Australian Tennis Magazine - August/September 2018

DJOKOVIC+KERBER GRAND SLAM GREATS

Persistence pays

RAFAEL

BL ED O IM

The King of Clay

N

NADAL

MODELS Shine like the stars RO

S OU V E NIR E DI T ION

OS

HALEP

ROLE W

SIMONA

R

LA N D G A R

AUG / SEPT 2018 A$7.50 / NZ$8.40 / US$7.50

TRAILBLAZERS NEW NATIONS RISE GENERATIONS CROSS EMULATING THE GREATS

tennismag.com.au

contents AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 VOL.43 NO.5

33 A GRAND RETURN

With a fourth Wimbledon title following a run of form and injury challenges, a rejuvenated Novak Djokovic arguably claimed his most momentous major yet.

FEATURES 24 IDOL MOMENTS

From the inspiration they take from their favourite superstars, many players go on to compete against them - creating a unique dynamic when a rising star faces a role model.

28 TENNIS TRAILBLAZERS

In the absence of historic heroes from their homelands, some talented trailblazers are creating new milestones for their nations.

38 ANGIE JOINS THE GREATS

While Serena Williams’ run to the final was the talk of Wimbledon, it was Angelique Kerber’s ultimate triumph that added to the German’s Hall of Fame-worthy career.

60 ORIGINAL PIONEERS

Few players demonstrated such role model qualities as Australia’s Judy Dalton and Kerry Reid – members of the ‘Original 9’ that fought for a women’s tour.

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RECOGNISING ROLE MODELS

A role model can come in many different forms. As the world’s best players set examples with their on-court performances, many display stunning personal attributes too.

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 VOL.43 NO.5

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BEYOND ALL DOUBT Simona Halep eliminated all doubts, especially her own, as she staged a masterclass in persistence and positivity to become the French Open champion.

REGULARS 8 10 12 15 16 65

FIRST SERVE FAN ZONE BREAKPOINTS ONE TO WATCH TOP 10 YOUR GAME

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AUSSIE WATCH RANKINGS SCOREBOARD FROM THE ARCHIVES KIDS’ CLUB LAST WORD

EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSISTANT EDITORS Leigh Rogers Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrea Williamson ADVERTISING MANAGER Nicole Hearnden

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RELENTLESS AT ROLAND GARROS As he surged to a record-extending 11th Roland Garros title, Rafael Nadal showcased the qualities that make him one of the greatest role models in sport.

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ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Vanessa Skendaris PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images John Anthony COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN & PHOTO EDITING Andrew Hutchison AFL Media

Australian Tennis Magazine is published 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

ROLE MODEL MUMS

I N S P I R A T I O NA L CHAMPIONS

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very Grand Slam offers a heartwarming reminder of the many role models that exist in tennis, but as electrifying 2018 French Open and Wimbledon events concluded, it seemed as if our game had showcased more inspirational figures than ever before.

The fighting qualities that saw Simona Halep at last become a Grand Slam champion at Roland Garros – and the relentless Rafael Nadal extend an astonishing French Open record to 11 wins in 14 years – set a stunning benchmark for generation next.

So too does the resilience that helped Angelique Kerber become a three-time major champion and Novak Djokovic reignite his career. As those popular competitors surged to the respective ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles titles at Wimbledon, their claims on greatness arguably extended beyond their trophy count.

In showcasing such achievements in our Grand Slam special, “role models” emerges as a natural theme. It’s not just that three of those four players have

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added to their place in tennis history with multiple major victories – and Halep, the other, almost certainly has more stellar performances ahead – but the manner in which such milestones were achieved.

Each has navigated significant career obstacles; after overcoming injury, form and mental challenges, Djokovic admitted he even questioned his future in the sport.

That the Serb returned to claim a fourth Wimbledon trophy underlined both a fierce will and tremendous behind-the-scenes support. “I want to thank all the people who were really close to me and they believe in me as well,” he beamed.

As attention turned to Djokovic’s wife Jelena, his young son Stefan and a loyal team, it was clear that tennis role models also exist beyond the court. Not every tennis hero will lift a Grand Slam trophy – but all of them combine to create a special sport.

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au

When Serena Williams arrived at Wimbledon with her baby daughter, she took a quiet pretournament moment to take 10-month-old Olympia on the famed Centre Court.

“I got a little emotional when I was telling her a story about a girl who had a big dream. I started getting choked up,” said Serena, who shared that special moment via Instagram. “I never felt that before. Just taking all that moment and having the opportunity to share it with my daughter and my future. It was more than I expected. I didn't expect to suddenly get emotional. We'll always have that.

We'll always have that memory.”

