Aussie Open Review 2018 by Tennis Now

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

CONTENTS THAT’S VERY “OBVIOUSLY SPECIAL,” WOZNIACKI SAID. “I THINK BEING NEW GRAND SLAM CHAMPION AND WORLD NO. 1 SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD. I’M VERY EXCITED FOR THAT. IT’S A DREAM COME TRUE.

“

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2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Chris Oddo

PHOTOGRAPHY

A crying coronation and singing celebration climaxed an absorbing Australian Open.

serenaded her with a rousing chorus of “Sweet Caroline” to commemorate the occasion.

On the 30th anniversary of Melbourne Park and 50th anniversary of the Open Era, Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki brought resilience to the party in spirited Australian Open title runs.

This Australian Open expanded legacies, exposed frailties and delivered entertaining finals.

Taking time on the rise, Federer fought off Marin Cilic in a five-set battle to capture his 20th Grand Slam title in his record 30th major final—and broke down in tears in a moving victory speech expressing thanks for his family and fans.

Our man in Melbourne, Tennis Now photographer Mark Peterson, celebrated his 10th anniversary covering his hometown tournament, with some vivid views of Oz. Mark shot every image in this Australian Open wrap-up issue. We hope you enjoy the journey through Oz.

Mark Peterson

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Running through the final three games, world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki outdueled world No. 1 Simona Halep in a classic women’s final to win her maiden major and return to the top spot in the rankings as fans

Richard Pagliaro EDITOR Tennis Now Magazine

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

OPENING SHOTS By Mark Peterson

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

5 AUSSIE OPEN RECORDS THAT MAY NOT STAND THE TEST OF TIME

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TENNIS NOW DEBATE: SHOULD BOTH TOURS EMBRACE ON-COURT COACHING AT SLAMS?

TOP 5 SHOTS OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN FIRST WEEK

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

Should tennis allow on-court coaching in Grand Slams? Debating the coaching question

YES

We’ve got to have on-court coaching. We should have it at the tournaments, at the Slams, on the ATP. I think it’s great for TV. In the NBA, they mic up the ref, we’ve got to make the event better for the crowd at home on TV. We’ve got to try some different things and I think it’s good for sport, Brad Gilbert, ESPN analyst, former coach of Andre Agassi, And Roddick and Andy Murray

I am a traditionalist when it comes to coaching. I mean, I always felt like one of the reasons I won so many matches was because I was able to think on the court myself. I actually think if there’s on-court coaching I probably wouldn’t have won as much because the coaches could have told their player how to beat me a lot better and I would have lost a lot more matches. I’m actually a true believer that it’s an individual sport, and you can all the coaching in the world, but once you’re on the court and competing, you need to think for yourself.

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

On the other hand, you know what, we’re trying to grow the sport. In terms of growing the sport, in terms of the crowd participation, in terms of bringing more people to watch tennis on TV, I think the on-court coaching has added an element sort of attractiveness. I think people are always curious to know what the coaches are saying. I think it is more drama. So I think it’s better to bring people in, better for the sport. I’m kind of split. I’m fine with the coaches coming out one time a set. I’m fine with that. I don’t think they need to do it any more. They’re talking about now I think in the men’s game the coach can yell out anything they want. I don’t know. I’m not a big fan of that. But I think the way the WTA has done it with once a set is fine, if in fact it is helping growing the game. But I’m always thinking, on the other hand, the beauty of tennis, a lot of it is mental. You need to sort out your own problems in your own time on the court. Chrissie Evert Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst

I think that there are pluses and minuses concerning the on-court coaching. I think that it has a positive impact on the show. It is great for people watching TV to hear the coach’s advice to his player and to measure if it works or not. By the way, as many of them interact in their own language, it would be good to have the English translation. On the other hand, even though it can be useful short term for the player because it can help her win the match, I believe that it is negative long term for the players who then tend to expect the solution from the coach instead of learning to figure out solutions to win when things get tough. Patrick Mouratoglou, coach of Serena Williams

