Australian Tennis Magazine - June 2010

JUNE 2010

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FERNANDO VERDASCO: PLAYBOY OR PLAYER?

YOUR GAME • • • •

HOLD YOUR LEAD SERVE LIKE CILIC FITNESS AT ANY AGE VISUALISING VICTORY

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WIMBLEDON WATCH

AUSSIE CHAMPS:

FED CUP DAVIS CUP

ANDRE AGASSI EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

SERENA WILLIAMS SUPERSTAR STRATEGY

ROGER FEDERER:

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JUNE 2010 VOL 35 No. 6

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FEATURES

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S till in the Spotlight

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L eaders of the Pack

Whether it’s off the court or on it, Serena Williams loves a big stage.

What’s on the cards at Wimbledon 2010?

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The Game Behind the Glamour Fernando Verdasco was once considered more playboy than player but it no longer rings true for the committed top-tenner.

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A dvantage Australia The World Group is ever so close for Australia’s Davis Cup team, who’ll play Belgium for that honour in September.

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Rising

to the Challenge As the new President of Tennis Australia, Steve Healy is under no illusions about the challenges ahead.

The Long Road Back After a remarkable win in the Ukraine, Australia’s Fed Cup team return to the top tier of the team event for the first time in four years.

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The Extraordinary Evolution of Andre Agassi In an exclusive interview, the superstar champion delivers more extraordinary candour and insight.

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june 2010 REGULARS 7

Topspin

13

Your Serve

35

Court Talk

44

Rankings

46 47

Scoreboard

My Game

56

My Coach

71

Club of the Month

FROM THE EDITOR liams and t-time superstar. Serena Wil here’s no such thing as a par on the court ssive hype whether they’re Roger Federer generate ma p those ds a racquet in hand to kee or off it and neither player nee in. endorsement earnings rolling not thinking our world No. 1s – and But you could be excused for d Australian Open bledon and recently crowne coincidentally, defending Wim ming her 12th ma jor in part-time players. After clai champions – have become re than three months; sing from competition for mo mis was ena Ser , rne bou Mel between the American hard court events Federer popped into just two season. t of the European clay court Australian Open and the star for both players’ r provided legitimate reason Injury in one form or anothe names have lost thinking the game’s marquee absences. Yet you can’t help nas. are us outside the Grand Slam interest in stamping their stat 8; Serena Federer turns 29 on August Can we really blame them? players say they’re y the following month. Both celebrates the same birthda but competing st the 2012 London Olympics, keen to compete until at lea tours’ undeniably careful management of the into their early 30s will require demanding schedules. t bringing their fessional enough to know tha Federer and Serena are pro e lead-in events. es preparation in at least som best to the ma jors necessitat e hav crept into their the unexpected losses that At the same time, however, ena losing to Nadia Albert Montanes in Estoril; Ser records – Federer ousted by endous shocks. longer be considered such trem Petrova in Madrid – should no bledon titles mpions can defend their Wim Whether the formidable cha l into the wel tor a fair bet they’ll at least fac remains to be seen, but it’s struggle with injury ile many of their colleagues tournament’s final days. Wh lly matter – and know it’s the ma jors that rea these seasoned professionals , even if they’re kes them full-time superstars that’s the knowledge that ma onl y part-time players.

T

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

EDITOR CONSULTING EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR ART DIRECTOR ADVERTISING MANAGER ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER MY COACH CONTENT PHOTOGRAPHS

COVER PHOTO

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Vivienne Christie Alan Trengove Daniela Toleski Naomi O’Bryan Jackie Cunningham Sherryn Dove Travis Atkinson, Karen Clydesdale Getty Images, John Anthony (All photographs by Getty Images unless specified) Getty Images

Australian Tennis Magazine is published monthly by TENNIS AUSTRALIA LTD, Private Bag 6060, Richmond, Vic 3121. Ph: (03) 9914 4200 Email: editor@tennismag.com.au Distributed by Network Distribution Company Printed in Australia by Webstar The views expressed in Australian Tennis Magazine are not necessarily those held by Tennis Australia. While the utmost care is taken in compiling the information contained in this publication, Tennis Australia is not responsible for any loss or injury occurring as a result of any omissions in either the editorial or advertising appearing herein.

