Australian Tennis Magazine - December 2016/January 2017

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contents DECEMBER 2016 / JANUARY 2017 VOL.42 NO.1

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SEASON OF CHANGE A year that began with unshakeable forces at No.1 ended with two new leaders – 2016 will be remembered as a season of change.

FEATURES 22 MANY HAPPY RETURNS

40 22 UNDER 22

28 THE PROFESSOR

47 ANDY’S AMAZING JOURNEY

With body and mind rejuvenated after his six-month absence, Roger Federer makes a welcome return to the court this Australian summer.

Can Agnieszka Radwanska, whose sharp tactical nous has earnt her the moniker of “The Professor”, use her enviable ability to win a Grand Slam title?

34 SIBLING REVELRY

A strong contingent of rising stars are making their mark – as 22 of the game’s brightest prospects under 22 showed in 2016.

The last of the Big Four to reign as No.1, Andy Murray has travelled a long, hard road to the top – and his sights are set on another career milestone at Melbourne Park.

Not every rivalry in tennis is of the intense competitive kind. As the Murray brothers proved in season 2016, competing alongside a successful sibling can inspire greater heights.

72 STRONGER, TOGETHER

36 A WELCOME PRESSURE

76 CELEBRATING DYLAN

Entrenched in the world’s top 25 and touted as a future No.1, Alexander Zverev is far from overwhelmed by his standout position among NextGen stars.

Aussie camaraderie took on new meaning when Alicia Molik, Sam Stosur and Casey Dellacqua each suffered freak health issues at the peak of their careers.

World No.1 quad wheelchair player Dylan Alcott continues to set records, adding the 2016 Newcombe Medal to his growing accolades.

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WANTED: A SLAM WIN

Who are the high-profile names chasing elusive Grand Slam glory?

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DECEMBER 2016 / JANUARY 2017 VOL.42 NO.1

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FEARLESS FORECASTS FOR 2017 Predicting the future is a difficult task – but that hasn’t stopped us from making 17 tennis forecasts for 2017.

REGULARS 14 16 18 20 81 84 89 90 91 107 111 118

FAN ZONE BREAKPOINTS ONES TO WATCH 20 QUESTIONS YOUR GAME LESSONS FROM THE PROS NUTRITION INJURY WATCH FITNESS SCOREBOARD RANKINGS LAST WORD

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BREAKING DOWN THE TWEENER

The ‘tweener’ is one of the most entertaining shots in the game, but is it a stroke best left to the pros?

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EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSISTANT EDITORS Leigh Rogers Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrea Williamson Dominica Glass

ADVERTISING MANAGER Nicole Hearnden ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Camille Green PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images, John Anthony COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN Andrew Hutchison 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.

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FIRST SERVE

New Beginnings

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or many players and fans, 2016 will be remembered as a turning point for tennis.

Beginning with seemingly unshakeable world No.1s in Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, it ended with deserving new leaders in Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber. Combined with another firsttime Grand Slam titlist in Garbine Muguruza at the French Open, it was a season that reminded us that there are always new milestones to celebrate.

Murray, Kerber and other top names will consider their career-best achievements in 2016 as a springboard for even brighter ones in 2017. Others, like Roger Federer, will target a fresh start.

Undermined by injury for the first time in his long career, the superstar Swiss finished 2016 at world No.16 – his lowest year-end ranking since the start of the century. For the first time since 2001, there were no titles for the 88-time ATP champion.

Not that Federer is discouraged by those statistics. Rather, the opposite is true, the 35-year-old spending much of the past six months recovering at home with his family.

“It’s the first year that I definitely spent the most time in Switzerland than any other year in the last 15 years so I’m

really making the most of it,” Federer told the ATP World Tour during his break. “Life’s been busy (on the tour).

Now that it’s more quiet of course I love it and I feel like I’m taking a lot of energy from it.”

Now, the rejuvenated Federer is ready to return to the court in Australia, where highlights include four Australian Open titles. Fans will relish the thought of more maestro magic ahead – and media will be equally happy to report on it.

Recently asked the number of ATMs that I’d been a part of as editor, I was staggered to realise that this edition marks the 150th I’ve produced since March 2004. The question that naturally followed was to relate my favourite memories from that period.

Of course, there are many of them.

From the longevity of Serena Williams and the glorious reign of the Big Four, it has been a celebrated time in our sport.

Australians are naturally drawn to Sam Stosur’s Grand Slam triumph at the 2011 US Open too.

Spoiled for choice over so many years, it’s impossible to single out a single player or highlight.

And as we enter the new season with the sense of a fresh start, there’s a buzz in knowing that the best tennis moments could well be the ones that are yet to unfold.

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au

A YEAR TO REMEMBER Season 2016 will be remembered for several significant milestones: A NEW WTA NO.1:

After a major breakthrough at AO2016, greater heights followed for Angelique Kerber as she ended Serena Williams’ record 186 week-run at No.1.

… AND ON THE ATP TOO:

He moved just a single place but the move to world No.1 was a seismic shift for Andy Murray – and to the men’s game overall.

