Australian Tennis Magazine – June/July 2021

THE BIG PICTURE GROW YOUR GAME

NOVAK DJOKOVIC A HOLD ON HISTORY

DYLAN ALCOTT DELIVERS AGAIN

GRASSROOTS MEMORIES

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

A THRIVING COMMUNITY

SPOTLIGHT ON WA

PLUS ASTRA SHARMA THANASI KOKKINAKIS EVONNE GOOLAGONG CAWLEY

12

PLAYING TO WIN A fierce competitiveness and more positive mindset is propelling Daniil Medvedev to greater heights. Is he the next world No.1?

contents JUNE / JULY 2021 VOL.46 NO.2

10

GRAND SLAM FEATS

Among the many milestones woven into tennis history, there are none greater than the astonishing feats achieved at Grand Slam level.

FEATURES 16 BEYOND THE BASELINE

While achieving impressive tennis highs, multi-dimensional players are also pursuing a range of off-court interests.

20 PRIDE OF A NATION

Making history as Greece’s best-ever Grand Slam performers, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari are excited to inspire future generations.

4 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSOCIATE EDITOR Leigh Rogers FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove

PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images Tennis Australia COVER PHOTO Getty Images

ART DIRECTOR Andrea Williamson Australian Tennis Magazine is published by TENNIS AUSTRALIA LTD, Private Bag 6060, Richmond, Vic 3121.

Email: editor@tennismag.com.au Distributed by Ovato Printed in Australia by Ive 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.

22 LIKE, POST, FOLLOW

Building a strong social media presence is becoming increasingly beneficial for professional players, providing an outlet for them to connect further with fans.

34 LUCKY 13 AT ROLAND GARROS

Australia’s Dylan Alcott smashed any myths of an unlucky number as he tallied his 13th Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros.

35 GOLDEN MEMORIES

It is 50 years since a teenage Evonne Goolagong Cawley claimed her first Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

40 FROM GRASSROOTS TO GRAND SLAMS The journey to compete on the world’s biggest stage is different for all, as some of the top-ranked Australian players and their childhood coaches share.

28

A HOLD ON HISTORY

All-time men’s greatness is within reach for world No.1 Novak Djokovic after the Serbian’s 19th Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros.

REGULARS 6 7 8 45

FIRST SERVE FAN ZONE BREAKPOINTS YOUR GAME

56 63 64 68

COMMUNITY FROM THE ARCHIVES AUSSIE WATCH SCOREBOARD

70 RANKINGS 72 KIDS’ CLUB 74 LAST WORD

25

KREJCIKOVA’S GRAND BREAKTHROUGH Now a major singles champion, Barbora Krejcikova’s stunning Roland Garros performance proved the value in always dreaming big.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

5

FIRST SERVE

A

NEW POSSIBILITIES

ll talk centred around Rafael Nadal’s march to tennis history as Roland Garros 2021 unfolded.

In 17 appearances, the Spaniard had lost only two matches at the clay-court major and with just a single set dropped on his way to the semifinals, it seemed a mere formality that the Spaniard would lift the 14th Roland Garros trophy that would also make him the men’s all-time Grand Slam leader.

But Novak Djokovic also had history in his laser-sharp focus.

Having never lost faith in adding a second Roland Garros title to his lofty silverware collection, the Serbian emerged the winner of another compelling encounter with his prolific rival, going on to claim the 19th major that could in time change the course of tennis history.

“I am thrilled and I'm very proud of this achievement,” said Djokovic. “(Being) part of the history of the sport that I love with all my heart is always something that is very inspiring and very fulfilling for me.”

As conversation turns to the breathtaking possibility of the Slam honour rolls. “I have faith in world No.1 becoming the first my game. I very much believe I man to claim a Golden Slam – all can get to that point very soon,” four majors and an Olympic gold Tsitsipas said. medal in a single season – there The staggering depth of talent is also the tantalising prospect of in the women’s game, meanwhile, other new possibilities. only grows. Barbora Krejcikova’s Djokovic had, after all, breakthrough title staved off capable NEW HIGHS: While marked the sixth newcomers to claim Stefanos Tsitsipas straight year that Roland Garros victory, made history as a first-time major recovering against Greece’s first Grand Slam finalist at champion was Lorenzo Musetti in Roland Garros, Novak crowned at Roland the fourth round and Djokovic added to his Garros. Adding to fighting back from many unparalleled the exciting sense a two-sets deficit to records in the sport. that anything could overcome Stefanos happen, the Czech Tsitsipas in the final. overcome another first-time It seems only a matter of time Grand Slam finalist in Anastasia before the trailblazing Greek, Pavlyuchenkova. already a captivating harbinger All of which points to of change in men’s tennis, a game that is constantly becomes a new name on Grand

6 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

evolving – from new records to breakthrough champions and mind-boggling possibilities as the quality of tennis rises phenomenally high.

Such growth is also evident at a grassroots level, as we learned through our special focus this edition on tennis in Western Australia. Participation numbers throughout WA clubs and centres are peaking, helped by passionate coaches, tireless volunteers and dedicated

community members who work hard to ensure the game is accessible at every level.