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LEADERS of the PACK What’s on the cards for Wimbledon 2010? Tom Kelly reports.

er Federer King olt:fWhinneaerrt20s03:, 20R04o, 20g05, 2006, 2007, 2009

Best resu l to win sixth title d Roddick in fina In 2009: Defeate to his very best in bledon returned on The King of Wim ar was but a blip s the previous ye los his ing he ov s pr , ow 2009 r Federer kn anding radar. Roge an otherwise outst actically his pr is ponents on what can bully most op leading rm fo d regardless of his home surface, an ajors. An m e th 1 comes to play at up, the world No. ser to clo him rer simply brings ‘off-day’ for Fede around e m n’t co ck; even those do the the rest of the pa re fo lost be iss master hasn’t ch too often. The Sw en Fr 04 e 20 and Slam since th semi-finals of a Gr Open.

16

Ace of spades: Rafael Nad

Best Wimbledon res ult: Winner 2008 In 2009: Did not play

al

There’s no doubting Ra fael Nadal has talent in spades.

And, finally seeing sen se after years of strain on his knees, the tennis ace has eased off his schedule in an effo rt to remain fit later in the year for big tourname nts like Wimbledon. The last tim e Nadal played on the lawns of SW19, he unsea ted five-time defendin g Roger Federer in one of the most memorable finals ever. After regain ing his confidence throughout this year’s cla y season, the Spaniard looks set for a successf ul return in 2010.

Queen of clubs: Andy Roddick

Best Wimbledon result: Finalist 2004, 2005, 2009 In 2009: Lost in final to Federer

For so long the bridesmaid to Federer on the lawns of SW19, Andy Roddick will look to break the shackles in 2010 and claim his second Grand Slam title.

A nail-biting five-set loss last year will no doubt encourage the 27-year-old, as will titles in Brisbane and Miami – where he defeated Nadal en route to the final. Roddick has always had the right weapons for playing on grass; now it appears he finally has the guile and patience to match.

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nds: Andy Murray Jack of diamo nalist 2009 Best result: Semi-fi dick In 2009: Exited in semi-final to Rod

of all trades, Andy Although well-established as a jack k the British hoodoo Murray is yet to master one and brea ear-old has been 23-y the , in Grand Slam tennis. That said debut on bled steadily improving since his Wim in dick Rod to in 2005, losing in four tough sets by 0 201 last year’s semi-finals. After star ting Open, the Brit making the final of the Australian y losses. But lost momentum with a string of earl back home to a Murray will no doubt relish a trip king weapons to surface where he can put his attac good use.

Three of spades: Jo-Wilfried T songa Best Wimbledon res ult: Fourth round 20

07 In 2009: Exited in thir d round to Ivo Karlovic

Despite his game being naturally suited to grass courts, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has experienced only lukew arm results in his previous two Wimb ledon visits (last year he was upset by Ivo Karlovic in the third). The enigmatic Frenchman’s strengths include a powerful ser ve and deft touch at the ne t; both will come in handy at the All England Club. Tsonga returned to some of his best for m at this year’s Australian Open, disposing of No vak Djokovic on his wa y to the semi-finals. Don’t count out a repeat performance from the 25-year-old.

Joker: Novak Djokovic

Best Wimbledon result: Semi-fi nalist 2008 In 2009: Lost in quarter-final to Tom my Haas Rising to a career-high No.2 in earl y February, ‘the Joker’ looks to be returning to the form that reaped his first major at Australian Open 2008. Although his best results have come on hard courts, Novak Djok ovic is no stranger to grass, having made the semi-finals here in 2007 and the quarter-finals last year. The 23-yearold Serbian is one of the most energet ic and popular players on tour. If he can stay fit and in command of a recently-twea ked service motion, Djokovic can mak e an impression on the Wimbledon field in 2010.

Seven of hearts: Lleyton Newitt Best result: Winner 2002 In 2009: Exited in quarter-final to Roddick

in 2009 Australia’s warrior reminded the tennis world can he that, seven years after his Wimbledon triumph, world g still be a threat on the lawns of SW19. Demolishin , No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro in the second round he e wher nals er-fi quart the to Hewitt progressed lost to eventual finalist Roddick in five sets – his best result in a major for nearly three years. The as 29-year-old’s experience will prove invaluable the in glory Slam d he attempts to return to Gran latter stages of his career.

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