Advantage Tennis Yearbook 2012

INSIDE:

GRAND SLAM YEARBOOK 2012Roger FedererFree

Poster

Vol. 16, 2012 Rs. 50

Editorial 2 Leander Paes: Going Strong 38

AT Quiz 3 India’s Talented Youngsters 41

Player of the Year 4-5 Aircel Chennai Open 2012 45

Novak Djokovic: The Djoker Takes Centre Stage 6 Aircel Chennai Open 2011Main Draw Singles 48How Samantha Stosur Achieved Her Dream Main Draw Doubles 49An interview with Paul Fein 11 Going for Gold: London 2012 50Rafael Nadal: The Second Coming 14India at London 2012 53Temper Tantrums 21ATP / WTA Tour Calendar 2012 55Tennis Tournament Success: ATP Rankings 56The Secrets to Match Practice 24

WTA Rankings 57The Importance of Footwork in Tennis 27

2011 WTA Tour Final Results 58Poster: Roger Federer 30

2011 ATP Tour Final Results 59Li Na: The Rise of the Asian Tigress 33

Asian Rankings 60AITA Rankings 37

Dear Readers, Wimbledon and the US Open. Choosing the women’s Player of the Year was little more Welcome to the sixteenth issue of Advantage of a challenge as no player dominated the

Tennis. I hope that you enjoy reading this game. However, we chose Petra Kvitova as issue as much as you have enjoyed reading our Player of the Year as she won our earlier issues. As always, we have tried Wimbledon and six other WTA events. She to improve with every issue to satisfy our currently holds the No.3 ranking in the readers expectations. The 2004 issue was world.our first all colour issue and all our issues thereafter have been in colour. Our aim is to Those of you who are interested in receiving improve and upgrade the quality and the coaching tips from former Wimbledon content of the magazine with each new champion Pat Cash should follow his advise issue. in the article ‘Tennis Tournament Success:

The Secrets to Match Practice’. There is also Advantage Tennis is devoted to the cause of an article by Juan Carlos Ferrero, former promoting and encouraging tennis as a sport No.1 and French Open champion who has in India by providing a high quality written a wonderful coaching article titled magazine at an affordable price. We hope ‘The Importance of Footwork in Tennis’.that we have been able to provide you with a magazine worth its cause. The Aircel Chennai Open 2012 has also

been covered in this issue. The only ATP We look forward to your continued event in India, it has provided a huge boost readership and association with Advantage to the cause of promoting tennis in our Tennis in the years to come. country and has not only given the Indian This issue includes an excellent interview tennis enthusiasts the opportunity of seeing with the winner of the 2011 US Open, world class tennis on their home turf, but Samantha Stosur of Australia. The interview have also given Indian players the chance to gives us an insight into her career from being compete. With India currently hosting such one of the many dedicated players on the an event, we have firmly placed ourselves on circuit to joining the elite club of Grand the map of world tennis.Slam winners. The 2012 domestic and international We have an article highlighting Novak tournament calendars and Top 50 Singles Djokovic’s rise in becoming the most and Doubles Rankings of the ATP, WTA, dominating player of 2011 ‘The Djoker Asian and AITA have been provided for the Takes Centre Stage’. Another excellent avid tennis followers. AT Quiz comes yet article looks at the second coming of Rafael again for all our readers who are interested Nadal. Apart from his French Open win last in testing their knowledge of tennis. With year, he was unable to stop the dominance of 2012 being the year of the Olympic Games, Novak Djokovic. Yet another thought we have chosen the Olympics as the subject provoking article titled ‘Temper Tantrums’ for the AT quiz. discusses the leniency of tennis as a game My letter would not be complete without compared to other sports and how some of mentioning the following people for their the leading tennis players get away with support and belief in Advantage Tennis. I their behaviour because of low fines and would like to thank Kamesh Srinivasan, laxed norms. Ekersund, who talks about his goals for

Janella Rachel, Shreya Chakravertty, Vijay Indian tennis. Indian tennis continues to flourish with the Parthasarathy, Deepti Patwardhan, Ruhi achievements of Leander Paes who won The year 2012 will give an opportunity to Batra, Smriti Sinha, Harinder Singh, three titles in 2011 and another three so far many aspiring players to win medals in Rajinder Arora, Aman Jaswal, my parents, in 2012 including the Australian Open London. We have featured an article on the my husband Amit Sood and my sons Jaisal doubles title. As Leander says ‘if you are fit hopes and aspirations of Indian players at & Arman.to train, you are young to play’. London 2012 as well as the top players of

the world who are competing for Gold. The article titled ‘India’s Talented Youngsters’ emphasizes on the upcoming Novak Dojokovic, without a doubt is our young talents of India. This article also choice for the men’s Player of the Year. It was features an interview with recently the year in which he won three of the four appointed National Coach, Henrik Grand Slams including Australian Open,

Cover photo: Official photographer for Advantage Tennis – Janella Rachal, USA

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc. Poster photo: Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

Vol. 16, 2012 Price Rs. 50Advantage Tennis is edited and published by Priya Nanki Singh Sood from Room No.305, Prakashdeep Building, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi 110 001 India, Tel: 4312 0500. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission of the author/editor is strictly prohibited. Advantage Tennis invites tennis related articles, interviews, news items and photographs for publication, which can be sent to our above given address.

Designed and printed by ISHTIHAAR, New Delhi. Ph: 2373 3100

[email protected]

2 Advantage Tennis Grand Slam Yearbook 2012

Priya Nanki Singh SoodEditor-in-Chief

At the 2011 French Open

With 1994 Wimbledon champion, Conchita Martínez of Spain

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3Advantage Tennis Grand Slam Yearbook 2012

QuizAT2012

Your favourite tennis magazine brings you yet another chance to test your knowledge of tennis. 2012 being the year of the

Games, we have chosen the Olympics as the subject for our quiz. Write the answers to the following questions on a sheet of paper and also write an attractive slogan (not more than seven words), fill in the coupon given below (no photocopies please) and attach it with your answer sheet. Your answers should reach us by 30th September 2012.

London Olympic

1. Which year did Leander Paes win the Bronze medal at the Olympics?

2. Which country has won the most number of medals in Olympic history in tennis?

3. Who won the first Gold medal in the history of Olympic tennis in 1896?

4. When tennis returned as a medal sport in 1988, who won the men’s singles title?

5. Which year did Steffi Graf win her Golden Grand Slam which included her Gold medal win at the Olympics?

6. Who is the defending champion of the Men’s Gold medal in London 2012?

7. In London 2012, a mixed doubles event will be officially included for the first time since which year?

8. Who is the best all time performing player at the Olympic Games (not including 2012)?

9. Which country won the most number of medals in Beijing 2008?

10. How many players competed in the tennis event in Beijing 2008?

11. Which two sisters have won an Olympic Gold in doubles?

12. In which event has Roger Federer won an Olympic Gold?

The first five all correct entries will get a chance to win an Advantage Tennis T-shirt

Advantage Tennis is my favourite tennis magazine because:

Name:

Address:

Tel: E-mail:

Profession:

Photo: S

usan Mullane/C

ameraw

ork US

A, Inc.

Li Na holding the flag of the People’s Republic of ChinaP

hoto

: Sus

an M

ulla

ne/C

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, Inc

.

Dear Readers, Wimbledon and the US Open. Choosing the women’s Player of the Year was little more Welcome to the sixteenth issue of Advantage of a challenge as no player dominated the

Tennis. I hope that you enjoy reading this game. However, we chose Petra Kvitova as issue as much as you have enjoyed reading our Player of the Year as she won our earlier issues. As always, we have tried Wimbledon and six other WTA events. She to improve with every issue to satisfy our currently holds the No.3 ranking in the readers expectations. The 2004 issue was world.our first all colour issue and all our issues thereafter have been in colour. Our aim is to Those of you who are interested in receiving improve and upgrade the quality and the coaching tips from former Wimbledon content of the magazine with each new champion Pat Cash should follow his advise issue. in the article ‘Tennis Tournament Success:

The Secrets to Match Practice’. There is also Advantage Tennis is devoted to the cause of an article by Juan Carlos Ferrero, former promoting and encouraging tennis as a sport No.1 and French Open champion who has in India by providing a high quality written a wonderful coaching article titled magazine at an affordable price. We hope ‘The Importance of Footwork in Tennis’.that we have been able to provide you with a magazine worth its cause. The Aircel Chennai Open 2012 has also

been covered in this issue. The only ATP We look forward to your continued event in India, it has provided a huge boost readership and association with Advantage to the cause of promoting tennis in our Tennis in the years to come. country and has not only given the Indian This issue includes an excellent interview tennis enthusiasts the opportunity of seeing with the winner of the 2011 US Open, world class tennis on their home turf, but Samantha Stosur of Australia. The interview have also given Indian players the chance to gives us an insight into her career from being compete. With India currently hosting such one of the many dedicated players on the an event, we have firmly placed ourselves on circuit to joining the elite club of Grand the map of world tennis.Slam winners. The 2012 domestic and international We have an article highlighting Novak tournament calendars and Top 50 Singles Djokovic’s rise in becoming the most and Doubles Rankings of the ATP, WTA, dominating player of 2011 ‘The Djoker Asian and AITA have been provided for the Takes Centre Stage’. Another excellent avid tennis followers. AT Quiz comes yet article looks at the second coming of Rafael again for all our readers who are interested Nadal. Apart from his French Open win last in testing their knowledge of tennis. With year, he was unable to stop the dominance of 2012 being the year of the Olympic Games, Novak Djokovic. Yet another thought we have chosen the Olympics as the subject provoking article titled ‘Temper Tantrums’ for the AT quiz. discusses the leniency of tennis as a game My letter would not be complete without compared to other sports and how some of mentioning the following people for their the leading tennis players get away with support and belief in Advantage Tennis. I their behaviour because of low fines and would like to thank Kamesh Srinivasan, laxed norms. Ekersund, who talks about his goals for

Janella Rachel, Shreya Chakravertty, Vijay Indian tennis. Indian tennis continues to flourish with the Parthasarathy, Deepti Patwardhan, Ruhi achievements of Leander Paes who won The year 2012 will give an opportunity to Batra, Smriti Sinha, Harinder Singh, three titles in 2011 and another three so far many aspiring players to win medals in Rajinder Arora, Aman Jaswal, my parents, in 2012 including the Australian Open London. We have featured an article on the my husband Amit Sood and my sons Jaisal doubles title. As Leander says ‘if you are fit hopes and aspirations of Indian players at & Arman.to train, you are young to play’. London 2012 as well as the top players of

the world who are competing for Gold. The article titled ‘India’s Talented Youngsters’ emphasizes on the upcoming Novak Dojokovic, without a doubt is our young talents of India. This article also choice for the men’s Player of the Year. It was features an interview with recently the year in which he won three of the four appointed National Coach, Henrik Grand Slams including Australian Open,

Cover photo: Official photographer for Advantage Tennis – Janella Rachal, USA

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc. Poster photo: Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

Vol. 16, 2012 Price Rs. 50Advantage Tennis is edited and published by Priya Nanki Singh Sood from Room No.305, Prakashdeep Building, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi 110 001 India, Tel: 4312 0500. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission of the author/editor is strictly prohibited. Advantage Tennis invites tennis related articles, interviews, news items and photographs for publication, which can be sent to our above given address.

Designed and printed by ISHTIHAAR, New Delhi. Ph: 2373 3100

[email protected]


Priya Nanki Singh SoodEditor-in-Chief

At the 2011 French Open

With 1994 Wimbledon champion, Conchita Martínez of Spain

Pho

to: A

T B

urea

u P

hoto

: AT

Bur

eau


QuizAT2012

Your favourite tennis magazine brings you yet another chance to test your knowledge of tennis. 2012 being the year of the

Games, we have chosen the Olympics as the subject for our quiz. Write the answers to the following questions on a sheet of paper and also write an attractive slogan (not more than seven words), fill in the coupon given below (no photocopies please) and attach it with your answer sheet. Your answers should reach us by 30th September 2012.

London Olympic

1. Which year did Leander Paes win the Bronze medal at the Olympics?

2. Which country has won the most number of medals in Olympic history in tennis?

3. Who won the first Gold medal in the history of Olympic tennis in 1896?

4. When tennis returned as a medal sport in 1988, who won the men’s singles title?

5. Which year did Steffi Graf win her Golden Grand Slam which included her Gold medal win at the Olympics?

6. Who is the defending champion of the Men’s Gold medal in London 2012?

7. In London 2012, a mixed doubles event will be officially included for the first time since which year?

8. Who is the best all time performing player at the Olympic Games (not including 2012)?

9. Which country won the most number of medals in Beijing 2008?

10. How many players competed in the tennis event in Beijing 2008?

11. Which two sisters have won an Olympic Gold in doubles?

12. In which event has Roger Federer won an Olympic Gold?

The first five all correct entries will get a chance to win an Advantage Tennis T-shirt

Advantage Tennis is my favourite tennis magazine because:

Name:

Address:

Tel: E-mail:

Profession:

Photo: S

usan Mullane/C

ameraw

ork US

A, Inc.

Li Na holding the flag of the People’s Republic of ChinaP

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: Sus

an M

ulla

ne/C

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awor

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SA

, Inc

.

Player of the year

Petra Kvitová

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Player of the year

Novak Djokovic

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Player of the year

Petra Kvitová

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Player of the year

Novak Djokovic

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Photo: Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.


the most part of the season. The stunning crosscourt forehand to save matchpoint against Federer in their 2011 US Open semifinal had even the once-unbeatable Swiss at a loss for words. “For me, this is very hard to understand. How can you play a shot like that on match point? Maybe he’s been doing it for 20 years, so for him it was very normal. You’ve got to ask him,” he said, unable to understand just how that moment of magic had been conjured. Nadal, the fighter, raced around the court in all their seven meetings (all of them in tournament f inals , including Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open), but it was Djokovic who walked away with victory each time. In Rafa’s words: “Probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw.” That same assessment applied to the 2012 Australian Open final, where the two competitors strove to outdo each other in a 5 hour 53 minute battle of proportions truly epic – a word diluted by its much too frequent usage these days, but in this case, surely even Homer would agree. The momentum swung just as often as the tennis ball as each player fought back from a deficit and giving up was simply not one of the options. ‘The fighter’ is an epithet routinely applied to Nadal, but on January 29, the defending champion outlasted even that amazing level of tenacity, letting out a roar after victory was confirmed. Forced to revise his earlier declaration of “the best match I ever played” from the semifinal versus Murray to this battle for the ages, Djokovic later said it was indeed a pity the trophy couldn’t be shared.

Who would have thought that a tiny tennis dream with its beginnings in a mountain range in Serbia would reach such heights? Yugoslav tennis legend Jelena Gancic did, and she told young Novak’s parents the magic in his hands reminded her of a famous student of hers — Monica Seles. Srdan and Dijana, running a fast food joint at the time, couldn’t quite fathom the extent of Gancic’s


Novak DjokovicThe Djoker Takes Centre Stage

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Shreya Chakravertty

iffering rhythms of tennis balls lukewarm potential turned into a being thwacked about can be blazing spark only in 2011. Before Dheard all around the courts at that, derision was one of the common

the All England Club, an intoxicating sentiments reserved for the Djoker, if symphony mingling with the scent of not for his frequent ailments during rained-on grass. The buzz, for the matches then for his liking to become moment, though, isn’t fixated on any the protagonist of post-match particular tennis match. A particular entertainment. But while swishing bunch of autograph seekers is gazing imaginary tresses about in the manner expectantly at the terrace of the VIP of Maria Sharapova or picking at the area, where the unmistakable blond seat of his pants as is the habit of scruff of Boris Becker can be seen, Rafael Nadal made for a few good seemingly oblivious to the adoring laughs, the ‘serious’ champions masses below. He sips on a beverage belonged to a level many notches as he continues to be watched by the above his own. In 2011, though, the fans – some of them old enough to master of the side show took centre have watched him as a 17-year-old stage.winning Wimbledon in 1985 and Djokovic took apart records and others who wouldn’t even have been opponents with equal ruthlessness, a embryos at that time. Their attention term that cannot be applied to his is soon interrupted by an elaborate personality — his penchant for operation at ground level — that of mimicry and belting out escorting Novak Djokovic to a songs hasn’t changed practice court without letting anyone b e c a u s e o f h i s get too close for comfort. champion status,

The security guards cordon him off but the difference is, on each side while the Serbian walks, it isn’t all that he’s towel and kit in hand, his eyes on the known for now.ground while he walks at a quick No imitations pace, as cameras are whipped out and were needed, this squeals emerge from the youngest of one was the Real the lot. They didn’t know it then, but Deal. The winner of in just over a week, Djokovic’s name the Australian Open, would join Becker’s on the list of those Wimbledon and the US who held up the trophy at the most Open in 2011 dominated the ATP venerated Slam of all. The boy from tour in a way no one would have Belgrade, who, along with his tennis thought possible the previous year, shots, used to practice being the when every Slam seemed to have Wimbledon winner, posing with an Roger Federer’s or Rafael Nadal’s imaginary trophy as a child, had been name plastered all over. Those very a name to reckon with on the tour men paid their tributes in admiration since his early playing days, but the of a man who had their measure for



the most part of the season. The stunning crosscourt forehand to save matchpoint against Federer in their 2011 US Open semifinal had even the once-unbeatable Swiss at a loss for words. “For me, this is very hard to understand. How can you play a shot like that on match point? Maybe he’s been doing it for 20 years, so for him it was very normal. You’ve got to ask him,” he said, unable to understand just how that moment of magic had been conjured. Nadal, the fighter, raced around the court in all their seven meetings (all of them in tournament f inals , including Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open), but it was Djokovic who walked away with victory each time. In Rafa’s words: “Probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw.” That same assessment applied to the 2012 Australian Open final, where the two competitors strove to outdo each other in a 5 hour 53 minute battle of proportions truly epic – a word diluted by its much too frequent usage these days, but in this case, surely even Homer would agree. The momentum swung just as often as the tennis ball as each player fought back from a deficit and giving up was simply not one of the options. ‘The fighter’ is an epithet routinely applied to Nadal, but on January 29, the defending champion outlasted even that amazing level of tenacity, letting out a roar after victory was confirmed. Forced to revise his earlier declaration of “the best match I ever played” from the semifinal versus Murray to this battle for the ages, Djokovic later said it was indeed a pity the trophy couldn’t be shared.

Who would have thought that a tiny tennis dream with its beginnings in a mountain range in Serbia would reach such heights? Yugoslav tennis legend Jelena Gancic did, and she told young Novak’s parents the magic in his hands reminded her of a famous student of hers — Monica Seles. Srdan and Dijana, running a fast food joint at the time, couldn’t quite fathom the extent of Gancic’s


Novak DjokovicThe Djoker Takes Centre Stage

Pho

to: F

red

Mul

lane

/Cam

eraw

ork

US

A, I

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Shreya Chakravertty

iffering rhythms of tennis balls lukewarm potential turned into a being thwacked about can be blazing spark only in 2011. Before Dheard all around the courts at that, derision was one of the common

the All England Club, an intoxicating sentiments reserved for the Djoker, if symphony mingling with the scent of not for his frequent ailments during rained-on grass. The buzz, for the matches then for his liking to become moment, though, isn’t fixated on any the protagonist of post-match particular tennis match. A particular entertainment. But while swishing bunch of autograph seekers is gazing imaginary tresses about in the manner expectantly at the terrace of the VIP of Maria Sharapova or picking at the area, where the unmistakable blond seat of his pants as is the habit of scruff of Boris Becker can be seen, Rafael Nadal made for a few good seemingly oblivious to the adoring laughs, the ‘serious’ champions masses below. He sips on a beverage belonged to a level many notches as he continues to be watched by the above his own. In 2011, though, the fans – some of them old enough to master of the side show took centre have watched him as a 17-year-old stage.winning Wimbledon in 1985 and Djokovic took apart records and others who wouldn’t even have been opponents with equal ruthlessness, a embryos at that time. Their attention term that cannot be applied to his is soon interrupted by an elaborate personality — his penchant for operation at ground level — that of mimicry and belting out escorting Novak Djokovic to a songs hasn’t changed practice court without letting anyone b e c a u s e o f h i s get too close for comfort. champion status,

The security guards cordon him off but the difference is, on each side while the Serbian walks, it isn’t all that he’s towel and kit in hand, his eyes on the known for now.ground while he walks at a quick No imitations pace, as cameras are whipped out and were needed, this squeals emerge from the youngest of one was the Real the lot. They didn’t know it then, but Deal. The winner of in just over a week, Djokovic’s name the Australian Open, would join Becker’s on the list of those Wimbledon and the US who held up the trophy at the most Open in 2011 dominated the ATP venerated Slam of all. The boy from tour in a way no one would have Belgrade, who, along with his tennis thought possible the previous year, shots, used to practice being the when every Slam seemed to have Wimbledon winner, posing with an Roger Federer’s or Rafael Nadal’s imaginary trophy as a child, had been name plastered all over. Those very a name to reckon with on the tour men paid their tributes in admiration since his early playing days, but the of a man who had their measure for


impression of their son’s talent but Arena in December 2010 had nearly-there-man Andy Murray in the ensured he would have the best Djokovic playing the part of athlete final of the Australian Open, training in tennis, crunching their and motivator, urging the crowd, “Go Djokovic went on an unbeaten streak finances together to send him to and have a snack and a beer and come of 43 matches, ended by Roger Nikola Pilic’s academy in Munich, back in 15 minutes. You have to make Federer in the semifinals of the French Germany. They began dreaming his noise to silence the French, we are at Open. The doubters expecting a dreams too, and the story goes that home and we have to make it count.” downslide from there on would be when Djokovic was a 10-year-old, his Make it count they did as Victor proved wrong, though, as he went on father would declare to visitors to his Troicki defeated Michel Llodra in the to win the Big W, after which he took pizzeria: “My Novak is going to be final rubber, but as his team brought over as the world No. 1, and the US No. 1 in the world.” out razors and proceeded to shave Open, finishing the year with a 70-6

At 19 years of age, the Djokovic their heads in an unusual show of record. family were in the process of hiring post-victory merriment, perhaps even Tired and weary at the end of the Marian Vajda to coach their son and Djokovic didn’t realise that his season, being forced to retire in tears when the trainer heard of the proud celebrations had only just begun. The from Serbia’s Davis Cup semifinal father’s ambition, he asked if that was injection of self-belief and confidence against Argentina, a look back at that a joke. That was 2006, and by the end would stay even after the high of team season should still cause a broad smile of the year, Novak had cracked the triumph in an individual sport wore to break out on his face. The man top 20 from struggling in the off, a starting point for the ‘new whose 1984 season win-loss record he bottomless ocean of top-100 players. Djokovic’ and, as he went about his almost broke, John McEnroe (82-3), The next four years — 2007 to 2010 work in the off-season in the routine says the one of the most telling stats — saw consistent finishes as world way, following his dietician’s orders can be measured in his displays No. 3 and while the talent was after it was discovered he was allergic against Nadal, the Serb defeating his undeniable, the top-two territory was to gluten-based foods, the vastly Spanish rival on every surface, even still a distance away. Towards the end improved physical aspect was another clay — Nadal’s fiefdom. “I’ve never of that period, though, everything had vital component of his new avatar. seen Nadal look as if he doesn’t know started to come together. The Davis Beginning the new year with a what to do – and even on clay in Rome Cup final victory in the Belgrade thorough demolition of the perpetual Djokovic made him look like that.

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Wimbledon was where he separated flexibility and I remember thinking if this is the way you approach each himself and took himself to a whole once years ago that it would really athlete then there is a chance of new level. He beat Nadal six times in pay off in the future, but I couldn’t creating the conditions that can get one year and, considering the year have imagined it would be such a the best out of him or her,” said the Nadal had in 2010, that’s pretty hard huge advantage.” doctor.to do,” says the American legend. With the 2012 Norman Brookes “Statistics have killed common Even Pete Sampras, the veteran of 14 trophy clutched securely in his clasp, sense really. I succeeded in seeing all Slam wins, was forced to admit the new year began like the good pieces of the mosaic that needed to be D jokov i c washed away h i s times of 2011 never ended. In his put together to make Djokovic a skepticism with his near-unbeatable gracious post-match speech after the winner.”gameplan in the season. “I always Australian Open final, Nadal Asked in his post-match press t h o u g h t N o v a k w a s a b i t commended not just his infallible conference whether he had any temperamental and would go opponent on the day, but also the sympathy for Nadal, to be on the through these lapses that would team that helped mould the Serb into losing side of a match separated by prevent him from winning majors,” the champion he is today. Igor the thinnest of strands, and Djokovic Sampras said in an interview to the Cetojevic wasn’t in the player box in replied that he was well-versed with Palm Beach Post. “And now you look Melbourne during the tournament, that situation: “I was in that position - he lost the first two sets against but it was his discovery of Djokovic’s a couple of years ago, losing in Roger and boom! He recovered gluten allergy that set him on his semifinals and finals against him and within a couple of minutes. He’s got a glittering path. Cetojevic, who is now Roger, so I know how it feels.” Not short memory now. He’s progressed working with Serbian football club anymore he doesn’t, though. He’s into this great champion. At least in Spartak Subotica, said in an interview dreaming big — of a career Slam, my lifetime, the best [season] ever.” that the search for a universal Olympic gold and the sustenance of

McEnroe adds that, in his opinion, formula for success is a flawed his unbeatable aura. Djokovic has surpassed Agassi. concept. “Every one of us is a special And like that forehand he “Djokovic can do amazing things case, whether we our top athletes or hammered past Rafa on match point with the return,” he says. “He has not. We all have our special at Melbourne Park, it’s all within been working so hard for years on his weaknesses or winning attributes and reach. <

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impression of their son’s talent but Arena in December 2010 had nearly-there-man Andy Murray in the ensured he would have the best Djokovic playing the part of athlete final of the Australian Open, training in tennis, crunching their and motivator, urging the crowd, “Go Djokovic went on an unbeaten streak finances together to send him to and have a snack and a beer and come of 43 matches, ended by Roger Nikola Pilic’s academy in Munich, back in 15 minutes. You have to make Federer in the semifinals of the French Germany. They began dreaming his noise to silence the French, we are at Open. The doubters expecting a dreams too, and the story goes that home and we have to make it count.” downslide from there on would be when Djokovic was a 10-year-old, his Make it count they did as Victor proved wrong, though, as he went on father would declare to visitors to his Troicki defeated Michel Llodra in the to win the Big W, after which he took pizzeria: “My Novak is going to be final rubber, but as his team brought over as the world No. 1, and the US No. 1 in the world.” out razors and proceeded to shave Open, finishing the year with a 70-6

At 19 years of age, the Djokovic their heads in an unusual show of record. family were in the process of hiring post-victory merriment, perhaps even Tired and weary at the end of the Marian Vajda to coach their son and Djokovic didn’t realise that his season, being forced to retire in tears when the trainer heard of the proud celebrations had only just begun. The from Serbia’s Davis Cup semifinal father’s ambition, he asked if that was injection of self-belief and confidence against Argentina, a look back at that a joke. That was 2006, and by the end would stay even after the high of team season should still cause a broad smile of the year, Novak had cracked the triumph in an individual sport wore to break out on his face. The man top 20 from struggling in the off, a starting point for the ‘new whose 1984 season win-loss record he bottomless ocean of top-100 players. Djokovic’ and, as he went about his almost broke, John McEnroe (82-3), The next four years — 2007 to 2010 work in the off-season in the routine says the one of the most telling stats — saw consistent finishes as world way, following his dietician’s orders can be measured in his displays No. 3 and while the talent was after it was discovered he was allergic against Nadal, the Serb defeating his undeniable, the top-two territory was to gluten-based foods, the vastly Spanish rival on every surface, even still a distance away. Towards the end improved physical aspect was another clay — Nadal’s fiefdom. “I’ve never of that period, though, everything had vital component of his new avatar. seen Nadal look as if he doesn’t know started to come together. The Davis Beginning the new year with a what to do – and even on clay in Rome Cup final victory in the Belgrade thorough demolition of the perpetual Djokovic made him look like that.

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Wimbledon was where he separated flexibility and I remember thinking if this is the way you approach each himself and took himself to a whole once years ago that it would really athlete then there is a chance of new level. He beat Nadal six times in pay off in the future, but I couldn’t creating the conditions that can get one year and, considering the year have imagined it would be such a the best out of him or her,” said the Nadal had in 2010, that’s pretty hard huge advantage.” doctor.to do,” says the American legend. With the 2012 Norman Brookes “Statistics have killed common Even Pete Sampras, the veteran of 14 trophy clutched securely in his clasp, sense really. I succeeded in seeing all Slam wins, was forced to admit the new year began like the good pieces of the mosaic that needed to be D jokov i c washed away h i s times of 2011 never ended. In his put together to make Djokovic a skepticism with his near-unbeatable gracious post-match speech after the winner.”gameplan in the season. “I always Australian Open final, Nadal Asked in his post-match press t h o u g h t N o v a k w a s a b i t commended not just his infallible conference whether he had any temperamental and would go opponent on the day, but also the sympathy for Nadal, to be on the through these lapses that would team that helped mould the Serb into losing side of a match separated by prevent him from winning majors,” the champion he is today. Igor the thinnest of strands, and Djokovic Sampras said in an interview to the Cetojevic wasn’t in the player box in replied that he was well-versed with Palm Beach Post. “And now you look Melbourne during the tournament, that situation: “I was in that position - he lost the first two sets against but it was his discovery of Djokovic’s a couple of years ago, losing in Roger and boom! He recovered gluten allergy that set him on his semifinals and finals against him and within a couple of minutes. He’s got a glittering path. Cetojevic, who is now Roger, so I know how it feels.” Not short memory now. He’s progressed working with Serbian football club anymore he doesn’t, though. He’s into this great champion. At least in Spartak Subotica, said in an interview dreaming big — of a career Slam, my lifetime, the best [season] ever.” that the search for a universal Olympic gold and the sustenance of

McEnroe adds that, in his opinion, formula for success is a flawed his unbeatable aura. Djokovic has surpassed Agassi. concept. “Every one of us is a special And like that forehand he “Djokovic can do amazing things case, whether we our top athletes or hammered past Rafa on match point with the return,” he says. “He has not. We all have our special at Melbourne Park, it’s all within been working so hard for years on his weaknesses or winning attributes and reach. <

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[ Interview © 2012, Paul Fein ]

How Samantha Stosur Achieved Her Dream

“We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.” — Louisa May Alcott

After Samantha Stosur scored a shocking 6-2, 6-3 upset over the great Serena Williams in the 2011 US Open final, she confided, “My goal and dream since I started was to win a Grand Slam. Now to actually do it, it’s unbelievable.... I’m sure I’ll wake up tomorrow and say, ‘Did I actually win the US Open?’ I’ve wanted this moment my whole life.”

The unassuming, 27-year-old Australian recalled her long, tough road to the top, saying, “I’ve slept in train stations and stayed in dodgy hotels” early in her pro career. After her brilliant run to the 2010 French Open final where she was beaten by inspired underdog Francesca Schiavone, Stosur wondered if she would ever get another chance to win a major. After all, she had captured only two WTA Tour singles titles, and even she questioned her fighting spirit at times.

But the former doubles star, aided and encouraged by her coach, psychologist, manager, physiotherapist, strength and condit ioning trainer and even a performance statistician analyst, kept believing. And that self-belief carried her to character-revealing three-set triumphs over Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko, as well as overwhelming routs of No. 2 Vera Zvonareva and 13-time major champion Williams at Flushing Meadows.

In this candid interview, No. 6-ranked Stosur talks about how she finally achieved the dream of her life and hints at what the future may hold.

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Stosur: With the 2011 US Open trophy


[ Interview © 2012, Paul Fein ]

How Samantha Stosur Achieved Her Dream

“We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.” — Louisa May Alcott

After Samantha Stosur scored a shocking 6-2, 6-3 upset over the great Serena Williams in the 2011 US Open final, she confided, “My goal and dream since I started was to win a Grand Slam. Now to actually do it, it’s unbelievable.... I’m sure I’ll wake up tomorrow and say, ‘Did I actually win the US Open?’ I’ve wanted this moment my whole life.”

The unassuming, 27-year-old Australian recalled her long, tough road to the top, saying, “I’ve slept in train stations and stayed in dodgy hotels” early in her pro career. After her brilliant run to the 2010 French Open final where she was beaten by inspired underdog Francesca Schiavone, Stosur wondered if she would ever get another chance to win a major. After all, she had captured only two WTA Tour singles titles, and even she questioned her fighting spirit at times.

But the former doubles star, aided and encouraged by her coach, psychologist, manager, physiotherapist, strength and condit ioning trainer and even a performance statistician analyst, kept believing. And that self-belief carried her to character-revealing three-set triumphs over Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko, as well as overwhelming routs of No. 2 Vera Zvonareva and 13-time major champion Williams at Flushing Meadows.

In this candid interview, No. 6-ranked Stosur talks about how she finally achieved the dream of her life and hints at what the future may hold.

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Stosur: With the 2011 US Open trophy


PF: After you won the US Open title for your first Grand Slam title, you talked about the adversity you faced early in your pro career, saying, “I’ve slept in train stations and stayed in dodgy hotels.” What do you remember about surviving those tough times?

PF: In the fourth round you played a thrilling, record-setting 17-15 tiebreaker in which you had five match points and

PF: In Australian Tennis Magazine in Maria Kirilenko had six set points during 2009, Patrick Rafter wrote, “Sam is your eventual 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 victory. already a great role model to the Afterward, you confided, “I haven’t younger players, and I think they will a l w a y s b e e n k n o w n f o r m y continue to be spurred on by her future competitiveness out there, to really successes.” In what ways are you a great fight hard. It’s definitely very rewarding. role model? I know now I can do it.” Would you

please elaborate.

PF: Please tell me about the members of Team Stosur and exactly how they’ve helped you.

PF: When you were seven years old, your house was destroyed in a flood, so your family moved from Australia’s Gold Coast to Adelaide. How did that family tragedy affect you?

PF: It was a shame Serena’s disgraceful tirades took the focus away somewhat from your spectacular play in your 6-2, 6-3 US Open final triumph. Now that you have had some time to put it all in perspective, what are your various thoughts about your decisive upset over the greatest player of the century?

