Tennis Tips, Tricks And Gear
Felix, Medvedev Cruise Into Rotterdam QFs
Defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev have set a blockbuster quarter-final showdown at the ABN AMRO Open after comfortable second-round victories Thursday.
Third-seeded Auger-Aliassime served nine aces in a 6-4, 6-3 win over French qualifier Gregoire Barrere. But the Canadian will look to improve his lackluster 50 per cent first-serve percentage before coming up against Medvedev.
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Medvedev saved all six break points faced in his 6-2, 6-2 win over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
Medvedev has won all four of his meetings with Felix, but three have gone the distance, including a 2022 Australian Open quarter-final meeting, in which Medvedev rallied from two sets down to win. The World No. 11 is expecting another close battle.
“The further you go, normally the higher-ranked players you play,” Medvedev said. “Felix is a top player. He won here last year and played amazing at the end of last year. Looking forward to a tough match and hopefully I can be at my best.
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“The harder your opponent, the more you’re going to feel you have to play better. He’s going to take his opportunities. He’s going to go for it when he has the chance. I will need to be at my best.”
Alex de Minaur escaped Montpellier finalist Maxime Cressy 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. The 23-year-old backed up his straight-sets upset over second seed Andrey Rublev with a clean performance, committing just nine unforced errors to Cressy’s 33.
In the final set, de Minaur converted one of two break points to pull away from serve-and-volleyer Cressy, who didn’t have any break chances in the decider. De Minaur will next take on Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals. The Australian leads their ATP Head2Head 2-1.
Djokovic: Now I Believe I Can Take Title
"Being the only guy remaining in the tournament that has won a Grand Slam, of course flatters me," Novak Djokovic said.
By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, January 23, 2023
Seeing is believing.
Surveying the improving state of his hamstring has Novak Djokovic trusting he can take a record-extending 10th Australian Open title next weekend.
Sabalenka: Some Help Me Fix This F–king Serve!
The fourth-seeded Serbian demolished Aussie Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 storming into his 13th Australian Open quarterfinal.
It was Djokovic's best tennis of the tournament and his healthiest match of this fortnight.
The state of his increasingly healthy hamstring helped Djokovic score his 25th consecutive AO win and 38th straight win on Australian soil.
"A week ago I didn't really think about the title, I just thought about being in a good enough condition to play the next match until tonight," Djokovic told the media in Melbourne. "Tonight, the way I played, the way I felt, gives me reason now to believe that I can go all the way.
"I mean, I always believe I can go all the way in terms of my tennis. But the way my leg felt before tonight wasn't giving me too many hopes, so to say, for the entire tournament, to go all the way through. Tonight I feel that, so I feel positive about it."
Experience matters in the money stages of majors. Djokovic will face fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. The winner will face a maiden major semifinalist either Tommy Paul or former NCAA champion Ben Shelton.
"Being the only guy remaining in the tournament that has won a Grand Slam, of course flatters me but I don't think it's going to make too big of a difference, to be honest," Djokovic said. "Maybe it will to some extent, I mean, for me, but maybe not for the other guys."
Photo credit: Getty
Tommy Paul Continues American Surge in Australia, Defeating Bautista Augut to Reach Maiden Major Quarterfinal
The Americans have three quarterfinalists at a Slam for the first time in 18 years. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday January 23, 2023
The American men continue to shine at the 2023 Australian Open.
Tommy Paul, 25, defeated 24th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 to join Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals in Melbourne, making it three quarterfinalists at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2005 US Open (Agassi, Blake, Ginepri and three quarterfinalists at the Australian Open for the first time since 2000 (Agassi, Sampras, Woodruff).
Paul, making his 14th Grand Slam appearance, will face compatriot Ben Shelton for a spot in the semifinal.
There will be TEN American men in the top 50 come Monday
Taylor Fritz, age 25
Frances Tiafoe, 25
Sebastian Korda, 22
Tommy Paul, 25
Jenson Brooksby, 22
John Isner, 37
Ben Shelton, 20
J.J. Wolf, 24
Reilly Opelka, 24
Brandon Nakashima 21#getty pic.twitter.com/tKcMqx3ZQO— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) January 23, 2023
Shelton, 20, defeated JJ Wolf 6-7(5) 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 6-2 on Monday to reach the quarterfinals on his second Slam appearance.
Korda, 22, who upset two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the third round and 10th-seeded Hubert Hurkacz in five sets in the round of 16, is playing his ninth main draw at the majors.
The Americans are making a strong push up the ATP rankings, and will have ten players inside the ATP’s Top-50 when the new rankings are released on the Monday after the Australian Open.
