, it had already got her into trouble in the first round of the Luxembourg tournament, when a strained muscle in her left thigh had prompted her to give up when the match against Kremer was practically over (7–5 5–0). Wozniacki explained that the pain would have prevented her from playing the next set anyway, and she preferred to allow the home player to continue her run. WTA have nonetheless opened an inquiry.

From one inquiry to another...

Another inquiry for another tennis star, Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, one year younger than Wozniacki, by whom she was defeated in the semifinal at the US Open. Wickmayer has conquered two titles this year (Estoril and Linz) and has closed the season at number 16.

Young, tough and unlucky, her story is a touching one.

Left motherless at the age of nine, the little Wickmayer decides on her own to leave her country and try to be successful in tennis. Her father Mark is with her, to honour the promise he made to his wife that he would build up his whole life around their daughter’s. “A young lady with a mission to accomplish” she was called by her father who trains her and never leaves her.

Wickmayer is 1, 82 m tall, powerful in her baseline, an unusual character.

Once in a tournament in Florida she was disqualified and fined for deliberately hitting a line judge with a ball. Followed

by another disqualification, but perhaps unjust this time. Just when everything seemed to be going well and Belgian tennis was delighted at her playing (and at Clijsters’ and Henin’s return) Wickmayer’s dream was shattered, at least for a short time. While she was at the minor Masters in Bali, and was playing for a place in the semifinal, Wickmayer was suspended from tennis for a year with immediate effect for not appearing three times at an anti-doping test. In tears, Wickmayer confirmed that she had never taken any drugs and was only the victim of an absurd procedure, with that questionnaire to fill in and all the travelling she had to do for 365 days a year. The Belgian girl, punished with her fellow countryman Xavier Malisse (for the same reason), has asked the anti-doping tribunal to suspend the disqualification and the Lausanne CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) has announced that final judgement will be pronounced within four months.

The East wind brings some new faces Among the first 20 of the world, beside Wozniacki and Wickmayer, born in 1989 or later, we find only Belorussian Victoria Azarenka, number seven, and Polish Agnieszka Radwanska, number 10 (her sister Urszula, born 1990, is number 66).

Three titles, all in 2009 (Brisbane, Memphis and Miami, where she defeated Serena Williams in the final) for the former, endowed with a magnificent backhand; four titles (three in 2008: Pattaya City, Istanbul, Eastbourne and Stockholm in 2007) for the latter. Even for them, we cannot speak of real racquet rising stars, because they are already well established champions. But one of them, perhaps more than one, perhaps none, may be the future number one.

If these are the most likely hopes, there are also several players, still novices of

WORLD SA

45

EMERGING PLAYERS

professionalism, but all potential future top 10s. The name Melanine Oudin, for instance, meant nothing to anybody until a short time ago. Now, after her exploit at the US Open and the final of the Fed Cup, it is hard not to know of her.

Initiated into tennis by her grandmother when she was only seven, she wants to imitate the Williams sisters and ends up by being summoned with them (who eventually renounced) into the Fed Cup.

Believe it, Melanie!

On her second appearance at the US Open, the American girl of French origin, born 1991, defeated Anastasia Pavlyucenkova in the first round and then top seeds Dementieva (number four), Sharapova (number 29) and Petrova (number 13), before being defeated by Wozniacki.

In spite of her diminutive body – she is 1,68 m tall and weighs 59 kg – Oudin fights with them all, and is not intimidated by the opponent’s name or ranking. Before the US Open she defeated Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon in the first encounter between the two. Cinderella, as the Americans call her, has then played against the Italian players in the Fed Cup final at Reggio Calabria, but there was nothing she could do there.

Both Schiavone and Pennetta taught her a lesson. In 2008 she was number 177 in the ranking, now she has closed the

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TENNISWORLD SA

season at number 49, and we are waiting to see what she will become, with the help of her 16-year-old boyfriend, tennis player Austin Smith, with whom she trained during the US Open and who made her write “Believe” on her tennis shoes.

Thanks to this outstanding end of season, Oudin has ousted fellow countrywoman Alexa Glatch, number 141, born 1989, another promising player held back for a long time following a scooter injury in 2005, the year in which she had made her entrance among the pros and reached the semifinal at Forest Hill. In 2007 she was a finalist at Roland Garros junior, partnering with Rumanian Cirstea.

The story of Sorana: from Kung Fu to tennis Yes, the beautiful Soraya Cirstea… her only title obtained at Tashkent in Uzbekistan in 2008. But more will come soon. At present number 46, born in 1990, she is extravagant, if nothing else because she has learnt discipline on the court by practising Kung Fu for five years, and owns four parrots called One, Two, Three and Four.

In the last Roland Garros she reached the quarterfinals (she had never gone beyond the second round in a Slam) by beating Cornet, Wozniacki and Jancovic with the greatest of ease. “I like to play on important courts. I feel more motivated.

The spectators applauding and shouting my name. In those moments the thought that I may lose does not cross my mind, even for a second.” Eventually she was defeated by Australian Stosur.

She likes to be considered sexy, even if she was the object of a controversy which broke out during the latest Wimbledon because of the match programming for Centre Court which – according to some – would favour the better looking tennis players. A match between Cirstea and Azarenka was

actually disputed on the Centre Court, while champions such as the Williams sisters and Kuznetsova played on minor courts. Dinara Safina was one of the most infuriated. Could it be envy?

And the other nations?

Germany has Sabine Lisicki, number 23, the only German in the top 50. Born in 1989, the daughter of Polish immigrants, she lost the final at Tashkent against Cirstea in 2008, and in 2009 won the Charleston tournament beating along the way Venus Williams, Vesnina and Bartoli, and in the final Wozniacki. This year she has also reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, beating Kuznetsova and Wozniacki.

Slovakia, beside Hantuchova (number 25) and Rybarikova (number 45) has little Dominika Cibulkova (number 29), also born in 1989, only 1,61 m tall. She has not won a title yet, but she reached the semifinals at Roland Garros in 2009, when she lost to Safina.

Switzerland – if Federer and Patty Schnyder were not enough – has the emergent Timea Bacsinszky, the umpteenth player born in 1989, who can boast the record of seven victories out of seven finals played during her career.

One of these was in a WTA tournament in Luxembourg, where Clijsters had also won her first tournament. No fear, no tension in the first important final for this aggressive Swiss lady, daughter of Hungarians, who is already number 54 in the world.

Light and shadow the French way French Alizé Cornet instead, victorious in Budapest and finalist in Acapulco and Rome in 2008, has ended in the shadows. In 2009 the former French number one crumbled and fell to position number 50 in the ranking.

An irreversible fall or a temporary crisis?

The left-handed German has chosen Pistolesi to climb the slope and is back among the top 100.

W

hat seemed an impossible mission a few weeks ago is transformed into a direct bull’s eye hit by Michael Berrer.

Indeed, thanks to the success in the Challenger of Bratislava (repeated a fortnight later in Salzburg), the German left-hander entered the top 100 in the ranking (positioning himself at number 74), from where he had been missing since September 2008. Above all, he has earned direct access to the main draw of the Australian Open. A goal achieved thanks to his fresh collaboration with Claudio Pistolesi, which started after the last Wimbledon. “We had this dream” admits the Roman coach, “but it seemed unachievable, because he had fallen to 140th place and on top of that he had to defend several points. He had to confirm those he had earned and make many more. The fact is that we have succeeded and Michael will be in the draw in Melbourne.”

The Roman coach is delighted by the target reached alongside the big lad from Stuttgart (190 cm tall and weights in at 100 kg according to official ATP data, but on his website he claims to be taller at 193 cm, and slightly thinner at 99 kg. Berrer (29), number 51 in the world in November two years ago (after the semifinal seized in the Moscow ATP), had begun 2009 well, going from the qualifiers to the second round of the Oceanian Slam and winning the challenger of Wroclaw shortly thereafter.

But then, a long series of defeats in the first round had affected his morale and ranking while his friend Andreas Beck, with whom he shared coach Carsten

Arriens, climbed up the ranking on the strength of his results.

“After having lost four or five matches wasting favourable match points, he had virtually ceased to play for two months,” explains Pistolesi. “His confidence had left him and this affected his best shot, the serve. Moreover, Michael was fresh from his best ranking, perhaps he had not adjusted, and he had too many expectations on himself. He had also joined the German Davis Cup team, which is no easy feat.

Altogether it was a series of negative matches, plus a few technical problems, including his strings. Beck was by then engaging in tournaments of a higher category and their coach could no longer follow them both. Berrer remembered me, because he had played Bolelli twice in the past few years, and I am also on excellent terms with Arriens. He heard that I was free, called me, saying beautiful words and that he would be honoured to have me as his coach. This is how we started.”

The partnerships, logically, has required a trial period. “We started off very badly” admits Pistolesi, “during training he would serve well, but then he would make 20 double faults per match, he was in a full crisis of confidence.

Gradually, we worked on the mental part, in addition to the technical level. For example, on the serve, we recalibrated the ball launch. He is big, he is a great defender given his bulk, but his game is attack. We are supported by the German Federation in Stuttgart, with a staff of high level and a splendid

workout centre around which important players such as Andreas Beck and Simon Greul would revolve. Incidentally, I am sorry not to be making a direct contribution to Italian tennis, but as a professional I am better in Germany, it is a reality light years better than ours, I touch it with my hand daily.”

The season breakthrough arrived at the US Open, where Berrer had arrived with little hope.

“In the qualifiers he won the first match, this time by saving a match point, and he arrived at the main draw with ease.

He had many chances in the first round with Zeballos; he did not win, but the turning point had been reached. From there on everything changed. Now he scores 10 aces per match, gets many points on his serve, plays well even when he is in difficulty. There could have been two ways to restore his confidence: the best was to win a title, the other was to qualify in tournaments.

After New York, he also qualified in Metz and Stockholm and in Vienna he entered as a lucky loser. Then he won in Bratislava and Salzburg.”

Berrer, a professional since 1999, will turn 30 on 1 July 2010, but he is still relatively young for top-level tennis.

Pistolesi is optimistic: “Michael can still grow. He has already returned among the top 80. From here on, we will advance 20 positions at a time; the first goal is therefore the reach the top 60. The big target, of course, is to breach the top 50 mark. Time is on his side: besides, with me Sanguinetti has obtained his best ranking at 33...”

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47

ZEBALLOS

HORACIO

EMERGING PLAYERS

The king of the Challenger, he is in the top 50 with just four matches in ATP tournaments.

The final of the St. Petersburg tournament.

Qualified Ukrainian Serhiy Stakhovsky serves on the 5–4 in his favour in the third set and in a moment he is broken to love. On the other side of the net, Horacio Zeballos bellows out a liberating scream and heads towards the ball boy with his mouth wide open, asking for the towel.

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T

he little boy in clear confusion has no idea what to do; the Argentinian keeps his arms behind his back and advances with a spirited expression until he arrives next to the towel, and grabs it with his teeth like a prey. The public commends him with an ovation.

Zeballos is just like this, a character in his own way.

In order understand the evolution of the match one just has to watch his facial expressions: he smiles, despairs, grimaces.

In the decisive tiebreak he employs four shots more than necessary to close the exchange, then he eloquently mimes how he is shivering with fear at the crucial points. He loses the match in the end, after having dominated the first set 6–2, wasted a multitude of occasions in the second and thrown away a match point in the third. He loses it to inexperience because, believe or not, Zeballos has just played the third indoor tournament in his career at the age of 24 years.

The year 2009 has been an incredible year for the tennis player of Mar de la Plata who had closed the previous season at number 209.

Five challengers won and three finals lost in South America, the first draw and the first victory in the Slam at Flushing Meadows were his achievements for the year. Due to

an oddity in the computer system, Zeballos arrived at the Russian tournament as number 54 in the world, in spite of having played only four ATP matches in his career, of which he won one. By comparison, Bolelli had by that time disputed 34 ATP matches just in 2009 and was number 72. The Saint Petersburg final brought a further leap forward and his best ranking at number 41.

A clay specialist, with lifted left-handed forehand and one-handed backhand, able to use his back to control the exchange but not to attack, equipped with a reasonably good serve but totally inadequate at the net. His aggressive tennis is, however, well suited to the cement courts where, indeed, he has built about half of his ranking. In his looks and movements he recalls Gaston Gaudio, even if Gato’s backhand was of a higher quality. Physically he is well built: 1,90 m and 80 kg he is well distributed.

‘Cebolla’, as his coach Alejandro Lombardo and physical conditioner Esteban Pérez call him, comes from a family of tennis. His father was his master and his sister Caroline, born in 1990, is number one U18 in Argentina.

His tennis baptism, as for many of his compatriots, took place in Italy in 2008 with his triumph in the Recanati challenger. Now he has only Del Potro and Monaco ahead of him. And a dream: to wear the white and blue jersey in Davis.

Robson’s debut in the ITF tournaments was in 2007; in 2008 she won the junior title at Wimbledon and in 2009 she arrived in the final of the Australian Open junior.

United Kingdom and Portugal have a lot to bet on, in the long term. The British enjoy rising star Laura Robson, left-handed, born 1994 in Melbourne, lived in Singapore since she was eight months and moved to London at six, although she only gained British citizenship at the beginning of 2008.

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ast year she impressed at her debut at Wimbledon, where she entered as a wild card, and was the youngest to play on the English grass after Hingis in 1995. The English were in ecstasy to see this girl win the first set against Hantuchova, who eventually prevailed in the third set.

Ten days before Wimbledon Robson had written the GCSE exam, an English secondary education qualification.

At 11 she was already under contract with Adidas and Wilson.

She is equipped with a very good serve; her lateral movements instead need some improvement. Pat Cash has called her a special talent.

She is currently number 403 in the ranking and will certainly be among the most quoted names in the new year.

The Portuguese instead have naughty little Micaela/Michelle de Brito – the Register Office in Lisbon did not accept the name Michelle – born in 1993 and played at the Nick Bollettieri’s Academy in Florida since the age of 9.

At 12, she won the Eddie Herr tournament U16 (thus breaking the record of Sharapova who only won it at 13).

In 2007 she conquered the Orange Bowl beating Oudin, the youngest after Nicole Vaidisova.

She is famous for her screaming on the court, which seems to have reached 109 decibels (compared to Masha’s 103).

This is why she was booed at Roland Garros, and accused by Rezai, who defeated her in the third round, of shrieking to make her opponents lose concentration. “Grunting is part of my game” she said, “I have been doing it ever since I first picked up a racquet and won’t stop only because some seem bothered. Nobody can forbid me to do it. If people don’t like it, they can leave the stadium. And if they want to fine me, they can go ahead.”

An explosive young lady, as when she argued with the umpire who reprimanded her for her screaming: “You wouldn’t have told Maria to keep quiet” she told him, referring to her fellow shrieker Sharapova.

She closes the year at number117 in the ranking. Serena Williams said that she is worthy of the top 20.

And if she says so...

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EMERGING PLAYERS

Russia’s future begins with “A” T he first was born in 1991, has been a professional since 2005, is currently number 41 in the world, and enjoys the privilege of being the youngest player in the top 50, together with Oudin. Born in Samara, she relocated to Paris accompanied by her mother to train at the academy of French coach Patrick Mouratoglou. In France Anastasia feels at home, she who does not even remember when last she went back to her country. Her father and brother instead moved to Moscow, but there too Anastasia is unable to go as often as she would like to.

In Paris they call her ‘Papillon’ (butterfly in French), because of a somewhat peculiar outfit that she wore at a tournament in Morocco: “It was a little orange dress and it was a bit too wide for me, I looked like a giant butterfly.”

After a productive period in the junior tournaments, when she was number one in the world and earned three Slam titles (Australian Open 2006, US Open 2006, Australian Open 2007), 2008 has been the year of her tennis turning point: she went from number 281 to number 45 in the world.

What is the best way to grow a generation of promising Australian female players?

You fetch them from Eastern Europe.

The fact that “down under” is the land of the melting pot has been obvious to everyone for years. Every player at the Australian Open can enjoy a substantial following of compatriots, regardless of where in the world they come from. Why limit ourselves to the aficionados – the Australian women’s federation must have thought – when we can draw directly from the pool of women players?

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Among the myriad of Russian players that rise and fall in ranking, we can safely bet on two names for next year: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Alisa Kleybanova.

At Wimbledon last year, she reached the third round starting from the qualifiers.

She has not yet won any tournament, but in 2009 she reached the semifinal at Indian Wells. When she was asked in one of the first press conferences of her life how hard it is at 18 to have a life such as hers, and be denied the amusement of her own age group, she answered confidently: “I am not a robot; I also try and find a little bit of time for me, to enjoy myself. But I do not regret my life, I am the one who chose it and I like it. Nobody has decided for me, nobody forced me.” She says that she has no superstitions on the court: “If you start having them, you can go crazy.” But she never enters the court without coloured nail enamel, possibly matching the colour of her tennis outfit.

Thus, even if they do not happen to be born directly on Oceanic soil – as in the case of Olivia Rogowska, the 18-yearold Pole that gave Dinara Safina a 6–1 in the first round of the 2009 US Open – they can always become naturalised through marriage. And so it is that after Slovak Jarmila Gajdosova, who tied the knot in February 2009 with Sam Groth, it is the Russian Anastasia Rodionova’s turn, who became a fully-fledged “Aussie” on 10 December 2009. Linked since 2005 to Lorne Padman, Rodionova suddenly becomes the third player of her new country: not bad for someone who, as number 95 in the world, was only fifteenth in Russia.

The second, Alisa Kleybanova, born 1989, professional since 2003, is currently number 30 in the world. She has a very powerful game (serves at 180 km/h) and for this she has been likened to Lindsay Davenport. Fourth round at the last Australian Open, where she lost to Dokic after having defeated Ana Ivanovic´, in 2008 she reached the second round at Roland Garros, the fourth round at Wimbledon and the second round at the US Open. She is coached

by Iulian Vespan, whom she met in Perugia at Alberto Castellani’s club.

Mark Philippoussis returns?

He was in London for the last stage of the senior tour. Now he is rumoured to be aspiring to return to the tour as a professional. His countryman Todd Woodbridge has advised him in no uncertain terms that it would be better for him to let go. But Mark Philippoussis, the 33-year-old finalist of Wimbledon and the US Open, has been fighting against debt for some time due to his “happy-go-lucky” management of his portfolio.

During his career he was able to squander his entire earnings as a pro, including the luxury villa in Williamstown which went under the hammer on 4 July to offset a debt of $1,3

million accrued with Pepper Homeloans, one of the top Australian loans and mortgages company. In 2006 a “retired” Philippoussis had even tried with moderate success to break into TV-show business by participating in the Australian reality show “Age of love” where he played a bachelor contended among a group of women. Then he returned among the veterans to earn some cash. Most recently, his “comeback” intentions, which might remain just that for a player whose casual appearances conceal a delicate injury-prone body.

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T I ZI AN A P I KL ER

DAVIS CUP

SPAIN THE HOME OF DAVIS

The triumph of Spain in the final of the Davis Cup played in Barcelona was an extraordinary success.

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his is a statement that stretches beyond the simple statistics which show that for Spain this is the fourth salad bowl in 10 years (the three previous victories came in the Olympic years: 2000, 2004 and 2008, as well as the final lost in Australia in 2003). This places Spain behind the United States with 32 wins, Australia with 28, France and Great Britain with nine and Sweden with seven; or that the sharp 3–0 inflicted in the final to the Czech Republic represents the eighteenth consecutive victory for Spain at home, a team unbeaten for 20 challenges on clay; or still that a team had last won the team competition for two years in a row in 1998 (it had been Sweden then); or finally that the world ranking shows that Spain has two players among the top 10, six among the top 30, 12 among the top 100 and 30 among the top 300 (almost 10% of world tennis).

