Tomic in hot water after spa fight

Updated October 30, 2012 15:27:09

Former Australian Davis Cup coach Roger Rasheed says Bernard Tomic needs to step away from tennis to settle his off-court issues following another run-in with police on the Gold Coast.

Tomic was reportedly involved in an altercation with a friend during his 20th birthday celebrations with police called to a disturbance at a spa in a Surfers Paradise apartment tower in the early hours of Monday morning.

Queensland Police said no arrests were made or charges laid.

"We spoke to a couple of males and that was it," a police spokesman said.

According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, police "separated the two men before the tennis ace turned on officers".

"He reminded police of 'who he was' and accused officers of running a hate campaign against him," the newspaper said, citing police sources.

The incident comes just a week before Tomic is set to face court to challenge traffic charges stemming from an Australia Day incident where he is alleged to have driven his high-powered V8 BMW M3 in breach of special licence conditions.

Tomic is also accused of failing to stop for police and not keeping to the left of double dividing lines on the road.

The talented Australian has endured a tough year on the court as well, his world ranking sliding from 28 to 49 and having to deny accusations of tanking during his US Open loss to Andy Roddick in September.

Rasheed, who used to coach Lleyton Hewitt and is currently mentoring France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, said Tomic needs to get his life in order and should stay away from tennis until that happens.

"I think there's a lot of work to do off the court," Rasheed told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday.

"I wouldn't hit another ball if I was Bernard Tomic. I would just sort everything out, see where I'm at. (Even) if it took him three months now, six months or whatever it took him.

"You need to sort out the basics and the platform otherwise it'll raise it's ugly head again. It's unfortunate."

Rasheed also believes Tomic's entourage has a lot to answer for and while his father John has done an admirable job to get his son into the world top 50, it is time for the pair to re-think their relationship.

He says appointing a widely regarded coach as well as sorting out what motivates Tomic to play tennis will be a key to revitalising the youngster's career.

"To be honest, I think he's rebelling against the whole system," Rasheed said.

"He's talented but he's not Lleyton, he's not Rafa (Nadal) and he's not Novak (Djokovic), he's not those guys. You see what those guys were doing at the same age, they were in a different ball game, a different class.

"I'm not sure if he's got the people in front of him to be able to position him in the right place right now. Which is unfortunate.

"His father's aware of it but he needs a coach, there's no doubt about it. His father's done a great job to get him to position A but position A is not where it's at now for him.

"If he wants to keep excelling he gets a legitimate coach and decides what he wants out of the game."

AAP/AFP

Tags: tennis, sport, surfers-paradise-4217, qld, australia

First posted October 30, 2012 11:48:18

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Djokovic future clouded after loss

Updated November 01, 2012 09:32:51

With an opening-round loss, poor fitness and a father reportedly ill in a Serbian hospital with respiratory problems, Novak Djokovic on Thursday (AEDT) appeared to be slightly unsure of his immediate tennis future.

With five days to go before the start of the year-end World Tour Finals in London for which he has already qualified, the Serb was still absorbing a 0-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 second-round defeat against journeyman American Sam Querrey at the Paris Masters.

While refusing specifically to react to reports on his father's situation, Djokovic did admit that he has not himself been the picture of health.

"I've not been feeling very good the last few days," he said.

Reports from Serbia suggest that Djokovic made a quick visit home to see his father this week, something the world number two refused to address.

He also seemed to leave at least some of his intentions concerning London open to speculation.

"Now that I'm done with the tournament, I will sit down with the team and see what's the best thing to do before London," said the ousted second seed.

"The way I feel, I definitely need a few days' rest, and then try to get a few days' practice before the tournament starts."

The last two places in the eight-man London field are being decided this week.

But the main talking point has been the retreat from an ATP decision to shorten the season - a former player demand - by eliminating the rest week prior to the London spectacular which players rate almost as highly as the grand slams.

