Tennishead: Volume 4: Issue 3

JUNIOR ACADEMY: Watson’s Way

weapons grade: racket reviews

How to deal with life on the tour

Nine of the best frames out there for improvers

Frame by Frame: Federer and Serena Analysing two of the world’s best groundstrokes

WIN!

a luxury tennis holiday for two in aruba

www.tennishead.net | JULY 2013

th e world’ s b e st ten nis maga zin e Major changes

How the Grand Slams are evolving

2013 Wimbledon Special TURF WARS

Murray’s return to Centre stage

Expert analysis // the Favourites becker’s grass secrets // the future laura robson // iconic images

VOLume 4 issuE 3 juLY 2013 £4.50

exclusive interviews Grigor Dimitrov // Yaroslava Shvedova pat cash // Roberta Vinci // Andreas Seppi

PLUS: Psychology • Schedule • Tour Results • Gear • Coaching • atp finals

CONTENTS

WIN! A holiday in Aruba page 94

48

Gallery 24 Images: Remembering Wimbledon 2012

Big read 8 Hawk-Eye: News and views from the tours 20 Hot Stuff: Italy’s Andreas Seppi 30 Wimbledon 2013: In-depth guide 48 The Majors: Growing the Grand Slams 52 Andy Murray: Centre Court awaits 114 Action Replay: Pat Cash remembers 1987

Academy 64 66 68 70 73 74 76 79

Technique: The Federer volley Technique: Serena Williams forehand Junior Academy: Heather Watson Roberta Vinci: Italian doubles dynamo Mastermind: Junior coach Dan Bloxham Psychology: Keeping calm under pressure Ask tennishead: Our experts are on hand Ask Asics: Expert advice on feet and shoes

52

Gear 82 84 89 90 92

News: What’s hot this summer Rackets: Nine improver frames reviewed Me and My Racket: ATP star Grigor Dimitrov K-Swiss: The fastest shoes in tennis?

Wimbledon shop: Our favourite items

66

Travel 94 Tennis Tourist: Aruba Beach Tennis

The Tours 100 ATP & WTA news: Tour results and reports 102 Monte Carlo: Masters 1000 action 104 Mutua Madrid Open: ATP and WTA round-up 106 Rome: The headlines from Foro Italico 108 ATP & WTA rankings: Top 100 singles lists 110 Tramlines: Doubles news and calendar 111 TV Guide: Where to watch the action 4 W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET

results and rankings

100 HEAD TO WWW.TENNISHEAD.NET FOR ALL THE LATEST news

Nike Roger Federer shoes page 88

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volume 4 ISSUE 3

WIN!

20 weapons grade

Nine improver frames reviewed PAGE 84

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LEFT: novak djokovic / marray & nielsen / andy murray

williams sisters / mikhail youzhny / maria sharapova

RIGHT: posh & becks / agnieszka radwanska / heather watson

PREVIEW The Championships

SLAM DUNK HEAD TO Wimbledon.com FOR the official website

Can Federer capture an eighth Wimbledon crown and will Serena add to her family’s haul of ten singles titles?

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“The tournament I always dreamed of winning, the first tournament I ever watched in my life” NOVAK DJOKOVIC

NEED TO KNOW

@wimbledon

What: The Championships Where: All England Club, Wimbledon, London WheN: Monday June 24 – Sunday July 7 Surface: Grass Grounds capacity:

38,000

Prizemoney:

£22.6 million

Singles champions’ prizemoney:

£1.6 million Events:

Men’s and ladies singles and doubles, mixed doubles, boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles, invitational doubles, wheelchair men’s and ladies’ doubles Defending champions:

Roger Federer / Serena Williams / Jonny Marray & Frederik Nielsen / Serena & Venus Williams / Mike Bryan & Lisa Raymond

2013 Chairman’s Special Guests:

Vic Seixas, Margaret Court, Billie Jean King, Jan Kodes

C

all us naIve, but it’s probably safe to say no player has ever dropped to their knees on Centre Court after being crowned Wimbledon champion and immediately thought: ‘Che-ching!’ Although much of the talk in the build-up to this year’s Championships has been about the £22.56 million prize pot and the cool £1.6m cheques the men’s and ladies champions will pick up, it’s important to remember the real reason the world’s best converge on south-west London each year. As popular songstress Jessie J once sang, ‘It’s not about the money, money, money...’

Winning Wimbledon, above all else, is about the honour and that has been the case since the inaugural event in 1877. The prestige of victory at one of sport’s most famous tournaments is what is so coveted and with history on the line and a number of talented players in with a fighting chance of hoisting the trophies aloft, this summer at SW19 promises to be special.

On the men’s side, Roger Federer will be looking to call yet another record his own. The Swiss is currently tied with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw on seven Wimbledon titles but if he can defend his crown he will become the first man to win eight golden trophies at the All England Club.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion has endured a disappointing opening half to the season, failing to reach a final in the first five months, but once grass is underfoot the fans, the

players, and – most importantly – Federer, know who’s boss.

