Interview with James Blake

TennisConnected’s featured columnist Rob York recently had a chance to interview American James Blake.

Struggling with a knee injury throughout the season, Blake has enjoyed a successful career that took him to the No. 4 ranking in the world.

Discussing his newly designed Fila line, while looking forward to being honored on the first night of the US Open, Blake’s positive outlook on the remainder of his career is a must read.

For the full Bleacher Report interview, click the link below.

James Blake interview.

Local Hopes, O2 Intake, and No Bull for Chardy

Rogers Cup—Toronto, Canada

We’re almost at the halfway mark of this year’s Rogers Cup, and all appears well on the draw sheet, and from a fans’ perspective. However, I’d bet the Corona hat that I was given yesterday that the level of play of some of the major seeds hasn’t been up to their standards.

I started off my day by watching the last Canadian in the field, Peter Polansky lose in straight sets to Victor Hansecu. Although the match went a close 6-4, 7-6 (4), I found myself asking the same question of Polansky that I did three years ago: Will his backhand groundstroke, and more importantly his backhand return ever gain the margin and penetration that it needs in order to become a top-flight shot?

Polansky is a tremendous athlete, and has beefed up his serve considerably since last summer. Able to drop 120 MPH serves at ease, Polansky has also altered his serve variety to include more slice and kick serves. Unfortunately for Polansky, his backhand does remain a noticeable weakness, and I’m sure that the Tour boys have figured that out by now.

Here’s hoping that Polansky can turn the corner on his career, because he’d be a great ambassador for the Canadian game.

The day really kicked into gear with the arrival of Novak Djokovic. The former champ was in suspect form throughout his straight set win over Julien Benneteau, requesting the trainer on numerous occasions, while suffering from breathing issues. Djokovic’s battle with heat and allergy ailments is by no means a new story. The Serb has encountered, and lost the battle to heat-related problems during some pretty big matches, and he almost found himself out of the first-round of a Masters event for the second time this season.

Djokvovic’s serve was also underwater for most of the contest. He dropped serve on four occasions, but was lucky enough to break serve six times. To be honest, I’m really not confident that Djokovic would have won, or even finished a third-set if it had taken place. I like Djokovic’s game, and I’m in noway claiming that he isn’t sincere when he’s struggling, but it certainly is starting to become a regular occurrence which he could soon do without.

“It was a big struggle. It was obvious that on the court I wasn’t feeling the best, but I overcomed it. It was nothing unusual, just little heat issues that I have, but, you know, the life goes on. I won another match, and usually when you win the tough first round like this, second round, actually, my first match in this tournament, now I get more confidence and hopefully I can be ready for the next challenge.”

I’m not sure if we can call them “little heat issues” for much longer, but it won’t be getting any cooler in Toronto as the week goes on, and that certainly will not bode well for the No. 2 seed.

Moving along through the chaotic bliss that is the grounds of a Masters event, I was fortunate to witness the finishing touches on the Alexandr Dolgopolov vs. Mikhail Youzhny dogfight, before venturing off to catch David Nalbandian obliterate Tommy Robredo.

Dolgopolov, who overcame a disgruntled Philipp Petzschner yesterday, poured in another up-and-coming performance against the Russian veteran. Trailing by a set and 4-1, Dolgopolov roared back to capture the second set, while squeaking out a momentum shifting final set.

Using a superb blend of drop-shots and slice backhands, Dolgopolov is beginning to showcase his mettle—which was once questioned—against formidable opponents.

The 21-year-old will next face Tomas Berdych.

What can be said about David Nalbandian, that hasn’t already been put on pen and paper?

Although the Argentine has been on the DL for the better part of a year, he never really left the conversation, or the minds of the game’s elite. Winning his 10th match in a row against his Spanish foe, Nalbandian’s footwork, forehand, and most importantly his fitness, were all in top gear. The former world No. 3 will next face Gael Monfils in an intriguing third-round match up.

After chowing down on an overcooked hamburger, I decided to check out how Fernando Verdasco was coming along.

I’ve had high hopes for Verdasco during the current hard-court swing, considering that he sustained a relatively poor grass-season. Facing another promising star in Jeremy Chardy, Verdasco was forced to withstand an hour plus first set to edge in front. Displaying his renowned forehand and artistry for the intimate Grandstand crowd, Verdasco quickly gained an early break lead over the Frenchman to lead 1-0 in the second set.

