EBDEN & PURCELL GRAND SLAM STARS Transformation edition KYRGIOSNICK ROUGHAKING NOVAK DJOKOVIC UNSTOPPABLE ELENA RYBAKINA MAJOR LEAP BRKYRGIOST ROUGH WIMBLEDON2022 AUG / SEPT 2022
4 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE ATAUSSIES26SHINEWIMBLEDON Wimbledon 2022 proved memorable for Australian competitors, with exceptional runs and breakout performances providing many highlights. 31FEATURESALL-CONQUERING AUSSIES Australian duo Matt Ebden and Max Purcell enjoyed a major breakthrough at Wimbledon, winning their first Grand Slam doubles title as a team. 36 HEWITT HONOURED Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt has joined elite company as an International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee. 68 POSTCARDS FROM MATT EBDEN Newly crowned Wimbledon doubles champion Matt Ebden shares his latest experiences from life on tour. contents AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 VOL.47 NO.4 ANICK12KYRGIOS:NEWERA Combining his familiar talent with some hard-gained experience, a transformed Nick Kyrgios progressed to a first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon. EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSOCIATE EDITOR Leigh Rogers DESIGN Andrea Williamson Daniel Frawley FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove PHOTOGRAPHS Getty JohnTennisImagesAustraliaAnthony/ISPA COVER PHOTO Getty Images Australian Tennis Magazine is published by TENNIS AUSTRALIA LTD, Private Bag 6060, Richmond, Vic 3121. Email: ThePrintedDistributededitor@tennismag.com.aubyOvatoinAustraliabyIveviewsexpressedin Australian Tennis Magazine are not necessarily those held by Tennis Australia. While the utmost care is taken in compiling the information contained in this publication, Tennis Australia is not responsible for any loss or injury occurring as a result of any omissions in either the editorial or advertising appearing herein.
Tunisian trailblazer and recent Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur has achieved countless milestones on her unlikely journey to world No.2. FUTURE FORCE
HEAVENSEVENTH16
While the biggest trophies are so far elusive, Felix Auger-Aliassime and fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov represent a bright future at the top of the men’s game. TRANSFORMATIONAL
6 FIRST SERVE 7 FAN ZONE 8 BREAKPOINTS 10 IN THE SPOTLIGHT 11 ONE TO REGULARSWATCH 38 CONVERSATIONSCOURTING 61 YOUR GAME 72 AUSSIE WATCH 76 SCOREBOARD 78 RANKINGS 80 KIDS’ CLUB 82 LAST WORD
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Novak Djokovic’s seventh Wimbledon title was both a masterclass in resilience and a measure of his incredible longevity. MAKING A DIFFERENCE
50 MINISTER OF HAPPINESS
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The influence of top-ranked tennis players extends far beyond the court, with many using their profiles to create positive change in the world.
The return to form after injury, motivation or off-court challenges can often provide the biggest transformation of a player’s career.
ARRIVALA20MAJOR In a wildly afrombecamehittingWimbledon,unpredictablethebig-ElenaRybakinathefirstplayerKazakhstantoliftGrandSlamtrophy.
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The absence of Russian and Belarusian competitors, who were banned due to the war in Ukraine, created a more sobering reality, as did the subsequent ATP and WTA announcement that rankings points would be withheld in 2022. Still, the privilege of competing for the world’s oldest Grand Slam remained. And as some notable names made history at the end of a fascinating fortnight, they represented a transformed tennis tour. In the absence of defending champion and now retired Ash Barty, new names emerged. When Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur faced off for the ladies’ singles title, it was the first Wimbledon final between two Grand Slam final debutantes in the Open era. “It’s amazing for the sport, amazing for both of us,” the Tunisian smiled. “We like new faces, so we’re bringing new faces to you.” And even some of the bestknown faces inspired in fresh ways. Nick Kyrgios was already prominent in recent Wimbledon folklore, having thundered into the 2014 quarterfinals with victory over then-No.1 Rafael Nadal as an untested teen. At certain periods in the years since, Kyrgios admitted, he lost his spark to compete. There was a clear turnaround in a life-changing tournament, Kyrgios becoming the first Australian to contest the gentlemen’s singles final in 19 years. “I kind of just rediscovered that I’ve got a lot of people that want me to play, that I play for,” said Kyrgios. “I’ve got a lot left in the tank. I feel like I’m probably playing some of my best tennis, mentally feeling great.”
