Tennis World 13

TennisWorld A

number 13ISSN 2075-6526

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exclusive interview

special new Years edition

roger federer

The best of 2010

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Whether you are at work, in a bar or at a park, the latest tennis news is always at your fingertips

thanks to our new app for the iPhone. With TennisWorld, you will always know whats going on in

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Tennis Through Photography

The year ahead is full of promise and excitement for tennis fans. Starting at

the top, world number one Rafael Nadal will be chasing a Grand Slam across

two seasons in Australia, something that has not happened since Rod Laver

in 1969. Nadals great rival Roger Federer will be keen to try and stop the

Spaniard, and retake the top ranking in order to surpass Pete Sampras for most

time spent at the top.

On the other hand, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will once again try and break

the deadlock that Federer and Nadal have had over Grand Slams for so many years.

Other players like Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych and perhaps even Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga and Gael Monfils, will also want to make their mark on the mens game.

As far as the ladies are concerned, there is much speculation as to who will

emerge as Serena Williams true successor. The American will be out until at

least March, so there is plenty of time for someone to assert themselves over

the rest of the field. Will it be Kim Clijsters? Perhaps Justine Henin will again

find some form at the Australian Open. Victoria Azarenka and Vera Zvonareva

also look like contenders, though only time will tell if they can take that final step

to Grand Slam glory.

As is often the case, the start of the season not only prompts us to look ahead at

what is to come, but also cast an eye back at the year that was. In this special

edition of Tennis World, we are looking back at the 2010 season, and featuring all

the most memorable moments of a thrilling tennis year.

The main medium we have chosen for our retrospective is photography. A

photograph captures a moment in a way that nothing else can. It allows us to

experience the essence of an instant long after the actual event has faded from

memory. Each photo is unique and beautiful in its own way, and illustrates one

of the most interesting paradoxes of time a moment is over in an instant,

but it also lasts forever. Photography is our way of rebelling against the former

impression of time, and embracing the latter.

Only through photography does time truly become visible to us. It freezes the

past, and records for eternity the split seconds that we otherwise never would have

noticed.

This issue is a book of stories, though the stories will be different for everyone who

experiences them. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane, and that you

form some new fond memories along the way.

FedericoFederico Coppini [email protected]

editors letter

in thisissue

Australian open

roland Garros

Wimbledon

Us open

Tennis WorldPublished by Matchball Tennis

ediTor & direcTorFederico Coppini [email protected]

conTribuTorsPhilp Mar, Andre Christopher Smith, Jason Lampione.

ediTor in chief for usA secTion: Andre Christopher Smith

collAborATionTennis World is published in collaboration with Matchpoint Tennis Magazine (Italy). Special thanks to director Daniele Azzolini and his editing team. Matchpoint Tennis Magazine, Via Santa Giovanna Elisabetta 36/F 00189 Roma Tel: + 00 39 063 638 2189 [email protected]

Translation services by MV Squared Vittoria Jooste - [email protected]

coPY And conTenT ediTor: Philip MarcreATiVe: Simone Fela Micheletti

business deTAilsMatchballTennis (Pty) Ltd85 Jonkershoek RoadStellenbosch, South Africa [email protected]

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contentsTennisWorld #13

exclUsive inTervieW

6 Roger Federer

10 AUsTrAliAn open

46 rolAnd GArros

80 WiMBledon

118 Us open

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Roger Federer sweeps into the suitably grand setting of Londons Marriott County Hall Hotel. Hes half an hour late for our scheduled interview, but striding through the elaborate dining hall he still exudes class and sophistication. The word suave was almost invented for Federer he eases seamlessly through multiple languages at press conferences, and possesses the kind of aura which reduces even the most experienced journalists to hushed whispers and reverence.

An interview with

Roger Federer

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By David Cox

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At Novembers ATP World Finals, Tennis World had the privi-lege of speaking to the sixteen-time Grand Slam champion. He looked back on some of the highlights of his career, as well as forward to what promises to be an exciting 2011 season.

How do you see the battle for the world number one spot going in 2011?

Its going to be challenging for sure. Its going to be very difficult because Rafas playing well. I have Australia to defend first so things look very good for him over the next few months. Im not thinking too much about it though, just looking to prepare well for next season and hopefully at some stage try to get it back and if not Ill focus on trying to win tournaments as thats what I like doing as well!

When you look back to 2003 and your first Grand Slam title, do you think the games moved on a lot since then? What do you think has changed?

Well theres different players, maybe theres more athletic play-ers now, taller players, stronger players in general. Every guy who serves well also returns really well whereas back then you

just had offensive players like Philippoussis who you knew had a huge serve and great volleys. He volleyed much better than many of the guys we have in the draw today. Henman also, you knew his attacking style was very uncomfortable to play against. Its just a different game today than it used to be, not entirely but it changes.

Now youre regarded as a bit of a veteran on the tour, do wins and losses have the same impact as they did say, ten years ago? Do you treat things a little more evenly now?

Well I think through the success Ive had and its spoiled me. I can take a loss a little bit lighter today than in the beginning when I was trying to make a breakthrough. When you dont know if youll ever achieve anything you take a loss much, much harder. Today when you lose nobody can take all your wins away from you anymore, but when youre striving for that breakthrough and under pressure from the media and yourself, thats the most stressful time in your career, more than being number one and trying to prove it. Thats why today I can play much more relaxed.

The courts worldwide have slowed down in the past de-cade. Would you prefer to see more tournaments with fast

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surfaces?

I think its nice for the game in general to have quicker courts. It reminds some players that its good to come forward and finish points quicker. Sometimes you can bluff your way through, so if your backhands not working well then you dont have to hit many backhands, you just keep coming in. Thats not something you can do on a slow court, the backhand will be found. Its fun playing on a quick court but for better tennis maybe a slower surface is best. Overall I think variety is important, but dont get me wrong I like playing on slower courts too, most of my career has been spent on them!

If you were making the decisions, how much of an off-season would you have ideally?

Well some sports have six months, no? But were not gonna go that far! Look, I was never a big complainer about the long sea-son because that gave me the chance to take more breaks during the season. A long season means that if youre injured, you can come back and still play. I think some players forget that. In ski-ing if you get injured and its bad then the whole seasons gone. Having said that, four weeks is not enough, six weeks is better,

eight weeks would be great so you could take a month off if you wanted and still be able to work on your game. However, the Tour is really healthy and successful right now. We will always see injuries in our game, its just part of the sport, you work so hard and you will get unlucky at times.

Youve won the Tennis Masters Cup/ATP World Finals four times in the past, which one stands out as being the most memorable?

I guess the first one back in 2003 when I qualified for the second time around in Houston. I remember I arrived and I heard the group was going to be Nalbandian, Agassi and Ferrero and I was like: this is not a group I like! I did not like to play baseliners back then, I liked guys who would come in or who would not be so solid from the baseline. I think for me that was obviously a huge breakthrough, also Wimbledon a few months earlier obvi-ously was the big breakthrough but this was the confirmation. Beating Agassi twice in Houston was amazing and I think I also beat Roddick in the semis who then finished the year as world number one so that was a real huge win. Then obviously, some of the Shanghai Masters that I won were terrific. I played some of my best tennis quite often actually at the World Tour Finals,

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which Im happy about.

What was it like to go to Downing Street and visit the Prime Minister? Did David Cameron give you any tips?

Yeah it was an interesting trip. Things you dont expect to do in a life as a tennis player when you grow up, but all of a sudden youre there so its kind of a funny feeling but I think it was nice that all eight players were invited. Its a great sign for the sport, it shows how important the ATP World Finals is to the city and the country. Mr Cameron was very excited to have us there, but he was giving more tips to Murray than me, I think, so nothing I can use for my game quite yet!

How much fine tuning of your game do you do in the days before big tournaments?

Its all about just saving energy, getting used to the conditions and just trying to play points in practise so youre ready for the matches really. Its not about worrying about a particular shot any more, Ill know what I can do and hopefully my game will be right there where I want it to be. Youre just concentrating on showing it on the match court which is not an easy thing. At the ATP World Finals youre starting against a top ten player which is tough, but this is my ninth appearance so I know the drill.

Have you been keeping an eye on any promising newcom-

ers coming up through the rankings?

Theres not a whole lot really. I was asking myself the question, why dont we have any teenagers in the Top 100? Im not even sure if we have players there under 21 or 22. I dont know the statistics on that, but its quite surprising for me because when I was coming up there was Hewitt, Safin, Roddick, Ferrero and you name it, Tommy Haas too. They were all excellent players and in the Top 100 as teenagers. It was always a normal thing, Becker won Wimbledon young and Chang won the French at a similar age. On the womens side it was even more extreme, but they have a similar trend it seems because of rule changes, but maybe the game has become more physical and more mental and thats maybe why players today need more time to break through.

Do you feel that Olympic singles gold is the one major goal youve got left in your career?

No, I want to achieve many more things than just Olympic gold. I mean I already have one in doubles which was fantastic, very unexpected which is maybe why it felt so good. Obviously Lon-don 2012 will be very special as its held at the club Im a member at. I hope that my kids can join and see me play, my parents may come for the first time at an Olympics as they missed Sydney, Athens and Beijing. Maybe I will take decisions which will help me peak right then but it depends on the schedule.

