2015 Miami Preview

Q&A VENUS

WILLIAMS

SHOT SPOT SECRETS

YEAR OF THE DJOKER

OF NOLE’S BACKHAND

INDIAN WELLS REVIEWS 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 1

CONTENTS

6 2

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

“ BALLET GIVES YOU THAT GREAT POSTURE AND IT ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE THIS GRACIOUS MOVEMENT.” 6 DESERT DANCER

TURN: 14 REE Serena is the Real IW Champ

By Chris Oddo

By Richard Pagliaro

20 INDIAN 16 8 TOP WELLS TAKEAWAYS

By Chris Oddo

TO 12 RISING OPPORTUNITY

By Erik Gudris

DESERT BLOOMS

By Erik Gudris

SPOT: 18 SHOT Djokovic Backhand

By Blair Henley

38

28 14 SHINE 20 STAR Celebrity Photo Gallery

42

OPEN 22 MIAMI Men’s Preview

By Richard Pagliaro

28

BRASH BALLER:

Kyrgios Is Tennis’ Most Explosive and Mysterious Player

By Dan Markowitz

OPEN 32 MIAMI Women’s Preview

By Richard Pagliaro

38

Q&A:

Venus Williams

FIND US ONLINE

TennisNow.com

By Richard Pagliaro facebook.com/tennisnow

42 Photo Gallery

CLOSING SHOTS

twitter.com/Tennis_Now youtube.com/user/TennisNowTV pinterest.com/TennisNow/

Live Scores Gossip Draws TV Listings Instruction Results Rankings Player Interviews Editorials Statistics Match Analysis Daily Updates Daily Video News Forums Photo Gallery Blogs 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 3

4

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Completing the coast-to-coast endurance rally of Indian Wells and Miami is the toughest twotournament trip in the nation — and the most exhilarating ride in American tennis.

Indian Wells champions Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep are the best movers in the game.

They cornered at crazy angles, navigated nervous patches and emotional lapses to close finals against former champions.

In this issue, we review the journeys the champions made on their title runs in Palm Springs and preview the action on the other side of South Beach.

Chris Oddo offers his 20 takeaways from the desert and asserts world No. 1 Serena Williams emerged as the major champion from the BNP Paribas Open.

Dan Markowitz, who co-authored Vince Spadea’s book “Break Point”, traveled to Indian Wells to profile 19-year-old Aussie Nick Kyrgios.

The most explosive young player in the game reveals he finds tennis “boring” and explains why Gael Monfils is his tennis hero.

Serena Williams, Mardy Fish, U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic and Wimbledon doubles champion Jack Sock all made comebacks at the BNP Paribas Open; Erik Gudris explores the success stories and setbacks in those returns.

Three-time Miami Open champion Venus Williams approaches the 14th anniversary of her epic victory over Jennifer Capriati in the 2001 final playing dynamic tennis. Venus sat down with us to discuss style, inspiration and longevity as she rises toward a Top 10 return. She also shared a sneak peek of her Miami Open dress.

Blair Henley spotlights one of the game’s most devastating shots, Enjoy.

Djokovic’s backhand, explaining exactly how Novak generates both power and precision from his two hander.

Richard Pagliaro EDITOR Tennis Now Magazine

WRITERS

Erik Gudris

Blair Henley

Dan Markowitz

Chris Oddo

PHOTOGRAPHY Corleve / Mark Peterson Christopher Levy BNP Paribas Open Miami Open

CONTACT US To advertise with us: ads@tennisnow.com General comments or questions: media@tennisnow.com

Tennis Now

1 Barker Street, Suite 612 Mount Kisco, NY 10549 914.595.4211

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 5

DESERT DANCER

By Richard Pagliaro

Novak Djokovic tamed two top rivals—and spiking nerves in the final—to capture his 50th career title in Indian Wells Fatherhood and family life have brought both renewed purpose and happy feet to Novak Djokovic’s active life.

he looked as rattled as a man who The younger set showed their had spent the last 10 minutes slam- talents in the desert. Eighteendancing with sumo wrestlers. year-old Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis edged Juan Monaco, 7-6 in the Rising from his seat, Djokovic third set, before bowing to Davis Rising at 7 a.m. during the BNP tapped into the muse, quieted the Cup teammate Bernard Tomic Paribas Open to change son second seed’s comeback and high in the round of 16. Nick Kyrgios Stefan’s diapers, the flexible stepped to his fourth Indian Wells served for the match against No. Serbian also spent some time title with a pulsating 6-3, 6-7 (5), 11 seed Grigor Dimitrov before a performing pirouettes as the ballet 6-2 victory over Federer. foot injury halted his hopes—and partner for wife Jelena. knocked him out of the Miami It was a milestone moment for Open. American Jack Sock won the “Ballet gives you that great posture Djokovic, who collected his 50th doubles title with Vasek Pospisil and it allows you to have this career championship, surpassing and reached the fourth round in gracious movement combined with his coach, Boris Becker, to become singles, falling to Federer. beautiful music and of course you the 12th man in the Open era to are spending quality time with your attain that mark. He narrowed Ultimately though, the Big Four loved one,” Djokovic said of his the gap on Federer to 20-18 in and big-serving Milos Raonic affinity for dance. their head-to-head series, while were the central characters in the expanding his lead over the tournament plot.

A graceful Djokovic glided to a second-ranked Swiss to 4,000 one-set, one break lead over Roger points in the rankings.

It marked the 23rd time the Big Federer in the Indian Wells final, Four— Djokovic, Federer, Rafael but then made mis-steps clanking Nadal and Andy Murray—advanced “It’s great that I managed to win successive double faults to blow a to the quarterfinals at the same event this match in the big tournament 5-3 tie break lead as Federer rallied and to win it in a way that I felt and the third time the foursome to take the second set in the 38th reached the last eight at Indian Wells. like I was the better player on the clash between the pair. court,” Djokovic said. “It’s going to The quartet looked poised to give me confidence, not just for Sitting on his court-side seat after reach the semifinals at the same future matches that I play against that collapse, Djokovic’s right tournament for the first time him, but for Miami and the rest of hand was trembling, his ears were since the 2012 Australian Open, the season.” ringing from the roaring crowd and but Raonic spoiled their reunion.

6

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Moving more fluidly than he did in Melbourne, Nadal produced some of the most eye-popping passing shots of the tournament from obscure areas of the court in his quarterfinal clash with the sixth-seeded Canadian.

It was such a thorough dissection, Berdych’s best moment came in the post-match press conference. Asked if Federer was doing something specifically that bothered him, Berdych replied: “No, he was doing pretty much everything perfect.”

Raonic never even blinked.

A finely-tuned Federer shrewdly deployed his variation in changing up the spins, speeds, height and depth of his shots to befuddle Raonic in front of a star-studded crowd that included pop star Gwen Stefani and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

A stubborn Raonic withstood everything the three-time champion threw at him, fighting off three match points in the tie break to rally past Nadal, 4-6, 7-6 (10), 7-5 and reach the Indian Wells semifinals for the first time. It was Raonic’s first win over Nadal in six meetings and marked the eighth time in his last 10 Masters events he reached the quarterfinals or better.

Despite showing some nerves on match points, Nadal drew positives from the defeat.

“In general, I played aggressive,” Nadal said. “I played with determination, with the right attitude, I think, playing good tennis. I lost, and I feel that I had a lot of chances to win. Let’s keep working that way.

As I say since the first week of the season, is a process that I had to pass, and I am doing the normal process. The positive thing is during that process sometimes with losses like I had few times in the last couple of weeks maybe you are going down, but is not my case. I think every week I am better. Every week I am more competitive. Every week I feel stronger, quicker on court again. My movements are good again.”

A clinical Federer completely deconstructed Australian Open semifinalist Tomas Berdych with a crushing 6-4, 6-0 conquest. Federer reeled off seven consecutive games roaring into the Indian Wells semifinals for the ninth time.

It was the 26th time Federer forcefed a Top 10 opponent a bagel.

