Tennishead Blog

WTF diary: 'handball' the hot topic in the scrums
- Fri 20 Nov '09
We caught up with the ATP World Tour Finalists in Westminster on Friday. And yes, this is some tennis in here somewhere

“So, Roger, let’s talk football…”

Two days to go until the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals kick off, people. Two days. Excited much?

We are, especially now we’ve been up close and personal with some rather snappily dressed elite tennis players at the pre-tournament media day at the Marriott County Hall in Westminster.

After they’d posed in front of that London stalwart, the red double decker bus, and received a token of ATP Chief Exec Adam Helfant’s appreciation, the players were thrown to the mercy of the assembled press for insights into their season and World Tour Finals prospects.

The perfect opportunity to talk about a football match, then.

Well, okay, maybe not any old match – that match, the World Cup qualification play-off between France and Ireland on Wednesday night that was effectively settled by a deliberate handball from French captain Thierry Henry.

Even those hidden under rocks have an opinion on the subject – and the players were no different, particularly with tennis now being played under HawkEye.

Roger Federer, not shy with his derogatory opinion of technological intervention and a sponsorship stablemate of Henry’s with French razor manufacturer Gillette, was understandably on the Frenchman’s side.

“If the referee doesn’t see it I just think it is the systems and the referee who are at fault,” said the Swiss, before noting that there may be an irish slant to coverage of the event. “It doesn’t sound like that in France I think.”

However, the world No.1 admitted that video technology would indeed have been appropriate in this case.

“I guess to some degree I am surprised that decisions like this can still have such an outcome on a result,” he said. “Today with the technology they have they should maybe do something.

“It seems football needs it more than tennis,” he finished, with a cheeky grin.

And Federer wasn’t the only one talking oddballs. Novak Djokovic “absolutely supports technology for soccer,” while Fernando Verdasco admitted that HwkEye has been good for tennis.

“It may not be 100% perfect, but we accept it. Before it was terrible when you knew the ball had landed 15cm out and the umpire called good.

“There was nothing you could do. Now it is better.”

Shaken, not stirred

It was hard not to look round the room and think the players were secretly trying to outdo each other in the suave department, but for stylish recovery of the day, step forward Nikolay Davydenko.

The enigmatic Russian was denied his usual low-profile media attention when his table collapsed with the press huddles in their infancy. Even the hefty pack surrounding Murray – and Murray himself – briefly turned to see what had happened.

But Davydenko did what Davydenko does – simply made no fuss, before completing the rest of his interviews as he leaned against the much sturdier refreshments bar.

He’s been and had a hit on the two-day-old court at the O2 arena, and was happy with what he found – not too fast, not too slow, just right for his game.

Wanna swap shirts?

Davydenko’s not the only one to have given the new court a go. Andy Murray had a hit earlier with Novak Djokovic, and admitted the O2 was “impressive”.

Perhaps Murray was grabbing a chance to scope some the practice kit he’ll soon be sporting when he completes his switch to adidas gear in the new year. Not that Djokovic is likely to be wearing it himself by then.

It looks like defending champion has one more press conference in him, as Italian sports brand Sergio Tacchini are set to make an “outstanding announcement” from the players’ hotel tomorrow morning.

New year, new gear? Looks like it for both the world No.3 and No.4.

Want more from the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals?

Follow tennishead’s match coverage live from the O2 via our new tennisheadLIVE twitter feed – and have your say as the matches are in progress. Questions for the players? Need to vent? Fancy giving us a challenge? just stick @tennisheadLIVE on the front of your tweet – and you never know…
Wimbledon diary: Just another manic Monday
- Tue 30 Jun '09
It was hot, it was wet, and it was action-packed, and historic – they don’t come much better than second Monday at SW19…

Just the ticket
Not to rub it in for those that weren’t there, but long before a ball is hit, before the order of play is announced, even before the tournament starts, second Monday at Wimbledon is the tennis fan’s golden ticket.