NEXT GEN

Spending much of 2016 as the top-ranked Australian, Nick Kyrgios underlined the growing credentials of the Next Gen group.

A MAIDEN MAJOR

Form challenges followed Garbine Muguruza’s French Open triumph but her maiden Slam title emphasised change in the established order.

HIGH STAKES AHEAD Several superstars know that 2017 could provide an important turning point: DOMINATION TO RECLAIM

Long protective of his world No.1 domain, it will be a fiercelycompetitive Novak Djokovic who sets about re-establishing his dominance in 2017.

RECORDS TO BREAK

Already sitting alongside Steffi Graf with 22 Grand Slam titles, Serena Williams is aware of the records that may still embellish her storied career.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SEIZE

Arguably entering the latter stages of their superstar careers, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be intent on maximising Grand Slam opportunities.

INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

Finishing 2016 at No.25 after her first WTA final in Moscow, Aussie Daria Gavrilova is poised to step further into the world tennis spotlight.

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FEATURE

Unrivalled in tennis history and unmatched in longevity, there are few “firsts” for Roger Federer still to achieve in the sport.

But this Australian summer, the prolific competitor embarks on an assignment that is remarkably yet to occur in his career – returning after a long break. Recovered from injury and rejuvenated from time away from the court, the superstar is perfectly placed for a fresh start.

By JEREMY STYLES

MANY HAPPY RETURNS ROGER FEDERER

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ROGER FEDERER

“You’re just happy to be on the court, you’re just happy to be healthy again. You almost don’t care about the result.”

FEATURE

Possessing such sharp tactical nous that many know her as “The Professor”, Agnieszka Radwanska is a study in how to combat today’s fiercely physical brand of tennis. But can that enviable ability take her all the way to a Grand Slam title?

NICK McCARVEL reports.

Agnieszka Radwanska

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AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA

“I think Angie showed all of us that it’s possible. You can beat Serena in the final of a Grand Slam. She definitely has proven that you can be on top.”

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FEATURE

WANTED:

A SLAM WIN All pros long to be the “best” but some highprofile names are looking to shake the “best players without a Slam” moniker.

Can they join the major champions’ club in 2017?

LEIGH ROGERS reports

DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA The 27-year-old Slovak has reached the quarterfinals or better at all four Slams, with her best result a runner-up finish at Australian Open 2014. A struggle to bounce back quickly from emotional wins has proven Cibulkova’s biggest barrier to success, yet her victory at the WTA Finals last October (beating world No.1 Angelique Kerber in the final) highlighted her improved fortitude. The world No.5’s selfbelief is at an all-time high, making her a major contender in 2017: “I want to achieve another dream, and that’s winning a Grand Slam,” she stresses.

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SIMONA HALEP The Romanian made her Grand Slam breakthrough with a Roland Garros final in 2014. It took Maria Sharapova three tough sets to beat her, the Russian later admitting “she pushed me to the limit”. A Wimbledon semifinal followed, heightening expectations of major glory. Since then the 25-year-old with a careerhigh world No.2 ranking has made one semifinal from her past nine Grand Slams. Yet the 14-time WTA title winner has to be considered a contender, especially as she boasts solid head-to-head records against rivals Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA It took the big-serving Czech 18 attempts to advance to the second week of a Grand Slam. It was a frustrating record for a player who has been a top 10 force on the tour for the past two years and an Australian Open junior champion.

She finally made a deep run at the US Open in 2016. The 24-year-old eliminated both Venus and Serena Williams to reach her first final, where she led Angelique Kerber by a break early in the third set.

Pliskova related that being “close to winning” inspires her to believe she can win Grand Slam titles in the near future.

FEATURE

The last of the Big Four to reign as No.1, Andy Murray has travelled a long, hard road to the top. Now can he tick off another career milestone at Melbourne Park?

By SUZI PETKOVSKI

A

s the least decorated member of the Big Four, Andy Murray has been the Fourth Beatle of tennis. How apt that he travelled a long and winding road to No.1.

“This has been an incredible journey for me to get to the top of the rankings,” Murray said after winning the Paris Masters and putting his name atop the rankings from 7 November.

There were twists aplenty in the final steps to the summit alone. Following Novak Djokovic’s loss to Marin Cilic in Paris, Murray needed a semifinal win over Milos Raonic to clinch No.1. The prize fell

into his lap when the injured Canadian gave him a walkover.

“A bit strange how it’s happened today,” admitted Murray, who’d envisioned winning No.1 after the euphoria of match point. “[But] I’m very proud to get to this moment.

Getting to No.1, it wasn’t about this week or about last week.

It’s been many years of work to get here.”

While congratulations and tributes flooded in, Murray was acutely aware he still had a fi nal to win. He admitted to heightened pre-match nerves, mindful of playing a dud fi nal as the newly anointed No.1. He defeated John Isner 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4.

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SEASON o FEATURE

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of CHANGE A year that began with an unshakable force at world No.1 concluded with Novak Djokovic at last handing the mantle to the indefatigable Andy Murray. Combined with the highrise feats of new No.1 Angelique Kerber, 2016 will be remembered as a season of change.

