todd woodbridge

Roger Federer’s last Davis Cup visit Down Under

September 15, 2011 by WTM

Roger Federer will try to heal the wounds of his stunning US Open semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic when he represents this weekend Switzerland against Australia in Sydney. Rene Stauffer, the author of the celebrated Federer biography called ROGER FEDERER: QUEST FOR PERFECTION ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.RogerFedererBook.com), brings readers back to Federer’s last Davis Cup visit Down Under – and his epic Davis Cup match against Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt – in his exclusive book excerpt below.

Davis Cup - Australia v Switzerland: Official Draw — Roger Federer & Lleyton Hewitt

After Hewitt opened the series with an easy win over Michel Kratochvil, Federer defeated Philippoussis 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) in a rematch of the Wimbledon final. In the pivotal doubles rubber, Federer and the aging Marc Rosset were defeated in five-sets by Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge, giving Australia the important 2-1 advantage after the second day of play. Switzerland had to sweep the final two singles matches in order to reach the Davis Cup final.

Federer and Hewitt took to the Rod Laver Arena on a cool Sunday to open up the final day of play and Federer leisurely dominated Hewitt and stared at his 11th consecutive Davis Cup singles victory leading 7-5, 6-2, 5-3. With Federer two points from victory, the tide turned. A brief lull in Federer’s performance was enough for Hewitt, carried by 12,000 spectators, to fight his way back into the match.

After winning the third set in a tie-break and the fourth set 7-5, the match was tied at two-sets apiece. The temperatures were so cold at the start of the fifth set that many of the Swiss journalists could barely take notes on the match their fingers were so stiff and frigid. Christine Ungricht, the President of Swiss Tennis, complained to the Swiss media that she felt the Australians had intentionally left the retractable roof of the Laver Arena open to give Hewitt an advantage in the colder conditions. “They want to give Federer hypothermia,” she said. “What they’re doing is not against the rules but I’m going to complain anyways.”

Hewitt’s momentum was too difficult for Federer to overcome and the Aussie won the epic match 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5, 6-1, allowing Australia to reach the Davis Cup final. Hewitt’s chest swelled with pride as he explained that he thought constantly of Pat Cash’s comeback from a two-sets-to-love deficit against Mikael Pernfors of Sweden during the 1986 Davis Cup Final. Federer, who didn’t show up in the interview room until two hours after the defeat, meekly said: “I couldn’t be more frustrated.” The flight back to Europe was torture for him. Every time he awoke, his body and his soul ached. Federer no longer held great hopes of becoming No. 1 in the world for 2003. “Roddick and Ferrero deserved to be ranked in front of me,” he said before the start of the indoor season. “Ferrero is the best clay court player and Roddick is the best hard-court player. This fall, I simply want to prove that I’m the best indoor player.” He had no such luck. Although he defeated Carlos Moya in the final of Vienna to successfully defend a title for the first

time in his career, the remainder of the fall season did not produce the results he desired.

“WOODIES” LEAD TENNIS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2010

July 11, 2010 by WTM

Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, the Australian doubles pair affectionately known as “The Woodies” headlined the induction class of 2010 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, inducted Saturday in annual ceremonies in Newport, R.I.

In a day honoring doubles, Woodbridge and Woodforde were enshrined along with the dominant women’s doubles team of Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva and Owen Davidson, who won a mixed doubles Grand Slam.

Brad Parks, the pioneer of wheelchair tennis, was the Hall’s first wheelchair inductee. British tennis official Derek Hardwick was also enshrined posthumously.

“This is an amazing day for the Woodies,” Woodforde said. “I don’t know if any of us said we’re just going to be doubles players. We just excelled on the doubles court a little more than we did on the singles. As much as we would have loved to win more in the singles titles, we did in doubles.”

Woodbridge and Woodforde combined for 11 major titles and 61 world tour championships from 1991-2000.

They held the record for most doubles titles until it was matched by American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan earlier this year.

“I think we won our fourth tournament we played together,” Woodbridge said. “It was close on average to every fourth tournament we won the next 10 years. That’s pretty good business.”

A 65-minute induction ceremony on the grass courts at Newport, where the ATP’s Hall of Fame Championships is underway, started in heavy rain before sunny skies prevailed.

“I figured if I could team up with Mark we’d do well together. We did better than well, we did bloody great,” Woodbridge told the crowd.

Fernandez and Zvereva captured 14 grand slam tournament titles together. They were introduced by 2002 Hall of Famer Pam Shriver.

“She was fire and I was ice,” Zvereva told the crowd.

Fernandez is the first Puerto Rican-born player to be inducted into the Hall.

Parks, the pioneer of wheelchair tennis, was the Hall’s first wheelchair inductee.

