FEBRUARY 2013
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
VICTORIA AZARENKA A DRAMATIC DEFENCE
AUSSIE CHAMPIONS
AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013
MAJOR NEW MILESTONES
EBDEN & GAJDOSOVA NICK KYRGIOS
BERNARD TOMIC SLOANE STEPHENS ANDY MURRAY LI NA
YOUR GAME • LEARN DJOKOVIC’S VOLLEY • FROM COUCH TO COURT • INCREASE FOOT SPEED • TARGETED TRAINING • DON’T BE A CHOKER
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
DJOKER’S TRIPLE TREAT
FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 38 No. 2
A $7.50 (inc. GST) NZ $8.40 (inc. GST) US $7.50
REGULARS 7
Top Spin
12
Your Serve
45
Aces & Places
62
My Game
68
My Coach
78
Rankings
58
FROM THE EDITOR
toria Azarenka end a Grand Slam title. Vic t takes a certain spirit to def , as they added pla yed it, albeit differently and Novak Djokovic both dis ir respective records. Australian Open titles to the to claim a third first man of the Open era For Djokovic, becoming the that has been en required an inner cal m consecutive Australian Op rth round against his toughest test in the fou years in the making. Facing victor y 12-1 0 bian simply dug in to claim Stanislas Wawrinka, the Ser e from behind to similar resilience as he cam in the fifth set. There was final. defeat And y Murra y in the ics than his tennis known more for his theatr e onc Where Djokovic was Whether he’s bines them both superbly. achievements, he now com chocol ates to the practice court, handing out allowing a young fan on the ws an admirable to charity, the world No.1 sho media or lending his hand Djokovic talks about ed position. And thus when perspective of his privileg it with him. s you can’t help but share his joy at his latest succes re complicated mpion was undeniabl y mo Becoming a multi ma jor cha remembered for Australian Open title will be for Azarenka. Her second ody could den y i-final progression but nob the controversy of her sem defeat crowd d to put it behind her and the mental strength require mptly declared -fill ed final. Azarenka pro favourite Li Na in a drama son. It will be a as both a pla yer and a per her intentions to improve erve. fascinating proces s to obs the new season. s also showed new spirit in yer pla Several Australian ic claimed ntly reinvented Bernard Tom A rejuvenated and appare a Ga jdosova ney; Matt Ebden and Jarmil his first career title in Syd and Ash Bar ty s titlists; Casey Dellacqua were popular mixed double to the world No.1 e lists while Nick Kyrgios ros impres sed as doubles fina . Australian Open boys’ title junior ranking and won the adding to them. be l wil p estones the next ste Having achieved such mil s. ht prove worth y role model Azarenka and Djokovic mig
I
VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor
EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER ADVERTISING MANAGER ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER PHOTOGRAPHS COVER PHOTO
Vivienne Christie Daniela Toleski Andrea Williamson Breanna Kray Daniel Heathcote Getty Images, John Anthony (All photographs by Getty Images unless specified) John Anthony/ISPA
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.
4
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2013
FEATURES
14
18
48
Starting strong
52
Australian story
Hat-tricks and theatrics Drama, high emotion and top tennis were all on show as new highs were achieved at the Australian Open.
Iron man of Melbourne Park Novak Djokovic makes more history as the first three-peat Australian Open champion of the modern era.
24
38
A dramatic defence In claiming her second major at Melbourne Park, Victoria Azarenka also displayed a new level of mental toughness.
Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Agnieszka Radwanska and others showed there’s no better way to start a new season than with Australian success.
Tournament highs and career-best runs provided highs of one kind but it wasn’t all about the tennis as top players enjoyed the Australian summer.
55
Young Americans Make way for the star-spangled spanner; Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Ryan Harrison and other exciting young American players are on the move.
Bolder than before A stunning Australian summer showed that Bernard Tomic can back up his bold claims with big performances.
AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | February 2013
5
14
AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | February 2013
Australian Open 2013
HAT-TRICKS AND THEATRICS Drama, high emotion and record-breaking performances were all on show as new standards were set in another stunning Australian Open.