Spain’s victory over the Czech Republic was a triumph because all the red and yellow players have looked for it, pursued it, wanted it for themselves, but especially for the team.

First of all, Rafael Nadal wanted it to close the season the way he had started it – with a prestigious trophy – and even more so because last year he was not at Mar del Plata for Spain’s third Davis win. Nadal wanted to fly to Argentina,

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if nothing more to give support to his friends, but he was advised against it because on that occasion he should not steal the show from his comrades. And today the 23-year-old from Manacor, after his second personal success in Davis, admits that it was the right thing to do.

In Barcelona, the world’s number two was looking for payback after the bad Masters in London. He wanted to demonstrate that, at least on clay, he remains the man to beat. And in the first challenge of the super-final, after a first tentative set, after shaking the tension and the ghosts of a hapless season off his shoulders (in which he was nevertheless awarded a Slam title at the Australian Open, three Masters 1000 – Indian Wells, Monte Carlo and Rome – in addition to the Barcelona tournament . . . many would wish for such unlucky seasons!), he played two sets as Nadal, a player that knows no obstacles on clay.

Taking the brunt of it was an impalpable Tomas Berdych, who perhaps believed to be facing a Nadal still misted up in the London fog.

This was a success wanted by David Ferrer, the 27-year-old from Javea who, after a 2007 in which he had qualified for the first time to the Masters (to be defeated in the final by Federer) and a 2008 in which he had reached his best

ranking at number four, had slumped this season to number 18 in the world ranking (again, many others’ seasons would pale in comparison). Ferrer, who, after snatching the second place in the singles from Fernando Verdasco, has practically given the fourth salad bowl to Spain by coming back from a 0–2 disadvantage to Radek Stepanek to beat him 8–6 in the fifth set after a marathon of four hours and 18 minutes.

It was a success Verdasco wanted who was not happy to close the season having qualified for the first time for the Masters, but wanted to still prove that he too could once again be among the great.

As much as it was wanted by Feliciano Lopez because, as he himself admitted, “this victory goes beyond each player’s individual seasons.”

And lastly it was wanted by Albert Costa, at his first year on the bench for Spain, he was part of the team that won the first Spanish Davis Cup in 2000, also at Palau Saint Jordi. Costa has thus become the first Spaniard to be awarded the salad bowl both as a player and as a captain, a double claim achieved also by Australians Neale Fraser, John Fitzgerald, John Newcombe, Americans Arthur Ashe and Tom Gorman and French Guy Forget.

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DAVIS CUP

Rafael Nadal

7.5

Albert Costa

After the triple knock out of London, the first match of the Davis Cup final before his own audience could have proved to be a tricky challenge. Instead Nadal, having found his familiar clay under his feet, played against Berdych wholeheartedly and with pride to bring out the best performance in the second part of the season.

David Ferrer

9

The Davis man from the red and yellow team.

After last year’s semifinal against the United States, when he beat Roddick 8–6 in the fifth set coming back from a disadvantage of one set to two. This time Ferrer did even more, recovering from a 0–2 and displaying an epic comeback, which in fact delivered the fourth salad bowl to Spain.

Fernando Verdasco

7

Staying out of the second singles on the Friday allowed him to best recover from his injury for the decisive doubles. Concrete and always lucid.

Best on court in the red and yellow pair.

Feliciano Lopez

6.5

Lopez is the uncontested doubles specialist of the Spanish team. Always present at the crucial times: he saved the Czech set point in the tie break of the first set and again served for the salad bowl in the third set. And the arm did not shake.

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8.5

Juan Carlos Ferrero

8

On the eve of the final he should have been on holiday already, then Robredo’s refusal to go to Barcelona as fifth man and the summons from the captain. Up to the night before the draw he was to be the fourth man in the Spanish selection, ready to compete with Ferrer for a place in the singles. The doctor’s green light to Verdasco instead put him on the bench. And Ferrero, former world number 1, was the perfect fifth man: never a word out of place.

The Spanish public

7

Radek Stepanek

The choice of deploying Ferrer on court instead of Verdasco as second singles player ultimately proved to be the winning move. He might very well find himself sitting on the Spanish bench again next year.

9.5

The Palau Saint Jordi lost half a point on the last day, the Sunday of the prize giving. Far too many empty seats when the salad bowl was handed over to Costa and company. And yet the two singles title holders, Nadal and Ferrer, descended on court even after the final score out of respect for their home public.

Being 31 and feeling it. For two and half sets of the challenge with Ferrer, the Czech number 1 was a “one man show”, as he himself said.

Commendable, but not enough to be able to beat the Spanish Armada alone.

Tomas Berdych

4.5

He was only seen on court for one set, the first against Rafael Nadal, then he practically vanished. Two disastrous sets against world number 2 and a colourless performance in the doubles; he was the great disappointment of the Czech team. It was fair to expect more from the world number 20 at such an important event.

Jan Hajek & Lukas Dlouhy

6

They had the best seat to watch the Spanish show on the last day. And they honoured the court nevertheless.

Jaroslav Navratil

6

He had no alternatives. He arrived in Barcelona with two men, Stepanek and Berdych, and in their hands he laid the fate of the Czech Republic. What a pity that Berdych did not prove to be up to the task.

quotes

“This team has no limits. Two consecutive Davis cups, one without Nadal and one without Verdasco, world’s number eight only deployed in the doubles, represent an extraordinary success.” Manolo Santana

“The secret of our team?

The players.”

“Winning the Davis used to be a dream.

Now it comes as easily as bread.”

Rafael Nadal

Juan Avendano, one of the coaches in the 2000 winning team

“The key to the final was Ferrer’s comeback. An epic match. He will remember it for life and not just him.”

Albert Costa

“The victory over Stepanek was one of my best matches along with those I played at the Masters Cup in 2007.”

“We have such structures and a level of tennis that has no equal in the world.

We have set in motion a mechanism that seems unable to stop.”

“This Davis is Ferrer’s because it will be remembered for his comeback.”

Manuel Orantes, who was recognised with the Award of Excellence at the 2009 Davis Cup final

“They are two different successes. As a player Feliciano Lopez you are the true artist, but I was just as “David and I always play out great battles. emotional this year.

I must congratulate him for this victory, but I am a lucky man.” today he was also very lucky. In the first Albert Costa

two sets it was a ‘one man show’, I was the one creating and he was only focussed on defending itself.” Radek Stepanek

David Ferrer

“Can I play the doubles and an eventual other singles on Sunday? You see me walking, breathing, talking, so I’m physically ready.” Radek Stepanek “England, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Portugal and Spain.” The favourite teams at the 2010 soccer World Cup according to Nadal

“I started this season as the Davis Cup winner and I close it with another salad bowl. It’s difficult to explain what I feel.” Fernando Verdasco

“Of course I feel part of the team. This year I really think I have been crucial, especially in the semifinal against Israel. We would otherwise not be here in the final.”

“What Nadal is doing no other players of my generation managed to do.”

Juan Carlos Ferrero

“Getting up every morning, training and playing tennis is my work.” David Ferrer

Alex Corretja

“Everything is easier for me. It is not so difficult to get up every morning to train; I have no shortage of reasons. I am lucky because my hobby has become my work.”

Rafael Nadal

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55 5

Bearing the RED & YELLOW FLAG Many a player of 2000 have found themselves at the Palau Sant Jordi nine years later, in different capacities. At the time of the first Spanish victory the red & yellow flag-bearer was some Rafael Nadal.

“For him it was a prize,” recalls Alex Corretja. This year however the honour fell on Roberto Carballés, Spain’s junior champion in singles and doubles. The 16-year-old from Granada, who trains at the CAR (centre for top performance) of Sant Cugat, was also a finalist at the Avvenire tournament in 2009.

The same Corretja, one of the architects of the first salad bowl, today divides his time between television and Andy Murray’s bench. “Would I like to swap places with Albert Costa? No,” responds Corretja, “it is as if I asked a Real Madrid player to go play for Barcelona. Right now I am happy that a British player has asked for my help to improve his tennis; it is a source of great pride for me. What is the difference between this victory and that of 2000? In 2000 Spain had never won a Davis, there was great pressure on us and the Australians we met in the final were very strong.”

A photographic memento of that victory depicts Alex Corretja himself during the celebrations on court, carrying on his shoulders a very young Juan Carlos

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Ferrero in his year of his debut in Davis, then the mascot of the group.

In 2009 Ferrero has helped bring Spain to the final, a challenge he experienced as the fifth man, but he was nevertheless crucial in the quarters with Germany and in the semifinals with Israel.

In addition to Albert Costa, who had moved from the role of player to that of captain, there has also been a change on the stands. In 2000 King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia witnessed the first Spanish triumph, whereas in 2009 only Prince Felipe watched the decisive doubles.

Even the soundtrack of the two successes has changed: I will survive by Gloria Gaynor in 2000 and ‘Thank you for being Spanish’ this year, a Boca Juniors Argentine fans song revised by Feliciano Lopez and Albert Costa: “Pasan los años.

Pasan los jugadores. Es por un sueño que vamos a luchar. Vale la pena, La Roja es lo más grande. El público que cante, gritando sin parar. Por eso yo te quiero dar (player’s name) mi corazón.

Yo te sigo a todas partes, ¡gracias por ser español!”

SPAIN 2000-2009: A TEAM WITHOUT LIMITS

2000 2004 2008 2009

Joan Balcells, Alex Corretja, Albert Costa, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Cap. J. Duarte Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal, Tommy Robredo. Cap. J Arrese David Ferrer, Marcel Granollers, Feliciano L贸pez, Fernando Verdasco. Cap. E. Sanchez David Ferrer, Rafael Nadal, Feliciano L贸pez, Fernando Verdasco. Cap. A. Costa.

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HALL OF FAME

Heath, the first Mac FABRIZIO FIDECARO

Australia, 105 years ago... The star in Rodney Heath, ďŹ rst winner of the Australasian Championships, rises out of nowhere. A young man who was rough in his ways, often controversial and in constant clash with the management of his federation

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et us assume that the sports club where you have been a member for some time is organising a new tournament in a discipline that is growing but still not very popular. Let us assume also that the better among the potential players are unable to take part because of prior commitments that have led them away. Let us add that you decide to participate just for the sake of the competition, perhaps without giving too much significance to what you are doing, and that you end up winning the competition.

This (perhaps slightly simplified...) is what happened to Rodney Heath, he who made history without fully realising it.

What he had won was nothing less than the first edition of the event that we call the Australian Open today.

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In 1905 tennis already had a significant organisation in countries such as Britain and the United States, but one could say that in Australia it was just at the beginning.

The Australasian Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA), which also included New Zealand, had been founded towards the end of the previous year, 1904, with three main purposes. These were launching its own challenge for the Davis Cup (in order for a team to participate, it was required to have a national structure behind it), managing the “interstate” matches (between the selections of the various districts) and initiating the annual Australasian Tennis Championships. Everything was achieved in a short time, given that only a few months later the newborn ALTA was able to send a team to Europe led by Alfred Dunlop and included Norman Brookes, Tony Wilding and Harry Parker to take part in Wimbledon and the Davis.

A month earlier, on 21 November, the Australasian Championships had kicked off, but the four Musketeers were obviously unable to take part.

The Championships were held at the Warehousemen’s Ground of The Melbourne Cricket Club, the same club that had hosted the first ever tennis tournament on Oceanian soil in January 1880.

Heath was 21 years old (some sources claim he was only 17) and he had grown up right on the St Kilda Road courts, so it was quite natural for him to sign up for the event. Out of a draw that included 17 athletes, Heath qualified for the final, which placed him opposite Arthur H. Curtis from Adelaide, a doctor by profession. The doctor started off well, winning the opening set, but then Heath’s greater fitness came out strongly and, with a beautiful 4–6 6–3 6–4 6–4 and in front of an audience of approximately 5 000 (extraordinary for the time), the young man from Melbourne was able to raise the first trophy of the Australian Slam.

Right-handed, Heath had modelled his style of play on that of left-handed Brookes and, to a reasonable extent, he

possessed the same virtues and defects: very good in his serve and forehand, but not in the backhand, which he still executed in an old-fashioned style.

In the years that followed, Heath continued to be among the top performers of the tournament (due to the fact that it was initially considered to be less important than the Victorian Championships and the interstate competitions). He conquered a second title in the singles in Adelaide in 1910 (with a sharp 6–4 6–3 6–2 in the big match against Horace Rice, champion in 1907) and two successes in the doubles in 1906 (beating Parker and Cox together with Wilding, 6–2 6–4 6–2) and in 1911 (with Randolph Lycett in the final against Brookes and Addison, 6–2 7–5 6–0),

plus two other finals in 1910 (with J.L. O’Dea, defeated by Aschley Campbell and Rice, 6–3 6–3 6–2) and in 1914 (with Pat O’Hara Wood, defeated by the same Campbell and Gerald Patterson, 7–5 3–6 6–3 6–3).

Thanks to his considerable technical growth, Heath was deemed worthy of representing the Australasian colours in two Challenge Rounds of the Davis Cup. Brookes and Wilding had managed to wrestle the salad bowl from the British in 1907, defending it successfully against the USA in the two subsequent finals. Whereas in 1910 the British players, having acquired the right to the tournament, had been rejected disdainfully thanks to an unusual clause in the regulations that allowed the title

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HALL OF FAME

holders to deem their opponents’ merit inadequate.

In 1911, having just been beaten by Brookes in the quarterfinals of the Australasian Championships, Heath, together with his mentor, relocated to the grass of Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand, for the Challenge Round against the Americans. The competition took place from 1 to 3 January 1912 and it was a true triumph for the hosts. After Brookes’ victory over Beals Wright, Heath gave his team a decisive point by overtaking 39-year-old William Larned in four sets, a seven-time winner of the US Championships (the last time being in 1911).

The trophy was secured already at the end of the doubles and on the third day, Heath did not even need to step on court against Wright.

Unfortunately, Heath’s star dimmed quickly. At the end of November 1912 he was selected for the decisive challenge against the British Isles again, but this time he was unable to provide a valuable contribution. The match took place at the Albert Ground in his hometown, Melbourne, before as many as 7 000 spectators cramped together in the stands. Brookes let Irishman James Parke take him by surprise in the opening round and Heath went down 6–4 in the fourth to Charles Dixon, a robust 39-year-old with a big pointy moustache.

Australasia managed to climb back up to two all, but Heath went down to

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Dixon in the fifth and decisive match, which sanctioned the return of the Cup in London. It was along the Thames that in 1919 Heath managed to get one last satisfaction by reaching the doubles final at Wimbledon partnered with Randolph Lycett. They were defeated (6–4 6–2 4–6 6–2) by fellow countrymen Ron Thomas and Pat O’Hara Wood.

In addition to having been the first winner of the Oceanian Slam, Heath has become famous for his rebel character and scant regard for the rules.

In June 1912 he arrived very late at the interstate match against South Yarra: play began well after the scheduled time and the Melbourne team was fined ten shillings. In May 1914 he did not deign to respond to a circular from the selectors asking for his availability to play in an interstate match in Sydney.

Once he had been tracked down and nevertheless confirmed as captain (as the player of the State of Victoria with the best classification), he did not show up at the official dinner and, once back in Melbourne, he omitted to file a report on the match. For these transgressions he was stripped of the role of captain ahead of the engagement with New South Wales. Not in the least intimidated, Heath responded to the selectors by letter, writing that “their explanations had not satisfied him at all,” pointing out that he felt “outraged” and, as a result, refusing to become part of the team unless they would reinstate him as the leading man.

A Yankee troublemaker “grandchild” of his would have added “you cannot be serious!”

Beyond his questionable behaviours, in the 1920 Heath cemented his place in the history of our sport as a member of the board of the LTAV which purchased the aboriginal land of Kooyong to be the site for the national tournament. He died in his city at the age of 52, on 6 October 1936. A couple of years later, in Queensland, another Rodney would be born, one destined to build part of his legend, precisely on the courts created by his namesake predecessor... •

RODNEY HEATH Personal data: Melbourne (Australia), 15 June 1884; † Melbourne (Australia), 6 October 1936 THE VICTORIES Grand Slam singles: 1905, 1910 Australasian Championships Grand Slam doubles: 1906, 1911 Australasian Championships Davis Cup: 1911 Christchurch (Australasia-USA, 4–0) Singles Tournaments: 1902 Geelong Lawn Tennis Club Easter Tournament (Handicap); 1909 Geelong Easter Tournament Doubles Tournaments: 1905–1906, 1909 Hawthorn Grace Park Tennis Club; 1919 Queen’s British Covered Courts Championships OTHER RESULTS Grand Slam singles: 1911 quarter-finals Australasian Championships Grand Slam doubles: 1910, 1914 final Australasian Championships, 1919 Wimbledon final Davis Cup: 1912 Melbourne final (Australasia- British Isles, 2–3)

Rafael Nadal (Esp) Aeropro Drive racquet, Pro Hurricane string - Dinara SaďŹ na (Rus) Aero Storm racquet, Pro Hurricane string #1 ATP & WTA as of April 20th 2009 - Photos G. Livin - R. Angle

BwitAh Rafa and

T A L O B Dinara

#1

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DUNLOP

Clay Court Dunlop Fort Clay Court the centre of the clay court season. For the first time ever a ball will be used at all the tournaments of the great European tradition: from Estoril to Roland Garros, passing through the three Masters 1000 of Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid. A request made by the players themselves, which ATP, WTA and ITF have fulfilled by striking an agreement with the company that produces the most widely sold tennis balls in the world

The season on clay courts has not yet begun, but already it has an undisputed leader. Who? Easy: DUNLOP. Let it be clear, nobody has taken Rafael Nadal’s place; at least where the Spaniard’s tennis is concerned he can sleep at night (King Federer permitting). The immense Dunlop Empire, however, would also be appetising to the top Iberian. The English company, founded 122 years ago, in 1888, will virtually sign the entire 2010 clay season, which will be played exclusively with Dunlop balls.

From Barcelona to Estoril, via Nice, Monaco, Dusseldorf (the Nations Cup) and the three great Masters 1000 of Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid, the Fort Clay Court (this is the ball chosen among the many) will cross the whole of Europe. Final stage: Paris, to crown the King of Clay.

Fort Clay Court is a special ball. Not chosen by chance... During the long journey, from one tournament to the next, its felt should remain compact and withstand humidity, rain, wind, and above all it will have to retain all its properties, those that make a clay court ball almost perfect, even after it has been struck by the violent blows of best players in the world.

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No more annoying adjustments to new balls... At most, tennis players will need to deal with small differences – isolated and much less unpredictable – linked to the different atmospheric conditions and the different clay used for the courts.

But from the balls, they can expect only consistency.

The news had been expected, and has generated great enthusiasm, particularly among the players who had repeatedly asked to play with the same ball throughout the clay season.

They will now have the best ball in the world at their disposal, considered the undisputed number one by all. It was indeed the top management at the ATP, WTA and ITF that require exclusivity be granted to Dunlop. “Tour players want to use the best product on the market,” confirmed Daniel Beswick, Commercial Director for Dunlop Italy.

