By Andrea Leand
Victoria Azarenka had to be the one to remind us that our top tennis stars are not “superhuman,” she said, but “human being(s) with good days and bad days.” Thank goodness for that, as their foibles and follies during the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida captured our attention if not our hearts as much as their supercharged forehands.
How quickly Azarenka’s undefeated season of 26-0 and titles at the Australian Open and Indian Wells propelled her from side show to super power-and World No.1- in one fell swoop. So blistering was her surge up the rankings that pro-turned television pundit Justin Gimelstob flippantly dismissed the rest of the field-except for Serena Williams-as capable of uncovering Azarenka’s Achilles heel. His predictions did not faze his Tennis Channel cohort and former World No.1 Lindsay Davenport whose deadpan silence in response, reflected the same teeth-grinding angst in the WTA locker room from those who believed there were plenty of players who could beat Azarenka-including Azarenka herself.
Touted as one of the most talented juniors in the world, Azarenka topped nearly everyone’s list as ‘most likely to succeed’ on the pro tour. When she stumbled in the transition and failed to live up to expectation, most pinpointed the problem as more immaturity than game. Only when stalwart champions like Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and the Williams sisters faded away time after time leaving room for Azarenka’s contemporaries to squeeze through the ranks-most especially Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva, Petra Kvitova and Agnieszka Radwanska- did Azarenka take steps to harness her raw ability into a more seasoned, reliable style.
What emerged in the last year was a more disciplined Victoria in both mind and body. Her hiccup at the Sony Ericsson-a quarterfinal surrender to Marion Bartoli- seemed just that, a glitch easily resolved with better scheduling and pacing. The same could be said about other unexpected casualties including-Roger Federer, John Isner, Andy Roddick, Li Na, Francesca Schiavone, Mardy Fish, Kvitova and Rafael Nadal (who flew to Monte Carlo after siting a knee injury and withdrawing to semifinal opponent Andy Murray-but then was reportedly practicing on his preferred red clay a day later). Was it human frailty or cases of ‘hard courtitis’ that caused these stars to prematurely eject from Crandon Park?
Maybe the mass exodus in Miami was to be expected after top seeds depleted themselves the prior week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Let’s face it, when Oracle founder, billionaire Larry Ellison paid millions two years ago to take ownership of the premiere event and then infused it with millions more, he upped the ante in tournament standards. Pampering players with five star parties and every VIP amenity available, not to mention lucrative enticements for double duty in entering doubles (how many times have we’ve seen Nadal and Federer play singles and doubles at a single tournament?), Ellison revitalized player interest and consequently the event itself.
IMG, who owns the Sony Ericsson Open, tried to keep pace under fiscal corporate constraints. Unfortunately, its efforts to upgrade player locker rooms, eating facilities etc. did not go over well. Why weren’t there enough lockers for players like eventual doubles champion Leander Paes during the first days of the event? And pitching an outdoor tent with overzealous air conditioning for a makeshift eating area literally left competitors out in the cold looking for warmer havens with healthier food choices. Cracked, uneven outside courts at the site also forced players to look else where for practice courts. It was unclear whether Dade County or IMG was responsible for picking up the tab for ground maintenance, but just as IMG client Maria Sharapova switched from endorsing the Sony Ericsson cell phone to Samsung, there were definitely whispers that the event may be for sale.
IMG denials aside, time will tell the event’s future. What was certain were the terrific crowds that filled the venue daily undeterred by withdrawals or internal issues. IMG’s announcement of the event’s name change from Sony Ericsson Open to Sony Open did not seem to have any bearing on the sponsorship deal in place but did promise utilization of Sony’s entertainment technology to expand the experience. This year, fans had plenty to cheer about in getting their money’s worth of action. The return of the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, made many realize how much they transform the women’s draw into prime time with their mere presence. Whether in peak match shape or not, it doesn’t matter; Serena and Venus infuse an unparalleled energy, excitement and interest by just showing up.
