2014 Australian Open Review
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WHAT’S INSIDE
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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NADAL’S CLAY LEGACY
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CLAYPOVA’S WEAPON OF WILL
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MAKING THEIR MARK
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JELENA JANKOVIC INTERVIEW
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INSTRUCTION: WAWRINKA’S BACKHAND
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RANKINGS
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CLOSING SHOTS
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2014 2014 Roland Australian Garros Open Review Review
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2014 Australian Open Review
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2014 Australian Open Review
Editors
Lana Maciel
Contact Us
To advertise with us ads@tennisnow.com General comments or questions media@tennisnow.com
Writers
Erik Gudris
Chris Oddo
Letter from the Editor Grand Slams are always full of surprises, with the possibility of early round upsets and a handful of players making a big breakthrough in the draw always looming. And this year’s Roland Garros was no different. Although both eventual champions were no strangers to winning the title in Paris, it was the journey through the fortnight that proved the most exciting. The women’s singles draw in particular had some interesting twists, and in this issue we’ve highlighted six of those success stories in our feature “Making Their Mark” on page 12. The final victories claimed by Maria Sharapova’s second Roland Garros title (read more on page 10) and Rafael Nadal’s record ninth title in Paris (read more on page 8) marked the end of the spring clay season and an abrupt swing onto the grass. The true test now comes in the form of the “Channel Slam,” the feat of winning both the French and Wimbledon titles in the same year. Making the adjustment to grass will be a difficult challenge for all players, but the two-week window between Slams is toughest on the finalists. It’s a recipe for what could be some headline-worthy drama, so grab a bag of popcorn and tune in to Season 2014 of “Grass Court Tennis”!
Blair Henley
blair@tennisnow.com
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Lana Maciel Editor, Tennis Now Magazine lana@tennisnow.com
Melinda Ramos
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20142014 Australian Open Review Roland Garros Review
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2014 ROLAND G
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2014 Australian Open Review 2014 IW/Miami Review
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GARROS REVIEW
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2014 IW/Miami Review
2014 Australian Open Review
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Nadal’s Ninth Commandment
in Paris Creates an Invincible Legacy By Chris Oddo true colors, unfolded his vast arsenal of mental, physical and spiritual attributes and charged, full steam ahead to his record ninth Roland Garros title.
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Sit there, wherever you are, and contemplate this. Nine Roland Garros titles in 10 years. And he’s still not done! Have you ever wondered what it was like to witness the greatest tennis phenomenon of all time? Well, you needn’t wonder anymore, because you saw him on Sunday in the French Open final, concocting yet another work of visceral vivacity and intestinal fortitude to defeat Novak Djokovic in four sets. We’ve been watching him for all these years: Rafael Nadal, the king of clay. But not until recently have we started to realize just how untouchable Nadal’s run of French Open domination will be to future generations. In taking down the title on Sunday (and improving his otherworldly record at Roland Garros to 66-1 with a 35-match winning streak), Nadal has increased the distance between himself and those other superhuman humans who have won seven titles at majors (Federer, Sampras, Sears, Renshaw, Larned, Tilden), and reinforced the notion that Nadal on clay is the greatest thing that tennis has ever seen, and will ever see. Nadal’s presence in Paris, and the relentless, committed brand of clay-court tennis he plays there, is the stuff of legend. It is worthy of worship and it is hyperbole-proof. But, as easy as it seems for Nadal to rack up title after title in Paris, we come to find it is not. “You know how hard is all the things that I am doing here,” Nadal told reporters after the final on Sunday. “You don't know if you're going to win it again.” Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. Fine. Okay, stuff happens, especially when you get older. But no, no, no, no, NO! Not Paris. Not the terre battue at Roland Garros, and not this year. Rafael Nadal’s clay-court empire may have surrendered some premium dominion in 2014, with head-scratching, soundthe-alarm losses in each of the aforementioned cities, to rivals that had previously served more as whipping boys than vanquishers, but when it was time for proving—real, beyonda-shadow-of-a-doubt proving—the king of clay showed his
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2014 Australian Roland Garros OpenReview Review
From an outside perspective, this year’s title didn’t seem difficult in the practical sense: Nadal didn’t drop a set until the quarterfinals, and he was never pushed to five. He didn’t need to save match points or rally from two sets down. Yet, still, it was clear that Nadal had massive hurdles to overcome, as the baggage from a difficult experience in Australia (where his back was injured in the final as he fell to Stan Wawrinka), paired with his rather pedestrian leadup to Paris (where he dropped three matches on clay before the French Open for the first time since 2003) had many believing that this was the year the Spaniard would give up his throne.
