Tennis Tour Tidbits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 3rd December 2013

Tennis Tour Tidbits

epa03847400 Tim Smyczek of the US hits a return to Marcel Granollers of Spain during their match on the seventh day of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 01 September 2013. The US Open runs through Monday 09 September, a 15-day schedule for the first time. EPA/PETER FOLEY |

Smyczek back to Milwaukee in better shape

Fans got a taste of Tim Smyczek during the 2013 version of the US Open when he was the last American man standing by reaching the third round.

The Milwaukeean is hoping for a great reception when he participates in “Serves for Summit,” a charity event benefiting the Summit Educational Association in the area. He will participate in an exhibition match next Saturday at Wisconsin Lutheran College and will be joined by ATP pros Denis Kudla, Rhyne Williams and Rajeev Ram. Local tennis legend Tom Gullikson will also attend.

“I think it’ll be good,” Smyczek told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “One of the most common things I hear from the casual tennis fan is how much fun it is to watch live tennis up close. You can watch the guys on TV, but until you’re up close and personal it’s a little hard to get a feel for how hard the ball is being hit and how fast the guys are moving I feel like there’s a lot of support coming from Milwaukee. I think it will show at this event. We’re hoping to get a real good crowd and gain some attention for tennis.”

Smyczek said that he considered hanging up his racket after struggling with injuries and results in his first few year on tour. He turned pro at the age of 18 in 2006.

“It was difficult for me to see my peers doing a lot better than me,’ he said. “I kind of wondered if I hadn’t made a mistake not going to college. I can’t tell you how many times I thought about hanging it up and going back to a normal life.”

The 25 year old has finally cracked the top 100 and currently sits at No. 90, which gains him a direct entry into the Grand Slams. He won a career high $291,027 in prize money in 2013.

“I’m starting to understand the way I need to play tennis. Up until maybe a year ago or so I was just kind of going without any sort of direction. “I’m very happy where I’m at in my career now. I’m starting to finally see things come around.”

Smyczek and his coach, Billy Heiser have decided to model his game after world No. 3 David Ferrer, who like the American, is small in stature, but moves very quickly.

“Obviously, he’s proven that there are ways around it, whether it’s making up for (a lack of power) with speed or just knowing the things you have to avoid,” Smyczek said. “It can be done. The way I have to win points is doing the same things over and over again and wearing guys down. That’s the thing Ferrer does incredibly well. He kind of just takes guys’ legs away from them and wears them down.

Almagro And Lopez Commit To River Oaks

Nicolas Almagro, the 2013 finalist, and Feliciano Lopez, a 2012 semifinalist, have committed to play the 2014 Fayez Seraphim & Co. US Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club in Houston. These Spaniards will join defending champion John Isner in the field for the tournament April 7-13.

Almagro was finalist at the 2013 US Men’s Clay Court Championship, falling to Isner in the final. He has led the ATP in clay-court match wins three times in the past six seasons.

Lopez will be making his second appearance at River Oaks. He made the semifinals of the 2012 event before losing to Isner in three sets. Lopez recorded his 300th career match win during the 2013 season and also reached his eighth career ATP World Tour final.

Isner will attempt to be the first player to successfully defend his US Men’s Clay Court Championship title since Andy Roddick won the 2001 and 2002 titles.

In 2014, River Oaks Country Club will celebrate hosting a tournament for the 80th time since its inauguration in 1931. The upcoming tournament will also mark the 105th staging of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship.

Martin Offering a Coaches Workshop In Florida

Todd Martin is partnering with Dr. Mark Kovacs and the International Tennis

Performance Association to offer a unique Coaching Education Workshop at the Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on December 17th.

This is a one-day workshop covering all coaching aspects for coaches working with juniors 11-18 who are eyeing a collegiate or pro tour future. Information at 770 828 5779.

ADDITIONAL NEWS

In an interview with a Czech magazine, Radek Stepanek said that he is already in love with fellow player Petra Kvitova. The two have not said when their romantic relationship exactly started. But it is believed to be sometime early last summer; he is in divorce proceedings with his wife, former player, Nicole Vaidisova. . . Young Russian Daria Gavrilova just had knee surgery. . . Sania Mirza on what it was like to grow up as female tennis player in India. “When I was growing up I would go to tennis and people would come up to my parents and they would ridicule then and say she’s a girl from Hyderabad you think she is going to play Wimbledon? But obviously my parents didn’t care. My own relatives were more worried that I wouldn’t find a boy to get married to.” . ; Four indoor acrylic courts have been awarded two-star ITF Recognition at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. . . Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka will attend the final beach tennis event of 2013 in Hua Hin, Thailand at the end of December, as well as play an exhibition.

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Atp World Tour, John Isner, Nicolas Almagro, Petra Kvitova, Radek Stepanek, Rhyne Williams, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Tim Smyczek, US Open, Victoria Azarenka, Wta