Australian Tennis Magazine - September 2011 by Tennis Australia

September 2011

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September 2011 REGULARS

FROM THE EDITOR

7 Topspin 37 Court Talk

No. 1, he’s any pressure as the ATP ’s new f Novak Djokovic is feeling t the Serbian prin to the September issue went certainly not showing it. As Grand Slams for 2011, incorporating his two had just claimed his ninth title son – with those le five Masters in a single sea victories and an unmatchab months ahead. bolstered in the weeks and figures almost certain to be le match for the ic had in fact lost just a sing At the time of writing, Djokov and Garros, his 53-1 erer in the semi-finals of Rol season, falling to Roger Fed time soon. In a sport unlikely to be matched any winning record one that’s s to be settling in by change, Djokovic appear that’s so often characterised nis summit. le reign at the top of the ten to a remarkably comfortab established rivals rity of long time No. 1s and Given the enormous popula sibly even resistance there’s some regret and pos r, ere Fed and al Nad ael Raf least to a degree , but counteracting that – at to Djokovic’s new dominance s also set a new rping proven champions, he’ – is the knowledge that in usu appointment, there s experience inevitable dis standard. While Nadal’s fan ing another icipation of the Spaniard find must also be some keen ant ain top spot. dimension as he works to reg s that Djokovic with the daunting awarenes While the US Open looms wledge that face, there’s hope in the kno is competing on his best sur ally for former champions. experience matters, especi ing returned to tly proving that point, hav Serena Williams is curren her long battle with ef sojourn to No. 175. After the top 40 following a bri onto, cre ating d titles in Stanford and Tor ime cla ena Ser , ess illn and injury n a seeding for the her ranking enough to gai the pos sibility of improving r year-long absence achievement given her nea US Open – a rem arkabl e

47 My Game 54 My Coach 72 Rankings 75 Your Serve 78 Club of the Month

from competition. ic and Serena’s s deep for players of Djokov Competitive spirit clearly run Open. be such favourites for the US calibre, which is why they’ll VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

EDITOR CONSULTING EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER ADVERTISING MANAGER ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER MY COACH CONTENT PHOTOGRAPHS COVER PHOTO

Vivienne Christie Alan Trengove Daniela Toleski Andrea Williamson Jackie Cunningham Ben Carenco Mark Edney Getty Images, John Anthony, Art Seitz (All photographs by Getty Images unless specified) Getty Images

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.

Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2011

SEPTEMBER 2011 VOL 36 No. 9

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FEATURES

Living the Dream Novak Djokovic’s goal to become world No. 1 at times meant triumphing over adversity and always holding on to the dream.

The Final Piece of the Puzzle It’s a season that’s produced more questions than answers; will it all come together at the US Open?

One Last Stand Roger Federer and Serena Williams have been left out of the Grand Slam cold in 2011, but that could all change at Flushing Meadows.

Being Bethanie Bethanie Mattek-Sands was once known more for her garments than her game, but is now standing out for all the right reasons.

Bright Young Things Meet a talented group of players with the ambition – and capability – to become household names.

Brand Values Building a game may be the first step in a player’s path to glory but it’s building a personal brand that creates the true rewards of superstardom.

Causing a Racquet Maximising your game can often come down to choosing the right racquet, so considering all options in the latest equipment technology is crucial.

Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2011

In a season thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s produced more surprises than familiar storylines, the US Open looms as a complex puzzle. DARREN SALIGARI attempts to piece it all together.

The final piece of the puzzle Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2011

ruined his return bouts at Wimbledon in 2009 and at Australian Open 2010. Like his good friend Federer, Nadal has also struggled with the Serbian Slugger in 2011. Djokovic has won all five of their matches to date, including twice on clay and, most importantly, twice on hard courts this year.

