2014 US Open Review

GREATEST OF ALL TIME? SERENA SOLIDIFIES HER PLACE IN HISTORY

page 12

VIDEO instruction: HOW TO BEAT A PUSHER page 25

fashion hits & misses

GET TO KNOW

MARIN CILIC

THIS US OPEN CHAMP IS THE REAL DEAL page 10

us open aces & faults page 28

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CONTENTS

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

AS BIG FOUR FALL, A NEW CROP RISES

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GET TO KNOW MARIN CILIC

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2014 US OPEN REVIEW

LEGENDARY: SERENA REACHES NO. 18

FASHION HITS & MISSES

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REVIEW: NIKE LUNAR BALLISTEC

STARS IN THE STANDS

SHOT SPOT: SERENA WILLIAMS

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SMART FITNESS: RALPH LAUREN POLO TECH SHIRT

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VIDEO INSTRUCTION: HOW TO BEAT A PUSHER

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BRYAN BROTHERS: SCORING A PERFECT 100

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ACES & FAULTS

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CLOSING SHOTS

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RANKINGS

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WRITERS

Erik Gudris

We didn’t see that coming. Did you? Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori demolished any lingering concept of the Big Four in men’s tennis, following in Stan Wawrinka’s fearless footsteps and serving notice that our pre-tournament favorites won’t mean much going forward. While it would have been amazing if Roger Federer could have taken advantage of a Nadal-less draw to capture his 18th Grand Slam title, you couldn’t help but marvel at Cilic’s clinical takedown of the Swiss, a prelude to his masterful performance in the final.

And what can you say about Serena? She achieved the inevitable milestone: No. 18. Unlike Federer, Williams still consistently drives fear into the hearts of her opponents, even after failing to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal in 2014. Her tears as she addressed the crowd signaled just how difficult it has been for the 32-year-old to cross that historic threshold. Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova’s presence as she tied their record for career Slam wins sweetened the moment all the more. Celebration was definitely in order. As Caroline Wozniacki told her friend: “You definitely owe drinks later.”

Beyond the tournament winners, this US Open had plenty of excitement. Aleksandra Krunic, CiCi Bellis, Nick Kyrgios and Gael Monfils were just some of the names who made the 2014 US Open one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. After two weeks of non-stop action, it’s sad to see the New York skyline in the rearview. I’m counting on the upcoming Asian swing to cure our US Open hangover.

Chris Oddo

Matt Locke

DESIGN Kriss Zambrano Natalia Valenkova

PHOTOGRAPHY Peter Staples Getty Images

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

Tennis Now Blair Henley

Tennis Now Magazine blair@tennisnow.com

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AS BIG FOUR FALL,A NEW CROP RISES

By Chris Oddo

Like Rafael Nadal’s time violations or Novak Djokovic’s disco dancing, it was bound to happen. The sands of time are flowing through the hourglass and a new class of young guns has been shown the way by the swashbuckling performances of Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Kei Nishikori, Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic in 2014.

Nick Kyrgios, 19, electrified the night session crowd in New York, but ultimately looked a little too green when he fell to Tommy Robredo in the third round.

Dominic Thiem, who lived up to his rising star billing when he reached the second week of a major for the first time at the age of 20, will be pressing to join the fray. In just two weeks, Cilic went from doping ban to can’t-miss-kid. Who knows what other success stories are waiting to come to fruition?

So where does that leave men’s tennis? Federer, at 33, is facing an uphill climb at every Slam he plays.

He had tremendous opportunities to win Wimbledon and the US Open this year, but if he couldn’t cash in on either, can we really expect him to win another next year when he’s a year older?

What does Marin Cilic’s colossal US Open run mean for the future of men’s tennis? We’ll spare you the sky-is-falling scenario, because it isn’t. The likelihood that a member of tennis’ Big Four—Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray—wins each of 2015’s Grand Slams is still greater than the likelihood that a member of tennis’ “second line”—a term coined by Marin Cilic during his run to the US Open title—will do it. That said, the inevitable change is taking place, for better or for worse, in men’s tennis, and we saw it in crystal clear HD fashion from New York.

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With the senior member of the Big Four inching closer to a retirement that none of us want to acknowledge is coming, the closeknit crew will be inherently weaker moving forward. Furthermore, after the year that Andy Murray had in 2014—very good, but certainly more disconcerting than

excellent—it is becoming more difficult to consider him as a significant roadblock to any future uprisings by the young, willing and eager “second line.”