In addition to the unsurpassed quality placed on court by the English company are commitment, passion, and that typically British perfectionism. Dunlop is the only company in the world to have its own production of balls. The products of the English company are made in the Philippines, where the rubber plantations used in Dunlop

manufacturing are grown close to the production plant. Moreover, several teams of experts across the world are constantly updated on new materials and technologies applicable to tennis.

Confirming what has been said, shortly after the announcement two Italian tennis players – Andreas Seppi and Fabio Fognini – were invited to test the Fort Clay Court. The views of the two players were completely enthusiastic: after an hour and a half of exchanges played at maximum speed, the ball still had all its features intact.

In the wake of the enthusiasm generated by this exclusive, Dunlop has started taking the steps necessary to reconquer the equipment market. In fact, today’s Dunlop racquets are nothing but the derivation (made in accordance

with the most modern and updated technologies) of the tools of the trade that have accompanied many a player to triumph at Wimbledon. Everyone will remember McEnroe and his inseparable MaxPly. Despite this, in recent years the competition in racquets has been very fierce. And now that Amelie Mauresmo, faithful to Dunlop during her career, has announced her withdrawal, the English executive drew up a plan of relaunch that is aimed with full strength at young people. “We are trying to get the best youngsters to use our products,” explains Beswick, “that is those youngsters who will become tomorrow’s champions.” And given the empire they have been capable of creating, we are prepared to bet that this will be yet another winning choice for Dunlop.•

TENNISWORLD SA

63

64

TENNISWORLD SA

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Acasuso, Jose (ARG) Gasquet, Richard (FRA) Korolev, Evgeny (RUS) Fognini, Fabio (ITA) Fish, Mardy (USA) Chiudinelli, Marco (SUI) Rochus, Olivier (BEL) Gicquel, Marc (FRA) Greul, Simon (GER) Stakhovsky, Sergiy (UKR) Mayer, Florian (GER) Starace, Potito (ITA) Clement, Arnaud (FRA) Nalbandian, David (ARG) Serra, Florent (FRA) Gonzalez, Maximo (ARG) Llodra, Michael (FRA) Santoro, Fabrice (FRA) Gil, Frederico (POR) Hernandez, Oscar (ESP) Koellerer, Daniel (AUT) Gimeno-Traver, Daniel (ESP) Chela, Juan Ignacio (ARG) Berrer, Michael (GER) Mayer, Leonardo (ARG) Dent, Taylor (USA) Luczak, Peter (AUS) Zverev, Mischa (GER) Ram, Rajeev (USA) Petzschner, Philipp (GER) Falla, Alejandro (COL) Lacko, Lukas (SVK) Russell, Michael (USA) Lorenzi, Paolo (ITA) Schuettler, Rainer (GER) Rochus, Christophe (BEL) Daniel, Marcos (BRA) Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN) Tursunov, Dmitry (RUS) Gulbis, Ernests (LAT) Granollers, Marcel (ESP) Brands, Daniel (GER) Bolelli, Simone (ITA) Malisse, Xavier (BEL) Ancic, Mario (CRO) De Bakker, Thiemo (NED) Lapentti, Nicolas (ECU) Lu, Yen-Hsun (TPE) Vassallo Arguello, Martin (ARG) Ginepri, Robby (USA)

TOURNAMENTS PLAYED

19 19 23 19 22 26 20 27 24 26 18 23 24 23 27 27 26 19 31 28 21 21 25 27 26 26 28 28 30 27 28 31 29 22 33 27 23 28 27 29 28 22 25 21 27 29 26 31 31 30

POSITION MOVED

RANK

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

POINTS

TOURNAMENTS PLAYED

10 550 9 205 8 310 7 030 6 785 4 930 4 410 3 410 3 300 2 875 2 870 2 625 2 610 2 430 2 275 2 175 1 870 1 855 1 690 1 655 1 635 1 600 1 555 1 405 1 320 1 305 1 260 1 260 1 175 1 170 1 140 1 102 1 080 1 067 1 030 1 021 1 015 1 015 1 000 986 954 945 936 935 934 924 905 905 900 899

NAME & NATIONALITY

POSITION MOVED

Federer, Roger (SUI) Nadal, Rafael (ESP) Djokovic, Novak (SRB) Murray, Andy (GBR) Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) Roddick, Andy (USA) Soderling, Robin (SWE) Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI) Stepanek, Radek (CZE) Monfils, Gael (FRA) Cilic, Marin (CRO) Simon, Gilles (FRA) Robredo, Tommy (ESP) Ferrer, David (ESP) Haas, Tommy (GER) Youzhny, Mikhail (RUS) Berdych, Tomas (CZE) Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) Hewitt, Lleyton (AUS) Ferrero, Juan Carlos (ESP) Ljubicic, Ivan (CRO) Querrey, Sam (USA) Almagro, Nicolas (ESP) Kohlschreiber, Philipp (GER) Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) Troicki, Viktor (SRB) Monaco, Juan (ARG) Montanes, Albert (ESP) Chardy, Jeremy (FRA) Mathieu, Paul-Henri (FRA) Isner, John (USA) Andreev, Igor (RUS) Bellucci, Thomaz (BRA) Karlovic, Ivo (CRO) Tipsarevic, Janko (SRB) Beck, Andreas (GER) Becker, Benjamin (GER) Garcia-Lopez, Guillermo (ESP) Baghdatis, Marcos (CYP) Sela, Dudi (ISR) Blake, James (USA) Zeballos, Horacio (ARG) Benneteau, Julien (FRA) Lopez, Feliciano (ESP) Hanescu, Victor (ROU) Seppi, Andreas (ITA) Cuevas, Pablo (URU)

POINTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

NAME & NATIONALITY

RANK

ATP RANKINGS, TOP 100 – SINGLES – 4 JANUARY 2010

870 850 848 790 790 767 757 744 739 733 701 682 667 665 665 663 649 645 642 633 617 613 611 608 607 602 598 590 590 587 587 580 579 577 575 575 573 568 565 555 553 550 549 547 547 541 540 537 535 529

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

24 21 26 29 25 23 24 29 27 29 25 31 28 19 33 22 20 28 27 36 26 32 26 26 24 23 29 26 24 30 22 24 24 29 31 36 24 23 25 27 34 32 26 17 15 22 22 30 29 23

0

16

6 Cermak, Frantisek (CZE) / Mertinak, Michal (SVK)

3 980

0

33

7 Kubot, Lukasz (POL) / Marach, Oliver (AUT)

3 970

0

23

8 Fyrstenberg, Mariusz (POL) / Matkowski, Marcin (POL)

3 535

0

27

9 Moodie, Wesley (RSA) / Norman, Dick (BEL)

3 295

0

13

10 Soares, Bruno (BRA) / Ullyett, Kevin (ZIM)

2 560

0

25

11 Knowle, Julian (AUT) / Melzer, Jurgen (AUT)

2 430

0

23

12 Damm, Martin (CZE) / Lindstedt, Robert (SWE)

2 215

0

22

13 Aspelin, Simon (SWE) / Hanley, Paul (AUS)

1 790

0

18

14 Melo, Marcelo (BRA) / Sa, Andre (BRA)

1 540

0

26

15 Parrott, Travis (USA) / Polasek, Filip (SVK)

1 485

0

22

16 Granollers, Marcel (ESP) / Robredo, Tommy (ESP)

1 420

0

7

17 Benneteau, Julien (FRA) / Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA)

1 270

0

4

18 Brunstrom, Johan (SWE) / Rojer, Jean-Julien (AHO)

1 095

0

34

870

-1

4

19 Fish, Mardy (USA) / Roddick, Andy (USA)

POSITION MOVED

TOURNAMENTS PLAYED

Bryan, Bob (USA) Bryan, Mike (USA) Nestor, Daniel (CAN) Zimonjic, Nenad (SRB) Knowles, Mark (BAH) Dlouhy, Lukas (CZE) Bhupathi, Mahesh (IND) Paes, Leander (IND) Ram, Andy (ISR) Moodie, Wesley (RSA) Mirnyi, Max (BLR) Kubot, Lukasz (POL) Marach, Oliver (AUT) Mertinak, Michal (SVK) Norman, Dick (BEL) Cermak, Frantisek (CZE) Matkowski, Marcin (POL) Fyrstenberg, Mariusz (POL) Fish, Mardy (USA) Robredo, Tommy (ESP)

POINTS

1 1 3 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

NAME & NATIONALITY

RANK

ATP RANKINGS – TOP 20 – DOUBLES

10 480 10 480 10 410 10 410 6 880 6 460 6 260 5 890 4 950 4 550 4 350 3 880 3 790 3 740 3 666 3 590 3 490 3 400 3 275 2 905

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

25 25 25 27 23 25 21 17 26 28 18 24 30 34 22 35 29 28 12 20

TOURNAMENTS PLAYED

4 350

0 0 -2 0 1 1 1 0 2 2 2 2 2 1 1

25 19 21 17 11 9 1 7 3 3 9 1 1 2 2

TOURNAMENTS PLAYED

16

5 Mirnyi, Max (BLR) / Ram, Andy (ISR)

POSITION MOVED

20

0

312 188 162 98 85 51 25 4 2 2 2 1 1 1 1

POSITION MOVED

0

5 740

POINTS

6 350

4 Dlouhy, Lukas (CZE) / Paes, Leander (IND)

Anderson, Kevin (RSA) De Voest, Rik (RSA) Van der Merwe, Izak (RSA) Klaasen, Raven (RSA) Wolmarans, Fritz (RSA) Anderson, Andrew (RSA) Andersen, Jean (RSA) Roelofse, Ruan (RSA) Janse van Rensburg, Benjamin (RSA) Sacks, Gary (RSA) Coertzen, Hendrik (RSA) Janse Van Rensburg, Petri (RSA) O'Brien, Dean (RSA) Jeske, Manfred (RSA) Nagel, Rainier (RSA)

POINTS

3 Bhupathi, Mahesh (IND) / Knowles, Mark (BAH)

161 236 274 383 418 537 686 1 184 1 351 1 351 1 485 1 503 1 503 1 596 1 596

NAME & NATIONALITY

25

RANK

25

0

4 550 1 456 1 080 388 277 155 105 99 53 48 41 32 9 7 7 7 7 5

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

28 21 33 18 18 14 6 6 14 7 6 3 2 2 3 3 8 2

ATP RANKINGS – SOUTH AFRICA – DOUBLES

10 47 69 171 237 363 474 494 674 709 757 838 1 224 1 316 1 332 1 332 1 370 1 432

NAME & NATIONALITY

0

10 710

RANK

TOURNAMENTS PLAYED

10 800

2 Nestor, Daniel (CAN) / Zimonjic, Nenad (SRB)

NAME & NATIONALITY

1 Bryan, Bob (USA) / Bryan, Mike (USA)

RANK

POSITION MOVED

ATP RANKINGS – SOUTH AFRICA – SINGLES

POINTS

ATP – DOUBLE TEAM RANKING

Moodie, Wesley (RSA) De Voest, Rik (RSA) Coetzee, Jeff (RSA) Anderson, Kevin (RSA) Van der Merwe, Izak (RSA) Klaasen, Raven (RSA) Haggard, Chris (RSA) Wolmarans, Fritz (RSA) Coertzen, Hendrik (RSA) Roelofse, Ruan (RSA) Anderson, Andrew (RSA) Janse van Rensburg, Benjamin (RSA) O'Brien, Dean (RSA) Scholtz, Nikala (RSA) Andersen, Jean (RSA) Sacks, Gary (RSA) Ramiaramanan, Lofo (RSA) Weideman, Rohan (RSA)

TENNISWORLD SA

65

66

TENNISWORLD SA

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Championsh.

Bali Fed Cup Bali Beijing Beijing Bali Fed Cup Luxembourg Pan Pacific O. Moscow Pan Pacific O. Bali Moscow Luxembourg Bali Bali Bali Poitiers Moscow Bali Luxembourg Moscow Luxembourg Moscow Beijing Pan Pacific O. Bali Luxembourg Bali Moscow Ortisei Luxembourg Bali Bali Moscow Beijing Moscow Fed Cup Luxembourg Moscow

18 19 19 26 20 17 17 20 21 24 24 25 21 16 18 24 27 4 21 22 16 18 21 24 23 21 26 21 24 26 20 25 25 25 21 22 24 25 22 22 25 22 22 26 24 22 28 16 24 27

Shvedova, Yaroslava Dulgheru, Alexandra Bacsinszky, Timea Bammer, Sybille Petkovic, Andrea Dokic, Jelena Mirza, Sania Kanepi, Kaia Garbin, Tathiana Makarova, Ekaterina Kvitova, Petra Kirilenko, Maria Vinci, Roberta Hradecka, Lucie Groenefeld, Anna-Lena Strycova, Barbora Chakvetadze, Anna Hercog, Polona Date, Kimiko Radwanska, Urszula Malek, Tatjana Olaru, Raluca Ioana Brianti, Alberta Coin, Julie Vogele, Stefanie Craybas, Jill Goerges, Julia Barrois, Kristina Sevastova, Anastasija King, Vania Flipkens, Kirsten Martic, Petra Morita, Ayumi Baltacha, Elena Amanmuradova, Akgul Chan, Yung Jan Kutuzova, Viktoriya O'Brien, Katie Kudryavtseva, Alla Zakopalova, Klara Mayr, Patricia Sprem, Karolina Parra Santonja, Arantxa Chang, Kai-Chen Rodionova, Anastassia Zahlavova, Sandra Pironkova, Tszvetana de los Rios, Rossana Rodina, Evgeniya Keothavong, Anne

KAZ ROU SUI AUT GER AUS IND EST ITA RUS CZE RUS ITA CZE GER CZE RUS SLO JPN POL GER ROU ITA FRA SUI USA GER GER LAT USA BEL CRO JPN GBR UZB TPE UKR GBR RUS CZE AUT CRO ESP TPE AUS CZE BUL PAR RUS GBR

1 229 1 228 1 223 1 190 1 172 1 123 1 119 1 101 1 095 1 094 1 087 1 085 1 036 976 946 932 924 916 915 906 901 893 877 869 855 829 818 808 802 801 801 792 763 754 753 739 729 729 700 682 680 675 664 661 657 652 651 647 646 643

Poitiers Dubai Ortisei Linz Moscow Poitiers Osaka Dubai Ortisei Moscow Luxembourg Moscow Luxembourg Nantes Luxembourg Ismaning Moscow Luxembourg Toyota Luxembourg Ortisei Poitiers Ortisei Poitiers Dubai Osaka Dubai Ismaning Dubai Osaka Poitiers Luxembourg Toyota Toyota Poitiers Toyota Moscow Ismaning Poitiers Ortisei Dubai Luxembourg Luxembourg Taipei Poitiers Dubai Moscow Buenos A. Dubai Stanford

1 Nov 20 Dec 1 Nov 18 Oct 25 Oct 1 Nov 18 Oct 20 Dec 1 Nov 25 Oct 25 Oct 25 Oct 25 Oct 8 Nov 25 Oct 8 Nov 25 Oct 25 Oct 29 Nov 25 Oct 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 20 Dec 18 Oct 20 Dec 8 Nov 20 Dec 18 Oct 1 Nov 25 Oct 29 Nov 29 Nov 1 Nov 29 Nov 25 Oct 8 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 20 Dec 25 Oct 25 Oct 8 Nov 1 Nov 20 Dec 25 Oct 6 Dec 20 Dec 2 Aug

NEXT OFF

TOURN

LAST MATCH

POINTS

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

NATIONALITY

– – – 70 280 – 280 – – – 200 – 30 – – 1 1 – 1 – 70 – 200 1 130 – 30 – 30 70 1 1 30 30 – – 46 1 – 30 70 – – 1 – 1 130 – – 70

NAME

TOURN

1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 11 Oct 11 Oct 8 Nov 7 Nov 25 Oct 4 Oct 25 Oct 4 Oct 8 Nov 25 Oct 25 Oct 8 Nov 8 Nov 8 Nov 1 Nov 25 Oct 8 Nov 25 Oct 25 Oct 25 Oct 25 Oct 11 Oct 4 Oct 8 Nov 25 Oct 8 Nov 25 Oct 1 Nov 25 Oct 8 Nov 8 Nov 25 Oct 11 Oct 25 Oct 7 Nov 25 Oct 25 Oct

CURRENT

9 075 7 800 6 141 5 875 5 585 5 126 4 820 3 965 3 560 3 450 3 415 3 150 3 045 2 820 2 541 2 385 2 375 2 340 2 300 2 220 2 067 2 035 2 011 1 985 1 985 1 940 1 910 1 875 1 870 1 780 1 740 1 680 1 675 1 645 1 630 1 605 1 547 1 540 1 520 1 505 1 480 1 456 1 430 1 425 1 417 1 396 1 370 1 303 1 285 1 235

NEXT OFF

USA RUS RUS DEN RUS USA BLR SRB RUS POL FRA ITA AUS RUS CHN BEL ITA BEL FRA RUS SRB GER RUS SVK FRA ESP ESP SVK RUS ISR UKR UKR ESP CAN CHN ARG HUN CZE HUN RUS CZE SUI RUS SVK ROU CHN ITA USA FRA BLR

LAST MATCH

Williams, Serena Safina, Dinara Kuznetsova, Svetlana Wozniacki, Caroline Dementieva, Elena Williams, Venus Azarenka, Viktoria Jankovic, Jelena Zvonareva, Vera Radwanska, Agnieszka Bartoli, Marion Pennetta, Flavia Stosur, Samantha Sharapova, Maria Li, Na Wickmayer, Yanina Schiavone, Francesca Clijsters, Kim Razzano, Virginie Petrova, Nadia Ivanovic, Ana Lisicki, Sabine Vesnina, Elena Hantuchova, Daniela Rezai, Aravane Martinez, Maria Jose Medina Garrigues, Anabel Cibulkova, Dominika Kleybanova, Alisa Peer, Shahar Bondarenko, Katerina Bondarenko, Alyona Suarez Navarro, Carla Wozniak, Aleksandra Zheng, Jie Dulko, Gisela Czink, Melinda Benesova, Iveta Szavay, Agnes Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia Safarova, Lucie Schnyder, Patty Douchevina, Vera Rybarikova, Magdalena Cirstea, Sorana Peng, Shuai Errani, Sara Oudin, Melanie Cornet, Alize Govortsova, Olga

POINTS

NAME

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

NATIONALITY

CURRENT

WTA SINGLES RANKING – 4 JANUARY 2010

21 1 25 – 19 – 24 – 26 – 15 1 19 – 22 1 27 70 22 – 22 1 25 – 26 46 27 – 25 16 28 30 18 – 21 – 20 1 26 – 24 – 25 – 25 16 26 30 27 1 27 30 22 6 24 16 21 – 22 6 22 – 19 6 27 86 22 1 27 1 22 1 25 1 26 1 31 1 26 1 30 1 18 10 22 – 22 – 27 1 39 – 27 30 28 6 26 10 17 130

POINTS

TOURS

NAME

NATIONALITY

21 21 6 6 22 22 16 16 17 17 17 18 15 21 12 18 16 21 18 19 20 16 24 18 24 12 16 23 19 24 16 20 24 19 19 26 16 23 22 13 19 23 24 21 19 11 23 21 21 20

DATE OF BIRTH

8 520 8 520 7 440 7 440 6 180 6 180 5 610 5 610 4 730 4 670 4 600 4 550 4 180 4 150 3 801 3 735 3 620 3 560 3 540 3 510 3 510 3 500 3 350 3 350 3 295 3 205 3 030 2 860 2 850 2 800 2 780 2 570 2 368 2 340 2 300 2 210 2 170 2 140 2 060 2 005 2 000 1 920 1 880 1 850 1 810 1 781 1 770 1 770 1 700 1 650

