Australian Tennis Magazine - May 2016

TRANSFORMATION EDITION CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

INNOVATE

ANALYSE

R O L A NO DS GARR W PRE VIE

DJOKOVIC'S

DESTINY

TRAINING

TECHNIQUES LEARN FROM

THE PROS

WTA SEASON OF

CHANGE? CUES FOR CLAY

S O I G R Y NICK K

MAY 2016 A$7.50 / NZ$8.40 / US$7.50

PLUS // DOMINIC THIEM / VICTORIA AZARENKA / THANASI KOKKINAKIS

tennismag.com.au

MAY 2016 VOL 41 No. 5

21

A SEASON OF CHANGE?

With a rare absence of titles for Serena Williams entering the clay season, the signs suggest that 2016 could be a season of change in the women’s game.

contents FEATURES 18 THIEM TO SHINE

Amid many promising young stars, Dominic Thiem is increasingly standing out from the pack.

25 THE BIG ONE

As the most dominant world No.1 in recent history, Novak Djokovic is determined to complete his Grand Slam collection at Roland Garros.

29 MARIA’S TOUGHEST TEST Amid many uncertainties surrounding Maria Sharapova’s suspension, the one guarantee is that the former No.1 will be relying on her fortitude more than ever.

30 A TIME FOR REBUILDING

There was no promotion to the elite World Group, but the Australian Fed Cup team remains intensely focused on a return to elite success.

34 THANASI’S ROAD BACK

With Thanasi Kokkinakis’ latest injury challenge now behind him, the Aussie teen is relishing a likely return at Roland Garros.

52 THE MASTERMIND

Former world No.2 Magnus Norman is transforming his own playing milestones into even bigger successes for major-winning charge Stan Wawrinka.

55 THE ULTIMATE TRANSITION

After their own pro careers end, many big name players have a far greater impact as superstar coaches.

58 THE NEXT PHASE

Skills that are developed on the court can be successfully applied to many life pursuits off it too.

14

NEXT LEVEL

Now a top-20 star and the best-ranked Australian, Nick Kyrgios is taking impressive steps by keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

MAY 2016 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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MAY 2016 VOL 41 No. 5

42

SHIFTING SURFACES

As top players showcase their mental and physical resilience on European clay, athletes of all levels can benefit from the lessons in adaptability that the red dirt provides.

REGULARS 8 BREAKPOINTS 12 THE HITTING WALL 47 STROKE MASTER 48 BE THE PRO 49 FITNESS 62 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 64 RANKINGS 66 SCOREBOARD 68 IN FOCUS 70 20 QUESTIONS 72 KIDS' CLUBHOUSE 74 LAST WORD

44

MAKE A CHANGE

Who better to provide inspiration in transforming your tennis than pros who’ve made critical changes to achieve superstar status?

4

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2016

EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrea Williamson Dominica Glass

ADVERTISING MANAGER Nicole Hearnden ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Camille Green PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images, John Anthony COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN & PHOTO EDITING Andrew Hutchison, Rebekkah Johnson

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.

5

TOTAL TITLES Dominic Thiem has claimed since his first career win J.SOCK (USA) 46/27

18

14

12

29

19

42 39

62 39

NICK KYRGIOS

BENOIT PAIRE

FEB 2016

JUL 2015

MARSEILLE 47 65 76

BASTAD 36 72 50 108

QUANTUM LEAPS

April 2015

April 2016

No. of Places moved

132

DENIS ISTOMIN

DOMINIC THIEM

JUN 2015

MAY 2015

NOTTINGHAM

N.OSAKA (JPN) 248/94

N.HIBINO (JPN) 207/66

N.BROADY (GBR) 167/79

K.BONDARENKO (UKR) 166/67

The only constant in pro tennis is change, as some fascinating stats from the past year demonstrate:

D.MUNOZ DE LA NAVA (ESP) 199/96

R.RAM (USA) 189/57

99

G.PELLA (ARG) 155/47

PH.HERBERT (FRA) 145/95

107

J.OSTAPENKO (LAT) 165/37

Be it the shift into new elite territory or a rise of many places, ranking moves show the players who are transforming tennis:

