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TheCityofTennis

byGiulioNicoletti

Getting�to�Melbourne�Park�is�not�complicated.�It�is�in�the�center�of�the�city,�close�to�FlindersStation�and�Birrarung�Marr�Park,�and�just�a�stone's�throw�from�the�Yarra�River.�Melbourne�CricketGround�is�also�not�far�off,�though�in�sports�terms�it�might�as�well�be�on�the�other�side�of�theplanet.�

�It's�like�a�trip�out�of�town,�the�game�of�cricket.�The�one�hundred�thousand�people�that�regularlygather�there�bring�along�with�them�picnic�baskets,�and�sunbathe�on�the�terraces�while�the�game

is�being�played.�Children�run�around�and�play�their�own�games,�and�to�a�casual�observer�it�might

seem�that�nobody�is�actually�aware�that�a�cricket�match�is�being�played�just�a�few�feet�away.

You�never�see�them�enter,�and�you�never�see�them�leave.�But�from�the�windows�of�the�nearbyHilton,�you�can�see�that�the�stadium�is�packed�to�the�rafters.�Sport�lies�at�the�very�heart�of�this�area,�and�there�are�many�ways�of�reaching�Melbourne�Park.You�can,�for�example,�take�a�pleasant�stroll�along�the�Yarra,�or�hop�on�one�of�the�trams�leadingup�to�the�Rod�Laver�Arena.�That’s�where�the�tennis�is.�At�the�heart�of�the�city.�And�the�Australian�Open�will,�of�course,�lie�at�the�heart�of�the�city�for�quite�a�long�time�to�come.The�contract�linking�the�city�to�the�tournament�expires�only�in�2036.�City�officials�are�always

looking�for�ways�to�ensure�that�the�year’s�first�Slam�remains�in�Melbourne�well�beyond�that,�andeven�now�construction�is�under�way�on�various�improvements�to�the�existing�facilities.��This�is�somewhat�ironic,�of�course,�since�the�Australian�Open�already�boasts�the�biggest�and

most�advanced�grounds�of�any�of�the�Grand�Slam�events.�It�was�the�first�Slam�to�boast�aretractable�roof�over�its�main�show�court,�and�indeed�many�innovations�that�are�now�being

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TheCityofTennis

byGiulioNicoletti

Getting�to�Melbourne�Park�is�not�complicated.�It�is�in�the�center�of�the�city,�close�to�FlindersStation�and�Birrarung�Marr�Park,�and�just�a�stone's�throw�from�the�Yarra�River.�Melbourne�CricketGround�is�also�not�far�off,�though�in�sports�terms�it�might�as�well�be�on�the�other�side�of�theplanet.�

�It's�like�a�trip�out�of�town,�the�game�of�cricket.�The�one�hundred�thousand�people�that�regularlygather�there�bring�along�with�them�picnic�baskets,�and�sunbathe�on�the�terraces�while�the�game

is�being�played.�Children�run�around�and�play�their�own�games,�and�to�a�casual�observer�it�might

seem�that�nobody�is�actually�aware�that�a�cricket�match�is�being�played�just�a�few�feet�away.

You�never�see�them�enter,�and�you�never�see�them�leave.�But�from�the�windows�of�the�nearbyHilton,�you�can�see�that�the�stadium�is�packed�to�the�rafters.

�Sport�lies�at�the�very�heart�of�this�area,�and�there�are�many�ways�of�reaching�Melbourne�Park.You�can,�for�example,�take�a�pleasant�stroll�along�the�Yarra,�or�hop�on�one�of�the�trams�leadingup�to�the�Rod�Laver�Arena.�That’s�where�the�tennis�is.�At�the�heart�of�the�city.�And�the�Australian�Open�will,�of�course,�lie�at�the�heart�of�the�city�for�quite�a�long�time�to�come.The�contract�linking�the�city�to�the�tournament�expires�only�in�2036.�City�officials�are�alwayslooking�for�ways�to�ensure�that�the�year’s�first�Slam�remains�in�Melbourne�well�beyond�that,�and

even�now�construction�is�under�way�on�various�improvements�to�the�existing�facilities.��This�is�somewhat�ironic,�of�course,�since�the�Australian�Open�already�boasts�the�biggest�and

most�advanced�grounds�of�any�of�the�Grand�Slam�events.�It�was�the�first�Slam�to�boast�aretractable�roof�over�its�main�show�court,�and�indeed�many�innovations�that�are�now�being

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adopted�by�other�Slams�started�in�Australia.��

Wimbledon�finished�its�own�roof�for�Center�Court�a�few�years�ago,and�the�French�Open�is�also�looking�to�expand�its�grounds�and�puta�roof�over�at�least�two�courts�in�the�coming�years.�FlushingMeadows,�which�hosts�the�US�Open,�is�the�only�Slam�that�has�noexisting�plans�to�build�a�roof�over�any�of�its�stadiums.�The�massive

size�of�the�main�stadium�makes�a�roof�almost�impossible,�leavingorganizers�with�very�few�options.�The�work�currently�underway�in�Melbourne�Park�is�due�to�becompleted�by�2015,�with�the�Australian�Open�of�2016�being�thefirst�event�to�use�the�new�facilities.�Margaret�Court�Arena�is�being

made�significantly�larger,�while�new�courts�and�extensive�newparking�facilities�are�also�on�the�cards.��Margaret�Court�Arena�will�become�the�third�court�on�the�site�to

get�a�retractable�roof,�and�seating�capacity�will�be�increased�to8500�(from�the�current�7000).��

The�Eastern�Plaza�will�get�21�new�courts,�with�at�least�8�beingindoor�courts.�This�new�training�area�will�also�be�open�to�thepublic,�accessible�from�the�new�entrance�which�is�due�to�be

constructed�on�Olympic�Boulevard.�It’s�going�to�be�quite�anarchitectural�feat,�the�new�entrance,�and�the�plan�is�to�make�it�anattraction�in�itself.�Near�the�entrance�there�will�be�an�additional

1000�parking�spaces.��But�for�those�who�wish�to�imagine�the�immensity�of�the�new�area

that�will�contain�all�these�changes,�there�is�one�area�of�concern.�Ifyou�were�to�walk�from�Hisense�Arena�to�the�opposite�side�of�thepark,�where�the�new�courts�are�being�built,�you�would�have�to

cover�a�whole�two�kilometers.�That’s�more�than�a�half�an�hour’sworth�of�walking,�and�in�the�Australian�heat�that’s�easier�said�thandone.

�Melbourne�Park�is�celebrating�its�25th�birthday,�so�if�it�were�atennis�player�it�would�just�be�reaching�is�prime�now.�However,�thiswonderful�site�is�only�in�its�infancy,�and�with�each�new�expansionit�is�becoming�more�and�more�extraordinary.�Yes,�the�constructioncan�be�painful,�with�entrances,�parking�and�permits�changing�everyyear.�But�once�this�$363�million�project�is�completed,�Melbourne

will�truly�be�the�City�of�Tennis.

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adopted�by�other�Slams�started�in�Australia.��

Wimbledon�finished�its�own�roof�for�Center�Court�a�few�years�ago,and�the�French�Open�is�also�looking�to�expand�its�grounds�and�puta�roof�over�at�least�two�courts�in�the�coming�years.�FlushingMeadows,�which�hosts�the�US�Open,�is�the�only�Slam�that�has�noexisting�plans�to�build�a�roof�over�any�of�its�stadiums.�The�massive

size�of�the�main�stadium�makes�a�roof�almost�impossible,�leavingorganizers�with�very�few�options.�The�work�currently�underway�in�Melbourne�Park�is�due�to�becompleted�by�2015,�with�the�Australian�Open�of�2016�being�thefirst�event�to�use�the�new�facilities.�Margaret�Court�Arena�is�being

made�significantly�larger,�while�new�courts�and�extensive�newparking�facilities�are�also�on�the�cards.��Margaret�Court�Arena�will�become�the�third�court�on�the�site�to

get�a�retractable�roof,�and�seating�capacity�will�be�increased�to8500�(from�the�current�7000).��

The�Eastern�Plaza�will�get�21�new�courts,�with�at�least�8�beingindoor�courts.�This�new�training�area�will�also�be�open�to�thepublic,�accessible�from�the�new�entrance�which�is�due�to�be

constructed�on�Olympic�Boulevard.�It’s�going�to�be�quite�anarchitectural�feat,�the�new�entrance,�and�the�plan�is�to�make�it�anattraction�in�itself.�Near�the�entrance�there�will�be�an�additional

1000�parking�spaces.��But�for�those�who�wish�to�imagine�the�immensity�of�the�new�area

that�will�contain�all�these�changes,�there�is�one�area�of�concern.�Ifyou�were�to�walk�from�Hisense�Arena�to�the�opposite�side�of�thepark,�where�the�new�courts�are�being�built,�you�would�have�to

cover�a�whole�two�kilometers.�That’s�more�than�a�half�an�hour’sworth�of�walking,�and�in�the�Australian�heat�that’s�easier�said�thandone.

�Melbourne�Park�is�celebrating�its�25th�birthday,�so�if�it�were�atennis�player�it�would�just�be�reaching�is�prime�now.�However,�thiswonderful�site�is�only�in�its�infancy,�and�with�each�new�expansionit�is�becoming�more�and�more�extraordinary.�Yes,�the�constructioncan�be�painful,�with�entrances,�parking�and�permits�changing�everyyear.�But�once�this�$363�million�project�is�completed,�Melbourne

will�truly�be�the�City�of�Tennis.

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TenThingsThatMakethe

AustralianOpenaSlam

LikeNoOther

byFrancescaCicchitti

(1)�The�large�eucalyptus�plants�located�alongthe�road�leading�to�the�entrance�of�themagnificent�Melbourne�Park�complex�giveoff�an�intensely�pleasant�and�intoxicating

scent.�It�is�especially�alluring�on�very�humiddays�when�it�rains.�(2)�The�first�thing�you�notice�as�you�walkthrough�the�main�entrance�is�a

disproportionate�statue�of�a�short�man�witha�racquet�in�his�hand.�It�is�particularlystriking�because�there�are�none�quite�like�it

at�any�other�stadium�in�the�world.�Uponcloser�inspection�it�is�revealed�that�the

unflattering�statue�­�created�by�a�sculptorwhose�name�we�choose�not�to�disclose�­�isof�the�great�Australian�tennis�legend�Rod

Laver.�He�was�the�last�man,�41�years�ago,�toachieve�the�calendar�Grand�Slam.�The�statuewas�erected�in�January�of�2000�when�the

main�court,�the�Rod�Laver�Arena,�wasdedicated�to�him.�

(3)�As�you�venture�into�the�truly�enormous

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complex�you�come�across�a�huge�billboard

detailing�the�Melbourne�Park�Project.�This�isa�project�of�truly�magnificent�proportions.�Itinvolves�an�expansion�to�Melbourne�Parkthat�will�include�an�additional�6000�seats�forthe�Margaret�Court�Arena,�which�will�also�begetting�a�roof.�When�it�is�completed�the

Australian�Open�will�be�the�first�Grand�Slamto�feature�three�covered�courts.�There’s�onlyone�problem:�the�distance�between�the�lastcourt�to�the�right�of�the�Rod�Laver�Arenaand�the�last�one�to�the�left�of�the�HiSense

Arena�is�a�full�two�kilometres.�Travellingtips?�Take�the�little�train�which�runs�next�tothe�complex,�or�perhaps�buy�a�scooter.�Thechoice�is�yours.

�(4)�The�initial�phases�of�the�Melbourne�ParkProject�are�already�visible.�There�is�a�new

area�called�‘the�oval’�which�is�an�immensevillage�dedicated�to�the�spectators�who,after�watching�a�match,�can�buy�a�memento

from�one�of�the�many�stalls.�There�are�largekiosks�that�sell�food�and�drinks�that�suiteveryone’s�taste.�Everything�from�immense

hot�dogs�smothered�in�mustard,�mayonnaiseand�ketchup�to�normal�sandwiches�and�avariety�of�drinks�are�available.�This�is�all

accompanied�by�many�kinds�of�music.Indeed�music�has�become�a�big�part�of�theAustralian�Open.�There�is�a�stage�to�the�side

of�the�oval�where�some�of�the�best�bands�in

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Australia�can�be�seen.�There�are�even�musicians

wandering�around�the�complex�entertaining�thecrowds.�(5)�Advertising�is�approached�in�a�very�uniqueand�entertaining�way�at�the�Australian�Open.�Forexample,�there�is�a�group�of�young�men�walking

around�Melbourne�Park�dressed�as�penguins.Every�now�and�again�they�start�break�dancing�infront�of�one�of�the�entrances,�all�the�while�singingan�advertisement�for�a�telephone�company.�(6)�If�the�stress�of�watching�tennis�is�getting�to

you,�you�can�always�go�and�relax�in�the�Evianbooth.�Here�several�experts�will�give�you�arelaxing�face,�temple�and�neck�massage.�Arefreshing�Evian�water�mask�is�also�available�to

prepare�you�for�your�next�match.�(7)�The�most�enjoyable�booth�at�the�Open�is�one

where�you�can�have�your�face�painted�withcolours�that�don’t�harm�your�skin�and�wash�awayeasily�with�water�and�soap.�Two�skilled�painters

create�different�pictures�on�the�faces�of�youngerspectators,�who�often�stand�in�a�queue�for�up�toan�hour.�The�most�popular�designs�are�country

flags�and�typical�Australian�flowers�and�animals.�

(8)�The�traditions�of�the�people�of�Melbourne�areunique�and�should�be�treasured.�Many�of�thesewonderful�folk�will�shun�their�normal�clothes�and

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wear�only�traditional�Melbourne�wear:

bathing�suits.�(9)�The�postal�service�booth�is�surprisinglyentertaining�and�original.�Not�only�famouspeople�feature�on�stamps�at�the�AustralianOpen,�as�a�photographer�will�take�your

picture�and�then�place�it�on�a�stamp�for�you.�(10)�A�carpet�of�people,�especiallyyoungsters�who�were�unable�to�find�ticketsfor�the�central�courts,�can�be�found�camped

out�in�front�of�the�giant�screen�that�showsimportant�matches.�This�fine�Grand�Slamtradition�is�faithfully�observed�in�Melbourne,and�these�spectators�are�often�the�loudest

and�most�enthusiastic.

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Myfriend

thegenius

byFrancescaCicchitti

Martin�Mulligan,�whoplayed�Rod�Laver�inWimbledon�final,�talksabout�the�great�man�andhis�accomplishments.

At�his�home�in�California,Rod�Laver�uses�the�AnthonyWilding�Memorial�Trophy�asa�doorstop.�During�the

amateur�era,�Laver�wonmany�large�trophies,�and�theMemorial�Trophy�is�one�of

many�had�he�snagged�in1962.�That�year,�"Rocket”Rod�Laver,�at�age�24,�won

his�first�Grand�Slam�as�anamateur.�He�would,�ofcourse,�repeat�the�feat�seven

years�later,�in�1969,�but�as�aprofessional�in�the�Open�era.Nobody�has�managed�the

feat�since.�

"Rod�dominated�1962,�it�wasamazing�what�he�could�do,"remembers�Martin�Mulligan,Laver’s�opponent�in�1962

Wimbledon�final.�Rod�was�a�small�man,weighing�just�68�kg.�But�hecould�perform�every�shot�intennis�with�seemingly�little

effort,�and�routinely�leftaudiences�spellbound.

Despite�his�small�stature,�hehad�an�immense�forearm,and�could�hit�with�the�kind

of�power�that�belied�his�tinyframe.

�"He�knew�how�to�play�allthe�shots"�Mulligan�knows�better�than

anyone�just�howunstoppable�his�countrymanwas�at�his�peak.��"Rod�was�an�example�to�usyoungsters,�and�we�tried�to

learn�from�him,”�he�says.�“Hewas�really�good,�really�fast,and�had�all�the�shots:�the

slice�service,�an�awesome

net�game�and�unbelievablebaseline�strokes.�He�was�thefirst�lefty�to�really�hit�topspin

shots�off�his�backhand.Charles�Hollis�was�his�firstcoach,�but�Harry�Hopman

also�had�a�big�influence�onhim.�But�yeah,�Rod�left�us�allopen-mouthed�with�his

game."�

But�even�though�Laver�was�aworld-renowned�champion,many�people�remember�hishumanity,�kindness�andgenerosity�above�all�else.�

�"Rod�is�truly�a�great�man,"Mulligan�insists.�"I�met�himwhen�we�were�in�theAustralian�Davis�Cup�team,and�he�was�always�so�kind�to

all�of�us.�There�were�somefriendly�rivalries�on�thecourt,�but�off�the�court�he

was�a�great�gentleman�and

friend.�He’s�still�that�waytoday."�

Though�he�lost�to�Lavermany�a�time,�Mulligan�didmanage�to�get�the�best�of

his�compatriot�on�a�fewoccasions.

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"The�first�was�at�theAustralian�championships�on

clay,�and�the�second�inSydney�on�the�grass.�Heactually�had�match�point�inboth�matches,�but�I�endedup�winning."

�The�nickname�"Rocket"�wasbestowed�upon�Laver�byHarry�Hoppman�in�1956,�whosaw�it�as�a�wonderful�punbased�on�Laver’s�hometown

­�Rockhampton�­�but�it�wasalso�a�reference�to�thetremendous�power�he�could

generate.

