EQUIP YOURSELF: FIVE CRUCIAL GEAR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ANDY MURRAY THE NEXT KING? HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE
SPRING ’09
U.S. $4.99 / CAN $4.99 DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 25, 2009
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PROS IN LOVEE SERENA’S A S SCHOOLL IN AFRICAA 10 DEGREES OFF KEI NISHIKORII 1/29/09 1:43 PM
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Tennis runs in our blood
VOLUME FOUR NO.1 DINARA SAFINA HITS A FLYING BACKHAND TO ALIZE CORNET AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN.
FEATURES 16
AUTHORITY FIGURE: Andy Murray prepares to take the next step on tour. by Stephen Tignor
20
HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS SURVIVAL GUIDE: Get what you want from playing on your team. by Joel Drucker
24
KNOW YOUR STUFF: Five key gear questions answered. by Jon Levey
DEPARTMENTS 02 08 10 31 32 EDITOR’S BABBLE PHOTO OPS
GAME ON
IN THE ZONE FINAL CALL
LUCAS DAWSON/GETTY
EQUIP YOURSELF: FIVE CRUCIAL GEAR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ANDY MURRAY THE NEXT KING? HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE
SPRING ’09
U.S. $4.99 / CAN $4.99 DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 25, 2009
0109_COVER_rel.indd 1
ON THE COVER PROS IN LOVEE SERENA’S A S SCHOOLL IN AFRICAA 10 DEGREES OFF KEI NISHIKORII
Andy Murray, Great Britain’s great hope, has moved into the Top 4. How much higher can the Scot go? According to some experts, all the way. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty
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EDITORIAL Editor James Martin Executive Editor Stephen Tignor Design Director Gary Stewart Managing Editor Sarah Unke Photo Editor David Rosenberg Associate Editor Sarah Thurmond Designer Jason Sfetko Editorial Director Norb Garrett Contributing Editors Jon Levey, Tom Perrotta Gear Advisers Dave Bone, Bruce Levine, Dr. David G. Sharnoff, D.P.M. Instruction Editors Ajay Pant, Anne Hobbs Contributing Writers Joel Drucker, Colette Lewis, Tom Tebbutt SALES/MARKETING Publisher Jeff Williams ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES: New York Oren Carton (senior account manager), (212) 636-2733, ocarton@tennismagazine.com; Buz Keenan (business development), (212) 636-2724, bkeenan@tennismagazine.com; Jodi Neuhauser (sales and marketplace manager), (212) 636-2751, jneuhauser@tennismagazine.com; fax: (212) 636-2720 79 Madison Ave., Eighth Floor New York, NY 10016 Detroit Mike Peters, mikepeters@fueldetroit.com; James McNulty, jamesmcnulty@fueldetroit.com; Erica Bigley (account manager), ericabigley@fueldetroit.com; Jill Randall (business manager), jillrandall@fueldetroit.com; (248) 649-3835, fax: (248) 649-5638 Fuel Detroit, 2150 Butterfield Ave., Suite 230, Troy, MI 48084
Surviving High School In the individualistic gam e of tennis, one thing som e players miss out on is But it doesn’t have to be being part of a team. that way. Even if you’re a competitive junior tryi ranking, you can still find ng to raise your USTA ways to make tennis a tea m sport. And I don’t mea talking high school ten n just doubles—I’m nis. It’s OK if you have som e reservations: How can I work on my game at tea get along with my coach? m practice? What if I don Will the competition be ’t good enough? But there’s By playing high school something you can’t forg tennis, you’ll learn to wor et: k with others, and, oh Teammates can make yea h, you’ll have a blast. the whole experience of running your butt off in matches more fun. I in practice and compet remember some great ing hard bus rides and team dinn In fact, playing on you ers from my high school r team can make the sch days. ool day more bearable. It’s som to as you wait for the bell ething to look forward to ring. Check out our guide to playing in high school starting on Pag e 20. For a look at someone who used to have trou ble playing well with oth Murray starting on Pag ers, we have a feature e 16. Britain’s former reb on Andy el dropped his attitude We examine his prospe and broke through last cts for climbing even high year. er. We also answer all you r burning gear questio ns with an equipment volley, and report on—mov Q&A, give you tips on whe e over Oprah!—Serena re to Williams’ new school in Africa. Enjoy the issue.
Canada Josef Beranek (account executive), jmberanek@sympatico.ca, (450) 538-2468, fax: (450) 538-5468 JMB Media International, 180 Mudgett Road, Sutton, Quebec J0E 2K0
ILLUSTRATION BY BENJAMIN MARRA
Sarah Unk ke Managing Editor
Los Angeles Cliff Allman (West Coast sales director), (310) 779-5616, callman@allmanmarvil.com; Dallas Marvil (West Coast sales director), (310) 994-2536, dmarvil@allmanmarvil.com; Melissa Collins (account director), (310) 339-5899, mcollins@allmanmarvil.com; fax: (310) 893-6487 1918 Main St., Third Floor Santa Monica, CA 90405
Marketing Director Lisa Buco Creative Director, Marketing Ann Eitzen Sales and Marketing Coordinator Tim Littlefield Advertising Records Coordinator Monica Brandon
OPERATIONS Circulation Manager Matt Bramble Circulation Assistant Richard Duncan Production Director Ray Smith Prepress Manager Kent Armstrong TENNIS MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief James Martin Executive Editor Stephen Tignor Design Director Gary Stewart Managing Editor Sarah Unke Senior Editors Peter Bodo, Jon Levey, Tom Perrotta Associate Editor Sarah Thurmond Photo Editor David Rosenberg Designer Jason Sfetko TENNIS.com General Manager Dominic Schmitt Managing Editor Abigail Lorge Coordinating Producer Betsy Sanner Technical Director Chris Galatioto Assistant Editor Ed McGrogan Product Manager Sabrina Abhyankar Sales Deepak Sharma (director of digital sales), deepak@tennis.com, (212) 636-2784 PARTNER George Mackin PUBLISHER Chris Evert GROUP PUBLISHER Jeff Williams, (212) 636-2758 MILLER PUBLISHING GROUP LLC President and CEO Robert L. Miller Editorial Director Norb Garrett Technology & Production Director Andy Nelson Chief Financial Officer Mike Sultan Corporate Controller Susanne McNeil EDITORIAL & NATIONAL SALES & MARKETING OFFICE (212) 636-2700, fax: (212) 636-2720 79 Madison Ave., Eighth Floor New York, NY 10016 SUBSCRIPTIONS & CHANGE OF ADDRESS (888) 393-6246 P.O. Box 5693 Harlan, IA 51593-1193 CUSTOMER CARE TENNIS.com/customercare Publications Agreement #40612608 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Bleuchip International P.O. Box 25542 London, Ontario N6C 6B2
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A DV E RT IS E MENT
2009 GUIDE TO
camps &clinics MIDWEST | NORTHEAST | SOUTH | WEST
WHETHER YOU ARE A JUNIOR with aspirations to be the next college tennis sensation, or a weekend tennis warrior at the local club, your quest to improve your game is never-ending. That’s why you read SMASH Magazine and why we have compiled the following list of 40+ tennis camps for Summer 2009.
NIKE TENNIS CAMPS — MIDWEST 800-645-3226 www.USSportsCamps.com
Illinois University of Illinois Northwestern University Grant Park
Indiana Indiana University
Kansas
MIDWEST ADIDAS TENNIS CAMPS — MIDWEST 800-944-7112 www.TennisCamper.com
Ohio Wittenberg University - Springfield
Michigan Albion College - Albion
Kentucky Kentucky Country Day School - Louisville
Wisconsin University of Wisconsin - Madison
Minnesota St. Olaf College - Northfield
Iowa Coe College - Cedar Rapids
Missouri Dwight David Tennis Center - St. Louis
Kansas Southwestern College – Winfield
ALL-AMERICAN TENNIS CAMP Juniors Wooster, Columbus, Oxford and Cleveland, OH Various Locations Nationally 614-886-3558 www.sportcamp101.com “Voted top sports camp in the state of Ohio.” For 20+ years the camp has offered top-flight, cutting-edge instruction for boys & girls ages 8-18. Tailored instructional programs for each level of player. Individual attention assured.
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Coach Steve Wilkinson’s 33nd Annual TENNIS AND LIFE CAMPS
University of Kansas
Juniors/Adults St. Peter, MN | 507-931-1614 www.gustavus.edu/tlc 12 hours of daily tennis instruction emphasizing technique, strategy, mental training, positive reinforcement, fun & sportsmanship. 4:1 ratio, 30 courts (24 outdoor & 6 indoor), 15 ball machines. Top 10 Junior Camp, Top 25 Adult Camp.
Michigan State University
HERRMANN TENNIS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP at Western Michigan University
Oklahoma
Juniors Kalamazoo, MI and Northbrook, IL 847-498-5333 www.HerrmannTennisAcademy.com Exceeding the needs of the competitive junior player! 4:1 ratio, over 32 hours of tennis weekly. Superior coaching. State of the art facilities at Western Michigan University, home of the Boy’s 16’s & 18’s National Championship.
Wayland Academy
RAMEY TENNIS & EQUESTRIAN SCHOOLS Juniors/Adults Rockport, IN 270-570-3054 www.rameycamps.com Rated in top 25 in world by TENNIS Magazine in 2008. Hardcore camps with professional instruction. 4:1 staff/camper ratio. Year-round programs offered with indoor courts, ball machines and video.