While he is surely expecting to play, Djokovic also added: "There is no guarantee that you can be 100 percent, especially at this time of year.

"The players have played so many matches and (are) obviously struggling to be fresh.

"You're trying to find that last drop of strength, mental and physical, in order to play your best.

"These are big tournaments, and there is definitely no compromising in trying to think of maybe skipping the (Paris) event or playing less or saving energy in order to play well in London."

Roger Federer pulled out of defending his title here in Paris after losing the Basel final at the weekend, in order to be fresh for London even after winning Basel, Paris and London - three concluding events over four weeks - in 2011.

AFP

Tags: sport, tennis, france

First posted November 01, 2012 08:30:54

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Clijsters into semis after downing Schiavone

Updated June 22, 2012 09:21:18

Kim Clijsters reached the semi-finals of the 's-Hertogenbosch grass court tournament in the Netherlands, defeating Italy's Francesca Schiavone 6-3, 7-6 (9-7).

Former world number one Clijsters, who before this week had not played since March because of a right hip injury, was the champion in this pre-Wimbledon event in 2003.

And she showed that she could be a genuine threat at this year's Wimbledon, which starts Monday.

"It was a very intense match. Schiavone is a player who keeps fighting and has all sorts of different strokes. It is very important to stay focused," said Clijsters, who will face Poland's Urszula Radwanska for a place in the final.

In the men's tournament, world number six David Ferrer dropped just three points on serve in a 6-0, 6-1 rout of Dutch wildcard Igor Sijsling.

"Sometimes you find good feelings and sometimes it works," Ferrer said. "Today I was very good throughout the match, attacking well with my first serve, and maybe he was a little bit nervous."

The top-seeded Ferrer is bidding to win this grass court tournament for the second time after victory on his debut in 2008.

Ferrer goes onto face France's Benoit Paire, who fired 15 aces as he defeated Japan's Tatsuma Ito 6-3, 7-5 in 72 minutes.

German qualifier Philipp Petzschner struck 14 aces and broke serve twice as he overcame Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) in one hour and 35 minutes.

He will face Belgium's Xavier Malisse, who battled past Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in 86 minutes.

AFP

Tags: tennis, sport, netherlands

First posted June 22, 2012 09:21:18

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Clijsters to retire after US Open

Updated May 23, 2012 07:21:49

Former world number one Kim Clijsters announced on Tuesday she is to retire after the US Open in September.

The 28-year-old Belgian told a news conference that she wanted to sign out in New York where she enjoyed the biggest success of her career winning the the women's singles title at Flushing Meadow three times in 2005, 2009 and 2010.

"As it stands I will end my career at the US Open. That is where I enjoyed my greatest triumphs and it is a very special place for me," she said.

"The stadium is only about 45 minutes away from our house in the United States and my parents-in-law will be able to be present."

Clijsters is married to former US basketball player Brian Lynch and the couple have a daughter Jada.

She retired for a first time in May 2007 and gave birth to her daughter before staging a remarkable comeback in 2009 which ended in her triumph at the US Open which she successfully defended the following year.

Clijsters also won the Australian Open in 2011, the same year she topped the world rankings for the first time in five years.

But she has increasingly been dogged by injuries which caused her to draw down the curtain on the claycourt season and concentrate instead on the London Olympics and the US Open.

AFP

Tags: sport, tennis, united-states

First posted May 23, 2012 07:21:49

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Federer goes second after Madrid win

Updated May 14, 2012 06:40:32

Roger Federer put his best fighting tennis on display to produce a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych to capture a third Madrid Masters title and depose Rafael Nadal as world number two.

The Swiss, with 16 grand slam titles, will now stand behind Novak Djokovic on Monday on the ATP list after sending Nadal back to third with his winning performance on the controversial blue clay laid down at the Caja Magica.

"I feel amazing," said Federer, who came through on his fourth match point as Berdych ploughed a forehand into the net.

