2013 Australian Open Review by Tennis Now

2013 Australian Open Review

WHAT’S INSIDE LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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GRADING THE FIELD

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SLOANE STEPHENS: COMING IN HOT!

DJOKOVIC: THE PERFECT BEAST

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p.22-25

VICTORIA AZARENKA: FROM STREET FIGHTER TO CHAMPION

MEET THE AUSSIES

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p.26-27 RANKINGS

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2013 Australian Open Review

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Editors

Theodore L. LePak ted@tennisnow.com Erwin Ong Blair Hemley

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Writers

Letter from the Editor How does Novak Djokovic do it? Every time the match starts to slip away from him, he just flips a switch and takes his game to another level. As for Azarenka, you might not agree with her sportsmanship in the semis, but you can’t argue with her results. Both players have successfully defended their titles and have earned their place on our covers. One of the many great things about a Grand Slam is that you don’t always have to win to be a hero. Players like Sloane Stephens and Stan Wawrinka may have lost their matches, but the fact that they put on a good show and held their heads high made them instant heroes in our eyes. Inside this issue, we address Djokovic’s evolution into the perfect beast, Azarenka’s new title as the WTA “street fighter,” Sloane Stephens’ promising future and vault in the ranks, and finally we show off our pictures of crazy fans in the stands.

Erik Gudris

Chris Oddo

Blair Henley

blair@tennisnow.com

Nick Georgandis

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Alberto Capetillo Juan Esparza

Photography Mark Peterson

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We enjoyed covering the sizzling matches at this year’s Happy Slam and we hope you will enjoy cooling down with our recap of the action in Melbourne!

Theodore LePak Editor, Tennis Now Magazine Ted@tennisnow.com

Behind the Lens Finding a method to the madness in the hopeless pursuit to capture every match on the first and busiest day is the biggest challenge for a photographer at the Australian Open. It requires an acute understanding of the players’ abilities, so you can prioritize what matches to shoot and what matches to risk for later. Of course, you must somehow time things to perfection in order to fit in the all-important 5:00 pm drinks, which help salvage what’s left of one’s sanity before heading back out for the long night sessions (especially if Lleyton Hewitt is playing) and an even longer night of editing. Wait, I’m missing something - oh yes, lunch! Years later we continue coming back, which means either we are insane or we’re blindly passionate - it’s most definitely both. At Corleve, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our past five years of amazing tennis coverage with Tennis Now, one of the most respected sources for tennis news and entertainment.

2013 Australian Open Review

SLOANE STEPHENS: Coming in HOT! – Nick Georgandis

2013 Australian Open Review

She’s young and African-American with model good looks, a sly sense of humor and a lanky frame that makes it tough to get the drop on her. She’s got a winning smile and she can make the game look scary easy. That description could have easily been written about Venus Williams in 1997 or Serena Williams in 1996, but it holds just as true today for Sloane Stephens, who vaulted into the international spotlight with her blitz to the Australian Open semifinals which included a stunning upset victory over Serena in the quarterfinals that many in the media saw as a potential changing of the guard in the American tennis landscape. It’s still way too early for crowning Stephens. One victory does not a legacy make, particularly when the player on the other side of the net still moved up to No. 2 in the world following the tournament, and has racked up 15 Grand Slam singles titles.

But Stephens’ rapid ascension so far in 2013 is quite reminiscent of the way each Williams sister zoomed into the international elite one-and-a-half decades ago. Consider that she was ranked 180th in the world to end 2012, and now finds herself ranked 17th – having rocketed to a 10-3 start and made at least the quarterfinals of all three events she’s participated in so far in 2013. Scarily, it seems Stephens predicted this success to come when interviewed by TennisNow prior to the start of the current season. “I think I have a lot of things to bring in 2013. It’ll all work out, you’ll see,” Stephen said. “It will be really, really good.” Stephens won’t turn 20 until March 20, making her the youngest player in the Top 20 by a full two years and eight months. No. 11 Caroline Wozniacki is the second-youngest. Perhaps Stephens’ most attractive quality at this point is how well she is living in the moment, carrying herself professionally while