Michigan Minnesota University of Minnesota
Missouri University of Missouri
Ohio Ohio University Nike-Firebird Tennis Camp Denison University University of Oklahoma
Wisconsin
ROD SCHROEDER NATIONAL TENNIS CAMP Juniors Kenosha, WI 847-681-8113 www.rodschroedertenniscamp.com #1 Junior Tennis Camp in the Midwest. Owner operated. It makes a BIG difference! We offer programs for all abilities. 4:1 student to teacher ratio.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN SAINT LOUIS TENNIS CAMP — sponsored by FILA Juniors St. Louis, MO 314-935-6801 bearsports.wustl.edu/camps/camps.html The Washington University Tennis Camp sponsored by FILA will provide a structured tennis-learning environment around fun drills & competition reinforcing the important aspects of tennis.
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YELLOW BALL TENNIS CAMPS
COLLEGE TENNIS EXPOSURE CAMP
Juniors/Adults Oberlin, OH and various OH locations 216-316-9501 www.yellowballtennis.com Junior and Adult tennis camps. Intense tennis – Safe environment – Serious fun™ Check out our online tennis pro shop! Sponsored by Wilson®. www.yellowballtennis.com
Juniors Providence, RI; Bethlehem, PA; Tampa, FL 813-684-9031 www.collegetennis.com PLAY COLLEGE TENNIS! 21st Annual College Tennis Exposure Camp. The nation’s only summer camp taught exclusively by head college coaches. For competitive players ages 15-18. 25 hours of on-court, collegiate style drills and matchplay competition. University of South Florida: June 14-19, 2009. Brown University: July 6-11, 2009. Lehigh University: July 19-24, 2009, July 26-31, 2009; August 2-7, 2009.
NORTHEAST ADIDAS TENNIS CAMPS — NORTHEAST 800-944-7112 www.TennisCamper.com
Maine Bowdoin College – Brunswick
Massachussetts University of Massachussetts – Amherst Babson College
Connecticut University of Connecticut – Storrs Cheshire Academy Choate Rosemary Hall – Wallingford
New York
FUTURE STARS TENNIS DAY & OVERNIGHT CAMPS Juniors Armonk, Purchase – Westchester, Old Westbury – Nassau, and Hamptons, NY 914-273-8500 www.fscamps.com For 30 years, thousands of campers have enhanced their skills, tucked away lifelong memories and made lasting friendships. Full day and overnight programs with swimming and transportation. 4:1 ratio. International Staff.
DELAWARE VALLEY TENNIS ACADEMY
Pennsylvania
Juniors Bryn Mawr, PA 610-527-2387 www.dvta.com DVTA Overnight & Day Camp June 15 - Sept 4, 2009, A/C dorms at Villanova University
Gettysburg College Shady Side Academy – Pittsburgh
FROG HOLLOW RACQUET CLUB
Stony Brook University – Stony Brook
New Jersey Ramapo College – Mahwah The Hun School – Princeton
CAMP BRIDGES FAMILY RESORT AND TENNIS CLUB Juniors Warren, VT 802-583-2922 www.bridgesresort.com/family_tennis.html Our multi-recreational day camp is geared towards children ages 4-7. Tennis, swimming, land sports, hiking, and arts & crafts highlight the program. Held Monday through Friday, half and full-day options. Meets weekdays 9am - 3pm (half day options 9 - 12 am or 12 - 3 pm).
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Juniors Lansdale, PA 610-584-5502 www.FrogTennis.com Outstanding full day or half day tennis camp for ages 8-18. Option to participate in other activities. Tailored instruction for each level. Fun for all!
KINYON/JONES TENNIS CAMP Juniors/Adults Hanover, NH and Quechee, VT 800-484-5039 ext. 2267 www.kjtctennis.com Directed by Chuck Kinyon, Dave Jones, and Bob Dallis, Dartmouth College Coaching Staff. One of Tennis Magazine’s 10 Best Junior Camps 2004. Over 20 years of camping experience. June-August. Rates on request.
NEW ENGLAND TENNIS HOLIDAYS Adults North Conway, NH; Essex, VT; Vero Beach, FL 800-869-0949 www.newenglandtennisholidays.com Rated #1 Tennis Camp by tennisresortsonline.com 6 years running and top 25 by TENNIS Magazine. 2, 3, 5 and 7 day packages. 4:1 ratio. Our 22nd year.
NIKE TENNIS CAMPS — NORTHEAST 800-645-3226 www.USSportsCamps.com
Connecticut Sacred Heart University
Maryland Salisbury University
Massachusetts Amherst College Williams College Curry College – Offense-Defense Mount Holyoke College M.I.T.
New Jersey The Peddie School The Lawrenceville School Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club
Pennsylvania Franklin & Marshall College
Virginia The College of William & Mary University of Virginia Wintergreen Resort
Washington, DC Georgetown University
Peter Kaplan’s WESTHAMPTON BEACH (NY) Juniors/Adults Westhampton Beach, NY 631-288-4021 www.westhamptontennis.com Ocean Beaches & Historic Inn: “World’s Best Camp” Tennis Channel & Tennis Resorts Online “L.I.’s Best” – Dan’s Papers “Best Place” – LI Alive “Northeast Spectacular Tennis Getaway” – Courttime Magazine “NYS Top Vacation Program” Half/full 1-7 day programs. Flexible scheduling. 3:1 ratio. Fr $99/day including accom. Fr $45/day for day campers. Day & Overnight programs. USTA Member Benefits for adults & juniors.
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2009 GUIDE TO
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SWARTHMORE TENNIS CAMP Juniors/Adults Swarthmore, PA 800-457-1100 / 212-879-0225 www.swarthmoretenniscamp.com 28 years of exceptional instruction on the beautiful campus of Swarthmore College. Day & overnight camps for all ability levels; 4:1 ratio. Juniors (co-ed): 9-18. Adults: 3-day, 5-day & weekend sessions.
THE TENNIS ACADEMY AT HARVARD Juniors/Adults Boston, MA 617-678-0142 www.thetennisacademy.com Great summer tennis instruction in Boston! Owned and operated by Harvard’s varsity men’s and women’s tennis coaches. Join us for the time of your life!
WINDRIDGE TENNIS & SPORTS CAMPS Juniors Burlington, Roxbury, and Craftsbury Common, VT 802-860-2005 | www.windridgecamps.com Windridge Tennis Camps stand unique among camps. We incorporate a highly specialized tennis program within the traditional framework of a rural New England camp setting.
WOODSTOCK LEGENDS FANTASY CAMP
EXTREME TENNIS ACADEMY
Adults Woodstock, VT 802-475-1100 | www.woodstockinn.com 3-day Legends Fantasy Camps with Tom Gullickson or Johan Kriek.
Juniors Hollywood and South Florida, FL 954-478-3941 www.extremetennisacademy.com World class tennis training. Boarding & nonboarding. Ages 10-18. All levels. National & International players. Personalized attention. Certified coaches. Weekly from June 1st to August 28th.
SOUTH ADIDAS TENNIS CAMPS — SOUTH 800-944-7112 www.TennisCamper.com
Maryland University of MarylandBaltimore County – Baltimore
Virginia Washington and Lee University – Lexington University of Mary Washington – Fredericksburg
Georgia Georgia Tech – Atlanta
Tennessee Cumberland University – Lebanon
Arkansas University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
COLLEGE TENNIS EXPOSURE CAMP Juniors Providence, RI; Bethlehem, PA; Tampa, FL 813-684-9031 www.collegetennis.com PLAY COLLEGE TENNIS! 21st Annual College Tennis Exposure Camp. The nation’s only summer camp taught exclusively by head college coaches. For competitive players ages 15-18. 25 hours of on-court, collegiate style drills and matchplay competition. University of South Florida: June 14-19, 2009. Brown University: July 6-11, 2009. Lehigh University: July 19-24, 2009, July 26-31, 2009; August 2-7, 2009..
EVERT TENNIS ACADEMY Juniors Boca Raton, FL 561-488-2001 www.evertacademy.com Quality tennis instruction, 4:1 student to teacher ratio. Boarding & non-boarding for juniors. On & off-campus activities organized daily for boarders. Programs for all abilities.
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4 STAR CAMPS Juniors Charlottesville, VA 800-334-7827 www.4starcamps.com Outstanding instructional programs for ages 10-17 of all ability levels at the University of Virginia. Learn in a small group environment with private lessons included.
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY TENNIS CAMPS and SEMINOLE HIGH PERFORMANCE TENNIS Juniors/Adults Tallahassee, FL 850-644-1739 www.seminoletenniscamps.com Overnight & Day Camps available. High Performance & Traditional Camps. 12 Court facility. 5:1 student/coach ratio. Dartfish Video Analysis. Fitness. Sports Psychology.
IMG ACADEMIES / NICK BOLLETTIERI TENNIS ACADEMY Juniors/Adults Bradenton, FL 941-752-2600 www.imgacademies.com The Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy features programs for all ages and ability levels throughout the entire year. Train with the best coaches in the industry!
INTERNATIONAL TENNIS ACADEMY USA Juniors Delray Beach, FL 561-279-7788 www.itausa.com ITAUSA has provided individualized tennis & fitness, challenging competitors from around the world & supervised fun off-court activities for 12 years. Come make it 13 with us!
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camps &clinics
MIDWEST | NORTHEAST | SOUTH | WEST
JOHN NEWCOMBE TENNIS CAMP
PP & D TENNIS CAMP
TIGER TENNIS CAMP
Juniors/Adults New Braunfels, TX 830-625-9105 www.newktennis.com Over 35 years of experience, Newks offers programs for the entire family. Training for all ages & abilities from beginners to national champions.