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AustralianOpen

Roger Federer

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Serena Williams

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Yes, I ran into one of those immovable objects called a refereeAndy Roddick on his clash with a line umpire

We made the decision later on last year. Thats when my knee was still hurt. We didnt think it was smart to be switching surfaces from hard to clay to hard. I never wanted to be one of these guys who played when it was convenient. I feel like if you commit at the beginning of the year, then you commit. Last thing Id want to do is have those guys go battle early in the year, then me waltz in and try to play later in the year when theyve been the ones to get the team to that point.Andy Roddick on his decision to not play in the Davis Cup in 2010

To finish at this time, its tough. You know, look, I have no excuses, but I think if Id have played during the day, which I requested, it could have been all changed. I think I should have won.Bernard Tomic laments his loss to Marin Cilic their match ended after 2 AM

Its always really difficult to compare genera-tions. But when you look at McEnroe, was a genius on the court. But when you look at the matches with Roger/Rafa, the big final we had at Wimbledon, here last year. When you look at Sampras...But I must say that the best opponent I ever had is Roger Federer.Fabrice Santoro on who he thinks is the

best player of all time

At the end of the second set I felt a similar thing to what I had last year. After that I could not bend and it was impossible to win the match. When I have the chance to play, I never retire, but I knew I was going to lose like I did in Rotterdam last year. I felt pain was still there and I could not win so I preferred to stop.Rafa Nadal explains his decision to retire in the quarter-finals against Andy Murray

Its probably a Top 5, for sure for me. Obviously the one with Rafa is great. But for some reason, I like the ones who are my age as well: Roddick and Hewitt. I like playing against them, because I came through with Lleyton in the juniors. Rod-dick I dont remember him that much back then, but we played on so many big occasions in big matches. Same as Lleyton. And were the same age. I really like those matches a lot.Roger Federer on his rivalries with Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick

Love for the game, like its always been. Theres always ways to motivate and challenge you. Ive never really been in it for the money anyway. Its always been my dream to play on the biggest stages around the world, especially Wimbledon.Roger Federer when asked: Grand Slam record, family, and heaps of money. What motivates you now?

Its quite strange. You cant imagine a football

In Their Own Words Men

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World Cup quarter-final stopping in the 60th minute and going, youve got a few fireworks, just hang on. It was very strange. I think it will be the first and last time this happens in my career.Murray on the nine-minute interruption during his match against Nadal

I had never realised that my mouth was that large.Andy Murray watches a replay after beat-ing Cilic in the semi-finals

You know, its good to have experience, but for that you have to win before. Roger has experi-ence because he won, you know, like 15 or 16 Grand Slams. But he won the first one without experience, so I think at this level you never know whats going to happen.Tsonga explains his theory on experi-ence before his semi-final match against Federer

Its really important. I mean, after last year I had a few tough losses in the Grand Slams. You know, Wimbledon, I had a chance to make the final but I lost a tough match against Roddick. Now I have a great feeling, its the reason why I work hard, and every year at the end of the season I go and train in Miami, to give myself a chance to do well in these tournaments. Of course I want to win one.Murray explains how he feels after finally reaching another Slam final

Crowds were rather on the quiet side towards the end because, you know, also they were a bit surprised I think how fast it went. I thought make it a bit more entertaining maybe in the on court interview after. So it was fun, you know (smiling).Roger Federer after crushing Tsonga 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals

Its actually only 74 years since we havent won a Grand Slam.How many years did I say?You said 150,000.I missed it by a little bit (smiling).Can you imagine what it is like for a nation to have to wait for so long to win a Grand Slam?You could be one of those nations that never had a Grand Slam champion, you know.An exchange of wisecracks between Roger Federer and a British journalist before the final

I dont think anybody can.Tsonga after the semi-final, when asked: when Roger plays like this, who do you think could beat him?

Friends and family, you know. See if the babies are up. Hope not (smiling). Otherwise Ill wake them up tomorrow or Ill just grab them because Im so happy.Federer on how he will celebrate his 16th Slam victory

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Brjan brothers

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Stats Male

Champions by country Country Amateur Era Open Era All-time First title

Last title

Australia(AUS) 44 6 50 1905 1976

United States(USA)

4 14 18 1908 2003

Sweden(SWE) 0 6 6 1983 2002

United Kingdom(UK/GBR)[l]

5 0 5 1912 1934

Switzerland(SUI) 0 4 4 2004 2010

Argentina(ARG) 0 2 2 1978 1979

Czechoslovakia (TCH) *[m] 0 2 2 1989 1990

Germany(GER) 0 2 2 1991 1996

New Zealand(NZL)

2 0 2 1906 1909

Russia(RUS) 0 2 2 1999 2005

Czech Republic(CZE)[n]

0 1 1 1998 1998

France(FRA) 0 1 1 1928 1928

Serbia(SRB) 0 1 1 2008 2008

South Africa(RSA) 0 1 1 1981 1981

Spain(ESP) 0 1 1 2009 2009 Former country*

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Argentinian tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro in his win over US opponent James Blake

Andy Roddick in his quarter-final loss to Marin Cilic

Champions by country Country Amateur Era Open Era All-time First title

Last title

Australia(AUS) 44 6 50 1905 1976

United States(USA)

4 14 18 1908 2003

Sweden(SWE) 0 6 6 1983 2002

United Kingdom(UK/GBR)[l]

5 0 5 1912 1934


Argentina(ARG) 0 2 2 1978 1979

Czechoslovakia (TCH) *[m] 0 2 2 1989 1990

Germany(GER) 0 2 2 1991 1996

New Zealand(NZL)

2 0 2 1906 1909

Russia(RUS) 0 2 2 1999 2005


0 1 1 1998 1998

France(FRA) 0 1 1 1928 1928

Serbia(SRB) 0 1 1 2008 2008


Spain(ESP) 0 1 1 2009 2009 Former country*

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Rafael Nadal of Spain at a practice session in the lead-up to the Australian Open

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Roger Federer

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Rafael Nadal of Spain in his win over Phillipp Kohlschreiber

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Marin Cilic of Croatia celebrates his quarter-final win over Andy Roddick

Melbourne - Australia Day celebrations at Rod Laver Arena

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Roger Federer

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Mens Final

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Andy Murray in his quarter-final win over Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer during his win over Lleyton Hewitt

I made all the mistakes. She didnt do muchKim Clijsters after losing 6-0, 6-1 to Nadia Petrova in the third round

I started thinking about many other things. Walking off the court, the massage. What I would say in the press conference, who we would be playing against the following day in the doublesall sorts of things you should never think about when youre playing.Alicia Molik, who lost to Julie Coin after leading 6-1, 5-2

What happens, you know, is I start well and play good, and then because I have no expecta-tions I just go out there to enjoy. Then I think I can play like this all the time. Then I get tense and I start making mistakes because I want to play like that. Then I just want to go back to playing normal.Ana Ivanovic on her mental state

Ill talk to Fernando about that. Like, Dude you got to finish earlier. You cant hold all the TV time. They got Nikolay, Mr. Personality now. He just wanted to be on TV, and they took all our time. Have to have a talk with those guys next time.Serena Williams talks about her match only being televised for a few minutes thanks to the fact that the Verdasco-Davydenko clash ran late

Theres a lot of competition, and there are a

lot of girls that are playing good tennis. A new generation also. The good thing is that I dont feel old yet, so thats already a good point. Even if when I came here I realized it was six years ago I won the Australian Open, so it did hit me a little bit.Justine Henin speaks about returning to the Tour after coming out of retirement

Its certainly a tough draw. But in Grand Slam every match is difficult. I love to play against the top players. I know Ill have to be at a very high level. But, I mean, Im not negative about that draw. I take it in the positive way, and thats gonna push me to be a better player.Justine Henin philosophises about the luck of the draw

Steffi Graf in first place, Roger Federer in sec-ond and Justine Henin in third place.Jie Zhengs ranks her favourite players

I wasnt actually thinking anything. That was a good thing (laughter).Nadia Petrova when asked what she was thinking when she was up by a set and a break against Kim Clijsters

My back again. It suddenly hit me. It was get-ting worse and worse. I have no idea really how it could happen. Its really, really terrible.Dinara Safina laments her continuing physical struggles

Thats not what a champion is supposed to

In Their Own Words Women

think, but I was actually thinking: If I lose today and I lose in doubles I guess I can catch a flight on Friday.Serena Williams on her thoughts when she was 6-3, 4-0 down against Victoria Azarenka

Oh my God, theres no Russian in the semis? Is this a first?Serena Williams on the state of Russian tennis

So exciting, maybe I will have a beer tonight. My goal this year was Top 10, but its only January, and its come quickly!Na Li on being the first Chinese player ever to enter the Top 10

Now I have my team come with me and then because Im lazy, so right now if I didnt want to practice, I just tell my team, say, we take day off. But before if I was come with national team, I say, can I take a day off, maybe they say no to me.Na Li on the advantages of no longer be-longing to the Chinese national team

Well, like I said so many times before, if I would have kind of gotten involved in what people said I would have never left the ghetto. So here I am playing pro tennis, playing well. The skys the limit in this sport. Im looking for that.Venus responds to suggestions that her only chances of winning a Slam are at

Wimbledon and the US Open

I dont go to a tournament to defend a title. I go to a tournament to win a title. Thats how I look at it.Serena Williams and her winning mindset

I think you have to have a life outside of ten-nis, because the moment you feel youve hit one forehand too many it becomes bad. I think I am at that stage. This is why I took fashion and design, so that when I get to that point I can take some time off. I make sure my schedule has some breaks when I can stay out of some tournaments. Im not going to play tennis until Im 100 years old!Serena Williams recipe to avoid getting tired of tennis

