Australian Tennis Magazine - January 2013

JANUARY 2013

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AUSTR ALIAN SUMMER ISSUE

NOVAK DJOKOVIC HEROIC LEADER YOUR GAME • LEARN FROM THE PROS • ESSENTIAL EXERCISES

AO 2013

FORM GUIDE

LI NA LLEYTON HEWITT VICTORIA AZARENKA

BONUS GIVEAWAYS & SPECIALS

• MATCH DAY ADVICE • SERVE SCHOOL

ROGER FEDERER

SERENA WILLIAMS POWER PLAYER

ENDURING SUPERSTAR

JANUARY 2013 VOL 38 No. 1

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REGULARS 7

Topspin

12

Your Serve

40

Aces & Places

69

My Game

74

My Coach

82

Rankings

89

Looking Back …

23

FROM THE EDITOR

ns – panied by inevitable questio new tennis season is accom While Roger to the world’s top pla yers. particularl y when it comes world ary longevity to wrestle the Federer showcased a legend ponded with kovic mid-2012, the Serb res No.1 ranking from Novak Djo . That superpower ain control by season’s end trademark resilience to reg Open. sub-plot to the Australian battle provides a tantalising , a winner of urgence of Serena Williams So too does the recent res dal s and the WTA ms plus Olympic gol d me two of the four Grand Sla No.1 ranking. yet not the season-ending Ch ampionships in 2012, and be cer tain she’ll ed by top spot, yet you can Serena insists she’s unfuss Azarenka should reclaiming it from Victoria embrace the pos sibility of in Melbourne. she claim a 16th ma jor title tial ed ns surround oth er cre den Equ ally fas cin ating questio Gra nd Sla m rra y foll ow his long-awa ited contenders: Ca n And y Mu injury com eba ck? l Rafael Na dal fare in his with mo re ma jors? How wil Ma ria Sha rapova ltrate the ‘big four’? Will Wh at ma n, if any, can infi m? ma inta in ma jor mo me ntu al contenders. Is us, of course, is on the loc foc Much of the Australian of her in 2012? Will the highs many expected Sam Stosur set to achieve Australian Open in a record 17th consecutive Lle yton Hewitt, contesting d Tomic respond comeback? How will Bernar ng nni stu his e tinu con 3, 201 as the next who will reveal themselves to current pressures? And yers to watch? generation of Australian pla considerations ns are the more complex Interwoven in such questio nagement, the for years to come. Injury ma that ma y shape the game around pla yer er the intricate discus sions rankings system and wheth . ther changes to name a few prize money will lead to fur mer of tennis and are on the Australian sum For now, though , all eyes g the answers is ves interesting, discoverin if posing the questions pro bound to be thrilling.

A

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

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

Vivienne Christie Alan Trengove Daniela Toleski Andrea Williamson Breanna Kray Daniel Heathcote 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.

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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | January 2013

FEATURES

14

Enduring Super Power

18

13 Predictions for 2013

Roger Federer is still setting the on-court standard and shaping the game in other ways too.

After a season of new champions and veteran returns, we can only marvel at what’s set for 2013.

23

The Nice Guy Who Finished First Novak Djokovic is winning fans as well as titles with a generous approach to fans and media.

26

Unveiling Vika

28

Superstar Serena

32

The Aussie Challengers

37

In the Spotlight

47

Caught off Court

Already a world-class player, Victoria Azarenka is also becoming a world-class character.

Shining in a stellar 2012 that included two Grand Slam titles, Serena Williams seems certain to star again in 2013.

Sam Stosur, Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic are leading lights on home soil.

Who are the players to watch this Australian summer?

Times out from tennis can mean any number of activities for some top names.

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | January 2013

5

He saved match points, survived marathons and showcased superb persistence in not only starting season 2012 with the world No.1 ranking but also finishing with it. And Novak Djokovic’s spirit also extends far beyond the playing kind, with a growing generosity of character that is seeing him collect fans alongside tournaments. By PAUL FEIN

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:

THE NICE GUY WHO FINISHED FIRST AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | January 2013

23

In the Spotlight With renewed ambitions and Grand Slam opportunities, the Australian summer provides the chance to star in the spotlight.

KRISTINA MOORE previews some players to watch.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | January 2013

37

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ACES & FAULTS

AUSSIE STARS SPECIAL

2012 SEASON WRAP

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YOUR GAME • CASEY DELLACQUA’S STEPS FOR A STRONGER SERVE

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GENERATION

LLEYTON HEWITT

A FIGHTING FUTURE 3712 p 1 Cover...indd 1

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