That leaves us Nadal, battered and bruised with increasing regularity, and Djokovic, wavering in his focus and intensity, to carry the torch for the Big Four in 2015. It also, as many are predicting, leaves the door open for more eye-catching brilliance from relative unknowns.

The trends are in place. Way back in January, Grigor Dimitrov impressed us all when he battled tooth and nail with Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open, pushing him to four sets, including a thirdset tiebreaker that could have propelled him to the upset of the tournament. Dimitrov didn’t stop there, mind you. He raised more eyebrows in Queens, winning the title, then walloped defending champion Andy Murray en route to his first major semifinal at Wimbledon.

Though he faltered in New York, losing to Gael Monfils in the fourth round, the Bulgarian is clearly a player capable of claiming his maiden Grand Slam in 2015. He’s not the only one.

Kei Nishikori is yet another example of how time and talent can collaborate, eventually producing a player who is ready to challenge the existing tennis pantheon. Blessed with lethal groundstrokes on both wings, Nishikori proved in New York with his victories over Raonic, Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic that he is ready to challenge the big boys on a consistent basis. We should have seen it coming when he defeated David Ferrer on the red clay in Madrid and nearly took down Rafael Nadal the very next day. Nishikori’s body would give out on him against the King of Clay, forcing him to retire. But in New York, faced with steamy conditions and fatigue from backto-back five-setters, Japan’s No. 1 passed the test. He fell short in Monday’s final, but Japan’s rising star, no doubt, will be back next year to push it further.

“THE SKY MAY NOT BE FALLING AT THE MOMENT, BUT IT MOST CERTAINLY WILL.”

Milos Raonic, with his ballistic serve, has been undergoing accelerated improvement with Ivan Ljubicic as his coach. Reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros, he followed it up with a semifinal run at Wimbledon.

Though he seems to be regularly flummoxed by the Federer’s and Djokovic’s of the world, he, too, could benefit from paying attention to the awe-inspiring surge of Marin Cilic at the US Open. Like Cilic, Raonic is blessed with a big serve and power to burn, but the big Canadian still plays with too much timidity for his skill set.

Will next season pick up where 2014 left off? Will we continue to witness the ascent of these tremendously talented players, like Nishikori, Raonic, Cilic and Dimitrov, not to mention Nick Kyrgios, Dominic Thiem, or will the Big Four rise again, delaying the inevitable for another year?

It’s a question that we’ll all enjoy mulling over as the fall season segues into the World Tour Finals in London. With Cilic No. 5 in the race and Nishikori No. 6, the new faces are in position to keep nipping at the heels of the of their elder statesmen.

Even if the Big Four bite back, their vulnerability ought to give the kids something to shoot for over the winter. The young guns have time on their side, talent to burn, and with each passing year as the wisdom piles up, so, too, will the belief.

It’s just a matter of time now.

They sky may not be falling at the moment, but it most certainly will.

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GET TO KNOW

MARIN CILIC

By Blair Henley

Marin Cilic made winning his first Grand Slam look easy. Serving bombs and backing them up with aggressive baseline play, he avoided dropping a set in his final three US Open matches. As his coach Goran Ivanisevic would say, the 25-year-old Croat gave his opponents a “tennis lesson.” Cilic sat down with Tennis Now last year to talk about his personality, his goals and his life off the court.

In an interview you did a couple of years ago, you said that you get pretty nervous before matches.

Is that still the case? Or have you grown out of it?

I think those kinds of things are changing throughout the course of the year. Just before Davis Cup matches I always feel very nervous because it’s a big responsibility. Also, not playing for a few weeks and going to play a first match can make me a little nervous in the first few games. [When I have confidence], I don’t feel nervous at all. Winning helps you to be less nervous (laughs).

You seem pretty even-keeled on the court.

Has that always been your style? Or were you smashing racquets as a junior?

I was always like that. You can have your tough days during the year, and you can be a little more negative, 10

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but overall, I’m pretty positive. I know that if I’m like that, I’m going to have the best chance to think the best and to make the best decisions on the court.

Even if I’m in a bad situation with the score, I try to still be positive and push myself.

Do you set a goal for your year?