What made the 2014 French Open so breathtakingly beautiful for Nadal is that he overcame all his demons and all his doubts from a surprisingly disappointing spring and produced his very best tennis at the most important time. Entering the tournament, the air of invincibility surrounding Nadal was at an all-time low. By Sunday, it was back where it belongs. Nadal held the trophy aloft, smiling, then stood at the podium with tears rolling down his cheek as the Spanish national anthem played. He had delivered on the promise once again, shed his sullen spring, batted back the pain in his back, and taken back what has always been and will always be his. What won this title for Nadal was not necessarily the formidable game that has made him unbeatable in years past. It wasn’t his legendary buggy-whip forehand, or his blazing-fast speed around the court. All of those things have been tempered by time. Nadal is not the phenom he once was, but this year, whatever Nadal lacked in pure athleticism and brutal aggression he made up for with intangibles.
First, desire. “For me, the most important thing is win Roland Garros. That’s the most important thing,” a satisfied Nadal said after the match. “You find solutions because you really want to do it, because you really want to fight, you really want to find it, you play with the right motivation all the time.” It wasn’t just desire that pushed Nadal to the title this year. There’s an underrated emotional and tactical wisdom happening as well. There’s a deep understanding of what it takes to win in Paris, and there is Nadal’s ability to stay humble, embrace the process and overcome the hurdles that he is facing. “Get used to it,” Nadal told reporters earlier this spring about his sudden inability to dominate the clay-court season like we have become accustomed to. At the time it sounded like an admission—some doubt, or desperation—but we come to find that it was Nadal coming to grips that he’d have to work harder, prepare smarter, and play more tactically sound tennis than he ever had before to win his ninth French Open title. In a weird way, the shortcomings in Australia and in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Rome were a blessing for Nadal. His quest took on new meaning as he became the underdog, the ailing champion headed for a hard fall. It takes a true champion to embrace hardship the way Nadal did this season. Calmly, he became emboldened by each tiny stride his out-of-sync game made this spring, until all the belief and all the desire, combined with all the sweat and all the sinew, created the perfect storm in Paris. In the end, Nadal didn’t fall. The only thing to fall was the notion that Nadal has nothing left to give. His ninth Roland Garros title was living, breathing proof that he has it all to give. Every ounce of his spirit, every drop of sweat, everything, in unison, bursting forth in all its glory, beyond compare, and utterly divine. Years from now, probably even centuries, Nadal’s accomplishments will be looked at with admiration, awe and a sense of wonderment. The bar has been set on another planet, a place no mere mortal will likely ever visit. As far as Nadal goes, at barely 28, he’s tied Pete Sampras for second-most on the all-time list, but it’s not of much concern to him at the moment. “I'll follow my own path,” he said. “Then when my career is over, we'll count. But I don't really care that much about the records. I'll still play with a lot of intensity. I'll still be motivated. Then we'll see. Time will tell if I can have another record or not.” Time will also tell the story of the legacy the swashbuckling Spaniard has created in Paris. The winds of change will surely blow at Roland Garros, and someday Nadal’s magic will fade. But the legacy he has built will stand forever as a challenge to those who come after.
2014 Australian 2014 Roland Open GarrosReview Review
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Maria Sharapova: THE WILL TO WIN
In claiming her second French Open title, Maria Sharapova proved her greatest weapon is simply her will to win. by Erik Gudris
"If I have a match that's easier and a more convincing win, then I will take that, as well. But I will do whatever it takes. If I don't start good, if I lose the first set, I'm going to be there until the end." - Maria Sharapova After being handed what looked like a difficult draw, seeing Maria Sharapova at the end of this year's French Open did not look likely. But once again the Russian superstar proved that her greatest gift, and weapon, may not be her potent serve or powerful groundstroke. In fact, it may be her never-ending desire to win no matter what the scoreline says. Sharapova proved that time and time again throughout her two weeks in Paris. Finding herself down a set in three straight matches, Sharapova rallied in all of them to reach the final. Where does that innate belief and desire to fight back come from? Even she isn't sure if it’s something that can be taught or learned.
