World Tennis Magazine

Unique Tennis Perspectives

Lead

Why Should You Choose Tennis as a Hobby?

by

Do you love being energetic? Does the adrenaline rush excite you?  

A dynamic sport like tennis can surely be the right fit for you! Tennis is for everyone, kids or elders. People can get tennis lessons at any age. So, you can very well adopt this amazing sport as your hobby. If you do so, it is decided to bring excitement to your life. You can learn tennis very easily; it doesn’t require too much expensive equipment. Also, you can get access to tennis courts in different public parks.  

If you want to improve your fitness without paying hugely for gym memberships, tennis is your thing! More than 87 million people play tennis worldwide. Tennis is a highly professional game. So, if you have not tried your hands on this game yet, it’s high time! You can start taking TennisProNow lessons to learn this sport efficiently. 

Is Tennis the Right Sport for You?

Tennis has always proven to be one of the best social sports. It was previously played only at social gatherings, and people had an idea that anyone could play it. This is still a true statement. It is an ideal sport for people of all age groups. You need to know the basic rules to play tennis and have the right equipment, and you are done! 

Want to get started? 

Grab a friend who loves tennis and find a vacant tennis court in one of your nearby parks. To start with, you don’t have to know all the details. As you go on, you can learn every bit of the game and refer back to your guide when you need to. One smart idea to learn tennis perfectly is to begin playing the game with a pro player who can give you his valuable tips. 

So, are you ready to choose tennis as your hobby?

This article will discuss different reasons why you need to do that. 

Read on

1.   Boost Your Heart Health

Playing tennis continuously can improve your cardiovascular health remarkably. Whether your age is 20 or 65, it is important to ensure that your heart and lungs are in good condition. 

Take up tennis as your hobby and play it regularly. You can develop the fitness of your heart without facing the boredom of running on a treadmill for hours or facing serious associated injuries from other sports. 

If you play this fast and exciting game of tennis at least two or three times a week, it will act as a great workout for your heart and lungs, which will improve your overall well being. 

2.   Take Your Confidence Level to the Next Level 

A few workout regimens can boost your confidence, and a potential one among them is tennis. If you choose tennis as your hobby, it will allow you to increase your skill level as you continue to play the game with your friends. Moreover, playing tennis can help you build social bonds with people. Your social connections will become better, increasing your confidence level. Finally, you will fall in love with tennis, and it will stay with you for many years to come. 

3.   Learn the Real Art of Sportsmanship 

Most sports consider dominating your opponent party in the game as the top priority. But when it comes to tennis, this sport is unique. So, if you practice tennis frequently as your hobby, it will help you understand how you can be a good sport and how it is possible for you to develop a discipline driven character. Hence, this makes tennis a great hobby for you and your children to build a good personality. Thus, playing tennis will not only be beneficial for the moment, it will be a lifetime achievement as you can take your overall character to the next level with this amazing game.

4.   Work Out Both Physically and Psychologically 

One of the most significant things about playing tennis is that this sport engages both your mind and body. So, if you choose tennis as your hobby, it will keep you mentally and bodily refreshed. Tennis is a great exercise. If you prefer other forms of typical gym exercise rather than tennis to keep up with your wellness, you might feel bored after some days. As workouts at the gym don’t involve much thinking to practice, it becomes monotonous soon. 

However, when it comes to tennis, it activates your mental abilities, allowing you to focus on the sport as you move around the court. Choosing tennis as your hobby keeps up your excitement level, and in turn, you feel energetic throughout the day. 

5.   Tennis is Going to Go a Long Way

If you choose tennis as your hobby, you will have several limitations in playing the game. You can only last in the game for that period until the time you hang. But tennis is not like that. It is a game that you can continue to play irrespective of what you are, making it a perfect sport for people of all age groups.

6.   Reduce Your Stress 

Tennis is a great stress buster. If you play tennis regularly as your hobby, it will help you get rid of the extra stress in your life. As you enjoy, communicate, and happily sweat out during the tennis sessions with your friend, family, or anyone you like, it will keep you motivated and forget all your worries. It is a proven fact that tennis improves people’s capacity to deal with stress efficiently, including psychological, physical, emotional, and social challenges. 

Tennis – Your Best Hobby

So, you have now got a clear idea that tennis has several reasons to become your favorite hobby. Tennis is amazing, it has massive benefits. So, what are you waiting for? Get out in the courts and have fun! 

Tennis will keep you healthy and mentally refreshed, but it will also transform your life! Also, don’t forget to have a track on different tips to stay healthy and fresh.

Iga Swiatek Wins 28th Straight Match With Second Italian Open Title

by

Iga Swiatek defended her women’s title at the Italian Open by defeating Ons Jabeur 6-2, 6-2 and, in the process, extended her amazing win streak to 28 matches.

Swiatek took over as world No. 1 by default with the retirement of the dominant Ash Barty in March and is now seen as just as dominant the Australian was. Swiatek, who was a surprise winner at the French Open in 2020 when she was ranked No. 54, is now the solid favorite to win at Roland Garros for a second time.

 “I already know that I did some great stuff this season, so I feel like I can just play freely,” said the 20-year-old Swiatek. “For sure the expectations around are higher, but I never had a problem to cut it off and not to think about it. Also I’m gaining experience at that.”

