2011 Year in Review 1
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WHAT’S INSIDE LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
p.5
GOLDEN SLAM FOR THE GOLDEN BRYANS
MURRAY MANIA
p.16-17 STRIVING FOR OLYMPIC GOLD IMPERFECTION
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p.8-10
SERENA -SHARAPOVA NUMBER CRUNCH
THE HARD ROAD TO THE US OPEN
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p.11
RACQUET REVIEWS
BEST OF THE OLYMPICS
RANKINGS
p.12-14
p.22-23 p.22-23
WIN FRAMED ARTWORK OF MURRAY AND 74 3D TENNIS BALLS. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
Letter from the Editor
Editor
Theodore L. LePak ted@tennisnow.com Erwin Ong Blair Hemley
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Writers
When Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Olympics, I thought the Olympics would be much less interesting without the returning champion. After watching the games take place in London, I was very pleasantly surprised with the thrilling outcomes. When Nadal closed one door, a window opened for Andy Murray. Murray was a man on a mission and with the whole world behind him, he made his chances count. Serena’s tremendous achievements at the Olympics cannot go without being mentioned either. She annihilated Maria Sharapova and won the gold to complete her golden slam. She also took home gold in doubles with her sister. Let’s face the hard facts. The way Serena’s playing, no one can beat her. She should dominate the rest of the year. What about men’s tennis? What’s to come of the top 3? Roger Federer is looking good on top, but he hasn’t won a Grand Slam on hard court in over two years.
Erik Gudris
Erwin Ong
Blair Henley
Chris Oddo
Nick Georgandis
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Alberto Capetillo Juan Esparza
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Novak Djokovic has burned out of the spotlight, but heading back to hard court might just be the kick in the pants he needs to get back on track. The big question mark as we head closer to the US Open, is Rafa Nadal. Nadal continues to have ongoing tendonitis problems with his knee. When he does come back, he may or may not be the same Nadal we saw earlier this year. If someone wants to take a slam from the top dogs’ paws, the US Open is looking more and more promising for those other top ten who have been licking their chops and biding their time. Who knows, maybe it will be Murray mania in New York in a few weeks. Only time will tell, so keep an eye on Toronto and Cincinnati over the next few weeks. I’m sure those tournaments will give us a good preview heading into the final slam of the year. Big thanks to everyone in those little boxes to the left for helping put this magazine together, and another thanks to the graphics team for their hard work. It was a pleasure covering the Olympics, and I can’t wait to see what happens during the American hard court season! Enjoy the issue!
Theodore LePak Editor, Tennis Now Magazine Ted@tennisnow.com
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Golden Slam for the Golden Bryans Bob and Mike are patriots, and they’ve got big, shiny gold medals to prove it. 8
Bob and Mike Bryan are fast and furious on court. So fast and so furious that fans have been known to break out sweating just by watching them. In person and in reality (or on stage with their band) they might appear to be laid back California kids, but on the court they are edgy, angry warriors who want to win at all costs. Perpetually ready for the next ball, next point, next title match, the Bryans bounce to the beat of their own desire, never relenting in their singular purpose: to win, or, if all else should fail, to go down with an epic fight. At 34, they keep bouncing. And they keep winning too. That’s how the winningest tandem in men’s doubles history (79 doubles titles and counting) rolls. Doubles is a rapid-fire sport, and the Bryan Brothers fire rapidly, at whoever stands on the other side of the net. Last week at the 2012 Olympic Games, some of the top singles players in the world, anxious to crossover to doubles for a shot to claim some hardware for their countries, were the ones on the other side of the net. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, David Ferrer and a host of other widely recognized singles players all joined the doubles draw in the hopes of medaling at London. But as good as each of them is as a singles player, none of them can boast the freakish doubles intuition that the Bryans possess on court. The Bryans are indentical twins, but they play as if they are Siamese twins. It’s as if they are one singular phenom, moving and communicating without really having to speak, seeing things with the same pair of eyes, which just so happen to be in the back of their head. All that chemistry leads to victories, and the Bryans have the milestones to prove it. They’ve spent nearly 300 weeks as the No. 1 team in the world. They’ve served and volleyed their way to the ATP’s year-end No. 1 ranking seven times. They’ve chest-bumped at the end of eleven Grand Slams, which puts them on the cusp of breaking John Newcombe and Tony Roche’s all-time record of 12 in the not-too-distant future.