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2014 Australian Roland Garros OpenReview Review
"I'm not sure if that's something can you work on, but I think when you're forced to be in those situations when you're either not playing good or you find yourself in a losing position, I just don't want to give up, because I work too hard to just let something go and let a match go," Sharapova said after defeating Eugenie Bouchard to reach the final. "You put so much effort, you and your team, to get to this position. If some things are not working out, I don't just want to quit in the middle. Because when you lose the first set or a few games or you're down a break, that's not the end of the match. That's the type of philosophy that I play with." That wasn’t always the case for Sharapova early in her career. Being ready to endure long matches on clay was something she had to accept, and in a way, enjoy too if she wanted to win the French Open.
court. I didn’t set myself a French Open goal. I just wanted to perform better. I really did. Because that was really lacking.� When asked to reflect not only on her French Open win but on her remarkable journey that still continues, Sharapova let the emotions flow. "It's the most emotional victory for me. The toughest one physically that I've come across in a final, especially a Grand Slam. There are not too many finals that you get past three hours. With all that said, you know, to look back seven or eight years and to think that I would be in that position, I would come through against an opponent that makes you play and hit and run and hits so many shots and recover in conditions that start from cold to being warm today. So much adversity is thrown at you, and I'm just proud I came through and I adjusted in all different situations and I end up with this." With that, Sharapova pointed to the French Open trophy and smiled. A just reward for an incredible two weeks where once again Sharapova proved the will to win is what separates champions from everybody else.
“To turn that mentality around, I think my biggest problem at a younger age was that I always felt like I had to finish the first few rounds quickly and not go out on the court and be free and just have that attitude of being out there for however long it takes Because I knew that if the first few rounds were tough, I just didn't physically have a chance as the tournament went on. That helped so much mentally confidence wise, and that's what I think has changed." While possessing an instinct to keep fighting is key for Sharapova, what else helps her is also improved fitness from even a few years ago. Now she knows her body can withstand not only one tough match, but several in a row at the biggest tournaments in the world. "I played three matches, two before this, and in the end of today's third set, I still feel like I can play another one. That's something I didn't have a few years ago, and I have improved." Sharapova's fifth major title didn't happen just as a result of her two weeks in Paris. The championship is a triumphant end to what had been a difficult last 12 months. Having missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury, Sharapova fought herself and her expectations throughout the early part of 2014. After tough losses in the spring, Sharapova admitted she needed to change her attitude to be a better player, not necessarily to win the French Open. "I was not playing the way that I should have been playing. I had a terrible attitude on the court. You have so many people around you working for you, and then you just go out and do that. I was quite disappointed. I knew that that attitude and that dedication had to change for me, because I'm the one that's out on the 2014 Garros Review 2014Roland Australian Open Review
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Making Their Mark Five women made huge gains in their careers by posting impressive results at this year’s French Open. By Erik Gudris
Simona Halep Result: Finalist
In not dropping a set before the final, Simona Halep more than justified her top four seeding at this year's French Open. After she became the highest seed left after so many seeds fell early, Halep didn't let the pressure affect her graceful but potent game. She handled her first Grand Slam final like an old pro. Her bravura performance against Maria Sharapova in the final almost saw the rising Romanian raise the trophy herself. With the final being declared an instant classic, Halep made many new fans and proved she is now a major threat at every Grand Slam moving forward.
Eugenie Bouchard Result: Semifinalist
All throughout the clay court season, Canada's Eugenie Bouchard kept saying clay was not her favorite surface. But Bouchard soon went on a 10-match win streak on clay that included winning her maiden WTA title in Nurnberg, along with reaching the French Open semifinals. Defeating clay court specialist Carla Suarez Navarro and then barely losing to Maria Sharapova, Bouchard proved her game works on all surfaces. She also became the first woman this season to reach two consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. Now closing in on the top 10, expect Bouchard to reach the final four of another major very soon.