NO I’ve never been a fan of on-court coaching. But hey maybe times are changing, I don’t know. I’m not for it. Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam champion I won’t deny that I find on-court coaching very entertaining—for all the wrong reasons. I’ve always loved the tension and drama that it creates when a really heated player like, say, Garbiñe Muguruza, decides to use her coach as a punching bag to release some of the tension that a bad outing has created. It’s like watching a car crash. We lock our eyes on an utterly undesirable entity and fixate. Who could forget the time that Stephen Armitraj told Alison Riske to “Shut the F up” in 2015? The incident went viral on Twitter and Riske responded by telling New York Times’ writer Ben Rothenberg that Armitraj wasn’t her coach. She went on to say that he took time while on vacation to help her notch a Top 10 win. Good result for Riske, bad optics for the WTA Tour.

But honestly I can’t stomach it in its current format. Forcing the coaches to wear a microphone and offer up critical strategies that should be kept secret to the general public that’s just not cool. The fact of the matter is that on-court coaching in its current modus operandi is simply a device used to lure more fans into the game. Give them lurid interactions that may go viral, the thinking goes, and they’ll become fans for life. But it hasn’t worked. It makes the coaches look silly. It makes the players look silly. And it hurts the integrity of the game. What makes tennis special is the warrior mentality. Players must go out there like lone wolves and find solutions on their own. The coaching needs to be done behind the scenes, away from the battle grounds. It’s always been that way, and it always should be. Chris Oddo, Tennis Now

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

Proponents of on court-coaching claim it makes tennis more entertaining. The reality is like lip-syncing and laugh tracks, it’s a contrived gimmick that diminishes the one-onone mental battle of match play. “It also unfairly tilts the competitive balance to higher-ranked players. Talk is cheap, coaching isn’t. Elite players are higher earners and therefore can afford to pay the best coaches, whereas for young players trying to break into the Top 100 the cost of a full-time traveling coach can be beyond their means. Some players who can benefit most from the coaching rule can’t afford to employ it. “Tennis has been called physical chess. It’s one of the only sports where athlete is both competitor and coach on court. Self-reliance, tactical awareness, toughness under pressure and problem-solving skills are qualities that some of the greatest champions of all time share. On-court coaching dumbs down the game and violates the very virtues tennis should be instilling in players. Let’s be honest, as Roger Federer said when asked about expanding on-court coaching: “it’s not rocket science out there.” “One of the very cool qualities of the game is every match offers an opportunity to learn and grow. Match play is a time to play ball not talk it. Richard Pagliaro, Tennis Now

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

Number of match points Caroline Wozniacki saved rallying from 1-5 down in the decider to subdue Jana Fett, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, in the second round.

Number of match points Simona Halep denied fighting past 76th-ranked American Lauren Davis, 4-6, 6-4, 15-13.

Men have scored straight-sets wins over Novak Djokovic in Melbourne: Marat Safin, Roger Federer and Hyeon Chung.

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

Million champion’s check (Australian dollars) awarded to the men’s and women’s singles champions.

5 8 11

Record number of Australian Open singles titles won by Hall of Famer Margaret Court.

Different cities have hosted the Australian Open: Melbourne (63 times), Sydney (17 times), Adelaide (14 times), Brisbane (8 times), Perth (3 times); New Zealand has hosted the tournament twice.

Years between Marin Cilic reaching his first and most recent Australian Open semifinal.

Total Australian Open championships won by Martina Navratilova (3 singles, 8 doubles and 1 mixed doubles title).

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

40 55 95

Years since the last Australian woman, Chris O’Neil, won the title.

Million in total prize money (Australian dollars) paid out at the 2018 Australian Open.

Average maximum daily temperature (Fahrenheit) for the 2009 tournament, which remains the hottest Australian Open on record.

4 hours 44 minutes 5 hours 53 minutes 24

Time of the longest women’s Grand Slam match in history played at the 2011 Australian Open with Francesca Schiavone saving six match points to defeat Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-4, 1-6, 16-14.