"This is a tough tournament and a brutal draw. I'm playing well and I'm so happy to win this once again."

The 30-year-old went level with Nadal on 20 career titles at Masters 1000 level, with both men sharing the overall record.

Federer, playing in his 104th ATP final, won his 74th title and fourth of the season.

He now stands 11-4 in head-to-head encounters with Berdych, who had beaten him in three of their five most recent matches.

But Federer was having no more of that scenario as he turned in victory in just over two and a half hours with a dozen aces, 44 winners and 30 unforced errors.

Berdych saved three match points in the final game before going down.

"We both played a nice match, but Roger showed why he's the star," the Czech said.

"He was able to win in the conditions, it was well done."

Berdych claimed the first set as he dominated with 14 winners and two unforced errors, only to quickly find himself on the other end of a Federer fightback in the second.

The Swiss third seed missed on a set point while serving at 5-3 to level, but stayed in the chase, finally taking the set 7-5 as Berdych double-faulted on set point.

In the third, Federer rallied from 0-30 in his first three service games, then moved into position with a break for 5-3, which was finally achieved after Berdych saved three break points with consecutive aces but then sent over two double-faults in a row to give away the game

Federer still could not close as he was broken in the next game, 5-4.

The Swiss hung tough through the next two games on serve before finally putting away the win on his fourth match point.

"It's a great feeling to win any event, but especially another here in Madrid," Federer added.

"This is a tough tournament. It was tough to move on the clay but you just get on with it and try to make the best of the situation.

"The level of play was good this week and I'm looking forward to the next few weeks."

In an unexpected post-match ceremony, American film star Will Smith came down from his spectator position to present the winner with the suit he wore in his latest Men in Black film.

The American also said a few words to the delighted crowd in Spanish.

AFP

Tags: tennis, sport, spain

First posted May 14, 2012 05:41:38

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Murray into final after Nadal pulls out

Updated March 31, 2012 08:42:08

Rafael Nadal was forced to pull out of his semi-final against Andy Murray at the Miami Masters due to a knee injury, handing the Scot an easy path through to the final.

Nadal, who has had problems with his knees before on the American hardcourts, apologised for withdrawing from the Masters series event, but said he had no choice.

"I am not ready to compete today. I am very sorry for the fans. I'm very sorry for the tournament. I'm very sorry for everybody who were ready to watch the match on the television," Nadal told a news conference.

"I take no pleasure from this but I cannot do anything else. I am not ready to compete, and I cannot go on court and lie to everybody."

Murray, the Miami champion in 2009, was gifted his second walkover of the tournament and place in the final.

The Scotsman will play the winner of the other semi-final, between the top-seeded Novak Djokovic and Juan Monaco of Argentina.

"To be honest, it hasn't really happened to me that often where even one guy has done that," said Murray, who had also reached the last 16 without hitting a shot when Canadian Milos Raonic pulled out of their third-round clash with a right ankle injury.

"To get two in one week is strange."

Nadal, who has suffered from tendonitis in his knees several times during his career, had dropped only one set on his way to the last four as he chased a first title since last year's French Open.

He suggested the injury was probably a recurrence of his previous knee troubles.

"I have to see a doctor but it looks like nothing really, different than what happened a few times in the past," he said.

The 25-year-old Spaniard, runner-up in Miami three times, has won 13 of his 18 meetings with Murray, although all five of the Scot's victories came on hard courts.

In 2009, Nadal pulled out of Wimbledon, where he had won the year before, because of knee problems.

At the 2010 Australian Open, where he was the defending champion, he retired from his quarter-final clash with Murray, again because of knee problems.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: tennis, sport, united-states

First posted March 31, 2012 08:42:08

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Tomic looks ahead after Davis Cup sweep

Updated April 09, 2012 13:43:04

The dream of breaking back into the Davis Cup World Group is very much alive for Australia with one tie to go but spearhead Bernard Tomic also has big personal goals for the next few months.