Holding onto his lead until the doorsteps of victory at 5-4 in the second set, Verdasco never really seemed to settle into the match, even though he was ahead. Looking over at his father and coach Darren Cahill on numerous occasions, Verdasco broke a racket over his foot, while letting out a record amount of F-bombs. I’ve never seen Verdasco need his box of supporters more than he did today, but after he lost the second set—a set which he never should have lost—the wheels, and his constant stares to his box subsided.

To Chardy’s credit, the struggling Frenchman continued his strong breathing—doesn’t it seem that the French players have the deepest breathing habits from any Nation?—while blasting his multi-faceted forehand into the corners of the court.

Finding himself a few points from victory, Chardy’s green and lime shoes caught my attention. Tightly wound around his narrow and long feet, Chardy’s shoe of choice dawned the famous Rafael Nadal “bull” symbol.

Playing nothing like the current top dog of tennis, Chardy was undoubtedly looking for any means necessary to dig out of his under .500 season.

The 23-year-old Frenchman will need his dancing shoes and then some, when he next faces Nikolay Davydenko for a place in the quarterfinals.

With no rest for the weary, I’m off to catch Nadal light up the Rexall Center.

Talk soon.

Nima

Player of the Month for July 2010: Mardy Fish

Becoming a consummate professional can never hurt any player’s chances of achieving tour success.

You eat right, sleep early, do your crunches, and good things are bound to happen.

Early on during the career of Minnesota born Mardy Fish, the sacred scriptures of how to become a world-class player didn’t really apply. He’d party ’till dawn, eat a juicy cheeseburger, and become more consumed with adding to his lavish jean collection than improving on his split step at the net.

The American would reach a final here, upset Roger Federer there, but then just as quickly slip back into journeyman obscurity. If Fish was consistent in any facet of his game prior to the 2010 season, it was missing a forehand wide, and taking his talents for granted. But with the declining age of 29 fast approaching, Fish finally decided to put aside his bad habits and become serious about his future.

Losing a hefting 30lbs from his frame, Fish engulfed himself in a disciplined diet that would allow for better court movement. Already holding the easy power in his serve motion, Fish can now glide around the court and hit his weaker forehand with more depth. While power remains the most devastating weapon in the modern game, speed, and agility will always allow for championships to be won.

Beginning his season with a few semifinal finishes, Fish’s year (and hard-work) began to payoff at the Queen’s Club event in London. Reaching the finals of the premier Wimbledon tune up tournament, Fish would lose to countryman Sam Querrey, but take away the knowledge that his fitness regime had almost peaked.

Losing early at The Big W, Fish would keep his baseball cap on tight, while continuing to plug away at future glory. The days of feeling sorry for himself and not being able to back up a good set, or a good win were a thing of the past. It was time to get back to work.

Winning his sixth career title on the grass of Newport, Fish remained in sharp form heading into the first week of the US Open Series. Entering the inaugural Atlanta event as the No. 6th seed, Fish didn’t lose a set in reaching the finals, which included a defeat of top ranked Andy Roddick in the semifinals. Winning only his second match against Roddick lifetime, Fish moved onto this third final in his past four events, and would next face giant serving countryman John Isner.

Defeating Isner in three thrilling sets, Fish was forced to deal with the oppressive on-court temperatures, while deflecting the seemingly impossible serves of his opponent. Overcoming the elements and an inspired opponent, Fish gutted out a third set tiebreak win for his seventh career title.

Admitting after his victory that he would have never won the contest with his previous build, Fish had this to say during his post-match presser.

“This is as top as I’ve ever been,” said Fish. “I’ve never won two tournaments in one year, I’ve never won two tournaments in a row, and on the ATP [World] Tour, I’ve never won 10 matches in a row. It’s probably as good as it’s been. ”

Making the veteran decision to skip the LA Open last week in order to regroup, Fish will take his confidence and new found durability into this week’s Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C.

Seeded No. 15 in Washington, Fish will have to contend with a tough quarter which will include: Querrey, Llyeton Hewitt, and Marin Cilic.

The stakes will be higher in D.C. considering the point value of the event and the players that will be present. However, winning 10 straight matches on tour is never a fact that any opponent is willing to overlook, and Fish will certainly enter Washington with a definite mental edge.