Juniors Williamsburg, VA 757-221-7375 www.ppanddtenniscamp.com PP & D is designed for campers to realize their mental and physical potential through our developmental approach. We encourage “complete thinkers” as opposed to hitters.
KIAWAH ISLAND MINI-CAMPS/CLINICS
RAMEY TENNIS & EQUESTRIAN SCHOOLS
Juniors/Adults Sewanee, TN 931-598-1485 http://tenniscamps.sewanee.edu Two camps that offer instruction for all levels & player development for colletgiate player preparation. Mountain lakes, fun activities, 4:1 ratio for drills & supervised match play included. Adult Camps: May 22-24 & May 29-31. Juniors/Tournament Player: June 7-12, June 14-19, June 21-26, June 28-July 3
Juniors/Adults Charleston, SC 843-768-2838 www.kiawahresort.com The #1 RANKED FAMILY TENNIS RESORT in the U.S. Nationally known programs including daily clinics, drills & three day mini-camps for adults & juniors.
Juniors/Adults Owensboro, KY 270-570-3054 www.rameycamps.com Rated in top 25 in world by TENNIS Magazine in 2008. Hardcore camps with professional instruction. 4:1 staff/camper ratio. Year-round programs offered with indoor courts, ball machines & video.
LITCHFIELD TENNIS SCHOOL Adults Pawleys Island, SC 800-582-0048 www.litchfieldbeach.com Improve your tennis skills at the beach! Video tape analysis, strategy, tactics, stroke production, and more. 3 & 4 day schools available. $185-225 (school only). 6:1 ratio.
RICK MACCI TENNIS ACADEMY Juniors Deerfield Beach, FL 561-445-2747 www.rickmacci.com Voted #1 Jr. Tennis Camp in the U.S. under the direction of 2005 USPTA Pro of the Year in North America, Rick Macci. All ages, all levels.
SADDLEBROOK TENNIS NIKE TENNIS CAMPS — SOUTH
Florida
Adult/Juniors Tampa, FL 800-729-8383 x4200 www.saddlebrooktennis.com Adult and Junior camps offered year-round. Beautiful resort with 45 courts. First-class instruction. Home to American Tennis Superstars: James Blake, John Isner, Mardy Fish and Bob and Mike Bryan!
Rollins College University of West Florida
SEAHAWK TENNIS CAMP
800-645-3226 www.USSportsCamps.com
Alabama University of Alabama Samford University
Georgia Emory University University of Georgia
Louisiana Tulane University
North Carolina Wake Forest University Duke University
South Carolina Furman University Charleston Tennis Camp
Juniors Wilmington, NC 910-619-9343 www.seahawktenniscamp.com Day and Overnight Junior Tennis Camp offered at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Varsity Tennis Facility. Ages 6 - 18 years of age. Ability levels range from beginners to elite tournament players. Directed by Head Men’s Tennis Coach Mait DuBois. Located less than 10 minutes from Wrightsville Beach.
2009 TEXAS A&M TENNIS CAMP Juniors College Station, TX 979-862-2533 http://sports-admin.tamu.edu/nonsports/ CAMP/tennis Nationally recognized directors, unmatched credentials. 6:1 ratio, 6 hours of tennis daily, tournament & match play. Activities create fun, friends & lifelong memories. Experienced High School & College coaches, top collegiate players. $5 million tennis facility.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LONGHORNS TENNIS CAMP Juniors/Adults Austin, TX 512-471-4404 longhornstenniscamp.com Have fun and improve your game! Learn the Texas System that has produced AllAmericans, Professional Players, & 2 National Championship Teams. Junior Sessions June 1-July 16, Adult Camp June 27-28.
WINTERGREEN RESORT TENNIS ACADEMY Juniors/Adults Wintergreen, VA 434-325-8235 www.wintergreenresort.com World ranked Camp and Resort. Year-Round Academies. Daily Programs for All. Indoor and Outdoor Courts. Video/Sports Psychology. Spa/Fitness Center. Cool Mountain Temperatures.
Tennessee Middle Tennessee State University
Puerto Rico Gigi Fernandez-Nike Tennis Camp
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A DV E RT IS E M E NT
2009 GUIDE TO
camps &clinics MIDWEST || NORTHEAST NORTHEAST || SOUTH SOUTH || WEST WEST MIDWEST
WEST ADIDAS TENNIS CAMPS — WEST 800-944-7112 www.TennisCamper.com
California Sonoma State University – Rohnert Park University of Redlands University of California Davis Westmont College – Santa Barbara Menlo College – Atherton
Colorado Please check website
Hawaii Hilton Waikola Village – Big Island
MALIBU SUMMER TENNIS CAMP @ Pepperdine University Juniors/Adults Malibu, CA 310-774-0231 or 877-759-0939 www.MalibuSummerTennisCamp.com Great Location, Great Coaches, Great Experience! Spend a Week in Beautiful Malibu with NCAA Coach-of-the-Year Adam Steinberg while Improving Your Game and Meeting New Friends!
NIKE TENNIS CAMPS — WEST 800-645-3226 www.USSportsCamps.com
Arizona ADVANTAGE TENNIS ACADEMY
University of Arizona
Juniors Irvine, CA 949-551-6044 www.advantagetennisacademy.com Advantage Tennis Academy: year-round, fulltime boarding & non-boarding program for high level juniors. Hi-tech, three-tiered training system to maximize technical, physical/ mental development. Coastal locale & sunny skies. Popular destination for junior tennis training. Tournament travel team. #1 College placement to the most desirable schools in U.S. make ATA unbeatable!
California
BRADY TENNIS CAMPS Juniors/Adults Santa Barbara, CA 310-798-0333 www.bradycamps.com Weekend & week-long camps in beautiful CALIFORNIA locations: UC Santa Barbara, Palm Desert, Los Angeles, San Diego. All levels. Top-rate instruction. Affordable. Video analysis. See our 2009 schedule!
CARMEL VALLEY TENNIS CAMP Juniors Carmel Valley, CA 831-659-2615 www.carmelvalleytenniscamp.com TENNIS Magazine’s Top 5 Junior Tennis Camps (May 2006). 5:1 ratio, excellent instruction; numerous off-court activities, 38-acre wooded site built as a camp.
Stanford University Lake Tahoe UC, Santa Cruz Santa Clara University Pebble Beach UC, Santa Barbara UC, San Diego Claremont-McKenna College La Jolla Country Day Bakersfield Racquet Club Irvine Valley College
Colorado University of Northern Colorado Fountain Valley School Millennium Harvest House
Idaho Sun Valley Resort
Montana Montana State University
TENNIS CAMPS AT THE BROADMOOR Juniors/Adults Colorado Springs, CO 800-634-7711 ext. 5847 www.broadmoor.com Award-winning camps in a five-star setting! Learn from Dennis Ralston and America’s #1 rated teaching staff at this grand hotel at the foot of the Rockies. 4:1 ratio for adults and juniors. All new courts!
TRABERT TENNIS CAMP Juniors Pebble Beach, CA 801-581-0187 www.traberttennis.com The Trabert Tennis Camp tradition continues in picturesque Pebble Beach, CA. Two week sessions, Stevenson School (17 mile drive). 4:1 ratio, boarding/day campers. June 14-26 & June 28-July 10, 2009.
UCLA BRUIN TENNIS CAMP Juniors Los Angeles, CA 310-206-6375 or 310-206-3550 www.uclasportscamps.com Join UCLA Coach Billy Martin on the campus of UCLA for tennis & fun. All ability levels for ages 7-17 welcome. Resident & Day campers.
THE VIC BRADEN TENNIS COLLEGE Juniors/Adults St. George, UT 800-237-1068 www.vicbradentennis.com #5 Tennis Camp in the world – www.tennisresortsonline.com. Indoor & Outdoor courts, year around programs, Dartfish front & side view video analysis, research driven sports science. 1.5 hour drive from Las Vegas. Compare your swing to the pros.
Oregon Oregon State University
Texas University of North Texas
Utah Utah State University
Washington Gonzaga University Sammamish Club Seattle University
WAILEA TENNIS FANTASY CAMP Adults Maui, HI 808-879-1958 www.waileatennis.com The 2008 event featured Tom Gullikson, Lindsay Davenport, Corina Morariu and Robby Ginepri for five nights at The Four Seasons Resort, four days of instruction, play and social activities. Returning in Nov. 2009.
WEIL TENNIS ACADEMY Juniors Ojai, CA | 805-640-3413 www.weiltennis.com Voted TOP 5 Best Summer Junior Camp – TENNIS Magazine. World-Class, High Performance Training. International Coaching Staff with a 5:1 ratio. Southern California Tournament Travel.
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10 DEGREES OF KEI NISHIKORI AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA BY THE NUMBERS THE PRO TOUR LOVE REPORT SERENA’S NEW SCHOOL
ATP/GETTY
PAGE 10
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>>>> Tour guide: Rafael Nadal signed a three-year, $8 million deal to promote tourism for Spain’s Balearic Islands, including his home of Mallorca. /// Web winner: Maria Sharapova
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ATP/GETTY
RAFAEL NADAL SERVES TO ROGER FEDERER ON THE DECK OF A DHOW, A TRADITIONAL ARABIAN SAILING SHIP, IN DOHA BAY BEFORE THE QATAR OPEN IN JANUARY.
was Yahoo!’s most-searched athlete in 2008. /// $50,000: Amount that former Andre Agassi agent Perry Rogers claims Agassi’s wife, Steffi Graf, owes him in managerial fees. SMASH / 11
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10 DEGREES Proof that the world revolves around Kei Nishikori.
by Sarah Thurmond
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In October 2008, Kei Nishikori is cheered on at the AIG Open in Japan by rumored girlfriend, Japanese table tennis player and Olympic flag-bearer Ai Fukuhara.