I was thinking about that before the new season. All the seasons before, all the good ones that I had, I had around 40 or 45 wins. This year I would like to make 50 and maybe even more. We’ll see. So far I’m on a good course, playing at least 3 or 4 matches each tournament, so that helps a lot. Ranking-wise, I’m close to the top 10. I hope I can make it there.

There are some American fans who might not know you quite as well as some other players.

How would you describe your personality?

Easygoing, pretty calm. One of the most important things for me is just to be honest. I’m always trying to be very positive and happy on the court. I’m also more focused and more serious, so maybe it doesn’t show the best personality. But overall, I think I’m very

“I AM VERY POSITIVE AND EASYGOING.” positive and easygoing. I also like to interact with the fans, especially kids. I know how much it means to them to get to know some players, to be with them, to share a couple of words, and to give them a memory.

Fans in the U.S. may not know you as well, but what about when you go home to Croatia? Are the fans crazy?

No, not really. Croatia is a small country. I’m living in the capital in Zagreb where we have many athletes, and people are not going too much for the autographs. People recognize me, but they leave me in peace.

What is the best part about playing professional tennis?

[The best part] is that you are doing something you love, and that you started as a kid. When I started

with tennis, it was just a game, and it became my job and my life. I’m giving everything to be the best I can. Most of the people in the world have to do jobs to survive, to make money, and maybe some jobs don’t suit them. I’m just enjoying every time I’m on the court, and I have a great opportunity in my life to have a great career. I’m trying to always think of that, and to be positive and to push myself.

What’s the worst part?

Being away of course. Being away from my family and girlfriend, it’s not easy to cope with those things. But I’m still young. I’m not in my 30s. I’m on my fourth or fifth year on the tour, so I’m still feeling fresh.

If you weren’t playing tennis, what would you be doing?

I would definitely be playing some other sport. At least I would try (laughs). Probably football (read: soccer).

I haven’t played too much basketball, because it was not as popular in my hometown as football.

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Legendary:

Serena Reaches No. 18

By Erik Gudris

Upon winning her 18th career Grand Slam title, Serena Williams confirmed her status as one of the game’s all-time greats.

After reaching the US Open semifinals in New York, Serena Williams was once again asked about the number 18 and what it meant to her.

“It means a lot. It means legal to do some things. It also means legendary. Legal and legendary. Nice age,” Williams said with a laugh.

That number, referencing her longstanding goal of winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles, was discussed often during the tournament’s two weeks. Could the world No. 1, after a year in which she failed to move beyond the quarterfinals of a major, reach a milestone that would place her on the same plane as Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova?

She was just 17 when she won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 1999. Her older sister Venus was expected to be the first member in the family to win a major, but the younger Williams, as we now know, had other plans.

Since then Serena has tasted success at the US Open six times, including this year where she didn’t drop a set en route to the title. Though able to finally relax and reflect on her historic accomplishment, Williams still doesn’t quite believe it.

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Serena’s Quotable US Open Quotes Q. How good would Serena Williams have been if she was left handed?

A. Gosh, I always ask my dad why wasn’t I a lefty.

Even when I was younger I wanted to be lefty. I could have been really good (smiling).

Q. You made some cat noises at the end of a few interviews. Is it like a costume? Do you feel like a sort of wildcat out there?

A. No, but I feel like we play in our outfits. It is our moment to shine; it is our chance. Each of our sponsors -- Nike has done an incredible job with designing some wonderful outfits for me. So, yeah, I just love leopard print.

Q. You talked about traveling. Whether it’s traveling at a tournament or here in New York, what does it mean to have Chip (your dog) supporting you?

“I just could never have imagined that I would be mentioned with Chris Evert or with Martina Navratilova, because I was just a kid with a dream and a racquet,” she said. “Living in Compton, you know, this never happened before. I’m just the beginning.”

A. Actually we need a little time apart. He’s been annoying lately. He cries. I think he’s talking to me and I don’t quite understand him. It’s really stressing me out a little bit. I had to send him to his auntie’s room yesterday to give me a little break. Hopefully he’ll be better.

Q. You spoke about Milos Raonic’s arm sleeve. Can you tell us your thoughts about it?

A. I told him a long time ago. I would like to say that I was the first to tell him, because I told him in Miami, that I loved his sleeve. Anyone else that’s saying it is officially copying me.