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2013
15
Celebrate summer with Australian Tennis Magazine The ATM water bottle is back by popular demand!
online @ tennismag. com.au
Join the thousands of fans who subscribe to Australia’s only dedicated tennis publication and receive your quality gift for the summer of tennis. Subscribers not only receive this great gift but also save up to 70 percent on cover price, along with door-to-door delivery.
Actual drink bottle may vary from image shown
Many popular issues sold out in 2012 – subscribe now so you don’t miss a single copy!
MARIA SHARAPOVA
BIGGEST EVER WIMBLEDON UPSETS
Joins the Greats
SEPTEMBER 2012
SERENA WILLIAMS
Your Game • alternative training
STORMS WIMBLEDON
Your Game
• BackHands WitH variety • matcH-Winning HaBits • HOW tO avOid BurnOut
SuperStar ritualS SAM StoSUR The NexT STep
Olympic HigHs
• Weekly development plan
SOLD OUT
• strike a balance • health Watch
FrenCh oPen
david Ferrer victoria azarenka miXed doubles
raFael nadal
IN SeveNth heAveN
serena Williams mardy FisH yarOslava sHvedOva
Your GaME • Build A tActicAl AdvAntAge • injury impAct • Fit At Any level • leArn RADWANSkA’S BACkhAND
Clijsters
& roddiCk
FavourITES FarEwEllED
US OPEN
TurNING PoINTS
Andy MurrAy
TENNIS MYTHS
DEBUNKED
ROGER FEDERER
ANGELIQUE KERBER LLEYTON HEWITT SARA ERRANI
ANDY MURRAY
THE GREATEST EVER
BRAVEHEART’S BIG CHANCE
noVaK dJoKoVic
YOUR Game
PaSSION ReIGNITed
• Psychology of the Pros • UPPer-limb inJUries
Bernard Tomic TURNING POINTS
Major MaSTErMIND off Court
caroLine WoZniacKi
SERENA WILLIAMS
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
ACES & FAULTS
AUSSIE STARS SPECIAL
2012 SEASON WRAP
SAM STOSUR MARINKO MATOSEVIC OLIVIA ROGOWSKA
The FIGhTBack
angeliQUe KerBer JUan MonaCo Maria KirilenKo
Travelling on Tour
YOUR GAME • CASEY DELLACQUA’S STEPS FOR A STRONGER SERVE
DECEMBER SHOWDOWN BONUS GUIDE
• FINESSE YOUR FOREHAND WITH JO-WILFRIED TSONGA • COMMON INJURY AILMENTS • MATCH DAY CONFIDENCE
MUST-READ
CASEY DELLACQUA DAVID FERRER LAURA ROBSON
SUpERSTAR STAyiNg pOwER
DECEMBER 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
• serve science
stArs
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
OlyMPIc Index
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
major milestones
tHE ULtIMAtE RACQUEt REVIEW
NOVEMBER 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
• Finesse your Forehand
OCTOBER 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
MEET OUR NEXT
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187
AUGUST 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
JULY 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
A TOP TIER TAKEOVER
GENERATION
LLEYTON HEWITT
A FIGHTING FUTURE 3712 p 1 Cover...indd 1
11/15/12 7:05 PM
Visit tennismag.com.au to order a back issue … Visit www.tennismag.com.au/subscription for PayPal OR Pay by credit card over the phone 1800 244 426 OR Post to Australian Tennis Magazine, Private Bag 6060, Richmond Vic 3121 OR Fax (03) 9914 4649 OR Email subscriptions@tennismag.com.au YES, please send me a subscription to Australian Tennis Magazine for the term indicated below, including my Australian Tennis Magazine Water Bottle.
SURNAME: _______________________________________________________________
Please send a subscription to Australian Tennis Magazine for: 3 years 2 years 1 year Australia ($AUS inc GST) $195.00 $140.00 $75.00
ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________
Overseas (1 year only)
STATE: ___________________POSTCODE: ___________________
($AUS)
NZ/Asia Pacific $105.00
This is a: New subscription Renewal If a gift, please write name of gift provider here:
Rest of World $130.00 Gift
MR/MRS/MISS/MS: _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
COUNTRY: ________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
EMAIL: ___________________________________________________________________
Payment Details: I hereby enclose my cheque for $__________.______ Please make cheques payable to Australian Tennis Magazine OR
I hereby authorise you to charge my credit card to the amount of $__________.______
Mastercard
CVV numbers:______________
Visa CARD NUMBER:
The card verification value numbers are the last 3 digit numbers located on the back of your card.
