MOM N UMSPECIAL POWER TO NEW HEIGHTS
FORWARD THINKING Goal setting
START OVER Top tactical
secrets
POWER PLAYS Gain the
turnarounds
G N I Y A T S
G N O R ST
momentum and keep it
BOUNCE BACK Learn from a loss
LLEYTON HEWITT A new life NOVAK DJOKOVIC ? E L The Grand B A P P O T S Slam in sight? N U S M A I L L I W A N E R E MADISON IS S KEYS Making a move
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MARCH 2015 VOL 40 No. 3
contents
32
MAINTAINING MOMENTUM Deep runs at Grand Slams. A consistently high ranking. Winning titles. These are some measures by which the game’s biggest names are maintaining winning momentum – and they’re not slowing down any time soon.
FEATURES 14 MATCHES OF MOMENTUM It can lack consistency or logic and is hard to quantify or validate, but if you question whether momentum really exists in tennis, then consider these famous examples.
18 TENNIS’ TUG OF WAR
Whether you’re in control or trying to wrestle a lead from an opponent, winning can come down to who best manages momentum shifts. Tips to gain and maintain an advantage.
22 A POWERFUL FORCE
27 THE NEXT STEP IN TRAINING
Three simple steps could be all that is needed to take the next step in your tennis training.
41 LLEYTON’S NEW LIFE
Even as he prepares for retirement, Lleyton Hewitt remains intensely focused on what’s long been his top priority – doing his best for Australian tennis.
46 TENNIS’ HOLY GRAIL … CAN SERENA AND NOVAK CAPTURE IT? Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have positioned themselves superbly to claim a rare calendar year Grand Slam in 2015.
With fearless opponents and no time clock, remaining positive for an entire match is one of the toughest challenges in tennis – but you can learn from the pros’ examples.
50 HISTORY, INTERRUPTED
25 HIGHLY MOTIVATED
54 MANAGING A POWERFUL RETURN
It’s not simply setting goals that matter; maintaining the positive energy to achieve them is critical. Here’s how to stay motivated.
While tennis history will always be a talking point, the “almost” records are equally fascinating. Who fell short of the game’s most stunning streaks?
A serve that’s returned with interest is always unnerving, but there are strategies to manage those power players.
29
A BATTLE OF WILLS
Willpower is considered the critical ingredient in maintaining a supportive nutritional plan. But how do you obtain it? And is it sustainable long term? MARCH 2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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MARCH 2015 VOL 40 No.3
44
MADISON KEYS: MAKING HER MOVE Once inspired by Venus Williams, young American Madison Keys is now poised to emulate her with Grand Slam success.
REGULARS 8 BREAKPOINTS 12 THE HITTING WALL 30 GEARING UP 31 BE THE PRO 57 MY TENNIS LIFE 58 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 62 RANKINGS 64 SCOREBOARD 68 20 QUESTIONS 70 IN FOCUS 72 KIDS’ CLUBHOUSE 74 LAST WORD
52
BOUNCING BACK
Losing a match need not mean losing momentum. We explore the many valuable lessons of a loss. 4
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MARCH 2015
EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andrea Williamson Melissa O’Connor Trevor Bridger
ADVERTISING MANAGER Nicole Hearnden ADMINISTRATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Daniel Heathcote PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images, John Anthony, Image(s) licensed by Ingram Publishing COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN & PHOTO EDITING Andrew Hutchison, FourFront
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.