Andrea Petkovic
Result: Semifinalist A year ago, Germany's Andrea Petkovic lost in the second round of qualifying at Roland Garros. Having battled multiple injuries and setbacks, Petkovic contemplated retirement. Fortunately for her and for tennis fans, the likable Petkovic changed her mind. By switching coaches and adding more aggression to her game, she reaped the rewards in Paris. Petkovic, having been a Grand Slam quarterfinalist three times before, went one round further after blasting former finalist Sara Errani off the court. Now healthy at last and back inside the top 20, expect Petkovic to make more deep runs at the Grand Slams.
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2014 Roland Garros Review
Garbine Muguruza
Result: Quarterfinalist Big things have long been expected for the 21-year-old Spanish sensation Garbine Muguruza. With her hard-hitting flat groundstrokes, many thought her breakthrough would happen on a faster surface. But Muguruza proved she could play anywhere and against anyone when she defeated top seed and defending champion Serena Williams in the second round. Not content with that standout result, Muguruza continued winning as she reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Having won her maiden WTA title earlier this year in Hobart, Muguruza is already on her way to possibly being 2014's breakthrough player of the year.
Ajla Tomljanovic
Result: Round of 16 Though a native of Croatia, Ajla Tomljanovic spent many years growing up and training in the United States. With tennis legend Chris Evert as one of her mentors, the 21-year-old Tomljanovic quickly found herself added into the group of young players known as "Generation Next." With her easy power and aggressive play, Tomljanovic used all of it to her advantage when she upset former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone and then-No. 3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the third round for the biggest win of her career.
Taylor Townsend
Result: Third Round American Taylor Townsend already proved on the junior circuit she had what it takes to win big. That included reaching No. 1 and winning the 2012 Girls' Australian Open title. Now making her transition into the pro game, Townsend aimed to impress while making her Grand Slam main draw debut in Paris. Taking on France's No. 1 Alize Cornet on Court Phillip Chatrier in front of a rowdy Paris crowd might prove a daunting task for many. But Townsend rose to the occasion. Using serve and volley along with her powerful groundstrokes, the 18-year-old Townsend closed out Cornet in a gripping three-set match. For Townsend, her early pro career looks very promising indeed.
2014 Roland Garros Review
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Jelena Jankovic Dishes on Her Dirty Mouth,
Selective Memory and Stray Clay by Blair Henley
After her ranking dropped outside the top 30 in 2012, it was easy to assume that Jelena Jankovic’s best days were behind her. Those who discounted the Serb as a “slamless” No. 1 used her freefall as confirmation that her banner year in 2008 was no more than a fluke.
normal, normal girl. I do everything people my age do.
If my brother coached me, I’m pretty sure it would end in a fistfight. What is the relationship like with your brother as your coach? Can he criticize you?
But with the help of her brother-turned-coach, the 29-year-old has battled back into the top 10. As one of the most entertaining players on the tour, we’re certainly not the only ones who hope to see the current world No. 7 slide her way back into the top 5.
It’s a nice combination. Last year I had a good season, but the seasons before that I was not doing so well. It was nice to have that change, and have him come help me out.
While at Roland Garros, we caught up with Jankovic at an appearance for her sponsor Prince Tennis, where she and fellow Prince player Taylor Townsend signed autographs and hit balls with fans on an indoor mini-court. As usual, there was lots of laughing involved as she spoke of her relationship with her brother Marko, her newly completed California mansion and why she doesn’t have a bucket list.
We are working so well together. We love each other. Who is going to wish the best for me other than my own brother, my family? He’s such a nice brother. I yell at him on the court for no reason and the poor guy has to take it, but he knows it’s nothing personal. It’s just letting my frustration out. I don’t mean half of the things I say, so he knows. I’m trying to cut that down and have a little more self-control, so I can behave a little better. That’s my goal.
We’re in Paris for the French Open. What’s your favorite part about being in this amazing city? Playing at the French Open (laughs)! That’s why I’m here. I’m here to compete and hopefully do well. I love playing on clay especially here in Paris. It’s a very special place and such a prestigious tournament. My goal is to get to the finals and win it, that’s my dream. I’m a three-time semifinalist here and a quarterfinalist last year.
