David Ferrer kicks sand in Richard Gasquet's face

This will be my last Australian Open blog where it gets all sentimental and the like. David Ferrer's performance today is the perfect way to end this particular adventure.

There was some controversy before in the Tomas Berdych vs. Nicolas Almagro match. Berdych refused to shake hands with Almagro after the match and the crowd gave him the booooooooooooooooooooooooooooos, which was deserved in this case.

Personally I don't mind Berdych but he has form for being involved in handshake refusals in fact Safin has done the refusal to both Berdych and Almagro. Why Berdych was in the wrong, it's very simple in any form of tennis when a player is at the net the easiest way to win the point is hit at the body. Reasons are obvious very hard to get a swing at a volley when you're at the net with no room. Not shaking hands is like ban tackling from football, it would take a lot and this was a legit play.



Ferrer vs. Gasquet

David Ferrer the man smokes ( well he has claimed to give them up0, drinks lots of coffee, eats rubbish food and still one of the fittest men on tour, it's not fair.

Today the match was perfect for him, very hot weather where he could use his fitness, strength and relentless will to break down Gasquet who is a strange mix of flashiness and conservatism.

First set was fairly close but could see the pattern developing Ferrer placing his serve well and using his off forehand to get Gasquet on the defensive who decided to take the position of being 10m behind the baseline. Yes, that's the way to play one of the best defensive players on tour.

Once Ferrer took the 1st set, he went up a double break. Through a mix of a loss of concentration and Gasquet deciding to have a go he levels at 4-4. After this Ferrer decided enough of this tripe and wins 8 of the last games to win 6-4 6-4 6-1.

This was comprehensive in so many ways. Ferrer while being smaller was physically fitter, mentally stronger and was playing on the baseline at times stepping inside the court to dictate play.

Gasquet looked dead after the 2nd set. Ferrer has an excellent off forehand but Gasquet for some reason decided not to step in and drive the backhand down the line limiting Ferrer's strength. Sure, he might not have won the match but parking himself 10km behind the baseline on a hot day against Ferrer isn't exactly winning strategy.

He really looked like the kid at the beach who was being toyed with and had sand kicked in his face.

This now brings to the end of the Aus Open, which means there were a lot of people that I was happy to see again, plus the new people I met. Sadly, there were a few I missed for whatever reason, but as long as I am alive then I will be back again.

Shout out to Peta, Rosie, Andrew, my long time mate Sammy, Ariel, Dunko, Kristen, Greken, Santiago, Kavcic, Robert, Johnny, some guys called Marian and Gunther, Peter Luczak honour to follow his career and watch his last match, Miguel Simon, Daniel, Dustin, Lilly, Jack and the people who put up with this rather quirky blog.

Next stop the Burnie Challenger, yes it's not as glamorous but it has its moments. Will try and keep this thing more active during the year, well already reached the 2010 level.

Kohli, Almagro and the festival of slice steal the show Day 5 reports

As there are less singles matches going on and normally the singles guys taking the piss while playing doubles have lost, but there are enough things to keep you amused.

Kohlschreiber vs. Falla

Falla did the tennis world a favour by knocking out that clown Mardy Fish who was on his best behaviour as usual. Falla is a funny one raises his level at Grand Slams but doesn't do much on tour. The guy has the legs of those hams hanging off the hooks.

Kohli is a shotmaker with a moody temperament, when he is on it's fun to watch especially the single hand backhand which was working very well today. Falla had treatment after the 3rd game of the match, but he continued on plus he got treatment for a muscle problem couldn't have been cramps but who knows.

First two sets Kohli was working the angles moving Falla around finishing him off with a backhand winner, volley on one occasion a drive backhand volley at knee high. Falla improved his level in the 3rd set, but it wasn't enough to take the 3rd set. Kohli was in a different class today and this is one time when the rankings didn't lie.


Philipp Kohlschreiber

Funny thing about this match a whole bunch of Aussie bogans went to the court for a match of no interest, then it transpired that the Luczak/Hewitt doubles that they had been waiting for was moved to this court. Andrew and myself wanted out so we could see the other match with Almagro.

Almagro vs. Wawrinka


Nicolas Almagro

Wawrinka really looked like he wanted to be somewhere else, seemed like the shoulder was bothering him or somewhere near that region.

Almagro was playing well hitting some fine backhands and Stani miscued one like Federer at his best. Yes, he still has a better backhand than Federer. Disappointing that he couldn't really show what he is capable of today.

Dolgopolov vs. Tomic

Haha, this match had plenty of comedy with the amount of slices, it was like an episode of Iron Chef with the dicing and probing. It actually makes a change from the usual ballbashing types that are on the ATP, well luckily it's not the WTA which is even worse.

Tomic's improvement can be seen as he was able to solve the riddle previous matches. Dolgopolov at the moment has more ability to increase the power and is faster around the court whereas Tomic's anticipation is so good that it's hard to expose his lack of mobility which is improving along with other facets of the game.

This was an impressive win for Tomic, especially when Dogs Balls blew his chances in the 3rd set. Would rather see Federer and Dogs Balls, that was all Dolgopolov's fault.

Kavcic is still the man, Nalbandian ripped off, Kukushkin saves tennis and Baghdatis explodes

Two for the price of one in the coverage of the 2nd round here, plus some Fabio Fognini antics as well.

Del Potro vs. Kavcic

This was always going to be a tough match for Blaz, but he fought his heart out as usual and tactically can be proud of his performance.


Blaz Kavcic

At the same time he had some chances as well. With the early break he was *3-1 up Ad served a double fault, got broken in that game. Del Potro with the greater weight of shot wasn't really able to dominate too much as Kavcic was using the slice backhand to bring him off the baseline, not as effective off the forehand side when it's down low.

Getting broken at *5-5 40-15 up with serving 2 doubles to deuce was the true killer in the 2nd set and the missed forehand volley at deuce when del Potro tried to serve it out.

Two sets up, it was just a question of when for del Potro, it was an excellent effort from Kavcic this is all anyone can ask when they play irrespective of the result.

The reality is that Kavcic doesn't have the weapons to beat del Potro. The serve lets him down at vital moments, goes back to the point made earlier about technical weaknesses under most pressure in difficult moments. Blaz had to take nearly all the chances and del Potro to be off for him to win this match up.

Blaz had good support and his feistiness is endearing, good for the kids that he signed a lot of stuff after he lost the match. It's not easy for players to do so, usually they're pissed off when they lose so it's understandable they don't want to sign, but always better when they do.


Almagro vs. Dimitrov

Single handed backhand lovers were drooling over this match and they weren't disappointed. It's so obvious to see Dimitrov is the PMF "Poor Mans Federer", one thing he has copied and improved on is the Federer backhand.

Almagro animated as ever was hititng some booming groundies, the head is still massive but has shrunk down in size with the rest of him.

Was down in the front row and can see how well these guys hit the ball, there were some fun moments in the match, an exchange at the net. Somehow Dimitrov ended up with Almagro's racquet, the match was played in great spirit until Grigor ran out of steam in the 5th set due to cramps and El Cabezon took it 6-0.



Almagro and Dimitrov having a chat
Dimitrov was sigining stuff after he lost as well, but what is the Aus Open without Nico Almagro having a 5 setter.

Lacko vs. Young

Just wanted to see DY's antics and he truly is a mummys boy there aren't any other words to describe it.

Lets see you reach top 40 with a USTA coach from outstide the 100, then you sack the guy and hire mummy again. I think that's a good sign of a mummys boy. Young had the diamond earring happening of course with these pimp headphones, even better was one of his entourage. The guy was massive, he probably did his squat training with cows and resistence stuff by pushing down buildings.

Lacko has been the man from qualies and he was just a class above Young in this match, you'd think DY was the qualifier and not Lacko. Young wasn't able to open up the court enough and Lacko dominated from the baseline.

Got to say DY can moan very well, he missed an easy volley "stop doing that Donald", he thinks he's the Rock talking to himself in the 3rd person with less catchphrases. Mamma trying to help out Young, but he wasn't able to execute it was more Lacko losing concentration in the 3rd.

It was fun cheering for Lacko, while sitting behind the Young camp all part of the fun.

Karlovic vs Berlocq


Carlos Berlocq

Berlocq is mullet and proud, but he deserved to take a set against Karlovic. Big Ivo is never going to be Usain Bolt across the court, but he was able to keep the rallies fairly short which was to his advantage, approaching the net with the short slices on the backhand side and making it too difficult for Berlocq to pass regularly.

Funny stuff Karlo's crew were cheering fairly loudly but not in between point and Berlocq wasn't too thrilled with them, so they had some wods. All good stuff it's about crowd entertainment and they got it.

Isner vs. Nalbandian: Nalle should never have lost this match and as for the umpiring call that cost Nalbandian match. Yes, he should have challenged in a quicker time, but what classifies as in a timely manner? The fact there shouldn't be an overrule unless there is a clear mistake which this wasn't and the time at the match as well, which would have given him the break.

Normally Kader Naouni is one of the better umpires out there, but this will be a huge blight on his career.

