Australian Tennis Magazine - February 2012

FEBRUARY 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012 DELIVERING NEW HIGHS

YOUR GAME • SERVE LIKE DEL POTRO • GRIND OUT A WIN • STARS TO EMULATE • SUPER FOODS

SUMMER STUNNERS

VICTORIA AZARENKA

PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

AUSSIE ASSAULT

LUKE SAVILLE BERNARD TOMIC LLEYTON HEWITT JAMES DUCKWORTH

RIPPING ALL RECORDS

FEBRUARY 2012 VOL 37 No. 2

A $7.50 (inc. GST) NZ $8.40 (inc. GST) US $7.50

FROM THE EDITOR

ic and Rafael ends watched Novak Djokov s a string of Australian leg open era – t Grand Slam final of the Nadal battle out the longes s no doubt a pelling one too – there wa and arguably the most com tch for the ages. en had culminated in a ma spectacul ar Australian Op No. 1 territory mpion to defend his world The fierce battle for one cha ed a displa y of ma jor dominance produc and another to regain his nce. and unimaginabl e endura bre athtaking shot-m aking was not the onl y t tes con hour 53 minute Incredibly, though , that five toria Azarenka was eaking Australian Open. Vic mil estone in the record-br ion Maria Sharapova d three-time ma jor champ relentless as she outclasse m title, and with it sian to claim a Grand Sla to become the first Bel aru ion pointed to the er, the determined champ the world No. 1 ranking. Lat other young pla yers jor victor y would have on impact she hoped her ma from her countr y. performances at some stunning Australian You onl y have to consider succes s mentality. iate that succes s-breedsMelbourne Park to apprec ved an inspiration in yton Hewitt once again pro Battle-scarred warrior Lle matched by Bernard rth round; a performance his unlikely run to the fou nts to fur ther prove of higher-ranked oppone ng stri a et ups he as ic Tom e’s biggest stage. his credential s on the gam , went on to win cites Hewitt as a role model Luke Saville, who regularly nobody can be m in the boys’ event. While his second junior Grand Sla ce will no doubt be an rem ain on tour, his infl uen sure how long Hewitt will yers continue their ille and other Australian pla enduring one as Tomic, Sav rise at other events. renka will that Djokovic, Nadal and Aza Meanwhile, it seems likely erbly at Australian rd they showcased so sup continue to set the standa y by the tantalising performances matched onl Open 2012, their stunning them might achieve next. prospect of what each of

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REGULARS 7

Top Spin

13

Your Serve

44

Aces & Places

61

My Game

68

My Coach

78

Rankings

JOHN ANTHONY / ISPA

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

EDITOR CONSULTING EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER ADVERTISING MANAGER ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER MY COACH CONTENT PHOTOGRAPHS COVER PHOTO

Vivienne Christie Alan Trengove Daniela Toleski Andrea Williamson Breanna Kray Ben Carenco Mark Edney Getty Images, John Anthony (All photographs by Getty Images unless specified) Getty Images

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.

FEATURES

14

Delivering new highs With record attendances, historymaking milestones, a new world No. 1 and a final for the ages, Australian Open 2012 delivered new highs at every turn.

18

Djokovic joins the greats Novak Djokovic becomes a triple Australian Open champion and a legend with his epic win in the 100th Australian men’s championship.

24

The new Queen With an emphatic Grand Slam breakthrough, newlycrowned No. 1 Victoria Azarenka tops a new order in women’s tennis.

34

Star Rising Top-ranked junior Luke Saville once again showed he’s a force of the future by claiming a cherished home Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.

47

An enduring favourite While questions surround Kim Clijsters’ playing future, there are no such questions about her enduring popularity.

Australian Tennis Magazine | February 2012

5

The 2012 tennis season kicked off with new – and renewed – stars showcasing their finest form in Australia’s summer events.

I

f accuracy and power were the most talked-about weapons as an unseeded Kaia Kanepi stunned a string of higherranked opponents to claim her first WTA premier-level title at the season-opening Brisbane International, persistence might have been the more important factor. In 2011, the Estonian suffered an Achilles injury that forced her off the tour for two months – and that enforced break made her hungrier than ever to rise to new heights in her playing career.

“I couldn’t stop smiling after the match,” said Kanepi, who upset seeds Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Andrea Petkovic and Francesca Schiavone before a flawless fi nals victory over Daniela Hantuchova.

“I don’t think I’ve really realised what I’ve done, how well I’ve played, who

Serena Williams adds star factor to every event.

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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

I’ve beaten and the scores. I’ve really enjoyed winning such a big tournament.

It was just my week, but I have to be ready, because history has shown nothing comes easy for me.”