Standing in his way will be last year’s beaten finalist Andy Murray. At Wimbledon, the Scot has either improved or equalled his results each year and after coming closer than any Brit in 74 years to capturing the title in 2012, the 26-yearold will be hungry for his own taste of history come early July.

Former champions Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be hoping to spoil both home hopes and record-breaking attempts. The Serb, who won the title in 2011, has reached the semi-finals or better at the last 11 Grand Slams and will arrive in London as the favourite, while Nadal proved with his remarkable comeback from injury that his willpower trumps any lingering weakness in his knees. He too will pose a serious threat for the title.

On the women’s side, the Williams sisters have made Centre Court their own over the course of the last decade and Serena will be odds-on to defend her title, which would bring her tally in London to six and the family’s to 11.

The 2004 champion Maria Sharapova and Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka will be ready to pounce on any signs of weakness from the 15-time major winner, while Agnieszka Radwanska and Petra Kvitova will fancy their chances at making surprise runs deep into the second week once more.

Strap on your bandanas and baseball caps.

There’s some hair-raising stuff in store.

32 boom time

41 home grown talent

34 the favourites

43 barrett’s book

39 john inverdale

46 facts and figures

Boris Becker’s grass secrets Those in contention this summer The BBC presenter on SW19

Will Watson and Robson shine?

John Barrett’s new release Wimbledon’s mind-boggling stats W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET 3 1

How Wimbledon is leading the sport’s four majors with its widescale redevelopment vision

A transformed landscape setting with dramatic views over Wimbledon Park and beyond

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Grand

designs

WORDS: PAUL NEWMAN Paul Newman is Tennis Correspondent of The Independent and The Independent on Sunday

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""

Whatever happens at Wimbledon this year, I think I’ll be able to deal with it better than I have done in the past

WORDS: PAUL NEWMAN Paul Newman is Tennis Correspondent of The Independent and The Independent on Sunday

Experience counts Andy Murray will be hoping the lessons learned from last year's Wimbledon final and from winning an Olympic gold medal will work in his favour this summer

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ACADEMY

roger federer

Backhand volley Executing a volley as well as Roger Federer often does is all about preparation and maintaining control over the racket head under extreme pressure

1

Federer is about to hit a backhand volley from the service line. His shoulders are turned and feet gathered as he prepares to step into the shot. The racket is positioned high using his opposite hand on the racket’s throat for increased precision when striking the ball.

Back to basics

2

The Swiss star is about to deliver the blow.

His weight has shifted to his front foot as it prepares to land on the court. His left hand is off the racket as it approaches the ball. In the final stages before impact, his eyes are mesmerised by the ball.

Federer makes contact with the ball as he lunges into the shot, landing on his front foot. With his weight forward, his eyes remain fixed on the point of impact and his left arm is pulled opposite where the right hand is used for optimal balance.

Preparation

Preparation is key when lining up to hit most tennis strokes and there is no exception when it comes to the volley. Get set for the shot early by bringing the racket back and getting your feet and the rest of your body 6 4 W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET

3

in position. When hitting a volley you should bring the racket back higher than the intended point of impact, using your nondominant hand to control the racket's head.

meet your coach: Rob Castorri A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Rob Castorri has been involved in tennis for over 30 years as a professional player, coach, club manager and event promoter. He turned pro in 1978 and won 18 national team and doubles championships, and achieved a No.1 ranking in Florida’s Men’s Open Division. Castorri has notable victories over players such as Boris Becker, Pat Dupre and Harold Solomon.

Ivan Lendl IJTA exemplifies Ivan Lendl’s desire to give back to tennis and develop future champions through a new-era curriculum

and holistic training approach. The Academy focuses on classic fundamentals, leading-edge biomechanics, strength training / fitness and mental preparation. Lendl subscribes to a hands-on approach with students instilling dedication, focus, hard work, motivation and overall preparation.

For more information visit www.LendlTennis.com

GOLDEN RULE When taking pace off a ball for a drop shot or a deflected volley into the open court, use underspin on the shot by starting higher than the point of impact and finishing lower.

4

Roger’s racket isn’t thrusting forward through the ball but has actually recoiled back towards his body.

More than likely, he’s hitting a drop volley or defending a heavy blow from his opponent.

let it burn

5

Federer has taken pace off this shot and brought his back leg forwards, rather than using a 'carioca' style behind his front leg.

Executing a drop volley from around the service line is very tough, but Federer can make it look easy.

6

Roger is assessing what kind of damage his shot is going to have. He is preparing to step forward with his other foot to square his shoulders to the court.