�Among�the�many�anecdotesthat�Martin�Mulligan

revealed�in�his�interview,�themost�interesting�relates�tothe�Wimbledon�final,�where

Martin�was�beaten�6-2,�6-2,6-1.�Mulligan�was�tiredbefore�the�match,�as�in�those

days�it�was�played�on�theSaturday,�and�he�had�played

a�tough�semi-final�onThursday,�followed�by�a�lotof�training�on�the�Friday.�"Things�were�different�then,

a�Rolls�Royce�picked�us�up�atthe�hotel�and�took�us�to�theClub."��The�sense�of�royalty�washeightened�by�the�fact�that

Queen�Elizabeth�II�was�goingto�watch�the�final�for�thefirst�time�ever.�The

excitement�overwhelmed

him�when�he�first�steppedonto�the�court.��

"It�was�then�that�I�lost�mybreath.�I�knew�that�Rodwanted�to�prove�his

superiority,�and�I�have�to�saythat�that�he�did!�He�who�wasfamous�for�his�long�matches,

quickly�crushed�me�instraight�sets.”

�The�final�Grand�Slam?�According�to�MartinMulligan,�you�cannot�make

comparisons�between�Laverand�the�champions�of�today.��"Anything's�possible,�but�I�donot�think�there�will�ever�be�aplayer�who�can�get�two

Grand�Slams�like�him."�Two�prominent�Italianjournalists,�who�were�also

good�friends�with�Laver,agree�with�Mulligan’sassessment�of�Laver�as�a

person,�as�well�as�his�legacy.��Gianni�Clerici�remembers

him�as�a�civilized�fellow,�ofgreat�simplicity,�and�verynice.�A�unique�player�who

had�reached�the�highestlevels�of�the�sport�but�wasstill�a�terrific�person.�

�"In�the�evenings�we�wentout�to�dinner�together,�we

talked�about�everything,even�of�tactics,�I�rememberwhen�he�asked�me�how�he

played�Laver�Pietrangeli,which�were�his�strongpoints,”�Clerici�remembers.“Those�were�different�times.I�cannot�say�that�nobody�willbe�able�to�make�a�GrandSlam,�but�it�will�be�very

hard."�

Rino�Tommasi�agrees:�"Hewas�a�great�man�and�a�greatplayer,�a�person�who�did�so

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much�but�never�let�it�go�to�his�head.�He�was

always�willing�to�talk,�even�if�you�meet�himtoday�it’s�still�the�same.�A�few�years�ago�Imet�him�in�Sydney�at�the�airport�and�we�hada�pleasant�conversation.�Some�of�the�currentchampions,�perhaps,�could�make�a�GrandSlam…but�two�is�almost�impossible."

�And�if�we�ask�Rod�Laver?�He�told�us�thatnothing�is�impossible,�and�if�you�wantsomething�in�life,�with�sacrifice�you�can�getit.�

�"When�I�won�my�first�Grand�Slam�in�1962�itwas�very�hard�for�me,�but�looking�back�to

'69,�it�was�even�more�so,”�he�now

remembers.�Because�I�was�facing�strongopponents,�professionals,�and�to�win�it�gaveme�even�greater�satisfaction."

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TheUltimate

Fighter

byFedericoMariani

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Lleyton�Hewitt�bids�farewell�to�tennis�athis�home�Slam,�and�fans�start�to�reflect�onRusty’s�legacy.�When�the�final�point�was�played,�Lleyton

Hewitt’s�face�betrayed�no�sadness.�Though�itmust�have�been�a�bittersweet�moment�forthe�man�who�never�gave�up�to�finally�giveup,�he�showed�only�joy�and�appreciation�forthe�warm�and�extended�applause�from�theaudience.�Hewitt’s�biggest�wish�in�his

professional�life�was�to�win�the�AustralianOpen,�and�while�he�never�managed�to�do�so,the�reception�he�enjoyed�at�this�year’s�eventwent�a�long�way�to�making�up�for�that.

�Hewitt’s�career�will�be�remembered�for�manythings,�but�what�his�opponents�will

undoubtedly�take�away�from�their�matchesagainst�him�is�his�fighting�spirit.�While�theworld�has�become�used�to�the�fighting�spirit

of�players�like�Rafael�Nadal�and�NovakDjokovic,�they�pale�in�comparison�to�Hewitt’snever-say-die�attitude.�The�man�was

pathologically�incapable�of�giving�up,�andwould�happily�have�gone�a�hundred�sets

even�on�the�worst�day�when�he�was�beingsteamrolled�by�his�opponent.�Perhaps�even�more�remarkable�than�his

perseverance�was�his�talent�­�or�lack�thereof.Short�by�modern�tennis�standards,�andlacking�any�major�weapons,�few�coacheswould�recommend�such�a�player�turn�pro.Even�fewer�would�ever�imagine�that�he

would�one�day�win�two�Grand�Slams�andbecome�world�number�one.�Yet�that’s�whathe�did,�and�for�80�weeks�he�sat�atop�thetennis�world,�dominating�players�ten�times�astalented�as�him.�His�defense�was�unmatched,and�he�was�able�to�simply�outlast�almost

anyone�he�played,�no�matter�what�theythrew�at�him.�

Of�course,�his�time�as�the�top�player�in�the

world�has�not�gone�unnoticed�by�the�scepticsof�the�sport.�He�was�lucky,�they�say,�beforehe�played�in�an�in-between�era�with�no�real

competition.�Agassi�and�Sampras�were�at�thetail-end�of�their�careers,�and�Federer�was�notyet�near�his�peak.�There�is�some�truth�to�this,

but�it�has�been�largely�overblown.�MaratSafin,�for�example,�loomed�large�at�the�sametime�as�Hewitt,�as�did�players�like�Andy

Roddick�and�David�Nalbandian.�He�still�had�toearn�each�and�every�win,�and�Grand�Slamtrophies�don’t�just�fall�in�one’s�lap.

�Yet�despite�his�success,�Hewitt�failed�toenjoy�the�widespread�popularity�that�top

Page 20: Tennis World English 32

players�usually�command.�A�major�reason�forthis�was�Hewitt’s�attitude.�While�his�never-

say-die�demeanor�was�what�took�him�to�thetop,�one�aspect�of�it�was�that�he�came�acrossas�extremely�rude�and�arrogant.�He�wouldburst�into�ridiculously�loud�choruses�of�“comeon”�at�the�drop�of�a�hat,�and�stare�down�his

opponents�as�he�were�a�bull�and�theybullfighters.�On�more�than�one�occasion,�italmost�seemed�as�if�there�might�be�a�physicalaltercation�on�the�court�due�to�his�brashbehavior.�This�was�never�more�true�thanwhen�Hewitt�made�apparently�racist�remarks

about�his�opponent,�James�Blake,�at�a�matchduring�the�US�Open.�The�firestorm

surrounding�that�incident�would�haunt�Hewittfor�a�long�time,�and�his�flippant�reaction�to

people’s�concerns�did�not�help�matters.�But�Hewitt�had�been�through�tougher�times�inhis�life,�and�he�would�be�through�tougher�timesahead.�He�would,�for�example,�have�to�undergo

three�major�surgeries�to�repair�his�batteredbody.�His�superb�defense�came�at�a�price,�andhe�continually�had�to�pay�it.�Few�players�wouldhave�been�able�to�come�back�from�suchoperations,�but�Hewitt�did,�and�though�hewasn’t�the�same�player�he�had�been�before,�he

still�enjoyed�tremendous�success�on�the�Tour.

Unfortunately,�that�success�never�came�at�theGrand�Slam�level.�Over�the�past�seven�years�he

has�reached�the�quarter-final�stage�of�a�Slamonly�once,�and�has�had�to�bear�countlessdevastating�defeats�to�players�he�was,�onpaper,�much�better�than.�But�his�fighter’s�spiritnever�wavered,�nor�did�his�cries�of�“Come�on.”

Even�when�he�was�being�completely�blownaway,�the�belief�that�he�could�win�not�only�thematch,�but�the�entire�tournament,�was�ever-present.�His�last�match�was,�perhaps�fittingly,�against

the�next-best�fighter�on�the�Tour,�David�Ferrer.The�Spaniard’s�story�is�very�similar�to�Hewitt’s,

though�he�has�never�won�the�Slam�that�heprobably�deserves.�Hewitt’s�fight�is�now�over,

at�least�as�far�as�being�on�the�court�isconcerned.�Shortly�after�his�last�match,�hecould�be�found�in�the�coach’s�box�at�one�ofBernard�Tomic’s�matches.�Hewitt�has�alreadystated�his�intention�of�helping�Australia’s�next

generation�of�stars,�and�they�will�no�doubtbenefit�from�his�input.�While�Hewitt’s�days�onthe�court�are�done,�he�is�far�from�finished�withtennis.

Page 21: Tennis World English 32

players�usually�command.�A�major�reason�forthis�was�Hewitt’s�attitude.�While�his�never-

say-die�demeanor�was�what�took�him�to�thetop,�one�aspect�of�it�was�that�he�came�acrossas�extremely�rude�and�arrogant.�He�wouldburst�into�ridiculously�loud�choruses�of�“comeon”�at�the�drop�of�a�hat,�and�stare�down�his

opponents�as�he�were�a�bull�and�theybullfighters.�On�more�than�one�occasion,�italmost�seemed�as�if�there�might�be�a�physicalaltercation�on�the�court�due�to�his�brashbehavior.�This�was�never�more�true�thanwhen�Hewitt�made�apparently�racist�remarks

about�his�opponent,�James�Blake,�at�a�matchduring�the�US�Open.�The�firestorm

surrounding�that�incident�would�haunt�Hewittfor�a�long�time,�and�his�flippant�reaction�to

people’s�concerns�did�not�help�matters.�But�Hewitt�had�been�through�tougher�times�inhis�life,�and�he�would�be�through�tougher�timesahead.�He�would,�for�example,�have�to�undergo

three�major�surgeries�to�repair�his�batteredbody.�His�superb�defense�came�at�a�price,�andhe�continually�had�to�pay�it.�Few�players�wouldhave�been�able�to�come�back�from�suchoperations,�but�Hewitt�did,�and�though�hewasn’t�the�same�player�he�had�been�before,�he

still�enjoyed�tremendous�success�on�the�Tour.

Unfortunately,�that�success�never�came�at�theGrand�Slam�level.�Over�the�past�seven�years�he

has�reached�the�quarter-final�stage�of�a�Slamonly�once,�and�has�had�to�bear�countlessdevastating�defeats�to�players�he�was,�onpaper,�much�better�than.�But�his�fighter’s�spiritnever�wavered,�nor�did�his�cries�of�“Come�on.”

Even�when�he�was�being�completely�blownaway,�the�belief�that�he�could�win�not�only�thematch,�but�the�entire�tournament,�was�ever-present.�His�last�match�was,�perhaps�fittingly,�against

the�next-best�fighter�on�the�Tour,�David�Ferrer.The�Spaniard’s�story�is�very�similar�to�Hewitt’s,

though�he�has�never�won�the�Slam�that�heprobably�deserves.�Hewitt’s�fight�is�now�over,

at�least�as�far�as�being�on�the�court�isconcerned.�Shortly�after�his�last�match,�hecould�be�found�in�the�coach’s�box�at�one�ofBernard�Tomic’s�matches.�Hewitt�has�alreadystated�his�intention�of�helping�Australia’s�next

generation�of�stars,�and�they�will�no�doubtbenefit�from�his�input.�While�Hewitt’s�days�onthe�court�are�done,�he�is�far�from�finished�withtennis.

Page 22: Tennis World English 32

HereWeGo

Again

by�Marco�Di�Nardo

Page 23: Tennis World English 32

HereWeGo

Again

by�Marco�Di�Nardo

Page 24: Tennis World English 32

Coming�into�the�2016�season,�the�worstseemed�to�have�passed�for�Rafael�Nadal.�His

previous�full�year�on�the�Tour�had�been�adisaster,�and�saw�him�posting�a�string�ofhorrible�results.�He�never�advanced�to�thelatter�stages�of�any�of�the�Slams�and�was�oftenhumiliated�in�his�matches�against�other�top

players.��After�his�loss�to�Fabio�Fognini�at�the�US�Open,a�match�in�which�Nadal�gave�up�a�two�sets�tolove�lead,�the�Spaniard�hit�rock�bottom.�Theonly�way�from�there�was�up,�and�he�started

playing�with�a�little�more�confidence.�The�Asianswing�of�the�Tour�was�productive�for�Nadal,and�while�he�still�couldn’t�compete�against�thelikes�of�Federer�and�Djokovic,�things�were

getting�better.�2016,�therefore,�seemed�like�a�season�of

rebirth.�Nadal�had�been�down�and�out�before,only�to�come�back�stronger�the�next�year.�EvenRoger�Federer�had�come�back�from�a�terrible

2013�season�to�return�to�top�form.�AndyMurray,�too,�had�experienced�downturns�in�hisfortunes�in�2014,�falling�out�of�the�Top�10.�But

he�bounced�back�strongly�from�there,�rising�ashigh�as�number�two�in�the�rankings.�So�astrong�start�to�2016�seemed�very�possible�for

Nadal,�even�if�it�were�not�a�given.��Though�it�was�just�an�exhibition�event,�Nadal’s

performance�at�the�Mubadala�World�TennisChampionship�was�encouraging.�He�beat�David

Ferrer�and�Milos�Raonic�en�route�to�a�thirdtrophy�and�$500�000�prize,�and�seemed�moreat�ease�with�his�game�than�at�any�time�overthe�preceding�year.�

The�first�official�event�of�the�year�for�Nadal,

the�ATP�250�event�in�Doha,�held�even�more

good�news.�There�the�Spaniard�defeated�Pablo

Carreño,�Robin�Haase,�Andrey�Kuznetsov�and

Illya�Marchenko�before�falling�to�Djokovic�in

the�final.�It�was�a�disheartening�beatdown�­

Page 25: Tennis World English 32

Coming�into�the�2016�season,�the�worstseemed�to�have�passed�for�Rafael�Nadal.�His

previous�full�year�on�the�Tour�had�been�adisaster,�and�saw�him�posting�a�string�ofhorrible�results.�He�never�advanced�to�thelatter�stages�of�any�of�the�Slams�and�was�oftenhumiliated�in�his�matches�against�other�top

players.��After�his�loss�to�Fabio�Fognini�at�the�US�Open,a�match�in�which�Nadal�gave�up�a�two�sets�tolove�lead,�the�Spaniard�hit�rock�bottom.�Theonly�way�from�there�was�up,�and�he�started

playing�with�a�little�more�confidence.�The�Asianswing�of�the�Tour�was�productive�for�Nadal,and�while�he�still�couldn’t�compete�against�thelikes�of�Federer�and�Djokovic,�things�were

getting�better.�2016,�therefore,�seemed�like�a�season�of

rebirth.�Nadal�had�been�down�and�out�before,only�to�come�back�stronger�the�next�year.�EvenRoger�Federer�had�come�back�from�a�terrible

2013�season�to�return�to�top�form.�AndyMurray,�too,�had�experienced�downturns�in�hisfortunes�in�2014,�falling�out�of�the�Top�10.�But

he�bounced�back�strongly�from�there,�rising�ashigh�as�number�two�in�the�rankings.�So�astrong�start�to�2016�seemed�very�possible�for

Nadal,�even�if�it�were�not�a�given.��Though�it�was�just�an�exhibition�event,�Nadal’s

performance�at�the�Mubadala�World�TennisChampionship�was�encouraging.�He�beat�David

Ferrer�and�Milos�Raonic�en�route�to�a�thirdtrophy�and�$500�000�prize,�and�seemed�moreat�ease�with�his�game�than�at�any�time�overthe�preceding�year.�

The�first�official�event�of�the�year�for�Nadal,

the�ATP�250�event�in�Doha,�held�even�more

good�news.�There�the�Spaniard�defeated�Pablo

Carreño,�Robin�Haase,�Andrey�Kuznetsov�and

Illya�Marchenko�before�falling�to�Djokovic�in

the�final.�It�was�a�disheartening�beatdown�­

Page 26: Tennis World English 32

6-1,�6-2�­�but�there�were�enough�positivesduring�the�week�to�make�him�feel�confident

about�the�Australian�Open.��His�first�match�in�Melbourne�was�againstFernando�Verdasco.�Certainly�not�the�easiestdraw�in�the�world,�but�Verdasco’s�best�tennis

was�well�behind�him,�and�though�he�hadreached�the�semi-finals�of�the�Australian�Opensome�years�before,�he�was�but�a�shadow�ofthat�player.�Yet�somehow�Nadal�madeVerdasco�look�like�a�world�champion�in�theirfirst�round�encounter,�letting�his�opponent

boss�him�around�the�court.�Nadal�also�couldnot�take�advantage�of�the�countless�errorsVerdasco�made,�and�ultimately�lost�the�matchas�much�as�Verdasco�won�it.�The�final�score,

7-6,�4-6,�3-6,�7-6,�6-2,�cannot�convey�just�howout�of�sorts�Nadal�was.�It�was�just�the�secondtime�in�his�career�that�he�was�forced�to�leave�a

Grand�Slam�without�a�single�victory�to�hisname.�

What�seemed�like�a�season�of�rebirth�is�now�ayear�of�desperation�for�Nadal.�If�he�cannot�re-establish�his�foothold�near�the�top�of�the�game

now,�he�may�never�be�able�to�again.�The�nextfew�months�will�be�telling,�but�unfortunatelyfor�Nadal�most�of�those�tournaments�will�be�on

hard�court�­�not�his�best�surface.