“I think it's going to be awesome, especially when the tournaments go back to the States, having a lot of Americans seeded and a lot of rivalries like that I think will be really good to push each other, especially for the American fans, and even for us when we are overseas having guys to train with and push with is really good,” Wold told reporters on Monday. “It's good to feel like we've kind of got a team out here.”
An American has not won a major singles title since Andy Roddick triumphed at the 2003 US Open.
Food Court: Adventurous Brooksby Enjoys Frog Legs & Duck
Jenson Brooksby earned the biggest win of his career Thursday, when he upset Casper Ruud in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open. The 22-year-old will next meet countryman Tommy Paul.
In 2022, Brooksby enjoyed his career-best season, including rising to 33 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in June 2022. Should he beat Paul, Brooksby would tie his best Grand Slam result, which he reached at the 2021 US Open (R16, l. Djokovic).
A three-time finalist on Tour, the California native shared with ATPTour.com what he likes to cook and eat to prepare himself for competition.
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If you were having some friends over for dinner, what would you cook and why?
I actually do cook once in awhile. My roommate Cam and I sometimes like to cook together. I would say I would cook salmon and steak with brussel sprouts and veggies. With salmon and steak I can get my protein, it’s pretty healthy and we can share it.
How would you rate your cooking skills on a scale of 1-10?
Six. I’m not bad but if I expanded to a few more things, I could get higher. If you ask me again this time next year, it’s got to be up to an eight.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I’ve been eating smart but my go-to is pancakes with syrup and cream for breakfast or lunch. I love that.
What is your go-to meal the night before a match?
Usually chicken and rice. Maybe steak as well, but usually white meat or fish with rice or potatoes, something quick and simple for the digestive system.
How many hours before a match do you eat and what do you eat right before stepping on the match court?
I don’t like to have too big of a meal for breakfast or lunch. I usually try to have lunch a couple hours before a match. Something simple, chicken or fish and rice.
What do you snack on during the match?
I don’t really like to eat during a match. I just make sure I have my water and electrolytes. I might have a Gatorade gel pack for a little carbs or even a small packet of peanut butter.
What are your favourite restaurants and what do you order?
Usually on the road I end up eating at the hotel or at the site. There’s been a few steakhouses I like. I like a lot of different stuff: Asian food, Indian, Vietnamese, Mexican. The simple American food is not for me so much.
Last year, my travel coach Nick showed me this place called Magpie in downtown Sacramento, there’s some good restaurants there. A couple good Mexican restaurants and cafes there as well.
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What’s a food you refuse to eat?
When I was a kid I would eat anything. Now I can feel if I eat unhealthy, like fast food. I feel the difference in the body. I don’t eat things like burgers, hot dogs, pizza, or desserts. The past couple months I haven’t even had coffee, I feel like that helps with consistent energy. I like the taste but I was like ‘If I don’t need it, what’s the point?’
Is there a food that people might be surprised you enjoy?
I do love trying different foods. I loved having dumplings in South Korea and I loved having alligator and frog legs. Especially duck, that might be my favourite meat. I was probably 14 when I had alligator. I was on a cruise, I can’t even remember where I was, somewhere in Europe, maybe like a Mediterranean cruise with my grandparents. I had frog legs within the past couple years. If I’m at a nice restaurant and they have it, I’d get that.
Break Point Fan Rune Now Has Role in Netflix Series
"My dream is not to be movie star obviously. It's to be the best tennis player," says Holger Rune.
By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, January 17, 2023
All the world's a stage and Holger Rune is excited expanding his star-rising role.
Nineteen-year-old Rune swept Serbia's Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to score his first career Australian Open win.
Welcome Bash: Djokovic Thrills in AO Return
An assertive Rune broke serve seven times raising his Grand Slam record to 6-5.
"I think I played very aggressive. You know, that's what I'm working on with the team," Rune told the media in Melbourne. "We did a lot in the offseason to keep trying to come to the net and stuff, and I think it suits my game well, and I like to play that way."
The two-hour, three-minute triumph came on the same day Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to Melbourne Park with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 dismissal of Roberto Carballes Baena to land in the AO second round for the 16th time.
Last fall, Rune stunned Djokovic to capture the Rolex Paris Masters championships.
Despite dramatically different conditions in the searing Australian heat, Rune says his Paris run fuels his Melbourne confidence.
"It's different, but obviously Paris gave me a lot of confidence, knowing that I could, you know, beat these top guys at one of the best tournaments we have in the world," Rune said. "I feel good. I feel like I have a lot of confidence."
It's not a stretch to imagine a Rune run down under. If seeds hold true to form, the ninth-seeded Rune would face fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev in the fourth round with the winner potentially playing nine-time champion Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
Players know how dangerous Rune is and now producers are taking notice.