This appears to be an inside-out drop volley because of how he undercut the ball. We are able to determine this because he started high and ended very low.

bend your legs

Using your legs correctly is crucial to being a good volleyer. In the above example, although Federer has to scoop up the ball from below the level of the net, he uses his legs to get down to the shot rather than being

a little bit lazy by bending his back into it. Being in the ready position with you legs bent allows you to thrust your body and racket into the shot for maximum power.

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academy

frame by frame

ACADEMY

“I once had a parent shouting stuff at me like, ‘ You’re so rubbish! ’ and calling me a cheat!”

juniorAcademy Heather Watson

guidance from the pros...

Watson’s Wisdom

Former US Open junior champion Heather Watson talks crazy parents, bad line-callers, and the importance of setting goals

“If you love the sport and you have fun doing it try really, really hard to do the best you can because a tennis career is so short” heather watson

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Heather Watson enjoys re-writing history. When the Guernsey native lifted the US Open junior title in 2009 she became the first British girl to do so. Three years later, across the other side of the world in Osaka, Watson ended Britain’s 24-year wait for a tour champion when she lifted her first WTA title, breaking the top 50 in the process.

Still only 21, Watson has managed to succeed where many have failed, making a successful transition from juniors to the professional ranks. Her tennis has paved the way for others to follow and now the world No.39 lets us in on the secrets to her success and offers advice to those looking to succeed in the junior game.

Did you find the transition to the senior game difficult? The girls that have come through from juniors from my age category have kind of been all sorts. Some of them you wouldn’t expect, some of them you would.

You can’t always tell. I found the transition quite comfortable because I didn’t see added pressure being in the seniors. I just played the same and thought the same, just winning and getting better but I think some see it as a real tough step to make. It will start out tough, yes, but I didn’t struggle with it too much.

How did you cope with the expectation? I don’t feel like I have had a lot of expectation on my shoulders. I think that’s kind of the good thing about having Laura [Robson] around a

laura robson

“There is a bigger hype around laura which has kind of taken attention away from me, which I think is good and bad” heather talking about laura robson

Watson and Robson teamed up in the doubles at the London 2012 Olympic Games

bit. There is a bigger hype around her, which has kind of taken attention away from me, which I think is good and bad. But I don’t feel that much pressure to be honest, I just feel the pressure from myself and how I expect myself to do.

What was the toughest thing about junior tennis? Being a junior you’re at that age when you’re interested in boys and whatever, so I think it was the hardest time to keep focused, realise you can do this as a career and it’s tough. I thought you had to be at the very top to make it in the senior game.

I was alright, I got to 11 in the world and I thought, ‘I’m quite a good junior,’ but will I make it in seniors? And then when I won the junior US Open I thought, ‘That’s it, you know, I’ve got to take my chance.’ Without that win I may not be here now.

Did you ever have to deal with crazy parents on the junior tour? Oh yeah! I once had a parent calling me names. I’m this 15-year-old girl and she’s shouting stuff at me like, ‘You’re so rubbish,’ and calling me a cheat. It was kind of hard to block out because that was one of

my first experiences but I’ve kind of learned to deal with it better now. There are some crazy parents out there. I’m glad I don’t have crazy parents.

Did you experience bad line-calling as a junior?

Yes, but I think it’s actually good to have that because it builds your character when you get put in uncomfortable situations. Even just with life skills, it helps you to stick up for yourself.

How difficult was it to make sacrifices for your career? Yeah, it’s a lot tougher when you’re younger. I really missed just hanging out with friends and going to birthday parties and I would see pictures on Facebook and feel a bit left out. But at the end of the day I am getting a bit older and more experienced and I’m realising, you know, it’s so cool what I do and the rewards I get for doing well are so much better than just going out for one night.

How do you approach matches against friends? It’s tough. I’ll see a draw and it will be a friend and I wouldn’t really want to play [them] but that’s the draw that’s been

handed to me. I just go in and give it the same as I would whoever else it may be.

Do you set goals for yourself? Yes, I do. I set goals every year and half way through the year I analyse them and see if I need to adjust them or change them and I always do them with my dad every year. I think it’s so important. It gives you a target to reach for and if you don’t have a goal then I guess you’re just kind of floating.

What type of goals do you set for yourself?

They’re all sorts of goals. There’s a whole list. For example, I’ll rate myself on my professionalism and things like that and then I’ll give myself targets like ranking and numbers.

Do you ever catch yourself looking too far ahead rather than focusing on the day-to-day process?

Yeah, I do it all the time! But doing that can cause a bit too much stress. You’ve just got to take it day by day and do the best that you can on that day and that will definitely help you sleep better. Especially during a tournament. As soon as I know who I’m playing, that’s it, that’s all I think about. And then if I win that match then it’s the next person. I don’t look ahead in the draw.

How do you spend your down time at tournaments? I don’t hang out with other players too often. If I do it would be with Laura [Robson] or my doubles partner Marina [Erakovic], otherwise I don’t really hang out with anyone off the court. I’ll just stay with my team because most players do that. It’s not very common to hang out with other players.

