Australian Tennis Magazine - December 2017 / January 2018

BARTY/ZVEREV/KYRGIOS BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD

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PREDICTIONS WHO’LL STAR IN 2018? GAME-CHANGERS RULES ADVANCE

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contents DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018 VOL.43 NO.1

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A STELLAR OUTLOOK Ashleigh Barty not only enters the Australian summer as the No.1 Australian, but as one of the brightest prospects in women’s tennis.

FEATURES 24 NEXT IS HERE

52 SPOTLIGHT ON 2017

28 A NEW ERA

63 FUTURE FORECASTS

As fans consider who’ll replace Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the distant future, Alexander Zverev has already made his star arrival.

A look at the players 24 or under making the biggest impact in a changing tennis landscape.

35 POWER AND PURPOSE

Finding greater purpose off the court and his passion in team events, Nick Kyrgios enters 2018 in a positive frame of mind.

40 STILL WRITING HISTORY

From unexpected revivals to sensational breakthroughs, the 2017 season produced many unforgettable and history-defining moments.

After a widely unpredictable and entertaining 2017, we’ve polished the crystal ball and made our forecasts for the season ahead.

72 ENDURING SPIRIT

Several years after her retirement, former Australian Open champion Li Na remains one of the game’s most influential figures.

76 SAFIN UNCENSORED

Twenty years after their first meeting, Venus and Serena Williams are not only still making history, but seem certain to add to it.

A candid interview with former world No.1 Russian Marat Safin, whose colourful personality is stronger than ever.

44 PETRA POWER

The Next Gen ATP Finals not only showcased future stars of the game but also the potential future of the game itself as a string of innovations came into play.

Petra Kvitova’s power once related to her hard-hitting style – now it extends to the spirit that helped her remarkable recovery.

50 A LEGEND OF THE AGES

After finishing 2017 as the world No.1 doubles player, Martina Hingis is retiring on top.

84 THE FUTURE IS NOW

104 A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Having bravely detailed the extent of her off-court battles in her autobiogrpahy Unbreakable, Jelena Dokic anticipates a brighter future in her post-tennis career.

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MAGICIAN AT WORK

Talented teen Denis Shapovalov is impressing many high-profile observers in his rapid rise up the rankings.

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DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018 VOL.43 NO.1

47 THE NEW NOVAK

Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic returns to his happy hunting ground at Melbourne Park to begin a new career chapter.

REGULARS 9 10 14 16 18 89 108 114 116 118

FIRST SERVE FAN ZONE BREAKPOINTS TWENTY QUESTIONS TOP TEN YOUR GAME AUSSIE WATCH RANKINGS KIDS’ CLUB LAST WORD

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SWEET FOR CAROLINE

As she celebrates new highs in both her professional and personal life, former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki appears perfectly positioned to claim a longawaited first Grand Slam.

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

R E D R NE W O Celebrating the

I

n some ways, it was as if time stood still in 2017.

Serena Williams defeated Venus to claim her seventh Australian Open – and record 23rd Grand Slam – in the 30-something sisters’ fi rst major fi nal since 2009. And after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, then aged 35 and 30 respectively, revived their rivalry with a superb-quality men’s fi nal in Melbourne, the pair shared every other major title to make an astonishing return to the world’s top two.

At other times, there was every reminder that the new order in world tennis is here.

Jelena Ostapenko sensationally claimed the French Open only days after her 20th birthday.

Sloane Stephens is slightly older, at 24, but there was still a strong sense the guard had changed as she defeated Venus on the way to a first Grand Slam title in New York.

Alexander Zverev, age 20, is yet to thrive at a major – but he’s made his mark at every other level, defeating Novak Djokovic and Federer to claim two Masters amid five titles in 2017. When he peaked at world No.3 in November, few doubted that Zverev would soon fulfi l his much-touted potential to become world No.1.

After celebrating established superstars throughout 2017, it seems fitting to now turn our attention to the future of tennis.