Time of the longest men’s Grand Slam final in history as Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 in the 2012 Australian Open final.

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

350 728 763

Age of Marta Kostyuk, the 2017 Australian Open girls’ singles champion, who became the youngest player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament since Mirjana Lucic-Baroni’s run at the 1997 US Open.

Number of years Melbourne Park has hosted the tournament.

Ball kids worked the 2018 Australian Open. Ball kids worked the 2018 Australian Open.

Record-setting attendance for the 2017 tournament.

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2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

THE SUN IS NOT READY TO SET ON ROGER FEDERER At 36 the Swiss Maestro is rewriting his own history, for the sake of history. By Chris Oddo

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

The great ones are special. They make you swoon with what they can achieve on a tennis court. They pull together all the strokes, the movement, the techniques. They create the impervious psyche and perfect the ability to harness it all on a moment’s notice just as the pressure is building. Then they spew forth a dynamo. A tennis machine that is seemingly built for the biggest of matches against the fiercest competition on the grandest stages. There are precious few of these great ones. Laver, Sampras, Borg. Legends of the game, we call them, and we admire them deeply.

Then there is Roger Federer. He of the 20 Grand Slams and the buckets of tears and the deep, resonating love for the game that burns almost as brightly as his desire to dominate it.

You’d think a player like Roger Federer would have trouble doing the hard things that great tennis players must do, because he plays such dreamy tennis. Because his game is so aesthetically pleasing, so regal and refined, you’d think that Federer would be above grinding out pressure points or tactically taking his opponent to the woodshed. When you have a game as beautiful as Federer’s, why sweat the small stuff? The talent can take you there, it can solve problems for you. But that’s not the way Federer views it, nor has he ever, and it’s not who he is as a player. That’s why he can step up to the service line early in the fifth set of a Grand Slam final, stare down break points and a behemoth with all the momentum on the other side of the net and find a way out. Because Federer built his game not just to be aesthetically pleasing—he built it to win. And that’s why on Sunday night in Melbourne, as the tournament’s oldest male finalist since 1972, Federer was able to find his way.

Never before, never again will we see such a stirring amalgamation of all that is subtle and all that is severe on a tennis court. Such an elegant athlete is Federer, equipped with pristine technique that resembles interpretive dance. Those picturesque follow-throughs and the quick, whippy wrists that spark them. The feathery touch, the quiet head that stays frozen through contact, the delicate footwork that is mesmerizing if you choose to isolate and behold. The utterly grooved, repeatable serve that is flawless.

But he can be severe as well. In fact, downright cutthroat. 2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

He saved two break points then made a critical challenge on a Cilic serve that ended up being a double-fault and a break point opportunity for a two-love lead in the fifth set. It all happened so fast. In a matter of mere minutes, Federer had reorganized the energy of the match and was suddenly racing downhill to his sixth Australian Open title and, perhaps more remarkably, his sixth consecutive five-set victory. Think about it. Since turning 35 Roger Federer has won all six of his five-set matches at majors, including two in the Australian Open final. Longevity would not have been his calling card prior to 2017, but since turning 35 the Swiss

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

has found another gear. His 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Marin Cilic in the Australian Open final pulls him even with Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall for most major titles won after turning 30. He’s also tied Ken Rosewall for most major titles after turning 35, with three.

If there was one tiny asterisk by Federer’s name a few years ago, it’s would be his ability to win major titles after turning 30 and his inability to defeat Rafael Nadal on a regular basis. But since turning 35 Federer has won five consecutive matches against Nadal for the first time in his career and he’s added major titles No.18, 19 and 20.

The asterisks are gone.

All that remains is the history to be made. Roger Federer has done the unthinkable with jaw-dropping regularity over the course of his brilliant career. There were many years where nobody could hold a candle to him. There were others where his menacing rivals made him look human. At five years younger than him, his Big Four buddies attacked him relentlessly and eventually knocked him off his perch.