Q. Caroline [Wozniacki] is a class act and a good friend. What was it like to come out and play someone across the net that you have feelings for?

A. It’s definitely not easy, you know, but I think we both wanted to win this. We both wanted to do the best that we could. And like I say, I’ve play against Venus. If I can play against her, I can really handle anything at this point.

ry? a d n e “Leg now. k t ’ n o .” d a I n e r e S ’I m just

When asked to define her place in tennis history, Williams refused – only because she’s not finished writing it.

“I don’t think about it so much because I’m still playing,” she said. “I’m already looking at maybe No. 19. I think once you do [think about it] you become a little satisfied. I have said this before: I don’t want to become that. I want to continue to rise and continue to play really hard and do the best that I can.”

How far and high can Williams go? That’s all up to the soon-to-be 33-year-old who continues redefining her place in the sport’s records books, even if she doesn’t like to dwell on them. Her attitude is further proof that Williams, as long as she stays healthy, just might pass Steffi Graf’s historic tally of 22 Grand Slam titles.

Her latest feat has led many fans and media members to consider Serena Williams the greatest female of all time. Just don’t ask her to label her success.

“Legendary? I don’t know. I’m just Serena.”

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FASHION

HITS Simona Halep We didn’t see much of Simona Halep’s adidas kit thanks to her early US Open exit, but her pink number hit all the right notes. This two-piece combo was one of the tournament’s most flattering.

Roger Federer Federer’s Nike night outfit was made for the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Darth Federer look plus Air Jordan Zoom Vapor shoes combined to make an unforgettable style statement.

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Serena Williams We could have done without her post-match blazer, but Serena Williams’ safari-inspired animal print dress from Nike was both whimsical and fierce. Plus, the simple shape showed off her signature curves.

Bernard Tomic Nick Kyrgios Call us crazy, but we actually liked the pink and blue Nike polos worn by the Aussie doubles team of Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios. The young, fresh color and print combo matched their personalities.

Maria Sharapova Like Federer, Sharapova rocked her all-black number. With a flattering shape and shimmering details at the hem, the WTA’s resident fashion maven looked simultaneously sleek and sinister.

Andy Murray Murray has worn some questionable adidas kits in the past, but his US Open gear this year looked both classy and sporty. The bright green accents added the pop of color necessary to keep things interesting.

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FASHION

MISSES

Andrea Petkovic While several WTA players were stuck wearing Stella McCartney’s ruffled creations for adidas, poor Andrea Petkovic got the allbrown number – down to her shoes.

Donna Vekic How do you make an 18-year-old look twice her age?

Put her in an ill-fitting polo and button it up to her chin.

Donna Vekic’s Nike getup just looked uncomfortable.

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Radek Stepanek Stepanek’s commitment to wacky polo prints is charming, but we have one question: Why? His US Open creation left us dazed and confused.

Stan Wawrinka Props to Stan Wawrinka for showing fans that his racquet manufacturer also makes clothing and shoes. Other than that, this Yonex print is something of an 80s space movie.

Peng Shuai

Tomas Berdych Shuai became just the third Chinese woman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in New York. She also became the first to do it wearing a teal belt. Thanks, Li-Ning.

Once again, Tomas Berdych’s H&M kit received points for individuality. Once again, the outfit looked bizarre and contrived.

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SHOE REVIEW

NIKE LUNAR BALLISTEC

By Matt Locke

Fit/Comfort: The shoe is extremely comfortable right out of the box. I experienced no break-in period during my initial on-court hours. Nike’s Lunarlon cushioning provides a pillow-like feel that encases your foot. It also provides a much lower-tothe-ground sensation than that of Nike’s Court Ballistec 4.3. The shoe is quick to mold to your foot and offers adequate arch support and a secure feel. It borrows the Adaptive Fit system introduced in the Vapor line made famous by Roger Federer. Individual Flywire cables up the lacing system can be fine-tuned for the perfect fit without squeezing the forefoot.

The shoe also flexes better than previous iterations without being too floppy to provide support. I found the Lunar Ballistec to be fairly long and would recommend going down a half size from your usual shoe size.