What keeps you motivated day-to-day? Just having my goals, reaching them, having something to look forward to. At the moment I really want to buy my first apartment and that’s what I’m fighting for.

What advice would you give to juniors looking to follow in your footsteps? If you love the sport and you have fun doing it try really, really hard to do the best you can because a tennis career is so short. Make the most of it and then you can have the rest of your life to do whatever you’ve missed. n W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET 69

academy

junior academy

ACADEMY

psychology

braingame With so little separating players in today’s game, it’s often mental strength that makes the difference. In this regular feature, tennishead offers expert advice and tips to help you play brave...

inassociationwith

To find out more about PlayBrave go to

www.playbravesports.com

control freaks

Playing poorly? Shouting about it only makes things worse, say the experts

Accepting defeat can be a difficult thing to do. By nature, as tennis players, we often analyse what we did wrong rather than what our opponents may have done right and while assessing our own performance is essential to learning and improving, it’s equally important we don’t fall victim to making excuses.

“I’m playing so crap today!” “I have never played so bad in my life!” “This is not how I usually play!” We’ve heard it all from the lips of club players, junior stars and some of those in the

poker face and disguise his emotions, the Serb’s feelings used to play out in full through his body language, facial expressions and verbal outbursts. While many credited his gluten-free diet for turning around his fortunes, others acknowledge his new-found mental strength.

“He has a short memory now,” Pete Sampras once said of Djokovic. “He used to be temperamental and would let bad points linger in his head. But he turned it right around.”

Similarly to working on technique, fitness, agility and strength, players should also spend time working on their mental game. “It’s about education,” says Forzoni. “The real issue is discussing it with the player and looking at how this negatively impacts on their performance. Take a video of their match and show them, ‘look, this is where you blew up and as a consequence four times out of five you lost the next two points’. Giving them an education on how badly that effects them is important.”

Understanding how negative body language and words affect performance is one of the first steps to improving your mental game. Until you acknowledge it, you can’t begin to work on it. n

“[Djokovic] used to be temperamental and would let bad points linger in his head. But he turned it right around” PETE SAMPRAS

professional ranks. When the focus should be on playing better, or finding a way to beat your opponent while not at your best, tennis players often like to verbalise their excuses out loud in a hapless attempt to let their opponent and those watching know that they would not be losing if it wasn’t for how poorly they were playing.

“It’s what we call self-handicapping behaviour,” says psychology expert Roberto Forzoni. “When you put your excuses in before you lose a match by verbalising something going wrong you’re telling everybody ‘this is not how I usually play’.

You’re giving excuses to people.

“Players I work with need to be mentally tougher where they don’t have to rationalise to spectators, coaches or other players why they messed up on the shot, they just get on with it.

Part of it is to, almost, put a tape across their mouth. Whether you made what you deemed to be a poor shot or a good shot is irrelevant in the whole scheme of things. What’s important is that you play your best tennis for as long as you can.”

World No.1 Novak Djokovic was once a temperamental type. Unable to hide behind a 74 W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET

Fake it ‘til you make it!

How to avoid verbal outbursts by speaking to yourself in positives...

To steal a snippet from the famous Walter D Wintle quote: “If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost; Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man; But soon or late the man who wins is the one who thinks he can.” Confidence is key on the tennis court so rather than waste energy letting those watching know how badly you’re playing you should direct your mind to convincing yourself that you’re playing well. Speak to yourself in positives.

Focus on the aspects of your play that you’re happy with on that day. Tell yourself you’re mentally tough and act accordingly. By speaking in positives rather than negatives, players can change the way they perceive themselves, which ultimately can change the way they think on court.

“Sport is all about being as good as you can be throughout each and every moment and having the concentration and confidence to use your skills to their full extent in spite of the pressure.

This philosophy requires bravery – the bravery to control your fear and to play freely without the tension that fear imposes – to PlayBrave.”

Sendyourquestionstoask@tennishead.net broughttoyouby

ASK The experts at ASICS are here to answer all your questions about feet, footwork, movement and more!

I am lucky enough to play on grass during the summer season, but I don’t want to buy grass-specific shoes. Can I buy a shoe that will take me from hard to grass?

Tom, Nottingham

For a shoe that will give great performance across all surfaces it is better to choose a shoe that features an outsole optimised for grip on omnicourts – this will give you good grip on both grass and hard courts.

ASICS has developed a range of tennis

Can I put my tennis shoes in the washing machine?

Lisa, via email

It’s not recommended because the enzymes in the detergent break down the glues and materials and reduce the life and durability of your shoes. To keep the inside of your shoe fresh, you can remove the sock-liner or insole and wash it separately. Clean surface mud and grit with warm water and a gentle, anti-grease soap, using an old toothbrush. To dry your shoes, don’t place them near a radiator –

I have very narrow feet. What is more importantwhenfindingashoethatfits properly – the width or the length?