“I can’t believe actually that I’m here,” Parks said. “This is kind of the last straw. A guy in a wheel chair is being inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

LEANDER PAES DOUBLES TALK

March 26, 2010 by WTM

By Charles Bricker

When it’s time to compile a list of the top 10 players to interview, based on intelligence and candor, you cannot fail to put doubles maven Leander Paes near the top.

Twenty minutes with Paes unfailingly results in some of the most interesting conversation in tennis and any reporter with any smarts will spend time with him in the coming 10 days at the Sony Ericsson Open on Key Biscayne, where he is teaming with Lukas Dlouhy in a quest for a 43rd ATP title. Individually, Paes is No. 6 in the doubles rankings and he and Dlouhy, who won two majors in 2009, are No. 8 in team rankings.

Here’s a sample of Paes-isms:

* The third-set super-tiebreak, along with no-ad scoring, is into its third full year. Is it time for the tour to revisit the concept and perhaps go back to playing regular tennis? “No. The way the game of doubles is scored now is exciting for the fans. For sure, the super-tiebreak gives the lesser teams more of a chance. But I think the system is better for doubles. It gets us more night matches, more matches on the stadium court (because you can predict the matches will be over in approximately one hour and 15 minutes). It’s also getting more top singles players to play doubles, like Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells, and, yes, you are right. It is lengthening the career of doubles players. Exactly right.”

* Paes and Dlouhy had just blown a 9-4 lead in the super-tiebreak of the championship match at the BMW Challenger in Sunrise, Fla. How much longer can you play? “The fact that I can lose a tough match like that and still hate to lose. . .Well, hate is a strong word, but the point is I’m still OK to handle it. I can still take the attitude that sometimes that’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

* Do you accept that the Woodies (Mark Woodforde/Todd Woodbridge) and the Bryan twins are better doubles teams that when you and Mahesh Bhupathi were at the top of your game? “The Woodies definitely. They are much more the complete team. They don’t have any weaknesses. They could play from the baseline or at the net. They could play one up, one back or both back or both at the net.” What about the Bryans? “They are a hell of a team, and the fact that they are twins helps them know what the other is thinking.”

* So, who goes down in history as the greatest doubles team ever? “The Woodies or McEnroe/Fleming. One of those two.” Paes believes that Grand Slam titles is the key. The Bryans have eight, McEnroe/Fleming have nine and the Woodies 11. Bob Bryan has 58 tournament titles, brother Mike 60, McEnroe 71 and the Woodies 61. “For the Bryans to be considered, they have to pass the Woodies in Grand Slam wins.”

* Suppose you could pair up Pete Sampras and Roger Federer as a doubles team, give them a week of practice and then play them in a series of 10 matches against a doubles team that not only was at the top of the rankings but that had been together for years. Is doubles so specialized that two of the greatest tennis players couldn’t beat a couple of guys who could never make a real impact in singles? “Sampras and Federer? They wouldn’t have a chance. Federer could be a great doubles player, but Sampras . . . He wasn’t that good at it. I’ve played him in doubles four times and won every time. Maybe he didn’t care about it that much.”

* Somdev Devverman, the former University of Virginia player from India (current No. 120). . . how good will he be? “No problem top 100, but top 50? Only time will tell. He is a very hard worker. and his maturity is the best weapon he’s got. His mind is very stable and sound. But he needs more weapons — a bigger first serve and he could flatten out his forehand more.”

* Final question. Best Indian restaurant on the ATP tour outside of India? “Ah, Quilon in St. James Court in London. And right here in Fort Lauderdale is Woodlands.” I threw out one of my favorites and got slightly burned. What about 4,550 Miles To Delhi in Nottingham, England? “Not a bad one,” said Paes. “But it has dropped a bit recently.”

Charles Bricker can be reached at nflwriterr@aol.com

INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2010 TO HONOR STARS AND LEADERS IN WHEELCHAIR TENNIS AND THE OPEN ERA MOVEMENT

March 1, 2010 by WTM

NEWPORT, R.I., U.S.A., March 1, 2010 – Christopher Clouser, chairman of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and Tony Trabert, Hall of Fame president, have announced the newly elected Class of 2010. Two powerful doubles teams will be inducted in the Recent Player category with the election Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, the legendary Australian doubles team who amassed 61 ATP doubles titles including 11 Grand Slam championships; and Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva, who won 38 titles together, including 14 Grand Slam events. In the Master Player category, 12-time Grand Slam tournament champion Owen Davidson has been elected. In the Contributor category, Brad Parks, the pioneering founder of wheelchair tennis – a game that is now played in nearly 100 countries – will be the first ever wheelchair tennis inductee. Also in the Contributor category, Derek Hardwick, past chairman of the British Lawn Tennis Association who was instrumental in the transition to the Open Era, will be inducted posthumously.