Swiatek has now won five straight titles during her win streak, including the “Sunshine Double” in the United States at Indian Wells and Miami.

“All these tournaments that I’ve won seem pretty surreal right now,” she said.

Jabeur was on a streak of her own with 11 consecutive wins entering the final after her Madrid Open title last week. However, Swiatek proved too powerful for the Tunisian.

“Iga is the No. 1 for a reason,” Jabeur said. “She’s really the leader here on tour. I personally have a lot to learn from her.”

The last player to win more consecutive matches was Justine Henin, who won 32 straight over 2007 and 2008. The all-time longest streak in the “Open Era” belongs to Martina Navratilova, who had a run of 74 straight wins in 1984.

Swiatek last lost in mid-February in Dubai to Jelena Ostapenko in a third-set tiebreaker. She has won 42 of the last 43 sets she’s played.

Iga Swiatek

Novak Djokovic Wins First 2022 Title In Rome And Looks To Paris

by

Novak Djokovic won his first title of the 2022 season at the Italian Open and made the statement that he should not be counted out as a contender for the French Open.

Djokovic, still ranked No. 1 despite missing most of the first half of the season due to his unvaccinated status against the coronavirus, defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6 (5) to win in Rome for a sixth time in his 12th final in the eternal city.

 “I’ve been building my form the last few weeks,” Djokovic said. “It couldn’t be better timing coming into Roland Garros….Perfect scenario for me.”

Djokovic didn’t drop a set all week and won his 1,000th career match over Casper Ruud in the semifinals. The last title Djokovic won was at the Paris Masters trophy in November. He was unable to defend his Australian Open title due to be deported due to his vaccine status.

“This year it was a particular situation. With everything that happened in Australia, it took some time,” Djokovic said. “I found my best shape here. I’m going to Paris with a lot of confidence.”

Djokovic needed only a half hour to win the opening set. Tsitsipas actually served for the second set at 5-3, but was not able to close.

During the trophy ceremony, Djokovic made a special dedication: “Today at 4 (p.m.) when we started this match, my son Stefan, who is 7 years old, was playing his first tennis match. I hope he won. This is for him.”

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Australia’s Ten Greatest Tennis Players

by

Tennis has long been one of Australia’s favourite pastimes, and while our success in the sport may have peaked during the dominant ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, it’s still a hugely popular sport today. The die-hards keep an eye on the tours throughout the year, but there are plenty of others who, even if they don’t fit into that category, keep a keen eye on the Grand Slams, in particular the Australian Open. And even for sports lovers for whom tennis doesn’t necessarily sit at the top of their list of preferred sports, punting on it is a common way to get involved, with the prevalence of quality betting apps making doing so easier than ever.   

As such a popular sport in the country, it’s no surprise that there has been no shortage of brilliant tennis players to come out of Australia over the years, from the dominant forces who helped the professional arm of the sport transition into the more lucrative Open era like Rod Laver and Margaret Court, to the unrelenting Ash Barty of the modern day. Below, we take a look at ten of the greatest Australian tennis players of all time.

Margaret Court

Margaret Court is the most successful tennis player in history in terms of Grand Slam titles won, having accumulated an enormous 24 such titles, the last 11 of which came during the Open Era. She dominated in an era vastly different from today’s; where things like live streaming make modern-day tennis so much more visible, when Court was winning Grand Slams like she was shelling peas tennis was a far less ubiquitious sport. Nonetheless, her fame even today, six decades after her reign began, is undoubtable, and one of the main stadiums at the Australian Open, Margaret Court Arena, is now named in her honour.

Rod Laver

Speaking of players with Australian Open stadiums named in their honour, Rod Laver is the only player in the history of tennis to win the ‘Calendar Slam’ on multiple occasions, and sits comfortably among the sport’s greatest ever players. He achieved this feat, which entails winning all four Grand Slams in a calendar year, in both 1962 and 1969, accumulating eight of his 11 total Slam wins during these seasons. The man affectionately known as Rocket was successful all around the world, and by the end of his career had accumulated what remains a record 198 singles titles.

Rod Laver

Roy Emerson

The 1960s and early ‘70s were a dominant period for Australian tennis, with Roy Emerson joining Laver, John Newcombe and Ken Rosewall – both of whom we’ll get to later – to win far more than their fair share of Grand Slam titles during that time. Emerson accounted for 12 of those, all of them within the space of a little over six years between 1961 and 1967. He demonstrated a particular affinity for the Australian Open, winning it five times in a row and six times in total during his seven seasons at the top.

Ken Rosewall

Rosewall started his career earlier than the above names, winning his first Grand Slam at the beginning of 1953, but his incredible longevity meant that he was still going at the beginning of the 1970s. He won his first four by the end of 1956 which was followed by a 12-year period in which he didn’t win another, though he won plenty of Pro Slams in the meantime. In 1968 he won his first Grand Slam of the Open Era, and went on to win another three more up until 1972. Rosewall also won 24 major men’s doubles titles, helping to establish himself as one of the most successful tennis players of all time.