Nancy, via email

Both width and length are equally important when choosing the right tennis shoe. To cope with the extreme lateral movements needed on a tennis court it is crucial to get a good fit to prevent blisters.

The Heel Clutch counter technology in the ASICS Gel-Solution Speed and GelResolution 5 works alongside memory

To find out more about ASICS tennis shoes go to

www.asics.co.uk

shoes to suit different surfaces from synthetic to grass to clay courts. We also have tennis shoes that can be used across a variety of surfaces making them extremely versatile. ASICS tennis shoes are packed full of the latest technologies allowing them to offer optimum support and cushioning. The AHAR rubber outsole on the ASICS GEL-Resolution 5 has been thickened in the highest wear areas to increase durability, while the outsole rubber wraps around the shoe give superior grip and stability.

“To keep the inside of your shoe fresh, you can remove the sock-liner or insole and wash it separately. Clean surface mud and grit with warm water and a gentle, anti-grease soap.” direct heat will alter the shape of the shoe.

Stuff the shoe with kitchen paper or newspaper and leave for at least 12 hours to dry. By looking after your ASICS shoes in this way, you’ll keep them in top condition so you can just get on with enjoying your game.

foam in the heel to give a customised fit around the ankle bone while lowering the risk of irritation and increasing support. The flexion in the toe box allows for flexibility and breathability in the upper without compromising support. It is important to try

different shoes so you can find the best fit for you. The ASICS flagship store in London offers our Foot ID service – the advanced 3D Foot Mapping System uses laser and micro cameras to create a 3D scan of your foot to help find the shoes that are best suited to you.

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academy

ask asics

ingear

KIT BITS

take your kit as seriously as your game

Now-retired former world No.1 Andre Agassi is reported to have returned to his former sponsor, Nike, after eight years wearing the clothes of German sports clothes manufacturer adidas.

Pat’s App IN the market Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash is the latest legend of the game to adapt his expertise to the world of cutting-edge technology by releasing a coaching app. The software – available for £2.49 for iPads, iPhones and for Android – combines one-on-one coaching along with biomechanics to give another dimension to learning the game. The app features over an hour of video content that is packed with drills, advice about technique and exclusive tips from the Australian. Cash also provides a glimpse into the state of mind of a champion and talks about the best players, shots, and historic moments in his career.

what’s hot

HEAD TO WWW.TENNISHEAD.NET FOR ALL THE LATEST news

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Ana Ivanovic

Visit www.patcash.co.uk for more details.

All white on the night

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Ana Ivanovic set to shine at Wimbledon

With a run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon 2012 still relatively fresh in the memory, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will make sure he has enough kit to last him seven matches and two full weeks of competition when he strides through the gates of the All England Club on June 24.

The French world No.8 is one of the most stylish and charismatic players on tour and has attracted a huge following in the UK thanks to his brand of high energy and athletic tennis on the lawns of Wimbledon over the years.

The Frenchman (pictured above) will be sporting the pristine white adidas adizero range of clothing in SW19 this June, the sports clothing giant has revealed. Tsonga will step out in the adizero Wimby Polo, adizero Bermuda Shorts and adizero Feather II shoes to 8 2 W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET

mount his challenge for a first Grand Slam title.

Adidas stablemate Ana Ivanovic will be hoping her recent run of decent form will help push her deep into the second week at the Championships. The Serbian former world No.1 will have a bit of local knowledge on her side too since she is coached by Englishman Nigel Sears, and the 25-year-old from Belgrade often spends time in the UK training between tournaments. Ivanovic is one of the most striking female players in the world and will also be pulling on items from the adizero range while in London. The former French Open champion will mix an adizero dress with a Ten CL visor and adizero tempaia II shoes in her bid to land her first major since 2008.

For more info head to adidas.co.uk/tennis

BRAND NEW

The Queen’s Club shop is stocking three new luxury women’s clothing brands this year

Treated like ROYALTY

The Queen’s Club pro shop offers quality gear and expert advice – and is open to members and non members alike...

Established in 1886, The Queen’s Club may be one of the most exclusive sports clubs in the country, but you don’t need to be a member to take advantage of the expertise available in the pro shop.

Open to non-members throughout the year, the facility’s pro shop stocks a wide range of tennis clothing, shoes, rackets and accessories as well as the exclusive Queen’s Club merchandise.

More than 8,000 people go through the turnstiles every day during the Aegon Championships, but when the crowds are gone and the temporary seating has been packed away for another year, you can expect to be treated like royalty.

Shop manager Diana Clement and her assistants are approachable and knowledgeable and are on hand to offer impartial advice on shoes, clothes and equipment, with the chance to try out the rackets on the club’s indoor practice wall.