J.MILLMAN (AUS) 135/63

T.PEREIRA (BRA) 162/55

S.HSIEH (TPE) 147/80

J.KONTA (GBR) 146/22

93

67

K.EDMUND (GBR) 128/92

N.MAHUT (FRA) 124/48

32 A.ZVEREV (GER) 119/54

35

M.GASPARYAN (RUS) 140/47

A.VAN UYTVANCK (BEL) 105/70

S.ZHANG (CHN) 84/63

April 2015

H.CHUNG (KOR) 118/71

28 33 D.GAVRILOVA (AUS) 76/39

KEY

L.POUILLE (FRA) 113/81

No. of Places moved

AK.SCHMIEDLOVA (SVK) 67/34

K.MLADENOVIC (FRA) 56/28

R.VINCI (ITA) 42/8

S.STEPHENS (USA) 40/21

April 2016

A.BEDENE (GBR) 99/60

B.PAIRE (FRA) 84/22

D.THIEM (AUT) 43/14

B.BENCIC (SUI) 35/10

19

T.BELLUCCI (BRA) 74/35

V.TROICKI (SRB) 36/24

G.MUGURUZA (ESP) 19/4

15 V.AZARENKA (BLR) 32/5

A.KERBER (GER) World No.16 / World No.3

W TA R A N K I N G S 13 27 25

A.DOLGOPOLOV (UKR) 71/29

N.KYRGIOS (AUS) 34/20

6

R.GASQUET (FRA) 28/10

B.TOMIC (AUS) World No.27 / World No. 21

AT P R A N K I N G S

TRANSFORMING tennis 154

141

DARIA KASATKINA (RUS) 256/32

88

224 PLACES

128

21 124

37

34

KEY

TAYLOR FRITZ (USA) 814/69

745 PLACES

103

FIRST TIME TITLES

Nothing signals transition better than a first career title:

NICE

JACK SOCK

APR 2015

HOUSTON

FIRST SERVE

SEASONS of change

I

t’s only fitting that our first issue of the 2016 clay season is dedicated to tennis transformation – for in recent months, the signs of change have been everywhere: as some players claim maiden career titles, others return as champions and an elite few make big ranking breakthroughs.

Nick Kyrgios is one of those players, the Australian surging into the world’s top 20 with a blitzing season start that includes a fi rst career title, fi rst ATP Masters semifi nal and many wins over higher-ranked names.

It’s important progress but simply one more step for a young man that many have touted for Grand Slam titles and top five success. “I’m pretty happy with that,” Kyrgios agreed. “But there are (still) nine (or) 10 guys in front of me.”

Transformation is a process that’s clearly ongoing for a player as capable and ambitious as

Kyrgios – a wise attitude given both the competition and opportunities that exist. The fastrising young star is among many who could make an impact at Roland Garros this month, Kyrgios naming Dominic Thiem and David Goffin as colleagues who are achieving similar breakthroughs.

Meanwhile, even the most accomplished champions are looking at how to transform their careers. While Novak Djokovic has claimed many records to become one of the most dominant world No.1s in recent history, French Open success remains a glaring omission; will he at last complete his Grand Slam collection this European summer? See page 25 for our analysis.

Djokovic’s many challengers understand that transformation can mean remodelling too.

Defending French Open champion Stan Wawrinka achieved it with Magnus

Norman as coach – for more on that relationship, see page 52 – while history-maker Rafael Nadal knows patience is key. The Spaniard made the strongest start to the clay season with a record ninth title in Monte Carlo, his confidence undeniably boosted after a rare eight months without a tournament win.

Change can mean progress in other ways too. From next month, Australian Tennis Magazine becomes a bi-monthly print edition and we look forward to bringing you other news updates and feature content on our partner website, tennismash.com. Reflecting the many ways in which content is

“I’m pretty happy with that. But there are (still) nine (or) 10 guys in front of me.”

– Nick Kyrgios on his top-20 transformation.