And for all the sadness that will come when those recordbreaking champions move on, there’s a reassuring knowledge that they’ve helped make the future so bright.

Zverev speaks often of the inspiration he has taken from long-time idol Federer – and

there are shades of the superstar champion in both the German’s talent and the classy manner with which he competes.

Other rising stars show a similar ability to emulate qualities of players they’ve long admired. On accepting the Newcombe Medal for 2017, Ashleigh Barty was quick to note that her stunning season was a team effort, thanking coach Craig Tyzzer and acknowledging the enormous influence of her doubles partner and

close friend Casey Dellacqua.

The following day, Barty also spoke of her pride at following in the footsteps of Sam Stosur as Australia’s top-ranked player.

“Sammy’s obviously been a fantastic role model for so many years for us. And I think in my eyes Sam will always be No.1,” said the humble Barty. “She’ll always set the standard and has set the standard for so many years. And it’s very nice for me to sort of share

the medal with the legends that have held it in the past as well.”

That both Barty and Stosur will both feature prominently this Australian summer highlights how fortunate we are to see generations overlap. Still cherishing long-celebrated Grand Slam champions, we eagerly relish other emerging ones. There has arguably never been such a glorious present.

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au

ASHLEIGH BARTY

“In my eyes Sam (Stosur) will always be No.1. She has set the standard for so many years.”

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R E POW

FEATURE

AND

Finding greater purpose off the court and his passion in team events, Nick Kyrgios is feeling positive as he embarks on a 2018 season he hopes will be his best yet.

MATT TROLLOPE reports

I

t’s hard to know quite what to make of Nick Kyrgios’ 2017 season. So we’ll leave that to the man himself. “(It) has been a year of ups and downs for me and one I will look to improve on in 2018,” he said, hinting he entered the off-season feeling less than satisfied.

That’s perhaps unsurprising. For the fi rst time, the Australian did not improve his position in the year-end rankings, slipping from No.13 at the end of 2016 to his current mark of No.21. He failed to pass the second round at any major tournament and battled niggling injuries, most notably a hip problem that wreaked havoc with his grasscourt season.

Yet there were many other moments when we saw Kygrios at his most dangerous, and sublime. During a stretch from February to April he went a sizzling 14-3, beating Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev twice each en route to three semifi nals and a quarterfi nal fi nish at Indian Wells. He scored a statement win over Rafael Nadal in Cincinnati to reach his AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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FEATURE

SWEET FOR

E N I L O R A C As she celebrates new highs in both her professional and personal life, former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki appears perfectly positioned to claim a long-awaited first Grand Slam title. By VIVIENNE CHRISTIE

H

as there ever been a time of such extremes in women’s tennis? At the one end, there are veteran superstars Venus and Serena Williams, still adding to Grand Slam records they sensationally started building more than two decades ago. At the other are relative newcomers Jelena Ostapenko and Sloane Stephens, one aged 20, the other 24 – and both considered unlikely winners of the fi rst major titles they each claimed in 2017.

Caroline Wozniacki could arguably slot seamlessly into either category yet. Too young, at age 27, to classify as a veteran champion and far too accomplished to be considered a rookie, the Danish star is in the perfect position as she embarks on her 12th full season on tour.

Recording the most match wins – 60 of them, against 21 losses – in 2017, the popular competitor closed out her season by defeating Venus for the fi rst time in seven matches to win the WTA Finals in Singapore.

As the biggest tournament outside the Grand Slams, it’s the most important win among Wozniacki’s 27 career titles.

“It feels amazing. Last time I played in Singapore here 20

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already I played some great tennis, some of the best of my career,” she beamed, having also reached the semifinals when the event was first played in the city in 2014. “To come back and play so good again feels amazing.

Obviously it's a very special place for me.”

If there was any surprise in Wozniacki’s victory at that level, it was perhaps that it had taken so long to eventuate. Turning professional just days after her 15th birthday and winning her fi rst WTA title at Stockholm little more than two years later, the Dane was a US Open fi nalist at age 19 and by 20, she’d secured the world No.1 ranking.