While members are required to wear white while playing tennis, the shop does offer a range of white and coloured clothing, from Rafael Nadal’s replica Nike outfits to British performance wear PlayBrave.

The shop also stocks a wide range of souvenirs and gifts, including bone china mugs, tennis jewellery, pens and towels. So as you stroll out of the gates on Palliser Road sporting your new Queen’s Club sweater with your new racket bag slung over one arm, no-one will ever know you’re not actually a member...

The Queen’s Club Palliser Road, West Kensington, London W14 9EQ Telephone: +44 (0)20 7386 3401 Email: shop@queensclub.co.uk Opening times: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Weekends 9am-6pm; Bank Holidays 10am-6pm.

Closed to non-ticket holders during Aegon Championships from June 10-16.

Monreal

www.monreallondon.com Having designed red-carpet dresses for Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow, it’s fair to say Stefani Grosse knows a thing or two about style.

The beautiful range of seven high-end luxury tennis dresses would look just as much at home on the catwalk as the court and are designed for women who want to look good when they’re between the lines.

Lija

www.lijastyle.com The brainchild of Linda Hipp, Canadian brand Lija started life in golf, offering fashionable alternatives to women golfers.

Having since expanded into tennis, running and yoga, the brand offers sleek and stylish designs with feminine fits for every shape and size.

L’Etoile Sport

www.letoilesport.com A high-fashion, high function luxury tennis collection from New York, L’Etoile Sport takes its inspiration from 1920s French tennis star Suzanne Lenglen. With a range of beautiful separates and dresses, the collection offers elegant and functional tennis wear with a classic style.

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gear

GEAR NEWS

gear

Improver Rackets

sweet spot

2013

Improver Racket Review

After bringing you the latest range of rackets directed at advanced and intermediate players in our last two issues, now it’s the turn of those who haven’t quite shed the tennis L-plates to sit up and take note.

Improver rackets are designed to make tennis an easier and more enjoyable sport for the masses and the next three pages are packed with all the latest frames created for those who like to dabble in a spot of tennis from time to time.

The improver models are not just beneficial to players who haven’t quite fine-tuned their skills, however. Juniors transitioning to adult-sized frames and older players, who may have played all their lives but who now lack the power they once possessed, can also profit.

The three things that distinguish a beginner model from an advanced frame are the weight, head size and thickness of the beam. A lighter racket is much easier to manoeuvre around the court and while the majority of advanced frames will weigh in at over 300g, each of the improver rackets we tested were below 280g, with one even as low as 225g.

Bigger is better when it comes to the head size of a recreational racket because it means a larger sweet spot, which facilitates players on off-centre shots and miss hits. The head size of the bats we tested for this issue ranged from 100-118 square inches while the advanced models, which are used by players with greater precision, fell between 95 and 100 square inches.

As well as our testers, Phil Wheeler and James Turner of racket-specialists Wigmore Sport offered us their expert analysis on each frame.

“With beginners we always try to identify the aspirations of the player,” Wheeler explains. “For example, are they a member of a club? Do they have coaching? How often do they play? This helps because if a player plays two times a week and has coaching their ability to improve should be greater than someone who only plays twice a month with no coaching. This in turn affects their choice of racket.”

The DA number that we have included within each racket's specs refers to the frame’s stiffness.

This should give you a clue to the power a racket can offer, says Wheeler, because the stiffer the racket the more powerful it can be.

8 4 W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET

“WITH BEGINNERS, WE ALWAYS TRY TO IDENTIFY THE ASPIRATIONS OF THAT PLAYER” For more features, news and reviews...

TESTERS

www.tennishead.net

Jo Carter | 5ft 3 Jo considers herself a fairweather tennis player, who likes to dust off her racket when the sun shines each summer. If it shines, that is... She moves well, can hit with topspin off both sides and was surprised by the significant differences she noticed when swinging each of the nine frames we tested. She’s more likely to outrally people than overpower them and she likes a racket that offers her easy access to spin.

Bobby Dolan | 6ft 2 Bobby is a natural sportsman, who plays tennis a couple of times a year. He is fast around the court and likes to play aggressively, dictating play with his serve and forehand. He can access topspin off both sides but he prefers to hit relatively flat from the back of the court. His powerful game isn’t always controlled, so he was looking for a racket that offered him the best of both worlds – power and control.

© JUERGEN HASENKOPF

WITH SUMMER AROUND THE CORNER, IT’S TIME TO DUST OFF YOUR OLD RACKET. ‘DON’T BOTHER!' WE SAY! BUY A NEW ONE INSTEAD...