To put that staggering stat in perspective, that’s more bagels than the rest of the Big Four combined has dished out.

“I think I was really able to utilize the court much more, play more angles, play with variation, spin and slice,” Federer said. “I did that very well.”

Meanwhile, Djokovic, who downsized 2012 finalist John Isner in the round of 16, took a walkover into the semifinals when his friend and sometime practice partner Tomic withdrew from the quarterfinals with a back injury.

Murray continued his mastery of Feliciano Lopez with a straight-sets sweep, setting up a blockbuster semifinal showdown with the world No. 1 — and establishing the Open era record for most victories by a British man. The 27-year-old Scot registered his 497th career win, surpassing Tim Henman for most career ATP wins by a Briton.

Elation turned to deflation thanks to the thrashing former junior rival Djokovic dispensed in their rematch of the Australian Open final.

Djokovic drained Murray’s legs and self-belief winning nine consecutive games in closing a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-0 triumph to capture his Open Era-record fifth Australian Open title in February. He picked up where he left off in Melbourne, storming to a 5-1 lead in outclassing Murray, 6-2, 6-3 for his sixth straight victory over the two-time Grand Slam champion.

afterward. Djokovic continued choreographing baseline points with precision and purpose defeating Federer for the second straight year in the final.

Confetti from above rained down on Djokovic during the trophy ceremony.

After celebrating a career milestone, he spoke about the inspiration for his major motivation — and the strength derived from supporters.

“I am at the prime of my career. I’m going to try to use every part of this fact to stay where I am and to fight for as many major titles as possible,” Djokovic said. “I know that my career cannot go forever. I cannot stay in the top for so many years. I’m going to try to have longevity in my career...and of course consistently keep on motivating myself, finding that inspiration to play the sport in a high level. Because I don’t play only for myself. I play for my family, friends, my country, people around the world that support me.”

This semifinal was such a severe beat down, it’s a wonder Murray wasn’t sporting bruise marks

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 7

SPRING STORIES:

20 INDIAN WELLS TAKEAWAYS

By Chris Oddo

Like the sandstorms and wildflowers that occur naturally in the desert, there is always a bit of chaos to go with the beauty of the Indian Wells scenery. Before we head to Miami we do our best to make sense of part one of tennis’ March Madness.

8

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Tennis Now writer Chris Oddo, who covered the 2015 Indian Wells tournament, provides insider insight into top story lines at the season’s first Masters tournament

1. Nole Notches 50 What else can you say? Novak Djokovic’s empire continues to grow, and where it stops, nobody knows. The Serb struggled in the final with nerves, but when he was firing on all cylinders he was simply too good for Roger Federer. At 27 he’s got 21 Masters 1000 titles to his name. Can he crack 25 by the end of the year?

2. Simona Halep, Fighter Girl The Romanian stressed at the beginning of the week that she was all about fighting the good fight, and at the end of the week (and actually all through the week) she backed up those words by battling past Jelena Jankovic in a hair-raising final to improve to 7-0 in three-setters for the year. Halep’s biggest title of her career also puts her in the top spot in the Road to Singapore standings.

3. Defending Big Titles Is No Joke

5. Serena Didn’t Need to Win to Make Her Return to Indian Wells a Resounding Success The mere fact that Williams returned to Indian Wells—to forgive, and to do something that she felt was extremely important, both for herself and for tennis—made her the week’s big winner. And because of Williams’ courage, tennis and Indian Wells is better off. We are thankful for that.

6. Doubles at Indian Wells: So Good!

With three of the Big Four playing in the men’s doubles draw, plus Hall of Famer Martina Hingis in the women’s doubles, there was never a dull moment around the ground of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It’s one of many reasons that Indian Wells is a better fan experience than pretty much every other non-major event.

Just ask Flavia Pennetta, who was reduced to tears during her round of 16 clash with Maria Sharapova. Was it pressure? Emotions? Nobody seemed to know. One thing we knew, for certain: It’s easier being the hunter than the hunted.

Pennetta would fall to Sabine Lisicki in the quarterfinals.

4. Milos Raonic is Inching Towards Elite Status It’s not been easy for Milos Raonic. But really, is there any player capable of a meteoric rise when the top four spots in the ATP rankings are taken up by bona fide legends? No! To his credit, Raonic keeps polishing up his game, and he keeps improving. At Indian Wells he saved three match points to earn his first career win over Rafael Nadal, 4-6, 7-6 (10), 7-5, to reach the semis. One small step for Milos…

7. Speaking of Doubles, how good are Sock and Pospisil?

Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil, last year’s Wimbledon champions, ended the two-plus year run of Mike and Bob Bryan at Indian Wells with an upset in the quarterfinals, then sprinted off to the title with a victory over Australian Open champions Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini in the final. If these guys stick with it they could be the world’s top doubles team at some point.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 9

8. Madison Keys has all the talent in the world, but still has a lot of work to do “I think I hit probably 55 backhands in the middle of the net,” said Keys after her third-round loss to Jelena Jankovic. “This should not happen.” That’s the bad news. The good news is that she nearly won the match despite having a terrible day at the office. When she gets it all together and starts making the right decisions with regard to shot selection, Keys will be a real terror.

12. Karolina Pliskova is Still the Rising Star to Watch If Simona Halep hadn’t taken out the hard-serving Czech in the round of 16, would anyone else have been able to do it? With easy power and ice in the veins, she’ll be one to watch all season long.

9. Despite Loss, Rafa is Looking Ripe Rafael Nadal fell in the quarterfinals against Milos Raonic, but there was an obvious uptick in his form in the desert. As far as his mentality goes, that needs no improving. “I lost, and I feel that I had a lot of chances to win,” said Nadal. “Let’s keep working that way.” If there is a more grounded and humble athlete that sets a better example for young, aspiring champions to follow, we haven’t seen him.

10. Rising Stars Kokkinakis, Bencic Make Waves In a prestigious event like the BNP Paribas Open, with conditions that are very difficult to master, it’s not easy for young kids to make breakthroughs.

That’s what makes the performance of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Belinda Bencic so encouraging.

Each had never won a match at Indian Wells before. Each reached the round of 16 pulling massive upsets along the way. The future is bright for these two.

11. Roger is Right Where He Needs to Be Roger Federer lost in a tight final with Novak Djokovic, but he got his revenge on Andreas Seppi and played some fantastic, maestro-like tennis along the way. He heads off to a ski vacation with his family firmly planted as a contender to go deep in all draws, with a shot to win majors. He’s right where he needs to be heading into the meat of the season.

10 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

13. If the Season Ended Today, Timea Bacsinszky Would be Headed to Singapore At 21-3, and coming off a 15-match winning streak, the Swiss is in position to become more than just the WTA’s comeback player of the year. What a remarkable turnaround for the 25-year-old.

14. Three Cheers for Jack Sock

the Bulgarian would be getting deeper at Masters 1000s on a regular basis by now?

The American, who has been out all season while rehabbing from pelvis surgery, shows up at Indian Wells and tells the world he’s dedicating his tennis to his brother Eric, who nearly lost his life while on life support with complications due to pneumonia, then wins three rounds in singles and takes the doubles title. Behind Serena’s return, this is most certainly the No. 2 feel-good story of the tournament.

17. An Alternative to Nobu

15. Marion Bartoli in the Broadcast Booth? Yes! The Frenchwoman was working the mic for Tennis TV, and in case you missed it, she’s got a raw, intimate style, and pulls no punches. At one point during the women’s final, when Jankovic missed a lob, Bartoli questioned her shot selection, saying “What was that? What are you doing?” It wasn’t meant as mean, rather, it was fun and honest.

She’s doing a good job, and in true Marion style, doing things her way.

16. Missed Opportunities Nick Kyrgios broke Grigor Dimitrov to serve for the match, but on the same point he rolled his ankle and ended up losing the match while hobbled. Who knows where the talented Aussie would have taken it had he avoided the injury.

Dimitrov, who continues to play puzzlingly average tennis, fell to Tommy Robredo in the next round.