I definitely think of her as a rival. I think we bring out the best game in each other. I think that we both just play our hearts out. I think thats what creates a good rivalry.Serena Williams on her rivalry with Jus-tine Henin

You know, its far away now. Its a long time. We exchange a few words here. There is a lot of respect between the two of us. It was such a long time ago that I dont think we have any problems about that incident.Justine Henin on her controversial 2003 French Open semi-final against Serena Williams

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Stats Female

Champions by countryCountry Amateur Era Open Era All-time First title

Last title

Australia(AUS) 33 10 43 1922 1978

United States(USA) 7 15 22 1938 2010

Germany(GER) 0 4 4 1988 1994

United Kingdom 2 1 3 1935 1972

Yugoslavia(YUG)* 0 3 3 1991 1993


Czechoslovakia(TCH) [k]

0 2 2 1980 1987

France(FRA) 0 2 2 1995 2006

Belgium(BEL) 0 1 1 2004 2004

Russia(RUS) 0 1 1 2008 2008


0 1 1 1998 1998

France(FRA) 0 1 1 1928 1928

Serbia(SRB) 0 1 1 2008 2008


Spain(ESP) 0 1 1 2009 2009

Former country*


Last title

Australia(AUS) 33 10 43 1922 1978


Germany(GER) 0 4 4 1988 1994





0 2 2 1980 1987

France(FRA) 0 2 2 1995 2006

Belgium(BEL) 0 1 1 2004 2004

Russia(RUS) 0 1 1 2008 2008


0 1 1 1998 1998

France(FRA) 0 1 1 1928 1928

Serbia(SRB) 0 1 1 2008 2008


Spain(ESP) 0 1 1 2009 2009

Former country*

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Last title

Australia(AUS) 33 10 43 1922 1978


Germany(GER) 0 4 4 1988 1994





0 2 2 1980 1987

France(FRA) 0 2 2 1995 2006

Belgium(BEL) 0 1 1 2004 2004

Russia(RUS) 0 1 1 2008 2008


0 1 1 1998 1998

France(FRA) 0 1 1 1928 1928

Serbia(SRB) 0 1 1 2008 2008


Spain(ESP) 0 1 1 2009 2009

Former country*

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Doubles match Serena & Venus (Front L) Williams vs Andrea Hlavackova & Lucie Hradecka

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Womens Final

Serena Williams during her third round match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain


Justine Henin on her way to the womens singles final

Serenas piercing

Melbourne - Venus (R) and Serena Williams in a doubles match

Sharapova

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Serena Williams

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Nadia Petrova of Russia celebrates her win over Kim Clijsters of Belgium

Venus Williams during her third round match against Casey Dellacqua

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Prince William

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Caroline Wozniacki of Den-mark during her third round match against Shahar Peer

Yan Zi of China in her doubles match with Bethanie Mattek Sands against Venus & Serena Williams

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Maria Kirilenko in action at her quarter-final loss to Jie Zheng

Serena (L) & Venus Williams in a doubles match against Andrea Hlavackova & Lucie Hradecka


Jie Zheng in action at her quarter-final win over Maria Kirilenko

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RecordsUnlike the other three Grand Slam tournaments, which became open in 1968, the Australian tournament opened to professionals in 1969. Thus, the records here break at the 1969 tournament.

Record Open Era* Player(s) Count Years

Men since 1905

Winner of mostMens Singles titles

Before 1969: Roy Emerson 6

1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967

After 1968: Andre Agassi Roger Federer 41995, 2000, 2001, 20032004, 2006, 2007, 2010

Winner of mostconsecutiveMens Singles titles

Before 1969: Roy Emerson 5 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967

After 1968:

Ken Rosewall Guillermo Vilas Johan Kriek Mats Wilander Stefan Edberg Ivan Lendl Jim Courier Andre Agassi Roger Federer

2

1971, 19721978, 19791981, 19821983, 19841985, 1987[27]1989, 19901992, 19932000, 20012006, 2007

Winner of mostMens Doubles titles

Before 1969: Adrian Quist 10

1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950

After 1968: Mark Edmondson Bob Bryan Mike Bryan

41980, 1981, 1983, 19842006, 2007, 2009, 20102006, 2007, 2009, 2010

Winner of mostconsecutiveMens Doubles titles


1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950[28]

After 1968:

Mark Edmondson Kim Warwick Mark Edmondson Rick Leach Jim Pugh Fabrice Santoro Michal Llodra Bob Bryan Mike Bryan

2

1980, 19811980, 19811983, 19841988, 19891988, 19892003, 20042003, 20042006, 2007; 2009, 20102006, 2007; 2009, 2010

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Winner of mostMixed Doubles titles -Men

Before 1969:

Harry Hopman Colin Long 4

1930, 1936, 1937, 19391940, 1946, 1947, 1948

After 1968: Jim Pugh 3 1988, 1989, 1990

Winner of mostChampionships (total:singles, mens doubles,mixed doubles) - Men


1936-1950 (3 singles, 10 mens doubles, 0 mixed doubles)

After 1968: Mark Edmondson Jim Pugh Rick Leach

5

1976-1984 (1 singles, 4 mens doubles)1988-1990 (2 mens doubles, 3 mixed doubles)1988-2000 (3 mens doubles, 2 mixed doubles)

Women since 1922

Winner of mostWomens Singles titles

Before 1969: Margaret Court 7

1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966

After 1968: Serena Williams 5 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010

Winner of mostconsecutiveWomens Singles titles

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RecordsBefore 1969: Margaret Court 7

1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966

After 1968:

Margaret Court Evonne Goolagong Cawley Steffi Graf// Monica Seles Martina Hingis

3

1969, 1970, 19711974, 1975, 19761988, 1989, 19901991, 1992, 19931997, 1998, 1999

Winner of mostWomens Doubles titles

Before 1969: Thelma Coyne Long 12

1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1958

After 1968: Martina Navrtilov 8 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989Winner of most consecutiveWomens Doubles titles

Before 1969:

Thelma Coyne Long Nancye Wynne Bolton 5

1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 19401936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940

After 1968: Martina Navrtilov Pam Shriver 71982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 19891982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989

Winner of mostMixed Doubles titles -Women

Before 1969:

Daphne Akhurst Cozens Nell Hall Hopman Nancye Wynne Bolton Thelma Coyne Long

41924, 1925, 1928, 19291930, 1936, 1937, 19391940, 1946, 1947, 19481951, 1952, 1954, 1955

After 1968: Jana Novotn Larisa Savchenko Neiland

2 1988, 19891994, 1996

Winner of mostChampionships (total:singles, womens doubles,mixed doubles) - Women

Before 1969: Nancye Wynne Bolton 20

1936-1952 (6 singles, 10 womens doubles, 4 mixed doubles)

After 1968: Martina Navrtilov 121980-2003 (3 singles, 8 womens doubles, 1 mixed doubles)

Miscellaneous

Youngest winner Mens singles: Ken Rosewall 18 years and 2 months (1953)

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Mens doubles: Lew Hoad 18 years and 2 months (1953)

Womens doubles: Mirjana Lui 15 years and 10 months (1998)

Womens singles: Martina Hingis 16 years and 4 months (1997)

Oldest winner Mens singles: Ken Rosewall 37 years and 8 months (1972)

Mens doubles: Norman Brookes 46 years and 2 months (1924)

Womens doubles: Thelma Coyne Long 37 years and 7 months (1956)

Womens singles: Thelma Coyne Long 35 years and 8 months (1954)

Mixed doubles (men):

Horace Rice 52 years (1923)

Mixed doubles (women):

Martina Navratilova 46 years and 3 months (2003)

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Roland Garros

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Nadal

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He hit everything, he left me on the ground. I felt I was a bit like his pigeonJosselin Ouanna after being beaten 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Disappointed? Yeah, of course Im disappointed. I prepared really good for this tournament, but its okay. Whatever. I mean, its okay. Its a Grand Slam, its a big tournament. But I have maybe nine more, eight more years of my career, I will have 20 Grand Slams in front of me, and if I if I concentrate on one, which wasnt that good, I will get nothing.Ernests Gulbis speaks about his early exit at the hands of Julien Bennettau

When I was a kid, I was hitting full power every ball. Thats why they sent me to Spain, to learn a little bit around the points.Teimuraz Gabashvili speaks about his ag-gressive style

I have never come this close to winning Roland Garros!Nicolas Mahut after winning his first match in eight appearances at Roland Garros

When Im back in my hotel room Ill have to Google him to see how he plays.Andy Roddick on Blaz Kavcic, his second round opponent

I felt a little stupid slipping and falling on my face, so I tried to get the crowd back on my side by doing push-ups on court.Robby Ginepri talks about his on-court antics against Novak Djokovic

If I didnt believe in my tennis, I would have caught a plane yesterday, I would be with my girlfriend and having a barbecue at home.Nicolas Almagro speaking about his self-belief before playing Rafael Nadal

I never play two points with the same ball. Never.One of Rafa Nadals superstitions

Ive always believed that Im a good tennis player. It was just a few links here and there were missing. I had enough game all the time. I played good matches.I remember the Murray match when he made the finals at the US Open, I had him there. Then I won at home in Vienna. I started to actually believe I can win those big matches.Jurgen Melzer on whats kept him going through the years without big results

I mean, I respect everyone, but Im always honest enough with myself that I know I can win them all. I felt confident going into the match knowing that if I play well, if I play solid, Id prob-ably win this match.Roger Federer after being defeated by Robin Soderling