Which makes everything that we’ve seen from Federer in the last few years the ultimate caper. Federer has out-foxed them all. Faced with becoming obsolete or rising from the ashes, Federer chose the latter. He switched racquets, firmed up the backhand, experimented with tactics, perfected his net game and, slowly but surely as his rivals grew weary, he went on the streak of a lifetime.

He’s still on it. Say what you will about the timing of Federer’s rise, and how Djokovic and Murray have each suffered, but realize this. 100 years from now, when the story of Federer is told, nobody will mention Novak Djokovic’s elbow or Andy Murray’s hip—that’s not how this game works. The winners get rewarded for beating the player across the net from them, and more so in Grand Slam finals.

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

History forgets the walking wounded and remembers the trophykissing tearstained faces of triumph. With 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, there’s no telling how many Federer may end up when it’s all said and done.

This last torrid stretch is a product of Federer’s methodical approach to the game and his burning passion to keep proving that he is indeed tennis’ chosen one. Feeling the weight of gravity after a disappointing Wimbledon in 2016, Federer had the wherewithal to step away from the circuit to let himself be re-energized. At the time, it was Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s ATP Tour, and Federer was just paying rent. But the winds of change swept through and Djokovic and Murray were sidelined, presenting an opportunity for Federer to capitalize on. The great ones like opportunity, and the rarely miss a chance to make the most of one. The greatest? Well…

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

It’s as simple as that. And no matter how you look at it, it really is remarkable what Federer has been able to achieve at 36. If you asked 100 people whether or not Roger Federer would ever win another major, let alone get to 20 Grand Slam titles, at the end of 2016, you would have gotten 100 negatives.

No way. Not possible. He’s done. This fairy tale Federer run is unthinkable in so many ways, and when it’s all said and done and neatly chronicled in the annals of tennis for all to read, it will become clear.

There are the great ones. And then there is Federer. And there won’t be an asterisk.

ROGER FEDERER

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2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

SUNSHINE SLAM: WOZNIACKI WINS MAIDEN MAJOR Caroline Wozniacki staged a career-defining comeback edging Simona Halep in a classic Australian Open final By Richard Pagliaro

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

Chasing the dream her entire tennis life, Caroline Wozniacki made one final rousing run to realize it. World No. 1 Simona Halep was six points from her first Grand Slam crown holding a 4-3 lead in the final set when Wozniacki staged a career-defining comeback. The second-ranked Wozniacki surged through the last three games edging Halep, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, in a pulsating Australian Open final to capture her maiden major in her third Grand Slam final. On a steamy Saturday night in Melbourne, Wozniacki vanquished Grand Slam ghosts and a gallant Halep in a glorious two hour, 50-minute fight. When it was done, the crowd serenaded a smiling Wozniacki to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” while Wozniacki embraced the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup like a longlost friend she couldn’t let go.

In her 43rd career Grand Slam tournament, Wozniacki achieved her major moment in dream style. The 27-year-old Wozniacki won her maiden major, the champion’s check for $4 million Australian dollars, became the first Dane to claim a Grand Slam and will wake up on Monday morning as the world No. 1 exactly six years to the day since she last held the top spot, which is a WTA record for the longest gap between times at the top.

Obviously that’s very special,” Wozniacki said. “I think being new Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 sounds pretty good. I’m very excited for that. It’s a dream come true. 2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

In the end, Wozniacki won precisely two more points than Halep (110 to 108) joining Monica Seles (1991 semifinals), Jennifer Capriati (2002 final), Serena Williams (2003 semifinals) and Angelique Kerber (2016 first round) as the fifth woman to win the Australian Open after saving a match point during the tournament. It’s a bitterly disappointing defeat for Halep, who competed with the steely determination and courage she exhibited throughout the tournament.

A resilient Halep saved two match points to edge 2016 champion Angelique Kerber in an epic semifinal thriller that came three rounds after she staved off triple match point subduing Lauren Davis, 4-6, 6-4,1513 in a three hour, 45-minute classic.