Caroline Wozniacki

oger Federer is yet to win a major, Novak Djokovic is dominating, we’ve had three different women’s champions so far this year and the Williams sisters have spent most of the year off the court and out of the spotlight. For those who yearn for the status quo, Rafael Nadal’s win at the French Open is the only constant in a year that has provided more surprises than familiar storylines. Welcome to season 2011. So, with these things in mind, who is going to win the year’s final Grand Slam, the US Open? It’s a hard one to pick – 128 horse races usually are. Making the task slightly easier is the fact that in the past 20 years, 32 of the 40 US Open winners have been among the top four seeds. New York is home to the favourites. But will that be the case this year? Questions abound – can Federer snag the last Grand Slam tournament of the year to continue his winning run (he’s won at least one major a year since 2003)? Will Djokovic’s reign continue? Can Caroline Wozniacki add a significant piece of silverware to her No. 1 ranking? And do any Australians stand a chance? Let’s find out. Can Federer win a major in 2011? The last time Federer didn’t claim one of the four Grand Slam tournaments was in 2002 when a then 21-year-old Federer was beginning to make waves as a player on the rise. Close to a decade later and Federer’s wave is closing in on the shoreline. It’s not that his form this year has been bad, it’s just not at the impossibly high level he has consistently set. With a 39-9 win-loss record at the time of writing, Federer 18

Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2011

N0vak Djokovic

has won just one title this year and been a finalist twice. Slim returns from a man with 67 titles to his name. Tellingly he’s only been able to beat Djokovic once this year in four matches and lost all three 2011 meetings with his career-nemesis Nadal. Based on current form, Federer is not the favourite for the US Open and nor should he be. That tag rests comfortably on Djokovic’s shoulders, which grow broader with each tournament. And while many question if Federer can ascend one of the world’s four Grand Slam summits once more, the man himself has no doubt. “I think I definitely can, yes. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t the case.” Can Nadal go back to back? If history is anything to go by then, sadly for Rafa’s legion of fans, the answer is no. The only major Nadal has managed to defend is his beloved Roland Garros title. While attempting to defend his 2010 Wimbledon crown against the invading Djokovic, Nadal seemed unable to settle into the match. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, injury

Can Wozniacki deliver? One of the hardest working players on the WTA tour, 21-year-old Wozniacki once again has a full dance card in 2011. And while only a fool would doubt the Great Dane’s ability, questions remain about whether or not she can win seven matches in a row. Her defensive game is one of the best on the tour and it has taken her to the top, but when the other player doesn’t miss, Wozniacki’s game plan is suddenly a liability. Perhaps the world No. 1 needs to take a page from the book of Petra Kvitova whose attacking play netted her a breakthrough win at Wimbledon this year. Can Maria Sharapova take the next step? A semi-finalist at the French Open and a finalist at Wimbledon, Maria Sharapova has almost returned to the form that made her one of the most feared players on the WTA Tour. I say almost because she’s yet to hit the heights of 2008 when she demolished all before her at the Australian Open and played some truly devastating tennis – she’s not there yet. However, the bright lights of New York beckon, and Sharapova loves nothing better than the spotlight. After making the semis at Indian Wells and the final in Miami earlier this year, the tall Russian is a good chance to go all the way.

Roger Federer Maria Sharapova

Can Djokovic win three out of four? Yes. Will he? Most likely. The new world No. 1 has made some great players look ordinary on his way to creating tennis’s new world order. It took an inspired Federer to end his run of 41 consecutive wins in 2011 in the Roland Garros semifinals, still his only loss this year. Nole’s previous four trips to New York have yielded two semi-finals and two finals – Federer (three times) and Nadal (once) being the ones to stand in his way. But 2011 is a new year and Djokovic appears to have Federer and Nadal’s measure. Expect to see the Serbian superstar lift his first US Open trophy. Who will be the last Aussie standing? Bernard Tomic, Jarmila Gajdosova or Sam Stosur. A quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2010, sadly for Stosur her form in 2011 has been patchy at best. Gajdosova, meanwhile, has broken into the top 30 for the first time and is enjoying her best ever season. The US