FIRST SERVE
From subtle shifts to dramatic turnarounds …
H
ow do you explain tennis momentum? Ask several experts or aficionados and you’re likely to receive a range of responses. For some, momentum can be explained in the most logical way – timing, physicality and psychology are all factors as players compete for the biggest prizes in tennis. Others consider momentum a more abstract force – the heart that’s required to secure a clutch win is a quality that can’t be quantified. Yet as difficult as it might be to defi ne tennis momentum, nobody would deny it’s existence either. Professional tennis is fi lled with matches featuring clearly changing momentum – some are subtle shift s that are barely noticeable at the time; others are dramatic turnarounds touted as some of the most memorable in the game’s history. Such matches are often the epics that set
tennis apart from any other sport. You’ll fi nd many such examples in this “momentum” special issue – and they’ll provide you with lessons for your own game too. From the importance of maintaining focus to the need to manage a changeable game plan, it’s a reminder that momentum is as much as part of tennis as a forehand or backhand. There are also the warning signs of an opponent who might rob you of your momentum – a strategically timed shoelace, strangely argued line call or even a curious medical timeout. Successfully navigating such potential distractions will help you stand apart from your tennis peers. Much like our reigning world No.1s Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic have been able to do. Both masters at managing match momentum, the multiple (and most recent) Australian
Open champions demonstrate it’s a force that exists in careers too. Each have overcome significant challenges to achieve such long-term dominance and while there are gaps in their major milestones, they’re clearly on an upward swing now – so much so that we’re wondering whether Serena and Novak can each claim a rare calendar year Grand Slam in 2015. The secret, of course, will be in maintaining the momentum. That’s when things become cloudy again; for who can really tell what will be required for the champions to retain their winning edge? It’s unpredictable, yet dynamic. And there we might have it … a way to explain tennis momentum. Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au
Nexnt th mo
INNOVATIONS ISSUE How do you gain that winning edge? We look at the latest in training, technique and coaching – and consider the pros who are best using innovation to their advantage. Available from 30 March.
Super Serena There may be gaps in Serena Williams’ Grand Slam record but her record 19 wins nevertheless represent a career of major momentum.
2010 Wimbledon
1999 US Open
2005 Australian Open
2012 Wimbledon
2002 French Open
2007 Australian Open
2012 US Open
2002 Wimbledon
2008 US Open
2013 French Open
2002 US Open
2009 Australian Open
2013 US Open
2003 Australian Open
2009 Wimbledon
2014 US Open
2003 Wimbledon
2010 Australian Open
2015 Australian Open
6
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MARCH 2015
FEATURE
Confirmed as a future Davis Cup captain and flourishing in his growing role as a mentor to young Australian tennis talent, Lleyton Hewitt’s career is in an exciting period of transition. Yet unfinished business remains as the ultracompetitive former world No.1 navigates his final season on tour. By MATT TROLLOPE
FEATURE
g . W innin by g in k n re s h ra ntly hig of the measu , and e t is s n ome nt u m A co vents. . These are s inning mome are not e m la w dS ion rs at Gran he conversat e maintaining , these playe s n u r r t p d es a g in Dee owe emainin biggest nam r of tennis sh PE R . s le e tit r t’s LO n sum m T T ROL th e s p o which cent Australia oon . By MAT re es as the own any tim d g slowin
G N I N I A T N I MA
N E M O M UNSTOPPABLE: At age 33 and with millions banked in prize money, Serena Williams' Grand Slam ambitions are as strong as ever.
32
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MARCH 2015
M U T N E F
or all that Australian Open 2015 did in unearthing new and exciting talent, it also served as a reminder that any changing of the guard remains a long way off. World No.1s Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were the last players standing and holding the trophies, their fi ft h and sixth Australian Open titles respectively. It was the continuation of an established order, and performances that set this order even more fi rmly in stone.
Djokovic and Serena have dominated in Melbourne – and the sport as a whole – for years. The Serb continues to reign at world No.1 and accrue major titles, while Serena, having achieved an incredible 19th Grand Slam crown, is entering mystical “Greatest of All Time” territory. It wasn’t just the eventual winners demonstrating their enduring success. Andy Murray, Djokovic’s fi nal opponent, was making his fourth appearance in the decider at Melbourne Park in the past six years, and by virtue of his deep Australian Open run, the “Big Four” of Murray, Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are once again the world’s top four. It’s becoming hard to remember a time when this credentialed quartet was not ruling the rankings in the men’s game. MARCH 2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
33
MATCHES OF It can lack consistency or logic, doesn't come in a uniform box and is hard to quantify or validate – but if you question whether momentum really exists in tennis, you only need to consider these famous examples. By STEVE BARRETT
14
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MARCH 2015
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FEATURE
More than a quarter of a century has passed since a player claimed a calendar-year Grand Slam but already Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic have positioned themselves perfectly to claim the game’s Holy Grail in 2015. PAUL FEIN explores the possibilities.
TENNIS’ HOLY GRAIL … Can Serena and Novak capture it?
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AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE MARCH 2015