MATCH DAY ISSUE CRAFT A COMPETITIVE EDGE
READY? PLAY Perfect your preparation MET YOUR MATCH? Beat a nemesis
PLUS
THE ROLE OF RECOVERY MATCH DAY NUTRITION USE YOUR NERVES WARM UP WISELY
SUPERSTAR COACHES Learn from the pros
A Z U R U G MU SEPTEMBER 2015 A$7.50 / NZ$8.40 / US$7.50
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SEPTEMBER 2015 VOL 40 No.9
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READY? PLAY
Opponents, conditions and surfaces may change, but one rule always applies on match day: be prepared. We provide pointers to help.
FEATURES
26 MATCH DAY MENU
Paying careful attention to your diet can be critical to success on match day.
28 TACTICAL MATTERS
The difference between winning and losing can come down to tactics, so consider the most common errors to avoid.
34 ROLE OF ROUTINES
Famously superstitious professionals not only make for some fascinating viewing, but also demonstrate the value in creating competitive routines.
41 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
Who are the must-watch match-ups on the tennis tours today? The modern day rivalries of the most compelling kind.
50 SUPER SAM
Sam Stosur achieved another milestone in her impressive career as she notched her 500th match win in Washington.
52 THE HIGHEST HONOUR Former world No.1 David Hall provides a personal insight on his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
33
MUGURUZA MAGIC
As spirited off the court as she’s fearless on it, Garbine Muguruza is bringing a special brand of magic to the women’s game.
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BE PREPARED!
Readying your body for the demands of competition requires an effective warm-up.
REGULARS 8 BREAKPOINTS 68 QUESTIONS 12 THE HITTING WALL 70 IN FOCUS 23 STROKEMASTER 72 KIDS’ CLUBHOUSE 55 INJURY WATCH 74 LAST WORD 57 TENNIS 360 60 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 64 RANKINGS 66 SCOREBOARD
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COACHING FROM THE SUPERSTARS
With pro tennis a treasure trove of tips, examples and approaches for improving your own game, you can take many lessons from the superstars. 4
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2015
EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrea Williamson Carli Alexander 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.
FEATURE
he’s s s a t r e cou h t a l i st ff n fi o d n e o t i d As spir on it, Wimble ringing a ’s b s fearles Muguruza is to the women c e Garbin rand of magi ISTIE reports b sp e ci a l I V I E N N E C H R game. V
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C I G A M . L L I T S Y A T T S RAL.” ’ N A C I . S G E IN N H E T G F O N I S E T F I O O L K E E N J O Y IN G L D O T T N A “ I W V IN G F U N . I L I I L IK E H A 14
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2015
ONLY THE BEGINNING: Serena Williams was victorious in the Wimbledon final but declared Garbine Muguruza is ready to achieve Grand Slam success.
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winning formula came early to a young Garbine Muguruza. You take the power of Venus and Serena Williams, add the mentality of Maria Sharapova and combine it all with the tactics and natural talent of Martina Hingis. “I always like to take little parts of every player and try to do the same things,” the beaming Spaniard related at Wimbledon. “You just take a few things and make a perfect player.” That neatly-explained strategy is certainly a clever one – but it would be impossible to implement in the game’s upper echelons without a vast natural ability. And as far as champions go, the 21-year-old Muguruza is showcasing some unique – and special – qualities of her own.
In a career that’s less than three full seasons old, there have been many glimpses of Muguruza’s major potential. Along with the first career title she claimed at Hobart in 2014, there were multiple wins over top 10 opponents and a second-round upset of Serena Williams at the 2014 French Open. But no signs of Muguruza’s success were more significant than the ones she displayed at Wimbledon 2015, where she stunned higher ranked and more experienced opponents in Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska, the new star playing positively, fearlessly and near flawlessly until the last point of her fi rst Grand Slam fi nal, where she was eventually stopped by the history-making Serena. While the wins in Wimbledon’s latter stages underscored Muguruza’s arrival in the world tennis spotlight, the most powerful turning point arguably occurred in the third round against Kerber, a semifinalist in 2012 and one of the most consistent WTA performers of 2015. In the 83-minute first set, Muguruza recovered from an early break of serve and saved five set points in the 16-minute 12th game. A 17-minute tiebreak followed, Muguruza winning it 14-12 before her three-set progression.
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INSTRUCTION
RE A F
ALL SET: With the real work in winning matches occurring long before a player walks on court, bags will be carefully packed, hydration managed and music cued ahead of play.