2013 Australian Open Review

still acting like the teenager she is, instead of locking herself away for nothing but practice and matches, and giving the dull quotes that so many athletes are wont to do to sequester themselves from distractions. “I think I handled (the attention) well. I think I worked it out pretty well and stayed true to myself and stayed positive, and didn’t worry too much about American tennis and all that stuff,” Stephens told TennisNow. I think it worked out well. No pressure. Just trying to be me, do my best, and keep Tweeting!” Other than playing tennis, Tweeting might be what Stephens is best at. Using the social medium to engage her burgeoning number of fans, Stephens was staggered to receive messages from John Legend and Dirk Nowitzki among others after her upset of Williams. Her number of followers (@sloanetweets) has risen from 17,000 just before the start of the Australian Open to nearly 60,000 the day after the tournament’s conclusion. Going forward, Stephens will be tested more than ever. Instead of being known as the potential new American phenom on tour, she’ll be seen as a dangerous adversary, the woman who knocked off the seemingly unbeatable Serena Williams, winner of the previous two Grand Slams. Obviously if there’s nothing riding on it, it would be boring, and we’d have nothing to talk about, “ Stephens said before the start of the season, concerning her status as an increasingly marked player. “I think it’s fun.” Fun for her? Yes. Fun for the fans? Absolutely. Fun for the rest of the WTA? Not so much.

2013 Australian Open Review

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2013 Australian Open Review

VICTORIA AZARENK A: From Fighter to Champion – Erik Gudris

“She’s a street fighter. I keep using that word. But she’s wonderful.” –Chris Evert

It may seem odd to hear the woman once called “America’s Sweetheart” describe a female tennis player in such a bold way, but Chris Evert’s characterization of Victoria Azarenka right after she defended her Australian Open title and her No. 1 ranking was appropriate. Especially considering how hard Azarenka had to battle herself, her opponent Li Na, the media, and the tough Aussie crowd that filled Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night. Azarenka’s trip back to the finals where she first tasted Grand Slam success wasn’t easy. She failed to play her best tennis in Melbourne, and found herself tested often, especially by a pair of young Americans in Jamie Hampton and Sloane Stephens. But any player will tell you that the old adage “a win is a win” rings true whether you post an easy, straight sets victory or survive a long, ugly grind. And that’s all Azarenka had to do each time. Keep winning. Azarenka was not the favorite this year, but that was okay with her. Before the tournament started, she explained that she wasn’t looking to defend anything, viewing Melbourne as another title she was hoping to win. Turns out she was also able to forget the fact that her prized No. 1 ranking was at stake.

2013 Australian Open Review

“I never thought about the number one ranking. The pressure was there, but I like the pressure, you know,” she said. “It’s [a] very interesting thing. It pushes you to be better. You can take it negative and try to, you know, think negative. But I take it as a positive, something that will push me forward to improve, to get better.” While Azarenka kept her focus on what she needed to do on the court, the whirlwind of media attention and criticism following her extended medical time against Stephens in the semifinals was an off-court distraction she couldn’t ignore. Right or wrong, Azarenka, who was clearly overwhelmed and distracted by the fan furor, was able to re-focus on the goal she had for herself ever since she set foot at Melbourne Park. To be sure, the controversy has created a learning opportunity for the 23-year-old to become a better player and a better person. Azarenka’s personality still rubs some the wrong way, but she’s working on it. “You know, when I came first on the tour I kind of was lost a little bit. I didn’t know how to open up my personality,” she said. “It’s very difficult when you’re alone. I was independent since I was, you know, 10 years old. It was a little bit scary, and I wouldn’t show my personality.

“That’s my thing, is to show the personality that I really have, you know, outside the court as well. Because on the court I’m really focused, I’m really determined, I’m going to do the job that I have, and I’m going to have the face that I have, and I’m going to be the way that I have to be to be the better tennis player.” It’s not easy to become a champion. Remaining at the top with the world’s best nipping at your heels is even tougher. Azarenka showed she’s willing to battle as hard as needed, even when fighting herself. And that’s why she will walk away from Melbourne the same way she did 365 days ago -- as the champion.