Breathability: If the shoe has an Achilles heel (no pun intended), it would be the ventilation factor. It uses less mesh than I’m used to and has a more synthetic-based upper. While the top of the toe box is perforated, I found myself wishing for more. There was never a point where the ventilation created an issue for me on court, but I did take them off immediately after wrapping up play, allowing my feet to breathe.

The overall comfort level of the shoe makes up for the breathability issues, but I hope it will be addressed in future updates.

“ YOU WON’T

FIND A COOLER LOOKING SHOE…

“

With its 2014 release, the Nike Lunar Ballistec rocked the world of tennis footwear thanks to its futuristic design, bold colors, new technology and steep price.

Initially designed for Rafael Nadal, the shoe has been a hot topic for tennis players and fans alike. But the real question is: Does the shoe perform?

Performance/Durability: On-court performance with the Lunar Ballistec is exceptional.

Traction is outstanding, providing plenty of grip for sudden stops and quick changes of direction.

Stability is also excellent with a secure, locked-down feel present

throughout play. I found the older Court Ballistec 4.3 model to be clunky, but the Lunar version is lightning fast and offers premium comfort to boot.

Durability is a bit of a mixed bag for me. The tread pattern was starting to smooth out in spots after about 20 hours of play. It still had plenty of life left, but it did seem to be wearing down a bit faster than I would have liked.

As an admitted toe-dragger, I was concerned when the front of the shoe showed clear signs of abrasion during that same period. Time will tell if the toe guard holds up long enough for the sole to give out. Either way, you should have peace of mind knowing that Nike backs the Lunar Ballistec with a sixmonth outsole warranty. Players who are hard on their footwear will definitely be able to take advantage of the guarantee.

Few shoes can match the combination of incredible cushioning, fast feel and excellent stability that this model offers. And you definitely won’t find a cooler looking shoe on the market today. If you can stomach the $165 sticker price, the Nike Lunar Ballistec is a must-try.

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STARS IN THE STANDS

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8 1. Leonardo DiCaprio 2. Heidi Klum & Vito Schnabel 3. Julian McMahon 4. Robert Redford 5. Alec Baldwin 6. Gwen Stefani 7. Ben Stiller 8. Kevin Spacey 9. Michael Jordan 10. Luke Wilson 11. Gladys Knight 12. Hugh Jackman 13. Magnus & Will Ferrell

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By Blair Henley

If you’re looking to emulate the best technique in professional tennis, don’t bother with Roger Federer’s backhand, Juan Martin del Potro’s forehand or Grigor Dimitrov’s volley. The first shot you should attempt to master is Serena Williams’ serve. Her simple, reliable and effective motion deserves much of the credit for helping the 32-year-old maintain a stranglehold on the No. 1 ranking. In this edition of Shot Spot, we detail what she does so well.

1

Williams starts with her weight on her front foot. Her arms are clearly relaxed, and she makes sure the tip of her racquet is facing toward her target. This sets the stage for a simple, linear back-andforth motion.

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2

SHOT

With the ball and racquet still glued together, she methodically transfers her weight to her back foot, preparing for a forward push. Her right wrist remains relaxed as she readies for a backswing that will move straight back from her starting point.

3

Her weight still on her back foot, she begins her backswing slowly.

Her tossing arm stays relaxed, but straight as it elevates, fingers stay loose and extended.

Unnecessary tension in the tossing arm/hand can cause tossing errors.

4

Williams has shifted her weight back to her front foot where she begins to load with her legs. As she bends her knees, she extends her arm until it’s perpendicular to the ground. This is key in ensuring she releases up to the ball rather than collapsing down.

SPOT 5

Dragging her back leg forward, she maximizes load from both legs. Note that Williams maintains extension of her tossing arm even after releasing the ball, focusing her eyes and body upward.

She drops her right elbow into the classic “trophy position.”

6

Only when she begins to explode with her legs does she drop her left arm.

Her eyes remain trained on the ball. Just before starting her follow through, she also drops her racquet head low, allowing for maximum acceleration when she makes contact.

7

MASTER SERENA WILLIAM SERVE S’

Williams reaches the height of her leg explosion just as she’s about to make contact with the ball.

She calculates her toss height so that she can strike the ball as her body is fully extended.

Her eyes are still locked on her contact point.

8

After contact she follows through to her left side, propelling herself up, out and into the court.

Not only does that maximize her power, but it also means she’s in an aggressive position to retrieve the return – should it come back.