John Newcombe

John Newcombe is the final member of the golden era of men’s tennis in Australia, contributing seven of his own Grand Slam singles titles to the enormous collection of major trophies accumulated by Australians during that time. He won all but two of his Grand Slams during the Open Era, with his first coming in 1967 and his last in 1972. He also won a huge 17 major titles in doubles tournaments, a figure which was formerly a record.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley

One of the most beloved figures in Australian sporting history, Evonne Goolagong Cawley won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros at the age of just 19, the same year that she won her first doubles title; that coming at the Australian Open alongside Margaret Court. By the end of her glittering career, Goolagong had accumulated seven Grand Slam singles titles – four of which came at the Australian Open – as well as six in women’s doubles and one in mixed doubles.

Pat Rafter

To the modern era now, and the first Australian to win multiple Grand Slam singles titles in over two decades. He accomplished that feat by winning back-to-back US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, and though those would be the only two major singles titles that he would win, he still enjoyed a successful career thereafter. Rafter was for a time ranked the world’s number one player, something he achieved in 1999, and following his two US Open wins would go on to go agonisingly close to a Wimbledon title multiple times, making a semi-final and then two consecutive finals between 1999 and 2001.

Lleyton Hewitt

The man Rafter passed the baton to as Australia’s best tennis player was Lleyton Hewitt, a prodigious talent from Adelaide who looked for a time likely to dominate world tennis for an extended period. Hewitt won the US Open in 2001 at the age of just 20 and was the number one ranked player in the world later that year, before going on to win Wimbledon in 2002. Unfortunately, that winning trend didn’t continue and injuries ultimately hampered his career from his mid-20s onwards, but nonetheless he finished his career as a multiple Grand Slam winner and winner of a total of 30 singles titles.

Lleyton Hewitt

Ash Barty

Ash Barty is Australia’s most recent superstar and the most successful Australian tennis player since the 1970s, winning three Grand Slam titles between 2019 and 2022. That most recent win came at the Australian Open earlier this year, after which she announced her retirement at the tender age of just 25. Undoubtedly Barty leaves the sport with plenty left in the tank, but nonetheless she deserves to be counted among the nation’s greatest ever players.

Australian tennis was, for a long time, the envy of the world, with a plethora of superstar players produced throughout the 1960s and ‘70s. While that hasn’t necessarily continued in the more competitive modern era, Australia is still viewed as a competitive nation in the tennis world, and the above ten players have all contributed significantly to that fact.

What Can Tennis Players Learn From Chess?

by

While it may be difficult to believe, tennis players can learn a thing or two from playing chess. They do not necessarily need to play. They just need to observe. This may seem implausible since tennis is a sophisticated game while chess is the opposite. On the other hand, tennis requires superior physicality while chess does not. What the two games have in common is a unique set of rules. Every player participating in tennis and chess matches must know these rules to a tee. However, this does not explain why tennis players can learn from chess. Find the answer in the content provided below.

man in orange shirt and black shorts holding black and white tennis racket

Image source

Move Anticipation

To be a proficient chess player, you need to be able to anticipate your opponent’s next move. Well, the same thing goes for tennis. Intelligent tennis players can generally figure out their opponent’s next move before it even occurs. How is this possible for both tennis and chess players? Through experience, but with one major difference. In chess, players have ample time to make their next move. In tennis, players only have a split second to decide what their opponent will do next.

Staying Calm

Many tennis players, especially professionals, are high-strung. Chess players, on the other hand, remain calm throughout their matches. Grandmasters have learned calmness right from the get-go. Is this an easy trait to capture? Of course not, but it is possible with years of practice. What else do grandmasters have to do? All joking aside, tennis players can learn a lot from grandmasters as far as their demeanor goes. Ask yourself, who performs better, a tense or calm player?

Knowing the best openings for beginners can also help.

Pattern Analyzation

Do you ever think about the importance of analysis in both tennis and chess? It is so vital that it could make or break your game. From an early age, chess players start analyzing their opponent’s weaknesses and strengths, as well as patterns. The data collected through this form of analysis put tennis players on a competitive edge. However, it is much more than just monitoring an opponent, it is about studying, scrutinizing, and exploring.

Tennis players need to be able to analyze their opponent’s weaknesses, strengths, and patterns as well. By doing this, you will know your opponent’s technical, physical, tactical, and mental weaknesses and strengths. This data will prove valuable for the outcome to fall in your favor.

Strategy Development

The key to coming out on top in a chess tournament is an effective strategy. When you make the first move with a poor strategy, you are guaranteed to lose almost every time. Could you say the same thing about tennis players? Most surely, as there is no difference in the two games as far as strategy goes. Without a proven strategy, your opponent will walk away the winner.

Strategy is everything in chess. Players are required to strategize the right plan. In addition to strategizing the right play, they must also be able to implement it effectively.

Chess players are also known to alter their strategies from time to time.

What Are The Best Seats At Wimbledon?

by

Why Wimbledon Debenture Tickets Are Worth Their Price

Wimbledon is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments, and attending it is an honor for a tennis lover. But getting tickets is the hardest part of being there. You may not be lucky enough to make it to the public ballot. Moreover, camping overnight for the endless wait in the queue may not be your cup of tea. Thankfully, you have the option to buy debenture tickets and see your favorites in action from up close. These tickets cost more than ballot and queue entry, but they are worth the premium for more than one reason. Let us explain why you shouldn’t think twice about buying debenture tickets.