There’s no question that winning in Washington, or the forthcoming events in Toronto or Cincinnati will be far more difficult that his two previous titles. But if Fish has learned anything in the past year it’s that everyday brings forth a different set variables that no one can control. With his fitness in the palm of his hand, and the knowledge of not becoming fatigued a certainty, his potent game can take flight with continued ease.

It’s never easy to put aside a night of partying, or the greasy delight of an oily cheeseburger. But as Fish has learned with his past experiences, the true mark of living up to one’s potential is the diligent and unglamorous work that is achieved behind the scenes, when the cameras are turned off.

The road to the US Open will take over the tennis radar for the next six weeks. What Mardy Fish can hope for at this point—what he can now trust in more than anything else—is the confidence that he’s done all that he can do in order to succeed.

A Few Words For Montanes

He may not have the physique of Rafael Nadal, or the sex appeal of Fernando Verdasco, but Spaniard Albert Montanes continues to turn heads on the ATP World Tour.

Capturing his second title of the season on Sunday, the 29-year-old from Barcelona proved that his success on the second tier of the circuit was no fluke.

Defeating Roger Federer in Estoril earlier this year for his fourth career title, Montanes benefited from an ankle injury to Gael Monfils in Stuttgart over the weekend for his fifth career title.  Using his deceptively powerful one-handed backhand, Montanes’ off the apex hit serve is always difficult to read.

In a day and age where Tour success in Spain has hit legendary proportions, Montanes has proved that just because he’s entering the twilight of his career, there’s no reason to slow down.

Picking up 80 percent of his Tour hardware after the age of 28, Montanes’ fit and efficient game has taken him to a career high rank of No. 24 this week. Reaching the third-round of every Major thus far in 2010, Montanes may not push for his maiden Grand Slam title anytime soon, but he’s certainly one to watch when the draws are released.

There’s always been an endearing quality about players who enjoy maximizing their talents. It’s not so much about winning Wimbledon or topping the rankings as the longest standing No. 1—it’s more about the experience of respecting their profession and understanding that their day job is to travel and rip a forehand.

With all of the hoop la that’s surrounded the Dennis Rodmans and Cristiano Ronaldos of the world, Montanes has upheld and surpassed what a role model in sports should be: A hard-working, dedicated athlete who wakes up every morning with the sole purpose of improving.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Montanes looks forward to tournaments such as Estoril, Umag, and Bucharest. The fields are usually not top heavy, and Montanes can let his shots fly with a greater degree of confidence. It’s not that Montanes doesn’t want to be challenged by the towering fields in New York or Australia—more than anything, the Barcelona native has accepted that his time to shine will likely come at 250 point events.

That to me is a wonderful quality for a Tour player to have. Let’s be honest here, how many players who are slogging it out in the Futures and Challengers events wouldn’t sign up for a chance to hold a top 25 ranking, and two Tour titles on the year?

You probably wouldn’t have Nadal or Novak Djokovic stand in that line, but there’s no doubt that the Taylor Dents and Janko Tipsarevics on Tour would be more than adamant on filling that position.

Saluting Montanes for his efforts, it’s once again a pleasure to witness a player who is not looking for billboard status, but merely to enjoy the wonderful experience of traveling the globe and telling a ball person that he needs a towel.

There may only be one Rafael Nadal, but the sport in general would greatly benefit with more Albert Montanes’ around.

Davis Cup Day 2 Review: France Dismisses Defending Champ Spain

The powerful French Davis Cup team led by Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau gave their squad an insurmountable 3-0 advantage over Spain on Saturday.

Advancing to the semifinals after a dismissing Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 7-6(5), the French duo needed three hours and five minutes to record their first victory over Spain since 1923.

Serving immaculately throughout their four set victory, Llodra and Benneteau never lost their serve, while breaking their opponents on two of three occasions.

Llodra, who defeated Verdasco in four sets on Friday, used his booming left-handed serve to dominate proceedings.

Winning the Davis Cup on nine previous occasions, France will next face the winner of Russia or Argentina.

The Argentine squad captured a crucial doubles point over Russia to lead the tie 2-1 after Horacio Zeballos and Eduardo Schwank defeated Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Kunitysn 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1.