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Ai Fukuhara and Chinese action film star Jackie Chan open a photo exhibition celebrating 60 years of good relations between China and Japan in 2005.
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After success in Hong Kong, Jackie Chan tries to break through in Hollywood with a minor role as the “Subaru driver” in the 1981 Burt Reynolds roadrace flick, The Cannonball Run.
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Burt Reynolds holds court over rodeo champion Ty Murray and other macho guys in the Miller Lite “Man Law” commercials in 2006–’07.
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Brad Gilbert ships son Zach, who now plays for the Cal Bears, to the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in 2006 where he shares a room with . . . Kei Nishikori.
In his 2008 autobiography, Hitting Back, Andy Murray explains his reason for breaking up with former coach Brad Gilbert: “After a while I didn’t want to listen any more.”
At the 2008 U.S. Open, Will Ferrell congratulates Andy Murray for beating Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
On Judd Apatow’s TV series “Undeclared,” Will Ferrell plays a speed-addicted termpaper writer, marking the start of a “bromance” that will produce Anchorman and Talladega Nights.
After dating for 10 years, Ty Murray and musician Jewel tie the knot in a secret ceremony at a Bahamas resort in August 2008.
Jewel has a cameo and sings on the soundtrack of the 2007 mock biopic Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, written by Judd Apatow.
BY THE NUMBERS…
Other Top 10 players under 130 lbs
HER CAREER RECORD IN THE FIRST ROUND OF
$1,170,072
CAREER DOUBLES TITLE, WON WITH SISTER URSZULA (2007 ISTANBUL)
Prize money in 2008. She’s the first Polish woman player to crack $1 million in career earnings
CAREER GRAND SLAM QUARTERFINALS (2008 AUSTRALIAN OPEN, 2008 WIMBLEDON)
RANKING AT THE END OF 2006, FOR WHICH SHE WON THE WTA’S NEWRanking spots COMER OF she climbed THE YEAR between AWARD 2005 and
324
2006
HINGIS/STEPANEK: KEYSTONE/ALESSANDRO DELLA BELLA; IVANOVIC/VERDASCO: SOLARPIX/SPLASHNEWS; MELZER/CIBULKOVA: MANUELA DAVIES/DOUBLEXPOSURE; ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA
/// Four players made Forbes’ 2008 list of best-paid celebrities under 30: No. 5 Roger Federer ($35 million), No. 7 Maria Sharapova ($26 million), No. 11 Serena Williams ($14 12 / SMASH
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LOVE REPORT Dominika Cibulkova and Jurgen Melzer are just the latest in a long line of pro couples 1. Jimmy Connors ♥ Chris Evert Young and in love, Connors and Evert were engaged when they won the singles titles at Wimbledon in 1974. The fairy tale ended later that year when they split before the wedding, which was planned for November. 2. Steffi Graf ♥ Andre Agassi Agassi and Graf met at Wimbledon in 1992, when they won the singles titles, but sparks didn’t fly between them until 1999. They got married in October 2001 and have two children.
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2 3. Kim Clijsters ♥ Lleyton Hewitt Tennis’ former “It” couple met at the Australian Open in 2000 when Clijsters got Hewitt’s autograph for her sister. Four years later they were headed for the altar when they abruptly ended the relationship. 4. Roger Federer ♥ Mirka Vavrinec Federer and his girlfriend met while both were representing Switzerland in the 2000 Olympics. Vavrinec, once a Top 100 pro, now works as Federer’s most ardent supporter. Federer told Men’s Vogue in 2007: “As long as I wake up in the morning and she is next to me, that’s all that matters.”
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5. Radek Stepanek ♥ Martina Hingis Before dating current squeeze Nicole Vaidisova, Stepanek proposed to Hingis in November 2006. The next year, without explanation, the couple announced they had called things off. Here’s hoping his engagement to Vaidisova has a happier ending.
MELZER/CIBULKOVA: MANUELA DAVIES/DOUBLEXPOSURE; ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY
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6. Tomas Berdych ♥ Lucie Safarova Berdych and Safarova were practice partners as kids at a club in Prostejov, Czech Republic, and have been partners off court for six years. While they haven’t lived up to their potential as pros, we think they’re the couple most likely to succeed off the court. 7. Fernando Verdasco ♥ Ana Ivanovic Verdasco and Ivanovic met at last year’s U.S. Open and were inseparable for the rest of 2008. They were seen together shopping and at a Real Madrid soccer match. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. They broke up earlier this year.
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8. Jurgen Melzer ♥ Dominika Cibulkova Cibulkova, last year’s breakout WTA star and Gael Monfils’ ex, is seeing the Austrian Melzer, who has dated Anastasia Myskina and Vaidisova. She’s still young at 20; he has a revolving-door policy on romance. Will they make it?—SARAH THURMOND
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million), and No. 12 Venus Williams ($13 million). /// Little Lleyton:
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OUR TAKE ON TENNIS AND THE WORLD AROUND IT–BUT DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
1. Pete Sampras is now playing with the Wilson [K] Pro Staff 88, which has a head that’s 3 square inches bigger than his old stick. We didn’t figure Pete was a “gameimprovement” kind of guy.
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2. Smartest move of the off-season: Andy Roddick hiring new coach Larry Stefanki.
3. Jimmy Connors, A-Rod’s old coach,
MISS EDUCATION
was recently arrested after getting into an altercation at a college basketball game. And they say you mellow with age.
Serena Williams builds a school in Africa
“Education is the only way out of poverty. That’s what my parents taught us,” Williams says. “So building this school is near and dear to me.”
4. The tours’ answer to the global recession: Increased prize money. Isn’t that the kind of thinking that got us into this economic mess in the first place?
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5. If Nick Bollettieri, who just celebrated the 30th anniversary of his academy, doesn’t make it into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, he’s a shoo-in for the International Tanners Hall of Fame.
6. It’s only fitting that the game’s drama 3
queen, Jelena Jankovic, now stars in her own documentary. Check out the trailer for Jelena’s World on YouTube.
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7. The USTA opened a new indoor facility at the National Tennis Center . . . brought to you by all that overpriced merch at the U.S. Open. 8. Doh! Ernests Gulbis booked himself for two tournaments the week before the Aussie Open. If you want to send Gulbis a birthday gift, may we suggest a PDA.
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9. It’s no Harry Potter, but J.K. Rowling’s latest novel, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, is a decent read to take your mind off the stresses of junior tennis.
10. Giving new meaning to “Tennis Parent,” Bernard Tomic’s dad, John, ordered his son off the court in the middle of a Futures match in December. And you think your dad embarrasses you in public. 12
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11. One comeback we don’t need: Mark Philippoussis’ planned return to action.
12. John McEnroe says he’ll quit playing singles on the BlackRock Masters Tour. No announcement on whether he’ll also quit acting like a petulant adolescent.
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13. The WTA’s Power Index: Now you see it, now you don’t. 14. We have two words for new ATP CEO Adam Helfant when it comes to dealing with the top guys: Good luck.
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15. Marat Safin’s black eyes at Hopman Cup: No way to start a new year.
TOP LEFT: SIMON MAINA/AFP/GETTY; ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY
Matooni, Kenya, is the last place you’d expect a celebrity sighting. The village is in a remote part of Africa, about 90 miles southeast of the capital of Nairobi. It doesn’t have electricity, and its unpaved roads get washed away when it rains. But last November, a celebrity came to town. It was Serena Williams, who, like Oprah Winfrey, opened a school in Africa. “Education is the only way out of poverty—that’s what my parents taught us. So building this school is really near and dear to me,” Williams said at the opening ceremony of the Serena Williams Secondary School, which was attended by her mother and younger sister, the Kenyan minister of education, and an estimated 20,000 people from around the region. Williams, who flew to Africa a few days after finishing the 2008 season with a loss to her sister Venus in Doha, has been inspired to help African children since her first visit to the continent in 2006. Her “calling,” as she describes it, began in earnest last September, when she approached computer giant Hewlett-Packard. (You may recall Williams was featured in one of HP’s “Hands” commercials in 2007.) She found out the company had collaborated with Build African Schools, a nonprofit organization that works with African governments in providing impoverished regions with more educational facilities and technology. Matooni has an elementary and a primary school but was one of the last districts on the list for a governmentfunded secondary school when it was selected to receive Williams’ aid. The charity got to work and within three months erected a school for $72,000. Included in the cost were solar panels Williams purchased to provide power for equipment donated by HP. (Williams discovered the region had no electricity after the computers arrived and the students couldn’t use them.) Unlike Oprah’s all-girls academy, which opened in South Africa in 2007, Williams’ school will have girls and boys side by side learning math, history, geography, science and languages. Mark O’Sullivan, marketing operations manager for HP, says there was discussion about building a tennis court, “But the area is so poor, even to the point of some of the kids [being] malnourished, we wanted to take care of basic needs first. Once things get better, we’ll introduce tennis.” Despite winning nine Grand Slam singles titles, earning millions of dollars, and attaining international celebrity status, Williams said the school was the “best achievement” of her life. Oprah would be proud.—SARAH THURMOND
Hewitt and wife Bec Cartwright welcomed a son named Cruz in December. /// Paging Dr. Mirza: Sania Mirza received an honorary doctorate from MGR University in India. <<<< 14 / SMASH
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10 QUESTIONS WITH
ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK Aleksandra Wozniak wasn’t even in the WTA tour’s media guide to start the year, but 2008 was her breakthrough season. She rose from No. 130 to No. 34 in the rankings. The highlight was her victory, as a qualifier, at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Calif. It was the most prestigious title ever won by a Canadian woman.