No, I havent watched the match against Nadal last year. I know my dad watched it a lot, but I havent. So, you know, normally I dont watch tennis that much. I play so much. When Im not playing, I try to do other stuff.Robin Soderling on what he likes to do in his free time


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StatsMens Singles Event Statistics

Round 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Q-F S-F FMatches Played

64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Sets Played 232 115 59 25 15 8 3Tie Breaks Played

30 15 7 2 3 1 0

Total Games

2198 1084 558 234 148 78 28

Winners 5972 2873 1466 560 382 223 75Return Games Won

472 261 137 58 23 17 4

Server Points Won

8691 4277 2174 856 614 298 119

Total Points 13825 6957 3518 1372 961 479 181First Serves In

8278 4253 2217 837 598 303 120

% 1st Serves In

59 61 63 61 62 63 66

Total Aces 968 411 221 83 57 46 14Total Double Faults

482 193 105 24 29 19 5

1st Serve Pts Won

5895 2928 1503 575 424 215 84

% 1st Srv Pts Won

71 68 67 68 70 70 70

% 2nd Srv Pts Won

50 49 51 52 52 47 57

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StatsMens Aces Leaders

Rank Player Country Matches Aces1 R.Soderling SWE 7 822 T.Berdych CZE 6 703 J.Isner USA 3 554 N.Almagro ESP 5 515 J.Melzer AUT 6 445 A.Murray GBR 4 447 L.Mayer ARG 3 428 J.Tsonga FRA 4 419 T.De Bakker NED 3 39

10 R.Federer SUI 5 3811 A.Roddick USA 3 3611 S.Wawrinka SUI 4 3613 I.Ljubicic CRO 3 3514 T.Bellucci BRA 4 3315 A.Dolgopolov Jr UKR 3 2916 R.Ginepri USA 4 2716 M.Fish USA 2 2718 F.Gonzalez CHI 2 2618 T.Gabashvili RUS 4 2618 L.Lacko SVK 2 26

Mens Serve Speed LeadersRank Player Country KMH MPH

1 T.Dent USA 240 1492 R.Soderling SWE 229 1423 A.Roddick USA 228 1413 J.Isner USA 228 1415 S.Querrey USA 225 1396 J.Tsonga FRA 224 1396 T.Berdych CZE 224 1398 N.Almagro ESP 222 1379 E.Gulbis LAT 221 1379 K.Anderson RSA 221 137

11 L.Mayer ARG 220 13611 M.Baghdatis CYP 220 13611 R.Gasquet FRA 220 13611 F.Verdasco ESP 220 13611 A.Murray GBR 220 13611 S.Wawrinka SUI 220 13611 D.Brands GER 220 13611 C.Ball AUS 220 13611 V.Troicki SRB 220 136

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Mens Double Fault LeadersRank Player Country Matches Double Faults

1 N.Djokovic SRB 5 332 R.Soderling SWE 7 293 F.Verdasco ESP 4 224 A.Murray GBR 4 215 F.Fognini ITA 3 206 T.Berdych CZE 6 187 T.Dent USA 2 168 J.Tsonga FRA 4 159 G.Monfils FRA 2 149 S.Wawrinka SUI 4 14

11 L.Mayer ARG 3 1311 G.Garcia-Lopez ESP 2 1313 B.Kavcic SLO 2 1213 M.Cilic CRO 4 1215 A.Montanes ESP 3 1115 E.Roger-Vasselin FRA 2 1115 P.Kohlschreiber GER 3 1115 L.Hewitt AUS 3 1115 T.Bellucci BRA 4 1115 J.Melzer AUT 6 11

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Cilic

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Nadal

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Daniel NESTOR (L) of Canada and Nenad

ZIMONJIC (R) of Ser-bia during the mens doubles final match

Tsonga

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Gianni Mina

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Roger Federer

Robby Ginepri does some push-ups


Jurgen Melzer

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Ground staff pull covers over courts due to rain

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There was a time during the tournaments when I had to show my outfits in advance, as they needed to be approved.Bethanie Mattek-Sands on being forced to tone down her eccentric look

Of course you want to win, but I saw her cramping and I started to look at her instead of thinking what I was doing. I lost the momentum.Dinara Safina after her loss to the 40-year old Kimiko Date-Krumm

I was in the worst situations, and I mean, thats life. After rain, the sun always comes. I will do my best.Safina on her plans for the future

My husband pushed me a lot. Hes a racing driver. He likes sports, he likes tennis. So he always said to me, you must go back to tennis. It was not serious. Because he never see me when I was a player before. Then after that he push me so hard. Then I decide I just enjoy to play again.A reborn Kimiko Date on her return to tennis after several years in retirement

Monica Seles was my favourite player when I was 10. If I started grunting on court

its her fault.Venus Williams on her vocal histrionics

It would be great to do the Grand Slam doubles with Serena, especially for our CV.Venus, keen to make doubles history

I didnt get much sleep. Every time I closed my eyes I would replay the match in front of me.Nadia Petrova laments her insom-nia after her rain-suspended match against Aravane Rezai

I felt very nervous, very upset, which is normally not the way I amA disappointed Justine Henin explains her loss to Sam Stosur

Today it wasnt me. It wasnt my game out there.Jelena Jankovic after her 6-1, 6-2 blud-geoning at the hands of Stosur

When I look at the calibre of the players I have beaten, I ask myself why cant I beat another one?A confident Samantha Stosur ahead of the final

In Their Own Words Women

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StatsWomens Singles Event Statistics

Round 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Q-F S-F FMatches Played

64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Sets Played 140 72 39 18 10 3 2Tie Breaks Played

13 3 4 2 1 1 1

Total Games

1256 634 372 167 96 28 23

Winners 2951 1550 893 365 249 64 62Return Games Won

431 252 139 58 35 8 3

Server Points Won

4731 2248 1383 621 344 108 93

Total Points 8393 4176 2504 1100 602 191 136First Serves In

5244 2687 1614 679 377 127 88

% 1st Serves In

62 64 64 61 62 66 64

Total Aces 298 118 69 33 37 12 9Total Double Faults

420 173 123 57 32 11 2

1st Serve Pts Won

3281 1594 1011 424 248 81 65

% 1st Srv Pts Won

62 59 62 62 65 63 73

% 2nd Srv Pts Won

46 43 41 46 42 42 58

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Womens Aces LeadersRank Player Country Matches Aces

1 S.Williams USA 5 372 S.Stosur AUS 7 343 N.Petrova RUS 5 254 Y.Shvedova KAZ 5 235 J.Jankovic SRB 6 226 M.Rybarikova SVK 2 197 L.Hradecka CZE 1 188 F.Schiavone ITA 7 159 V.Williams USA 4 149 J.Groth AUS 4 1411 A.Petkovic GER 2 1312 A.Wozniak CAN 3 1212 D.Hantuchova SVK 4 1212 J.Henin BEL 4 1215 A.Rezai FRA 3 1115 A.Amanmuradova UZB 3 1115 M.Sharapova RUS 3 1118 J.Goerges GER 2 1019 S.Kuznetsova RUS 3 819 F.Pennetta ITA 4 8

Womens Serve Speed LeadersRank Player Country KMH MPH

1 V.Williams USA 207 1282 S.Williams USA 206 1283 S.Perry USA 200 1244 N.Li CHN 199 1235 S.Stosur AUS 198 1236 K.Sprem CRO 197 1226 T.Pironkova BUL 197 1228 N.Petrova RUS 196 1219 E.Bychkova RUS 194 1209 J.Groth AUS 194 1209 A.Amanmuradova UZB 194 1209 Y.Shvedova KAZ 194 120

13 K.Mladenovic FRA 192 11914 C.Wozniacki DEN 190 11814 A.Ivanovic SRB 190 11814 K.Kanepi EST 190 11814 F.Schiavone ITA 190 11818 P.Hercog SLO 189 11718 M.Sharapova RUS 189 11720 A.Szavay HUN 188 116

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Womens Double Fault LeadersRank Player Country Matches Double Faults

1 E.Dementieva RUS 6 362 J.Henin BEL 4 273 V.Williams USA 4 234 S.Stosur AUS 7 215 N.Petrova RUS 5 206 A.Ivanovic SRB 2 197 S.Williams USA 5 188 A.Rezai FRA 3 178 D.Safina RUS 1 1710 Y.Shvedova KAZ 5 1611 K.Date Krumm JPN 2 1311 J.Jankovic SRB 6 1311 S.Ferguson AUS 2 1311 A.Pavlyuchenkova RUS 3 1311 M.Sharapova RUS 3 1316 K.Kanepi EST 2 1216 J.Groth AUS 4 1216 Y.Wickmayer BEL 3 1219 L.Hradecka CZE 1 11

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Mary Pierce and Francesca Schiavone

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Ivanovic

Serena Williams

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Jelena Jankovic

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Aravane Razai

Silvia Espinosa of Spain plays the

2nd round qualifi-cation match

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Venus Williams

Serena Williams and her fancy nails


Francesca Schiavone of Italy in action during the womens singles final match.