There have never been as many ways – or a better time – to experience tennis. Whether it’s as a record-breaking Grand Slam champion or as an untested newcomer, the possibilities seem endless every time a player steps on court.

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au

HAVE YOUR SAY Australian Tennis Magazine is determined to serve up the tennis news you most want to read. See page 63 to take part in a Readers’ Survey that will help shape the content we produce in future. The possibilities really are endless. Advantage, readers.

HIT UP YOUR LOCAL Book a court online

FEATURE

While achieving impressive tennis highs, multi-dimensional players are also pursuing a range of admirable off-court interests.

JEREMY STYLES reports

W

hen a young Venus and Serena Williams started creating ripples on the professional tennis tour in the 1990s, accolades for their early achievements were accompanied by unmistakably pointed questions. Were the sisters, breathtakingly talented and brimming with potential, taking their tennis seriously enough?

While winning pro titles (a 17-year-old Venus first doing so in 1998, Serena the same age when she achieved her breakthrough in 1999), the sisters were also pursuing a myriad of off-court

16 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

interests. Education, fashion and design projects, business opportunities, modelling and television appearances roles all slotted into the Williams’ busy playing and practice schedules – for a time in that pre-social media era, they even self-published a newsletter. There were hints of Venus and Serena retiring early from the sport, tennis itself perhaps another of their many fleeting interests.

Fast forward several decades and the sisters are the benchmarks for tennis longevity. At age 41 and with seven Grand Slams among her 49 total singles titles, Venus still competes for professional

trophies. As a mother to threeyear-old daughter Olympia, the near 40-year-old Serena is still building on her haul of 73 singles titles and is just one major trophy short of equalling the all-time record of 24 Grand Slams.

The entrepreneurial Venus, whose successful businesses include her V Starr Interior and clothing line EleVen, has explained how interests outside the sport factored in her overall development. “It was a real requirement with my parents to do something besides tennis, so it occurred to me that I had to go to school and explore myself off the court,” said the four-time Olympic gold medallist, who holds

an Associate Degree in Fashion Design and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

“That’s why I took it so seriously.”

For all the records she holds, Serena is equally committed to a life beyond tennis. Family clearly comes first for the American, who is married to Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian. When not competing, the superstar also maintains her own clothing line (Aneres) and builds on her successful collection of handbags and jewellery. Serena Ventures, one of the most recent additions to her multimillion-dollar business interests, is focused on investing in carefully selected start-up companies.

Like her older sister, Serena took her father’s big-picture advice seriously. “My dad, from a young age, told me that you never know what happens and you must always have something to fall back on,” she commented in a 2021 interview.

“What I do in fashion and in Serena Ventures is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. I wanted it to be a full-time occupation, rather than a back-up plan.”

The famous sisters are not the only players who are passionately pursuing interests beyond tennis. Other sports, important charity projects, side businesses, musical pursuits,

family commitments and a range of hobbies all feature in the lives of multi-dimensional professionals who understand that the secret to long and successful careers could perhaps lie in a balanced approach.

ACING SUSTAINABILTY

campaigned successfully to reduce single-use plastics in professional tennis. The removal of plastic around restrung racquets and the introduction of reusable water bottles are among environmental initiatives successfully implemented at tournaments.

“Once your eyes are opened to the plastic pollution problem, it’s hard not to care about the consequences,” said Anderson, who has also hosted charity events to support sustainability projects. “I hope that tennis players can be leaders in this space to raise awareness and help make the public more mindful of reducing single-use plastics when possible.”

The drive that has taken Dominic Thiem to Grand Slam success and the world No.3 ranking carries through to an environmental focus. Through his support of the 4Ocean organisation, the 27-year-old Austrian is adding his name to preserving the world’s oceans.

The 4Ocean bracelets that Thiem wears are sold online, and the organisation pledges to remove a pound of rubbish from oceans ANIMAL ADVOCATES or coastlines for every bracelet Among Alejandro Davidovich purchased. It’s reported that Fokina’s many tattoos, is one that more than 15 million pounds of reads “Racket” on his left shoulder. rubbish have so far been cleared Initially seeming a from various oceans. tribute to his tennis “It’s a really good MAKING A MARK: commitment – cause,” said Thiem, Dominic Thiem (top left) understandable, who grew up on and Kevin Anderson (below) pursue given the spirit the a farm near the environmental causes, Spaniard displayed market town of while Venus and Serena in reaching a Lichtenwörth. “It’s Williams have balanced fi rst Grand Slam one of the biggest successful careers with quarterfi nal at problems nowadays many side projects.

Roland Garros – that we face, with Davidovich Fokina’s all the plastic tattoo is actually for his dog, pollution. I love nature and Racket. But that’s only a small sign I’m trying to support this of his passion for animals. whenever I can.”

Only recently turned 22, Kevin Anderson is Davidovich Fokina established a similarly passionate about successful pet advocacy program sustainability and as a member Adoptas after seeing how many of the ATP Player Council,

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

17

FEATURE NICK KYRGIOS

JOHN MILLMAN

ASH BART Y

LIZETTE CABRERA

F rom grassroots

TO GRAND SLAMS

The journey to compete on the world’s biggest stage is different for all, as some of the top-ranked Australian players and their childhood coaches share. By LEIGH ROGERS

S

tanding under a Hills Hoist clothesline and holding a coat hanger wrapped in his mum’s old stockings was how John Millman first experienced tennis.