Grandin, Natalie Scheepers, Chanelle Anderson, Kelly Du Plessis, Lizaan Potgieter, Christi De Beer, Surina Edwards, Tegan Marshall, Lisa Grant, Kim Moskal, Ksenia Simmonds, Chanel Fourouclas, Natasha Gorny, Monica Joubert, Dane Laing, Jessica Le Roux, Madrie Luksich, Veronique Luus, Welma Masite, Christine Morkel-Brink, Mikayla Plant, Tracy Pondicas, Jade Rencken, Nicole Schickerling, Joanne Swanepoel, Bianca

27/02/81 13/03/84 20/04/85 23/02/86 15/10/92 28/06/78 03/01/89 12/09/87 01/05/71 27/09/91 10/08/92 31/01/94 29/03/91 10/06/93 30/07/93 19/04/95 12/07/91 20/05/92 11/02/91 26/11/94 21/09/93 11/04/91 12/06/81 14/11/85 07/01/91

RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA

1 040 509 214 153 90 67 46 20 16 14 8 1 16 1 1 1 0 13 0 0 1 1 1 0 1

30 10 20 7 6 5 10 8 3 4 3 1 2 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 1

WTA RANKINGS, BEST WEEKLY PROGRESSION – 28 DECEMBER 2009

799 857 563 526 901 950 840 828 649 690

NATIONALITY

ZIM USA USA USA ESP ESP AUS AUS TPE ESP ESP CHN SVK RUS BLR RUS USA USA ITA RUS RUS RUS CHN CHN GER CZE ARG TPE ITA ROU SUI USA RUS CZE CZE USA IND UZB UKR ITA UKR CZE USA AUS RUS POL POL POL KAZ ROU

77 137 271 327 455 528 629 840 880 920 979 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Marie Elise Casares Mariana Correa Garbine Muguruza Blanco Connie Chieh-Yu Hsu Raluca Elena Platon Alicia Aguilar Paula Catalina Robles Garcia Ionela-Andreea Iova Ema Burgic Alize Lim

Ecuador United States of America Spain United States of America Romania Mexico Colombia Romania Bosnia and Herzegovina France

149 120 87 85 81 72 69 61 59 54

284 164 72 169 88 288

WTA RANKINGS, BIGGEST WEEKLY DROP

852 845 646 572 1 070 913 354 605 985 432

Romana Tabakova Ankita Bhambri Montinee Tangphong Shikha Uberoi Margit Ruutel Marina Melnikova Megan Moulton-Levy Aleksandra Filipovski Parul Goswami Emily Webley-Smith

NATIONALITY

TOURS

17/02/79 21/08/76 26/09/81 17/06/80 16/05/80 12/08/82 30/03/84 26/03/71 04/01/86 21/09/73 31/07/82 08/01/86 23/04/83 15/07/89 31/07/89 08/06/82 23/03/85 10/08/73 23/06/80 07/06/88 25/01/87 01/08/86 12/11/84 05/07/83 04/06/85 09/07/75 30/01/85 10/01/85 25/02/82 25/09/87 14/12/78 03/02/89 03/11/87 01/02/83 28/03/86 08/12/82 15/11/86 23/06/84 13/08/84 28/06/81 08/08/86 21/05/85 12/07/81 12/05/82 06/10/86 06/03/89 01/12/85 24/09/84 12/09/87 07/04/90

PREVIOUS

POINTS

Black, Cara Huber, Liezel Williams, Serena Williams, Venus Llagostera Vives, Nuria Martinez Sanchez, Maria Jose Stosur, Samantha Stubbs, Rennae Hsieh, Su-wei Ruano Pascual, Virginia Medina Garrigues, Anabel Peng, Shuai Hantuchova, Daniela Kleybanova, Alisa Azarenka, Victoria Petrova, Nadia Mattek-sands, Bethanie Raymond, Lisa Schiavone, Francesca Makarova, Ekaterina Kirilenko, Maria Vesnina, Elena Yan, Zi Zheng, Jie Groenefeld, Anna-lena Peschke, Kveta Dulko, Gisela Chuang, Chia-jung Pennetta, Flavia Niculescu, Monica Schnyder, Patty King, Vania Kudryavtseva, Alla Benesova, Iveta Zahlavova Strycova, Barbora Kops-jones, Raquel Mirza, Sania Amanmuradova, Akgul Bondarenko, Alona Santangelo, Mara Bondarenko, Kateryna Hradecka, Lucie Spears, Abigail Rodionova, Anastasia Dushevina, Vera Radwanska, Agnieszka Rosolska, Alicja Jans, Klaudia Shvedova, Yaroslava Cirstea, Sorana

NATIONALITY

1 1 3 3 5 6 7 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

DATE OF BIRTH

PREVIOUS

1 1 3 3 5 6 7 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

NAME

CURRENT

SONY ERICSSON WTA TOUR DOUBLES RANKINGS – AS OF 4 JANUARY 2010

77 137 271 327 455 528 629 840 880 920 979 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

NAME

18 Oct 18 Oct 13 Dec 22 Nov 5 Jul 1 Nov 22 Nov 1 Nov 31 May

NAME

Osaka Internat.

Osaka Internat.

Santiago $10k Pune $50k Xiamen $25k Pretoria $10k Opole $25k Pretoria $10k Goyang $25k

CURRENT

1 q1 SF q2 1 1 q1 2 q1

CURRENT

LAST MATCH

Chanelle Scheepers Natalie Grandin Chanel Simmonds Christi Potgieter Lizaan du Plessis Tegan Edwards Kelly Anderson Natasha Fourouclas Surina de Beer

CURRENT

127 393 548 653 802 914 978 1 025 1 107

SONY ERICSSON WTA TOUR DOUBLES RANKINGS − SOUTH AFRICA

NAME

CURRENT

SOUTH AFRICA SINGLES

Slovakia India Thailand India Estonia Russian Federation United States of America Hungary India Great Britain

165 116 78 57 53 50 50 34 32 29

264 462 313 20 907 402 42 88 338 75

TENNISWORLD SA

67

ITF Junior Rankings RANKING DATE : 4 JANUARY 2010

ITF JUNIOR BOYS POSITION

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

POINTS

NAME

NAT

D.O.B.

BERTA, Daniel MINA, Gianni KUDLA, Denis KUBLER, Jason FRANK, Mitchell HUANG, Liang-Chi COLLARINI, Andrea ARGUELLO, Facundo KRAWIETZ, Kevin FUCSOVICS, Marton VELOTTI, Agustin TOMIC, Bernard SOUTO, David SCHULZ, Dominik BHAMBRI, Yuki HORANSKY, Filip CLEZAR, Guilherme BERETTA, Duilio UCHIYAMA, Yasutaka GAIO, Federico DE GREEF, Arthur LAAKSONEN, Henri ORE, Junior A. ZSIGA, Mate FERNANDES, Tiago

SWE FRA USA AUS USA TPE ARG ARG GER HUN ARG AUS VEN GER IND SVK BRA PER JPN ITA BEL FIN USA HUN BRA

26 Nov 1992 09 Feb 1992 17 Aug 1992 19 May 1993 16 Oct 1992 08 Mar 1992 31 Jan 1992 04 Aug 1992 24 Jan 1992 08 Feb 1992 24 May 1992 21 Oct 1992 26 Mar 1992 16 Mar 1992 04 Jul 1992 07 Jan 1993 31 Dec 1992 25 Feb 1992 05 Aug 1992 05 Mar 1992 27 Mar 1992 31 Mar 1992 08 Sep 1992 05 May 1992 29 Jan 1993

NAME

NAT

D.O.B.

PIETERS, Hernus MOOLMAN, Renier BOTHA, Jarryd KUHN, Warren VAN VUUREN, Marlu Jansen ROOS, Dion Paul EBERSEY, Brandon COMERFORD, Dylan FORTMANN, Stefan LYZWA, Michal JESKE, Manfred LATEGAN, Adolf SMITH, Dudley VISSER, Marthinus Christoffel EDWARDS, Tristan KRUGER, Juan MONTGOMERY, Wesley O'KENNEDY, Francois REYNECKE, Barend Hermanus GILBERTSON, Clayton ROSSOUW, Matthew BRINK, Gideon SCHELLINK, Eben

RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA

04 Jun 1993 10 Apr 1992 14 Jan 1992 22 Oct 1993 17 May 1993 17 Jan 1993 10 Jan 1994 07 Jul 1993 21 Sep 1992 25 Jun 1992 04 Dec 1992 03 Jul 1993 01 Aug 1992 16 Jan 1993 16 Mar 1992 30 Aug 1992 17 Feb 1993 24 Nov 1992 02 Jan 1993 08 Jun 1994 04 May 1995 19 Aug 1992 10 Dec 1992

SOUTH AFRICA BOYS POSITION

75 139 170 199 238 454 490 577 597 653 654= 816= 858= 961= 1 044= 1 179= 1 209= 1 224= 1 273= 1 290= 1 290= 1 565= 1 565=

68

TENNISWORLD SA

SINGLES

DOUBLES

RANKING

950 900 720 740 700 590 630 640 520 575 590 670 570 540 600 560 515 485 500 565 560 535 485 460 470

105,00 57,50 100,00 70,00 73,75 155,00 113,75 78,75 195,00 138,75 121,25 0,00 98,75 122,50 38,75 77,50 102,50 130,00 113,75 42,50 25,00 32,50 78,75 90,00 60,00

1 055,00 957,50 820,00 810,00 773,75 745,00 743,75 718,75 715,00 713,75 711,25 670,00 668,75 662,50 638,75 637,50 617,50 615,00 613,75 607,50 585,00 567,50 563,75 550,00 530,00

SINGLES

DOUBLES

RANKING

230 150 140 125 115 55 50 25 35 30 30 20 10 5 10 5 0 5 0 5 5 0 0

31,25 40,00 27,50 23,75 15,00 16,25 15,00 23,75 11,25 8,75 8,75 3,75 11,25 11,25 1,25 2,50 7,50 1,25 6,25 0,00 0,00 1,25 1,25

261,25 190,00 167,50 148,75 130,00 71,25 65,00 48,75 46,25 38,75 38,75 23,75 21,25 16,25 11,25 7,50 7,50 6,25 6,25 5,00 5,00 1,25 1,25

POINTS

TOTAL EVENTS

34 45 74 91 102 103 117 135= 142

MONTJANE, Kgothatso MOREMI, Nancy DU TOIT, Celia VAN DER MEER, Rosalea MUANALO, Tshilitzi MOOKETSI, Reilfwe SIBANDA, Tsholofelo COLLEY, Di MADIKANE, Bongiwe

RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA

POINTS POINTS

WOMENS SINGLES RANKINGS (4 JANUARY 2010) TOTAL EVENTS

5 7 2 4 5 5 4 2 6

5 7 2 4 5 5 4 2 6

317 230 104 79 67 64 44 22 12

15 BURGER, Hanno 37 MALATJI, Moses

RSA RSA

POINTS

BOYS’ SINGLES RANKINGS (4 JANUARY 2010)

2 3

2 3

32 6

POINTS

607,50 181,25 148,75 125,00 115,00 110,00 102,50 90,00 66,25 56,25 53,75 48,75 37,50 30,00 28,75 23,75 23,75 22,50 15,00 15,00 12,50 11,25 10,00 10,00 5,00 5,00 5,00 3,75 2,50 1,25 1,25

253 180 126 101 92 75 56 49 44 28 17 16 14 12 8 6 6 4 4 4

TOTAL EVENTS

RANKING

67,50 21,25 18,75 20,00 25,00 25,00 17,50 20,00 21,25 16,25 8,75 8,75 7,50 0,00 3,75 8,75 8,75 2,50 0,00 5,00 2,50 6,25 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 5,00 3,75 2,50 1,25 1,25

6 6 6 5 6 6 4 2 4 5 6 3 5 6 2 2 3 2 2 2

TOTAL EVENTS

DOUBLES

540 160 130 105 90 85 85 70 45 40 45 40 30 30 25 15 15 20 15 10 10 5 10 10 5 5 0 0 0 0 0

RANKED EVENTS

10 Aug 1992 31 Jan 1994 05 Jul 1993 21 Sep 1993 30 Jul 1993 19 Apr 1992 19 Jul 1993 20 May 1992 21 Nov 1993 26 Nov 1994 18 Sep 1994 02 Mar 1993 15 Oct 1992 18 Mar 1993 03 Jun 1992 09 Oct 1995 24 Dec 1994 22 Mar 1993 20 Mar 1995 07 Sep 1993 25 Jan 1996 07 Oct 1993 03 Jan 1994 07 Mar 1992 17 Jan 1992 07 Sep 1994 26 Jan 1992 10 Jun 1993 14 Dec 1992 31 Jul 1994 03 Jun 1993

6 6 6 5 6 6 4 2 4 5 6 3 5 6 2 2 3 2 2 2

RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA

RANKED EVENTS

RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA RSA

MATHONSI, Sydwell MONYAMANE, Desmond MARIPA, Evans RAMOKOATSI , Frank TSHIPUKE, Ishmael SELEPE, Patrick ELS, Leon HUBBARD, Adrian MARSH, Marshall ANDERSON, Malcolm MAKWELA, Tsepo MOGOROSI, Daniel OPPERRMAN , Arrie LETSOALO, Geoffrey MAKHUBELA, Amigo CHABANGU, Simon BUTHELEZI, Zakhele SIGCU, Agahle JOHANNES, Shafiek MALATJI, Moses

RANKED EVENTS

SIMMONDS, Chanel FOUROUCLAS, Natasha IVE, Sarah PLANT, Tracy LAING, Jessica VAN WYK, Veruska Monique WESSELS, Clorinda LUUS, Welma LOCHNER, Adri MORKEL-BRINK, Mikayla LUKSICH, Genevieve SCHOLTZ, Lani POTGIETER, Christi ERASMUS, Janine POTGIETER, Este LAING , Melissa GRACE, Jesse Norah DE VILLIERS, Ele NICHOLAS, Kay-Leigh PIENAAR, Zanmarie BECK, Brigitte BASSON, Anke NIENABER, Jessica DU PLESSIS, Sarah Lynn MURRAY, Cecile SWANEPOEL, Sarie BOUWER, Marizanne JOUBERT, Dane JANZEN VAN RENSBURG, Rozike LUUS, Anel BERNES, Francesca

POINTS

64 93 120 145 157 176 212 228= 242 287= 335 337 347 355 372 391= 409= 456= 463= 463=

RANKED EVENTS

20 197 257 321 351 376 398 453 566 628= 647 674 754 857 881= 980= 988= 1 007= 1 195= 1 210= 1 241= 1 303= 1 369= 1 369= 1 516= 1 516= 1 604= 1 670= 1 778= 1 779= 1 779=

SINGLES

MENS SINGLES RANKINGS (4 JANUARY 2010) NATION

D.O.B.

Wheelchair Tennis RSA

NATION

NAT

1 553,75 1 013,75 895,00 816,25 761,25 760,00 735,00 710,00 702,50 702,50 645,00 643,75 640,00 637,50 623,75 622,50 616,25 612,50 611,25 607,50 588,75 570,00 558,75 552,50 536,25

NATION

POSITION

RANKING

193,75 163,75 85,00 86,25 146,25 150,00 95,00 70,00 52,50 77,50 85,00 173,75 10,00 62,50 113,75 102,50 101,25 112,50 211,25 67,50 73,75 90,00 38,75 82,50 66,25

4

4

44

GIRLS’ SINGLES RANKINGS (4 JANUARY 2010)

6 SIBANDA, Tsholofelo

NATION

NAME

SOUTH AFRICA GIRL

DOUBLES

1360 850 810 730 615 610 640 640 650 625 560 470 630 575 510 520 515 500 400 540 515 480 520 470 470

NAME

14 May 1993 10 May 1993 19 May 1992 05 Mar 1994 01 Apr 1992 09 Jul 1993 03 Sep 1992 30 Oct 1992 20 Mar 1993 15 Jul 1994 07 Feb 1992 24 Aug 1993 07 Jan 1995 16 Apr 1992 16 Feb 1992 29 May 1993 12 May 1995 16 Dec 1992 03 Nov 1992 10 Aug 1992 27 Sep 1993 05 Feb 1994 21 Jan 1994 31 Oct 1994 20 Sep 1994

RANK

FRA HUN GBR RUS CAN CRO JPN CHI USA SLO RUS UKR RUS NED HUN SVK RUS NOR RUS RSA PUR CHN GBR SRB RUS

NAME

MLADENOVIC, Kristina BABOS, Timea WATSON, Heather GAVRILOVA, Daria DABROWSKI, Gabriela NJIRIC, Silvia ISHIZU, Sachie SILVA, Camila STEPHENS, Sloane KOLAR, Nastja BUCHINA, Yana ZANEVSKA, Maryna PUTINTSEVA, Yulia HOGENKAMP, Richel SUSANYI, Zsofia CEPELOVA, Jana KHROMACHEVA, Irina EIKERI, Ulrikke SOLOVIEVA, Valeria SIMMONDS, Chanel PUIG, Monica ZHENG, Saisai ROBSON, Laura CUROVIC, Tamara LEYKINA, Polina

SINGLES

RANK

D.O.B.

NAME

NAT

RANK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

POINTS

NAME

NAME

POSITION

RANK

ITF JUNIOR GIRL

RSA

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Mental performance in match management:

The rationale for

MENTAL TRAINING What it is, what are the components involved, why it is essential to an athlete’s performance. Above all, it is a key factor for a step improvement in quality.

Not many may have heard about Mental Training.

Let us begin by clarifying what the psychological dimensions involved are, these have the fact that they are cross-cutting in common (later on we will look at what exactly this means): anxiety, aggression, concentration, level of activation, and many others, but these are the most commonly recognizable.

Cross-cutting elements First let us have a look at why we have defined them as cross-cutting. We could imagine any situation in our daily lives; for convenience, let us assume we are in our cars on our way to work.

Depending on several factors, we have a certain state of being while we drive (we are sleepy or alert, or nervous, etc). Similarly, our level of concentration can be heightened or dampened and traffic conditions can make us more or less anxious or more or less aggressive towards other drivers.

There it is, the same type of reasoning can be applied to any other type of situation. This explains why the psychological dimensions involved are called cross-cutting. They cut across all situations and all aspects of our lives.

This is also the reason why we instinctively think that it is not worth training these psychological dimensions, and automatically assume the belief that there is nothing to do because it is a given.

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What are we made of?

People usually behave more or less the same way, and not much is achieved by urging them to behave differently from the way they are.

This is a good point from which we can start describing Mental Training: Sports Psychology (and Psychology in general) assumes that there are different ways to “be” and feel with oneself. Few determining factors are genetically defined; the rest can be changed.

But what exactly are we?

Many would try to answer by describing either what they believe is their character or their personality, which is correct from a certain point of view.

But what is character or personality?

In order to keep the explanation really very simple, we can reduce the concept this: us, all of us are mostly a collection of patterns.

In line with the first example, if someone tries to overtake us from the wrong side, we generally have a certain way of responding; if we are in a hurry, we behave in a given way; if we are going shopping, in another, and so on.

And – someone will identify with this – there are those who are always driving in a hurry because they are always late, and those who cannot press on the accelerator even if their wife is about to give birth.