Magic Monday is the day that all 32 players through to the fourth round of the men’s and ladies’ singles competitions take to the courts – the one day in the Championships that both draws (with any luck) complete an entire round in a single day.

It’s also, the last chance to see main draw singles action for those who could only secure a ground pass as Courts 4 and 18 sow action for those fast enough to bag a seat.

But even by the standards of previous second Mondays, this one was pretty special. We had it all – searing temperatures, a bit of rain, two five-setters, a bit of history and a top quality finish.

What. A. Day.

30 degrees and rain – the perfect British summer’s day
Britain’s love-hate affair with the weathermen is never better expressed than on a hot day – complaining about cold, wet weather is perhaps understandable, but being scared of balmy temperatures? Please!

We were promised 30 degrees, and 30 degrees we most certainly got early on – actually, it hit 31 courtside on No.1 at around 1.30pm. Nadia Petrova did a J.J. and called for the doctors to pack her in ice before jumping up and taking a set off Victoria Azarenka, but the heat wave didn’t last.

At long, long last, the clouds gathered, and a short shower fell over the All England Club. Those lads in green that looked set to have landed the easiest gig of the Championships were finally called into action, grabbing covers and covering courts.

Traditionally, this would be time to stick on the replay of John and Bjorn to-ing and fro-ing back in the days of wooden rackets and volleys. But not any more…

Closed for business
There’s no denying the sense of relief in All England Club Chief Exec Ian Ritchie’s voice as he stood courtside below the roof – Centre Court’s new party piece – in all it’s cavernous glory.

The Aussie radio commentators can stop joking at our lavish expense about the roof that seemed to ward off bad weather rather than protect the greatest court in tennis from it, because at 4.41pm the seven-minute procession began.

So now we know the protocol – the covers come on, the roof closes, the covers come off, and then everyone sits about waiting for the atmosphere inside to change, in order to stop the turf sweating. Apparently.

The process, from start to finish, takes about 30 minutes – which was a tad embarassing, really. Because by the time that the whole brouhaha had runs its course, the shower had passed, and the eighteen other al-fresco courts were all back in action – before play restarted on Centre.

A little trigger-happy? Perhaps. But had they not been, we wouldn’t have been treated to the instant classic that followed Safina and Mauresmo’s drab three-setter.

Wimbledon is bugged
A messenger lad scurried around the press centre early in the afternoon, giving everyone a letter from Mr Ritchie (busy day) alerting all Championship personnel that a small number of staff had reported flu-like symptoms and had been told to stay away until they felt better.

In typically British fashion, the AELTC issued this advice: “Hygiene is of paramount importance in helping to stem the spread of flu-like Illnesses.

“This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible, disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully, maintaining good basic hygiene and wash hands frequently with soap and water.”

Apparently, the government’s “Catch it, bin it, kill it” slogan isn’t lyrical enough.

It turns out the quarantined bunch are in fact some of the ball boys and girls, possibly around four of them. It was put to a lot of the players whether they were concerned about catching something from a ball boy or girl, particularly the ones who deal with the players’ towels, during the week.

But what about the kids? Perhaps the idea that the players are at risk has things backwards. Maybe they need protection from the players.

I wonder if Ralph Lauren do face masks…
Wimbledon diary: Save it for the runway
- Tue 23 Jun '09
Is there any need to arrive on court looking like a Siberian Chippendale or drummer girl? Answers on a postcard…

Not quite white…

It wasn’t the warmest way to kick off one of the shining beacons of the Great British Summer. Quite fitting, really – which is more than can be said for the efforts of the designers at a certain Oregon-based sportswear behemoth.

There’s plenty to love about the first day at Wimbledon – not least this year with the superb new No.2 Court now up and running, already garnering a reputation for displaying some special tennis.

But, there is the odd thing that gripes. Like a white rag to a bull, each year the design house at Nike baulk at the All England Club’s (shall we say) stringent dress code, and do their best to “push the envelope”.

It’s a joke, and one that none of the other brands seem to be cracking.