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By Matt Locke

SMART FITNESS: RALPH LAUREN POLO TECH SHIRT

The US Open helped continue the “connected” revolution in tennis by providing a trial run for the new Polo Tech shirt by Ralph Lauren. Select ball boys wore the technology during matches and touring pro Marcos Giron is donning the sleek tee during his training sessions. Here are the details on how it works: Developed in conjunction with tech firm OMsignal, the shirt utilizes interwoven biosensing silver fibers. A small unit that houses an accelerometer and gyrometer attaches to the rib cage of the shirt and receives information from the fibers. The unit provides real-time feedback to an app on your smartphone or tablet. It provides workout information like distance, calories burned, movement intensity, heart rate and breathing rate. The app also monitors your time “in the zone,” allowing you to track workout intensity. The detachable sensor unit can last for about 30 hours of workout time before needing to re-charge via USB. The shirt itself is built from moisture wicking compression fabric to aid in blood circulation and muscle recovery.

With the shirt not set to debut until 2015, Ralph Lauren has time to fine tune its design and functionality aspects. Expect a smaller sensor unit by the time it comes to market. The Polo Tech shirt offers yet another option for tennis players to get “connected” to their game and train smarter.

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

2014US USOPEN OPENREVIEW REVIEW 24 2014

VIDEO INSTRUCTION CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

It’s not going to be easy, but the simple tips in this video can help you get started.

How do you topple a player who can get thousands of balls back?

PUSHER (noun): a type of tennis player who relies solely on consistency to win tennis matches.

SYNONYMS: brick wall, impenetrable fortress

Pushers are good at what they do. With consistency as their one-and-only weapon, they wear opponents down, ball by ball.

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SCORING A PERFECT 100

By Erik Gudris

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For Bob and Mike Bryan, title 100 at the US Open brought them right back to the start of their legendary careers.

The best doubles team in tennis history capped off another successful US Open by capturing their fifth title in New York, beating Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 6-3, 6-4. Even bigger, the win represents Bob and Mike Bryan’s 100th career title, a truly incredible achievement likely never to be duplicated.

“Yeah, it’s always sweet winning a Grand Slam.

This just adds some extra whip cream and cherries and nuts on top. To win a Slam for the 10th consecutive year, that was kind of in the back of our heads, too,” Mike Bryan said. “I mean, it was just great. I thought it was kind of our best match of the tournament against a really tough team that posed a lot of challenges.”

“WE’RE

NOT

GOING TO REST ON OUR LAURELS.”

For his brother Bob, winning number 100 made him think back to the early days of their tennis development.

“I was having flashbacks to my whole career towards the end of that match,” he said just after their victory. “I was thinking juniors, college. It was an incredible moment. I was trying to stay in the moment, but it was impossible.

Then you got the 100, the ten years with the Slam, first Slam of the year, our fifth Open – there are no words to describe it.”

Like Serena Williams, the Bryans consider their hard work and stunted social life a worthwhile investment in their success.

“It feels great to be recognized and to achieve something great in a sport you have dedicated your life to,” Bob Bryan continued. “We have sacrificed everything since two, three years old.

It didn’t feel like we were sacrificing because we were having so much fun at a young age. As you mature and look back you say, ‘Gee, I didn’t go to my high school program. I had one sip of alcohol pretty much my whole life.’

That’s unusual, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

So when will the Bryan Brothers slow down? At 36, they have no exit strategy in place.

“We’re not going to rest on our laurels.” Mike Bryan said. “We have eyed [the 2016 Olympics] as kind of the day where we want to step away.

But who knows? Might just be a shortterm thing and we might keep going.”

Tennis fans can only hope.

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ACES

&

Just about every Grand Slam comes complete with unforgettable moments worthy of the eternal tennis highlight reel. But with the adrenalineinducing comebacks and unexpected breakthroughs, there are also some good old-fashioned head scratchers. When the final ball was struck inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Tennis Now staff got busy compiling the Aces and Faults of the 2014 US Open. Do you agree with our picks?

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S ' R I A BL S K C I P Roger Federer Beats Gael Monfils 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2 This match had a little bit of everything: a Coke-drinking Gael Monfils, a fist-pumping Roger Federer, a rowdy latenight crowd and an amazing comeback. Though Federer didn’t play his best over the first two sets, he summoned his legendary precision when he needed it, approaching the net a mind-boggling 74 times. The fans packed into Arthur Ashe Stadium certainly appreciated his effort, effectively losing their minds when Federer saved two match points in the fourth set.

