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MAY 2014 VOL 39 No. 5
FLEX APPEAL Top players are literally stretching
for success as flexibility becomes an increasingly critical requirement in the modern game.
contents FEATURES
12 SHIFTING SURFACES
One of the few women to claim a title on every surface, Jelena Dokic helps explain the critical points of difference that all players should know.
19 SCHEdULING FoR SUCCESS
Switching playing surfaces highlights an important question: how do you set a successful playing schedule?
32 SURFACE STARS
Our unique and nuanced sport has produced many champions who claim a particular turf as their own – plus some who star on all of them.
44 IN A SPIN
Topspin is increasingly crucial on any surface, but especially so on clay. We explain 10 reasons why.
50 ARMEd & dANGERoUS
Maximising your game on a range of surfaces requires careful consideration of your equipment.
24
NEw CULTURES, NEw CUISINES
How players travelling to new locations for their tennis can maintain their nutritional needs. MAY 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
3
MAY 2014 VOL 39 No. 5
41
BEYOND THE SURFACE There’s more to top players than their booming serves or blistering ground strokes; some facts you may not know about your favourite stars.
REGULARS 8 BREAKPOINTS 10 THE HITTING WALL 16 GEARING UP 17 BE THE PRO 60 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 64 IN FOCUS PROFILE 66 LOOKING BACK 68 RANKINGS 70 SCOREBOARD 72 KIDS’ CLUBHOUSE 74 LAST WORD
23
SWITCHING IT UP The training techniques that will help you transition to different surfaces. 4
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2014
EDITOR Vivienne Christie DEPUTY EDITOR Darren Saligari ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrea Williamson Trevor Bridger
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
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.
FIRST SERVE
All-court superstars A
s attention in the professional game turns to the red clay of Europe, our own focus has been on the many surfaces on which players of all standards compete. Variances in courts throughout the world not only help create the nuanced and fascinating game we adore but also shape the legacy of players who star on them. While some players claim a certain turf – be it hard court, grass or clay – as their own, others extend that domination to all courts. Rafael Nadal is the standout example. Many observers automatically associate the Spaniard with prolific clay court success – his eight French Open titles are just one of the many records he’s claimed on his favourite surface – but it’s the rare feat of claiming every major (one of just seven men to do so) that truly makes his feats so impressive.
Serena Williams is similarly credentialed as an all-court superstar. Her 17 Grand Slam titles include multiple wins at every major and with her hold on world No.1 as steely as ever, those numbers seem certain to grow further yet. As defending singles champions, Nadal and Serena will step fi rmly into the spotlight at Roland Garros this month – but they won’t be the only players grabbing headlines. Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova are other active players who have won every Grand Slam, while the talking point surrounding Novak Djokovic will be the fact that the French Open is the one major he is still missing. It takes a special blend of dedication, athleticism and talent to maintain dominance in all environments. Jelena Dokic, one of the few women to win titles on every surface,
Nexnt th mo
is well qualified to explain the requirements and we’re delighted to introduce the former world No.4 as a regular Australian Tennis Magazine contributor. This month, Jelena provides valuable insight into the challenges and rewards of successfully transitioning between surfaces. In this special issue on surfaces, you’ll also find a fascinating feature about why topspin is essential, especially on clay, as well as advice on injury prevention, the equipment to use on various courts and how to set a playing schedule to give yourself the best chance of success. Clearly, there are many elements to consider when in comes to playing surfaces. But what truly matters most is not the court that you play on, but that you take to the court at all.
COACHES’ CORNER Behind every accomplished player there is almost certainly an equally accomplished coach. We explore this important partnership in a special educationfocused issue.
18
June issue on sale from 26 May.
Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au
Seasons of change …
6
Dubai Hard court
Indian Wells Hard court
Miami Hard court
Davis Cup, US Hard court
Monte Carlo Clay
Madrid Clay
Roland Garros Clay
Wimbledon Grass
Montreal Hard court
US Open Hard court
Davis Cup, Serbia Indoor clay
Beijing Hard court
Shanghai Hard court
Paris Indoor hard court
ATP finals, London Indoor hard court
Davis Cup, Serbia Indoor hard court
JAN
FEB
MAR MAR
APR
APR
MAY MAY MAY
JUN
AUG
AUG
SEP
SEP
OCT
OCT
NOV
NOV
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2014
Rome Clay
Australian Open Hard court
Switching surfaces is always a theme in a tennis season. To demonstrate, here’s how Novak Djokovic’s 2013 unfolded:
FEATURE
SCHEDULING
for success
A
peak inside the diary, virtual or otherwise, of a top professional player might not provide as many surprises as you’d expect. Chances are that alongside notes of key birthdays, important reminders and special occasions, a high percentage of a player’s calendar are weeks that are simply blocked out. Such chunks of time will more than likely signify a Grand Slam, Masters event, other tournaments or even training blocks and rest periods. And it’s almost certain that the players have worked with their key advisors to determine that playing schedule many
Watching the world’s top professionals transition from hard court to clay and other surfaces points to an important question for players of all standards: Are you setting the right playing schedule? months – possibly even a year – beforehand. It’s a subject that Liam Smith, National Head Coach at Tennis Australia, whose current charges include rising Aussie stars Alex Bolt and Omar Jasika knows well. Having also worked with several players on the ATP and WTA tours, Smith has spent a considerable chunk of his professional life determining the schedule that will give players their best chance of success. “A massive amount of thought, time and consideration goes into scheduling,” says Smith, pointing to strategies that are particularly important in developing younger players. “We have to carefully plan the schedules around the players’ development priorities and
needs, ranking goals as well as work closely with the physical performance coaches to follow a periodised training program to have the athletes peaking at the tournaments we have identified for them. “With juniors it would be the junior Grand Slams, for players transitioning [into the professional game] it would be ATP Challengers, wildcard opportunities in bigger tournaments and so on.” Scheduling is particularly important when you consider that as much as you might love tennis, there can be a risk of playing too much of it. Smith explains some of the common risks for a player who has overtrained or over-played: “The main risks can be physical
injuries, poor performance due to mental fatigue or even a period of ‘flat’ performances.” That means there is more to a professional player’s schedule than their favourite location or earning opportunities. “In my experience, I’ve always found it very important how the scheduling is linked together and to not have players travel across the globe pursuing points or appearance fees but instead selecting a series of tournaments within the same continent,” says Smith. “This is harder at the top level, however still possible.” Acclimatisation and the transition between surfaces are among key considerations for professional players’ schedules, which means that players will ideally arrive at an event as MAY 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
19
ANALYSIS
On-court artistry gave way to the power game, but now we see elements of both as flexibility becomes an increasingly critical requirement in the modern game. MICHAEL FILOSI examines how today’s top players are stretching for success. 26
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2014
MAY 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
27
FEATURE
SURFACE Variation in playing surfaces not only helps makes tennis the unique and nuanced game that we love but creates some fluctuating fortunes for the superstars who compete on them. MATT TROLLOPE investigates.
W
hen the tour leaves behind the hard courts of the United States and heads for the sun-kissed red clay of Madrid, Rome and Paris in the European spring, Sam Stosur’s game typically elevates to a new level. At Roland Garros in 2009, fourth seed Elena Dementieva discovered she simply couldn’t control Stosur’s wickedly kicking serve and heavy forehand. Proving that upset was no fluke, it was incredible to watch Stosur bully world No.1 Serena Williams around the court in the quarterfi nals the next year; unable to gain a foothold in rallies, Serena was kept off-balance and pinned behind the baseline by Stosur’s depth, spin and weight of shot. Yet despite reaching the semifi nals or better in three of the past five years at Roland Garros, Stosur has yet to translate this form to Wimbledon a mere fortnight later. After reaching the fi nal in Paris in 2010, she fell in the fi rst round in London, and in 11 visits to the All England Club, she’s never been beyond the third round. Why the fluctuations in fortune on either side of the English Channel? “On clay, Sam’s serve really jumps off the surface and makes her opponents have to return above their shoulders. On the grass, the ball doesn’t jump as high. It’s also a very similar situation with her forehand,” explains Paul
32
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2014
Kilderry, a former Australian pro and now Stosur’s manager. “She prefers a little more time to load up on her forehand … it is very difficult for opponents to play up in the court against Sam on clay and rush her, whereas they are able to do this more easily on grass.” Stosur is not the only player whose fortunes vary widely depending on the playing surface. Pete Sampras, the dominant serve-and-volleying No.1 of the 1990s, floundered on the clay of Roland Garros – bombing in the first or second round in eight of his 13 appearances – only to morph into a world-beater once he hit the slick lawns of the All England Club. Even more subtle surface changes can impact on a player’s level of comfort and confidence. Pat Rafter was in his element on quick hard courts, winning back-to-back US Open titles and several North American Masters titles. Yet often when he arrived in Australia, the stickier, slower, higher bouncing Rebound Ace hard courts nullified his net-rushing game. Surface variation allows a wide variety of playing styles to flourish and throws a whole new set of variables into any match-up; Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s career head-to-head record may be evenly poised at 22-18, but Nadal dominates 13-3 on clay, while Djokovic is ahead 14-7 on hard court.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
ROGER FEDERER
RAFAEL NADAL
INSTRUCTION
44
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2014
s means that ce a rf su f o n o ti lu o v e The n practically o s d n e id iv d s y a p in topsp ially true on c e sp e ’s it t u b — rt u co any 10 reasons s in la p x e IN E F L U A P . clay n clay. o l a ti n e ss e is in sp p to why
MAY 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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