Every year, as a matter of professional duty, they say nuts to your all-white rule – we’ll show you what we learned in fashion college about thinking outside the box.

And every year we are left wondering just what their three marquee players – Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams – will emerge on the show courts wearing – or more accurately, which one will look the most ridiculous. Yesterday, they didn’t disappoint.

First up, Mr Feds – and perhaps our most radical design change to date. The five-time champion has ditched the grandad cardie and slacks get-up and gone for…well, the only way I can think to describe it is he looks like a cross between a Siberian Special Ops agent and a Chippendale.

If the faux-military jacket (and more slacks) wasn’t enough, the tournament’s top seed then revealed a surprise gold-trimmed waistcoat – which he warmed up in! When that eventually found its way to the chair, and later the trousers, you couldn’t help but wonder – or perhaps worry – whether the strip show was quite over.

Over on Court No.1, MaSha was doing her best to keep up – The 22-year-old world No.60 sported a high-necked jacket with gold buckle belt over her standard mini dress that made her look like a marching band drummer girl, but neither could compete with Serena.

Now, I’m no fashion expert, so don’t misunderstand when I say: the trenchcoat is back. Yup, last time Williams turned out in the mac, it was brilliant sunshine. This time, the All England Club have installed a roof to make sure at least a few of the players don’t get sopping wet this year. Again, an inspired choice.

Perhaps a dig at the tournament organisers’ decision to put her on the lowly Court No.1?

Looking bleak for Blake again

“I should have been completely ready, I felt completely ready. I have been doing all the training, all the conditioning…”

You’ve got to feel for James Blake. A finalist a Queen’s just over a week ago, and now kicking his heels until his doubles match with Mardy Fish after an ignominious first-round exit to Andreas Seppi in straight sets.

Listening to him afterwards, he is starting to talk like a man who knows his chance has passed him by, looking at the twilight of a career that never really had it’s day in the sun. And as lucky as they all are, the realisation that your time has passed must be a galling drain on the enthusiasm of any tennis player.

“Every one of us is going to wish they were the one holding up the trophy. Every week that is tough to deal with. It’s part of our job.

“There a million perks to our jobs, but there’s a few downsides. Losing is definitely one of them,”

Mishhhhhhhhhhhhelle silences the critics

While the world waxes lyrical about Laura Robson’s plucky defeat at the hands of 26-year-old veteran Daniela Hantuchova, spare a thought for another teenage sensation who also played yesterday.

Michelle Larcher de Brito, just a year older than Robson, also played in the first round of the min event yesterday – and won – but the real story, apparently, was her scream-free performance out on Court 17.

The Portuguese starlet is better known for her grunting than her groundstrokes, and was booed out of the French Open just a month ago. But yesterday she remained virtually silent – and still beat Klara Zakopalova.

Had the All England Club’s powers that be got to de Brito? “No – I just went out there. Nobody told me anything,” she said afterwards. “I don’t think it’s necessary for anybody to tell me anything because it’s part of my game. It’s something I do.”

She just hadn’t needed to yesterday, she told reporters – but it’s not going to go away. “I started grunting so long ago that I don’t even remember when I started,” she added. “It’s something I’ve always done, and I guess I’m going to keep doing it. It’s part of my game, and I don’t want to change it.”

So don’t unpack those ear plugs just yet…
Wimbledon diary: Foursome face the media
- Sat 20 Jun '09
Pre-tourney press day at SW19 as Muzza, Fed’s, Serena and MaSha face the media with 48 hours to go until showtime.

With Rafa’s press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Championships held at 7pm on Friday night, two Rafa admirers who also happen to be the top two men’s seeds were in action on Saturday in the media centre, plus Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Roger Federer was ever the articulate and gracious statesman. Decked out in his trademark RF clothing, he talked about what it was like to be attempting to beat Pete Sampras’ (and Tiger Woods’) records in the majors. He said his mindset in Paris was about winning that tournament, not about equaling them, and with some of the weight off his shoulders following his victory in France he said he’s been practicing hard and feels ready to go.