“I know I have done well and I have had a great career,” Wozniacki noted in Singapore.

“I’m proud of my achievements, and I’m proud of being able to just fi ght my way from (being) a little kid to all of a sudden being one of the best tennis players in the world. Very few people can say that.”

It also points to a resolve in the eventual champion that might be underrated. Victory at the WTA Finals followed a season that was earlier as frustrating as it was satisfying. While she reached six fi nals between February and August, Wozniacki failed to win a

set in any of those championship matches, losses coming in Doha, Dubai, Miami, Eastbourne, Bastad and Toronto.

At Tokyo, however, Wozniacki was at last rewarded for her persistence.

After a 6-2 6-0 win over then world No.1 Garbine Muguruza in the semifinals, the No.3 seed and defending champion outclassed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0 7-5 in the final.

“For me, the biggest thing was when I lost the fi rst six fi nals of the year I didn't let it really put me down,” Wozniacki later told WTA Insider. “I looked at the positive and said I put myself in contention almost every week and eventually it will have to turn. If you keep putting yourself in positions to win, eventually you will. I won the last two fi nals and it feels amazing.”

Even better was that the player previously known more for her defensive approach had successfully implemented a range of growing weapons.

Arriving in Singapore after a brief break in Thailand, Wozniacki soon demonstrated the impact of an improved serve and targeted aggression. Limiting Elina Svitolina and world No.1 Simona Halep to just two games in her

E

ALICIA MOLIK

“She’s always trying to improve, and that’s the sign of the greatest champions.”

“She has definitely picked up the pace on her serve, she is going more for the forehand, she’s close to the baseline, just more aggressive (and) plays less passively,” Navratilova commented in an interview reproduced on the WTA website. “Still when the chips are down she has a tendency to back away but she is definitely more pro-active.”

Evert noted the increased power that factored after Wozniacki’s disappointing 2016, when a slump to world No.74 fi rst two roundfollowed time off tour with a robin matches, serious ankle injury. “She’s really the Dane survived stepped it up,” said the respected a fi ght against Karolina American. “She’s hitting with Pliskova in the semifi nals and more power, she’s flattening had the highest ace count of the out her shots more, she’s not tournament. “I think I managed hitting with as much topspin. I to stay aggressive,” Wozniacki love her serve … she’s flattened reasoned. “Even when out her serve and the I was playing against snap at the top (of it).

BACK TO BEST: the big hitters, I still She’s playing outside Returned to world managed to not be her box and with more No.3, Caroline Wozniacki finished aggression and it’s pushed too far behind the baseline, which was 2017 with her best suiting her.” year-end ranking key this week.”

While Wozniacki was in six years.

Indeed, with her quick to stress that “I deft handling of the just want to be happy powerful Venus in the fi nal, I won this one” in Singapore, it it was reasonable to wonder was inevitable that attention also if Wozniacki was a more turned to her growing Grand complete player than when Slam credentials. Australian Fed she ranked world No.1 five Cup captain Alicia Molik believes years earlier. According to it’s “inevitable” that Wozniacki many – including Martina will soon claim a long-awaited Navratilova and Chris Evert major title.

– she was at least the most “It’s coming. I think so. improved player of the Absolutely,” said Molik, who 2017 season. had a fi rst-hand view as a AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

21

NE XTIS HERE FEATURE

As fans consider who’ll replace Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the distant future, Alexander Zverev has already made his star arrival. By ALEX SHARP