Worst part is that Nalbandian has been fined $8000 for being right and nothing has happened to Kader.



Dolgopolov vs. Kamke:

Disappointed I didn't get to see the whole of this match initially, but was able to watch it later and was very impressed with Kamke's performance. He was hitting big throughout the whole match making it very difficult for Dolgopolov.

In the second and third sets Dogs Balls was showing all his mercurial talent and only lost 2 games, that was a brilliant level which was hard to sustain. Kamke was playing top 30 tennis in this match, it's a shame he can't quite get to that level consistently.

Chela vs. Andujar

Went to this match, some would question this choice then again sometimes it’s easier to get a seat there, plus with Chela we know the matches aren’t going to be short.

This match itself played out as to be expected. Chubby Chela playing 2 metres behind the baseline hitting the ball deep to the corners. Whereas Andujar was the more aggressive attempting to hit backhand down the line to expose Chela and move to the net to finish the points off.

Tight first set but Chela was too solid he just doesn't make mistakes and forces the opponents to hit through him which isn't easy on a slow hardcourt. Took a break went to get my free sausages and beer, came back towards the end of the 2nd set. Andujar took an early break, but Chela got tough and broke straight back.

Same in the 3rd set Andujar was pressing trying to create the play and Chela was machine like and wore Andujar down. Chela really is tougher than $2 steak.


Gil vs. Granollers

Of course I have to find out that Granollers had a blister the size of an adult thumb on his big toe after the match, it does explain a bit as to why Marcel wasn't moving so well. Though blisters are something that are part and parcel of a tennis pro and have to deal with them.

Freddy Gil stepped up his game from the 1st round against Dodig. He was able to move Granollers around the court exposing his movement which wasn't its usual self. When he had the chances to be aggressive he took them well and deserved the win, the first ever Portuguese to make the 3rd round of a Slam.

Kukushkin vs. Troicki

Great result for tennis when Troicki loses, he had the fans behind him. Kukushkin was being patient, working the points before trying to hit the winner which was good when a lot of the time he has been known to ballbash without much thought.

Fabio Fognini just not giving a crap in the doubles, the guy in the 7th game gets a code for ball abuse smacking the ball out of the court what a man he is.

To end this second round blog, we have all felt like this at one point in our lives, perhaps he doesn't like the Technofibre racquets.

Australian Open Main Draw Day 2 reports

Apologies for the late reports, could come up with some real elaborate excuses but won’t, but lack of sleep, heat and beer are part of it.

Bogomolov vs. Gimeno-Traver

It was pretty clear to see that this was Gimeno-Traver’s first match of the season, the classic signs were there. The shanks off both sides, the lack of timing even on his forehand, it didn’t help with the wind as well.

The rise of Bogomolov up into the top 40 has confounded many people, since it has came so late in his career. The potential was always there , just needed a few good results to give him some confidence. He wasn’t missing too much in this match and DGT was the perfect opener for him.

Gimeno-Traver’s backhand was awful to be honest in the 1st set, he was netting so many of them. Finally worked out what the main problems are with it, he doesn’t generate enough racquet head speed and bend the knees sufficiently. The combination of the two results in plenty of netted backhand, naturally when under pressure technical deficiencies are going to be exposed in greater detail, this goes for all players.

Bogomolov was under no threat in this match, but DGT showed some positive signs in the 3rd set. He was able to get that outstanding forehand working, the amount of work from the core and legs unleashing the ferocity of the forehand stands in such contrast to the backhand. He was even slicing the backhand which was working quite well, he didn’t have enough matches in the legs to trouble Bogomolov in this.

As for how DGT will go this season. With his game he shouldn’t be finishing out
side of the top 100, has nothing at all to defend until Madrid. The game is good enough well apart from the backhand, then again with confidence from winning matches, that will improve remarkably.

Gasquet vs. Seppi

Tough draw for the South Tyrolean manbeast here, he has had a few at the Aus Open, at the same time can only beat what’s in front of you. Seppi tends not to be the guy who gets the section of a GS draw that opens up.

First two sets were quite tight, watching Gasquet’s forehand preparation live is one of the better experiences as a tennis fan. It almost has the Florian Mayer wind up, but without the sexiness, something that can’t be taught, they didn’t bother to change it as it worked for him when he was beating up other juniors.

Seppi went down an early break in the 3rd, which was the key set in this one, he was able to get back on serve. As the set developed Gasquet stepped up the level of his play especially with the backhand and Seppi was smothering the forehand big time, once Richie got the 3rd set it was comfortable in the end.

Chela vs. Russell

Never in doubt that this would be a gruelling match and the first set was the definition of a grindfest. 38 degrees with a hot wind, it was 93 minutes of 30 shot rallies corner to corner, this is the reason the unforced error count was high because they were trying to force errors.

Russell had his chances in the 1st set had set points, but that’s the story of his career on main tour against the better opponents besides those massive quads that could smash bowling balls, the lack of a big shot hurts him. It was even more apparent when playing the human backboard Chela, this Chela after one point looks like he is tired and Russell looks like he can go for hours.

Once Russell didn’t convert his chances then Chela did what Chela does, stands 2m behind the baseline grinding to the corners and Russell was becoming more visibly frustrated with the match always looking at the racquet. Once, this is happening it’s a clear lack of focus, like the tradesman who blames the tools instead of looking at his own performance.

One thing with playing Chela the slice backhand landing inside the service line is key to exploiting his forward movement which is poor, whereas the lateral movement is acceptable. Once Chubby Chela lost serve, he just refocused and broke back. It was frustrating for Russell having the chances in the 1st set and not taking them.

Andujar vs. Kunitsyn

Excellent win for Andujar who has improved significantly on outdoor hardcourts. The backhand has progressed on this surface whereas previously it was just a liability waiting to be exploited.

Kunitsyn who is known as "Mr Kremlin Cup" for his tendency to peak at that event. Andujar was outplaying him from the back, then moving forward to put away with the volley. After the 2nd set tiebreaker that Andujar won, Kunitsyn was thinking about the ice bath.

Gil vs. Dodig

Freddy Gil is a small and animated guy who is working with a new coach, not sure what he has done but it seems to be working well at the moment.

Dodig took the 1st set comfortably, then Gil stepped it up on the forehand stepping into the court to dictate play. By being aggressive and using his excellent defensive skills he was able to turn around the match around.

Seems like Dodig was bothered with his back or shoulder, but Gil was out there loving life and the Portuguese fans were very vocal but in a good way. Even funnier after the match some lass is trying to hit on Gil as he was walking back to the locker room.

Troicki vs. Ferrero

Watching a match between two guys you don't like too much provides its own amusement, though Ferrero doesn't annoy me as much as he used to so it was easy to cheer for him. It doesn't help Troicki has the antics but without the humour and some idiotic fans.

Ferrero was excellent in the first 2 sets working Troicki around corner to corner. Troicki stepped up in the 3rd, he was serving better. The Troicki shuffle before serve is amusing but his serve is hard to read with the low ball toss and gyrations before he hits it.

Ferrero couldn't convert 2 matches, the first one saved from an excellent 2nd serve, the other Ferrero was dominant in the rally and mid court forehand which he went for and the net didn't favour him. Troicki then ran away with the 5th set, momentum is a funny thing.

Got to give it to Troicki, he moves and defends very well for a big guy, this got him back into the match.

At the same time Troicki is always bitching, he bitched to the umpire about being heckled in the 5th set, yet most of his Serbian fans were heckiling Ferrero calling him "dirt', walking in or screaming out in between points.

These people know nothing about the sport, but the security here are pretty ordinary, at least the women in the crowd aren't.

Blaž Kavčič is cool, Fabio Fognini is a fool Australian Open Main Draw Reports Day 1

Finally the main event kicked off, the weather was unlike the previous days in other words good, tomorrow there'll be more matches that I want to see.

Kavcic vs. Ward

Blaz got one of the easier qualifiers in Ward who only peaks during the grass season. His odds were very high, the biggest regret was not putting anything on this match, but we all have those.

It was tough conditions with the wind, but Kavcic always had this match in control. Once he was able to make the returns into play, moving the ball around in tough conditions. The 1st set had the classic Kavcic failing to serve out the set, but he was able to break for the set.,

Kavcic settled down didn't make too many errors in the last 2 sets, though at times he was passive on big points. In his own words once I took the 2nd set "I didn't feel he could beat me", and it played out like that. Kavcic was able to return serve easily after they got into the rallies it was Kavcic that used his superior fitness, in addition to working the angles ran out a very comfortable winner.


Falla vs. Fognini

This match was all about the Fog, he was at his peacock strutting best. Even when he was down, he managed to walk around as if he owned the event. He has no confidence issues at all.

Back to the match Falla while not as talented as the Fog when it comes to shotmaking. He was more disciplined with his game, worked the angles to break down Fognini's backhand. There was a good crowd at the match, quite a few Colombians, some supporting the Fog.