When it comes to doubles, Bob and Mike Bryan have done just about everything a duo can do, and they’ve achieved it all—as featured on 60 minutes, in K-Swiss adds, and not without the occasional fist fight—right by each other’s sides. But until last week at London, they had never accomplished what they viewed as their ultimate dream: an Olympic Gold medal. In their last two Olympic Games the Bryans had gone down to the eventual winners, losing in 2004 to Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu of Chile in the quarters, and in 2008 to Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka in the semis.
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In 2008, the Bryans recovered to get the bronze, but it didn’t satisfy their hunger to push further. The Bryans are a patriotic duo, and for a pair of patriots, the Olympics were the ultimate goal. “When we didn’t win the gold [in 2008],” said Bob, after the Bryans had the Bryans completed their magical gold medal run with a 6-4, 7-6(2) victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Michael Llodra on Saturday, “if we could drop a pin on the calendar, you know, a place to peak, it would be here, and we did it. Wimbledon felt like a warmup to this moment.” What they did is become the second doubles team in tennis history to claim the elusive Golden Slam (Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge won gold in 1996, and capped off the Golden Slam in 2000 at the French Open), but more important for Mike and Bob, was the fact that they did it for the love of country. The Bryans have long been revered for their stellar Davis Cup resume (they are 19-2, have never lost on the road, and are 10-1 in ties which were tied 1-1 heading into the doubles match), but without a gold medal, the Bryans didn’t feel as if they’d truly lived their personal version of the American dream. They have now. “We’ve won a lot of Slams. Slams are awesome,” said Mike after the gold medal-clinching match. “I can tell you there’s no better feeling than this right now. Winning for each other, for our team, but for
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our country. It brought a different level of intensity to our tennis this week.” “We were scraping and clawing on every point. To hear the national anthem and stand on top of the podium, we could shut our careers down today and be happy for the rest of our lives,” added Bob. Fortunately for fans, the Bryans are already making plans to attend the 2016 games in Rio. But fans might not want to miss it, because for the first time last week, there was talk of retirement. “If we can stay healthy,” said Bob, “I think that’s [Rio, for the 2016 Games] where this story can end. We made a pact, I think during Wimbledon, we said we wanted to shut it down in Rio.” Tennis without the Bryan Brothers is not a happy thing to contemplate, so for now, let’s just bask in their glory while they are still at the top of their game. While they are still able to use their scissor-hands and snappy serves to shoot down the top singles players in the world on the biggest stage that tennis has ever known. That’s what Bob and Mike are doing, after all. “It’s going to be around my neck for at least a few days,” said Bob of his shiny new gold medal. “I’m not taking this off until I get back to the States. If I pull out of Toronto with a strained neck, you know why.”
– Chris Oddo
The Hard Road to the US Open Toronto (Men) / Montreal (Women) Rogers Cup The Rogers Cup in Toronto -- and the concurrent WTA stop at the Montreal Rogers Cup -- are the first stops for all the pros after the 2012 Summer Games in London. Serena’s not in the draw for
the women, but everyone else is; on the men’s side, both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are absent from the field. 2011 Champs: Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams
Cincinnati Western & Southern Open Cincinnati Little did we realize that the try-saying-this-in-one-breath rebranding of the Cincinnati summer stop in the U.S. Open warm-up series would reap such benefits for both players and fans. Now in the third year with the same title sponsor, the W&S Open, held in Mason, Ohio, August 11-19, will feature an expanded food court and entertainment plaza for fans. Add to that all the enhancements
they’ve already made to locker rooms and the media area, and to the grounds -- which houses 16 practice and play courts available for fans to view Top 40 players from both the ATP and WTA tours -- and you’ve got an experience that can rival those of a major. ‘Seventh Slam, anyone?” Visit cincytennis.com to get more info. 2011 champs: Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova.
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Best of the Olympics
– Blair Henley & Erwin Ong
As we look back over the last week of tennis at the Olympics, there were a few matches and happenings that piqued our interest. Here are our offerings... Andy Murray d. Roger Federer, final -- Although tennis players are alwasy referred to by their nationality, fans usually consider them their own, non-affiliated entities. Which is why Andy Murray, and the pressure to win any major -- let alone at the All-England Tennis
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Club -- has struggled with this epic burden. So it was only fitting that in the Olympics, where the weight of a country falls on each athlete’s performance, he dealt with the pressure like it was just another day on the court. Meanwhile, Roger’s focus was muddled -- rattled by the occasion perhaps, or overcome by the possibility of having that extra line appear next to his name in the record books “Olympic Tennis Men’s Singles Gold Medalist.” Regardless of the reason, Murray came out on top with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win.