Davydenko, who was late replacement for Teimuraz Gabashvili, also lost his singles contest against David Nalbandian on Friday.

Breaking serve six times, Zeballos and Schwank struck 11 aces and won 76 percent of their first serve points.

Zeballos, who has become an integral part of Argentine tennis, was pleased with his partner’s performance.

“We are really happy as this was a very important point for Argentina. I am really good friends with Schwank and we were confident as we are both good doubles players and had played together in the Pan American games where we won,” said Zeballos.

Sunday’s reverse singles will feature:

Davydenko vs. Leonardo Mayer, and Mikhail Youzhny vs. Nalbandian.

Elsewhere, Serbia took a 2-1 lead over Croatia when Janko Tipseravic and Nenad Zimonjic defeated Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Serbia will advance to their first ever Davis Cup semifinal if Novak Djokovic dismisses Cilic during Sunday’s reverse singles. If Cilic prevails over the world No. 2, then Ivan Ljubicic and Viktor Troicki will battle for the fifth and final rubber.

The final tie between the Czech Republic and Chile is currently in control by the Czechs. Leading 2-0 in the weekend’s tie, the Czech Republic will advance to a meeting with either Serbia or Croatia if they’re victorious.

The team of Lukas Dlouhy and Jak Hajek currently leads Jorge Aguilar and Nicolas Massu by two sets.

For final results from today’s action, click the live scores section.

Player of the Month for June 2010: Rafael Nadal

It’s beginning to resemble a broken record when player of the month honors are being thrown around.

Since the start of the clay season, which was highlighted by his ominous form throughout Monte Carlo and Rome, Rafael Nadal has been on an unprecedented roll. He cleaned house on the dirt this year, Nadal didn’t lose a single set en route to taking home his fifth Roland Garros title. With four titles to his credit heading into Wimbledon, Nadal proved that his guile on the softer courts of the circuit was ever present.

Nadal survived two titanic struggles against Robin Haase and Philipp Petzschner earlier in the event. Nadal later defeated dangerous Swede Robin Soderling in the quarterfinals, and then hometown favorite Andy Murray in the semifinals.

Having been dealt a difficult draw in the early rounds, Nadal ousted Tomas Berdych in the championship round.

Casting aside earlier doubts that his knees would not make it through the fortnight, Nadal ended his fantastic trip to London with an updated forward somersault to celebrate his latest victory. Let’s be honest here: The Bjorn Borg backwards knee bend was getting a little old, no?

Nevertheless, Nadal’s post-match gestures weren’t the only attribute to chronicle throughout the fortnight. Capturing his eighth Grand Slam at the age of 24, Nadal currently stands with two more Major titles than Roger Federer did at the same age.

Nadal also improved to 47-5 on the year (that’s a 90.3 percent winning mark for those of you counting), while taking home his fifth title.

Although there wasn’t any ground-breaking additions to the Spaniard’s game throughout the event—that in turn wasn’t necessarily a bad sign.

Nadal is beginning to—or is he already there?—reach a stage in his career where he is completely in tune with what he needs to accomplish at every stage of a tournament.

After fighting past Haase and Petzschner, Nadal was forced to dip into his defensive foundation and claw back from a 5-0 first set deficit against Soderling. Advancing in four sets over the Swede, Nadal displayed his ability to spit back the penetrating shots of his opponent while mounting his court positioning closer to the baseline.

Nadal’s straight set win over Murray was perhaps his most impressive win of his title campaign. Murray, who had lost only one set in reaching the semifinals, was matched in the craft department by Nadal. He would as a result, fall victim to the Spaniard’s ever-improving net game. Holding his only set point of the match at 6-5 in the second set tiebreak, Murray’s valiant backhand pass down-the-line was met by a drop-shot volley winner by Nadal.

Murray to my mind is perhaps one of the best thinkers on the circuit. However, if Murray is the best thinker, then Nadal is at the very least the best at executing his game-plan.

Not succumbing to the desperate cheer’s of the British crowd, Nadal picked up on Murray’s forehand cross-court earlier, and exploited the shot for a greater part of the contest.

Trading in the length of shot that he used against Murray for short angled spins shots against Berdych, Nadal further exemplified that every opponent does in fact warrant a different strategy.

Not losing his serve against Berdych throughout the match, Nadal’s constant barrage of low hit passing shots allowed for a hand-full of timely second hit opportunities.