Nothing against Robredo—he’s a consummate pro on every surface and owns a U.S. Open win over Roger Federer—but didn’t we all project that

Yeah, there’s a Nobu tucked into the new Stadium 2, but for our money, the Gyro joint called “Kabob” is a better value, and the lines are shorter. I got the Chicken Gyro salad and took it over to Stadium 4 to sit in the top row while stuffing my face and watching the Kokkinakis-Monaco battle. It was one of the best times I’ve ever had.

18. The Jelena and Marko Show We thought nothing could be funnier than watching Jelena bicker with her brother during on-court coaching sessions, but when the Serb called Chip Brooks out during the final, the comedy quotient grew. At one point she chides him to give her some information she can use. Finally Brooks, exhausted from trying, shouts “Are you ready? Let’s go brother!”

Brother? Wow, Jelena really has Chip confused…

19. Pleasant Surprises Lesia Tsurenko got her first two Top 10 scalps and after qualifying reached the quarterfinals… Heather Watson claimed her first Top 10 scalp, too, taking down Agnieszka Radwanska… Bernard Tomic outlasted David Ferrer before a toothache and a back injury knocked him out of the tournament…

Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini reached the final of the doubles, another good showing for them…

Larry Ellison, Bill Gates and John McEnroe sat side-by-side during Serena Williams’ triumphant return to Indian Wells. Was nice to see Johnny Mac sandwiched between those billionaires…

Ernests Gulbis won his first match of the year but fell in the next round (baby steps for Ernests)…

20. Tim Smyczek Sportsmanship Award Does Not Go To… China’s Lin Zhu, who snaked a set point from Francesca Schiavone by hitting a ball off the court on her side of the net before it bounced over for a clean winner. When Schiavone approached her about it she vehemently denied it but video replays confirmed that there was no way in the world she could have not known what she has done. Tisk, tisk.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 11

RISING TO OPPORTUNITY

By Erik Gudris

Simona Halep claimed her biggest career title while Serena Williams made an emotional return during an unpredictable Indian Wells No one was quite sure what to expect when the women’s draw was announced for this year’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

After all, world No. 1 Serena Williams entered the event for the first time in 14 years. Despite again being a huge favorite to win the title, questions remained if the top seed could deal with her swirling emotions long enough to make it into the final.

For Williams, it wasn’t emotions but a right knee injury suffered during a practice session that would ultimately decide her fate in the desert. Despite her best efforts, Williams eventually withdrew before her semifinal match.

“I did the best that I could at this event, and I really am happy to have put a lot of that behind me,” 12 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Williams said about her return to the desert. “I feel like I’m so…if I would have known I had to pull out I would have played anyway just to have an opportunity to be back at this tournament and to be able to play. Play in front of people I have never played before, kids that are nine, ten, eleven years old who have never had an opportunity to see me play.”

Simona Halep, who was scheduled to face Serena in the semifinals, received a walkover into the final then made a determined comeback run to capture the biggest title of her career.

The third-ranked Romanian rallied past Jelena Jankovic, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, in the final, surprising herself with her comeback.

“First of all, I don’t know how I won today because I didn’t play my best,” Halep said after collecting her 11th career title. “I didn’t play like good tennis, but I just wanted to fight till the end because I think that is the most important thing for my style, for myself. [Jelena] played great tennis today. All the tournament she played amazing.”

While Simona’s rise and Serena’s return made headlines, they weren’t the only compelling plot line of the women’s event.

Throughout the near two-week tournament, the women’s draw was filled with upsets on almost a daily basis.

No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova lost to defending champion Flavia Pennetta, who broke down in tears early in the match, but regained her composure in a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over the Roland Garros champion.

No. 4 seed Caroline Wozniacki exited at the hands of rising young star Belinda Bencic, who is coached by Melanie Molitor, mother and coach of former world No. 1 Martina Hingis. Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard found herself leaving early too as she fell at the hands of qualifier Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-4.

The upsets, especially on the bottom half of the draw, created opportunities for those still left. Jankovic, the 2010 champion, wasn’t sure if she could even play before the event started as a torn leg muscle prevented her from practicing. But by grinding through multiple three set-matches, the engaging Serbian found herself in the final four against another surprise semifinalist in Germany’s Sabine Lisicki.

Lisicki, who had lost five opening-round matches early in the season before Indian Wells, also proved an unexpected name deep in the tournament. The German faced off against Jankovic in the semifinal with both women aiming to go one step further. In the end, Jankovic prevailed, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, to reach the final.

While Jankovic, who owns a home near San Diego, enjoyed having her family near her on court, she still had to face her toughest challenge of the tournament in the final.

Halep proved the one constant during an emotional and unpredictable two weeks in the desert.

Despite not playing her best and battling blisters on her foot, Halep rallied several times in the final. In the end, the steady play and tenacious spirit of Halep proved resilient.

“I didn’t play my best tennis, but every match was very important for me, for my mind, for my

mentality,” Halep said. “I just had the confidence that I have my chance here this tournament, and I just did everything to get it. I got it, and I’m really happy that I have another title.”

The title run for Halep proved that even during an unpredictable event, her consistent, all-court game can be counted on to rise to the occasion. A sure sign she will remain a constant force throughout the season.

Though Halep collected the title, in many ways, Williams and her return still defined the women’s event. After winning her first match against Monica Niculsecu, the 19-time Grand Slam champion said this after being asked where that win ranked in her career.

“Probably the best, because, you know and it’s interesting to say that I feel like I’ve already won this tournament,” Serena said. “I don’t feel like I have to actually hold the trophy at the end of this. I feel like I’m already holding up a trophy. I have never felt that way before. I feel like, you know, just being here is a huge win. Not only for me, but for so many people. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

New winning memories for both Halep and Williams, personal and professional, ultimately defined the 2015 Indian Wells event.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 13

REE TURN:

SERENA WILLIAMS WAS THE BIGGEST WINNER AT INDIAN WELLS

By Chris Oddo

By ending a 14-year boycott and returning to the site of her most painful and controversial match, Serena Williams set an example for forgiveness and forward thinking

14 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

In the future, when people ask me who won Indian Wells in 2015, I know what I’m going to say, and I’m not going to hesitate, either: Serena Williams.

Some might say, “But she withdrew before her semifinal, how could she have won?”

And to that I’ll say, “Sit down and let me tell you.”

It might sound corny or cliché, but if one really steps back and ponders the magnitude of what Serena Williams has accomplished by ending her 14-year boycott at Indian Wells, it’s plain to see that the American has valiantly stuck her neck out for what she felt was a worthy cause—forgiveness.

How can we, as tennis fans and observers, not admire that? In a world where people clutch their bitterness like babies clinging to security blankets, Williams has chosen to let go of hers. And instead opened her heart to trying to bridge a gap between two distanced and disassociated parties that so many had long given up on.

The world No. 1 had not played the tournament since defeating Kim Clijsters in the 2001 final marred by jeers and boos from some members of the crowd. Williams conceded she was nervous before her Indian Wells comeback match against Monica Niculescu, but said she’s learned to let go and forgive.

“In order to forgive you really have to let go. I was a little nervous as well,” Williams said. “I went through something that wasn’t the best thing for me. Trying to get over those nerves and coming back and how will I feel? What it is it going to be like? Will I have to experience that? When you do forgive and let go you do have to let a lot of those emotions go as well.”

There are so many terrible problems in this world, most of us can reel off ten from the top of our heads—terrorism, poverty, disease, illiteracy, global warming and, yes, racism—but rather than dwell on the problems, Williams sought to be the solution this year at Indian Wells. Her efforts most certainly will not eradicate racism and all its ugliness from the planet, but you know what? What the world No. 1 did, the open-mindedness and willingness to come face-to-face with her demons and bring the subject to light, might be the best thing that happens at a tennis tournament for years to come.

Yes, winning streaks are nice, and so is racking up major titles, both of which Williams can pretty much do while she’s getting a pedicure or selling products on HSN. But her decision to return to the desert was bigger than championship silverware, it was about letting go, facing fear, moving forward and setting an example. To return to a place where you were unequivocally booed, mistrusted and mistreated as a teenager, along with your sister and father, to forgive and let go, to purge, is about as courageous an act a champion can perform.

