THE BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE TARGET NEW HIGHS
TENNIS LESSONS FROM RAFTER CASH DOKIC & CO.
EDUCATED CHOICE
IS COLLEGE TENNIS FOR YOU?
COACH CORNER
CELEBRITY INFLUENCE CHOOSE A MENTOR SECRETS OF A TOUR COACH
NICK
KYRGIOS NEXT BIG STEPS
PLUS
AUSSIES ON THE RISE WIMBLEDON WATCH GORAN’S NEW GIG BORIS BECKER LOOKS BACK
JUNE 2014 A$7.50 / NZ$8.40 / US$7.50
tennismag.com.au
12
LESSONS FOR (TENNIS) LIFE Some of Australia’s top former players pass on the one lesson that was instrumental in their own tennis success.
contents JUNE 2014 VOL 39 No. 6
FEATURES
25 A pRIORITy pARTNERShIp Few relationships in tennis are more important than the one between player and coach; Jelena Dokic provides pointers on how to make it work.
29 NExT bIg STEpS
46 chARAcTER OF A chAmpION
Goran Ivanisevic slips surprisingly quietly into the shadows as coach to Marin Cilic, but few forget the character he displayed to win Wimbledon.
Nick Kyrgios doesn’t merely overcome challenges; he smashes them. What’s next for the fast-rising Australian?
50 gUIdINg ThE SUpERSTARS
36 ThE cELEbRITy cOAch
53 ThE EdUcATEd chOIcE
Yesterday’s Grand Slam champions are increasingly today’s Grand Slam coaches; we explore the modern day world of the celebrity coach.
What’s it like – and what does it take – to be an elite coach on the professional tours?
Pursuing their professional tennis dreams through the US college system is proving an increasingly smart choice for many young players.
24
dO yOU NEEd A FOOd cOAch?
You don’t need to be an elite athlete to experience the health and fitness benefits that can accompany support from a dietitian. JUNE 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
3
JUNE 2014 VOL 39 No. 6
32
SMASHING NEW HIGHS
Wimbledon often proves the perfect setting for new career breakthroughs; who are the players to watch in 2014?
REGULARS 8 BREAKPOINTS 10 THE HITTING WALL 17 GEARING UP 19 BE THE PRO 64 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 68 IN FOCUS PROFILE 74 RANKINGS 76 SCOREBOARD 78 LOOKING BACK 80 KIDS’ CLUBHOUSE 82 LAST WORD
EDITOR Vivienne Christie DEPUTY EDITOR Darren Saligari ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrea Williamson Trevor Bridger
30
The successful partnership between Nick Kyrgios and his coach, Simon Rea, shows the value of a talented coach. 4
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE JUNE 2014
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
JOHN ANTHONY / ISPA
BRINGING OUT THEIR BEST
ADVERTISING MANAGER Nicole Hearnden ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Daniel Heathcote PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images, John Anthony, Image(s) licensed by Ingram Publishing COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN & PHOTO EDITING Andrew Hutchison, FourFront
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
Educating Generation Next
A
n enlightening theme soon emerged when we asked some of Australia’s top former players to pass on a tip that proved instrumental to their success. The most valuable lessons weren’t just applicable to their tennis, but to their wider life too. Working hard, taking responsibility and becoming quality people as well as quality players are messages that remained with former Grand
Australian Tennis Magazine cover debut at just 19 years of age. But there are other milestones more significant for the young Canberran: winning a pair of Challenger titles on clay last month elevated him to become the youngest member of the world’s top 200. Soon afterwards, Kyrgios served as a training partner for Roger Federer at the Swiss star’s Zurich base. It was a powerful learning experience for Kyrgios, who gained a new understanding of
“The measure of success is not rankings or Grand Slam titles, but whether you have got the most out of yourself to be the player you can be.” PAT RAFTER Slam champions Pat Rafter and Pat Cash along with Scott Draper and others. As Rafter, now Australia’s Davis Cup captain, noted: “The measure of success is not rankings or Grand Slam titles, but whether you have got the most out of yourself to be the best player you can be.” Australian tennis is fortunate to have many quality individuals willing to impart their expertise and experience to the next generation. Former Davis Cup coach Tony Roche, for example, remains an influential force in Lleyton Hewitt’s career. Hewitt, in turn, is now a role model for many of our young and exciting prospects. One of those players is Nick Kyrgios, who makes his
Nexnt th mo 6
the rigorous standards required in the professional game as he observed Federer’s intensity, focus and commitment to excellence. “He never moved on unless he had nailed the task,” said Kyrgios. “That was really powerful to me.” Equally powerful is the relationship Krygios has established with his awardwinning coach, Simon Rea. Their success is based on respect, honesty and a mutual understanding that considerably more hard work is yet to be done. Their notable partnership highlights why this month’s “breakthrough issue” of Australian Tennis Magazine is also themed around coaches, the behind-thescenes heroes of many players'
Developing his tennis on the big stage is a happy learning process for Nick Kyrgios.