Who’s your favorite nontennis athlete? I’m a big hockey fan, so probably Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens. He has a Polish background.
Is playing the Grand Slams as good as you expected? My dad would record all the Grand Slams when I was little and I’d get so excited to see what Monica Seles was wearing or what players were ranked. One of my dreams was to be able to play Grand Slams. Now that I’m [ranked] 37, it’s amazing. You speak five languages. What’s the hardest part
of changing from one to another? I’ll speak to my mom in Polish and then suddenly I think in French and I say a word in English. It gets all mixed up sometimes so I really have to control my thoughts. Do you set goals or just try to play the best you can? [I set] daily, short-terms goals as part of my long-term goals to help me get where I want to be. For 2009, I want to be in the Top 20.
What did it feel like to win a tournament like Stanford? I was so proud to prove to the other girls and countries that Canada is back on track. Have you had a “pinch me” moment in tennis? I think it was when I was 15 and a junior. I was playing at all the Grand Slams where the pros were. I was so amazed and it took me a while to realize I was as good as them.
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Has there ever been any confusion between you and your fellow player Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark? Often when we’re in the same hotel we get calls and faxes meant for the other one. And when we played at Wimbledon [last year], the umpire made a big effort to say “Wozniack-KEY” at the end of her name so there wouldn’t be any confusion. People get us mixed up, but let’s hope one day everyone will know one’s a Dane and one’s a Canadian.—TOM TEBBUTT
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Was your tennis-playing older sister, Dorota, a big influence on your life? Yes, she was and she still is. She was the junior college Rolex singles champion at Tyler Junior College in Texas twice and played college tennis at San Diego State. She was very talented but unfortunately [pro tennis] wasn’t her destiny.
What do you think is the difference between being a Canadian pro and an American pro? I think it’s proving that Canadians are still there. Carling Bassett-Seguso had so much success and Helen Kelesi and Patricia Hy-Boulais. Tennis kind of died for a moment, and I hope to bring back the excitement and success.
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What’s with the ks instead of an x in Aleksandra? My parents are from Poland, so they gave me the Polish spelling. I’m happy that it’s ks because it makes me unique.
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A M
AUTHORITY FIGURE AFTER FOUR YEARS ON TOUR, 21-YEAR-OLD ANDY MURRAY HAS LEFT HIS REBELLIOUS YOUTH BEHIND AND FOUND HIS BEST GAME. HOW FAR CAN IT TAKE HIM? BY STEPHEN TIGNOR
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PHOTOGRAPH BY CHINAFOTOPRESS/GETTY
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“I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF HE’S [NO. 1] THIS YEAR,” SAYS MURRAY’S EX-COACH, BRAD GILBERT.
Zambian whose parents are Scottish, to lead “Team Murray,” a five-man group of trainers, nutritionists and assistants. The initial reaction from some quarters was skeptical. London’s Daily Telegraph described Murray’s posse as “bigger than most American rappers’,” and former Wimbledon champion Michael Stich said, “As someone who still needs to develop both his game and as a person I think it might not be helpful for Andy to have a big entourage.” The doubts seemed to be justified when Team Murray got off to a slow start. He was upset in the first round at the 2008 Australian Open by finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and went out early at Indian Wells and Key Biscayne, two events where Gilbert had helped him reach the semifinals the previous year. The clay-court season was equally grim, as Murray failed to get past the round of 16 at Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Hamburg and Roland Garros. Spinning his wheels through the dirt of Europe brought out negative tendencies. Murray’s drop shot, which he had always overused, now threatened to swamp every other part of his game. Lacking a putaway ground stroke, he was reduced to using his dropper to finish points. It didn’t take five coaches to figure out that this wasn’t a sustainable strategy. Murray found himself by going home—or, more accurately, by embracing his tennis home. In the past, he had been ambivalent toward Wimbledon, the center of England’s tennis establishment. While the crowds there had cheered for him, it wasn’t with the same fervor they had shown for their favorite compatriot, the considerably less moody, and English-born Tim Henman. But over the course of last year’s fortnight, they watched the prodigal son grow up on their grass courts. Gone were the tantrums; now Murray bared his teeth in triumph rather than rage. Gone were the mood swings and failures of stamina. Gone were the defensive mind-set and the self-destructive abuse of the drop shot; in their place was a more assertive and straightforward attacking game, one built around a rapidly improving serve. Murray won four matches to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, topping off his run with a delirious comeback from two sets down to beat Richard Gasquet in the fourth round. While he was soundly thumped in the quarterfinals by Nadal, Murray had turned a corner. In a two-week period, he seemed to have recognized all the mental and tactical aspects of his game that had been holding him back and set about correcting them. Later that month, in Toronto, Murray recorded his first win over Djokovic after suffering three successive one-sided defeats. In Cincinnati a week later, Murray beat Djokovic again, for his first Masters title. The next month, Murray made the biggest leap of all, surviving the late-summer heat and frenzy of New York long enough to make the final of the U.S. Open. Along the way, he came back from two sets down to beat Jurgen Melzer and capped his tournament with a semifinal win over Nadal, his first in six tries. After beating Melzer, Murray pulled up his sleeve on his right arm and pointed to his biceps. It was a signal, he said, to his entourage that all the hard work they’d put in had been worth it. The doubts about them had been silenced. “The two things he needed to do over the last few years were get fitter and get a calmer head,” Gilbert says, “and he’s done both. The biggest thing is the fitness. That alone was worth about 10 ranking spots.” Even bigger may have been the confidence Murray took away from Flushing Meadows. He only got better through the fall, winning a Masters title in Madrid and recording two more wins over Federer, who complimented him on his improved serve. Murray was no longer fighting the power. He was wielding it as well. Gilbert believes this can only lead to one place: a reign at No. 1. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s there this year,” Gilbert says, citing Murray’s ability at the net as a difference-maker. “It’s all in the hands. Andy is an amazing volleyer for someone so young. You look at the other guys who were good volleyers at that age, you’re talking about Sampras, Edberg, Federer. Where did they end up? No. 1 for multiple years.” Murray began by taking control of his career. A year later he’s in control of his strategy, his serve, his temper. He always had the skills and the underlying tennis DNA to win Grand Slams. Now he’s given himself the authority to use them.
CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/GETTY
ennis, like most sports, is about what you do when you have authority over a ball. In games like football, baseball and basketball, the alternating of this authority is written into the rules—one team makes a basket, the other takes the ball out; one team scores a touchdown, the other receives the kickoff. This is true in tennis as well. While the court’s dimensions are the same on both sides, the playing field isn’t entirely level. One player, the server, is given the power to begin a point; the other player is forced to fight that power. At the highest levels of the men’s game, where the serve reigns supreme, power almost always gets its way. Andy Murray is not a natural holder of power. For much of his brief career, the Scot was the picture of rebellious youth, a scraggly, mumbling, slump-shouldered kid with authority issues. He threw curse-laden tantrums on court. He screamed at his coach. He had a rocky relationship with the Lawn Tennis Association, the sport’s ruling body in Great Britain and an organization he once said had “ruined” his older brother, Jamie, as a player. Murray, like many Scots, even had a rocky relationship with a certain part of the U.K. When asked what team he’d be rooting for in the 2006 World Cup, he responded dryly, “Anyone but England.” As for Wimbledon, the Holy Grail for all British tennis players, Murray said he preferred the U.S. Open. This contrarian streak manifested itself in his game. It hardly seemed a coincidence that Murray had what many observers called the best return of serve in tennis, but that he was notorious for failing to finish off sets on his own serve. Or that he hit many of his winners while on the run rather than set up in the middle of the court. Or that, instead of bludgeoning his opponents with his forehand the way his colleagues do, he snared them in a web of slices, drops, scrambling gets and stealthy forays to the net. Murray seemed to have a conflicted relationship even with winning—he made it as difficult for himself as possible. As his former coach, Brad Gilbert, has said, Murray’s opponents often can’t figure out what he’s doing to them, even as they look at the scoreboard and find themselves falling further behind.
