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AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012DELIVERING NEW HIGHS

RIPPING ALL RECORDS

VICTORIA AZARENKA

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

4 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

EDITOR Vivienne Christie

CONSULTING EDITOR Alan Trengove

ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrea Williamson

ADVERTISING MANAGER Breanna Kray

ADMINISTRATION &

SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Ben Carenco

MY COACH CONTENT Mark Edney

PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images, John Anthony (All photographs by Getty Images unless specified)

COVER PHOTO Getty Images

Australian Tennis Magazine is published monthly by TENNIS AUSTRALIA LTD, Private Bag 6060, Richmond, Vic 3121. Ph: (03) 9914 4200 Email: editor@tennismag.com.au

Distributed by Network Distribution CompanyPrinted in Australia by Webstar

The views expressed in Australian Tennis Magazine are not necessarily those held by Tennis Australia. While the utmost care is taken in compiling the information contained in this publication, Tennis Australia is not responsible for any loss or injury occurring as a result of any omissions in either the editorial or advertising appearing herein.

FROM THE EDITOR

As a string of Australian legends watched Novak Djokovic and Rafael

Nadal battle out the longest Grand Slam final of the open era –

and arguably the most compelling one too – there was no doubt a

spectacular Australian Open had culminated in a match for the ages.

The fierce battle for one champion to defend his world No. 1 territory

and another to regain his major dominance produced a display of

breathtaking shot-making and unimaginable endurance.

Incredibly, though, that five hour 53 minute contest was not the only

milestone in the record-breaking Australian Open. Victoria Azarenka was

relentless as she outclassed three-time major champion Maria Sharapova

to become the first Belarusian to claim a Grand Slam title, and with it

the world No. 1 ranking. Later, the determined champion pointed to the

impact she hoped her major victory would have on other young players

from her country.

You only have to consider some stunning Australian performances at

Melbourne Park to appreciate that success-breeds-success mentality.

Battle-scarred warrior Lleyton Hewitt once again proved an inspiration in

his unlikely run to the fourth round; a performance matched by Bernard

Tomic as he upset a string of higher-ranked opponents to further prove

his credentials on the game’s biggest stage.

Luke Saville, who regularly cites Hewitt as a role model, went on to win

his second junior Grand Slam in the boys’ event. While nobody can be

sure how long Hewitt will remain on tour, his influence will no doubt be an

enduring one as Tomic, Saville and other Australian players continue their

rise at other events.

Meanwhile, it seems likely that Djokovic, Nadal and Azarenka will

continue to set the standard they showcased so superbly at Australian

Open 2012, their stunning performances matched only by the tantalising

prospect of what each of them might achieve next.

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

REGULARS7 Top Spin

13 Your Serve

44 Aces & Places

61 My Game

68 My Coach

78 Rankings

24

FEBRUARY 2012VOL 37 No. 2A $7.50 (inc. GST) NZ $8.40 (inc. GST) US $7.50

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FEATURES

14 Delivering new highs With record attendances, history-making milestones, a new world No. 1 and a final for the ages, Australian Open 2012 delivered new highs at every turn.

18 Djokovic joins the greats Novak Djokovic becomes a triple Australian Open champion and a legend with his epic win in the 100th Australian men’s championship.

24 The new Queen With an emphatic Grand Slam breakthrough, newly-crowned No. 1 Victoria Azarenka tops a new order in women’s tennis.

34 Star Rising Top-ranked junior Luke Saville once again showed he’s a force of the future by claiming a cherished home Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.

47 An enduring favourite While questions surround Kim Clijsters’ playing future, there are no such questions about her enduring popularity.

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | February 2012 5

52 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

If accuracy and power were the most talked-about weapons as an unseeded Kaia Kanepi stunned a string of higher-

ranked opponents to claim her � rst WTA premier-level title at the season-opening Brisbane International, persistence might have been the more important factor. In 2011, the Estonian suffered an Achilles injury that forced her off the tour for two months – and that enforced break made her hungrier than ever to rise to new heights in her playing career.