F or all the unmistakabletherereverencetraditionslong-standingthatcreatesuchatWimbledon,wasalsoansenseofthe new at the 2022 Championships. Centre Court was refreshed to mark 100 years in its current location, players entering through an updated entrance and chair umpires maintaining watch from a sleek new chair. Middle Sunday, traditionally a rest day at Wimbledon, became a part of the schedule as play was officially extended to 14 days. It added to a noticeable buzz as full crowds returned to the tournament after the COVID-19 pandemic caused the shock cancellation of the 2020 tournament and restrictions were in place last year.
While Novak Djokovic ultimately re-established a familiar order in becoming a seven-time champion, it took unprecedented resolve to reach those heights. As he overcame off-court challenges, the former No.1 also conquered the next generation of contenders. It signalled new possibilities in a long-term tennis narrative – and as much-loved traditions endure, the sport welcomes transformation too. Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au
TRADITION TRANSFORMATION&
FIRST SERVE
FEELING INSPIRED? HIT THE COURT Book a court online
Combining his familiar talent with some hardgained experience, a transformed Nick Kyrgios progressed to a first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon – and immediately vowed to return to those heights. VIVIENNE CHRISTIE reports
FEATURE NEWAERANICKKYRGIOS 12 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
FORWARD FOCUS: Nick Kyrgios takes a more positive mindset into future Grand Slam campaigns.
“I felt like I belonged … I played a Slam final against one of the greatest of all time, and I was right there.”
KYRGIOSNICK
WIMBLEDON “I have lost words for what this tournament, this meanstrophytome.” DJOKOVICNOVAK 16 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
CHAMPION: Novak RogerPetejoiningWimbledonwinthefourthbecameDjokoviconlythemaninOpeneratofourstraighttitles,BjornBorg,SamprasandFederer.
Wimbledon,tournamentswithtravelrestricted due to resistance to the Djokovic’svaccine.COVID-19Bycontrast,greatestrival
With a triumph over Nick Kyrgios in the 2022 final, the top-seeded Djokovic added to the silverware collection he began with victory over Rafael Nadal in 2011. The champion at six of the past eight editions of Wimbledon, Djokovic lifted the trophy for a fourth straight year. It created an astonishing 28-match winning streak on the most famous lawns in tennis, with the Serbian last losing a completed Wimbledon match to Sam Querrey in the 2016 third round. While Tomas Berdych claimed their 2017 quarterfinal, it followed an injury retirement from whatwords“IworldthemeaningcarriedsinceEachDjokovic.victoryhasmoreforformerNo.1.havelostforthis
A s a young Novak Djokovic watched Pete Sampras win one of Wimbledonseventitles from his family home in the Serbian mountains, the enchanted new fan begged his parents to buy him a tennis racquet. “I always dreamed of coming here, just playing here in this court, and then realising the childhood dream of winning the trophy,” said the now-35year-old Djokovic. “My first image of tennis was grass andIt'sWimbledon.”doubtful,however, that a young Novak ever imagined he would one day replicate his tennis hero with seven singles titles at Wimbledon, or that his 21 Grand Slams in total would vastly outnumber the 14 that Sampras amassed. Nor could the childhood Djokovic have anticipated the longevity that his history-making dominance at the All England Club would eventually represent.
By VIVIENNE CHRISTIE
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE 17
Novak Djokovic’s seventh Wimbledon title, and 21st Grand Slam in total, was both a masterclass in the Serbian’s renowned resilience and a measure of his incredible longevity.
tournament, this trophy means to me, my team, my family,” said Djokovic in a now-familiar presentation. “Every single time it gets more meaningful and more special, so I’m very blessed and very thankful to be standing here with the trophy.”
had created breathtaking history in that time, Nadal extending his Grand Slam tally to an alltime record 22 after claiming the Australian and French Open titles. At Roland Garros, where Djokovic was defending champion, Nadal claimed a four-set quarterfinal on his path to a 14th victory at the claycourt Slam. “(It was) a tough and emotional loss to Nadal, that was drawofofWimbledoncombinedatDjokovicdisappointing,”obviouslyadmittedSW19.Whilethosefactorstomake2022onethemostchallengingDjokovic’s17maincampaigns at the tournament, they also strengthened his resolve. Only two of his seven matches at this year’s tournament were straight-sets encounters, with Djokovic’s famed ability to produce clutch performances best demonstrated in his
After facing many earlier challenges, Djokovic felt especially blessed this year. In his leanest period in more former world No.1 season. He had contested only six
HEAVEN Seventh
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From playertodroppedcircumstances,unlikelyRybakinaonlytwosetsbecomethe57thWTAtoliftaGrandSlam
In a wildly unpredictable Wimbledon, the big-hitting Elena Rybakina emerged from under the radar to become the first player from Kazakhstan to lift a Grand Slam trophy.
