Australian Tennis Magazine - October / November 2019

ASHBARTY N0.1 ROLE MODEL

FED CUP

FINAL PREVIEW

Inspiring

FEMALE COACHES Empathy, focus and

WOMEN

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

BARTY STOSUR GOOLAGONG CAWLEY MOLIK PRATT HRDLICKA

a champion outlook

BREAKING ALLWhyBARRIERS playing is winning CASEY DELLACQUA On team spirit OCT / NOV 2019 A$7.50 / NZ$8.40 / US$7.50 ISSN 1321-0262

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contents OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2019 VOL.44 NO.6

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BREAKING ALL BARRIERS As Ash Barty inspires more girls to take to the court, the world No.1 has a powerful message: by simply participating, they’ve already won.

FEATURES 20 POSITIVE MOMENTUM

A long-awaited return to the Fed Cup final highlights the improving state of Australian women’s tennis and the growing foundation for future success.

28 THE GREATEST HONOUR

Casey Dellacqua shares why representing Australia in the Fed Cup competition was so special to her.

44 CLIJSTERS’ NEW CHALLENGE Former world No.1 Kim Clijsters is planning a comeback in 2020, admitting other playing mothers have inspired her return.

49 INFLUENTIAL WOMEN

A celebration of outstanding woman who have had a powerful impact on the sport, as trailblazers both on and off the court.

30 MAGICAL MEMORIES

Members of Australia’s most recent winning Fed Cup team reflect on their 1974 title and the enduring friendships that formed with that milestone.

35 EYE ON THE BALL

Tennis Australia Chair Jayne Hrdlicka explains how her ability to combine many successful roles is helped by skills she developed on a tennis court.

38 WOMEN IN COMMAND

Female coaches are a rarity on the pro tour but the rise of so-called ‘soft skills’ in winning cultures means we are likely to see more in future.

23

SETTING THE STANDARD

Sam Stosur’s influence has been felt throughout the Australian tennis ranks and beyond – and persists 20 years into her glittering playing career.

FED CUP

AUSTRALIA’S PROUD FED CUP HISTORY 7

TITLES

CHAMPIONS

1964, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974

FINALISTS

1963, 1969, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1993

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FINALS

TIES PLAYED

45

YEARS SINCE LAST TITLE

PLAYERS HAVE REPRESENTED AUSTRALIA IN A FED CUP MATCH

51 ASH BARTY is on a 14-match winning streak in Fed Cup, stretching back to a three-set loss to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a World Group II first round in 2017

When a 19-year-old SAM STOSUR made her Fed Cup debut in 2003, her current teammate ASH BARTY was seven years old and PRISCILLA HON had just turned five

MOST TIES Wendy Turnbull Rennae Stubbs Dianne Balestrat Sam Stosur Elizabeth Smylie Kerry Reid Evonne Goolagong Cawley Rachel McQuillan Anne Minter Alicia Molik Casey Dellacqua

MOST MATCH WINS Wendy Turnbull Sam Stosur Dianne Balestrat Evonne Goolagong Cawley Margaret Court Rennae Stubbs Kerry Reid Elizabeth Smylie Anne Minter Casey Dellacqua

AUSTRALIA is one of only four nations (along with United States, France and Great Britain) to compete in the Fed Cup competition every year since its inception in 1963 AUSTRALIA is making an 18th appearance in a Fed Cup final in 2019 – a record only bettered by the United States with 29 34

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45 40 37 31 31 29 26 23 23 22 21

Sam Stosur Dianne Balestrat Evonne Goolagong Cawley Margaret Court Kerry Reid

ASH BARTY is aiming to become the 11th player in history to win both Junior Fed Cup and Fed Cup titles. She led Australia to a Junior Fed Cup title in 2011

SAM STOSUR boasts an 8-0 win-loss record in doubles rubbers. ASH BARTY’S record is 7-1, with her only doubles loss in her 2013 debut

Margaret Court 1964, 1965, 1968, 1971 Lesley Bowrey 1964, 1965 Robyn Ebbern 1964 Judy Dalton 1965, 1970 Kerry Reid 1968 Karen Krantzcke 1970 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 1971, 1973, 1974 Lesley Hunt 1971 Patricia Coleman 1973 Janet Young Dianne Balestrat 29 22 22 20 20