‘I’m better equipped to win a Grand Slam this year than I was last year’ – Murray

The Swiss said he is disappointed that Rafa had to withdraw. “I love to play him. He’s my main rival… it must have been a difficult decision for him to make,” the world No.2 said. Now, though, it’s all about “the first round and the first point” and “trying to regain my Wimbledon crown. It would be a dream come true”.

Andy Murray arrived at his conference in his new Fred Perry clothing. Muzza looked a bit more disheveled than when we last saw him last Monday for his kit launch though. Maybe he’s still getting used to the collar….

His dress didn’t impair his press conference performance, however. He was quietly confident, refusing to be drawn into a question about what might happen to British tennis if he manages the unimaginable and lifts the Challenge Trophy in two weeks’ time. He trotted out the now much practised line of: “I am better equipped to win a Grand Slam this year than I was last year.”

He also mentioned a couple of times that although he’s chasing his first slam he’ll have to play his best tennis to do it. “Slams don’t come easily… I understand how big a challenge it is.”

He’s hoping that the team around him will be able to stop him getting distracted by the expectation and as a sportsman he recognises that tennis is no different to football and basketball where playing at home brings huge advantages. “You’ve got 15,000 people behind you,” not to mention the many millions of others who will no doubt be cheering him from their sofas.

So to the ladies. Serena arrived wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “STRONG is the new beautiful”, clutching a rather glitzy bag and was in a bit of a pesky mood.

The last time I sat in this press centre was after the Centre Court Celebration when Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi eulogised about what a great asset the new roof will be.

So I wanted to know what she made of the roof on Centre Court but she was coy as ever, saying she only ever went to Centre when her match was scheduled.

So the questions got a bit more ridiculous and she did discuss her prolific Tweeting, rapped off a quick analysis of her sister’s game (amazing serve, and amazing return and she’s really fast, not to mention her long arms) whereas Serena thinks her game is more gritty and, of course, being shorter than her sibling she doesn’t have the same reach, but she reckoned they make a great doubles team.

Like the guys, however, she was sad that Rafa withdrew, as she’s also a great fan. So with the questions answered and her pronouncement that “sex sells” in response to a question about her views on former player Michael Stich’s comments that the women overplay their sex appeal, the number two seed trotted off in her skin-tight, three-quarter-length white trousers.

MaSha was pretty focused. She didn’t want to talk about Stich’s comments about some of the issues he sees in the women’s game. She wanted to talk about her tennis and her “job”. After a long lay-off with that shoulder injury, she’s counting her blessings being here this year.

Interesting that she didn’t know how the seedings worked here, as she was the main beneficiary of the Wimbledon formula of taking into account grass-court performance as well as current ranking. So she’s seeded 24, despite her world ranking of 59.

MaSha looked workmanlike in her baseball hat and black Nike hoodie, but it’s easy to see how much the women’s game needs her with her articulate no nonsense assessment of the game.

Such a shame about Rafa, but with all the talking nearly over and plenty of stories waiting to unfold, the 123rd Championships we’re sure will deliver another fortnight of memorable tennis.
Tour diary: More man than machine
- Sat 20 Jun '09
Hoping against hope, tennishead witnessed Rafa’s last-gasp effort to prove his fitness at the Fortis Bank Tennis Classic

On the north bank of the Thames, the sun broke through the rolling clouds above the postcard-perfect Hurlingham Club on Friday.

With the Pimm’s and champagne flowing in the hospitality suite, Pat Cash gassed with Henri Leconte about the modern grass court and why Federer should be serving and volleying next week, ‘for the good of the game’.

But Federer was the last man on anyone’s mind in Fulham yesterday. The man of the hour, the man approaching zero hour over what he’d later call “one of the toughest decisions” of his life, Rafael Nadal stepped out onto the plush green show court after Stanislas Wawrinka in front of the small but packed stadium crowd for one last shot.