And she’ll always have a stunning example set in her 18th appearance at SW19. While Serena would have of course loved the ultimate reward of a Wimbledon trophy – which would have made her the first mother to triumph there since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 – there was no questioning the magnitude of the 36-year-old appearing in a 10th Wimbledon final so soon after Olympia’s difficult birth.

“It’s crazy I don’t even know to feel because I literally didn’t expect to do this well in my fourth tournament back in 16 months,” said an emotional Serena, who also related her early challenges of motherhood. “I had a really tough delivery and I had to have multiple surgeries. I remember I couldn’t even walk to my mailbox so it’s definitely not normal to be in a Wimbledon final. I’m taking it as it is and just enjoying every moment.”

Serena wasn’t the only mother setting a stunning benchmark at The Championships.

Victoria Azarenka, contesting only her third Grand Slam since becoming a mother to Leo in December 2016, reached the second round in singles and progressed to the mixed doubles final with Jamie Murray.

Evgeniya Rodina, a mother to five-year-old daughter Anna, qualified for Wimbledon and upset Madison Keys in a run to the fourth round.

There was also a Wimbledon connection as Mandy Minella added a new milestone as a mother. In 2017, the Luxembourgian famously competed at the All England Club while four months pregnant: immediately after Wimbledon this year, she reached a first WTA-level final in Gstaad.

Successful mothers are becoming a WTA theme: Kateryna Bondarenko triumphed in Tashkent last year and Tatjana Maria won her first career title, Mallorca, in June.

Role models to their children, those dedicated women are also setting a strong example to working mothers worldwide.

G N I S I N RE C OG PICTORIAL

ROLE MODELS As the world’s best players set the standard with their on-court performances, many also display equally strong personal qualities.

By LEIGH ROGERS

INSPIRING Four-time Australian Open champion Dylan Alcott is proving that disability is not a barrier to achieving dreams. “I’m proud of being in a wheelchair and of my disability,” says Alcott, who helped Australia win the World Team Cup in June. “It is really nice when people say you are a role model – but I don’t do that on purpose.

I just live my life and if, as a by-product of that, I inspire others then that is humbling.”

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FEATURE

IDOL

S T N E M OM From the inspiration they take from their favourite superstars, many players go on to compete against them. STEVE BARRETT reports on the unique dynamic of a rising star facing a role model.

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is hands went His tally of Wimbledon numb, his heart was titles is eight and counting, the pounding out of his Swiss superstar having already chest and his brain successfully hunted down his was whirling in all role model’s plethora of records. directions.

These days, it’s Federer Nineteen-year-old prodigy standing on the other side of the Roger Federer’s phlegmatic net as the elder statesman and exterior was clearly a ruse. role model against a swag of nextIt was the fourth round of generation talents who want to Wimbledon 2001 and the be him and beat him. precocious Swiss was making Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov’s his maiden appearance on elegant all-court style most Centre Court. resembles the Swiss maestro but On the other side of the net world No.3 Alexander Zverev is was seven-time title-holder perhaps the most fervid Fed-fan Pete Sampras, winner of 53 of on the tour. his previous 54 matches at The Sixteen years younger and Championships, undisputed king 13 centimetres taller than of grass and still an idol and role Federer, Zverev lacks his idol’s model to the richly-gifted but net craft while his cracking thus far unfulfi lled Federer. double-fi sted backhand is “Cold hands. Pulse was racing. noticeably Marat Safi n-esque.

Disbelief that I was actually This role-model dynamic is playing my hero, but also being more inspiration than imitation. for the fi rst time on Centre Court,” Federer comfortably Federer said. prevailed in the pair’s first “My head was spinning. I was meeting on Rome’s red dirt in warming up and I looked across 2016 before Zverev won the title the net and I couldn’t believe it a year later, thumping Novak was Sampras.”

Djokovic in the decider.

Federer soon composed Zverev then made it back-tohimself. He thundered down back Masters when he routed his a fi rst-point ace, hero in a lopsided immediately held to Rogers Cup fi nal ROLE MODELS TO RIVALS: love and he was in in Montreal, Roger Federer became business – while still undoubtedly the a friend and rival to being somewhat in German's fi nest hour.

Alexander Zverev (left); Federer usurped Pete disbelief.

“This one against Sampras (above) and “It was weird …

Roger is something Jo-Wilfried Tsonga sometimes I was so special for me inspired Nick Kyrgios. like, it’s just true, you because he was know, kind of that always a great idol this is happening now, that growing up for me,” Zverev I’m playing against him,” said during his trophy Federer said. presentation.