Gig Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva — Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva

“In recognition of their competitions and contributions, the Class of 2010 is a tribute to the game of doubles and to wheelchair tennis. The Recent Players and Master Player achieved an incredible record of doubles wins. In the Contributor Category, we are pleased to honor individuals who led two important evolutions of the game through the creation of wheelchair tennis and the initiation of the Open Era,” said Christopher Clouser, chairman of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. “We are delighted to honor these professionals who have truly earned a place in the Hall of Fame.”

The International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010 Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 in Newport, Rhode Island, during the final weekend of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships (July 5 – 11, 2010), an ATP World Tour event. Tickets for the Class of 2010 Induction Ceremony are available now on www.tennisfame.com or by calling 401-849-3990 or 866-914-FAME (3263).

Inclusive of the Class of 2010, the International Tennis Hall of Fame has honored 218 tennis legends representing 19 different countries.

Together Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, known as “The Woodies,” earned a record 61 ATP doubles titles, including 11 majors. They were the first team to win five straight Wimbledon titles, and the only team in the Open Era to win at least one Grand Slam doubles title for six consecutive years. Their 11 Grand Slam titles as a team are an Open Era success story, and are second only to John Newcombe / Tony Roche’s record of 12. The duo was named ATP Top Doubles Team five times (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000). The Woodies won two Olympic Medals – Doubles Gold (1996) and Doubles Silver (2000), and were hailed as the Australian Davis Cup’s “Best Doubles Team” with a record of 14-2. In addition, both Woodbridge and Woodforde held singles rankings within the top 20.

Todd Woodbridge OAM (Sydney, Australia), age 38, currently holds the ATP record for most doubles titles (83) in Open Era history. He spent 204 weeks at No. 1 throughout his career. With a career doubles record of 782-260, Woodbridge reached the doubles finals of 31 professional tournaments. He holds the Australian Davis Cup record for the most years played (14 years); most doubles wins (25); and was a member of the winning team in 1999 and 2003.

Mark Woodforde OAM (Adelaide, Australia), age 43, holds 67 doubles titles, 4 singles titles and 5 mixed doubles crowns. He held down the No. 1 ranking for 84 weeks during his career and upon retirement in December 2000, he was holding the No. 1 individual ranking plus the No. 1 team ranking with Woodbridge. As a ten-year member of the Australian Davis Cup team (1988, 1989, 1993 – 2000), he participated in three finals (1993, 1999, 2000), helping clinch the trophy in 1999. Woodforde won each leg of the Grand Slams in men’s doubles as well as in mixed doubles.

Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva won more women’s doubles titles and Grand Slam women’s doubles championships together than any other team since Martina Navratilova/Pam Shriver. They won six consecutive Grand Slam tournaments from 1992 Roland Garros through 1993 Wimbledon (Navratilova/Shriver won eight consecutive Grand Slam titles from 1983 Wimbledon through 1985 Roland Garros).

Beatriz “Gigi” Fernandez (San, Juan, Puerto Rico), age 46, was considered one of the world’s best doubles players, capturing 68 career titles in women’s doubles and attaining the No. 1 ranking several times in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995. She earned Olympic gold medals at both the 1992 and 1996 games. She won at least one Grand Slam title every year from 1988 – 1997, except 1989, and for three straight years won three of the four Grand Slam doubles titles in the same year (1992 – 94). Over the course of her career, Fernandez won 17 major doubles titles, including five consecutive French Open titles (1991 -1995), five US Open titles (1988, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996), four Wimbledon titles (1992 – 1994, 1997) and two at the Australian Open (1993, 1994). A member of the U.S. Fed Cup Team, she helped lead her team to victory twice (1990, 1996). She is the mother of twins, Karson and Madison and the founder of Baby Goes Pro, a first-of-its-kind DVD series that introduces children to sports using an endearing animated character who encourages children to lead active lifestyles, build character and begin a lifelong love of sports.

Natasha Zvereva (Minsk, Belarus), age 38, is the fifth most prolific champion of her time in terms of Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, with 18 victories to her name. Additionally, her 20 Grand Slam titles overall ranks her equal 14th all-time. She won three of the four Grand Slam majors in doubles, in the same year, four times (1992 – 94, 1997) and won non-calendar year doubles Grand Slams in 1992 – 93 (six straight titles) and 1996 – 97 (four straight titles). She won the Australian Open mixed doubles twice with Jim Pugh (1990) and with Rick Leach (1995). In her singles career, Zvereva won four titles and was ranked among the Top 10 players in the world in 1988 – 89 and 1994 – 95, holding a career-high ranking of No. 5 (May 22, 1989).