Mixed Doubles, all rounds -- The inclusion of mixed doubles as a medal event at the Olympics excited all fans of the sport, and led many to speculate and dream about which combinations would work well to get countries on the medal stand. In the end, the event might have been overshadowed by all the amazing stories from the other four tennis disciplines contested at the Games, but rest assured that we welcome this validation of mixed doubles’ legitimacy. And really, there are only a few sports where men get to compete alongside the women. We’re glad to see tennis in this mix!
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Julia Goerges d. Agnieszka Radwanska, 1st Round -- The German charge through the ladies’ draw included the amazing Olympic debut of Julia Goerges, who stunned second seed (and 2012 Wimbledon Finalist) Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4 in the first round. Another German, Angelique Kerber, made it to the quarters before falling to No. 1 seed Victoria Azarenka.
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Juan Martin del Potro -- Both the semifinal run of Argetina’s Juan Martin del Potro -- ended by a marathon match against Roger Federer that went 19-17 in the third -- and his subsequent win over Djokovic for a bronze medal has shown that the 2009 U.S. Open Champ is back in business. We are curious to see what this performance will do for his hardcourt events this summer.
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Murray Mania Andy Murray put forth the performance of a lifetime on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, dominating Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and fifty-six minutes. The stadium full of flag-waving Murray supporters made themselves heard, and there was no denying the 25-year-old four-time Grand Slam runner-up his day in the sun. With the crowd and momentum behind him Murray downed Federer and took the gold. The victory led to a long overdue celebration for a player who has been knocking at the door of tennis superstardom, only to be constantly denied by Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, who have won 29 of the last 30 Grand Slam titles.
– Ted LePak
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Striving for Olympic Gold “Imperfection” – Matt Cuccaro, Director of Mental Training for Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy
When something is executed to perfection it is clean, smooth and flawless. Who doesn’t enjoy cracking a crisp winner down the line to finish off a point? This is the reason many play and watch tennis at the highest level. However, is perfection truly a standard worth focusing on while practicing or competing? Can this level of performance be expected on a consistent basis? The reality is that perfection is highly unattainable. If it is ever achieved, it is likely a short-lived experience. Perfection is also a dangerous proposition as it affects the athlete’s effort levels. Its extreme demands can place crippling stress upon the individual. This approach induces physical tension which gets in the way of natural, flowing movements that allow athletic reactions to unfold. On the other side of the spectrum, those who feel perfection within their grasp may achieve a false sense of security. Overconfidence tends to create laziness and lack of effort since the individual perceives they have already reached the pinnacle. Fleeting moments of flawlessness can only be achieved by maintaining the grit, determination and patience required to endure the constant imperfection of the sport. A more effective and meaningful word to assist one’s mindset for practice and competition is “better.” It instills a philosophy to those who are always searching for more effective and efficient ways to take their game to the next level. This attitude creates a process of continuous improvement. The athlete holding a “better” versus “perfect” mentality embraces challenges. They evaluate current strengths and limitations to grow and develop. A better mindset ensures persistent effort while leaving room for making and improving from mistakes. Whoever wins the Olympic gold in London will certainly not perform perfectly. This player will handle adversity, or “imperfection,” effectively and strive to play better with each round on one of life’s greatest competitive stages.
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About Matt Cuccaro, Ed.M. Matt Cuccaro is the Director of Mental Training at Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy on Hilton Head Island, SC. Matt has a Master’s of Education in Counseling/Sport Psychology from Boston University and is an active member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Matt has worked with individuals in a number of sports from the junior level to world-class professional athletes.
Serena-Sharapova Number Crunch – Nick Georgandis
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Members of the Golden Slam Club - Serena Williams and Steffi Graf.
Athletes who have won three gold medals in tennis in their Olympic careers - Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Reginald Doherty.
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Combined Grand Slam singles titles by Williams and Sharapova entering the match, the most-ever by two female players at the time of their Olympic final, passing the previous high of 11, the combined total of Steffi Graf and Jennifer Capriati entering the 1992 final.
Aces Williams blasted past Sharapova. Williams serve was remarkable and he followed those aces up with 24 winners. 6-0, 6-1: Williams’ winning score, the most lopsided in a gold-medal match in Olympic history, surpassing Suzanne Lenglen’s 6-3, 6-0 triumph over Dorothy Holman in 1920.