T

here is a certain matches, travelling with the swagger about family, mingling with stars of Alexander ‘Sascha’ previous generations, Sascha was Zverev, like he knows he not only surrounded by tennis, belongs on the grandest he fully embraced it. of stages. At certain times, there His brother is an old school is a mischievous grin, at other serve-volleyer, whereas Sascha points there is a fiery, steely has the full artillery. A rocket determination in his eyes. serve is complemented by The towering German is piercing groundstrokes and the frontrunner of promising canny touch at the net. prospects looking to inherit the He emerged from his brother’s throne at the top of men’s tennis shadow to occupy the junior when the spoilt era of the Big Four world No. 1 spot from October – throw in Stan Wawrinka – decide 2013 until June 2014. In that spell, to stop wielding their racquet. he clinched the junior Australian His 198 cm frame can glide Open trophy. A sign of things to across the court, he’s already come? You bet. in the habit of lift ing trophies, Momentum built in the sponsors are falling at his feet. background – he was named Racquet manufacturer Head is the 2015 ATP Star of Tomorrow running a campaign featuring the as the likes of Dominic Thiem, 20-year-old with a "Time is Now" Lucas Pouille, Nick Kyrgios and headline. Peugot has another Borna Coric were also touted as with a #nextishere hashtag. the next prodigy.

Quite the pin-up poster boy of In 2016 Zverev shot to the next generation, he’s twice prominence in a thrilling Indian featured on the cover of Vogue Wells fourth round with Rafael magazine and his every entrance Nadal. At 18 years old, Zverev was to court is greeted with a raucous set for a monumental victory, reception similar to a boyband holding match point, when he stepping on stage. Zverev is missed a routine forehand volley. simply box office.

Nadal roared back 6-7(8) 6-0 Considering his background, 7-5 and hailed his devastated you could argue the German opponent a “future No.1.” was destined for tennis stardom.

Zverev backed up that His childhood was performance on home THE REAL DEAL: ensconced in the game, soil in Halle, prevailing Five titles and due to his elder brother past his idol Roger a rise to world Mischa, his doubles Federer 7-6(4) 5-7 6-3 No.3 featured in partner too, playing on to navigate to a second Alexander Zverev’s landmark season. the tour.

ATP Final.

Zverev is joint It was third time coached by his father, lucky as Zverev lifted a Alexander Sr, who has also maiden ATP title in St Petersburg, guided his sibling to the top 30. toppling Wawrinka to fi nish 2016 Completing the package, his at world No. 24. mother Irina is a tennis coach.

However, it was 2017 that Watching practice and proved Zverev is the real deal, a

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true contender to dominate the game for years to come.

A majority of the spotlight was focused on the exceptional comeback campaigns of Federer and Nadal, but the German thrived behind this duo to accumulate five ATP titles to launch into the elite of men’s tennis.

On the red dirt in Rome, he defeated Novak Djokovic to become the first player born in the 1990s to win a Masters crown.

By the summer, Zverev still didn’t feature in adverts in the UK for the ATP Finals. Players such as Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori adorned these promotions, but neither has a Masters trophy to their name. Well, Zverev made it two in Montreal, with another triumph over Federer.

“Winning those Masters events was great, especially in one of them I beat (Novak) Djokovic in the fi nal and the other one I beat Federer in the fi nal,” reflected the world No.4. “That’s something very special I think for everyone.”

A trophy-laden campaign, with success on clay, hard court and indoors, combined with previous fi nal runs in Halle on the grass, demonstrates his versatility and remarkable capability on all surfaces.

Such a scintillating season qualified the 20-year-old for both the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan and the ATP Finals.

Zverev dominated the race to Milan, outgunning his peers with ease, but opted to focus his endeavours in London.

“I think playing in this event is kind of like winning a tournament itself already,” declared Zverev ahead of the ATP Finals.

“It shows you’ve been playing at a top-10 level the whole year.

Obviously, that’s great for every player. I think it’s an honour for every player to play there.”

It was a pulsating debut. He prevailed in three sets against Marin Cilic, was narrowly pipped

by Federer in a decider, before an almighty tussle with Jack Sock.

The American hauled himself back from 1-4 in the third set to snatch Zverev’s semifinal ticket nd halt his magnificent 2017 season.

