Australian Tennis Magazine - February 2013

FEBRUARY 2013

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

VICTORIA AZARENKA A DRAMATIC DEFENCE

AUSSIE CHAMPIONS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013

MAJOR NEW MILESTONES

EBDEN & GAJDOSOVA NICK KYRGIOS

BERNARD TOMIC SLOANE STEPHENS ANDY MURRAY LI NA

YOUR GAME • LEARN DJOKOVIC’S VOLLEY • FROM COUCH TO COURT • INCREASE FOOT SPEED • TARGETED TRAINING • DON’T BE A CHOKER

PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

DJOKER’S TRIPLE TREAT

FEBRUARY 2013 VOL 38 No. 2

A $7.50 (inc. GST) NZ $8.40 (inc. GST) US $7.50

REGULARS 7

Top Spin

12

Your Serve

45

Aces & Places

62

My Game

68

My Coach

78

Rankings

58

FROM THE EDITOR

toria Azarenka end a Grand Slam title. Vic t takes a certain spirit to def , as they added pla yed it, albeit differently and Novak Djokovic both dis ir respective records.

Australian Open titles to the to claim a third first man of the Open era For Djokovic, becoming the that has been en required an inner cal m consecutive Australian Op rth round against his toughest test in the fou years in the making. Facing victor y 12-1 0 bian simply dug in to claim Stanislas Wawrinka, the Ser e from behind to similar resilience as he cam in the fifth set. There was final. defeat And y Murra y in the ics than his tennis known more for his theatr e onc Where Djokovic was Whether he’s bines them both superbly. achievements, he now com chocol ates to the practice court, handing out allowing a young fan on the ws an admirable to charity, the world No.1 sho media or lending his hand Djokovic talks about ed position. And thus when perspective of his privileg it with him. s you can’t help but share his joy at his latest succes re complicated mpion was undeniabl y mo Becoming a multi ma jor cha remembered for Australian Open title will be for Azarenka. Her second ody could den y i-final progression but nob the controversy of her sem defeat crowd d to put it behind her and the mental strength require mptly declared -fill ed final. Azarenka pro favourite Li Na in a drama son. It will be a as both a pla yer and a per her intentions to improve erve. fascinating proces s to obs the new season. s also showed new spirit in yer pla Several Australian ic claimed ntly reinvented Bernard Tom A rejuvenated and appare a Ga jdosova ney; Matt Ebden and Jarmil his first career title in Syd and Ash Bar ty s titlists; Casey Dellacqua were popular mixed double to the world No.1 e lists while Nick Kyrgios ros impres sed as doubles fina .

Australian Open boys’ title junior ranking and won the adding to them. be l wil p estones the next ste Having achieved such mil s. ht prove worth y role model Azarenka and Djokovic mig

I

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER ADVERTISING MANAGER ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER PHOTOGRAPHS COVER PHOTO

Vivienne Christie Daniela Toleski Andrea Williamson Breanna Kray Daniel Heathcote Getty Images, John Anthony (All photographs by Getty Images unless specified) John Anthony/ISPA

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.

4

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2013

FEATURES

14

18

48

Starting strong

52

Australian story

Hat-tricks and theatrics Drama, high emotion and top tennis were all on show as new highs were achieved at the Australian Open.

Iron man of Melbourne Park Novak Djokovic makes more history as the first three-peat Australian Open champion of the modern era.

24

38

A dramatic defence In claiming her second major at Melbourne Park, Victoria Azarenka also displayed a new level of mental toughness.

Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Agnieszka Radwanska and others showed there’s no better way to start a new season than with Australian success.

Tournament highs and career-best runs provided highs of one kind but it wasn’t all about the tennis as top players enjoyed the Australian summer.

55

Young Americans Make way for the star-spangled spanner; Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Ryan Harrison and other exciting young American players are on the move.

Bolder than before A stunning Australian summer showed that Bernard Tomic can back up his bold claims with big performances.

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | February 2013

5

14

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | February 2013

Australian Open 2013

HAT-TRICKS AND THEATRICS Drama, high emotion and record-breaking performances were all on show as new standards were set in another stunning Australian Open.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2013

15

Celebrate summer with Australian Tennis Magazine The ATM water bottle is back by popular demand!

online @ tennismag. com.au

Join the thousands of fans who subscribe to Australia’s only dedicated tennis publication and receive your quality gift for the summer of tennis.