“I never thought about the number one ranking. The pressure was there, but I like the pressure.” –Victoria Azarenka

2013 Australian Open Review

GRADING THE FIEL D – Chris Oddo

Who got high marks, who got extra credit, and who ended up in detention down under.

Novak Djokovic

Bob and Mike Bryan

With his Australian Open three-peat, and fourth title in Melbourne in six years, Djokovic proved that he is the man to beat in 2013. If Rafa is the king of clay, then Nole is the king of plexicushion.

The twins outclassed the field once again to win a record-smashing 13th Grand Slam title. Even more impressive is the fact that they are pumped to get back to the States to play Davis Cup next week. Now that’s loyalty.

2013 Australian Open Review

Sara Errani and Robert Vinci That’s three Grand Slam doubles titles in the last five Slams for the Italian duo, and they went through the Williams Sisters to do it, which is even more impressive.

Victoria Azarenka Complain all you want about her MTO theatrics, but our grading technique remains simple: You win a Grand Slam, you’ve earned the highest possible grade.

Andy Murray

Li Na

His win over Roger Federer was a sign that Murray is a more confident, more forceful player than ever before. His loss to Novak Djokovic in the final is a clear indication that he still has some improving to do.

The last time Li Na lost an Australian Open final, in 2011, she recovered by winning the French Open. Is it time for Li to storm the Bastille again?

Roger Federer

Bernard Tomic

Sloane Stephens

The Swiss Maestro played back-to-back five-set matches for the first time in his career in Melbourne. The experience proved to be a little too much for the 31-year-old, but in retrospect, Federer should feel good about his run in Australia. Would it surprise anybody if he won Wimbledon for the 8th time later this summer? Not us.

Tomic was axed by Federer in round three, but in the process of reaching the third round, and during the process of his loss to Federer, Tomic electrified the Aussie crowd and showed signs of maturity that we hadn’t seen before.

A breakout semifinal could be a springboard to bigger and better things for the 19-year-old. Not only is she athletic, quick, powerful and quirky/cool, she’s got poise in spades. Of all those traits, it’s the poise that excites us the most.

2013 Australian Open Review

Stan Wawrinka

Kimiko Date-Krumm

Madison Keys

The other Swiss with the gorgeous onehanded backhand played the match of the tournament against Novak Djokovic. It didn’t finish in his favor but he definitely gave the tournament a lift and picked up some new fans along the way.

The ageless wonder reached the third round of singles and doubles at the age of 43, becoming the oldest woman to win a main draw match at the Australian Open in the process. It’s impossible to root against this woman. Absolutely impossible.

The 17-year-old gave American tennis fans lots to get excited about during her run to the third round. She was eventually bounced by Angelique Kerber, but looked like she belonged on the same court against the No. 5 seed.

Kevin Anderson The South African reached the round of 16 at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. With his size, power and grit, there’s no reason whey he can’t climb into the top 15 someday.

2013 Australian Open Review

Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils When these two Frenchman tangled in the third round, there was drama, confusion and plenty of highlights to watch on YouTube the next day. Google MonfilsSimon, 71-stroke rally and prepare to have your mind blown. we hadn’t seen before.

Jeremy Chardy The Frenchman unleashed his forehand to devastating effect in Melbourne, taking out Juan Martin del Potro in the upset of the first week than reaching his first career quarterfinal, before finally falling to Andy Murray.

Svetlana Kuznetsova

Serena Williams

Laura Robson

After a six-month absence due to a knee injury, the two-time Grand Slam champion put together a quarterfinal run in Melbourne. It wasn’t mind blowing, but it is most certainly something to build on. Even crazier, she wore a dress.

Serena was the victim of more than her fair share of misfortune down under, and she could have easily thrown in the towel on the event. But like a true champion, she battled on with a swollen ankle, fat lip and bad back. And if she still nearly won the title.

Robson notched another eye-opening upset in one of the most compelling matches on the women’s side in week one, over Petra Kvitova.