For once, we may have found an act that is more meaningful than saving a match point or a fighting back from a double-break down in the third set.

Williams’ victory at Indian Wells in 2015 was not about that silly little world that sucks us in on a weekly basis. It was not about winning, losing, forehands, backhands, serves or volleys. It was about something bigger, something rounder and more vast, like sportsmanship but even grander, because what Williams did transcended sport.

Naturally there will be skeptics that say “Why did Williams give those jerks the satisfaction?” Some will even say that she’s naïve to think that there’s any hope. “It’s a lost cause,” they’ll say. “People don’t change and we’re all doomed.”

But you know what? People do change. And they change because people like Serena, however naïve, actually take it upon themselves to do the heavy lifting and try to enact change by example. That takes guts.

There she was, on Friday March 13th, coming out on court while sobbing, still carrying the weight of a scar that most of us will never comprehend. A bogus and unnecessary scar, an unjust, inhuman scar. There she was, trying to play tennis while simultaneously trying to get it off her. It was both painful and beautiful to see.

The shards of the damage we do to each other as people, open, healing.

“At that moment everything had just ... I just felt so good to be out there” Williams would later say. “I felt like I made the right decision and I knew I wanted to do it. I knew I really wanted to do it. But up until that moment I didn’t really know if it was the right thing for me to do. I feel like that’s when I felt it was the right thing.”

At first concerned, Williams came to feel that she had done the right thing. The fact that this was difficult for her, that she wasn’t sure it was right, makes it all the more heroic. This is a woman that can seemingly will herself to victory on the tennis court, one that can flick a switch and become the most electric female athlete in the world, and yet she felt frail, undecided, until it happened.

Most victories come easy for Serena Williams. She’s a cut above the rest of the WTA. But this one took 14 years and a whole lot of pain to achieve.

“I don’t feel like I have to actually hold the trophy at the end of this,” Williams said last Friday. “I feel like I’m already holding up a trophy. I have never felt that way before. I feel like, you know, just being here is a huge win. Not only for me, but for so many people. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Skeptics will always populate and try to talk down the significance of acts of human kindness. They’ll question motives and point out why making a difference is impossible to do. Sometimes, in this muddled up world of ours, it’s hard to tell. All we can do is judge for ourselves. From where I’m sitting, Serena Williams has made this world a better place.

I know I can’t be the only one who feels that way. She didn’t have to ever play Indian Wells, and it would have been fine with me if she didn’t. But in my heart of hearts I’m glad she did.

As far as I’m concerned she won the tournament. Take nothing from Simona Halep, but Serena Williams was the real champ at Indian Wells this year.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 15

DESERT BLOOMS

By Erik Gudris

Several fan favorites made their season debuts and welcome returns in Indian Wells Like discovering a freshwater spring in the middle of an empty desert trail, seeing several players back on court was a welcomed sight for tennis fans at the BNP Paribas Open.

World No. 1 Serena Williams’ return to Indian Wells after a 14-year absence gained global attention.

There were some other notable comebacks as well.

On the men’s side, quite a few familiar faces were either making their season debuts or stepping back on court after a long hiatus.

Former world No. 7 Mardy Fish returned to action after an 18-month absence. After first battling a heart condition, then anxiety attacks during matches, Fish felt ready to get back on court. He nearly knocked off good friend and fellow American Ryan Harrison, holding two match points before the wild card prevailed, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3).

“It felt great to be out there,” Fish said. “Those are the situations you work hard to put yourself into. I have 16 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

great memories from here and on that court and it felt fantastic to be out there.”

The 33-year-old Fish hopes his return inspires himself to keep playing and others to know that they too can persevere over adversity. Fish said he has no plans to play the Challenger circuit to raise his ranking, which has dropped outside the Top 1,000, so it’s uncertain how long he will play, but commendable he aims to craft career closure on his terms.

U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic, out of action for several months due to a shoulder injury, made his season debut. Though he lost his opening round match to Juan Monaco, the Croatian star looked forward to getting in more matches this year.

against best player to play our sport and kind of see where I match up. Definitely take a lot away from this week and move on to Miami and try and keep it going.”

Jelena Jankovic had enjoyed success before at Indian Wells. In fact, her biggest career title was at the event back in 2010. Yet, before this year’s tournament started Jankovic wasn’t even sure she could play. That was because she was just coming back from a torn leg muscle that prevented her from practicing before arriving in Palm Springs.

“Yeah, it was really good to be playing, you know, first tournament and first match obviously. I wasn’t expecting that I’m going to be playing great tennis, which, you know, it’s always difficult in the first couple matches,” Cilic said. “I mean, some players do feel great straightaway from the beginning, but I’m the kind of player, you know, that needs a few matches to get into it.”

Cilic put his quest for more match play on temporary hold, withdrawing from the Miami Open after his firstround loss.

American Jack Sock enjoyed local crowd support as he too was making his season debut. Sock skipped the Australian Open due to injury and then had to deal later with his brother’s near-death bout with a rare illness.

Having dealt with all of that, Sock went on court playing to win but also feeling less pressure while enjoying the competition even more. That new attitude paid off big time for the big serving Midwesterner who many feel can become the new U.S. No. 1 player soon.

In singles, Sock reached the fourth round before losing to eventual finalist Roger Federer. Sock then partnered with fellow Wimbledon winner Vasek Pospisil to claim the men’s doubles title. The pair upset the top-ranked Bryan Brothers, whom they defeated in the Wimbledon final, then defeated Australian Open champions Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini in the doubles final.

“I came in obviously hoping to win matches and have a good run, but not really you know, if I lost first round to (Yen-Hsun) Lu I wouldn’t be totally devastated. If I made it to fourth round today and played today like I did, then it’s just bonus,” Sock said after falling to Federer. “Pleased with it to get through three setters against some good opponents and kind of go up

“When I came to these courts, the first day I did not hit a ball for 10 days. I was hitting but I was standing. I was not moving,” Jankovic said. “I was hitting the ball so great without any practice. I was like, I had a good feeling, you know. But I did not think, you know, it was not even in my mind that I’m going to make the finals after not preparing.”

Still, something about being in the desert and her adopted Southern California home surrounded by her family seemed to inspire the woman nicknamed “Glitter.” Jankovic battled through several three-set matches including grueling wins over Madison Keys and Sabine Lisicki.

“Those are the special moments that you have in your career where you can share them with your family, with your close ones, with your entourage, your team that’s been there and supportive,” Jankovic said of her family’s support throughout the event. “It’s unbelievable. I love my family. I love my team. It’s nice to have that support and have them here. It’s unbelievable.”

Very few, even Jankovic herself would have picked her to be in the prestigious final. Yet the personable and chatty Serbian showing a more potent serve along with her trademark backhand was back in the mix again for a huge title.

Jankovic reached the final and won the opening set before bowing to No. 3 Simona Halep, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.

But overall, Jankovic was just happy to be back on court and in contention for another big title.

“It’s almost like a dream, you know, because I never thought I was going to be here in the beginning of the tournament,” Jankovic said. “So it’s been an amazing two weeks. Yes, of course I’m disappointed that I lost this final, because I really had a chance to win and hold that trophy. But I’m still proud of myself and my team how far I came. Yeah, how far I came into this tournament and what I have achieved.”

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 17

By Blair Henley

It’s dynamic, precise, versatile and effortless. Novak Djokovic’s backhand is also the envy of professional and recreational players alike. Though he’s a master escape artist, creating offensive shots out of thin air, let’s take a look at his mechanics when he has plenty of time to unleash his trademark two-hander.

We pick up the play-by-play after the world No. 1 has done much of his preliminary positioning. He’s locked and loaded, his shoulders completely turned, allowing him to hit the ball down the line or crosscourt with equal ease.

1

Djokovic is putting his body to work by spring-loading his back leg, resulting in maximum power potential. Notice the pull in his back muscles as he looks out over his right shoulder toward the ball.

