Australian Tennis Magazine - July 2012

JULY 2012

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MARIA SHARAPOVA

Joins the greats

Your Game • Weekly development plan • Finesse your forehand • Strike a balance • Health watch

FRENCH OPEN

Major Milestones

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Olympic index

RAFAEL NADAL

David Ferrer Victoria Azarenka MIXED DOUBLES

In Seventh Heaven

JULY 2012 VOL 37 No. 7

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FEATURES

16

The Magnificent Seven

With a record-breaking seventh French Open title, Rafael Nadal also showcased his potential to reclaim the top spot.

20

Maria

Sharapova: A Classic Completion French Open victory provided Maria Sharapova with a rare and classic Grand Slam completion, while also highlighing a stunning new start.

28

31

10 Questions for Victoria Azarenka She can be brusque and even brutal, but there’s also a softer side to Belarusian Victoria Azarenka.

Mixed Messages The reinstatement of mixed doubles at the 2012 London Olympics will create some compelling combinations in the team event.

40

Stats Tennis!

Tennis is truly a numbers game when you consider the impressive records that shape its history.

46

Olympic Tennis Index

The game has a rich and diverse history as an Olympic sport.

Australian Tennis Magazine | July 2012

3

JULY 2012 REGULARS 7 Topspin 13

Your Serve

35

Aces & Places

48

Aussie Watch

51

My Game

58

My Coach

68 Rankings 70

Club of the Month

7

FROM THE EDITOR

2012 d it, the final weekend of the hatever way you considere rapova Sha ria Ma the history. Just as French Open was all about a Grand Slam collection with emphatically completed her were preparing to n’s final, the record-keepers straight sets win in the wome nce for Rafael Nadal men’s final presenting a cha make more new entries, the ic to achieve the seventh title or Novak Djokov to claim an unprecedented major titles at once. rare feat of holding all four bettering the record o seized that history and in It was Nadal, of course, wh a man rejuvenated.

Borg, the Spaniard seems rn Bjo h wit d hel usly vio he pre Grand Slam – he was g would never win another Where the 25-year-old Bor red form tennis soon event at Wimbledon but reti a finalist at his next major Djokovic in their past d Nadal has now defeated afterwards – the 26-year-ol authority. sed to further re-assert his three finals and seems poi rt king to replicate cou y cla be tough for the While you could argue it will st from finally er surfaces, the mental boo the same dominance on oth d the frustration of ense. Having earlier endure outclassing Djokovic is imm them Grand Slams – to the world No. 1 – three of es loss ls fina e utiv sec con six esis isn’ t completely etings knowing that his nem Nadal can tackle future me unbeatable after all. ply a renewal, nch Open victory wasn’t sim For Sharapova, the 2012 Fre er major suggested While victories in every oth but a completely new start. ightforward for pletion, it was far from stra this title was an obvious com ian Open 2008, tral her last major victory at Aus the recrowned No. 1. Since ppled with the ious shoulder injury and gra Sharapova overcame a ser end. possibility her career could Nadal, who’ll each be p for both Sharapova and Passions obviously run dee the Olympics. Their ir history at Wimbledon and determined to build on the 2012 French Open crammed already but as the respective records may be for more big titles. h calibre always have room showed, champions of suc

W

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 Ben Carenco 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 | July 2012

A MILESTONE MAJOR Every Grand Slam can provide a career turning point, but the 2012 French Open proved more than that, as Rafael Nadal made history in lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy for a record seventh time and Maria Sharapova completed her Grand Slam collection on the rich red clay. In re-establishing authority these popular champions set stunning new benchmarks ‌ and as the standard grows, so too does the awe and appreciation of an unprecedented era in the game.

Australian Tennis Magazine | July 2012

15

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NADAL SERENA TSONGA SHARAPOVA

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• ALL-SURFACE TRAINING • FORM SLUMP SOLUTIONS

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ROGER FEDERER

MAJOR MOTIVATIONS

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MAESTRO ON THE MOVE

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