Australian Tennis Magazine - October 2015

THE FASHION EDITION MAKEOVER YOUR GAME

US OPEN REVIEW

ROGER FEDERER

DJOKOVIC DOMINATES

STAR SURPRISES SERENA

SHOCKED

ETERNAL STYLE

CHANGING

STYLES OF PLAY

IN VOGUE

FASHION

TRAILBLAZING

FORECASTS

TEENS

OCTOBER 2015

ENDURING

CHAMPS

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TRENDING IN TENNIS NEW STROKES SNEAK STRATEGIES CRITICAL COACHING

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OCTOBER 2015 VOL 40 No.10

contents

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DJOKOVIC’S DOUBLE DIGITS Novak Djokovic’s 10th Grand Slam singles title is the latest achievement in what’s fast becoming one of the most impressive tennis seasons in history.

FEATURES

14 WHAT’S ON (TENNIS) TREND?

From enduring favourites to surprise stars and new forms of “old” champions, there are some fascinating talking points in tennis today.

18 A GAME OF BEAUTY

Players have long been admired for their power and athleticism, but the true appeal in tennis may well be its beauty.

24 RE-FASHION YOUR GAME

It takes patience, commitment and careful strategy, but a successful style makeover can work wonders for your game.

34 A FIGHTING FINISH

There was no fairytale victory but plenty of trademark fight as Lleyton Hewitt closed out a stunning Davis Cup career in Glasgow.

46

FORZA, FLAVIA!

Flavia Pennetta claimed the crowning achievement in her tennis career with a US Open title before announcing her impending departure from the sport.

OCTOBER 2015 VOL 40 No.10

31

TIME YOUR TRAINING Hard work will help you become a better player but so too will careful attention to adequate rest.

REGULARS 8 BREAKPOINTS 68 20 QUESTIONS 12 THE HITTING WALL 70 IN FOCUS 29 STROKEMASTER 72 KIDS’ CLUBHOUSE 31 FITNESS 74 LAST WORD 58 TENNIS 360 60 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 64 RANKINGS 66 SCOREBOARD

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FASHION FORWARD

Players not only compete for the final Grand Slam of the season in New York, but for “best dressed” honours too.

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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2015

EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrea Williamson Carli Alexander

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.

What’s in (tennis) vogue?

Tennis fashion means more than colourful on-court wear and the latest racquets. Here’s how statistics showcase what’s trending in tennis today:

DJOKOVIC

THREE

domination

One of the few men in history to reach every Slam final in a season, Novak Djokovic’s domination can be measured in many ways:

4

th

6

164 12

Time that Novak Djokovic will finish year-end world No.1 in 2015.

superiority

258

She missed out on a coveted calendaryear Grand Slam, but Serena Williams is unquestionably the most dominant player of recent times.

Weeks Serena has spent as world No.1. at 20 September 2015

5

th

$12,385,472

4

The most prize money Serena earned in a single season (marking only the second time a woman has won more than $10 million in a season).

6

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2015

2015

1969

Number of players to finish year-end No.1 four or more times (Novak joining Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe).

SERENA

at 20 September 2015

NOVAK DJOKOVIC ROD LAVER

Number of straight seasons in which either Djokovic (2011–12, ’14, ’15), Federer (2004–07, ‘09) or Rafael Nadal (2008, ’10, ’13) have held the year-end No.1 ranking.

Weeks Djokovic has spent as world No.1.

Times in the Open Era that a male player has reached all four Grand Slam finals.

Time that Serena Williams will finish year-end world No.1 in 2015.

Number of players to finish year-end No.1 five or more times (Serena joining Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert).

ROGER FEDERER

2006, 2007, 2009

GRAND SLAM GREATS Who are the men with the most Grand Slam titles?

ROGER FEDERER

17

PETE SAMPRAS

14

RAFAEL NADAL

14

ROY EMERSON

12

ROD LAVER

11

BJORN BORG

11

BILL TILDEN

10

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

10

“I’m so obviously flattered and honoured to be a part of elite group of players, legends of our sports to manage to win this many Grand Slam trophies in their lives and careers … to be just mentioned alongside them is truly something special.”

– Novak Djokovic, on claiming his 10th Grand Slam title at the US Open.

FIRST SERVE

STYLISH BEST: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer set a superb standard in every high-stakes encounter.

Everlasting style

F

ashions will come and go in tennis, but true style is everlasting. Or at least it seems that way in an era of enduring champions and players who discover their finest form in the biggest and most important occasions of their careers.

The recent US Open provided the perfect showcase. Novak Djokovic once again required a new level to stave off the masterful Roger Federer in the 42nd installment of what’s become one of the most classic rivalries in tennis history. The pair’s dazzling display of shot making, athleticism and strategy – made all the more inspiring by each player’s passion for victory – is arguably one of the finest you’ll witness in any sport.

Other players showcased their style in other ways. Roberta Vinci made winning memorable as she famously upstaged Serena Williams in a three-set semifinal that halted the world No.1’s bid for a calendar year Grand Slam.

Flavia Pennetta, always at her crafty best on American hard courts, followed that performance by defeating her

good friend and countrywoman to claim a first Grand Slam title at age 33. That she was a champion who nobody saw coming ultimately only added to Pennetta’s appeal – and then she added it by announcing her impending retirement in her victory speech. Leaving on a high must be the ultimate style statement.

If there was a niggling concern that the dramatic turn of events in New York could lessen the world No.1’s competitive intensity, there needn’t have been: Serena is far too accustomed to winning to make losing a trend.

At the same time, there’s a sense that we can’t take our superstars for granted. Rafael Nadal featured in one of 2015’s most watchable matches in the US Open’s third round but was at the losing end of the five-set encounter with Fabio Fognini, meaning the beloved former champion finishes the season without a Slam for the first time in a decade.

It was much the same as we watched Lleyton Hewitt contest what was almost certainly his last Davis Cup tie when

Australia faced Great Britain in the semifinal staged in Glasgow.

Typically, Hewitt fought his heart out while competing with Sam Groth in an against-the-odds doubles encounter against Andy and Jamie Murray.

The local favourites eventually claimed the five-set win but there was a victory even in defeat for Hewitt, who ends his spectacular Davis Cup career knowing he has helped instill commitment and some of his famous fighting spirit in other young Australians, including Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

It’s a sad inevitability that we eventually farewell the most enduring champions but there’s a consolation in knowing that elements of those player’s styles can live on in other competitors.

As we watch the new generation set their own trends in professional tennis, there’s a lesson for everyday players: by taking a little piece of superstar style, you can fashion it into your own mode of winning form.

Nexnt th mo

GEARING UP

Have you got what it takes to thrive in the summer of tennis? In our special racquets and gear issue we’ll help you become fully equipped for a winning season.

Available from 1 November.

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au OCTOBER 2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

7

FEATURE

A DAZZLING DISPLAY: Competitive colleagues, former pros and fans throughout the world envy Roger Federer’s superb array of stylish strokes.

E M A G A : S I N N E T

Y T U A E B OF

wer o p r i e for th d e r i nis, m n e d t a n n i bee peal g p n a o l e e lores u r v p t a x e h e h s t N r Playe leticism but . PAUL FE I ty and ath ll be its beau e . may w try of tennis is t he a r t OCTOBER 2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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DJOKOV IC’S US OPEN

DOUBLE DIGITS

Nova k 10th G Djokovic ’s title a rand Slam magical t i s t he t he 2 0 1 5 U s i n g le s l in wh atest achi S Open e a one o t is fast be vement f c s e a s o t he mo s t om i n g im n

By M s in tenni pressive ATT T s ROLL history.

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