Ashleigh Barty

Jerzy Janowicz

American Men

The 16-year-old, a formidable doubles talent, reached the finals of the women’s doubles with Casey Dellacqua. They are the first Australian women’s doubles team to reach the final since 1977.

When these two Frenchman tangled in the third round, there was drama, confusion and plenty of highlights to watch on YouTube the next day. Google MonfilsSimon, 71-stroke rally and prepare to have your mind blown. we hadn’t seen before.

The Frenchman unleashed his forehand to devastating effect in Melbourne, taking out Juan Martin del Potro in the upset of the first week than reaching his first career quarterfinal, before finally falling to Andy Murray.

2013 Australian Open Review

Azarenka’s Medical Timeout Vika the player got an A+, but Vika the drama queen gets much lower marks for her much-publicized off-court therapy session.

Francesca Schiavone What happened to 30 being the new 20? I guess the loveable Italian never got the memo.

Sam Stosur

Sara Errani

Stosur was quick to admit that her problems were mental in her second-round defeat to Zheng Jie. Still, she blew a 5-2 lead, served for the match twice, and hit the most egregious double-fault of the tournament. ‘Nuff said.

We’ve given the diminutive Italian credit for her dubs title, but what happened to her on the singles court? A first-round loss to Carla Suarez Navarro is now way to start the season for a World No. 7.

2013 Australian Open Review

Petra Kvitova Well, she beat Schiavone in the first round, but a disappointing second-round loss to Laura Robson can’t be looked at as anything but a complete failure for the wildly talented but woefully erratic Czech.

Sabine Lisicki Wozniacki in the first round was a tough draw for boom boom, but 57 unforced errors wouldn’t get it done against a ball machine, so there’s that, too.

Gear Guide

Victoria Azarenka With a feisty attitude and a forehand to back it up, Victoria Azarenka takes the court in style dressed from head to toe like the World No. 1 that she is.

NIKE Zoom Vapor 9 Tour Redesigned with a women’s-specific last, the Nike Women’s Zoom Vapor 9 Tour is equipped with the latest technologies designed to deliver speed and stability. If you’re looking for optimal lightweight performance the Zoom Vapor 9 Tour is the shoe for you.

WILSON Juice 100 BLX

NIKE Flouncy Knit Tennis Dress

Designed with power and spin in mind, the Wilson Juice 100 BLX combines a maneuverable frame with a plush sweet spot and exceptional power. The open string pattern and standard 100 square inch head size allow for exceptional ball bite for baseline players that like to dictate the action.

The Nike Women’s Flouncy Knit Tennis Dress features mesh side and back panels for enhanced ventilation. Binding at neck and armholes is designed to reduce chafing. Flounce skirt detail adds a feminine look.

2013 Australian Open Review

DJOKOVIC: Building the Perfect Beast – Chris Oddo

Novak Djokovic proved once again in Melbourne that he is the most complete player on tour—and the most dominant, too. It was just over two and a half years ago that Novak Djokovic appeared to be heading for a career played out as a one-Slam wonder. As crazy as it seems now, with all that we’ve learned about the six-time Grand Slam champion, this was the prevailing general sentiment when it came to Djokovic. There was a certain, fatal quality to his tennis. He seemed doomed to fail, no matter how exceeding his brilliance on the court was. Questioned for his lack of fortitude and the plethora of tennis-sabotaging injuries that he routinely suffered from, second-guessed for his commitment and his disconcerting dearth of desire, the wildly talented but also just plain wild Serb was seen as a frustrating combination of talent and arrogance, of skill, but lack of will. Of course in the last two years—since he broke out in a big way in Australia in 2011—that has all changed, and looking back on the transformation of Djokovic from world-disappointer to world-beater, it’s difficult to know just how and why he’s made such remarkable strides. Watching the World No. 1 in the Australian Open final, as he made a clinic out of breaking down Andy Murray’s game, piece by subtle piece, it became