Convenience with online access

Getting a Wimbledon ticket sounds like a humongous task unless you are fortunate enough to get in through the public draw. Although the tickets for same-day matches are available daily, queuing up for them is not a mean feat. Countless tennis lovers camp overnight to be the first ones to get the queue tokens. The crowds can be huge, and it is not the safest to be around hundreds of people with the virus still being active. The wait can be painfully long, and you may still miss the chance. With debenture tickets, you have a chance to buy online with only a few clicks. You can check a reliable platform and buy conveniently from the comfort of your home.

Get the seats you want

Being at Wimbledon is a chance to see your favorite tennis stars, but you have to be at the right place to get a good view. Ask experts about Which are best seats at Wimbledon? Unfortunately, you may never get there with the queue tickets. But debenture tickets get you a premium seat in the same tier as the Royal Box. You can sit on rows A-N on Centre Court or rows A-Q on No.1 Court. It means you get the best view of the action in the court and also see the royals and celebrities when they are around. Surely, you will not mind paying more for debenture tickets.

Additional perks and benefits

The good things about debenture tickets go beyond the ease of access and the best seats on the court. You also get additional perks and benefits, such as exclusive access to premium restaurants, bars, and lounges. Visit the famous Champions’ Room, The Courtside Restaurant, and The Renshaw Restaurant for a memorable experience. Parking is a breeze as you can leave your vehicle in the designated area for the Debenture holders. Moreover, you can bypass the crowds and queues to reach the Grounds via Gate 4 on Church Road. You will love every moment of the special treatment you get as a debenture ticket holder.

Most debenture owners do not attend all matches, so they are keen to sell the tickets and monetize their investment. The good thing is that these are the only tickets that are legal for reselling.  As a buyer, you only have to find the right platform to buy them at the best price. Do not hesitate to pay a tad more because they are worth every pound!

Wimbledon Centre Court
Wimbledon Centre Court

The Most Famous Tennis Tournaments In The World

by

Tennis participation skyrocketed during the pandemic, surging by 22% in 2020.

You might want to watch tennis matches to further your interest in the sport. Watching incredible professionals like Naomi Osaka, Rafa Nadal, Venus and Serena Williams, and the ageless Roger Federer in action is a gift.

There are tennis tournaments that you have to watch. That’s how you’ll catch all of these legends in action alongside up-and-coming popular tennis players like 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz.

Which tennis tournaments are worth attending? Read this list of the most famous tennis tournaments that you can’t miss.

U.S. Open

Hot summer nights in New York. There’s something about the energy during the U.S. Open that makes it such an event. Who can forget Jimmy Connor’s incredible run at the Open in 1991? At age 39, he made it to the semifinals.

In 2001, Pete Sampras barely beat Andre Agassi in five sets during the quarterfinals. Many regard that as one of the best matches ever.

Being in the raucous crowd watching tennis makes this an unforgettable experience.

French Open

Rafa Nadal is the king of clay courts. He owns 13 French Open titles and looks to be on track to secure his 14th this year as well.

Attending the French Open doesn’t just give you a chance to watch famous tennis players. You can easily explore the culture, food, and shopping that Paris has to offer.

Wimbledon

The most dignified tennis tournament is Wimbledon. It’s steeped in tradition, such as players wearing all-white. Keep an eye on the Royal Box because you might see a member of the Royal Family.

You certainly can’t miss having strawberries and cream.

The most coveted tickets at Wimbledon are debenture tickets. You get all-day access to Centre Court and exclusive access to restaurants at the event. You can buy Wimbledon debenture tickets here.

Australian Open

This tennis tournament happens every January, right in the middle of Australian summer. It’s the tournament that kicks off the Grand Slam season.

This is worth watching because it sets the tone for the rest of the year. If a player dominates the Australian Open, you can expect there to be a lot of pressure to win at Wimbledon to complete the Slam.

The Summer Olympics

Tennis wasn’t part of the Olympics between 1924 and 1998. In 1985, the IOC voted to reinstate tennis as a sport. It also opened the door for professionals to compete in the tennis tournament.

It’s now one of the favorite tennis tournaments for players because they get to represent their countries. Since it only happens every four years, it’s a special event for watching tennis.

Can’t Miss Tennis Tournaments

This is such a great time to be a tennis fan. On the men’s side, you have a handful of players that dominated the sport for the last 15 years. On the women’s side, there are new faces making names for themselves, while the legends continue on.

If you want to see them in action, go to one of these tennis tournaments. You’ll never forget the experience.

Visit the home page of this site for the latest tennis news and updates.

Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S. Open

Kevin Anderson, In Vero Beach, Florida, Discusses Injuries, Loss of Fire, For Retirement

by

by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Kevin Anderson, the former U.S. Open and Wimbledon finalist, announced his retirement from the ATP Tour on Tuesday, May 3 at age 35 and appeared at a special event and exhibition match that night at The Boulevard Tennis Club in Vero Beach, Florida.

Anderson hit and spoke with local kids in Vero Beach, participated in a question and answer session with famed sports physical therapist and trainer Gary Kitchell, then paired with Hall of Famer Mats Wilander to play against Mikael Pernfors and former Mexican Davis Cupper Dani Garza.

Anderson told Kitchell, and a crowd of about 500 fans at The Boulevard, about his career and the reason for his retirement.