Using Berdych’s height to his disadvantage, Nadal breezed through his second career Euro Slam.

With his next goal being a potential US Open title, what will the Spaniard need to succeed?

Having never captured the title at Flushing Meadows, Nadal will likely play the Toronto and Cincinnati events in order to prepare for the final Slam of the season.

Attempting to become the seventh player in history to capture all four Slam titles, Nadal will need his body to hold up, while attempting to survive the fast-paced asphalt.

The courts in New York are without question quicker than the lawns at Wimbledon and the clay of Roland Garros. But if all holds to form, Nadal will be more than ready to complete his career Slam later this summer.

There is no doubt, however, that the passionate Spaniard will be eager to further define his historic career during the year’s final Major.

Roger Federer: The Practice Court Champion

There’s a certain level of conflict provided when watching Roger Federer practice.

For those who have seen him rack up all or most of his 16 Grand Slam titles, the effortless nature which he takes to the practice court just doesn’t add up to his success.

Looking freshly groomed with not a hair out of place when he strolls towards the back courts of whichever locale he’s visiting, Federer’s practice time would lead many who have never been to a tennis event to question: “Just how good is this guy, really?”

Throughout my year’s of covering tennis, I’ve probably witnessed three to four dozen of Federer’s practice sessions at about 10 to 12 different tournaments. And with each passing month, with each passing year, the routine has remained the same.

Federer will usually walk onto court—which was previously occupied by another player(s)—provide a subtle nod or say hello, and then sit down. Waiting patiently as if he’s got all the time in the world, Federer will slowly bend over and pick up his racket of choice.

Keeping his track jacket on as he approaches the net, Federer approves of his string tension by gently thumping his palm off of his string bed, while engaging in a wide grin conversation with whoever stands on the other side of the net.

After shaking out his legs and raising his racket over his head to stretch out his shoulders, Federer will typically glance up at the sky and pick which side he will begin his warm up.

Starting off his first rally with a sliced hit feed, Federer’s intensity and footwork continue to remain in a very casual sequence for the duration of his session.

Unlike his chief rival Rafael Nadal, Federer’s movement and outlook towards his practice time revolves more around developing a feel for his shots, and not overexerting his body.

Where Nadal grinds, grunts, and full on attacks every shot when he’s practicing, Federer will glide, caress, and more often than not let a ball that is out of reach sail by.

I’ve always been amazed at how Federer can transition from his easy going “hit,” to his eclectic presence in match play.

The Swiss star will enter Center Court with no sense of urgency, before he tightens his headband, adjusts his wristband, and makes sure that his weapon of choice is ready for battle.

I guess the ability to know when to step it up is an elite commonality that only the game’s best players share. I remember reading an excerpt from Brad Gilbert’s book titled Winning Ugly, suggesting that what made Pete Sampras such a dominant force was his elite ball-striking ability. There was really no need to implement a game plan for Sampras, and subsequently very little in the way of providing an answer to combating his genius. Gilbert commented that the outcome of Sampras’ matches rested on his shoulders, and that his experience had taught him how to address various situations.

Federer in many ways is cut from the same cloth as Sampras, while taking his modern strokes to another level.

We’ve all heard many great players claim that when they’ve played at their highest levels that they’ve been in “auto-pilate” mode.

I’ve sensed that from watching Federer on numerous occasions that irrespective of his wins or losses, his ability to cruise through the point-by-point flow of a match has always remained in place.

Federer certainly believes in his strengths and the surfaces that he’s gathered his greatest victories.

I must confess that I enjoy watching players who wear their emotions on their sleeves, and show us constantly that their rewards have been hard earned. But I must admit that there’s something special about watching Federer go about his daily routine (especially on the practice court) that holds a timeless quality.

The precision that Federer has been able to consistently place his shots time and time again within the singles sideline has never provided anything short of a disbelief look from the crowd, or a subsequent dismal sigh of anguish from his opponent.

Federer may once in a while provide a “c’mon” or an “allez” to spur on his charge, but his practice court mentality will always stand as the cornerstone of his match time dominance.

The best players have always designed their own set of routines that have matched their successful careers, but not too many of the greats have been as relaxed on the practice court as Federer.