Where is the strangest place you’ve found clay after a match here? In my mouth. In my ears. In my hair. It happens quite often that I fall down or slip. It goes everywhere: in your hair, in your ears, in your mouth…all over my body. In my eyes all the time, especially when it gets windy. There is no one place. It is everywhere.
We all know you like to talk to yourself on the court. Do you also talk to yourself in real life? No, I’m not that crazy (laughs). I have a good sense of humor, and I like to have a good time. I’m a very emotional person, and I like to show my emotions on court. Off the court, I’m a completely different person, basically two different personalities. One that goes on court and is competitive, yells, and does all kinds of stuff. Then I laugh at that person when I get off the court. I’m quite a
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2014 Roland Garros Review
-Li Na
I’ve seen some photos of your new house in California. It’s impressive. What is your favorite part?
Do you have a bucket list? A list of things you want to do before you die?
My favorite part is, well, there are so many nice parts. I don’t know what to choose! I have a beautiful tennis court. I have a wine room. My master bedroom is beautiful. There are so many beautiful places – I cannot choose one. There are lots of places I don’t go to, either.
No, I do not make that list. I’m not planning to die yet (laughs hysterically)!
How many people have invited themselves to come visit you since the house was completed? Quite a lot, quite a lot (laughs). They are welcome.
What is your best tennis memory? In 2008, when I finished the year as the No. 1 player in the world.
What is your worst tennis memory? I don’t like to keep that in my mind. All these bad things, I erase them from my memory, and the good things I keep them with me for life.
If you could have dinner with three tennis players, past or present, who would they be? Monica Seles, John McEnroe and Patrick Rafter.
I know you’re very close with your mother. You’re a grown woman now, but are there still things you do that make her upset with you? She yells at me all the time for yelling at my brother on court. All the time! She’s always calling on the phone saying, “Did I not tell you not to swear on the court? Not to yell?” She’s like, “Did I educate you that way?” When I was traveling with her, I never did that. Now that I’m with my brother, I started doing this, and so she’s yelling at me, telling me to stop. And I agree! I’m trying to control it. But she’s a great mom. She has raised three kids, and I think she’s the best mom in the world. I love my mom. I wish she could be able to still travel with me and my brother, but she’s tired of being on the tour. She did it for 15 years, but now she’s home with the rest of the family.
What makes you happy in life? Many things. Good food! I’m very humble. I don’t need expensive things to make me happy. Little things make me happy. Having good family, friends and good food. Just healthy and happy, that’s all I need. Very little. 2014 2014 Australian RolandOpen Garros Review Review
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STAN WA
Shot
By Blair Henley Stanislas Wawrinka’s stay in Paris was short-lived, thanks to his shocking first-round exit at Roland Garros. But he was on the court just long enough in his loss to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez for us to capture a frame-by-frame breakdown of his silky-smooth signature shot: the one-handed backhand.
1. Wawrinka starts by bringing his racquet head up high, cocking his wrist. This is the beginning of the looped backswing that will create power on contact and fluidity throughout. Notice how his back leg is lined up behind the shot, prepared to push forward into the court.
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2014 2014 Roland Australian Garros Open Review Review
2. After loading up his weight on his back leg, it’s time to start the forward transition. His wrist stays cocked, but he has continued the loading process by rotating his upper body. Note that his left hand serves as a stabilizer for the racquet head. His exceptional turn requires him to look over his right shoulder to see the ball.
3. Now, with his wrist soft and relaxed, he’s midway through his backswing loop. There should be no stopping or jerking at this point; the power is coming from his back, core and legs. With his front foot firmly planted, he can pull from his back muscles and drive out toward his target. His eyes are locked in on the ball.
WAWRINKA
Spot
4. Just before contact, he drops his racquet head slightly below the level of his hand. This will allow for extra brush (spin production) on the follow through. Focus on the “unwrapping” of his body as he transfers his weight forward. This is his power source. Still, his eyes are trained on the ball he’s about to hit.
