TCT Monthly Jan 2021

Jan 2021 TCT Monthly The Latest Tennis News, Stories and Tips Contents __ Australian Open News about Tennis’ First Grand Slam of 2021 __ Current Rankings Current Rankings before the Australian Open __ Melbourne, Australia Todd’s Tennis Tips Monthly Tennis Tip Australian Open This year there will be AUD$71,000,000 dollars up for grabs, each player looking to take the biggest share possible. Some of the qualifiers to watch out for are: Eugenie Bouchard The Canadian is the highest-profile player in the qualifying field, a former world No.5 who remains among the top 10 most-followed tennis players on social media. Lorenzo Musetti The former world No.1 junior and AO 2019 boys’ singles champion transitioned beautifully to the professional tour in 2020, now within striking distance of the ATP top 100 after beginning the year at No.364. Tsvetana Pironkova Following a three-year absence due to motherhood, the Bulgarian made an impactful return to tennis in 2020, advancing to the quarterfinals of the US Open – the very first event of her comeback – after upsetting seeds Garbine Muguruza and Donna Vekic. Carlos Alcaraz The highly-rated Spanish prospect is coached by former world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero and was a rapid improver on tour last year. Although competitive opportunities were restricted due to COVID-19, Alcaraz managed to win 39 of 46 matches and boost his ranking from No.492 to No.144. Mayar Sherif Sherif made history at Roland Garros in 2020 by qualifying for the tournament, becoming the first Egyptian woman to contest the main draw at a Grand Slam event. Catherine McNally After a successful junior career, McNally’s all-court talent became apparent to a wider audience when she stretched Serena Williams to three sets in an entertaining second- round clash at the 2019 US Open. She followed that up by qualifying for AO 2020 and ousting former world No.4 Sam Stosur in the first round, and later in 2020 advanced to the third round of the US Open. Brandon Nakashima Korda is not the youngest American in the field – that honour goes to teenager Brandon Nakashima, who also closed 2020 with a Challenger title, thanks to his victory in Orlando. It was one of the many impressive results last year for the 19-year-old, who also reached the quarterfinals of the ATP Delray Beach event, compiled a win-loss record of 28-14, and improved his ranking from No.367 to No.166. Seeding: Men: ➢ 1) Djokovic ➢ 2) Nadal ➢ 3) Thiem ➢ 4) Medvedev ➢ 5) Tsitsipas ➢ 11) Shapovalov (Canada) ➢ 14) Raonic (Canada) ➢ 20) Auger-Aliassime (Canada) Women: ➢ 1) Barty ➢ 2) Halep ➢ 3) Osaka ➢ 4) Kenin ➢ 5) Svitolina ➢ 7) Andreescu (Canada) Rankings Shapovalov (12) Raonic (14) Auger-Aliassime (21) Pospisil (61) Canada ATP Canada Diez (179) Todd’s Tennis Tip Stick with 1 Pattern of Play: One of the biggest things we can do to increase our success in matches is to stay with one pattern of play. Players need to stop trying to be too creative and get back to hitting the shots that work. Great players have only 1 or 2 patterns per match while lower-level players often appear much more scattered. A lower-level player may have many shots they “like” to hit, but it is important in a match to hit the shots that work, and which are their strongest shots. This doesn’t mean that you never change things up, but look to play your strongest shots, and when that is working stick to it. If it is not working look for your next strongest shot. Use what weapons you have, and practice times will be used to add to your arsenal of tennis weapons. .

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