I certainly hope that the trend of Federer’s practice court regime doesn’t trickle down to the future great’s of the sport, but there’s no question that the easy going resolve of the Swiss has resulted in his historic on court brilliance.

Rafael Nadal: Player of the Month for May 2010

It almost seemed unfathomable that Rafael Nadal’s record on the slippery surface in Europe could improve.

Coming into this year’s clay season, the workaholic Spaniard had already won four Roland Garros titles, and 10 Masters 1000 crowns on the dirt. His disposition to dominate yet another clay season remained ever important, considering the down turn that his career had taken over the past year.

Flying into Monte Carlo after a close semifinal loss to Andy Roddick in Miami, Nadal’s love affair with Monaco remained intact with a ridiculously low number of just 13 games lost throughout the event. Hoisting the hardware in the Principality for a record sixth time, Nadal became the only player to ever win a Tour title six year’s running. Defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero, David Ferrer, and Fernando Verdasco en-route, Nadal had firmly placed himself in pole position to prevail in Paris in five week’s time.

Aided by the redesigning of his schedule in order to preserve the health of his knees, Nadal’s decision to skip the Barcelona event would pay dividends in Roma.

Facing the toughest challenge of his clay romp in the semifinals against Ernests Gulbis, Nadal would later christen the new Roma Arena with his fifth title.

Playing at a slightly more human level in Italy then he did in Monte Carlo, Nadal’s slump was clearly over, and a record tying 17th Masters 1000 title had become a reality.

Taking another week off before preparing himself for the altitude in Madrid, Nadal’s toughest clay challenge of the season would be met with increased optimism. Losing last year’s final to an aggressive and full tilt Roger Federer, Nadal began his Madrid march rather tame, before increasing his will towards the tail-end of the event.

Nadal would lose his second set of the clay season to Nicolas Almagro in the semifinals; a match that was played under patience and caution by the higher ranked Spaniard. Almagro’s weight of shot and upper body strength were more than good enough to capture the first set, but Nadal’s consistency and indefatigable ability to spit back the seemingly impossible from his opponent, would land him in his second straight final.

Setting up a decadent championship match with his chief rival of the past decade, Nadal’s long-time game plan against Federer was engaged early.

Centering in on the one-hand backhand of the Swiss, Nadal would win more second serve points than Federer, while capturing one more break of serve at four to three.

Nadal’s straight set victory over Federer would not only solidify his place as the Masters 1000 leader with 18 titles, but it also doubled his career head-to-head lead of the Grand Slam leader to 14 to seven.

Wiping the slate clean with three straight titles, Nadal would erupt on the draw at Roland Garros like the volcanic ash that had hindered Europe throughout the spring.

Encountering some testy moments against Thomaz Bellucci, Almagro, and Jurgen Melzer along the way, Nadal’s moments of vulnerability were dealt with the composure and the experience of previous glory.

Playing with less margin at this year’s French Open compared to previous appearances, Nadal’s new-found, joint-saving game style would allow him to not face a set point throughout the fortnight.

Having 43 break points to defend throughout the event, Nadal would lose his serve a mere 11 times. Of those 43 break points that Nadal faced, the eight that he saved against his finals opponent Robin Soderling, were perhaps his most impressive.

Tangled in numerous Center Court rallies with the man who defeated him last year, Nadal deflated the high-rise hitting Swede in straight sets.

Deflecting the velocity of Soderling was never an easy task, considering his increased confidence which was found after defeating Federer in the quarterfinals.

But to Nadal’s credit, and his ability to save his best for when he needed it the most, the Mallorcan once again proved that his reign in Paris will be difficult to end.

Embracing his towel after his victory in order to shield his tears of self reflection, Nadal’s year of anguish and despair had finally been put to rest. Nadal’s rare display of emotion was perhaps my fondest memory of his 22-straight wins during the clay season. His ability to release the tension that had been built up from his personal struggles will allow him to play with ease and satisfaction for the remainder of the season.

I must be careful when using the word “satisfaction” to depict the nature of the Spaniard. Nadal has always been his own worse critic, and there’s no doubt that he will be looking for even more success throughout the year.

I’ll leave you with a quote from former Wimbledon champ Pat Cash, who spoke about a 14-year-old Nadal that he faced during an exhibition match in Mallorca.