Jose Perlas man who coached Costa, Ferrero, Moya and Tipsarevic before working with the Fog, he must be shaking his head as to why he's working with him. Fognini has talent, slapped some huge forehands, but he just doesn't care at best of times. Falla was solid and broke down Fognini's resolve.

There were plenty of antics here, the Fog annoying the ballkids, having a running dialogue with the umpire. "What are you doing in the chair, do you want to go home early tonight or something", when he made an overrule. He threw his racuquet a few times once into the net, another tinme he almost hit a ball kid. He got a code violation and puffed the chest out once he got coded. Plenty of entertainment, at least he can perform at the player party.


Berlocq vs. Huta Galung

Charly Berlocq he has improved a lot on these surfaces, yes he is still average but he is all courage and the mullet rules. Huta Galung was just frustrated by the grunt of Berlocq and also how many balls he got back into court and pretty much broke him down mentally.

Berlocq was very good with the Argentine fans after the match giving them drinks from the on court firdge which was needed on such a hot day. It will be interesting to see how he handles the Karlovic serve in the next round.


Stakhovsky vs. Marchenko

Matches between countrymen can be very difficult and this was the case here. It was a good contrast of styles with Stakhovsky trying to move to the net after working the point, whereas Marchenko was prepared to stay back and dominate through his stronger backhand side. There were some excellent exchanges in this match.

Stakhy had plenty of chances to win the 2nd set tiebreaker, but Marchenko takes it, then it changed the momentum of the match through to the middle of the 4th set where Stakhovsky steps up to the level. Marchenko broke and was playing well until he started thinking about the victory instead of the match as he was up *5-3 40-15, failed to serve out the match and Stakhovsky's greater experience got him over the line.


Lacko vs. Ljubicic

First match of the year for Ljubo who doesn't really like the heat and Lacko who was the best qualifier here. Ljubo started well with the solid serving, the forehand was working well which is the key to Ljubo besides the serve because the single handed backhand is class.

He takes the first 2 sets fairly comfortably, but Lacko didn't lose belief keeps being aggressive. This is where Ljubo's lack of conditioning came into play, whereas Lacko is match tough coming through qualies, he starts getting into the rallies more being able to move Ljubicic around and not making errors. Lacko was able to change the momentum of the match and kept it going to the end, playing very well from the ground, running out a deserved winner. Lacko has drawn Federer and Nadal early in big events, so this is one where his luck has changed, so he has to take advantage.

Now Hrbaty is gone, good to see the Slovaks have another male to cheer for.


Nalbandian vs. Nieminen

This was the match I was looking forward to for the whole day and it irritated me, that it ended the way it did. The first set was good tennis, plenty of excellent ball movement with angles, changes of spin and court craft, just one poor service game cost Nieminen in the 1st set.

The 2nd set was a breakathon Nieminen struggled with serve and so was Nalbandian, but halfway through the second set Nieminen had to retire. It didn't help he qualified and won Sydney singles, then played doubles fina and arrived on Sunday afternoon, then had to front up again to play tonight. Nieminen I think it was more cumulative effect, too bad he wasn't able to get the extra day rest.

Shortish blog report today, sometimes less is more. Kavcic winning and Fognini strutting, so all good fun.

Jurgen Zopp, Freddie Nielsen make main draw and Fabio Fognini can strut like no other man

Final day of qualies is a special day, where there is so much on the line not just financially, but ranking points wise which will help the financial side of things.

Ghem vs. Bautista-Agut
It was a good standard match but frustrating at the same time as well. Bautista was solid in the 1st set and apart from one poor service game didn't make many mistakes. Ghem was playing well but too passive on the big points in return which cost him in this set. Many occasions he wasn"t aggressive on 30 all or 30-40 points. He played a poor tiebreak, whiich changed the momentum of the match and second set.

Bautista got more confidence started to play around the baseline pushing Ghem further back, using the angled forehand to expose Ghem's movement on that side which isn't as good as the backhand. Ghem was returning poorly hardly adjusting his return stance, it's not like Bautista has a huge serve. There were some well constructed points from Ghem using the angled forehand and volleying, but there weren't enough it was comfortable in the end.

Happy that Freddie Nielsen qualified, played aggressive tennis, had good support and Wozniacki was there yet she was hardly pestered at all. The forehead is a work of art and could land a plane on it.

Lukas Lacko qualified comfortably whereas Jurgen Zopp did it the hard way, yes it went 3 sets again. He was up 6-2 *5-3 but got so tight losing the next 4 games in a row. Thankfully he was able to win the match comfortably at the end, he was so tight but he prevaled.

After the match great photo with Zopp with 13 Estonian fans who travelled down, plus the Aussie contingent who followed all his matches special shout out to Rosie, and Andrew who were there for all the interesting rides. Lucky his name isn't Zop cause that means dick in Maltese.

More people training on site today. Fabio "the Fog" Fognini the man was strutting up a storm. On the backhand side he was out the singles sideline and hits a perfect drop volley with backspin, with that strut.

Andreas Seppi didn't train well at all, when he does scream he does it in Italian, though German is his first language and better for swearing. Get the shit out now and take down Gasquet.

Daniel Gimeno-Traver arrived yesterday, thankfully he doesn't play on Monday, that extra day is needed to get over the jet lag, though who knows what he will do against Bogomolov, it could be ugly.

Saw Nalbandian training with Milos Raonic, the backhand was pretty sexy. Dogs Balls was training on the next court, the coach Jack Reader is a legend of a coach. He looks like anything but a tennis coach and this works perfectly for Dolgopolov.

Haven't seen my mate Roddick yet, but I bet he is still a tool.

Antonio Veic conned by a blind umpire Aus Open qualifying Day 3

Today began with the usual rubbish weather, overcast with a few showers nothing serious, but enough to make the court wet and delay the start of play.

Nielsen vs. Luczak

There was a quite good crowd relatively speaking for this match as Luczak is one of the more likeable characters on tour,. plus this being his last singles tournament as well.

Nielsen was on fire in the 1st set, just teeing off on forehands serving well and just dominated Luczak with aggressive play to take it easily.

The second set Luczak was able to get more penetration on his forehand, improving the depth of the groundstrokes that he was able to take a 5-2* lead, but got a bit passive when serving the set out. In addition to this Nielsen was still going for it was able to get back the momentum he had in the 1st set running away with the set and match 7-5.

Today it was just the case of Luczak probably not having enough matches plus Nielsen who was very aggressive and match hardened. Luczak was just outplayed in this match, which in many ways makes it easier unlike getting a call overruled against you on match point when not a clear mistake, which will be spoken about later. Hope to get to see him play doubles next week.

Lacko vs. Bedene

Thought this would be a good match, it was everything but. Lacko played very well and showed up Bedene's weakness on this surface, he doesn't move well enough on the hardcourts yes plus he needs to get more speed endurance which will happen as he gets older and hopefully remain free from serious injuries.

It's easy to see why Lacko is suited to hardcourts, the game is a perfect fit for his aggressive play and he really should qualify, though who knows at this event.

Ghem vs. Duclos

Excellent win for Ghem who really should have won this in 2 sets. It wasn't the greatest standard of match cause both guys didn't play well at the same time, but from a festival of donkey crap. First set was close, Duclos seemed to do more damage on the forehand, but the tiebreaker was more through Ghem's lack of concentration he let it to 6-1, but wasn't running that back.

Ghem lifted his game, playing good aggressive tennis from the baseline, defending when he had to with the slice backhand but using his single hander to finish points and work the angles. He had an early break in the 2nd, but played a poor game to lose it, but still kept up the baseline play mixed in with some excellent volleys both short angles and deep punched ones, served out the set easily.

The momentum continued for Ghem who broke, had chances for a double break, then lost his serve. Duclos was hitting shorter and shorter, which Ghem playing near the baseline was able to take advantaged, got a break then served for the match. Ghem isn't usually very good at serving out matches, but at 30 all hits a good one out wide, then serves an ace. He has a big chance of making main draw for sire.

Veic vs. Viola

Veic the little Croatian warrior who is all heart had a match point against Viola, then there was a stunning overrule on a non clear mistake and Veic needless to say was pissed off. Viola escaped again at the end of the match, Veic smashed his racquet into the court 5 times just to make sure it was broken.

It's the classic thing when the players make a mistake they are punished but when officials do, then they don't normally pay the consequences for it.

Gojowczyk vs. Zemlja

Gojowczyk played quite well not so many errors, but he was not that much better than Zemlja. It was just a poor day from Zemlja, feeling flat and moving so slowly, even less foot movement than usual. Maybe he should done some interval training on the bike beforehand.

He was lethargic and got smoked in the process.

Zopp vs. Rodrigues

Jurgen Zopp what a fighter does it again, another long match and he outlasted Rodrigues this time, It's good that he has the Estonian support there, even Kanepi made an appearance for the 1st set.

Rodrigues second serve is like Nieminen and Seppi's on their worst day, but for something so slow and short Zopp had a hard time attacking it.

Seems like the no treatment for cramp rule is being abused, it was pretty obvious Rodrigues when down with cramp, but got a three minute medical timeout for it. After the timeout he tried the Hingis underarm serve, Glad Zopp won, hope he has one more good match left in him.