Racket photography: richard washbrooke

GEAR

IMPROVER racket review

Testers' Choice silver

Babolat C-Drive 105

Dunlop Biomimetic S8.0 Lite

Head YouTek Graphene Instinct Rev

RRP: £100 DA (stiffness): 70pts Head size: 105 sq.in Unstrung weight: 265g

RRP: £189.99 DA (stiffness): 68pts Head size: 115 sq.in Unstrung weight: 254g

RRP: £114.99 DA (stiffness): 60pts Head size: 100 sq.in Unstrung weight: 245g

Length: 27 inches String Pattern: 16x19 Balance: 345mm Beam: 22-27mm

What the experts say → Whether starting lessons or playing recreationally, this is a great all-round beginner’s racket that creates a good balance of power and control. It's comfortably weighted and the head size provides a helpful sweet spot.

Length: 27.5 inches String Pattern: 16x19 Balance: 362mm Beam: 26-30mm

What the experts say → This frame has everything needed in a beginners' racket – the head size creates a large sweet spot, it’s lightweight and the stiff frame delivers extra power.

What the testers say

→ The C-Drive 105 was voted the second best improver frame by our testers. Both Bobby and Jo loved the easy access to spin that the Babolat racket offered them. “I didn’t even know I could hit topspin before I picked this one up,” said Jo. “As well as the spin, this racket really produced when it came to power,” offered Bobby. “What more could you ask for?”

→ The S8.0 was one of the more powerful rackets tested and although Jo felt it slightly chunky to swing she enjoyed the large forgiving sweet spot when she hit off-centre shots. Bobby also commented on the large head size and said he could keep the ball in court for a greater length of time than usual with this frame in his hand. "I felt like my rallies were much longer when I was using the Dunlop racket," he said. "I found power was easy to come by too."

What the manufacturer says

What the manufacturer says

What the testers say

→ Young players will appreciate this racket’s lightness and performance. Side Cortex is an evolution of our revolutionary technology Cortex System. An innovative shape has also been studied to dampen the vibrations in order to bring the best compromise between comfort and feel at impact.

→ The S8.0 Lite is a brand new oversize racket for 2013, which is designed for players with shorter swings. Engineered to deliver high levels of power coupled with high levels of comfort, the S8.0 Lite is fully loaded with technology to deliver unrivalled power and comfort.

Length: 27 inches String Pattern: 16x19 Balance: 345mm Beam: 21-25mm

What the experts say → This racket has the lowest frame flex of all the rackets tested and that helps enhance the ball feel and provide comfort. A super light frame that is perfect for juniors or seniors having coaching to improve their technique. The ‘Graphene’ material used enhances the stability in the frame.

What the testers say

→ The testers thoroughly enjoyed hitting with the Instinct REV and it scored the highest for feel and touch out of all the rackets. "This was great for both groundstrokes and volleys," said Jo. "I even managed a few drop shots." Bobby thought that although power was slightly lacking the HEAD racket allowed him to play more consistently from the back of the court.

What the manufacturer says

→ Lightweight Graphene engineering revs power up to the max coupled with outstanding manoeuvrability. This ideal combination meets the needs of both the ambitious young rebel and the intermediate player.

W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET 8 5

TRAVEL

tennis tourist ARUBA BEACH TENNIS

need to know WHAT: Beach Tennis Equipment: Paddle tennis racket and depressurised tennis ball Court size: 16m x 8m

For more information visit www.aruba.com

© Beach Tennis Aruba

SURFACE: Sand

Net height: 1.78m Scoring: 15-30-40 and no-ad at deuce. Each match consists of one eight-game pro set (first to eight but must be won by two games, eg 8-6, 9-7). If the match score is tied at 8-8, a 12-point tiebreak (first to 7 points) determines the winner The ball must not bounce Only one shot per side – unlike beach volleyball there is no 'setting' for your partner The ball may be served anywhere in the opponents’ court. No second serve. If the ball touches the net play continues Touching or reaching over the net will result in the loss of a point

9 4 W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET

Life’s A BEACH It may be miles from Wimbledon, but every year Aruba plays host to one of the most glamorous events in tennis

Every November, the world’s best gather for the Aruba International Beach Tennis Tournament, widely known as the Grand Slam of beach tennis. The world’s top player, Alessandro Calbucci, may not enjoy the fame and fortune of the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but beach tennis is not just for holidaymakers and beach bums.

The sport has origins in Italy, Spain and Brazil, but it is the Italians who have traditionally dominated the sport, with Rome’s iconic venue, Foro Italico, playing host to the inaugural ITF world championships in 2009, held alongside the WTA event in the Italian capital.

Beach tennis has been played in Aruba since 2000, and since the Aruba International was established in 2002, the event has grown beyond recognition. After welcoming 700 entrants in 2012, organisers expect this year’s tournament to be even bigger.

“This year, I am expecting around 1,000 competitors in all categories at pro level, amateur level and in the youth event,” says tournament organiser Jochem Ros. The beach culture plays a big part in the sport, with a party atmosphere on Eagle Beach during the event. For the week of

November 12-17, a ‘village’ will be erected on the sand, offering a food court featuring world cuisine, bars, shops and live music alongside the 20 beach tennis courts.