Cash, never one to refrain from speaking his mind, assessed the future of his shy and explosive opponent after the match by saying: “This kid is going to be bloody good in the future; he has all the tools to succeed.”

I guess it takes one champion to see the potential in another, even though sometimes the forecast becomes stronger than the creator.

Exclusive Q&A With Albert Ramos-Vinolas

Following in the great history of the Spanish armada, 22-year-old Albert Ramos-Vinolas has continued his quick and productive rise towards the world’s top 100.

Improving his ranking 22 spots from the beginning of the season, Ramos-Vinolas currently stands at No. 145 in the world. Defeating the likes of Fernando Gonzalez, Victor Hanescu, Nicolas Lapentti, and Michael Russell this year, the Spanish left-hander has his sights set on becoming a consistent member of the ATP World Tour’s 250, 500, and 1000 point series events.

In the following interview, Ramos-Vinolas discusses what his victory over former top-tenner Gonzalez meant to his career, how he’s benefitted on Tour from being a left-hander, and which Grand Slam he would most like to win.

by: Nima Naderi

1. What type of confidence did you take away from defeating Fernando Gonzalez in Barcelona?

Well, the truth is [that] it was really important for me—especially playing at home—with all the public behind me, my family. It made me understand that I am not that far away from the top players. Now I know I can beat them, and this week I upset another great clay player, Victor Hanescu. I don’t know for example I would have beaten him (Hanescu) without the experience made in Barcelona.

2. What main factor would you say has contributed to your jump of over 300 spots on the ATP World Tour rankings since the start of 2009? Would you attribute your success to more physical or mental improvement?

I guess it is a combination of it all; I did improve a lot physically. I have worked really hard for a longer period of time and I think this is also why I feel a lot stronger and more confident in myself.

3. What extra advantages would you say go along with being a left-hander on Tour? Apart from the spins, and the angles off of your serve, is it safe to say that being a left-hander on Tour allows for greater success?

Yes, I think being a left-hander helps a lot—players are not used to playing against us—I also don’t like to play against left-handers. Of course you don’t win matches because of being left-handed; you have to take advantage from being a left-hander, [and] develop your weapons and get your opponents into trouble.

4. What are your immediate and long term goals on Tour?

Mostly I want improve all the things in my game. [I'm] working hard day by day [and] focusing only on my next match, without thinking of any concrete goals. I want to keep learning, [and] that will make me a better player, [and] the ranking will improve without me noticing.

5. What part of your game would you like to improve the most by year’s end?

I would like to improve my offensive game, my net game, and my serve. This is my next step.

6. Do you readily train with Spanish players, or do you like the experience of training with different types of players from different
countries?

I think that this is one of the things I haven’t been doing well. I have been practicing almost exclusively with Spanish players, and that doesn’t help me develop all the aspects of my game. I need to practice with different kind of players, playing all sorts of styles, coming from different countries.

7. If you could win any title on the circuit, which one would it be and why?

It would be the US Open. I like New York a lot, [and] it would give me immense satisfaction to win a title there.

8. What players did you look up to while you were developing as a junior?

I am lucky because I grew up in a club that formed many great professionals (the tennis Club Mataro). Players that played there included: Tomas Carbonell, David De Miguel, Jurdi Burillo, Julian Alonso, and Juan Ignacio Carrasco. Having them in my club while growing up as a small child made me wish to play this sport. They were a great example for me.

9. What type of changes, if any, would you like to see the ATP World Tour make?

Well, principally I would change the distribution of the money among the players, I believe that inferior (Challenger) players should be able to play at least without losing money.

If you want to travel with a coach, you need to be top 150 in the world, otherwise you will lose money, in a professional sport with so much exposure I think it is crazy.

Everyone knows that the money is generated by the top 20 players; they are the ones filling the stadiums. But you must not forget that they are important people only because of the great amount of players that play this game around the world.

Exclusive Q&A With Igor Kunitsyn

by: Nima Naderi

Reaching a career high rank of No. 35 in the world in August of 2009, Russian Igor Kunitsyn continues to carry the great and successful tradition of Russian tennis into the 2010 season.

Capturing his lone ATP World Tour career title in his native Moscow in 2008, Kunitsyn has also produced competent doubles results throughout his career by reaching three doubles finals.