“We met in, I think we said 2016,” said Kitchell to Anderson. “You were in a pretty lull period or part of your career, contemplating retirement with a knee injury, little shoulder, little ankle. We talked about the pros and cons of surgery, and obviously the tale of the tape is in the fact that 2017, 2018, you have a major resurgence, become five in the world, you make these finals. Tell us what it was like to move from that period of quite a bit of self-doubt to where, how did you manage then to make such a resurgence and become a dominating force on the tour?”

Responded Anderson, “It was definitely very up and down work for me during those few years. I went back little bit then,  I broke in the top 10 for the first time, I think I might have been the second oldest to do that, behind Jürgen Melzer by a month or so. I was really pretty well into my career and I made quarterfinals in a Grand Slam for the first time at US Open. Finishing that year, there’s a lot of positives, and you go into the off season really motivated. I remember at the beginning of 2016, I was just plagued by injuries from the very first actually exhibition event that I did, and pretty much throughout the year.

“It went from my knee to my shoulder, I remember, and it was just tough from being at my career high then to being at the lowest ranking I’d been in maybe four or five years. I’d say looking back at it, even though there might have been times where I feel like it was difficult, there was still that passion, that fire was burning in me to give it my best to try and come back. It wasn’t easy, I remember in 2017, some pretty tough results early on, I missed the Australian Open that year. I actually remember being on the courts with my coach and good friend Jay Bosworth, and I really had to make some pretty big changes in my mentality.

“I was always very critical, as I was saying earlier, I really worked hard, but I had to try and find the switch of just believing in my game a little bit more and finding ways to be more positive. I really embraced that challenge as much as I could, I became very vocal on the court, which I think was a pretty big change for a lot of people watching me playing, but it was something that I needed to do. It wasn’t because I was trying to get in my opponents’ face, it was just because I needed to get that way just to allow myself to play my best tennis. Then from about midway through 2017 to the end of 2018, it was a very special 18 months for me, a couple Grand Slam finals, my highest ranking.

“Then unfortunately, something very similar happened to me in 2019, just the same injuries. I think that’s part of the reason I decided to stop this last month. That fire just to get it done just wasn’t the same. It’s a sport with such small margins, it’s point here and point there wins or loses matches, and I just felt it was time to move on. I think it’s just I’ve had a great support system, my parents have always believed in me, my wife’s been amazing. I have a lot of belief in myself, that’s why it was difficult to retire, because I kept wanting to go and go and go, but that definitely got me through the ups and downs of my career.”

Kevin Anderson with Gary Kitchell at The Boulevard Tennis Club in Vero Beach, Florida Tuesday, May 3 (Photo by Terri Randazzo)

Alexander Zverev Has To Calm Emotions To Achieve Grand Slam Success

by

Alexander Zverev has endured a frustrating period in his career: the German tennis player has failed to make adequate progress, despite displaying early potential. In contrast, Daniil Medvedev has blossomed into a standout at Grand Slams, winning the US Open in 2021 and reaching the final of the Australian Open in 2022.

Zverev’s progress has been stymied and his annoyance at his lack of development perhaps boiled over on the court when he lashed out at an umpire in a doubles match at the Mexican Open.

The 25-year-old was removed from both the singles and doubles competitions as a result of his behaviour and was even perhaps lucky to avoid a lengthy suspension from the ATP Tour. He was then knocked out in the first round of Indian Wells before losing out in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.

A change in surface yielded a strong run in the Monte-Carlo Masters, only for Zverev to then lose out at the hands of Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals. Zverev has plenty of talent on his side and is currently backed at odds of 14/1 in the tennis betting odds from Betfair to win the French Open, but time is of the essence for the German to finally unlock his potential and establish himself as one of the most dominant players in the world.

Andy Murray took time to win his first Grand Slam after breaking onto the circuit at the age of 18. Murray was 25, the same age that Zverev is now, before he triumphed at the US Open and followed up his success a year later with a victory over Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. The Scot took time to get over the line but had reached the finals of four Grand Slams before he claimed his victory at Flushing Meadows, and also won a Gold Medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/N-QW3yV-GWk” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>

Zverev has the Gold Medal from his exploits in Tokyo and his win over Karen Khachanov, and the hope was that he would push on after his ground-breaking moment the same way in which Murray used his momentum to win the US Open. However, it has not been the case. At the 2021 US Open, Zverev battled hard against Djokovic in the semi-finals but fell to a narrow defeat in the same manner as his loss to Dominic Thiem in the final a year earlier.

The French Open offers Zverev another great opportunity to press over the line. He has showcased his diverse skillset to win at Roland-Garros after reaching the semi-finals last season. Unfortunately, he came across Tsitsipas, who fended off the German’s comeback attempt after taking a 2-0 lead, to advance to the final.

Zverev has produced great moments on the court, yet unfortunately for the 25-year-old, none have come at decisive times at Grand Slams. He has won two ATP Tour Finals, defeating Djokovic in 2018 and Medvedev in 2021. The German overcame Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Olympics before his triumph over Khachanov. The difference is the pressure of the occasion. All tennis players strive to win a Grand Slam, and the pressure to get over the line can be too much for even the most talented players on the tour.

Zverev has shown that the magnitude of the task has affected his composure. To conquer his demons, he must learn to calm his emotions on the court as when he has had a clear mind away from the majors, he has delivered excellent results. All eyes will be on the German at Roland-Garros.

