VIDEO: Sharapova and Federer – When They Were Young
The following is simply a collection of YouTube videos featuring two of the biggest names in tennis today: Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer — when they were young and things were a little more, well, carefree. Enjoy!
Here’s a look at Federer’s first Grand Slam match.
Pardon the title, but this is a Hopman Cup match featuring Federer and compatriot Martina Hingis.
Sharapova’s giving a taste of her interview skills at just 13 here.
Here’s a hilarious (and prescient) interview of Sharapova at 16 as the World No. 32.
What Azarenka Can Learn from Djokovic
Victoria Azarenka recently pulled off a big win over Maria Sharapova to claim her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic edged Rafael Nadal in the longest major final of the Open Era.
But for Azarenka, it might be just a little more tricky to hold on to that euphoric feeling that comes after a huge win. That is, if the past year’s female champions prove to be an example. While Kim Clijsters, the Aussie Open’s 2010 titlist, made good with a semifinal loss to Azarenka, Li Na, Petra Kvitova, and (especially) Sam Stosur all failed to make much of a dent in the major tournaments after their victories. Vika needs to put the blinders on and push forward. She needs to follow the example of Djokovic, whose win she watched the next day.
Winning the three Grand Slams in a row could be in Azarenka’s future. A lot of things need to happen in her favor, including the continued poor form of Serena Williams. It’s still unclear whether Kvitova, who might prove Azarenka’s biggest rival, will get back the game that claimed her a Wimbledon crown, along with the WTA year-end championships. If so, the storyline might just develop into a Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova type deal, which would be extremely helpful to the WTA.
With the Williams sisters already on a downward spiral, or at least their typical roller coaster ride, they’re in danger of becoming quickly irrelevant. Meanwhile, Sharapova’s proven she’s back, having made the Wimbledon and Aussie Open finals. Yet does she have that extra fight to take her game one step further? Her loses in those championship matches were pretty huge. But if her serve continues to show staying power, she should find herself in the second weeks of many more majors to come.
Back to Azarenka. She needs to be composed as the newest World No. 1. Everyone may be thinking to the case of Ana Ivanovic, whose win at Roland Garros also propelled her to the highest height in the ranking. Of course, it also sent her game to low levels and a loss of confidence. Azarenka seems to have the fight in her, and it does appear similar to Djokovic’s own slightly abrasive personality.
As long as she keeps it going and doesn’t lose herself in the process, the upcoming hard court season is hers for the taking.
Late Night Reflections on the 2012 Australian Open’s Start
It’s that time of the year again for the first Grand Slam in the sunny land of Australia to kick off. Injuries prevail among both tours as was the case last year — and why shouldn’t they with such a short off-season? A little tennis has been watched and a lot of guilt has been felt for not writing sooner. That aside, let’s get down to talking some tennis.
I caught a few matches last night, failing to fall asleep before 5am because, sure, Roger Federer’s match against …who? (Goes to look it up)
Oh, yes, Federer’s match against World No. 176, or something, Alexandre Kudryavtsev (apparently no relation to Alla Kudryavtseva) was just that interesting. Okay, so maybe not, but the later played decently enough, striking some booming backhands that pierced angles of the court in a very, well, Federer-esque way. Regardless of the spots of brilliance from his opponent, Federer prevailed easily, winning 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.
In other matches broadcast to my liking were Aussie heir apparent Bernard Tomic against Fernando Verdasco as well as last year’s champion and Down Under’s adopted daughter Kim Clijsters versus another nobody (will check name).
Tomic looked sharp in all his cat-like glory, moving the ball around beautifully against the No. 22 seed, while hitting perfectly timed slices over and over again to take the pace, put it in a blender, and then proceed to cut Verdasco’s confidence to pieces. In short, Tomic came back from two sets down for the win. Verdasco completely choked at the end, allowing the teen to advance to the second round 5-6, 6(3)-7, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5.
For Aussie Kim, the win looked a little uneasy at the start. She let her opponent control play too much, but ultimately dominated by the end. She took out Maria Joao Koehler 7-5, 6-1. Should the Belgian’s body hold up, and she doesn’t do one of those surprising disappearing acts for which she’s known, we’ll get a rematch of last year’s final against Li Na in the Round of 16.
How’s that for strange?
