Australian Tennis Magazine - October/November 2022

contents

20 GAME, SET, MATCHLESS FEDERER

In a magical reign spanning more than two decades, the universally adored Roger Federer combined breathtaking on-court talent with abundant grace and character as he elevated tennis to new heights.

FEATURES

16 CELEBRATING SERENA

As Serena Williams bids farewell to professional tennis, we look back at her memorable moments and incredible career achievements.

24 FAREWELL FEDERER

The retiring Roger Federer, the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles in history, leaves an incredible legacy.

45 TURNING POINTS

Ajla Tomljanovic is combining grace with tenacity as she shines on the game’s biggest stages.

EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Leigh Rogers DESIGN Andrea Williamson Daniel Frawley

Alan Trengove PHOTOGRAPHS

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Tennis Australia

John Anthony/ISPA

COVER PHOTO

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Australian Tennis Magazine is published by TENNIS AUSTRALIA LTD, Private Bag 6060, Richmond, Vic 3121.

Email: editor@tennismag.com.au

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Printed in Australia by Ive

SERENA’S WAY

More than two decades after she contested her first Grand Slam, the legendary Serena Williams “evolved” from professional tennis with trademark flair at US Open 2022.

124 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE The views expressed in 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.

FOUNDING EDITOR

48 NEW WORLD ORDER

Team World clinched a first Laver Cup title in a memorable and emotional showdown against Team Europe in London.

50 COCO GAUFF: A RISING FORCE

Now a top 10-ranked player in both singles and doubles, American teen Coco Gauff ’s star profile continues to grow.

53 FRANCES TIAFOE: DREAMING BIG

Frances Tiafoe’s tennis journey is far from conventional, but the magnetic American is showing that it’s far from a limited path.

58 JANNIK SINNER: THE REAL DEAL

With a string of youngest-ever milestones dotting a rapidly growing resume, Jannik Sinner is showing a star power that extends well beyond the court.

32

AGE OF ALCARAZ

An exciting new era in men’s tennis has arrived, with Spanish teen Carlos Alcaraz crowned the new world No.1 after capturing his first major singles title at the US Open.

SWIATEK SPARKLES

There were storylines and stellar match-ups aplenty at the US Open, but it was world No.1 Iga Swiatek who towered above the women’s singles field.

The legacy of

LEGENDS

From the first stories published on two talented teenagers three decades ago, Serena Williams and Roger Federer went on to fill more pages of Australian Tennis Magazine than we could have imagined.

In the many years since, those superstar champions have of course achieved feats we never anticipated in the sport. Each a winner of dozens of titles (Williams’ 73 including 23 Grand Slams and Federer lifting 20 major trophies among his total 103). There are records within astonishing records for the enduring greats.

But it was far from all work and no play in their storied careers, which at last concluded for both players, each aged 41, last month. As they drew in thousands of fans with their sublime tennis, Williams and Federer attracted countless more admirers with personality and charm.

Both were endlessly generous in their overall contribution to tennis – no moment more adored than when Serena and Roger, representing United States and Switzerland respectively, faced off in mixed doubles at the 2019 Hopman Cup, then good-naturedly posed for a selfie that was shared countless times

globally, including on the front page of The New York Times

It highlighted an influence that extended well beyond a tennis court. Williams and Federer are not only feted by mainstream celebrities but also considered among that group. Through various stages of their respective careers, they have each shared the spotlight with musicians, actors, media personalities, leaders of business and industry, as well as superstars of other sports. From that platform, the role model champions also raised and donated millions of dollars to various philanthropic pursuits.

As we farewell two of the game’s greatest-ever competitors, we do so with tremendous gratitude for the myriad of ways in which they elevated the sport. Players who weren’t even born when we were first writing about Williams and Federer acknowledge the retiring favourites as prolific influences in their careers.

They each leave a legendary legacy that will almost certainly never be replicated. Thank you, Serena and Roger, for everything you have done for tennis. You leave the game in a tremendous place.

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au

LEGACY OF A LEGEND

More than two decades after she contested her first Grand Slam at Australian Open 1998, Serena Williams “evolved” from professional tennis with trademark flair at US Open 2022. As NICK McCARVEL reports, the prolific champion leaves a superstar legacy that resonates far beyond the sport itself.

LEGACY OF A LEGEND

In a magical reign spanning more than two decades, the universally adored Roger Federer combined breathtaking on-court talent with abundant grace and character to elevate tennis to new heights.

By SUZI PETKOVSKI

COCO GAUFF

“I feel like, right now, I’m rising to the occasion.”