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Ana Ivanovic

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Zuzana Kucova of Slovakia in action during the 2nd round qualification match at French Open

Venus Williams and her flesh-coloured underwear

RecordsRecord Open Era* Player(s) Num Years

Men since 1891

Winner of most mens singles titles Before 1925:

Max Decugis (French club members only event)

8 1903, 1904, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1912, 1913, 1914

1925-1967: Henri Cochet 41926, 1928, 1930, 1932 Note: Also won World Hard Court Championship in 1922

After 1967: Bjrn Borg 6 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

Winner of most consecutive mens singles titles

Before 1925: Paul Aym (French club members only event) 4 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900

1925-1967:

Frank Parker

Jaroslav Drobn

Tony Trabert

Nicola Pietrangeli

2

1948, 1949

1951, 1952

1954, 1955

1959, 1960

After 1967:

Bjrn Borg

Rafael Nadal 41978, 1979, 1980, 1981

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Winner of most mens doubles titles Before 1925:


14

1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1920

1925-1967: Roy Emerson 6

1960, 1962 with Neale Fraser; 1961 with Rod Laver; 1963 with Manuel Santana; 1964 with Ken Fletcher; 1965 with Fred Stolle

After 1967:

Paul Haarhuis

Yevgeny Kafelnikov

Leander Paes

3

1995, 1998 with Jacco Eltingh; 2002 with Yevgeny Kafelnikov

1996, 1997 with Daniel Vacek; 2002 with Paul Haarhuis

1999; 2001 with Mahesh Bhupati; 2009 with Luk Dlouh

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Record Open Era* Player(s) Num Years

Men since 1891

Winner of most mens singles titles Before 1925:


8 1903, 1904, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1912, 1913, 1914

1925-1967: Henri Cochet 41926, 1928, 1930, 1932 Note: Also won World Hard Court Championship in 1922

After 1967: Bjrn Borg 6 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

Winner of most consecutive mens singles titles

Before 1925: Paul Aym (French club members only event) 4 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900

1925-1967:

Frank Parker

Jaroslav Drobn

Tony Trabert

Nicola Pietrangeli

2

1948, 1949

1951, 1952

1954, 1955

1959, 1960

After 1967:

Bjrn Borg

Rafael Nadal 41978, 1979, 1980, 1981

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Winner of most mens doubles titles Before 1925:


14

1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1920

1925-1967: Roy Emerson 6

1960, 1962 with Neale Fraser; 1961 with Rod Laver; 1963 with Manuel Santana; 1964 with Ken Fletcher; 1965 with Fred Stolle

After 1967:

Paul Haarhuis

Yevgeny Kafelnikov

Leander Paes

3

1995, 1998 with Jacco Eltingh; 2002 with Yevgeny Kafelnikov

1996, 1997 with Daniel Vacek; 2002 with Paul Haarhuis

1999; 2001 with Mahesh Bhupati; 2009 with Luk Dlouh

Winner of most consecutive mens doubles titles

Before 1925: Max Decugis (French club members only event)

131902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914

1925-1967: Roy Emerson 6 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965

After 1967:

Gene Mayer

Yevgeny Kafelnikov & Daniel Vacek

Jonas Bjrkman & Max Mirnyi

2

1978 with Hank Pfister; 1979 with Sandy Mayer

1996, 1997

2005, 2006

Winner of most mixed doubles titles Men Before 1925:


71904, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1914 and 1920 with Suzanne Lenglen

1925-today: Jean-Claude Barclay 4 1968, 1971, 1973 with Franoise Durr

Winner of most titles (total: singles, doubles, mixed) men

Before 1925: Max Decugis 29 1902-1920 (8 singles, 14 doubles, 7 mixed)

1925-today: Roy Emerson 8 1960-1967 (2 singles, 6 doubles)

Women since 1897

Winner of most womens singles titles Before 1968: Suzanne Lenglen 6

1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926 Note: Also won World Hard Court Championship in 1914, 1921, 1922 & 1923

After 1967: Chris Evert 7 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986

Winner of most consecutive womens singles titles

Before 1968: Jeanne Matthey Suzanne Lenglen 41909, 1910, 1911, 19121920, 1921, 1922, 1923

After 1967: Monica Seles Justine Henin 31990, 1991, 19922005, 2006, 2007

Winner of most womens doubles titles Before 1968: Simone Mathieu 6

1933, 1934 with Elizabeth Ryan; 1936, 1937, 1938 with Billie Yorke; 1939 with Jadwiga Jedrzejowska

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Records

After 1967: / Martina Navratilova 7

1975 (with Chris Evert); 1982 with Anne Smith; 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 with Pam Shriver; 1986 with Andrea Temesvri

Winner of most consecutive womens doubles titles

Before 1968: Franoise Durr 5 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971

After 1967: Martina Navratilova

Gigi Fernndez5

1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 with Pam Shriver; 1986 with Andrea Temesvri

1991 with Jana Novotn; 1992-95 with Natasha Zvereva

Winner of most mixed doubles titles women Before 1968: Suzanne Lenglen 7

1914, 1920 with Max Decugis

1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926 with Jacques Brugnon

After 1967: Franoise Durr 3 1968, 1971, 1973 with Jean-Claude Barclay

Winner of most titles (total: singles, doubles, mixed) women

Before 1968: Suzanne Lenglen 15 1919-1926 (6 singles, 2 doubles, 7 mixed)

After 1967: / Martina Navratilova 11 1974-88 (2 singles, 7 doubles, 2 mixed)

Miscellaneous

Youngest winner Men: Michael Chang 17 years and 3 months

Women: Monica Seles 16 years and 6 months

Unseeded Winners Men:

Marcel Bernard

Mats Wilander

Gustavo Kuerten

Gastn Gaudio

1946

1982

1997

2004

Women: Margaret Scriven 1933

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Rafael Nadal

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Serena Williams

Wimbledon

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Quarters is a decent result. Obviously people think quarters is shocking, but people would die to play in the quarter-final stages of Grand Slam play. Its not something Im used to doing, losing in quarter-finals, because its not something Ive done in the last six years.Roger Federer after losing to Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals

So, obviously Im not pleased with this result, but I have to move on. What else can I do? Unless I have a time machine, which I dont.Venus Williams after her unexpected loss to Pironkova in the quarter-finals

I can catch a chicken. I can show you. Yeah, serious. I can catch a chicken.Yen-Hsun Lu on his many talents

If I am, I want you to personally take me off and escort me off the court. Theres no way I need to be out here at 38.Serena Williams feelings on playing tennis for another ten years

Uhm, no, you know, at the moment Im just really focused on not saying uhm. I read something on the Wimbledon website. The person that writes said that I start every sentence with uhm. So right now Im just trying not to do that.Laura Robson speaks about her speaking struggles

Yeah, of course shes beatable. Shes a human being. Shes not a machine. I mean, its very difficult to beat her. You have to play your best. But, you know, if you do, you can do it.Vera Zvonareva on the eve of the Wimbledon final

I think every team should be allowed to review the video of an action three times in a match...Like in tennis.Rafa Nadal suggest changes to the current rules for football

In Their Own Words

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Gentlemens Singles Serve Speed Leaders

Rank Player Country Serve Speed MPH Serve Speed km/h

1 T.Dent USA 148 238

2 J.Isner USA 143 230

3 A.Roddick USA 142 228

4 R.Soderling SWE 140 225

5 P.Petzschner GER 139 223

6 T.Berdych CZE 138 222

6 I.Bozoljac SRB 138 222

6 G.Monfils FRA 138 222

6 S.Querrey USA 138 222

10 J.Tsonga FRA 137 220

10 D.Brands GER 137 220

10 F.Lopez ESP 137 220

10 A.Murray GBR 137 220

10 T.De Bakker NED 137 220

15 L.Mayer ARG 136 218

16 I.Dodig CRO 135 217

16 A.Dolgopolov UKR 135 217

16 K.Anderson RSA 135 217

19 R.Kendrick USA 134 215

19 R.Haase NED 134 215

Mens Stats

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Mens StatsGentlemens Singles Double Fault Leaders

Rank Player Country Matches Double Faults

1 N.Djokovic SRB 6 38


3 J.Chardy FRA 3 23


3 J.Tsonga FRA 5 23

6 J.Benneteau FRA 4 22

6 T.Dent USA 2 22

6 F.Fognini ITA 3 22

9 N.Mahut FRA 1 21

10 P.Mathieu FRA 4 20

10 J.Melzer AUT 4 20

12 T.Kamke GER 3 18


14 D.Ferrer ESP 4 16

14 L.Kubot POL 2 16

16 R.Nadal ESP 7 15

16 B.Evans USA 2 15

18 Y.Lu TPE 5 14

18 D.Brands GER 4 14

18 A.Dolgopolov UKR 2 14

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Gentlemens Singles Ace Leaders

Rank Player Country Matches Aces

1 J.Isner USA 2 113



4 N.Mahut FRA 1 103

5 J.Tsonga FRA 5 99

6 A.Murray GBR 6 89

7 D.Brands GER 4 83

8 T.De Bakker NED 3 80


10 Y.Lu TPE 5 77


12 J.Benneteau FRA 4 69


12 R.Federer SUI 5 69

15 J.Chardy FRA 3 68

16 D.Ferrer ESP 4 61

17 V.Hanescu ROU 3 60


19 I.Bozoljac SRB 2 58

20 F.Lopez ESP 3 57

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Pau Gasol wanted me to say hola to you. Congratulations. Can you compare this to what he did, back to back Lakers championships and your own as well, two straight here at Wimbledon for you?

Thanks a lot. Everything is difficult, and very difficult compare, two different sports, no? But I am in contact with him all the time. For sure to have unbeliev-able sportsman like Pau inside the court, inside the court and outside the court is very, very good for our country.

Is it even more special for you to come back and win it a second time?

Every one is really special, no? Is dif-ficult to say this one is more special. The other one was more dramatic, the way to win. So first title is always very, very special.