Owen Davidson, age 65 (Melbourne, Australia), is one of just 12 people who have won a personal Grand Slam in the history of tennis. His 15-year career is highlighted by 12 Grand Slam titles. His partnerships with Lesley Turner Bowrey and Billie Jean King produced a personal Grand Slam in 1967, as Davidson captured the Australian, French, US Championships and Wimbledon. “Davo”, as he is known, went on to win the Australian Open Doubles with Ken Rosewall in 1972, and the US Open doubles with John Newcombe in 1973. Davidson won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the US Championships/Open four times at each tournament. His four Wimbledon triumphs made him the male player who won the most mixed doubles crowns at the All England Club.

Davidson was a valued member of five championship Australian Davis Cup teams from 1962 – 1967. A career singles highlight came in 1966 at the Wimbledon semi-finals, when he narrowly lost a thrilling five-set match to eventual champion Manolo Santana. With his whipping southpaw serve, Davidson, age 65, is an active competitor on the senior tour.

Brad Parks (San Clemente, CA) age 52 is the pioneering founder of wheelchair tennis, not only in the United Sates, but also throughout the world. During an amateur freestyle skiing competition, he suffered a disabling injury when he was 18. He began experimenting with tennis as a method of therapy, and in 1976, wheelchair tennis was born.

The sport grew quickly as a result of this high exposure level, and the first wheelchair tennis tournaments were held in 1977. This success motivated Parks to found the National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis (NFWT) as the organizing body for the sport. The purpose of the NFWT was to promote physical and psychological well being among the disabled regardless of age, sex, creed, or disability extent. This was accomplished through the presentation of instructional clinics, exhibitions and competitive tournaments and sports camps. As more athletes became involved, the Wheelchair Tennis Players Association (WTPA) was formed, giving players more of a say in the governance of tournaments, clinics and expansion of the game.

Parks started the first international wheelchair tennis event, the US Open, held in Irvine, California. He was the Tournament Chairman for 18 years, setting the standard for others to follow. Today the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour is comprised of 157 tournaments in 41 countries, exceeding a total of $1,500,000 in prize money. In 1985, as a result of increased international presence at the US Open, the World Team Cup was started with five nations, not including women or quad players. Today this prestigious Fed Cup/Davis Cup-style team event has been contested by 52 different nations in its 25 year history, and boasts men, women, quads and junior competitions.

Parks is also credited with spreading the sport internationally by holding clinics throughout Europe, Asia and the Pacific. In 1988, the International Wheelchair Tennis Federation (IWTF) was formed to govern this growing international sport with Parks as the inaugural president. He served on the Management Committee for many years and was a driving force of international wheelchair tennis. In 1998, the IWTF was fully integrated into the International Tennis Federation, making it the first disabled sport to achieve such a union on the international level.

Today almost 100 countries offer wheelchair tennis programs, and the sport is played at all four Grand Slams.

Derek Hardwick (London, England, 1921-1987) was instrumental in one of the most important developments in tennis history with the creation of Open tennis in 1968. Two Englishmen – Herman David, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, and Hardwick, along with the American Robert J. Kelleher, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, joined in achieving this goal over the opposition of the President of the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) and of the entrenched tennis establishment of Europe and America.

A Dorset farmer and former British doubles champion, Hardwick rose to the position of Chairman of the British Lawn Tennis Association in 1968. As chairman, he took the bold step forward by voting affirmatively to make Wimbledon, and all other British tournaments, “Open” in 1968, against the will of the ILTF. Hardwick and Kelleher banded together in their respective nations to ultimately force the ILTF to change its policies on “amateur” and “professional” tennis so that all nations would benefit. In an emergency meeting held in Paris in 1968, the ILTF finally agreed. Hardwick also served the game as chairman of the Men’s International Professional Tennis Council (1974 – 1977), the governing body of men’s tennis prior to the advent of the ATP Tour. He was also the president of the International Tennis Federation (1975 – 1977).

Hall of Fame Voting
A panel of international tennis media voted on the Recent Player selectee, where a 75% favorable vote is required for induction. The International Masters Panel, which consists of Hall of Fame inductees and individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, voted on the Master Player and Contributor selectees. To be inducted as a Master Player or a Contributor, an affirmative vote of 75% is required.

Hall of Fame Eligibility Criteria
Recent Player: Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde; Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva
Active as a competitor in the sport within the last 20 years prior to consideration; not a significant factor on the ATP World Tour or Sony Ericsson WTA Tour within five years prior to induction; a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship and character.

Master Player: Owen Davidson
Competitor in the sport who has been retired for at least 20 years prior to consideration; a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship and character.