Name of Cardholder: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Expiry Date:_______________ Once payment has been successfully processed, this serves as a tax invoice. Tennis Australia Ltd ABN 61 006 281 125 *Alternative product may be delivered if stock is unavailable.
3802
Young
AmericAns Those critics once worried about a looming void in
American tennis need not worry; with Serena and Venus Williams now joined in the spotlight by Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Ryan Harrison and other exciting young players, it’s wiser to instead make way for the star spangled banner. GILLIAN TAN reports
W
hen legends like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jennifer Capriati and Lindsay Davenport retired, a crop of youngsters named Andy Roddick, Serena Williams and Venus Williams were starting to make their mark. With prolific Grand Slam winner Serena back at the top, free of health issues and keen to stick around until Rio’s 2016 Olympics alongside seven-time major champion Venus, prospects for the women’s game look just fine, buoyed by the pronounced arrival of 19-year-old Sloane Stephens, who has cracked the top 20.
“I don’t think I’ll feel any pressure until Venus and Serena retire,” Stephens said when asked if she was ready to carry the hopes of one of the world’s biggest tennis nations. “I don’t think there is anything to worry about, I don’t think American tennis is in jeopardy,” added the teen who believes that in Grand Slam tennis, “Little kids go home first week, big girls stay for the second week.” She’s a big girl now, and is comfortable with how things operate on the WTA Tour. “I’m settling and I feel a lot more comfortable on the court. Even going from
tournament to tournament, I don’t feel so much anxiety like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to go to this place, I’ve got to go here, I’ve got to get on a plane’. I kind of just realise that this is how it works, this is what I have to do to be great,” she said. Five players – Serena, Venus, Stephens, Madison Keys and Jamie Hampton – reached the third round of the Australian Open, the most since 2005. Former champion Lindsay Davenport tweeted, “Love to see that, and believe players there are the ones to watch.” World No.3 Maria Sharapova agrees. “I think she has a big game,” she said of Keys, who turns 18 this month and shares Sharapova’s IMG agent Max Eisenbud. “If she can keep that strength, I mean, she has a great first serve, she can definitely improve her movement [and consistency], but overall I think she’s heading in the right direction.” Chris Evert, whose Evert Tennis Academy was home to Keys in the crucial AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | February 2013
55
YOU WON’T MISS A SHOT
With your Australian Tennis Magazine collection! • Learn from the champions • adapt your diet • serve aLternatives
petra Kvitova A ChAMPiON CheCKS iN
• maximise movement
LI NA
A HERO’S JOURNEY
LISICKI
FRIENDS ON TOUR
• INJURY WATCH
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187
• A BETTER SERVICE TOSS
RAFA:
ROARING INTO LIFE
novaK dJoKovic
auSSIe
WImBLeDoN STarS
BerNarD TomIC:
SUPERSTAR RETURN
FEBRUARY 2012
YOUR GAME • SERVE LIKE DEL POTRO • GRIND OUT A WIN • STARS TO EMULATE • SUPER FOODS
STAR GAZING YOUR GAME
VICTORIA AZARENKA
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
NADAL SERENA TSONGA SHARAPOVA
AUSSIE ASSAULT
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187
• LEARN FEDERER’S FOREHAND • NUTRITION – A FRESH START • LEFT-HANDED TIPS • CIRCUIT TRAINING
LUKE SAVILLE BERNARD TOMIC LLEYTON HEWITT JAMES DUCKWORTH
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
SAM’S GRAND STAND
RIPPING ALL RECORDS
JANUARY 2012
FEBRUARY 2012
JULY 2012
YOuR GAmE • Learn from federer’s serve
SERENA WILLIAMS STORMS WIMBLEDON
Your Game
• mastering mind games
raFael nadal
IN SeveNth heAveN JULY 2012
• alternative training • BackHands WitH variety • HOW tO avOid BurnOut
SuperStar ritualS SAM StoSUR The NexT STep
DEBUNKED
ROGER FEDERER
ANGELIQUE KERBER LLEYTON HEWITT SARA ERRANI
tHE ULtIMAtE RACQUEt REVIEW
serena Williams mardy FisH yarOslava sHvedOva
clAims on clAy
MARIA SHARAPOVA
WImBLeDoN WaTCH
RIVALRIES & REVIVALS
BrIGHTer THaN BeFore?