And for sure after not easy year for me. Be back on my favorite tournament of the world here and play well another time, and not only play well, so finish with the trophy is amazing for me.

Just can say thank you very much all the organization, all the crowd, because when I am on the court what they make me feel is unbelievable.

How does it feel to be so popular with the crowd here at Wimbledon?

You know, probably is the best crowd of the world, no? More respect. They have a lot of respect for every player, I think.

If I speak about myself, was always amazing with me, the crowd, especially yesterday or two days ago when I played against Andy Murray, a British player. For sure the crowd sup-port him, but the same

time was supporting me a lot, no? Thats unbelievable. Just can say thank you very much.

Did you expect a different or tougher match from him?

I cannot say the same because I dont expect nothing before the match. I expect play my best in every point and try to fight every point like the last. I dont think if I gonna have a very difficult match, I gonna lose, I gonna win. I dont think about this.

I just think about try to go on court and try to fight every point and play point by point. Not thinking any more of the next point.

You had a lot of support from home, your girlfriend, parents, people from your club. Is that important to you?

I have all the family, my team here, so, sure, is nice to have the friends here. Is always nice have your people around you.

How have you changed your game to become so comfortable on grass where you now have two Wimble-don championships?

I dont know. The main thing I think is if you want to play well, you gonna find a way. So if you really want to play well in one surface and you are a good player, I think in the end you gonna find a way.

And play for me on grass always was my dream, and play here for me was all my

Wimbledon WinnerAn interview with Rafael Nadal after his triumph at SW19

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life a big goal for me. So I think I have very good thing to play here on grass is the movement. I move well on this court, and thats very important part of the game.

Sure, later my serve always was improv-ing a little bit. Is important play more aggressive than the rest of the surfaces, no?

But, sure, I tell you, the main thing is re-ally want to improve in every surface. On grass is the main thing.

How hungry are you regarding win-ning the US Open? How important is it for you to win the US Open, as well?

Right now Im very happy to win Wimbledon. Yeah (smiling). We gonna think about US Open in one month. Right now we just relax and enjoy for me this amazing season.

Was very difficult for me to be back at my best. I did, so is very important and emo-tional moment for me. I want to enjoy

that. For sure, keep working to try to be in the US Open finally ready to try to win. But for sure US Open gonna be one of my goals for rest of my career.

But right now is enjoy the beach, fishing, golf, friends, party, and Mallorca.

Youre known for playing all the points with great intensity and focus. It seems on the critical points, like today at the breakpoints, you really focused, you lift your game. Can you

Wimbledon Winner

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talk about what you do on the big points.

Yeah, today I was a little bit more ner-vous than usual. I was a little bit lucky on few moments with the breakpoints. I had two good forehands, and later I have a rally with the slice backhand. So he finish missing the backhand to the net.

So I dont know. I just try my best in every moment, every practice, every point. Important thing is be there all the time. If you are there all the time, you are have more chances to save the breakpoints.

You talked before about the impor-tance of the movement. Even if you dont like to speak normally about injuries, you still run like a rabbit or a jaguar, it depends what kind of animal you think. How do you explain it? You talk about knees, this and that. Nobody is capable to run like you.

No, I dont have any problem today. I didnt have any problem today, and for the last four matches I didnt have any problem. So thats all. Without healthy is impossible to be where I am today.

Is there a special practice you do to be quicker than somebody else, to react?

No. I think all my life I practiced with my high hundred percent of intensity in every ball in the practice.

So when I have only controls normally I never have controls, normal controls. I play every control like a point.

Thats why I think today I am faster, no? Probably now Im not practicing with the same intensity like when I was a kid. When I was a kid, I practiced, believe me,

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like crazy.

Did you expect this kind of return?

No. For sure, no. I gonna say another time the same. I go day by day, and I wake up every morning with the illusion to practice and to improve, with the allu-sion to play well another time.

So last seven months or six months of 2009 season I wasnt ready to play at this level. I was ready to fight, but not to play like I am doing now.

The positive thing in that seven months is I didnt lose in first round, second round, no? I wasnt ready to win, but I was there all the time, semifinals, quarterfinals, one time one final in Shanghai. So without playing well, I had not bad results. So thats very important for the confidence.

And when I finish the season 2009 and I went to Mallorca and I start to practice, well, you see the difference. If you play semifinals and quarterfinals, you see ev-erything a little bit more easier, because without play well I was there.

So just keep working, be ready to work hard to be ready for 2010, and if I im-prove, I gonna have the chance another time to win.

Today Lorenzo won in motorcycle. Spain is in the semifinal of the World Cup. You won here. What is so special in Spanish athletes? If Spain reaches the final, will you go there to see it?

Well, I dont know. For the last two years we had amazing success on very important sports. So maybe is a little bit lucky, because is impossible to have one No. 1 like Pau Gasol, all the unbelievable players of the basketball in Spain.

And Lorenzo?

Sure, Lorenzo, Pedrosa, Contador. For sure, we won the Europa Cup with the football, and right now we are in semifinals in the World Cup. So we are in probably the best moment of our history in sport.

Thats very difficult to do. We have to know how difficult is be there and enjoy these moments, because gonna be very difficult to repeat another generation like we have now.

Will you go to the final, Cape Town?

I have to do treatment right now on the knees. I have to have serious work, the same time to try to ready for the American season. So I dont think so. I gonna see.

But for me would be a pleasure to be there. I am a crazy fan of football, and for sure a big supporter of our team. I am in contact with the players. You know, I just wish the team all the best.

But if the World Cup can be a little bit closer, gonna be easier for me to be there.

You surprised some people with your summersault at the end. Is that something you thought through or did spontaneously?

I didnt thought nothing about that. That was my reaction that moment, no?

Winning the French and Wimbledon back to back, its been said, is the hardest thing in tennis. Youve now done it twice. How special do you think that is as an achievement?

It didnt happen since Borg, so now last three years it happen twice. So how crazy is the life.

The way you played in the clay court season, to be able to transfer that to grass, how tough is that?

Is difficult. For sure is difficult. But important thing is I repeat the same than before: have enough illusion to play after winning in Roland Garros, to play well on grass.

So after a few years for me, I know how important is the grass court season. And after winning in Roland Garros Sunday, I am practicing on Monday in Queens because I know how difficult is to change and to adapt the surface. Every day is goal to be ready to play here in Wimble-don.

So is difficult, yes. But if you have experience in the past and you have lot of matches on grass in the past, thats gonna help you a lot.

You mentioned you were a bit nervous. Was it different playing here? You played three finals against Roger. Was it different today playing as the favorite?

I dont know. If you are not nervous in the final of Wimbledon, you are not hu-man, so...

This year tennis fans remember this championship for your win, but also Isner and Mahut. What message do you have for them?

I saw the match. Was unbelievable. Just can congratulate both players because what they did. They show amazing good spirit for the crowd, for the young people, because the attitude was very positive and fighting a lot every point, like for 10 hours or 11 hours, I dont know.

So was just amazing. Both players need to acknowledge, the rest of the people, especially the tennis people.

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Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal blows away 12th seed Tomas Berdych in straight sets to regain the Wimbledon crown and claim his eighth Grand Slam title. He triumphs in straight sets 6-3 7-5 6-4.


Rafael Nadal

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Roger Federer

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Tommy Robredo thinks he spots the Queen watching his doubles match No no, Tommy - the Queens visit was yesterday!

Djokovic

Murray

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Murray is a capable volleyer! Even the shadow has style!


Rafael Nadal

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Ilija Bozoljac

Rafael Nadal

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Record

Roger Federer Contemplating Defeat

Rafael Nadal

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Womens StatsLadies Singles Serve Speed Leaders

Rank Player Country Serve Speed MPH Serve Speed km/h

1 V.Williams USA 128 205

2 S.Williams USA 125 201

3 D.Cibulkova SVK 118 189

3 K.Sprem CRO 118 189

3 T.Pironkova BUL 118 189

6 J.Groth AUS 116 186

6 S.Stosur AUS 116 186

6 M.Sharapova RUS 116 186

9 A.Amanmuradova UZB 115 185

9 K.Kanepi EST 115 185

9 N.Petrova RUS 115 185

12 M.Lucic CRO 114 183

12 S.Perry USA 114 183

12 J.Goerges GER 114 183

15 P.Kvitova CZE 113 181

15 G.Arn HUN 113 181

15 M.South GBR 113 181

15 P.Martic CRO 113 181

15 A.Kleybanova RUS 113 181

15 C.Wozniacki DEN 113 181

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Ladies Singles Ace Leaders




3 K.Kanepi EST 5 29

4 V.Zvonareva RUS 7 27

5 J.Groth AUS 4 26

5 T.Pironkova BUL 6 26


8 G.Arn HUN 3 19

9 N.Petrova RUS 3 18

10 M.Bartoli FRA 4 17

10 J.Henin BEL 4 17

12 A.Amanmuradova UZB 1 16

12 A.Molik AUS 2 16

14 Y.Wickmayer BEL 3 15

14 K.Zakopalova CZE 4 15

14 A.Parra Santonja ESP 2 15

17 J.Jankovic SRB 4 14

17 V.Lepchenko USA 2 14

17 A.Pavlyuchenkova RUS 3 14

20 S.Perry USA 2 13

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Womens StatsLadies Singles Double Fault Leaders


1 K.Kanepi EST 5 29


3 V.Zvonareva RUS 7 24

4 K.Zakopalova CZE 4 20

5 J.Jankovic SRB 4 17

5 M.Sharapova RUS 4 17

5 A.Rezai FRA 2 17


8 A.Parra Santonja ESP 2 15


11 A.Rodionova AUS 3 14

11 K.Clijsters BEL 5 14

11 D.Cibulkova SVK 3 14

11 S.Perry USA 2 14

15 A.Pavlyuchenkova RUS 3 13

16 A.Kleybanova RUS 3 12

16 I.Olaru ROU 2 12

18 A.Lapushchenkova RUS 1 11

18 J.Groth AUS 4 11

18 J.Henin BEL 4 11

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Anna Chakvetadze during her defeat to Serena Williams.