Contributors: Brad Parks, Derek Hardwick
Exceptional contributions that have furthered the growth, reputation and character of the sport, in categories such as administration, media, coaching and officiating. Contributor candidates do not need to be retired from their activities related to the sport to be considered.

# # #

About the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum
Established in 1954, the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis, inspiring and encouraging junior tennis development, enshrining tennis heroes and heroines, and providing a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide. The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum was recognized as the sport’s official Hall of Fame in 1986 by the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of tennis. For information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and its programs, call 401-849-3990 or visit us online at www.tennisfame.com.

MONDAYS WITH BOB GREENE: THE AUSSIE OPEN SUMMARY

February 1, 2010 by WTM

STARS

Australian Open

Men’s singles: Roger Federer beat Andy Murray 6-3 6-4 7-6

Women’s singles: Serena Williams beat Justine Henin 6-4 3-6 6-2

Men’s doubles: Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan beat Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-3

Women’s doubles: Venus Williams and Serena Williams beat Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-4 6-3

Mixed doubles: Cara Black and Leander Paes beat Ekaterina Makarova and Jaroslav Levinsky 7-5 6-3

Boy’s singles: Tiago Fernandes beat Sean Berman 7-5 6-3

Girl’s singles: Karolina Pliskova beat Laura Robson 6-1 7-6 (5)

Boy’s doubles: Justin Eleveld and Jannick Lupescu beat Kevin Krawietz and Dominik Schulz 6-4 6-4

Girl’s doubles: Jana Cepelova and Chantal Skamlova beat Timea Babos and Gabriela Dabrowski 7-6 (1) 6-2

Men’s wheelchair singles: Shingo Kunieda beat Stephane Houdet 7-6 (3) 2-6 7-5

Women’s wheelchair singles: Korie Homan beat Florence Gravellier 6-2 6-2

Men’s wheelchair doubles: Stephane Houdet and Shingo Kunieda beat Maikel Scheffers and Robin Ammerlaan 6-2 6-2

Women’s wheelchair singles: Florence Gravellier and Aniek van Koot beat Lucy Shuker and Daniela Di Toro 6-3 7-6 (2)

Other

Michael Berrer beat Andrey Golubev 6-3 7-6 (4) to win the Heilbronn Open in Heilbronn, Germany

SAYINGS

“Now I feel, like, obviously I’m being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up. They’ve made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances in a long time, or maybe forever.” – Roger Federer, after winning his fourth Australian Open men’s singles title.

“I can cry like Roger. It’s just a shame I can’t play like him.” – Andy Murray, explaining his tears after losing the final. Federer cried at the Australian Open last year after losing to Rafael Nadal.

“I feel like I have things to prove.” – Serena Williams, after winning her fifth Australian Open women’s singles title.

“I’m hungry to win one. I worked really, really hard to try to do it and give myself the opportunity. So far it’s not been good enough. But I’m sure one day it will be. When it comes, maybe because of the two losses, it will be even better.” – Andy Murray, after losing the men’s singles final.

“It’s been a very emotional two weeks for me. I thought it would never happen again. It’s been almost perfect. Just the last step, I couldn’t make it.” – Justine Henin, after losing to Serena Williams.

“I know he’d like to win the first for British tennis since, what is it, 150,000 years?” – Roger Federer, speaking of Andy Murray’s hope to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam tournament singles titles since Fred Perry in 1936.

“They’re still sleeping. They didn’t wake up. Someday they will wake up.” – Li Na, when asked why China has world-class women’s tennis players but few men.

“I thought maybe, if I retire now and come back … you know, Kim (Clijsters) and Justine (Henin) do that, then come back and win slams. Could have been an omen for me.” – Lleyton Hewitt, who underwent hip surgery and will be off the men’s tour until May.

“It’s the one that’s been eluding me. We said it since we started to play together. We talked about it last year. He promised. He made a promise to me we were going to get this one. He’s good at keeping his promises.” – Cara Black, who teamed with Leander Paes to win her first Australian Open title and complete a career mixed doubles Grand Slam.

“’She’s a real champion.’She plays the right shots at the right time.’” – Justine Henin, on Serena Williams.

“I feel good and I am only thinking now of recovering well. My main goal right now is to get ready again and fit to play the upcoming events once I am able to compete.” – Rafael Nadal, who will miss the next four weeks because of a knee injury.

“Play better.” – Venus Williams, when asked how she could beat her sister Serena.

“You don’t need to rub it in. They know.” – Roger Federer, when an on-court interviewer mentioned that he had beaten Lleyton Hewitt 15 straight times.