18 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

SHOT

2

Here, he has begun to push forward into the back of the ball—not across his body. His backswing is still engaged, back muscles rotated, hands soft, eyes trained on the oncoming ball.

3

Even upon planting his front foot, Djokovic is still withholding the rotation of his hips and upper body until contact. He’s low in his lunge position, which allows for great balance and ideal energy transfer.

SPOT

THE DJOKOVIC BACKHAND

Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson

4

Djokovic is transferring weight to his front leg, but has not yet unleashed on the ball. He makes another subtle but important move, dropping his racquet head to allow for additional low-to-high through contact.

5

As he follows through, he unwraps from his core, still maintaining a steady head and perfect balance.

His energy is continuing to shift forward, following the path of the ball.

His racquet face is perfectly square.

6

Still propelling himself in the direction of his shot, his head remains steady long after the ball has left his racquet, ensuring solid, consistent contact.

His right leg explodes out and up through contact.

7

Only as he completes his follow through does he allow himself to track the ball with his head.

And only then does he allow his back leg to rotate around his body, facilitating quick recovery to the ready position.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 19

STAR SHINE Indian Wells and Miami are popular hot spots for the stars.

We spot light some of the famous faces—and avid tennis fans—who have visited the two tournaments.

5

6

4

1 7 11

20 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

2

3 8 12

9

10

Photo Credit: @Miami Open @DesertSmash @BNPParibasOpen

1. Anna Kournikova & Enrique Iglesias 2. Emilio Estefan & Gloria Estefan 3. Simona Halep & Nadia Comaneci 4. Gwen Stefani 5. Kelly Rowland 6. Josh Hartnett 7. Justin Bieber & Genie Bouchard 8. Kevin Hart & Justin Bieber 9. DJ Mad Linx 10. Kevin Spacey 11. Marion Bartoli & Sir Richard Branson 12. Wayne Gretzky & Roger Federer

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 21

MIAMI OPEN MEN’S PREVIEW

By Richard Pagliaro

Forecasting the finishes for the Top 5 seeds in Key Biscayne

Spring breakers flock to Florida in droves every March. Reigning champion Novak Djokovic arrives in Miami playing for history rather than revelry.

The world No. 1 will be empowered after dispatching two Grand Slam champions — Andy Murray and Roger Federer — in succession to capture his 50th career title in Indian Wells.

Now Djokovic will try to pull of a historic triple play and become the first man to sweep Indian Wells and Miami back to back three times.

Given the fact former IMG client Federer is not playing the IMG-owned tournament, Murray may be shell-shocked from the thrashing Djokovic dispensed in the desert, Rafael Nadal has never won Miami and Djokovic has devoured the opposition winning 18 of his last 19 matches in Miami, the top seed’s path to the final may appear as smooth as a shopping spree on South Beach.

22 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Scratch beneath the surface of the draw, however, and there could be challenges.

Delray Beach champion and Florida resident Ivo Karlovic, the only man aside from Federer to beat Djokovic this year, is in the same section of the draw.

The 6-foot-11 Croatian has won two of three meetings with the Serbian. The top half of the draw also features the return of 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori, who upset Djokovic in the 2014 Flushing Meadows semifinals, Wimbledon semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov and imposing servers Milos Raonic and John Isner.

Still, if the Australian Open champion comes through to make Masters history in Miami, it would infuse him with even more confidence for a larger goal: A run at the Grand Slam.

We preview the Top 5 seeds and predict their paths in Miami.

NO.1 NOVAK DJOKOVIC 2014 RESULT: Champion BEST RESULT: Four-time champion (2007, 2011-2012, 2014) AD IN: The world No. 1 not only won his fourth Indian Wells title, he played assertive and dynamic tennis to do it, and outclassed seeded opposition in the process. Djokovic is the best hard-court mover and returner in the sport, he’s amped up his serve and is trying to step inside the baseline, play more assertive tennis and shorten up the points. The fact he can also choose to drop back behind the baseline and defend with vigilance makes him an oppressive opponent.

AD OUT: It’s hard to find fault with the Australian Open champion’s 19-2 surge to start the season. Djokovic tightened up, clanking consecutive double faults in the tie breaker to complicate what could have been a routine win over Federer in the Indian Wells final. When crowds side with the opponent, as they did in the desert, Djokovic can show signs of annoyance and frustration and lose concentration.

PIVOTAL POINT: Winning Indian Wells and Miami back to back is an endurance and adjustment test as conditions can vary dramatically. Djokovic owns the variety and tactical acumen to adjust and has done it successfully before, including last year. The fact he had a quarterfinal walkover and dropped only one set in the desert means he should be strong on Key Biscayne.

PREDICTED RESULT: Finals

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 23

NO.2 RAFAEL NADAL 2014 RESULT: Final BEST RESULT: Four-time finalist (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014) AD IN: Though he failed to convert three match points against Raonic in the Indian Wells quarterfinals, Nadal showed plenty of positives in Palm Springs. He’s moving better than he did in Melbourne, he struck his serve with more authority in the latter rounds, hit his forehand down the line with precision and sounded genuinely encouraged by his progress.

The Spaniard is a massive fan favorite in Florida and will enjoy crowd support as he plays for his first Miami Open title.

AD OUT: There’s a reason Nadal has never won this title: Flatter hitters who can straddle the baseline and rob his reaction time have tormented him. Djokovic, del Potro and Nikolay Davydenko have all beaten the Spaniard on Key Biscayne by rushing him in rallies; his brilliant defensive skills that serve him well on the grittier Indian Wells’ courts are not as effective on the quicker Crandon Park courts.

PIVOTAL POINT: When Nadal is thumping his forehand down the line and attacking his first serve with authority it is a sign of confidence, so watch how he plays those two strokes in this tournament. Though he’s never won here, Nadal typically goes deep in the draw and his defeats have come to quality opponents. Seven of his nine Miami losses are to Grand Slam champions.

PREDICTED RESULT: Finals

24 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

NO.3 ANDY MURRAY 2014 RESULT: Quarterfinals BEST RESULT: Two-time champion (2009, 2013) AD IN: Wimbledon is his home major, but the Scot owns a major home-court advantage in Miami. Murray spends his off-season in Miami where he trains on the Crandon Park courts, which gives him a greater comfort level when conditions get wild. Murray’s stinging first serve, his versatile two-handed backhand, comprehensive court coverage and ability to make mischief in the front court are all assets that play well here.

AD OUT: Chalk up his lopsided loss to Djokovic in Indian Wells to a bad day at the office, but Murray has looked surprisingly sluggish in hard-court defeats to No. 19 Gilles Simon and 84th-ranked Borna Coric as well this season. His second serve was so shallow at times it basically looked like a bluff against Djokovic. Opponents can deny Murray angles by playing deep down the middle to his forehand. Though he usually looks sharp at Crandon Park, Murray has suffered his share of head-scratching losses here as well, falling to then No. 101 Mardy Fish in 2010 before bowing to world No. 118 Alex Bogomolov, Jr. PIVOTAL POINT: One of the fastest men in tennis is sometimes reluctant to assert his speed offensively. Murray’s willingness to use his skills both offensively and defensively—and the ornery Scot’s ability to keep calm—will be key to an extended run.

PREDICTED RESULT: Semifinals

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 25

NO.4 KEI NISHIKORI 2014 RESULT: Semifinals BEST RESULT: Semifinals (2014) AD IN: Eye-popping hand speed, the skills and timing to take the ball on the rise, one of the best two-handed backhands in the game and tremendous speed make Nishikori fun to watch and a force on all surfaces. The U.S. Open finalist grew up training at the IMG Nick Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, won his first career title in Delray Beach and thrives on hard courts.

AD OUT: Though coaches Dante Bottini and Michael Chang have helped the 5-foot-10 Japanese get stronger, durability can be a question. Nishikori’s backhand is so accurate, he sometimes takes it up the line prematurely. Elite opponents can attack his second serve.