PF: You had three highly memorable matches at the 2011 US Open that revealed your evolution as a tennis player. In the third round, you pulled out a 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 victory over Nadia Petrova in the longest women’s match (3 hours, 16 minutes) in US Open history. What sticks in your mind most about that close-as-can-be marathon match?

PF: How has your sports psychologist helped you?

with tools and techniques to help me think York City atmospheres. To get through that more clearly under pressure. It’s also nice to match was a great mental win for me as I was have somebody whom I can call and chat not able to finish it in the second set after with when I’m away. I came into this year having chances to. Then to come back from with high hopes of playing well and the first 4-2 down in the deciding set was a big six months didn’t go as planned. [Stosur mental lift for me. I knew that I was fit, so I didn’t get past the third round at the just had to keep reminding myself of that and Austral ian and French Opens and keep believing I could get through.SS: I think all players have to struggle Wimbledon.] Ruth was instrumental in through the early years of competing in helping me get my confidence back at this smaller events, having no money, staying in time.bad hotels and eating at the cheapest

restaurant you can find. It wasn’t like I was making a habit of sleeping in train stations, but there was one night in Japan where we had a long time to wait and rather than spend money on a hotel we slept on our bags. There were times when I questioned how good I could become. But I was lucky enough to have good coaches and a family who continued to support me. Tennis is not SS: That was nice of Pat to say, as growing up easy—nearly every week of the year we lose, in Queensland he was one of my idols. I still SS: Playing another tough match after and then have to get back out on the training have great memories of Pat winning the US Petrova was not ideal, but certainly within courts to try to play better the following Open [in 1997 and 1998] and my parents those 48 hours I had two of the most week. allowing me to stay home from school to memorable matches of my career. Those two

watch. It's a little hard for me to say why I’m a matches proved a lot to me about fighting great role model to kids, but I would like to and doing whatever it takes to win. Both think that I’m very dedicated to becoming matches provided incredible mental the best player I can be and pride myself on challenges for me, and to come through working hard to achieve this. If I am able to SS: My coach David Taylor has been an gave me great confidence. Tennis is a tough inspire young girls in Australia to take up incredible help and support for the past few sport, and sometimes I have had to battle tennis and chase their dreams, then I will be years. David has given me a great myself on court to stay focused and keep very happy.understanding of my game, what makes me believing in myself. I think all players battle

effective, and a better understanding of how themselves at times. It can be tough out opponents can exploit my weaknesses. there with things going against you. The David is highly driven and has a knowledge thing I was most proud of in those matches of the women’s game that few have. Three was rebounding from all the adversity of not years ago David and I started putting finishing them off and still being able to find together a team of people we believed could a way to win.make me realize my potential. I have a SS: It was a very tough time for my mother unique arrangement with a team of people and father as they had three young children who all work for Tennis Australia, including and having to move us all across the country my fitness trainer, Narelle Sibte, who has and start again was not easy. I do not helped me become stronger and quicker, for remember it all so well. But this year [in longer periods of time. My manager Paul January] when we had such devastating Kilderry has supported me for the last few floods in Australia, I did have an appreciation years and makes sure all I have to think about for what people were going through.is playing tennis. My sports psychologist, Ruth Anderson in Australia, has been a huge SS: The two weeks in New York were so help, as well as my physiotherapist Anne much fun! And to share the victory with my Marie Montgomery. Darren McMurtrie team who have always believed in me made watches countless hours of matches to help it all the more special. If I had written the in all areas of performance analysis. script myself, I could not have dreamed of Everybody does their little bit, and it’s great to beating such a great champion in the final on share in my success with people who’ve been such a big occasion in New York City. I’ve there through the highs and lows. Through been able to watch the match point a few this process we have all become friends, and times on TV, and it still brings a smile to my it was very exciting to celebrate at the US face. I knew going into the match that I had a SS: That was one of the toughest matches of Open together. chance to win, but to be able to play my best my career. We were both playing some great

tennis on the biggest stage was incredibly tennis, and there was never much difference rewarding. I was very eager to finish the last between us in the match. As the match went Grand Slam of the year well because the on, the crowd built up and got louder and

SS: Ruth has been fantastic in providing me previous Slams [majors] had not gone well at louder, and it was one of those great New

all. I started to get my confidence up during the summer [when she reached the Toronto final], and then it all culminated on September 11th.

SS: I love being an Australian and am very proud of that. Being away from family and friends is not easy, but I feel incredibly fortunate to play the sport I love and make it my job. I love being fit and living a healthy lifestyle. In Australia we’re very lucky we can have a healthy outdoors lifestyle. I really enjoy going to the beach and having a nice coffee at a café, and I always enjoy a nice Japanese meal.

SS: When I was sick with Lyme disease, it made me realize how much I wanted to become as fit as possible and make sure I get the absolute most out of my ability. I love getting into the gym, and my trainer always creates programs that mix in various types of training which makes it fun and interesting. I sometimes do things like boxing, stair running, paddle boarding, as well as weights the ability to volley well, and with better and core stability exercises. The past couple movement I’ve been able to make of years I’ve been working on becoming improvements in this area. My backhand has more powerful and explosive. I’m now also improved a great deal in the last two starting to see the rewards for the past few years, so hopefully I can continue to get years of consistent hard work off the court. better in these areas and become a more

complete player. SS: I believe I can become No. 1 in the world, but so much has to happen between now and then that it’s not worth dwelling on too much. I’ve shown at my best I can compete with everybody in the world, but to become No. 1 will take an extremely consistent year. Next year has many challenges, and with the Olympics as well, there is so much to play for. To become the No. 1 player in the world, even for one day, would be a lifelong dream.

Paul Fein has received more than 30 writing awards and authored three books, Tennis SS: I feel I’m well-placed to have an exciting Confidential: Today’s Greatest Players, Matches, year in 2012. I’ve had a nice break and am and Controversies; You Can Quote Me on That:

SS: I don’t completely disagree with either training hard now in preparation for the Greatest Tennis Quips, Insights, and Zingers; and comment and am continually working with Aussie summer. I’m excited to play in Tennis Confidential II: More of Today’s Greatest my coach on my volleys and return of serves. Australia and would love to play some great Players, Matches, and Controversies. Fein is also a When my game is on, I can execute both tennis in Melbourne during the Australian USPTA-certified teaching pro and coach with a

Pro-1 rating, former director of the Springfield areas very well, but at times my volleys and Open. Next year will be exciting with a lot to (Mass.) Satellite Tournament, a former top 10-return have let me down. Over the last look forward to. I have learned so much ranked men’s open New England tournament couple of years I’ve become a much more about myself in 2011, and I can draw on player and No. 1-ranked Super Senior player in consistent player and the highs and lows in those experiences and hopefully continue to New England. my game have flattened out. I know I have push up the rankings.

PF: When I asked an Aussie tennis authority about you, she said, “Sam loves her family, her dog, football and would spend more time in Australia if she could.” Would you please tell me what and who you love most.

PF: You have one of the most sculpted and fit physiques on the women’s tour. Specifically, what do you do off the court to achieve that?

PF: Since there were four different Grand Slam singles champions in 2011, and there is no longer one dominant player and you have excelled on all surfaces, can you — will you — take over the top spot, No. 1, in 2012?

PF: Let’s talk technique. Two years ago Patrick Rafter wrote: “Although she has PF: Although you’ve won only three great success in doubles, it doesn’t mean tournaments in your career, you have she can volley…. She doesn’t have the many assets: a terrific serve, powerful skills to finish off the point and makes forehand, athleticism, superb fitness, too many errors.” Interestingly, in your experience, and the great confidence US Open semifinal victory over coming from being a Grand Slam Angelique Kerber you won 27 of 29 net champion. How do you predict you will approach points. This year Tennis fare in 2012, a year that has five Channel analyst Corina Morariu prestigious titles, including the commented: “One glaring weakness is Olympics? her backhand return of serve.” Do you agree with these analyses?

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PF: After you won the US Open title for your first Grand Slam title, you talked about the adversity you faced early in your pro career, saying, “I’ve slept in train stations and stayed in dodgy hotels.” What do you remember about surviving those tough times?

PF: In the fourth round you played a thrilling, record-setting 17-15 tiebreaker in which you had five match points and

PF: In Australian Tennis Magazine in Maria Kirilenko had six set points during 2009, Patrick Rafter wrote, “Sam is your eventual 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 victory. already a great role model to the Afterward, you confided, “I haven’t younger players, and I think they will a l w a y s b e e n k n o w n f o r m y continue to be spurred on by her future competitiveness out there, to really successes.” In what ways are you a great fight hard. It’s definitely very rewarding. role model? I know now I can do it.” Would you

please elaborate.

PF: Please tell me about the members of Team Stosur and exactly how they’ve helped you.

PF: When you were seven years old, your house was destroyed in a flood, so your family moved from Australia’s Gold Coast to Adelaide. How did that family tragedy affect you?

PF: It was a shame Serena’s disgraceful tirades took the focus away somewhat from your spectacular play in your 6-2, 6-3 US Open final triumph. Now that you have had some time to put it all in perspective, what are your various thoughts about your decisive upset over the greatest player of the century?

PF: You had three highly memorable matches at the 2011 US Open that revealed your evolution as a tennis player. In the third round, you pulled out a 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 victory over Nadia Petrova in the longest women’s match (3 hours, 16 minutes) in US Open history. What sticks in your mind most about that close-as-can-be marathon match?

PF: How has your sports psychologist helped you?

with tools and techniques to help me think York City atmospheres. To get through that more clearly under pressure. It’s also nice to match was a great mental win for me as I was have somebody whom I can call and chat not able to finish it in the second set after with when I’m away. I came into this year having chances to. Then to come back from with high hopes of playing well and the first 4-2 down in the deciding set was a big six months didn’t go as planned. [Stosur mental lift for me. I knew that I was fit, so I didn’t get past the third round at the just had to keep reminding myself of that and Austral ian and French Opens and keep believing I could get through.SS: I think all players have to struggle Wimbledon.] Ruth was instrumental in through the early years of competing in helping me get my confidence back at this smaller events, having no money, staying in time.bad hotels and eating at the cheapest

restaurant you can find. It wasn’t like I was making a habit of sleeping in train stations, but there was one night in Japan where we had a long time to wait and rather than spend money on a hotel we slept on our bags. There were times when I questioned how good I could become. But I was lucky enough to have good coaches and a family who continued to support me. Tennis is not SS: That was nice of Pat to say, as growing up easy—nearly every week of the year we lose, in Queensland he was one of my idols. I still SS: Playing another tough match after and then have to get back out on the training have great memories of Pat winning the US Petrova was not ideal, but certainly within courts to try to play better the following Open [in 1997 and 1998] and my parents those 48 hours I had two of the most week. allowing me to stay home from school to memorable matches of my career. Those two

watch. It's a little hard for me to say why I’m a matches proved a lot to me about fighting great role model to kids, but I would like to and doing whatever it takes to win. Both think that I’m very dedicated to becoming matches provided incredible mental the best player I can be and pride myself on challenges for me, and to come through working hard to achieve this. If I am able to SS: My coach David Taylor has been an gave me great confidence. Tennis is a tough inspire young girls in Australia to take up incredible help and support for the past few sport, and sometimes I have had to battle tennis and chase their dreams, then I will be years. David has given me a great myself on court to stay focused and keep very happy.understanding of my game, what makes me believing in myself. I think all players battle

effective, and a better understanding of how themselves at times. It can be tough out opponents can exploit my weaknesses. there with things going against you. The David is highly driven and has a knowledge thing I was most proud of in those matches of the women’s game that few have. Three was rebounding from all the adversity of not years ago David and I started putting finishing them off and still being able to find together a team of people we believed could a way to win.make me realize my potential. I have a SS: It was a very tough time for my mother unique arrangement with a team of people and father as they had three young children who all work for Tennis Australia, including and having to move us all across the country my fitness trainer, Narelle Sibte, who has and start again was not easy. I do not helped me become stronger and quicker, for remember it all so well. But this year [in longer periods of time. My manager Paul January] when we had such devastating Kilderry has supported me for the last few floods in Australia, I did have an appreciation years and makes sure all I have to think about for what people were going through.is playing tennis. My sports psychologist, Ruth Anderson in Australia, has been a huge SS: The two weeks in New York were so help, as well as my physiotherapist Anne much fun! And to share the victory with my Marie Montgomery. Darren McMurtrie team who have always believed in me made watches countless hours of matches to help it all the more special. If I had written the in all areas of performance analysis. script myself, I could not have dreamed of Everybody does their little bit, and it’s great to beating such a great champion in the final on share in my success with people who’ve been such a big occasion in New York City. I’ve there through the highs and lows. Through been able to watch the match point a few this process we have all become friends, and times on TV, and it still brings a smile to my it was very exciting to celebrate at the US face. I knew going into the match that I had a SS: That was one of the toughest matches of Open together. chance to win, but to be able to play my best my career. We were both playing some great

tennis on the biggest stage was incredibly tennis, and there was never much difference rewarding. I was very eager to finish the last between us in the match. As the match went Grand Slam of the year well because the on, the crowd built up and got louder and

SS: Ruth has been fantastic in providing me previous Slams [majors] had not gone well at louder, and it was one of those great New

all. I started to get my confidence up during the summer [when she reached the Toronto final], and then it all culminated on September 11th.

SS: I love being an Australian and am very proud of that. Being away from family and friends is not easy, but I feel incredibly fortunate to play the sport I love and make it my job. I love being fit and living a healthy lifestyle. In Australia we’re very lucky we can have a healthy outdoors lifestyle. I really enjoy going to the beach and having a nice coffee at a café, and I always enjoy a nice Japanese meal.

SS: When I was sick with Lyme disease, it made me realize how much I wanted to become as fit as possible and make sure I get the absolute most out of my ability. I love getting into the gym, and my trainer always creates programs that mix in various types of training which makes it fun and interesting. I sometimes do things like boxing, stair running, paddle boarding, as well as weights the ability to volley well, and with better and core stability exercises. The past couple movement I’ve been able to make of years I’ve been working on becoming improvements in this area. My backhand has more powerful and explosive. I’m now also improved a great deal in the last two starting to see the rewards for the past few years, so hopefully I can continue to get years of consistent hard work off the court. better in these areas and become a more

complete player. SS: I believe I can become No. 1 in the world, but so much has to happen between now and then that it’s not worth dwelling on too much. I’ve shown at my best I can compete with everybody in the world, but to become No. 1 will take an extremely consistent year. Next year has many challenges, and with the Olympics as well, there is so much to play for. To become the No. 1 player in the world, even for one day, would be a lifelong dream.

Paul Fein has received more than 30 writing awards and authored three books, Tennis SS: I feel I’m well-placed to have an exciting Confidential: Today’s Greatest Players, Matches, year in 2012. I’ve had a nice break and am and Controversies; You Can Quote Me on That:

SS: I don’t completely disagree with either training hard now in preparation for the Greatest Tennis Quips, Insights, and Zingers; and comment and am continually working with Aussie summer. I’m excited to play in Tennis Confidential II: More of Today’s Greatest my coach on my volleys and return of serves. Australia and would love to play some great Players, Matches, and Controversies. Fein is also a When my game is on, I can execute both tennis in Melbourne during the Australian USPTA-certified teaching pro and coach with a

Pro-1 rating, former director of the Springfield areas very well, but at times my volleys and Open. Next year will be exciting with a lot to (Mass.) Satellite Tournament, a former top 10-return have let me down. Over the last look forward to. I have learned so much ranked men’s open New England tournament couple of years I’ve become a much more about myself in 2011, and I can draw on player and No. 1-ranked Super Senior player in consistent player and the highs and lows in those experiences and hopefully continue to New England. my game have flattened out. I know I have push up the rankings.

PF: When I asked an Aussie tennis authority about you, she said, “Sam loves her family, her dog, football and would spend more time in Australia if she could.” Would you please tell me what and who you love most.

PF: You have one of the most sculpted and fit physiques on the women’s tour. Specifically, what do you do off the court to achieve that?

PF: Since there were four different Grand Slam singles champions in 2011, and there is no longer one dominant player and you have excelled on all surfaces, can you — will you — take over the top spot, No. 1, in 2012?

PF: Let’s talk technique. Two years ago Patrick Rafter wrote: “Although she has PF: Although you’ve won only three great success in doubles, it doesn’t mean tournaments in your career, you have she can volley…. She doesn’t have the many assets: a terrific serve, powerful skills to finish off the point and makes forehand, athleticism, superb fitness, too many errors.” Interestingly, in your experience, and the great confidence US Open semifinal victory over coming from being a Grand Slam Angelique Kerber you won 27 of 29 net champion. How do you predict you will approach points. This year Tennis fare in 2012, a year that has five Channel analyst Corina Morariu prestigious titles, including the commented: “One glaring weakness is Olympics? her backhand return of serve.” Do you agree with these analyses?

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Around this time last year Rafael achievements. The youngest man to Nadal was still regarded as Roger complete a career Slam, the longest to

Federer’s heir in the greatness stakes but serve apprentice as the world number over the past twelve months or so his two to one man, Nadal has cut enough position as his generation’s finest has notches to merit entry to the ‘greatest of been threatened unexpectedly by Novak all’ debate on his own steam.Djokovic – a man who must, by sport’s Which is why it is ironic that at the time increasingly absurd standards, be of writing this essay, he arrives in Paris regarded as something of a late bloomer. this time expecting more questions than

Nadal, six-time French Open champion answers. Having lost exactly one match and still a little short of 26, has been at Roland Garros since he made his debut around for so long that it feels like he was there in 2005, Nadal must be accorded a contemporary of Federer’s although the the respect due him and anointed latter is really over four years older, which favorite to nip a seventh in eight years. counts in these matters as a generation But these days the Spaniard must wake gap. So used have we grown to the up feeling cheated of his crown, one he notion of prodigies – first there was Bjorn held for barely two years. Had he Borg, then John McEnroe, and then the belonged to another generation – and forever underachieving Marat Safin – this is of course severely moot – he might that Nadal’s rise to fame as a teenager have clung to the throne for a decade.(on the back of a win in the decisive Since early 2004, only three men, match of a Davis Cup final against the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have held United States no less) didn’t seem as the top ranking: an astonishing state of much of an aberration. And then the affairs in these unstable times. Now, Spaniard kept winning: match after sandwiched between Djokovic – a player match, tournament after tournament. on a red hot streak that has carried on

Federer, his magnificent rival, is often long enough to qualify as dominant, if hailed as the greatest player of all time. not invincible – and Federer – tennis’ But how is it that if he was just another second-longest reigning monarch of all exquisitely gifted kid in a cohort full of time – Nadal no doubt feels the pressure high achievers, Nadal came to have a to remain relevant, all the while having to decisive edge in their match-ups? 18-10 buttress his claims to all-time greatness.in all matches across a variety of surfaces, Even as Federer slowly fades from our and 13-6 in finals, 8-2 in Grand Slam immediate consciousness and passed matches including 6-2 in finals is not into the role of the tour’s elder merely convincing; some would holds statesman, Nadal’s main rival for the title those truths to be self-evident. this year, Djokovic, has sounded his bugle

We have taken his mastery of clay for with a title in Australia. The then-two granted, and for so long that it is only time Serbian Slam winner truly hit his now, when he faces his first serious stride last year with victories over Nadal challenge in Djokovic, that we can in consecutive Master’s Series finals. He comprehend the scope of h i s attributed his astonishing success over

Rafael NadalThe Second Coming Vijay Parthasarathy

14 Advantage Tennis Grand Slam Yearbook 2012Photo: Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.


Around this time last year Rafael achievements. The youngest man to Nadal was still regarded as Roger complete a career Slam, the longest to

Federer’s heir in the greatness stakes but serve apprentice as the world number over the past twelve months or so his two to one man, Nadal has cut enough position as his generation’s finest has notches to merit entry to the ‘greatest of been threatened unexpectedly by Novak all’ debate on his own steam.Djokovic – a man who must, by sport’s Which is why it is ironic that at the time increasingly absurd standards, be of writing this essay, he arrives in Paris regarded as something of a late bloomer. this time expecting more questions than

Nadal, six-time French Open champion answers. Having lost exactly one match and still a little short of 26, has been at Roland Garros since he made his debut around for so long that it feels like he was there in 2005, Nadal must be accorded a contemporary of Federer’s although the the respect due him and anointed latter is really over four years older, which favorite to nip a seventh in eight years. counts in these matters as a generation But these days the Spaniard must wake gap. So used have we grown to the up feeling cheated of his crown, one he notion of prodigies – first there was Bjorn held for barely two years. Had he Borg, then John McEnroe, and then the belonged to another generation – and forever underachieving Marat Safin – this is of course severely moot – he might that Nadal’s rise to fame as a teenager have clung to the throne for a decade.(on the back of a win in the decisive Since early 2004, only three men, match of a Davis Cup final against the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have held United States no less) didn’t seem as the top ranking: an astonishing state of much of an aberration. And then the affairs in these unstable times. Now, Spaniard kept winning: match after sandwiched between Djokovic – a player match, tournament after tournament. on a red hot streak that has carried on

Federer, his magnificent rival, is often long enough to qualify as dominant, if hailed as the greatest player of all time. not invincible – and Federer – tennis’ But how is it that if he was just another second-longest reigning monarch of all exquisitely gifted kid in a cohort full of time – Nadal no doubt feels the pressure high achievers, Nadal came to have a to remain relevant, all the while having to decisive edge in their match-ups? 18-10 buttress his claims to all-time greatness.in all matches across a variety of surfaces, Even as Federer slowly fades from our and 13-6 in finals, 8-2 in Grand Slam immediate consciousness and passed matches including 6-2 in finals is not into the role of the tour’s elder merely convincing; some would holds statesman, Nadal’s main rival for the title those truths to be self-evident. this year, Djokovic, has sounded his bugle

We have taken his mastery of clay for with a title in Australia. The then-two granted, and for so long that it is only time Serbian Slam winner truly hit his now, when he faces his first serious stride last year with victories over Nadal challenge in Djokovic, that we can in consecutive Master’s Series finals. He comprehend the scope of h i s attributed his astonishing success over

Rafael NadalThe Second Coming Vijay Parthasarathy

14 Advantage Tennis Grand Slam Yearbook 2012Photo: Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

time Grand Slam winner Djokovic is experienced; he lost to Federer last year in a riveting semifinal that ultimately prevented him from collecting all four majors in the same year. Think about it: this is a feat that has now eluded three amazing players these past eight years by a rat’s whisker. It says something about the standards of contemporary men’s tennis that Andy Murray has not even entered this conversation.

In Nadal’s favor, the slow clay surface that regularly wears out the best will test Djokovic’s once-suspect fitness levels to the limit. Winning all those matches since late last year has given him enormous confidence but like all good things, the confidence must ebb eventually, just as Nadal finally lost in 2009 to the relatively unheralded Robin Soderling.

If Djokovic does go on to dethrone Nadal in Paris, we may witness another change of the guard. Nadal may derive consolation from knowing it is oddly fitting. Just as Nadal announced his arrival on the scene by defeating Roddick in the 2005 Davis Cup final, Djokovic proclaimed his resurgence by carrying Serbia to victory in the same competition in December 2010.

But it’s too early for Nadal to be thinking of his legacy. While Nadal has lost seven consecutive times to Djokovic at the time of writing, he has seemed incredibly assured against Federer. And on clay very few top players pose a threat to his muscling dominance even if he has stumbled occasionally against lesser players on other surfaces.

There is cause for concern but all is not lost. Nadal has much going for him; now it is merely a matter of peaking at the right time. Another win at Roland Garros and perhaps that 16-14 advantage he currently holds over Djokovic will start looking even healthier. A seventh title in Paris will also put him over Bjorn Borg there and on par with him in the all-time Slam stakes. As these things go, that’s not bad company to keep.

Nadal would however appreciate the chance to break away from the competition and reassert himself. It is hard to say if his knees will hold on for much longer; the old problems are rearing their head again and it hardly

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Extraordinary mental toughness


the rest of the season to an improved subsequently be emulated by Djokovic you compare Federer and Nadal at their diet; whatever the reason, in the grand in 2011 – and rounded off the career peak (which is all that matters), it scheme of things those performances Slam. Nadal is where Federer was a few appears Nadal’s bloody-mindedness were portents for the future. It must seasons ago: having done more than ultimately settles the issue. Nadal has cause Nadal considerable alarm that he enough to rank highly among the always been more threatening in has failed to exploit any gaps in the greatest of all-time, his standing as the Wimbledon finals against Federer than Serbian’s improved game. It would be an preeminent tennis player of his Federer ever was in French Open finals

generation is already against Nadal. He has overcome under threat. everything from banged-up knees to his

But he is not one to parents’ divorce. This is a man who sticks whine. Nadal’s game is to a singular purpose. If indeed Federer extraordinarily physical were the greatest, how is it that he is and takes a heavy toll on only second-best at the art of mental his body but his mental disintegration in his own era?toughness and his ability The healthy competition between to grind out victories Borg and McEnroe, full of mutual from behind in the big respect, may come closest to teaching us matches are legendary. something about how the Federer-

Given that he i s Nadal debate might turn out. McEnroe, naturally right-handed, it an old style serve-and-volleyer, relied on is astonishing to see how his skill and deftness of touch much in much he has improved the manner of Federer (whose volleying, his lefty serve in recent it must be noted, while exquisite is still times. Over the years his not as deft as McEnroe’s). And, like Borg, second serve especially, Nadal has triumphed over the limitations once an easy target even of a primarily baseline game to enjoy on his favorite clay significant success at Wimbledon while courts, has grown into holding a tight rein on Paris.s o m e t h i n g m o r e In his autobiography, Serious, cunning; he backs it up McEnroe writes that he gradually lost w i t h o u t s t a n d i n g some of his own motivation after Borg anticipation and great retired prematurely in 1982, having won reaction shots. The 11 Slams by the age of 25. It is hard to reluctance to approach estimate if Federer’s own dipping levels the net early on in his have impacted Nadal; there are so many career has been replaced factors and complications to that subject by a reassuring feel for that it deserves its own essay. Suffice to t h e v o l l e y . T h i s say it may just be that as is the confidence, first gained convention with these things, one on the increasingly champion has been overtaken by a s l o w e r c o u r t s o f younger, fitter horse. Djokovic at any W i m b l e d o n , h a s rate appears to have Nadal’s measure for translated onto other the moment.surfaces. Over the years, Nadal probably has enough in the tank N a d a l h a s e r a s e d to win a few more biggies: he still needs weaknesses one by one six Major trophies to overhaul Federer’s

understatement to say that Nadal has and willed himself to become an all- 16, and ambition is a potent drug for tried everything, including throwing in a court player, which distinguishes him champions. On the other hand, just as few moonballs, and yet, is finding the from the great Spanish clay-courters of he finally caught up with Federer, others situation tough. the past. are catching up with him.

If anything, he has every reason to feel As any serious tennis follower would As has proven the case these past aggrieved. He has had to work know, his long-term gameplan against couple of seasons, Djokovic has exceptionally hard to earn his position. Federer has proved remarkably transcended his previous incarnation He has overcome everything from successful: whip loopy forehands to and emerged as Nadal’s new nemesis. banged-up knees to his parents’ divorce. Federer’s backhand, force Federer to aim Once frail in body and spirit, today he Just two years ago he won three of the closer and closer to the tramlines. When stands among the tour’s fittest. As a five-four Majors – a performance that would

The youngest man to complete a career Slam, Nadal has cut enough notches to merit entry to the ‘greatest of all’ debate on his own steam.

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time Grand Slam winner Djokovic is experienced; he lost to Federer last year in a riveting semifinal that ultimately prevented him from collecting all four majors in the same year. Think about it: this is a feat that has now eluded three amazing players these past eight years by a rat’s whisker. It says something about the standards of contemporary men’s tennis that Andy Murray has not even entered this conversation.

In Nadal’s favor, the slow clay surface that regularly wears out the best will test Djokovic’s once-suspect fitness levels to the limit. Winning all those matches since late last year has given him enormous confidence but like all good things, the confidence must ebb eventually, just as Nadal finally lost in 2009 to the relatively unheralded Robin Soderling.

If Djokovic does go on to dethrone Nadal in Paris, we may witness another change of the guard. Nadal may derive consolation from knowing it is oddly fitting. Just as Nadal announced his arrival on the scene by defeating Roddick in the 2005 Davis Cup final, Djokovic proclaimed his resurgence by carrying Serbia to victory in the same competition in December 2010.

But it’s too early for Nadal to be thinking of his legacy. While Nadal has lost seven consecutive times to Djokovic at the time of writing, he has seemed incredibly assured against Federer. And on clay very few top players pose a threat to his muscling dominance even if he has stumbled occasionally against lesser players on other surfaces.

There is cause for concern but all is not lost. Nadal has much going for him; now it is merely a matter of peaking at the right time. Another win at Roland Garros and perhaps that 16-14 advantage he currently holds over Djokovic will start looking even healthier. A seventh title in Paris will also put him over Bjorn Borg there and on par with him in the all-time Slam stakes. As these things go, that’s not bad company to keep.

Nadal would however appreciate the chance to break away from the competition and reassert himself. It is hard to say if his knees will hold on for much longer; the old problems are rearing their head again and it hardly

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Extraordinary mental toughness


the rest of the season to an improved subsequently be emulated by Djokovic you compare Federer and Nadal at their diet; whatever the reason, in the grand in 2011 – and rounded off the career peak (which is all that matters), it scheme of things those performances Slam. Nadal is where Federer was a few appears Nadal’s bloody-mindedness were portents for the future. It must seasons ago: having done more than ultimately settles the issue. Nadal has cause Nadal considerable alarm that he enough to rank highly among the always been more threatening in has failed to exploit any gaps in the greatest of all-time, his standing as the Wimbledon finals against Federer than Serbian’s improved game. It would be an preeminent tennis player of his Federer ever was in French Open finals

generation is already against Nadal. He has overcome under threat. everything from banged-up knees to his

But he is not one to parents’ divorce. This is a man who sticks whine. Nadal’s game is to a singular purpose. If indeed Federer extraordinarily physical were the greatest, how is it that he is and takes a heavy toll on only second-best at the art of mental his body but his mental disintegration in his own era?toughness and his ability The healthy competition between to grind out victories Borg and McEnroe, full of mutual from behind in the big respect, may come closest to teaching us matches are legendary. something about how the Federer-

Given that he i s Nadal debate might turn out. McEnroe, naturally right-handed, it an old style serve-and-volleyer, relied on is astonishing to see how his skill and deftness of touch much in much he has improved the manner of Federer (whose volleying, his lefty serve in recent it must be noted, while exquisite is still times. Over the years his not as deft as McEnroe’s). And, like Borg, second serve especially, Nadal has triumphed over the limitations once an easy target even of a primarily baseline game to enjoy on his favorite clay significant success at Wimbledon while courts, has grown into holding a tight rein on Paris.s o m e t h i n g m o r e In his autobiography, Serious, cunning; he backs it up McEnroe writes that he gradually lost w i t h o u t s t a n d i n g some of his own motivation after Borg anticipation and great retired prematurely in 1982, having won reaction shots. The 11 Slams by the age of 25. It is hard to reluctance to approach estimate if Federer’s own dipping levels the net early on in his have impacted Nadal; there are so many career has been replaced factors and complications to that subject by a reassuring feel for that it deserves its own essay. Suffice to t h e v o l l e y . T h i s say it may just be that as is the confidence, first gained convention with these things, one on the increasingly champion has been overtaken by a s l o w e r c o u r t s o f younger, fitter horse. Djokovic at any W i m b l e d o n , h a s rate appears to have Nadal’s measure for translated onto other the moment.surfaces. Over the years, Nadal probably has enough in the tank N a d a l h a s e r a s e d to win a few more biggies: he still needs weaknesses one by one six Major trophies to overhaul Federer’s

understatement to say that Nadal has and willed himself to become an all- 16, and ambition is a potent drug for tried everything, including throwing in a court player, which distinguishes him champions. On the other hand, just as few moonballs, and yet, is finding the from the great Spanish clay-courters of he finally caught up with Federer, others situation tough. the past. are catching up with him.

If anything, he has every reason to feel As any serious tennis follower would As has proven the case these past aggrieved. He has had to work know, his long-term gameplan against couple of seasons, Djokovic has exceptionally hard to earn his position. Federer has proved remarkably transcended his previous incarnation He has overcome everything from successful: whip loopy forehands to and emerged as Nadal’s new nemesis. banged-up knees to his parents’ divorce. Federer’s backhand, force Federer to aim Once frail in body and spirit, today he Just two years ago he won three of the closer and closer to the tramlines. When stands among the tour’s fittest. As a five-four Majors – a performance that would

The youngest man to complete a career Slam, Nadal has cut enough notches to merit entry to the ‘greatest of all’ debate on his own steam.

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seems likely, given Nadal’s attrition rate, that his career should enjoy the longevity that marked those of Andre Agassi or McEnroe. A proposal he made – that the tour ought to switch to a two-year ranking points system, with a view to reducing stress on top players and keeping them fitter over longer periods – was met with cynicism and the criticism that it would keep younger talent from rising up the ranks swiftly.

Sport is one of those modern absurdities that ages people before their time. Given their ginger physical condit ion top athletes must sometimes wake up feeling sore as a sixty-year-old. But who knows: another title in Paris and we might see the resurgence, the second coming, of arguably the greatest tennis-playing lefthander of any period. And what a welcome sight that would be, for if there is anyone who deserves the luxury of an Indian summer, it is this man. <

With the 2011 French Open trophy

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seems likely, given Nadal’s attrition rate, that his career should enjoy the longevity that marked those of Andre Agassi or McEnroe. A proposal he made – that the tour ought to switch to a two-year ranking points system, with a view to reducing stress on top players and keeping them fitter over longer periods – was met with cynicism and the criticism that it would keep younger talent from rising up the ranks swiftly.