leAnder pAes cAroline wozniAcKi John isner
COURT REPORT SIBLING SUCCESS
SERENA WILLIAMS KAIA KANEPI JO-WILFRIED TSONGA
Your Game
• the single-hAnded bAcKhAnd
• MANAGING MATCH DAY • RECOVERY ROUTINES • FOOD FOR THOUGHT
dAvis cup big time becKons
• STUDY STOSUR’S BACKHAND
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
rAfAel nAdAl
ROGER FEDERER
MAESTRO ON THE MOVE
MAY 2012
JUNE 2012 NOVEMBER 2012
OCTOBER 2012
Your GaME • Build A tActicAl AdvAntAge • injury impAct • Fit At Any level • leArn RADWANSkA’S BACkhAND
Clijsters
& roddiCk
FavourITES FarEwEllED
noVaK dJoKoVic
YOUR Game
PaSSION ReIGNITed
• Psychology of the Pros • UPPer-limb inJUries • serve science
US OPEN
TurNING PoINTS
Andy MurrAy
caroLine WoZniacKi
TURNING POINTS
angeliQUe KerBer JUan MonaCo Maria KirilenKo
Travelling on Tour
ACES & FAULTS 2012 SEASON WRAP
YOUR GAME
AUSSIE STARS SPECIAL SAM STOSUR MARINKO MATOSEVIC OLIVIA ROGOWSKA
• CASEY DELLACQUA’S STEPS FOR A STRONGER SERVE
DECEMBER SHOWDOWN BONUS GUIDE
• FINESSE YOUR FOREHAND WITH JO-WILFRIED TSONGA • COMMON INJURY AILMENTS • MATCH DAY CONFIDENCE
MUST-READ
CASEY DELLACQUA DAVID FERRER LAURA ROBSON
SERENA WILLIAMS
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
The FIGhTBack
Bernard Tomic
Major MaSTErMIND off Court
DECEMBER 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
stArs
ANDY MURRAY
frenCh open
AgnieszkA RAdwAnskA
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Still Standing Strong?
SEPTEMBER 2012
• matcH-Winning HaBits
JUNE 2012
a$7.50 nZ$8.40 US$7.50
APRIL 2012 A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Your Game
DECEMBER 2011
MaY 2012
MAJOR MOTIVATIONS
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
TENNIS MYTHS
andY murraY:
MARCH 2012
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
david Ferrer victoria azarenka miXed doubles
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
OlyMPIc Index
SOLD OUT
tommy Haas
BONUS
DECEMBER ShOwDOwN SpECiAL
DJoKoVIC KVIToVa IVaNoVIC
LLEYTON’S LAST STAND?
• switching surfAces
• secrets to doubles success
bernard tomic
NOVEMBER 2011
• Key nutrition tips
marinko matoseVic aGnieszka radwanksa
• PreParation Pointers
SeiZiNg CONTROL
roGer FeDerer aT 30
• Athleticism AdvAntAge
Your Game
matt ebden caSey deLLacqua
Who’s Top of The 2011 Class?
PASSION STILL BURNS
Your Game
• learn from Victoria azarenka
• strike a balance
FrenCh oPen
30-something… RETIRIng TyPEs?