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FEATURE

ASHLEIGH BARTY

OUTL

A STELLAR

As Ashleigh Barty adds to her list of individual achievements, the ever-humble Queenslander considers a bright future with a firm focus on the collective. By VIVIENNE CHRISTIE

F

ew players would It was only fitting Barty be entitled to feel as would ultimately be named the accomplished entering Newcombe Medallist for 2017, the off-season as edging out fellow nominees Ashleigh Barty.

Daria Gavrilova, Nick Kyrgios, From outside the top 300 in Jordan Thompson and John 2016, the 21-year-old surged into Peers for the highest annual the world’s top 20, her ranking honour in Australian tennis. boosted by her fi rst WTA title But as she was proudly in Kuala Lumpur and fi nals in toasted by a glittering crowd Birmingham and Wuhan. that included many past Equally impressive were the champions, there was no basking big-name wins that Barty had in individual glory for the evercollected. Grand Slam titlists humble Barty. and finalists, as well as current Instead, she immediately and former top 10 players, turned her attention to those were soundly dismissed she credits as keys to such with Karolina Pliskova, remarkable progress: coach Craig Venus Wiliams, Johanna Tyzzer, parents Robert and Josie, Konta, Angelique Kerber and along with Casey Dellacqua, Agnieszka Radwanska among who has not only helped Barty those to fall prey to the fastto build a sparkling record that rising Australian. includes four Grand Slam fi nals, “I felt super but more importantly TEAM EFFORT: Now comfortable on the provided the support Australia’s top-ranked court the whole year, that helped her player, at world No.17, really,” noted Barty of comeback to tennis Ashleigh Barty has a season that started after a period playing also thrived in doubles building with a with her “best mate” Big Bash cricket.

Casey Dellacqua. three-set test against “We all love her.

AO2016 champion But she’s been so Angelique Kerber, who she special to me for so many years,” defeated later in 2017, at the said Barty of her “best mate” Brisbane International.

Dellacqua.

“The match in Brisbane against Angie set the tone for me, and it was a bit of a standout match – even though we didn’t come away with the win.

“I think towards the end of the year we were able to really get some good tennis, especially in Wuhan; we had a really good week there, probably the best of my career. And we were able to keep the ball rolling the whole year.”

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“She’s like my big sister; she’s been my mum on tour. She’s looked after me and shown me what to do. She’s been through every situation on the court, singles and doubles, so she’s certainly my go-to person.”

The team focus points to an awareness of others that’s rare for anyone so young – let alone one who is making such rapid gains in the global spotlight of pro tennis. Asked regularly about her return to the sport, Barty typically speaks in the collective.

“I think I just have a really good group of people around me. That was probably the most important thing coming back, was making sure that I had people that I trusted the most around me,” she insisted.

“I have a really genuine group of people, and I’m very lucky to be in the situation and position that I’m in. And we’re just happy to go out on the court to play with freedom and play the way that we want to play.”

If the support is strong on tour, so too is the boost that Barty receives on her frequent trips home to Queensland. From her first forays into the spotlight as the 2011 Wimbledon girls’ champion as a 15-year-old, Barty has spoken regularly of the importance of her family, which includes older sisters Ali and Sara.

There’s also strong support from her boyfriend, Garry

L O OK

Cissick, a fellow Queenslander who was alongside Barty as she attended the Newcombe Medal. “It’s nice for him to be in the tennis scene — he hasn’t had much of a taste of it and he’s a golfer,” said Barty.

But at a critical point in her burgeoning career, down-time is rare for the hard-working Barty.

The morning after accepting her Newcombe Medal, the 21-yearold was back on court training before 8am. “It was a nice early night and back in bed before midnight,” she admitted.

There was good reason for such commitment, with Australian summer events providing a bright light on Barty’s tennis horizon.

She relished the idea of competing as the top-ranked Australian in her home events – even if, as always, the low-key champion turned the focus to others.

“I love playing the Australian Open and the Australian summer. I can’t wait to get out in front of everyone and hopefully play my best,” said Barty. “We’re very lucky to be a Grand Slam nation and get the support that we do. And it’s an exciting start to the year for us, being able to spend the fi rst couple of months in Australia.”