MOST DOUBLES WINS Wendy Turnbull Rennae Stubbs Elizabeth Smylie Kerry Reid Margaret Court

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PLAYERS HAVE WON A FED CUP TITLE FOR AUSTRALIA

PLAYERS TO WIN A FED CUP TITLE FOR AUSTRALIA

MOST SINGLES WINS 46 37 35 35 35 28 27 24 20 19

182 (130 wins, 52 losses)

29 28 17 17 15

1973, 1974 1974

CAPTAINS TO WIN A FED CUP TITLE FOR AUSTRALIA Brian Tobin Margaret Court Alfred Chave Vic Edwards

1964 1965, 1966, 1967 1970 1973, 1974

JELENA DOKIC is the youngest player to compete for Australia, making her debut in 1998 aged 15. RENNAE STUBBS is the oldest Fed Cup representative, playing her final Fed Cup tie in 2011 aged 39

ALICIA MOLIK, who played 22 ties between 1999 and 2010, became Australia’s Fed Cup captain in 2013. Australia has won eight of the 14 ties contested under Molik’s leadership, including the past five.

FEATURE

Sam Stosur:

Set ting t he s tandard

Whether it be her sportsmanship, professionalism, achievements or distinct playing style, Sam Stosur’s influence has been felt throughout the Australian tennis ranks and beyond – and persists 20 years into her glittering playing career. By MATT TROLLOPE AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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FEATURE

WOMEN in command Female coaches are a rarity on the pro tour but the rise of so-called ‘soft skills’ in winning cultures means we are likely to see more in future. By SUZI PETKOVSKI

was filling in for Muguruza’s main coach Sam Sumyk, while he was on paternity leave.

“I think we’ll see more of it,” says Fidler. “More women are starting to look out for women coaches now. We see women can do those roles.”

Recent initiatives also provide new support for women coaches, and shine a light on future career paths. The US-based Women's Tennis Coaching Association, established in 2015, exists to share expertise on the needs of women players, to better tailor the coaching experience for them, as well as support the development of coaches.

“The WTCA is here to assist anybody who wants to further their coaching in women’s tennis,” says founder Sarah Stone, a former tour coach to Aleksandra Krunic. “We have extensive resources and it doesn’t matter what level of coach you are, we welcome and help everybody.” The organisation attracts male and female coaches to its global gathering on the eve of the US Open.

“Sarah Stone is pushing for more women coaches to be qualified and recognised as specialist coaches. That has not been on the table before,” says Fidler, who has attended the event. “It’s not about excluding men but about how to reach women specifically. A niche that hasn’t been there – more coaches are wanting to work with women.”

Tennis Australia and the USTA have also offered millions of dollars in support through scholarships and courses for women coaches. “Women-only events has been a recent focus,” acknowledges Fidler. “Women benefit from networking. They feed off each other; they’re not scared to question or share ideas.”

The take-out from all this activity and networking? “Most defi nitely women can have a coaching career,” says Fidler, who has headed the TCAV for 12 years. That doesn’t mean it will be easy. Fidler recalls speaking at a women’s conference a few years ago on the mother of all juggling acts: coaching and parenting.

“I got quite emotional about the challenges; you could hear a pin drop.” So many related to her story, which also underlined how motivated she is to coach.

Women are not going to sacrifice family time in order to be a mediocre coach.

“I think there’s a huge number of opportunities for female coaches,” considers Fidler. “The question is whether they can take them up.” While women coaches will never dominate the pro tour numerically, they are increasingly fi nding a place at all levels of the game.

“Even if the numbers don’t jump significantly, I think we’ll see more depth to the standard as players employ emotionally intelligent coaches,” says Fidler.

There is a growing sweet spot in the game for soft power.

WOMEN COACHES: A TOP 10 1. ELEANOR ‘TEACH’ TENNANT

Hard-driving early mentor of Maureen Connolly, the first female Grand Slammer (1953), though the two Californians had a bitter split on the eve of ‘Little Mo’s’ historic season. Tennant had earlier guided Grand Slam winners Alice Marble, Bobby Riggs and Pauline Betz.