Kravchuk will be still crying in his pillow at *10-11 30-30 absolute sitter of a mid court forehand with nothing on it and he dumps into the net, then Bolelli takes the match. If Nielsen played like he did today then he will make salami out of Bolelli.


Awful day for Crugnola, yes Phau has massive calves that guys have been training in the gym for 15 years and will never achieve but he isn't that good.

Zampieri getting double bagelled by Huta Galung, wonders whether he had the overs/unders or an illness.

Australian Open Day 2 Qualifying

Thanks to the poor weather yesterday, there weren't too many matches today. They were the ones that were incomplete from last night or didn't get to start.

Plenty of drama today though in spite of the small quantity of matches. There was a bit of rain around early, nothing too serious but enough to stop play with the slippery lines. Best of all the organisers did the right thing and put the 2 main matches I wanted to see on courts next to each other. Got a core workout from turning the body to be able to see both matches.

De Bakker vs. Brown

This was the highlight pick of the 1st round of qualie matches and it didn't disappoint. Both of these guys had poor 2011s for different reasons.

The match played out fairly typically with Brown hitting some huge slapshot forehand winners, dropshotitis was rampant why hit the conventional when the dropshot is so much sexier. The drive forehand volleys around the knees. De Bakker was solid from the back, hitting some good dropshots of his own but more consistent and this was what got him over the line in a very hard fought match.

This match definitely had the highest per capita rate of good looking ladies that turn up to Aus Open qualies, normally there are only about one or two good ones, maybe it De Bakker's Dennis Bergkamp cat like moves that they were to see. De Bakker is in a pretty tough section, especially when there are certain sections of the draw that aren't strong at all.


Žemlja vs. Gremelmayr

Gremelmayr started off very well, using his forehand to dictate the play and working Žemlja around who wasn't too interested in moving his feet. The rain delay came at the right time for Žemlja just after the first set, cause he was getting run around big time.

In the second set Žemlja started serving better, but while he was creating a multitude of break point chances he was finding it difficult to break since Gremelmayr decided to become Goran Ivanisevic and start hitting aces break point down, he saved 7 break points with aces alone, impressive for a guy who doesn't have a massive serve. Žemlja was getting frustrated with Gremenisievic but managed to stay calm long enough to get the tiebreaker.

Žemlja had the momentum and an early break, had a few chances to get the insurance break where Gremelmayr kept up the seving exhibition. Gremelmayr besides serving huge when he was down was killing Žemlja with the dropshots, which Žemlja was always going crosscourt. Gremlin either hit the open court or lobbed him for a winner. Žemlja was able to get the final break being aggressive on the forehand and stepping in on short second serves, then served it oout comfortably.

Zopp vs. Ignatik

Hewitt = Legend saw most of this match whereas I only saw parts, so he'll give you a better and more detailed description. Ignatik early just wasn't making errors at all from the baseline and hitting some class volleys. Zopp just kept hanging in there and saved 5 match points. Ignatik took a timeout at *7-7 0-15 and was also getting coached. Great win for Zopp, he had good support there as well.

Naso vs. Reid

This was a very tight match, not exactly the best quality. Reid has a big serve for a small guy which he was using well and Naso was fighting hard. The real issue in this match was on Reid's match point after an extended rally. Naso hits a backhand down the line which was called out from the linesman, he starts walking over for the handshake. Reid is about to celebrate and then the overrule from the chair umpire on the far side. It's very hard to tell that was a clear mistake and the overrule was delayed.

Reid was about to argue didn't bother, but once Naso got the final break then it was all done served it out easily.

Jaziri vs. Smyczek

Have never been impressed with Smyczek and this hadn't changed. Jaziri was irritated with the conditions, but can see he has some ability and the game is clearly suited to the clay.

Davydenko and Kavcic were training together, there were a few people who still recognised him. He was low profile when he was top 10, will be interesting to see what court assignments he gets if not playing one of the bigger players.

Tomorrow will see Lacko/Bedene, Crugnola/Phau, Luczak/Nielsen, Žemlja and Ghem matches, then again who knows how it will end up

Australian Open Qualifying Day 1

It's that time of the year again, where I'm at the Australian Open qualifiying rounds which besides being free, relaxed and the hardcore fans attend have a much different vibe from the main draw, which is appreciated.

Melbourne it's known as the place where it's 4 seasons in one day, but that's the nice way of saying the weather is predictable as the bowel movements of baby. It was a frustrating for players and fans alike, combination of rain, sunshine, hail and strong winds made it difficult.

Farah vs. Veic

Found out the reason Farah didn't play qualies at Chennai. He had some achilles tendonitis which flared up badly, too bad this info wasn't forthcoming before the match. The conditions made this match tough, even then the Farah forehand is a work of art. There is no forward momentum into the ball or drive from the core, it's all arm, so when he mistimes the shot which happens at regular intervals, then it's fodder. Contrast his backhand is technically solid can go both ways, slices well, some good volleys.

Veic was playing his usual game working very hard defensively, the lack of weapons is made up for determination. Farah was having problems pushing up on the serve due to the leg problem, so Veic takes 1st set easily. Farah starts playing better from the baseline, the match became more of a contest. It wasn't always high quality this was mostly due to the conditions more than anything else, the courts were never going to be fast today. Some long games in the 2nd set, where Farah took the chances.

Farah had the momentum took an early break, then Veic broke back. The ending was poor as Farah double faulted twice in the game that Veic broke. Speaking of poor, the quality of linecalling was shocking in this match, they are too tight not to have linespeople on both sides of the court. Both guys were getting pissed off with the linecalls, they were probably better off calling the lines themselves. Hope Veic makes the main draw, the battler he is and Farah is playing main draw doubles.

Hajek vs. Fischer

Jan "Prostejov King" Hajek was meant to be playing Marchenko due to late withdrawals he ends up playing Fischer. Hajek was clearly the better player taking the 1st set 6-3, and just cruising along to *5-3 attempting to serve out the match, then this when things got interesting.

Hajek hadn't been making many errors at all hitting solid and deep groundstrokes moving Fischer around easily, wrongfooting him. When he served for the match he plays a donkey of a game to lose serve, even then it still didn't look like losing. Someone kidnapped Hajek and was impersonating him, either this or someone laid some good odds. Fischer takes the 2nd set 7-5.

Then the fun began Hajek was serving half paced serves, making hilarious errors when he was down 3-0, then it was just a question whether how many times a dropshot would bounce twice before the net or how far out it would be. That was a brilliant tank, that Kim Jong Il would have been proud of.

Best part was Hajek on the mobile phone on court after the match, he must have made enough to come down to cover the trip and first round qualie loss check with extra non deductable cash.

Ghem vs. Brzezicki

Brazil vs. Argentina, both guys of Polish descent and good friends as well. It was quite an entertaining match and a good standard from guys who are much better on clay, who hadn't arrived in the country not long ago.

Naturally there were quite a few breaks of serve, with neither having great serves and Brzezicki on the 2nd serve gets no leg drive at all so it's very attackable. Brzezicki, this is the man who when asked for reason he retired from a match cited "mental", so I have a soft spot for the guy. Another thing in common both are clearly better on the backhand side, Ghem using the single hander, slicing effectively when he needed to do and Brzezicki with his double hander. Ghem was slightly more aggressive so he was able to take the 1st set.

Second set had the same pattern, once they broke, then they couldn't hold their serve to confirm the break. Ghem served for match and he has a poor record of closing out matches, this was very clear to see why. No leg drive on serve, lack of movement when hitting groundstrokes, but he was able to get to the tiebreaker and the strangest moment of the day besides Carsten "Sideshow" Ball winning match happened at 4-1 in the tiebreaker.

After an extended rally Brzezicki hit an excellent shot screaming out "Vamoooooooos" before Ghem hit the ball and was awarded the point when Ghem missed it. Ghem was pissed off with the umpire said "come on, that put me off ", it was quite loud. He told the umpire to ask Brzezicki, as they are both good friends, so Polaco told the umpire and they replayed the point, which Ghem won. Then he was able to get his first win over Brzezicki in 6 attempts.

Bedene vs. Mertl

This was a cakewalk for Bedene, who had a good support group here and no it wasn't just screaming fangirls. He was fairly impressive but really didn't need to do too much as Mertl looked like a turkey stuffed at Christmas. Bedene has a good aggressive game, his 2nd round match with Lacko will be one of the better ones, can see Lacko being able to hit through Bedene's forehand on this surface, though who knows when Carsten Ball wins a match.

Luczak vs. Meffert

Luczak started off so rusty which is natural considering his last event was Stockholm indoors which he played after coming back from the beach in Bahamas 2 days before. This is his last singles event and all he has been doing is hitting with his son and Lleyton Hewitt. Meffert got an early break, but that was more through Luczak's ring rust so to speak, there was one highlight that showed how much of a woodduck showing Meffert put in today. Luczak hit a ball down the middle, it didn't move much and he was clean bowled or took an airswing. He wasn't moving his feet at all, either a few service winners, the odd groundstroke winner and plenty of errors.