“My arm is pretty much my livelihood.” – Andy Roddick, who decided to continue his match against Marin Cilic after being assured by the ATP trainer that finishing the match would not cause any long-term damage to his arm.

“We play doubles because we enjoy it and just want to spend more time together. We just love being out there and we love the competition. More than anything, we have fun. We’ll smile and enjoy it… We were talking today about how we wish we played more when we were younger.” – Serena Williams, after she and her sister Venus won the women’s doubles.

“Given the competitive form of Zheng Jie and Li Na, what they have achieved in Melbourne is not surprising to us. Their success shows that Chinese tennis players can find their rightful place in the tennis world.” – Gao Shenyang, a director at China’s sports commission, after Zheng and Li both reached the Australian Open semifinals.

“I have everything bandaged.” – Serena Williams, who had taped her ankles, wrist, thigh and calf.

SWISS GOLD

It was business as usual for Roger Federer. His 6-3 6-4 7-5 victory over Andy Murray was the fourth time the Swiss superstar has won the Australian Open. It increased his men’s record to 16 Grand Slam tournament titles, two more than previous record-holder Pete Sampras. In addition, Federer has reached the semifinals in 22 consecutive tournaments and has played for the title in 17 of his past 18 Grand Slam tournaments, the only blemish being the 2008 Australian Open where he lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. He also is moving closer to Sampras’ all-time record for most weeks ranked number one in the world, a mark he would match if he remains in the top spot through the end of the French Open. Federer also becomes the only player who can win all four major men’s singles titles – a calendar year Grand Slam – in 2010. He is the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, the next two Grand Slam tournaments.

SERENA THE GREAT

There’s something about Serena Williams and the Australian Open. She has never lost a final at Melbourne Park, not in singles or doubles. She won her fourth Australian Open singles title, the first woman in the Open Era to do so, snapping a five-way tie with Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. Playing in her 41^st Grand Slam tournament, Williams was in the title match for the 15^th time. Her 12 major titles ties her on the all-time list with Billie Jean King and trailing Court, Graf, Helen Wills Moody, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Serena also has won 11 women’s doubles Grand Slam tournament titles – all with sister Venus – and two mixed doubles, both with Max Mirnyi. And while she won the Australian Open a year ago, Serena looked at this year’s tournament in a different light. “I don’t come into a tournament trying to defend a title. I come into a tournament trying to win a title. That’s how I look at it,” she said after her win in the semifinals.

Venus and Serena now have four Australian Open women’s doubles titles, having also won in 2001, 2003 and 2009. They have also won one French Open (1999), four Wimbledons (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009) and two US Opens (1999, 2009). Plus the Olympics in 2000 and 2008.

STARS FOR HAITI

Spearheaded by Roger Federer, tennis has raised nearly USD $700,000 for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Top players gathered for a Hit for Haiti fundraiser the day before the Australian Open began, raising around USD $140,000 in gate receipts and public donations. Since then players have donated racquets that are being auctioned off, and tennis organizations – the ATP World Tour, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, International Tennis Federation and the Grand Slam Committee – have supported the cause by raising the donations to USD $687,000.

STILL CLICKING

The mixed doubles champions have been in the winner’s circle before, but never in Australia for Cara Black. Leander Paes and the Zimbabwean teamed up to down Ekaterina Makarova and Jarosav Levinsky 7-5 6-3 in the final. It was the 11^th Grand Slam tournament title for the 36-year-old Paes, tying him with Mahesh Bhupathi as India’s most successful Grand Slam player. For Black, the victory made her the third woman in the Open Era to win a career mixed doubles Grand Slam, joining Martina Navratilova and Daniela Hantuchova. Cara won the French Open in 2002 and Wimbledon in 2004, both with brother Wayne Black, and the US Open in 2008 with Paes. Three other women have accomplished the feat: Doris Hart, Margaret Court and Billie Jean King. Between them, Paes and Black have won 19 Grand Slam tournament doubles titles, including men’s, women’s and mixed.

SINO SUPERSTARS

Li Na and Zheng Jie both reached the final four at the Australian Open, the first time two players from China made it that far at a major. Actually, never before had two Chinese singles players ever been in the second week of a major at the same time. Although they both lost their semifinal matches – Li to eventual champion Serena Williams and Zheng to Justine Henin – the two know they have made a huge impact at home. Called “golden flowers” by Chinese newspapers, Li said, “I mean, was first time two Chinese player same time play semifinal in Grand Slam. Good for both players. Of course, I think also good for China tennis. I think if the children, they saw this time, maybe they have more confident. They think maybe someday they can do also, yeah. I think, how you say, [it] was [an] exciting day.” Her run to the semifinals also made Li the first Chinese player to be ranked in the top 10 in the world.