Samantha Stosur

Open hasn’t been a great tournament for her in the past, but that could change this year. As for Tomic, expectations have always been high for the precociously talented Queenslander, but after becoming the youngest Wimbledon quarter-finalist since Boris Becker 25 years ago, those expectations have now increased tenfold. With Lleyton Hewitt’s body holding him back from what his mind still craves, the need for Tomic to bring success is bigger than Arthur Ashe Stadium. And if Tomic has his way that’ s where he’ll be playing – the 18-year-old performs

best on the biggest stages. Tomic or Gajdosova to last the longest. Do any of the Americans stand a chance at their home Grand Slam? Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back, Serena Williams! No one will be cheering louder for the return of Serena than US Open organisers who need a homegrown hero to capture the locals’ wavering attention. She may have been out of the game for close to a year, but Serena has already won a title (Stanford) and toppled Wimbledon finalist Sharapova and semi-finalist Sabine Lisicki in the process, shaving her ranking more than 100 places and removing the need for a wildcard. Still a major threat. A top 10 debutant in 2011, Mardy Fish has overtaken the durable Andy Roddick as America’s No. 1 man. But is the 29-year-old from Minnesota a chance to take out his home major? No. Same goes for Roddick whose powers have waned in recent seasons and lacks the punch

Serena Williams

needed to put away the likes of Djokovic, Soderling, Nadal and Federer. Can Andy Murray put an end to that 75-year drought? Best player not to win a Grand Slam. It’s meant as a compliment, but for Murray it must be as thrilling as being awarded second prize at a beauty pageant – you’re good, but not quite good enough. In saying that, world No. 4 Murray is a former US Open finalist, but has stumbled in the third and fourth rounds respectively

in the past two years. He appears to have recovered from his devastating loss in the final of Australian Open 2011, but that seemed to do some serious damage with early exits following at his next three tournaments. Since then semis at Roland Garros, a win at Queen’s and semis at Wimbledon should have re-inflated Murray. Sometimes taking that last step can be the hardest, something Murray knows better than most. Sadly I don’t see the drought breaking for Murray, yet. Could we have a breakthrough winner? Petra Kvitova did it at Wimbledon, the 21-year-old showing that the old adage ‘you have to lose one to win one’ is not necessarily true, just don’t tell Murray. She’s part of a band of players that includes Victoria Azarenka, Andrea Petkovic, Julia Goerges and Sabine Lisicki who are all under the age of 24 and ranked inside the top 25. Out of these four, Azarenka looks like the next player who could go all the way – she has the favoured power game of the moment and

Andy Murray

has learned to control her emotions in the past 12 months. Success isn’t far off. On the men’s side, Juan Martin del Potro was the last player to have a breakthrough win at a major, which came at US Open 2009. The next wave consists of Australian Open quarter-finalist Alexandr Dolgopolov, boom server Milos Raonic and Wimbledon quarter-finalist Tomic. This year I don’t see any of these three getting that maiden Grand Slam, but the future holds bright things, especially for Tomic. n Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2011

2006

2000

2001

(Jan) Hewitt, Davis Cup, Agassi (Feb) Capriati, Hingis, Hewitt, Aus. Open (Mar) Rafter, IIie, Davis Cup. (Apr) Philippoussis, Mauresmo, Keurten. (May) Noah, McQuillan, Davis Cup. (June) Hewitt, Williams, Kournikova. (July) Capriati, Federer, Kuerten, Hingis. (Aug) Ivanisevic, Capriati, V. Williams, Agassi. (Sept) Rafter, Hingis, Roddick. (Oct) Hewitt, US Open Souvenir poster, Molik. (Nov) Kournikova, S. Williams, Goolagong Cawley. (Dec) Rafter, Clijsters, Davis Cup, Fitzgerald.