“I couldn’t stop smiling after the match,” said Kanepi, who upset seeds Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Andrea Petkovic and Francesca Schiavone before a � awless � nals victory over Daniela Hantuchova.

“I don’t think I’ve really realised what I’ve done, how well I’ve played, who

I’ve beaten and the scores. I’ve really enjoyed winning such a big tournament. It was just my week, but I have to be ready, because history has shown nothing comes easy for me.”

There was a symbolism of sorts in Kanepi rebounding from injury in the most emphatic manner in Brisbane, for the tournament itself had also staged an impressive recovery. Days after the completion of the 2011 tournament, the Queensland Tennis Centre was submerged by the � oods that devastated much of the state, damaging much of the state-of-the-art facility immeasurably.

To say that both the venue and the tournament had come back even stronger was an understatement – boosted by the upgrade to WTA Premier-level status on the women’s side and

a quality men’s � eld, record crowds � ocked to the partly rebuilt centre, the 92,802 people who attended over the tournament’s eight days smashing the previous record by more than 10,000.

A factor, of course, was the high pro� le players who contested the tournament. Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters were among the former world No. 1s contesting the women’s event, while world No. 4 Andy Murray added X Factor to the men’s event. There was also unprecedented local appeal as Queensland fans came in droves to support recently-crowned US Open champion Sam Stosur and the rapidly-improving Bernard Tomic.

Fans were treated to some high quality tennis – and plenty of drama. While Stosur made a surprisingly early exit in the women’s event, Serena and Clijsters thrilled crowds before injury derailed

The 2012 tennis season kicked off with new – and

renewed – stars showcasing their � nest form in

Australia’s summer events.

Serena Williams adds star factor to every event.

The ever-competitive Francesca Schiavone delivers drama.

Kaia Kanepi is eyeing the world’s top 10.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012 53

their respective campaigns – Serena bravely playing on after an ankle sprain in her second round win against Bojana Jovanovski but forced to withdraw from her quarter-� nal, and Clijsters retiring after suffering a hip injury in her semi-� nal against Hantuchova.

Kanepi � lled their void admirably, her most commanding tournament run yet seeing many, including Hantuchova after

the � nal, predict that the world

No. 34 could make a top 10 breakthrough in 2012 – just as

Kvitova had done after she claimed

victory at the same event the previous

year. “Well, if I’m playing like this, I think I can,” Kanepi

agreed. “I have to work hard, play consistently and win. We will see at the

end of the year if I did the same thing as Petra or not.”

Murray was similarly encouraged after claiming his 22nd career title in the Queensland capital – especially given that the victory didn’t come as automatically as many expected of the fourth-ranked Scot, Murray stretched to three-sets in the opening two rounds against Mikhail Kukushkin and Gilles Muller, before � nding his feet against

Marcos Baghdatis, Tomic and Alexandr Dolgopolov in the � nal.

“I’m a year wiser, I have a year more experience and I think I’ve improved a few things in my game,” said Murray, when asked whether the Brisbane title could be a precursor to a major breakthrough in Melbourne. “I still played pretty good last year in Australia. I could play great tennis again and lose in the second round or the third round, that’s how tennis works sometimes.

“But equally I could win the tournament if I play my best. So I just need to show up, give 100 percent every single point. If someone plays a great match to beat me, then that happens, but if I play well like I did this week, I give myself a good chance.”

It was another star, in fact, who would be boosted to Grand Slam success after dominating an earlier

Australian Open series event, Victoria Azarenka showcasing her best tennis as she outclassed Jelena Jankovic, Marion Bartoli, Agnieszka Radwanska and � nally

Li Na brings her best game to Australia.

Kaia Kanpei relishes her biggest win.

Andy Murray, Brisbane International 2012 champion.

54 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012

defending champion Li Na at the Apia International Sydney.

Also a WTA Premier level event, the tournament had attracted possibly it’s most-credentialled women’s � eld yet, with all but two one of the top 10 women participating and the week beginning with the tantalising storyline of Caroline Wozniacki potentially surrendering her world No. 1 ranking to Kvitova.