Page 27: Tennis World English 32

6-1,�6-2�­�but�there�were�enough�positivesduring�the�week�to�make�him�feel�confident

about�the�Australian�Open.��His�first�match�in�Melbourne�was�againstFernando�Verdasco.�Certainly�not�the�easiestdraw�in�the�world,�but�Verdasco’s�best�tennis

was�well�behind�him,�and�though�he�hadreached�the�semi-finals�of�the�Australian�Opensome�years�before,�he�was�but�a�shadow�ofthat�player.�Yet�somehow�Nadal�madeVerdasco�look�like�a�world�champion�in�theirfirst�round�encounter,�letting�his�opponent

boss�him�around�the�court.�Nadal�also�couldnot�take�advantage�of�the�countless�errorsVerdasco�made,�and�ultimately�lost�the�matchas�much�as�Verdasco�won�it.�The�final�score,

7-6,�4-6,�3-6,�7-6,�6-2,�cannot�convey�just�howout�of�sorts�Nadal�was.�It�was�just�the�secondtime�in�his�career�that�he�was�forced�to�leave�a

Grand�Slam�without�a�single�victory�to�hisname.�

What�seemed�like�a�season�of�rebirth�is�now�ayear�of�desperation�for�Nadal.�If�he�cannot�re-establish�his�foothold�near�the�top�of�the�game

now,�he�may�never�be�able�to�again.�The�nextfew�months�will�be�telling,�but�unfortunatelyfor�Nadal�most�of�those�tournaments�will�be�on

hard�court�­�not�his�best�surface.

Page 28: Tennis World English 32

MilosMatures

byGiorgioGiannaccini

It�seems�fair�to�say�that,�at�this�year’sAustralian�Open,�Milos�Raonic�has�finallyfinished�maturing�into�a�top�tennis�player.�Of

course,�Raonic�has�been�a�very�good�player�fora�long�time,�but�he�has�never�been�ableconsistently�produce�the�sort�of�resultseveryone�knew�he�was�capable�of.�It�took�a�lotof�effort,�patience�and�more�than�a�few

coaches,�but�he�seems�to�have�finally�taken�thenext�step�towards�greatness.��In�many�ways,�it�seems�like�just�yesterday�thatRaonic�was�a�tall,�skinny�kid�with�a�big�serve

and�not�much�else.�His�defense�was�non-existent,�and�his�lack�of�quick�movement

meant�that�he�missed�a�lot�of�shots�he�had�nobusiness�missing.��

But�everything�he�was�lacking�could�be�fixed,and�with�a�strong�work�ethic�that�is�exactlywhat�he�did.�Over�the�years�he’s�developed�his

serve�to�the�point�that�it’s�not�just�great�­�it’sthe�best�on�then�ATP�Tour.�He’s�also�developedhis�fitness�into�a�weapon�and�improved

tremendously�on�defense.�These�changes�cameslowly�at�first,�when�the�Canadian�replacedFrederic�Niemeyer�with�Galo�Blanco�as�his

coach,�but�they�were�definitely�noticeable.�Thereal�revolution,�however,�started�when�heteamed�up�with�Ivan�Ljubicic�in�2013.�With�Ljubicic�the�focus�was�on�movement�morethan�anything�else.�Raonic�is�a�tall�player,�and

like�so�many�others�on�the�Tour�he�lacked�theexplosive�speed�that�the�shorter�contendershave.��Over�time,�his�movement�significantlyimproved,�a�change�which�naturallystrengthened�his�groundstrokes�as�well.�His

forehand,�which�had�been�serviceable�at�best,

became�a�true�weapon�once�he�had�a�littlemore�time�to�line�up�his�shots.

The�backhand�did�not�improve�as�quickly�as�theforehand�though,�and�it�took�much�longer�for

the�shot�to�advance�to�a�level�where�it�couldcompete�with�the�Tour’s�top�talent.�The�otherthing�Ljubicic�encouraged�Raonic�to�do�wasapproach�the�net�more�often.�He�has�atremendous�wingspan,�and�is�a�nightmare�to

pass�if�he�can�get�a�good�approach�shot�off.�Heis�no�Pat�Rafter�at�the�net�quite�yet,�but�he�cancertainly�hold�his�own�and�keep�his�opponentsoff-balance�with�his�forays�to�the�forecourt.��Once�all�of�these�fundamentals�had�been

strengthened,�the�results�started�coming�thickand�fast.�He�reached�the�quarter-finals�at�theFrench�Open,�finally�losing�to�none�other�than

Novak�Djokovic.�A�few�weeks�later�he�went�one

step�further,�reaching�the�semi-finals�atWimbledon,�where�it�took�an�in-form�RogerFederer�to�final�put�a�stop�to�his�run.�At�the�US

Open,�he�lost�to�eventual�finalist�Kei�Nishikoriin�the�fourth�round,�but�not�without�firstputting�up�a�tremendous�five-set�fight.

�He�ended�that�season�by�qualifying�for�theyear-end�ATP�World�Tour�Finals.�Unfortunately,

he�succumbed�to�injury�and�was�forced�towithdraw�after�playing�just�two�matches,

though�by�that�point�he�had�been�eliminatedfrom�advancing�to�the�semi-finals�in�any�case.�

�At�the�beginning�of�2015,�Raonic�reached�thefinal�of�the�Brisbane�tournament,�but�lost�toRoger�Federer.�After�that�he�reached�thequarter-finals�at�the�Australian�Open�before

running,�once�again,�into�world�number�oneNovak�Djokovic.�The�biggest�scalp�of�his�career�came�at�IndianWells�shortly�after�the�Australian�Open,�wherehe�defeated�Rafael�Nadal�in�the�semi-final�in�an

epic�for�4-6,�7-6,�7-5�contest.�Building�on�all�of�this�success,�Raonic�went�onto�reach�the�quarter-finals�in�both�Monte�Carlo

and�Madrid,�and�rose�to�number�four�in�theworld�rankings.�A�very�unfortunately�timed�footinjury�then�forced�him�to�miss�both�Rome�and

Roland�Garros,�and�he�showed�up�atWimbledon�out�of�sorts�and�out�of�form.�Helost�to�Nick�Kyrgios�in�the�third�round�there,

before�also�losing�in�the�third�round�of�the�USOpen�to�Feliciano�Lopez.�It�was�at�this�pointthat�he�parted�ways�with�coach�Ivan�Ljubicic,

amicably�it�seems,�with�the�Croat�moving�on�tocoach�Roger�Federer.�Carlos�Moya�took�over

from�Ljubicic,�and�lead�Raonic�to�a�triumphantvictory�over�Federer�in�Brisbane,�where�he�won

6-4,�6-4.�And�so�we�come�to�the�2016�Australian�Open,where�a�supremely�confident�Raonic�racedthrough�the�draw�with�his�ultra-aggressive

game.�He�approached�the�net�close�to�40�timeseach�match,�constantly�keeping�his�opponentson�their�toes�and�usually�coming�out�on�topwhen�he�did�venture�to�the�forecourt.�Hereached�the�semi-final,�where�he�looked�everybit�the�champion�against�Andy�Murray.

Unfortunately,�however,�he�sustained�an�injuryand�was�unable�to�complete�what�looked�like�apossible�victory,�eventually�losing�in�five�sets.��

But�if�Raonic�can�stay�healthy,�2016�might�justbe�a�true�breakout�year�for�him.�All�eyes�willcertainly�be�on�him�at�Wimbledon,�where�he

has�the�best�chance�of�succeeding�at�a�Slam…at�least�for�now.

Page 29: Tennis World English 32

MilosMatures

byGiorgioGiannaccini

It�seems�fair�to�say�that,�at�this�year’sAustralian�Open,�Milos�Raonic�has�finallyfinished�maturing�into�a�top�tennis�player.�Of

course,�Raonic�has�been�a�very�good�player�fora�long�time,�but�he�has�never�been�ableconsistently�produce�the�sort�of�resultseveryone�knew�he�was�capable�of.�It�took�a�lotof�effort,�patience�and�more�than�a�few

coaches,�but�he�seems�to�have�finally�taken�thenext�step�towards�greatness.��In�many�ways,�it�seems�like�just�yesterday�thatRaonic�was�a�tall,�skinny�kid�with�a�big�serve

and�not�much�else.�His�defense�was�non-existent,�and�his�lack�of�quick�movement

meant�that�he�missed�a�lot�of�shots�he�had�nobusiness�missing.��

But�everything�he�was�lacking�could�be�fixed,and�with�a�strong�work�ethic�that�is�exactlywhat�he�did.�Over�the�years�he’s�developed�his

serve�to�the�point�that�it’s�not�just�great�­�it’sthe�best�on�then�ATP�Tour.�He’s�also�developedhis�fitness�into�a�weapon�and�improved

tremendously�on�defense.�These�changes�cameslowly�at�first,�when�the�Canadian�replacedFrederic�Niemeyer�with�Galo�Blanco�as�his

coach,�but�they�were�definitely�noticeable.�Thereal�revolution,�however,�started�when�heteamed�up�with�Ivan�Ljubicic�in�2013.�With�Ljubicic�the�focus�was�on�movement�morethan�anything�else.�Raonic�is�a�tall�player,�and

like�so�many�others�on�the�Tour�he�lacked�theexplosive�speed�that�the�shorter�contendershave.��Over�time,�his�movement�significantlyimproved,�a�change�which�naturallystrengthened�his�groundstrokes�as�well.�His

forehand,�which�had�been�serviceable�at�best,

became�a�true�weapon�once�he�had�a�littlemore�time�to�line�up�his�shots.

The�backhand�did�not�improve�as�quickly�as�theforehand�though,�and�it�took�much�longer�for

the�shot�to�advance�to�a�level�where�it�couldcompete�with�the�Tour’s�top�talent.�The�otherthing�Ljubicic�encouraged�Raonic�to�do�wasapproach�the�net�more�often.�He�has�atremendous�wingspan,�and�is�a�nightmare�to

pass�if�he�can�get�a�good�approach�shot�off.�Heis�no�Pat�Rafter�at�the�net�quite�yet,�but�he�cancertainly�hold�his�own�and�keep�his�opponentsoff-balance�with�his�forays�to�the�forecourt.��Once�all�of�these�fundamentals�had�been

strengthened,�the�results�started�coming�thickand�fast.�He�reached�the�quarter-finals�at�theFrench�Open,�finally�losing�to�none�other�than

Novak�Djokovic.�A�few�weeks�later�he�went�one

step�further,�reaching�the�semi-finals�atWimbledon,�where�it�took�an�in-form�RogerFederer�to�final�put�a�stop�to�his�run.�At�the�US

Open,�he�lost�to�eventual�finalist�Kei�Nishikoriin�the�fourth�round,�but�not�without�firstputting�up�a�tremendous�five-set�fight.

�He�ended�that�season�by�qualifying�for�theyear-end�ATP�World�Tour�Finals.�Unfortunately,

he�succumbed�to�injury�and�was�forced�towithdraw�after�playing�just�two�matches,

though�by�that�point�he�had�been�eliminatedfrom�advancing�to�the�semi-finals�in�any�case.�

�At�the�beginning�of�2015,�Raonic�reached�thefinal�of�the�Brisbane�tournament,�but�lost�toRoger�Federer.�After�that�he�reached�thequarter-finals�at�the�Australian�Open�before

running,�once�again,�into�world�number�oneNovak�Djokovic.�The�biggest�scalp�of�his�career�came�at�IndianWells�shortly�after�the�Australian�Open,�wherehe�defeated�Rafael�Nadal�in�the�semi-final�in�an

epic�for�4-6,�7-6,�7-5�contest.�Building�on�all�of�this�success,�Raonic�went�on

to�reach�the�quarter-finals�in�both�Monte�Carlo

and�Madrid,�and�rose�to�number�four�in�theworld�rankings.�A�very�unfortunately�timed�footinjury�then�forced�him�to�miss�both�Rome�and

Roland�Garros,�and�he�showed�up�atWimbledon�out�of�sorts�and�out�of�form.�Helost�to�Nick�Kyrgios�in�the�third�round�there,

before�also�losing�in�the�third�round�of�the�USOpen�to�Feliciano�Lopez.�It�was�at�this�pointthat�he�parted�ways�with�coach�Ivan�Ljubicic,

amicably�it�seems,�with�the�Croat�moving�on�tocoach�Roger�Federer.�Carlos�Moya�took�over

from�Ljubicic,�and�lead�Raonic�to�a�triumphantvictory�over�Federer�in�Brisbane,�where�he�won

6-4,�6-4.�And�so�we�come�to�the�2016�Australian�Open,where�a�supremely�confident�Raonic�racedthrough�the�draw�with�his�ultra-aggressive

game.�He�approached�the�net�close�to�40�timeseach�match,�constantly�keeping�his�opponentson�their�toes�and�usually�coming�out�on�topwhen�he�did�venture�to�the�forecourt.�Hereached�the�semi-final,�where�he�looked�everybit�the�champion�against�Andy�Murray.

Unfortunately,�however,�he�sustained�an�injuryand�was�unable�to�complete�what�looked�like�apossible�victory,�eventually�losing�in�five�sets.��

But�if�Raonic�can�stay�healthy,�2016�might�justbe�a�true�breakout�year�for�him.�All�eyes�willcertainly�be�on�him�at�Wimbledon,�where�he

has�the�best�chance�of�succeeding�at�a�Slam…at�least�for�now.

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Revenge�is�a�dish�best�served�cold,�thoughafter�seven�years�of�waiting,�Fernando

Verdasco’s�vengeance�was�so�cold�it�hadlong�frozen�over.

In�2009,�Fernando�Verdasco�came�into�theAustralian�Open�in�the�shape�of�his�life.�He�had

just�reached�the�final�of�the�tournament�inBrisbane�(where�he�lost�to�Stepanek)�and�wasbrimming�with�confidence.�His�opening�roundopponent,�Adrian�Mannarino�would�quickly�geta�taste�of�just�how�confident�Verdasco�was,�ashe�lost�the�first�set�6-0.�The�second�and�third

were�no�better,�as�he�managed�to�scrapetogether�just�four�games�in�the�entire�match.�Arnaud�Clement�found�Verdasco�in�a�similarly

merciless�mood�in�the�second�round,�and�alsomanaged�just�four�games�in�total.�But�that�was

nothing�compared�to�the�hammering�RadaekStepanek�would�get�in�the�third�round,�asVerdasco�exacted�revenge�for�his�Brisbanedefeat�by�steamrolling�the�Czech�6-4,�6-0,6-0.�In�three�rounds,�Verdasco�had�given�upjust�12�games,�an�unbelievable�feat�for�anyone,but�especially�for�the�Spaniard,�who�had�not

been�on�such�a�run�in�his�entire�career.�In�the�fourth�round,�however,�things�got�morecomplicated.�Verdasco�faced�Andy�Murray,

who�many�had�pegged�as�the�odds-on�favoritefor�winning�the�whole�tournament.�He�lost�thefirst�set�6-2�before�winning�the�second�6-1,but�then�went�down�two�sets�to�one�as�Murray

VforVerdasco

byGiorgioGiannaccini

Page 31: Tennis World English 32

sealed�the�third�6-1.�From�that�moment�onthough,�Verdasco�took�control�of�the�match

with�a�series�of�breathtaking�winners�and�aces.The�final�score�was�2-6,�6-1,�1-6,�6-3,�6-4.�Thewhole�tennis�world�now�sat�up�and�paidattention,�especially�his�next�opponent,�Jo-Wilfried�Tsonga,�as�much�of�a�heavy�hitter�as

Verdasco,�if�not�more�so.�Yet�no�matter�howwell�prepared�Tsonga�might�have�felt�in�theirmatch,�Verdasco�was�like�a�steam�train�at�thatmoment.�Even�if�you�knew�it�was�heading�yourway,�you�would�still�get�crushed�by�it.�TheFrenchman�managed�to�steal�just�one�set�en

route�to�a�relatively�tame�defeat.�Suddenly,�Verdasco�found�himself�in�a�Grand

Slam�semi-final.�Not�only�that,�but�he�had�the

most�momentum�of�any�player�in�recentmemory,�and�seemed�almost�impossible�tostop.�Unfortunately�for�him,�the�unstoppable

force�was�about�to�meet�the�immovable�object:world�number�one�Rafael�Nadal.�Most�punditsexpected�Nadal�to�win�handily,�and�that

Verdasco�would�simply�collapse�under�thestrain�of�the�occasion.