Her 1953 biography was subtitled ‘The Greatest Tennis Coach in the World’. Tennant also enjoyed celebrity as a coach to Hollywood stars including Clark Gable and Marlene Dietrich.

2. GLORIA THOMPSON CONNORS

A teenage amateur player in the 1940s and part of a pro troupe based in Los Angeles, later channelled her thwarted tennis ambition (‘Get those tiger juices flowing!’) into her world-beater son Jimmy Connors – a No.1 for five straight years and still the all-time leading title winner on the men’s pro tour.

3. RENEE RICHARDS

The former Richard Raskind controversially competed at the 1977 US Open as a trans woman, after a landmark US court ruling, and reached the doubles final with Betty-Ann Stuart against Betty Stove and Martina Navratilova. Later joined forces with Navratilova as her coach for the start of her domination of the game, taking in the 1981 Australian title, No.1 ranking and 1982-83 Wimbledon victories.

4. BETTY STOVE

The 1977 Wimbledon triple finalist and 10-time Grand Slam doubles champion guided gifted Czech Hana Mandlikova to four major wins from eight finals across all the Grand Slams in the 1980s, winning Australian, French and US Open titles.

5. YULIA BERBERIAN MALEEVA

Pulled off one of the greatest coaching feats ever, given the circumstances of raising three daughters behind the Iron Curtain in Bulgaria, a nation with no tennis tradition or facilities. All three Maleeva sisters - Manuela (highest-ranking No.3), Katerina and Magdalena achieved top-10 rankings in the 1980s and ’90s.

6. MELANIE MOLITOR

Another driven tennis mum who masterminded the rise of daughter Martina Hingis to No.1 at a record young age of 16 years and four months. The ex-Czech, a contemporary of Navratilova, after whom she named her only child, later worked with another Swiss prodigy in Belinda Bencic.

7.

JUDY MURRAY

Former national coach of Scotland and Britain’s Fed Cup captain until 2016, Murray taught the game to her sons Jamie and Andy who both became world No.1s (in doubles and singles respectively).

A keen reader of the play on- and off-court, and an astute commenter on social media.

8. AMELIE MAURESMO

Quiet trailblazer who currently coaches countryman Lucas Pouille having started her coaching gig as a grasscourt consultant for the retired Michael Llodra. But it was her appointment by Andy Murray, while Wimbledon champion in 2014, that opened minds and doors for other female coaches. Also a recent Fed Cup coach, Mauresmo, a former world No.1 and dual major winner, has forged a coaching career while juggling two children.

9. CONCHITA MARTINEZ

The former Wimbledon champion and five-time Fed Cup winner teamed with countrywoman Garbine Muguruza for the 2017 Wimbledon title. Now guiding former No.1 Karolina Pliskova, arguably the best player without a major title. Also led her country’s Fed Cup (2013-17) and Davis Cup (2015-17) teams.

MUM KNOWS BEST: Judy Murray guided sons Andy and Jamie to world No.1 singles and doubles rankings.

10. ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES

Lesser-known, gritty Spaniard, a former No.16 and dual doubles major winner, coached surprise packet Jelena Ostapenko to her upset 2017 Roland Garros victory over Simona Halep. Later that year took over from Martinez as Spain’s Fed Cup coach.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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FEATURE

Celebrating

Influential

women As trailblazers both on and off the court, these women have had a powerful impact on the sport.

By DANIEL IRVINE

BILLIE JEAN KING

MARGARET COURT

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA

Women’s tennis today would look very different without King’s influence. The American was one of the Original Nine, alongside Australians Judy Dalton and Kerry Reid, that fought for pay parity and were instrumental in forming the WTA Tour in the 1970s. King was a standout star on-court too, claiming 12 singles crowns among 40 Grand Slam titles, and broke down barriers as one of the first openly gay women in the sport. King, who retired in 1983, continues to play an influential role as an activist and spokesperson.

The Australian amassed a record Grand Slam haul – winning 64 titles across all disciplines, including an all-time record 24 in singles. She was the first mother to win a Grand Slam title and her dedication to fitness is, arguably, her great legacy. Dubbed ‘The Aussie Amazon’, Court’s love of weights and circuits revolutionised the way women trained. Her strength became her greatest asset, helping her to dominate opponents and set a new benchmark for the fitness levels required for success.