By CHRIS BOWERS

TURNING POINT: After completing his major collection at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic seemed set for another milestone with a calendar-year Grand Slam; instead, it was Andy Murray’s career-best performance as runner-up that ignited a history-making rise.

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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS AWARDS

Celebrating

DYLAN World No.1 quad wheelchair player Dylan Alcott continues to set records, adding the 2016 Newcombe Medal to his growing accolades.

By LEIGH ROGERS

I

nspirational. It’s an apt description of Dylan Alcott – the 2016 Newcombe Medallist and fi rst wheelchair athlete to claim Australia’s top tennis award.

“I’m not going to lie, I really wanted to win this award,” Alcott said after he received a standing ovation from more than 700 people who’d attended the annual gala event.

“We have an athlete with a disability category and that’s a huge honour but I see myself as an elite athlete fi rst and foremost who just happens to have a disability who uses a wheelchair to play.”

After edging out fi nalists Sam Stosur, Daria Gavrilova, John Millman, John Peers and Jordan Thompson for the prestigious award, Alcott joins an illustrious list of Newcombe Medallists including Stosur, Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrgios and Sam Groth.

“To be recognised with the highest honour means so much to me and for people with a

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FIONA HAMILTON

disability, especially kids,” Alcott and to have the Paralympics on said. “We’re often seen as secondeveryone’s TV this year. It was class citizens. And massive for me to even though you win be given this award GALA NIGHT: John the elite athlete with in honour of Newk, Newcombe and 2016 Newcombe Medallist disability award, we who is such a tennis Dylan Alcott (left); weren’t actually good legend. He’s someone Lleyton and Bec Hewitt, enough to win the who I looked up to Sam Stosur, Daria able-bodied award when I was young Gavrilova and Luke Saville and this absolutely watching videos of (below); Heath Davidson and Alcott celebrate smashes that glass him play,” Alcott said. ceiling for elite athletes their awards with finalist Newcombe Jordan Thompson with a disability praised Alcott for (bottom right). everywhere.” his dedication and The popular outstanding results.

25-year-old, who also shared the “He’s come along and won gold Most Outstanding Athlete with for Australia in singles and doubles. a Disability Award with doubles It’s unbelievable and I’m so bloody partner Heath Davidson, had proud,” Newcombe said. a stellar 2016. After winning Former player Angie titles in Brisbane and Sydney, Cunningham, who lost a battle with he successfully defended his motor neuron disease in October, Australian Open crown. His was posthumously honoured in heroics at the Rio Paralympic an emotional presentation of the Games, where he won gold medals President’s Spirit of Tennis Award. in singles and doubles, further Her father Bill Woolcock accepted boosted his ever-growing profi le. the award on her behalf.

“It’s just unbelievable. It’s been Kimberly Birrell and Alex the best year of my life, bar none.

De Minaur were named Junior I’m so proud to be a Paralympian Athletes of the Year.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS AWARDS WINNERS Newcombe Medal: Dylan Alcott – St Kilda East, Vic President’s Spirit of Tennis Award: Angie Cunningham Coaching Excellence – High Performance: Des Tyson – NSW Coaching Excellence – Club: Helen Magill Parkes, NSW Coaching Excellence – Talent Development: Stephen Thompson Cherrybrook, NSW Junior Athlete of the Year – Female: Kimberly Birrell - Hope Island, Qld Junior Athlete of the Year – Male: Alex De Minaur - Rhodes, NSW Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability: Dylan Alcott - St Kilda East, Vic; Heath Davidson - Rosebud, Vic Volunteer Achievement Award: Kathy Brummitt - Katherine, NT Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior: Leanne Swaysland - Illawarra, NSW Excellence in Officiating: Troy Deighton Engadine, NSW Most Outstanding Club presented

by Medibank: East Malvern Tennis Club - Vic Most Outstanding Australian Ranking Tournament: Ferntree Gully Kia MUSTA Silver AMT - Vic Most Outstanding Professional Tournament: 2015 Canberra International - ACT Most Outstanding School: Wembley Primary School - Wembley, WA

FIONA HAMILTON

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YOUR GAME

YOURGAME

Boost your on-court performance

82 STROKE ANALYSIS

The ‘tweener’ is one of the most entertaining shots in the game but is it a stroke best left to the pros?

84 LESSONS FROM THE PROS Claiming her biggest career title at the WTA Finals, Dominika Cibulkova showcased the ability for a true champion to step up under pressure.

89 A PERFECT START

A healthy breakfast provides the nutritional boost required for the day ahead.

90 INJURY WATCH

With the evolution of spin and rise in extreme grip use, it’s important to guard against wrist injuries.

91 FITNESS

Adding variety to fitness training can help an athlete peak at the right moments.

94 BE THE PRO

Breaking down the style of world No.7 Gael Monfils.

95 NEED TO KNOW

Understanding key features of the latest racquets and how they work for your game can help make your purchase less daunting.

97 EQUIPMENT

Australian Open racquet restringers understand the need to individualise equipment.

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