Sara Errani and Arantxa Parra Santonja after the formers victory.

Venus Williams

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Pironkova

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Maria Sharapova

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Serena Williams

Pliskova

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Flavia Pennetta & Gisela Dulko during their 2nd round doubles

match with Elena Baltacha & Olga Savchuk. Flavia & Gisela

won 6-7, 6-3, 6-0

Maria Sharapova


Russian Vera Zvonareva on her way to victory in her 3rd round match vs. last years US Open semi-finalist Yanina Wickmayer.

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Ladies doubles #10 seeds Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Kirilenko

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Serena Williams serving during her win over Anna Chakvetadze.

Errani

Marion Bartoli at full stretch.

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RecordsCountries whose representatives have won the 123 Gentlemens Singles Championships:

United States (33), British Isles (32), Australia (21), France (7), Sweden (7), Switzerland (6), Germany (4), New Zealand (4),Great Britain (3), Czechoslovakia (1), Egypt (1), Netherlands (1), Spain (1), Croatia (1)

Countries whose representatives have won the 116 Ladies Singles Championships:

United States (53), British Isles (29), Germany (8), Great Britain (7), France (7), Australia (5), Brazil (3), Czech Republic (1), Spain (2), Switzerland (1), Russia (1)

Winners of most Gentlemens Singles Championships

7 P. Sampras (USA) 1993-1995, 1997-20007 W.C. Renshaw (BRI) 1881-1886, 1889

Winners of most Gentlemens Doubles Championships

9 T.A. Woodbridge (AUS) 1993-1997, 2000, 2002-20048 H.L. Doherty (BRI) 1897-1901, 1903-19058 R.F. Doherty (BRI) 1897-1901, 1903-1905

Winners of most Ladies Singles Championships

9 Miss M. Navratilova (USA) 1978, 1979, 1982-1987, 19908 Miss H.N. Wills/Mrs. F.S

Moody (USA)1927-1930, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1938

Winners of most Ladies Doubles Championships

12 Miss E.M. Ryan (USA) 1914, 1919-1923, 1925-1927, 1930, 1933, 1934

Winners of most Mixed Doubles Championships - Gentlemen

4 O.K. Davidson (AUS) 1967, 1971, 1973, 19744 K.N. Fletcher (AUS) 1963, 1965, 1966, 19684 E.V. Seixas (USA) 1953-1956

Winner of most Mixed Doubles Championships - Ladies

7 Miss E.M. Ryan (USA) 1919, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1932

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Winner of most Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles Championships - Gentlemen

13 H.L. Doherty (BRI) 5 singles, 8 doubles 1897-1906

Winner of most Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles Championships - Ladies

20 Miss B.J. Moffit/Mrs. L.W. King (USA)6 singles, 10 doubles, 4 mixed 1961-1979

20 Miss M. Navratilova (TCH/USA)9 singles, 7 doubles, 4 mixed 1976-2003

19 Miss E.M. Ryan (USA) 12 doubles, 7 mixed 1914-1934 Winners of Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles Championships in One Year - Gentlemen

1937 J.D. Budge (USA)1938 J.D. Budge (USA)1939 R.L. Riggs (USA)1952 F.A. Sedgman (AUS)

Winners of Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles Championships in One Year - Ladies

1920 Miss S.R.F. Lenglen (FRA)1922 Miss S.R.F. Lenglen (FRA)1925 Miss S.R.F. Lenglen (FRA)1939 Miss A. Marble (USA)1948 Miss A.L. Brough (USA)1950 Miss A.L. Brough (USA)1951 Miss D.J. Hart (USA)1967 Mrs. L.W. King (USA)1973 Mrs. L.W. King (USA)

Youngest Champions

Gentlemens Singles B.F. Becker (GER) 17 years, 227 days (1985)Gentlemens Doubles R.D. Ralston (USA) 17 years, 341 days (1960)Ladies Singles Miss C. Dod (BRI) 15 years, 285 days (1887)Ladies Doubles Miss M. Hingis (SUI) 15 years, 282 days (1996)Mixed Doubles R.G. Laver (AUS) 20 years, 328 days (1959) Miss S.J. Williams (USA) 16 years, 282 days (1998)

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RecordsOldest Champions

Gentlemens Singles A.W. Gore (BRI) 41 years, 182 days (1909)Gentlemens Doubles G.P. Mulloy (USA) 43 years, 226 days (1957)Ladies Singles Mrs A Sterry (BRI) 37 years, 282 days (1908)Ladies Doubles Miss E.M. Ryan (USA) 42 years, 152 days (1934)Mixed Doubles S.E. Stewart (USA) 42 years, 28 days (1988) Miss M. Navratilova (TCH/

USA)46 years, 261 days (2003)

The Youngest Competitors

Gentlemens Singles S.B.B. Wood (USA) 15 years, 231 days (1927)Gentlemens Doubles S.B.B. Wood (USA) 15 years, 234 days (1927)Ladies Singles Miss J.M. Capriati (USA) 14 years, 90 days (1990)Ladies Doubles Miss J.M. Capriati (USA) 14 years, 92 days (1990)

The Oldest Competitors

Gentlemens Singles M.J.G Ritchie (GBR) 55 years, 247 days (1926)Gentlemens Doubles J.R. Borotra (FRA) 65 years, 317 days (1964)Ladies Singles Mrs. A.E. ONeill (GBR) 54 years, 304 days (1922)Ladies Doubles Mrs. C.O. Tuckey (GBR) 54 years, 352 days (1932)Mixed Doubles J.R. Borotra (FRA) 64 years, 320 days (1963) Mrs. A.E. ONeil (GBR) 55 years, 304 days (1923)

The Youngest Seeds

Gentlemens Singles B.R. Borg (SWE) 17 years, 19 days (1973)Ladies Singles Miss J.M. Capriati (USA) 14 years, 89 days (1990)

The Oldest Seeds

Gentlemens Singles R.A. Gonzales (USA) 41 years, 45 days (1969)Ladies Singles Mrs. L.W. King (USA) 39 years, 210 days (1983)

Shortest Players

Gentlemen F.H. Ampon (PHI)1948-1953

4 feet, 11 inches

Ladies Miss C.G. Hoahing (GBR)1937-1938, 1964-1961

4 feet, 9 inches

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Tallest Players

Gentlemen I. Karlovic (CRO) 2003 6 feet, 10 inchesLadies Miss L.A. Davenport (USA)

1993-2001, 2003, 20046 feet 2 inches

Miss E. Bovina (RUS) 2001-2004

Most Matches Played at The Championships:

Ladies326 Miss M Navratilova (TCH/USA)

1973-1996, 2000-2006(Singles W 120, L 14; Doubles W 100, L 21; Mixed W 56 L 15)

Gentlemen223 J.R. Borotra (FRA)

1922-1939, 1948-1964(Singles W 55, L 10; Doubles W 59, L 31; Doubles W 40, L 28)

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Rafael Nadal of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia with

trophies after final match

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No. But every day is a new day. Lets see which Gael it will give me on WednesdayMonfils when asked if he felt he was in good form for the US Open

To be honest, once you decide to play, I think you throw all the excuses and everything else out the windowAndy Roddick on playing with an injury

You have to get to a certain level in the sport before people really care about you. And you have to be around long enough for people to remember you.Andy Roddick on sports icons

I have this problem from birthsome blood problems. Sometimes, I dont feel so well, espe-cially when I change time zones a lot. Thats why I dont like to fly. I just have to deal with it and sometimes it affects my game. I couldnt have the usual treatment before the US Open because I played in Umag and then had just five days before I came to the US.Aleksandr Dolgopolov after his early exit

Last years was probably a little bit more impor-tant just because it was a semi-final and I think it was 0-30 to go 0-40, two points away from the match. Maybe in terms of difficulty this one was harder than last year because I had to run a longer distance and was further back. When I turned round I couldnt believe that it had landed in the corner.Roger Federer compares his two tweener shots

I have been working on my serve all my life. Not just this summer, all my life.

Rafa Nadal when asked if he had worked hard on his serve during the summer

Is more difficult for me here, especially, because the ball. I think is more easy to play for the players who have flat shots. But I won the Olympics in Beijing in 2005 with this ball, so I can do it.Rafa Nadal on his difficulties with fast hard courts

I buy clothes from Technifibre and my mother sews the flags on them.Marcos Baghdatis on his eye-catching outfits

I had to have a knee op because I was too heavyThats why I decided to lose weight.Mardy Fish speaks about his new diet and fitness regime

I saw some photos taken two years ago. I looked at them and asked: why didnt somebody tell me that I looked like that?Fish on his old self

I wasnt upset with the call, I just expect my umpires to know their left foot from the right foot. I asked the referee: was it my right foot? And she said, yes, right foot. Not once in my career has my right foot gone in front of my left foot, never.Andy Roddick speaks about his outburst after being called for a foot fault

I told him: you were too good. Then I just said: the last time you beat me in a Grand Slam second round [Wimbledon 2008] you lost the next match, so dont do that. It was fun.Andy Roddicks advice to Tipsarevic after his defeat. Roddicks version.