World number 36 Tomic helped Australia grab a 5-0 sweep against a plucky but over-matched South Korea in Brisbane on Sunday to book a World Group play-off in September.

With victory already secured, Wimbledon quarter-finalist Tomic showed none of the early nerves of his opening singles clash on Friday to brush aside Cup debutant Jung-Woong Na 6-2, 6-1 in less than an hour on Sunday.

In contrast, Marinko Matosevic became the first Australian singles player at the tie to drop a set before outlasting Min-Hyeok Cho 6-2, 2-6, 6-0 in the other dead rubber.

Tomic, 19, looked forward to helping Australia return to the elite 16-team World Group for the first time since 2007.

But not before launching a gameplan that could catapult him into tennis' elite.

Tomic will fly out on Tuesday to begin a two-month assault on clay in Europe in a bid to secure a seeding at the French Open starting on May 27.

Then there are the year's "two biggest things" - Wimbledon and the Olympics - and what he hopes is a further big rise through the rankings.

The lanky teenager will even keep in contact with the sports psychologist welcomed into the Cup team camp in Brisbane - Phil Jauncey - to keep his "head straight" during his quest.

"Every great sportsmen whether it is Federer or Nadal, they have areas where they can improve and I need to improve to become stronger mentally on the court," Tomic said.

"The biggest problem with me is, now that I am coming up I have to play a lot of lower-ranked players [I'm expected to beat].

"Look at Federer and Nadal, it would be very difficult for them always playing guys that are in the top 100.

"Sometimes it can be, not boring, but you have to have your head straight so I have been working hard with him (Jauncey).

"I have got his details so I will continue to speak to him, and hopefully his thoughts can help me hit the clay a lot better."

Tomic grabbed attention when he reached Wimbledon's quarter-finals as a qualifier last year.

It helped him finish 2011 as the world number 42 after starting it outside the top 200.

Now Tomic wants to soar higher - starting with a run at Roland Garros.

"I can play on clay if I am in the right mind-set," Tomic said.

"I don't move as good as the other players, so when I am down a set and a break it is tough for me to come back.

"I have to work on developing my game in the next few weeks against these players ... (if I want) to get to the semis in the French."

The World Group play-off draw will be held next week.

Australia will find out if it is drawn against Canada, Italy (both at home), Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Japan (all away) or Kazakhstan (host decided by coin toss).

"Hopefully we draw the right team, and not (Federer's) Switzerland over there on clay," Tomic said.

AAP

Tags: sport, tennis, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted April 08, 2012 17:45:10

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Murray hits practice courts after 'boring' match

Updated January 23, 2012 20:01:22

Andy Murray said he would need to hit the practice courts to retain his sharpness after his "boring" stroll into the quarter-finals following an injury retirement at the Australian Open.

The British fourth seed was on court for only 49 minutes before his Kazakh opponent Mikhail Kukushkin retired early in the third set with a hip flexor injury.

Murray, who will face Japan's 24th seed Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals, said he was bored by his one-sided match with Kukushkin which he won 6-1, 6-1, 1-0.

"Yeah, it's just boring. There was nothing happening on the court," Murray said of the match against his 92nd-ranked opponent.

"I didn't have to do anything. Just hitting the ball in the court and he wasn't running. He was making mistakes the first or second ball of the rally," Murray added, saying there was no atmosphere.

Murray, a beaten finalist in the past two Australian Opens, said while he was happy to conserve energy in the sapping heat, he needed to put in some work to prepare for tougher matches ahead.

"It's perfect because you conserve energy. You just need to make sure, you know, today and tomorrow you hit enough balls to make sure you don't lose any rhythm.

"Because there were no rallies out there, I need to make sure I move around a little bit so I don't stiffen up in any way.

"But you can't look at it as a negative. At this stage of the tournament to be off the court in 45 minutes or so isn't bad."