2002

(Jan) Agassi/Hewitt/Capriati, Australian Open. (Feb) Capriati, Aus Open, Hewitt, V. Williams. (Mar) Agassi, Seles, Philippoussis, Davis Cup. (Apr) Gambill, Gambill, Molik. (May) Rafter, V.Williams, Hantuchova, French Open (June) Hewitt, Federer, Hingis, Wimbledon Preview. (July) Williams Sisters, Roddick, Haas. (Aug) Hewitt, Hantuchova, Hewitt, Wimbledon. (Sept) Philippoussis, Sampras, Agassi. (Oct) Sampras, Henman, Safin. (Nov) Williams Sisters, Siblings, Capriati. (Dec) Kournikova, Hingis, Philippoussis.

2003

(Jan) Hewitt/Agassi/Pratt, Agassi. (Feb) Agassi, Rafter, Hantuchova, Australian Open. (Mar) Hingis, Williams family, Blake. (Apr) Hewitt/Philippoussis, Davenport, Srichaphan. (May Moya, Venus, Clijsters. (June) Agassi, Hewitt, Rubin. (July) Henin-Hardine, Mauresmo, Harkleroad. (Aug) Philippoussis, Harkleroad, Federer. (Sept) Sharapova, Davis Cup, Sampras. (Oct) Roddick, US Open, Justine Henin-Hardenne. (Nov) Ferrero, Roddick, Davis Cup. (Dec) Kournikova, Moya, Davis Cup.

2004

(Jan) Davis Cup, Clijsters, Young Guns. (Feb) Aus Open, Tennis Romances. (Mar) Philippoussis, McEnroe, Myskina. (Apr) Molik, Woodforde, Blake. (May) Agassi, Pratt, Zvonareva. (June) Srichaphan, Nalbandian, Myskina. (July) Bryan Brothers, French Open, Stefan Edberg. (Aug) Sharapova, Federer, Olympics. (Sept) Serena, Steffi Graf, Grassroots. (Oct) US Open, Safin, Molik. (Nov) Sharapova, Henman, Grassroots. (Dec) Srichaphan, Woodbridge, Summer Circuit.

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2007

(Jan) Rafter, Federer, Mauresmo, Stosur. (Feb) Australian Open, Federer, S. Williams. (Mar) Ivanovic, Gonzalez, S. Williams.a (Apr) Hewitt, Baghdatis, V. Williams. (May) Nadal, Petrova, Tennis careers. (June) Jankovic, Berydch, Agassi, Clijsters. (July) French Open, Chakvetadze, Grassroots. (Aug) Wimbledon, V. Williams, Ljubicic. (Sept) Philippoussis, Bartoli, Molik, Gear Guide. (Oct) US Open, Golovin, Sharapova. (Nov) Djokovic, Davis Cup, Aussie juniors. (Dec) Roddick, Hingis, gambling controversy.

(Jan) Hewitt, Williams, Aussie women. (Feb) Australian Open, Djokovic, Sharapova. (Mar) Djokovic, Ivanovic, Davis Cup. (Apr) Dellacqua, Hantuchova, Tsonga, Nadal. (May) Nadal, Kuznetsova, French Open Preview. (June) Ivanovic, Federer, S. Williams, Tursunov. (Aug) Wimbledon, Nadal, V. Williams, Na Li. (Sept) Federer, Jankovic, Gonzalez, Gear Guide. (Oct) Federer, S.Williams, Molik, Olympics. (Nov) Murray, Safina, Davis Cup, Sharapova. (Dec) Nadal, David Hall, Rising Stars.

2009

(Jan) Hewitt, Ivanovic, Aus Open preview. (Feb) Dokic, Safin, Australian Open. (Mar) Nadal, S. Williams, Fed Cup. (Apr) V. Williams, Verdasco, Davis Cup. (May) Hewitt, Ivanovic, Safina. (June) Murray, Dokic, Stosur. (July) French Open, Sharapova, Federer. (Aug) Federer, S.Williams, Wimbledon. (Sept) Roddick, Federer, Wozniacki. (Oct) US Open, Clijsters, Laver, Oudin. (Nov) Sharapova, del Potro, Safin. (Dec) Molik, Stosur, Luczak.