Patterns Many, small or large, patterns help us face reality and reduce the complexity of the world around us.

And each has their own: some people handle a certain situation with some patterns, others will use different ones, and once again we can return to the car situation.

Why so many different patterns as opposed to a “right” one for every situation? Because obviously each of us develops different patterns for the same situations. In other words we all develop different associations to the various situations in our lives.

Association A ssociation of of behaviour r + situation = pattern R epeated situation situation + repeated rep peated patters = habit Repeated C ollection of of habits = ingrained i Collection beliefs.

Associations, repetition and habits.

Got the trick?

Ever since small children, we spend our entire life associating emotions and behaviours to situations, and we neither know why, nor does it matter. Most probably, the first time we make an association, this makes sense, but at other times maybe it doesn’t. That is why some of our present behaviours may not be appropriate for what we are doing.

We cannot understand exactly how or why. However, we do know with certainty that some people associate certain emotions and certain behaviours with a particular situation, and then repeat them continuously each time that situation occurs until they convince themselves that this is how it is done.

In the end, if for instance someone associates fear with competition, no matter how big his efforts and no matter how loud people from outside may shout their encouragement; he will continue to have too timid an approach to the competition.

Let me be clear: if the first time that I feel frustrated I react with anger and this improves my situation, I will repeat this next time and maybe this will work for some time. Then perhaps I grow up, and reacting to frustration with anger stops being useful, but in the meantime I have developed a habit of reacting this way, and I can’t do otherwise.

If I am a tennis player, it could be that I am unable to manage my matches, always reacting with anger to frustrations, but what can I do about it if I am convinced that “this is the way I am”.

We can be different too; but we need training.

We have seen that not everything is genetically predetermined. Without claiming to be able to change people, or people’s personality, we can reasonably consider changing a few habits.

Not all, only those that “don’t work” in the competition and do not help us feel good nor win.

In order to do this, we must first understand what the habits are and really want to change them, because that can be painful, and in most cases it is. A habit takes years to become deep rooted: changing it should not necessarily take too much time, but it certainly takes perseverance and commitment.

It is not by chance that we talk about mental training and not psychological interventions, so as not to give the illusion (equally widespread as other false belief) that one can change things as if by taking a medicine it goes away completely.

We need to commit, on the court as in the gym.

Instead it is just habits: patterns that are repeated time and time again, patterns that are formed through associations.

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Preparing for the match

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WHAT IS REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR A PLAYER TO BE PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND TACTICALLY ‘READY’ FOR THE MATCH?

PART ONE What little tricks can help us achieve top match performance?

Here’s how a tennis player should get organised. From stretching exercises to food advice. From facilitating concentration to care of equipment. Everything a tennis player needs to be perfect right from the first 15. Preparing for the match refers to a series of measures which allow the player to give his best because he is physically, mentally and tactically ready to face his opponent. If it is true that matches are won on the court, it is equally true that the better the approach to the match, the easier it is for the tennis player’s competitive performance to be positively affected.

• •

•

• •

Physical preparation; warming up, stretching Mental preparation; relaxation, visualisation, establishing rituals designed to promote concentration Tactical preparation; establishing goals, setting a match strategy and how to take control of the pre-match rally What to eat; following clear rules for food and beverage intake Equipment; packing of the bag, checking and maintenance of equipment

Physical preparation.

Let’s learn to warm up. On many occasions I have seen players (especially among the very young) starting off a match and losing the first game because they are insufficiently warmed up to give their all right from the first point.

It is sacrilege to play down the importance of the first game thinking that “the match has only just begun” and considering it almost an extension of the warm-up or even a time to calibrate one’s shots.

A game given away at the beginning of a match may not seem too important, but it might cost the loss of a set.

In some situations (e.g. a match played on a fast surface, mental fragility of the opponent) a break in the opening game may prove decisive for the final outcome of the match as it may positively or negatively shift its psychological and tactical equilibrium.

If the organisation of the tournament allows it, the ideal would be to warm up on the court prior to the start of the match. Professionals rally before entering the court. They play a few points and basically revisit the game tactics during a period that can vary between a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of one hour. Considering that the organisation of smaller tournaments can hardly afford to reserve a court for training (especially while the first rounds are being disputed), it is appropriate to explore alternative warm-up methods. Even 10 minutes of jogging are

enough. Weather permitting and if the club where the tournament is played has a green area – or in the absence of spaces available, even on the tennis courts – 5–10 minutes of jogging followed by footwork drills are sufficient to set the body in motion. The more common types of drills are: heel kicks, sidestep slides alternatively facing the centre and the outside of the court and skipping.

If the warp-up is done around the perimeter of the tennis court, after several minutes of continuous jogging, one can alternate a slow run along the short sides of the court with the above mentioned drills on the two long sides.

Don’t forget the stretching.

Doing some muscle stretching exercises shortly before the match is very important.

Before an important match, nervous tension is often so high that it is transmitted to our muscles, thus limiting the ability of movement and damaging the sensitivity of the armracquet system and the general muscular fluidity, fundamental prerogatives to best expressing one’s potential.

Stretching is synonymous with relaxation, therefore it is recommended to perform the exercises in a quiet place, in the club gym or even better in the shade of a tree. The time of stretching is closely connected to the mental preparation for the match.

While stretching, a player must increase his concentration and focus his attention on the tactical pace of the match, revisiting his intentions and the goals he aims to achieve during the match.

TEN TE T TENN ENN NN IIS N S WOR WORL O RL OR R D S SA A

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Stretching exercises must affect all the more important muscular groups used by the tennis player: muscles of the arms (biceps and triceps muscles), the deltoid and the articulation of the shoulder, pectoral muscles, muscles of the upper and lower back, the glutei, ischiocrural muscles (rear of the leg) the femoral quadriceps (front of the leg) and twin muscles (calves). Every muscle group must be stimulated gradually (progressively increasing muscle elongation until optimum tension is achieved), starting from the upper limbs and ending with the lower or vice versa.

the following day”. As we can gather from these words of Serena Williams, visualisation is one of the most important aspects of mental preparation for the match. Visualising is useful for building self-confidence, focusing one’s attention on the match, bringing the right level of nervous excitement, revisiting match strategies.

How to achieve good relaxation? Many professional players say that 20/30 minutes of relaxation before starting the pre-match warm-up are of great benefit for a positive approach to the match.

• •

This room is particularly valuable in major tournaments such as the Grand Slam where all players, be they famous or not, are literally assaulted by fans, enthusiasts and autograph hunters if they go outside the reserved areas.

Match visualisation. “I would start thinking about an important match the night before.

I would imagine the points that I would play

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•

Organising most effectively the time preceding the beginning of the match in order to promote concentration.

Removing doubts and uncertainties. A routine approach to the match can be crucial in ensuring that a player is best prepared. When a professional player is due to play in a tournament match, his entire day becomes centred on the match as a point of reference. Player and coach together establish times for wake-up call, breakfast, final training (with related bookings of transport from the hotel to the club), lunch, and so on until the player enters the court. In other words, every single time of the day is scheduled in such a way that the player may arrive at the match in the most rational and best possible frame of mind.

•

A second pattern of behaviour is certainly less “scientific” but it may be equally important. A tennis athlete is likely to create habits, patterns of behaviour, repeat actions that have in the past been associated with winning performances. We all know that tennis is something more than simple superstition, but in my opinion one should not underestimate the importance of these small rituals that champions have in common with Sunday players. These seemingly useless behaviours have the ability to make the player feel well by unconsciously increasing his confidence in his resources.

Reinforcing match strategy Gaining confidence and sensitivity in one’s shots Focusing on the match

Pre-match visualisation: •

At this time, self-analysis observations and self-criticism are best received if one is physically and mentally calm.

This condition can be facilitated by staying in a secluded place with few distracting elements (e.g.: gym, club gardens, etc.), or in the absence of a quiet corner, one can isolate oneself from the outside world by listening to one’s favourite music on an iPod. Professional players (men and women) prefer to await the match in a dedicated space reserved to them named the players lounge.

A player’s pre-match routine has at least two purposes:

Visualisation helps with:

•

Mental preparation.

Rituals that encourage concentration

Firstly pre-match visualisation is a good opportunity to revisit the match plan, to strengthen the execution of technical moves, select the shots that one wants to use. For example, if you want to attack the opponent on the backhand, imagine yourself hitting from the baseline while waiting for the right opportunity to attack and close at the net with a winning volley.

•

The second purpose is to “feel” one’s shots. The tennis player must see himself hitting the ball fluidly and effectively, attacking the opponent, executing a serve at the right pace, anticipating the return, etc.

•

The third aim of pre-match visualisation is to focus one’s attention exclusively on the match. When the player imagines himself on the tennis court while playing the match, he is automatically focused on what he needs to do during the match in order to win, and in doing so he removes thoughts of a different nature.

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D O N AT O C AM P A G N O L I

. . . is for Analysis Analysis of what, though?

Of tennis as a sport? Presenting this argument is difficult because many, perhaps too many, aspects of this discipline are still poorly known. Everyone can discuss Federer’s forehand or Nadal’s footwork or even Hénin’s backhand for hours, seated at the bar with a snack in hand. Though they are common, these conversations may seem pointless, knowing that all actions that a human being carries out during his existence are different.

Perhaps slightly, but different nonetheless. The generalised motor programs are responsible for the execution of the shots, e.g. the forehand, backhand and volley. Each of us can hit a forehand, but we do so in our own way. From Federer to Serena Wiliams to the last player on earth we all play differently. In other words, we could try to imitate Federer’s forehand, standing for hours in front of the mirror or to move as fast as Nadal who comes back from a slide on the backhand in the final of the Roland Garros (please send your videos to the email address below!) or even to study the shoulder rotation movement Henin

Racket Green Line

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uses to hit her extraordinary backhand...

All these personal performances will, however, be inadequate for you. Because the interpretations that these players apply to the technique are tailor-made for them, they are the perfect fit for their anthropometric characteristics such as height and length of limbs and for their mental characteristics too, as they are perfectly adapted to their style of game. A player’s strengths is a masterpiece in itself and it can be defined as such as it is replicable by the player with the best criteria of efficiency and effectiveness possible even in the most difficult situations.

And this ability to adapt to stressful circumstances where there is no time, but there is much room, such as situations on the tennis court, turns these beings, these champions, into specimens capable of surviving in the hostile environments of the tennis tour.

Analysis indicates the desire to better understand how this sport, our sport, works.

It certainly does not mean watching a tennis match on television for hours, staring at a ball that goes over the net and that inevitably comes back from the other side after the bounce. It means instead abandoning the

“eye-metric” dimension to live a new experience that feeds on the interaction of two or more players who seek to survive and enforce their supremacy, claiming victory.

Unfortunately, technology does not help the spectator as it should yet. Of course, “Hawk Eye” was a revolution in the way TV viewers watch a tennis match from the comfort of their armchairs. The current limit to “Hawk-Eye” is that its processing only relates to trajectories, bounces and unique impacts. In reality, tennis has life in each trajectory, each bounce and each impact is influenced by the preceding one and invariably it will ultimately influence the next one.

A player’s aim is to upset the opponent’s game plan, thus using his strategies to create situations of imbalance in order to secure the point, indeed, many points if possible. The execution of tactics or to simplify, combinations of shots pushing one’s opponent to make mistakes (forced and unforced errors), are needed to produce a large number of winning points.

Modern tennis strategy requires all players, regardless of their style, to be aggressive. Who gives in first, loses. Live and let die. In order for the tactical planning of any player to prove successful, the player needs to identify an OBJECTIVE. To identify it –objectives can vary (space, time, career etc.) – the player needs to have a mind that is trained to find solutions, as well as an excellent body capable of putting them into practice. Let us not forget that not all dreams become reality!

Some, many in fact, think that the role of the tennis coach is not important, because like all self-made men, Federer does not need a stable coach. Perhaps today he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. When he was younger, up to age 20 or 21, he had, however, alongside him true tennis mentors and gurus of physical preparation (still today) who allowed his mind and body to express its immense potential and delight the audiences worldwide with his game. Unless you are Federer (and as writer, this would be a great honour for me!), the majority of players in the world, according to their level, need a teacher or a coach. If you continue to ask yourself why after about 20 years your tennis is stagnant, although you play regularly two or three times per week and the reasons for this phenomenon are still unknown (perhaps age?) though you face the same opponents?

Perhaps you always train for one hour etc.?

You are probably not as good as Federer to

be your own coach and you would need an expert consultant to improve the quality of your built-in feedback, as well as lifting your usually tennis experience on the court.

Many studies have shown in the last years the importance of a second opinion, that of the teacher, and especially when the comments qualified by knowledge. This help from outside, if administered properly, strengthens the movement learning process and also problem solving.

The following pages will provide you with some guidance (a structure, an innovation, a new interpretation of tennis) on how to improve the quality of the time spent on the tennis court. You will find some advice to clearly see what your tennis is like and what it may become. And these few pages can be of great help in finding a good teacher for you. If Federer can do it, so could you!

Write to Donato Campagnoli Campa.don1@Alice.it Info@matchbaltennis.com

Donato Campagnoli  National Coach for FIT (the Italian Tennis Federation) and professional conference interpreter, external researcher at the University of Bologna, MBA in Economics and Sports Management, he has worked with FIT and with coaches and renowned international researchers. Coach to professionals players, he is the author of project essays on tennis.

He is currently the project manager for Play & Stay in Tennis and is responsible for the development of the match analysis software T-MAS.

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The commitment of the modern teacher

GOAL-SETTING

D O N ATO C AMP AG N O L I

My mother always used to say: “those who begin well are already halfway.”

In any project it is necessary to act with rigour and simplicity imposed by the objectives to be achieved. It is precisely there that the difficulty in the role of the modern teacher lies, one cross-over figure between the director and the technical executive, the marketing manager and the event organiser, the IT specialist and the psychologist.

It does not matter if you are a professional player, an amateur, an adult beginner or a child of six years starting at Minitennis.

The thorough teacher uses the process of Goal-Setting, i.e. the definition and scheduling of the player’s objectives, regardless of their level, based on an indepth analysis of the player’s ability. The teacher that interacts with the player must understand his background, where he is and which objective – technical, tactical, strategic, physical, mental, emotional control etc. – he wants to reach. Don’t feel attacked or disturbed if the teacher inundates you with questions about who you are or were, what you do and especially why, when, where and how you want to achieve your goals. Typically, he will provide you with valuable advice on how to reshape the scope of your game and will present a programme of competitive work tailor made for you. This detailed work requires considerable introspective capacity, much time and attention.

In order to define a goal and reach the chosen goal effectively and efficiently one needs to know the experience level of the player very well.

The means to achieve the goal and the available resources (what?), the reason why it is important to undertake the trip (why?) as well as the stops that one needs to make (where?) along the journey of knowledge, which often has a limited duration (when?). Since the journey will lead the player to as yet unexplored destinations, and roads may prove to be winding, the motivation to will make the difference (how?). The design of the journey can be made at the desk with an open map (the player answers all of the following questions by himself) or, in most cases, with the help of a Navigator (the teacher, the trainer, the coach), that will accompany the player in the achievement of their success, will dish out advice, will draw up the map and above all will provide balance to the conditions that will inspire the expedition.

It is therefore essential that the player sees this journey at any time as part of himself because discovering new

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places will help him grow as a player, but above all as a person. And these new experiences – reaching new targets as well as falling and getting up – will make him more powerful and capable of achieving even more important objectives.

Once arrived at the final goal, it will be difficult to confirm it every time, every day, because the initial conditions will change and the player will also change and especially the perception that he will have of himself.

The identification of achievable objectives and not dreams is therefore an essential part of the Goal-Setting process. If the best manager of your company had to tell the owner (you!) that the company will improve in 2010, you would probably argue: “Improve in what?” meaning that improvement must occur in a given direction – more often than not in the owner’s bank account – and that this improvement must be sustainable in the medium and long term. Improving is not a goal in itself, if we don’t formulate it in real terms.

It is therefore important that each player mature a vision for himself that is clear, honest and complete thanks to the targeted intervention of the teacher who proves his value in the correct identification of needs of each player and in the planning and preparation of the journey featuring content and interventions that will lead him to the objective.

Let there be no mistake, remember that achieving a technical objective in tennis can also be non-functional to the improvement of the result, which remains the only instrument of measurement of sports performance. Goal-Setting is a set of projections and what we expect is not always realised.

Correct Goal-Setting usually requires an investment of resources in order to allow saving time, money and energy. The player immediately appreciates the quality of Goal-Setting, g the degree of trust towards thus increasing the teacher.

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D O N AT O C A M P A G N O L I

Play + Stay In February 2007 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) presented the campaign “Play and Stay” during a seminar that saw the participation of 80 delegates representing 28 national federations.

“Play and Stay”, which also enjoys the support of the ATP/WTA Tour, is a structured and codified educational proposal that knows no barriers, be they geographical or demographic, and is positioning itself alongside the educational infrastructure of Minitennis, which as already been in place for several years in European countries such as France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Driven by the slogan “Serve, rally and score”, the campaign aims to promote tennis as an easy, fun and healthy sport.

With “Play & Stay” all, that is all, may in fact learn to serve, rally and score points right from the first lesson, so that the first tennis experiences can be positive and the old cliché that makes our sport a difficult - and in the early days boring - discipline can be abandoned.

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The ITF Task Force responsible for the implementation of the campaign, while acknowledging tennis as a growing sport worldwide, highlighted problem in recruitment and participation in many of the developed nations due to changes in people’s lifestyles. In particular, the operational group identified in the customer loyalty strategies the weak point of our sport which needed more and more to adapt to the needs of the customer, and more specifically the beginner customer who saw in the complexity of our sport a constraint to usability.

The solution proposed by ITF sounds a bit too obvious, but it is at the same time extraordinary in the variety of material and support information.

To allow tennis to be played quickly and to increase the interaction with the teacher, gear needs to change, making the ball slower and the racquet shorter, and actions are organised according to the Game Based Approach within a smaller playing surface (the court).

The teacher becomes the key to the implementation of “Play and Stay”, as the success of the “Play and Stay”, strategy lies in his ability to find information and organise more inclusive lessons, also from the technical point of view and with the use of new educational materials.

We recommend accessing the website

www.tennisplayandstay.com for information on the format of the competition, strategies implemented by countries that have already integrated the campaigns and technicaltactical-strategic advice reserved to players with disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: increase worldwide participation in tennis.

RECIPIENT: beginner players, starting from 6 years of age.

WHY: To not only broaden, but above all retaining the basis of new players worldwide with new and stimulating educational proposals.

WHAT, HOW AND WHERE: there are three proposed stages, however always adjustable to the levels the players and to be interpreted as an educational progression.

Stage 3 Red Sponge balls, low compression Court length 11 metres (36 feet) Racquet length 41-53 cm (16-21 inches) Children beginners from 4 to 8 years Didactic introduction for adults Stage 3 Red court pictures  Stage 2 Orange Low compression balls (50 % slower than normal ones) Court length 18 metres (60 feet) Court width between 6.5 and 8,23 metres (between 21 and 27 feet) Racquet length 53-63 cm (21-25 inches) Children beginners from 7 to 11 years Adult beginners Stage 2 Orange court picture  Stage 1 green Low compression balls (25 % slower than normal ones) Normal court length/width Racquet length 63-68 centimetres (25-27inches) Children beginners from 7 to 11 years Adult beginners Stage 1 Green court picture

References ITF coaching & sports Science review, 42, number August 2007, pages. 1-12.