Murray, bidding to become Britain's first male grand slam winner since Fred Perry in 1936, said he was improving with each round.

"I'll definitely be fresh for the next few rounds hopefully. Just need to make sure I do the right things the next couple days to get ready for the quarters," he said.

Kukushkin, who lost to Murray in Brisbane earlier this month, said his hip injury had restricted his running and his serve.

"Today, unfortunately, I was not able to show anything, to play, to compete, especially at this level," he said.

AFP

Tags: australian-open, tennis, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted January 23, 2012 13:58:22

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Hewitt to face Roddick after Open fight

Updated January 18, 2012 13:09:29

Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt has set up a second round showdown with long-time rival Andy Roddick after starting his record 16th consecutive Australian Open with a typically gutsy win.

Hewitt downed unseeded German Cedrik-Marcel Stebe 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in a see-sawing struggle which took two minutes shy of four hours in front of a record 19,031-strong Rod Laver Arena crowd on Tuesday night.

After 30-year-old father-of-three Hewitt won the first two sets, Stebe dominated the third and the early stages of the fourth, going up two breaks of serve, to seemingly be set to push the match to a decider.

Hewitt seemed in grave danger of his third first-round exit in four years in his home grand slam.

But he showed he had lost none of the fighting spirit which has been the two-time grand slam winner's trademark, consistently applying pressure until the German's sweet hitting went off the boil, allowing the Australian to storm home.

Hewitt's triumph was delayed by Stebe calling for an injury time-out with one game left in the match, in what seemed a desperate, but unsuccessful, bid to halt the veteran's new-found momentum.

The 21-year-old German left-hander produced a succession of fine shots from both sides throughout a high-quality match, before finally faltering late in the contest.

Hewitt said he had just "hung in there" in the fourth set, before his opponent tightened up.

He appreciated the crowd support, but said most of the spectators were probably settling in for a five-setter.

"Every time I seem to play out here, I seem to play five sets," Hewitt said.

"They were just getting ready for another long night."

Roddick, the 15th seed, beat Dutchman Robin Haase 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 earlier on Tuesday, but was bracing for an epic battle with Hewitt, despite the discrepancy in their rankings.

"He's a fighter. I have as much respect for him as I do for anybody in the game," Roddick said.

Meanwhile, French sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in four sets to reach the second round.

Former finalist Tsonga downed Istomin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 and will next play Brazilian Ricardo Mello.

Serbian Victor Troicki, seeded 19th, came back from two sets down to defeat Juan Carlos Ferrero 4-6, 6-7(3-7), 6-2, 7-6(7-3), 6-2.

AAP

Tags: sport, tennis, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted January 17, 2012 23:44:01

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Gajdosova advances after nervous wait

Updated January 10, 2012 07:58:03

Defending champion Jarmila Gajdosova endured a nervous wait before confirming she was over her Hopman Cup nightmare at the Hobart International on Monday night.

After claiming the first set, Gajdosova led 5-3 in the second but was down 30-40 on serve in her first-round clash with Japanese world number 51 Ayumi Morita when rain forced a delay.

The fifth seed returned to take the match 6-3, 6-4 and set up an all-Australian meeting with Anastasia Rodionova.

But the delay of almost an hour after a shower in Hobart probably could not have come at a worse time for the 24-year-old.

Gajdosova had convincingly won the first set in 39 minutes and, although facing a break point, looked well on her way to victory.

"With the break and everything I was hoping I could finish it so it was good," Gajdosova said.

"You never know what's going to happen, it got a bit dark as well so you don't see the ball as well.

"It was a bit shaky, as you could see, the first couple of points but I'm glad that I returned well in the end."

Gajdosova was hopeful she was back on track as she looks to defend her title.

"Hopefully it's only going to get better," she said.

"It's a good start but if I want to keep winning I have to play a little bit better, so I hope to play a touch better in the second round," she said.

