Axis Magazine Spring 2012

Page 4

THE

NUMB3RS GAME STATS AND FUN FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME WE KNOW AND LOVE

1

st

BC’S RANK IN CANADA BY TENNIS POPULARITY.

Check your own footwork. We bet you could add 2 steps on every ball – and that if you did, your own rankings would rise on your local courts.

A big step forward, in a country with a modest 120 facilities overall. Here’s to more fresh new opportunities to play all year.

brilliantly precise doubles play, the showboating of Monfils live and in person got us thinking about our own games. So we thought we’d toss out a few stats about tennis in Canada – and tennis on our home courts, as individuals. Call it a macro-micro picture.

5,000,000

129

No. of ranking spots that Milos Raonic climbed in 2011 (FROM 156 TO 27)

4

| AXIS BC’S WORLD OF TENNIS | SPRING 2012

You might never know it from the way hockey still reigns in this country, but tennis is gaining a real foothold. The Davis Cup was a great example (and so are the increased instances of ATP and WTA events on Canadian TV outlets these days).

The number of hours that Malcolm Gladwell insists you spend at any activity to achieve mastery. Stay out there, people.

HOTEL were booked for the Davis Cup.

OTHER SPORTS

SPEEDY SERVICE Croatian Player Ivo Karlovic broke the record for World’s Fastest Serve during a Davis Cup game against Germany. Here’s how it compares to other fast-movers: 80 km/h Canada Line Train

ROOMS TENNIS FANS

Overall, the principle of the game is still the same: you have to impose your game, not show any weaknesses, be fit, and in the big points, to – I don’t want say bluff – but to surprise your opponent. In that way, it hasn’t changed. - Guy Forget French Team Captain and Former World #4 (1992)

OF US CANADIANS PLAYED TENNIS IN 2011. THAT’S MORE THAN 12% OF US, NATIONWIDE.

1/3 OF CANADIAN FANS CONSIDER THEMSELVES AVID FOLLOWERS OF TENNIS.

Canadian Davis Cup captain, believes your personality is, more or less, formed and complete. If you’re a rager, it’s best to tame the beast – and get those negative emotions under control – before then. He mentioned both Borg and Federer as examples of players who were stormy as young players, and almost scarily icy as adult champions.

SECONDS

20

The Davis Cup has us thinking about tennis in Canada, and where we stand on the global tennis stage. We also got to watch some incredible tennis up close. Seeing those thundering serves from Milos, the otherworldly speed and relentless attack of Tsonga, the

Martin Laurendeau,

Average length of a point in a match. This means concentration really is everything.

NUMBER OF NEW INDOOR TENNIS FACILITIES TENNIS CANADA IS CONSULTING ON.

GO CANADA GO!

4-7

18

Age at which

QUOTED

With 6% of BC residents calling themselves tennis players. In a province where it rains half the year in the most populous area, this no small feat.

10-12

Number of steps that a pro typically travels during the average point.

200 km/h Skydive freefall speed (terminal velocity) 251 km/h Ivo Karlovic’s serve Ivo also holds the record for tallest player ever on the tour at 6’10”.

5 Groundstroke forehands 5 Groundstroke backhands looking down at the ball. 5 Serves AllNow,without you’re warmed up.

3.5

ft

LONGER

WHEN YOU HIT CROSSCOURT.

(Just in case you didn’t already know where to shoot when you’re on the run or defensive.)

AXIS BC’S WORLD OF TENNIS | SPRING 2012

5


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.