Age has always featured prominently in the narrative surrounding Coco Gau ’s rise.

Since topping the world junior rankings as a 14-year-old, the American has set several remarkable age-related records.

There was a headline-making Wimbledon breakthrough at 15, sensationally reaching the fourth round as the youngest quali er in tournament history.

The athletic Gauff won her maiden WTA singles title a few months later, scoring a first top10 win en route, to become the youngest tour-level champion in 15 years.

At Australian Open 2020, Gauff eliminated defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round. That stunning victory made her the youngest player to defeat a top fiveranked opponent at a Grand Slam tournament in 29 years.

Gau arrived at this year’s US Open as the world’s top-ranked doubles player and the second youngest women to ever hold the coveted position.

After a career-best quarterfinal run in New York, she left the tournament as a top 10-ranked singles player for the first time. The 18-year-old became the youngest woman to make a top-10 debut in 16 years and the youngest American to achieve the feat since her idol Serena Williams in 1999.

Yet when it comes to her

Coco Gauff

mindset and ability to absorb pressure, Gau is increasingly proving wise beyond her years.

“I’m glad that people expect things from me. Pressure is a privilege,” noted Gau .

Gau ’s early success generated much hype, and the teen admits handling the accompanying expectations has, at times, proved challenging.

“I felt like, you know, just the way I came on to the scene, everybody was saying all types of things about me. And it wasn’t realistic, to be honest. But at that moment in my life, I believed it so much,” Gau said.

“But I think I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned that losing is a part of the game. I learned that you can’t win every tournament.”

Now embracing pressure, Gau has established her place among the game’s elite.

“I feel like, right now, I’m rising to the occasion. Whereas before I felt like I was almost crumbling to the pressure because I was trying to de ect it,” Gau admitted.

“Honestly, I think I’m just enjoying the wins and the losses. I started to enjoy competing more again.

“I feel like I was too focused on losing and not loving winning as much as I should. I was almost going to the match like, ‘I hope I don’t lose this match’. Telling myself that. Where I should just be saying like, ‘I can win this match’.

“It’s such a small change, but it makes the biggest di erence

when you actually learn to love winning, more than you hate losing. That’s been my challenge and will always be my challenge, because I hate losing.”

losing. That’s been my challenge and will always be my challenge, because I hate losing.”

Gau adopted this approach at Roland Garros this year, where she advanced to her rst Grand Slam singles nal.

“That was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been in a tournament, where I wasn’t

“That was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been in a tournament, where I wasn’t focused on results. It taught me not to focus on results, because then I actually get the results,” Gau noted a er a nal loss to world No.1 Iga Swiatek.

then I actually get the results,” Gau noted a er a nal loss to world No.1 Iga Swiatek. Forming her own tennis

Forming her own tennis identity has also been a major focus of Gau ’s development this season.

development this season.

“I’m my own player,” Gau reiterated.

“I’m my own player,” Gau were next Serena. And I never liked that because, A, I feel like for her to be compared to someone who

“And even as a young player, like even when I was eight years old people were calling me the next Serena. And I never liked that because, A, I feel like for her to be compared to someone who has done nothing is almost a little bit of a disrespect for her. Also, B, I never wanted to be like her, I wanted to emulate her game, but I never wanted to be her. Because there will never be another Serena and there will never be another me. There will never be another anybody.

wanted to emulate her game, but I never wanted to be her. Because there will never be another Serena and there will never be

“I think everybody’s unique to themselves and their lifestyle’s unique to them. I think in general in sports, in any sport really, I think comparing, it’s kind of stupid. Because no one’s ever

“I think everybody’s unique to themselves and their lifestyle’s unique to them. I think in general of stupid. Because no one’s ever

Now a top 10-ranked player in both singles and doubles, American teen Coco Gauff ’s star profile continues to grow. By LEIGH ROGERS

Frances Tiafoe’s tennis journey is far from conventional but as the magnetic American is showing with some dazzling breakthroughs, it’s a gloriously expanding path. VIVIENNE CHRISTIE reports

YOURGAME

GAME

64 LESSONS FROM THE PROS

As well as many memorable storylines, this year’s US Open also served up several valuable lessons.

66 COMPETITION

Learning to manage the high-pressure scenario of a tiebreak can provide a critical edge to your game.

67 INSTRUCTION

To get the most from a training session, it is important to have a clear focus and to practise with purpose.

68 NUTRITION

Alex de Minaur shares an insight into his nutritional choices in our Day on A Plate series.

ON THE RISE: Nick Kyrgios has soared into the top 20 in both singles and doubles in an outstanding 2022 season.

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