Subscribers not only receive this great gift but also save up to 70 percent on cover price, along with door-to-door delivery.

Actual drink bottle may vary from image shown

Many popular issues sold out in 2012 – subscribe now so you don’t miss a single copy!

MARIA SHARAPOVA

BIGGEST EVER WIMBLEDON UPSETS

Joins the Greats

SEPTEMBER 2012

SERENA WILLIAMS

Your Game • alternative training

STORMS WIMBLEDON

Your Game

• BackHands WitH variety • matcH-Winning HaBits • HOW tO avOid BurnOut

SuperStar ritualS SAM StoSUR The NexT STep

Olympic HigHs

• Weekly development plan

SOLD OUT

• strike a balance • health Watch

FrenCh oPen

david Ferrer victoria azarenka miXed doubles

raFael nadal

IN SeveNth heAveN

serena Williams mardy FisH yarOslava sHvedOva

Your GaME • Build A tActicAl AdvAntAge • injury impAct • Fit At Any level • leArn RADWANSkA’S BACkhAND

Clijsters

& roddiCk

FavourITES FarEwEllED

US OPEN

TurNING PoINTS

Andy MurrAy

TENNIS MYTHS

DEBUNKED

ROGER FEDERER

ANGELIQUE KERBER LLEYTON HEWITT SARA ERRANI

ANDY MURRAY

THE GREATEST EVER

BRAVEHEART’S BIG CHANCE

noVaK dJoKoVic

YOUR Game

PaSSION ReIGNITed

• Psychology of the Pros • UPPer-limb inJUries

Bernard Tomic TURNING POINTS

Major MaSTErMIND off Court

caroLine WoZniacKi

SERENA WILLIAMS

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

ACES & FAULTS

AUSSIE STARS SPECIAL

2012 SEASON WRAP

SAM STOSUR MARINKO MATOSEVIC OLIVIA ROGOWSKA

The FIGhTBack

angeliQUe KerBer JUan MonaCo Maria KirilenKo

Travelling on Tour

YOUR GAME • CASEY DELLACQUA’S STEPS FOR A STRONGER SERVE

DECEMBER SHOWDOWN BONUS GUIDE

• FINESSE YOUR FOREHAND WITH JO-WILFRIED TSONGA • COMMON INJURY AILMENTS • MATCH DAY CONFIDENCE

MUST-READ

CASEY DELLACQUA DAVID FERRER LAURA ROBSON

SUpERSTAR STAyiNg pOwER

DECEMBER 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

• serve science

stArs

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

OlyMPIc Index

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

major milestones

tHE ULtIMAtE RACQUEt REVIEW

NOVEMBER 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

• Finesse your Forehand

OCTOBER 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

MEET OUR NEXT

PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

AUGUST 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

JULY 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

A TOP TIER TAKEOVER

GENERATION

LLEYTON HEWITT

A FIGHTING FUTURE 3712 p 1 Cover...indd 1

11/15/12 7:05 PM

Visit tennismag.com.au to order a back issue …

Visit www.tennismag.com.au/subscription for PayPal OR Pay by credit card over the phone 1800 244 426 OR Post to Australian Tennis Magazine, Private Bag 6060, Richmond Vic 3121 OR Fax (03) 9914 4649 OR Email subscriptions@tennismag.com.au YES, please send me a subscription to Australian Tennis Magazine for the term indicated below, including my Australian Tennis Magazine Water Bottle.

SURNAME: _______________________________________________________________

Please send a subscription to Australian Tennis Magazine for: 3 years 2 years 1 year Australia ($AUS inc GST) $195.00 $140.00 $75.00

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________

Overseas (1 year only)

STATE: ___________________POSTCODE: ___________________

($AUS)

NZ/Asia Pacific $105.00

This is a: New subscription Renewal If a gift, please write name of gift provider here:

Rest of World $130.00 Gift

MR/MRS/MISS/MS: _______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

COUNTRY: ________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

EMAIL: ___________________________________________________________________

Payment Details: I hereby enclose my cheque for $__________.______ Please make cheques payable to Australian Tennis Magazine OR

I hereby authorise you to charge my credit card to the amount of $__________.______

Mastercard

CVV numbers:______________

Visa CARD NUMBER:

The card verification value numbers are the last 3 digit numbers located on the back of your card.