Holding career wins over former world No. 1 players Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin and Juan Carlos Ferrero, Kunitsyn has also defeated the likes of James Blake and Tommy Haas throughout his 11 year career.

The 28-year-old Russian, who is currently ranked No. 107 in the world, remains diligent on recapturing his top 50 status by the end of the 2010.

Currently coached by Allen Fox, the 5′11″ Kunitsyn discusses his future goals, his thoughts of the Challenger circuit, and his dreams of capturing Grand Slam glory in the following interview.

1. Reaching a career rank of No. 35 in the world in June of 2009, what elements of your game are you currently working on in order to regain that level?

My baseline game has always been good enough to compete with anybody, especially on hard courts, but my serve was never consistent enough. When I started to play big events every week I felt that I needed to improve my serve. So that’s what I am working on the most.

When you reach top 50 you are forced (by ATP rules) to play on all surfaces. I definitely must improve my clay-court game; I need to learn how to create more pace [by] myself. If I [can achieve that] I will succeed [and] it will help me on other surfaces too.

2. How much did winning your first career title in Moscow in 2008 mean to you? Do you feel that you play your best tennis on home-soil?

Winning at home is huge for all players. I was growing up watching that event on tv and now I am one of the champions. It felt amazing winning in front of my family and friends, beating Marat in the final was dream scenario! I think most of the players do better at home and I am not an exemption, I always did well in Russia.

3. Do you find that there is a vast difference between playing on the Challenger Tour as opposed to the ATP World Tour? Are players generally more consistent, or do you find that the competition is quite similar?

The competition on the Challenger Tour is similar to ATP World Tour. Nowadays, all the guys play at a very high level and on a good day anybody can beat anybody.

I think [the] ATP should promote Challengers more, because [the] level of matches is great and it’s very enjoyable for the fans to watch.

4. Capturing a majority of your Tour wins on hard-courts, what variables of your game do you believe translate the best to hard-court surfaces?

I think I can use my quickness, return of serve, and [my] ability to play [my] all-around game much better on hard courts. It just comes naturally to me. Plus I can use my opponents pace very well off the ground.

5. Traveling the Tour year-round, who would you consider your best friends on Tour? Do you prefer to practice or train with any particular players?

I do spend a lot of time with Russian tennis players and [my] Davis cup teammates Igor Andreev, Dmitry Tursunov, MikhailYouzhny, and Nikolay Davydenko. I am also good friends with Ivan Ljubicic (we used to practice together with the same coach, Riccardo Piatti).

6. Growing up in Vladivostok, Russia, what would you deem the greatest challenge you had to deal with while growing up as a junior? Were the training conditions in Russia beneficial to becoming a professional tennis?

Training in Vladivostok was not easy at all. Indoor courts were very limited, so I could not practice as much as [the] other players. At the age of 14 I had to start travelling a lot to Moscow and other places to be able to practice with good players and play tournaments (Vladivostok to Moscow is an eight and a half hour flight!).

So I can tell [you] that growing up there was a big disadvantage for me. I also trained in Italy for a few years when I turned 19.

7. Currently having three players ranked inside the top 100, how would you assess the strength of Russian tennis at the moment? Are you impressed with any top ranked juniors coming up?

I think we still have a very good team. I hope Tursunov will recover soon and Gabashvili and I will come back to [the] top 100. It’s sad that Golubev and Korolev changed their nationalities. We could have been eight [players] in the top 100.

I can’t tell you much about juniors coming up. I have trained with Kuznetsov (he won junior Wimbledon last year), and I am very impressed with his game.

If he stays healthy my guess is that he will have a great future

8. Which players did you look up to as junior, and which players if any did you try and mold your game after?

I never had an idol but I always loved watching Sampras, Agassi and Kafelnikov. I tried to see something I could use for my game.

9. What goals would you like to achieve for the remainder of your career? Is regaining a top 50 ranking the most important goal, or is advancing to the latter stages of a Masters 1000, or Grand Slam event a greater priority?

I think I have a lot to improve if I will succeed at that—results will follow. Whether it’s going to be a Grand Slam breakthrough or winning a few more titles, I will take it all!

10. Finally, if you could disclose one funny locker room story that the ATP fans are not aware of, what would it be?

I am not a good storyteller, you better ask Dmitry Tursunov, he is the best at that.

Next Page »