STASH GROWING

Twins Bob and Mike Bryan keep adding to their Grand Slam tournament stash. The Americans won their fourth Australian Open men’s doubles title by beating Canada’s Daniel Nestor and Serbia’s Nenad Zimonjic 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-3. They also won Down Under in 2006, 1007 and 2009. It was their eighth Grand Slam tournament title overall and they now trail only Australian due Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge, who won 11 Grand Slam tournament crowns.

SUPER IDOL

Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten is the idol of the 2010 Australian Open junior boys champion. Like Kuerten, Tiago Fernandes is from Brazil and he sometimes practices with his hero. Fernandes, who turned 17 on the eve of the final, wasn’t surprised by his 7-6 6-3 win over Australia’s Sean Berman in the title match. “The weekend before, I was thinking I’d be in the final and be, you know, the champion,” he said. “But it’s a Grand Slam, and I’m really happy to be the champion.” Fernandes attributed his success in part to Guga, as Kuerten is known. “He’s an unbelievable guy – out of the court, inside the court,” Fernandes said. Kuerten retired two years ago.

SISTER SI, SISTER NO

Laura Robson could be excused if she thought she had to play the same player twice in a row. Robson played 17-year-old identical twins Kristyna and Karolina Pliskova in consecutive matches, besting Kristyna 6-3 6-1 in the semifinals of the girls’ singles, then losing the title match to Karolina 6-1 7-6 (5). It was the second straight year Robson has reached the girls’ final at Melbourne Park, only to lose in straight sets. Yet she can go home with her head held high. She played mixed doubles with Andy Murray as they reached the final of the Hopman Cup last month, losing to Spain. Karolina Pliskova was playing in only her second junior tournament since April 2007.

Li Na had the same problem in the women’s singles. Li beat Venus Williams 2-6 7-6 (4) 7-5 in the quarterfinals, then lost to eventual champion Serena Williams in the semifinals, 7-6 (4) 7-6 (1).

SURGERY FOR LLEYTON

It didn’t take long for Lleyton Hewitt to undergo surgery on his right hip. Australia’s top player lost to top-ranked Roger Federer in the fourth round, then underwent surgery. “At least I gave 100 percent and tried to block it out as much as possible,” Hewitt said of his performance at this year’s Australian Open. He said he injured the hip at the Hopman Cup last month and felt “a reasonable amount of pain” while playing in Melbourne. Hewitt said he hopes to play again at Roland Garros. “I’ll be back, ready for the French Open,” he said.

SIDELINED BY INJURY

Rafael Nadal will miss up to four weeks while he recovers from a knee injury that forced him to quit in the third set of his Australian Open quarterfinal match against Andy Murray. Nadal had his right knee checked in Spain and was advised to rest completely for two weeks. He then will undergo two weeks of medical treatment before returning to tournament play. Nadal said the injury was not a recurrence of the tendinitis that sidelined him for periods last year. He was unable to defend his Wimbledon title in 2009 and has not reached a Grand Slam tournament final since he beat Roger Federer in five sets at the 2009 Australian Open. MRI and ultrasound tests show a small tear at the back part of Nadal’s right knee.

STRINGING GAMES

Vera Zvonareva was leading 6-4 4-2 when Victoria Azarenka of Belarus went on a tear. Azarenka ripped off 10 consecutive games to post her first career victory over Zvonareva and reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time. In their four previous meetings, Azarenka had never taken a set off Zvonareva. “I just tried to keep fighting even when I was down,” the seventh-ranked Azarenka said. “I knew I could stay with her. I just had to believe in myself.”

SKIPPING FED CUP

Neither Kim Clijsters nor Justine Henin will play for Belgium in the Fed Cup opening round against Poland. The Belgian tennis federation said Clijsters made it clear that she needs a period to build up training, while Henin said the international team competition comes too early in her return to competitive tennis. That leaves Yanina Wickmayer to lead the Belgian team. Wickmayer, who had to play qualifying to reach the main draw of the Australian Open, was ousted from the year’s first Grand Slam tournament by Henin in the fourth round.

STREAKING

With his Australian Open triumph, Roger Federer has caught up with Andy Roddick. When he won the tournament in Brisbane, Australia, last month, it was the 10^th straight year that Roddick has captured an ATP World Tour title, tied for best among active players. Federer’s win at the Australian Open ran his streak to 10 straight years. The two are among the 14 players who have won titles for 10 or more consecutive years since the Open Era began in 1968. The leader is Ivan Lendl, who won at least one tournament for 14 consecutive years. Jimmy Connors is second with 13 years, while Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg are tied at 12 consecutive years. Lleyton Hewitt is also at 10 consecutive years and counting.