Name of Cardholder: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Expiry Date:_______________ Once payment has been successfully processed, this serves as a tax invoice. Tennis Australia Ltd ABN 61 006 281 125 *Alternative product may be delivered if stock is unavailable.

3802

Young

AmericAns Those critics once worried about a looming void in

American tennis need not worry; with Serena and Venus Williams now joined in the spotlight by Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Ryan Harrison and other exciting young players, it’s wiser to instead make way for the star spangled banner. GILLIAN TAN reports

W

hen legends like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jennifer Capriati and Lindsay Davenport retired, a crop of youngsters named Andy Roddick, Serena Williams and Venus Williams were starting to make their mark.

With prolific Grand Slam winner Serena back at the top, free of health issues and keen to stick around until Rio’s 2016 Olympics alongside seven-time major champion Venus, prospects for the women’s game look just fine, buoyed by the pronounced arrival of 19-year-old Sloane Stephens, who has cracked the top 20.

“I don’t think I’ll feel any pressure until Venus and Serena retire,” Stephens said when asked if she was ready to carry the hopes of one of the world’s biggest tennis nations. “I don’t think there is anything to worry about, I don’t think American tennis is in jeopardy,” added the teen who believes that in Grand Slam tennis, “Little kids go home first week, big girls stay for the second week.” She’s a big girl now, and is comfortable with how things operate on the WTA Tour.

“I’m settling and I feel a lot more comfortable on the court. Even going from

tournament to tournament, I don’t feel so much anxiety like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to go to this place, I’ve got to go here, I’ve got to get on a plane’. I kind of just realise that this is how it works, this is what I have to do to be great,” she said.

Five players – Serena, Venus, Stephens, Madison Keys and Jamie Hampton – reached the third round of the Australian Open, the most since 2005. Former champion Lindsay Davenport tweeted, “Love to see that, and believe players there are the ones to watch.”

World No.3 Maria Sharapova agrees.

“I think she has a big game,” she said of Keys, who turns 18 this month and shares Sharapova’s IMG agent Max Eisenbud. “If she can keep that strength, I mean, she has a great first serve, she can definitely improve her movement [and consistency], but overall I think she’s heading in the right direction.”

Chris Evert, whose Evert Tennis Academy was home to Keys in the crucial AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | February 2013

55

YOU WON’T MISS A SHOT

With your Australian Tennis Magazine collection!

• Learn from the champions • adapt your diet • serve aLternatives

petra Kvitova A ChAMPiON CheCKS iN

• maximise movement

LI NA

A HERO’S JOURNEY

LISICKI

FRIENDS ON TOUR

• INJURY WATCH

PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

• A BETTER SERVICE TOSS

RAFA:

ROARING INTO LIFE

novaK dJoKovic

auSSIe

WImBLeDoN STarS

BerNarD TomIC:

SUPERSTAR RETURN

FEBRUARY 2012

YOUR GAME • SERVE LIKE DEL POTRO • GRIND OUT A WIN • STARS TO EMULATE • SUPER FOODS

STAR GAZING YOUR GAME

VICTORIA AZARENKA

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

NADAL SERENA TSONGA SHARAPOVA

AUSSIE ASSAULT

PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

• LEARN FEDERER’S FOREHAND • NUTRITION – A FRESH START • LEFT-HANDED TIPS • CIRCUIT TRAINING

LUKE SAVILLE BERNARD TOMIC LLEYTON HEWITT JAMES DUCKWORTH

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

SAM’S GRAND STAND

RIPPING ALL RECORDS

JANUARY 2012

FEBRUARY 2012

JULY 2012

YOuR GAmE • Learn from federer’s serve

SERENA WILLIAMS STORMS WIMBLEDON

Your Game

• mastering mind games

raFael nadal

IN SeveNth heAveN JULY 2012

• alternative training • BackHands WitH variety • HOW tO avOid BurnOut

SuperStar ritualS SAM StoSUR The NexT STep

DEBUNKED

ROGER FEDERER

ANGELIQUE KERBER LLEYTON HEWITT SARA ERRANI

tHE ULtIMAtE RACQUEt REVIEW

serena Williams mardy FisH yarOslava sHvedOva

clAims on clAy

MARIA SHARAPOVA

WImBLeDoN WaTCH

RIVALRIES & REVIVALS

BrIGHTer THaN BeFore?