�Nothing�could�have�been�further�from�thetruth.�From�the�very�start,�it�was�clear�that�thiswould�be�an�epic�contest.�Nadal�would�hit�anunbelievable�winner,�only�to�have�Verdasco�hit

an�even�more�spectacular�one�the�next�point.They�traded�blows,�point�by�point,�for�theentire�first�set,�which�eventually�ended�in�a�tie-break.�Nadal,�perhaps�unprepared�forVerdasco’s�never-ending�stream�of�massiveforehands,�momentarily�lost�his�nerve�and�the

set.�The�next�set�would�be�as�tight�as�the�first,though�Nadal�finally�seemed�to�take�control�ofthe�situation�and�came�through�with�a�6-4

triumph.�The�third�again�went�to�a�tie-break,

with�Nadal�holding�his�nerve�to�take�a�two�setsto�one�lead.�For�most�observers,�it�seemed�likethe�end�for�Verdasco.�Hours�of�tough�tennis

had�brought�mostly�heartache�for�theunderdog,�and�the�smart�money�was�on�himlosing�in�four.�He�didn’t�get�that�memo,

Page 32: Tennis World English 32

however.�He�stayed�with�Nadal�with�everyswing�of�his�racket,�smashing�winners

seemingly�at�will.�Yet�another�tie-break�ensued,but�this�time�it�was�Verdasco�who�won,�levelingthe�match�and�sending�it�to�a�deciding�fifth�set.�Though�it�might�seem�impossible,�the�more

exhausted�they�became�the�better�they�played.Almost�every�point�was�a�breathtaking�affair,and�for�a�while�it�seemed�as�if�the�match�mightnever�end.�But�all�things�must�pass,�and�so�didthe�match�­�into�Nadal’s�hands.�At�30-40�andtraining�4-5,�Verdasco�sadly�double�faulted�his

chances�away.�The�match�had�lasted�5�hoursand�14�minutes,�and�is�still�remembered�as�aclassic�by�all�who�saw�it.�

Seven�long�years�have�passed�since�then,�butVerdasco�no�doubt�often�still�thinks�of�the

match�and�his�missed�opportunities.�So�whenhe�was�again�drawn�to�meet�Nadal�at�the

Australian�Open,�this�time�in�the�first�round,�hebrought�his�A-game,�even�though�he�had�notplayed�that�level�of�tennis�in�years.�Nadal,unfortunately,�had�not�thought�to�bring�his�A-game,�and�was�utterly�unprepared�for

Verdsaco’s�ferocious�onslaught.�For�a�while�itseemed�as�if�the�former�world�number�onemight�pull�through,�and�he�even�went�up�twosets�to�one,�as�in�their�classic�match�so�longago,�but�this�time�Verdasco�held�his�nerve�towin�in�five�sets.�He�had,�at�long�last,�taken�his

revenge.�He�would�go�on�to�lose�in�his�nextmatch�­�making�the�loss�even�more�difficult�tobare�for�Nadal,�but�he�could�rest�easy�that�hehad�put�to�bed�at�least�some�of�the�demons�of

the�past.

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SerenaSlipsUp

Again

byGiorgioGiannaccini

Page 37: Tennis World English 32

SerenaSlipsUp

Again

byGiorgioGiannaccini

Page 38: Tennis World English 32

Many�fans�wondered�how�Serena�Williamswould�respond�to�losing�in�the�US�Open�semi-

finals�last�year.�She�was�so�close�to�history,with�only�two�relatively�unknown�peoplestanding�in�her�way,�but�was�ultimately�unableto�overcome�her�nerves�and�her�wily�Italianopponent.�She�took�the�rest�of�the�year�off�to

lick�her�wounds,�so�all�eyes�were�on�hercoming�into�Melbourne�this�year.�Her�response�was�pretty�convincing.�She�gaveup�only�three�games�against�Hsieh�Su-Wei�inthe�second�round,�and�just�three�in�the�match

after�that.�Even�in�the�fourth�round�DariaKasatikna�could�not�extract�more�than�twomeasly�games�from�the�furious�American.�

The�quarter-finals�were,�in�theory,�wherethings�would�get�tough�for�Williams.�After�all,Maria�Sharapova�awaited�her�in�that�round.�She

was�broken�early,�and�for�a�moment�it�seemedas�if�she�might�finally�have�a�fight�on�herhands,�but�she�quickly�found�her�feet�and

rolled�the�Russian�6-4,�6-1.�AgnieszkaRadwanska�was�her�semi-final�opponent,�andthough�the�diminutive�Pole�generally�makes

her�opponents�play�an�extra�shot�on�almostevery�point,�Williams�barely�blinked,�crushingher�6-0,�6-4.�On�this�occasion,�Radwanska’s

bag�of�tricks�did�her�no�good.�The�second�setwas�more�competitive�on�paper,�but�nobody�inthat�stadium�doubted�for�a�moment�who

would�be�the�ultimate�winner.�

As�was�the�case�in�New�York,�she�entered�intothis�match�as�the�odds-on�favorite.�Indeed,�youwould�have�to�go�far�and�wide�to�find�someonewho�would�bet�against�the�American.Angelique�Kerber�had�enjoyed�a�wonderfultournament�and�was�in�the�best�condition�ofher�life,�having�lost�several�pounds�in�the

offseason,�but�she�was�no�match�for�Williams.Unfortunately�for�Williams,�nobody�told�Kerberthat.

Page 39: Tennis World English 32

Many�fans�wondered�how�Serena�Williamswould�respond�to�losing�in�the�US�Open�semi-

finals�last�year.�She�was�so�close�to�history,with�only�two�relatively�unknown�peoplestanding�in�her�way,�but�was�ultimately�unableto�overcome�her�nerves�and�her�wily�Italianopponent.�She�took�the�rest�of�the�year�off�to

lick�her�wounds,�so�all�eyes�were�on�hercoming�into�Melbourne�this�year.�Her�response�was�pretty�convincing.�She�gaveup�only�three�games�against�Hsieh�Su-Wei�inthe�second�round,�and�just�three�in�the�match

after�that.�Even�in�the�fourth�round�DariaKasatikna�could�not�extract�more�than�twomeasly�games�from�the�furious�American.�

The�quarter-finals�were,�in�theory,�wherethings�would�get�tough�for�Williams.�After�all,Maria�Sharapova�awaited�her�in�that�round.�She

was�broken�early,�and�for�a�moment�it�seemedas�if�she�might�finally�have�a�fight�on�herhands,�but�she�quickly�found�her�feet�and

rolled�the�Russian�6-4,�6-1.�AgnieszkaRadwanska�was�her�semi-final�opponent,�andthough�the�diminutive�Pole�generally�makes

her�opponents�play�an�extra�shot�on�almostevery�point,�Williams�barely�blinked,�crushingher�6-0,�6-4.�On�this�occasion,�Radwanska’s

bag�of�tricks�did�her�no�good.�The�second�setwas�more�competitive�on�paper,�but�nobody�inthat�stadium�doubted�for�a�moment�who

would�be�the�ultimate�winner.�

As�was�the�case�in�New�York,�she�entered�intothis�match�as�the�odds-on�favorite.�Indeed,�youwould�have�to�go�far�and�wide�to�find�someonewho�would�bet�against�the�American.Angelique�Kerber�had�enjoyed�a�wonderfultournament�and�was�in�the�best�condition�ofher�life,�having�lost�several�pounds�in�the

offseason,�but�she�was�no�match�for�Williams.Unfortunately�for�Williams,�nobody�told�Kerberthat.

Page 40: Tennis World English 32

From�the�start�there�were�signs�of�trouble.Kerber�was�utterly�unfazed�by�her�intimidating

opponent,�and�Williams�seemed�flat.�Even�herconstant�cries�of�“come�on”�could�not�snap�herout�of�her�funk,�and�before�long�the�Germanhad�won�the�first�set.�Whether�the�nervesfinally�got�to�Kerber�of�if�Serena�just�woke�up,

the�second�set�was�a�different�matter.�Kerber’sshots�missed�their�mark�more�often�than�not,and�she�seemed�somewhat�dejected�heading�toher�chair�after�losing�the�set.�But�whatever�iswas�that�was�bothering�her�seemed�to�fadeaway�in�the�third,�as�she�took�firm�control�of

the�match�and�served�it�out�like�a�playerwithout�a�care�in�the�world.�Several�explanations�have�been�put�forth�for

the�victory.�Many�people�simply�say�thatKerber�was�too�good,�and�there�is�certainlysomething�to�that.�She�chased�down�every�ball

and�forced�Williams�to�hit�winners�over�andover�again,�often�luring�her�into�error.�But�noneof�these�explanations�are�quite�convincing.

Even�if�Williams�was�having�an�off�day,�wewere�expecting�more�of�a�fight�than�this.�

It�might�simply�be�that�Serena�has�beenwithout�proper�competition�for�too�long.�Shehas�lost�her�edge,�and�has�not�been�forced�to

improve�on�her�game�in�a�long�time.�She�hasbeen�coasting�for�years,�resting�on�her�laurelsand�seeing�her�opponents�beat�themselves.

Now�those�opponents�have�become�strongerand�more�fearless,�and�she�has�been�unable�tofully�cope�with�this�change.�In�men’s�tennis,

this�is�rarely�a�problem.�Federer�has�had�toimprove�in�order�to�beat�Nadal�on�clay,whereas�Nadal�had�to�do�the�same�to�beatFederer�on�grass.�Djokovic�had�to�changealmost�everything�about�himself,�including�hisdiet,�to�finally�rise�to�the�level�of�his�rivals.�

Another�factor�might�be�Serena’s�physicalcondition.�If�Federer�or�Nadal�did�not�get�the

physical�preparation�they�needed�before�aSlam,�they�would�lose�badly.�A�large�part�of

Djokovic’s�success�over�the�past�few�years�hasbeen�his�continued�health.�Andy�Murray,�too,�isonly�at�his�best�when�he�is�at�his�physical�peak.�Williams,�on�the�other�hand,�has�never�worked

particular�hard�on�her�body.�Her�strength�hasbeen�her�power,�and�she�prefers�to�just�standstill�and�hit�the�ball�as�hard�as�she�can.�She�isnowhere�near�as�quick�as�her�rivals,�and�thismight�be�catching�up�to�her.�Years�ofneglecting�her�fitness�is�now�causing�her�to�fall

short�at�the�most�inopportune�times�in�thebiggest�matches.�

Perhaps�Williams�has�been�her�own�worst

enemy.�Without�anyone�pushing�her,�she�haslet�herself�become�lax�and�complacent.�Onlytime�will�tell�if�she�will�be�able�to�raise�her

game�to�a�new�level,�before�time�finally�catchesup�with�her.

Page 41: Tennis World English 32

From�the�start�there�were�signs�of�trouble.Kerber�was�utterly�unfazed�by�her�intimidating

opponent,�and�Williams�seemed�flat.�Even�herconstant�cries�of�“come�on”�could�not�snap�herout�of�her�funk,�and�before�long�the�Germanhad�won�the�first�set.�Whether�the�nervesfinally�got�to�Kerber�of�if�Serena�just�woke�up,

the�second�set�was�a�different�matter.�Kerber’sshots�missed�their�mark�more�often�than�not,and�she�seemed�somewhat�dejected�heading�toher�chair�after�losing�the�set.�But�whatever�iswas�that�was�bothering�her�seemed�to�fadeaway�in�the�third,�as�she�took�firm�control�of

the�match�and�served�it�out�like�a�playerwithout�a�care�in�the�world.�Several�explanations�have�been�put�forth�for

the�victory.�Many�people�simply�say�thatKerber�was�too�good,�and�there�is�certainlysomething�to�that.�She�chased�down�every�ball

and�forced�Williams�to�hit�winners�over�andover�again,�often�luring�her�into�error.�But�noneof�these�explanations�are�quite�convincing.

Even�if�Williams�was�having�an�off�day,�wewere�expecting�more�of�a�fight�than�this.�

It�might�simply�be�that�Serena�has�beenwithout�proper�competition�for�too�long.�Shehas�lost�her�edge,�and�has�not�been�forced�to

improve�on�her�game�in�a�long�time.�She�hasbeen�coasting�for�years,�resting�on�her�laurelsand�seeing�her�opponents�beat�themselves.

Now�those�opponents�have�become�strongerand�more�fearless,�and�she�has�been�unable�tofully�cope�with�this�change.�In�men’s�tennis,

this�is�rarely�a�problem.�Federer�has�had�toimprove�in�order�to�beat�Nadal�on�clay,whereas�Nadal�had�to�do�the�same�to�beatFederer�on�grass.�Djokovic�had�to�changealmost�everything�about�himself,�including�hisdiet,�to�finally�rise�to�the�level�of�his�rivals.�

Another�factor�might�be�Serena’s�physicalcondition.�If�Federer�or�Nadal�did�not�get�the

physical�preparation�they�needed�before�aSlam,�they�would�lose�badly.�A�large�part�of

Djokovic’s�success�over�the�past�few�years�hasbeen�his�continued�health.�Andy�Murray,�too,�isonly�at�his�best�when�he�is�at�his�physical�peak.�Williams,�on�the�other�hand,�has�never�worked

particular�hard�on�her�body.�Her�strength�hasbeen�her�power,�and�she�prefers�to�just�standstill�and�hit�the�ball�as�hard�as�she�can.�She�isnowhere�near�as�quick�as�her�rivals,�and�thismight�be�catching�up�to�her.�Years�ofneglecting�her�fitness�is�now�causing�her�to�fall

short�at�the�most�inopportune�times�in�thebiggest�matches.�

Perhaps�Williams�has�been�her�own�worst

enemy.�Without�anyone�pushing�her,�she�haslet�herself�become�lax�and�complacent.�Onlytime�will�tell�if�she�will�be�able�to�raise�her

game�to�a�new�level,�before�time�finally�catchesup�with�her.

Page 42: Tennis World English 32

Angelique

Kerber

byGiogioGiannaccini

Page 43: Tennis World English 32

For�Serena�Williams,�2016�would�hold�no�talkof�the�Calendar�Grand�Slam.�While�she�hadbeen�the�overwhelming�favorite�coming�intothe�Australian�Open�final,�and�indeed�manyhad�thought�she�would�win�the�Calendar

Slam�this�year,�it�was�the�talented�GermanAngelique�Kerber�who�ultimately�triumphedDown�Under.�Kerber,�born�in�Bremen�on�18�January,�1988,turned�pro�in�2003,�and�took�ten�years

before�producing�her�first�big�result�­�a�semi-final�appearance�at�the�US�Open.�She�won�her�first�title�in�2012�in�Paris,�then

quickly�followed�that�up�with�one�inCopenhagen.�The�following�year�saw�her�liftthe�trophy�in�Linz�before�reaching�two

additional�finals�in�other�tournaments.�The�next�season�saw�a�dip�in�her

performance�as�she�struggled�with�fitnessand�form,�but�vowed�to�make�changesheading�into�the�2015�season.�She�made

good�on�her�word,�and�her�hard�work�paidoff�immediately�as�she�reached�the�semi-

finals�in�Brisbane.�This�was�followed�by�a�dryspell,�but�she�made�up�for�that�by�winningthe�events�in�Charleston�and�Stuttgart,�thelatter�after�a�great�battle�against�Caroline

Wozniacki.�She�also�triumphed�at�the�AegonClassic�in�Birmingham,�as�well�as�thetournament�in�Stanford.�After�such�a�strong�2015�season,�many

people�saw�the�potential�of�Kerber�reallybreaking�out�this�year.�She�started�the�yearwell,�reaching�the�final�in�Brisbane�beforelosing�to�Victoria�Azarenka.�In�the�AustralianOpen,�she�found�her�feet�quickly�after�a�slowstart,�easily�dispatching�of�her�competition

and�even�beating�Azeranka�in�the�quarter-finals.�The�Belarussian�had�lookedunstoppable�up�to�that�point,�but�Kerber�was

only�getting�started.

�She�received�a�good�draw�in�the�semis,playing�the�unknown�Johanna�Konta.�The

match�was�as�one-sided�as�most�peopleexpected,�and�Kerber�found�herself�in�herfirst�ever�Grand�Slam�final.

�In�the�championship�match,�Kerber�used�thesame�tactics�as�Roberta�Vinci�in�the�US�Open

semi-final�against�Williams,�unsettling�theAmerican�with�constant�variations�to�hergame.

�Equipped�with�probably�the�best�defense�onthe�Tour,�the�German�ran�down�almost

Page 44: Tennis World English 32

everything�Williams�threw�at�her,�andrepeatedly�forced�the�American�to�play�on

more�shot�­�often�resulting�in�an�error.�Williams�seemed�to�struggle�in�particular�withthe�short�slices�that�Kerber�threw�at�her,�and�attimes�appeared�despondent�at�her�inability�to

adjust�to�the�German’s�tactics.�Some�pundits�have�conjectured�that�Williamshas�been�permanently�bruised�by�her�loss�toVinci�in�New�York,�and�that�her�rivals�are�newlyemboldened�by�her�defeat.�They�now�know

that�she�can�be�beaten,�and�it�certainly�seemed

as�if�Kerber�tapped�into�this�belief�inMelbourne.

�Kerber�certainly�seems�capable�of�givingWilliams�a�real�run�for�her�money�the�rest�ofthe�year,�given�that�her�style�of�play�isparticularly�suited�to�the�next�Grand�Slam�in

Roland�Garros.�Perhaps�Maria�Sharapova�can�study�the�tape�ofthe�match�between�Kerber�and�Williams,�andthen�she�can�also�join�the�party�in�2016

Page 45: Tennis World English 32
Page 46: Tennis World English 32

Theshort,happy

lifeofan

Australianstar

byFabrizioFidecaro

In�Australia,�she�woneverything.�She�was�asemi-finalist�at�Wimbledon,and�rose�as�high�as�numberthree�in�the�rankings.

Daphne�Akhurst�was�thepride�of�Australian�tennis.