2010

(Jan) Nadal, S.Williams, Clijsters, Henin. (Feb) Federer, S.Williams, Australian Open. (Mar) Tomic, Murray, Henin, Davydenko. (Apr) Stosur, Baghdatis, Cilic, Davis Cup. (May) Nadal, Roddick, Clijsters, Henin. (June) S. Williams, Verdasco, Wimbledon preview. (July) Stosur, Nadal, Agassi, French Open. (Aug) Sharapova, Nadal, S.Williams, Wimbledon. (Sept) Djokovic, Federer, Soderling. (Oct) Nadal, Clijsters, US Open, Davis Cup. (Nov) Wozniacki, Roddick, Commonwealth Games. (Dec) Ivanovic, 2010 in Review, Summer Preview.

2011

2005

(Jan) Federer, Russian Royalty, Grassroots. (Feb) Aus Open, Safin, Molik. (Mar) Molik, Haas, Grassroots. (Apr) Roddick, Hantuchova, Davis Cup. (May) Hewitt, Dementieva, Grassroots. (June) Sharapova, Nadal, Henman. (July) French Open, Coria, Grassroots. (Aug) Wimbledon, Woodbridge, Vaidisova. (Sep) Hewitt, V Williams, Clijsters, Robredo. (Oct) US Open, Sharapova, Federer, Clijsters. (Nov) Philippoussis, Pierce, Gasquet, Grassroots. (Dec) 30 year anniversary, Australian tennis special.

(Jan) Safin, Ivanovic, Seles, Mirza. (Feb) Australian Open, Mauresmo, Federer, Dokic. (Mar) Stosur, Baghdatis, Mauresmo, Grassroots. (Apr) Sharapova, Haas, Famous Feuds. (May) Federer, Hingis, David Cup, Grassroots. (June) Blake, Federer, Sampras. (July) French Open, Healey, Grassroots. (Aug) Wimbledon, Ancic, Agassi. (Sept) Hewitt, Dementieva, Gear Guide. (Oct) US Open, Murray, Fashion Feature. (Nov) Safin, Davis Cup, Fed Cup. (Dec) Baghdatis, Roddick, Jankovic.

2008

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(Jan) 25 Years, Davis Cup, Australian Open. (Feb) Summer Curcuit, Australian Open Souvenir. (Mar) Capriati, Kiefer, Hewitt, Federer. (Apr) Williams, Graf, Rafter, Davis/Fed Cup. (May) Rafter, Davis Cup, Philippoussis, French Open. (June) Davenport, Woodforde, Wimbledon, Sampras. (July) Kournikova, Davis Cup, Agassi, Sampras. (Aug) Dokic, Davenport, Navratilova, Woodies. (Sept) Gambill, Williams, Rafter, Davis Cup, Wilander. (Oct) Kuerten, Gladiators, Kournikova, US Open. (Nov) Pierce, Courier, Dent, Medvedev, Olympics. (Dec) Sampras, Safin, Pierce, Davis Cup, Dementieva

JAN 2003

oct 2002

aug 2002

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(Jan) Nadal, Stosur, Clijsters, Hewitt. (Feb) Clijsters, Djokovic, Australian Open, Henin. (Mar) Djokovic, Williams sisters, Nadal, Vergeer. (Apr) Sharapova, del Potro, Hewitt, Roddick. (May) Nadal, Schiavone, Wilander, Jankovic. (June) Stosur, Murray, Azarenka, Wimbledon preview. (July) Nadal, Li, Monfils, Troicki, French Open. (Aug) Tomic, Kvitova, Hantuchova, Wimbledon.

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