leAnder pAes cAroline wozniAcKi John isner

COURT REPORT SIBLING SUCCESS

SERENA WILLIAMS KAIA KANEPI JO-WILFRIED TSONGA

Your Game

• the single-hAnded bAcKhAnd

• MANAGING MATCH DAY • RECOVERY ROUTINES • FOOD FOR THOUGHT

dAvis cup big time becKons

• STUDY STOSUR’S BACKHAND

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

rAfAel nAdAl

ROGER FEDERER

MAESTRO ON THE MOVE

MAY 2012

JUNE 2012 NOVEMBER 2012

OCTOBER 2012

Your GaME • Build A tActicAl AdvAntAge • injury impAct • Fit At Any level • leArn RADWANSkA’S BACkhAND

Clijsters

& roddiCk

FavourITES FarEwEllED

noVaK dJoKoVic

YOUR Game

PaSSION ReIGNITed

• Psychology of the Pros • UPPer-limb inJUries • serve science

US OPEN

TurNING PoINTS

Andy MurrAy

caroLine WoZniacKi

TURNING POINTS

angeliQUe KerBer JUan MonaCo Maria KirilenKo

Travelling on Tour

ACES & FAULTS 2012 SEASON WRAP

YOUR GAME

AUSSIE STARS SPECIAL SAM STOSUR MARINKO MATOSEVIC OLIVIA ROGOWSKA

• CASEY DELLACQUA’S STEPS FOR A STRONGER SERVE

DECEMBER SHOWDOWN BONUS GUIDE

• FINESSE YOUR FOREHAND WITH JO-WILFRIED TSONGA • COMMON INJURY AILMENTS • MATCH DAY CONFIDENCE

MUST-READ

CASEY DELLACQUA DAVID FERRER LAURA ROBSON

SERENA WILLIAMS

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

The FIGhTBack

Bernard Tomic

Major MaSTErMIND off Court

DECEMBER 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

stArs

ANDY MURRAY

frenCh open

AgnieszkA RAdwAnskA

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Still Standing Strong?

SEPTEMBER 2012

• matcH-Winning HaBits

JUNE 2012

a$7.50 nZ$8.40 US$7.50

APRIL 2012 A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Your Game

DECEMBER 2011

MaY 2012

MAJOR MOTIVATIONS

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

TENNIS MYTHS

andY murraY:

MARCH 2012

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

david Ferrer victoria azarenka miXed doubles

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

OlyMPIc Index

SOLD OUT

tommy Haas

BONUS

DECEMBER ShOwDOwN SpECiAL

DJoKoVIC KVIToVa IVaNoVIC

LLEYTON’S LAST STAND?

• switching surfAces

• secrets to doubles success

bernard tomic

NOVEMBER 2011

• Key nutrition tips

marinko matoseVic aGnieszka radwanksa

• PreParation Pointers

SeiZiNg CONTROL

roGer FeDerer aT 30

• Athleticism AdvAntAge

Your Game

matt ebden caSey deLLacqua

Who’s Top of The 2011 Class?

PASSION STILL BURNS

Your Game

• learn from Victoria azarenka

• strike a balance

FrenCh oPen

30-something…

RETIRIng TyPEs?