2013 Australian Open Review

apparent that Djokovic is truly on par with the all-time greats of the game now. As he wrestled control of the match by force of sheer will, then ran with it, reeling off 9 of the final 11 games of the contest, the achievements of Djokovic at this stage of his career started to jump out, just begging to be recognized. His sixth Grand Slam title tied him with Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg on the all-time list; His fourth Australian Open title tied him with Roger Federer and Andre Agassi for the most Open Era titles down under; His three-peat left him alone as the only Open Era player to ever win three Australian Open titles in a row. As impressive as it all is, what’s more impressive is where Djokovic might be headed in the not-too-distant future. With Roger Federer nearing 32 years of age and Rafael Nadal’s future in doubt due to knee problems, is there anyone out there who can keep Djokovic from running the table in the next two to three years? Certainly not Andy Murray, who had his chance today and was peremptorily pummeled by the Serb, both mentally and physically.

2013 Australian Open Review

And what if, like Nadal in 2010, the Serb can keep probing the inner recesses of his game to come up with bigger, better ways to play on different surfaces? What if he adds 10 MPH to his serve before Wimbledon this year? What if he keeps going to the well in search of the inspiration that drives him, and the well is still full? What then? Can 10, even 12 or 13 Grand Slam titles be out of the question? It really has been remarkable to watch the maturation of Djokovic during his renaissance. He has gone from a duck with a broken wing to the goose that perpetually lays the golden egg, and because his belief is so high right now, he’s doing it whether he’s playing exquisite tennis or ragged tennis. In other words, because Djokovic’s transformation seems to have come from within, the actual foundation on which his game rests is more impervious to ebbs and flows in his actual execution. If the old Djokovic had the ability to lose it at the drop of a hat, the new Djokovic has the ability to never lose it, no matter how bad things get.

“If the old Djokovic had the ability to never lose it at the drop of a hat, the new Djokovic has the ability to never lose.”

There was no sign of the old Djokovic out there today during his 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Andy Murray, save for the short, porcupine-y hair and that hard, beady-eyed stare. Gone was the negativity that used to bleed into his game and create a mental torpor that would drive a wedge between his good self and his bad self, essentially pitting them against one another until they would pull him apart on the court.. Missing was the weakness of mind that used to contaminate his best-laid plans for victory. In its place, instead, was a new tennis blueprint for success. The perfect beast, if you will. Just like Federer during his development, Djokovic has needed time to let his game take shape. And just like Federer, it was never really about his game so much as it was about his mind. Building the game was always the easy part, but building the piers to support the game and to keep the game afloat when the tides shifted, that was the challenge. Now that the 25-year-old Serb has done it, now that he’s transformed himself from head case to headstrong, the world is his oyster. He’s a self-reliant juggernaut, feeding on his own belief and trusting his instincts in a manner that leaves him practically impenetrable on the tennis court. Sure, he can be beaten, but as Andy Murray learned in Australia, more than likely, he’s going to beat you. Djokovic is the most dominant player in the game in part because he believes he is; because he knows he is. And his success is as much a mental achievement as it is a physical one. He is the tennis’s perfect beast, in mind, body and spirit. He’s won five of the last nine Grand Slams and more could be on the way. If he is who we’ve watched him become, the best may very well have yet to come.

2013 Australian Open Review

MEET THE AUSSIES Nothing helps the Australian Open live up to its “Happy Slam” reputation quite like the fans. There’s no doubt they love their tennis Down Under, but they also seem to have a penchant for

2013 Australian Open Review

costumes, body art, patriotic face paint, and maybe a little beer as well. We hope you had as much fun as these fans did watching two weeks of fabulous Aussie Open tennis in Melbourne.

2013 Australian Open Review

CLICK HERE to win Murray’s Shoes!

Gear Guide Andy Murray

Although the highlander was the runner-up at the Australian Open, his apparel is second to none. From head to toe dressed like the best with the all new Adidas attire and Head racquet.

Adidas Adipower Barricade 7.0 The adidas Men’s adipower barricade 7.0 features a redesigned seamless construction offering more comfort and a lighter weight. Updated stability claws support lateral movement, while remaining flexible.