Predictably, Monfils rolled over in the fifth, allowing one of the best players in history to yell skyward in celebration (and relief).

Sloane Stephens’ Attitude For much of this season and last, Sloane Stephens bypassed questions about her mentality and motivation thanks to her consistently impressive performances in the four Grand Slams. But after losing in the first and second rounds of Wimbledon and the US Open respectively, it appears Stephens’ magic may be

running out. While slumps are a part of the game, the 21-year-old American’s blasé attitude on the court and in the press room is off-putting and even disrespectful.

After her loss to 96th-ranked Johanna Larsson in New York, Stephens repeatedly said that the only thing to do was “keep working hard.” We can only hope she means it.

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S ' K I ER S K C I P Caroline Wozniacki Beats Maria Sharapova 6-4 2-6 6-2 Caroline Wozniacki enjoyed a well-deserved return to the Grand Slam spotlight in New York. Her impressive fourthround win over Maria Sharapova proved the former No. 1 is back in the mix after several disappointing years. Playing with more confidence, ease and power, Wozniacki used all her skills, including her incredible defense to run down every shot from the Russian’s racquet. No wonder she is scheduled to run a marathon soon. With that win, Wozniacki propelled herself into her second Grand Slam final that had all of New York saying, “Welcome back, Sunshine!”

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US Men Fail to Reach US Open Fourth Round...Again When US No. 1 John Isner lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber, it marked the second straight year - and the second time in the tournament’s 134-year history - that no American man reached the US Open

fourth round. While Isner and his fellow American pros are working hard, it didn’t detract from the disappointment that many home fans felt. With Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open win now ancient history, it may take a new generation of American guys to reach the second week of their home major, let alone contend for the title anytime soon.

' S I R CH S K C I P The Rebirth of Mirjana Lucic-Baroni One of the sweetest and most moving moments of the whole US Open occurred in the press room as Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni bared her soul in front of reporters while reflecting on her career.

The occasion? Oh, no big deal, she had just made the second week of a major for the first time in 15 years. She reached the Wimbledon semifinals as a wild card in 1999, but after being beset by devastating personal and financial problems, her career had simmered to a standstill.

Man, was it great to see her back on the big stage!

Peng Shuai’s Retirement Lowlight is an understatement. Peng Shuai’s retirement from her semifinal match with Caroline Wozniacki after suffering from debilitating heat illness was heartbreaking to watch. In the midst of the tournament

of her life, she was suddenly accosted by cramps and fatigue and carted off in a wheelchair. At 28, and in her 37th major, she had finally broken through to the final four of a Slam, becoming only the third Chinese woman to do so.

She was playing great. Though she didn’t deserve to win that day, we wish she had a chance to fight to the finish line.

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TEAM S K C I P The Rise of Aleksandra Krunic After watching Aleksandra Krunic qualify for the US Open and make her way to the fourth round, everyone seemed to be asking the same question: Where has this girl been? Poised and powerful, the 21-year-old Serb entered the tournament ranked No. 145, but the confidence with which she took down Madison Keys and Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova seemed befitting of a seasoned veteran. The set she took from Victoria Azarenka before falling to the former No. 1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium was one of the best of the tournament.

After her loss, she was asked if she knew how much money she would take home. “No,” she answered with a smile. “I know it’s 30 percent tax. That makes me very sad.”

Berdych’s Double Bounce Rant Let’s give Tomas Berdych credit for standing by his convictions. During his straight set loss to Marin Cilic, the Czech believed he reached a short ball before its second 32

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bounce. Chair umpire Louise Engzell disagreed. Berdych went on to berate Engzell, asking her if she had “ever held a racquet” and contending that tennis experience would have assisted her in making the correct call. Video replay would confirm Engzell’s

decision to declare a double bounce, and Berdych would go on to make a Twitter apology for his on-court outburst.

Instant replay, anyone?

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SPLITSVILLE Aleksandra Krunic’s athleticism wowed crowds as she made her way to the US Open fourth round. Let’s hope we see a lot more of the Serbian spitfire.