What Andy Murray found out in 2008 was that rebellion doesn’t pay in tennis—you only end up sabotaging your own talent. Most young punks join the establishment when they grow up, but as the 2009 season began, Murray, no longer a boy at 21, was poised to go them one better: He was threatening to become a one-man ruling establishment of his own. His game was still a web of various spins and speeds, but his opponents were no longer surprised to find themselves snared in it. This included the sport’s power structure: Coming into the Australian Open in January, Murray had won six of his last eight matches against the three most recent Grand Slam winners, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. He was coming off a year in which he’d won his first two Masters Series titles and reached his first major final, at the U.S. Open. He had entrenched himself at No. 4 in the rankings. And to the ire and disbelief of Federer, he was the bookies’ pre-tournament co-favorite to win the title in Melbourne. (Federer was prescient: Fernando Verdasco upset Murray in the fourth round.) Murray was suddenly the hottest topic in the sport, the freshly shaven face of the game. What happened to the petulant adolescent we’d once known? Looking back, we can see that Murray’s transformation began on the day he took control of his career from the authorities he resented. At the end of 2007, he broke with Gilbert, the coach who had been hired for him by the LTA the previous year. Gilbert’s upbeat gregariousness and early-to-rise work ethic had given the dour Murray a jolt of self-belief, but the coach eventually began to grate on his pupil. More than that, Murray wanted to begin making his career decisions himself. Saying that he could now afford to “pay his own way,” rather than relying on the LTA, he was hiring “a team of experts, each to fulfill a specified role in the development of my tennis and fitness.” In doing so, Murray embraced an approach followed by Federer and Nadal, each of whom surround themselves with an entourage that, first and foremost, they like and trust. Murray brought in the lower-key Miles Maclagan, a native
1/27/09 9:52 AM
THE TWITTERING SCOT ant to know what Andy Murray is up to? Go to his website, andymurray.com. There you can find out where he is, what he’s doing, what he’s thinking. Almost everything about Murray is documented. Some players might find this invasive, but Murray likes it. Murray’s website, launched in 2006, was revamped last year by British web design agency Bluhalo. According to Vimal Patel, business development director and account manager of Murray’s site, the Murray PR team wanted a site that was more “fan-oriented.” The company suggested adding behind-the-scenes YouTube videos and the microblogging service Twitter, so Murray could “talk directly” to his fans. Much of the exclusive content comes from Rob Stewart, a former broadcast journalist for the BBC. He writes match reports and cheeky photo captions and monitors the message board. He also photographs and films Murray’s activities. The images of Murray—freezing in an ice bath, whiffing in a batting cage, eating lunch—are often funny, mundane, and unflattering. “We don’t want to be like other sites that put their players on pedestals,” Stewart says. “We want people to have an unspun view into his life.” The other component of the new site, Twitter, allows its users to send short text messages (140 characters or less) to individuals within their network through cellphones. It’s used by many pro athletes, including Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis, and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, to bridge the gap between them and their fans. Murray had heard of Twitter but had never tried it. He practiced for a couple weeks, sending “tweets” to his friends and family, before the new site went A Murray tweet: live with them in February “happy new year 2008. Murray says Twitter is “perfect” for him. “It’s from abu dhabi! so easy. If I’ve got a few 4 hrs ahead of u minutes over lunch or here. Just bn to at the airport, I’ll tap out shakira concert. what we’re up to, anything Amazing. Play funny that might have happened.” blake at 5pm Murray likes that he can 1pm uk time.” give fans a glimpse into his life as a pro. “When I was growing up, I always wanted to know what my favorite players did, and what they were really like,” he says. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that all the access is helping repair his image as a bad-tempered (or “stroppy,” as he would put it) kid. It’s certainly not hurting his game.—SARAH THURMOND
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WH ETH ER YOU’RE A HOTSHOT FRESH MA N OR JUST LOOKING TO TRY SOM ETH ING NEW, R WE’LL HELP YOU FIN D YOUOOL PLACE ON YOU R HIGH SCH TEA M. BY JOEL DRUCK ER ILLU STRATION BY BENJAMIN
MAR RA
types. A team Tennis players tend to be self-reliant me from the typical ballga ent differ whole a is e atmospher s matches. single and ns lesso e privat tennis format of best of both worlds: High school tennis can give you the an opportunit y to the chance to improve your game and l and collaborative socia more that’s g settin a in ete comp the often-isolating (not to mention more affordable) than world of junior tournaments. going to do “A team is a microcosm of what you’re ” says Neil trust, ng buildi s, other with ng worki in life, coach at Piedmont Rothenberg, boys’ and girls’ varsit y isco. “But you also High School, just outside of San Franc matches.” Here have to rely on your own ability to win goals with those of are four tips to help you balance your your team. >>
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1. LET YOUR COACH HELP YOU When it comes to your game, the most critical relationship of your high school tennis experience is with your coach. While he or she should know what it takes to win matches, the best coaches also recognize that results take a back seat to your growth as a player and a person. Collaboration is a priority. For his part, Rothenberg creates a customized note card for each player that summarizes aspects of his or her game, including strengths, pointer s for keeping calm under pressure, and areas of improvement. From the start of the season, a good coach will stress the team aspect— attendance at practice, sportsmanship, cheering on teammates during matches. “Everybody helps everybody,” says Steve Contardi, a high school tennis coach for more than 40 years, most recently at Kings High School near Cincinnati. If you’re taking private lessons, Contardi, a USPTA Master Pro, recommends that you have your coach contact your personal instructor to find out what’s being emphasized in your lessons and how you’re progressing. But he also points out that “the pro seldom sees his students actually compete, so the coach might learn more about you [that] way. That, in turn, can be shared with the instructor.” Taking lessons from both
sad reality What If Your Coach Is an Idiot ? It’s afamilia r with the sport. that there
very are many high school tennis coaches who aren’t departments at school. In They might come from other sports, or even other useful, such as a football coach be can ctive perspe outside their cases, some also be a disaster, with the instilling a greater sense of team spirit. But it can ent. equipm to tactics from coach unaware of everything n, you have a choice to If you find yourself in this less-than-ideal situatio playing on the team and devote make. The most obvious option is to abandon s and lessons. matche e practic ments, tourna to s your tennis energie with your teammates A more rewarding approach might be to join forces Practice hard with your and make any suggestions you have to the coach. all, it’s you doing the work, team and bring all you can to competition. “After boys’ and girls’ coach at berg, Rothen Neil says s,” you playing the matche co. “Figure out a way to let Francis San of Piedmont High School, just outside if the coach gets in the way, you and your friends enjoy it. It’s not always easy but it’s worth trying to make a bad situation better.”
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personal and high school coaches can be a balancing act. “It was a tough situation,” says Matt Allare, an Ohio State Univer sity player and former member of Contardi’s team who grew up hitting with his parents. “My parents would say one thing and sometimes Steve would say something else. I’d try both out and see what worked best. But for the most part, Steve and my parents agreed when it came to tennis, so it worked out.”
2. MAKE THE MOST OUT OF PRACTICE One of the challenges of high school tennis is that there are finite resources for a team. There’s often not enough court space, and practice is crammed into a short time period after school, but you have to make do. Over the course of the season, coaches often plan practices with a mix of skillbuilding, play and competition. “What you should expect is an environment that’s separate from overbearing parents or [private] coaches,” says Rothenberg, who begins practice with a 20-minute ritual: run, stretch, mini-tennis, ground strokes, volleys and serves. As he makes the rounds, he checks out footwork and stroke mechanics. The early part of a practice is a good time to talk to your coach. You might ask him to focus on a stroke that let you down in a recent match, or see if it’s possible to do some strength training. You might not get to address any of those topics in that day’s practice, but your coach can file away that information for future sessions. With limited practice time, you have to make every minute count. “Believe it or not,” Contardi says, “in a 90-minute practice sometimes the biggest distraction is dealing with tennis balls.” His solution: Instead of wasting time slowly picking up balls, he asks his students to sprint to them. It improves fitness and ensures that you hit as many balls as possible. And while this may sound basic, it’s critical that no matter what the drill, you never let a ball bounce twice.
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y? If you play a lot of Should Fast-track Jun iorserPla how high school tennis can help There’s a temptation in high school practices to fool around with your friends. “Especially my freshman and sophomore years, with my brother and his two buddies I knew all my life [on the team], we’d sometimes lose focus,” Allare says. “But coach Contardi definitely got us back in that focus real quick if we did.” Besides, goofing off is what team dinners, parties and bus rides are for. “Pret ty much every time we had an away match we would always stop to eat at Chipotle or something as a team,” Allare says. “There have been a couple pranks, but I can’t remember all of them. All of high school tennis is prett y much a good memory for me.”
3. EMBRACE CHALLENGE MATCHES
t wond individual tournaments, you migh h to unenthusiastic teammates could your game. Anything from a bad coac bit a team. But if you’re the slightest on play to make it a wise decision not it’s worth s, tenni ge colle of ew previ a as ps interested in the experience, perha you’re ration for college tennis because giving it a shot. “It’s a great prepa player at Ohio State a , Allare Matt says re,” sphe used to the team atmo ure you school. “It’s good to know the press University who competed in high s.” mate team your and put on yourself, playing for yourself you skill level and work with you to help A good coach will understand your t player you’re motivated amen tourn a as that ing Know continue improving. ice ible, the coach might let you pract enough to play as frequently as poss . once at rs playe two st again hit you off-site a day or two a week or have player ol coach, says that being a strong scho high ’s Allare ardi, Cont Steve leader. You’ll be the driving a be ll “you’ that s mean also on a high school team force behind everyone improving.”