The�winner�of�the�AustralianOpen�is�traditionally

awarded�the�DaphneAkhurst�Memorial�Cup.�The

trophy�boasts�extra�longhandles,�with�two�polescrossed�behind�a�laurel

wreath�being�the�cup’s�maindecoration.�It�was�donatedto�the�Open�by�the�New

South�Wales�Lawn�TennisAssociation�in�1934,�and�wascreated�to�honor�a�champion

who�would�not�be�returningto�the�event.�

The�life�of�Daphne�JessieAkhurst�was�short�andintense.�The�second

daughter�of�Oscar�JamesAkhurst,�a�lithographer,�andJessie�Florence�Smith,Daphne�was�born�on�April22,�1903�in�Ashfield,�Sydney.As�a�child,�she�showed�anearly�talent�as�a�pianist,�and

won�several�competitions.She�even�went�on�to�attend

the�State�Conservatorium�ofMusic,�and�became�a�musicteacher,�while�also�regularly

performing�in�clubs�andrestaurants.

�Fame�on�the�court�But�while�she�was�awonderful�musical�talent,�it

was�the�court�that�gave�herlasting�fame.�Her�skills�beganto�emerge�at�NormanhurstSchool,�an�institution�ofhigher�education�which�isparticularly�attentive�to�the

mental�and�physicaldevelopment�of�its�students.The�headmistress,�Miss�MaryEvelyn�Tildesley,�started

organizing�an�annual�tennistournament�for�schoolteams,�the�Tildesley�Shield.

Akhurst�won�the�inauguralchampionship,�along�withfour�consecutive�titles�at�the

New�South�WalesSchoolgirls'�Championship.�

Shy�and�introverted,

Akhurst’s�attitude�radicallychanged�on�the�court,�where

she�appeared�determinedand�confident.�She�had�awonderfully�tactical�mind,and�splendid�technique.�Herfirst�big�victory�came�in�1923

in�each�the�county�ofCumberland,�and�it�was�thefirst�of�many.�In�January�of1924,�she�made�her�debutwith�the�AustralasianChampionships,�staged�at

Albert�Park�in�Melbourne,and�reached�the�semi-finals.Though�she�lost�to�EsnaBoyd�in�the�singles,�she�won

the�women’s�doubles�titlewith�Sylvia�Lance�Harper,and�the�mixed�doubles�with

Jim�Willard.�A�year�later,�Akhurst�was

even�better�and�moreconfident�on�the�court.Though�she�struggled�in�her

first�match,�her�brilliant

athleticism�andunderstanding�of�the�game

quickly�carried�her�to�thefinal,�where�she�again�metBoyd.�The�older�Boyd�triedto�overwhelm�her�opponentwith�aggressive�play,�and

initially�succeeded.�She�tookthe�first�set�6-1�with�someterrific�hitting,�but�Akhurstfound�her�stride�and�tookthe�second�8-6.�The�thirdsaw�Boyd�race�to�a�4-1�lead,

but�Akhurst�reeled�off�fivestraight�games�to�take�thetitle.�She�also�won�thewomen’s�and�mixed�doubles

titles�with�the�same�partnersas�a�year�before.�

Europe,�here�I�am!�A�few�weeks�later,�the�NSW

Tennis�Associationsponsored�the�first�trip�toEurope�for�a�female

Australian�team.�The�World

Tour,�the�ancestor�of�theFed�Cup,�traveled�to�Wales,

Scotland,�Ireland�and�theNetherlands.�This�lastcountry�is�where�they�werefinally�defeated,�butexperiencing�these�new

countries�were�anexhilarating�experience�forAkhurst.�She�reached�thequarter-finals�at�Wimbledon,where�she�was�beaten�byJoan�Fry,�but�The�Times

praised�her�wonderfulfighting�spirit.�Akhurst�alsotook�part�in�other�events,such�as�the�Irish

Championships�(where�shelost�to�Boyd)�and�Deauville,where�she�fell�to�the

legendary�Suzanne�Lenglen.�The�golden�year

�Returning�home,�Akhurstwent�from�strength�to

strength.�In�1926�she

triumphed�at�theAustralasian�Championships

despite�a�knee�injury.�Shedidn’t�lose�a�set,�and�crushedBoyd�6-1,�6-3�in�the�final.��Her�hat�trick�the�next�year

was�prevented�only�by�a�badspot�of�luck.�It�was�the�firstedition�of�the�event�atKooyong�(under�the�name"Australian"�instead�of"Australasian"

Championships),�and�shewas�forced�to�withdraw�dueto�flu�in�her�second�roundmatch�against�Dorothy

Weston.�Boyd�won�the�titlethat�year�after�having�lost�astring�of�finals.

�1928�was�a�golden�year�forDaphne�Akhurst.�She�won

the�AustralianChampionships�withoutlosing�a�set,�again�beating

her�eternal�rival�Boyd�in�the

Page 47: Tennis World English 32

Theshort,happy

lifeofan

Australianstar

byFabrizioFidecaro

In�Australia,�she�woneverything.�She�was�asemi-finalist�at�Wimbledon,and�rose�as�high�as�numberthree�in�the�rankings.

Daphne�Akhurst�was�thepride�of�Australian�tennis.

The�winner�of�the�AustralianOpen�is�traditionally

awarded�the�DaphneAkhurst�Memorial�Cup.�The

trophy�boasts�extra�longhandles,�with�two�polescrossed�behind�a�laurel

wreath�being�the�cup’s�maindecoration.�It�was�donatedto�the�Open�by�the�New

South�Wales�Lawn�TennisAssociation�in�1934,�and�wascreated�to�honor�a�champion

who�would�not�be�returningto�the�event.�

The�life�of�Daphne�JessieAkhurst�was�short�andintense.�The�second

daughter�of�Oscar�JamesAkhurst,�a�lithographer,�andJessie�Florence�Smith,Daphne�was�born�on�April22,�1903�in�Ashfield,�Sydney.As�a�child,�she�showed�anearly�talent�as�a�pianist,�and

won�several�competitions.She�even�went�on�to�attend

the�State�Conservatorium�ofMusic,�and�became�a�musicteacher,�while�also�regularly

performing�in�clubs�andrestaurants.

�Fame�on�the�court�But�while�she�was�awonderful�musical�talent,�it

was�the�court�that�gave�herlasting�fame.�Her�skills�beganto�emerge�at�NormanhurstSchool,�an�institution�ofhigher�education�which�isparticularly�attentive�to�the

mental�and�physicaldevelopment�of�its�students.The�headmistress,�Miss�MaryEvelyn�Tildesley,�started

organizing�an�annual�tennistournament�for�schoolteams,�the�Tildesley�Shield.

Akhurst�won�the�inauguralchampionship,�along�withfour�consecutive�titles�at�the

New�South�WalesSchoolgirls'�Championship.�

Shy�and�introverted,

Akhurst’s�attitude�radicallychanged�on�the�court,�where

she�appeared�determinedand�confident.�She�had�awonderfully�tactical�mind,and�splendid�technique.�Herfirst�big�victory�came�in�1923

in�each�the�county�ofCumberland,�and�it�was�thefirst�of�many.�In�January�of1924,�she�made�her�debutwith�the�AustralasianChampionships,�staged�at

Albert�Park�in�Melbourne,and�reached�the�semi-finals.Though�she�lost�to�EsnaBoyd�in�the�singles,�she�won

the�women’s�doubles�titlewith�Sylvia�Lance�Harper,and�the�mixed�doubles�with

Jim�Willard.�A�year�later,�Akhurst�was

even�better�and�moreconfident�on�the�court.Though�she�struggled�in�her

first�match,�her�brilliant

athleticism�andunderstanding�of�the�game

quickly�carried�her�to�thefinal,�where�she�again�metBoyd.�The�older�Boyd�triedto�overwhelm�her�opponentwith�aggressive�play,�and

initially�succeeded.�She�tookthe�first�set�6-1�with�someterrific�hitting,�but�Akhurstfound�her�stride�and�tookthe�second�8-6.�The�thirdsaw�Boyd�race�to�a�4-1�lead,

but�Akhurst�reeled�off�fivestraight�games�to�take�thetitle.�She�also�won�thewomen’s�and�mixed�doubles

titles�with�the�same�partnersas�a�year�before.�

Europe,�here�I�am!�A�few�weeks�later,�the�NSW

Tennis�Associationsponsored�the�first�trip�toEurope�for�a�female

Australian�team.�The�World

Tour,�the�ancestor�of�theFed�Cup,�traveled�to�Wales,

Scotland,�Ireland�and�theNetherlands.�This�lastcountry�is�where�they�werefinally�defeated,�butexperiencing�these�new

countries�were�anexhilarating�experience�forAkhurst.�She�reached�thequarter-finals�at�Wimbledon,where�she�was�beaten�byJoan�Fry,�but�The�Times

praised�her�wonderfulfighting�spirit.�Akhurst�alsotook�part�in�other�events,such�as�the�Irish

Championships�(where�shelost�to�Boyd)�and�Deauville,where�she�fell�to�the

legendary�Suzanne�Lenglen.�The�golden�year

�Returning�home,�Akhurstwent�from�strength�to

strength.�In�1926�she

triumphed�at�theAustralasian�Championships

despite�a�knee�injury.�Shedidn’t�lose�a�set,�and�crushedBoyd�6-1,�6-3�in�the�final.��Her�hat�trick�the�next�year

was�prevented�only�by�a�badspot�of�luck.�It�was�the�firstedition�of�the�event�atKooyong�(under�the�name"Australian"�instead�of"Australasian"

Championships),�and�shewas�forced�to�withdraw�dueto�flu�in�her�second�roundmatch�against�Dorothy

Weston.�Boyd�won�the�titlethat�year�after�having�lost�astring�of�finals.

�1928�was�a�golden�year�forDaphne�Akhurst.�She�won

the�AustralianChampionships�withoutlosing�a�set,�again�beating

her�eternal�rival�Boyd�in�the

Page 48: Tennis World English 32

final.�She�also�won�thewomen’s�doubles�and�mixed

doubles.�Then�sailing�forEurope,�the�Australian�teamthis�time�won�all�of�their�13matches�on�the�World�Tour.�

Towards�the�top�Success�became�routine�forAkhurst�in�1928.�She�won�inHamburg�and�reached�thequarter-finals�at�Roland

Garros.�At�Wimbledon,�shereached�the�semi-finals�inthe�singles�(she�lost�to�HelenJacobs�8-6�in�the�third)�and

doubles�(with�Boyd),�andreached�the�finals�in�themixed�doubles�(with�Jack

Crawford,�they�lost�7-5,�6-4to�Patrick�Spence�andElizabeth�Ryan�after�leading

5-3�in�the�first�set).�This�washer�second�and�finalappearance�at�the�All

England�Club.�By�the�end�of�the�year,�she

was�ranked�third�in�theworld�behind�Helen�Wills�andLili�Alvarez.��In�1929,�she�won�her�fourth

title�at�the�AustralianChampionships,�beatingLouie�Bickerton�in�the�final.Once�again,�she�triumphed�in

the�women’s�doubles�andmixed�doubles,�winning�herthird�triple�crown.��On�the�eve�of�the�event�in

1930,�Akhurst�announcedher�marriage�and�theimpending�retirement�from

singles�competition.�Shefinished�with�a�flourish,�but

not�without�experiencing�anumber�of�speed�bumpsalong�the�way.�She�struggledfor�three�sets�in�the�quarter-finals�against�Kath�Le

Mesurier,�and�fainted�afterwinning�match�point.�But�she�recovered�quickly,beating�Emily�Hood�in�thesemi-finals�and�Sylvia�Lance

Harper�in�the�championshipround.�It�was�a�dramaticmatch,�with�Akhurst�winningthe�first�set�10-8,�only�to

lose�her�way�in�the�secondand�fall�2-6.�She�finallyprevailed�in�a�topsy-turvy

third�set�(she�threw�away�a4-0�lead),�and�won�her�lastAustralian�Championship

10-8,�2-6,�7-5.��The�following�year,�having

retired�from�singles,�Akhurst

won�her�fifth�and�finalwomen’s�doubles�trophy.�It

was�her�14th�Grand�Slamwin.�An�abrupt�end�

Her�marriage�to�a�youngtobacco�producer,�RoystonStuckey�Cozens,�took�placeon�February�26,�1930,�at�St.Philip�Church�of�England�inSydney.�Two�years�later�she

fell�pregnant,�and�safelygave�birth�to�her�first�child.�Shortly�afterward�she

became�pregnant�again,�andwas�diagnosed�with�anectopic�pregnancy.�On�9

January,�1933,�sheunderwent�a�delicate�surgeryto�avoid�complications,�but

the�situation�worsened.�Shewas�still�under�anesthesiawhen�she�died.�Just�a�week

earlier,�she�had�won�the

Page 49: Tennis World English 32

doubles�title�at�the�Pratten

Park�CumberlandChampionship�with�herfriend�Louie�Bickerton.

Bickerton�married�Cozensafter�Daphne�passed.�Theyboth�lived�happily�together

until�1998.�Daphne�was�inducted�into

the�Australian�Hall�of�Fameat�the�end�of�a�movingceremony�held�in�2006�atthe�Rod�Laver�Arena.�Abronze�bust�of�her�was

placed�in�Garden�Square�inMelbourne�Park,�alongsideother�Australian�tennislegends.�A�lasting�tribute�to

a�great,�but�painfullyunlucky,�champion.

Page 50: Tennis World English 32

Trailblazer:aConversation

WithEvonneGoolagong

byStefanoSemeraro

Her�father�Kenny�used�to�dress�like�a�dandy.

His�job�was�to�“shear�sheep,�pick�fruit,�load�hayand�clean�silos,”�but�in�his�spare�time�he�couldplay�a�fair�game�of�golf.�Her�great-grandfather,Jimmy�Goolagong,�was�a�great�League�rugbyplayer,�“and�used�to�celebrate�each�try�with�abackward�somersault�in�the�try�area.”�Her

great-great-grandfather,�Old�Bob�Goolagong,was�the�Ibrahimovic�of�aboriginal�football.�Hergreat-grandmother,�Dolly,�was�a�well�knownhockey�player,�“and�together�with�her�six

sisters,�she�formed�the�backbone�of�theCondobolin�lawn�hockey�women’s�team�in�thethirties.”�Her�other�great-grandmother,�Agatha,

“used�to�jump�on�a�racing�cycle,�lift�up�her�skirt­�tucking�it�inside�her�panties�so�that�itwouldn’t�slip�off�­�and�off�she�went.�In�a�race

she�would�have�beaten�the�men�by�a�matter�ofmetres.”�

Some�things�are�in�your�blood.�They�liveinside�you,�like�ancestral�gifts.�

“When�Evonne�Goolagong�played�tennis,”�anEnglish�journalist�once�wrote,�“it�was�likeseeing�an�antelope�jump�on�the�South�African

veldt,�or�a�tiger�pounce�on�its�prey.”�Evonne�­�or�“Miss�Sunshine,”�as�she�became

known�­�was�Australia’s�first�aboriginal�tennischampion.�At�the�tender�age�of�20�she�wonboth�the�French�Open�and�Wimbledon,crushing�the�legendary�Margaret�Court�6-4,�6-1in�the�final�at�SW19.�“The�match�lasted�sixty-three�minutes,”�she

later�recalled.�“Not�very�long�for�a�Wimbledonfinal,�but�long�enough�to�change�my�life

forever.”�Throughout�her�illustrious�career�she�won�an

incredible�seven�Grand�Slams�trophies,including�four�Australian�Open�titles.�She�wasable�to�leave�tennis�for�extended�periods�of

time,�only�to�come�storming�back,�winningeverything�in�sight.�She�also�won�a�Slam�as�amother�­�long�before�Kim�Cljisters�did�the�same

thing�­�and�defeated�none�other�than�ChrisEvert�in�the�process.�

“The�first�set�I�won�6-1,”�she�recalled�later.�“[Iplayed]�near-perfect�tennis.�In�the�second,

Chris�served�for�the�set�at�6-5,�but�I�knew�Icould�not�allow�myself�to�go�to�a�third�set�withher.�The�crucial�point�came�at�3-3�[in�the�tie-break],�a�rally�of�31�strokes,�and�for�once�Chriswas�the�first�to�make�a�mistake.�Tennismatches�are�not�things�worth�crying�over.�Winor�lose,�I�have�very�seldom�shed�tears�over

them.�But�on�the�fourth�of�July,�1980,�I�did.And�while�I�was�travelling�by�car�towardsKnightsbridge�in�order�to�change�for�the�dance,

my�daughter�Kelly�on�my�knees,�my�husbandRoger�at�my�side,�my�eyes�still�wet,�I�saw�againKenny�Goolagong�holding�me�tight�against�him

in�the�pub,�and�with�his�breath�stinking�of�beerwhispering�in�my�ear�‘Go�and�destroy�them�all,Eve.�Show�them�what�you�can�do.’”

�After�tennis,�once�she�had�become�Mrs.Cawley,�she�lived�in�the�Unites�States�for�20

years.�In�1991�her�mother�died,�the�wise�andbeautiful�Melinda,�who�had�been�born�in�a�mudhut�outside�of�Warangesda�near�Darlington

Point.�The�tragedy�prompted�Evonne�to�returnto�her�roots.�

She�eventually�decided�to�live�in�Noosa,Queensland,�and�see�Barellan�again.�A�littlevillage�of�900�souls�in�the�Australian�outback,it�is�the�place�where�all�the�Goolagongs�hailfrom.�Evonne�herself�was�born�there�in�July�of1951.�

“Apart�from�my�victory�at�Wimbledon�in�1971,the�most�glorious�day�in�the�history�of�Barellan

was�the�second�of�January,�1932,�when�116teams�of�horses�offloaded�13,000�bags�of�hay

in�the�silos,�establishing�a�new�record�forAustralia.”�Setting�off�to�research�the�memories�of�hersmall�town,�Evonne�slept�in�a�tent�and�stayed

true�to�the�ways�of�her�ancestors.�On�a�magicalnight,�she�listened�to�her�forefathers�fill�hersoul,�and�understood�that�her�father�“knew�hisexact�place�in�the�Universe,�and�that�the�OldPeople,�the�aborigines�living�or�dead,�don’tknow�the�feeling�of�hatred.”