“The fi rst service game is never “The greatest player of easy, especially for me the fi rst all time, beating him in time coming out on Centre Court, a fi nal, not just any fi nal playing Pete Sampras, one of my but in the fi nal of a Masters former idols. That (holding to 1000, is amazing.” love) gave me a little boost to go Zverev knew Federer had into the match.” once been in his shoes. “I’m Finally, after five see-sawing sure for him playing against sets, Federer ripped a forehand someone like (Andre) down the line off Sampras’ Agassi or Sampras was fabled fi rst serve on match point the same kind of before collapsing to his knees in special feeling like elation to cap the most seismic, it is for me playing intergenerational changing-ofagainst him,” the the-guard moment in modern German said. tennis history.

“It’s always While Sampras’ All England super nice to be Club chapter closed meekly 12 on court with months later with an inglorious him, against him. second-round defeat, Federer’s It’s something story remains unfi nished. very special.

“I looked across the net and I couldn’t believe it was Sampras.”

Doing so in the fi nal of a Masters is even more special.”

In other instances, imitation of a role model is absolutely the premier form of flattery.

Possessing relentless baseline accuracy, especially on the backhand wing, outstanding defence and eye-watering elasticity, bespectacled South

ROGER FEDERER

Korean Hyeon Chung is, in tennis terms, a Novak Djokovic clone.

In the fourth round of Australian Open 2018, Chung ‘out-Novaked’ the champion Serb in a stunning straight-sets triumph with a swag of headsup plays straight out of the Nole manual.

Djokovic was clearly hampered by a troublesome right elbow but his presence alone could have been intimidating enough, had Chung not been so intrepid and eager to show his role model what he can do.

“When I was young I just tried to copy Novak because he was my idol,” Chung told Channel 7's Jim Courier in his post-match on-court television interview.

Likewise 2017 Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza imitated, idolised and forensically analysed 23-time Slam winner Serena Williams to kickstart her own march to stardom.

Like Williams, the attacking Muguruza possesses a booming serve and thumping groundstrokes.

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NEW GROUND: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Damir Dzumhur and Maria Sakkari are achieving new highs for their nations.

TENNIS

FEATURE

S R E Z A L B L I A R T In the absence of historic heroes from their homeland, talented trailblazers are stepping into that role model position to create new tennis milestones for their nation. By VIVIENNE CHRISTIE

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ountless stops in dozens of nations feature in any full season of a top professional player. Over the course of a career, their air miles equate to millions.

But the biggest journey for many players has nothing to do with travel. For while many players follow the path of well-known compatriots, others overcome some unimaginable obstacles to blaze their own impressive trail.

Among the 50-plus nations represented at Wimbledon this year were the usual tennis powerhouses: host Grand Slam nations were typically well represented with 13 players from Great Britain, 14 Australians, 16 French players and 30 from America. Others came in numbers from nations with tennis fortunes shaped by some of the game’s powerful fi gures: consider the Czech Republic, where 10 players in the ladies’ singles event included dual Wimbledon titlist Petra Kvitova, whose own journey was inspired by nine-time champion and fellow Czech native Martina Navratilova. Germany also stood out, its 15th representatives – eight men, seven women – arguably inspired early on by seven-time ladies’ champion Steffi Graf and triple men’s titlist Boris Becker.

In contrast, more than 20 nations at Wimbledon featured just one or two representatives – Georgia, Moldova, Paraguay and Puerto Rico among them. It would be isolating, perhaps even overwhelming, if not for the character and hard work it had taken many such players to get there.

Few players have done so with such heart as Damir Dzumhur, from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The fi rst man from his nation ever to contest the main draw of a Grand Slam, the world No.23 arrived at Wimbledon with his third career title just secured at Antalya and reached the second round of The Championships.

“Every journey is long and every journey is tough but I made it to Grand Slams, I made it to big tournaments and I was always going step by step,” Dzumhur related of the progress since he first experienced tennis as a five-year-old in Sarajevo.

The 26-year-old developed his game at Zetra Olympic Hall, an indoor centre still damaged by the civil war that ravaged his city between 1992 and 1996.

He relates that wood from the

make it to big tournaments and I can make it to big results.”

As Dzumhur continues on that path alongside top-100 countryman Mirza Basic, interest in tennis is steadily rising in Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Everybody’s following tennis, everybody’s now watching my matches, following the Davis Cup team,” said Dzumhur, who embraces his ability to make a long-term impact.

“My plan is to even develop it more and once I’m at the end of my career probably I will open an academy or get anything to get kids to come to tennis and play tennis and to try to make somebody who can be really good and go far to professional level,” he related at Wimbledon.