It’s the second straight Slam final Halep could not close. Last June, she led Jelena Ostapenko by a set and 3-0 before the 20-year-old Latvian rolled through 12 of the final 16 games hitting Halep right off the court, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, to capture her first career championship in the Roland Garros final. Battling a sprained ankle she sustained in the opening round, Halep poured every piece of herself into a spirited run only to suffer a third stinging Slam final setback.

[It’s] not easy to talk now,” Halep said. “It’s been a great tournament. I started not very well with an ankle injury. I just wanted to give my best every match, which I did. Of course, I’m sad I did not win today, but Caroline was better then me. For sure I will fight and I have many years to go and hopefully I will face another challenge like today. 34

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

On a steamy evening, the top-seeded Halep was a bit tight at the start, while Wozniacki burst out of the blocks with purpose to a 3-0 lead. Racing through a frenetic point in the seventh game helped Wozniacki hold for 5-2. Serving for the set, Wozniacki grew shaky shoveling a forehand approach longâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; her third unforced error of the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to face triple break point. Wozniacki, who paused to complain about the crowd cheering, tried to dig out of trouble. Sliding a 108 mph ace down the T, she saved the second break point only to see Halep take charge with her forehand. Blonde braid bouncing off her back, Wozniacki pushed a forehand long as Halep broke back for 4-5.

A revitalized Halep smacked successive aces stamping a love hold to level after 10 games. In the tie break, Wozniacki showed bold initiative following a forehand down the line forward to drill a drive volley winner for the mini break. Cracking open the point with a diagonal backhand, Wozniacki closed the 51-minute opener to move one set from her maiden major title.

Halep laced a forehand down the line breaking for a 5-3 second-set lead. The two-time US Open finalist kept the ball moving side-to-side as Halep tried to serve out the set. Amping up her aggression in the face of growing fatigue, Halep denied two break points then saved a third her seventh break point erased in the set hen used the forehand drop shot to set up a forehand to snatch the set and level the match after 99 minutes.

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

I was really tired,” Halep said. “I had so many problems at my feet, pain everywhere. But, you know, I think I did pretty well with all the things that were going on. “After the first set, I just was out. I don’t know what happened. No energy, no power. But then I just said that I have to hit all the balls, and then I could take the second set.

Both women left the court for a 10-minute break due to the extreme heat policy. Looking depleted in the swelter, Halep’s second serve began to lose some of its sting. Wozniacki stepped in and crunched a forehand return breaking for a 2-0 lead in the decider. Clanking consecutive forehand misses, Wozniacki ceded the break and a 4-3 lead to the top seed then took a medical timeout for treatment of her left knee. With a small bandage on her left knee, Wozniacki’s will was evident when she whipped a forehand drive volley to level - the sixth break in eight service games of the set. Serving to stay in the match, Halep was jerking her opponent side to side in a daring 16-shot rally that featured a net-cord, swing volley and determined retrievals from both women. Halep flicked a desperate backhand get over the net when Wozniacki burst ahead and spun her forehand down the line landing championship point.

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

Halep went down swinging netting a backhand as Wozniacki tossed her black-and-yellow Babolat racquet aside and fell flat on her back shedding tears of joy. Fittingly, it was an emotional finish line for the woman who completed the New York City marathon four years ago and relied on her legs, guts and grit to get over the Grand Slam line.

“Honestly, you know, nobody knows how much work, dedication you put into it,” Wozniacki said. “All I could tell myself was, You know what, you’ve given it everything you have. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. If not, then at least you know you’ve given it everything you’ve got and you can be proud of any achievement.

Obviously adding a Grand Slam to my CV is what caps it off and really, I think, shows my whole career as a whole. On a sweaty and stirring night in Melbourne this was Sunshine’s Slam.

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

THANKS

By Mark Peterson

FOR MAKING IT TOO BIG TO MISS

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

CLOSING SHOTS Celebrating the beauty and brilliance of Oz through the lens of Photographer Mark Peterson.

By Mark Peterson

2018 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW

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