“Mum would hang up stockings on the clothes line and in the stockings would be scrunched up balls of newspaper. She’d also cover a clothes hanger in a stocking, so you’d have a little stocking racquet to hit the hanging stockings with,” recalled Millman, who is now Australia’s No.2-ranked man.

Millman, who grew up in Brisbane, began proper tennis lessons at age four. His sisters, Shona, Kara, Tessa and Bronte, all 40 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

played and he was determined to follow in their footsteps.

“I was watching my sisters go out and hit balls at 6am every Saturday morning at Laff ’s Tennis Centre,” said Millman, whose fi rst coach was Ken Laver (a relative of Australian legend Rod Laver).

“Eventually I got the call up to get the fi rst 15 minutes at 5.45am.

The coach would get there at the crack of dawn and you wouldn’t be able to see a thing in winter. I’d get the fi rst 15 minutes, then they had to drag me off the court.”

Ken Laffey, who operated Laff ’s Mt Gravatt Tennis Centre where Millman had his fi rst lessons, recalls it did not take long for Millman to join the centre’s thriving junior competition.

“John holds the honour of being the youngest child to ever play in our junior fixtures. He was four-and-a-half when he started playing full court junior fixtures, which was before the days of the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program,” said Laffey, a former Tennis Australia Board member.

“John was very competitive.

He just hated being beaten.

But because he was so young, everyone he played was older and stronger than him.”

Determined to improve, Millman would spend hours practising with a ball machine.

He would rush home after school each day, push the heavy machine down a hill to the family’s backyard tennis

court and set up six extension cords to operate it.

“I’d just hit balls for hours with no one on the court with me,” recalled Millman, whose grandmother Hazel Millman has tennis courts named in her honour in East Brisbane.

“You can see how that’s influenced my game style today.

I probably should have spent a bit more time at the net.”

A NATURAL TALENT

Unlike Millman, Ash Barty did not come from a family of tennis players.

Her older sisters, Sara and Ali, played netball and her

SAM STOSUR

ALEXEI POPYRIN

ASTRA SHARMA MARC POLMANS

ALEX DE MINAUR JORDAN THOMPSON

father, Robert, enjoyed golf.

But as a four-year-old Ash was determined to play tennis after finding an old wooden racquet in their family shed.

Barty’s fi rst coach was Jim Joyce, who initially refused to enrol her in lessons at the West Brisbane Tennis Centre.

“I remember that he tried to turn us away because I was too young,” recalled Barty, who was almost five at the time. “I was shattered. All I wanted to do was play tennis.”

The experienced coach typically only offered lessons to players aged eight and over, but quickly changed his mind when he saw Barty hit.

“I still remember that day. I really do,” related Joyce, who at the time had been coaching for more than four decades.

“The big thing that stood out with Ash was obviously her hand-eye co-ordination. It was as EMBRACING THE JOURNEY: John Millman’s tennis career began while playing in his Brisbane backyard.

LIZETTE CABRERA

good as I’ve seen in all the years that I’ve been coaching.”

Joyce also described Barty as wise beyond her years, even at the age of four.

“Her focus and concentration was just incredible,” he said. “It was more like a nine or 10 year old the way she could just pick things up and focus on what you were telling her.

“I’ve seen a lot of talented kids over the years. I’ve probably seen kids with better racquet skills than Ash. They just haven’t had the head space Ash does.”

Growing up, Barty spent hours honing her skills hitting against the garage wall of the family’s Ipswich home and loved any opportunity to get on court.

“I’ve never seen a kid more keen to turn up. It wouldn’t matter if there was a big thunderstorm and the courts were all wet. Ash wanted to go down to those tennis courts,” Joyce related.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Nick Kyrgios followed his older siblings, Christos and Halimah, into tennis, taking part in his fi rst lessons as a four-year-old.

“Nick just wanted to keep up with this older brother,” recalled Kyrgios’ first coach Andrew Bulley.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

41

FEATURE

Fifty years since a teenage Evonne Goolagong Cawley claimed her first Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the Australian legend still treasures the life-changing opportunities that were created through the sport.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

35

YOUR GAME

YOURGAME

Boost your on-court performance

46 LESSONS FROM THE PROS

The world’s best players set valuable examples at Roland Garros that all players can learn from.

48 BIG PICTURE DEVELOPMENT While developing good players, coaches have the opportunity to develop good people too.

51 MIND GAMES

Mental preparation is as important as physical training, as world No.1 Dylan Alcott attests.

52 A STRONG FOUNDATION

Clay courts provide a superb foundation for building and developing skills.

54 BE THE PRO

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic is learning patience and positivity is required to progress.

55 STRINGS MATTER

Selecting the right racquet strings is important for getting the best out of your game.

ON THE RISE: American Coco Gauff, 17, made her first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal at Roland Garros. She is the youngest player to reach that stage at a major in 15 years.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

45