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DOUBLES DELIVERY
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APRIL 2014 VOL 39 No. 4
28 DREAM TEAM
Tennis might be a fiercely individual sport, but many of the game’s groundbreaking feats have been team efforts.
FEATURES 12 TEAMS & TENNIS
What does “team” mean for Australian doubles legend Todd Woodbridge? Along with many collective rewards, the chance to thrive as an individual.
14 THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF TEAM TENNIS Club or social level tennis means many team experiences. Follow our guide to make them positive ones.
16 THE I FORMATION
When, why and how to use the tactic that has taken Bob and Mike Bryan to record-breaking heights.
contents 34 INDIvIDUAL STyLE Often glowingly compared to Roger Federer, Grigor Dimitrov is increasingly starring in his own right.
41 REALITy CzECH
A starring role in Davis Cup team success for the Czech Republic has inspired Tomas Berdych in his individual pursuits.
46 THE ENTOURAgE
Tennis seems less like an individual sport when you consider the teams behind the “singular” stars they support.
22
TIME TO SwAP yOUR SERvINg? Some simple food swaps can provide you with better nutritional and dramatically improve your tennis performance.
APRIL 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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APRIL 2014 VOL 39 No. 4
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TEAM-SPIRATION An inspirational individual or a team that becomes great by blending its talents? What matters the most for collective success.
REGULARS 8 BREAKPOINTS 10 THE HITTING WALL 19 STROKE MASTER 20 GEARING UP 21 BE THE PRO 58 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 62 IN FOCUS PROFILE 66 RANKINGS 68 SCOREBOARD 71 KIDS’ CLUBHOUSE 74 LAST WORD
25
BECAUSE PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT …
Top coaches provide pointers to help players of all standards maximise their precious practice time. 4
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE APRIL 2014
EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrea Williamson ADVERTISING MANAGER Nicole Hearnden
ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Daniel Heathcote PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images, John Anthony, Image(s) licensed by Ingram Publishing COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN Andrew Hutchison
Australian Tennis Magazine is published monthly by TENNIS AUSTRALIA LTD, Private Bag 6060, Richmond, Vic 3121. Ph: (03) 9914 4200 Email: editor@tennismag.com.au Distributed by Network Distribution Company Printed in Australia by Webstar 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.
FIRST SERVE
Team players, perfect partners
I
f the individual nature of tennis is one of its biggest challenges, it’s also what makes many victories so special. In the longest matches and often in the most challenging conditions, the only person who can influence the winning outcome is the one on court fighting for it. Yet anybody who has claimed the highest-stakes individual honour in the game – a Grand Slam singles title – will be quick to tell you that success is a team effort. Championship speeches not only provide the opportunity to reflect on an incredible achievement, but also to acknowledge the many people who have contributed to it. For an elite player, that might start with a coach but also include a spouse or similar, family members, medical staff, agent or manager, personal assistant and even, in the case of Novak Djokovic, a pet poodle. In fact, tennis would be a lonely old sport – and perhaps a less rewarding one – if not for the strong support groups that exist within it. As doubles legend Todd Woodbridge writes of his own rich experiences in tennis teams, including a role in two of Australia’s 28 Davis Cup victories, “the ability to have mates for companionship off the court and then to help you on the court with practice is priceless.”
Nexnt th mo 6
So this month, we’ve taken the somewhat unusual step of looking at our largely individual sport with the team focus in mind. It was surprisingly easy. Whether it’s the doubles tactics of the Bryan brothers, the natural camaraderie that’s produced so many rewards in the Casey Dellacqua– Ashleigh Barty partnership (right), the unwavering team spirit of Lleyton Hewitt or the leadership skills so essential to assembling the most effective support groups, there are many valuable lessons for players of all standards. And we haven’t forgotten what inspires you either: nestled in the annals of tennis history are some incredible group efforts, including Australia’s star-studded Davis Cup teams, awe-inspiring doubles partnerships and some unlikely player-coach and manager combinations that produced unimaginable results. There are many dream teams to highlight what we most love about tennis: it might be an individual sport, but there is also nothing quite like shared success. Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au
SurfaCeS SpeCial
As attention in the world game turns from hard courts to European clay, it’s the perfect time to look at surfaces and how they impact on your performance. Tips, analysis and information to keep you at the top of your game. On sale from 28 April.
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE APRIL 2014
INSTRUCTION
Because practice makes perfect … If there is one place where the individual nature of tennis doesn’t apply it’s in practice, where rather than competing against an opponent, you’re generally collaborating with a partner to make mutual improvements. We asked some of Australia’s top coaches for advice on how to make the most from your practice sessions.
KeeP A dIARy
U
se your diary to record key messages from your private coach, as well as the priorities that you are working on in your game. Writing in a diary will help reinforce key messages and can make you more accountable if you share them with your coach. Before each training session or match, try writing down your process goals in your diary. Recording your process goals will assist with maintaining a narrow focus on what you want to improve during the session. Andrew Roberts, National Academy Manager, WA
Be INSPIRed
C
reate a training environment that inspires you. Two vital ingredients for a healthy training environment are quality people and a location where you feel comfortable enough to explore the depth of your abilities. It’s on the practice court where you have the freedom to develop a clear understanding of what you do well and what you can do better. Find a place of practice where you can embrace the challenge of striving to be that little bit better every time you step on to a tennis court!. Shannon Nettle, Australian Fed Cup squad coach
HIT BALLS … ANd mORe BALLS
H
it as many balls as you can in a short space of time. When you’re drilling or warming-up, chase everything. It doesn’t matter if it’s well out or mis-hit and going into the back fence on the full – chase it and get it back into the court and keep the rally going. The skills and imagination you require to dig out a half-volley that is a metre long or hit a drive volley even though you are well behind the baseline will stand you in good stead when you come up against better opponents in match play, as they won’t put the ball right in your strike zone. Don’t hit winners when warming-up or drilling. Instead, put the ball into interesting places, explore the parameters of the court but all the while keep it just within reach of your training partner. If they're struggling, float it back and give them a chance to reset the rally. Training is a collaboration between two people and winners or errors kill the flow. The longer the ball is in play the harder you’re working mentally and physically. Train harder than match play – it’s a bit like a distance runner putting in 150kms a week to run a good marathon (42km). Talk it up when you’re training. Speak a bit of rubbish, compliment your training partner when they do something good. Encourage them, fire up and create some atmosphere. Wally Masur, National Academy Head Coach, NSW APRIL 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE APRIL 2014