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur equally understands the influence she can have as a pro player without a

“Every journey is long and every journey is tough but I made it to Grand Slams.” surface of the makeshift court was often taken by refugees hoping to warm themselves in sub-zero temperatures. But with the support of his family – especially father, Nerfid, a tennis coach who remains a key part of Dzumhur’s team – the dedicated young player made the necessary improvements.

“Every year my ranking was better,” he recalled. “Every year my game was better. I just felt that I can

DAMIR DZUMHUR

strong history in tennis. In 2017, the 22-year-old Jabeur gained a lucky loser entry into the French Open and defeated Dominika Cibulkova in a second round boilover. She was not only the fi rst Tunisian woman to progress to the third round at a Grand Slam, but the fi rst from any of 21 Arabic nations.

“It feels like history, of course,” said Jabeur, a talented junior who’d thrived in the 2011 junior girls’ AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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Choose a sport they can play forever‌ Tennis!

WIMBLEDON

With a fourth Wimbledon title elevating Novak Djokovic to fourth position on the all-time Grand Slam winners' list, the rejuvenated champion arguably achieved his most momentous major victory yet.

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE reports

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:

N R U T E R

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JOHN ANTHONY / ISPA

A GRAND

E I G N AJOINS THE WIMBLEDON

GREATS

While Serena Williams’ run to the final was the talk of Wimbledon and put her on the brink of more history, it was Angelique Kerber’s ultimate triumph that added to the German’s now Hall of Fame-worthy career. By MATT TROLLOPE

A

ngelique Kerber is a three-time major champion and one Roland Garros title away from a career Grand Slam.

These are just two takeaways from a compelling women’s fortnight at Wimbledon that concluded with Kerber again defeating the great Serena Williams in a Grand Slam decider.

Serena’s resurgence had been the biggest storyline during The Championships. In just her fourth tournament after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia 10 months earlier, she marched to the final for the loss of just one set, one win from levelling Margaret Court’s record tally of 24 major singles titles. But as was also the case in the Australian Open 2016 final, Kerber thwarted her; in a rematch of their 2016 Wimbledon decider, the German turned the tables to beat Serena 6-3 6-3 in a brisk 65 minutes.

“My first memories (of Wimbledon) was watching Steffi here, winning all the matches,” said Kerber, after becoming the first German to hoist the Venus Rosewater Dish since the great Graf in 1996. “I think Wimbledon was always the Grand Slam I was

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dreaming for,” Kerber said. “It is something special. I think it’s traditional. To winning here, it’s forever. Nobody can take the title away from me.”

It was an especially satisfying triumph given Kerber’s annus horribilis of 2017. In 2016 she’d risen to world No.1, winning the Australian and US Opens.

Backing that up the following year proved a draining, deflating experience. So jaded did she feel after missing the WTA Finals in Singapore, going winless at the second-tier Elite Trophy in Zhuhai and dropping outside the top 20 that she took more than a month off to restore body and mind.

She returned this year refreshed, re-motivated and working with new coach Wim Fissette. She won her very first tournament of the year in Sydney and hasn’t looked back.

Kerber overcame extremely impressive opposition at Wimbledon, beginning with former world No.2 Vera Zvonareva – who like Serena is working her way back after becoming a mother – then a succession of young guns in Naomi Osaka, Belinda Bencic, Daria Kasatkina and Jelena

Ostapenko. She dropped only one set, to 2017 junior champion Claire Liu in round two. Serena’s path to the final was similarly smooth, but unlike Kerber she didn’t face a top-50 opponent until playing No.13 seed Julia Goerges – who enjoyed her best Grand Slam performance – in the semifinals.

That was mostly due to the fact that every top-10 seed had bombed out before the quarterfinals – but more on that later.

During the final, Kerber made just five unforced errors and absorbed everything Williams executed, counterpunching beautifully, consistently putting the ball in awkward parts of the court and attacking whenever she sensed an opportunity.

Serena was as off as Kerber was on; her serve lacked its usual sting and she sprayed 24 unforced errors, scratchy with her footwork and often late to anticipate or reach the ball.

Had Kerber been brilliant, or had Serena flopped? Both indicated it was the former.

“She played from first point to the last point really good. She played unbelievable today,” said Williams, who shared a heartfelt

“Wimbledon was always the Grand Slam I was dreaming for. It is something special.”

ANGELIQUE KERBER

embrace with Kerber after match “Winning three different Grand point. Added the victor: “I think Slams, I think it’s just the best that she not lost the match, I won thing,” Kerber said, before adding a the match. title on clay at Roland Garros was “Serena for me is a champion. “a longer way to go”.