Sport is one of those modern absurdities that ages people before their time. Given their ginger physical condit ion top athletes must sometimes wake up feeling sore as a sixty-year-old. But who knows: another title in Paris and we might see the resurgence, the second coming, of arguably the greatest tennis-playing lefthander of any period. And what a welcome sight that would be, for if there is anyone who deserves the luxury of an Indian summer, it is this man. <

With the 2011 French Open trophy

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TemperTantrums

John McEnroe

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Smriti Sinha


ome 25 seconds are left for the offence. Some months later, despite a reluctant finger, pulls his hand down Sthird quarter to end in a close NBA broken nose and concussion, the NBA slightly but raises it again to indicate game between the Jazz and Mavericks slapped a $40,000 fine on Kobe Suresh Raina has been caught by when promising youngster Derrick Bryant for not fulfilling his media forward short-leg fielder Adrian Favors hits the basketball in the commitments. It left the Lakers star Barath. For shaking his head stands. Right at the start of the wryly remarking: “I guess you are not disapprovingly, letting out a scream shortened 2012 season, not only did allowed to be sick.” looking skywards and swinging his his team, Utah, lose the game with an Move back in time, and across bat while walking off the crease, agonisingly close 94-91 margin, continents. Cricket. Bridgetown. Raina is fined 25% of his match fee Favors left Dallas with $25,000 less in India vs West Indies second Test. for “showing dissent.”his bank account because of the ball Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf raises a In another sport played with a ball,


TemperTantrums

John McEnroe

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Smriti Sinha


ome 25 seconds are left for the offence. Some months later, despite a reluctant finger, pulls his hand down Sthird quarter to end in a close NBA broken nose and concussion, the NBA slightly but raises it again to indicate game between the Jazz and Mavericks slapped a $40,000 fine on Kobe Suresh Raina has been caught by when promising youngster Derrick Bryant for not fulfilling his media forward short-leg fielder Adrian Favors hits the basketball in the commitments. It left the Lakers star Barath. For shaking his head stands. Right at the start of the wryly remarking: “I guess you are not disapprovingly, letting out a scream shortened 2012 season, not only did allowed to be sick.” looking skywards and swinging his his team, Utah, lose the game with an Move back in time, and across bat while walking off the crease, agonisingly close 94-91 margin, continents. Cricket. Bridgetown. Raina is fined 25% of his match fee Favors left Dallas with $25,000 less in India vs West Indies second Test. for “showing dissent.”his bank account because of the ball Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf raises a In another sport played with a ball,



however, throwing it out of the apology, it was reported that the ATP However, no big name in men’s stadium is standard practice, one that kept Llodra away from all English- tennis has had officials taking out the will only invoke a warning. And if you language media at the tournament. rulebook as many times as Serena are too unlucky, you may get a point Everything right from audible Williams in recent years. In fact, in the penalty, one point and nothing more obscenities to racquet abuse to last six years at grand slam events, for throwing equipment around. Yes, unsportsmanlike behavior in tennis Serena’s fine – $104,500 – is more we are talking tennis. seems to be worth only players’ than double of what the other top

And somewhere, Derrick Favors change money. One can get away with n ine women of fenders have would be wondering why he didn’t arguing with referees, verbal abuse, accumulated in this period. pick up the racquet instead of aiming hurling balls at the chair, even The buzz in women’s game whether for the hoop. comparing them to Saddam Hussein. one likes it or not, comes from the

March 2012. Indian Wells. First Consider this: At the 2006 Williams. Irrespective of the fact that round. One of the most famous non- Wimbledon Championships, while 2011 gave women’s tennis first-time Grand Slam tournaments. Michael losing a fourth round match, Dmitry grand slam champions, the average Llodra is playing Ernests Gulbis. The Tursunov slammed a ball in the sports fan will not switch on his TV or Frenchman hears some continuous direction of the umpire’s chair, who set an alarm to watch Li Na or Petra harmless cheering from the stands. was convinced that the Russian tried Kvitova – and even fewer would “Go Ernie,” a woman is shouting. to hit him. He also called Fergus know that she has a Wimbledon title Llodra is inexplicably furious. He Murphy, the chair, “an idiot” and to her name.stares at the fan and calls her a compared him to Saddam Hussein: What the Williams sisters, Venus “putain chinoise.” It takes some time “Just because he’s been doing it for and Serena have done – with 48 for the woman, who is there with her many years doesn’t mean he’s doing a majors between them – is great for the husband and brother, to grasp that it good job. Saddam Hussein has been sport’s popularity, for the fans and for means a Chinese whore in French. in Iraq for a while, but not too many filling stadiums across the world. But Llodra went on to direct more anger people agree with his point of view.” what happened at the 2011 US Open at her and called her Chinese again For this lesson in contemporary final makes one wonder if that should along with some other profanities. politics, the International Tennis exempt them from following basic

The Korean-American mother from Federation asked him to part with codes of conduct and allow them to California was understandably hurt $5,000. That’s i t . Shel l out bully opponents and umpires alike.because of the way an identity was approximately the amount of money At her home Slam in September, forced on to her because of her looks, that you would have earned even if Serena took to the court in her and despite the tournament director’s you were playing the qualifying draw marquee match of the season after promise of a personal apology from of Wimbledon, and you could even missing almost a year on the tour with Llodra, he never called. get away by calling officials anything a bizarre foot injury followed by a

The charges were proved against the you fancy. l i f e - threa ten ing i l lne s s . Her 31-year-old, and the woman was told And it is not that only the fringe opponent, Australian Samantha he has been given an official players in the sport, who have Stosur with more of a reputation for reprimand but it was not sufficient for comparatively less LIVE cameras playing good doubles was hardly the invoking a sincere response from following their every move, get away favourite to win her first major at the Llodra even later. “My words were not with objectionable behavior without US Open final. And playing her on a aimed at China. I love Chinese. I can the disparity between their offence comeback trail, Serena Williams had totally make love to a Chinese girl…” and its fine coming into public glare. promised to win the title for he told a Chinese journalist before the The Federers and the Djokovics have Americans on a day as somber as the ATP supervisor cut him off. all done enough to invoke penalties tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Only recently, Liverpool footballer from the ITF at majors but the However, it didn’t seem that that Luis Suarez was handed an eight- governing body has made sure they spirit stayed with her throughout the match ban after he was found guilty were as minimal as would be required match. of making racist comments against to avoid them from snowballing into Facing break point on her serve in Patrice Evra. Alas, tennis fans will not a controversy. World number one the first game of the second set, Serena be able to cite such an equivalent as Serbian Novak Djokovic has had to hit an inside-out forehand and the ATP decided to pat Llodra’s back loosen up his wallet at four grand immediately shouted ‘Come on.’ At for his racist slur with a paltry $2,500 slams in 2010-2011. However, that point the ball was still alive on instead of setting an example with a astonishingly, those four instances Stosur’s court and she even managed tough punishment. As if avoiding bad which included everything from ball to get her hand to it. Greek chair publicity for its players is more abuse, racquet abuse and court-side umpire Eva Asderaki gave the point important than making sure at least coaching were together worth only against Serena, according to the the demeaned spectator receives an $4,000. ‘intentional hindrance’ rule because

she had screamed before the point week’s wages recently but the USTA a hater and a loser? The inconsistency was legally over but she did not look found the tirade’s worth only 45 of the fines then is worse than the like she was in a mood to comprehend seconds of their poster girl’s court nominal penalties itself. Here is a cue: what just happened. time who made $1.4 million from the David Nalbandian was fined $8,000

“Aren’t you the one who screwed US Open. at the 2012 Australian Open for me last time over here? … Yeah you Interestingly, in this tournament allegedly throwing water at a dope-are. You have it out for me?” she said Serena was still on a control official. Here’s the catch – he to the chair. denied doing it, called it an injustice

The fact that Serena obviously made and is appealing the sanction. an error in recognising that the This is probably where the tennis umpire who booked her in her last US ply organisers need to step in and decide Open final was someone else can be because she was incensed at a foot- whether fairness to everyone overlooked but how can one fail to fault call. The 2009 US Open is associated with the sport is more notice that she perhaps takes to the probably less remembered for Belgian important than encouraging a star court with an attitude that anyone Kim Clijsters glorious comeback and player ’s tantrums. Should a who dares displease her will warrant a m o r e f o r mouthful – umpires included. Serena’s “I’m

Her unsportsmanlike behaviour did f***ing going to not end there. A bit unsettled by what take this f***ing was going on, Stosur lost the ball and shove it following service game and this was d o w n y o u r Serena’s cue to show her bullying f***ing throat, nature again. With her racquet acting you hear that? I l ike an extended finger, she swear to God,” threateningly directed it at the chair. r a n t a t a And unaware that courts ide lineswoman. microphones were broadcasting her Red cards and personal tirade at the chair to the m a t c h b a n s whole world, she continued in the serve a function changeover: “If we ever walk down in football – of the same hallway, you look the other reminding the way because you are totally out of player that they control, that’s what you are ... totally are not above out of control you are a hater you the sport or its are so unattractive inside uch a o f f i c i a l s . I n loser we were in America last time I cricket, there is checked. Don’t look my way I said no s cope o f don’t look my way.” discussion with

Serena may be the winner of 13 the umpire leave grand slams singles titles but with her apart swearing on-court behaviour, she made sure at them. But that even in her straight sets loss, she despite a hefty took the limelight away from first- fine, even such

passionate fan receive an apology for time major winner Stosur. What the an extreme offence did not incur any a racist remark or should a Llodra United States Tennis Association did ban on Serena. In fact, when was the hop from Indian Wells to Miami by penalising her $2000 for the last time after John McEnroe’s era without acknowledging his mistake?berating monologue was much worse, that anyone remembers any ban in

Despite getting numerous chances as if they are trying to set an example tennis? She is perhaps citing the to apologise in the post-match that talking like that to an umpire is McEnroes and the Andre Agassis conference after her loss to Stosur, all right. Or as Chris Evert, fellow when she tries to justify her action Serena dodged each time with American with five more grand slams with a: “people have said much answers defying normal logic, only than Williams and far more worse” statement.saying: “I guess I’ll look it up on exemplary behaviour, said: “it’s (just) And it is incidents like these that irk YouTube (later).” And you will too if dinner for Serena.” a follower of the game. Tursunov gets you haven’t already but it seems the For a disciplinary issue within the $5,000 for an oblique reference to governing bodies are looking in the club, Manchester City fined their Saddam Hussein and Serena gets other direction.striker Mario Balotelli his entire $2,000 for directly calling the umpire

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two-year probation period at majors due to a major offence in her last appearance at Flushing Meadows when she had verbally abused a lineswoman sim

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Serena Williams


however, throwing it out of the apology, it was reported that the ATP However, no big name in men’s stadium is standard practice, one that kept Llodra away from all English- tennis has had officials taking out the will only invoke a warning. And if you language media at the tournament. rulebook as many times as Serena are too unlucky, you may get a point Everything right from audible Williams in recent years. In fact, in the penalty, one point and nothing more obscenities to racquet abuse to last six years at grand slam events, for throwing equipment around. Yes, unsportsmanlike behavior in tennis Serena’s fine – $104,500 – is more we are talking tennis. seems to be worth only players’ than double of what the other top

And somewhere, Derrick Favors change money. One can get away with n ine women of fenders have would be wondering why he didn’t arguing with referees, verbal abuse, accumulated in this period. pick up the racquet instead of aiming hurling balls at the chair, even The buzz in women’s game whether for the hoop. comparing them to Saddam Hussein. one likes it or not, comes from the

March 2012. Indian Wells. First Consider this: At the 2006 Williams. Irrespective of the fact that round. One of the most famous non- Wimbledon Championships, while 2011 gave women’s tennis first-time Grand Slam tournaments. Michael losing a fourth round match, Dmitry grand slam champions, the average Llodra is playing Ernests Gulbis. The Tursunov slammed a ball in the sports fan will not switch on his TV or Frenchman hears some continuous direction of the umpire’s chair, who set an alarm to watch Li Na or Petra harmless cheering from the stands. was convinced that the Russian tried Kvitova – and even fewer would “Go Ernie,” a woman is shouting. to hit him. He also called Fergus know that she has a Wimbledon title Llodra is inexplicably furious. He Murphy, the chair, “an idiot” and to her name.stares at the fan and calls her a compared him to Saddam Hussein: What the Williams sisters, Venus “putain chinoise.” It takes some time “Just because he’s been doing it for and Serena have done – with 48 for the woman, who is there with her many years doesn’t mean he’s doing a majors between them – is great for the husband and brother, to grasp that it good job. Saddam Hussein has been sport’s popularity, for the fans and for means a Chinese whore in French. in Iraq for a while, but not too many filling stadiums across the world. But Llodra went on to direct more anger people agree with his point of view.” what happened at the 2011 US Open at her and called her Chinese again For this lesson in contemporary final makes one wonder if that should along with some other profanities. politics, the International Tennis exempt them from following basic

The Korean-American mother from Federation asked him to part with codes of conduct and allow them to California was understandably hurt $5,000. That’s i t . Shel l out bully opponents and umpires alike.because of the way an identity was approximately the amount of money At her home Slam in September, forced on to her because of her looks, that you would have earned even if Serena took to the court in her and despite the tournament director’s you were playing the qualifying draw marquee match of the season after promise of a personal apology from of Wimbledon, and you could even missing almost a year on the tour with Llodra, he never called. get away by calling officials anything a bizarre foot injury followed by a

The charges were proved against the you fancy. l i f e - threa ten ing i l lne s s . Her 31-year-old, and the woman was told And it is not that only the fringe opponent, Australian Samantha he has been given an official players in the sport, who have Stosur with more of a reputation for reprimand but it was not sufficient for comparatively less LIVE cameras playing good doubles was hardly the invoking a sincere response from following their every move, get away favourite to win her first major at the Llodra even later. “My words were not with objectionable behavior without US Open final. And playing her on a aimed at China. I love Chinese. I can the disparity between their offence comeback trail, Serena Williams had totally make love to a Chinese girl…” and its fine coming into public glare. promised to win the title for he told a Chinese journalist before the The Federers and the Djokovics have Americans on a day as somber as the ATP supervisor cut him off. all done enough to invoke penalties tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Only recently, Liverpool footballer from the ITF at majors but the However, it didn’t seem that that Luis Suarez was handed an eight- governing body has made sure they spirit stayed with her throughout the match ban after he was found guilty were as minimal as would be required match. of making racist comments against to avoid them from snowballing into Facing break point on her serve in Patrice Evra. Alas, tennis fans will not a controversy. World number one the first game of the second set, Serena be able to cite such an equivalent as Serbian Novak Djokovic has had to hit an inside-out forehand and the ATP decided to pat Llodra’s back loosen up his wallet at four grand immediately shouted ‘Come on.’ At for his racist slur with a paltry $2,500 slams in 2010-2011. However, that point the ball was still alive on instead of setting an example with a astonishingly, those four instances Stosur’s court and she even managed tough punishment. As if avoiding bad which included everything from ball to get her hand to it. Greek chair publicity for its players is more abuse, racquet abuse and court-side umpire Eva Asderaki gave the point important than making sure at least coaching were together worth only against Serena, according to the the demeaned spectator receives an $4,000. ‘intentional hindrance’ rule because

she had screamed before the point week’s wages recently but the USTA a hater and a loser? The inconsistency was legally over but she did not look found the tirade’s worth only 45 of the fines then is worse than the like she was in a mood to comprehend seconds of their poster girl’s court nominal penalties itself. Here is a cue: what just happened. time who made $1.4 million from the David Nalbandian was fined $8,000

“Aren’t you the one who screwed US Open. at the 2012 Australian Open for me last time over here? … Yeah you Interestingly, in this tournament allegedly throwing water at a dope-are. You have it out for me?” she said Serena was still on a control official. Here’s the catch – he to the chair. denied doing it, called it an injustice

The fact that Serena obviously made and is appealing the sanction. an error in recognising that the This is probably where the tennis umpire who booked her in her last US ply organisers need to step in and decide Open final was someone else can be because she was incensed at a foot- whether fairness to everyone overlooked but how can one fail to fault call. The 2009 US Open is associated with the sport is more notice that she perhaps takes to the probably less remembered for Belgian important than encouraging a star court with an attitude that anyone Kim Clijsters glorious comeback and player ’s tantrums. Should a who dares displease her will warrant a m o r e f o r mouthful – umpires included. Serena’s “I’m

Her unsportsmanlike behaviour did f***ing going to not end there. A bit unsettled by what take this f***ing was going on, Stosur lost the ball and shove it following service game and this was d o w n y o u r Serena’s cue to show her bullying f***ing throat, nature again. With her racquet acting you hear that? I l ike an extended finger, she swear to God,” threateningly directed it at the chair. r a n t a t a And unaware that courts ide lineswoman. microphones were broadcasting her Red cards and personal tirade at the chair to the m a t c h b a n s whole world, she continued in the serve a function changeover: “If we ever walk down in football – of the same hallway, you look the other reminding the way because you are totally out of player that they control, that’s what you are ... totally are not above out of control you are a hater you the sport or its are so unattractive inside uch a o f f i c i a l s . I n loser we were in America last time I cricket, there is checked. Don’t look my way I said no s cope o f don’t look my way.” discussion with

Serena may be the winner of 13 the umpire leave grand slams singles titles but with her apart swearing on-court behaviour, she made sure at them. But that even in her straight sets loss, she despite a hefty took the limelight away from first- fine, even such

passionate fan receive an apology for time major winner Stosur. What the an extreme offence did not incur any a racist remark or should a Llodra United States Tennis Association did ban on Serena. In fact, when was the hop from Indian Wells to Miami by penalising her $2000 for the last time after John McEnroe’s era without acknowledging his mistake?berating monologue was much worse, that anyone remembers any ban in

Despite getting numerous chances as if they are trying to set an example tennis? She is perhaps citing the to apologise in the post-match that talking like that to an umpire is McEnroes and the Andre Agassis conference after her loss to Stosur, all right. Or as Chris Evert, fellow when she tries to justify her action Serena dodged each time with American with five more grand slams with a: “people have said much answers defying normal logic, only than Williams and far more worse” statement.saying: “I guess I’ll look it up on exemplary behaviour, said: “it’s (just) And it is incidents like these that irk YouTube (later).” And you will too if dinner for Serena.” a follower of the game. Tursunov gets you haven’t already but it seems the For a disciplinary issue within the $5,000 for an oblique reference to governing bodies are looking in the club, Manchester City fined their Saddam Hussein and Serena gets other direction.striker Mario Balotelli his entire $2,000 for directly calling the umpire

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two-year probation period at majors due to a major offence in her last appearance at Flushing Meadows when she had verbally abused a lineswoman sim

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Tennis Tournament SuccessThe Secrets to Match Practice

Petra KvitováPat Cash: Wimbledon champion 1987


o you want to know the the world. Keep this in mind when their work and produce better results. Dguaranteed fastest way to looking for a tennis coach or The same principle applies to tennis. improve your tournament success? academy. If your coach or academy is So pick up the phone or go to your

Practice matches! It’s the simple not organising practice matches at club and find someone to play as soon truth. Hone your skills through least a few times a week you need to as possible.serious practice matches and you will take matters in to your own hands “Ok we get it Pat, practice matches see improved tournament success. and find someone to play against. It’s are important” I hear you say, but not Don’t expect to win a Grand Slam by also a sign that you may need to find a all practice matches are the same. only playing a few relaxed practice better coach or academy. Smacking the ball around while you games here and there though. The key Now, if you’re thinking to yourself have a chat between games does not to achieving real success lies in your “Damn I haven’t been playing get the same results as playing a ability to have consistent match practice matches consistently, I’m in serious practice match while practice with the right mindset. trouble for my next tournament!” concentrating on your game plan. All

“I attribute much of my success, don’t worry. Practice matches become practice matches are not created especially during my early years even more important the closer you equal! If you are not taking the leading up to my junior Wimbledon get to a tournament. So, if you have practice match seriously you might as win, to the amount of practice one week before your event, get out well be hitting against the wall. matches I played” there and play at least 2 - 3 times. Use The more authentic and realistic you

Playing practice matches may seem your limited time to your advantage. can make the practice match the better. obvious but it is often neglected – Researchers have found that time Concentration, playing under pressure, especially at tennis academies around constraints helps people focus on thinking time between points, and

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working to execute a game plan is Get someone important to you to that you need to take it seriously in what it’s all about. If you cannot do watch. Your parents, girlfriend/ order for it to be effective. Now you this during a practice match, I promise boyfriend, coach or friend. As long as need to go out there and find someone you won’t be able to do it consistently it’s someone you respect, admire or to play against. This should be an easy in a real tournament match. want to impress. Having someone step but for some reason many tennis

“But Pat, it’s hard to take practice important there will make you up players (especially juniors) find matches seriously when nothing is on your game. You don’t want to waste excuses to get out of it.the line.” I know it is, so here are a few their time right? “I can’t find anyone to play with”, tips and tricks to help you simulate a These are just a few ideas. If they “everyone is busy or away” or “I get real tournament match: don’t work for you, find something enough match practice during

Place a bet with your partner. The that does. Get creative if you have to. tournaments” are some of the type of bet is not important – as long The important thing is to get as close common excuses I have heard. 99% as something is on the line you will to real tournament play as possible. of the time, unless you are injured, trick yourself into taking it more Like I said earlier, practice matches there is no excuse for not getting out seriously. Use psychology to your become more important the closer on the court to play a competitive advantage. you get to the event. Make sure you practice match between tournaments.

Play someone you don’t like. This get a minimum of 3 sessions in before Now I don’t want to sound like an will make sure the practice match is you play your tennis tournament. old man but when I was a junior I tense and full of pressure. It will also Ok so you understand that match would try and play at least 2 practice force you to fight hard. “No way I’m practice is important to your matches a day. I would get up at 5 am loosing to that guy!” tournament success and you realise in the morning to play once before

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Roger Federer

Tennis Tournament SuccessThe Secrets to Match Practice

Petra KvitováPat Cash: Wimbledon champion 1987


o you want to know the the world. Keep this in mind when their work and produce better results. Dguaranteed fastest way to looking for a tennis coach or The same principle applies to tennis. improve your tournament success? academy. If your coach or academy is So pick up the phone or go to your

Practice matches! It’s the simple not organising practice matches at club and find someone to play as soon truth. Hone your skills through least a few times a week you need to as possible.serious practice matches and you will take matters in to your own hands “Ok we get it Pat, practice matches see improved tournament success. and find someone to play against. It’s are important” I hear you say, but not Don’t expect to win a Grand Slam by also a sign that you may need to find a all practice matches are the same. only playing a few relaxed practice better coach or academy. Smacking the ball around while you games here and there though. The key Now, if you’re thinking to yourself have a chat between games does not to achieving real success lies in your “Damn I haven’t been playing get the same results as playing a ability to have consistent match practice matches consistently, I’m in serious practice match while practice with the right mindset. trouble for my next tournament!” concentrating on your game plan. All

“I attribute much of my success, don’t worry. Practice matches become practice matches are not created especially during my early years even more important the closer you equal! If you are not taking the leading up to my junior Wimbledon get to a tournament. So, if you have practice match seriously you might as win, to the amount of practice one week before your event, get out well be hitting against the wall. matches I played” there and play at least 2 - 3 times. Use The more authentic and realistic you

Playing practice matches may seem your limited time to your advantage. can make the practice match the better. obvious but it is often neglected – Researchers have found that time Concentration, playing under pressure, especially at tennis academies around constraints helps people focus on thinking time between points, and

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working to execute a game plan is Get someone important to you to that you need to take it seriously in what it’s all about. If you cannot do watch. Your parents, girlfriend/ order for it to be effective. Now you this during a practice match, I promise boyfriend, coach or friend. As long as need to go out there and find someone you won’t be able to do it consistently it’s someone you respect, admire or to play against. This should be an easy in a real tournament match. want to impress. Having someone step but for some reason many tennis

“But Pat, it’s hard to take practice important there will make you up players (especially juniors) find matches seriously when nothing is on your game. You don’t want to waste excuses to get out of it.the line.” I know it is, so here are a few their time right? “I can’t find anyone to play with”, tips and tricks to help you simulate a These are just a few ideas. If they “everyone is busy or away” or “I get real tournament match: don’t work for you, find something enough match practice during

Place a bet with your partner. The that does. Get creative if you have to. tournaments” are some of the type of bet is not important – as long The important thing is to get as close common excuses I have heard. 99% as something is on the line you will to real tournament play as possible. of the time, unless you are injured, trick yourself into taking it more Like I said earlier, practice matches there is no excuse for not getting out seriously. Use psychology to your become more important the closer on the court to play a competitive advantage. you get to the event. Make sure you practice match between tournaments.

Play someone you don’t like. This get a minimum of 3 sessions in before Now I don’t want to sound like an will make sure the practice match is you play your tennis tournament. old man but when I was a junior I tense and full of pressure. It will also Ok so you understand that match would try and play at least 2 practice force you to fight hard. “No way I’m practice is important to your matches a day. I would get up at 5 am loosing to that guy!” tournament success and you realise in the morning to play once before

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Roger Federer


o begin this article I would like to have been training here since I was 12 What can we consider footwork?Temphasize that I consider myself with my current coach, Antonio The footwork are the movement that like a player who put special attention Martínez Cascales and, from the y our body and feet have to make in on the footwork as the rest of my opening, this Academy has been order to hit the ball in the best partners in the Spanish team. focused in producing the future tennis position possible and in the best Technical, fitness movement and the stars. For sure you know a lot of them technical position possible.psychological aspects are not only the like Nicolás Almagro, Guillermo Position and movement of your feet main part of this sport but the full García-López, David Ferrer, Maria during the hit will affect all your body. combination of all of them. Sharapova, Justine Henin, etc. All of A good footwork uses to mean a

This is something quite good them have been following the Spanish stable position to hit the ball in the considered in the place I train since I method, the one which is giving us so best place. Players who are not focus was a child and which is, since 2003, many victories and which makes the on this part of the game, with a bad using my name: the Juan Carlos players formed in Spain to be in the position during the stroke will not Ferrero – Equelite Sport Academy. I top of the ATP ranking. have a comfortable position and,

The Importance of Footwork in Tennis

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Juan Carlos Ferrero

school and once after. It was my only 2. Get your coach to real form of practice for years. If I organise practice matches hadn’t organised to hit with someone for you. As far as I’m before hand, I would go the club and concerned, this is part of ask everyone there is they wanted to your academy or coaches play. If no one did, I took the buss or job and should not be a my coach would take me to a different problem. club where I would challenge 3. If all else fails, go to complete strangers. That is how I got different clubs and ask good at tennis. That is the dedication strangers if they want to you need to become a champion play or know someone whether it’s tennis, cricket or football. who does. All great players have that motivation If you listen to the advice in and drive to get better. this article your tennis game

Now I’m not saying you need to get will improve through the roof up at 5 am before school to go as you consistently get the practice. The point is that you need to right type of match practice. dig deep and force yourself to find as So what are you waiting for? many people to play against as Get out there and get better!possible. If you don't know how or Do you play enough find it difficult here are 3 things you practice matches before a can try: tournament? Do you find it 1. Use your tennis network. Call hard to focus during practice

everyone you know and tell them matches? Let me know on: you need to practice. If they can’t play with you, ask if they know someone else, get their number and call them.

facebook.com/[email protected]/PatCash<


Victoria Azarenka

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Visit the official Pat Cash website to learn:

The secrets to more power and accuracy

What your tennis coach doesn’t want you to knowHow to prevent injuryProven 3-step process to getting in to the zoneHow to deal with pressureProfessional technique and analysis

How to outsmart a stronger opponent

You’ll learn the secrets of the pro’s and more for free!

Visit www.patcash.co.uk and supercharge your tennis today!


o begin this article I would like to have been training here since I was 12 What can we consider footwork?Temphasize that I consider myself with my current coach, Antonio The footwork are the movement that like a player who put special attention Martínez Cascales and, from the y our body and feet have to make in on the footwork as the rest of my opening, this Academy has been order to hit the ball in the best partners in the Spanish team. focused in producing the future tennis position possible and in the best Technical, fitness movement and the stars. For sure you know a lot of them technical position possible.psychological aspects are not only the like Nicolás Almagro, Guillermo Position and movement of your feet main part of this sport but the full García-López, David Ferrer, Maria during the hit will affect all your body. combination of all of them. Sharapova, Justine Henin, etc. All of A good footwork uses to mean a

This is something quite good them have been following the Spanish stable position to hit the ball in the considered in the place I train since I method, the one which is giving us so best place. Players who are not focus was a child and which is, since 2003, many victories and which makes the on this part of the game, with a bad using my name: the Juan Carlos players formed in Spain to be in the position during the stroke will not Ferrero – Equelite Sport Academy. I top of the ATP ranking. have a comfortable position and,

The Importance of Footwork in Tennis

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Juan Carlos Ferrero

school and once after. It was my only 2. Get your coach to real form of practice for years. If I organise practice matches hadn’t organised to hit with someone for you. As far as I’m before hand, I would go the club and concerned, this is part of ask everyone there is they wanted to your academy or coaches play. If no one did, I took the buss or job and should not be a my coach would take me to a different problem. club where I would challenge 3. If all else fails, go to complete strangers. That is how I got different clubs and ask good at tennis. That is the dedication strangers if they want to you need to become a champion play or know someone whether it’s tennis, cricket or football. who does. All great players have that motivation If you listen to the advice in and drive to get better. this article your tennis game

Now I’m not saying you need to get will improve through the roof up at 5 am before school to go as you consistently get the practice. The point is that you need to right type of match practice. dig deep and force yourself to find as So what are you waiting for? many people to play against as Get out there and get better!possible. If you don't know how or Do you play enough find it difficult here are 3 things you practice matches before a can try: tournament? Do you find it 1. Use your tennis network. Call hard to focus during practice

everyone you know and tell them matches? Let me know on: you need to practice. If they can’t play with you, ask if they know someone else, get their number and call them.

facebook.com/[email protected]/PatCash<


Victoria Azarenka

Pho

to: S

usan

Mul

lane

/Cam

eraw

ork

US

A, I

nc.

Visit the official Pat Cash website to learn:

The secrets to more power and accuracy

What your tennis coach doesn’t want you to knowHow to prevent injuryProven 3-step process to getting in to the zoneHow to deal with pressureProfessional technique and analysis

How to outsmart a stronger opponent

You’ll learn the secrets of the pro’s and more for free!

Visit www.patcash.co.uk and supercharge your tennis today!


because of this, the stroke can be not as good as it is hoped. In addition, this footwork is not only based on long displacements but in a good adjustment in the final steps, doing them shortly and faster than the other. As in the brain, a part of it is in charge of the big movements and other part of doing them as perfect as possible.

A good footwork, with a good performance, is an important key for the game. It makes us reach the ball before, hitting it better and coming back to the first position earlier. This is translated into a faster reaction for the next stroke of our opponent. These are some of the reasons that not only me but the rest of the Spanish players and the ones training day by day at my Academy in Spain decide to focus a lot of hours of training per day –in our case at Equelite around 7- in good footwork accompanied per the rest of the technical improvements, fitness seasons and care of our psychologist.

For good footwork, with no doubt, it is so important to have a good performance which will help you to keep the same tennis level during the whole match and not only during the first games. When you start to be tired, you can see a lot of players who can move badly, with not a good accuracy and who will not come back quickly to the first position to get ready for the next hit of the other player.

Different kinds of footworkLike it is normal, you cannot move in the same way when you are running forward to get a drop shot, forehand, stroke to the angle of the serve, coming back to the first position, etc. Because of this, these are some of the rules I use to use in my game:

When you have to run to hit a forehand or backhand, the movement to go to the ball consists in running to the ball, adjust your steps on the last meters and shorten the length of the movements. After this, you will have to come back to the first position with lateral steps.When we have to hit a ball far of the body, running forward to get a drop shot or for getting angled balls in the service box: the beginning uses to be from the first position in the base line, in a split-step, we have to turn the body to the address of the ball and we will go to the ball starting with the foot which is nearer to the ball running with long steps and quickly. Once we are close to the ball, in order to make the best adjustments, we will use short steps to measure better the distance to the ball and make the best hit possible even in the hardest situations.

As I have been saying before, it is not only important to make the best placement to hit the ball but also having the best performance to come back to the initial position in order to wait for the next ball. Because of this, we can use two of the most useful recuperation movements:

With crossed steps. We can do just one when we are close to the initial position or even more if it is further. At the moment we are close to the middle of the court,

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it will be time to move laterally and finish the movement with a split-step before running to the next ball. In addition, we have to start the recuperation with the foot which is further to the centre of the court and crossing it ahead of the body. Doing this, we will get more space and will recover faster the position.With lateral steps: We can use this movement when we hit the ball which is in the nearby of our initial position and we have just to adjust with small lateral steps. Remember, if you use this movement, we cannot go jumping but as close to the floor as possible in order not to lose time in the air.

In addition, it is also important to remember that, for good footwork it is necessary to have an excellent performance on your legs and they should always be flexed and your gravity point as near to the floor as possible.

For us, the professional tennis players, as you can see, the footwork is very important but it is not the same if we have to play on clay, hard court, grass, etc. Because of this, these movements have to change depending on the surface to get the best results possible or, in case you lose in first round, not to be because of a bad footwork.

Because of this, if you are changing the tournament surface, you have to do specific accommodation work and depending on this, these are my rules:

Clay courts: on this surface, the bound of the ball is slower and higher. This is good when your footwork is fast because you have time enough to get ready to hit the ball in the best position. Anyway, points will be longer and much more demanding. This surface has one more specific movement which is going sliding to hit the ball instead of doing one more step. With this slide you have to keep always the correct body position and balance.Hard court: the ball bounds lower and faster so we should play with our gravity point lower and going with the body forward. At the opposite that we did in clay courts, the last step should always be small and not sliding in any situation.Grass court: it is, perhaps, the most difficult surface to play on. The bound of the ball is irregular and the ball does not use to go up after bounding. As before, we have to have the gravity point even lower and going more forward to the ball than in the hard court points.

To sum up, a tennis player can be made with a talent dose, daily work and sacrifice. Of course, specially in Spain, the good performance and an appropriate footwork are basic in our schedule. Thanks to this, we have got great results not only on clay but on the rest of surfaces.

These are some of the points I train everyday next to my team at the JC Ferrero – Equelite Sport Academy and Nicolás Almagro.