• Perform under Pressure
VICTORIA AZARENKA
SuPerSTarS
CraftinG Career hiGhs
LLeyton heWitt marina eraKovic
Olympic HigHs
major milestones
STronGer everY Year
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
• Weekly development plan
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
angeLique Kerber
• champion voLLeys
• Finesse your Forehand • health Watch
Bernard TomiC
SeTTinG The STYLe
• Warm up, cooL doWn
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
BIGGEST EVER WIMBLEDON UPSETS
Joins the Greats
The anTi-diva
auSSie Summer SPotLight
• Serve with KicK • Punch in your Practice • Learn from roger federer • tournament advice
Aussie Junior
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
aleXandr dolGoPoloV
Kei nishiKori STAR RISING
• AlternAtive sports Advice • BAckhAnd Boost • trAin with purpose • strength secrets
APRIL 2012
BACK ON TRACK
AUGUST 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
MARIA SHARAPOVA
SAm STOSuR
DeL PoTro WoZNIaCKI TIPSareVIC LISICKI
Your Game
OCTOBER 2011
PETRA KVITOVA
AUSSIE SUCCESS
SUMMER STUNNERS
GrAnD SLAM eDiTion
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
davis cup fed cup
ROGER FEDERER
US Open ChampiOn 2011
MARCH 2012
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
DELIVERING NEW HIGHS
MASTER OF HIS TIME
novak djokovic:
SEPTEMBER 2011
AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
SAM STOSUr
Your Game
PLayer rePortS
pArent trAps
raCquets review
AUGUST 2011 A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
IS TeNNIS uNTouCheD?
forecaSt
StYLING IN A NeW erA
JANUARY 2012
drugs & sport
Souvenir SPeCiAL
US Open
TArGeTiNG The TOP
JULY 2011
AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPECIAL ISSUE
serena williams
SuperStar return mattek-SandS Bartoli BerankiS GoerGeS
AUStrALIAN OpeN fINALS tIcketS
The New KiNG
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
• ALL-SURFACE TRAINING • FORM SLUMP SOLUTIONS
• Fitness with Casey DellaCqua • team training tips • analyse your opponent • master the baCkhanD volley
WIn!
TSoNGa HaNTuCHoVa
YOUR GAME
Your Game
DECEMBER 2011
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
MEET OUR NEXT
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187
Your Game
NOVEMBER 2011
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
ROLAND GARROS
RECORDS
OCTOber 2011
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
TROICKI
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
MONFILS
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
PAVLYUCHENKOVA
bONUS FOLD-OUT HerO POSTer
September 2011
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
AUGUST 2011
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187
JULY 2011
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
THE GREATEST EVER
BRAVEHEART’S BIG CHANCE
SUpERSTAR STAyiNg pOwER
A TOP TIER TAKEOVER
AUGUST 2012
SEPTEMBER 2012
OCTOBER 2012
NOVEMBER 2012
GENERATION
LLEYTON HEWITT
A FIGHTING FUTURE
DECEMBER 2012
3712 p 1 Cover.orange..indd 1
11/16/12 12:56 PM
JANUARY 2013
A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50
AUSTR ALIAN SUMMER ISSUE PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187
AO 2013
FORM GUIDE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC HEROIC LEADER YOUR GAME • LEARN FROM THE PROS • ESSENTIAL EXERCISES
LI NA LLEYTON HEWITT VICTORIA AZARENKA
BONUS GIVEAWAYS & SPECIALS
• MATCH DAY ADVICE • SERVE SCHOOL
SERENA WILLIAMS POWER PLAYER
ROGER FEDERER
ENDURING SUPERSTAR 3801 p 1 Cover.fix..indd 1
JANUARY 2013
SPECIAL POSTER MAGA ZINE
SPECIAL ISSUE POSTER MAGAZINE FEATURING
SUMMER 2013 A$8.50
Federer, Nadal, Serena, Sharapova and others also available … 9
771321
026017
AZARENKA DEL POTRO DJOKOVIC FEDERER IVA NOVIC MUR RAY NADAL RAD WANSK A SER SHARAPOVA ENA STOSUR TIPS AREVIC
SUPER-SIZED PO STERS
12/13/12 1:08 PM
2012_POSTER
_MAG.indd
1
11/30/12 1:48 PM
Australian Tennis Magazine has been a fan favourite for more than 30 years Phone 1800 244 426 or email subscriptions@tennismag.com.au to order any of the issues above. Back issues are $9.35 to send in Australia, or $15 internationally. Poster magazine is $10 in Australia or $16 overseas.
www.tennismag.com.au/shop