�Today�Evonne�is�nearly�sixty,�and�still�livesat�Noosa,�but�she�no�longer�plays�tennis.�

“My�hip�does�not�allow�me�to�play.�But�I�stillwatch�it,�particularly�if�Federer�is�on�the�court,”she�smiles.

Though�she�cannot�play,�her�heart�is�stilldedicated�to�the�sport.�She�has�a�camp,�run�incooperation�with�the�Australian�Tennis

Federation,�which�recently�announced�that�ithad�acquired�$750�000�to�help�fundoperations�at�the�institution.

�“The�Goolagong�Development�Camp�is�in�itsseventh�year,”�she�explains.�“It�is�dedicated�to

young�aboriginal�men,�tennis�players�from�allover�Australia.�We�give�grants�to�the�mostpromising�young�players.�Today�with�us�there

are�five�local�coaches�who�are�in�a�position�toteach�anywhere.�My�target�is�to�find�funds�toallow�the�camp�to�operate�the�whole�year

round�and�all�over�Australia.�We�work�togetherwith�Tennis�Australia,�but�it�isn’t�easy�to�findthe�money�for�the�racquets�and�the�clothing�tobe�given�to�the�young�men.�Last�summer�therewas�a�young�man�who�used�to�play�wearingsandals.�The�tennis�shoes�that�we�gave�himwere�the�first�pair�of�shoes�he�had�owned�in�his

life.”

Page 51: Tennis World English 32

Trailblazer:aConversation

WithEvonneGoolagong

byStefanoSemeraro

Her�father�Kenny�used�to�dress�like�a�dandy.

His�job�was�to�“shear�sheep,�pick�fruit,�load�hayand�clean�silos,”�but�in�his�spare�time�he�couldplay�a�fair�game�of�golf.�Her�great-grandfather,Jimmy�Goolagong,�was�a�great�League�rugbyplayer,�“and�used�to�celebrate�each�try�with�abackward�somersault�in�the�try�area.”�Her

great-great-grandfather,�Old�Bob�Goolagong,was�the�Ibrahimovic�of�aboriginal�football.�Hergreat-grandmother,�Dolly,�was�a�well�knownhockey�player,�“and�together�with�her�six

sisters,�she�formed�the�backbone�of�theCondobolin�lawn�hockey�women’s�team�in�thethirties.”�Her�other�great-grandmother,�Agatha,

“used�to�jump�on�a�racing�cycle,�lift�up�her�skirt­�tucking�it�inside�her�panties�so�that�itwouldn’t�slip�off�­�and�off�she�went.�In�a�race

she�would�have�beaten�the�men�by�a�matter�ofmetres.”�

Some�things�are�in�your�blood.�They�liveinside�you,�like�ancestral�gifts.�

“When�Evonne�Goolagong�played�tennis,”�anEnglish�journalist�once�wrote,�“it�was�likeseeing�an�antelope�jump�on�the�South�African

veldt,�or�a�tiger�pounce�on�its�prey.”�Evonne�­�or�“Miss�Sunshine,”�as�she�became

known�­�was�Australia’s�first�aboriginal�tennischampion.�At�the�tender�age�of�20�she�wonboth�the�French�Open�and�Wimbledon,crushing�the�legendary�Margaret�Court�6-4,�6-1in�the�final�at�SW19.�“The�match�lasted�sixty-three�minutes,”�she

later�recalled.�“Not�very�long�for�a�Wimbledonfinal,�but�long�enough�to�change�my�life

forever.”�Throughout�her�illustrious�career�she�won�an

incredible�seven�Grand�Slams�trophies,including�four�Australian�Open�titles.�She�wasable�to�leave�tennis�for�extended�periods�of

time,�only�to�come�storming�back,�winningeverything�in�sight.�She�also�won�a�Slam�as�amother�­�long�before�Kim�Cljisters�did�the�same

thing�­�and�defeated�none�other�than�ChrisEvert�in�the�process.�

“The�first�set�I�won�6-1,”�she�recalled�later.�“[Iplayed]�near-perfect�tennis.�In�the�second,

Chris�served�for�the�set�at�6-5,�but�I�knew�Icould�not�allow�myself�to�go�to�a�third�set�withher.�The�crucial�point�came�at�3-3�[in�the�tie-break],�a�rally�of�31�strokes,�and�for�once�Chriswas�the�first�to�make�a�mistake.�Tennismatches�are�not�things�worth�crying�over.�Winor�lose,�I�have�very�seldom�shed�tears�over

them.�But�on�the�fourth�of�July,�1980,�I�did.And�while�I�was�travelling�by�car�towardsKnightsbridge�in�order�to�change�for�the�dance,

my�daughter�Kelly�on�my�knees,�my�husbandRoger�at�my�side,�my�eyes�still�wet,�I�saw�againKenny�Goolagong�holding�me�tight�against�him

in�the�pub,�and�with�his�breath�stinking�of�beerwhispering�in�my�ear�‘Go�and�destroy�them�all,Eve.�Show�them�what�you�can�do.’”

�After�tennis,�once�she�had�become�Mrs.Cawley,�she�lived�in�the�Unites�States�for�20

years.�In�1991�her�mother�died,�the�wise�andbeautiful�Melinda,�who�had�been�born�in�a�mudhut�outside�of�Warangesda�near�Darlington

Point.�The�tragedy�prompted�Evonne�to�returnto�her�roots.

�She�eventually�decided�to�live�in�Noosa,Queensland,�and�see�Barellan�again.�A�littlevillage�of�900�souls�in�the�Australian�outback,it�is�the�place�where�all�the�Goolagongs�hailfrom.�Evonne�herself�was�born�there�in�July�of1951.

�“Apart�from�my�victory�at�Wimbledon�in�1971,the�most�glorious�day�in�the�history�of�Barellan

was�the�second�of�January,�1932,�when�116teams�of�horses�offloaded�13,000�bags�of�hay

in�the�silos,�establishing�a�new�record�forAustralia.”�Setting�off�to�research�the�memories�of�hersmall�town,�Evonne�slept�in�a�tent�and�stayed

true�to�the�ways�of�her�ancestors.�On�a�magicalnight,�she�listened�to�her�forefathers�fill�hersoul,�and�understood�that�her�father�“knew�hisexact�place�in�the�Universe,�and�that�the�OldPeople,�the�aborigines�living�or�dead,�don’tknow�the�feeling�of�hatred.”

�Today�Evonne�is�nearly�sixty,�and�still�livesat�Noosa,�but�she�no�longer�plays�tennis.�

“My�hip�does�not�allow�me�to�play.�But�I�stillwatch�it,�particularly�if�Federer�is�on�the�court,”she�smiles.

Though�she�cannot�play,�her�heart�is�stilldedicated�to�the�sport.�She�has�a�camp,�run�incooperation�with�the�Australian�Tennis

Federation,�which�recently�announced�that�ithad�acquired�$750�000�to�help�fundoperations�at�the�institution.

�“The�Goolagong�Development�Camp�is�in�itsseventh�year,”�she�explains.�“It�is�dedicated�to

young�aboriginal�men,�tennis�players�from�allover�Australia.�We�give�grants�to�the�mostpromising�young�players.�Today�with�us�there

are�five�local�coaches�who�are�in�a�position�toteach�anywhere.�My�target�is�to�find�funds�toallow�the�camp�to�operate�the�whole�year

round�and�all�over�Australia.�We�work�togetherwith�Tennis�Australia,�but�it�isn’t�easy�to�findthe�money�for�the�racquets�and�the�clothing�tobe�given�to�the�young�men.�Last�summer�therewas�a�young�man�who�used�to�play�wearingsandals.�The�tennis�shoes�that�we�gave�himwere�the�first�pair�of�shoes�he�had�owned�in�his

life.”

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Evonne�already�has�her�eye�on�the�nextaboriginal�champion.

�“There�is�a�very�promising�14�year-old�younggirl,”�she�says�enthusiastically.�“Her�name�isAshleigh�Barty,�and�she�has�the�qualities�tobecome�a�champion.”

�In�1971,�Goolagong�accepted�an�invitation�toparticipate�as�an�“honorary�white”�in�atournament�in�apartheid�South�Africa.�Manypeople�at�home�never�forgave�her.�AlanTrengrove,�dean�of�the�Aussie�tennis�writers,

wrote�an�open�letter,�defining�the�match�as“the�biggest�mistake�of�her�career.”�JohnNewfong,�one�of�the�leaders�of�the�indigenousintegration�movement,�defined�her�as�“one�that

will�be�remembered�not�on�account�of�hervictories,�but�for�bartering�the�responsibilitytowards�her�race�with�the�prospect�of�being

‘white’�for�a�day.”�Still,�nowadays�some�people�think�that�she

should�have�raised�her�voice�much�more�indefence�of�the�aborigines’�rights.�

“Fight�for�one’s�rights?”�she�reflects�on�thesituation.�“I�was�only�19�then�and�did�not�evenknow�what�apartheid�was.�But�when�I�went

back�to�South�Africa�the�next�year,�I�did�it�as�ablack,�in�the�company�of�other�blacks�such�asBonnie�Logan�and�Wanara�N’Godrella.�In�that

year�a�South�African�black,�Dan�Beukes,�wasallowed�to�play�in�the�tournament�at�home.They�were�small�steps�forward,�but�they�meant

an�improvement�anyway.�Today�I�think�that�it�ismore�important�for�me�to�help�the�youngapproach�sport,�give�them�a�chance.”�Evonne�discovered�tennis�at�the�age�of�sevenat�the�little�local�club.�She�improvised�matcheswith�her�brothers,�using�racquets�borrowed

from�her�neighbour�who�was�called,�maybe�notaccidentally,�Mister�Dunlop.

“I�think�that�whoever�is�destined�to�become�anathlete�in�any�discipline�spends�a�period�in

apprenticeship,”�she�wrote�in�herautobiography�“Home!”�“A�period�when�oneinstinctively�understands�that�this�is�one’s�sportand�will�be�one’s�life.�I�think�that�this�happenedto�me�in�the�two�summers�when�the�Barellan

War�Memorial�Tennis�Club�had�become�my�owngarden.”�She�needed�fifty�more�years,�a�handful�ofSlams,�a�lot�of�happiness,�some�bitterexperiences�and�the�desire�to�find�herself�“in

the�great�red�of�the�Australian�land”�before�shecould�return�home.�Before�she�could�abandonthe�well-trodden�road�and�retrace�the�steps�of

her�ancestors.

�Barellan,�Narrandera,�Cummeragunga,Menindee,�Wilcannia,�Moulamein,�Goodoga�and

Angledool�are�the�stages�of�an�initiationjourney�she�undertook.�

“Cummeragunga.�I�have�always�liked�the�lyricalsound�of�that�name.�It�means�‘my�country’�in

the�language�of�my�people.�At�Menindee�I�wentinto�a�shop�before�resuming�my�journey.�‘I

know�you,’�said�the�woman�at�the�counter.‘Your�mother�always�used�to�come�here.’�Andso�it�happened�in�the�whole�village.�LindaGoolagong�had�been�famous�at�Menindee.�Ihad�always�known�it.”

�At�the�­�temporary�­�end�of�her�walkabout,Evonne’s�two�halves�had�met�again.�“Since�1953,�my�parents�have�lived�in�a�whitetown,”�she�wrote�in�her�book.�“And�since�1966�I

have�lived�in�a�white�society,�but�the�formernever�made�a�white�woman�of�me,�neither�didthe�latter�make�of�me�something�different�fromwhat�I�actually�am,�a�proud�aboriginal�woman.”

�“At�Noosa,”�she�told�me�in�Melbourne,�“I�onceorganized�a�sale�of�clothes�and�racquets�to

raise�funds�for�the�people�of�Pitjantjatjara,�forthe�women�who�welcomed�me�among�them.�Atthe�moment�I�am�working�for�the�Indigenous

Land�Corporation,�which�is�busy�buying�theland�back�from�the�State�for�the�aborigines�and

giving�them�an�opportunity.�There�are�stillproblems�for�my�people,�and�to�solve�them�we

have�to�create�jobs.�In�the�resort�of�Uluru�(theaboriginal�name�for�Ayers�Rock)�only�oneindigenous�person�is�employed.�Very�sad,�isn’tit?�

When�I�was�a�young�girl,�my�people�could�noteven�enter�tennis�clubs,�and�devotedthemselves�to�soccer,�Australian�football,rugby.�Many�indigenous�boys�have�quickreflexes,�perfect�coordination�between�eyesand�hands.�I�want�them�to�play�tennis.�If�when�I

was�a�child�the�people�from�Barellan�hadn’tbought�me�some�clothes�and�a�suitcase�to�goto�Sydney,�I�wouldn’t�be�here�today.�My�tasknow�is�to�do�the�same�for�other�children.”

�It�is�an�ancient�journey�that�goes�on.�

“Yes,�I�am�still�learning�a�lot�about�my�country’sculture�and�my�origins.�I�am�a�Wiradjuri�Koori,�awoman�of�the�Wiradjuri�tribe,�my�surname�in

that�language�is�pronounced�Gulagallang,�andmeans�‘big�group,’�but�also�mob.�My�first�dreamhad�been�to�win�the�Australian�Open,�second

came�Wimbledon.�The�third�is�to�teach�what�Ihave�learned.�

The�boys�that�I�meet�do�not�know�who�I�am.�Iexplain�to�them�that�I�won�as�many�as�93tournaments,�I�met�the�President�of�the�United

States�and�the�Queen�of�England,�that�Itravelled�all�over�the�world.�Then�I�take�a�pieceof�wood,�like�the�one�with�which�I�used�to�play

as�a�child,�I�show�them�how�I�began.�They�opentheir�eyes�wide,�and�I�tell�them�that�they�canbegin�anywhere,�with�anything,�if�they�reallyhave�a�dream.�And�if�they�dream�intenselyabout�it,�it�is�bound�to�come�true.�A�tennisplayer,�a�champion,�a�mother,�a�teacher.”�

Before�saying�goodbye�to�her�on�the�stairwayof�the�Rod�Laver�Arena,�I�asked�her�what�the

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Evonne�already�has�her�eye�on�the�nextaboriginal�champion.

�“There�is�a�very�promising�14�year-old�younggirl,”�she�says�enthusiastically.�“Her�name�isAshleigh�Barty,�and�she�has�the�qualities�tobecome�a�champion.”

�In�1971,�Goolagong�accepted�an�invitation�toparticipate�as�an�“honorary�white”�in�atournament�in�apartheid�South�Africa.�Manypeople�at�home�never�forgave�her.�AlanTrengrove,�dean�of�the�Aussie�tennis�writers,

wrote�an�open�letter,�defining�the�match�as“the�biggest�mistake�of�her�career.”�JohnNewfong,�one�of�the�leaders�of�the�indigenousintegration�movement,�defined�her�as�“one�that

will�be�remembered�not�on�account�of�hervictories,�but�for�bartering�the�responsibilitytowards�her�race�with�the�prospect�of�being

‘white’�for�a�day.”�Still,�nowadays�some�people�think�that�she

should�have�raised�her�voice�much�more�indefence�of�the�aborigines’�rights.�

“Fight�for�one’s�rights?”�she�reflects�on�thesituation.�“I�was�only�19�then�and�did�not�evenknow�what�apartheid�was.�But�when�I�went

back�to�South�Africa�the�next�year,�I�did�it�as�ablack,�in�the�company�of�other�blacks�such�asBonnie�Logan�and�Wanara�N’Godrella.�In�that

year�a�South�African�black,�Dan�Beukes,�wasallowed�to�play�in�the�tournament�at�home.They�were�small�steps�forward,�but�they�meant

an�improvement�anyway.�Today�I�think�that�it�ismore�important�for�me�to�help�the�youngapproach�sport,�give�them�a�chance.”�Evonne�discovered�tennis�at�the�age�of�sevenat�the�little�local�club.�She�improvised�matcheswith�her�brothers,�using�racquets�borrowed

from�her�neighbour�who�was�called,�maybe�notaccidentally,�Mister�Dunlop.

“I�think�that�whoever�is�destined�to�become�anathlete�in�any�discipline�spends�a�period�in

apprenticeship,”�she�wrote�in�herautobiography�“Home!”�“A�period�when�oneinstinctively�understands�that�this�is�one’s�sportand�will�be�one’s�life.�I�think�that�this�happenedto�me�in�the�two�summers�when�the�Barellan

War�Memorial�Tennis�Club�had�become�my�owngarden.”�She�needed�fifty�more�years,�a�handful�ofSlams,�a�lot�of�happiness,�some�bitterexperiences�and�the�desire�to�find�herself�“in

the�great�red�of�the�Australian�land”�before�shecould�return�home.�Before�she�could�abandonthe�well-trodden�road�and�retrace�the�steps�of

her�ancestors.