[ Juan Carlos Ferrero is the former World No.1 and 2003 French Open champion from Spain. ]

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Maria Sharapova


because of this, the stroke can be not as good as it is hoped. In addition, this footwork is not only based on long displacements but in a good adjustment in the final steps, doing them shortly and faster than the other. As in the brain, a part of it is in charge of the big movements and other part of doing them as perfect as possible.

A good footwork, with a good performance, is an important key for the game. It makes us reach the ball before, hitting it better and coming back to the first position earlier. This is translated into a faster reaction for the next stroke of our opponent. These are some of the reasons that not only me but the rest of the Spanish players and the ones training day by day at my Academy in Spain decide to focus a lot of hours of training per day –in our case at Equelite around 7- in good footwork accompanied per the rest of the technical improvements, fitness seasons and care of our psychologist.

For good footwork, with no doubt, it is so important to have a good performance which will help you to keep the same tennis level during the whole match and not only during the first games. When you start to be tired, you can see a lot of players who can move badly, with not a good accuracy and who will not come back quickly to the first position to get ready for the next hit of the other player.

Different kinds of footworkLike it is normal, you cannot move in the same way when you are running forward to get a drop shot, forehand, stroke to the angle of the serve, coming back to the first position, etc. Because of this, these are some of the rules I use to use in my game:

When you have to run to hit a forehand or backhand, the movement to go to the ball consists in running to the ball, adjust your steps on the last meters and shorten the length of the movements. After this, you will have to come back to the first position with lateral steps.When we have to hit a ball far of the body, running forward to get a drop shot or for getting angled balls in the service box: the beginning uses to be from the first position in the base line, in a split-step, we have to turn the body to the address of the ball and we will go to the ball starting with the foot which is nearer to the ball running with long steps and quickly. Once we are close to the ball, in order to make the best adjustments, we will use short steps to measure better the distance to the ball and make the best hit possible even in the hardest situations.

As I have been saying before, it is not only important to make the best placement to hit the ball but also having the best performance to come back to the initial position in order to wait for the next ball. Because of this, we can use two of the most useful recuperation movements:

With crossed steps. We can do just one when we are close to the initial position or even more if it is further. At the moment we are close to the middle of the court,

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it will be time to move laterally and finish the movement with a split-step before running to the next ball. In addition, we have to start the recuperation with the foot which is further to the centre of the court and crossing it ahead of the body. Doing this, we will get more space and will recover faster the position.With lateral steps: We can use this movement when we hit the ball which is in the nearby of our initial position and we have just to adjust with small lateral steps. Remember, if you use this movement, we cannot go jumping but as close to the floor as possible in order not to lose time in the air.

In addition, it is also important to remember that, for good footwork it is necessary to have an excellent performance on your legs and they should always be flexed and your gravity point as near to the floor as possible.

For us, the professional tennis players, as you can see, the footwork is very important but it is not the same if we have to play on clay, hard court, grass, etc. Because of this, these movements have to change depending on the surface to get the best results possible or, in case you lose in first round, not to be because of a bad footwork.

Because of this, if you are changing the tournament surface, you have to do specific accommodation work and depending on this, these are my rules:

Clay courts: on this surface, the bound of the ball is slower and higher. This is good when your footwork is fast because you have time enough to get ready to hit the ball in the best position. Anyway, points will be longer and much more demanding. This surface has one more specific movement which is going sliding to hit the ball instead of doing one more step. With this slide you have to keep always the correct body position and balance.Hard court: the ball bounds lower and faster so we should play with our gravity point lower and going with the body forward. At the opposite that we did in clay courts, the last step should always be small and not sliding in any situation.Grass court: it is, perhaps, the most difficult surface to play on. The bound of the ball is irregular and the ball does not use to go up after bounding. As before, we have to have the gravity point even lower and going more forward to the ball than in the hard court points.

To sum up, a tennis player can be made with a talent dose, daily work and sacrifice. Of course, specially in Spain, the good performance and an appropriate footwork are basic in our schedule. Thanks to this, we have got great results not only on clay but on the rest of surfaces.

These are some of the points I train everyday next to my team at the JC Ferrero – Equelite Sport Academy and Nicolás Almagro.

[ Juan Carlos Ferrero is the former World No.1 and 2003 French Open champion from Spain. ]

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i Na is unlike any Chinese athlete penchant for spraying the ball around But the going hasn’t always been Lyou may have come across. the court to wear down heftier smooth for the 30-year-old. She’s unpretentious, speaks her mind opponents, a quality that’s a big part When Li was 14, her father died. and does as she pleases, unlike the of her game. Her mother, Yan-Ping, raising her scores of quiet and timid ‘Made in Directed by state officials to play a l o n e , t a u g h t h e r a b o u t China’ athletes who give servitude a tennis as they thought it would be a determination and the mental new meaning. Li dyes her hair blonde better career move for the young Li, toughness that gives Li an edge over and even got a red rose tattooed on she turned pro in 1999. Between 1999 pampered younger players. “I think her chest. She proposed to her then and 2004, Li won 20 women’s singles many young players don’t know boyfriend and now husband and titles: 19 ITF events and one — the about working, they can get whatever coach Jiang Shan with a box of first ever won by a Chinese woman — they want. They think ‘I need a phone, chocolates on Valentine’s Day in on the WTA Tour. The story of Li’s I need a computer’,” she said in an 2005. Her tenacity and determination career has been all about making interview to CNNGo.com two years to live life on her terms have won her tennis history, both nationally and ago. “The family just gives it to them. many fans, even in homeland China internationally. The girl from Wuhan They don’t need to do something to where she was once accused of being has been a record-breaker since the get it. After my father died, my mom self-centred and unthankful. After her early days of her career, racking up an had to take care of everything. It was run to the final of the Australian Open impressive number of “firsts”. tough for her. I learned a lot from her in 2011 and her winning efforts at She was the first Chinese woman to about working hard for everything,” French Open at Roland Garros – on win a WTA tournament , at she added. the 22nd anniversary of the Guangzhou in 2004, the first to make The work ethic that her mother Tiananmen Square protests have the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam, at instilled in her has seen her earn made the rebel somewhat of an Wimbledon in 2006, and the first to $7,213,281 in career earnings. iconoclast celebrity back home. make the top 30, in June 2006. There were plenty of times when Li

Looking at Li’s background, her Further records would follow, as she wanted to give it all up. Turning pro in decision to be different is perhaps not entered the top 20 in the world in 1999 and winning early, she dropped as surprising. Born to Sheng-Peng, a August 2006 and the top 10, in to 303rd in the world in 2001 and had badminton player in Wuhan, it was February 2010. Add to that list the to struggle through qualifying rounds only natural that six-year-old Li took first Chinese woman to win a Grand just to enter tour events. She took a up the sport that her old man played. Slam, and Li’s credentials as a tennis two-year hiatus from the demands of Badminton honed her reflexes and player could very well be set in gold. the ITF Circuit and chose to enrol in a

Li NaThe Rise of the AsianTigress

Li Na holding the 2011 French Open trophy

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i Na is unlike any Chinese athlete penchant for spraying the ball around But the going hasn’t always been Lyou may have come across. the court to wear down heftier smooth for the 30-year-old. She’s unpretentious, speaks her mind opponents, a quality that’s a big part When Li was 14, her father died. and does as she pleases, unlike the of her game. Her mother, Yan-Ping, raising her scores of quiet and timid ‘Made in Directed by state officials to play a l o n e , t a u g h t h e r a b o u t China’ athletes who give servitude a tennis as they thought it would be a determination and the mental new meaning. Li dyes her hair blonde better career move for the young Li, toughness that gives Li an edge over and even got a red rose tattooed on she turned pro in 1999. Between 1999 pampered younger players. “I think her chest. She proposed to her then and 2004, Li won 20 women’s singles many young players don’t know boyfriend and now husband and titles: 19 ITF events and one — the about working, they can get whatever coach Jiang Shan with a box of first ever won by a Chinese woman — they want. They think ‘I need a phone, chocolates on Valentine’s Day in on the WTA Tour. The story of Li’s I need a computer’,” she said in an 2005. Her tenacity and determination career has been all about making interview to CNNGo.com two years to live life on her terms have won her tennis history, both nationally and ago. “The family just gives it to them. many fans, even in homeland China internationally. The girl from Wuhan They don’t need to do something to where she was once accused of being has been a record-breaker since the get it. After my father died, my mom self-centred and unthankful. After her early days of her career, racking up an had to take care of everything. It was run to the final of the Australian Open impressive number of “firsts”. tough for her. I learned a lot from her in 2011 and her winning efforts at She was the first Chinese woman to about working hard for everything,” French Open at Roland Garros – on win a WTA tournament , at she added. the 22nd anniversary of the Guangzhou in 2004, the first to make The work ethic that her mother Tiananmen Square protests have the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam, at instilled in her has seen her earn made the rebel somewhat of an Wimbledon in 2006, and the first to $7,213,281 in career earnings. iconoclast celebrity back home. make the top 30, in June 2006. There were plenty of times when Li

Looking at Li’s background, her Further records would follow, as she wanted to give it all up. Turning pro in decision to be different is perhaps not entered the top 20 in the world in 1999 and winning early, she dropped as surprising. Born to Sheng-Peng, a August 2006 and the top 10, in to 303rd in the world in 2001 and had badminton player in Wuhan, it was February 2010. Add to that list the to struggle through qualifying rounds only natural that six-year-old Li took first Chinese woman to win a Grand just to enter tour events. She took a up the sport that her old man played. Slam, and Li’s credentials as a tennis two-year hiatus from the demands of Badminton honed her reflexes and player could very well be set in gold. the ITF Circuit and chose to enrol in a

Li NaThe Rise of the AsianTigress

Li Na holding the 2011 French Open trophy

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yet another Grand Slam despite October. Plagued by knee injury, she Losing the motivation to be at your winning the first set. She still rose to skipped most of the season. best in every match isn’t an unknown No. 7 in the rankings. Her return to the courts in 2012 saw phenomenon. Svetlana Kuznetsova

She might’ve reached the final of the her reach the final at Sydney where won the 2009 French Open and then year’s first Grand Slam but fell into a she lost to Azarenka, the eventual turned in pretty crummy results for slump until her semifinal appearance Aus t ra l i an Open champion . four months. Those results included at Madrid on clay. That was perhaps Melbourne Park saw Li run into her losses to Aleksandra Wozniak, Sabine the little fillip she needed. Roland nemesis Clijsters in the fourth round Lisicki, Stosur when she was ranked Garros was where things magically and lose despite holding four match out of the top 15, a fading Amelie came together for the Korean movies points in the second set tiebreak. A Mauresmo and Andrea Petkovic fan. Seeded sixth, she defeated back injury has since then kept her off when she was ranked just 58th.Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová, Silvia the courts. Did Kuznetsova lack the talent to Soler Espinosa, Sorana Cîrstea, ninth Looking at Li’s results since her win any one of those matches? Most seed Petra Kvitová, fourth seed French Open win does make one definitely not. However, a lot of tennis Victoria Azarenka, seventh seed wonder if she can win a Slam again. At players lose their drive for a while Maria Sharapova, and fifth seed and 30, she’s the 10th-eldest player in the after winning a Grand Slam. From defending champion Francesca top 100 and can’t be expected to keep being yet another player, you’re a Schiavone in the final. With an running with younger opponents. champion everyone wants to get estimated 330 million households Even though her ranking is safe for the better off. That extra pressure can able to watch the final on Chinese moment, unless she can defend her negatively affect performances in state TV, the 2011 French Open is one French Open title – unlikely given her ensuing events. However, winning a of the most-viewed matches of all present state and results – the pressure Grand Slam can also lead to time. Li stayed true to her hard hitting and points will rack up. relaxation. It's natural to let oneself and clinical approach and was able to But more than age is it a question of down after spending so much energy negate all of Schiavone’s guile and drive? The French Open title was the achieving a career goal.craft. A 6-4, 7-6 win saw Li become definite focal point of her 2011 The ambition can come back. one of the top five players and richer season. Li went from defeating the Confidence isn’t the problem but the by $1.7 million. reigning Queen of Clay, Schiavone, in question is how badly does Li Na

But the clock struck midnight and the championship match at Roland want to win again? She’s worked hard Li’s fairytale run has since then Garros to not being able to beat to etch her name in history. Is she collapsed into a big fat pumpkin. Daniela Hantuchova, Sabine Lisicki, ready to give it all up? That’s a After her Roland Garros win, Li Stosur, Petra Cetkovska, Simona question only she can answer. In her managed to win just seven matches till Halep or Monica Niculescu in own inimitable manner.the WTA Championships in Turkey in subsequent tournaments.

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journalism course at the part-time at managed to keep her top 30 place. She myself. We still have to pay a little Huazhong University of Science and returned to the courts in 2008 not percentage back to the federation. But Technology, where she earned her having played a single professional I wanted more challenges,” she bachelor’s degree in 2009. match for six months and won her explained.

In May 2004, she returned to the second WTA Tour title at Gold Coast. In 2010, she cracked the top 10 circuit unranked, and won 26 The rest of the year fluctuated rankings and even won a tournament successive matches to notch three between mediocrity and flashes of her on grass in Birmingham, even though further $25,000 tournament wins and tenacious brilliance. she prefers playing on hard courts. another $50,000 title, increasing her More interestingly though, whereas The other big change happened off career singles title count to 18, only to many women in 20s are unable to court when her coach Thomas have her winning streak finally keep up with the demands of the tour, Hogstedt chose to leave her in order snapped in August. A surge through Li has blossomed even though the to coach Maria Sharapova. Li didn’t the rankings saw Li reach No. 80 and results hadn’t been as consistent as she have to look too far and put the reins train her focus solely on the WTA Tour. would’ve desired. of her career in husband Shan’s caring

Though Li reached 33 on the Her decision to fend for herself hands.rankings list, the year was marred by helped her build her confidence in her The comfort she shares with Shan is injury and inconsistent performances. abilities. She left the national team in probably one of the biggest reasons

2006 saw her being seeded at December 2008, along with three why 2011 was the year when Li Wimbledon – a first for a Chinese -- other players, under a novel deal finally stopped being a pretender and and a quarterfinal finish saw her called a “fly alone” agreement. The became a serious contender. Armed ranking rise to 20. A similar result at deal, signed with the Tennis with a good serve and flat, hard-the US Open cemented her reputation Management Centre of the General hitting groundstrokes, on her day Li is as a player worthy of more titles. The Administration of Sport of China, capable of silencing any of the big year did see cement her relationship allowed Li and the others to choose guns. 2011 started on great note with with Shan who she married. Shan was their own coaches and set their own the Chinese player winning the someone she had met at the age of 12. competition schedules. It also Medibank International at Sydney, Rumour has it that her hiatus in 2002 reportedly slashed the percentage of beating Svetlana Kuznetsova and Kim was the result of the disapproval she winnings she had to share with the Clijsters en route to her third WTA met from sports officials who state from 65 to 12. title. Seeded ninth at the Australian frowned on her relationship with “It was a big decision to leave the Open, she beat Victoria Azarenka and Shan, himself a Chinese national system because many people said I Caroline Wozniacki before setting up player. would fail,” she has said earlier. “I another meeting with Clijsters in the

Even though she lost a chunk of the think now there’s even more pressure final. Playing her first Grand Slam year to a hurtful rib injury in 2007, Li [on me] because I have to pay for final, Li let a hobbling Clijsters win

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yet another Grand Slam despite October. Plagued by knee injury, she Losing the motivation to be at your winning the first set. She still rose to skipped most of the season. best in every match isn’t an unknown No. 7 in the rankings. Her return to the courts in 2012 saw phenomenon. Svetlana Kuznetsova

She might’ve reached the final of the her reach the final at Sydney where won the 2009 French Open and then year’s first Grand Slam but fell into a she lost to Azarenka, the eventual turned in pretty crummy results for slump until her semifinal appearance Aus t ra l i an Open champion . four months. Those results included at Madrid on clay. That was perhaps Melbourne Park saw Li run into her losses to Aleksandra Wozniak, Sabine the little fillip she needed. Roland nemesis Clijsters in the fourth round Lisicki, Stosur when she was ranked Garros was where things magically and lose despite holding four match out of the top 15, a fading Amelie came together for the Korean movies points in the second set tiebreak. A Mauresmo and Andrea Petkovic fan. Seeded sixth, she defeated back injury has since then kept her off when she was ranked just 58th.Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová, Silvia the courts. Did Kuznetsova lack the talent to Soler Espinosa, Sorana Cîrstea, ninth Looking at Li’s results since her win any one of those matches? Most seed Petra Kvitová, fourth seed French Open win does make one definitely not. However, a lot of tennis Victoria Azarenka, seventh seed wonder if she can win a Slam again. At players lose their drive for a while Maria Sharapova, and fifth seed and 30, she’s the 10th-eldest player in the after winning a Grand Slam. From defending champion Francesca top 100 and can’t be expected to keep being yet another player, you’re a Schiavone in the final. With an running with younger opponents. champion everyone wants to get estimated 330 million households Even though her ranking is safe for the better off. That extra pressure can able to watch the final on Chinese moment, unless she can defend her negatively affect performances in state TV, the 2011 French Open is one French Open title – unlikely given her ensuing events. However, winning a of the most-viewed matches of all present state and results – the pressure Grand Slam can also lead to time. Li stayed true to her hard hitting and points will rack up. relaxation. It's natural to let oneself and clinical approach and was able to But more than age is it a question of down after spending so much energy negate all of Schiavone’s guile and drive? The French Open title was the achieving a career goal.craft. A 6-4, 7-6 win saw Li become definite focal point of her 2011 The ambition can come back. one of the top five players and richer season. Li went from defeating the Confidence isn’t the problem but the by $1.7 million. reigning Queen of Clay, Schiavone, in question is how badly does Li Na

But the clock struck midnight and the championship match at Roland want to win again? She’s worked hard Li’s fairytale run has since then Garros to not being able to beat to etch her name in history. Is she collapsed into a big fat pumpkin. Daniela Hantuchova, Sabine Lisicki, ready to give it all up? That’s a After her Roland Garros win, Li Stosur, Petra Cetkovska, Simona question only she can answer. In her managed to win just seven matches till Halep or Monica Niculescu in own inimitable manner.the WTA Championships in Turkey in subsequent tournaments.

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journalism course at the part-time at managed to keep her top 30 place. She myself. We still have to pay a little Huazhong University of Science and returned to the courts in 2008 not percentage back to the federation. But Technology, where she earned her having played a single professional I wanted more challenges,” she bachelor’s degree in 2009. match for six months and won her explained.

In May 2004, she returned to the second WTA Tour title at Gold Coast. In 2010, she cracked the top 10 circuit unranked, and won 26 The rest of the year fluctuated rankings and even won a tournament successive matches to notch three between mediocrity and flashes of her on grass in Birmingham, even though further $25,000 tournament wins and tenacious brilliance. she prefers playing on hard courts. another $50,000 title, increasing her More interestingly though, whereas The other big change happened off career singles title count to 18, only to many women in 20s are unable to court when her coach Thomas have her winning streak finally keep up with the demands of the tour, Hogstedt chose to leave her in order snapped in August. A surge through Li has blossomed even though the to coach Maria Sharapova. Li didn’t the rankings saw Li reach No. 80 and results hadn’t been as consistent as she have to look too far and put the reins train her focus solely on the WTA Tour. would’ve desired. of her career in husband Shan’s caring

Though Li reached 33 on the Her decision to fend for herself hands.rankings list, the year was marred by helped her build her confidence in her The comfort she shares with Shan is injury and inconsistent performances. abilities. She left the national team in probably one of the biggest reasons

2006 saw her being seeded at December 2008, along with three why 2011 was the year when Li Wimbledon – a first for a Chinese -- other players, under a novel deal finally stopped being a pretender and and a quarterfinal finish saw her called a “fly alone” agreement. The became a serious contender. Armed ranking rise to 20. A similar result at deal, signed with the Tennis with a good serve and flat, hard-the US Open cemented her reputation Management Centre of the General hitting groundstrokes, on her day Li is as a player worthy of more titles. The Administration of Sport of China, capable of silencing any of the big year did see cement her relationship allowed Li and the others to choose guns. 2011 started on great note with with Shan who she married. Shan was their own coaches and set their own the Chinese player winning the someone she had met at the age of 12. competition schedules. It also Medibank International at Sydney, Rumour has it that her hiatus in 2002 reportedly slashed the percentage of beating Svetlana Kuznetsova and Kim was the result of the disapproval she winnings she had to share with the Clijsters en route to her third WTA met from sports officials who state from 65 to 12. title. Seeded ninth at the Australian frowned on her relationship with “It was a big decision to leave the Open, she beat Victoria Azarenka and Shan, himself a Chinese national system because many people said I Caroline Wozniacki before setting up player. would fail,” she has said earlier. “I another meeting with Clijsters in the

Even though she lost a chunk of the think now there’s even more pressure final. Playing her first Grand Slam year to a hurtful rib injury in 2007, Li [on me] because I have to pay for final, Li let a hobbling Clijsters win

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AITA RANKINGS(As on 16 April 2012)

MEN’S SINGLES WOMEN’S SINGLES

RANK NAME TOTALPOINTS

ATP POINTS


WTA POINTS

1 Somdev Devvarman (TN) 1265 12652 Yuki Bhambri (DLI) 740 8003 Vishnu Vardhan (TN) 600 6454 Sanam Singh (CHD) 400 4005 Karan Rastogi (MHA) 385 3856 Vijayant Malik (HR) 360 3607 Saketh Myneni (AP) 210 3378 Ranjeet Virali Murugesan (TN) 320 3239 Jeevan Neduncherhiyan (TN) 295 298

10 Rohan Gajjar (MAH) 260 26011 Vijay Sundar Prashanth (TN) 125 24012 Vignesh Peranamallur (AP) 45 19813 Karunuday Singh (DLI) 170 17014 Sriram Balaji Narayanaswamy (TN) 155 16315 Sidharth Rawat (UP) 25 14016 Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash (TN) 25 13617 Kunal Anand (DLI) 10 11818 Abhijeet Tiwari (CG) 20 11719 Nitten Kirrtane (MAH) 0 9420 Saurav Sukul (WB) 0 9121 Sunil Kumar Sipaeya (CHD) 10 8521 Divij Sharan (DLI) 85 8521 Chandril Sood (UP) 5 8524 Ronak Manuja (MAH) 0 8025 Vijay Kannan (TN) 5 7426 Suresh Krishna A.S. (AP) 5 7327 Vaidik Munshaw (GUJ) 0 7228 Vinod Sridhar (TN) 0 6829 Shahbaaz Khan (MAH) 0 6730 Kaza Vinayak Sharma (AP) 45 6331 Ramkumar Ramanathan (TN) 55 5532 Abhishek S.V. (AP) 0 5333 Rajat Maheshwari (MAH) 0 5134 Vinod Gowda (KAR) 5 5035 Fariz Mohammad (TN) 0 4836 Yogesh Phogat (HR) 0 4636 Tejas Chaukulkar (MAH) 0 4638 Ajai Selvaraj (TN) 0 4538 Rupesh Roy 40 4538 Ashwin Vijayragavan (AP) 0 4541 Lakshit Sood (UP) 0 43.542 Suraj Beniwal (HR) 0 3743 Saurabh Patil (MAH) 5 36.544 Ankit Sachdeva (DLI) 15 3645 Elwin Antony (TN) 0 3546 Gurinder Singh (PB) 5 34 47 Brahamjot Singh (DLI) 0 3347 Rakshay Thakkar (MAH) 10 3349 Saurabh Singh (DLI) 0 3250 Adit Jain (DLI) 0 3150 Arpit Sharma (RAJ) 0 31

1 Sania Mirza (AP) 1710 17102 Prerna Bhambri (DLI) 170 194.53 Kyra Shroff (MAH) 155 1634 Nidhi Chilumula (AP) 130 1415 Rutuja S. Bhosale (MAH) 110 1396 Rishika Sunkara (DLI) 80 118.57 Aishwarya Shrivastav (MAH) 100 1008 Rushmi Chakravorthi (TN) 55 979 Shivika Burman (WB) 85 96

10 Ankita Raina (GUJ) 45 7911 Gopika Kapoor (DLI) 65 6612 Pooja Shree Venkatesh (KAR) 60 6013 Vaishnavi Sri Peddi Reddy (AP) 5 56.514 Natasha Palha (GOA) 5 5015 Sowjanya Bavisetti (AP) 5 4916 Sharmada Balu (KAR) 40 4717 Shweta C. Rana (DLI) 10 44.517 Nehel Sahni (DLI) 5 44.519 Isha Lakhani (MAH) 20 4420 Tarranum Handa (DLI) 0 4121 Eetee Maheta (GUJ) 0 40.522 Ratnika Batra (DLI) 40 4023 Manya Nagpal (UP) 0 39.524 Nupur Kaul (MAH) 0 37.525 Treta Bhattacharya (WB) 0 3426 Vaniya Dangwal (DLI) 0 3327 Smriti Joon (HR) 5 3227 Riya Bhatia (DLI) 0 3229 Abhilasha Ahuja (HR) 0 30.530 Zainab Ali Sajjad (AP) 5 2931 Sheethal Goutham (KAR) 10 26.532 Carrie Kalapala 0 2633 Garima Vatwani (DLI) 5 2534 Shreya Pasricha (UP) 0 2435 Sagarika Phadke (MAH) 0 2136 Adnya Naik (MAH) 5 2036 Saadgi Rajani (GUJ) 0 2038 Arantxa Andrady (DLI) 0 19.538 Amrita Mukherjee (WB) 0 19.540 Sahan P. Shetty (KAR) 0 1941 Soniya Dayal (MAH) 0 18.541 Prarthana Thombre (MAH) 0 18.543 Sayali Bhilare (MAH) 0 1844 Namita Bal (MAH) 0 17.544 Sansitha Nanda Kumar (TN) 0 17.546 Victoria Chahal (NTA) 0 16.547 Shruti Archita (MAH) 0 1648 Priyanka Rawat (UK) 0 1449 Sanya Madan (UP) 0 13.5 50 Nimisha Mohan (KAR) 10 1350 Anushka Bhargava (AP) 0 13

Somdev Devvarman

Sania Mirza

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UZIND CORPORATION305, 3rd Floor, Prakashdeep Building

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AITA RANKINGS(As on 16 April 2012)



ATP POINTS


WTA POINTS

1 Somdev Devvarman (TN) 1265 12652 Yuki Bhambri (DLI) 740 8003 Vishnu Vardhan (TN) 600 6454 Sanam Singh (CHD) 400 4005 Karan Rastogi (MHA) 385 3856 Vijayant Malik (HR) 360 3607 Saketh Myneni (AP) 210 3378 Ranjeet Virali Murugesan (TN) 320 3239 Jeevan Neduncherhiyan (TN) 295 298

10 Rohan Gajjar (MAH) 260 26011 Vijay Sundar Prashanth (TN) 125 24012 Vignesh Peranamallur (AP) 45 19813 Karunuday Singh (DLI) 170 17014 Sriram Balaji Narayanaswamy (TN) 155 16315 Sidharth Rawat (UP) 25 14016 Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash (TN) 25 13617 Kunal Anand (DLI) 10 11818 Abhijeet Tiwari (CG) 20 11719 Nitten Kirrtane (MAH) 0 9420 Saurav Sukul (WB) 0 9121 Sunil Kumar Sipaeya (CHD) 10 8521 Divij Sharan (DLI) 85 8521 Chandril Sood (UP) 5 8524 Ronak Manuja (MAH) 0 8025 Vijay Kannan (TN) 5 7426 Suresh Krishna A.S. (AP) 5 7327 Vaidik Munshaw (GUJ) 0 7228 Vinod Sridhar (TN) 0 6829 Shahbaaz Khan (MAH) 0 6730 Kaza Vinayak Sharma (AP) 45 6331 Ramkumar Ramanathan (TN) 55 5532 Abhishek S.V. (AP) 0 5333 Rajat Maheshwari (MAH) 0 5134 Vinod Gowda (KAR) 5 5035 Fariz Mohammad (TN) 0 4836 Yogesh Phogat (HR) 0 4636 Tejas Chaukulkar (MAH) 0 4638 Ajai Selvaraj (TN) 0 4538 Rupesh Roy 40 4538 Ashwin Vijayragavan (AP) 0 4541 Lakshit Sood (UP) 0 43.542 Suraj Beniwal (HR) 0 3743 Saurabh Patil (MAH) 5 36.544 Ankit Sachdeva (DLI) 15 3645 Elwin Antony (TN) 0 3546 Gurinder Singh (PB) 5 34 47 Brahamjot Singh (DLI) 0 3347 Rakshay Thakkar (MAH) 10 3349 Saurabh Singh (DLI) 0 3250 Adit Jain (DLI) 0 3150 Arpit Sharma (RAJ) 0 31

1 Sania Mirza (AP) 1710 17102 Prerna Bhambri (DLI) 170 194.53 Kyra Shroff (MAH) 155 1634 Nidhi Chilumula (AP) 130 1415 Rutuja S. Bhosale (MAH) 110 1396 Rishika Sunkara (DLI) 80 118.57 Aishwarya Shrivastav (MAH) 100 1008 Rushmi Chakravorthi (TN) 55 979 Shivika Burman (WB) 85 96

10 Ankita Raina (GUJ) 45 7911 Gopika Kapoor (DLI) 65 6612 Pooja Shree Venkatesh (KAR) 60 6013 Vaishnavi Sri Peddi Reddy (AP) 5 56.514 Natasha Palha (GOA) 5 5015 Sowjanya Bavisetti (AP) 5 4916 Sharmada Balu (KAR) 40 4717 Shweta C. Rana (DLI) 10 44.517 Nehel Sahni (DLI) 5 44.519 Isha Lakhani (MAH) 20 4420 Tarranum Handa (DLI) 0 4121 Eetee Maheta (GUJ) 0 40.522 Ratnika Batra (DLI) 40 4023 Manya Nagpal (UP) 0 39.524 Nupur Kaul (MAH) 0 37.525 Treta Bhattacharya (WB) 0 3426 Vaniya Dangwal (DLI) 0 3327 Smriti Joon (HR) 5 3227 Riya Bhatia (DLI) 0 3229 Abhilasha Ahuja (HR) 0 30.530 Zainab Ali Sajjad (AP) 5 2931 Sheethal Goutham (KAR) 10 26.532 Carrie Kalapala 0 2633 Garima Vatwani (DLI) 5 2534 Shreya Pasricha (UP) 0 2435 Sagarika Phadke (MAH) 0 2136 Adnya Naik (MAH) 5 2036 Saadgi Rajani (GUJ) 0 2038 Arantxa Andrady (DLI) 0 19.538 Amrita Mukherjee (WB) 0 19.540 Sahan P. Shetty (KAR) 0 1941 Soniya Dayal (MAH) 0 18.541 Prarthana Thombre (MAH) 0 18.543 Sayali Bhilare (MAH) 0 1844 Namita Bal (MAH) 0 17.544 Sansitha Nanda Kumar (TN) 0 17.546 Victoria Chahal (NTA) 0 16.547 Shruti Archita (MAH) 0 1648 Priyanka Rawat (UK) 0 1449 Sanya Madan (UP) 0 13.5 50 Nimisha Mohan (KAR) 10 1350 Anushka Bhargava (AP) 0 13

Somdev Devvarman

Sania Mirza

Photo: S

usan Mullane/C

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A, Inc. P

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UZIND CORPORATION305, 3rd Floor, Prakashdeep Building

7 Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi 110 001 IndiaTel: 011 4312 0500 Email: [email protected]

life. He has combined meditation, Ancic, 6-7(4), 6-4, 14-16 in a heart- Otherwise, he has only the French yoga apart from the Eastern and breaker that lasted three hours and 58 Open mixed doubles title eluding Western training methods to preserve minutes. That marathon third set him, to complete his career Grand himself and nurse the hunger for itself spanned two hours and 24 Slam in mixed doubles. He also has success. He has the work ethic, and minutes. been missing the World Doubles title loves hard work. Paes and Bhupathi had lost rather for long after many attempts in the

Quite admittedly he is not the one to tamely to Nicolas Kiefer and Rainer finals.rest on his laurels. He has the will, Schuettler of Germany in the Who knows, Paes may end up with passion and the discipline to achieve semifinals, 2-6, 3-6, in just over an three Olympics medals, including the any goal that he feels worthy of him. hour. mixed doubles with Sania Mirza. Paes

It has been a phenomenal career as Getting that close to a medal had had partnered Sania for the bronze in Paes left football to train in tennis at reignited the passion in Paes to keep the 2002 Asian Games in Busan the Britannia Tennis Academy in that elusive second Olympic medal as before clinching the gold with her in Chennai, then known as Madras, as a one of his major goals, in an otherwise the Doha Asian Games in 2006. Both precocious talent who was sure to live fulfilling career. Paes and Bhupathi skipped the last on his legs. He won the Wimbledon Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010 and US Open junior titles apart from owing to their commitment in the making the final of the Australian year-end World championship.Open. Paes has embarked on different

He made his Davis Cup debut when dreams of late, putting fresh air he was 16 under the captaincy of in his tennis. The marriage with N a r e s h K u m a r, w h o m h e Rhea Pillai and the birth of understandably adores for having put daughter Aiyana has also his career on a sound pedestal, and made Paes rearrange his supporting him with constant good priorities. Quite admirably, advice. Paes has been able to

After not having been played in the channelise his energy in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, Paes last few years, as he has was a class act two years later in the Barcelona Olympics as he p a r t n e r e d R a m e s h Krishnan to reach the quarterfinals, beating the top seeds along the way.