HEAD Youtek IG Radical Pro

Adidas Adipower Barricade Tee

The YouTek IG Radical Pro takes advantage of Innegra fibers that are integrated throughout the frame, providing strength, stability, and comfort thanks to their unique characteristics. This frame kept the d3O material of its predecessor, allowing the frame to flex based on the speed of the swing.

The adidas Men’s adipower barricade Murray Tennis Tee features a lightweight, semi-fitted silhouette promoted by Andy Murray. Sublimated print graphic on shoulders and contrast color neck design adds to the modern, athletic look. ForMotion technology delivers maximum freedom of movement and ClimaCool provides heat and moisture management.

2013 Australian Open Review

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RANKINGS As of 01/28/13

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

Djokovic, Novak Federer, Roger Murray, Andy Ferrer, David Nadal, Rafael Berdych, Tomas Del Potro, Juan Martin Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried Tipsarevic, Janko Gasquet, Richard Almagro, Nicolas Monaco, Juan Cilic, Marin Simon, Gilles Raonic, Milos Isner, John Wawrinka, Stanislas Seppi, Andreas Kohlschreiber, Philipp Querrey, Sam Nishikori, Kei Haas, Tommy Dolgopolov, Alexandr Verdasco, Fernando Chardy, Jeremy

SRB SUI GBR ESP ESP CZE ARG FRA SRB FRA ESP ARG CRO FRA CAN USA SUI ITA GER USA JPN GER UKR ESP FRA

12,920 10,265 8,480 6,865 5,400 4,680 4,210 3,555 3,180 2,720 2,695 2,430 2,300 2,280 2,265 2,125 1,990 1,765 1,740 1,695 1,690 1,685 1,670 1,525 1,413

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 Williams, Serena Sharapova, Maria Radwanska, Agnieszka Li, Na Kerber, Angelique Errani, Sara Kvitova, Petra Stosur, Samantha Bartoli, Marion Wozniacki, Caroline Petrova, Nadia Ivanovic, Ana Cibulkova, Dominika Kirilenko, Maria Vinci, Roberta Stephens, Sloane Safarova, Lucie Goerges, Julia Makarova, Ekaterina Lepchenko, Varvara Wickmayer, Yanina Williams, Venus Zakopalova, Klara Hsieh, Su-Wei

BLR USA RUS POL CHN DEU ITA CZE AUS FRA DNK RUS SRB SVK RUS ITA USA CZE DEU RUS USA BEL USA CZE TWN

1,0325 9,970 9,545 7,750 6,255 5,695 4,605 4,285 4,230 3,740 3,545 2,945 2,841 2,695 2,690 2,585 2,466 2,160 1,965 1,881 1,875 1,835 1,810 1,800 1,696

2013 Australian Open Review

CLICK HERE to win their Barricade 7.0 Shoes

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic before their four set showdown down under. Andy Murray, hampered by blisters and hamstring ailments throught the latter half of the battle, was no match for Novak Djokovic, who seemed to get fresher as the match progressed. 2013 Australian Open Review

The Bryan Brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing their signature chest bump after winning their finals match against Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling 6-3, 6-4. For the Bryan Brothers, a 13th Grand Slam title is a testament to their work ethic and the magic they bring to the doubles matches.

2013 Australian Open Review

Margaret Court Arena is scheduled to get a makeover after the tournament next year. In 2015, the former showcourt No. 1 will have a retractable roof and 1,500 more seats added to the venue.

2013 Australian Open Review

Rod Laver Arena clad with the pictures of the 2011 champions Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka behind the draws.

2013 Australian Open Review

An amazing view you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see on TV.

2013 Australian Open Review

After five grueling sets, Roger Federer finally defeated the Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3 in their quarterfinal match.

2013 Australian Open Review

Heading into the semi-finals, Maria Sharapova was on fire. Sharapova set a tournament record by dropping only nine games in her first five matches. Sharapova would go on to lose to Li Na 6-2, 6-2 in the semis.

2013 Australian Open Review

A stunning view of Rod Laver Arena. See you next year Melbourne!

2013 Australian Open Review