There was a symbolism of sorts in Kanepi rebounding from injury in the most emphatic manner in Brisbane, for the tournament itself had also staged an impressive recovery. Days after the completion of the 2011 tournament, the Queensland Tennis Centre was submerged by the floods that devastated much of the state, damaging much of the state-of-the-art facility immeasurably.

To say that both the venue and the tournament had come back even stronger was an understatement – boosted by the upgrade to WTA Premierlevel status on the women’s side and

The ever-competitive Francesca Schiavone delivers drama.

a quality men’s field, record crowds flocked to the partly rebuilt centre, the 92,802 people who attended over the tournament’s eight days smashing the previous record by more than 10,000.

A factor, of course, was the high profi le players who contested the tournament.

Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters were among the former world No. 1s contesting the women’s event, while world No. 4 Andy Murray added X Factor to the men’s event. There was also unprecedented local appeal as Queensland fans came in droves to support recently-crowned US Open champion Sam Stosur and the rapidlyimproving Bernard Tomic.

Fans were treated to some high quality tennis – and plenty of drama.

While Stosur made a surprisingly early exit in the women’s event, Serena and Clijsters thrilled crowds before injury derailed

Kaia Kanepi is eyeing the world’s top 10.

Andy Murray, Brisbane International 2012 champion.

Kaia Kanpei relishes her biggest win.

their respective campaigns – Serena bravely playing on after an ankle sprain in her second round win against Bojana Jovanovski but forced to withdraw from her quarter-fi nal, and Clijsters retiring after suffering a hip injury in her semi-fi nal against Hantuchova.

Kanepi fi lled their void admirably, her most commanding tournament run yet seeing many, including Hantuchova after the fi nal, predict that the world No. 34 could make a top 10 breakthrough in 2012 – just as Kvitova had done after she claimed victory at the same event the previous year. “Well, if I’m playing like this, I think I can,” Kanepi agreed. “I have to work hard, play consistently and win. We will see at the end of the year if I did the same thing as Petra or not.”

Murray was similarly encouraged after claiming his 22nd career title in the Queensland capital – especially given that the victory didn’t come as automatically as many expected of the fourth-ranked Scot, Murray stretched to three-sets in the opening two rounds against Mikhail Kukushkin and Gilles Muller, before fi nding his feet against

Marcos Baghdatis, Tomic and Alexandr Dolgopolov in the fi nal.

“I’m a year wiser, I have a year more experience and I think I’ve improved a few things in my game,” said Murray, when asked whether the Brisbane title could be a precursor to a major breakthrough in Melbourne. “I still played pretty good last year in Australia. I could play great tennis again and lose in the second round or the third round, that’s how tennis works sometimes.

“But equally I could win the tournament if I play my best. So I just need to show up, give 100 percent every single point. If someone plays a great match to beat me, then that happens, but if I play well like I did this week, I give myself a good chance.”

I

t was another star, in fact, who would be boosted to Grand Slam success after dominating an earlier Australian Open series event, Victoria Azarenka showcasing her best tennis as she outclassed Jelena Jankovic, Marion Bartoli, Agnieszka Radwanska and fi nally

Li Na brings her best game to Australia.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

53

Jarko Nieminen ends his title drought at the Apia International Sydney.

Bernard Tomic adds to his successes at Kooyong.

Sydney success for Victoria Azarenka.

defending champion Li Na at the Apia International Sydney.

Also a WTA Premier level event, the tournament had attracted possibly it’s most-credentialled women’s field yet, with all but two one of the top 10 women participating and the week beginning with the tantalising storyline of Caroline Wozniacki potentially surrendering her world No. 1 ranking to Kvitova.

It was no surprise then, that Azarenka’s ninth career victory hardly came easily – particularly in the final, where she battled against Li in a three-set final that saw the Chinese favourite claim six consecutive games in the second set, and an early break of serve in the third. “It was really difficult. I knew at some point I would get a chance, so I just had to stay with her and fight. I kept my composure,” said the Belarusian, who notched only her third win over Li in seven meetings.

“We showed some incredible tennis out there. Li Na, she’s always dangerous, and she proved it again today. I’m just glad I could overcome her and win this match.”

While stopping short of suggesting that the Sydney title would lead to Australian Open success, Azarenka certainly displayed 54

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

the right mindset as she used the victory as a springboard to her biggest achievement in claiming her first Grand Slam and rising to world No. 1 in Melbourne.

“It’s going to be a new week, a new tournament, so for me it’s going to be starting from zero,” Azarenka said.

“I’m glad the way I got through some tough battles here in Sydney, so I really tested myself before a big event.

I’m going to keep going the same way with the same attitude, the same way I’m playing.”