In At lan ta in 1 9 9 6 , P a e s emulated his father, Dr. Vece Paes, a member of the bronze winning hockey team in the Munich Games in 1972, in pinning the bronze medal in the Olympics. He defied all the odds in winning the singles medal behind Andre Agassi and Sergei Bruguera. Both in 1996 in Atlanta and 2000 in Sydney, Paes and Bhupathi lost to the Woodies in the Olympics, in the early rounds. In Athens, it was a gripping contest for the Indian fans when Paes and Bhupathi lost the match for the third place to the Croats, Ivan Ljubicic and Mario


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e is no ordinary tennis player. He may be a professor in the art of He has won three French Open, one HLeander Paes is a magician on doubles, but Paes continues to be a Wimbledon and two US Open court. diligent student of the game. He was doubles titles apart from the

He may have lost more Grand Slam sharp in picking return of serve Australian Open. His last Grand Slam finals than what he has won, but it is techniques both from Tipsarevic and men’s doubles title had come in 2009, no ordinary figure that Paes has won Stepanek, that may stand him in good the year in which he had won the 13 of them. He has completed a career stead when he guns for that elusive French Open and the US Open with Grand Slam in men’s doubles at the doubles medal in the Olympics on the another Czech, Lucas Dlouhy.Australian Open, in an overall grass of Wimbledon in August. Quite interestingly, after the collection of seven titles from 14 finals. Though Paes had won the title in disappointment of losing to the

“In the most important moments, Delray Beach in 2004 with Stepanek eventual champions, Roger Federer he is a genius’’, said Radek Stepanek, when the duo did not drop a set the and S tan i s l a s Wawr inka o f as he heaped praise on doubles whole week, it was indeed a Switzerland in the quarterfinals of partner Paes after winning the title in calculated gamble for Paes to join doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi in Melbourne. hands with the super athlete from Beijing Olympics, Paes has added

It was an accomplishment of a long Czech Republic, someone ranked 112 three men’s doubles and three mixed cherished goal for Paes as he had tried in the world in doubles. doubles titles to his rich collection. To his hand at winning the Australian There was a guarantee that the be honest, he was looking strong to Open men’s doubles title four times Indo-Czech duo would not be seeded. add more on way to the London before with three different partners. It was so, and the partnership kept Olympics!

In an important season, with the improving with every match as was By his own admission, Paes has sixth Games in London beckoning evident in a nice piece of statistics that evolved over the years both as a player him, Paes was obviously keen to get said that the two beat the third, and a person. His secret of success has off the blocks briskly and get one of second and top seeds in that order, in been the passion for the game. He is the elusive targets out of the way. He the last four rounds. happy that he follows a profession was quite candid in ditching Mahesh “He is a super athlete, and can jump that has been his passion. Like Roger Bhupathi after a rather unsuccessful higher than me’’, Paes observed about Federer, he does not need any season in 2011, saying that both the Stepanek, who moved to 23 in the motivation to play the game. The players needed ‘’fresh and young legs’’ world in doubles, ensuring that the game itself is his motivation.to forge a successful partnership. duo would have relatively easier Of course, another legend of the

It was important to get a good start, draws ahead in the Grand Slams in the game, Pete Sampras quit when he was particularly with the added incentive rest of the season. 31, after having won the US Open, of a top-ten ranking in doubles not Of course, Paes can write a book on, stating that there was no fuel left in only assuring an entry in the Games how to pick great partners, having the tank. He had completely burnt but also the chance to select a partner. competed with a variety of players, himself out in a brilliant career.

Paes won the Chennai Open with a from a raw talent like Mahesh Paes pointed out that he was on the top-10 singles player, Janko Bhupathi in 1994 to the most verge of a similar feeling when he was Tipsarevic of Serbia, at the start of the seasoned of all players, the legendary merely 19, and threw the racquet season to warm up for the tougher Martina Navratilova for Grand Slam away for many months.challenges ahead. mixed doubles titles at the Australian “My tank was empty then, but now

At the Australian Open, Paes and Open and Wimbledon in 2003. it is full’’, observed the 38-year-old Stepanek dropped only one set in the “The honesty that he has with me is Paes, who has rekindled his passion in whole tournament and beat the top- the single most important ingredient a systematic way.seeded Bryan twins, Bob and Mike, in to greatness, to be able to achieve He has raised the bar continuously, straight sets in the final. something’’, remarked Paes. and refined his style of tennis and his

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Paes: All smiles

life. He has combined meditation, Ancic, 6-7(4), 6-4, 14-16 in a heart- Otherwise, he has only the French yoga apart from the Eastern and breaker that lasted three hours and 58 Open mixed doubles title eluding Western training methods to preserve minutes. That marathon third set him, to complete his career Grand himself and nurse the hunger for itself spanned two hours and 24 Slam in mixed doubles. He also has success. He has the work ethic, and minutes. been missing the World Doubles title loves hard work. Paes and Bhupathi had lost rather for long after many attempts in the

Quite admittedly he is not the one to tamely to Nicolas Kiefer and Rainer finals.rest on his laurels. He has the will, Schuettler of Germany in the Who knows, Paes may end up with passion and the discipline to achieve semifinals, 2-6, 3-6, in just over an three Olympics medals, including the any goal that he feels worthy of him. hour. mixed doubles with Sania Mirza. Paes

It has been a phenomenal career as Getting that close to a medal had had partnered Sania for the bronze in Paes left football to train in tennis at reignited the passion in Paes to keep the 2002 Asian Games in Busan the Britannia Tennis Academy in that elusive second Olympic medal as before clinching the gold with her in Chennai, then known as Madras, as a one of his major goals, in an otherwise the Doha Asian Games in 2006. Both precocious talent who was sure to live fulfilling career. Paes and Bhupathi skipped the last on his legs. He won the Wimbledon Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010 and US Open junior titles apart from owing to their commitment in the making the final of the Australian year-end World championship.Open. Paes has embarked on different

He made his Davis Cup debut when dreams of late, putting fresh air he was 16 under the captaincy of in his tennis. The marriage with N a r e s h K u m a r, w h o m h e Rhea Pillai and the birth of understandably adores for having put daughter Aiyana has also his career on a sound pedestal, and made Paes rearrange his supporting him with constant good priorities. Quite admirably, advice. Paes has been able to

After not having been played in the channelise his energy in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, Paes last few years, as he has was a class act two years later in the Barcelona Olympics as he p a r t n e r e d R a m e s h Krishnan to reach the quarterfinals, beating the top seeds along the way.

In At lan ta in 1 9 9 6 , P a e s emulated his father, Dr. Vece Paes, a member of the bronze winning hockey team in the Munich Games in 1972, in pinning the bronze medal in the Olympics. He defied all the odds in winning the singles medal behind Andre Agassi and Sergei Bruguera. Both in 1996 in Atlanta and 2000 in Sydney, Paes and Bhupathi lost to the Woodies in the Olympics, in the early rounds. In Athens, it was a gripping contest for the Indian fans when Paes and Bhupathi lost the match for the third place to the Croats, Ivan Ljubicic and Mario


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e is no ordinary tennis player. He may be a professor in the art of He has won three French Open, one HLeander Paes is a magician on doubles, but Paes continues to be a Wimbledon and two US Open court. diligent student of the game. He was doubles titles apart from the

He may have lost more Grand Slam sharp in picking return of serve Australian Open. His last Grand Slam finals than what he has won, but it is techniques both from Tipsarevic and men’s doubles title had come in 2009, no ordinary figure that Paes has won Stepanek, that may stand him in good the year in which he had won the 13 of them. He has completed a career stead when he guns for that elusive French Open and the US Open with Grand Slam in men’s doubles at the doubles medal in the Olympics on the another Czech, Lucas Dlouhy.Australian Open, in an overall grass of Wimbledon in August. Quite interestingly, after the collection of seven titles from 14 finals. Though Paes had won the title in disappointment of losing to the

“In the most important moments, Delray Beach in 2004 with Stepanek eventual champions, Roger Federer he is a genius’’, said Radek Stepanek, when the duo did not drop a set the and S tan i s l a s Wawr inka o f as he heaped praise on doubles whole week, it was indeed a Switzerland in the quarterfinals of partner Paes after winning the title in calculated gamble for Paes to join doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi in Melbourne. hands with the super athlete from Beijing Olympics, Paes has added

It was an accomplishment of a long Czech Republic, someone ranked 112 three men’s doubles and three mixed cherished goal for Paes as he had tried in the world in doubles. doubles titles to his rich collection. To his hand at winning the Australian There was a guarantee that the be honest, he was looking strong to Open men’s doubles title four times Indo-Czech duo would not be seeded. add more on way to the London before with three different partners. It was so, and the partnership kept Olympics!

In an important season, with the improving with every match as was By his own admission, Paes has sixth Games in London beckoning evident in a nice piece of statistics that evolved over the years both as a player him, Paes was obviously keen to get said that the two beat the third, and a person. His secret of success has off the blocks briskly and get one of second and top seeds in that order, in been the passion for the game. He is the elusive targets out of the way. He the last four rounds. happy that he follows a profession was quite candid in ditching Mahesh “He is a super athlete, and can jump that has been his passion. Like Roger Bhupathi after a rather unsuccessful higher than me’’, Paes observed about Federer, he does not need any season in 2011, saying that both the Stepanek, who moved to 23 in the motivation to play the game. The players needed ‘’fresh and young legs’’ world in doubles, ensuring that the game itself is his motivation.to forge a successful partnership. duo would have relatively easier Of course, another legend of the

It was important to get a good start, draws ahead in the Grand Slams in the game, Pete Sampras quit when he was particularly with the added incentive rest of the season. 31, after having won the US Open, of a top-ten ranking in doubles not Of course, Paes can write a book on, stating that there was no fuel left in only assuring an entry in the Games how to pick great partners, having the tank. He had completely burnt but also the chance to select a partner. competed with a variety of players, himself out in a brilliant career.

Paes won the Chennai Open with a from a raw talent like Mahesh Paes pointed out that he was on the top-10 singles player, Janko Bhupathi in 1994 to the most verge of a similar feeling when he was Tipsarevic of Serbia, at the start of the seasoned of all players, the legendary merely 19, and threw the racquet season to warm up for the tougher Martina Navratilova for Grand Slam away for many months.challenges ahead. mixed doubles titles at the Australian “My tank was empty then, but now

At the Australian Open, Paes and Open and Wimbledon in 2003. it is full’’, observed the 38-year-old Stepanek dropped only one set in the “The honesty that he has with me is Paes, who has rekindled his passion in whole tournament and beat the top- the single most important ingredient a systematic way.seeded Bryan twins, Bob and Mike, in to greatness, to be able to achieve He has raised the bar continuously, straight sets in the final. something’’, remarked Paes. and refined his style of tennis and his

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Paes: All smiles


You can see Mahesh Bhupathi wonder how long it will be again till But at 19, he’s still filling out his getting tetchy with the media that question is asked again. frame, and every once in a while, like

hovering around. Yuki Bhambri is the closest to he did towards the tail end of his He reluctantly agrees to speak to the answering it. A former junior match against Karol Beck in the

press. “Please don’t ask me who next Australian Open champion and boys’ Chennai Open first round this year, after Bhupathi and (Leander) Paes,” world No. 1, the boy from Delhi has which he eventually won in straight he says, somewhat irritated. After a showed a serious stomach for fight on sets, he still looks like a boy fighting a few innocuous queries about his the senior tour as well. He made a man’s battle.recent form on the tour, fitness, drive dream Davis Cup debut back in 2009, He has the strokes, but it seems to keep playing, it’s there again. The when he beat South Africa’s Izak van there’s still lot of work to be done if he question he dreads. One of the scribes der Merwe. In the latest Cup tie has to build the legs to last on the raises the hand, pops the question, against Uzbekistan, he overcame the men’s tour. And while Yuki is the few “Who next after Bhupathi and Paes?” odds to beat their top player and lucky ones, who have got exposure to The veteran tennis player breaks into world no. 43 Denis Istomin in three training abroad from a fairly early age a wry smile. tie break sets. (he still visits the Nick Bollettieri

That was more than three years ago. That shows spirit of a different academy in Florida and worked with Bhupathi and Paes are still going kind. He’s not a counter-puncher in a Andre Agassi’s former trainer Gil strong, but Indian tennis has moved a classical mould and is not afraid to Reyes in the off-season in 2010), this little ahead on younger legs—that of slap winners off both flanks. Having transition stage is the most crucial and Somdev Devvarman and Rohan turned to pro-circuit full-time only the training know-how in the country Bopanna. India has been in the Davis last year, the Indian has already scarce. That’s a bridge he will have to Cup World Group and back. And you climbed to 293 in the world rankings. cross carefully.

India’s Talented YoungstersDeepti Patwardhan

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travelled around the world along with his family, for bigger success on court.

With so much success in recent times, Paes has not planned much for life after tennis, though he has got into acting in films and ventured into many business activities.

“There is no deadline on my tennis’’, Paes has said. For people who tend to think that London Games could be his last Olympics, Paes has a rejoinder, ‘’am not so sure’’.

For someone who believes in karma and destiny, Paes has been quite categorical in stating that he has nothing to prove to anyone, including himself. The tough experiences have made him stronger, and the trophies won along the way have been the added incentives.

His mantra is simple, ‘if you are fit to train, you are young to play’.

Andre Agassi may not have been kind to Paes in his book ‘Open’, but he takes it in his stride with a modest observation that he was honoured to have been written about by the legend, one of the few in the world to have achieved a career Grand Slam in singles apart from the Olympics gold.

Having heard varied comments over two decades, Paes is quite clear that ‘’history will speak the truth’’ about him.

Going by the early signs, this year could be an important chapter in the history books for Paes. <

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With his daughter Aiyana


You can see Mahesh Bhupathi wonder how long it will be again till But at 19, he’s still filling out his getting tetchy with the media that question is asked again. frame, and every once in a while, like

hovering around. Yuki Bhambri is the closest to he did towards the tail end of his He reluctantly agrees to speak to the answering it. A former junior match against Karol Beck in the

press. “Please don’t ask me who next Australian Open champion and boys’ Chennai Open first round this year, after Bhupathi and (Leander) Paes,” world No. 1, the boy from Delhi has which he eventually won in straight he says, somewhat irritated. After a showed a serious stomach for fight on sets, he still looks like a boy fighting a few innocuous queries about his the senior tour as well. He made a man’s battle.recent form on the tour, fitness, drive dream Davis Cup debut back in 2009, He has the strokes, but it seems to keep playing, it’s there again. The when he beat South Africa’s Izak van there’s still lot of work to be done if he question he dreads. One of the scribes der Merwe. In the latest Cup tie has to build the legs to last on the raises the hand, pops the question, against Uzbekistan, he overcame the men’s tour. And while Yuki is the few “Who next after Bhupathi and Paes?” odds to beat their top player and lucky ones, who have got exposure to The veteran tennis player breaks into world no. 43 Denis Istomin in three training abroad from a fairly early age a wry smile. tie break sets. (he still visits the Nick Bollettieri

That was more than three years ago. That shows spirit of a different academy in Florida and worked with Bhupathi and Paes are still going kind. He’s not a counter-puncher in a Andre Agassi’s former trainer Gil strong, but Indian tennis has moved a classical mould and is not afraid to Reyes in the off-season in 2010), this little ahead on younger legs—that of slap winners off both flanks. Having transition stage is the most crucial and Somdev Devvarman and Rohan turned to pro-circuit full-time only the training know-how in the country Bopanna. India has been in the Davis last year, the Indian has already scarce. That’s a bridge he will have to Cup World Group and back. And you climbed to 293 in the world rankings. cross carefully.

India’s Talented YoungstersDeepti Patwardhan

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travelled around the world along with his family, for bigger success on court.

With so much success in recent times, Paes has not planned much for life after tennis, though he has got into acting in films and ventured into many business activities.

“There is no deadline on my tennis’’, Paes has said. For people who tend to think that London Games could be his last Olympics, Paes has a rejoinder, ‘’am not so sure’’.

For someone who believes in karma and destiny, Paes has been quite categorical in stating that he has nothing to prove to anyone, including himself. The tough experiences have made him stronger, and the trophies won along the way have been the added incentives.

His mantra is simple, ‘if you are fit to train, you are young to play’.

Andre Agassi may not have been kind to Paes in his book ‘Open’, but he takes it in his stride with a modest observation that he was honoured to have been written about by the legend, one of the few in the world to have achieved a career Grand Slam in singles apart from the Olympics gold.

Having heard varied comments over two decades, Paes is quite clear that ‘’history will speak the truth’’ about him.

Going by the early signs, this year could be an important chapter in the history books for Paes. <

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With his daughter Aiyana


Then there is Sanam Singh, who Federer) they were all brought up on ago when she became the youngest with Yuki was thrown at the deep end clay. Playing on clay means you are player to win the Indian nationals in during the Davis Cup tie against not going to have any easy rallies, you 2008. She dropped only 12 games in Uzbekistan. Born and bred in learn how to build points, hit five five matches to claim the women’s Chandigarh, and sculpted at the winners if need be. It is a surface that title at the age of 14. Now 17, Ratnika tennis academy at the University of demands muscle strength and is ranked 53 in the world and has Virginia, Sanam has earned the endurance. But unfortunately in India already made a start on the women’s nickname ‘pocket dynamo’. Small there are only hard-courts. Even our circuit before she turns pro in a year’s and snappy, he can be deceptive with top players don’t like playing on clay. time.his speed and strength. When the European clay season While Rutuja, who hails from Pune,

“The future of Indian tennis, as far begins they are busy playing hard- failed in her bid to defend her Asian as the Davis Cup goes, is going to be court tournaments in America.” title in New Delhi last week, losing in built around guys like Somdev, Yuki Sumit, nevertheless, under the the first round after suffering a bout and Sanam,” says for India Davis Cup guidance of Bhupathi and coach of food poisoning, she is already being player Vishal Uppal. Bobby Mahal, is getting a peek into seen as a big prospect. The youngster

Uppal, himself a tennis coach, is the more competitive world. Born in was inducted into the Fed Cup team also working with the next generation Delhi, he now shuttles between the recently, and her confidence is of boys looking good to come Indian capital and Canada, where he striking.through. Later this month, he will trains for tennis six months a year. In “I don’t think Indian tennis players lead the Indian contingent to the December last year, he won the under- lag physically as opposed to the junior Davis Cup ties. 1 4 A m e r i c a n C u p t e n n i s Asians or international player,” she

The recently concluded Asian championship at the Miccosukee says with the bravado and optimism juniors Grade I tournament at the Tennis Club in Miami, Florida. of a 16-year-old. Slim-built, tall, and Delhi Lawn Tennis Association gave a He is already ranked 182 in the bespectacled, the youngster goes good glimpse of some of the most junior ITF charts and is part of a about her business in a quiet but promising youngsters in the country. promising group also comprising of assured manner.And it was somewhat a shame that Pune players Sahil Deshmukh, Arjun “I remember how Sania was always none from the host country even Khade (currently top-ranked Indian that one step ahead of the rest of the entered the final—and only two, one junior) and Ronit Bisht. girls,” says former India Fed Cup each in boys and girls singles event, “There are some players who are player Radhika Tulpule. “Rutuja is made it to the semi-final. ready to break through on the men’s like that. Right now, she is one level

That’s the first wave of negativity side,” adds Uppal. “But in the above everyone at the moment.”ready to hit as one tries to scour the women’s there’s a good bunch of 15- Most of the top juniors at the Asian horizons for exciting talent. How 16 year olds. You never know how juniors tourney last week- including good are our juniors? No one quite they are going to shape up. Apart Rutuja, Sahil and Arjun—are being knows. from that the only young player who supported by Pune-based NGO

Shyamal Vallabhjee, trainer to has done well recently in women’s is Laskhya, who provide for their kit, Indian stars like Bhupathi, Bopanna Kyra Shroff.” coaching, travel and help with and Sania Mirza, is at the DLTA to Shroff,19, has been around for scheduling. “We will also help them help Bhupathi’s protégé—14-year-old some time and is always an inspiring with training abroad,” said co-Sumit Nagal and is quick to observe story. A juvenile diabetic, the founder Sunder Iyer. “Fitness is a that there is no system in Indian sport youngster has taken the adversity in major concern for all Indian athletes (apart from cricket) to churn out her stride, so much so, that the regular and we are looking to bridge that gap talent consistently. insulin injections are not even a major as best as we can.”

“Tennis has become so physical concern for her anymore. Ranked Until the time these youngsters nowadays that if the players are given 665, she recently reached the semi- come through and make a mark on the proper training there is no way finals of the 25,000 Challeneger event the pro circuit, the questions will they are going to survive on the tour,” in Bangalore. always linger. But there were a couple he says, before pointing out the And should Sania Mirza be able to of things that augur well for Indian importance of grooming players on qualify in doubles for the London tennis: the appointment of national clay rather than the burgeoning trend Olympics, Shroff is being talked coach Henrik Ekersund, the first of hard-courts across the country. about as her possible partner. concerted effort by the All India

“It’s true that most tennis But the two girls, who have really Tennis Association to bring the tournaments in the world are held on got the Indian tennis circles glued in juniors under one umbrella, and the hard courts but if you see the top three are Rutuja Bhosale and Ratnika emergence of non-profit groups players in the game, (Novak Batra. lending the budding tennis players a Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Ratnika created waves a few years helping hand. <


The All India Tennis Association has given the junior development programme in the country a boost by bringing in 38-year-old Swede Henrik Ekersund as the national coach. Though he hasn’t played the sport on the highest level, Ekersund brings with him almost 20 years of experience in player development and coaching.

Keeping a cool head under the searing heat in New Delhi, Ekersund shares his impressions on Indian junior circuit on the sidelines of the Asian Junior Grade I tournament.

I’m happy with what I’ve seen so far. The players here are keen to learn, a lot more disciplined and obedient than the ones in Europe and seem to have the ambition.

From what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s too much of a difference between the kids here and in Europe. But, definitely, the infrastructure makes a difference. In Europe, the juniors would generally play on outdoor surfaces in the summer and indoors in the winters. That helps them understand the variations in pace and bounce very early. Here it’s mainly outdoor hard courts, so there are certain nuances they have to learn.

Also, Europe has a big club culture. In a country like Sweden alone there are 500 clubs, who function on a non-profit basis. So youngsters have better access to the game. Most of them also play more than one sport till they are in their late teens. Here, if we see, there are juniors who are specialising in one sport very early, it is the job of the coaches to make sure they develop the players’ athletic side.

Yes it is. It’s a vast country. I have only been to the DLTA facility so far, and it is one of the better ones I have worked in. But in the coming days I will travel around the country and see how the different associations function. As much as we want the top juniors to work at the best facility, the emphasis will be on having more centres across the country so that players don’t have to spend too much time travelling. I will be working with other coaches as well and involve as many of them possible so that players all over the country have access to good coaches.

I don’t agree with that. I have seen a few kids here who are as big and fast as the Europeans. It is how you train and develop them. In Sweden, we made a few mistakes in grooming youngsters. We used the same training methods for some 20 years because we’d had success with them earlier. But slowly things are changing. The training is evolving to keep in touch with the times.

The biggest challenge facing almost all countries, Sweden and India included, is that we have to persist for the results. Nowadays you see players are going to take longer to break through. Tennis has become so physical; you won’t see players who are 17 or 18 making a mark on the senior circuit nowadays.

The focus should be on encouraging more youngsters to take up the sport. Don’t think too much about taking it up as a career. One of the problems we had in Sweden, after our best period in tennis in the 1980s, is that we put too much pressure on the youngsters.

We started comparing teenagers who were showing some promise to players like (Bjorn) Borg and (Mats) Wilander. The youngsters cracked under that pressure. That is one of the reasons countries like Spain and France are doing well. They don’t put pressure on their youngsters to win. They lift their performance by concentrating on making them better players than just looking at the wins and losses.

The Asian juniors tournament must have given you a good view of some of the top juniors in the country. What do you make of them?

How would you compare the Indian youngsters to the ones in Sweden?

You have mainly worked in countries which are smaller and probably not as culturally diverse. Is is a little overwhelming coming to India?

Most people would say that Indian athletes don’t have the attributes to sustain in a physical sport like tennis.

What then is the biggest hurdle for Indian tennis?

Henrik Ekersund Interview“Give the youngsters time to bloom” —Ekersund

Yuki Bhambri

Sanam Singh

Arjun Khade and Ronit Bisht

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Then there is Sanam Singh, who Federer) they were all brought up on ago when she became the youngest with Yuki was thrown at the deep end clay. Playing on clay means you are player to win the Indian nationals in during the Davis Cup tie against not going to have any easy rallies, you 2008. She dropped only 12 games in Uzbekistan. Born and bred in learn how to build points, hit five five matches to claim the women’s Chandigarh, and sculpted at the winners if need be. It is a surface that title at the age of 14. Now 17, Ratnika tennis academy at the University of demands muscle strength and is ranked 53 in the world and has Virginia, Sanam has earned the endurance. But unfortunately in India already made a start on the women’s nickname ‘pocket dynamo’. Small there are only hard-courts. Even our circuit before she turns pro in a year’s and snappy, he can be deceptive with top players don’t like playing on clay. time.his speed and strength. When the European clay season While Rutuja, who hails from Pune,

“The future of Indian tennis, as far begins they are busy playing hard- failed in her bid to defend her Asian as the Davis Cup goes, is going to be court tournaments in America.” title in New Delhi last week, losing in built around guys like Somdev, Yuki Sumit, nevertheless, under the the first round after suffering a bout and Sanam,” says for India Davis Cup guidance of Bhupathi and coach of food poisoning, she is already being player Vishal Uppal. Bobby Mahal, is getting a peek into seen as a big prospect. The youngster

Uppal, himself a tennis coach, is the more competitive world. Born in was inducted into the Fed Cup team also working with the next generation Delhi, he now shuttles between the recently, and her confidence is of boys looking good to come Indian capital and Canada, where he striking.through. Later this month, he will trains for tennis six months a year. In “I don’t think Indian tennis players lead the Indian contingent to the December last year, he won the under- lag physically as opposed to the junior Davis Cup ties. 1 4 A m e r i c a n C u p t e n n i s Asians or international player,” she

The recently concluded Asian championship at the Miccosukee says with the bravado and optimism juniors Grade I tournament at the Tennis Club in Miami, Florida. of a 16-year-old. Slim-built, tall, and Delhi Lawn Tennis Association gave a He is already ranked 182 in the bespectacled, the youngster goes good glimpse of some of the most junior ITF charts and is part of a about her business in a quiet but promising youngsters in the country. promising group also comprising of assured manner.And it was somewhat a shame that Pune players Sahil Deshmukh, Arjun “I remember how Sania was always none from the host country even Khade (currently top-ranked Indian that one step ahead of the rest of the entered the final—and only two, one junior) and Ronit Bisht. girls,” says former India Fed Cup each in boys and girls singles event, “There are some players who are player Radhika Tulpule. “Rutuja is made it to the semi-final. ready to break through on the men’s like that. Right now, she is one level

That’s the first wave of negativity side,” adds Uppal. “But in the above everyone at the moment.”ready to hit as one tries to scour the women’s there’s a good bunch of 15- Most of the top juniors at the Asian horizons for exciting talent. How 16 year olds. You never know how juniors tourney last week- including good are our juniors? No one quite they are going to shape up. Apart Rutuja, Sahil and Arjun—are being knows. from that the only young player who supported by Pune-based NGO

Shyamal Vallabhjee, trainer to has done well recently in women’s is Laskhya, who provide for their kit, Indian stars like Bhupathi, Bopanna Kyra Shroff.” coaching, travel and help with and Sania Mirza, is at the DLTA to Shroff,19, has been around for scheduling. “We will also help them help Bhupathi’s protégé—14-year-old some time and is always an inspiring with training abroad,” said co-Sumit Nagal and is quick to observe story. A juvenile diabetic, the founder Sunder Iyer. “Fitness is a that there is no system in Indian sport youngster has taken the adversity in major concern for all Indian athletes (apart from cricket) to churn out her stride, so much so, that the regular and we are looking to bridge that gap talent consistently. insulin injections are not even a major as best as we can.”

“Tennis has become so physical concern for her anymore. Ranked Until the time these youngsters nowadays that if the players are given 665, she recently reached the semi- come through and make a mark on the proper training there is no way finals of the 25,000 Challeneger event the pro circuit, the questions will they are going to survive on the tour,” in Bangalore. always linger. But there were a couple he says, before pointing out the And should Sania Mirza be able to of things that augur well for Indian importance of grooming players on qualify in doubles for the London tennis: the appointment of national clay rather than the burgeoning trend Olympics, Shroff is being talked coach Henrik Ekersund, the first of hard-courts across the country. about as her possible partner. concerted effort by the All India

“It’s true that most tennis But the two girls, who have really Tennis Association to bring the tournaments in the world are held on got the Indian tennis circles glued in juniors under one umbrella, and the hard courts but if you see the top three are Rutuja Bhosale and Ratnika emergence of non-profit groups players in the game, (Novak Batra. lending the budding tennis players a Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Ratnika created waves a few years helping hand. <


The All India Tennis Association has given the junior development programme in the country a boost by bringing in 38-year-old Swede Henrik Ekersund as the national coach. Though he hasn’t played the sport on the highest level, Ekersund brings with him almost 20 years of experience in player development and coaching.

Keeping a cool head under the searing heat in New Delhi, Ekersund shares his impressions on Indian junior circuit on the sidelines of the Asian Junior Grade I tournament.

I’m happy with what I’ve seen so far. The players here are keen to learn, a lot more disciplined and obedient than the ones in Europe and seem to have the ambition.

From what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s too much of a difference between the kids here and in Europe. But, definitely, the infrastructure makes a difference. In Europe, the juniors would generally play on outdoor surfaces in the summer and indoors in the winters. That helps them understand the variations in pace and bounce very early. Here it’s mainly outdoor hard courts, so there are certain nuances they have to learn.

Also, Europe has a big club culture. In a country like Sweden alone there are 500 clubs, who function on a non-profit basis. So youngsters have better access to the game. Most of them also play more than one sport till they are in their late teens. Here, if we see, there are juniors who are specialising in one sport very early, it is the job of the coaches to make sure they develop the players’ athletic side.

Yes it is. It’s a vast country. I have only been to the DLTA facility so far, and it is one of the better ones I have worked in. But in the coming days I will travel around the country and see how the different associations function. As much as we want the top juniors to work at the best facility, the emphasis will be on having more centres across the country so that players don’t have to spend too much time travelling. I will be working with other coaches as well and involve as many of them possible so that players all over the country have access to good coaches.

I don’t agree with that. I have seen a few kids here who are as big and fast as the Europeans. It is how you train and develop them. In Sweden, we made a few mistakes in grooming youngsters. We used the same training methods for some 20 years because we’d had success with them earlier. But slowly things are changing. The training is evolving to keep in touch with the times.

The biggest challenge facing almost all countries, Sweden and India included, is that we have to persist for the results. Nowadays you see players are going to take longer to break through. Tennis has become so physical; you won’t see players who are 17 or 18 making a mark on the senior circuit nowadays.

The focus should be on encouraging more youngsters to take up the sport. Don’t think too much about taking it up as a career. One of the problems we had in Sweden, after our best period in tennis in the 1980s, is that we put too much pressure on the youngsters.

We started comparing teenagers who were showing some promise to players like (Bjorn) Borg and (Mats) Wilander. The youngsters cracked under that pressure. That is one of the reasons countries like Spain and France are doing well. They don’t put pressure on their youngsters to win. They lift their performance by concentrating on making them better players than just looking at the wins and losses.

The Asian juniors tournament must have given you a good view of some of the top juniors in the country. What do you make of them?

How would you compare the Indian youngsters to the ones in Sweden?

You have mainly worked in countries which are smaller and probably not as culturally diverse. Is is a little overwhelming coming to India?

Most people would say that Indian athletes don’t have the attributes to sustain in a physical sport like tennis.

What then is the biggest hurdle for Indian tennis?