or us mere mortals, certain phrases come to mind when watching the great Roger Federer calmly glide around the court, conjuring effortless strokes of match-winning genius from his 27-inch magic wand, hour after hour, match after match, year after year. Superhuman. From another planet. Unfair. Similarly, we marvel at world No.1 Novak Djokovic's extraordinary athleticism, gymnast-like flexibility and metronomic shot-making ability. He built a bridge over his old mental hurdles, ditched the gluten and the rest came naturally, supposedly. Earlier this millennium, four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi also made it look pretty darn easy when he’d routinely rock up to Melbourne and turn Rod Laver Arena into his own summer funhouse, slugging younger rivals into submission in the scorching heat. Simply too good. Right? What we don’t see is Federer banking on 10–12 hours sleep a night to rest and ready his muscles, nor his pre-tournament practice of hitting volleys onelegged on a mini-trampoline to enhance his famous balance and core strength. We don’t witness Djokovic undergoing careful biomechanical assessments
Y A L DY ? P but there’s one e g n a h c l il w s e c a rf su s a nd Opponents, condition prepared. e b : y a d h tc a m n o s e li ointers. p n o rule that always app ti ra a p re p t n a rt o vides imp STEVE BARRETT pro of his feet and lower body movement to perfect the custommade insole for his shoes. We don't see his 18-month chocolate ban, the way he cooks all his own organic meals meticulously or his famously fastidious, forensic video scouting of opposition players. We never saw Agassi’s lungs burning in 40-degree desert heat as he sprinted up the super-steep, 340-metre hill he coined “Magic Mountain” on the outskirts of Las Vegas around Christmas time to get him ready for the baking Aussie heat, or his famed encyclopaedic intelligence of almost every player on the tour. Whether it’s the elite professional on the world stage or the up-and-coming social-level
player, it’s ideal that preparation takes place in the months, weeks, days, hours and minutes before the start of a match. Good preparation, the real work, happens long before the players crack open a can of new balls and start launching some practice serves. It covers several areas, including physical, mental and emotional. Here are some ways to address them:
What and when to eat • What you put into your body is perhaps the most vital factor in good preparation. • And being hydrated is at the top of the list when it comes to performing at a high level. • Skip the sugary lattes or soft
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drinks before a match – caffeine can be dehydrating and sugar will fatigue you. Water is always a much better option, while certain sports drinks containing electrolytes can be hugely beneficial. During the two days preceding the match, a player should gradually increase their water intake and up the carbohydrates to ensure that the level of glycogen or energy stored is high. An especially high carbohydrate dinner on match eve is ideal – some options include potatoes, rice, breads and any number of pasta dishes. Avoid anything too spicy and definitely abstain from alcohol. A healthy, balanced breakfast on competition day consumed at least two hours before the start of play is preferred.
• By eating complex carbohydrates such as whole wheat, oatmeal or low calorie fruits, you will keep a steady energy store to help you charge through the matches. • Nuts and seeds are high in fibre and good fats but are best avoided to prevent digestive intolerance during exercise. Sugary options like lollies and cakes or those containing refined carbs like white bread should also be shelved. • And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
What to put in your bag • One of the most important tennis tips for winning a match is making sure the equipment is in good order and readily accessible. • Your bag is your home for the duration of the match and, like a tidy home, everything should have its place. SEPTEMBER 2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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LESSONS FROM THE PROS
COACHING
from the
Professional tennis is a treasure trove of tips, examples and approaches for improving your own game. MATT TROLLOPE breaks down some of the most valuable lessons you can learn from watching the game’s leading players compete. GET YOURSELF SUPER FIT Never before has there been a greater emphasis on physical fitness than there is in tennis today. Even at the recreational level, it’s a physical, athletic, aerobically-challenging sport slugged out at the baseline. Sam Stosur is a great model to emulate; she’s supremely athletic, fit and strong and also remarkably resistant to
injury. It’s a testament to her commitment to off-court fitness, something she genuinely enjoys and keeps fresh with varied workouts and cross-training – check out Sam’s USANA workout videos on the WTA’s YouTube channel. Stosur rarely wilts physically, and recovers impressively from gruelling matches. After beating Nadia Petrova in the longest-ever US Open women’s match in 2011,
she beat Maria Kirilenko in three sets – contesting the lengthiest tiebreak in women’s Grand Slam history – before winning the whole tournament. 3THE LESSON: Few things are better for your confidence than getting yourself in the best possible shape and knowing you can compete for as long as it takes.
FOOTWORK IS PARAMOUNT This is one of the most important yet possibly underrated aspects of tennis. Good footwork means you’re always on your toes, ready to push off and track down the next shot. Several little steps get you moving to create space around the ball and a good setup position to play your strokes. It allows you to recover when stretched wide to keep a rally alive. Roger Federer’s footwork is widely regarded as the best in the game – is it any wonder he’s had so much success? There are countless YouTube videos dedicated to analysing his fleet footwork and they’re worth a look. Simona Halep is a great example on the women’s side. Both Federer and Halep almost never look rushed, are rarely wrong-footed, and always appear balanced and controlled when playing their strokes.
JOHN ANTHONY / ISPA
3THE LESSON: Having great strokes means little if you can’t get yourself in the correct position to play them. Follow the lead of the game’s best movers and watch how they approach their court coverage. 46
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FIGHT FOR EVERY SINGLE POINT Certain points in tennis are more valuable than others. Yet when Rafael Nadal nonetheless chases down shots, grunts, sweats and fist-pumps at 15-all in the second game of a match, he is letting his opponent know that this will be a colossal battle. They will have to work hard all day. Nothing will come for free. It’s a powerful psychological weapon as it creates the constant presence of pressure. And few players conquer the peak that Rafa forces them to scale. For Nadal, another benefit arises – if every point is treated as crucial, then break, set and match points don’t feel quite so monumental. 3THE LESSON: Few things send a stronger message to an opponent than approaching each point like it’s your last. You can gain a mental advantage over your opponent and it also hones your focus.
EMBRACE THE MOMENT Club players are not broadcast on worldwide television competing for huge prize money on glittering show courts. Yet there is pressure and expectation in any competitive setting. And if you want to be the best player you can be, you need to relish
JOHN ANTHONY / ISPA
UPERSTARS
BENCHMARKS FOR SUCCESS: Roger Federer showcases superb footwork, Rafael Nadal is known for his fighting ability and Sam Stosur is super fit. SEPTEMBER 2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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