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SPECIAL KEI

Japanese fans pray for a comeback during Kei Nishikori’s loss to Marin Cilic in the US Open final.

He is the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam final.

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AIRBORNE Novak Djokovic may not have lived up to his top seeding at the US Open, but he still exhibited some of his trademark mid-air acrobatics.

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IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! Nope, it’s just Gael Monfils doing what he does best. The Frenchman’s extreme shot-making and nonsensical rants make him a hot ticket wherever he goes.

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JUST CHILLIN’ 40

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Marin Cilic takes a moment to reflect on his maiden Grand Slam win surrounded by 23,000 of his closest friends.

PHOTO FINISH

Serena Williams deserves to be the center of attention after cementing her status as one of the all-time greats.

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FREEZE FRAME 42

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Without knowing when Roger Federer’s inevitable retirement will come, fans savor every moment this living legend spends on the court.

O, SAY CAN YOU CICI

Fans piled into tiny Court 6 to catch a glimpse of 15-year-old CiCi Bellis’ win over Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova. ‘Merica.

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SERVE ‘EM UP

Despite her proclivity for double faults, Maria Sharapova always cuts an imposing figure as she kicks off the point.

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TENNIS BOWL

Arthur Ashe Stadium has an atmosphere like no other venue in the game. It’s a bucket-list destination for any tennis fan.

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Pro Staff 97

Federer’s Newest Weapon It’s about time! After almost a year of play with a mysterious blacked out frame, Roger Federer and Wilson have debuted the brand new Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph. Moving on from the 90 square inch racquet he made famous, Federer now has a bit more real estate at his disposal. With a larger sweet spot and a more open 16 by 19 string pattern, the RF 97 provides more power and spin potential on contact without sacrificing the classic Pro Staff feel. Despite those enhancements, the racquet still has the characteristics of a traditional “player’s frame.” Narrow beams and a leather grip combine with a substantial 12.5 ounce strung weight to make this racquet one of the most stable on the market. Great for serve and volleying or pounding groundstrokes from the baseline, Federer’s stick is built to enhance the all-court game of an experienced player. Demo the Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph at Tennis Express!

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RANKINGS 1 Novak Djokovic SRB 12,290 2 Rafael Nadal ESP 8,670 3 Roger Federer SUI 8,030 4 Stan Wawrinka SUI 5,625 5 David Ferrer ESP 4,495 6 Tomas Berdych CZE 4,240 7 Milos Raonic CAN 4,225 8 Kei Nishikori JPN 3,870 9 Marin Cilic CRO 3,845 10 Grigor Dimitrov BUL 3,710 11 Andy Murray GBR 3,150 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA 3,100 13 Ernests Gulbis LAT 2,615 14 Juan Martin Del Potro ARG 2,365 15 Roberto Bautista Agut ESP 1,935 16 John Isner USA 1,925 17 Fabio Fognini ITA 1,870 18 Gael Monfils FRA 1,845 19 Kevin Anderson RSA 1,840 20 Feliciano Lopez ESP 1,770 21 Richard Gasquet FRA 1,730 22 Tommy Robredo ESP 1,645 23 Alexandr Dolgopolov UKR 1,535 24 Philipp Kohlschreiber GER 1,505 25 Leonardo Mayer ARG 1,399 1 Serena Williams USA 9430 2 Simona Halep ROM 6160 3 Petra Kvitova CZE 5926 4 Maria Sharapova RUS 5575 5 Agnieszka Radwanska POL 5380 6 Li Na CHN 5270 7 Eugenie Bouchard CAN 4545 8 Angelique Kerber GER 4400 9 Caroline Wozniacki DEN 4305 10 Ana Ivanovic SRB 3855 11 Jelena Jankovic SRB 3655 12 Sara Errani ITA 3215 13 Dominika Cibulkova SVK 3007 14 Lucie Safarova CZE 2965 15 Ekaterina Makarova RUS 2845 16 Flavia Pennetta ITA 2651 17 Andrea Petkovic GER 2525 18 Carla Suarez Navarro ESP 2420 19 Venus Williams USA 2370 20 Samantha Stosur AUS 2110 21 Peng Shuai CHN 1905 22 Alize Cornet FRA 1900 23 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS 1860 24 Victoria Azarenka BLR 1813 25 Garbine Muguruza ESP 1803

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