sapping bout of COVID-19 early in the season, she’d suffered further illness ahead of the grasscourt swing. Entering the 2022 Championships, Rybakina had claimed only one of the three matches she’d played this year on grass; adding to a forWimbledonwaschallenge,monumentalseeminglyshecontestingamaindrawjustthesecondtime. But Rybakina gradually emerged from under the radar as her weapons started to fire at SW19. Already leading the WTA ace count entering the tournament, the renowned big server added a tournamenttrophy in the modern era; even more remarkably, she was the first player representing Kazakhstan, male or female, to achieve that major feat. “It's just unbelievable. I'm super happy,” said Rybakina of the history she’d achieved with a first Grand Slam triumph, and only the third title in total in her short career. “It’s tough to believe to be honest.” If victory was hard to comprehend for the new champion, it was arguably even more so for those who’d used Rybakina’s pre-tournament form as a guide. After an energy-
NEW STAR: Elena Rybakina, at age 23, became the thanchampionWimbledonyoungestinmoreadecade.
VIVIENNE CHRISTIE reports A fter a perceptiblebarely fist pump, the smile to her team was brief. ElenaWhenRybakina completed a come-from-behind victory over Ons Jabeur to become the Wimbledon 2022 ladies’ singles champion, it was one of the most muted victory celebrations of all time. But if the post-victory moments were quiet for the 23-yearold, the statement she had made was far from it.
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“It's I'munbelievable.justsuperhappy.”
RYBAKINAELENA
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Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur has achieved countless milestones on her unlikely journey to world No.2. Inspiring the Arab world, the recent Wimbledon finalist continues to pursue her ultimate dream – a Grand Slam title. By MATT TROLLOPE
THE MINISTER OF 50 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
While the biggest trophies are so far elusive, Felix Auger-Aliassime and fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov represent a bright future at the top of the men’s game.
DAN IMHOFF reports FEATURE FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME FORCEFUTURE 54 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
FELIX AUGERALIASSIME bestbackbe…timesmoments,there“Sometimesaredifficultotheritgoesbetterthosewhowillabletobouncewillbetheones.”
YOUR PROFILE – YOUR RATING – YOUR GAME Complete your Competitive Player Profile for a better playing experience and a range of benefits including access to AO & Summer Series pre-sale tickets UTR RATING ENDORSED EVENT & LEAGUE ENTRY AO AND SUMMER OF TENNIS TICKET OFFERS DISCOUNTS & SPECIAL OFFERS PERSONALINSURANCEINJURY EXCLUSIVE EVENTS & CONTENT WHAT IS MY COMPETITIVE PLAYER PROFILE? Your Competitive Player Profile is the unique profile generated by connecting your Tennis ID and UTR rating. With this connection established, your playing history and upcoming match data can be stored securely in one place, giving you full visibility on your tennis stats and performance. WHY DO I NEED A COMPETITIVE PLAYER PROFILE? All players competing in Australia should have a Competitive Player Profile established to simplify entering Tennis Australia endorsed events and leagues. Whether you play for fun at your local club, or professionally on the global circuit, your Competitive Player Profile will ensure you receive the best playing experience for your level.
YOURGAME Boost yourperformanceon-court 62 LESSONS FROM THE PROS Some of Australia’s top-ranked players reveal the advice they would share with their younger self. 64 INSTRUCTION An eff ective second serve is a valuable weapon with multiple benefits. 65 FOOTWORK The importance of footwork should never be underrated. How do you put your best foot forward? 66 NUTRITION Maintaining healthy nutrition habits is a focus for rising Australian Alexei Popyrin. TEEN SENSATION: Carlos Alcaraz has soared into the world’s top fi ve in a breakout season. The insinceachieveyoungestSpaniard19-year-oldisthemantothefeatRafaelNadal2005. GAME performance AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE 61