Serena Williams will hope for a similarly successful resurgence, the world No.1 is yet to re-enter the winner’s circle after her quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam was thwarted at the US Open. By contrast, former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka has made a thunderous return to the top five after three titles this year.

now available, it’s a necessary and important step in the magazine’s 40-year history – and in a time of so much tennis transformation, who knows what developments we might be reporting on next?

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au

GRAND SLAM breakthroughs …

Who turned around their careers with major milestones?

FIRST-TIME CHAMPIONS

FIRST-TIME FINALISTS

FIRST-TIME SEMIFINALISTS

ANGELIQUE KERBER

FLAVIA PENNETTA

ROBERTA VINCI

GARBINE MUGURUZA

LUCIE SAFAROVA

JOHANNA KONTA

TIMEA BACSINSZKY

AUSTRALIAN OPEN ’16

US OPEN ’15

US OPEN ’15

WIMBLEDON ’15

FRENCH OPEN ’15

AUSTRALIAN OPEN ’16

FRENCH OPEN ’15

SLAM

SLAM

SLAM

SLAM

SLAM

SLAM

SLAM

33rd

49th

44th

SLOANE STEPHENS

LEISA TSURENKO

AUG 2015

JUL 2015

WASHINGTON

MISAKI DOI

LUXEMBOURG

OCT 2015 NAO HIBINO

TASHKENT

SEP 2015

11th

4

ISTANBUL

TOTAL TITLES MARGARITA GASPARYAN BAKU Sloane Stephens has claimed since her first JOHANNA LAARSON career win BASTAD

JUL 2015 JUL 2015

40th

ANA KONJUH

NOTTINGHAM

JUN 2015 CAMILA GIORGI

s’HERTOGENBOSCH

JUL 2015 BELINDA BENCIC

EASTBOURNE

JUN 2015

9th

21st

ANNA KAROLINA SCHMIEDLOVA

KATOWICE

APR 2015 TELIANA PEREIRA

BOGOTA

APR 2015 TOP TEEN: Belinda Bencic entered the top 10 after claiming her first career title.

MAY 2016 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

7

FEATURE

A breakthrough top 20 star and now Australia’s highest-ranked player, Nick Kyrgios is achieving impressive new highs by keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE reports

NICK KYRGIOS

W

hen Nick Kyrgios turned 21 last month, he’d already amassed more milestones than many tour veterans will ever celebrate: an upset of world No.1 Rafael Nadal in his Wimbledon centre court debut, a second Grand Slam quarterfi nal at the Australian Open, a win over childhood idol Roger Federer and a fi rst ATP title among them.

The latest milestone, though, may have provided the best cause for jubilation: becoming the newest member of the world’s top 20 not only made Kyrgios the top-ranked Australian player – and the youngest man to rank so high since Marin Cilic in 2009 – but also signaled a steadier,

14

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2016

more challenge-resistant version of an unpredictable competitor who’d at times been prone to emotional overload.

A win over world No.12 Milos Raonic at the Miami Masters was Kyrgios’ sixth over a higherranked competitor this season, making him the fi rst Australian to progress to the fi nal four of the prestigious event since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002. It also showcased Kyrgios’ growing consistency and an ability to fi gure things out under pressure.

Reading the Canadian’s serve superbly, Kyrgios was the only player in Miami to achieve a break against Raonic and relied on his own serve – firing eight aces and saving every one of the five break points he faced –

to add to the quality of the 6-4 7-6(4) victory.

There might still be the trademark passion, but channeling it effectively has been a key to Kyrgios’ top-20 graduation. “(The) last couple years on tour have been a bit of a rollercoaster,” the Australian admitted. “But I’ve learned a lot.”

The tennis lessons are obvious: a more effective second serve now backs the booming fi rst serve and improved movement has been achieved by increased fitness. Kyrgios himself points to a better return of serve as one of the most important developments in his game.

It’s the personal lessons, though, that are helping the Australian to develop those

abilities so well. Asked in Miami whether the more concentrated approach showed he was at last taking his tennis seriously, Kyrgios offered a contrasting view: “If anything, I’m not taking it as seriously. I think at the end of the day it’s just tennis,” he said. “I’m just going out there and trying to play.”