For Jarko Nieminen, who made his way through qualifying to claim the Apia International Sydney men’s title, it wasn’t so much a new beginning as a fresh start, the 30-year-old Finn defeating Julien Benneteau in the rain-delayed men’s fi nal to end a six-year title drought.

At age 30, Nieminen is back in the winner’s circle.

“I don’t have a good record in finals, but I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong in the ones I’ve played,” said Nieminen, who has contested 10 other tournament finals but claimed only a single victory at Auckland in 2006. “Today I felt I had a really good chance to take the title as I had the game to do it. It’s been many years since that first title and I had many finals after that, but I’m pretty good at believing in myself.”

Nieminen became the fi rst qualifier to win a tournament title since Sergiy Stakhovsky claimed the St Petersburg Open in 2006. Adding to his Sydney experience was a runner-up performance in the men’s doubles, after world No. 1 doubles duo Bob and Mike Bryan defeated Nieminen and Australian Matt Ebden 6-1, 6-4 in the fi nal.

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nother qualifier, Mona Barthel, was the surprise story of the Moorilla Hobart International, the 21-year-old German announcing herself to the tennis world as she upset seeded opponents in Anabel Medina Garrigues, Jarmila Gajdosova and Angelique Kerber before a straight sets victory over top seed Yanina Wickmayer in the fi nal.

“I just tried to take it match by match and play each one the best I could. I never thought I would win the title. I’m really surprised. I don’t really realise it yet,” enthused Barthel, who debuted in the top 50 following her fi rst career title.

“This gives me a lot of confidence going into my fi rst Australian Open, which is very helpful as the mental game is so important in tennis today.”

Mona Barthel makes her title breakthrough in Hobart.

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eanwhile, Bernard Tomic continued to make his mark on the tennis world, the 19-yearold progressing to his fi rst ATP Tour semifi nal in Brisbane before a stunning run at the AAMI Classic in Kooyong, where he made history as the youngest-ever champion of the event.

Having defeated Tomas Berydch and Gael Monfi ls earlier, Tomic was the star of a highly entertaining men’s fi nal, eventually overcoming Mardy Fish 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. “I got a good workout. I played well, got confidence up and played three world-class players. A lot of good players have won, so to be up there with those names is great,” Tomic said.

Tomas Berdych and Petra Kvitova were similarly satisfied as they joined illustrious company in claiming the 22nd Hyundai Hopman Cup for the Czech Republic.

Both Berdych and Kvitova won all four of their singles matches at the round robin event, including respective wins against Richard Gasquet and Marion Bartoli in the fi nal against France.

Berdych, who’d represented the Czech Republic twice previously at the Hopman Cup with Lucie Safarova, said it’s always a thrill to play for his country.

“Well of course as long as I have chance to play any team event for my country I’m always, always proud to come play and be helpful for the

Petra Kvitova and Tomas Berdych claim a Hopman Cup victory for the Czech Republic.

team,” he said. “I played for many years in Davis Cup, managed to be in the fi nal, win the semi-fi nal but unfortunately didn’t make it. Here it’s a bit different. For the third time I came here, play with Petra, win the title, so of course it’s a great feeling.” ■

2012 AUSTRALIAN SUMMER SCOREBOARD BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL 1–8 January Women’s singles final: Kaia Kanepi (EST) d Daniela Hantuchova (SLO) 62 61 Women’s doubles final: Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) / Arantxa Parra (ESP) d Raquel Kopps-Jones (USA) / Abigail Spears (USA) 76 (2) 76(2) Men’s final: Andy Murray (GBR) d Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) 61 63 Men’s doubles final: Daniel Nestor (CAN) / Max Mirnyi (BLR) d Jurgen Melzer (AUT) / Philipp Petzschner (GER) 61 62

APIA INTERNATIONAL SYDNEY 8–15 January Women’s singles final: Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d Li Na (CHN) 62 16 63 Women’s doubles final: Kveta Peschke (CZE) / Katerina Srebotnik (SLO) d Leizel Huber (USA) / Lisa Raymond (USA) 61 46 13-11 (Match TB) Men’s singles final: Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) d Julien Benneteau (FRA) 62 75 Men’s doubles final: Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) d Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) / Matthew Ebden (AUS) 61 64

MOORILLA HOBART INTERNATIONAL 8–14 January Yanina Wickmayer, a finalist in Hobart.

Women’s singles final: Mona Barthel (GER) d Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 61 62 Women’s doubles final: Irina Camelia Begu (ROM) / Monica Niculescu (ROM) d Chuang Chia-Jung (TPE) / Marina Erakovic (NZL) 67(4) 76(4) 10-5 (Match TB)

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

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