Henrik Ekersund Interview“Give the youngsters time to bloom” —Ekersund

Yuki Bhambri

Sanam Singh

Arjun Khade and Ronit Bisht

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Aircel Chennai Open 2012Kamesh

Runner up Janko Tipsarevicin action at the Chennai Open 2012


Many champion players have Youzhny of Russia, Paradorn From being a platform for the big visited India over the years and Srichaphan of Thailand, Mikael stars to walk the ramp, the Chennai

affixed their stamp of class. The fact Tillstrom of Sweden, Marin Cilic and Open has slowly turned into an ideal that Rafael Nadal, with six French Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia have done stage at the beginning of a season, Open, two Wimbledon and one their bit to enliven the proceedings, in before the first Grand Slam in Australian Open titles under his belt emphasising their champion class. Australia, for the future stars to say apart from the Olympic gold in There have also been players of their first lines.Beijing, could only win the doubles lesser lustre like Xavier Malisse of There was a small twist this year, as title at the Chennai Open, despite Belgium, Guillermo Canas of the 21-year-old Milos Raonic, the repeated attempts, could give a fair Argentina, Michal Tabara of the Serbian-born Canadian giant, hint of the intensity of competition in Czech Republic, Jerome Golmard of standing at a towering 6’ 5’’, came to the annual event that has captured the France, Byron Black of Zimbabwe Chennai with the reputation of imagination of the Indian fans for 17 and S tan i s l a s Wawr inka o f having reached the round of 16 at the years. Switzerland who have won the title Australian Open in 2011, as a

Ever since the ATP Tour event w h i l e p r o v i d i n g w e e k - l o n g qualifier.arrived in New Delhi in 1996, and entertainment on Indian turf. Despite the presence of a top-10 then moved to Chennai the next year, Indian tennis may not have been player in Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, it has been an annual treat for the fans inspired to any great heights over the the Canadian ace whose early tennis at home, as a galaxy of stars years by the Tour event, but for the lessons were against a ball-machine, descended to get a taste of Indian odd fine run by a Leander Paes and was tipped to win the title in Chennai, culture. Somdev Devvarman, as far as singles thanks to his thunder-bolt serves that

Boris Becker, Richard Krajicek and performance is concerned. Of course, rarely missed the mark.Yevgeny Kafelnikov were some of the in doubles, Leander Paes and Mahesh As it turned out, Raonic did not greats who did not put their hands Bhupathi, apart from Rohan disappoint his fans as he won the around the trophy in India, but others Bopanna and Prahlad Srinath to some tournament without once dropping like Patrick Rafter of Australia, extent have demonstrated the world his serve.Carlos Moya of Spain, Mikhail class genes in the Indian system. More than the title triumph, it was

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Aircel Chennai Open 2012Kamesh

Runner up Janko Tipsarevicin action at the Chennai Open 2012


Many champion players have Youzhny of Russia, Paradorn From being a platform for the big visited India over the years and Srichaphan of Thailand, Mikael stars to walk the ramp, the Chennai

affixed their stamp of class. The fact Tillstrom of Sweden, Marin Cilic and Open has slowly turned into an ideal that Rafael Nadal, with six French Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia have done stage at the beginning of a season, Open, two Wimbledon and one their bit to enliven the proceedings, in before the first Grand Slam in Australian Open titles under his belt emphasising their champion class. Australia, for the future stars to say apart from the Olympic gold in There have also been players of their first lines.Beijing, could only win the doubles lesser lustre like Xavier Malisse of There was a small twist this year, as title at the Chennai Open, despite Belgium, Guillermo Canas of the 21-year-old Milos Raonic, the repeated attempts, could give a fair Argentina, Michal Tabara of the Serbian-born Canadian giant, hint of the intensity of competition in Czech Republic, Jerome Golmard of standing at a towering 6’ 5’’, came to the annual event that has captured the France, Byron Black of Zimbabwe Chennai with the reputation of imagination of the Indian fans for 17 and S tan i s l a s Wawr inka o f having reached the round of 16 at the years. Switzerland who have won the title Australian Open in 2011, as a

Ever since the ATP Tour event w h i l e p r o v i d i n g w e e k - l o n g qualifier.arrived in New Delhi in 1996, and entertainment on Indian turf. Despite the presence of a top-10 then moved to Chennai the next year, Indian tennis may not have been player in Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, it has been an annual treat for the fans inspired to any great heights over the the Canadian ace whose early tennis at home, as a galaxy of stars years by the Tour event, but for the lessons were against a ball-machine, descended to get a taste of Indian odd fine run by a Leander Paes and was tipped to win the title in Chennai, culture. Somdev Devvarman, as far as singles thanks to his thunder-bolt serves that

Boris Becker, Richard Krajicek and performance is concerned. Of course, rarely missed the mark.Yevgeny Kafelnikov were some of the in doubles, Leander Paes and Mahesh As it turned out, Raonic did not greats who did not put their hands Bhupathi, apart from Rohan disappoint his fans as he won the around the trophy in India, but others Bopanna and Prahlad Srinath to some tournament without once dropping like Patrick Rafter of Australia, extent have demonstrated the world his serve.Carlos Moya of Spain, Mikhail class genes in the Indian system. More than the title triumph, it was

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heartening to follow the manner in title without dropping serve even once like a monster’’, said Almagro after which Raonic handled the challenge in the whole tournament. Raonic had the semifinal loss.from the bespectacled Tipsarevic for 48 service games in the tournament, in “Nothing went wrong for me. three hours and 13 minutes, for a which he had enjoyed a first round Raonic is one of the best on the Tour, well-deserved 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6(4) bye as the fourth seed. particularly on hard court. He created victory in the final, when he fired 35 “Guys like Milos are special many chances for himself to win the aces. He had served only 41 aces in all players’’, said Tipsarevic, the No.2 match, particularly his first serve in his three previous matches. Serb behind the world No.1 Novak success’’, Almagro remarked.

A p p r o p r i a t e l y n i c k - n a m e d Djokovic, as he gracefully applauded Raonic had beaten top-10 players ‘Avatar’, Raonic collected $71,900 Raonic after the defeat. before as he accounted for Fernando for his second singles title of his “It was a great game of tennis. Verdasco for his maiden title in San career. He had won the maiden title in Nobody knew till the end who would Jose. He had beaten other top players San Jose in 2011, and had eventually win’’, said the 27-year-old Tipsarevic. like James Blake, Radek Stepanek, been adjudged the ‘new comer of the Of course, he may have to get a shade Xavier Malisse and Mardy Fish.year’ by ATP, as he had catapulted better to improve his win-loss record He had stretched Andy Roddick to from 156 to 31 in the world. of 2-6 in the finals on the Tour. his wit’s end in the final in Memphis

Raonic needed to be at his best in It was the second victory over a top- before bowing out 5-7 in the decider, the final, and he was. “Awesome 10 player for Raonic at the business provoking the American to comment, feeling’’, he summed up after the end of the tournament as he had “... that serve is going to win him a lot heady climax. beaten the world No.10 Nicolas of matches....It’s one of the bigger

“This is just my second year on the Almagro of Spain 6-4, 6-4 in the serves I’ve seen’’.Tour against the big boys and I am semifinals. That coming from one of the biggest learning a lot’’, said Raonic after the “The title should come to me, as I and finest servers the game has seen, title triumph in Chennai. He became have the game to win’’, Raonic had should mean a lot for a young lad, the first player since Roger Federer at said after the semifinals. who had refused to follow the the Halle event in 2008 to win a Tour “He played really well, and served Collegiate tennis path that John Isner

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Indian hope:Yuki Bhambri

That had put paid to the hopes of a dream clash of the three Indian doubles stars in the doubles final.

There was some cheer for Bopanna and Bhupathi as they had beaten Andreas Beck of Germany and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Wawrinka had partnered Roger Federer for the doubles gold in the Beijing Olympics and the Swiss duo had in fact stopped the Indian pair of Paes and Bhupathi in the quarterfinals.

However, Paes partnered Tipsarevic with commendable craft in beating the Israelis 6-4, 6-4 in the final. It was the 48th career title for Paes.

Come Olympics in London, Tipsarevic may be able to use some of the doubles tips from Paes with good effect, if he opts to get into the doubles draw as well.

The Indo-Serbian pair had warded off a stiff challenge from the second-seeded Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram of the US in the semifinals, 6-2, 6-7(1), 10-7.

Actually, Paes and Tipsarevic had started with a tough 6-3, 4-6, 10-7 victory over the Canadian alternates Vasek Pospisil and Milos Raonic in the first round.

has so beautifully negotiated to be a first Tour title in Chennai way back in There was some good news for top professional in the world. 1997 and had returned a few times for Indian tennis apart from the doubles

In fact, Raonic’s engineer parents, more fun. They had won the title as a success as wild card Yuki Bhambri Dusan and Vesna, emphasised a lot on pair for a record five times, including won a round in the main draw, as he education and had hoped that he in their latest re-union in 2011, but beat Karol Beck of Slovakia 6-2, 6-3 would accept the offer from the they had not won a title in Chennai in the first round before going down University of Virginia. Raonic was with other partners. to the top-seeded Tipsarevic in the clear that he had to be on the In a season that has started on a pre-quarterfinals.professional circuit straightaway, and tempestuous note with Rohan The other wild card Vishnu ‘’learn on the job’’, as Roddick had Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi Vardhan also had a great chance to put it. announcing their partnership with an bolster his confidence, but lost 6-4,

Raonic may take his time to reach eye on the London Olympics, there 6-7(8), 1-6 to the fifth-seeded Ivan the top-10 in the world, but for the was indeed a lot of interest in doubles Dodig of Croatia in the first round.Chennai fans, he left an indelible this time in Chennai. Yuki went on to build himself up impression, starting with his fluent Bopanna, who had lost in the strongly for the season, while Paes wins over top-100 players Victor second round of the singles qualifying captured the Australian Open Hanescu and Dudi Sela in the early event to Go Soeda of Japan 6-7(2), doubles crown with Radek Stepanek.rounds. 6-7(2), was given the pride of Chennai had given the push for the

Well, like Nadal, Tipsarevic had a handling the ‘advantage’ court by 11- aspirants, and the long season ahead doubles title to show from Chennai, time Grand Slam champion Mahesh would show whether one of the as he partnered Professor Leander Bhupathi. The top-seeded duo battled brightest talent in the world, Milos Paes who tutored him on the nuances bravely in the first two rounds but lost Raonic, manages to leap to greater of doubles play. in the semifinals to the fourth-seeded heights.

Paes and Bhupathi had made a great Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of start to their doubles career with their Israel 6-4, 3-6, 8-10.

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Raonic and Tipsarevicat the award ceremony


heartening to follow the manner in title without dropping serve even once like a monster’’, said Almagro after which Raonic handled the challenge in the whole tournament. Raonic had the semifinal loss.from the bespectacled Tipsarevic for 48 service games in the tournament, in “Nothing went wrong for me. three hours and 13 minutes, for a which he had enjoyed a first round Raonic is one of the best on the Tour, well-deserved 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-6(4) bye as the fourth seed. particularly on hard court. He created victory in the final, when he fired 35 “Guys like Milos are special many chances for himself to win the aces. He had served only 41 aces in all players’’, said Tipsarevic, the No.2 match, particularly his first serve in his three previous matches. Serb behind the world No.1 Novak success’’, Almagro remarked.

A p p r o p r i a t e l y n i c k - n a m e d Djokovic, as he gracefully applauded Raonic had beaten top-10 players ‘Avatar’, Raonic collected $71,900 Raonic after the defeat. before as he accounted for Fernando for his second singles title of his “It was a great game of tennis. Verdasco for his maiden title in San career. He had won the maiden title in Nobody knew till the end who would Jose. He had beaten other top players San Jose in 2011, and had eventually win’’, said the 27-year-old Tipsarevic. like James Blake, Radek Stepanek, been adjudged the ‘new comer of the Of course, he may have to get a shade Xavier Malisse and Mardy Fish.year’ by ATP, as he had catapulted better to improve his win-loss record He had stretched Andy Roddick to from 156 to 31 in the world. of 2-6 in the finals on the Tour. his wit’s end in the final in Memphis

Raonic needed to be at his best in It was the second victory over a top- before bowing out 5-7 in the decider, the final, and he was. “Awesome 10 player for Raonic at the business provoking the American to comment, feeling’’, he summed up after the end of the tournament as he had “... that serve is going to win him a lot heady climax. beaten the world No.10 Nicolas of matches....It’s one of the bigger

“This is just my second year on the Almagro of Spain 6-4, 6-4 in the serves I’ve seen’’.Tour against the big boys and I am semifinals. That coming from one of the biggest learning a lot’’, said Raonic after the “The title should come to me, as I and finest servers the game has seen, title triumph in Chennai. He became have the game to win’’, Raonic had should mean a lot for a young lad, the first player since Roger Federer at said after the semifinals. who had refused to follow the the Halle event in 2008 to win a Tour “He played really well, and served Collegiate tennis path that John Isner

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Indian hope:Yuki Bhambri

That had put paid to the hopes of a dream clash of the three Indian doubles stars in the doubles final.

There was some cheer for Bopanna and Bhupathi as they had beaten Andreas Beck of Germany and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Wawrinka had partnered Roger Federer for the doubles gold in the Beijing Olympics and the Swiss duo had in fact stopped the Indian pair of Paes and Bhupathi in the quarterfinals.

However, Paes partnered Tipsarevic with commendable craft in beating the Israelis 6-4, 6-4 in the final. It was the 48th career title for Paes.

Come Olympics in London, Tipsarevic may be able to use some of the doubles tips from Paes with good effect, if he opts to get into the doubles draw as well.

The Indo-Serbian pair had warded off a stiff challenge from the second-seeded Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram of the US in the semifinals, 6-2, 6-7(1), 10-7.

Actually, Paes and Tipsarevic had started with a tough 6-3, 4-6, 10-7 victory over the Canadian alternates Vasek Pospisil and Milos Raonic in the first round.

has so beautifully negotiated to be a first Tour title in Chennai way back in There was some good news for top professional in the world. 1997 and had returned a few times for Indian tennis apart from the doubles

In fact, Raonic’s engineer parents, more fun. They had won the title as a success as wild card Yuki Bhambri Dusan and Vesna, emphasised a lot on pair for a record five times, including won a round in the main draw, as he education and had hoped that he in their latest re-union in 2011, but beat Karol Beck of Slovakia 6-2, 6-3 would accept the offer from the they had not won a title in Chennai in the first round before going down University of Virginia. Raonic was with other partners. to the top-seeded Tipsarevic in the clear that he had to be on the In a season that has started on a pre-quarterfinals.professional circuit straightaway, and tempestuous note with Rohan The other wild card Vishnu ‘’learn on the job’’, as Roddick had Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi Vardhan also had a great chance to put it. announcing their partnership with an bolster his confidence, but lost 6-4,

Raonic may take his time to reach eye on the London Olympics, there 6-7(8), 1-6 to the fifth-seeded Ivan the top-10 in the world, but for the was indeed a lot of interest in doubles Dodig of Croatia in the first round.Chennai fans, he left an indelible this time in Chennai. Yuki went on to build himself up impression, starting with his fluent Bopanna, who had lost in the strongly for the season, while Paes wins over top-100 players Victor second round of the singles qualifying captured the Australian Open Hanescu and Dudi Sela in the early event to Go Soeda of Japan 6-7(2), doubles crown with Radek Stepanek.rounds. 6-7(2), was given the pride of Chennai had given the push for the

Well, like Nadal, Tipsarevic had a handling the ‘advantage’ court by 11- aspirants, and the long season ahead doubles title to show from Chennai, time Grand Slam champion Mahesh would show whether one of the as he partnered Professor Leander Bhupathi. The top-seeded duo battled brightest talent in the world, Milos Paes who tutored him on the nuances bravely in the first two rounds but lost Raonic, manages to leap to greater of doubles play. in the semifinals to the fourth-seeded heights.

Paes and Bhupathi had made a great Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of start to their doubles career with their Israel 6-4, 3-6, 8-10.

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Raonic and Tipsarevicat the award ceremony


Aircel Chennai Open 2012- Chennai, IndiaMAIN DRAW SINGLES 2-8 January 2012

1 Janko Tipsarevic SER

2 BYE

3 Yuki Bhambri IND

4 Karol Beck SLO

5 Andreas Beck GER

6 QVasek Pospisil CAN

7 David Goffin BEL

8 Xavier Malisse BEL

9 Stanislas Wawrinka SWI

10 BYE

11 Eric Prodon FRA

12 Edouard Roger-Vasselin FRA

13 Frederico Gil POR

14 Go Soeda JAP

15 Vishnu Vardhan IND

16 Ivan Dodig CRO

17 Fabio Fognini ITA

18 Dudi Sela ISR

19 Pere Riba SPA

20 Benoit Paire FRA

21 Sam Querrey USA

22 Victor Hanescu ROM

23 BYE

24 Milos Raonic CAN

25 Olivier Rochus BEL

26 Yuichi Sugita JAP

27 Thiemo De Bakker NET

28 Yen-Hsun Lu CHI

29 Blaz Kavcic SLO

30 Steve Darcis BEL

31 BYE

32 Nicolas Almagro SPA

Bhambri Y. 6-2, 6-3

Beck A. 6-3, 7-6 (8)

Goffin D. 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

Roger-Vasselin E. 6-4, 6-3

Soeda G. 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-5

Dodig I. 4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-1

Sela D. 6-0, 6-1

Paire B. 6-2, 6-1

Hanescu V. 6-3, 6-4

Sugita Y. 6-3, 6-4

Lu Y. 6-3, 6-3

Darcis S. 4-6, 7-5, 6-3

Tipsarevic J.6-1, 6-3

Goffin D. 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

Wawrinka S. 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

Soeda G. 7-6 (6), 6-3

Sela D. 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

Raonic M. 6-1, 6-4

Sugita Y. 7-6 (5), 6-4

Almagro N. (Ret’d)

Tipsarevic J.6-2, 3-6, 6-2

Soeda G. 6-4, 6-4

Raonic M. 7-6 (4), 6-3

Almagro N. 4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4

TIPSAREVIC J. 6-1, 6-4

RAONIC M.6-4, 6-4

RAONIC M. 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4)


Aircel Chennai Open 2012- Chennai, IndiaMAIN DRAW DOUBLES 2-8 January 2012

1 Mahesh Bhupathi INDRohan Bopanna IND

2 Xavier Malisse BELKen Skupski GB

3 Philipp Marx GERAdil Shamasdin CAN

4 Andreas Beck GERStanislas Wawrinka SWI

5 Jonathan Erlich ISRAndy Ram ISR

6 Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash INDRamkumar Ramanathan IND

7 Nicolas Almagro SPAPere Riba SPA

8 Julian Knowle AUMichael Kohlmann GER

9 Fabio Fognini ITAIgor Zelenay SLO

10 Johan Brunstrom SWEIvan Dodig CRO

11 Vasek Pospisil CANMilos Raonic CAN

12 Leander Paes INDJanko Tipsarevic SER

13 Juan Sebastian Cabal COLRobert Farah COL

14 Alexander Kudryavtsev RUSOlivier Rochus BEL

15 N. Sriram Balaji INDJeevan Nedunchezhiyan IND

16 Scott Lipsky USARajeev Ram USA

Bhupathi M.Bopanna R. 5-7, 6-3, 10-5

Beck A.Wawrinka S. 6-1, 7-5

Erlich J.Ram A. 6-2, 6-1

Almagro N.Riba P. 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-4

Fognini F.Zelenay I. 6-4, 7-5

Paes L.Tipsarevic J. 6-3, 4-6, 10-7

Cabal J.Farah R. 6-4, 6-4

Lipsky S.Ram R.7-5, 6-4

Bhupathi M.Bopanna R. 6-4, 7-6 (3)


Paes L.Tipsarevic J.6-3, 6-4

Lipsky S.Ram R.6-3, 4-6, 10-7

ERLICH J.RAM A.4-6, 6-3, 10-8

PAES L.TIPSAREVIC J.6-2, 6-7 (1), 10-7

PAES L.TIPSAREVIC J.6-4, 6-4


Aircel Chennai Open 2012- Chennai, IndiaMAIN DRAW SINGLES 2-8 January 2012

1 Janko Tipsarevic SER

2 BYE

3 Yuki Bhambri IND

4 Karol Beck SLO

5 Andreas Beck GER

6 QVasek Pospisil CAN

7 David Goffin BEL

8 Xavier Malisse BEL

9 Stanislas Wawrinka SWI

10 BYE

11 Eric Prodon FRA

12 Edouard Roger-Vasselin FRA

13 Frederico Gil POR

14 Go Soeda JAP

15 Vishnu Vardhan IND

16 Ivan Dodig CRO

17 Fabio Fognini ITA

18 Dudi Sela ISR

19 Pere Riba SPA

20 Benoit Paire FRA

21 Sam Querrey USA

22 Victor Hanescu ROM

23 BYE

24 Milos Raonic CAN

25 Olivier Rochus BEL

26 Yuichi Sugita JAP

27 Thiemo De Bakker NET

28 Yen-Hsun Lu CHI

29 Blaz Kavcic SLO

30 Steve Darcis BEL

31 BYE

32 Nicolas Almagro SPA

Bhambri Y. 6-2, 6-3

Beck A. 6-3, 7-6 (8)

Goffin D. 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

Roger-Vasselin E. 6-4, 6-3

Soeda G. 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-5

Dodig I. 4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-1

Sela D. 6-0, 6-1

Paire B. 6-2, 6-1

Hanescu V. 6-3, 6-4

Sugita Y. 6-3, 6-4

Lu Y. 6-3, 6-3

Darcis S. 4-6, 7-5, 6-3

Tipsarevic J.6-1, 6-3

Goffin D. 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

Wawrinka S. 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

Soeda G. 7-6 (6), 6-3

Sela D. 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

Raonic M. 6-1, 6-4

Sugita Y. 7-6 (5), 6-4

Almagro N. (Ret’d)

Tipsarevic J.6-2, 3-6, 6-2

Soeda G. 6-4, 6-4

Raonic M. 7-6 (4), 6-3

Almagro N. 4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4

TIPSAREVIC J. 6-1, 6-4

RAONIC M.6-4, 6-4

RAONIC M. 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4)


Aircel Chennai Open 2012- Chennai, IndiaMAIN DRAW DOUBLES 2-8 January 2012

1 Mahesh Bhupathi INDRohan Bopanna IND

2 Xavier Malisse BELKen Skupski GB

3 Philipp Marx GERAdil Shamasdin CAN

4 Andreas Beck GERStanislas Wawrinka SWI

5 Jonathan Erlich ISRAndy Ram ISR

6 Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash INDRamkumar Ramanathan IND

7 Nicolas Almagro SPAPere Riba SPA

8 Julian Knowle AUMichael Kohlmann GER

9 Fabio Fognini ITAIgor Zelenay SLO

10 Johan Brunstrom SWEIvan Dodig CRO

11 Vasek Pospisil CANMilos Raonic CAN

12 Leander Paes INDJanko Tipsarevic SER

13 Juan Sebastian Cabal COLRobert Farah COL

14 Alexander Kudryavtsev RUSOlivier Rochus BEL

15 N. Sriram Balaji INDJeevan Nedunchezhiyan IND

16 Scott Lipsky USARajeev Ram USA

Bhupathi M.Bopanna R. 5-7, 6-3, 10-5

Beck A.Wawrinka S. 6-1, 7-5


Almagro N.Riba P. 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-4

Fognini F.Zelenay I. 6-4, 7-5

Paes L.Tipsarevic J. 6-3, 4-6, 10-7

Cabal J.Farah R. 6-4, 6-4

Lipsky S.Ram R.7-5, 6-4

Bhupathi M.Bopanna R. 6-4, 7-6 (3)


Paes L.Tipsarevic J.6-3, 6-4

Lipsky S.Ram R.6-3, 4-6, 10-7

ERLICH J.RAM A.4-6, 6-3, 10-8

PAES L.TIPSAREVIC J.6-2, 6-7 (1), 10-7

PAES L.TIPSAREVIC J.6-4, 6-4

Flonely place. A different hotel room -- decrepit or decadent, depending on your ranking – in a different city every week, familiar faces wearing familiar expressions. But once every four years, the loneliness erupts into a friendly frenzy. The cold hotel room is swapped for an athletes village or dormitory-style living. Room service makes way for mess hall meals. The Olympics is where individuals cease to be single entities and fight under a country’s flag and for their nation’s pride. Not often does a tennis player have a team or country backing him and to win the love and undying adulation is an unforgettable experience.

The Games of the XXX Olympiad, as the 2012 Summer Olympics are officially called, will see tennis being played at the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon. Winning the Grand Slam earns you an engraving but winning the gold at Wimbledon will be an unforgettable and coveted experience.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic who already has the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open in his kitty, is now focussed on winning the French Open and Olympic gold. The Serb has the Golden Slam in his sights and he believes, “Why not? Everything is possible.”

While grass gives certain players an edge over others, at the Olympics

or a tennis player, the tour is often a

Going for Gold London 2012Ruhi Batra

underestimate your opponent at your peril. In Beijing 2008, Andy Murray suffered a shock defeat to Taipei’s world number 77, Lu Yen-Hsun. Roger Federer had to console himself with doubles gold after he was stunned by the bald American James Blake in the quarterfinals.

But at Wimbledon, few would want to bet against Federer. Competent and phenomenal on all surfaces, grass is where he displays his virtuosity. He is currently second on the all-time list for most Wimbledon singles titles – his six to Sampras’ 7. Even though he’s 30, given his track record on grass and his desire for gold, makes world No. 3 Federer candidate numero uno.

Home-grown hero Murray is a big Olympics fan. Born in 1987, Murray is part of a generation that has grown up watching tennis at the Olympics, and the leading players’ attitudes today to the Games is markedly different from those in 1988, when the sport returned after a 64-year break. “Tennis at the Olympics has become a big deal, everyone plays it now, whereas 10, 15 years ago guys were skipping the Olympics,” he said in an interview to BBC Sport. “It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had as an athlete,” he added.


Flonely place. A different hotel room -- decrepit or decadent, depending on your ranking – in a different city every week, familiar faces wearing familiar expressions. But once every four years, the loneliness erupts into a friendly frenzy. The cold hotel room is swapped for an athletes village or dormitory-style living. Room service makes way for mess hall meals. The Olympics is where individuals cease to be single entities and fight under a country’s flag and for their nation’s pride. Not often does a tennis player have a team or country backing him and to win the love and undying adulation is an unforgettable experience.

The Games of the XXX Olympiad, as the 2012 Summer Olympics are officially called, will see tennis being played at the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon. Winning the Grand Slam earns you an engraving but winning the gold at Wimbledon will be an unforgettable and coveted experience.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic who already has the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open in his kitty, is now focussed on winning the French Open and Olympic gold. The Serb has the Golden Slam in his sights and he believes, “Why not? Everything is possible.”

While grass gives certain players an edge over others, at the Olympics

or a tennis player, the tour is often a

Going for Gold London 2012Ruhi Batra

underestimate your opponent at your peril. In Beijing 2008, Andy Murray suffered a shock defeat to Taipei’s world number 77, Lu Yen-Hsun. Roger Federer had to console himself with doubles gold after he was stunned by the bald American James Blake in the quarterfinals.

But at Wimbledon, few would want to bet against Federer. Competent and phenomenal on all surfaces, grass is where he displays his virtuosity. He is currently second on the all-time list for most Wimbledon singles titles – his six to Sampras’ 7. Even though he’s 30, given his track record on grass and his desire for gold, makes world No. 3 Federer candidate numero uno.

Home-grown hero Murray is a big Olympics fan. Born in 1987, Murray is part of a generation that has grown up watching tennis at the Olympics, and the leading players’ attitudes today to the Games is markedly different from those in 1988, when the sport returned after a 64-year break. “Tennis at the Olympics has become a big deal, everyone plays it now, whereas 10, 15 years ago guys were skipping the Olympics,” he said in an interview to BBC Sport. “It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had as an athlete,” he added.



a spot in the doubles draw for London has a pot of points to defend before the TIndian tennis’ problem, at the 2012. Paes, who won the bronze medal June 11 deadline – he could choose moment, is more of a problem of three. at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, is ranked Bhupathi.Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and No. 7 and can choose his own partner But if Paes is the only top 10 ranked Rohan Bopanna are among the top 15 for the London Olympics, according to doubles player, who will the former doubles players in the world. That would the rules. Since both Paes and Bopanna Olympic medallist pick?be great news except that neither

are ranked higher than Bhupathi, they Against Uzbekistan in the last Davis Bopanna nor Bhupathi ‘publicly’ want to can ideally choose their partners. Cup tie, the combined skill and expertise play with Paes.

If, and that’s a big if, Bopanna of Paes and Bopanna wasn’t enough to Bhupathi and Bopanna decided to pair manages to maintain his ranking – he quell the challenge of Murad Inyatov up in 2012 with the intention of sealing

hey say problems come in twos.

India at London 2012 Ruhi Batra

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Indian medal hopefulls:Paes and Bhupathi


will also be keen hands. Most of the women at the top of t o s h a r e t h e the rankings will have a solid chance at spotlight. taking home the gold medal, including

Being held just those mentioned above, Na Li, and a f e w w e e k s Agnieszka Radwanska.b e f o r e t h e Old and experienced hands of Kim O lymp ic s , the Clijsters are also itching to grab a medal June 25-July 8 of the golden hue. Clijsters skipped the Grand Slam will clay-court tennis season, including the give a clearer view French Open, to focus on getting fit for on who’s ahead Wimbledon and the London Olympics. but injury niggles “My current physical condition doesn’t may also flare up, allow me to get in optimal shape for putting some top Roland Garros,” Clijsters, 28, said in the names out of statement. “I cannot wait, however, to contention. begin a long period of preparation for

On the women’s the grass season, with Wimbledon and side, the Williams the Olympic Games my principal sisters are the objectives.”s t r o n g e s t World No. 5 Samantha Stosur, contenders for reigning US Open champion, is excited medals. Venus to play her third Olympics and that too at and Serena have Wimbledon. “It’s definitely going to be a been the most highlight of the year no matter what successful players happens, whether you win a medal or a t t h e g r e e n you go out in the first round,” the 27-c o u r t s o f year-old Stosur said in an interview.W i m b l e d o n – The two Olympics that I’ve been a part either Williams of already were two of the best weeks I sister has won can remember in my career ... just being

The world No. 4 will want to make up nine times in the past 12 years. Their part of that team and putting on your for the lost chances and milk the record at the Olympics hasn’t been team track suit is something very advantage that shrieking fans will shabby either, Serena teamed with her special.” render him. With brother Jamie Murray, sister, Venus, to win women's doubles at She reiterated what many players feel the Glasgow-born, Dunblane-raised, the 2000 and 2008 Olympics. about participating at the event. “Tennis London-based international traveller As confidence-inspiring as these is an individual sport but at the Olympics Andy will launch an attack for the numbers are, their recent play has been you’ve got your tennis team and then doubles gold as well and with mixed disappointing. Riddled with injuries, the bigger team of all the other athletes doubles part of the program this year, is illness – Venus only returned to the tour from your country, the medical staff and toying with the idea of adding a third in March after battling the fatigue- support crew all willing you on. We event to his list. causing Sjogren’s Syndrome – and old don’t experience that at any other

To disregard Djokovic or the raging age, and neither of them competing time.”Spanish bull, Rafael Nadal would be strongly when put up against the A new addition to the tennis program hara-kiri. The two men sit atop the table game's top players means that the is mixed doubles, giving players another and are just as good a bet to win the sisters are a latent threat but not a shoe- chance to win another medal. Mixed gold. The Wimbledon-Olympic double in. doubles will be an official Olympic event has its own lure and the two are the best Whosoever wins Wimbledon, will re- for the first time since 1924, when Hazel fighters on the tour. enter the venue with most confidence. It Wightman and R. Norris Williams of the

Other top 10 players are just as good could be defending champion Petra United States won the gold medal, and and will make some noise. Watch out for Kvitova or even former champion Maria will be played for the first time since it the always-threatening, always- Sharapova. Or it could be world No. 1 was played as a demonstration event in entertaining Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and the Victoria Azarenka. 1968. Though mixed doubles have for insanely tall John Isner. Juan Martin Del The way women’s tennis is poised, it’s long been a part of Grand Slam culture, Potro, currently No. 11 in the world, difficult to choose just a few names and their inclusion in the Olympics will go a should never be taken out of the call them potential winners. Last year long way in the format being given more equation while up-and-coming stars saw four different Grand Slam credibility. such as Milos Raonic and Bernard Tomic champions and the No. 1 rank changed

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2008 Doubles Gold medalists Venus and Serena Williams


a spot in the doubles draw for London has a pot of points to defend before the TIndian tennis’ problem, at the 2012. Paes, who won the bronze medal June 11 deadline – he could choose moment, is more of a problem of three. at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, is ranked Bhupathi.Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and No. 7 and can choose his own partner But if Paes is the only top 10 ranked Rohan Bopanna are among the top 15 for the London Olympics, according to doubles player, who will the former doubles players in the world. That would the rules. Since both Paes and Bopanna Olympic medallist pick?be great news except that neither

are ranked higher than Bhupathi, they Against Uzbekistan in the last Davis Bopanna nor Bhupathi ‘publicly’ want to can ideally choose their partners. Cup tie, the combined skill and expertise play with Paes.

If, and that’s a big if, Bopanna of Paes and Bopanna wasn’t enough to Bhupathi and Bopanna decided to pair manages to maintain his ranking – he quell the challenge of Murad Inyatov up in 2012 with the intention of sealing

hey say problems come in twos.