That’s good news for the many fans who love the electrifying theatrics that Kyrgios brings to any competitive occasion. “I think he’s defi nitely a very intriguing player to watch,” said world No.1 Novak Djokovic as the possibility of a fi rst-ever meeting with Kyrgios loomed in Miami.

“He does have a personality and he’s very unique. I think it’s interesting for tennis fans, defi nitely, as somebody that competes at a

‘

KYRGIOS IS SOMEBODY THAT HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE IF HE CONTINUES GOING ON THIS PATH. NOVAK DJOKOVIC

high level. He’s young but he’s managing to perform his best in the big matches.”

A natural showman, Kyrgios is unapologetic for the raw emotion and fearlessness that embellish many of his matches. “I haven’t really changed since I’ve been on tour really. Since I was a junior, I was showing a lot of emotion.

(I) knew I could do well,” he noted in Miami, adding that he’s complementing those qualities with off-court dedication. “I’ve just put in a lot of work and it’s paying off.”

Finding the right balance is critical for Kyrgios, who relies on those people closest to him to provide it. Father George or mother Nil accompany Kyrgios to events when it’s possible and girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic also supported from the sidelines in Miami, with her own career

temporarily on hold as she recovers from shoulder surgery.

Without a full-time coach since mid-2015, Kyrgios is thriving under the unofficial guidance of Hewitt. Early in 2016, the younger Australian spoke about what he’d learned from his former tourmate’s positive example. “I feel he’s matured over his career and I feel as if it ‘s the same thing for me,” said Kyrgios as he started the season with an Australian title breakthrough at the Hopman Cup. “You know, I’ve grown as a person over the past year and I feel as if he’s just really helped me keep on track and guide me.”

With an increased self-reliance, there’s also growing selfawareness – a natural process for any 21-year-old but one that could develop into a potent package for such a naturally gifted athlete as Kyrgios.

Djokovic is among the observers predicting he has a bright future.

“He’s got the fi repower from more or less every corner. He’s got one of the best serves. I think he’s picking his spots very efficiently. His second serve is very impressive in tough moments,” he said, noting Kyrgios’ gutsy strategies facing break points against Raonic.

“Kyrgios would go for it, something similar to what (Goran) Ivanisevic used to do, high-risk second serve.

But it‘s working. He has that great technique, great motion. Tenniswise, he defi nitely has skills, he has the quality.

“He’s a big guy but he moves well. He’s improving. You can see that, you know, the team of people around him are defi nitely making sure that he gets better and better … Kyrgios is somebody that has a bright future if he continues going on this path.”

Andy Murray, a victim to another electrifying performance from Kyrgios at the Hopman Cup, agrees. “The players that are coming through, everyone’s taking an interest in them,” the world No.2 recently commented in an interview with ATPWorldTour. com. “Obviously Kyrgios is very, very exciting to watch and seems to really enjoy playing in front of big crowds as well, so I think tennis is in a good place just now.”

Certainly fans can expect Kyrgios to feature in some highquality contests. After their Miami quarterfinal, Raonic noted how his conqueror had competed with “more life and energy” in the MAY 2016 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

15

PROFILE

THIEM to Shine Among many promising young stars, Dominic Thiem is increasingly standing out from the pack. Can the fastrising Austrian achieve his predicted breakthrough as soon as the French Open?

PAUL MALONE reports

T

he “future of tennis’’ is how David Ferrer described Dominic Thiem in February. More recently, leading coach and pundit Brad Gilbert insisted that by year’s end, the Austrian will be a top five player.

It was a time in which Thiem stuck his head above the ruck of 20-somethings milling about the pursuit of becoming the seasoned elite in the men’s game.

Thiem, 22, rose to world No.13 with two ATP title wins in February; the youngest man ahead of him, Kei Nishikori, was four years his senior. He is the youngest man in the top 15, at least until Nick Kyrgios, makes his next big breakthrough on the world tennis stage.