4. COP E WITH COMPETITION
The pressure of playing for a team is also tricky. Half your matches are on the road, so you’ll be competing in front of people who aren’t rooting for you. This is where the work you’ve done together as a group can make a difference. Teammates should cheer one another on and chart matches, keeping track of error s, winners, first-serve percentage and other stats. If Rothenberg thinks his team is nervous for a match, he’ll play his less experienced players first. “You shouldn’t scare someone away from pressure,” he says. Then there’s this scenario: The team’s victory comes down to your match, and everyone is watching. “The key is simple,” Contardi says. “Learn to play one point at
For all the talk about how important it is to improve and practice, tennis isn’t a scripted individual performance, but an interactive competition. On a high school team, this begins with challenge matches. “This is a mano a mano experience,” says Bud Kling, boys’ varsity coach at Palisades Char ter High School in Pacific Palisades, Calif. “It’s not like drills, or [about] who the coach likes better. This is the a time.” chance to prove it.” And if you lose? “My In many ways, the man year, to get to the fresh challenge match, a battle state final four, my doubles between teammates for partner and I lost the bragging rights and maybe deciding match 7-6 in the the on even a higher spot of roster, is the toughest form competition you’ll face in high school tennis. “Though the results of a challenge match won’t govern the way we build the lineup, they serve a purpose,” says Contardi, who likes to see how his players compete under pressure. Good coaches make sure players know about a challenge match in advance rather than springing it on them like a pop quiz. Challenges can be excellent preparation for team matches. You’ll learn, for example, what you must do to get your body and mind ready. “Some people have to hit for an hour before they play,” Kling says, “others only need 10 minutes.”
third,” Allare says. “It was prett y heartbreaking. We probably should have won state, but we lost to a good team 3-2. [My teammates] were all supportive because it was a tough situation.” The important thing to remember is that you’re not out there alone. “I emphasize that there are five points and yours is only one,” Contardi says. “The field-goal kicker may miss the kick, but what about the guy earlier who dropped the pass. Everybody shares the burden.” That’s the great part about playing high school tennis. “There’s nothing quite like a team sport,” Contardi says. “Nothing quite like people pulling together to learn and compete.” Joel Drucker was captain of his high school tennis team in Los Angeles in the 1970s.
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KNOW YOUR STUFF FIVE GEAR QUESTIONS THAT YOU NEED ANSWERED BY JON LEVEY | PHOTOGRAPHS BY RYAN PFLUGER
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NO. I HEAR ABOUT ALL THE PROS USING LUXILON STRINGS. SHOULD I USE THEM, TOO? The benefits of playing with a synthetic string like Luxilon are twofold. First, it’s durable. If you play with a multifilament and break strings at a high rate, Luxilon, as well as many other polyester-based strings, will prove to be much sturdier. But since pros can afford to replace strings whenever they want, they don’t play with Luxilon because of its longevity. They use it for the “dead” response they get from the string bed that allows them to swing as hard as they need to while maintaining control. That gives them the opportunity to hit with tremendous pace and spin. The key is racquet-head speed. Luxilon is very stiff, and you need to swing fast to make the strings bend back at contact. If the strings remain rigid, it will feel like you’re playing with a board. But if you know how to rip the ball and are looking for a string with durability and control, give Luxilon a shot.
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NO. A FRIEND ON MY TEAM GOT HIS RACQUETS “MATCHED” AT A PRO SHOP. WHAT IS THIS AND WHAT’S THE BENEFIT? Matching your racquets means getting them customized so they’re exactly the same in terms of weight and balance. Unfortunately, even two frames of the same model can vary slightly in their specs. With identically matched racquets, you won’t fall into the trap of favoring one of your sticks over another. You never want to break a string when you’re serving at 4-4 in the third set and have to switch to a racquet you deem inferior. If you’re playing with multiple frames, it’s a good idea to rotate them. Play with one for a period of time and switch. It could be after an hour, a few sets, or a week. Not only does it more evenly distribute the wear on your frames, rotating sticks prevents them from playing much differently from each other. If it takes you a month to break a string, and you wait that long to swap racquets, the difference will be noticeable.
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NO. WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC TO LOOK FOR IN A TENNIS SHOE? It’s difficult to point to one attribute as more vital than another, but it’s easy to single out the least important feature: style. If you’re serious about tennis, how a shoe looks should have no bearing on your choice. Think of footwear as equipment. Start with a proper fit, and check it as your foot grows. Find a pair that has a manageable weight, so you’re not slowed down, and ventilation to avoid overheating and blisters. But something that many young players overlook is the flex point. That’s where the shoe bends, which should be at the ball of your foot, its natural bending point. To check for a proper flex point, hold the shoe on opposite ends and push the toe box up toward the heel. If you can fold the shoe in half, the arch support is
lacking, and extended play could cause pain in that part of your foot.
04
NO. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY RACQUET IS THE RIGHT WEIGHT FOR ME? Racquets generally range in weight from around 10 ounces to 12 ounces. Exceptions in either direction exist, but the majority fit in that span. Still, there’s no ideal weight. It’s a personal decision based on what a player prefers. Many opt for the maneuverability of a lighter frame, but if you can go up in weight there are performance benefits to using a heavier racquet. Since it has more mass, it’s generally more powerful. True, you can potentially swing a lighter racquet faster,
but players rarely swing as hard as they can because they want to maintain a measure of control. Heavier racquets also have better stability and absorb more shock on off-center hits, which protects your arm. Finding the proper weight, though, can take some experimenting. A general rule of thumb: Use the heaviest racquet you can swing at the speed you want. If you add weight or try a heavier model and you find that your swing has slowed down, you’ve gone too far.
05
NO. I ONLY RESTRING MY RACQUETS AFTER I BREAK A STRING. AM I WAITING TOO LONG? Not if you’re breaking them on a fairly
regular basis. But most players do play with a string job longer than they should. Remember, it’s not how long a string lasts, but how long it feels good. By the time a string breaks, the playing characteristics of the racquet may have drastically changed from the time you originally had it strung. Over time strings lose tension, which can reduce your ability to hit with power and precision. Good players will notice the drop in performance, but any pro shop should be able to measure the tension of your strings. You can also buy an inexpensive gadget called a string meter to find the number. Put it on the strings, twist it, and it measures the tension. If you play often and hit a big ball, you could be losing tension a lot faster than you think. Once it approaches a 20 percent loss, it’s time to get your racquet restrung. SMASH / 25
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PROMOTION
USTA P RO C IRCU IT:
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THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT IS CELEBRATING its 30th anniversary this year. Since 1979, many of the best young players in the United States and all over the world have launched their careers—and many established stars have re-started theirs—on the USTA Pro Circuit. The largest professional developmental tennis circuit in For 30 years, the USTA the world, the Pro Circuit annually hosts more than 90 events at public facilities and clubs around the U.S., from Nashville, Pro Circuit has provided Tenn., and Binghamton, N.Y., to Albuquerque, N.M., and Laguna America’s top young Niguel, Calif.. players with the oppor“The USTA Pro Circuit provides America’s top young playtunity to develop their ers with the opportunity to develop their games and improve games and improve their their rankings in their own country—all while competing rankings on their home for more than $3 million in prize money,” says Jim Curley, turf, so they can compete Managing Director, Tournament Operations, USTA. on the sport’s biggest stages Over the last two years, the USTA has placed a renewed emphasis on player development, launching the USTA Training Center in Boca Raton, Fla., and hiring Patrick McEnroe to lead the Player Development program. A number of juniors who have benefited from these changes are now heading to the USTA Pro Circuit, where they hope to gain the match experience and ranking points they’ll need to become permanent fixtures—and perhaps even champions—at the next level. Among those players looking to take the
CoCo Vandeweghe
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leap are CoCo Vandeweghe, the 2008 US Open girls’ champion, Asia Muhammad, the runner-up at $50,000 Las Vegas in 2008, and Melanie Oudin, who was featured in Sports Illustrated last year as the women’s player to watch in the coming years. All of those players turned 17 last year, and then there’s 16-year-old Kristie Ahn, who won three matches to qualify for the main draw at the 2008 US Open. Also among the up-and-comers are teenagers Rhyne Williams and Chase Buchanan, both of whom won Pro Circuit titles at 17, plus rising star Ryan Harrison and 2008 US Open boys’ finalist Devin Britton. “With so many more talented competitors around the world in
1/27/09 5:34 PM
PROMOTION
PRO TENNIS IN YOUR BACKYARD!
he Stars
Out
Every year, USTA Pro Circuit events are held at public facilities and private clubs throughout the United States, giving local fans a chance to see some of the top tennis players in the world in their own backyard. If you’re looking to get a taste of life on the USTA Pro Circuit, be sure to check out these top stops:
Midland, Mich.—$75,000 women’s—February 9-15 At 21 years and counting, the Dow Corning Classic is the oldest tournament on the women’s calendar. And, as one of three $75,000 events on the women’s calendar, it routinely draws top fields to its indoor venue. In 2008, Laura
By E.J Crawford
Granville defeated Ashley Harkleroad in the final, one week after both suited up for the U.S. Fed Cup team’s quarterfinal victory over Germany. For more information, go to www.dowcorningtennisclassic.com.