PIVOTAL POINT: One of the game’s best returners has split two meetings with bigserving Milos Raonic and the pair could clash again in the quarterfinals.

PREDICTED RESULT: Semifinals

26 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

NO.5 MILOS RAONIC 2014 RESULT: Quarterfinals BEST RESULT: Quarterfinals (2014) AD IN: The missile has been explosive in Masters tournaments. Raonic’s run to the Indian Wells semifinals marked the eighth time in his last 10 Masters events he’s advanced to the quarterfinals or better. His serve is one of the most lethal weapons in the sport. Raonic is second on the ATP in aces (331) and third in service games held (94 percent) this season. The Canadian’s serve-forehand combination is one of the most formidable one-two punches in the game.

AD OUT: His serve is imposing; his return impotent: Raonic has won just 11 percent of return games this year, 78th on the ATP World Tour. Though he’s worked diligently to refine his footwork and backhand, he can be tested on the run.

PIVOTAL POINT: If Raonic and Nishikori do meet for the third time this season, how will his backhand hold up against a sniper who has won five of their seven meetings?

PREDICTED RESULT: Quarterfinals

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 27

BRASH BALLER:

KYRGIOS IS TENNIS’ MOST EXPLOSIVE AND MYSTERIOUS PLAYER Nick Kyrgios admits he finds tennis “boring”, but the 19-year-old Aussie may well be the most exciting young player in the game—and a future Grand Slam champion

By Dan Markowitz

Nick Kyrgios will not play Miami this year, damaged ligaments in his foot suffered during his Indian Wells’ loss to Grigor Dimitrov will keep him sidelined. But the 19-year-old Australian has already made a sizable foot print on the ATP Tour in the last year. Quickly becoming a huge fan favorite, Kyrgios’ explosive and mercurial shotmaking offset a mysterious demeanor that often makes it hard to read the young Aussie.

On the one hand, the 6-foot-4 son of a Greek father and a Malaysian mother says of his chosen profession, “I think [tennis is] a pretty boring game. I don’t really like it that much to be honest.” But at the same time, Kyrgios is the youngest player with the highest ATP ranking at No. 37, and says, “I play this sport, to have a chance to go out there and compete against the best players in the world.”

So which is it?

Will Kyrgios’ burning desire to compete at the highest level of the game override his ennui for the sport? Or will his career follow the arc of his idol, Gael Monfils, who often seems more interested in being an entertainer than a Grand Slam champion? Patrick Rafter, a two-time U.S. Open winner and Kyrgios’ former Davis Cup captain, has expressed his reservations about the young Aussie’s sometimes cavalier disposition.

“Nick knows exactly how I feel,” said Rafter before this year’s Australian Open. “I think it’s important for him to be a bit more level; he’s still too emotional.

28 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

“It really shows up on the court. His off-court demeanor will certainly affect his on-court behavior, as well, and I think that’s the whole package that he still needs to get a lot better at. So for him, he needs to calm himself down and find a balance, and I still don’t think he’s reached that yet.”

Kyrgios says of the flashy Monfils.

“I’m sure he’s going to have some pretty great results to go in his career and he’s got a massive way to go as well. So I’m not sure, he might win a Slam. We don’t know yet.”

When the Australian Davis Cup team played France in the 2014 World Group opening Of course, a few days after Rafter’s round, Kyrgios got the chance comments, Kyrgios then went to play against his idol (he lost on to reach the Australian Open in a dead-rubber match) on the quarterfinals, coming back from tennis and basketball courts. The two sets to love to defeat Andreas latter one-on-one match up was Seppi, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 8-6. captured in a popular YouTube That dramatic victory came one video. Both Monfils and Kyrgios

round after Seppi bounced secondranked Roger Federer out of the Australian Open third round.

It also made Kyrgios the first teenager since Federer in 2001 to reach multiple Grand Slam quarterfinals.

are accomplished, high-flying basketball players and Kyrgios says basketball, not tennis, is his true sporting love.

In fact, Kyrgios plays points so quickly during service games, he sometimes looks more like a “Yeah, it’s crazy,” Kyrgios said after shooting guard eager to erupt on a falling to the court and lying still fast break than an ATP player. for quite some time after beating Seppi. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. “It’s not really an exciting game When I saw I had finally won the compared to some of the other match, it was incredible. It was the sports,” he says matter-of-factly best feeling I ever had. To know of tennis. “I love NBA. I love the body could come back from basketball. Those kind of sports are two sets to love, knowing I haven’t my kind of sports; always moving. had matches, it’s just massive There’s a lot of breaks in tennis. I confidence.” guess I play it because I’m good at it. I definitely don’t see it as a “Massive” is a favorite word for cool game at all. I didn’t like the Kyrgios. When describing Monfils, sport when I was young. It’s sort of whom Kyrgios calls his tennis idol growing on me of late, but I’m not a along with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga massive fan of the sport.” and Federer, he defends the Frenchman’s record.

It’s hard to tell if Kyrgios is just playing the rebel here—not unlike “He’s a great player. I’m not going another phenom of a couple of to take anything away from him,” decades ago, Andre Agassi, who

claimed to “hate” tennis in his younger years. Kyrgios can play the part of a cheeky, young, brash instigator, waving an opponent’s floating shot past the baseline or blasting a fan in an expletive-laden rant for talking on his cell phone during one of his matches. Or perhaps his true lack of love for the sport will derail any future Grand Slam glory.

At 19 years and 280 days, Kyrgios was the youngest player since Andrei Cherkasov to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals and only the ninth teen in the Open Era ever to have done so. Kyrgios gained global attention as a wild card entrant at the 2014 Wimbledon when he stunned Rafael Nadal in the Round of 16. That victory came after he fought off nine match points two rounds earlier against Richard Gasquet. “Kygs,” as he is known to his friends, became the first player since 1992 to beat the world No. 1 when ranked outside the Top 100.

“We’re watching a young boy turn into a man,” observed John McEnroe, announcing the match.

“We have a new star on our hands in the tennis world.”

Nadal was not as quick as McEnroe to bestow greatness upon Kyrgios.

“He has things, positive things, to be able to be a good player,” Nadal said at the time. “But at the end, everything is a little bit easier when you are arriving. Everything is new, nothing to lose. Everything is good.

Everything is positive. You can do whatever and it will be positive, and everybody see just the good things on you.”

Kyrgios has proven he can play on the biggest stages in the sport and win on all three surfaces—Florida and Georgia fans may remember last year that the young Aussie took titles on clay on the Challenger circuit in Sarasota and Savannah— and he went on to play through 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 29

qualifying and win the Nottingham Challenger on grass. But there are still questions about whether his big game and bold shotmaking style will translate successfully into today’s era where players who can transition from defense to offense like Novak Djokovic, Nadal and Andy Murray, rule.

Dimitrov, who edged Kryrgios in a tie-breaker in the third set in Indian Wells after the injured Aussie served for the match, said, “He’s an extravagant player, obviously. He tries a lot of different shots, a lot of un-standard decisions. You know, I don’t know how can I just say with one word what kind of player he is?

I mean, he is still yet to come up there. He’s been having really good results. He’s been playing really good tennis. I can’t really just say that he’s that type of player or this.”

But whether Kyrgios’ work ethic and body will endure the arduous challenge of tour life is a serious concern. Injuries—a balky back and a bad elbow have already sidelined Kyrgios and now the damaged ligaments in his foot compounds his injury woes. And last year after the U.S. Open, Kyrgios played in only one event in Malaysia losing in the first round, citing he was “emotionally spent” and “burnt out.”

“None of the matches look quite the same,” Dimitrov continued. “I think he’s still trying to find his best way.

When he’s out on the courts trying to find his best game. So all those things do take time. I’m sure he will be the first one to let you know when he knows exactly or maybe he does already.”

“He’s proved he’s got the talent now,” says Australian doubles standout John Peers. “Now everyone wants to see if he can take the next step and beat the top guys consistently. You have to see how his body holds up over time.