She is one of the best players in “I think without 2017 I the world. That she came back couldn’t win this tournament. after all this up and downs, after I think I learned a lot from last having a baby, playing tennis year, with all the expectation, like she’s playing now, that’s all the things I go through,” great. To share with her a court, she said. “I tried to enjoy every it’s always an honour single moment now. I for me because I know just try to improving QUALITY KERBER: she’s pushing me to my game, thinking not A third major title returned the limits I have to play too much about the Angelique Kerber my best tennis. To win results, trying to being to world No.4 the fi nal against her, a better tennis player, and underlined it’s always even more a better person. her place among special for me.”

Trying to enjoy my modern greats.

The triumph tennis again.” vaults Kerber clear of SERENA SOARS illustrious names like Victoria Another player clearly enjoying Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Mary her tennis was Williams.

Pierce, Svetlana Kuznetsova, She officially returned to the Li Na and Garbine Muguruza courts in March at Indian Wells, on the list of most Grand Slam singles titles won. Now level with where she reached the third round, but fell in the opening Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer round in Miami. She didn’t Capriati, she’s one behind Kim appear again until Roland Garros, Clijsters and Arantxa Sanchez where she looked increasingly Vicario. She’s 3-1 in Grand Slam strong en route to the fourth finals and 2-1 against Serena round before a pectoral strain in those finals, impressive forced her withdrawal. numbers she attributes to her When she emerged for her fi rstever-increasing experience round match against Aranxta Rus in big matches.

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NOVAK DJOKOVI18C WIMBLEDON CHAMPION 20

FRENCH OPEN

SIMONA HALEP:

T B U DO

BEYOND ALL Simona Halep eliminated all doubts, especially her own, as she staged a masterclass in persistence and positivity to become the French Open champion.

By KRISTINA MOORE

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RAFAEL NADAL

“You can always improve something, I think that everyone can improve. There is no limit.”

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FRENCH OPEN

S S E L T N REATLEROLAND GARROS RAFAEL NADAL:

S

tories abound about the life lessons Rafael Nadal learned on the tennis courts from his uncle and longtime coach Toni Nadal. Each lesson imprinted a powerful message that young Rafa took to heart and never forgot. Their themes involved humility, hard work, resilience, and respect for the game.

One such lesson came when Rafa, an 11-year-old prodigy, won the Spanish junior (18-and-under) championships. To ensure that Rafa didn’t make too much of it, Toni read the names of the previous 25 junior champions to his nephew who had heard of only five of them. To make his point, Toni said, “This is the possibility you have.”

When at age 19, Nadal won his first Grand Slam title at the 2005 French Open, Toni repeated the same message, noting that fellow

Spaniards Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero had won Roland Garros only once. He stressed to Rafa that it’s difficult to improve when you’re completely satisfied with what you’ve achieved and that you have to improve every year and sometimes even that may not be enough.

In 2018 it has proven to be more than enough – especially on his beloved clay at the French Open.

Those who say records are made to be broken will likely concede that the 11th singles title Nadal captured is a men’s record too extraordinary ever to be eclipsed.

To grasp its magnitude, consider that Bjorn Borg ranks second with six French Open titles and Roger Federer amassed the second most men’s titles at any major, eight at Wimbledon.

What accounts for the longevity at an elite level of this fi nely tuned, almost super-human athlete?

JOHN ANTHONY / ISPA

As he racked up an astonishing 11th title at Roland Garros, the record-breaking Rafael Nadal showcased the qualities that make him one of sport’s greatest-ever role models. PAUL FEIN reports

YOUR GAME

YOURGAME

Boost your on-court performance

66 MODELLING A CHAMPION

Some fast-rising stars are channeling the qualities of prominent role models into their own on-court success.

68 ACING THE SECOND SERVE

Practice is key for turning your second serve into a weapon.

70 YOUR ROLE MODEL: COULD IT BE YOU? Setting your own standard for success creates the most important role model of all.

71 FINAL PREPARATIONS

The warm-up is a chance to settle your nerves and gain insights into your opponent.

72 BLISTERING CONCERNS

A blister may sound like a minor injury, but it can quickly turn major for a tennis player.

73 PRODUCT WATCH

Top players choose their products carefully – and so can you, with reviews of some latest releases.

74 BE THE PRO

Replicate Novak Djokovic’s on-court style and weaponry.

COACH PERFORMANCE 76 GUIDING GENERATION NEXT Sam Groth, Casey Dellacqua, Jelena Dokic and some high-profile peers take the first steps in their coaching careers.

78 LIFE ON TOUR

As he guides top Australian Ash Barty to new heights, Craig Tyzzer provides an exclusive insight into life as a coach on tour.

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