Australian Tennis Magazine - September 2012

SEPTEMBER 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Your Game • Alternative training • Backhands with variety • Match-winning habits • How to avoid burnout

Superstar Rituals Sam Stosur The Next Step

Olympic HIghs Serena Williams Mardy Fish Yaroslava Shvedova

Print Post Approved PP 349181/00187

THE ULTIMATE RACQUET REVIEW

ANDY MURRAY

BRAVEHEART’S BIG CHANCE

SEPTEMBER 2012 VOL 37 No. 9

A $7.50 (inc. GST) NZ $8.40 (inc. GST) US $7.50

most make us be the performances that nspirational victories ma y a los s that can earn those pla yers respond to love a pla yer but it’s how recent months re’s no better example in them the most respect. The

I

REGULARS

than And y Murra y. mbledon final d after surrendering the Wi The tears that Murra y she t los ses can be d that even the most gallan to Roger Federer highlighte where as the first ecially so on this occasion, heartbreaking ones – esp much me aning. tor y would have carried so local finalist in 74 years, vic st-ridden early exits have been followed by ang Previous Grand Slam losses don to perform from his bittersweet Wimble but Murray used the lessons ssed Novak Djokovic Olympics, where he outcla don Lon the at ter bet n eve im the singles gold r in a one-sided final to cla in the semi-finals and Federe in mixed doubles. h Laura Robson to win silver medal before combining wit maginabl e l was accompanied by uni That once-in-a-lifetime fina elevated his favourite so emphatically, the Scot pressure and in delivering a winning record e of the few pla yers with status at the US Open. On nd Slam also seem nces of claiming a first Gra over Federer, Murra y’s cha him make histor y in ht dip in the form that saw boosted by Djokovic’s slig cerns surrounding Nadal .

2011, and ongoing injury con irable ability to yer to demonstrate an adm Murra y is not the onl y pla 1 US hard court ointment. Sam Stosur’s 201 bounce back from dis app a third round los s us earlier results , including season followed ignominio She showcased her round exit at Wimbledon. in Rol and Garros and first iden ma jor victor y at ersing that trend with a ma resilience, however, in rev

6 Topspin 11

Your Serve

12

Tennis Talk

32 Aces & Places 47 My Game 52 My Coach 58 Rankings 60 Proshop 61

FROM THE EDITOR

Club of the Month

36

Flushing Me adows. e in 2012 sur targets her title defenc It’s a similar situation as Sto ipped. Other erience, she’ll be well equ but having learned from exp g in the year’s final tivated for a strong showin pla yers will be equally mo Murra y recently m will claim victor y but as Grand Slam – not all of the in other wa ys too. sometimes be me asured can ss gre pro , ted tra ons dem VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

EDITOR CONSULTING EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER ADVERTISING MANAGER ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER PHOTOGRAPHS

COVER PHOTO

Vivienne Christie Alan Trengove Daniela Toleski Andrea Williamson Breanna Kray Ben Carenco Getty Images, John Anthony (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.

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Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2012

FEATURES

13

Major Motivations Can Andy Murray follow his gold medal success with a maiden major title?

15

Question Time There are more questions than answers ahead of the US Open.

18

Stosur’s Next Step Sam Stosur is hoping her trademark resilience will carry her back to major-winning form.

20

Un-retiring Types Success is ageless for Roger Federer, Serena Williams and other players putting retirement plans on hold.

25

A Ritualistic Approach Superstitious players love their routines – but do they help or hinder performance?

28

Golden Moments Top players embraced the opportunity to represent their nation at the London Olympics.

36

Fish Afloat Persistence is proving a feature as Mardy Fish overcomes serious health problems.

38

The Ultimate Tennis Racquet Review Top industry experts set about finding the perfect racquet for every playing requirement.

Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2012

5

QUESTION TIME

There are more questions than answers ahead of the final Grand Slam of season 2012. JEREMY STYLES reports

E

stablishing a dominant theme in 2012 is no small task. Just as one player settles in for a lengthy domination, another challenger steps up to take their place. Think Victoria Azarenka’s stunning start to the season – which included four consecutive titles and a staggering 29 consecutive match wins – before an ever-so-slight shift saw the WTA once again became a more even playing field on clay and grass.

Consider also the emphatic manner in which Novak Djokovic began his year, the five-hour 53-minute victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final suggesting the Serbian was set for yet another history-making season.

Surprisingly to some observers, he’s in fact claimed two titles since and after Nadal claimed Roland Garros and Roger Federer returned to Grand Slam glory at Wimbledon, there have been three different men’s champions in all three 2012 majors – something that hasn’t occurred since 2005.

The changeable nature of tennis’ champions has led to subtle but seismic shifts in the world No. 1 ranking. While Azarenka has held the WTA’s top spot for the most of the year, Maria Sharapova temporaily took over after completing her Grand Slam collection at Roland Garros and every Slam presents another opportunity for change. Federer’s return to world No. 1 – which saw him overtake Pete Sampras’ record 287 weeks in that position – could also be as temporary as it’s impressive, with Djokovic close behind the Swiss Maestro.

Will that theme of change continue as the US Open? Let’s consider the questions that could shape the final Grand Slam of 2012.

Australian Tennis Magazine | September 2012

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