It’s going to take quite a bit of work where he can get his body up to the stage where he can back up five-set No one can be completely sure match, after five-set match, after about the mysterious charmer that is five-set match in a slam. He proved Nick Kyrgios. All Kyrgios will posit is at Wimbledon he’s got the ability that he wants to put on a good show to do it when he comes in a little when he plays. fresher.”

“I think you can make it entertaining,” he said. “I think you definitively can. I like to entertain the crowd and keep them involved.

They pay the money so they like to see some fun tennis. So whenever I have a chance to do something pretty cool, I’m going to go for it.”

30 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Former Australian tennis titan Paul McNamee chimed in with a positive comment about Kygios as well after his Indian Wells match against Dimitrov, “How refreshing for a player not to rush to an injury timeout and instead just man up, play on and finish the match.”

In the end, it might just come down to the company Kyrgios keeps if he is going to continue his rise up the rankings to possible Grand Slam domination. Along with 22-year-old, Bernard Tomic, and 18-year-old, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Kyrgios forms the triumvirate of a very formidable future Australian Davis Cup team. And Davis Cup is considered very important in a young tennis player’s development and maturation in Australia.

“You can really mature a lot through the experience of Davis Cup,” says Jason Stoltenberg, who is working with Kokkinakis and is a former Australian Top 20 player. “The pressure of Davis Cup is so unique.

With our rich Davis Cup tradition, the expectation is to not only play, but to put your best foot forward.”

If Kyrgios stays the course and puts his “best foot forward,” it may just land in the winner’s circle of a Grand Slam event.

New York-based writer Dan Markowitz is the co-author of “Break Point” with former ATP player Vince Spadea, a co-editor of Tennis-Prose.com and a tennis coach, who played the Satellite circuit in his younger years.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 31

MIAMI OPEN WOMEN’S PREVIEW

By Richard Pagliaro

Forecasting the finishes for the Top 5 seeds in Key Biscayne

Serena Williams showed forgiveness ending a 14-year exile in returning to Indian Wells this month.

The world No. 1 was embraced by fans in the desert.

When Serena makes her annual homecoming to the Miami Open playing in front of family and friends, she views sympathy like sunburn — she wants no part of it.

“I have so many friends here and it’s the worst when you lose in front of your friends and they kind of give you a sympathy hug,” Serena said en route to successfully defending her Key Biscayne crown last year. “I just don’t want the sympathy. I kind of have only one choice and that’s to win.”

32 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Beating the seven-time tournament champion in Miami has been as easy as leaping the Rickenbacker Causeway in a single bound.

Yet the knee injury that forced the top seed to withdraw from her scheduled semifinal against Simona Halep in Indian Wells looms as a question over her Miami title defense.

“I just am trying to stay out of as much pain as possible and see what happens,” Williams said. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on it before. But it’s Miami, so I’m just going to go for it and see what happens.”

We preview the Top 5 seeds and predict their paths in Miami.

NO.1 SERENA WILLIAMS 2014 RESULT: Champion BEST RESULT: Seven-time champion (2002-2004, 2007-2008, 2013-2014) AD IN: Serena regards Crandon Park as her home court and the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. resident hasn’t been benevolent about sharing space. A year ago, Williams defeated three Top 10 players in a row — Angelique Kerber, Maria Sharapova and Li Na — to become the oldest champion in tournament history. A Miami Dolphins co-owner who wore the team’s aqua and orange colors last year, Williams enjoys the crowd support and playing before family and friends at her home tournament. She’s lived and trained in Florida for years and can typically handle the heat, humidity and whipping winds that can create unpredictable conditions. She should be motivated playing for her recordextending eighth title.

AD OUT: The top seed withdrew from her scheduled semifinal against Simona Halep in Indian Wells with a knee injury. Williams said doctors told her the inflammation should subside and she expects to play. Will her movement, explosiveness and ability to elevate up on serve be diminished as a result? Serena has been a slow starter recently and last year 74th-ranked Caroline Garcia pushed her to three sets in the second round, so a quick start and fast feet are important.

PIVOTAL POINT: The health of her knee and its impact on her movement are primary concerns, which will be tested immediately. Williams opens against funky spin doctor Monica Niculescu. The Romanian returned accurately at times and used her variety to test the top seed in Indian Wells last week before Serena prevailed 7-5, 7-5.

PREDICTED RESULT: Finals (If her knee holds up)

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 33

NO. 2 MARIA SHARAPOVA 2014 RESULT: Semifinals BEST RESULT: Five-time finalist (2005-2006, 2011-2013) AD IN: Though she’s yet to win Miami, the world No. 2 always seems to be hanging around near the final weekend.

Sharapova has reached the semifinals or better in six of the last seven years.

Ruthless on the return, Sharapova is winning an astounding 65 percent of points played on the opponent’s second serve. If you hit a second serve against Sharapova, you better be ready to run or face ruin. Typically an authoritative front runner, 14 of Sharapova’s 17 victories have come in straight sets this season.

AD OUT: The reigning French Open champion’s game is predicated on controlling the center of the court and dictating the first strike. In Miami, opponents have been able to use the court speed against the Russian redirecting her blasts and exploiting her slower movement. A stubborn Sharapova is reluctant to mix the speeds and spins on serve, which creates predictability. In the sometime swirling conditions of Key Biscayne her high ball toss can be tricky to tame leaving her vulnerable to double faults: She’s hit more double faults than aces this year.

PIVOTAL POINT: The second seed could be tested early. Two explosive young seeds: 25th-seed Caroline Garcia and 14th-seeded Czeck Karolina Pliskova both reside in Sharapova’s quarter of the draw.

PREDICTED RESULT: Semifinals

34 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

NO.3 SIMONA HALEP 2014 RESULT: Third Round BEST RESULT: Third Round (2012-2013) AD IN: Fresh off her biggest career title in Indian Wells, the best mover in the game is off to the fastest start of her career. Halep has won three titles — Shenzhen, Dubai and Indian Wells — in four tournament starts this year, posting a 20-2 record in the process.

The 23-year-old Romanian is one of the best defensive players in the game and skilled driving the ball down the line off both wings.

AD OUT: Halep battled blisters on her foot — and spiking nerve — in her Indian Wells final victory over Jelena Jankovic.

How will she hold up physically after her run to the BNP Paribas Open title?

Bigger hitters who can control the center of the court can pose problems for the 5-foot-6 Romanian. There are a cluster of such heavy hitters in Halep’s quarter of the draw.

PIVOTAL POINT: Two-time former champion Victoria Azarenka, Indian Wells finalist Jelena Jankovic, 10thseeded Lucie Safarova, big-serving Madison Keys and No. 6 seed Eugenie Bouchard, who beat Halep in the 2014 Wimbledon semifinals, are all potential obstacles residing in the French Open finalist’s section.

PREDICTED RESULT: Quarterfinals

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 35

NO. 4 CAROLINE WOZNIACKI 2014 RESULT: Quarterfinals BEST RESULT: Semifinals (2012) AD IN: Fit, fast and a ultra-consistent, the two-time U.S. Open finalist can run all day and is at her best on hard courts.

Wozniacki is a stubborn competitor who has advanced to the semifinals or better in three of seven tournaments this season.

AD OUT: Her second serve is attackable and she tends to predictably play her forehand crosscourt — Wozniacki is not nearly as proficient hitting her forehand up the line as she is driving her backhand down the line. While she’s an accurate counter-puncher, Sunshine can get burned struggling to generate offense against power players.

PIVOTAL POINT: The former No. 1 has never beaten 16th-ranked Venus Williams, losing 12 of the 13 sets they’ve played. The pair could square off in the round of 16 in a rematch of the Auckland final.

PREDICTED RESULT: Fourth Round

36 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

NO.5 ANA IVANOVIC 2014 RESULT: Fourth Round BEST RESULT: Quarterfinals (2005) AD IN: The former world No. 1 can dictate play with her flat forehand, she’s comfortable using the slice backhand to change the pace and confident closing at net. The Serbian is an emotional player and when she’s channeling that emotional energy positively, she can play explosive points on her terms and engage the crowd.

