First Sochi medals up for grabs after opening ceremony

First Sochi medals up for grabs after opening ceremony

 

[caption id="attachment_12087" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Norway's biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, seen during a training session at the Laura Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Centre in Rosa Khutor, near Sochi, on 5 Wednesday February 2014 The Roman (AFP/File, Kirill Kudryavtsev))[/caption]

 

By Stuart Williams (AFP)

 

Sochi — Olympic athletes were on Saturday competing for the first medals of the Sochi Winter Games after Russia staged a thrilling opening ceremony that impressed even foreign sceptics.

 

President Vladimir Putin late Friday declared open the 22nd Winter Olympics in a ceremony that took 40,000 people in the Fisht Stadium and TV viewers around the world on a lightning tour through Russian history.

 

Thousands of fireworks exploded above the venue on the Black Sea coast in the ceremony.

 

"We missed this for so many years... a pride for our country, a feeling for her power, unity and greatness. Yesterday, we felt it," the Moskovsky Komsomolets daily said.

 

Five gold medals are up for grabs.

 

The first gold will likely come in the women's cross-country skiathlon, while Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, 40, will become the joint highest medal winner in Winter Olympics history if he makes the podium in the sprint.

 

Women will seek gold in the spectacular moguls freestyle event, the men's snowboard slopestyle will be decided after a succession of spectacular crashes while the endurance kings of speed skating will face off in the lung-busting men's 5,000 metres.

 

The high-octane ceremony, devised by the powerful boss of Russia's Channel One television Konstantin Ernst, got off to a rocky start when one of five illuminated artificial snowflakes that were supposed to morph into the Olympic rings failed to open, leaving just four rings.

 

But organisers brushed off the mishap, admitting that they covered up the glitch on Russian state television by quickly inserting footage of the segment they had recorded days earlier.

 

"There is a saying that you have to kick out the uneven part of a perfectly polished ball to understand how perfect it is," he said.

 

The Russian team won huge cheers as they entered to the song "Nas Ne Dogonyat" ("Not Gonna Get Us") by female pop duo Tatu.

 

In towards Russia's proud sporting past, the Olympic cauldron was lit by two triple gold-winning Soviet winter sports icons -- figure skater Irina Rodnina and ice hockey legend Vladislav Tretyak.

 

The flame had been brought into the stadium by US-based Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova and the final relay included Olympic rhythmic gymnastics champion Alina Kabayeva.

 

Even the foreign press, which have been hugely critical of Russia in the days up to the Games, heaped praised on the ceremony.

 

"For Russia last night it marked its revival as a post-Soviet powerhouse, confident of its seat at the top table after two decades of doubt and despondency," Britain's Daily Mail wrote.

 

'Keep politics out of Olympics'

 

But IOC President Thomas Bach made an impassioned call for politics to stay out of sport, saying "have the courage to address your disagreements in political dialogue and not on the back of your athletes".

 

The security concerns that have shadowed these Games were underlined when a Ukrainian man attempted to hijack an airliner en route from Ukraine to Turkey and divert it to Sochi.

 

But Turkish military jets forced the plane to land in Istanbul, where security teams overpowered the man, said to be drunk.

 

The United States has already announced a temporary ban on liquids and gels in hand luggage on Russia-bound flights, following a warning that militants could stuff explosives into toothpaste.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France -Presse, 8 Saturday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

 

The Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics

The Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics

 

[caption id="attachment_12057" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Alberto Pizzoli)[/caption]

 

Maria and flame

 

Russian tennis player and Olympic medalist Maria Sharapova runs with the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi.

 

(AFP - Alberto Pizzoli)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 8 Saturday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Stanislas Wawrinka upsets the odds to beat Rafael Nadal and claim 2014 Australian Open title

Stanislas Wawrinka upsets the odds to beat Rafael Nadal and claim 2014 Australian Open title

 

World No 1 suffers a back spasm mid-match as he loses 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 to hand Wawrinka his first grand slam title

 

[caption id="attachment_11346" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Giant-killer: Stanislas Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on his way to winning the title (Photo: GETTY IMAGES))[/caption]

 

Rafael Nadal was struck down by a back spasm today in the middle of the Australian Open final, turning what was promising to be a thrilling match into one of the strangest spectacles this sport has seen for years.

 

The immediate consequence is that Stan Wawrinka has joined the gilded inner circle of grand slam champions.