Barcelona Tennis From 1972: Jan Kodes Tells His Story

by

by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

There is a Pista Jan Kodes at the 2022 Barcelona Open ATP tennis tournament. I was told this is to honor Kodes, the Czech International Tennis Hall of Famer and three-time major champion, on his win in Barcelona 50 years ago in 1972. It seems that the Barcelona tournament honors the tournament winner from 50 years earlier with a one-year stadium naming honor on their No. 2 court. (The main stadium is named after Rafael Nadal, of course.)

The following is an excerpt from the Jan Kodes book “A Journey To Glory From Behind The Iron Curtain” (for sale here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0942257685/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_4CGKK3K00WA7VQANB4CC) Kodes says that his title run in Barcelona may have been the best tennis he played in his life.

There were two more clay court tournaments to enter in the Fall – a very prestigious Spanish International Championship in Barcelona, and a tournament in Zaragoza that was prior to it.

KODES: I was not all that enthusiastic about the Zaragoza tournament; nevertheless, I arrived in the heart of Spain after six hours of puttering along on the train. I played the Yugoslav Nicola Spear in the semifinals. He was a clever player who knew how to play against me. Drop shot – lob, drop shot – lob! He made me grind my way through points by making me run all over the court and, if I finally approached the net, he either passed or lobbed me. Matches against him always cost me a lot of energy. In that particular semifinal match I kept telling myself: I mustn’t get too fatigued for Barcelona!

Kodes won the battle! The finals took place on Sunday morning at 10:00 in order to give the players enough time to transfer to Barcelona after the match. Kodes’ counterpart was a fearsome Australian, a left-hander Barry Phillips-Moore.

KODES: We played three out of five sets; I overcame him in four but only after a good battle: 4:6, 9:7, 9:7, and 6:3. The match stretched out and we hardly had time to make the express train to Barcelona that was leaving at 3pm. I threw my stuff in the bags, took a quick shower, the organizers shoved a gorgeous trophy in my arms and said: “Mr. Kodes, hurry up!” I dashed to the platform and a minute later the train rolled in… Throughout the train ride I studied the notes from my university lectures and by that evening we arrived in Barcelona.

I could not believe my eyes when I got off the train – there was a huge mob of people like on the Wenceslas Square in Prague during our Velvet Revolution! It was a Sunday evening and people were returning from their weekend travels! What chaos, yelling, scuffle for taxis! And there was I, adorned like a Christmas tree with racket bags, suitcases, and the trophy. In the end, I succeeded in getting into a taxi and made my way to the hotel.

The name of the hotel was Zenit and it was located very near the tennis courts. We all pretty much liked the hotel but it had one shortcoming – extremely soft sagging beds. Though soft beds were not uncommon in most parts of Western Europe the degree of softness in this hotel reached an acute rate. I preferred sleeping on firmer beds…

Luckily, the staff of the hotel were already familiar with me and as soon as I entered the lobby the receptionist shouted: “Ah, señor Kodes! Buenos dias! Tabla! Tabla para el señor Kodes!”

In no time two chaps hauled in a piece of plywood and followed me to the room. There they slid it under my mattress. There are times when you have no idea who your opponent might be. Generally, that is true about the first rounds. In my room I found a schedule of matches and when I scanned the draw I thought I was having a nightmare; first round – Spear! On Monday, Centre Court, at 11am! I hit the pillows but did not sleep well that night. I sensed that I had another agonizing battle ahead of me.

However, it all looked differently in the morning. Kodes started the match like a machine right from the beginning. No mistakes, uncompromising, whatever he touched found its proper deathly landing spot.

KODES: At 30:0 I tossed the ball for the first serve and I felt sharp pain penetrating my lumbar area; that forecasted worse things to come! I told myself: “You mustn’t let anybody recognize that you are in pain!”

As soon as your opponent senses that you are not your hundred percent he makes you suffer. I managed to finish the match successfully: 6:2 in the second set. When I entered the locker room I lay down on the massage table but I could hardly move. I felt the same I had experienced the previous year in Hamburg!

One of the local officials suggested to me: “See Dr. Mario Cabañes; he’ll help you.”

I shuffled my feet to Orantes and asked him: “Listen, they are sending me to some Dr. Cabañes; do you know him?”

“Yes, I do. He is our Davis Cup doctor and he is great; a real expert. He’ll look at you.”

One of the members of the organizational committee (coincidentally, that same man who is the main director of the entire Barcelona tournament today) put me in his car and drove me to the doctor’s villa.

An elderly gentleman greeted me: “Ah, señor Kodes; I know you from Davis Cup! A champion! Czechoslovakia!

He spread some ointment on my back, then he applied heat from a large lamp, maneuvered my back in various ways and, at the end, he gave me an injection. “It is nothing grave. Come again tomorrow. You must rest it; I’ll call and request a day off for you.”

The next day he gave me another rubdown and another injection but, on Wednesday, I had to go back to play. I had a formidable opponent – the French Francois Jauffret. I was worried about the match but it turned out well. The result was 10:8, 6:2! From that point on my confidence returned and I played like a machine again and sweep away Jaime Fillol and Andres Gimeno. I played really well at the net, and my serve and drop-shots were also successful. I won the Spanish Open Championship without losing even a set! Nastase suffered a semifinal defeat 9:7, 6:4, 6:1, and Orantes got ousted in the finals 6:3, 6:2, and 6:3! I disposed of both in front of a packed stadium.