recent years, young players absolutely have to prove themselves at this Little Rock, Ark.—$15,000 men’s—April 6-12 level,” says Brian Earley, Director, USTA Pro Circuit. “Players do not The oldest tournament on the USTA Pro Circuit and annually one of bypass developmental tennis anymore. Those who grind it out on the USTA the Circuit’s best-run events, the Little Rock Futures is celebrating its Pro Circuit are best prepared to face the rigors of the pro tours.” 29th year in 2009. The only professional event in the state of Arkansas As proof of that, USTA Pro Circuit graduates have accounted for more than 50 counts MaliVai Washington and James Blake among its finalists. For Grand Slam singles titles and, overall, 15 Pro Circuit veterans have risen to No. 1 more information, go www.newoutlooktennis.com. in the world. That list includes Americans Pete Sampras, Lindsay Davenport, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, and Andy Roddick. Each year, more Charlottesville, Va.—$50,000 women’s—April 27–May 2 than half the players in the US Open men’s and women’s draws have This is home to the USTA Pro either played or are currently playing on the USTA Pro Circuit, Circuit’s most famous tennis fan and the past few years have featured several Pro Circuit and tournament sponsor, Boyd players who have broken through on the hard courts of Flushing Tinsely, violinist for the Dave Meadows, including John Isner, Vania King, Sam Querrey, Matthews Band. Tinsley serves Ahsha Rolle and Donald Young. The USTA Pro Circuit is similar to the as both sponsor and host, ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tours but handing out the trophies to the spares up-and-comers the expense of tournament winners and runtraveling the world. The Pro Circuit feaners-up. For more information, tures weekly tournaments from January contact Tournament Director through the end of November, providing Ron Manilla at ron_manilla@ players the proper preparation to transiboarsheadinn.org. tion to the game’s highest level and accumulate the ranking points needed to gain Lexington, Ky.—$50,000 men’s and women’s—July 20-26 entry into the main draws of tour and Grand The only combined Challenger on the USTA Pro Circuit, Lexington is Slam events. typically one of the Circuit’s top draws. One in a series of Pro Circuit “To be able to play so many tournaments, hard court events leading up US Open, Lexington’s past champions week in and week out, in the States, it helps you include Americans John Isner and Melanie Oudin. For more inforget the points needed to move up the ladder,” mation, go to www.lexingtonchallenger.com. says American veteran Bobby Reynolds, ranked No. 70 at year’s end and a six-time winner Calabasas, Calif.—$50,000 men’s—Oct. 12-18 (singles and doubles) on the 2008 USTA Pro The Challenger at Calabasas boasts an accomplished group Circuit. “It would be so much more of a grind if of former champions that includes Hall-of-Famer I had to go to Europe or Asia for five, six weeks Do at a time. It’s nice to be home and play here.” Michael Chang. Located na ld Over the past 30 years, the USTA Pro Circuit amid a number of state Yo un has hosted some of the biggest names in tenparks west of Los Angles g nis, ushering in the age of Sampras and just a few miles and Roddick, Justine Henin and Maria from the Pacific Ocean, Sharapova. Calabasas is also one The next 30 will belong to the newof the most scenic of est generation of tennis champions, the 90-plus Pro Circuit events. For a group set to become tomorrow’s more information, go to http:// stars—starting today on the USTA calabasaschallenger.com. Pro Circuit.
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PROMOTION
GET YOUR US OPEN TICKETS!
USTA Jr. Team Tennis is a national youth tennis league for kids ages 6-18. Played in all 50 states, USTA Jr. Team Tennis provides boys and girls the opportunity to compete as teams in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. By introducing a team format to an individual sport, USTA Jr. Team Tennis allows young people to share the game with their friends. For more information, contact your local Section office or go to www.jrteamtennis. usta.com.
USTA members once again will be able to buy US Open tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Starting at 9 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday, April 18 through Friday, April 24 at 11 p.m., USTA members can purchase a total of eight day session tickets (up to four per session) 16 evening tickets (up to eight per session) and 16 grounds passes (up to eight per session) for the 2009 US Open, which will be played from August 31 to September 13. Tickets are for Upper Promenade seats. Members also can get a free ticket to any evening session, August 31 to September 3, with the purchase of a ticket to the same session, limited to eight tickets per session (buy four tickets, get four free). To buy your tickets, call 1-866-OPEN-TIX or go to USOpen.org. Please have your credit card and USTA membership number ready when ordering.
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Upgrade Now!
Juniors, upgrade to a 5-year membership now and get: ● One year FREE ● JTT Sling Bag! Visit USTA.com/renewtoday or call 800-990-8782 and use code 8508 for this offer.*
USTA Member Events Enjoy preferred ticket access to pro tournaments throughout the country (including the US Open), participate in Member Appreciation Days and much more!
Sony Ericsson Open Miami, Fla. www.sonyericssonopen.com March 25 – April 5, 2009 Member Appreciation Day,
March 31, 2:00 – 4:00 PM USTA Members receive a 20% discount on 400-level tickets for Monday-Wednesday, March 30-April 1, 2009. Limit four tickets per session/ per membership. For tickets, visit www.SonyEricssonOpen.com and use Promo Code: USTA2009 or call 1-800-725-5472 and have your valid USTA membership # available.
Family Circle Cup Charleston, S.C. www.familycirclecup.com April 11 – April 19, 2009 Member Appreciation Day,
April 15, 1:30 - 3:00 PM USTA Members receive a $10 discount off all session tickets from 4/13 – 4/15. For tickets, visit www.familycirclecup.com or call 800-677-2293 and have your valid USTA membership # available.
*Available while supplies last. USTA reserves the right to substitute. Valid until 12/31/09
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Exclusive USTA Member Offer! As a USTA Member, you will receive a discount on select 2009 US Open merchandise. Additional styles available. Visit ustashop.com/offer or call 800.677.0275 for more information.
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Š 2009 USTA.
1/27/09 3:12 PM
ER ALE B M S ME NCE – 24 VA 18 AD PRIL A
AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 13
PURCHASE US OPEN TICKETS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC Upper Promenade seats and Ground Passes available.*
FREE TICKET TO OPENING NIGHTS
FREE US OPEN POSTER
Buy one ticket, get one ticket free for any evening session August 31 – September 3.**
Receive one free US Open commemorative poster on site at the 2009 US Open (limit one poster per order during this offer).† Retail value: $20
FREE $100 US OPEN GIFT CARD Free $100 gift card with the purchase of a full series subscription. Call the USTA Ticket Office at 1-718-760-6200 to purchase series subscriptions or mini-plans. Offer applies only to new subscriptions.
FREE US OPEN CLUB PASS Receive a complimentary pass to the US Open Club with every ticket you purchase during this offer while supplies last! † †
Please have your credit card and USTA membership number ready when ordering. Offers subject to availability. Offers begin at 9 am EST Saturday, April 18, 2009. Offers end Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11pm EST. All individual ticket orders are subject to Ticketmaster service fee and handling charge. All tickets and Club Passes will be mailed in mid-July. * Each Member may purchase a total of 8 day session tickets (up to 4 per session), 16 evening session tickets (up to 8 per session) and 16 grounds admission passes (up to 8 per session). ** Offer limited to 8 tickets per evening session (purchase 4 tickets, get 4 free). Each ticket will reflect a face value of 50% off the regular price. Free tickets must be for the same session as purchased tickets. † While supplies last. USTA reserves the right to substitute. Stop by USTA Membership Booth to receive poster. †† US Open Club Passes are limited and available on a first come first served basis.
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©2009 USTA.
CALL 1-866-OPEN-TIX / USOPEN.ORG
1/27/09 3:09 PM
VOLLEY GUIDE LEARN THESE BASICS AND YOU’LL BE EVERYONE’S FAVORITE DOUBLES PARTNER. by Anne Hobbs Volleys present big problems for inexperienced doubles players. Even if your technique is good, it won’t help much if you don’t volley to the right place. In doubles, you’re either playing the role of the server, server’s partner, returner or returner’s partner. I teach my students to hit volleys to one of two places, depending on their roles. Here’s a rundown of what to do, when to do it, and why. SERVER When you get to the net as a server, you want to volley deep crosscourt. This keeps the ball away from the opposing net player and puts pressure on the service returner to pass two players at the net (assuming your partner began the point at the net). It also increases the likelihood that your partner, who has the best angle of attack, will have a chance for a winning volley. If the returner charges the net, or approaches on a short ball, continue to volley crosscourt, but aim for the returner’s feet.
ILLUSTRATION BY M. WARTELLA
SERVER’S PARTNER Aim for the T when you volley and don’t try to crush every ball, which is a tendency for many players at net. If the ball is coming fast, use the pace that’s already on it; if it’s a slow ball, give it a little more punch. If a medium-paced volley lands at the T, it will travel past the opposing net player, who stands on a diagonal from you. But it will also land short of the baseline player, who will now have to run forward and lunge to return the ball. If you force the baseline player to lunge, you’re likely to get an easy volley on the next shot. The server’s partner also has the option to poach the return of serve. My rule of thumb: Only poach if you can play a better shot than your partner, and if your volley will land near the T.
you should volley crosscourt, too. If you get to the net before the server, volley deep and try to set up a winning volley or overhead. If the server is at net, volley at his feet. One exception to the crosscourt rule: If both opponents are at the net and you have a short sitter in the middle of the court, drill it up the middle between them.
RETURNER’S PARTNER Volley at the T, softly if one player is at the baseline, or hard and at their feet if they are both at net. You should also look to poach if your partner is engaged in a crosscourt rally from the baseline, or at least throw in a few fakes. Even if you can’t reach for a poach, draw attention to yourself by moving or faking toward the middle for a split second. You can disguise your intentions by moving your shoulders, feet and head.
EVERYONE: OVERHEADS A general hint on overheads for all players: Hit them at the T. It’s the safest place, the net player won’t be able to react in time, and the shot will be at a difficult angle for the baseliner to retrieve. Also remember that you’ll get more power if you don’t try to change the direction of the ball.
RETURNER It’s difficult to get to the net from this position, but a chip and charge, or a good lob down the line over the net player, can do the trick. Just as you usually return serve crosscourt,
Anne Hobbs, an independent instructor at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club in New York, won 20 doubles titles on the WTA tour. SMASH / 31
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Before taking flight, the Tathiana Garbin, a rare bird native to Italy, puffs its cheeks and bulges its eyes.
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