5. His hitting track has moved out to his target and up, guaranteeing precision and spin. Notice that he throws his left arm back, aiding balance and ensuring that he unwraps in the direction of his target instead of around his body. His head remains steady.
6. This final frame may seem inconsequential, but an extended finish indicates that Wawrinka accelerated all the way through his shot, maximizing power. You can also see that his wrist is relaxed, allowing him to release on his follow through and rely on his large muscle groups to do the work.
2014 Roland Garros Review
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RANKINGS 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
Nadal, Rafael Djokovic, Novak Wawrinka, Stanislas Federer, Roger Murray, Andy Berdych, Tomas Ferrer, David Del Potro, Juan Martin Raonic, Milos Gulbis, Ernest Isner, John Nishikori, Kei Dimitrov, Grigor Gasquet, Richard Fognini, Fabio Youzhny, Mikhail Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried Anderson, Kevin Dolgopolov, Alexandr Monfils, Gael Haas, Tommy Robredo, Tommy Verdasco, Fernando Janowicz, Jerzy Almagro, Nicolas
ESP SRB SUI SUI GBR CZE ESP ARG CAN LAT USA JPN BUL FRA ITA RUS FRA RSA UKR FRA GER ESP ESP POL ESP
12,500 12,330 5,480 4,945 4,840 4,680 4,190 4,125 3,245 2,725 2,690 2,645 2,435 2,355 2,155 1,930 1,775 1,710 1,680 1,660 1,655 1,630 1,555 1,510 1,450
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
Williams, Serena Li, Na Halep, Simona Radwanska, Agnieszka Sharapova, Maria Kvitova, Petra Jankovic, Jelena Azarenka, Victoria Kerber, Angelique Cibulkova, Dominika Pennetta, Flavia Bouchard, Eugenie Ivanonic, Ana Errani, Sara Suarez Navarro, Carla Wozniacki, Caroline Stosur, Samantha Lisicki, Sabine Stephens, Sloane Petkovic, Andrea Safarova, Lucie Vinci, Roberta Makarova, Ekaterina Cornet, Alize Flipkens, Kirsten
USA CHI ROU POL RUS CZE SRB BLR GER SVK ITA CAN SRB ITA ESP DEN AUS GER USA GER CZE ITA RUS FRA BEL
9,660 7,450 6,435 5,990 4,741 4,570 3,995 3,841 3,830 3,735 3,324 3,320 3,305 3,120 2,935 2,700 2,565 2,466 2,441 2,350 2,185 2,150 2,130 1,995 1,980
2014 Roland Garros Review
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Selfie Squeeze: Fan favorite Ana Ivanovic spent some quality time with enthusiastic fans at a meet and greet on the grounds of the Sony Open.
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2014 Australian Open Review
Nine-asty: Emotions ran high as Rafael Nadal claimed his ninth Roland Garros title in the last 10 years.
Full Double Stride: Trouble: Novak Roger Djokovic Federer put onand a stellar Stan Wawrinka performance recaptured at this year’s their French Olympic Open, doubles reaching glorythe with final a run fro the to the second Indian time Wells in his semifinal. career.
Smiling Serbs: Rain couldn’t dampen the Balkan spirit as Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic entertained fans at Roland Garros Kids’ Day.
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2014 Australian Open Review
Code Red: Five years after winning the French Open title, Svetlana Kuznetsova was one with the clay on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
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2014 Australian Open Review
Gael Force: Much to the delight of French fans, Gael Monfils made his way to the Roland Garros quarterfinals with speed and athleticism to spare.
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2014 Australian Open Review
Leafy Greens: Andy Murray squeezed in a quiet hit on the Roland Garros practice courts before facing Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
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2014 Australian Open Review
Lock and Load: Rafael Nadal’s slow, rhythmic tossing motion sets the stage for the inevitable burst of energy that follows.
Flight of the Nole: Novak Djokovic notched one for the record books by becoming only the second man in history to win the Indian Wells-Miami double twice.
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2014 Australian Open Review
Twin Towers: Maria Sharapova celebrated her second Roland Garros title with a few close friends at the Esplanade du TrocadĂŠro.
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2014 Australian Open Review