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He said Well done, man. You played great. But if you lose early, Im going to kill you. Im going to freaking kill you.Andy Roddicks advice to Tipsarevic after his defeat. Tipsarevics version.

Well, I tried to be really tough with him. I wanted to show him that I am the man, the leader.Gael Monfils jokes after his three-set vic-tory over friend and countryman Richard Gasquet

Of course you can hear the crowd. To be honest, there are times when you wish they were even noisier, on your side, to intimidate you opponentMardy Fish on home court advantage

I like it. I see it as a challenge, an opportunity to play in a different way. I hated it so much through the years and now I have changed my mind.Roger Federer on the joys of playing in the wind

I dont need revenge to fuel my motivation. It re-ally doesnt, because I love playing in the stadium in front of people like this. I love tennis, and thats enough motivation for me to really get it.Federer on what drives him to excel

I know that all the fans want to see Federer and Nadal play in the final. They are the great favou-rites and the public wants them in the final. I will make sure it does not happen.Novak Djokovic on the eve of his semi-final against Federer

I thought: please dont make it! I have been experi-encing that too many times.

Djokovic speaks about Monfils attempted tweener shot

Yes I am ready to be the bad guy. I love being the bad guy in this situation.Mikhail Youzhny on his plans to rob the public of a Federer-Nadal final Ok, it wasnt the final, so I am not as disappointed as if I had lost in the final. This is the only positive thing I can find in all this.Roger Federer after his defeat in the semi-final

I closed my eyes and hit as hard as I could. If it goes in it goes in, if it goes out its still a defeat in the US Open against Roger Federer.Djokovic on the two match points he saved in the semi-final against Federer

You cant go through 10-15 years of your career thinking youll always be at the very top. I think I did incredible work staying so long in the Top 2 in the world. I never would have guessed in 04 when I got to number one for the first time that it was going to carry me for so long.Roger Federer on growing old

I think that for the first time in my career I have played a great match in this tournament. I have played my best match at the US Open at the most important moment. I am very, very happy.An elated Nadal after the final

I think to talk about if I am better or worse than Roger is stupid, because the titles say hes much better than me, so thats the truth at that moment. I think will be the truth all my life.Nadal on his place in tennis history

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Mens StatsMens Singles Ace Leaders


1 R.Federer SUI 6 86

2 J.Isner USA 3 76


4 S.Wawrinka SUI 5 65


6 M.Fish USA 4 56

7 F.Verdasco ESP 5 55

8 F.Lopez ESP 4 53

9 S.Stakhovsky UKR 3 48


10 N.Almagro ESP 3 46

12 R.Nadal ESP 7 45

13 J.Tipsarevic SRB 3 43


15 G.Rufin FRA 2 36

16 B.Paire FRA 2 35


17 A.Haider-Maurer AUT 1 34

19 C.Ball AUS 2 33

19 T.de Bakker NED 3 33

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Mens Singles Serve Speed Leaders

Rank Player CountryServe Speed

MPHServe Speed

km/h

1 T.Dent USA 147 236

2 J.Isner USA 144 231





6 F.Lopez ESP 140 225

8 R.Harrison USA 138 222



10 D.Brown JAM 137 220

10 V.Troicki SRB 137 220

13 M.Fish USA 136 218

13 I.Ljubicic CRO 136 218

13 R.Kendrick USA 136 218


13 A.Murray GBR 136 218


18 P.Petzschner GER 135 217

18 I.Dodig CRO 135 217

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Mans StatsMens Singles Double Fault Leaders



2 M.Youzhny RUS 6 33

3 R.Berankis LTU 2 30





8 J.Melzer AUT 4 22

8 F.Lopez ESP 4 22

10 A.Montanes ESP 4 21

10 G.Rufin FRA 2 21

10 D.Nalbandian ARG 3 21


14 M.Fish USA 4 20

15 B.Paire FRA 2 18

15 A.Clement FRA 3 18

15 M.Przysiezny POL 1 18


18 R.Gasquet FRA 4 17

20 K.Nishikori JPN 3 16

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Federer

Nadal


Monfils

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during final match

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Federer

National flags at the opening ceremony of US Open

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Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia returns a ball during match against Gael Monfils of France

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Rafael Nadal of Spain re-acts during match against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia

US Open Fireworks

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Gael Monfils of France returns ball during match against Robert Kendrick of USA

Rafael Nadal

Philipp Petzschner of Germany falls on the court during match against Novak Djokovic

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Roger Federer

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Congratulations. Its a remarkable achievement what you did out there tonight and in such an impressive fashion with such great play. Now you have the career Grand Slam. Talk about what tonight means to you and this trophy means to you.

Yeah, well, just thank you very much, first thing. Yeah, it was amazing feeling. I think win against Novak is always very, very difficult, and the results say that lots of times, I lost against him. So I think for the first time in my career I played a very, very good match in this tournament. Thats my feeling, no? I played my best match in the US Open at the most impor-tant moment, so I am very, very happy for that, for sure.

In the career Grand Slam, though...

Yeah, I know, for you, very important, that. (Laughter.) You know, I still 24. I have, I know, for me, its a dream have the career Grand Slam, but this is more dream have the US Open. Is some mo-ments unbelievable feeling because I worked a lot all my life, in all difficult moments to be here, but I never imagined have the four Grand Slams.

Can you talk a little bit how youve improved your hardcourt game? Be-cause obviously you started on clay and then you made a big adjustment for grass. What have you done to become a champion on hardcourts?

I did, in 2009, I won in Australia, too.

But youre better now.

Maybe, or maybe not. I dont know. (Laughter.) Is part of the moment and part of the situation, no? And part of the confi-

dence. So always when you are playing well and when you are in the right mo-ment with big confidence, seems like you improved a lot. But, you know, there are moments when you are not playing that good, when you lose your confidence, you lose matches, and seems like you are not playing that good and you forgot to play tennis. Its not like this, and it is not like this I improved a lot since 2009. I think I improved my tennis a little bit but is not a radical change, no? Sure, to win in here in the US Open I think is the more difficult tournament for me to play, more difficult conditions to adapt, to adjust my game on this court, for the balls, for the court, for everything, no?

In Australia, anyway, if its hot, the ball, the bounce are higher. And in Wimbledon, is true I have to adjust a lot my game to play in Wimbledon, but in my opinion, play in Wimbledon for me always wasnt that bad, because one of the most important things on Wimble-don is the movements, and I think my movements are good to play well in that surface. The surface help me, because my serve was not that good, that I have today, and with less serve I can do it the same, the same to the opponent as what I have today at this tournament especially and with this serve and with the US Open.

For that reason I think the hardcourt always was the most difficult surface to play good for me, especially with the serve because I have to play almost every point, and probably the serve make the big difference in this tournament.

I think youre strong mentally keep point for completing Grand Slam. How you keep your mental so strong,

consistent?

I dont know. I think my the practice is done a lot of years ago, so is not the moment now that I have. I am strong now because I think practice everything you can practice everything. I think the mentality, I practice it a lot, my mentality, a lot when I was a kid, so right now for me it is a little bit easier, I think.

What do you think you have to ac-complish to convince yourself that youre ahead of Roger, maybe the greatest ever?

Remain a lot of titles, so thats no doubt about that, no? I think I am more than happy that with my titles, for sure I think is talk about if I am better or worse than Roger is stupid, because the titles say hes much better than me, so thats the true at that moment. I think will be the true all my life. But, sure, for me, always, always Roger was an example, especially because he improved his tennis I think during all his career, and thats a good thing that you can copy, no? So I try to copy this, and I know Roger and me are different, much different styles. Being better than Roger I dont think so is the right moment to talk about that, because I am I dont think that.

What do you think the future of your rivalry is with him? How long do you think it will last?

I dont know. Well, now Novak is, too, but he has to defend a lot of points now in the end of the season now, Novak, too. He gonna have his chance to be win the year No. 2, Novak, too. But Roger is there, too, to finish No. 2. You know, we start every year, and a lot of new players

The Grand Slam Man

An interview with Rafael Nadal after his US Open win

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and good players are there like well, not new, Novak and Andy are not new, Andy Murray, but always come new players, very good players. But for the last six years, Roger and me was we were No. 1 and No. 2, no? So thats probably a great rivalry since that six years. We will see what happens in the future. I am not a genius.

Can you talk a little bit about todays rain delay, what you did during that time and what you told yourself about the match?

Yeah, well, the delay, it wasnt in the right moment for me, but just go back to the locker room, have a shower, and have all the tapes another time. Thats what I did.

What did you tell yourself about the match at that point?

Nothing special, no? I think -- I thought before the match gonna be very difficult for me to win this match today, because the style of Novak is very difficult for me, because he play aggressive, he play very inside the court with very complete shots

on the baseline, forehand and backhand, and difficult for me. But I started the match feeling the ball great, and for me what I said to myself is I did another time, so I can do it another time.

So just be there, fight every point and try to play with high intensity all the time, so I know if I play with high intensely, put a lot of balls inside and play long. Finally, I think he can be more tired than me, so if the match is long, I think I gonna have a little bit of advantage, and thats what I thought before the match.

But if he starts to play like he did in Paris, is true indoor is different, my level is completely different now than what I did in the Masters 1000 in Paris last year, but when hes playing at his best, hes very difficult t

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