 

He is the first man to break the stranglehold of the “big four” since Juan Martin del Potro won the 2009 US Open.

 

But the narrative was complicated by Nadal’s injury, which knocked Wawrinka off his big-hitting game for a while.

 

The Swiss lost the third set in an otherwise dominant 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory, which was the period when Nadal was least able to move around the court.

 

This was especially ironic because Wawrinka had opened the match in rip-roaring style.

 

He was “zoning”, as the players like to say.

 

Every time Nadal hit a shot that was less than perfectly placed, Wawrinka was smacking a winner.

 

He took the first set in just 37 minutes, striking 12 clean winners to just four from Nadal.

 

Then came the start of the most peculiar passage of play.

 

Nadal pulled up dramatically after dumping a forehand in the net with the score standing at 4-6, 1-1.

 

He bent double and put a hand to his back, and had soon disappeared off the court with the trainer while Wawrinka furiously demanded to know what the problem was.

 

When Nadal came back on court after a six-minute delay, he was loudly booed – which must be a first in his history at this event.

 

Yet there was immediate evidence that he was not malingering as his first-serve speed dropped to around 80mph.

 

He could barely move along the baseline and had to rely on swinging hard at anything that came within his reach.

 

Wawrinka finished off the second set quickly, but he was beginning to become confused about his best tactics.

 

For at least half-an-hour, the Swiss stopped swinging with the same conviction, and lost the width on his groundstrokes.

 

Even though Nadal was only playing at around 20 or 30 per cent, he took the opportunities presented to him and pulled one set back.

 

If Wawrinka had continued to waver, this could have ended badly for him.

 

The commentators were starting to invoke the spectre of Guillermo Coria, the Argentine who threw away a two-set lead in the 2004 French Open final and was never the same again.

 

But the Swiss steeled himself and managed to rediscover the booming forehand that had dominated the first set.

 

Nadal’s serve speed and movement were actually picking up now, presumably as anti-inflammatory medicine kicked in, but he could not sustain his resistance with what was still a major handicap.

 

It was fitting that a Wawrinka forehand down the line – the most potent shot throughout this match – should have concluded matters after 2hr 21min of unpredictable drama.

 

“Bad luck was against me today but you really deserve it,” said Nadal afterwards.

 

“To the crowd, it’s been very emotional two weeks. I am sorry to finish this way, I tried very hard.”

 

Wawrinka replied by saying “I am really sorry for you. I hope your back is going to be fine. I still don’t know if I’m dreaming or not but I guess I will find out in the morning.”

 

Some might argue that there will always be an invisible asterisk against this result.

 

But after knocking out Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final, and then opening this match with a fusillade of brilliant winners, Wawrinka has genuinely made his own luck.

 

He has become the first man to beat Nadal and Djokovic in the same slam and the first to beat both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds at any major tournament since Sergi Bruguera at the 1993 French Open.

 

Wawrinka fully deserved to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the end of the night.

 

(Simon Briggs)

 

(The Telegraph, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Wawrinka gana su primer Grand Slam ante un Nadal lesionado Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam before an injured Nadal

Wawrinka gana su primer Grand Slam ante un Nadal lesionado

 

[caption id="attachment_11339" align="alignnone" width="400"] (El suizo Stanislas Wawrinka, en acción durante el partido contra el español Rafa Nadal de la final del Abierto de Tenis de Australia. EFE) (The Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in action during the match against Rafa Nadal Spanish final of the Australia Open Tennis. EFE)[/caption]

 

El suizo Stanislas Wawrinka ganó hoy su primer título del Grand Slam al vencer a Rafael Nadal por 6-3, 6-2, 3-6 y 6-3, en dos horas y 21 minutos, en la final del Abierto de Australia, donde el español jugó visiblemente disminuido por una lesión en la espalda.

 

A pesar de ese inconveniente, Nadal fue capaz de ganar el tercer set, y luchar hasta el final, después de recibir masaje en el vestuario y dos veces sobre la pista por el fisio del torneo, Hugo Gravil.

 

(Agencia EFE, 26 domingo enero 2014 la Roman)

 

 

Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam before an injured Nadal

 

The Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka today won his first grand slam title after beating Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes, in the Australia Open final, where the Spanish played noticeably diminished by a back injury.

 

Despite this drawback, Nadal was able to win the third set, and fight to the end, after receiving massage in the locker room and on the track twice by physio tournament, Hugo Gravil.