AD OUT: Since losing to Maria Sharapova in the Brisbane final, Ivanovic has struggled to a 5-4 record with three of those wins coming in Monterrey. She does not cover the court as quickly as other Top 10 players and can be vulnerable when stretched wide. Under pressure — or amid the sometime breezy Crandon Park conditions — her toss can stray creating complications on serve.

PIVOTAL POINT: Finding solutions against Top 10 opponents in Crandon Park has been a challenge for the former French Open champion. Ivanovic is 1-6 vs. Top 10 opponents in Miami, including six straight losses vs. the Top 10 at the tournament.

PREDICTED RESULT: Fourth Round

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 37

Q & A: VENUS WILLIAMS

By Richard Pagliaro

Whether she’s playing points or plotting designs, three-time Miami Open champion Venus Williams is often most creative and comfortable on the move.

At an age when many of her rivals have retired, 34-year-old Venus moves forward crafting a career resurgence. The 16th-rannked Williams is off to a 15-3 start in 2015, including beating former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki to capture her 46th career title in her Auckland season-opener.

The Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. resident has produced some of most memorable matches in Miami.

In 1998, Venus beat then world No. 1 Martina Hingis and Anna Kournikova in succession to claim her second career title in Miami.

Three years later, Venus fought off an astounding eight championship points to fight past fellow Floridian Jennifer Capriati, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the gripping 2001 Miami final.

Venus and Steffi Graf share the tournament record for longest winning streak (22 matches).

Williams has won six of her last seven matches against Top 10 opponents and with only about 300 ranking points to defend between Miami and the end of the French Open, she is capable of a Top 10 return if she can stay healthy.

We caught up with Venus for this interview where she discussed her fashion sense, her brand, EleVen, her style, inspiration and longevity.

38 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

TENNIS NOW: Venus, what was your goal with this 2015 EleVen collection?

VENUS WILLIAMS: My goal with each collection is to make it the best one. I feel like I’ve achieved that so far with this one. My goal was to make the collections related to each other and also to make everyone who wears them feel like an EleVen. TN: Madison Keys has said when she was a kid she was inspired to play tennis watching you and seeing you playing in a cool dress. Who inspired your tennis fashion sense?

bags I’ve accumulated over the years. I never carry the same bag.

I always change it to my outfits.

I just can’t commit. I’m just one of those girls who can’t commit (laughs).

in those critical moments during comebacks?

VENUS: I think at the time you just stay in the moment. That’s what helps. And when you walk off the court a lot of the times you TN: It’s funny when we look don’t even realize you were in that around and see players like Hingis situation because you were so and Vaidisova coming back and determined. It’s like you’re in the Bartoli maybe considering a zone. I think all the experience can comeback. You’ve never left and help when you know you’ve done you’re still winning. What is the key it before. But at the time, you just to your longevity and strong start try to stay in the moment, focus on this season? now and make it work.

VENUS: I think back in the day Mary Pierce really started to change tennis fashion.

She was the first one to wear the tennis dress after so many years. I think that was definitely inspirational for tennis and for players wanting to wear tennis dresses again.

TN: Is there any scoop you can share about your upcoming dresses? Anything you’ll be wearing in Miami or in upcoming Grand Slams that we can be looking out for?

VENUS: You can expect a lot of color. In Miami (see dress above), I’m going to be wearing a Ndebele print, coral and fuchsia and purples and teals and something very unexpected and exciting. It definitely feels like you’re bringing in the spring and the warm weather.

VENUS: I think this season I’ve felt some of the healthiest I’ve felt in a very long time. So that gives me the opportunity to be able to set myself up on court and to be able to last and to be able to compete.

I’m looking forward to just doing better the rest of the year. It’s been an awesome start. I’m so happy about it.

TN: What are your fashion essentials you carry in your bag on court? Any guilty fashion pleasures TN: We’re approaching the in your closet that would surprise anniversary of that classic 2001 people?

Miami final when you saved eight championship points to beat VENUS: On the court, I always Jennifer Capriati. You did it again have my hair clips and always my when you beat Lindsay Davenport eyeliner. In my closet, I think my in the epic 2005 Wimbledon final. guilty pleasure are just endless What are you thinking and feeling

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 39

Because I’m so into the game I’m just more focused on the present, I believe.

TN: Serena returned to Indian Wells. How do you feel about Serena going back? Will you go back to Indian Wells?

VENUS: You know I’ve always supported her decisions. I feel like she’s made the right decision for her. And I completely support her. It [Indian Wells] is not on my schedule for this year. I’m going to play Miami as my next event.

TN: You’re playing dynamic tennis against top players. Your sense of self-belief seems strong. Do you feel at age 34 your best tennis is still ahead?

TN: You’ve always been an attacking, aggressive player.

People comment on how fluid your forward movement is this season.

Do you feel you’re playing more aggressively or moving forward better now?

VENUS: I think I’ve always been aggressive. In my mind, I want to be aggressive on every point. But in tennis you have to be patient and you can’t be aggressive on everything, in every instance. So you have to try to temper it with patience and of course movement is a huge part of my game. I think movement is a huge weapon for me. And I’m always trying to use that to my advantage whether it’s 40 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

side-to-side movement or moving forward.

TN: Last time I interviewed Martina Hingis, I asked her about top rivals. She said you were one of her toughest and most favorite rivals because you brought out the best in her, forced her to change her tactics and vary her shots.

Excluding Serena, who is your favorite rival?

VENUS: You know what? I think that I played Martina and Serena and Lindsay [Davenport] the most so those were my greatest rivals.

I think Martina has had more time to contemplate it because she stepped away from the game.

VENUS: Yeah. I mean that’s what I have to think. That’s what every player has to think every time you walk on the court. You have to think: I can play better than I did before. That’s what I expect from myself each time. Because when I walk out on the court, my opponents don’t play me as if I was ranked number 10 or number 100. They play me as if I’m ranked number 1. They bring their best against me. There are no easy matches for me. Ever. So I have to be prepared for that.

TN: Playing at an elite level all these years, what keeps you going? What gives you the greatest joy and satisfaction now?

VENUS: I take pride in what I do. I enjoy the process of actually being good at this and giving my best to get better every single day.

Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on TennisNow. com. To read the complete Venus Williams interview, please visit TennisNow.com.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 41

A golden sunset over Key Biscayne paints art deco colors across the sky above Crandon Park.

42 2015 AUSTRALIAN MIAMI PREVIEW OPEN PREVIEW

2014MIAMI YEAR IN REVIEW 43 2015 PREVIEW

Photo by Christopher Levy

MARIA SHARAPOVA Maria Sharapova shows the personal touch in her autograph session.

44 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Photo by Christopher Levy

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA Showing stenographer’s hand speed, Agnieszka Radwanska signed autographs with a smile.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 45

Photo by Christopher Levy

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO Juan Martin del Potro’s father, Daniel, is a veterinarian.

Maybe that’s why Delpo looks so comfortable swimming with dolphins.

46 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Photo by Christopher Levy

MONICA PUIG Monica Puig parted with a kiss.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 47

Photo by Christopher Levy

ANGELIQUE KERBER Through gritted teeth, Angelique Kerber finds the sweet spot in practice.

48 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Photo by Christopher Levy

DUSTIN BROWN Dustin Brown gets our vote for most entertaining man practicing in Miami.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 49

Photo by Christopher Levy

STAN WAWRINKA Who’s the Man? It’s Stan.

50 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Photo by Christopher Levy

ELINA SVITOLINA No. 26 seed Elina Svitolina fine tunes her forehand and game face.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 51

Photo by Christopher Levy

PETKOVIC & LISICKI Doubles partners Andrea Petkovic and Sabine Lisicki suit up for a swim at Seaquarium.

52 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW

Photo by Christopher Levy

ANA IVANOVIC Ana Ivanovic spreads the peace to Tennis Now photographer Christopher Levy on media day.

2015 MIAMI PREVIEW 53

2 015 MIAMI PREVIEW

n n i sNow.com 54www.Te 2015 MIAMI PREVIEW