That she'll be the must-watch player as the No.1 Australian is hardly a focus for Barty. Instead, she diverts attention to Sam Stosur, whose epic 452-week run as the nation’s top-ranked woman only ended last season.

“Sammy’s obviously been a fantastic role model for so many years for us. And I think in my eyes Sam will always be No.1,” said Barty as she celebrated her Newcombe Medal honour.

“She’ll always set the standard and has set the standard for so many years. And it’s very nice for me to sort of share the medal with the legends that have held it in the past as well.”

Not that others aren’t registering Barty’s many similar qualities. Destanee Aiava, recognised as the Female Junior Athlete of the Year at the prestigious awards, is among many who consider Barty a role model.

“She’s made really good headlines this year and it’s great to see her putting in the work and it’s paying off for her,” said Aiava. “That kind of gives me motivation to be like that.”

The 17-year-old would be wise to keep paying attention.

At world No.17, Barty fi nished 2017 with the top-10 in sight and while there was already much for the 21-year-old to celebrate, few would argue that her future looks even brighter.

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FEATURE

SPOTLIGHT ON

2017 From unexpected revivals to sensational breakthroughs.

The 2017 season produced many unforgettable and history-defining moments. CHRIS BOWERS reports

52

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7 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

53

Choose a sport they can play forever‌ Tennis!

FEATURE

THE NEW

Following his sudden fall from the dizzying heights, former No.1 Novak Djokovic returns to his happy hunting ground at Melbourne Park to begin a new career chapter.

By SUZI PETKOVSKI

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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FEATURE

SAFIN ORE

S N E C N U

Alongside two Grand Slam titles and a rise to world No.1, Marat Safin was equally known as one of the great characters of sport. While tennis is now firmly in the past, the Russian's colourful personality is stronger than ever, as he demonstrates in an exclusive interview with ANDREJ BUCKO.

MARAT SAFIN

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“I love to play here and there sometimes, but no official positions for me … no coaching. No commentating.”

ED

W

hy did you enter politics?

SAFIN: I was young and unexperienced.

They talked me into it. “Polite” and “likeable” people. But I don’t regret it. I practised and used my law degree, I have learned a lot. I got much more experience and fi nally, more importantly, six long years in the top politics on the federal level in such a huge country like Russia is an amazing achievement.

In May 2017, you resigned and terminated your seat surprisingly early. Why? I am taking a long break. This was too much for me. Because of political issues I didn’t have time for anything. I love meeting friends, going out, travel, play for fun, and relax. Just enjoy(ing) life.

It was impossible.

Besides, last year they have inducted me into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and that brings some responsibility. As a fi rst Russian (to enter) I have to represent the country, fulfi l some tennis commitments and give back something for getting such an honour. So I left politics, I gave up all sporting positions and roles, and fi nally I want to enjoy life.

The President of State Duma Viacheslav Volodin offered you a position of an advisor for sport. Did you take it?

No. I appreciated it, I mentioned that I could help with my advice sometimes, but I did not want any appointments at all. Enough.

As I said, I am looking forward to living a relaxed life.

Pete Sampras told the media in Chengdu at the Champions Tour competition that you could be President of Russia in about 20 years, and he could see you as a successful politician. Some journalists asked you, whether you are going to compete with Vladimir Putin, and apparently you responded you were younger and nicer than him. What happens now? Don’t you want to be a President?

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YOUR GAME

YOURGAME

Boost your on-court performance

90 VARIETY THE KEY

Variety and unpredictability can help make your serve a bigger weapon.

94 DOUBLE THE BENEFITS

There are many advantages of using doubles to help improve your singles game.

96 COPING WITH CRAMP

Find out how to prevent and manage cramp as the temperature heats up this summer.

97 FINDING A SMARTER WAY As the game evolves, so does the strength and conditioning training required to be your best.

98 PRODUCT WATCH

A review of new and exciting products that could benefit your game.

99 LIFE ON TOUR

Being a professional athlete comes with its challenges.

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