TENN N IS S WORL O D SA

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champions Choices of

D O N ATO C AMP AG N O L I

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Borg-McEnroe... Becker-Edberg... Sampras-Agassi... The dynamic duo at the start of the 21st century instead is Federer and Nadal. FedExpress vs Rafa... e are going to follow one of the most exciting chapters of recent tennis history. It takes place on 1 February 2009 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, more precisely the 2009 Australian Open final. Federer was the clear favourite and the crowd wanted to celebrate his return to the plexicushion, a surface that is theoretically more suitable to Nadal. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) classified the court as medium, average friction and rebound, same as for clay. A few months earlier Federer was kicked off his number one throne, a sacrificial victim in the Wimbledon 2008 Temple. In the interview before the match he conceded that he is not the favourite.

W

The early stages of the match were characterised by the pattern Nadal uses to win on the outdoor clays of the old continent. Nadal chooses a cross court forehand to give the ball a considerable “heaviness” and force the opponent to hit a backhand over the shoulder, which in the long run creates considerable difficulties for Federer. If the Swiss impacts the ball with a slight delay due to the previous exchange, the result is a short trajectory Nadal can pounce on with monstrous forehand.

If Federer instead has good timing on his exchange, he may opt between two possibilities. Either the tactical advance, hitting the ball almost off the bounce with a topspin, thus taking time away from his opponent, or a game change

down the line with a slightly inward trajectory, better if in backspin, from which Nadal will hardly be able to find corners.

Federer starts badly in the match and suffers the break in the first game. He reacts immediately and flies to 4–2 30–15. Nadal, however, comes back into the set, using three of Federer’s tactical hesitations, which arise from the excessive pressure caused by Nadal’s pattern. In an attempt to avoid hitting above the shoulder, Federer tries to overdo it and he makes some mistakes with his inside-out forehand, which is not always effective and which he tends to hit even if too late or positioned too externally.

Our photo exhibition examines how this pattern is applied in a situation of almost perfect parity in the first set: four all 40–15, Federer to serve. The point is won by Nadal, but Federer will go into the lead at 5–4, winning the next point.

Thereafter, Nadal will score a partial of 12 points to 3. Too little to win. First set to Nadal 7–5.

Federer returns and wins the second set 6–3, with arrogance. In the third, there will be a host of missed opportunities for him, which will give the set to Nadal at the tiebreak. This set will cost Federer the match ending at the fifth set.

Tears during the awards ceremony will confirm his disappointment. He expected to win.

A. FEDERER’S SECOND SERVE Kick serve spin with impact at nearly 11:00 hours.

E. RETURN BOUNCE The return’s down-the-line trajectory has forced Federer to use a circumvention manoeuvre.

At the bounce, Federer is too late to properly carry out an inside-out forehand.

H. INSIDE-OUT FOREHAND BOUNCE The bounce is in Nadal’s left threequarter, as he slows down to prepare for the shot, while Federer is still committed to regaining the optimal position with a cross-behind step.

B. LANDING FROM THE SERVE AND BOUNCE He lands on the left foot slightly off balance and with too much advance in the right leg. Serve directed at Nadal’s body.

F. FEDERER’S INSIDE-OUT FOREHAND Federer’s own exceptional mobility skills get him to impact on time, but geographically isolated on the court compared to Nadal’s split-step position slightly to the right.

C. NADAL’S SERVE RETURN Nadal is forced to “get out” of the serve’s trajectory and he hits back by lifting off the ground due to the considerable height given by the kick spin.

D. LANDING FROM THE RETURN On impact with the ground, Nadal’s left foot has already carried out the rotation for the recovery of the optimal position.

G. LANDING FROM THE INSIDE-OUT FOREHAND Federer’s stance is wide, but with the extra rotation of his torso to the left (typical of his winners). The left foot has not turned enough in suspension and that may limit his re-entry, because the support of the foot has insufficient strength to allow an optimal change in direction.

Nadal has already taken the first step towards the ball.

I. NADAL’S TOPSPIN FOREHAND Nadal can handle the shift – in three metres – and the impact is almost at its ideal position thanks to his semi-western grip, although he will perform a slight shift of the body mass to the left.

The topspin Nadal applies in the few milliseconds prior to impact, and the plane difference between the striking motion and the final stages of execution make it a “heavy” shot (mix of spin and speed).

L. FEDERER’S LATE SPLIT-STEP Despite his efforts in trying to retrieve the right synchronisation, Federer takes a split-step when Nadal’s ball has already left the head. Federer’s left leg rotates and finds the support to move towards the ball, but the delay is already material. Note that Nadal is still outside the court and his forehand follow-through is above his left shoulder.

TENNISWORLD SA

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M. LANDING FROM TOPSPIN FOREHAND Nadal’s landing verges on perfection: with no excessive time and space pressure, Nadal has performed the body rotation in elevation, landing with both feet in the optimal position to re-enter. While the ball clears the net, Federer is thrusting with his left leg towards the ball, while he is lagging with his right leg which is pointing in the opposite direction.

N. TOPSPIN FOREHAND BOUNCE The ball bounces almost exactly in the same area as Nadal’s earlier shot (return of serve). Federer is fully supported by his left leg in open stance. With his “heavy” forehand, it seems that Nadal has tasted flesh and that, not happy, he is thrusting his pouring salt in the wound.

O. FEDERER’S ABOVE THE SHOULDER BACKHAND Federer plays the shot he does not like! He has not lost the court in

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length, but to Nadal’s topspin, which translates into a high backhand impact, he responds with another topspin. To contrast the laws of physics imposed by Nadal, Federer must use twice the strength. At impact, the support is on the right leg in closed stance. The left leg is dynamic with wide offloading.

The placement of the left half is nonetheless good. Nadal is perfectly synchronised with the split-step.

P. OVER THE SHOULDER BACKHAND BOUNCE Federer confirms the diagonal, but he leaves the shot with the support of his left leg in the opposite direction than the recovery. His delay in the previous situation produces a short trajectory on which Nadal cuts across the court to expand his view and increase the number of workable solutions.

Q. NADAL’S WINNING FOREHAND Due to the advance in the opening of the shoulders and the advanced impact, one can already guess that the trajectory of Nadal’s shot is going to be cross court. On impact, Federer is in a raised position in the landing stage of the split-step, which happens off to the left. Nadal could have the entire down the line available...

R. LANDING FROM WINNING FOREHAND 1 At Nadal’s landing, Federer has almost all his body weight on the right foot. He tries to shift, but the distribution of force on the lower limbs prevents it. Nadal’s shot ends above the head to the left.

S. LANDING FROM WINNING FOREHAND 2 In this case, the quality of Nadal’s support is extraordinary. The left foot has already turned, even if the Spanish champion knows that this shot will be the last impact of the point. You never know...

T. WINNING FOREHAND BOUNCE Federer is frozen... He can only stare at Nadal’s hook in bewilderment.

NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS

TENNISWORLD SA

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PO Box 521022, Saxonwold 2132 The Wanderers Cricket Stadium, Corlett Drive, Illovo 2196 Tel: 011 442-0500 Fax: 011 442-0503 email: info@satennis.co.za website: www.satennis.co.za SATA Magazine Liaison: Wendy Chadwick

South African Tennis Association

THE SA OPEN ABOUT THE ATP WORLD TOUR With 62 tournaments in 32 countries, the ATP World Tour showcases the finest male athletes competing in the world’s most exciting venues. From Australia to Europe and the Americas to Asia, the stars of the ATP World Tour battle for prestigious titles at Grand Slams (non ATP members), ATP World Tour Masters 1000, ATP World Tour 500 and ATP World Tour 250 events. At the end of the season the world’s

Alternates

Player Acceptance List Direct Acceptances Wild Cards Qualifiers Special Exempts

23 3 4 2

Main Draw Beck, Karol Chardy, Jeremy Chiudinelli, Marco Darcis, Steve Devvarman, Somdev Dolgopolov Jr., Oleksandr Ferrer, David Gicquel, Marc Kavcic, Blaz Kiefer, Nicolas Levy, Harel Lopez, Feliciano Lu, Yen-Hsun Malisse, Xavier Monfils, Gael Navarro, Ivan Nieminen, Jarkko Ouanna, Josselin Phau, Bjorn Ram, Rajeev Robert, Stephane Serra, Florent Vliegen, Kristof

SVK FRA SUI BEL IND UKR ESP FRA SLO GER ISR ESP TPE BEL FRA ESP FIN FRA GER USA FRA FRA BEL

The draw will take place on Saturday 30 January 2010 at 14h00 at the Montecasino Piazza.

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top 8 ranked men’s singles players and top 8 doubles teams, based on their performance throughout the year, will qualify to compete in the season’s climax - the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. To be held at London’s O2 arena, the event will officially crown the 2010 ATP World Tour Champion and determine the final South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings. For more information, please visit www.atpworldtour.com

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USA FRA FRA SVK USA JAM ALG FRA SUI BRA FRA FRA ESP ESP ITA THA GBR ESP ARG GER FRA POL CRO AUT ARG AUT PAR KAZ UKR BEL FRA SUI FRA CZE IND FRA ITA GER GER MON ESP GER RSA JPN

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ESP CZE SVK ISR UKR ESP ESP AUT RSA ITA ESP POL SVK SVK ESP SVK ITA AUS CAN ROU RSA IND ESP RUS ITA ESP RSA UKR POR USA CZE ESP SUI SUI RSA ISR CYP GER PAK FRA MDA RUS USA ITA

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The SA Tennis Open has always been seen as one of the top tennis tournaments in the world.

In the 70’s and early 80’s it was one of the most rewarding events to attend. SATA, KeyHealth, NLDTF, SAA and Montecasino are restoring SA tennis to those glory days.

Schedule Saturday 30 January: Sunday 31 January: Monday 1 February:

Tuesday 2 February: Wednesday 3 February: Thursday 4 February: Friday 5 February: Saturday 6 February: Sunday 7 February:

10:00 start 10:00 start 10:00 start 12:00 start 19:00 start 12:00 start 19:00 start 12:00 start 19:00 start 12:00 start 19:00 start 14:00 start 19:00 start 14:00 start 13:00 start

Qualifying Qualifying Qualifying Main draw commences Night session Main draw commences Night session Main draw commences Night session Main draw commences Night session Quarter finals Night session Semi finals Finals

Ticket prices: Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 Feb ‘10: Centre Court R40 Court 1 R25 Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 Feb ‘10: Centre Court R75 Friday 5 Feb ‘10: Centre Court (Quarter Finals – Weather permitting) R120 Court 1 R40 Saturday 6 Feb ‘10: Centre Court R150

ATP TOUR MANAGER:

Fabrizio Sestini

ATP PHYSIOTHERAPIST:

Michal Novotny

TOURNAMENT DOCTOR:

Dr Ewoudt van der Linde

TOURNAMENT MASSEUSES:

Alicia Wallis and Lizaane Marais

ATP CHAIR UMPIRES: Karrilyn Cramer, Magdi Somat, Mohamed El Jennati, Roland Herfel CHAIR UMPIRES: Adel Nour, Abhaya Parthy, Matthe Mcaleer LINE UMPIRES: Marissa Martin, Eileen Edwards, Sami Rahman, Wael Abdel Latif, Abram Sehloho, Amos Magagula, Boitumelo Mokoena, Daniel Modisakeng, Dikeledi Molokomme, Ephraim Motsiane, Gabriel Maubane, George Phiri, Gerda Van der Meulen, Hendrick Modupi, Ivan Bridges, Jeremia Sithole, Keneiloe Thabana, Kgolofelo Masanabo, Moeti Mokgoetsi, Mpho Moema, Mxolisi Matyolo, Nkosinathi Limba, Pertunia Teffo, Pieter Hoeksma, Pule Ntonyane, Ron Stirling, Sedi Rabothata, Sisanda Manakaza, Steve Kgaphola, Suzette Hattingh, Tebogo Maleke, Tebogo Motsele, Thabo Matlhaela, Tshepo Molefe, Walter Sekhukhununu, Wandise Jiyana INFORMATION CENTRE:

Sunday 7 Feb ‘10: Centre Court R200

Annette Terry , Claire Smithard, Sarah Terry, Jade Smith

SA Open Schools Day: From Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd February SATA will be hosting 15 schools who were the first to apply for 20 complimentary tickets each.

PRACTICE COURTS:

Japie Klaasen

COURT WARDENS: Tiaan Booysen , Hope Mathopa, Dundee Radebe, Duke Mosoeu, Sebastian Wernecke

SA Open Ladies Day: Hosted by Dimension Data on Wednesday 3 February all proceeds will go to Starfish Greathearts Foundation.

BALL KID MINDERS:

Oupa Nthuping , Kgotso Mashego

BALL KIDS:

Tournament personnel: TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR:

Ian Smith

ASSISTANT TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR:

Gavin Crookes

ATP SUPERVISOR:

Gerry Armstrong

TOURNAMENT REFEREE:

Iain Smith

ATP REVIEW OFFICIAL:

Blaze Trifunovski

PLAYER LIAISON – PLAYERS LOUNGE:

Lorna Krog

PLAYER LIAISON – HOTEL:

Wendy Chadwick

MEDIA LIAISON:

Bruce Davidson

ATP CHIEF OF UMPIRES:

Joan Vormbaum

Athidibade Tshinaba , Buyisile Maphalane, Byron Chadwick, Christiaan Botha, Christopher Van der Vyver, Clara Cloete, Egmond Van Heerden, Elisna Leimecke, Frans Ledwaba, Itumeleng Dlamini, Kabelo Cala, Karabo Malope, Keegan Sullivan, Kedibone Tshinaba, Lauren Beukes, Lauren Louw, Lebogang Mokgoetsi, Lerato Mathaba, Lerato Raseale, Lesego Mokoka, Lesego Ntshanana, Linda Mtiyane, Lize-Mari Volschenk, Michael Kock, Mmadika Mfetwane, Molebogeng Molatodi, Nikhil Joshi, Nompumelelo Montja, Nosipho Montja, Palesa Kgwadi, Peter Bleach, Schalk Buys, Sean Van der Vyver, Sfiso Mokgoetsi, Shaun Koloi, Tebogo Nthuping, Thabang Mabine, Thulane Mabuza, Tiisetso Lesotho, Tiisetso Masoane, Tshepo Malekane, Tshepo Masilo, Tshesevhe Magaraba, Wesley Lebelo, Zaco Van Zyl, Zama Hlubi

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF UMPIRES:

Mpho Makhoba

ATP MEDIA & MARKETING:

Stephen Duckitt

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“South African Commentator, very good analyst keeps the focus on tennis and the game skills. Medium talker usually lets you enjoy the points.

Great knowledge of the sport, cos he’s played at the highest level and great subtle sense of humour. And often a delight to hear his voice ……”

Rated as a 4 star (out of 5) ATP Master Series TV European Commentator.

talking tennis Robbie Koenig is a well known voice in South African tennis having commentated on many local and international tennis events including the SA Open and Davis Cup. What some people might not know is that Robbie was a successful tennis player prior to changing careers.

Born in Durban, Robbie attended Westville Boys High School and after his stint in the SA Army, turned professional in 1992. He is the youngest of four children and admits that his family’s support played a major role in his career. Brother Carl; Uncle Guy who played Davis Cup for SA; and Coach John Yuill (who also coached Ellis Ferreira and Kevin Ullyett) are all credited with giving him encouragement and support.

Never a top junior in his time, he seemed to blossom at around age 15 when he shot into the top 4 in the country with the likes of Wayne Ferreira. Robbie accredits this to his greatest asset being his enthusiasm and love for the sport.

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After turning professional he played singles for seven years beating some high caliber players like Rafter, Henman and Kafelnikov he decided to concentrate on doubles where he was more successful. In the next eight years he made a name for himself as a formidable doubles player beating some of the #1 ranked teams in the world like the Bryan Brothers, Knowles and Nestor, Connell and Galbraith and Leach and Ferreira.

Robbie and partner John-Laffnie de Jager reached a career high ranking of 10 in the world. Their best result playing together was the semi-final of the US Open in 1998.

With other partners Robbie also reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon and also reached the semis of 3 out of 4 majors playing in the mixed doubles.

Having played in approximately 30 majors he feels that representing his country in the Davis Cup alongside partner and best friend JohnLaffnie still rates as the highlight of his career.

After Robbie gave up professional tennis he coached world number 1 doubles player –

Mahesh Bupathi in 2006 which he describes as being a great experience.

In 2007 he entered the world of tennis commentating on a full time basis. Robbie commentates for the World Feed at all the major ATP events around the globe, including the Barclays ATP World Tour, broadcasting to over 100 countries. Around 50 – 75 million households a week can see and hear him on the likes of ESPN in the United States, Tennis Channel, Supersport in South Africa, Fox Sports in Australia, Star Sports in Asia.

Robbie is positive about South African tennis and has a deep wish for local coaches to share their players and ideas in a pool where talent can rise to the top. He applauds the tireless efforts of people like Ian Smith (CEO of SATA) and John-Laffnie de Jager (Davis Cup Captain) who give so much to tennis in this country.

But best of all, Robbie sees the return of the SA Open as a tennis treat for the South African public who will now get to see the best players in the world first hand. •

South African player Damian Hume has achieved what so many local players dream of and is currently on scholarship at the Collin College in Dallas, Texas. Having already completed one year in Sports Psychology he will be attending summer school prior to transferring to a top five University in August next year. Damian took some time out whilst holidaying back in his home country to answer some of our questions:

DAMIAN HUME IN THE STATES Q: Tell us about the tennis at Collin College

Q: What is the College tennis schedule like?

As I didn’t qualify for a division 1 university I am currently in a junior college. We play against all other junior colleges and a lot of division 2 schools. If you do well in the tournaments in the fall semester then you can compete with the top division 1 players in the nation which I did over the last semester.

I play in the number 1 singles and doubles position for the College team. We have guys from all over the world like Germany, Canada and Brazil and obviously Americans on our team and some of the other players are also here on scholarship.

During the spring season which is January to May, we play team matches all the time usually twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays.

But there are a few weekends that we have off. This is when we play most of our dual matches and compete for the national title. The fall semester is our off season where we only play about three or four tournaments but it is mostly for training and fitness purposes.

Q: Do you live on Campus?

No, I live across the road from the campus in an apartment with my Canadian teammate who is great to live with….. very clean!

Q: Describe a typical college day Most week days I have class in the morning.

We have to cook for ourselves so after class I go back to my apartment and make lunch for myself. Then I have some free time where I would normally do my homework or listen to music. From Monday to Friday we have tennis practice in the afternoon starting at 2.30.

Most weekends we have time to go out and jol with our teammates – but sometimes we play matches or I catch up on school work.

Q: Explain your practice schedule I usually practice six days a week if we do not have matches. I get up early and then go and hit with one of my teammates at 7am before classes start. I also try and fit in some gym sessions either before or after class every day. Then we have our official practice every weekday afternoon and if I have spare time I often stay for an extra hour.

Q: Who Coaches you?

In America I am coached by Martin Berryman who is a good inspiration to our whole team.

However, my coach in South Africa, Earl Grainger, should get all the credit for helping and pushing me to be where I am today.

Q: Tournaments that you play?

I have not played any tournaments outside of college matches since I have been here. Thanks to Andre Ziestman I go and train in Germany during the summer which helps my game tremendously.

Q: Biggest Challenges?