The Australian number two had pleaded with fans on the weekend to give her another chance after a humiliating 6-0, 6-0 loss to world number nine Marion Bartoli at the Hopman Cup had reduced her to tears.

Sections of the crowd had jeered the Slovakian-born right-hander in Perth.

Gajdosova, the world number 34, has won two WTA titles, including last year's Hobart event, and will be desperate to build towards a first-ever win at the Australian Open.

She has exited in the first round in all six of her appearances at Melbourne Park.

AAP

Tags: tennis, sport, hobart-7000

First posted January 09, 2012 23:11:40

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How to Model Your Tennis Technique After Pro Tennis Players

When discussing tennis technique in general, we normally refer to top players in the tennis. The important question is: Should a amateur tennis player attempt to copy the tennis technique of the pros?

The answer is a cautious Yes if the tennis player is looking to improve their tennis technique and tennis strokes. The takeaway from watching professional players is that something can be learned everytime you watch the pros practice.

World class tennis players usually always share commonalities in their tennis technique that you should model.

It's a bad idea to try to copy little nuisances and rituals of professional players. Things like John McEnroe's exaggerated rock back and forth swing before he serves, or Maria Sharapova's complex ritual before every point may look cute - - but it's far from what the average tennis needs to incorporate if he or she wants to play better tennis

When watching the pros and attempting to model their tennis technique, it's important to know what to look for in their tennis strokes and what is a matter of personal preference. Replicating important fundamentals of their tennis technique is the most vital - - and key to improving your own tennis technique.

For the forehand, a good model is Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Justine Henin Hardenne. All three of these players have exceptional forehand tennis technique and at the same time are the most efficient and clean forehands in tennis for the average tennis player to model. They are great models because their forehands are top of the game while still staying relatively simple.

Attempting to model Rafael Nadal's Forehand, or Andy Roddick's serve are two very complicated tennis swings. The reason these two tennis shots are not ideal models to copy is simple - - it contains very advanced elements that recreational and club players may not be capable of reproducing without a firm understanding of the fundamental tennis technique behind the strokes.

Nadal's Forehand is a powerful tennis stroke, with a massive topspin forehand. Not a bad forehand by any standards, but one that average player should steer clear of trying to copy until they have mastered the basic elements of a sound forehand. Looking at Nadal's Forehand, we see that his tennis forehand technique is technically sound, but very complex. His wrists, arm and racket goes through several stages just in the preparation phase of the forehand.

Andy Roddick's serve is another difficult tennis stroke to master. It is a tennis stroke that is only possible by first mastering the basic elements of a more classical serve and having exceptional throwing mechanics. The motion itself requires a great deal of upper body and arm strength, as well as athleticism.

Andy Roddick achieves his world class serve through a rapid abbreviated serve motion where the arm flies in and out of the trophy position faster than any other professional tennis player. The ability of his arm to load prior to contact in such a short burst is responsible for his tennis serve being more explosive than any other player on tour. The external rotation Andy Roddick's serve achieves is exceptional This tennis technique requires the player to stretch the body to it's upper limits. It's a serve that only advanced tennis players should attempt, and even so with caution.

Keys of Modeling Tennis Technique

In looking to model the tennis technique of the pros, it's important to look for the basic fundamentals behind the tennis technique. Avoid trying to copy any extreme elements and instead aim for simplicity when trying to emulate the tennis technique of the pros. Try to find a good model to base your tennis strokes off of and then let your natural technique emerge while sticking to the fundamentals of proper technique.

Visualize the correct technique you wish to solidify in your game and observe the strokes of the pros. By watching the pros execute their strokes, an unconscious process in your brain will develop, therefore burning the "perfect image" into your mind. This will help you ingrain the technique, because the brain will have a clear file on the correct technique.

Coach Ed is a former nationally ranked tennis player and coach. Optimum Tennis offers tennis instruction, tennis tips and tennis tips at Optimum Tennis

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