�Barellan,�Narrandera,�Cummeragunga,Menindee,�Wilcannia,�Moulamein,�Goodoga�and

Angledool�are�the�stages�of�an�initiationjourney�she�undertook.�

“Cummeragunga.�I�have�always�liked�the�lyricalsound�of�that�name.�It�means�‘my�country’�in

the�language�of�my�people.�At�Menindee�I�wentinto�a�shop�before�resuming�my�journey.�‘I

know�you,’�said�the�woman�at�the�counter.‘Your�mother�always�used�to�come�here.’�Andso�it�happened�in�the�whole�village.�LindaGoolagong�had�been�famous�at�Menindee.�Ihad�always�known�it.”

�At�the�­�temporary�­�end�of�her�walkabout,Evonne’s�two�halves�had�met�again.�“Since�1953,�my�parents�have�lived�in�a�whitetown,”�she�wrote�in�her�book.�“And�since�1966�I

have�lived�in�a�white�society,�but�the�formernever�made�a�white�woman�of�me,�neither�didthe�latter�make�of�me�something�different�from

what�I�actually�am,�a�proud�aboriginal�woman.”

�“At�Noosa,”�she�told�me�in�Melbourne,�“I�onceorganized�a�sale�of�clothes�and�racquets�to

raise�funds�for�the�people�of�Pitjantjatjara,�forthe�women�who�welcomed�me�among�them.�Atthe�moment�I�am�working�for�the�Indigenous

Land�Corporation,�which�is�busy�buying�theland�back�from�the�State�for�the�aborigines�and

giving�them�an�opportunity.�There�are�stillproblems�for�my�people,�and�to�solve�them�we

have�to�create�jobs.�In�the�resort�of�Uluru�(theaboriginal�name�for�Ayers�Rock)�only�oneindigenous�person�is�employed.�Very�sad,�isn’tit?�

When�I�was�a�young�girl,�my�people�could�noteven�enter�tennis�clubs,�and�devotedthemselves�to�soccer,�Australian�football,rugby.�Many�indigenous�boys�have�quickreflexes,�perfect�coordination�between�eyesand�hands.�I�want�them�to�play�tennis.�If�when�I

was�a�child�the�people�from�Barellan�hadn’tbought�me�some�clothes�and�a�suitcase�to�goto�Sydney,�I�wouldn’t�be�here�today.�My�tasknow�is�to�do�the�same�for�other�children.”

�It�is�an�ancient�journey�that�goes�on.�

“Yes,�I�am�still�learning�a�lot�about�my�country’sculture�and�my�origins.�I�am�a�Wiradjuri�Koori,�awoman�of�the�Wiradjuri�tribe,�my�surname�in

that�language�is�pronounced�Gulagallang,�andmeans�‘big�group,’�but�also�mob.�My�first�dreamhad�been�to�win�the�Australian�Open,�second

came�Wimbledon.�The�third�is�to�teach�what�Ihave�learned.�

The�boys�that�I�meet�do�not�know�who�I�am.�Iexplain�to�them�that�I�won�as�many�as�93tournaments,�I�met�the�President�of�the�United

States�and�the�Queen�of�England,�that�Itravelled�all�over�the�world.�Then�I�take�a�pieceof�wood,�like�the�one�with�which�I�used�to�play

as�a�child,�I�show�them�how�I�began.�They�opentheir�eyes�wide,�and�I�tell�them�that�they�canbegin�anywhere,�with�anything,�if�they�reallyhave�a�dream.�And�if�they�dream�intenselyabout�it,�it�is�bound�to�come�true.�A�tennisplayer,�a�champion,�a�mother,�a�teacher.”�

Before�saying�goodbye�to�her�on�the�stairwayof�the�Rod�Laver�Arena,�I�asked�her�what�the

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thing�most�worth�teaching�is.�

“It�is�a�simple�idea,”�she�replied.�“It�can�be�contained�in�two�short�phrases:�look�after�the�others,look�after�your�land.”

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ThatStatsThat

Matter

by�Marco�Di�Nardo

In�tennis,�statistics�related�to�Grand�Slams�are

universally�seen�as�the�most�important�when�itcomes�to�measuring�the�greatness�of�thesport’s�best�players.�Perhaps�the�mostimportant�statistic�in�tennis�is�simply�how�manyGrand�Slams�a�player�has�won.�But�while�this

may�be�the�easiest�and�most�important�numberfor�fans�to�remember,�it�is�not�the�only�one.��There�are�dozens�of�different�statistics�relatingto�Grand�Slams�that�not�only�give�us�a�new

perspective�of�the�sport’s�biggest�stars,�butalso�help�complete�what�is�very�often�a�shallow

understanding�of�a�person’s�career.�Today,�wewill�look�at�some�of�these�statistics.��

We'll�start�with�the�winning�percentage�forplayers�after�they’ve�won�the�first�two�sets�of�aSlam�match,�then�look�at�the�most�consecutive

victories�after�winning�the�first�two�sets.�Then,among�others,�we�will�examine�the�winningpercentage�after�winning�the�first�set,�as�well

as�winning�percentages�for�each�of�the�finalrounds�of�the�Grand�Slams�(quarter-finals,semi-finals,�finals).

�In�our�first�category,�we�look�at�the�win/lossrecord�after�winning�the�first�two�sets�of�a

Grand�Slam�match.�However,�a�player�musthave�won�at�least�80�matches�to�qualify�forconsideration.�Surprisingly,�the�Swede�MatsWilander�tops�the�list,�followed�closely�by�BjornBorg.�They�are�the�only�two�people�never�tolose�a�match�in�this�situation.�

1.�Mats�Wilander:�95-0,�100%2.�Bjorn�Borg:�85-0,�100%3.�Jimmy�Connors:�161-1,�99.4%

4.�Andre�Agassi:�156-1,�99.4%5.�Novak�Djokovic:�152-1,�99.3%

6.�Rafael�Nadal:�151-1,�99.3%7.�Pete�Sampras:�146-1,�99.3%8.�John�McEnroe:�117-1,�99.1%�Next,�we�turn�to�consecutive�victories�after

winning�the�first�two�sets�of�a�match.�RogerFederer�tops�this�list.�Before�losing�to�Jo-Wilfried�Tsonga�in�the�2011�Wimbledonquarter-finals,�Federer�had�won�178�straightmatches�after�winning�the�first�two�sets.�RafaelNadal�almost�broke�that�record�before�losing�to

Fabio�Fognini�at�the�US�Open�in�2015.�PeteSampras,�who�comes�in�at�number�three,�losthis�very�first�Slam�match�after�being�up�two

sets�to�love.�He�did,�however,�not�do�so�again

until�his�retirement�in�2002.��1.�Roger�Federer:�178

2.�Rafael�Nadal:�151

Page 57: Tennis World English 32

3.�Pete�Sampras:�146

4.�Stefan�Edberg:�1205.�Ivan�Lendl:�1196.�Andy�Murray:�113�The�next�category�is�consecutive�matcheswithout�ever�going�down�two�sets�to�zero.

Federer�again�tops�the�list,�managing�this�feat99�times�in�a�row�between�2004�and�2008.��1.�Roger�Federer:�99�(2004-2008)2.�Novak�Djokovic:�49�(2013-2015)3.�Pete�Sampras:�45�(1993-95)

4.�Ivan�Lendl:�43�(1988-90)5.�Jim�Courier:�42�(1992-93)6.�Bjorn�Borg:�38�(1979-80)7.�Andy�Murray:�36�(2012-2013)

�After�winning�the�first�set�in�a�Grand�Slammatch�(with�at�least�150�victories),�Rafael

Nadal�dominates�the�next�category�by

triumphing�in�97.7%�of�these�encounters.�

1.�Rafael�Nadal:�173-4,�97.7%2.�Novak�Djokovic:�189-7,�96.4%3.�Jimmy�Connors:�205-8,�96.2%4.�Roger�Federer:�269-13,�95.4%5.�Pete�Sampras:�173-10,�94.5%

�The�best�winning�percentage�in�Slamquarter-finals�(with�at�least�15�victories)belongs�to�Roger�Federer,�with�an�impressive83%�win�rate.�

1.�Roger�Federer:�39-8,�83%2.�Novak�Djokovic:�29-6,�82.8%3.�Ivan�Lendl:�28-6�82.3%4.�Bjorn�Borg:�17-4:�80.9%

5.�Rafael�Nadal:�23-6,�79.3%5.�Pete�Sampras�23-6,�79.3%�

Bjorn�Borg�has�the�best�record�in�Slam�semi-finals�(with�at�least�15�victories),�havingrecorded�an�incredible�16-1�run�in�his�career.�

�1.�Bjorn�Borg:�16-1,�94.1%2.�Rafael�Nadal:�20-3,�87%

3.�Pete�Sampras:�18-5,�78.3%4.�Roger�Federer:�27-11,�71.1%5.�Ivan�Lendl:�19-9,�67.9%

�Finally,�the�player�who�has�the�mostefficient�record�in�Slam�finals�(with�at�least�8

wins)�is�Pete�Sampras.�He�only�lost�four�finalsin�his�career,�with�14�victories.�Nadal�is�second,with�Borg�appearing�third.

�1.�Pete�Sampras:�14-4,�77.8%2.�Rafael�Nadal:�14-6,�70%3.�Bjorn�Borg:�11-5,�68.8%4.�Roger�Federer:�17-10,�63%5.�Novak�Djokovic:�10-8,�55.6%

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TheUnsung

HeroesOf

TheDavis

Cup

byValerioCarriero

We�are�used�to�viewing�tennis

as�an�individual�sport.�This�istrue�to�such�an�extent�thatthese�days�we�even�havetrouble�viewing�doubles�as

“real”�tennis,�and�the�disciplinehas�seen�a�massive�decline�inpopularity�as�a�result.�Yet,�even

with�this�in�mind,�the�Davis�Cuphas�remained�tremendouslyimportant�in�some�quarters.

This�team�competition�can�beheavily�influenced�by�a�personwho�doesn’t�even�take�to�the

court:�the�captain.�If�he�makes�apoor�player�selection�on�anygiven�day,�it�might�mean�certain

defeat�for�his�team.�That�being�said,�even�in�the

sport’s�biggest�teamcompetition,�individual�starsstill�loom�large.�Importantsingles�players�can�oftendominate�their�teams,�dictatingthe�outcome�of�the�tie�on�their

own.�But�even�in�suchsituations,�the�team’s�fate�mighthinge�on�the�performance�of�anunderdog.�In�2015,�for�example,Andy�Murray�decided�to�give

his�all�in�Davis�Cup�play,�fullycommitting�to�the�entire�year’sties.�While�this�might�seem�tomean�instant�victory�for�Britain

each�time,�the�team�found

itself�in�an�uncomfortableposition�in�the�first�roundagainst�the�United�States.

Murray�won�his�first�matchin�four�sets�against�DonaldYoung,�but�in�the�next

rubber�John�Isner�raced�to�atwo-set�lead�against�James

Ward.�It�was�not�an�idealsituation,�given�theAmericans’�strength�indoubles.�Should�Isner�win,the�tie’s�fate�could�comedown�to�the�final�match�­and�James�Ward.

�Luckily�for�Britain,�the�tiewould�not�come�down�tothat.�Ward,�ranked�111,�inperhaps�the�best�match�ofhis�life,�slowly�chipped�awayat�Isner’s�mammoth�serve

until�he�had�taken�the�matchto�a�fifth�set.�Finally,�at

14-13,�he�jumped�the�final

hurdle�and�secured�victory.It�was�a�pivotal�match,�andone�Murray�could�do�nothing

about�fretting�from�thesidelines.�Though�Murraywas�still�considered�the�hero

of�the�tie,�it�was�Ward’sheroics�that�actually�saved

the�day.�A�similar�occurrencehappened�in�the�2006�semi-final�between�Russia�and�theUS.�Russia�led�2-1�after�thefirst�two�days,�but�Nikolay

Davydenko,�the�worldnumber�five,�could�notcompete�due�to�fatigue.Instead,�the�responsibilityfell�to�Dmitry�Tursunov,�whoheld�the�fate�of�the�tie�in�hishands�against�the�vastly

superior�Andy�Roddick.�Hestunned�his�opponent�by

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going�up�two�sets�to�love,

only�to�then�fall�victim�to�hisnerves�and�lose�the�next�twosets.�In�the�fifth,�an�epicbattle�ensued,�and�after�4hours�and�48�minutes�theRussian�came�out�on�top.�Itwas�an�incredible�effort,�and

it�booked�Russia’s�place�inthe�final�against�Argentina.Tursunov�would�not�playsingles�in�the�final�(onlydoubles),�and�Marat�Safin

won�the�decisive�fifthrubber,�but�his�role�in

securing�the�Cup�for�Russia

cannot�be�understated.�The�2010�Davis�Cup�saw,�inmany�ways,�the�birth�of�thedominant�Novak�Djokovic�weknow�today.�However,though�that�Cup�victory�will

always�be�remembered�forNole’s�role,�it�was�actuallyJanko�Tipsarevic�and�ViktorTroicki�who�did�much�of�theheavy�lifting.�Tipsarevic

scored�two�crucial�victoriesagainst�the�Czech�Republic

in�the�semi-finals,�while

Victor�Troicki�won�thepivotal�fifth�rubber�in�thefinal.�So�even�when�the�bestplayer�in�the�world�is�onyour�Davis�Cup�team,

sometimes�it�comes�down�tothe�little�guy�to�securevictory.

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Radwanska’sRollercoasterRideToTheTop

byMatteoDiGangi

On�May�25,�2015,�Agnieszka�Radwanska�prepared�for�her�match�against�Germany's�Annika�Beck.

Radwanska�was�the�undeniable�favorite,�but�from�the�start�she�ran�into�trouble.�The�German,�playingwith�no�pressure,�hit�every�ball�as�hard�as�she�could,�racking�up�41�winners�en�route�to�victory.�Forthe�Pole,�it�was�the�latest�in�a�long�line�of�disappointments�in�2015.�

The�Road�to�Singapore�rankings,�which�keeps�track�of�each�player’s�points�earned�to�date�in�acalendar�year,�showed�Radwanska�1000�points�behind�the�person�ranked�8th.�That�was�important,since�only�the�Top�8�players�would�be�invited�to�Singapore�to�compete�in�the�year-end�championship.

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But�sports�in�general,�and�tennis�in�particular,�is�a�hotbed�of�unpredictable�stories�and�improbablymiracles.�Following�a�good�performance�at�Wimbledon�(where�she�reached�the�semi-finals),

Radwanska�started�to�pick�up�confidence.�She�won�the�tournament�in�Tokyo�and�made�the�semi-finals�in�Beijing�before�triumphing�at�Tianjin,�a�victory�that�sealed�her�participation�in�Singapore.Incredibly,�she�had�somehow�completely�turned�around�what�seemed�to�be�a�lost�season.�After�suffering�an�excruciating�loss�in�the�US�Open�semi-finals,�Serena�Williams�withdrew�from

Singapore.�That�meant�the�field�was�now�wild�open,�especially�with�Maria�Sharapova�having�justreturned�from�injury.�Simona�Halep�was�injured�as�well,�while�Lucie�Safarova�and�Petra�Kvitovawere�not�in�top�form.�But�even�with�all�of�that�working�for�her,�the�Pole�lost�her�first�two�matchesagainst�Sharapova�and�Pennetta,�winning�only�one�set.�That�meant�that�emerging�from�the�groupstages�was�spectacularly�unlikely.�But�a�series�of�strange�events�left�her�with�an�outside�possibilityof�qualification:�if�Sharapova�beat�Panetta�in�straight�sets�and�Radwanska�beat�Halep�in�straight

sets,�Radwanksa�would�be�through.�The�first�set�was�very�close,�and�for�a�while�it�seemed�as�ifHalep�might�run�away�with�it.�But�Radwanska,�who�would�not�stop�defying�the�odds�now,�pushed�itto�a�tie-break�and�won�the�first�set�7-6.�Halep,�exhausted�from�that�effort,�lost�the�second�set�6-1.�

In�the�semi-final�she�faced�off�against�Garbine�Muguruza,�and�what�followed�was�perhaps�the�bestmatch�of�the�whole�tournament.�Both�women�played�incredible�tennis,�and�the�match�went�to�andfro�for�hours.�In�the�end,�though,�Radwanska’s�experience�won�out,�and�she�came�away�the�winner

6-7,�6-3,�7-5.�The�Pole�then�went�on�to�the�final,�where�Petra�Kvitova�awaited.�It�was,�without�adoubt,�one�of�the�biggest�moments�of�her�career,�second�only�to�her�2012�final�appearance�at

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Wimbledon.�Luckily�for�her,�however,�SerenaWilliams�was�nowhere�to�be�found�on�this

day.�Instead,�she�faced�another�one-winopponent�from�the�round�robin�stages,�PetraKvitova.�The�Czech�had�been�out�of�sorts�inthe�preceding�months,�playing�spectacularlyat�times�and�horribly�at�others.�After�winning

the�first�set�6-2,�it�seemed�as�if�it�might�be�aneasy�day�out�for�Radwanska,�but�the�“good”Kvitova�showed�up�in�the�second�and�won�itwithout�much�trouble.�Not�to�be�outdone,however,�the�Pole�came�back�strong�in�thedeciding�set,�sealing�victory�6-2,�4-6,�6-3.

�It�was�a�result�that�nobody,�absolutelynobody,�would�have�predicted�after�her�losson�that�sunny�day�in�May.�When�she�burst

into�tears�after�the�win,�Radwanska�might�justhave�been�thinking�of�that�long�journey,�andhow�good�it�felt�to�finally�come�out�on�top.

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Garros.