careers. A player’s talent will grab attention but it’s often a coach’s ability to shape it into something special that counts. This month, we’ve therefore endeavoured to provide helpful advice to players and coaches. Whether it’s strokes, nutrition, psychology or some of the more
WELLBEING SPECIAL
personal tips, we hope those lessons are shared. As Rafter, Hewitt, Kyrgios and others know, it’s the life lessons you pass on to others that ultimately prove most valuable. Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au
The game’s “feel good” factor comes into focus as we explore how to keep improving and enjoying your tennis throughout winter. Comprehensive tips will help you maintain your health and improve your fitness too. On sale from 23 June.
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE JUNE 2014
GET YOUR PIECE OF THE FRENCH OPEN Thanks to Babolat, you can now take home your piece of the French Open. Renew or subscribe to Australian Tennis Magazine and you will recieve your own pack of Official French Open Balls. Each subscriber will also enter the draw to win an exclusive Babolat Pure Drive French Open Bag.
THE BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE TARGET NEW HIGHS
COACH CORNEITYR
TENNI S LESSONS FROM RAFTER CASH DOKIC & CO.
EDUCATED CHOICE
IS COLLEGE TENNIS FOR YOU?
CELEBR INFLUENCE CHOOSE A MENTOR SECRETS OF A TOUR COACH
Two Year $140 AU
NICK
KYRGIOS NEXT BIG STEPS
PLUS
AUSSIES ON THE RISE WIMBLEDON WATCH GORAN’S NEW GIG BORIS BECKER LOOKS BACK
One Year (12 issue) Subscription $75
JUNE 2014 A$7.50 / NZ$8.40 / US$7.50
tennismag.com.au
Three Year $195 AU
TO SUBSCRIBE: tennismag.com.au Email: subscriptions@tennismag.com.au Phone: 1800 246 329
insTrucTion
Lessons for (tennis) life It was taking a critical lesson from a favoured coach that made many of Australia’s former players so successfiul on the professional tours – and now they’re sharing that priceless knowledge with the next generation. We asked them the one lesson they always pass on to other players.
Ana Ivanovic knows that winning means working on your weakness.
Turn weaknesses inTo sTrengThs
M
y longest coach was Ian Barclay (above). We were together from when I was 12 years old, all the way through to the peak of my career until my late 20s. If you know my game, it may come as a surprise to learn that I couldn’t smash at all when I was a kid. He was much more patient than I was when I missed smash after smash for months. Ian and I worked for hours out at Heatherdale tennis club in Melbourne until my smashing improved. In the end it became one of – if not my best – shots. A golden tip he gave me and that I pass on to my students is the urgency required to get back quickly and keep the ball in front of you. This is crucial, especially in Australian conditions with sun in your eyes and wind blowing the ball around. Even now when I play the legends events around the world when a lob goes up in the air I can still hear Ian’s voice saying “get back, move your feet!” Pat Cash, 1987 Wimbledon champion
12
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE JUNE 2014
Be The BesT You can Be
T
here are many lessons you learn along the way to becoming a tennis player. Some of them are life lessons and others are technical. The one lesson I probably got the most out of was from my brother, Geoff, who said that as a person and a player, the measure of success is not rankings or Grand Slam titles but whether you have got the most out of yourself to be the best possible player you can be – whether that’s No. 150, 50 or world No.1. Pat Rafter, 1997 & ’98 US Open champion, world No.1 in 1998; now Australian Davis Cup captain Roger Federer reached his maximum potential … and so can every player.
Rafael Nadal knows when it’s time for a rest.
LESS REALLY IS MORE
MORE THAN WINNING
Remember to add fun to the mix.
T
here is one thing that I came to realise as I got older that no one told me as a junior is that the most important thing about junior tennis is not necessarily the winning of matches – even though this is important – but rather the importance of having a game that has “weapons”. A game that has the capability of developing into winning matches as a pro. The other thing that I tell juniors is not to focus so much on their ranking! If you play well your ranking will take care of itself. This applies at the pro level too. Liz Smylie, world No.20 in 1987 and winner of four Grand Slam doubles titles
I
learned one of my greatest lessons, in tennis and life, from none other than Margaret Court. As a 16-year-old, brand new to the WTA Tour, I remember my extended stay with Margaret at her home in Perth. We would spend our days training and completing gruelling fitness regimes. It was also here that I heard a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since: “Dianne, don’t leave all your best tennis on the practice court.” Like most well-intentioned juniors making the transition to the professional game, I had the mistaken idea that ‘the more I trained, the better’. I simply didn’t trust myself or have the confidence to relax my training schedule before a big event, burning myself out before I had even set foot on the match court. To this day, I advise all my tournamentplaying pupils of this very important lesson – that sometimes less really is more. I am grateful for my days with Margaret, not to mention this very timely motto at such a pivotal time in my career.