As time wore on Luczak got more into the match, he started playing a bit better but not brilliant. He got over the line and the comment was "I don't know how I won that". Meffert playing like a donkey definitely helped. He plays the likeable Dane Freddie Nielsen who took out Rajeev Rampras in straight sets. Luczak will have to improve if he is trouble Nielsen who has started the season quite well.

Cabal vs. Schwank

Gordo Schwank has lost some beef for sure, that's good but not a fan of the short hair. I expect Argentine sportsmen to have long hair or at least to the shoulders. This was a bit of a mismatch as Cabal was feeling crap, too bad this info never comes in at the right time. He had a case of the runs wasn't able to move well at all, in fact he was flatter than the chest of a female sprinter. He showed some flashes, but his energy wasn't there and Schwank wasn't losing this at all, would be good if Schwank could make it.

Pospisil vs. Millman

This was Vasek's day alright, he didn't play that well but all those breaks went his way. Millman started well, was hitting more winners than errors and Pospisil was getting frustrated with this. Millman takes the 1st set, then the 2nd set becomes a bit of a break fest, a combination of good play from both guys, some lucky shanks going in on the big points, no one takes advantage as they get into the tiebreaker which was very competitive. Beautiful shank from Pospisil hits the line gets 6-4 then closes it out.

Third set was solid until Pospisil through 2 shanks and a double fault gets the break at 2-2. He was done 0-30 and then a brilliant non call from the linesman on the baseline missing a ball that was a long way out, too the point where we were sitting the baseline, it was closer to use than the baseline, that would have given Millman 0-40. He spits it after that and says to linesman "not good enough, you really should be doing a better job, than missing calls like this". After the incident, he was deflated, Pospisil sees this and was very good in closing out the match against a visibly frustrated opponent. Pospisil really should qualify from this section.

It's an interesting situation for Millman, he has been out for 6 months with shoulder problems, but for reasons unknown he has pissed off Tennis Australia in some manner. It's strange cause he isn't a controversial guy at all, maybe the fact he is articulate, well spoken and not part of the inner sanctum.

He had to use his protected ranking to get into qualies, when they should have given him a wildcard, especially after the excellent 2010 season he had, the shoulder issues were what halted his progress in 2011, hence leading to the ranking slide. Yet, they give one to sideshow Carsten Ball who doesn't deserve one because the man has been stinking up the court, that's his own fault and not injury related. It gets worse in that Millman won't get wildcards to the Aussie challengers, because it's not the tournament directors that decided it more like Tennis Australia.

Other News

Amir Weintraub the thoughtful and introspective Israeli struggled with the conditions against Crugnola, too slow for him and his opponent was playing well. Hope he is around tomorrow as I'd like to thank him for his blogs that he has contributed about the struggles with life on the tour at the lower levels, which most fans don't know or want to know about.

Poor Lajovic leading 5-0 40-0 in the 3rd set and loses to Viola 8-6, that is a bad choke, even though he done something to his leg at 5-2 and Andreas Egli the insurance salesman lookalike called the trainer.

Tomorrow thankfully there are mens matches early in the day, so there can be some more time off, sorry for the lack of photos at the moment, technology sucks.

Peter Luczak Interview

At the 2012 Australian Open, one of the more likable players on the tour Australian Peter Luczak is retiring from the tour. The clay loving Australian born in Poland, who came to Australia at a very young age via Sweden. He is known for his work ethic, down to earth manner His last event of the year was the Stockholm Open qualies, which he played after coming from the beach in Bahamas without training plus it’s the homeland of his wife.


Peter Luczak enjoying champagne

This interview was conducted in 2009 but most is still relevant. I’ll always be thankful as he’s the first ever player I interviewed. His time will always be appreciated for agreeing to an extensive interview.

How and when did you get into tennis?

I started playing tennis at around 5 or 6 years old, Ola my older sister played, we rode our bikes down to the club after school, they weren’t the greatest bikes, but whoever won got to ride the better bike. In addition to that we used to play on en-tout-cas ( a surface similar to clay, but cheaper), whoever lost had to sweep the whole court and lines after the match, instead of just doing your side of the court, initially it was me that sweeping the court and riding the worse bike home.

My uncle and father didn’t play the game in Poland, they played football and volleyball, as tennis was not a big game in Poland when they were children, but they played as well.

What were your memories of growing up in Melbourne, before you left for the USA ?

It was a normal childhood. I used to hang out with the guys, go to the horse races, watching the football (Australian football), went to the parties, but didn’t drink as I usually had tennis the next day and I always wanted to play the game. I wasn’t a childhood prodigy like Bernard Tomic, I used to have group lessons, mixed in with some private lessons before and after school. Then at the age of 18 there was drastic improvement and once I left school, I wanted to play tennis.

How did playing on the US college circuit help you as a player and as a person ?

My dad said that I should continue going to school and he didn’t have the money to support my career. So a tennis scholarship in the USA was perfect, getting an education and also developing my tennis without the financial burden. I had 3 offers, but chose Fresno, mainly because of an Aussie coach there called Michael Hegarty a Mount Waverley boy, which wasn’t far from me in Melbourne. He talked it up and was very convincing in getting me there.

When I got there it rained 10 days in a row, when on average it rained only 5 days a year in Fresno. I called home and said get me out of here, what’s going on, but I was very happy to have stayed on. It was a great experience, the units, the courts, gym was a 50m walk to all of the facilities. The team environment helped my overall development, it wasn’t just tennis, tennis, tennis, and there was a good social life, in addition to doing uni work. Yes, I was focused on tennis, but had other distractions, which were positive.

The college coach was great tactically, though he didn’t do much technically to my game. He made you feel good about yourself, worked very hard with brutal training sessions and he instilled the brutal training and hard work in me that continues today.

How were the early years of being on the ATP tour and did you have doubts that you’d be able to make it?

The final exams, I left with a smile on my face that lasted 3 days. It was a mixture of excitement, high confidence level and I thought it was just normal, competing, traveling and getting ready for the experience.

24 hour Greyhound bus rides, as I was not a rich kid at all. There were a group of 7 of us in a basement of a house, 2 beds, 1 couch, and the rest slept on the floor. Before the tournament we would play games of cards or chess to decide who would get a bed, once you lost your singles match, and then you were on the floor. I got the nickname of “Lucky Looch” and “Diablo” because I was always winning these games and getting the bed. One of the guys traveled with a stringer, so he was able to do all of our racquets. When it came to food, there were the 29c McDonalds burgers, I would have 5 of them in one sitting, eating 2 minute noodles and the free player lunch.


What are your favourite tournaments?

Båstad, Kitzbühel and the Australian Open.

What’s your worst hotel experience?

In Fes, Morocco. It was a single room, no window, dirty towels, cobwebs, TV didn’t work. 10 out of 32 players got food poisoning, it was a terrible week, but I won the tournament.


What are the best and worst ever matches you have played?


Hopefully the best ones are still to come, the ones in the past are hard to remember. But here are two of them. Playing Oli Rochus in Melbourne. I got a standing ovation from the crowd and I had goose bumps, looking up at the crowd singing the national anthem and Waltzing Matilda. Also in Melbourne 2005 when I took Thomas Johansson to 5 sets, I had psycho fitness levels, doing runs on the sand dunes, stair runs and there is a trail in Melbourne called the Kokoda trail. That year I was not going to lose a match because of fitness.

The worst was playing the Srich (Srichaphan) at Monte Carlo, before that I played my match against Michael Llodra, during the warm up, we were hitting serves, I lost concentration and hit him in the ear with a serve, and he was daydreaming. At 1-1 in the 1st set he retired as he lost his balance and I got booed off the court.

I totally choked against the Srich. It was my first big tournament and I thought I am going to beat the number 12 in the world. I couldn’t get a first serve in at 5-4 when serving for the match. I tried only to hit kick serves and served 4 double faults in the game, yet still held match point. It was very difficult to get over it, for the next few months I had flashbacks to that memory, we’ve all had experiences like that, such a tough mental experience.

You’re the Lone Ranger in the context of being an Aussie, which has clay as his favourite surface, which is the domain of the Spanish and South Americans. How do you get along with those guys and do you think there is a mutual respect for you going to play there on their surface?

For sure I have a huge respect for those guys but I can't talk for them but hopefully they respect me as well. I love the way they compete and give it their all on the court but still at the end of the day can look their opponent in the eye, shake hands and have a beer and a bite to eat.

How much of a setback was the stress fracture of the pelvis last year? You were ranked in the top 100 at the time and were unable to build upon your ranking during the clay season?

It was frustrating, as I worked hard, playing Challengers and was ranked between 70-80 and the start of 2008, made all the main draws of the clay events. I knew I wasn’t at 100 percent, but I kept playing and I didn’t know what it was. I had no clue and kept struggling with it, poor movement for 3-4 months, some days it was good and other days it was terrible, then it was all terrible. Then after losing to Melzer in the 1st round of Roland Garros, I had CTC scans, MRI scans, x-rays, they picked up that it was a stress fracture of the pelvis. Not knowing what the problem was after all that time, I was glad to find out and did the upper body rehabilitation.