�The�Swede�turned�pro�in�2002,�and�quicklyrose�to�the�Top�100.�By�2004,�he�hadimproved�to�39�in�the�world�and�won�his�firsttitle�in�Lyon.�He�then�reached�the�quarter-

finals�at�the�Masters�1000�event�in�Paris.�Thefollowing�season�was�one�of�injury�andfrustration�for�Soderling,�and�he�struggled�towin�matches�and�stay�on�court�for�very�long.He�dropped�to�97�in�the�world�before�making�abig�comeback�in�2016,�reaching�the�Top�25�for

the�first�time.�The�next�two�seasons�saw�Soderling�treadingwater,�unable�to�make�huge�strides�in�his�game

and�never�playing�at�a�constantly�high�level.�Bythe�end�of�the�2008,�needing�a�change,�hesevered�ties�with�his�coach,�Peter�Carlsson,�and

hired�Magnus�Norman,�a�move�that�wouldhave�a�profound�effect�on�his�career.�

Though�the�relationship�did�not�immediatelybear�fruit,�it�paid�off�in�a�big�way�at�RolandGarros.�In�the�fourth�round,�he�faced�off

against�Rafael�Nadal,�a�player�against�whom�hehad�lost�brutally�just�a�few�weeks�before.�Amassive�underdog,�he�shocked�the�tennis

world�by�beating�the�Spaniard,�becoming�the

RobinSoderling

Retires

byAlexbisi

On�23�December,�2015,�Robin�Soderling

announced�his�retirement�from�professionaltennis�through�Twitter.�

Absent�from�the�Tour�since�2011�due�to�asevere�case�of�mononucleosis,�hisretirement�had�been�long�suspected�by�fans

and�pundits�alike,�even�if�he�had�notofficially�confirmed�it.�Still,�people�had�beenholding�out�hope�that�he�would�make�areturn�to�professional�tennis,�since�he�kepthinting�that�he�would�go�back.�But�in�the

end,�the�combination�of�his�illness�and�ageforced�him�to�call�it�a�day.�Soderling�boasted�one�of�the�most�powerful

forehands�on�the�ATP�World�Tour,�and�roseto�prominence�in�2009�when�he�becamethe�first�man�to�beat�Rafael�Nadal�at�theFrench�Open.�Though�he�lost�to�Federer�in

the�final,�he�became�an�instant�householdname�thanks�to�his�exploits�at�Roland

first�player�ever�to�do�so�on�the�Parisian�clay.With�that�performance,�and�the�eventual�final

appearance�that�followed,�Soderling�foundhimself�on�the�brink�of�the�Top�10.�

After�Paris,�brimming�with�confidence,Soderling�also�reached�the�quarter-finals�of�theUS�Open,�where�he�lost�to�Roger�Federer.�Thateffort,�however,�along�with�several�other�goodresults,�allowed�him�to�break�into�the�Top�10

for�the�first�time.�He�travelled�to�the�ATP�World�Tour�Finals�as�areserve�that�year,�and�replaced�Andy�Roddickin�the�competition�when�the�American�couldn’t

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play.�He�advanced�from�thegroup�stages,�but�was�beaten�in

the�semi-finals�by�Juan�MartinDel�Potro.�The�start�of�the�2010�season�wasa�mixed�bag�for�Soderling,�losing

early�in�Australia�before�postingsome�decent�results�during�theAmerican�hard�court�season.�Hewas�uneven�on�clay�coming�intothe�French�Open,�but�somehowfound�his�best�tennis�and�once

again�reached�the�final,�beatingplayers�like�Federer�and�TomasBerdych�along�the�way.�

Though�he�lost�to�Nadal�in�thefinal,�he�jumped�to�sixth�in�therankings,�and�reached�the

quarter-finals�of�Wimbledon�soonafter.�

Inconsistency�returned�afterWimbledon,�however,�and�heplayed�poorly�until�the�US�Open,

where�he�again�lost�to�Federer�inthe�quarter-finals.�

In�the�Masters�1000�event�inParis�he�finally�won�his�first�big

tournament,�beating�Gael�Monfilsand�pushing�himself�to�fourth�inthe�rankings.�He�made�anotherappearance�at�the�ATP�WorldTour�Finals,�but�did�not�make�itout�of�the�round�robin�stage.

�The�end�of�that�season�also�sawthe�end�of�his�coachingrelationship�with�Magnus

Norman,�and�he�instead�startedworking�with�Claudio�Pistolesi.

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FollowMe

byAlexbisi

The�advent�of�smartphoneshas�changed�our�daily�lives�ina�profound�manner,�allowing

us�to�stay�in�contact�withpeople�like�never�before.This�includes,�of�course,celebrities,�who�fans�cannow�follow�more�closely

than�at�any�time�in�history.As�tennis�enthusiasts,�wecan�now�keep�abreast�of�theeveryday�activities�of�ourfavorite�players�as�if�they

were�close�acquaintances.�

One�of�the�most�popularsocial�media�platforms�isTwitter,�which�players�have

embraced�whole-heartedly.Rafael�Nadal,�for�example,boasts�8.85�million�followers,

while�Novak�Djokovic�has4.89�million.�The�Serb�hasmanaged�to�gain�even�more

Twitter�followers�than�RogerFederer�(who�has�4.4million),�despite�the�fact�that

he�is�often�portrayed�asbeing�not�very�popular�withfans.�Federer,�of�course,

nearly�brings�Twitter�to�astandstill�with�his�#AskRFsessions.�Andy�Murray,�the�finalmember�of�the�Fab�Four,comes�in�at�3.41�million.

�Once�we�get�out�of�the�FabFour’s�intimidating�aura,

however,�things�slow�down

quite�a�lot.�Tomas�Berdychhas�255�000�followers�and

Stan�Wawrinka�565�000.David�Ferrer,�however,outshines�them�both�with902�000.�

Nick�Kyrgios,�who�has�risento�prominence�in�a�wave�ofcontroversy,�has�generatedenough�interest�to�command162�000,�while�the�moreestablished�Grigor�Dimitrov

has�239�000.�Among�the�French�players,Jo-Wilfried�Tsonga�is�the

most�popular,�with�794�000fans,�while�Gael�Monfils�isnot�too�far�behind�at�691

000.�Richard�Gasquet,�onthe�other�hand,�has�only�76300.�This�is�especially

surprising�given�thatperipheral�players�like�IvoKarlovic�and�Dustin�Brown

have�101�000�and�67�300

followers�respectively.Karlovic�has�become

somewhat�of�a�Twittercelebrity�in�his�own�right�forhis�humorous�Tweets,�suchas�those�about�SerenaWilliams�in�Australia.�Both

Brown�and�Karlovic�alsooften�respond�to�fans�onTwitter,�which�might�gosome�way�to�explaining�theirpopularity.�

Other�players�have�used�theTwitter�platform�for�lessadmirable�purposes,�such�asthe�Ukrainian�Sergiy

Stakhovsky,�who�has�takento�Twitter�repeatedly�todetail�his�distaste�for

homosexuals.�He�is�famousfor�saying�he�would�neversend�his�daughter�to�a

female�tennis�academy�forfear�that�they�are�alllesbians.�He�has�also�used

Twitter�to�argue�with�other

Page 71: Tennis World English 32

players,�most�notably�SamGroth�after�their�last�match

in�Stuttgart.�Among�the�women,�there�isa�big�gap�between�SerenaWilliams�with�6�million

followers�and�the�rest�of�theTour.�Maria�Sharapovacomes�in�a�distant�secondwith�1.92�million,�whileVenus�Williams�is�third�with1.36�million.

�Vika�Azarenka,�who�is�veryactive�on�her�profile,�has�71400�followers,�while�Petra

Kvitova�and�Simona�Halephave�284�000�and�38�100

respectively.�Ana�Ivanovic,�who�has�beenon�Tour�seemingly�forever,has�662�000,�but�she�is

being�threatened�by�theyounger�generation,�whotend�to�be�more�active�onsocial�media�than�her.Eugenie�Bouchard,�forexample,�has�grown�to�584

000�followers,�with�BelindaBencic�going�from�zero�to�28000�very�quickly,�andWimbledon�finalist�Garbine

Mugurza�is�already�at�113000.

�While�the�amount�of�Twitterfollowers�a�player�has�iscertainly�not�as�important�asthe�number�of�matches

they’ve�won,�it’s�becomingan�essential�tool�in�themarketing�and�maintenanceof�a�player’s�brand.�Asyounger�players�becomemore�popular,�it�is�a�trend

that�will�likely�pick�up�steamas�time�passes.

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TheSmall

Bouncer

byAndreaGuarracino

I�am�reminded�of�a�story�of�abouncer,�one�that�worked�ata�popular�night�club.�Whatmade�this�bouncer�sounusual�was�the�he�was�adwarf�­�not�exactly�the�kind

of�person�one�usuallyassociates�with�such�aphysically�demanding�job.Yet�despite�his�diminutive

size,�he�terrorized�thepatrons�of�the�club,�andnobody�would�dare�to�try

and�enter�without�hisexpress�permission.�

Tennis�players�each�havetheir�only�short�bouncer,which�terrorizes�them�each

and�every�time�they�step�outon�court.�Can�you�guesswhat�it�is?�Well,�it’s�91.4

centimeters�high�and�11meters�wide…so�it’s�short

and�very�wide.�Of�course,�I’mtalking�about�the�net.�I�often�have�members�of�my

club�or�my�students�ask�mewhat�kind�of�racket�orstrings�will�improve�theirgame.�The�vast�majority�ofthem�complain�that�they�hitinto�the�net�way�too�often.�

Unfortunately,�there�is�no

piece�of�equipment�that�willmagically�make�the�shortbouncer�go�away.�Instead,

you�must�use�your�wits�andyour�technique�to�overcome

it.�I�always�tell�my�studentsthat�good�players�hit�theirshots�at�least�one�meterabove�the�height�of�the�net.�

To�hit�with�this�kind�of�topspin,�it�is�important�toalways�hit�with�a�low�centerof�gravity�and�drop�yourracket�below�the�height�ofthe�ball�before�you�make

your�move�to�strike�it.�If�youcan�consistently�do�this,�youwill�not�only�eliminate�mostshots�that�you�would�hit�into

the�net,�but�you�will�also�beable�to�hit�aggressive�shotswith�minimal�risk�of�error.�If

you�hit�with�a�lot�of�topspin,the�ball�kicks�off�the�court,which�makes�it�very�difficult

for�your�opponent�to�dealwith�it.

�It�is�the�hallmark�of�themodern�game�that�all�playershit�with�a�lot�of�topspin.�Ifyou�want�your�game�to�stay

current�and�relevant,�youmust�learn�to�do�the�same.�Ifyou�cannot�do�so,�you�willcontinue�to�make�silly�errorsby�hitting�the�ball�into�thenet,�and�the�short�bouncer

will�terrorize�you�forever.Indeed,�he�may�make�life�sodifficult�that�you�do�notwant�to�go�to�the�club�at�all!

It�is�up�to�you�to�stop�thatfrom�happening,�and�showthe�bouncer�that�you�belong

on�the�court�and�can�easilydeal�with�him.

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InjuriesAnd

ProfessionalTennis

byAdrianoS.

Whiletennisiswidelyregardingasa“lowinjury”sport,therealityisthattennisplayersaresubjecttoinjuriesofalltypes.TennisWorldinvestigatesjustwhatsortofpainproplayersareinforonadailybasis.

When�you�think�about�sporting�injuries,�yourmind�probably�immediately�drifts�towardssports�like�American�Football�or�boxing.�Injuriessuffered�in�these�sports�are�undeniably

horrible,�but�they�are�not�the�last�word�insporting�injures.�Tennis,�while�not�subject�to

the�same�sorts�of�traumatic�injuries�as�boxingor�other�contact�sports,�still�holds�a�feast�ofmaladies�for�those�who�practice�it

professionally.�Most�of�these�tennis�acute�injuries,�according

to�research,�affect�the�lower�body.�TheNational�Collegiate�Athletic�Association,�citingdata�collected�between�2009�to�2015,�shows

that�the�lower�extremities�suffer�by�far�themost�injuries�(47%�for�males,�52%�for�females)when�compared�to�the�other�parts�of�the�body.

�In�women,�thigh�injuries�in�particular�are�on�therise,�while�players�under�15�increasingly�suffer

from�lower�back�pain.�When�it�comes�to�chronic�conditions,�the�upperbody�in�males�seem�to�suffer�most,�with�theshoulder�being�the�most�affected�body�part.Wrist�injuries�can�also�be�chronic�and�almostimpossible�to�shake,�as�evidenced�by�Laura

Robson�and�Juan�Martin�Del�Potro.�Elbowafflictions�are�less�common,�but�can�also�bevery�long-lasting.

In�2015�there�were�250�withdrawals�frommatches�due�to�injury,�the�majority�in

November.�Generally,�the�WTA�sees�morewithdrawals�every�year�than�the�ATP.�Muscle�and�tendon�injuries�are�also�common�intennis,�for�obvious�reasons,�but�illness�is�not

often�cited�as�a�major�concern�for�players.However,�it�regularly�affects�them�severely�anddisproportionately.�Flu�and�gastroenteritis�arefrequent�concerns,�while�more�serious

conditions�like�mononucleosis�are�also�on�therise.�Last�year�alone�Petra�Kvitova�and�LucieSafarova�were�diagnosed,�while�Mario�Ancicand�Robin�Soderling�saw�their�careersprematurely�ended�by�the�disease.�Even�RogerFederer�was�afflicted�by�it�in�2008.

Heat�stroke�and�cramping,�while�not�illnessesor�injuries,�are�also�frequent�causes�of�match

defaults.�On�rare�occasions,�head�trauma�caneven�come�into�play,�as�with�Eugenie�Bouchardand�Casey�Dellacqua.�What�are�players�supposed�to�do�after�injuries?

The�therapeutic�possibilities�are�legion�andshould�be�discussed�case�by�case.�That�beingsaid,�progress�in�the�field�has�been�explosive�inthe�last�few�decades,�and�these�days�players

can�fully�recover�from�all�but�the�most�seriousof�conditions.In�terms�of�injury�prevention,�expertsrecommend�stretching,�targeted�training,�dietand�a�healthy�lifestyle…along�with�some�liberalslices�of�luck.

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InjuriesAnd

ProfessionalTennis

byAdrianoS.

Whiletennisiswidelyregardingasa“lowinjury”sport,therealityisthattennisplayersaresubjecttoinjuriesofalltypes.TennisWorldinvestigatesjustwhatsortofpainproplayersareinforonadailybasis.

When�you�think�about�sporting�injuries,�yourmind�probably�immediately�drifts�towardssports�like�American�Football�or�boxing.�Injuriessuffered�in�these�sports�are�undeniably

horrible,�but�they�are�not�the�last�word�insporting�injures.�Tennis,�while�not�subject�to

the�same�sorts�of�traumatic�injuries�as�boxingor�other�contact�sports,�still�holds�a�feast�ofmaladies�for�those�who�practice�it

professionally.�Most�of�these�tennis�acute�injuries,�according

to�research,�affect�the�lower�body.�TheNational�Collegiate�Athletic�Association,�citingdata�collected�between�2009�to�2015,�shows

that�the�lower�extremities�suffer�by�far�themost�injuries�(47%�for�males,�52%�for�females)when�compared�to�the�other�parts�of�the�body.

�In�women,�thigh�injuries�in�particular�are�on�therise,�while�players�under�15�increasingly�suffer

from�lower�back�pain.�When�it�comes�to�chronic�conditions,�the�upperbody�in�males�seem�to�suffer�most,�with�theshoulder�being�the�most�affected�body�part.Wrist�injuries�can�also�be�chronic�and�almostimpossible�to�shake,�as�evidenced�by�Laura

Robson�and�Juan�Martin�Del�Potro.�Elbowafflictions�are�less�common,�but�can�also�bevery�long-lasting.

In�2015�there�were�250�withdrawals�frommatches�due�to�injury,�the�majority�in

November.�Generally,�the�WTA�sees�morewithdrawals�every�year�than�the�ATP.�Muscle�and�tendon�injuries�are�also�common�intennis,�for�obvious�reasons,�but�illness�is�not

often�cited�as�a�major�concern�for�players.However,�it�regularly�affects�them�severely�anddisproportionately.�Flu�and�gastroenteritis�arefrequent�concerns,�while�more�serious

conditions�like�mononucleosis�are�also�on�therise.�Last�year�alone�Petra�Kvitova�and�LucieSafarova�were�diagnosed,�while�Mario�Ancicand�Robin�Soderling�saw�their�careersprematurely�ended�by�the�disease.�Even�RogerFederer�was�afflicted�by�it�in�2008.

Heat�stroke�and�cramping,�while�not�illnessesor�injuries,�are�also�frequent�causes�of�match

defaults.�On�rare�occasions,�head�trauma�caneven�come�into�play,�as�with�Eugenie�Bouchardand�Casey�Dellacqua.�What�are�players�supposed�to�do�after�injuries?

The�therapeutic�possibilities�are�legion�andshould�be�discussed�case�by�case.�That�beingsaid,�progress�in�the�field�has�been�explosive�inthe�last�few�decades,�and�these�days�players

can�fully�recover�from�all�but�the�most�seriousof�conditions.In�terms�of�injury�prevention,�expertsrecommend�stretching,�targeted�training,�dietand�a�healthy�lifestyle…along�with�some�liberalslices�of�luck.

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