It was no surprise then, that Azarenka’s ninth career victory hardly came easily – particularly in the � nal, where she battled against Li in a three-set � nal that saw the Chinese favourite claim six consecutive games in the second set, and an early break of serve in the third. “It was really dif� cult. I knew at some point I would get a chance, so I just had to stay with her and � ght. I kept my composure,” said the Belarusian, who notched only her third win over Li in seven meetings. “We showed some incredible tennis out there. Li Na, she’s always dangerous, and she proved it again today. I’m just glad I could overcome her and win this match.”

While stopping short of suggesting that the Sydney title would lead to Australian Open success, Azarenka certainly displayed

the right mindset as she used the victory as a springboard to her biggest achievement in claiming her � rst Grand Slam and rising to world No. 1 in Melbourne.

“It’s going to be a new week, a new tournament, so for me it’s going to be starting from zero,” Azarenka said. “I’m glad the way I got through some

tough battles here in Sydney, so I really tested myself before a big event. I’m going to keep

going the same way with the same

attitude, the same way I’m playing.”

For Jarko Nieminen, who made his way through qualifying to claim the Apia International Sydney men’s title, it wasn’t so much a new beginning as a fresh start, the 30-year-old Finn defeating Julien

Benneteau in the rain-delayed men’s � nal to end

a six-year title drought.

“I don’t have a good record in � nals, but I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong in the ones I’ve played,” said Nieminen, who has contested 10 other tournament � nals but claimed only a single victory at Auckland in 2006. “Today I felt I had a really good chance to take the title as I had the game to do it. It’s been many years since that � rst title and I had many � nals after that, but I’m pretty good at believing in myself.”

Nieminen became the � rst quali� er to win a tournament title since Sergiy Stakhovsky claimed the St Petersburg Open in 2006. Adding to his Sydney experience was a runner-up performance in the men’s doubles, after world No. 1 doubles duo Bob and Mike Bryan defeated Nieminen and Australian Matt Ebden 6-1, 6-4 in the � nal.

Another quali� er, Mona Barthel, was the surprise story of the Moorilla Hobart International, the

21-year-old German announcing herself to the tennis world as she upset seeded opponents in Anabel Medina Garrigues, Jarmila Gajdosova and Angelique Kerber before a straight sets victory over top seed Yanina Wickmayer in the � nal.

“I just tried to take it match by match and play each one the best I could. I never thought I would win the title. I’m really surprised. I don’t really realise it yet,” enthused Barthel, who debuted in the top 50 following her � rst career title. “This gives me a lot of con� dence going into my � rst Australian Open, which is

very helpful as the mental game is so important in tennis today.”

Sydney success for Victoria Azarenka.

Jarko Nieminen ends his title drought at the Apia International Sydney.

Bernard Tomic adds to his successes at Kooyong.

At age 30, Nieminen is back in the winner’s circle.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE | February 2012 55

Meanwhile, Bernard Tomic continued to make his mark on the tennis world, the 19-year-

old progressing to his � rst ATP Tour semi-� nal in Brisbane before a stunning run at the AAMI Classic in Kooyong, where he made history as the youngest-ever champion of the event.

Having defeated Tomas Berydch and Gael Mon� ls earlier, Tomic was the star of a highly entertaining men’s � nal, eventually overcoming Mardy Fish 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. “I got a good workout. I played well, got con� dence up and played three world-class players. A lot of good players have won, so to be up there with those names is great,” Tomic said.

Tomas Berdych and Petra Kvitova were similarly satis� ed as they joined illustrious company in claiming the 22nd Hyundai Hopman Cup for the Czech Republic.

Both Berdych and Kvitova won all four of their singles matches at the round robin event, including respective wins against Richard Gasquet and Marion Bartoli in the � nal against France.