During the enforced time away from the tour, what did you do to fill in the time?

I spent the time with the family, doing rehab. It was such a relief after a year to be pain free. It gradually got better after 3 and bit months. Hopefully it’s fine now and being able to play, compete, takes the pressure off whether I win or lose, it’s much better than being at home injured.

Did you come back too soon from injury to help Australia in the Davis Cup tie playoff?

No, I hadn’t played for 4 months. I had 10 days there in Chile with training 3 hours a day, great food, great hotel, being with the Aussie team. It was the perfect preparation.

Who are your best friends on tour?

The Gooch (Chris Guccione), Shannon Nettle, my former coach and still fishing companion, Stephen Huss, Ashley Fisher and Lleyton Hewitt, most of the Aussie guys.

Can you tell us how you met your wife Catarina?

She was working at the ATP event in Munich, doing the accreditation and at the practice court desk. I saw her daily and thought she was hot. A group of 7 including Wayne Arthurs, Jordan Kerr and Graydon Oliver, went out after we lost. I went up to her and had a crack and she knocked me back. She just thought I was like some of the other players, that wanted to have fun for the evening and then that’s it. Somehow I got her phone number and we just texted on and off for a few months. We met again at Kitzbühel, where she was working again. We met for lunch and dinner, then for the next four days we were hanging out. At the end of the week she asks “Does this mean we are going out”. I just answered, “Yeah, ok”. I was 26 at the time, it was my first serious girlfriend, it happened so fast, 3 months later she was pregnant, and it got very serious. My parents were shocked at first, being my first serious girlfriend and all. Mum was worried at first, but once she met Cat, then all was fine and our families get along very well.

How do you enjoy living in Sweden and how are your Swedish language skills these days?

I like it, the people are great. They have a similar sense of humour to the Aussies and are great to get along with. For now it’s a base, but once I finish with tennis, then we will return to Australia. My Swedish is terrible, 6 months ago when I was injured I was doing an intensive course and making some good progress, but the problem is the Swedes speak excellent English, making it harder to learn the language.

I know you are a big AFL fan (the Dons). What did you think of the Aussies qualifying for the World Cup in Germany? If the World Cup bid is successful how good would it be for football in this country?

I had pneumonia during the World Cup in 2006 and was Sebby (Sebastien) was born 2 weeks earlier. So I was on the couch enjoying the tournament, with my Aussie flag, going crazy, and fist pumping when the Aussies defeated Japan 3-1. I was gutted after the Italian match, going out like that, but the tournament was great.

It would be possible for Australia to hold the World Cup and it would be great for the country if it happens.

How would you explain the lack of current depth in Aussie tennis?

It’s cyclical. 15 years ago there were plenty of Aussies in the top 100, now we don’t have any male in the top 100. South America wasn’t so strong then. France and Spain have good programs. There are 20 money events in France all year round and there are many Futures events in Spain, that they must be able to produce some players.

What’s your view on Tomic. Do you think the media are putting too much pressure and expectations on him?

A bit, but he is handling it well. He enjoys the hype and the press. He easily was the most popular player in the Burnie Challenger. He has a good temperament, but there is a long way to go, he is going in the right direction.

How much do you value Davis Cup? When you went to Argentina in 2002 as a hitting partner who was that for?

Davis Cup, then followed by the Slams. I would love to play in an Olympics one day. There was a mistake where it said I was the hitting partner for the Argentines, but it was for Australia.

Do you think it’s fundamentally wrong to give ranking points for Davis Cup?

The Aussies have always played it (The Poo has been indifferent), it’s natural. If you don’t have enough passion to play, then it’s ridiculous to have points for Davis Cup to motivate them to play. Guys like Nieminen can’t get points because of his nationality and a Spanish player ranked around 50 because of their depth, he isn’t likely to play Davis Cup and can’t get points.


What do you think about the length of season? They have been talking for years about reducing the season, but nothing has changed in this regard. What steps can they take to fix the calendar?

This is bit of a tricky one. If you would have asked me the same question 8 years ago when I first started playing on the tour I would have answered it very differently. The only thing I wanted to do back then was play tournies and I'd be upset if there wasn't one on in a particular week. But now being a bit older the body getting a few injuries from all the pounding over the years and having a family I wish I could see more changes my view. I'd love it if we got bit more of an off season, that one month in December doesn't really cut it especially when you are training through it trying to get ready for the Aussie summer.

I'd love it if the season would be shortened to maybe 9 months, but how do you do that. Do you just cram all the tournies into that time period, or do you cancel 1/4 of the tournies. I know they have been talking about making the season shorter but the question is how you do it. Maybe you just gradually do it over many years. I know the Oz Open started a week later this year, maybe you just push it back one week every year and cut one week off at the end of the year for the next few years. But doing that is screws up other things. Like the Aussie would no longer be played during our holidays. Maybe less people and definitely less kids would be able to come out and watch. How do you fit all the tour events and DC in a 9 month period etc. So as nice as it sounds it would be a pretty difficult thing to do. In the end the players choose how long or short they make their season. But I think I could crap on about this question for a long time.

You were a vocal critic of the flawed Round Robin concept. It seems the ATP aren’t looking out for or listening to the interests of the players, and working more so for the tournament directors. What’s your take on it?

Round Robin was rubbish, it wasn’t a fair system. They said it was meant to be for the fans. I mean you win, you progress, you lose, and you go home, what is simpler than that. It makes little sense that you lose 2 matches and have a chance of still being in. They realised it wasn’t working and had to be scrapped.

Currently with the Council having the big 3 on there, they have more of a say than in the past. Problem is that a lot of the guys didn’t know that you could approach a Council member, if they are unhappy with any issue. In theory the Council should raise the issue at the next meetings, and then they can decide on whether to vote on the change or leave as it is.

Willy Cañas said “The ATP practices discrimination from an economic standpoint, like any multinational corporation. It’s just another of millions that there are in the world. Point being that I accept it, but I'm not buying into it that it is a group of players that decide (players union) because it isn't like that”. Do you believe that Willy is correct on this particular issue?

Yes, I agree to an extent. The tournament directors (TD’s) and the players are in conflict. An example of this was that the players voted for players that have come back from a drug ban, shouldn’t be awarded wild cards on the comeback, but the tournament directors didn’t want that and then the deciding vote went in favour of the tournament directors.

The TD’s are worried about putting on a show and it’s a business for them, they have a different agenda, no tournament = no players, no players = no tournaments. The TD’s had too much power and it was important that the ATP won the lawsuit against Hamburg, we should be attempting to work together. At the moment there is too much conflict between the two groups, who are standing off against each other and I am unsure of how to fix it.

What’s your view of the new Entry Ranking system? It does not seem to be universally popular, but as they have to complete the 2009 season with this system. Is it possible to return to the old system in 2010?

They could go back to the old system, but the year has to be completed first. The ATP tried to make it simpler, but they have given too many points for the winner and the finalist relative to the other positions. The Top 50 will be harder to crack and with the greater weighting towards the winner and finalist, it penalises the consistent performer who makes a lot of quarter final appearances.

The players that did well early in the year are disadvantaged and it’s almost impossible to defend their points from 2008. An IS win was 175, once this is doubled it becomes 350 that has to be defended and to win an IS event this year the most that can be had is 250, therefore losing 100 points.

The ATP has not increased the points for the challengers to the same level for a 50k Challenger it has gone from 50 to 75. The TMS events have increased from 500 to 1000 and the Grand Slam from 1000 to 2000 points. It was easier to pad the ranking in challengers like Lu but you should be rewarded for doing well in the big events.

Do you think the ATP are doing a good job in trying to combat match fixing or is it just for show, because the players that have been suspended for betting, have been lower ranked and bet minimal amounts for the most part?

I'm really not sure if the ATP are doing a good or bad job. I think the difficult part is trying to catch and prove these guys are betting. The guys tanking and betting large amounts are not stupid and there is no way they would have any accounts linked to their name. So what can you do and the guys that were suspended were silly enough to not only bet on tennis in the first place but have an account in their name.

What are your short term goals for 2009, professionally and personally?

Make the main draw at Wimbledon, get back in the top 100 and stay healthy.


Word Association or first phrase

Lleyton Hewitt – Competitive
Collingwood (Aussie Football Team) - Annoying
The ATP – Love Tennis
Båstad – Favourite event
Grasscourt tennis – Enjoyable, but difficult
Clay – Claydogs, grinding
Kevin Rudd (Aussie PM) - Champion
Borscht - Shocking

Luczak was able to reach his goals for that season and many of the same things spoken about then have not been adequately addressed.

2011 Season in Review

With the completion of the 2011 Davis Cup final last weekend, finally the tennis circus has ended for the season. Fear not it’ll be back soon enough with their ludicrously short off season, which is a continuing problem that isn’t likely to resolved anytime soon due to the amount of conflicting interests involved in the organisation of men’s tennis, more on this later.