Rune revealed he's a big fan of the Netflix series Break Point and is now a participant in the show with a camera crew in tow for his Melbourne match.
"We are already starting to do it. They are filming a little bit," Rune said. "I think the plan is to do some filming for my next match as well.
"I'm excited to do it. I think it's going to be great. It's good for tennis. It's good for us players. And I think more fans we can get into the sport, it's better. I'm just very positive about it."
Life as a budding Netflix star hasn't caused Rune to lose sight of the plot: win a Grand Slam and compete for world No. 1.
"My dream is not to be movie star obviously. It's to be the best tennis player," Rune said.
In an ideal world, perhaps Rune can succeed in both roles someday: Grand Slam champion and compelling character in tennis growth.
Photo credit: Getty
“Tonight I Need to Give Myself Credit” – Murray Impressed Himself with Win over Berrettini
The Scot is proud of his performance and – for once – not being so critical. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday January 17, 2023
It's no secret. It hasn’t been easy for Andy Murray in recent years. The Scot has suffered through a litany of difficult losses and injuries as he has tried to make a push back up the rankings. He went from No.1 in the rankings in July of 2017 to outside of the Top 800 a year later, as he underwent right hip surgeries in January 2018 and January 2019.
So what were Murray's prevailing sentiments after notching his biggest win at a Slam since 2017 on Tuesday in Melbourne? Pride – and relief.
“I think the last few years, I've certainly questioned myself at times,” he said after defeating 13th-seeded Matteo Berrettini in Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday. “There's certainly a lot of people questioned me and my ability, whether I could still perform at the biggest events and the biggest matches.”
Murray, who notched his 50th Australian Open victory on Tuesday (he is fifth on the all-time men's singles wins list in Melbourne), expressed an immense sense of pride in his work.
“I felt very proud of myself after the match,” he said. “That's not something that I generally felt over the years at the end of the tennis matches.”
The former World No.1 put in a hard three-week training block with coach Ivan Lendl and members of his team in Florida this winter, and he feels that the efforts are being rewarded. He went four hours and 49 minutes with Berrettini on Tuesday and finished far stronger than his 26-year-old adversary.
“I think I'm proud of the work that I put in the last few months. I trained really hard over in Florida getting ready to play here. I'm really proud of how I fought through that match at the end, like I said, when it could have gotten away from me, how I played in the tiebreak at the end.”
It doesn’t happen often these days – the uber critical Murray seems to prefer to berate rather than praise himself – but on this night, he was impressed with his performance.
“I was impressed with myself, which again is not something… I'm hard on myself usually. Tonight I need to give myself some credit because the last few years have been tough. I've lost a few of those matches, those types of matches, in the slams the last couple years, whether that's the Tsitsipas match or whatever, Isner at Wimbledon. That one could have gone the other way tonight, but I stayed strong and I deserved to win.”
Malla Suspension Extended Two Months in Cannabis Case
Chilean Bastián Malla has been banned for a further two months after failing to complete a treatment program.
High times earned Bastián Malla a one-month suspension.
Failure to complete treatment will cost him twice that time.
More: Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Australian Open
Chilean baseliner Malla has been banned for a further two months after failing to complete a treatment program following his suspension for cannabis, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today.
The man who reached a career-high rank of No. 362 back in 2015 was originally banned for one month (reduced from three months) after testing positive for cannabis, on the basis that an approved Substance of Abuse treatment program was undertaken.
After failing to provide evidence that the program was completed, the 26-year-old Chilean is now subject to an additional suspension, which will run until February 18, 2023.
Photo credit: Bastián Malla Facebook
Tiley: Players with Covid Can Play AO
If a player contracts Coronavirus during the Australian Open, the player will still be permitted to play.
By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, January 9, 2023
Coronavirus won't sideline players at the Australian Open.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley announced if a player tests positive for COVID-19 during the season's first Grand Slam, the player will be permitted to play.
More: Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Australian Open
Additionally, players will not be tested for Coronavirus during the tournament.
The Australian Open starts on January 16th.
It's a marked contrast to the 2021 Australian Open played in a biosecure bubble as Melbourne imposed some of the strictest pandemic policies on the planet.
Tiley said changes are a reflection of current community health policy.
"We just wanted to follow what's currently in the community," Tiley told the media in Melbourne. "We have gone a step further by making a recommendation around staying away when you're ill, and that our medical staff will continue to monitor that, with the players individually as well."