SURFACING AGAIN

Mario Ancic is back playing competitive tennis for the first time since May 2009. Once ranked as high as number seven in the world, Ancic has been hobbled by injury and illness over the last few years. The 25-year-old Croatian, who has won three ATP World Tour titles, returned to the tour at the Heilbronn Open, a Challenger event in Heilbronn, Germany. He lost in the first round of singles to Mikhail Kukushkin in three sets, but teamed with Levro Zovko to reach the doubles final, where they lost to brothers Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand 6-4 7-5.

SANIA SAYS NO

Citing incompatibility, Sania Mirza has ended her engagement to a childhood friend, Sohrab Mirza. “We were friends for five years but found ourselves incompatible during our engagement period,” the 23-year-old Indian tennis player said. “I wish Sohrab the best in life.” Sania’s father, Imran Mirza, said the end of the engagement would not impact the long friendship the two families have shared.

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Heilbronn: Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana beat Mario Ancic and Lovro Zovko 6-4 7-5

SITES TO SURF

Fed Cup: www.fedcup.com

Zagreb: www.zagrebindoors.com/indoors.htm

Johannesburg: www.satennisopen.co.za/

Santiago: www.movistaropen.cl/

San Jose: www.sapopentennis.com/index2.html

Rotterdam: www.abnamrowtt.nl/

Costa do Sauipe: www2.uol.com.br/tenisbrasil/brasilopen/

Paris: www.opengdfsuez.com/

Pattaya City: www.pentanglepromotions.com/pattaya-open.html

Midland: www.dowcorningtennisclassic.com

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

(All money in USD)

ATP

$572,250 PBZ Zagreb Indoors, Zagreb, Croatia, hard

$442,500 SA Tennis Open, Johannesburg, South Africa, hard

$398,250 Novistar Open, Santiago, Chile, clay

FED CUP

First Round

World Group

Ukraine vs. Italy at Kharkiv, Ukraine, hard

Czech Republic vs. Germany at Brno, Czech Republic, hard

Serbia vs. Russia at Belgrade, Serbia, hard

France vs. United States vat Lievin, France, clay

World Group II

Australia vs. Spain at Adelaide, Australia, hard

Poland vs. Belgium at Bydgoszcz, Poland, hard

Estonia vs. Argentina at Tallinn, Estonia, hard

Slovak Republic vs. China at Bratislava, Slovak Republic, hard

Group I – Europe/Africa

Round-robin at Cruz Quebrada, Portugal (four groups), hard: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland

Group I – Americas

Round-robin at Lambare, Paraguay, clay: Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Paraguay, Puerto Rico

Group I – Asia/Oceana

Round-robin at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hard: Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Uzbekistan

Group II – Asia/Oceana

Round-robin at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hard: Hong Kong China, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Syria

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

ATP

$1,600,000 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, hard

$531,000 SAP Open, San Jose, California, USA, hard

$442,000 Brasil Open, Costa do Sauipe, Brazil, clay

WTA

$700,000 Open GDF SUEZ, Paris, France, hard

$220,000 PTT Pattaya Open, Pattaya City, Thailand, hard

$100,000 Dow Corning Tennis Classic, Midland, Michigan, USA, hard

REMEMBERING THE LAST TIME ROGER FEDERER LOST TO LLEYTON HEWITT

January 23, 2010 by WTM

Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt will face off in an anticipated round of 16 match Monday at the Australian Open, after Federer defeated Albert Montanes 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and Hewitt defeated Marcos Baghdatis 6-0, 4-2, ret. (shoulder injury). The rivalry between the future Hall of Famers dates back to 1996 when the two 15-year-olds played in the World Youth Cup in Zurich, Switzerland, Federer winning that match 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 after saving a match point. As professionals, Federer leads the series 16-7, Hewitt winning seven of the first nine matches and Federer winning the last 14 matches. The last time Hewitt beat Federer was actually on the very same court where they will due battle Monday – Rod Laver Arena. It was back in 2003, in the fourth rubber of the 2003 Davis Cup semifinal between Switzerland and Australia. Rene Stauffer, author of the book THE ROGER FEDERER STORY: QUEST FOR PERFECTION ($24.95, New Chapter Press, www.RogerFedererBook.com) discusses the circumstances of that epic match in this exclusive book excerpt below.

Federer no longer held great hopes of becoming No. 1 in the world for 2003. “Roddick and Ferrero deserved to be ranked in front of me,” he said before the start of the indoor season. “Ferrero is the best clay court player and Roddick is the best hard-court player. This fall, I simply want to prove that I’m the best indoor player.” He had no such luck. Although he defeated Carlos Moya in the final of Vienna to successfully defend a title for the first time in his career, the remainder of the fall season did not produce the results he desired.