My biggest challenge would have to be the fact that I had to attend a junior college before being accepted for a division 1 university. It has made me work harder to reach my goals and dreams though. At the end of the day it has been a good experience so I have no regrets.

Q: Do you work part-time?

I do give some lessons sometime for extra money to buy food and stuff. But college and training takes up too much time to do anything more.

Q: Future plans?

I have one goal when I graduate and that is to go professional and get to number 1 in the world. I will carry on working as hard as I can in college as well so that I will always know that I did everything in my power to reach my dream. I can also stay in America and use my degree and experience to help younger children with their tennis.

Are you enjoying yourself?

Q: Tennis SA vs Tennis USA I would have to say that tennis players in America are really committed. I am not saying that South Africans are not, but there seems to be a much bigger sense of hunger and desire to succeed in what they do. I think that is the main difference but there is also a lot more money in the States as it is a much larger country with more opportunities to do well.

Q: What do you miss about home?

I miss my family a lot as I don’t get to see them for such a long time. I also miss the food and of course the people. I love South African food and there is nothing that can replace it.

As much as I like the Americans – I miss the South African culture.

At the moment I am loving my experience at the college. I think if you attend the right school with a great tennis program and work as hard as you can you will reach your goals as a tennis player. I really enjoy the independence that I have looking after myself and love my lifestyle in Texas.

I would definitely recommend it as I think it is a great learning experience and a good stepping stone. If you want to be a professional and are good enough and have the money I would recommend that you try it out for a bit first – but the college route, which I have done, is not a bad one at all.•

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TOP PLAYERS

THE SA OPEN 90

GAEL MONFILS Pronounced

ga-EL mon-FEES

Age

23 (01.09.1986)

Birthplace

Paris, France

Residence

Nyon, Switzerland

Height

6’4” (193 cm)

Weight

177 lbs (80 kg)

Plays

Right-handed

Turned Pro

2004

Coach

Roger Rasheed

13 Singles Ranking Full name Gael Sebastien Monfils...Nicknamed “Lamonf”...His father, Rufin, a former soccer player, comes from island of Guadeloupe...He is an agent for France Telecom...His mother, Sylvette, comes from island of Martinique and is a nurse...Also has one younger brother, Daryl...Considers Arthur Ashe to be his favorite player...Off court walks around with his iPod listening to music, in particular R&B...If he didn’t play tennis he would play basketball...Fan of NBA team Detroit Pistons and favorite basketball player is Carmelo Anthony...

Finished as world’s No. 1 junior in 2004 with titles at Australian Open (d. Ouanna), Roland Garros (d. Kuznetsov) and Wimbledon (d. Kasiri)...Did not dorp a set in Australia and lost only one set each in Paris and Wimbledon...In 2003, was runner-up at Orange Bowl (l. to Baghdatis) and USTA Winter International Championships (l. to Rieschick)...Best friends are countrymen and former juniors Josselin Ouana, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Paterne Mamata...Named ATP Newcomer of Year in 2005....Coached by Australian Roger Rasheed (since Toronto in July 2008).

DAVID FERRER Pronounced

fuh-RER

Age

27 (02.04.1982)

Birthplace

Javea, Spain

Residence

Valencia, Spain

Height

5’9” (175 cm)

Weight

160 lbs (73 kg)

Plays

Right-handed

Turned Pro

2000

Coach

Roger Rasheed

17 Singles Ranking Born in Javea but moved to Gandia at age 13, then two years later to Barcelona to attend Catalan Tennis Federation...Spent nine months at Equelite, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s Academy in Villena before moving back to Javea while practicing in Denia...Father, Jaime, is an accountant, and his mother, Pilar, is an elementary school teacher...Older brother, Javier, who is a tennis coach and former Spanish junior champion (under 13)...His other favorite sports are soccer and basketball and big fan of FC Barcelona...Enjoys reading and he keeps every book...Has a 5-2 career Davis Cup singles record in five ties...

Coached by countryman Javier Piles. Website:davidferrer.com

MARCO CHIUDINELLI

JEREMY CHARDY Age

22 (12.02.1987)

Age

28 (10.09.1981)

Birthplace

Pau, France

Birthplace

Basel, Switzerland

Residence

Boeil-Bezing, France

Residence

Fuellinsdorf, Switzerland

Height

6’2” (188 cm)

Height

6’1” (185 cm)

Weight

165 lbs (75 kg)

Weight

189 lbs (86 kg)

Plays

Right-handed

Plays

Right-handed

Turned Pro

2005

Turned Pro

2000

Coach

Frederic Fontang

Coach

Jan de Witt

32 Singles Ranking Began playing at age six...Father, Guy, is a banker; mother, Maryse, is a housewife...Older sister, Stephanie (31), is a French teacher and older brother Thierry (28), is a banker...Soccer fan of Paris Saint-Germain...Idol growing up was Pete Sampras...Considers serve as best shot...Would like to be an actor after his tennis career...Captured Wimbledon junior Championships (d. Young in SF, Haase in F) and finished runner-up at US Open juniors in 2005 (l. to Ryan Sweeting)...Finished No. 4 in world junior rankings in ‘05...In 2004, won Eddie Herr International in Florida and SF at Wimbledon juniors (l. to Monfils)...

In doubles, reached Roland Garros juniors final in 2005 (w/Bubka)...Physical trainer is Alain Jacquet and coached by countryman and former ATP pro Frederic Fontang.

56 Singles Ranking Only child of parents Lorenzo and Reni, who are both Information Technology specialists...Speaks German, English and French…Considers strengths as serve and baseline play and hard courts as favorite surface...Listens to variety of rock bands and favorites are: Dream Theater, Metallica, Coldplay, Züri West, Patent Ochsner, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Transatlantic, Audioslave...When at home, enjoys spending quality time with friends and going to concerts...

Big fan of soccer team FC Basel and likes to play jassen (Swiss card game)...

Considers best moment of his career: playing first Davis Cup match in 2005; Winning first ATP World Tour doubles title in Gstaad in 2009 (w/Lammer), reaching third round at US Open in 2006 and ‘09 and first ATP semi-final in Basel in ‘09...Player he admired growing up was Ivan Lendl...Future goals are reaching Top 50 and winning a singles title...Coached by Jan de Witt, who also works with Serb Viktor Troicki. Website:www.marcochiudinelli.com

FELICIANO LOPEZ Age

28 (20.09.1981)

Birthplace

Toledo, Spain

Residence

Madrid, Spain

Age

Height

6’2” (188 cm)

Birthplace Tunis, Tunisia

Weight

187 lbs (85 kg)

Residence Boulogne-Billancourt, France

Plays

Left-handed

Height

6’2” (188 cm)

Turned Pro

1997

Weight

165 lbs (75 kg)

Coach

Francisco Clavet

Plays

Right-handed

47 Singles Ranking Full name is Feliciano Lopez Diaz-Guerra...Began playing tennis at age five with father, Feliciano, who is a tennis coach; mother, Belen Diaz-Guerra, is a nurse...

Younger brother, Victor, played tennis before enrolling at a university where he studies business...A big fan of Real Madrid soccer team and when at home he enjoys going out with friends to movies and to discos...As a junior, reached final of Orange Bowl 16s (l. to Coria) in 1997 and runner-up at European 18s junior championships (l. to Vinciguerra) in 1999...Also SF at Orange Bowl 18s (l. to Coria) in ‘99...Considers his serve as best shot and hard court his favorite surface...Won Spanish Championships in July 2003, defeating Rafael Nadal...

In February 2008, accepted role as himself in Spanish family/humorous soap opera, “Los Serrano”...Has a 5-9 career Davis Cup record (2-4 in singles) in 10 ties and member of championship team in 2004...Coached by countryman Jose Perlas, who also works with Janko Tipsarevic.

Information and photos reproduced with permission from the ATP. Photographs of players © Getty Images.

MARC GICQUEL 32 (30.03.1977)

Turned Pro 1999 Coach

R. Gilbert & J. Potier

58 Singles Ranking Began playing tennis at age seven with his parents Guy (a professor of physical science) and Gisele (retired) who used to play at a local club...Has one older sister, Stephanie...Moved from Tunisia at an early age to France with his parents, who are from Brittany, a region in Northwest France...Studied until the age of 24, and was working on a physical education degree before making a commitment to the pro level...Prior to playing in Futures tournaments in 1999, played two years of second division club tennis in France...Trained at French Tennis Federation at Roland Garros in Paris for two and a half years, then went to train alone, without a coach, before returning to the federation...Enjoys watching movies, especially thrillers, and follows television programs “24” and “Grey’s Anatomy”...Favorite soccer team is Paris Saint Germain...About breaking into the Top 100 at age 29 “better now than never”...Favorite surface is hard (indoor) and considers his physique, forehand and serve his biggest strengths...Wife, Aude (married Sept. 25, 2004); son, Noah (born Dec. 31, 2006).

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It is easy to describe the man leading SA Tennis in one word…

ENERGY! Ian Smith

needs no introduction in sports management circles…having been the Financial and Commercial Director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, under the iconic leadership of Ali Bacher, Ian is very much at home as the CEO of the South African Tennis Association (SATA).

Being a self confessed businessman, Ian’s approach to tennis is dynamic, focused and goal orientated. He has secured the ATP SA Open back in the country after 15 years and played an active role in rejuvenating the Arthurs Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto.

Ian’s goals for 2010 are to “ensure the continued growth of tennis amongst all people in South Africa and to solidify SATA as a sustainable business unit”.

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We spent some time with Ian, to get to know the man responsible for the growth spurt tennis is currently experiencing… this is what we found…

Q: Where is Tennis South Africa today?

Q: What is planned for the next three to five years?

A: “We are definitely taking the game

“We are focusing on increasing the number of participants and creating an even stronger tournament calendar. More international tournaments are vital to our growth.”

in the right direction, with over 100 tournaments being held each year throughout all age groups.

Q: What is SATA doing to make tennis more accessible to South Africans?

“We are supporting various national tennis development projects and interacting with all tiers of government to get tennis to reach the majority of South Africans, especially people that may not have been introduced to the game before. We are hoping that tennis will be recognised as one of the leading sporting codes in the country.”

Q: Are children learning to play the game?

“We are in the process of incorporating schools into our structures and the ITF “Play and Stay” initiative is also being rolled out through the provincial coaches. In time this will have a marked effect on participation.”

Ian Smith presented a tennis raquet to the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Amos Masondo at the official announcement of the Soweto Men’s Open and the Soweto Women’s Open. Behind is Bongani Zondi, the vice-president of SATA.

Q: What is your favourite sport?

“I don’t have a favourite as such, but enjoy watching tennis, cricket, rugby, soccer and golf…I love sport.”

Q: Can tennis create social cohesion in South Africa?

“Yes, by playing tennis people are interacting with one another across all cultural and racial lines…and because tennis is such a social game, it is a wonderful way to get to know people.

We especially see children interacting when playing tennis.”

Q: Do we have talent in SA? Are there lurking stars waiting to be discovered?

“Yes, definitely! Our coaches and players are very committed and training exceptionally hard…we are confident that within a few years the next Wayne Ferreira and Amanda Coetzer will emerge.”

Q: Who are the sponsors of Tennis in South Africa? Who would you like to thank for their support?

“South African Airways, KeyHealth Medical Scheme, Lotto, National and Provincial and Local Governments, Monte Casino and Southern Sun, Chimes Cranes, Avis, Dimension Data…to whom we owe a great deal of thanks and appreciation.”

Q: What teams do you support?

“Stormers, Western Province cricket and Chelsea on the soccer front…and of course Bafana Bafana!”

Q: Who do you think will win the 2010 Soccer World Cup and how do you think the overall event will influence South Africa?

“Hopefully Bafana Bafana will win! I think the event will be a huge success and really show the world what our beautiful country has to offer.”

Q: Do you go and watch matches Ian with Andrew Anderson

“I do attend matches where possible, but I must admit …I watch plenty of sport on TV.”

Q: What sport do you play?

I play tennis and golf…but I am not about to give Federer or Mickelson a run for their money!”

Q: Who is the tennis player “Definitely Roger Federer.”

Q: What do you feel most passionate about…

“My family…I have three wonderful children (a son and two daughters).”• Ian Smith and KeyHealth chairman of marketing Peter Sharman.

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Ever Ev eryy ye year ar oonn 3 Dece Decemb mber ber, South Africans around the country take time out to pay tribute to those people who are faced with physical disability. The day has become known for its celebrations; celebrations of diversity, courage, hope and impressive ability despite disability. Globally it is referred to as International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) but also goes by Disability Di bilit Day. D And A d so it was that th t in i December 2009, Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA) grabbed the opportunity to raise awareness of the sport through some of the local tennis champions.

Coming out to play on this well respected day on the annual South African calendar was teenage gold medalist in the Asia Pacific Youth Para Games, Evans Maripa; he was joined by SA’s number one women player, Kgothatso Montjane who is ranked number 16 in the world. Giving them a good run around was Grade 12 learner, Lucas Sithole, who is currently ranked number one in the SA quads division and has reached number 13 on the world rankings. Leon Els, who was privileged to be invited as one of only 20 players internationally to attend the Word Development Camp in Britain in 2009 was also part of the day’s local exhibition team representation. From beyond local borders, Zimbabwean Nyasha Mharakurwa, ranked in the top 55 players in the World, was also part of the team introducing the game to the media who were eager to try their hand against the champions on this the 2009 Disability Day. Applauding from the umpire seat was ally of the WTSA team and local celebrity and 5FM’s Hollywood reporter, Jen Su, whose support for the players was enthusiastic and encouraging.

Holger Losh, the WTSA chairperson, director and performance coach welcomed the crowd, “Disability Day is about honouring the champions of the sport, many of whom have

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Celebrating Disability done South Africa proud. Team South Africa is currently preparing for the 2010 World Cup in Turkey and from there the 2012 Paralympics,” said Losch.

In its fourth official year of operation WTSA is determined to see disabled individuals making choices that support the pursuit of happiness and the realisation of a full and meaningful life. This is accomplished through a programme designed around the philosophy that sport teaches disabled people valuable life skills like discipline, self-belief, and teamwork.

Additional benefits, including independence, confidence, improved self-image and selfreliance are also gained because of the model adopted by WTSA. This goes a long way towards improving a player’s quality of life.

competitive players, international travel and representing South Africa is achievable.

The current WTSA teams have competed in many countries with great results on the world’s tennis circuit. South Africa has an astonishing 80 players on the world ranking - this is more than any other nation! An additional accolade is that two of the country’s players are ranked among the top 20 in the world.

To add to the already impressive list of ongoing international level events, South Africa is set to host six tournaments attracting worldwide teams in 2010. It is also the year where a minimum of two teams will compete in the World Team Cup in Turkey.

The Net’s the Limit The WTSA programme operates at over 30 development centres set up by the association around the country, with a further 10 planned for 2010. These include schools, disabled centres, and various other national venues where disabled people are invited to try their hand at tennis.

WTSA has experienced phenomenal growth in the sport, and the upward trajectory in its development can be attributed to the efforts of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the official sponsor of the sport. It has contributed no less than R14-million to the sport since 2005. Continued investment in the sport as its flagship CSI project has ensured the increased awareness of the game in South Africa.

There are currently 350 active players around the country and WTSA ensures that the players get national and, for some, international game experience. With coaching, talent and determination the sport offers exciting opportunities – not only fitness and social benefits - but for the tenacious and

WTSA has also been fortunate to recently secure a secondary sponsor - the National Lottery Distribution Fund. Sponsor funds go toward the copious needs of the sport, including custom-built chairs, tailored transport and local and international travel.•

For more information contact Karen Losch Tel: 083 325 1169 Fax: 086 651 6664 Email:karen@tennis.co.za

Drafted and distributed by SIMONSAYS communications and to contact on behalf of Wheelchair Tennis South Africa:

JUNIORS

SA Schools under 13 Tour to USA

The South African Schools under 13 Tennis Team toured the United States of America from 28 November to 8 December 2009. Players were selected for this prestigious tour at the SATA Primary Schools Tournament held in Pietermaritzburg in July 2009.

The ten-day tour featured training and competition at the Junior Tennis Champions Center; visits to the South African Embassy, educational institutions, historical landmarks and entertainment attractions. “The goal was to establish partnerships that will encourage our student athletes to achieve by participating in programs such as this tour and eventually represent the country at the highest level academically, athletically and as citizens of the world,” stated Mr. Adams who is the SA Primary Schools Tennis Chairperson. “This is an opportunity for SA Primary Schools Tennis to build a foundation that supports every student wanting to play tennis, we will acquire the resources necessary to impact lives through this great lifelong sport.”

Our South African team was victorious not only on the court by winning 7 -2 but by the friendships established and the sights they saw which will stay with them forever.

The well prepared SA team then left for Philadelphia, to play against a team from the “Arthur Ashe Tennis Academy”. The match consisted of doubles, mixed doubles and singles. We won fairly comfortably, receiving medals and a large trophy for the team. Most of the tennis was played on indoor hardcourts, and some of the players were fortunate to play on black clay for a short time.

Robyn Bulmer from Gauteng Central tells us about it in her own words.

“On the 28th of November 2009, 36 excited U/13 tennis players from all over SA departed for Washington DC as the South African Primary Schools Team. The first few days were spent in Washington DC, where the team trained at the “Junior Tennis Champions Centre”. We trained for 4 hours each day, with sessions including fitness, drills and lectures on various topics. The SA players were challenged by training at very high intensities and learning new ideas to work on footwork and court strategy.

There was time for sightseeing, and we visited places such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol, the South African Embassy, 2 local malls, and had brief views of the Pentagon and the White House. We also watched a National basketball game and visited 2 high schools during our stay: Episcopal High School in Washington and Central High School in Philadelphia. Both were amazing schools with incredible academic and extramural facilities.

Our hosts at the Arthur Ashe Centre and the two schools were very welcoming and spoilt us with gifts such as t-shirts and fancy water bottles. It felt strange being in an environment where everyone talks “English” with an interesting accent and the chairs, doorways and food portions are so big.

Although we suffered from jetlag and couldn’t manage stairs after the first few training sessions, it was an awesome tour and we will treasure the experiences we had and the friendships we made.”

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PROFILE UPDATE

PLAYER PROFILE:

CHRISTI POTGIETER Born in Bloemfontein on the 15 October 1992, Christi Potgieter practically grew up with a racket in her hand. Having a tennis court on their farm Loch View in the Northern Cape next to the Orange River Christi was influenced by her family to start playing at a very young age. Undoubtedly tennis flows in the veins of the Potgieter family with Dad Johan having played provincial tennis and sister Elze representing South Africa in the Fed cup on two occasions.

As a youngster Christi attended Luckhoff Primere Skool where she played tennis and also represented the school in the Netball 1st team. In grade 8 she moved to Eunice High School in Bloemfontein where she was the number one tennis player. To focus more on her tennis Christi left at the end of grade 9 and is currently studying for her matric through Damelin which she hopes to complete in June 2010.

As her junior ranking was always in the top 5 Christi represented Free State Province at Inter-Provincial from under 12 through to under 16. She has had many successes but feels that the highlights of her junior career must include: • Selection for the Senior Fed Cup whilst still a junior • Winning a round in singles in a $100 000 tournament; and reaching the semi-finals in doubles • Playing in the Junior Australian Open in 2009 • Representing her country in the African Junior Championships (AJC) in Egypt where she won the doubles and lost in the singles final • Selection for the ITF African Team for participation in Young Stars in Europe • Representing South Africa at the under 14 World Cup in Czech Republic

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TENNISWORLD SA

Christi started playing on the WTA tour in April 2009 and is currently ranked 650 (as at end of December 2009). Training five days a week with Coaches John-Laffnie de Jager and Tracy Davies and eating as healthily as possible her immediate plans are to improve her ranking by playing more futures tournaments.