Already, Thiem is establishing a standout record. Among top-30 men born in the 1990s, Milos Raonic, 25, has eight ATP titles, Thiem five, 24-year-old Grigor Dimitrov four, 23-year-old Bernard Tomic three and Kyrgios one.

18

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MAY 2016

‘

YOU REALLY HAVE TO STEP UP IN THE BIG TOURNAMENTS ... IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR SOME YOUNG GUYS TO COME INTO THE TOP 10.

DOMINIC THIEM

After the Australian Open, Thiem won the ATP Buenos Aires tournament on clay, saving a match point to defeat clay king, Rafael Nadal in a three-set semifinal that revealed a little about the trajectory of both careers.

He overwhelmed world No.6 Ferrer in Rio de Janeiro the following week before a surprise loss to Guido Pella in the semis, but then won his fi rst ATP 500 title – the biggest of his career – on hard court in Acapulco, Mexico.

In the Acapulco fi nal, Tomic paid for giving up a lead in both sets he lost to Thiem, as the Austrian prevailed 7-6 (6) 4-6 6-3 to don the extra-floppy sombrero presented to the winner.

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” Shakespeare once wrote, and the same can be said for the ceremonial sombrero.

“I think it’s a big difference between the ranking Bernard and I have (in the teens), and the top 10,” Thiem told Australian Tennis Magazine. “It’s really double the points to be a top 10 player. You really have to step up in the big tournaments. We both didn’t do it yet, I think this year it might happen. I hope so. It would be great for some young guys to come into the top 10."

While thriving on one level, the Austrian notes that there is still an important transition to come.

“I also developed as a player the last year or so,” he pointed out.

“I think this year I want to make the next step and want to play well in the big tournaments.”

A defect in Thiem’s record is that he is yet to reach a Grand Slam quarterfi nal. But having won four of his five ATP titles on clay – and acknowledging that it’s his best surface – he’ll be watched carefully in the early days of the French Open.

“It’s still my best surface, yeah.

I grew up on it and I practiced from 12 years to 18 years on it, I think, 99 per cent of the time,” a clay court camp in Zurich. In said the right-hander. the past two years, Kyrgios and Roger Federer nominates his Thanasi Kokkinakis have also fellow Swiss, Stan Wawrinka, as been invited to hit with the the player Thiem most resembles 17-time Grand Slam champion. in style. Wawrinka Amid the sport’s NEXT STEPS: Already was Thiem’s fi rst big-is-beautiful trend, the winner of five career top-five scalp, after it’s worth noting that titles, Thiem is targeting a bigger breakthrough beating the the 185 cm Thiem is at Grand Slam level – two-time major three cm shorter starting with a strong winner in 2014 in than Novak Djokovic showing on his favourite surface at Roland Garros.

Madrid on clay. and a kilogram or An important two heavier. turning point came early for “He came over for three days Thiem, who changed from a and we trained like 10 hours double-handed backhand to together – he hits a big ball,” a single-handed grip in his early Federer said in Brisbane, where teen years at the insistence of he handed Thiem a 6-1 6-4 loss Gunter Bresnik, his coach of in the semifinals at Pat Rafter 11 years.

Arena. “I’ve practised with him He says it took him as much before at the (Swiss) Open as as three years before he was well and I think he’s got a great comfortable on his backhand big backhand. side, with Bresnik also “He maybe likes slower courts, demanding more aggression likes to set up his shots.” in his game style.

Thiem is rapturous, but wary of Federer practised with Thiem providing much detail, of what he in April last year, inviting him to learnt from hitting with Federer.

MAY 2016 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

19

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FEATURE

With a rare absence of titles for Serena Williams, the French Open approaches with a sense that 2016 could be a season of change in the women’s game.

KRISTINA MOORE reports

MAY 2016 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

21

FEATURE

Few players have been as impactful as Novak Djokovic, the most dominant world No.1 in recent tennis history. But can the record-breaking champion claim the one major milestone that still eludes him at Roland Garros?

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE reports MAY 2016 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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