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18 years, 5 months, 30 days
The number of points separating the top four players in the world following the Olympics. No. 1 Victoria Azarenka will be at 9,040 come Monday; No. 2 Sharapova at 8,840; No. 3 Agniesza Radwanska at 8,531 and No. 4 Williams at 8,045.
Length of time since two career Grand Slam singles players squared off before Saturday’s gold medal match. The previous time - 6,755 days ago - was February 6, 1994, when Steffi Graf defeated Martina Navratilova in the finals of the Tokyo Pan Pacific tournament.
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Consecutive losses by Sharapova against Williams, dropping her all-time mark to 2-9 against the American. Since her last victory over WIlliams, at the 2004 Tour Championships, 11% of Sharapova’s 76 total losses (against 330 wins) have come against Williams.
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RACQUET Reviews Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro 2.0 The Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro 2.0 is the newest top tier tweener racquet on the market. The Extreme Pro 2.0 recieves upgrades in the touch and feel department to bring any player exceptional power and control. The latest technologies are infused in the Extreme Pro 2.0, specifically Innegra technology. Innegra is the world’s lightest high performance fiber, and it’s infused right into the racquet. The Innegra technology is in place for shock absorption and improved stability. Not only does Innegra technology keep you at the top of your game, but Head’s S-Tech Grommets allow for greater string movement, resulting in a larger sweetspot for an increase in comfort. With a 100 inch head size and fairly even balance, this racquet is ideal for players looking for a mix of power and control.
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RANKINGS As of 08/06/12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Federer, Roger Djokovic, Novak Nadal, Rafael Murray, Andy Ferrer, David Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried Berdych, Tomas Del Potro, Juan Martin Tipsarevic, Janko Monaco, Juan Isner, John Almagro, Nicolas Fish, Mardy Simon, Gilles Cilic, Marin Dolgopolov, Alexandr Nishikori, Kei Kohlschreiber, Philipp Verdasco, Fernando Roddick, Andy Gasquet, Richard Wawrinka, Stanislas Mayer, Florian Raonic, Milos Haas, Tommy
SUI SRB ESP GBR ESP FRA CZE ARG SRB ARG USA ESP USA FRA CRO UKR JPN GER ESP USA FRA SUI GER CAN GER
11,435 11,270 8,905 8,120 5,455 5,230 4,515 3,340 3,320 2,695 2,575 2,575 2,135 2,070 2,015 1,940 1,770 1,685 1,660 1,645 1,600 1,560 1,545 1,540 1,418
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Azarenka, Victoria Sharapova, Maria Radwanska, Agnieszka Williams, Serena Stosur, Samantha Kvitova, Petra Kerber, Angelique Wozniacki, Caroline Errani, Sara Bartoli, Marion Li, Na Ivanovic, Ana Cibulkova, Dominika Kirilenko, Maria Zvonareva, Vera Kanepi, Kaia Pennetta, Flavia Jankovic, Jelena Lisicki, Sabine Petkovic, Andrea Schiavone, Francesca Petrova, Nadia Safarova, Lucie Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia Goerges, Julia
BLR RUS POL USA AUS CZE GER DEN ITA FRA CHN SRB SVK RUS RUS EST ITA SRB GER GER ITA RUS CZE RUS GER
8820 8720 8260 8045 6195 5275 5225 4206 3620 3400 3245 3085 2945 2835 2800 2514 2270 2220 2142 2060 2050 2050 2040 1970 1970
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Maria Sharapova (left) and Serena Williams pose before taking the court for their finals match.
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Andy Murray (left) and Roger Federer exchange words after Murray defeated Federer in a historic straight sets. This match will be talked about for many Olympics to come. 26
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With the crowd roaring behind him Roger Federer celebrates winning a thrilling match point over American John Isner.
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Gold medal winner Serena Williams (center) points into the crowd to show her appreciation for her supporters. Silver medalist Maria Sharapova (left) and Bronze medalist Victoria Azarenka cheer for her in amusement.
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Roger Federer (left), Andy Murray (center), and Juan Martin Del Potro hold their medals at the medal ceremony.
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Juan Martin Del Potro embraces Roger Federer after a long emotional match in the semifinals. Del Potro fought hard but just couldn’t close the match. Federer won 3-6, 7–6, 19-17.
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Andy Murray takes in the moment during the medal ceremony and holds his country’s flag across his back.
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Serena Williams, overcome with joy, celebrates her win in the finals.
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