First-Time Winner Spotlight: Tallon Griekspoor
Tallon Griekspoor started the new year in the best way possible. The 26-year-old dropped just one set all week en route to claiming his maiden Tour-level title at the Tata Open Maharashtra in Pune, India. In the championship match, the Dutchman rallied from a set down to defeat Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
ATPTour.com caught up with the World No. 61 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings to discuss his family’s sports background, his standout finals record on the Challenger Tour, and how he will celebrate his big breakthrough.
What does it mean to you to win your first ATP Tour title?
It means everything to me. It’s something you dream of and work for. There’s so many people involved, my family, my brothers, that mean the world to me. To do this also for them, means the world to me, I couldn’t be more happy.
Entering this event after the offseason, your first event of 2023, how did you feel about your chances of finishing as the champion and lifting the trophy?
You never know after the offseason how you will play. I worked my ass off at home during the offseason. I was playing well in practices but you never know how you’re going to be in the matches. I came to Pune early, had five or six good practice days and I think that helped me a lot.
This was your first ATP Tour final, but you were 8-0 in finals at the ATP Challenger Tour level in 2021. Did this feel much different to those previous title matches?
I had a good record on the Challenger Tour in finals, so I would say I know I how to play to finals. It’s tough, it’s a fight for every point, there’s more pressure than normal, especially my first ATP Tour final. It wasn’t easy but I think I handled it pretty well. Maybe those Challenger finals helped me as well to stay calm and know what to do in the final.
Even before reaching the final, you made history here along with Botic van de Zandschulp as the first two Dutchmen to reach the semis at the same ATP Tour event since 2004. What does it mean to you to be represent the Netherlands with success like that?
It means a lot to do well for Dutch tennis. Botic and I are doing well and then Tim [Van Rijthoven] won the ATP event in Holland [in 2022], so we have a good group of guys. We did really well in the Davis Cup last year. We support each other and make each other better, that’s important to us. Hopefully there’s a lot more trophies coming.
How did growing up in a big sports family help you to get to the level you are at now on the ATP Tour?
That helped a lot to have a sports family, especially having two older brothers who played tennis as well. I’ve always had them to look up to, they are five years older, they were always better than me until a certain age. I would always practise with them, travel with them, having that sports background means a lot. My family is probably as happy as I am at the moment.
Your father is a former motocross driver and you are a big Formula 1 fan… you’ve even said that if you weren’t a tennis player you’d like to be an F1 driver. What similarities do you see between the two sports?
I’m a big fan of Formula 1 but I think at this point I’m happy that I’m a tennis player. I love the competition the guys have, especially at this point when we have Max Verstappen in Holland, he’s probably the biggest sports hero we have. I think pushing yourself to the limit is what it takes in both sports.
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You have been very focussed on the court this week. How does your off-court personality compare to what we see in between the lines?
The focus and attitude was really well this week. I pushed myself and put a lot of time in during the offseason, it looks like it paid off. Outside the court, I’m more of a joker guy and not so calm. I like to talk and I’m basically good with everyone. I’m probably a different person between the lines on the court and off-court, but I’m enjoying both parts.
Who are some of your best friends or players you enjoy spending time with on the Tour?
The Dutch guys. There are not too many of them but we spend a lot of time together. We practise basically every day together at home when we’re there. Having those guys around, doing well, especially the past year-and-a-half, helps us a lot. It’s a good feeling.
When did you first start to dream of winning titles on the ATP Tour?
You always have this dream of winning [titles]. But in 2021, when I had this Challenger run of eight titles, at that point I thought it became realistic to start dreaming of winning an ATP title. It was my goal for this year, but I never would’ve thought I’d get it on 7 January, that’s crazy. I’m happy that dream came true today.
How will you celebrate this milestone moment in your career?
Well, I have a long flight in front of me to Melbourne. With my coach, we will definitely have a drink, have a nice dinner, maybe at the airport. At this moment, I really don’t care, I’m really happy. Probably have a nice dinner in Melbourne and celebration there.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios to Reunite for AO Doubles Defense
Special Ks aim to defend their maiden major.
By Alberto Amalfi | Wednesday, January 4, 2023
The Special Ks will be back to make Melbourne magic.
Thanasi Kokkinakis confirmed he and buddy Nick Kyrgios will reprise their partnership and defend their Australian Open doubles title.
More: Martina Navratilova Diagnosed with Cancer
The Australian Open starts on January 16th.
“We’ll be playing [at the Australian Open]. Doubles is a lot less taxing on the body and mentally it’s a bit easier as well,” Kokkinakis told the media.
Last January, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis became the first All-Aussie men's doubles tandem to claim the Australian Open title since 1997. The Special Ks beat Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden 7-5, 6-4 for their first Grand Slam title.
Photo credit: Getty