She is a right-handed player who prefers singles as she feels it is more challenging but also enjoys competing as a team in doubles.

Having played on clay courts many times her preference for a faster game makes the hard court her choice of surface.

All sportswomen need some retail therapy or the company of friends to help them relax and Christi is no exception. She also enjoys some quiet time reading, tanning and watching her favourite shows on TV. Impeccable sportsmanship on and off the court is important to Christi and that is why she admires players like Kim Clijsters and Roger Federer who in her opinion is the best tennis player by far. Christi’s dream is to one day qualify to play in the Sony Ericsson Masters as a top 8 player in the world …… our dream is to be able to watch her achieve this.

CLUB OF THE MONTH

Boskruin Tennis Club The Boskruin Tennis Club, founded in 1993, is a relative newbie on the Johannesburg tennis circuit and is situated in the beautiful suburb of Boskruin. But, as with all great success stories, their humble beginnings - with only 4 courts and a club house was just the start…

Boskruin has grown consistently and currently boast 6 flood-lit courts and 190 members with the promise of a great future, thanks to an enthusiastic and strong junior section.

BTC appeals to the whole spectrum of tennis players; they actively participate in both the Egoli and Gauteng leagues throughout the year, and also have a strong, active social section that sees the courts being used every day of the week by eager players.

On the competitive front - they enter between 6 to 8 teams in the May mixed league and 3 to 4 teams in the Men’s’ and Ladies’ leagues in February and August.

Junior tennis takes place from 12 to 2 pm on Saturday afternoons and is run by Wesley Vine, who himself started out at BTC as a junior.

BTC is a family orientated club that welcomes members of all ages and abilities to participate and enjoy the game of tennis. Our organized social tennis is on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

Boskruin Club believes in giving back to the community and run a development program with 10 pupils from nearby Kingsway School on a weekly basis.

This is more than just a tennis club; it is a place where strangers quickly become friends and they welcome all visitors and potential members to make their way to the club and join them for a social.

For more information on Boskruin Tennis Club please visit www.boskruintennis.co.za For membership enquiries contact Sarah on 082 459 0568

2009 was a year of achievements; their men’s 1st team really impressed by playing their way to Bundes league and even managing to win a match! Whilst their ladies first team have made Premier League and maintained their place for the up-coming 2010 season.

In July, the ladies first side was selected to represent BTC at the National Club Championships in Durban. Unfortunately they did not return with the silverware, but represented Boskruin admirably.

The majority of Boskruin’s teams finished in the top 3 of their respective sections in the August league.

The junior section at BTC is both strong and active.

The juniors participate in the 2 junior leagues that occur during the year. Testimony to their prowess is that the 4 year winning streak of their A side was only broken this year, much to the disappointment of the team!

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VETERANS

LOOKING

2009 was a frenetic year which saw our South African veterans playing in eleven Provincial tournaments; ITF Vets Nationals; three Inter Provincial tournaments; two International ITF Team Competitions and Individual World Championships in the age groups 35-55+ and 60-80+.

On the international front our 35-55+ age groups played in Spain and had mixed results. The 6080+ age groups jetted off to Perth in Australia where again we won some and lost some… Petro Kruger and her team of Barbara Rose-Innes and Annelie Schwertfeger beat 4th seeded Australia in the opening match of the competition, and then narrowly lost out on a spot in the semi finals to Australia by a devastatingly small margin of .03%.

Our 70+ team of Janine Lieffrig and Audrey van Coller, the defending champions and number 1 seeds were beaten in the final by Australia where it all came down to the final doubles match.

In the Individual ITF World Championships, Petro Kruger having lost in the semi final of the 65+ Women’s Singles went on to become the 65+ Women’s Doubles champion teaming up with Heidi Orth from Germany. Janine Lieffrig again won the 75+ Women’s Singles title and with Audrey van Coller won the Silver medal in the 65+ Women’s Doubles.

One of the 2010 goals for Veterans tennis is to host three or four more ITF tournaments throughout South Africa thereby giving players more opportunity to improve their ITF rankings.

“On behalf of Bob Wenteler and the NVC we would like to thank all provinces for their hard work throughout the past year, especially to those hosting tournaments. Thank you also to Andrew Comrie who continues to be a stalwart in assisting provinces hosting their events.”

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ITF Seniors Team The following players have been selected to represent South Africa at the ITF Seniors Team Competitions to be hosted in Mexico City from 29 March to 03 April 2010.

35+ Men: Italia Cup

Iain Purchase (Captain) Lance Sawyer Jodri Helmund

WP WP FS

35+ Women: Suzanne Lenglen Cup

Sally Estcourt (Captain) Carryn Ford Chantell Webb

WP GC WP

40+ Men: Tony Trabert Cup

Wayne Faver (Captain) Owen McIntyre Abdul Cassiem

GC WP WP

40+ Women: Young Cup

Ralene Buys (Captain) Jenny Borchardt Annerie Wessels

GN GC GN

45+ Men: Dubler Cup

Schalk Vorster (Captain) Danie Buys Steven Brown

GC GN WP

45+ Women: Margaret Court Cup

Ronel Louw (Captain) Christine van Coller Charmaine Bantjes

GN SWD GN

50+ Men: Fred Perry Cup

Piet van Blerk (Captain) Roy Kets Peter Wilson Duard Botha

BOL GC GC GC

50+ Women: Maria Bueno Cup

Muriel Cherry Jenny Cerff Melrise Ungerer

WP WP MPU

55+ Men: Austria Cup

Ronnie van’t Hof (Captain) Danie Botha Andre Erasmus

SWD EP NWP

55+ Women: Maureen Connolly Cup

Terrey Schweitzer (Captain) Sheila Stewart Sonja Botha

GE KZN GN

SCHOOL OF THE MONTH

DURBAN GIRLS’ COLLEGE 2009 was a very successful year for tennis at College. Not only did the 1st team win all their league matches (both doubles and singles), they also won the Smythe Trophy for the top school team in KZN and Lauren Stewart and Mandy Mallen won the prestigious Youngleson Shield competition.

Standing: Genevieve Barnes, Kelsey Read Seated: Mandy Mallen,Team Manager Mrs Fiona Pentecost, Lauren Stewart (Captain) Durban Girls’ College was founded in 1877 and is situated in Durban’s Berea where it is home to girls from Grade R to Grade 12. It has a long and proud tennis history numbering Wimbledon players Renée Schuurman who reached the semi-final, and Alison MacMillan as past pupils.

Wild Cards

Sport has always been considered an important element of an all-round education and experience at this top academic school.

The competition was contested under sweltering conditions at St Mary’s DSG, Kloof. Ten schools in the surrounding Durban area competed in this coveted shield competition that has been played since 1940. Originally it was a mixed doubles tournament and then in 1952 the Shield was changed to a competition between the top girls’ couples of each Durban school. Firstly a round robin was played. In DGC’s draw they played the DGC 2nd team whom they beat 6 -4; Maris Stella 6 – 0; Crawford La Lucia 6 -3 and DGHS 6 – 1.

The DGC pair then faced St Mary’s in a closely contested final. After being 3 -1, and 40 - 0 down DGC's top couple Lauren Stewart and Mandy Mallen fought back to secure the shield after being in the final for the past few years. They broke the opponent’s serve and the pressure was felt by both players and spectators. This was Lauren’s fourth final and Mandy’s first, and the combination of steady play, confidence and consistency secured the shield for DGC. In the final game it was adrenaline and confidence that clinched it – they won it 40 - 0 with two aces. The last time DGC won this shield was in 1956, and prior to that in 1952 and 1953 when the Schuurman sisters, Naomi and Serene, were members of the team.

Lauren Stewart (Grade 12 2009) captained the team comprising Mandy Mallen, Genevieve Barnes and Kelsey Read. Both Mandy and Lauren attained selection at national level while Genevieve and Kelsey represented KZN. Genevieve Barnes, Zakithi Mkhize and Lauren Stewart were selected for the KZN USSASA U19A team, while Adriénne Bhola was selected for the U15A side. At the SA High Schools Week Tournament held in Pretoria, Zakithi Mkize and Lauren Stewart were selected for the South African Schools U19 team with Genevieve Barnes chosen as a non-travelling reserve.

Lauren, Mandy and Adriénne also represented KZN at the SATA Interprovincial Tournament held in Bloemfontein.

At the school’s 2009 Sports Awards Evening the tennis team deservedly shared the spotlight as Team of the Year with the swimming team.

Lauren Stewart was also named “Sportswoman of the Year” by the KwaZulu-Natal Tennis Association for her tennis achievements and her contribution to tennis at all levels.

Coach Rowena Sanders, team manager Fiona Pentecost and sports director Bell Meek consistently offer our tennis girls encouragement and support and with the wealth of talent through the age groups in the high school, 2010 promises to be another successful tennis year at DGC.

Every month we will feature four randomly selected SATA members for you to meet.

JUNIOR Jandré Schoeman North West Province Plays u18 – aged 16 Home Schooled – grade 11 Coached by Jan Schoeman

COACH Bridget Visee Western Province Professional Coach at WPCC

OPEN Anna Wysoczarska Gauteng Central Studying BCom Finance Member of UJ Tennis Club

VETERANS Tracey Bulmer Gauteng Central Physiotherapist Member of Boskruin Tennis Club

TENNISWORLD SA

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SATA National Combined Rankings as at 04 January 2010 MEN’S RANK

PROV

ST

DT

SP

DP

COMBINED

AGE RANK

U18

U16

1

De Voest, Rik Paul

GN

24

21 15,457,255 70,627,416 33,114,109

29.58

1

2

Anderson, Kevin

GC

30

18 18,485,281 17,736,226 22,919,338

23.63

2

3

Van Der Merwe, Izak

GE

26

20

9,762,000

8,867,145 11,978,786

25.94

3

4

Klaasen, Raven

WP

24

16

7,898,537

6,828,428

9,605,644

27.22

4

5

Wolmarans, Fritz

WP

18

7

4,929,931

6,146,945

6,466,667

23.83

5

6

Anderson, Andrew

GC

17

6

4,546,648

2,848,848

5,258,860

26.74

6

7

Scholtz, Nikala

BOL

19

17

2,603,553

2,301,710

3,178,981

18.91

7

8

Janse Van Rensburg, Benjamin

GN

7

5

1,909,048

2,120,295

2,439,122

26.96

8

9

Coertzen, Hendrik

FS

18

16

1,637,813

2,684,635

2,308,972

19.39

9

10

Andersen, Jean

GN

4

3

1,770,545

1,288,188

2,092,592

21.55

10

11

Ive, Grant John

BOR

14

11

1,659,740

1,646,381

2,071,335

18.88

11

12

Pieters, Hernus

GN

18

16

1,383,884

1,082,108

1,654,411

16.58

12

1

13

Roelofse, Ruan

WP

13

9

978,554

2,103,554

1,504,443

20.13

13

14

Sacks, Gary

13

3

1,332,107

603,553

1,482,995

23.14

14

15

Moolman, Renier

GC

21

18

905,330

1,426,777

1,262,024

17.73

15

2

16

Botha, Jarryd

WP

9

8

801,777

1,051,777

1,064,721

17.97

16

3

17

Kuhn, Warren

GC

18

17

765,164

978,553

1,009,802

16.20

17

4

18

Jeske, Manfred

GN

12

11

780,330

905,330

1,006,663

17.08

18

5

19

Jansen Van Vuuren, Marlu

BOR

20

16

801,776

728,553

983,914

16.63

19

6

20

Claassen, Jody Alan

WP

11

8

765,164

864,277

981,233

18.19

20

PROV

ST

DT

SP

DP

COMBINED

AGE

U18

U16

LADIES RANK

100

NAME

NAME

RANK

1

Scheepers, Chanelle

FS

25

10 22,142,135 11,242,641 24,952,795

25.809

1

2

Grandin, Natalie

KZN

19

30

6,611,411 46,142,135 18,146,945

28.854

2

3

Simmonds, Chanel

GE

21

17

2,837,597

2,559,568

3,477,489

17.400

3

1

4

Anderson, Kelly

KZN

12

20

1,584,804

6,900,201

3,309,854

24.623

4

5

Du Plessis, Lizaan

EP

11

8

1,227,829

3,619,270

2,132,647

23.865

5

6

Potgieter, Christi

FS

15

11

1,449,800

2,229,105

2,007,076

17.220

6

2

7

De Beer, Surina

GN

5

5

1,066,217

2,611,411

1,719,070

31.518

7

8

Swanepoel, Bianca

GN

8

6

1,139,619

2,102,462

1,665,235

18.992

8

9

Edwards, Tegan

GN

15

18

941,941

1,582,106

1,337,468

21.003

9

10

Fourouclas, Natasha

MP

20

19

1,128,929

801,777

1,329,373

15.926

10

3

1

11

Luus, Welma

GN

18

14

881,407

1,176,777

1,175,601

17.623

11

4

12

Rasolomalala, Niriantsa

MAD

9

7

759,803

812,500

962,928

17.187

12

5

13

Luksich, Veronique

GC

6

4

829,630

419,194

934,429

18.478

13

14

Ive, Sarah

BOR

7

7

739,276

691,941

912,261

16.497

14

6

15

Razafimahatratra, Zarah

MAD

8

7

676,777

838,388

886,374

15.362

15

7

2

16

Marshall, Lisa

WP

12

23

454,629

1,648,023

866,635

22.311

16

17

Laing, Jessica

GC

24

20

655,330

801,777

855,774

16.429

17

8

18

Wessels, Clorinda

GE

18

13

704,629

566,940

846,364

16.459

18

9

19

Potgieter, Este

FS

10

7

643,283

695,082

817,054

17.586

19

10

20

Van Wyk, Veruska

FS

21

20

546,721

978,554

791,360

17.709

20

11

TENNISWORLD SA

Nike Race Tables

Ranking Movement

(after 2 eligible tournaments)

(during December 2009)

GIRLS

PROV

BOL

WP

TOTAL

NIKE 12

NIKE 14

NAME

Van Zyl, Theresa

NC

31,250

31,250

62,500

1

Weideman, Rohan

Koch, Janet

BOL

22,097

22,097

44,194

2

Lock, Benjamin

2009 12/07

2009/ 2/28

MOVE

%

357

51

306

85.71

87

27

60

68.97

135

43

92

68.15

40

13

27

67.50

Steward, Chelsea

WP

22,097

22,097

44,194

3

Smith, Daniel

Dickason, Morgan

EP

15,625

15,625

31,250

4

Rasolomalala, Niriantsa

Barnard, Lee

NC

15,625

15,625

31,250

5

RazaďŹ mahatratra, Zarah

45

15

30

66.67

Van Rensburg, Rouxanne

BOL

15,625

11,049

26,674

6

Hemsley, Ross

927

312

615

66.34

De Jongh, Angelique

NC

11,049

11,049

22,098

7

Crowley, Keith-Patrick

106

44

62

58.49

Ongendangenda, Liliane

WP

5,803

15,625

21,428

8

Brink, Gideon Conrad

311

136

175

56.27

9,882

11,049

20,931

9

Swanepoel, Natasha

FS

11,049

9,422

20,471

10

Maritz, Vorster

Dzenga, Nicole Verster, Nelise

1

438

217

221

50.46

1363

683

680

49.89

Botes, Louise-Mare

FS

9,422

10,417

19,839

11

Bhunu, Valeria

96

49

47

48.96

Sarjoo, Sarah

KZN

11,049

8,667

19,716

12

Theron, Liniques

722

384

338

46.81

Higgs, Kirsten

KZN

11,049

7,813

18,862

13

Snyman, Gerrit Hendrik

1901

1050

851

44.77

82

47

35

42.68

92

53

39

42.39

2

Poluta, Katie

WP

7,169

11,049

18,218

14

Ndayishimiye, Hassan

Nel, Megan

KZN

10,417

7,169

17,586

15

Gooch, Damon

Liasides, Phillipa

KZN

6,988

9,882

16,870

16

Gilbertson, Jason

299

175

124

41.47

Barnard, Zani

NC

5,524

11,049

16,573

17

De Klerk, Ricky

151

89

62

41.06

3

Botes, Huibre-Mare

FS

6,819

9,021

15,840

18

Harmse, Phillip

1485

885

600

40.40

Dobbie, Fallon

GC

6,663

8,069

14,732

19

Richards, Clinton

278

169

109

39.21

Marx, Michelle

BOL

9,021

5,524

14,545

20

Sellar, Joseph

970

624

346

35.67

Van Zyl, Carla

942

606

336

35.67

BOYS

Harris, Lloyd George

PROV

WP

BOL

WP

TOTAL

31,250

31,250

62,500

NIKE 12

NIKE 14

Vorster, Hannes

1674

1094

580

34.65

Le Roux, Yannik

1730

1135

595

34.39

1

Van Zyl, Nisa

787

518

269

34.18

328

216

112

34.15

863

583

280

32.44

Franken, Philip

BOL

22,097

22,097

44,194

2

Fourie, Jean

De Bruyn, Phillip

GN

15,625

22,097

37,722

3

Bruyn, Anro

De Clippel, Maxime

BOL

22,097

8,667

30,764

4

Van Der Merwe, Francois

1559

1058

501

32.14

1872

1281

591

31.57

Gerber, Raubenheimer

GN

11,049

15,625

26,674

5

Van Der Wath, Christian

Van Schoor, Michiel

BOL

9,422

15,625

25,047

6

Engelbrecht, Sarlene

862

595

267

30.97

52

36

16

30.77

809

571

238

29.42

55

39

16

29.09

254

183

71

27.95

1140

834

306

26.84

Alberts, Ruben

GN

15,625

7,579

23,204

7

Rufyikiri, Anne-Sophie

Foss, Keegan

KZN

11,049

11,049

22,098

8

Malan, Stefanus

Richard, Chad

GN

10,417

11,049

21,466

Badenhorst, Jurgen

BOL

15,625

5,524

21,149

1

9

Van Der Merwe, Marc

10

Weir, Cameron Grant

Mpondi, Musawenkosi

KZN

9,882

9,422

19,304

11

Van Der Merwe, Freddie

Hattingh, Marnich

GN

9,021

9,882

18,903

12

Botshoma, Lame

138

101

37

26.81

945

693

252

26.67

Botha, Trent

WP

7,579

11,049

18,628

13

Roberts, Christine

Lategan, Louis

BOL

11,049

7,366

18,415

14

Luyt, Hanri

885

651

234

26.44

242

179

63

26.03

776

574

202

26.03

Kellerman, Francois

WP

8,667

9,021

17,688

15

Johnson, Sean

La Grange, Christiaan

GN

6,250

11,049

17,299

16

Wong Pin Young, Ryan

Maritz, Jan-Louis

BOL

6,819

10,417

17,236

17

Oberholster, Enmari

358

265

93

25.98

18

Carr, Gawie

975

725

250

25.64

19

Dugmore, Keren

426

317

109

25.59

20

Hinda, Vejakojao

1616

1204

412

25.50

Berry, Jan

FS

11,049

5,524

16,573

Van Antwerpen, Juan-Louis

GC

11,049

5,524

16,573

Walters, Dylan

GC

7,813

7,813

15,626

2 3

TENNISWORLD SA

101

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