Lleyton Hewitt strikes a successful balance.
Dianne Balestrat, world No.4 in 1979 and Australian Open 1977 finalist
THE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR
I
was very fortunate as a junior to have Ray Ruffels coach my age group from time to time. The most important life lesson that Ruff taught me was to make the most of my time on tour. Play hard but also enjoy yourself with your mates on tour. Fortunately we had plenty of other Aussies playing around that time and we had ample opportunity to get out and about and either explore a city or play a round of golf together. The camaraderie was extremely strong within the Aussie playing contingent and to this day we all remain incredibly close and are like a family. I always encourage the guys to get out and enjoy a restaurant or do something fun as this is a very special existence that doesn’t last forever. You will find that if the players are happy off the court they will play well on the court. Josh Eagle, world No.11 doubles player in 2001; now Australian Davis Cup coach
NO SECRET RECIPE
I
was very fortunate through my junior years to have tennis playing and coaching greats John Newcombe, Tony Roche, Bob Carmichael and Ray Ruffels oversee my development. There was one lesson for life that I learned from all – and that was that there is no secret recipe for success, just pure hard work. This was portrayed to me daily and to this day, I’m still appreciative. As a player, the secret to tactically being smarter, getting fitter or technically making your stroke better is simply taking hold of that valuable information you learn from your coach and then taking ownership to improve through continuous hard work. I always say, “It’s what you are doing when no one else is watching that will make the difference”. I remember the many times I had lost matches and within a short time be back out on the court with Ray Ruffels and a bucket of balls, trying to get better. One of Ray’s greatest quotes was that “you only need a court and a bucket of balls.” Too many of our players focus on what they think they are missing out on, instead of what they could be doing via hard work to improve something on the back court. Simon Youl, Grand Slam junior doubles champion. National Academy Head Coach, Tasmania JUNE 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
13
FEATURE
H
anging out with the world’s top players would be overwhelming for any teenager – and Nick Kyrgios was no different during an early encounter with Roger Federer in the locker room at the 2013 US Open. 28
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE JUNE 2014
“That was awesome being next to them in the locker room but I didn’t really say too much,” he laughed soon after the tournament, where he also met Juan Martin del Potro and others. “I just admired them.” The young Australian need not have worried about any lost
JOHN ANTHONY
Nick Kyrgios doesn’t merely overcome challenges; he smashes them. What’s next for the fast-rising Australian? Vivienne Christie reports
PREVIEW
SmaShing new highS Wimbledon is the perfect setting for new career breakthroughs. JEREMY STYLES previews the players who could amass new milestones there in 2014. NOVaK dJOKOVIC SRB, No.2, age 27
RafaEL NadaL ESP, No.1, age 28 Winner of Wimbledon’s longest ever men’s singles final – claiming a 9-7 fifth set win over Roger Federer after four hours, 48 minutes in 2008 – Nadal added to his glowing CV by defeating Tomas Berdych to win the 2010 title. There has since been second and first-round shocks, to Lukas Rosol and Steve Darcis respectively, but expect a spirited performance in 2014. Best Wimbledon result: Winner 2008, ’10 In 2013: Lost first round to Steve Darcis
Djokovic seemed set to add more Wimbledon titles after his stirring victory in 2011. Yet Andy Murray thwarted those plans in the 2013 final, and 2014 has been interrupted by a worrying wrist injury. In his 10th appearance at the Championships, Djokovic will be relying on coach Boris Becker – no stranger to Wimbledon success himself – to bring out his best. Best Wimbledon result: Winner 2011 In 2013: Lost in final to Andy Murray
SEEKING SUCCESS
JUaN MaRTIN dEL POTRO His near five hour Wimbledon semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic was arguably the best match of 2013 but a wrist injury that required surgery may halt 2014 plans.
32
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE JUNE 2014
KEI NISHIKORI A history-making rise into the top 10, wins over Federer and Ferrer, and a first title on clay suggest new frontiers, but injury is often a worry.
MILOS RaONIC After peaking at No.9, Canada’s best player is due a solid Slam run. With a big serve and towering ambitions to match his 196 cm frame, Wimbledon would suit.
JOHN ISNER Is there more to Wimbledon for John Isner than his 11 hour, five minute win over Nicolas Mahut in 2011? A more regular presence in the world’s top 10 suggests yes.