My back gave me no problem what so ever; señor Cabanes had golden hands and I was very much obliged to him; Manolo Orantes had been right! I dare to say that I played, perhaps, the best tennis of my career in Barcelona in 1972! Zaragoza must have been a good preparation for what I displayed in Real Tennis Club Barcelona.

Who Can Capitalize on Nadal Injury at French Open?

by

Rafael Nadal’s hopes of adding a 22nd Grand Slam to his collection of titles has taken a hit ahead of the French Open due to a rib injury. The Spaniard suffered the problem in his BNP Paribas Open triumph over compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of the competition.

He managed to overcome Alcaraz, only to be beaten by Taylor Fritz in the final. Nadal missed the Miami Open due to the injury and his hopes of competing in the French Open, where he has won 13 of his 21 Grand Slams crowns, are now in jeopardy.

Novak Djokovic is the reigning champion at Roland-Garros, having inflicted a rare defeat on Nadal in the tournament in the 2021 semi-finals. He is poised to return ahead of the French Open but will be short of match practice. As a result, there could be an opportunity for a new Grand Slam champion to emerge from the ranks or present an opportunity for Daniil Medvedev to add a second title to his name.

Nadal will press to play in the competition, but there could be a slight chance that he is not operating at 100%. With the two dominant players on the ATP Tour, seemingly ailing in terms of match sharpness and fitness, the rising stars on the circuit have to seize the moment to make their breakthrough.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas made a breakthrough last year when he reached his first Grand Slam final at the French Open, only to lose out against Djokovic. The Greek player had held a 2-0 lead in sets but was powerless to resist the comeback of the Serb, who was relentless to take the crown.

Tsitsipas is seemingly heir apparent to Nadal on clay, boasting an outstanding record on the surface. The 23-year-old has won 149 out of his 201 matches on clay, with a win percentage of 74.13%. He has all the attributes to succeed at Roland-Garros but needs to develop the clinical edge against the best players in the game.

When Tsitsipas has faced off against top talent, he has failed to rise to the occasion. To take the next step in his career, he must raise the level of his performance.

Tsitsipas has a massive opportunity at the French Open, as evidenced by the fact that outright online markets have him priced at competitive odds of 13/2, according to the top betting sites. Using free bet codes could be a way to get value on Tsitsipas if you’re still unsure about his credentials, and there are a number of great offers available from bet365, Betway, and 888Sport among others to unlock bonus funds to back the Greek. The 23-year-old is too good of a player, especially on clay, not to win a Grand Slam, his time could be now for his breakthrough.

Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz is a player on the rise after winning his first ATP Tour 1000 title at the age of just 18 following his triumph at the Miami Open. The Spaniard enjoyed an excellent hard court season, reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open before he was forced to retire against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Alcaraz played out a thriller at the Australian Open against Matteo Berrettini, taking the Italian to a fifth with a brilliant comeback in the third round before losing out in a tie-breaker.

A breakthrough came in the Rio Open when he avenged his defeat to Berrettini by knocking out the Italian in the quarter-finals before stunning Diego Schwartzman in the final to become the youngest ATP 500 champion in history. The Spaniard added further scalps at Indian Wells, defeating the defending champion Cameron Norrie among other higher-seeded players before Nadal stopped his run in the semi-finals.

However, Alcaraz proved his quality once more at the Miami Open, overcoming Tsitsipas, Hubert Hurkacz, and then Casper Ruud in the final to secure his first ATP Tour 1000 crown. Like all Spanish players, he has grown up playing on clay courts and made a solid impression in his first outing at the French Open by reaching the third round as a qualifier. He could be ready for a deeper surge in the tournament in 2022, with revenge over Nadal on his mind.

Rising Stars

Tsitsipas and Alcaraz are two players with excellent records on clay and could be ready to profit should Nadal not be able to compete in the French Open.

The looming presence of Djokovic could make matters extremely interesting for the rest of the field, but his lack of match action could play into the hands of the starlets among the other players on the tour that are desperate for success at the highest level.

Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas

Response To Silly Reno Davis Cup Criticism

by

by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

So a fellow named Rich Neher runs a newsletter called “Tennis Club Business” that lands in my inbox every few weeks or so. A recent edition discussed critically the U.S. Tennis Association’s decision to host the USA vs. Colombia Davis Cup series in Reno, Nevada, which attracted my attention not only because of my fondness for Davis Cup, but because I was there! The Tennis Club Business content veers heavily toward a glass half empty approach to the USTA and this story – which you can read here  https://www.tennisclubbusiness.com/feature-rn-0422?utm_campaign=23fd5cbf-c4f8-480c-988d-043d13b95d01&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=8a134d2b-bffb-49d1-b6e5-6a970f4e7c90 was no different. The article was a wee-bit off base and a wee-bit illogical, so I decided to respond to the article and have posted the letter below

Rich,

I just read your article about Davis Cup in Reno and I feel compelled to respond. When I saw that the USA vs. Colombia Davis Cup tie was in Reno, I was so excited that I booked a plane ticket and went!