On his return to competitive action at theFortis Bank Classic Exhibition event on Thursday, Nadal had lost to Lleyton Hewitt with a performance that had alarmed the majority of those wishing to convince themselves that, after three weeks of rehab on his troublesome knees, he was fit again.

Ring rustiness they could account for, but the Spaniard’s clear discomfort as he moved around the court a step or two slower than he can was anything but a statement of intent for Wimbledon. Yet here he was again just a day later, playing his last fixture ahead of the Championships, hoping – as the majority of the present crowd were – that 24 hours would make all the difference.

The theories among the stands covered the full spectrum of possibility. He failed to register a point on Wawrinka’s serve in the first game – there’s no way he’ll be at Wimbledon! He then held serve to 15 – of course he’ll be there! Every flex and grimace, every bludgeoned drive and fluffed drop-shot, every glance to Toni and Benito in the courtside player’s box – everything was a sign.

The crowd were so intent on pseudo-analysing the world No.1 that the match became an afterthought, with only a handful of cat-calls and shouts of support for both Nadal and Wawrinka coming from the stands.

Credit must go to the Swiss No.2, who won the event with victory against the Spaniard, but he must have known that all eyes were on his opponent. Wawrinka played a steady game, serving well and doing his best to test Nadal’s range of movement, keeping the ball low and injecting power into the rallies on occasion, and it proved enough to recover from a set down against beleaguered world No.1.

Like the crowd, Nadal was subdued. There were flurries of hope, the odd grunt coupled with a drive, and even thoughts of a new approach when he heeded Cash’s advice and looked to reach the net more often than we have seen before. He managed to serve out the first set unbroken after Wawrinka sacrificed his own serve in game 5 with two poor forehands back to back, and broke early in the second. But when the Swiss broke back he also stepped up a gear, limiting the Spaniard to just one more break point in the match.

Under a little bit more pressure, Nadal looked a little more at home. His defence is built to deal with pace, and his backhand slice in particular turned the tables on Wawrinka time and again. But the most telling moment of the match came in the ensuing tie-break.

After saving set point at 6-5 on the Wawrinka serve with a sublime forehand return down the line, Nadal was two points from the match and very much in the rally at 6-6, when he sliced a backhand lob above Wawrinka and rushed the net. Wawrinka recovered, swivelled and hit a looping cross-court forehand that Nadal left.

The ball landed at the junction of baseline and tramline. Nadal looked round in amazement, his shoulders dropped, and afforded himself a smile.

It was then that we should have known the game was up. What the Spaniard has achieved in the past year has been nothing short of sensational – winning three of the four Grand Slams, Olympic gold, and overhauling Roger Federer in the rankings to reach the top of the men’s game.

But his demeanour on court has been gradually more and more fraught in recent months. The man-machine of 2008 set himself the most demanding of schedules, playing virtually every available Tour match, week on week. When he pulled out of the Masters Cup in November, it was clear that the regime had taken its toll.

The astonishing Australian Open title betrayed this truth, but only temporarily. Titles in Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome followed, but the pack were closing in. Federer beating him on the clay of Madrid, and Soderling dumped him out of the French Open. Both were inevitabilities for a man trying to negotiate his game and his physique, balancing performance against pain.

The smile was undoubtedly a flash of relief. The relief of recognising that the world will not stop spinning if he doesn’t play the game. The relief of a man who probably accepted before he stepped on the court on Friday that Wimbledon was beyond him. The relief that soon he can do what it seemed he’d never need to, and rest.

In the pressroom after Wawrinka had sewn up the match tie-break 10-3, the consensus agreed that if he wanted to, Nadal could turn out at Wimbledon – but winning was out of the question. Many players in his situation would not even have played such an exhibition event, simply accepting matters and going home. It is of great credit to him that he gave himself his best shot of playing next week. But it was not enough.

Nadal’s spokesman emerged from the doorway, but the Spaniard was not with him. The press conference, he told reporters, had been moved to later that evening at the All England Club. We had all hoped, against hope, that Rafa would make it, but the message was clear. From that moment, the obituaries were being written.