India at London 2012 Ruhi Batra

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Indian medal hopefulls:Paes and Bhupathi


will also be keen hands. Most of the women at the top of t o s h a r e t h e the rankings will have a solid chance at spotlight. taking home the gold medal, including

Being held just those mentioned above, Na Li, and a f e w w e e k s Agnieszka Radwanska.b e f o r e t h e Old and experienced hands of Kim O lymp ic s , the Clijsters are also itching to grab a medal June 25-July 8 of the golden hue. Clijsters skipped the Grand Slam will clay-court tennis season, including the give a clearer view French Open, to focus on getting fit for on who’s ahead Wimbledon and the London Olympics. but injury niggles “My current physical condition doesn’t may also flare up, allow me to get in optimal shape for putting some top Roland Garros,” Clijsters, 28, said in the names out of statement. “I cannot wait, however, to contention. begin a long period of preparation for

On the women’s the grass season, with Wimbledon and side, the Williams the Olympic Games my principal sisters are the objectives.”s t r o n g e s t World No. 5 Samantha Stosur, contenders for reigning US Open champion, is excited medals. Venus to play her third Olympics and that too at and Serena have Wimbledon. “It’s definitely going to be a been the most highlight of the year no matter what successful players happens, whether you win a medal or a t t h e g r e e n you go out in the first round,” the 27-c o u r t s o f year-old Stosur said in an interview.W i m b l e d o n – The two Olympics that I’ve been a part either Williams of already were two of the best weeks I sister has won can remember in my career ... just being

The world No. 4 will want to make up nine times in the past 12 years. Their part of that team and putting on your for the lost chances and milk the record at the Olympics hasn’t been team track suit is something very advantage that shrieking fans will shabby either, Serena teamed with her special.” render him. With brother Jamie Murray, sister, Venus, to win women's doubles at She reiterated what many players feel the Glasgow-born, Dunblane-raised, the 2000 and 2008 Olympics. about participating at the event. “Tennis London-based international traveller As confidence-inspiring as these is an individual sport but at the Olympics Andy will launch an attack for the numbers are, their recent play has been you’ve got your tennis team and then doubles gold as well and with mixed disappointing. Riddled with injuries, the bigger team of all the other athletes doubles part of the program this year, is illness – Venus only returned to the tour from your country, the medical staff and toying with the idea of adding a third in March after battling the fatigue- support crew all willing you on. We event to his list. causing Sjogren’s Syndrome – and old don’t experience that at any other

To disregard Djokovic or the raging age, and neither of them competing time.”Spanish bull, Rafael Nadal would be strongly when put up against the A new addition to the tennis program hara-kiri. The two men sit atop the table game's top players means that the is mixed doubles, giving players another and are just as good a bet to win the sisters are a latent threat but not a shoe- chance to win another medal. Mixed gold. The Wimbledon-Olympic double in. doubles will be an official Olympic event has its own lure and the two are the best Whosoever wins Wimbledon, will re- for the first time since 1924, when Hazel fighters on the tour. enter the venue with most confidence. It Wightman and R. Norris Williams of the

Other top 10 players are just as good could be defending champion Petra United States won the gold medal, and and will make some noise. Watch out for Kvitova or even former champion Maria will be played for the first time since it the always-threatening, always- Sharapova. Or it could be world No. 1 was played as a demonstration event in entertaining Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and the Victoria Azarenka. 1968. Though mixed doubles have for insanely tall John Isner. Juan Martin Del The way women’s tennis is poised, it’s long been a part of Grand Slam culture, Potro, currently No. 11 in the world, difficult to choose just a few names and their inclusion in the Olympics will go a should never be taken out of the call them potential winners. Last year long way in the format being given more equation while up-and-coming stars saw four different Grand Slam credibility. such as Milos Raonic and Bernard Tomic champions and the No. 1 rank changed

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2008 Doubles Gold medalists Venus and Serena Williams


ATP / WTA TOUR CALENDAR 2012ATP TOUR WTA TOUR

Jan 01 Brisbane, AustraliaJan 02 Auckland, New ZealandJan 08 Sydney, Australia / Hobart, AustraliaJan 16 Melbourne, AustraliaFeb 06 Paris, France / Pattaya City, ThailandFeb 13 Doha, Qatar / Bogotá, ColombiaFeb 19 Memphis, TN-USAFeb 20 Dubai, UAE / Monterrey, MexicoFeb 27 Acapulco, Mexico / Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMar 07 Indian Wells, CA-USAMar 20 Miami, FL-USAApr 02 Charleston, SC-USAApr 09 Barcelona, SpainApr 09 Copenhagen, DenmarkApr 23 Stuttgart, GermanyApr 23 Fès, MoroccoApr 30 Estoril, Portugal / Budapest, HungaryMay 05 Madrid, SpainMay 14 Rome, ItalyMay 21 Brussels, Belgium / Strasbourg, FranceMay 27 Paris, FranceJun 11 Great Britain / Bad Gastein, AustriaJun 17 's-Hertogenbosch, NetherlandsJun 18 Eastbourne, Great BritainJun 25 London, Great BritainJul 09 Stanford, CA-USA / Palermo, ItalyJul 16 Carlsbad, CA-USA / Bastad, SwedenJul 23 Baku, AzerbaijanJul 28 London, Great BritainJul 29 Washington, DC-USAAug 07 Montréal, CanadaAug 13 Cincinnati, OH-USAAug 19 New Haven, CT-USA / Dallas, TX-USAAug 27 Flushing Meadows,Sep 10 Tashkent, Uzbekistan / Quebec City, CanadaSep 17 Seoul, South Korea / Guangzhou, ChinaSep 23 Tokyo, JapanSep 29 Beijing, ChinaOct 08 Linz, Austria / Osaka, JapanOct 15 Moscow, Russia Oct 15 Luxembourg, LuxembourgOct 23 Istanbul, TurkeyOct 30 Sofia, Bulgaria

Jan 01 Brisbane, AustraliaJan 02 Aircel Chennai / Doha, QatarJan 08 Sydney, Australia / Auckland, New ZealandJan 16 Melbourne, AustraliaJan 30 France / Zagreb, Croatia / Viña del Mar, ChileFeb 06 Davis CupFeb 13 Rotterdam, The NetherlandsFeb 13 Sao Paulo, Brazil / San Jose, U.S.A.Feb 20 France / Memphis, U.S.A. / ArgentinaFeb 27 U.A.E / Delray Beach, U.S.A. / MexicoMar 08 Indian Wells, U.S.A.Mar 21 Miami, U.S.A.Apr 06 Davis CupApr 09 Casablanca, Morocco / Houston, U.S.A.Apr 15 Monte-Carlo, MonacoApr 23 Bucharest, Romania / Barcelona, SpainApr 30 Germany / Belgrade, Serbia / Estoril, PortugalMay 06 Madrid, SpainMay 13 Rome, ItalyMay 20 Düsseldorf, Germany / Nice, FranceMay 27 Paris, FranceJun 11 Halle, Germany / London, Great BritainJun 17 The Netherlands / Eastbourne, Great BritainJun 25 Wimbledon, Great BritainJul 09 Stuttgart, GermanyJul 09 U.S.A. / Båstad, Sweden / Umag, CroatiaJul 16 Germany / Atlanta, U.S.A. / SwitzerlandJul 22 Kitzbühel, AustriaJul 23 Los Angeles, U.S.A.Jul 28 Olympics, LondonJul 30 Washington D.C., U.S.A.Aug 06 Toronto, CanadaAug 12 Cincinnati, U.S.AAug 19 Winston Salem, U.S.A.Aug 27 New York, U.S.A.Sep 10 Davis CupSep 17 Metz, France / St. Petersburg, RussiaSep 24 Bangkok, Thailand / Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaOct 01 Beijing, China / Tokyo, JapanOct 07 Shanghai, ChinaOct 15 Austria / Stockholm, Sweden / RussiaOct 22 Valencia, Spain / Basel, SwitzerlandOct 29 Paris, FranceNov 05 London, EnglandNov 16 Davis Cup

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and Denis Istomin. If India’s ‘best’ “We are hopeful of getting two doubles team in 2011 – they won two doubles players were unable to defeat entries in men's doubles and a lot will Premier Level titles, reached the Roland players that don’t even play regularly on depend on the rankings of the three Garros finals and semis at Wimbledon the tour, then what confidence can they players (Leander Paes, Mahesh and Semis.possibly take to London 2012? Rohan Bopanna),” AITA secretary The mixed doubles event – introduced

Paes’ best bet – on paper seems to be general Anil Khanna has said. this year after a gap of 88 years – Bhupathi. The acrimonious relationship One of Paes’ choices is of course represents one of India’s best medal between India’s most successful doubles India’a top ranked singles player, chances. Sania and Bhupathi have won pair is nothing new but both would call a Somdev Devvarman, who’s currently the Australian Open title and are temporary truce every time the Olympic recuperating from shoulder surgery. expected to team up in all probability.Games came round the corner. The Devvarman, who has been out of action The ITF rule regarding entry in mixed question on everyone’s mind is will they since the start of the year, is hoping to doubles is very clear. “The ITF will select meet each other halfway even now? play the French Open and Wimbledon doubles teams for direct acceptance

If Bhupathi manages to crack the top because of a protected ranking. from mixed doubles entries comprising 10 before the June 11 deadline then Devvarman isn’t likely to qualify to players accepted in the singles and/or India could possibly send two doubles play singles at the Olympics. men's/women's doubles events, teams. Till then, it’s a game of wait and In the women’s section, all of India’s received from national associations no watch. hopes rest solely on Sania Mirza. Ranked later than July 31, 2012. It will take into

And that’s exactly what the national 184 in the world, she wouldn’t qualify account the international singles and association is doing. The All India Tennis for the Olympics competition but the doubles rankings of June 11, 2012,” an Association, stuck in the middle of the AITA has applied for a wild card for her. ITF announcement reads.conundrum, is, as of now, taking refuge Sania, known for her forehand, has The ITF also says: “A maximum of two in the fact that actual entries by name shifted focus to doubles and has found mixed doubles teams, from any one will only be finalised after the June 11 more success there. She and Elena country may compete in the mixed rankings are out. Vesnina were one of the most victorious doubles event.” <


ATP / WTA TOUR CALENDAR 2012ATP TOUR WTA TOUR

Jan 01 Brisbane, AustraliaJan 02 Auckland, New ZealandJan 08 Sydney, Australia / Hobart, AustraliaJan 16 Melbourne, AustraliaFeb 06 Paris, France / Pattaya City, ThailandFeb 13 Doha, Qatar / Bogotá, ColombiaFeb 19 Memphis, TN-USAFeb 20 Dubai, UAE / Monterrey, MexicoFeb 27 Acapulco, Mexico / Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMar 07 Indian Wells, CA-USAMar 20 Miami, FL-USAApr 02 Charleston, SC-USAApr 09 Barcelona, SpainApr 09 Copenhagen, DenmarkApr 23 Stuttgart, GermanyApr 23 Fès, MoroccoApr 30 Estoril, Portugal / Budapest, HungaryMay 05 Madrid, SpainMay 14 Rome, ItalyMay 21 Brussels, Belgium / Strasbourg, FranceMay 27 Paris, FranceJun 11 Great Britain / Bad Gastein, AustriaJun 17 's-Hertogenbosch, NetherlandsJun 18 Eastbourne, Great BritainJun 25 London, Great BritainJul 09 Stanford, CA-USA / Palermo, ItalyJul 16 Carlsbad, CA-USA / Bastad, SwedenJul 23 Baku, AzerbaijanJul 28 London, Great BritainJul 29 Washington, DC-USAAug 07 Montréal, CanadaAug 13 Cincinnati, OH-USAAug 19 New Haven, CT-USA / Dallas, TX-USAAug 27 Flushing Meadows,Sep 10 Tashkent, Uzbekistan / Quebec City, CanadaSep 17 Seoul, South Korea / Guangzhou, ChinaSep 23 Tokyo, JapanSep 29 Beijing, ChinaOct 08 Linz, Austria / Osaka, JapanOct 15 Moscow, Russia Oct 15 Luxembourg, LuxembourgOct 23 Istanbul, TurkeyOct 30 Sofia, Bulgaria

Jan 01 Brisbane, AustraliaJan 02 Aircel Chennai / Doha, QatarJan 08 Sydney, Australia / Auckland, New ZealandJan 16 Melbourne, AustraliaJan 30 France / Zagreb, Croatia / Viña del Mar, ChileFeb 06 Davis CupFeb 13 Rotterdam, The NetherlandsFeb 13 Sao Paulo, Brazil / San Jose, U.S.A.Feb 20 France / Memphis, U.S.A. / ArgentinaFeb 27 U.A.E / Delray Beach, U.S.A. / MexicoMar 08 Indian Wells, U.S.A.Mar 21 Miami, U.S.A.Apr 06 Davis CupApr 09 Casablanca, Morocco / Houston, U.S.A.Apr 15 Monte-Carlo, MonacoApr 23 Bucharest, Romania / Barcelona, SpainApr 30 Germany / Belgrade, Serbia / Estoril, PortugalMay 06 Madrid, SpainMay 13 Rome, ItalyMay 20 Düsseldorf, Germany / Nice, FranceMay 27 Paris, FranceJun 11 Halle, Germany / London, Great BritainJun 17 The Netherlands / Eastbourne, Great BritainJun 25 Wimbledon, Great BritainJul 09 Stuttgart, GermanyJul 09 U.S.A. / Båstad, Sweden / Umag, CroatiaJul 16 Germany / Atlanta, U.S.A. / SwitzerlandJul 22 Kitzbühel, AustriaJul 23 Los Angeles, U.S.A.Jul 28 Olympics, LondonJul 30 Washington D.C., U.S.A.Aug 06 Toronto, CanadaAug 12 Cincinnati, U.S.AAug 19 Winston Salem, U.S.A.Aug 27 New York, U.S.A.Sep 10 Davis CupSep 17 Metz, France / St. Petersburg, RussiaSep 24 Bangkok, Thailand / Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaOct 01 Beijing, China / Tokyo, JapanOct 07 Shanghai, ChinaOct 15 Austria / Stockholm, Sweden / RussiaOct 22 Valencia, Spain / Basel, SwitzerlandOct 29 Paris, FranceNov 05 London, EnglandNov 16 Davis Cup

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Contact:Kulin Parikh

F-6, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110 001Tel: 011 3248 5962

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and Denis Istomin. If India’s ‘best’ “We are hopeful of getting two doubles team in 2011 – they won two doubles players were unable to defeat entries in men's doubles and a lot will Premier Level titles, reached the Roland players that don’t even play regularly on depend on the rankings of the three Garros finals and semis at Wimbledon the tour, then what confidence can they players (Leander Paes, Mahesh and Semis.possibly take to London 2012? Rohan Bopanna),” AITA secretary The mixed doubles event – introduced

Paes’ best bet – on paper seems to be general Anil Khanna has said. this year after a gap of 88 years – Bhupathi. The acrimonious relationship One of Paes’ choices is of course represents one of India’s best medal between India’s most successful doubles India’a top ranked singles player, chances. Sania and Bhupathi have won pair is nothing new but both would call a Somdev Devvarman, who’s currently the Australian Open title and are temporary truce every time the Olympic recuperating from shoulder surgery. expected to team up in all probability.Games came round the corner. The Devvarman, who has been out of action The ITF rule regarding entry in mixed question on everyone’s mind is will they since the start of the year, is hoping to doubles is very clear. “The ITF will select meet each other halfway even now? play the French Open and Wimbledon doubles teams for direct acceptance

If Bhupathi manages to crack the top because of a protected ranking. from mixed doubles entries comprising 10 before the June 11 deadline then Devvarman isn’t likely to qualify to players accepted in the singles and/or India could possibly send two doubles play singles at the Olympics. men's/women's doubles events, teams. Till then, it’s a game of wait and In the women’s section, all of India’s received from national associations no watch. hopes rest solely on Sania Mirza. Ranked later than July 31, 2012. It will take into

And that’s exactly what the national 184 in the world, she wouldn’t qualify account the international singles and association is doing. The All India Tennis for the Olympics competition but the doubles rankings of June 11, 2012,” an Association, stuck in the middle of the AITA has applied for a wild card for her. ITF announcement reads.conundrum, is, as of now, taking refuge Sania, known for her forehand, has The ITF also says: “A maximum of two in the fact that actual entries by name shifted focus to doubles and has found mixed doubles teams, from any one will only be finalised after the June 11 more success there. She and Elena country may compete in the mixed rankings are out. Vesnina were one of the most victorious doubles event.” <


ATP RANKINGS(As on 30 April 2012)

SINGLES DOUBLES

RANK NAME/COUNTRY POINTS RANK NAME/COUNTRY POINTS

1 Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 13,0202 Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 10,1703 Federer, Roger (SUI) 8,8804 Murray, Andy (GBR) 7,8605 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 4,8306 Ferrer, David (ESP) 4,2807 Berdych, Tomas (CZE) 4,0808 Tipsarevic, Janko (SRB) 2,8209 Fish, Mardy (USA) 2,725

10 Isner, John (USA) 2,62011 Simon, Gilles (FRA) 2,52512 Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) 2,49513 Almagro, Nicolas (ESP) 2,17514 Monfils, Gael (FRA) 2,07515 Monaco, Juan (ARG) 2,01516 Lopez, Feliciano (ESP) 1,79517 Nishikori, Kei (JPN) 1,73518 Gasquet, Richard (FRA) 1,59519 Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) 1,59520 Dolgopolov, Alexandr (UKR) 1,56521 Mayer, Florian (GER) 1,43521 Mayer, Florian (GER) 1,43522 Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) 1,42523 Raonic, Milos (CAN) 1,42524 Cilic, Marin (CRO) 1,40025 Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 1,34026 Benneteau, Julien (FRA) 1,25027 Granollers, Marcel (ESP) 1,25028 Roddick, Andy (USA) 1,24529 Troicki, Viktor (SRB) 1,18530 Chela, Juan Ignacio (ARG) 1,17531 Anderson, Kevin (RSA) 1,17032 Soderling, Robin (SWE) 1,16533 Tomic, Bernard (AUS) 1,16534 Kohlschreiber, Philipp (GER) 1,15535 Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 1,14736 Youzhny, Mikhail (RUS) 1,14037 Berlocq, Carlos (ARG) 1,07638 Andujar, Pablo (ESP) 1,07039 Baghdatis, Marcos (CYP) 1,02540 Bellucci, Thomaz (BRA) 1,02041 Bogomolov Jr., Alex (RUS) 1,01142 Ramos, Albert (ESP) 1,00343 Haase, Robin (NED) 1,00144 Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN) 99345 Istomin, Denis (UZB) 98246 Seppi, Andreas (ITA) 98047 Llodra, Michael (FRA) 96548 Fognini, Fabio (ITA) 93049 Nalbandian, David (ARG) 90550 Kubot, Lukasz (POL) 901

1 Bryan, Bob (USA) 9,4301 Bryan, Mike (USA) 9,4303 Mirnyi, Max (BLR) 9,0903 Nestor, Daniel (CAN) 9,0905 Llodra, Michael (FRA) 7,7206 Zimonjic, Nenad (SRB) 7,7007 Paes, Leander (IND) 6,1958 Fyrstenberg, Mariusz (POL) 4,9058 Matkowski, Marcin (POL) 4,905

10 Lindstedt, Robert (SWE) 4,69011 Tecau, Horia (ROU) 4,69012 Bopanna, Rohan (IND) 4,47513 Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 4,17514 Qureshi, Aisam-Ul-Haq (PAK) 3,95515 Bhupathi, Mahesh (IND) 3,85016 Petzschner, Philipp (GER) 3,52417 Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 3,45518 Peya, Alexander (AUT) 3,22019 Lopez, Marc (ESP) 3,19020 Cabal, Juan Sebastian (COL) 2,86321 Kas, Christopher (GER) 2,85022 Cermak, Frantisek (CZE) 2,74023 Polasek, Filip (SVK) 2,64024 Querrey, Sam (USA) 2,54325 Fleming, Colin (GBR) 2,53526 Marrero, David (ESP) 2,43527 Granollers, Marcel (ESP) 2,43028 Hutchins, Ross (GBR) 2,42029 Bracciali, Daniele (ITA) 2,40530 Schwank, Eduardo (ARG) 2,40331 Isner, John (USA) 2,39032 Soares, Bruno (BRA) 2,38033 Marach, Oliver (AUT) 2,31534 Melo, Marcelo (BRA) 2,22035 Butorac, Eric (USA) 2,13036 Fognini, Fabio (ITA) 2,03037 Gonzalez, Santiago (MEX) 2,01338 Rojer, Jean-Julien (NED) 1,88039 Murray, Jamie (GBR) 1,80040 Hanley, Paul (AUS) 1,70041 Bolelli, Simone (ITA) 1,65542 Lipsky, Scott (USA) 1,63043 Mahut, Nicolas (FRA) 1,53544 Huey, Treat Conrad (PHI) 1,51345 Malisse, Xavier (BEL) 1,51046 Brown, Dustin (GER) 1,50047 Sa, Andre (BRA) 1,45548 Erlich, Jonathan (ISR) 1,37049 Norman, Dick (BEL) 1,34050 Ram, Andy (ISR) 1,325

Novak DjokovicJurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner

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SINGLES DOUBLES

RANK NAME/COUNTRY POINTS

1 Azarenka, Victoria (BLR) 90202 Sharapova, Maria (RUS) 82803 Kvitova, Petra (CZE) 71704 Radwanska, Agnieszka (POL) 67105 Stosur, Samantha (AUS) 58256 Wozniacki, Caroline (DEN) 53307 Bartoli, Marion (FRA) 50208 Li, Na (CHN) 49409 Williams, Serena (USA) 4300

10 Zvonareva, Vera (RUS) 377511 Schiavone, Francesca (ITA) 338012 Petkovic, Andrea (GER) 335013 Lisicki, Sabine (GER) 320114 Kerber, Angelique (GER ) 312515 Ivanovic, Ana (SRB) 278516 Cibulkova, Dominika (SVK) 271517 Jankovic, Jelena (SRB) 250018 Hantuchova, Daniela (SVK) 245019 Kirilenko, Maria (RUS) 241020 Goerges, Julia (GER) 233521 Safarova, Lucie (CZE) 225522 Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia (RUS) 224623 Vinci, Roberta (ITA) 223024 Pennetta, Flavia (ITA) 215525 Peng, Shuai (CHN) 205026 Kuznetsova, Svetlana (RUS) 193127 Errani, Sara (ITA) 184028 Cetkovska, Petra (CZE) 182029 Wickmayer, Yanina (BEL) 174530 Niculescu, Monica (ROU) 174031 Barthel, Mona (GER) 173232 Medina Garrigues, Anabel (ESP) 173033 Zheng, Jie (CHN) 172034 Kanepi, Kaia (EST) 172035 Petrova, Nadia (RUS) 170636 McHale, Christina (USA) 162137 Hercog, Polona (SLO) 154738 Pervak, Ksenia (KAZ) 143039 Makarova, Ekaterina (RUS) 138740 Cirstea, Sorana (ROU) 135141 Clijsters, Kim (BEL) 131142 Scheepers, Chanelle (RSA) 131043 Pironkova, Tsvetana (BUL) 128244 Benesova, Iveta (CZE) 126545 Erakovic, Marina (NZL) 124346 Zakopalova, Klara (CZE) 124047 Halep, Simona (ROU) 123048 Martinez Sanchez, Maria Jose (ESP) 122949 Voskoboeva, Galina (KAZ) 122850 Paszek, Tamira (AUT) 1173

1 Huber, Liezel (USA) 100401 Raymond, Lisa (USA) 100403 Peschke, Kveta (CZE) 79504 Srebotnik, Katarina (SLO) 79505 King, Vania (USA) 72256 Shvedova, Yaroslava (KAZ) 70957 Kirilenko, Maria (RUS) 58158 Mirza, Sania (IND) 55609 Hlavackova, Andrea (CZE) 5465

10 Hradecka, Lucie (CZE) 545511 Vesnina, Elena (RUS) 540012 Errani, Sara (ITA) 485013 Vinci, Roberta (ITA) 485014 Dulko, Gisela (ARG) 464015 Pennetta, Flavia (ITA) 441516 Petrova, Nadia (RUS) 424017 Zheng, Jie (CHN) 337018 Zahlavova Strycova, Barbora (CZE) 316019 Azarenka, Victoria (BLR) 315320 Rodionova, Anastasia (AUS) 307521 Llagostera Vives, Nuria (ESP) 298022 Benesova, Iveta (CZE) 286023 Uhlirova, Vladimira (CZE) 279024 Grandin, Natalie (RSA) 279025 Kops-Jones, Raquel (USA) 275525 Spears, Abigail (USA) 275527 Zvonareva, Vera (RUS) 272828 Parra Santonja, Arantxa (ESP) 266529 Kuznetsova, Svetlana (RUS) 257130 Medina Garrigues, Anabel (ESP) 254531 Niculescu, Monica (ROU) 253532 Voskoboeva, Galina (KAZ) 245533 Peng, Shuai (CHN) 235534 Goerges, Julia (GER) 231035 Gajdosova, Jarmila (AUS) 225536 Groenefeld, Anna-LenavGER) 224537 Kudryavtseva, Alla (RUS) 220038 Begu, Irina-Camelia (ROU) 212539 Dushevina, Vera (RUS) 210540 Rosolska, Alicja (POL) 210541 Stosur, Samantha (AUS) 205842 Makarova, Ekaterina (RUS) 204143 Martinez Sanchez, Maria Jose (ESP) 203544 Mattek-Sands, Bethanie (USA) 200645 Hantuchova, Daniela (SVK) 198846 Radwanska, Agnieszka (POL) 198747 Dellacqua, Casey (AUS) 193548 Erakovic, Marina (NZL) 192349 Date-Krumm, Kimiko (JPN) 189550 Jans-Ignacik, Klaudia (POL) 1865

Petra KvitováLiezel Huber and

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NAME/COUNTRY

WTA RANKINGS

POINTS RANK

(As on 30 April 2012)


ATP RANKINGS(As on 30 April 2012)

SINGLES DOUBLES

RANK NAME/COUNTRY POINTS RANK NAME/COUNTRY POINTS

1 Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 13,0202 Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 10,1703 Federer, Roger (SUI) 8,8804 Murray, Andy (GBR) 7,8605 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 4,8306 Ferrer, David (ESP) 4,2807 Berdych, Tomas (CZE) 4,0808 Tipsarevic, Janko (SRB) 2,8209 Fish, Mardy (USA) 2,725

10 Isner, John (USA) 2,62011 Simon, Gilles (FRA) 2,52512 Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) 2,49513 Almagro, Nicolas (ESP) 2,17514 Monfils, Gael (FRA) 2,07515 Monaco, Juan (ARG) 2,01516 Lopez, Feliciano (ESP) 1,79517 Nishikori, Kei (JPN) 1,73518 Gasquet, Richard (FRA) 1,59519 Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) 1,59520 Dolgopolov, Alexandr (UKR) 1,56521 Mayer, Florian (GER) 1,43521 Mayer, Florian (GER) 1,43522 Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) 1,42523 Raonic, Milos (CAN) 1,42524 Cilic, Marin (CRO) 1,40025 Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 1,34026 Benneteau, Julien (FRA) 1,25027 Granollers, Marcel (ESP) 1,25028 Roddick, Andy (USA) 1,24529 Troicki, Viktor (SRB) 1,18530 Chela, Juan Ignacio (ARG) 1,17531 Anderson, Kevin (RSA) 1,17032 Soderling, Robin (SWE) 1,16533 Tomic, Bernard (AUS) 1,16534 Kohlschreiber, Philipp (GER) 1,15535 Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 1,14736 Youzhny, Mikhail (RUS) 1,14037 Berlocq, Carlos (ARG) 1,07638 Andujar, Pablo (ESP) 1,07039 Baghdatis, Marcos (CYP) 1,02540 Bellucci, Thomaz (BRA) 1,02041 Bogomolov Jr., Alex (RUS) 1,01142 Ramos, Albert (ESP) 1,00343 Haase, Robin (NED) 1,00144 Nieminen, Jarkko (FIN) 99345 Istomin, Denis (UZB) 98246 Seppi, Andreas (ITA) 98047 Llodra, Michael (FRA) 96548 Fognini, Fabio (ITA) 93049 Nalbandian, David (ARG) 90550 Kubot, Lukasz (POL) 901

1 Bryan, Bob (USA) 9,4301 Bryan, Mike (USA) 9,4303 Mirnyi, Max (BLR) 9,0903 Nestor, Daniel (CAN) 9,0905 Llodra, Michael (FRA) 7,7206 Zimonjic, Nenad (SRB) 7,7007 Paes, Leander (IND) 6,1958 Fyrstenberg, Mariusz (POL) 4,9058 Matkowski, Marcin (POL) 4,905

10 Lindstedt, Robert (SWE) 4,69011 Tecau, Horia (ROU) 4,69012 Bopanna, Rohan (IND) 4,47513 Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 4,17514 Qureshi, Aisam-Ul-Haq (PAK) 3,95515 Bhupathi, Mahesh (IND) 3,85016 Petzschner, Philipp (GER) 3,52417 Melzer, Jurgen (AUT) 3,45518 Peya, Alexander (AUT) 3,22019 Lopez, Marc (ESP) 3,19020 Cabal, Juan Sebastian (COL) 2,86321 Kas, Christopher (GER) 2,85022 Cermak, Frantisek (CZE) 2,74023 Polasek, Filip (SVK) 2,64024 Querrey, Sam (USA) 2,54325 Fleming, Colin (GBR) 2,53526 Marrero, David (ESP) 2,43527 Granollers, Marcel (ESP) 2,43028 Hutchins, Ross (GBR) 2,42029 Bracciali, Daniele (ITA) 2,40530 Schwank, Eduardo (ARG) 2,40331 Isner, John (USA) 2,39032 Soares, Bruno (BRA) 2,38033 Marach, Oliver (AUT) 2,31534 Melo, Marcelo (BRA) 2,22035 Butorac, Eric (USA) 2,13036 Fognini, Fabio (ITA) 2,03037 Gonzalez, Santiago (MEX) 2,01338 Rojer, Jean-Julien (NED) 1,88039 Murray, Jamie (GBR) 1,80040 Hanley, Paul (AUS) 1,70041 Bolelli, Simone (ITA) 1,65542 Lipsky, Scott (USA) 1,63043 Mahut, Nicolas (FRA) 1,53544 Huey, Treat Conrad (PHI) 1,51345 Malisse, Xavier (BEL) 1,51046 Brown, Dustin (GER) 1,50047 Sa, Andre (BRA) 1,45548 Erlich, Jonathan (ISR) 1,37049 Norman, Dick (BEL) 1,34050 Ram, Andy (ISR) 1,325

Novak DjokovicJurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner

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SINGLES DOUBLES

RANK NAME/COUNTRY POINTS

1 Azarenka, Victoria (BLR) 90202 Sharapova, Maria (RUS) 82803 Kvitova, Petra (CZE) 71704 Radwanska, Agnieszka (POL) 67105 Stosur, Samantha (AUS) 58256 Wozniacki, Caroline (DEN) 53307 Bartoli, Marion (FRA) 50208 Li, Na (CHN) 49409 Williams, Serena (USA) 4300

10 Zvonareva, Vera (RUS) 377511 Schiavone, Francesca (ITA) 338012 Petkovic, Andrea (GER) 335013 Lisicki, Sabine (GER) 320114 Kerber, Angelique (GER ) 312515 Ivanovic, Ana (SRB) 278516 Cibulkova, Dominika (SVK) 271517 Jankovic, Jelena (SRB) 250018 Hantuchova, Daniela (SVK) 245019 Kirilenko, Maria (RUS) 241020 Goerges, Julia (GER) 233521 Safarova, Lucie (CZE) 225522 Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia (RUS) 224623 Vinci, Roberta (ITA) 223024 Pennetta, Flavia (ITA) 215525 Peng, Shuai (CHN) 205026 Kuznetsova, Svetlana (RUS) 193127 Errani, Sara (ITA) 184028 Cetkovska, Petra (CZE) 182029 Wickmayer, Yanina (BEL) 174530 Niculescu, Monica (ROU) 174031 Barthel, Mona (GER) 173232 Medina Garrigues, Anabel (ESP) 173033 Zheng, Jie (CHN) 172034 Kanepi, Kaia (EST) 172035 Petrova, Nadia (RUS) 170636 McHale, Christina (USA) 162137 Hercog, Polona (SLO) 154738 Pervak, Ksenia (KAZ) 143039 Makarova, Ekaterina (RUS) 138740 Cirstea, Sorana (ROU) 135141 Clijsters, Kim (BEL) 131142 Scheepers, Chanelle (RSA) 131043 Pironkova, Tsvetana (BUL) 128244 Benesova, Iveta (CZE) 126545 Erakovic, Marina (NZL) 124346 Zakopalova, Klara (CZE) 124047 Halep, Simona (ROU) 123048 Martinez Sanchez, Maria Jose (ESP) 122949 Voskoboeva, Galina (KAZ) 122850 Paszek, Tamira (AUT) 1173

1 Huber, Liezel (USA) 100401 Raymond, Lisa (USA) 100403 Peschke, Kveta (CZE) 79504 Srebotnik, Katarina (SLO) 79505 King, Vania (USA) 72256 Shvedova, Yaroslava (KAZ) 70957 Kirilenko, Maria (RUS) 58158 Mirza, Sania (IND) 55609 Hlavackova, Andrea (CZE) 5465

10 Hradecka, Lucie (CZE) 545511 Vesnina, Elena (RUS) 540012 Errani, Sara (ITA) 485013 Vinci, Roberta (ITA) 485014 Dulko, Gisela (ARG) 464015 Pennetta, Flavia (ITA) 441516 Petrova, Nadia (RUS) 424017 Zheng, Jie (CHN) 337018 Zahlavova Strycova, Barbora (CZE) 316019 Azarenka, Victoria (BLR) 315320 Rodionova, Anastasia (AUS) 307521 Llagostera Vives, Nuria (ESP) 298022 Benesova, Iveta (CZE) 286023 Uhlirova, Vladimira (CZE) 279024 Grandin, Natalie (RSA) 279025 Kops-Jones, Raquel (USA) 275525 Spears, Abigail (USA) 275527 Zvonareva, Vera (RUS) 272828 Parra Santonja, Arantxa (ESP) 266529 Kuznetsova, Svetlana (RUS) 257130 Medina Garrigues, Anabel (ESP) 254531 Niculescu, Monica (ROU) 253532 Voskoboeva, Galina (KAZ) 245533 Peng, Shuai (CHN) 235534 Goerges, Julia (GER) 231035 Gajdosova, Jarmila (AUS) 225536 Groenefeld, Anna-LenavGER) 224537 Kudryavtseva, Alla (RUS) 220038 Begu, Irina-Camelia (ROU) 212539 Dushevina, Vera (RUS) 210540 Rosolska, Alicja (POL) 210541 Stosur, Samantha (AUS) 205842 Makarova, Ekaterina (RUS) 204143 Martinez Sanchez, Maria Jose (ESP) 203544 Mattek-Sands, Bethanie (USA) 200645 Hantuchova, Daniela (SVK) 198846 Radwanska, Agnieszka (POL) 198747 Dellacqua, Casey (AUS) 193548 Erakovic, Marina (NZL) 192349 Date-Krumm, Kimiko (JPN) 189550 Jans-Ignacik, Klaudia (POL) 1865

Petra KvitováLiezel Huber and

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NAME/COUNTRY

WTA RANKINGS

POINTS RANK

(As on 30 April 2012)

2011 WTA TOUR FINAL RESULTS

03-01-2011 Brisbane Australia SINGLES: Petra José Martínez Sánchez DOUBLES: Eva Birnerová, Kvitová DOUBLES: Alisa Kleybanova, Anastasia Lucie HradeckáPavlyuchenkova 18-07-2011 Baku Azerbaijan SINGLES: Vera 03-01-2011 Auckland New Zealand SINGLES: Gréta Zvonareva DOUBLES: Mariya Koryttseva, Tatiana Arn DOUBLES: Květa Peschke, Katarina Srebotnik Poutchek

03-01-2011 Sydney Australia SINGLES: Li Na 25-07-2011 Stanford United States SINGLES: DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová, Barbora Záhlavová- Serena Williams DOUBLES: Victoria Azarenka, Maria Strýcová Kirilenko

10-01-2011 Hobart Australia SINGLES: Jarmila July 25 Washington D.C. United States SINGLES: Groth DOUBLES: Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci Nadia Petrova DOUBLES: Sania Mirza, Yaroslava

Shvedova17-01-2011 to 24-01-2011 Melbourne Australia SINGLES: Kim Clijsters DOUBLES: Gisela Dulko, Flavia 01-08-2011 San Diego United States SINGLES: Pennetta Agnieszka Radwańska DOUBLES: Květa Peschke,

Katarina Srebotnik07-02-2011 Paris France SINGLES: Petra Kvitová DOUBLES: Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Meghann 08-8-2011 Toronto Canada SINGLES: Serena Shaughnessy Williams DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, Lisa Raymond

07-02-2011 Pattaya City Thailand SINGLES: Daniela 15-08-2011 Cincinnati United States SINGLES: Hantuchová DOUBLES: Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci Maria Sharapova DOUBLES: Vania King, Yaroslava