Berdych, who’d represented the Czech Republic twice previously at the Hopman Cup with Lucie Safarova, said it’s always a thrill to play for his country. “Well of course as long as I have chance to play any team event for my country I’m always, always proud to come play and be helpful for the

team,” he said. “I played for many years in Davis Cup, managed to be in the � nal, win the semi-� nal but unfortunately didn’t make it. Here it’s a bit different. For the third time I came here, play with Petra, win the title, so of course it’s a great feeling.” ■

2012 AUSTRALIAN SUMMER SCOREBOARDBRISBANE INTERNATIONAL1–8 January

Women’s singles fi nal: Kaia Kanepi (EST) d Daniela Hantuchova (SLO) 62 61

Women’s doubles fi nal: Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) / Arantxa Parra (ESP) d Raquel Kopps-Jones (USA) / Abigail Spears (USA) 76 (2) 76(2)

Men’s fi nal: Andy Murray (GBR) d Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) 61 63

Men’s doubles fi nal: Daniel Nestor (CAN) / Max Mirnyi (BLR) d Jurgen Melzer (AUT) / Philipp Petzschner (GER) 61 62

APIA INTERNATIONAL SYDNEY8–15 January

Women’s singles fi nal: Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d Li Na (CHN) 62 16 63

Women’s doubles fi nal: Kveta Peschke (CZE) / Katerina Srebotnik (SLO) d Leizel Huber (USA) / Lisa Raymond (USA) 61 46 13-11 (Match TB)

Men’s singles fi nal: Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) d Julien Benneteau (FRA) 62 75

Men’s doubles fi nal: Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) d Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) / Matthew Ebden (AUS) 61 64

MOORILLA HOBART INTERNATIONAL8–14 January

Women’s singles fi nal: Mona Barthel (GER) d Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 61 62

Women’s doubles fi nal: Irina Camelia Begu (ROM) / Monica Niculescu (ROM) d Chuang Chia-Jung (TPE) / Marina Erakovic (NZL) 67(4) 76(4) 10-5 (Match TB)

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

he made history as the youngest-ever

Having defeated Tomas Berydch and Gael Mon� ls earlier, Tomic was the star of a highly entertaining men’s � nal, eventually overcoming Mardy Fish 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. “I got a good workout. I played well, got con� dence up and played three world-class players. A lot of good players have won, so to be up there with those names is great,” Tomic said.

Tomas Berdych and Petra Kvitova were similarly satis� ed as they joined illustrious company in claiming the 22nd Hyundai Hopman Cup for the

Both Berdych and Kvitova won all four of their singles matches at the round robin event, including respective wins against Richard Gasquet and Marion Bartoli in

Berdych, who’d represented

I’m always, always proud to come play and be helpful for the

Women’s singles fi nal: d Daniela Hantuchova (SLO) 62 61

Women’s doubles fi nal: (ESP) / Arantxa Parra (ESP) d Raquel Kopps-Jones (USA) / Abigail Spears (USA) 76 (2) 76(2)

Men’s fi nal: Dolgopolov (UKR) 61 63

Men’s doubles fi nal: Max Mirnyi (BLR) d Jurgen Melzer (AUT) / Philipp Petzschner (GER) 61 62

APIA INTERNATIONAL SYDNEY8–15 January

Women’s singles fi nal:(BLR) d Li Na (CHN) 62 16 63

Women’s doubles fi nal: Katerina Srebotnik (SLO) d Leizel Huber (USA) / Lisa Raymond (USA) 61 46 13-11 (Match TB)

Men’s singles fi nal: d Julien Benneteau (FRA) 62 75

Men’s doubles fi nal: Mike Bryan (USA) d Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) / Matthew Ebden (AUS) 61 64

MOORILLA HOBART INTERNATIONAL8–14 January

Women’s singles fi nal:d Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 61 62

Women’s doubles fi nal: (ROM) / Monica Niculescu (ROM) d Chuang Chia-Jung (TPE) / Marina Erakovic (NZL) 67(4) 76(4) 10-5 (Match TB)

Mona Barthel makes her title breakthrough in Hobart.

Petra Kvitova and Tomas Berdych claim a Hopman Cup victory for the Czech Republic.

Yanina Wickmayer, a fi nalist in Hobart.

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