• Perform under Pressure

VICTORIA AZARENKA

SuPerSTarS

CraftinG Career hiGhs

LLeyton heWitt marina eraKovic

Olympic HigHs

major milestones

STronGer everY Year

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

• Weekly development plan

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

angeLique Kerber

• champion voLLeys

• Finesse your Forehand • health Watch

Bernard TomiC

SeTTinG The STYLe

• Warm up, cooL doWn

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

BIGGEST EVER WIMBLEDON UPSETS

Joins the Greats

The anTi-diva

auSSie Summer SPotLight

• Serve with KicK • Punch in your Practice • Learn from roger federer • tournament advice

Aussie Junior

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

aleXandr dolGoPoloV

Kei nishiKori STAR RISING

• AlternAtive sports Advice • BAckhAnd Boost • trAin with purpose • strength secrets

APRIL 2012

BACK ON TRACK

AUGUST 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

MARIA SHARAPOVA

SAm STOSuR

DeL PoTro WoZNIaCKI TIPSareVIC LISICKI

Your Game

OCTOBER 2011

PETRA KVITOVA

AUSSIE SUCCESS

SUMMER STUNNERS

GrAnD SLAM eDiTion

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

davis cup fed cup

ROGER FEDERER

US Open ChampiOn 2011

MARCH 2012

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

DELIVERING NEW HIGHS

MASTER OF HIS TIME

novak djokovic:

SEPTEMBER 2011

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

SAM STOSUr

Your Game

PLayer rePortS

pArent trAps

raCquets review

AUGUST 2011 A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

IS TeNNIS uNTouCheD?

forecaSt

StYLING IN A NeW erA

JANUARY 2012

drugs & sport

Souvenir SPeCiAL

US Open

TArGeTiNG The TOP

JULY 2011

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPECIAL ISSUE

serena williams

SuperStar return mattek-SandS Bartoli BerankiS GoerGeS

AUStrALIAN OpeN fINALS tIcketS

The New KiNG

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

• ALL-SURFACE TRAINING • FORM SLUMP SOLUTIONS

• Fitness with Casey DellaCqua • team training tips • analyse your opponent • master the baCkhanD volley

WIn!

TSoNGa HaNTuCHoVa

YOUR GAME

Your Game

DECEMBER 2011

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

MEET OUR NEXT

PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

Your Game

NOVEMBER 2011

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

ROLAND GARROS

RECORDS

OCTOber 2011

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

TROICKI

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

MONFILS

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

PAVLYUCHENKOVA

bONUS FOLD-OUT HerO POSTer

September 2011

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

AUGUST 2011

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Print Post APProved PP 349181/00187

JULY 2011

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

THE GREATEST EVER

BRAVEHEART’S BIG CHANCE

SUpERSTAR STAyiNg pOwER

A TOP TIER TAKEOVER

AUGUST 2012

SEPTEMBER 2012

OCTOBER 2012

NOVEMBER 2012

GENERATION

LLEYTON HEWITT

A FIGHTING FUTURE

DECEMBER 2012

3712 p 1 Cover.orange..indd 1

11/16/12 12:56 PM

JANUARY 2013

A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

AUSTR ALIAN SUMMER ISSUE PRINT POST APPROVED PP 349181/00187

AO 2013

FORM GUIDE

NOVAK DJOKOVIC HEROIC LEADER YOUR GAME • LEARN FROM THE PROS • ESSENTIAL EXERCISES

LI NA LLEYTON HEWITT VICTORIA AZARENKA

BONUS GIVEAWAYS & SPECIALS

• MATCH DAY ADVICE • SERVE SCHOOL

SERENA WILLIAMS POWER PLAYER

ROGER FEDERER

ENDURING SUPERSTAR 3801 p 1 Cover.fix..indd 1

JANUARY 2013

SPECIAL POSTER MAGA ZINE

SPECIAL ISSUE POSTER MAGAZINE FEATURING

SUMMER 2013 A$8.50

Federer, Nadal, Serena, Sharapova and others also available …

9

771321

026017

AZARENKA DEL POTRO DJOKOVIC FEDERER IVA NOVIC MUR RAY NADAL RAD WANSK A SER SHARAPOVA ENA STOSUR TIPS AREVIC

SUPER-SIZED PO STERS

12/13/12 1:08 PM

2012_POSTER

_MAG.indd

1

11/30/12 1:48 PM

Australian Tennis Magazine has been a fan favourite for more than 30 years Phone 1800 244 426 or email subscriptions@tennismag.com.au to order any of the issues above. Back issues are $9.35 to send in Australia, or $15 internationally. Poster magazine is $10 in Australia or $16 overseas.

www.tennismag.com.au/shop