SEPTEMBER 2012A$7.50 NZ$8.40 US$7.50

ANDY MURRAY

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tHE ULtIMAtE RACQUEt REVIEW

4 AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | September 2012

FROM THE EDITOR

Inspirational victories may be the performances that most make us

love a player but it’s how those players respond to a loss that can earn

them the most respect. There’s no better example in recent months

than Andy Murray.

The tears that Murray shed after surrendering the Wimbledon final

to Roger Federer highlighted that even the most gallant losses can be

heartbreaking ones – especially so on this occasion, where as the first

local finalist in 74 years, victory would have carried so much meaning.

Previous Grand Slam losses have been followed by angst-ridden early exits

but Murray used the lessons from his bittersweet Wimbledon to perform

even better at the London Olympics, where he outclassed Novak Djokovic

in the semi-finals and Federer in a one-sided final to claim the singles gold

medal before combining with Laura Robson to win silver in mixed doubles.

That once-in-a-lifetime final was accompanied by unimaginable

pressure and in delivering so emphatically, the Scot elevated his favourite

status at the US Open. One of the few players with a winning record

over Federer, Murray’s chances of claiming a first Grand Slam also seem

boosted by Djokovic’s slight dip in the form that saw him make history in

2011, and ongoing injury concerns surrounding Nadal.

Murray is not the only player to demonstrate an admirable ability to

bounce back from disappointment. Sam Stosur’s 2011 US hard court

season followed ignominious earlier results, including a third round loss

in Roland Garros and first round exit at Wimbledon. She showcased her

resilience, however, in reversing that trend with a maiden major victory at

Flushing Meadows.

It’s a similar situation as Stosur targets her title defence in 2012

but having learned from experience, she’ll be well equipped. Other

players will be equally motivated for a strong showing in the year’s final

Grand Slam – not all of them will claim victory but as Murray recently

demonstrated, progress can sometimes be measured in other ways too.

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE, Editor

REGULARS6 Topspin

11 Your Serve

12 Tennis Talk

32 Aces & Places

47 My Game

52 My Coach

58 Rankings

60 Proshop

61 Club of the Month

36

SEPTEMBER 2012VOL 37 No. 9A $7.50 (inc. GST) NZ $8.40 (inc. GST) US $7.50

EDITOR Vivienne Christie

CONSULTING EDITOR Alan Trengove

ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniela Toleski

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrea Williamson

ADVERTISING MANAGER Breanna Kray

ADMINISTRATION &

SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Ben Carenco

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.

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | September 2012 5

FEATURES

13 Major Motivations Can Andy Murray follow his gold medal success with a maiden major title?

15 Question Time There are more questions than answers ahead of the US Open.

18 Stosur’s Next Step Sam Stosur is hoping her trademark resilience will carry her back to major-winning form.

20 Un-retiring Types Success is ageless for Roger Federer, Serena Williams and other players putting retirement plans on hold.

25 A Ritualistic Approach Superstitious players love their routines – but do they help or hinder performance?

28 Golden Moments Top players embraced the opportunity to represent their nation at the London Olympics.

36 Fish Afloat Persistence is proving a feature as Mardy Fish overcomes serious health problems.

38 The Ultimate Tennis Racquet Review Top industry experts set about finding the perfect racquet for every playing requirement.

AustrAliAn tennis MAgAzine | September 2012 15

Establishing a dominant theme in 2012 is no small task. Just as one player settles in for a lengthy

domination, another challenger steps up to take their place. Think Victoria Azarenka’s stunning start to the season – which included four consecutive titles and a staggering 29 consecutive match wins – before an ever-so-slight shift saw the WTA once again became a more even playing field on clay and grass.

Consider also the emphatic manner in which Novak Djokovic began his year, the five-hour 53-minute victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final suggesting the Serbian was set for yet another history-making season. Surprisingly to some observers, he’s in fact claimed two titles since and after Nadal claimed Roland Garros and Roger Federer returned to Grand Slam glory at Wimbledon, there have been three different men’s champions in all three 2012 majors – something that hasn’t occurred since 2005.

The changeable nature of tennis’ champions has led to subtle but seismic shifts in the world No. 1 ranking. While Azarenka has held the WTA’s top spot for the most of the year, Maria Sharapova temporaily took over after completing her Grand Slam collection at Roland Garros and every Slam presents another opportunity for change. Federer’s return to world No. 1 – which saw him overtake Pete Sampras’ record 287 weeks in that position – could also be as temporary as it’s impressive, with Djokovic close behind the Swiss Maestro.

Will that theme of change continue as the US Open? Let’s consider the questions that could shape the final Grand Slam of 2012.

QUESTION TIME

There are more questions

than answers ahead of the

final Grand Slam of season

2012. JEREMY STYLES reports

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