Passion has defined Navratilova’s career – both on and off the court. A dedicated athlete who pushed the boundaries with her training regimes, she is the only player in history to spend more than 200 weeks ranked No.1 in both singles and doubles.

She has been an outspoken advocate for many issues – from gay rights to political matters. Unafraid to stand up for what she believes in, Navratilova remains a respected figure in the sport.

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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

Brilliant

US OPEN

Bianca

Canadian teen Bianca Andreescu’s meteoric rise continues, making a record-breaking run to win the US Open title. LEIGH ROGERS reports

H

as there ever been a more impressive Grand Slam breakthrough?

Certainly not at the US Open, where Bianca Andreescu became the first woman in the Open era to win the title on debut.

The 19-year-old Canadian created history with her 6-3 7-5 victory over Serena Williams in the final, denying the American a seventh crown in New York.

“I started playing tennis at the age of seven, and ever since then I’ve been dreaming of this moment,” Andreescu declared.

“For it to become a reality is just so crazy.”

A year earlier, a No.208-ranked Andreescu lost in straight sets in the opening round of US Open qualifying.

Her campaign lasted 80 minutes.

She returned in 2019 as the No.15 seed, having skyrocketed up the rankings after clinching WTA titles at Indian Wells and Toronto. Contesting only her fourth Grand Slam main draw, she had never previously passed the second round at a major.

That changed in New York, with Andreescu progressing to the fourth round without dropping a set. This included a 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and two-time US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki in the third round.

Andreescu survived three-set tests against Taylor Townsend in the fourth round and Elise Mertens in the quarterfinals, then overcame Belinda Bencic in a high-quality semifinal.

It made Andreescu the first player in 22 years to reach the US Open final on debut, matching Venus Williams’ 1997 run that ended in a loss to Martina Hingis.

“I’ve always dreamt of this moment ever since I was a little kid. But I don’t think many people would have actually thought that it would become a reality,” Andreescu said of the achievement.

Her final challenge was facing childhood idol Serena Williams – a player who won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 1999 before Andreescu was even born. Their age gap of more than 18 years was the largest between any major finalists in Open era history.

“I was feeling many, many things before the match, more than any other match. In the finals, playing Serena. I just tried to breathe as much as I could from the moment I woke up until the match.

I tried to just do that throughout the whole match, to just keep my nerves in place,” Andreescu said.

If she was nervous, it did not show.

Andreescu broke Serena’s serve in the opening game of the match, instantly adding to the pressure on her more experienced opponent.

“The game plan right from the start

BIANCA ANDREESCU’S

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

3 The first Canadian player – man or woman – to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open era 3 Equals Monica Seles’ record of least number of Grand Slams played (with four) before winning first title 3 She is the first teenage Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova in 2006 and first player born in the 2000s to win a major title 3 Improves ranking to a career-high No.5, which equals the highest ranking achieved from a Canadian woman. Ranking was No.243 in October 2018 and she started the 2019 season at No.107.

was to make her work for every ball, to get as many returns in the court as possible,” Andreescu said.

It proved an effective tactic, with Andreescu racing to a 6-3 5-1 advantage.

Even when Serena reeled off four consecutive games late in the second set to ignite a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, Andreescu remained poised.

“I could barely hear myself think really. It was really, really loud,” Andreescu said.

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YOUR GAME

YOURGAME

Boost your on-court performance

68 HOW TO PLAY BETTER DOUBLES Esteemed Australian coach David Macpherson reveals secrets to doubles success.

71 MUM’S THE WORD

The number of mothers competing on tour is rising, but returning from pregnancy takes time.

72 MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES Juniors need to make smart decisions and avoid common pitfalls to enhance development.

COACH PERFORMANCE 74 VALUABLE INSIGHT

Data analysis is becoming an increasingly valuable resource for coaches.

76 A DETERMINED LEADER

Find out what Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik finds most rewarding in her post-playing career.

78 MASTERSTROKE

Helping her rise to world No.1, Ash Barty’s chip backhand return is a proven weapon.

IN FORM: Elina Svitolina is at a career-high ranking of No.3 after reaching consecutive Grand Slam semifinals.

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