Shvedova25-04-2011 Estoril Portugal SINGLES: Anabel 14-02-2011 Dubai UAE SINGLES: Caroline Medina Garrigues DOUBLES: Alisa Kleybanova, Wozniacki DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, María José 22-08-2011 New Haven United States SINGLES: Galina VoskoboevaMartínez Sánchez Caroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Chuang Chia-jung,

Olga Govortsova02-05-2011 Madrid Spain SINGLES: Petra Kvitová 14-02-2011 Memphis United States SINGLES: DOUBLES: Victoria Azarenka, Maria KirilenkoMagdaléna Rybáriková DOUBLES: Olga Govortsova, 22-08-2011 Dallas United States SINGLES: Sabine

Alla Kudryavtseva Lisicki DOUBLES: Alberta Brianti, Sorana Cîrstea09-05-2011 Rome Italy SINGLES: Maria Sharapova DOUBLES: Peng Shuai, Zheng Jie14 -02-2011 Bogotá Colombia SINGLES: Lourdes 29-08-2011 to 05-09-2011 New York City USA

Domínguez Lino DOUBLES: Edina Gallovits-Hall, SINGLES: Samantha Stosur DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, 16-05-2011 Brussels Belgium SINGLES: Caroline Anabel Medina Garrigues Lisa RaymondWozniacki DOUBLES: Andrea Hlaváčková, Galina

Voskoboeva21-02-2011 Doha Qatar SINGLES: Vera Zvonareva 12-09-2011 Tashkent Uzbekistan SINGLES: Ksenia DOUBLES: Kvêta Peschke, Katarina Srebotnik Pervak DOUBLES: Eleni Daniilidou, Vitalia 16-05-2011 Strasbourg France SINGLES: Andrea

DiatchenkoPetkovic DOUBLES: Akgul Amanmuradova, Chuang 21-02-2011 Acapulco Mexico SINGLES: Gisela Chia-jungDulko DOUBLES: Mariya Koryttseva, Ioana Raluca 12-09-2011 Quebec City Canada SINGLES: Barbora

Olaru Záhlavová-Strýcová DOUBLES: Raquel Kops-Jones, 23-05-2011 to 30-05-2011 Paris France SINGLES: Li Abigail SpearsNa DOUBLES: Andrea Hlaváčková, Lucie Hradecká28-02-2011 Monterrey Mexico SINGLES: Anastasia

Pavlyuchenkova DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová, Barbora 19-09-2011 Seoul South Korea SINGLES: María José 06-06-2011 Birmingham United Kingdom SINGLES: Záhlavová-Strýcová Martínez Sánchez DOUBLES: Natalie Grandin, Sabine Lisicki DOUBLES: Olga Govortsova, Alla

Vladimíra UhlířováKudryavtseva28-02-2011 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia SINGLES: Jelena Dokić DOUBLES: Dinara Safina, Galina 19-09-2011 Guangzhou China SINGLES: Chanelle 06-06-2011 Copenhagen Denmark SINGLES: Voskoboeva Scheepers DOUBLES: Hsieh Su-wei, Zheng SaisaiCaroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Johanna Larsson,

Jasmin Wöhr07-03-2011 to 14-03-2011 Indian Wells United 26-09-2011 Tokyo Japan SINGLES: Agnieszka States SINGLES: Caroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Sania Radwańska DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, Lisa Raymond13-06-2011 Eastbourne United Kingdom SINGLES: Mirza, Elena Vesnina Marion Bartoli DOUBLES: Květa Peschke, Katarina 03-10-2011 Beijing China SINGLES: Agnieszka

Srebotnik21-03-2011 to 28-03-2011 Miami USA SINGLES: Radwańska DOUBLES: Květa Peschke, Katarina Victoria Azarenka DOUBLES: Daniela Hantuchová, Srebotnik13-06-2011 's-Hertogenbosch Netherlands Agnieszka Radwańska SINGLES: Roberta Vinci DOUBLES: Barbora Záhlavová- 10-10-2011 Linz Austria SINGLES: Petra Kvitová

Strýcová, Klára Zakopalová04-04-2011 Charleston United States SINGLES: DOUBLES: Marina Erakovic, Elena VesninaCaroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Sania Mirza, Elena 20-06-2011 to 27-06-2011 London United 10-10-2011 Osaka Japan SINGLES: Marion Bartoli Vesnina Kingdom SINGLES: Petra Kvitová DOUBLES: Květa DOUBLES: Kimiko Date-Krumm, Zhang Shuai

Peschke, Katarina Srebotnik04-04-2011 Marbella Spain SINGLES: Victoria 17-10-2011 Moscow Russia SINGLES: Dominika Azarenka DOUBLES: Nuria Llagostera Vives, Arantxa 04-07-2011 Budapest Hungary SINGLES: Roberta Cibulková DOUBLES: Vania King, Yaroslava Parra Santonja Vinci DOUBLES: Anabel Medina Garrigues, Alicja Shvedova

Rosolska18-04-2011 Stuttgart Germany SINGLES: Julia 17-10-2011 Luxembourg City Luxembourg Görges DOUBLES: Sabine Lisicki, Samantha Stosur 04-07-2011 Båstad Sweden SINGLES: Polona SINGLES: Victoria Azarenka DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová,

Hercog DOUBLES: Lourdes Domínguez Lino, María 18-04-2011 Fes Morocco SINGLES: Alberta Brianti Barbora Záhlavová-StrýcováJosé Martínez SánchezDOUBLES: Andrea Hlaváčková, Renata Voráčová 24-10-2011 Istanbul Turkey SINGLES: Petra Kvitová 11-07-2011 Palermo, Italy SINGLES: Anabel Medina 25-04-2011 Barcelona Spain SINGLES: Roberta DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, Lisa RaymondGarrigues DOUBLES: Sara Errani, Roberta VinciVinci DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová, Barbora Záhlavová- 31-10-2011 Bali Indonesia SINGLES: Ana Ivanović

Strýcová 11-07-2011 Bad Gastein Austria SINGLES: María

DATE NAME/LOCATION WINNER



Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova

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02.01.2011 Brisbane Australia SINGLES: Robin Simon DOUBLES: Alexander Peya, Oliver MarachSoderling DOUBLES: Paul Hanley, Lukas Dlouhy 25.07.2011 Gstaad Switzerland SINGLES: Marcel 03.01.2011 Chennai India SINGLES: Stanislas Granollers DOUBLES: Filip Polasek, Frantisek CermakWawrinka DOUBLES: Leander Paes, Mahesh 25.07.2011 Los Angeles CA, U.S.A. SINGLES: Bhupathi Ernests Gulbis DOUBLES: Xavier Malisse, Mark 03.01.2011 Doha Qatar SINGLES: Roger Federer KnowlesDOUBLES: Rafael Nadal, Marc Lopez 25.07.2011 Umag Croatia SINGLES: Alexandr 10.01.2011 Auckland New Zealand SINGLES: David Dolgopolov DOUBLES: Fabio Fognini, Simone BolelliFerrer DOUBLES: Tommy Robredo, Marcel Granollers 31.07.2011 Kitzbühel Austria SINGLES: Robin 10.01.2011 Sydney Australia SINGLES: Gilles Simon Haase DOUBLES: Santiago Gonzalez, Daniele DOUBLES: Paul Hanley, Lukas Dlouhy Bracciali

31.01.2011 Johannesburg South Africa SINGLES: 31.07.2011 Washington DC, USA SINGLES: Radek Kevin Anderson DOUBLES: Adil Shamasdin, James Stepanek DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael LlodraCerretani 08.08.2011 Montreal Canada SINGLES: Novak 31.01.2011 Santiago Chile SINGLES: Tommy Djokovic DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael LlodraRobredo DOUBLES: Bruno Soares, Marcelo Melo 14.08.2011 Cincinnati OH, U.S.A. SINGLES: Andy 31.01.2011 Zagreb Croatia SINGLES: Ivan Dodig Murray DOUBLES: Leander Paes, Mahesh BhupathiDOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Dick Norman 21.08.2011 Winston-Salem NC, U.S.A. SINGLES: 07.02.2011 Costa Do Sauipe Brazil SINGLES: John Isner DOUBLES: Andy Ram, Jonathan ErlichNicolas Almagro DOUBLES: Bruno Soares, Marcelo Davydenko DOUBLES: Horacio Zeballos, Simone 19.09.2011 Bucharest Romania SINGLES: Florian Melo Bolelli Mayer DOUBLES: Potito Starace, Daniele Bracciali07.02.2011 Rotterdam The Netherlands 25.04.2011 Belgrade Serbia SINGLES: Novak 19.09.2011 Metz France SINGLES: Jo Wilfried SINGLES: Robin Soderling DOUBLES: Philipp Djokovic DOUBLES: Filip Polasek, Frantisek Cermak Tsonga DOUBLES: Andre Sa, Jamie MurrayPetzschner, Jurgen Melzer 25.04.2011 Estoril Portugal SINGLES: Juan Martin 26.09.2011 Bangkok Thailand SINGLES: Andy 07.02.2011 San Jose CA, U.S.A. SINGLES: Milos Del Potro DOUBLES: Jean Julien Rojer, Eric Butorac Murray DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, Oliver Raonic DOUBLES: Rajeev Ram, Scott Lipsky Marach01.05.2011 Madrid Spain SINGLES: Novak Djokovic 14.02.2011 Buenos Aires Argentina SINGLES: DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan 26.09.2011 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia SINGLES: Janko Nicolas Almagro DOUBLES: Leonardo Mayer, Oliver Tipsarevic DOUBLES: Jean Julien Rojer, Eric Butorac08.05.2011 Rome Italy SINGLES: Novak Djokovic Marach

DOUBLES: Sam Querrey, John Isner 03.10.2011 Beijing China SINGLES: Tomas Berdych 14.02.2011 Marseille France SINGLES: Robin

DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael Llodra15.05.2011 Nice France SINGLES: Nicolas Almagro Soderling DOUBLES: Ken Skupski, Robin Haase

DOUBLES: Jean Julien Rojer, Eric Butorac 03.10.2011 Tokyo Japan SINGLES: Andy Murray 14.02.2011 Memphis TN, U.S.A. SINGLES: Andy

DOUBLES: Jamie Murray, Andy Murray15.05.2011 Düsseldorf TEAM: Germany Roddick DOUBLES: Daniel Nestor, Max Mirnyi

09.10.2011 Shanghai China SINGLES: Andy Murray 06.06.2011 Halle Germany SINGLES: Philipp 21.02.2011 Acapulco Mexico SINGLES: David Ferrer

DOUBLES: Daniel Nestor, Max MirnyiKohlschreiber DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, DOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Victor Hanescu Rohan Bopanna 17.10.2011 Moscow Russia SINGLES: Janko 21.02.2011 Delray Beach FL, U.S.A. SINGLES: Juan Tipsarevic DOUBLES: Filip Polasek, Frantisek Cermak06.06.2011 London / Queen's Club Great Britain Martin Del Potro DOUBLES: Rajeev Ram, Scott Lipsky

SINGLES: Andy Murray DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob 17.10.2011 Stockholm Sweden SINGLES: Gael 21.02.2011 Dubai U.A.E. SINGLES: Novak Djokovic Bryan Monfils DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, Rohan DOUBLES: Mikhail Youzhny, Sergiy Stakhovsky Bopanna12.06.2011 Eastbourne Great Britain SINGLES: 10.03.2011 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. SINGLES: Andreas Seppi DOUBLES: Andy Ram, Jonathan Erlich 24.10.2011 St. Petersburg Russia SINGLES: Marin Novak Djokovic DOUBLES: Xavier Malisse, Alexandr Cilic DOUBLES: Ross Hutchins, Colin Fleming12.06.2011 s-Hertogenbosch The Netherlands Dolgopolov

SINGLES: Dmitry Tursunov DOUBLES: Frantisek 24.10.2011 Vienna Austria SINGLES: Jo Wilfried 23.03.2011 Miami FL, U.S.A. SINGLES: Novak Cermak, Daniele Bracciali Tsonga DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob BryanDjokovic DOUBLES: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi 04.07.2011 Newport RI, U.S.A. SINGLES: John Isner 31.10.2011 Basel Switzerland SINGLES: Roger 04.04.2011 Casablanca Morocco SINGLES: Pablo DOUBLES: Ryan Harrison, Matthew Ebden Federer DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael LlodraAndujar DOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Robert Lindstedt 11.07.2011 Båstad Sweden SINGLES: Robin 31.10.2011 Valencia Spain SINGLES: Marcel 04.04.2011 Houston TX, U.S.A. SINGLES: Ryan Soderling DOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Robert Lindstedt Granollers DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob BryanSweeting DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan 11.07.2011 Stuttgart Germany SINGLES: Juan 07.11.2011 Paris France SINGLES: Roger Federer 10.04.2011 Monte Carlo Monaco SINGLES: Rafael Carlos Ferrero DOUBLES: Philipp Petzschner, Jurgen DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, Rohan BopannaNadal DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan Melzer

20.11.2011 Great Britain SINGLES: Roger Federer 18.04.2011 Barcelona Spain SINGLES: Rafael Nadal 18.07.2011 Atlanta GA, USA SINGLES: Mardy Fish DOUBLES: Daniel Nestor, Max MirnyiDOUBLES: Scott Lipsky, Santiago Gonzalez DOUBLES: Matthew Ebden, Alex Bogomolov Jr

24.04.2011 Munich Germany SINGLES: Nikolay 18.07.2011 Hamburg Germany SINGLES: Gilles

2011 ATP TOUR FINAL RESULTSDATE NAME/LOCATION WINNER



Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray

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2011 WTA TOUR FINAL RESULTS

03-01-2011 Brisbane Australia SINGLES: Petra José Martínez Sánchez DOUBLES: Eva Birnerová, Kvitová DOUBLES: Alisa Kleybanova, Anastasia Lucie HradeckáPavlyuchenkova 18-07-2011 Baku Azerbaijan SINGLES: Vera 03-01-2011 Auckland New Zealand SINGLES: Gréta Zvonareva DOUBLES: Mariya Koryttseva, Tatiana Arn DOUBLES: Květa Peschke, Katarina Srebotnik Poutchek

03-01-2011 Sydney Australia SINGLES: Li Na 25-07-2011 Stanford United States SINGLES: DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová, Barbora Záhlavová- Serena Williams DOUBLES: Victoria Azarenka, Maria Strýcová Kirilenko

10-01-2011 Hobart Australia SINGLES: Jarmila July 25 Washington D.C. United States SINGLES: Groth DOUBLES: Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci Nadia Petrova DOUBLES: Sania Mirza, Yaroslava

Shvedova17-01-2011 to 24-01-2011 Melbourne Australia SINGLES: Kim Clijsters DOUBLES: Gisela Dulko, Flavia 01-08-2011 San Diego United States SINGLES: Pennetta Agnieszka Radwańska DOUBLES: Květa Peschke,

Katarina Srebotnik07-02-2011 Paris France SINGLES: Petra Kvitová DOUBLES: Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Meghann 08-8-2011 Toronto Canada SINGLES: Serena Shaughnessy Williams DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, Lisa Raymond

07-02-2011 Pattaya City Thailand SINGLES: Daniela 15-08-2011 Cincinnati United States SINGLES: Hantuchová DOUBLES: Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci Maria Sharapova DOUBLES: Vania King, Yaroslava

Shvedova25-04-2011 Estoril Portugal SINGLES: Anabel 14-02-2011 Dubai UAE SINGLES: Caroline Medina Garrigues DOUBLES: Alisa Kleybanova, Wozniacki DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, María José 22-08-2011 New Haven United States SINGLES: Galina VoskoboevaMartínez Sánchez Caroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Chuang Chia-jung,

Olga Govortsova02-05-2011 Madrid Spain SINGLES: Petra Kvitová 14-02-2011 Memphis United States SINGLES: DOUBLES: Victoria Azarenka, Maria KirilenkoMagdaléna Rybáriková DOUBLES: Olga Govortsova, 22-08-2011 Dallas United States SINGLES: Sabine

Alla Kudryavtseva Lisicki DOUBLES: Alberta Brianti, Sorana Cîrstea09-05-2011 Rome Italy SINGLES: Maria Sharapova DOUBLES: Peng Shuai, Zheng Jie14 -02-2011 Bogotá Colombia SINGLES: Lourdes 29-08-2011 to 05-09-2011 New York City USA

Domínguez Lino DOUBLES: Edina Gallovits-Hall, SINGLES: Samantha Stosur DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, 16-05-2011 Brussels Belgium SINGLES: Caroline Anabel Medina Garrigues Lisa RaymondWozniacki DOUBLES: Andrea Hlaváčková, Galina

Voskoboeva21-02-2011 Doha Qatar SINGLES: Vera Zvonareva 12-09-2011 Tashkent Uzbekistan SINGLES: Ksenia DOUBLES: Kvêta Peschke, Katarina Srebotnik Pervak DOUBLES: Eleni Daniilidou, Vitalia 16-05-2011 Strasbourg France SINGLES: Andrea

DiatchenkoPetkovic DOUBLES: Akgul Amanmuradova, Chuang 21-02-2011 Acapulco Mexico SINGLES: Gisela Chia-jungDulko DOUBLES: Mariya Koryttseva, Ioana Raluca 12-09-2011 Quebec City Canada SINGLES: Barbora

Olaru Záhlavová-Strýcová DOUBLES: Raquel Kops-Jones, 23-05-2011 to 30-05-2011 Paris France SINGLES: Li Abigail SpearsNa DOUBLES: Andrea Hlaváčková, Lucie Hradecká28-02-2011 Monterrey Mexico SINGLES: Anastasia

Pavlyuchenkova DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová, Barbora 19-09-2011 Seoul South Korea SINGLES: María José 06-06-2011 Birmingham United Kingdom SINGLES: Záhlavová-Strýcová Martínez Sánchez DOUBLES: Natalie Grandin, Sabine Lisicki DOUBLES: Olga Govortsova, Alla

Vladimíra UhlířováKudryavtseva28-02-2011 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia SINGLES: Jelena Dokić DOUBLES: Dinara Safina, Galina 19-09-2011 Guangzhou China SINGLES: Chanelle 06-06-2011 Copenhagen Denmark SINGLES: Voskoboeva Scheepers DOUBLES: Hsieh Su-wei, Zheng SaisaiCaroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Johanna Larsson,

Jasmin Wöhr07-03-2011 to 14-03-2011 Indian Wells United 26-09-2011 Tokyo Japan SINGLES: Agnieszka States SINGLES: Caroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Sania Radwańska DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, Lisa Raymond13-06-2011 Eastbourne United Kingdom SINGLES: Mirza, Elena Vesnina Marion Bartoli DOUBLES: Květa Peschke, Katarina 03-10-2011 Beijing China SINGLES: Agnieszka

Srebotnik21-03-2011 to 28-03-2011 Miami USA SINGLES: Radwańska DOUBLES: Květa Peschke, Katarina Victoria Azarenka DOUBLES: Daniela Hantuchová, Srebotnik13-06-2011 's-Hertogenbosch Netherlands Agnieszka Radwańska SINGLES: Roberta Vinci DOUBLES: Barbora Záhlavová- 10-10-2011 Linz Austria SINGLES: Petra Kvitová

Strýcová, Klára Zakopalová04-04-2011 Charleston United States SINGLES: DOUBLES: Marina Erakovic, Elena VesninaCaroline Wozniacki DOUBLES: Sania Mirza, Elena 20-06-2011 to 27-06-2011 London United 10-10-2011 Osaka Japan SINGLES: Marion Bartoli Vesnina Kingdom SINGLES: Petra Kvitová DOUBLES: Květa DOUBLES: Kimiko Date-Krumm, Zhang Shuai

Peschke, Katarina Srebotnik04-04-2011 Marbella Spain SINGLES: Victoria 17-10-2011 Moscow Russia SINGLES: Dominika Azarenka DOUBLES: Nuria Llagostera Vives, Arantxa 04-07-2011 Budapest Hungary SINGLES: Roberta Cibulková DOUBLES: Vania King, Yaroslava Parra Santonja Vinci DOUBLES: Anabel Medina Garrigues, Alicja Shvedova

Rosolska18-04-2011 Stuttgart Germany SINGLES: Julia 17-10-2011 Luxembourg City Luxembourg Görges DOUBLES: Sabine Lisicki, Samantha Stosur 04-07-2011 Båstad Sweden SINGLES: Polona SINGLES: Victoria Azarenka DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová,

Hercog DOUBLES: Lourdes Domínguez Lino, María 18-04-2011 Fes Morocco SINGLES: Alberta Brianti Barbora Záhlavová-StrýcováJosé Martínez SánchezDOUBLES: Andrea Hlaváčková, Renata Voráčová 24-10-2011 Istanbul Turkey SINGLES: Petra Kvitová 11-07-2011 Palermo, Italy SINGLES: Anabel Medina 25-04-2011 Barcelona Spain SINGLES: Roberta DOUBLES: Liezel Huber, Lisa RaymondGarrigues DOUBLES: Sara Errani, Roberta VinciVinci DOUBLES: Iveta Benešová, Barbora Záhlavová- 31-10-2011 Bali Indonesia SINGLES: Ana Ivanović

Strýcová 11-07-2011 Bad Gastein Austria SINGLES: María




Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova

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02.01.2011 Brisbane Australia SINGLES: Robin Simon DOUBLES: Alexander Peya, Oliver MarachSoderling DOUBLES: Paul Hanley, Lukas Dlouhy 25.07.2011 Gstaad Switzerland SINGLES: Marcel 03.01.2011 Chennai India SINGLES: Stanislas Granollers DOUBLES: Filip Polasek, Frantisek CermakWawrinka DOUBLES: Leander Paes, Mahesh 25.07.2011 Los Angeles CA, U.S.A. SINGLES: Bhupathi Ernests Gulbis DOUBLES: Xavier Malisse, Mark 03.01.2011 Doha Qatar SINGLES: Roger Federer KnowlesDOUBLES: Rafael Nadal, Marc Lopez 25.07.2011 Umag Croatia SINGLES: Alexandr 10.01.2011 Auckland New Zealand SINGLES: David Dolgopolov DOUBLES: Fabio Fognini, Simone BolelliFerrer DOUBLES: Tommy Robredo, Marcel Granollers 31.07.2011 Kitzbühel Austria SINGLES: Robin 10.01.2011 Sydney Australia SINGLES: Gilles Simon Haase DOUBLES: Santiago Gonzalez, Daniele DOUBLES: Paul Hanley, Lukas Dlouhy Bracciali

31.01.2011 Johannesburg South Africa SINGLES: 31.07.2011 Washington DC, USA SINGLES: Radek Kevin Anderson DOUBLES: Adil Shamasdin, James Stepanek DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael LlodraCerretani 08.08.2011 Montreal Canada SINGLES: Novak 31.01.2011 Santiago Chile SINGLES: Tommy Djokovic DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael LlodraRobredo DOUBLES: Bruno Soares, Marcelo Melo 14.08.2011 Cincinnati OH, U.S.A. SINGLES: Andy 31.01.2011 Zagreb Croatia SINGLES: Ivan Dodig Murray DOUBLES: Leander Paes, Mahesh BhupathiDOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Dick Norman 21.08.2011 Winston-Salem NC, U.S.A. SINGLES: 07.02.2011 Costa Do Sauipe Brazil SINGLES: John Isner DOUBLES: Andy Ram, Jonathan ErlichNicolas Almagro DOUBLES: Bruno Soares, Marcelo Davydenko DOUBLES: Horacio Zeballos, Simone 19.09.2011 Bucharest Romania SINGLES: Florian Melo Bolelli Mayer DOUBLES: Potito Starace, Daniele Bracciali07.02.2011 Rotterdam The Netherlands 25.04.2011 Belgrade Serbia SINGLES: Novak 19.09.2011 Metz France SINGLES: Jo Wilfried SINGLES: Robin Soderling DOUBLES: Philipp Djokovic DOUBLES: Filip Polasek, Frantisek Cermak Tsonga DOUBLES: Andre Sa, Jamie MurrayPetzschner, Jurgen Melzer 25.04.2011 Estoril Portugal SINGLES: Juan Martin 26.09.2011 Bangkok Thailand SINGLES: Andy 07.02.2011 San Jose CA, U.S.A. SINGLES: Milos Del Potro DOUBLES: Jean Julien Rojer, Eric Butorac Murray DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, Oliver Raonic DOUBLES: Rajeev Ram, Scott Lipsky Marach01.05.2011 Madrid Spain SINGLES: Novak Djokovic 14.02.2011 Buenos Aires Argentina SINGLES: DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan 26.09.2011 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia SINGLES: Janko Nicolas Almagro DOUBLES: Leonardo Mayer, Oliver Tipsarevic DOUBLES: Jean Julien Rojer, Eric Butorac08.05.2011 Rome Italy SINGLES: Novak Djokovic Marach

DOUBLES: Sam Querrey, John Isner 03.10.2011 Beijing China SINGLES: Tomas Berdych 14.02.2011 Marseille France SINGLES: Robin

DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael Llodra15.05.2011 Nice France SINGLES: Nicolas Almagro Soderling DOUBLES: Ken Skupski, Robin Haase

DOUBLES: Jean Julien Rojer, Eric Butorac 03.10.2011 Tokyo Japan SINGLES: Andy Murray 14.02.2011 Memphis TN, U.S.A. SINGLES: Andy

DOUBLES: Jamie Murray, Andy Murray15.05.2011 Düsseldorf TEAM: Germany Roddick DOUBLES: Daniel Nestor, Max Mirnyi

09.10.2011 Shanghai China SINGLES: Andy Murray 06.06.2011 Halle Germany SINGLES: Philipp 21.02.2011 Acapulco Mexico SINGLES: David Ferrer

DOUBLES: Daniel Nestor, Max MirnyiKohlschreiber DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, DOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Victor Hanescu Rohan Bopanna 17.10.2011 Moscow Russia SINGLES: Janko 21.02.2011 Delray Beach FL, U.S.A. SINGLES: Juan Tipsarevic DOUBLES: Filip Polasek, Frantisek Cermak06.06.2011 London / Queen's Club Great Britain Martin Del Potro DOUBLES: Rajeev Ram, Scott Lipsky

SINGLES: Andy Murray DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob 17.10.2011 Stockholm Sweden SINGLES: Gael 21.02.2011 Dubai U.A.E. SINGLES: Novak Djokovic Bryan Monfils DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, Rohan DOUBLES: Mikhail Youzhny, Sergiy Stakhovsky Bopanna12.06.2011 Eastbourne Great Britain SINGLES: 10.03.2011 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. SINGLES: Andreas Seppi DOUBLES: Andy Ram, Jonathan Erlich 24.10.2011 St. Petersburg Russia SINGLES: Marin Novak Djokovic DOUBLES: Xavier Malisse, Alexandr Cilic DOUBLES: Ross Hutchins, Colin Fleming12.06.2011 s-Hertogenbosch The Netherlands Dolgopolov

SINGLES: Dmitry Tursunov DOUBLES: Frantisek 24.10.2011 Vienna Austria SINGLES: Jo Wilfried 23.03.2011 Miami FL, U.S.A. SINGLES: Novak Cermak, Daniele Bracciali Tsonga DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob BryanDjokovic DOUBLES: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi 04.07.2011 Newport RI, U.S.A. SINGLES: John Isner 31.10.2011 Basel Switzerland SINGLES: Roger 04.04.2011 Casablanca Morocco SINGLES: Pablo DOUBLES: Ryan Harrison, Matthew Ebden Federer DOUBLES: Nenad Zimonjic, Michael LlodraAndujar DOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Robert Lindstedt 11.07.2011 Båstad Sweden SINGLES: Robin 31.10.2011 Valencia Spain SINGLES: Marcel 04.04.2011 Houston TX, U.S.A. SINGLES: Ryan Soderling DOUBLES: Horia Tecau, Robert Lindstedt Granollers DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob BryanSweeting DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan 11.07.2011 Stuttgart Germany SINGLES: Juan 07.11.2011 Paris France SINGLES: Roger Federer 10.04.2011 Monte Carlo Monaco SINGLES: Rafael Carlos Ferrero DOUBLES: Philipp Petzschner, Jurgen DOUBLES: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, Rohan BopannaNadal DOUBLES: Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan Melzer

20.11.2011 Great Britain SINGLES: Roger Federer 18.04.2011 Barcelona Spain SINGLES: Rafael Nadal 18.07.2011 Atlanta GA, USA SINGLES: Mardy Fish DOUBLES: Daniel Nestor, Max MirnyiDOUBLES: Scott Lipsky, Santiago Gonzalez DOUBLES: Matthew Ebden, Alex Bogomolov Jr

24.04.2011 Munich Germany SINGLES: Nikolay 18.07.2011 Hamburg Germany SINGLES: Gilles

2011 ATP TOUR FINAL RESULTSDATE NAME/LOCATION WINNER



Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray

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ASIAN RANKINGS(16 March 2012)


RANK NAME/COUNTRY WORLDRANKING

POINTS RANK NAME/COUNTRY WORLDRANKING

POINTS

1 Li, Na (CHN) 4635 82 Peng, Shuai (CHN) 2240 23 3 Zheng, Jie (CHN) 1710 314 Pervak, Ksenia (KAZ) 3940 395 Voskoboeva, Galina (KAZ) 1228 51 6 Morita, Ayumi (JPN) 860 737 Date-krumm, Kimiko (JPN) 825 788 Hsieh, Su-wei (TPE) 800 78 9 Tanasugarn, Tamarine (THA) 762 87

10 Chang, Kai-chen (TPE) 659 102 11 Amanmuradova, Akgul (UZB) 576 116 12 Mirza, Sania (IND) 533 127 13 Doi, Misaki (JPN) 528 12814 Karatantcheva, Sesil (KAZ) 504 133 15 Chan, Yung-jan (TPE) 507 13516 Sema, Erika (JPN) 490 13617 Nara, Kurumi (JPN) 463 14618 Shvedova, Yaroslava (KAZ) 450 14819 Zhang, Shuai (CHN) 371 171 20 Sema, Yurika (JPN) 358 17621 Lertcheewakarn, Noppawan (THA) 329 189 22 Fujiwara, Rika (JPN) 312 19523 Eguchi, Misa (JPN) 278 21624 Wongteanchai, Varatchaya (THA) 278 217 25 Damayanti, Ayu Fani 274 21826 Zhang, Ling (HKG) 269 21927 Nakamura, Aiko (JPN) 265 222 28 Omae, Akiko (JPN) 233 23829 Wang, Qiang (CHN) 232 240 30 Ishizu, Sachie (JPN) 224 251 31 Namigata, Junri (JPN) 221 254 32 Zhao, Yijing (CHN) 209 26233 Diyas, Zarina (KAZ) 202 27334 Kumkhum, Luksika (THA) 195 27935 Takao, Erika (JPN) 189 28436 Hu, Yue-yue (CHN) 184 290 37 Duan, Ying-ying (CHN) 181 29138 Xu, Yi-fan (CHN) 181 29439 Luangnam, Nudnida (THA) 176 29740 Lu, Jing-jing (CHN) 165 30841 Kim, So-jung (KOR) 165 31042 Hsu, Wen-hsin (TPE) 155 31643 Han, Sung-hee (KOR) 153 31644 Zheng, Saisai (CHN) 142 33445 Fuda, Ryoko (JPN) 137 34346 Akita, Shiho (JPN) 137 34547 Lertpitaksinchai, Nicha (THA) 123 36248 Hamamura, Natsumi (JPN) 116 36949 Abduraimova, Nigina (UZB) 111 37950 Aoyama, Shuko (JPN) 106 388

1 Nishikori, Kei (JPN) 1685 17 2 Istomin, Denis (UZB) 917 513 Lu, Yen-Hsun (TPE) 820 564 Kukushkin, Mikhail (KAZ) 738 655 Soeda, Go (JPN) 685 776 Ito, Tatsuma (JPN) 532 105 7 Devvarman, Somdev (IND) 424 135 8 Golubev, Andrey (KAZ) 372 1459 Udomchoke, Danai (THA) 314 167

10 Sugita, Yuichi (JPN) 298 17211 Yang, Tsung-Hua (TPE) 273 18412 Wang, Jimmy (TPE) 238 20913 Schukin, Yuri (KAZ) 230 21714 Zhang, Ze (CHN) 192 24815 Dustov, Farrukh (UZB) 175 26916 Moriya, Hiroki (JPN) 172 27117 Korolev, Evgeny (KAZ) 171 272 18 Chen, Ti (TPE) 170 27519 Bhambri, Yuki (IND) 164 280 20 Lim, Yong-Kyu (KOR) 157 28921 Vardhan, Vishnu (IND) 131 33722 Mitsuhashi, Junn (JPN) 112 368 23 Li, Zhe (CHN) 108 37624 Rungkat, Christopher (INA) 96 39825 Uchiyama, Yasutaka (JPN) 86 42326 Daniel, Taro (JPN) 79 451 27 Malik, Vijayant (IND) 74 46828 Kim, Young-Jun (KOR) 72 47429 Rastogi, Karan (IND) 71 47730 Gong, Mao-Xin (CHN) 68 491 31 Im, Kyu Tae (KOR) 66 498 32 Kondo, Hiroki (JPN) 64 50233 Matsui, Toshihide (JPN) 63 50634 Wu, Di (CHN) 62 51035 Onozawa, Arata (JPN) 61 51336 Gajjar, Rohan (IND) 60 515 37 Takeuchi, Kento (JPN) 60 51638 Virali-Murugesan, Ranjeet (IND) 59 52139 Beidas, Bassam (LIB) 58 522 40 Inoyatov, Murad (UZB) 57 52741 Yoo, Daniel (KOR) 56 53142 An, Jae-Sung (KOR) 54 536 43 Ehara, Hiroyasu (JPN) 52 54644 Wachiramanowong, Kittipong (THA)52 547 45 Niki, Takuto (JPN) 49 55346 Nedunchezhiyan, Jeevan (IND) 48 556 47 Jun, Woong-Sun (KOR) 45 57148 Huang, Liang-Chi (TPE) 44 57849 Suzuki, Takao (JPN) 39 59150 Singh, Sanam (IND) 35 612

Kei Nishikori Li, Na

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Advantage Tennis Yearbook 2012