“It is festival atmosphere – of course the main event is the beach tennis but there is a lot going on,” Ros explains. “There is a melting pot of cultures; Brazilians, Europeans, Americans – we have DJs playing every day and live bands.”

But it is not just a bit of fun – the professionals will be playing for a record $25,000 prize money, and beach tennis continues to enjoy a huge surge in popularity around the world, with the aspirations of one day being part of the Olympics.

“It is a realistic aspiration for beach tennis to be an Olympic sport,” Ros declares. “Most sports added to the Olympic Games are disciplines of existing Olympic sports. The ITF is very powerful – probably the most influential governing body after the IOC and FIFA. “If you compare our sport to beach volleyball, it is a similar atmosphere but beach tennis is still a young sport and will take time – it will be at least 10 years before it becomes an Olympic sport but its reputation is growing all over the world.” n

Destination Aruba The Dutch CaribbeAN island of Aruba lies 15 miles north of the South American coastline, benefiting from year-round sunshine, an average temperature of 32 degrees and a cooling breeze.

Located on the edge of the hurricane belt, with a nine-mile stretch of award-winning pristine beach, turquoise seas, colonial Dutch architecture and a Latin vibe; Aruba is a delightful alternative Caribbean experience.

With world class hotels, stunning beaches, constant sunshine and dramatic scenery, Aruba really has it all. But it’s not just about the white sandy beaches – the island offers a wealth of dramatic scenery, especially on the windward side. Back roads of Aruba take travellers past eerie rock formations, cacti and the famous dividivi trees. Further along the rugged environs of the island’s cactus-studded landscapes, past the world famous white sand, palm-fringed beaches, there also lays the rolling patch of green of golf

courses that promise an adventure of a different sort. Dive under the sea and visitors are transported to another world, one populated by numerous tropical fish, bountiful coral and even a shipwreck or two.

Complementing a day of discovery is a night of excitement with action to be found in the island’s casinos, showrooms and nightclubs. Pair an evening escape with a visit to one of the many fine restaurants and enjoy a gourmet dining experience in Aruba’s relaxed atmosphere.

One of the island’s greatest assets is its people, whose warm, welcoming smiles greet visitors at every turn. Arubans gladly share their island and its unique culture, which is well displayed in folkloric festivals, art exhibitions and during a very joyous carnival season.

Start planning your dream Aruba holiday at www.aruba.com.

! n i W WIN a trip for two Win a trip for two to the IFT Aruba International Beach Tennis tournament in the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba! One lucky winner will win return flights with KLM and seven nights’ accommodation for two people, plus VIP tickets to the Aruba International Beach Tennis Tournament. The winner will also receive a Wilson pack worth £400, including two Wilson BLX Paddle Rackets, a pack of Wilson Stage 2 Orange

beach tennis balls and Wilson apparel. Five runners-up will also win a Wilson Steam Spin racket and a can of Wilson US Open tennis balls.

Enter online at wilsonarubacompetition.com Competition closes September 1 2013. Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

ARUBA HOLIDAY OFFER Tropical Sky are offering a seven-night, allinclusive package to Aruba including return KLM flights and seven nights at the Divi Village All Inclusive Villas for only £1,699pp*.

Book online at tropicalsky.co.uk/aruba

*Price subject to change and offer subject to availability.

Valid for travel 1 September to 30 November 2013.

London Heathrow departures only.

“it’s a realistic aspiration for beach tennis to be part of the olympics”

Get the gear

GIVE BEACH TENNIS A WHIRL

→ Ideal for all ages and abilities, beach tennis is the perfect way to combine competitive sport with sun, sea and sand. All you need is a beach volleyball court, beach tennis paddle rackets and slightly depressurised tennis balls. → At the heart of sports history for almost a century, no other company has been as influential in shaping the game of tennis as Wilson. You can’t argue with results – more Grand Slams have been won with a Wilson racket than any other brand.

While initially the Aruba International was played with normal tennis rackets and balls, nowadays the entrants play with paddle bats specially designed for beach tennis and ITF-approved orange balls, which are 50 per cent slower than regular tennis balls.

To learn more visit wilson.com

→ If the beach lifestyle and competitive nature of beach tennis appeals to you, racket sports experts ActivInstinct now stock beach tennis gear. At ActivInstinct passion, ambition, competition and the desire to outperform run through everything they do, whether it is getting you the best products at the most competitive prices or giving you the best service before, during and after you shop. To learn more visit activinstinct.com W W W.t e n n i s h e a d. NET 95

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aruba

4 -11 November the O2

Will the World No.1 FINISH THE SEASON ON TOP?

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www. BarclaysATPWorldTourFinals.com

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For corporate hospitality, please contact IMG on 020 8233 5888 or ATPTennis@imgworld.com The player shown is for illustrative purposes only. Qualification and participation subject to ATP rules.

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