Naturally, both legends did more than just punch in their cards. Venus, wild carded into the event and looking noticeably trimmer since recovering from the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s Syndrome, dusted off her serve and nerve to post upsets from the onset with her second round romp of World No. 3 Kvitova. Dressed in her most attractive ELEVEN sports line yet-a flattering, well-structured contemporary design of black and white patterned skirts, tops, shorts and dresses-Venus showed true grit as well as a host of well timed big serves to survive consecutive three set battles with Kvitova, Aleksandra Wozniak and Ana Ivanovic.
In earlier years, it would have been a sure thing to bet V. Williams would overpower a more diminutive Radwanska in their quarterfinal. But times have changed; the Polish wonder quietly but confidently moved to No.4 in the world and 31-year-old Venus, well, has just gotten older. Sure enough, there was nothing left in the tank for Williams as Radwanska made quick work of the straight set victory. Still not outdone, Venus attracted more attention leaving the site than Radwanska did in her press conference.
Much the same could be said about sister Serena. Looking noticeably fitter since the Australian Open, Serena avenged her US Open loss to Sam Stosur in the fourth round before getting whisked away with the windy conditions in her evening quarterfinal demise to a younger, well-wheeled Wozniacki. If the wear and tear of aging makes these comeback cameo performances from both sisters more difficult and disappointing, Serena still flexed super star status by attracting the sole tennis coverage the following day in internationally distributed USA Today. At a time when pro tennis fights for space in any media outlet, the Williams sisters are still the only sure US headlines in the women’s game.
That’s not to say that eventual champions Radwanska and Novak Djokovic do not deserve their due. Can there be a more humble, understated champion than Radwanska? Although the 5‘6” brunette has earned millions in prize money, don’t ever expect Radwanska to move to the glitzy tax haven Monaco like her contemporaries, Azarenka, and Wozniacki. Unfazed by her own success, 23-year-old Radwanska finds her happiness huddled in her hometown Krakow honing her game on any random court with her father, Robert. Such simplicity belies how balanced she is in both temperament and game. She defined in the best sense “playing within oneself” in using her versatility and guile to disarm Venus, Bartoli and ultimately Maria Sharapova in the final.
Djokovic, on the other hand, needed to raise his game to close out an unusually flat Murray. With nearly 80 unforced errors between the two, suffice is say, it was neither’s best day. Murray said afterwards that he was not ready for Djokovic’s pace and it “took a while to get used to”. But with new coach, legend Ivan Lendl and extra days off from two withdrawals, how could Murray be so ill-prepared for such a big moment? After his partnership with Lendl had been hyped in news outlets from the internet to the Wall Street Journal, everyone just expected more from Murray in explanation as well as on court. Loping several feet behind the baseline as counterpuncher hardly seems the best way to win a match for a 6‘1” man who has all the tools and ability to be No.1. But as Azarenka would say, Murray is only human and hopefully will adopt more of Lendl’s aggressive approach to matches and maturity to make use of it all.
Djokovic already learned that lesson in making the necessary changes 18 months ago to raise his level. Whether it was his new gluten free diet or more mature sense of self, Djokovic’s evolution of all aspects of his game mentally and physically shows. Along with his natural athleticism and all court ability, Djokovic’s improved fitness, speed, resilience and serve have given him new found confidence to prevail even when things are not going perfectly. Such was the case against Murray. What could have been a 6-1, 6-2 win for the Serbian turned into a tense, page turning second set tie break. When it counted, Djokovic switched gears, stepped up to the baseline and took control of the match with big serving and ground strokes. To the delight of his ever growing base of fans-most especially his Pied Piper following of children-Djokovic pounded his chest and raised his arms in triumph, showing the passion and warmth that has made him one of the most popular world champions.
Andrea Leand is a former U.S. Fed Cup and Olympic tennis team member and former writer/columnist for USA Today and the now-defunct Tennis Week. She can be reached at cl3535@aol.com