It might be a slight exaggeration that Novak Djokovic owned 2011. One of the best ever seasons compiled in the sport winning 3 of the Grand Slams and his only loss was at the Roland Garros semi finals to Roger Federer who needed to play his best ever match there to take him down. Just like human life has a beginning and an end Federer lost to Rafael Nadal in the final, it can be dressed up so many ways but the result will always be the same when Federer and Nadal play at Roland Garros. Nadal pounds Federer’s backhand into submission, then Nadal feasts on the scraps.


Novak Djokovic

Djokovic was able to carry his form from the 2010 Davis Cup win until the US Open, unsurprisingly his level faltered after that had some fitness issues combined with mental fatigue. How he ended the season shouldn’t take away from what he did in the first nine months. Djokovic previously used to have same amount of stamina as a teenage boy losing his virginity, but has made significant steps in improving his fitness levels. Yes, there was the change of diet eliminating gluten, the use of the hyperbaric chamber to get the benefits of training at altitude without having to go into the mountains and improves recovery times.

The biggest improvement has been his forehand, it used to break down under pressure, while not being to the level of his outstanding backhand which he is comfortable hitting down the line as well as crosscourt. After the disastrous coaching stint with Todd Martin where they tried to fix Djokovic’s serve, which lead to a loss of confidence that filtered through to the rest of his game. Marian Vajda who has done a great job in coaching Djokovic was able to get the serve back to its previous level at worst and improved at best. Combine these factors with his excellent defensive skills this was how he was able to dominate this season and go 6-0 over Rafael Nadal his closest rival. Djokovic beat him everywhere except indoors, hardcourt, clay and the grass. Nadal wasn’t willing to hit the forehand up the line often enough, therefore feeding Djokovic’s strength in addition to the aforementioned improvements in Djokovic’s game, it wasn’t surprising that Djokovic was able to go 6-0. It will be interesting to see how Djokovic backs up next season.

While Djokovic’s season was a highlight of the ATP, there weren’t many other highlights during the season. It’s hard to believe that they could homogenise the court surfaces any more than they have, but the ATP have managed to do so. As long as the court dimensions are the same and the singles net is the same height, then there should be different surface challenges. The ATP like this because it gives them predictability and easy to market the game from this perspective, in reality it’s the same style of tennis being played on all courts with the only challenge being the movement of the specific surfaces. I have explained previously how the current situation came about, the ball not being in play at all on grass or the indoor events at the end of season, so using a heavier ball and slowing down the court speeds. At this point in time the game has been solidified now they can make the faster surfaces slightly quicker, use a lighter ball and it will improve the diversity of the game not detract from it.

2011 was the classic more of the “same old shit” scenario. There wasn’t a first time Grand Slam finalist, any new TMS winners and the final 8 that qualified for the TMC have all participated previously. The average age of the top 200 is getting older which isn’t surprising due to the game becoming more physical as a result of surface homogenisation, the predominance of baseline tennis. The game has become even more speed endurance orientated and it usually takes players and athletes until their mid to late 20s that they reach their speed endurance peak, naturally there are exceptions. This plus there is more money in the game giving incentive to play the game for longer.

On the other hand there were 10 time first time winners at the lower level of the tour, some of these well overdue like Tipsarevic, and Florian Mayer. Ivan Dodig’s win in Zagreb was brilliant when he threw the racquet into the crowd thinking he won the match, but hadn’t done so. Younger players like Dolgopolov Jr and Raonic getting on the board. Big Kev Anderson winning the last edition of Jo’burg and Sweeting coming out of nowhere to win Houston.


Kevin Anderson (RSA) Johannesburg Outdoor Hard
Ivan Dodig (CRO) Zagreb Indoor Hard
Milos Raonic (CAN) San Jose Indoor Hard
Pablo Andujar (ESP) Casablanca Clay
Ryan Sweeting (USA) Houston Clay
Andreas Seppi (ITA) Eastbourne Grass
Alex Dolgopolov (UKR) Umag Clay
Robin Haase (NED) Kitzbühel Clay
Florian Mayer (GER) Bucharest Clay
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) Kuala Lumpur Indoor Hard



Andreas Seppi wins Eastbourne

One of the highlights of the season occurred in Eastbourne when the “South Tyrolean Sex Machine” Andreas Seppi won his first tournament. This was well overdue, in his previous final in Gstaad he managed the next to impossible feat of choking to Paul-Henri Mathieu after leading *5-3 in the 3rd set serving for the title. There aren’t many people who have managed that but two more will be mentioned later. He lost 4 games in a row and the title.

Seppi when asked what his best surface is, he said “the one I’m winning on”. The final was hilarious, gale like winds. Seppi played 3 sets earlier in the day, was up a set and a break, then Tipsarevic takes the 2nd set. There were a few drops of rain and Tipsarevic was bitching about the conditions. Seppi up *4-0 30-30 gives back the double break, then Seppi serves for the match at *5-3 and 15-0 then Tipsarevic retires.



Fabio Fognini Files

The Fog deserves his own section here as he was involved in some fine comedy this season.

Tommy Robredo:


The Fog reacts

Robredo in the Santiago semi final was very bad tempered both of them at their best with their antics. Robredo “vamosing” at the Fog’s errors, to which “The Fog” has words with Boredo calling him “hombre di mierda”, the literal translation “the shitman”. Once the match is done the Fog tries to shake Boredo’s hand who refused not once but twice and then was booed off the court.

Worst of all Santi Giraldo served for the title but choked and “the shitman” won the title to the amusement of the Chilean fans.

Blaž Kavčič:
There was a brilliant choke in the 2nd round in the match between Blaž Kavčič and Fabio “the Fog” Fognini. This probably should have had a separate entry and it may do so in the future. It’s hard to write about this as Kavčič is someone who I happen to like and “the Fog” is just the “the Fog”. He’d be top 10 in the world if it was down to strutting ability.

Kavčič takes the 1st set 6-1 and the only game Fog got was because he broke the Kavčič serve. Second set is going along the same path, a few breaks and Kavčič is up *5-2 has a chance to serve the match out, fails to do it at the first time of asking. Then in the Fog’s next service game he had 4 match points couldn’t convert any. After this Blaž loses the next 4 games and the set 7-5.

Third set was a breakathon and Blaž had another chance to serve it out at *5-4, loses his serve and then drops the 12th game to love and the Fog sneaks out another win. It’s annoying yet hilarious at the same time on a personal level. This should have been livestreamed just for the entertainment value alone, at the same time as a Blaž fan watching this on a computer could have done bad things to my health and sanity.

Albert Montañes:
The most entertaining match of the tournament from these smaller guys, this was the real RG final.



Montañes usual steady self with solid strokes and the Fog at times was more aggressive, hit some fine dropshots. Montañes served for it at *5-3 in the 5th but was tight as a drum. At 15-30 *6-7 Fog gets an injury timeout for what initially was believed to be cramps.

Commentators thought he was faking an injury, getting a massage during a service game will get some people off side and the crowd gave it to him after that, though mostly they were on his side during the match.

Fat Albert was paralysed by fear, wasn’t hitting any dropshots or moving the Fog around who managed to get double footfaulted only Gaudio, Echagarry and the Fog can do this.

Fog saved match points with dropshots and clean FH winners with his typical blase attitude. Somehow he wins the match, gets a mix of cheers and boos, but he was diagonised with a muscle problem and withdrew from the quarter final vs. Djokovic.
Fognini was the “Peoples Champion” at Roland Garros this year.


Fognini pleading for forgiveness

Retirements


Some of my personal favourites retired this season. The gaucho Marcos Daniel who had injury problems after playing Nadal at the Aus Open, couldn’t play a full season he wanted to play one last Roland Garros but was one out of the Entry List, players hadn’t withdrawn in time so he missed out. Now he is watching Internacional PA, enjoying life with the family, churrascos and always peaked for the Bogota Challenger.


Marcos Daniel

After complications with the back surgery Oscar “the King” Hernandez decided to leave the mere mortals of the tennis tour. His famous confrontation with Dani Koellerer in Santiago never gets old. Koellerer was mocking the grunt, in the process he earned the wrath of the King. He is working with his old coach Marcos Roy training the youngsters. The King got married and she makes a lovely queen.




King Oscar with Queen Rachel


Crazy Dani Koellerer was put into forced retirement banned for attempting to fix matches. There was collective joy around the tour when Crazy Dani was banned from the game. This guy had more incidents than Rocco Siffredi has had women.

He was involved in a fight with the late Federico Luzzi a fiery character. They’d been abusing each other the whole match, then Koellerer at the handshake spits on his hand. Luzzi gets pissed off and after the match there were punches thrown.

Andreas Vinciguerra got so pissed off with Koellerer at the Cordenons Challenger he walked off the court, asked for the tournament car to take him to the hotel getting defaulted in the process. Then little Flavio Cipolla wanting to punch him as well at Reggio Emilia, might have to do a separate entry on Koellerer later.