I had not been to a U.S. Davis Cup match in 10 years and had never been to the Reno-Lake Tahoe area. One of the great aspects of Davis Cup, I have always felt, is that it takes you to places that you otherwise might not visit! Of course, for background, I was the U.S. Davis Cup team press officer for the USTA from 1997 to 2005 and now run Vero Beach, Florida $15,000 USTA Pro Circuit Futures event that benefits the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation.

The top objective for the USTA in a Davis Cup match is… TO WIN! (You play to win the game! Hello!) A fast indoor court provides for a good environment to beat Colombia and advance, which is what they did by a 4-0 margin. You suggest for a site Miami, which would be presumably slower conditions outdoors which would give Colombia more of a chance. You said Colombians would come and wave their flags in Miami, but it is a USA HOME TIE. Team USA wants to play in front of a pro-American crowd, not a pro-Colombia crowd. You say “Tens of thousands” of Colombians would attend in Miami? When you say “TENS” of thousands, you mean at least 20,000 fans, which would be the minimum plural amount of 10,000 fans. There are not even 20,000 fans going daily to the stadium court at the Miami Open, featuring the world’s top men’s and women’s players, let alone a two-day match featuring not even one top 10 player and one team whose highest ranked player is No. 250 in the world. A Davis Cup match in Colombia wouldn’t attract tens of thousands of Colombians. Davis Cup has only attracted more than 20,000 daily fans a handful of times in its over 100-year history. When the teams next play and it is in Colombia, they can bring out the flags in Bogota.

The atmosphere in Reno was great in the arena with USA Cheerleaders, the U.S. Davis Cup team mascot “Ace” the bald eagle, the University of Nevada band and the famed “Netheads” U.S. Davis Cup cheer squad. The American players loved it and it had the feel of the “old” Davis Cup again.

The next objectives for the USTA with home Davis Cup matches is not lose money (and/or make money) and use the matches to further promote tennis and Davis Cup. You mention the “site bid fees” that cities put up to host the match and I’m sure Reno put in an attractive bid. Reno has not been shy that they want to attract more sporting events to its city for economic and promotional reasons so Davis Cup fit the bill. Hotel rooms were likely part of the deal and an attractive arena deal (rental). Everything was relatively inexpensive in Reno (except gas) but the hotel was a short walk to the arena! Super easy! I went out for a walk around downtown and saw Rajeev Ram walking down the street to the arena.

You say “Miami” blindly but do you also know how much hotel room nights are in Miami? Well, $400 a night is a bargain this time of year! Not fan friendly! (Great hotels in Reno were barely $100 a night) Is the venue for free? Is there a bid fee? Who gets the parking revenue and food and beverage revenue? What is the venue in Miami? Crandon Park? (A lot of politics to get tennis there, apparently and has it been properly maintained for a world class event since the Miami Open left in 2018? I’m not so sure.) What other venue is there in Miami? Hard Rock Stadium certainly don’t want to “spoil their party” before the Miami Open starts two weeks later. It’s not so easy as just saying “Let’s play it in Miami!” Also, is it really good for the game to oversaturate a market (Miami) with so much tennis in a short period of time? Not smart!

You write, “Similar to the San Diego debacle a few years ago, where some braindead Poobah decided on bringing Italian clay into Petco Stadium, they had to build a court inside the Events Center and laid it out with carpet. Who does that?” Well, you know builds tennis courts where tennis courts are organically? Try Madison Square Garden in New York City for many events including the year-end men’s and women’s events for decades, the O2 Arena in London for the year-end championships and the upcoming Laver Cup, the Houston Astrodome for the “Battle of the Sexes,” I could go on and on because it is done ALL. THE. TIME. The Petco Park Davis Cup was also awesome, to host tennis in a non-traditional tennis environment (like the Houston Astrodome for the “Battle of the Sexes” again, for example.) The only bad element to that tie for the USTA was bad luck that Team USA’s top player John Isner was injured and didn’t play and the USA lost.

Davis Cup has never been played in Reno and there is no big time tennis there. So it was a good choice to introduce big-time pro tennis to that market. The Saturday crowd was about capacity and loud (The first day was Friday, by ITF Rules, so problematic for people to get off work or school to come out and it was a bit light that day, as was kind of expected.)The crowd was enthusiastic and diverse and many probably had never been to a big time tennis event before. Davis Cup (and the women’s equivalent Billie Jean King Cup) works best in small to medium-size cities. Until the U.S. has a team with multiple super-star Grand Slam tournament champions again, teams with players ranked No. 20 to 50 is not going to penetrate or make a big buzz in big market cities with NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL teams among other entertainment attractions to compete with, like Miami. Davis Cup over the last 15 years has flourished in cities like Winston-Salem, N.C. and Austin, Texas and Boise, Idaho and Portland, Oregon.

To boot, U.S. Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish wanted to find a venue that was also in the same time zone and near Indian Wells to make it easier for the U.S. players to travel and adapt there for the tournament the next week. And look what happened? U.S. team member Taylor Fritz, buoyed by his Davis Cup week in Reno, was the unexpected and much-celebrated singles winner in Indian Wells in what was the biggest tournament victory in singles by and American man in 15 years. That’s amazing news for American tennis!

So in my book, Davis Cup in Reno was a win-win!

-Randy Walker

Reno, Nevada