El Fashionista Stefan Koubek left the game, no one will match him for stylish fashion more on his career and style El Fashionista Stefan Koubek retires . Gaston Gaudio, the second last survivor of that Argentine golden generation and the surprising Grand Slam winner retired as well Gaston Gaudio. He is playing exhibitions against his best friend Mariano Zabaleta in Buenos Aires and del Potro.

2012 well the ATP will have a new chairman since Adam Helfant will be stepping down. Best things about him were that he managed to get some sponsors, he wasn’t a public figure and he wasn’t de Villiers. At the same time he voted that Madrid TMS should be blue clay, will gloat that he managed to reduce the season by 2 weeks next season which really isn’t anything to be proud of. The threat of strike action isn’t likely due to difficulties and lack of proper union representation
Schedule .

Roger Federer as the main player rep has already stonewalled the idea of a 2 year ranking system. There are more pressing issues than Nadal wanting a 2 year ranking system. There’ll be less fluidity between the rankings, in the process making it more difficult for players to breakthrough protecting the top players who the tournament directors rely on to make money.

In other words not good for the sport in any form, that's what they tried with round robin instead and that turned out so well, it's not getting off the ground.

Hopefully 2012 can be an improvement on 2011, some other players being able to step up to the next level. Whether Federer can continue his form at the end of this season through to the Australian Open, can Murray finally win his first Slam. Even among the gloom and doom there are moments of hilarity, inspiration and craziness which make the sport fun to follow.

Potential Player Strike and Scheduling Issues

Apologies for not posting much recently, a lack of motivation at this time of the season, along with some other things going on in the outside world have been of higher priority.

Adam Helfant CEO of the ATP is stepping down, the best things that can be said about him, were that he wasn’t Etienne de Villiers (Mr. Disney) the former supremo and unlike Mr. Disney he was prepared to work in the background. No matter who the CEO of the ATP is, there have been problems with the schedule and implantation of changes to benefit the sport, unlike the Round Robin tournaments which were pushed through quickly that only Ion Tiriac and de Villiers were in favour of.


Andy Murray
Andy Murray has been complaining about the schedule in the press and there’ll be a player meeting in Shanghai about possible strike action. This has been an ongoing problem with the length of season and complaints about the schedule, however little has been achieved in regards to this particular problem.

Formation of the ATP
In theory the ATP means (Association of Tennis Professionals) but the reality is that it’s more favour of the tournament directors. Initially the group was formed as a partnership between tournament directors and players with ex-IMG Mark Miles as the head. It established the 9 Masters Series events the lower level below the Slams as their major events, but as time went on the partnership waned to such a degree that they are conflicting against each other. As the next quote will show this is not a new problem . On March 10, 1999 former world No. 1 Thomas Muster told the German newspaper Die Welt: “I look at the ATP not so much as a representative of players but as a firm that in marketing even works against the players. I don’t like the way tennis is dominated by Americans. The problem is that tennis is governed by the Americans and financed by the Europeans. Changes must come quickly, and the future of our sport is at stake”. Muster highlighted the problems of the ATP as it stood then and little has changed.

There is a player meeting in Shanghai, will be interesting to see what comes out of it, something or a whole lot of nothing. Roger Federer who has always been smart with his scheduling won’t be present, rightly or wrongly he is seen as an influential figure within the game. One thing that needs to happen eventually is that the players have their own union, so they can negotiate without feeling compromised within the existing structure. An example of this when a player comes back from a drug ban, that player shouldn’t get wildcards into tournaments, but they were overruled by the ATP who were once again in favour of the tournament directors.

Potential for Players Union
Currently there is a distinct lack of player representation collectively, individually it would be too costly to negotiate, therefore a union is needed lead by a respected member and negotiator to fight for and push through their interests. There are problems with this naturally in an individual sport as the needs for the top players are different for the guys who are battling through on the Challengers and Futures. Accounting for these diverse interests a Player union is a better alternative to the current situation with the ATP.

Murray said “"We just want things to change, really small things. Two or three weeks during the year, a few less tournaments each year, which I don't think is unreasonable.". The intent of the statement isn’t necessarily bad or whiny even, but Murray is a top player who has greater flexibility when it comes to scheduling than say players like Dustin Brown, Yuri Schukin etc etc. He has the 4 Slams, only 8 of the TMS events are compulsory since Monte Carlo got downgraded, plus 5 !SG events, plus a couple of tune ups for the Slams. The top 50 is very much the promised land, 50-100 is a mix of ATP events and challengers, so there is room for flexibility albeit on a smaller scale.

Challenger Issues
Outside of the top 100 is where the other side to fewer tournaments hits the hardest.
A factor that tends to be overlooked is how relatively speaking the prizemoney for Challengers and Futures hasn’t increased proportionally over a significant period of time. Yes, there has been an increase in ranking points, but the prizemoney for Challengers should also be increased. These players due to economic necessity for the most part have to play more tournaments to get the experience, gain or defend ranking points dependant on the situation, therefore earn more money, if there were less tournaments then they’re impacted negatively.

This is the perfect situation for a well organised union to talk to their members with diverse interests. The top players want to play fewer tournaments and have a longer off season, for those complaining about exhibitions, all they are glorified training sessions. The benefits of a longer off season are that the body has more time to rest and recover from a hard season of travelling, playing events and with the increase of slow hardcourts the surface which produces the most amount of stress on the joints doesn’t help either. With a longer off season, then the players can have more time to build their speed endurance base which is essential for tennis these days, as the game has become more physical. The average age of the top 100 is higher due to the physical factor along with surface homogenisation, it takes longer to breakthrough than before, this isn’t surprising as modern tennis dictates this. It would be up to the union rep to present a case to the lower ranked guys that even though there are less events, that they would benefit in the long run physically and mentally. The competitive aspect of tennis is very tough and the week in, week out nature, contributes to mental fatigue as well and unlike golf, tennis is a physical sport and out of the other main global sports it does have the shortest off season.


It doesn’t matter that players have been getting injured before, but since it’s the top players the cash cows who make money for the tournaments then it gets highlighted, instead of simmering in the background. Whether people like these players or not, the top players do generate extra ticket sales, advertising and more revenue for the tournament, so the tournament directors aren’t happy if these guys are withdrawing from events, as for the fans they are not usually the first people considered, as it is usually the corporate and the sponsors that are taken care of first, before the average fan is considered. Fans have only one thing in common in that they like tennis, what one fan might complain and sigh none of the stars are so they won’t watch, while others will take the opportunity and appreciate the tennis is on offer and not just cause of the name.

Davis Cup and TMS issues
When the TMS events went to best of 3 sets finals instead of 5 sets this was done to appease the top guys who wanted more money for playing for best of 5 and also giving them 1st round byes, so they would commit to all of the events. The ATP threatened to ban these players from the next TMS event if they withdrew citing injury, this was never going to happen so it was done as an inducement. Indian Wells and Miami are well attended events but they should be reduced to 64 players instead of 96, no need for any event outside of the Slams to go longer than a week.

Davis Cup is another problem that needs to be addressed, it’s a wonderful competition but the players are never happy. They wanted the Davis Cup schedule as it is currently, Ricci Bitti agreed to it, now some of the guys are whining when they got the dates they wanted. Ranking points for playing Davis Cup ties is fundamentally wrong, but it’s something that isn’t going away any point soon. Maybe having 14 teams in the World Group instead of 16, where the finalists have a bye in the 1st round, then quarter finalists and 1st round losers would play off for the 12 spots in the World Group. The ITF make a lot of money from Davis Cup, the game has been around a lot longer than the players, no one is bigger than the sport, though we all have evolve with the times, but a biannual Davis Cup isn’t the answer.

As it stands currently the Australian Open is a clear example of who has prepared well in the off-season and this should be rewarded, but in reality the lead up for a Slam is too short and in an ideal world there would be a TMS before it, though that would involve a large restructuring of the tennis calendar. The Australian Open has to be in January, best time for the event, which spent many years resurrecting its reputation. Wimbledon would move back a week or so and give the players an extra week to adjust to the grass, but Wimbledon is generally all about its own interests and not necessarily for the game, even more so than the other Slams. Tennis is a global sport and this needs to be reflected in the calendar.


ATP Organisation

It’s unlikely that there’ll be significant changes at any point soon. For something like this to be discussed, this would mean disparate groups such as the ATP, ITF, tournament directors would have to come together and make compromises for the better of the sport, if there are enough forward thinking individuals within the respective organisations to do that. Except that this would never happen. Therein lies the problem there is less than zero leadership within the leaders of the tennis community and a convention of blind people have more vision than the ATP.

Tennis has previously had player strikes it happened at Wimbledon 1973 when 79 players of the ATP boycotted the event due to Niki Pilic being banned for not playing a Davis Cup tie. It’s an industrial dispute which needs to be sorted, it’s disappointing it’s taken this to highlight the problem. There has always been a hierarchy in society and tennis is no different in this regard. If the top cash cows aren't playing, then the product suffers, for this reason alone, not for the good of the players, fans or the game that significant changes would be made.