 

(Agencia EFE, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer, Australian Open live Winning Interview Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer, Australian Open live Winning Interview Rafael Nadal

 

[caption id="attachment_11325" align="alignnone" width="345"] (Photo The Telegraph)[/caption]

 

Live Australian Open scores

 

Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-3

 

Winning Interview

 

Rafael Nadal

 

11.22 Here is the Aussie Open finalist Nadal speaking on court: "We have played at a lot of important times. Roger is a great champion and it's an honour to be here with him."

 

11.24 On the prospect of a final against Stan Wawrinka: "He will be a very tough ooppnet. His serve is huge and he is hitting the ball very hard. I need to be aggressive and not let him hit the ball in easy positions."

 

11.26 Oddly (and a bit creepily if you ask me) interviewer Jim Courier also asked Nadal if his girlfriend is going to fly in for the final. The answer: No.

 

11.28 There is no doubting it then - Roger Federer is no longer Switzerland's number one male tennis player.

 

11.34 Can Federer hold the title of "the greatest" when he repeatedly comes up short against Nadal? The answer to that question may well be "yes" because of his brilliant all-round record but it's an interesting debate.

 

11.40 That's almost all from me. Federer's 11th consecutive Australian Open semi-final ends in defeat. Will he ever win another grand slam? It is looking increasingly unlikely having made only two finals in the last four years. His best bet appears to be at Wimbledon. Meanwhile the Nadal show continues. He has won two of the three grand slams since his long absence through injury last year and is now odds-on to claim his second Aussie Open title on Sunday.

 

11.44 It's time for me to wrap this up. The match wasn't the epic nail-biter we had hoped for and that is down to the sheer power and class of Rafa Nadal. If he beats Stan Wawrinka on Sunday he will become the first man to win all four Grand Slams twice in the Open era. That final kicks off at 8.30am on Sunday so do come back for that. Thanks for following. Cheerio.

 

(Ben Bloom)

 

(The Telegraph, 24 Friday January 2014 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 24 Friday January 2013 The Roman)

 

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

 

[caption id="attachment_11278" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Mal Fairlough)[/caption]

 

Effort

 

Le Serbe Novak Djokovic renvoie une balle du Suisse Stanislas Wawrinka à l'Open d'Australie, à Melbourne.

 

Effort

 

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns a ball to Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka Australian Open in Melbourne.

 

(AFP - Mal Fairlough)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 22 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 23 Thursday January 2013 The Roman)

 

 

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

 

[caption id="attachment_11271" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Paul Crock)[/caption]

 

Rafa in action

 

Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a shot during his men's singles match against Japan's Kei Nishikori on day eight of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne.

 

(AFP - Paul Crock)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 21 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Wawrinka upsets champion Djokovic at Australian Open

Wawrinka upsets champion Djokovic at Australian Open

 

Melbourne (AFP)

 

Stanislas Wawrinka dumped three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic out of the Australian Open after a thrilling five-set match on Tuesday.

 

The Swiss eighth seed beat Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7 in a four-hour quarter-final on Rod Laver Arena to set up a semi-final with Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 21 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro

 

[caption id="attachment_11146" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Saeed Khan)[/caption]

 

Smash

 

Le joueur de tennis argentin Juan Martín Del Potro face à l'Américain Rhyne Williams à l'Open de tennis d'Australie à Melbourne.

 

Smash

 

Argentine tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro to American Rhyne Williams at the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne.

 

(AFP - Saeed Khan)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 15 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 16 Thursday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Open d'Australie: Djokovic et Williams pour marquer un peu plus l'histoire Australian Open : Djokovic and Williams to score a little more history

Open d'Australie: Djokovic et Williams pour marquer un peu plus l'histoire

 

[caption id="attachment_11125" align="alignnone" width="398"] (Le Serbe Novak Djokovic à l'entraînement le 11 janvier 2013 le Roman à Melbourne (Photo AFP)) (Serbian Novak Djokovic in training 11 January 2013 The Roman in Melbourne (Photo AFP) )[/caption]

 

Novak Djokovic et Serena Williams essaieront d'ancrer un peu plus leur place dans l'histoire du tennis à l'Open d'Australie, qui commence lundi à Melbourne et où le premier vise un quatrième titre consécutif, la seconde un 18e titre du Grand Chelem.

 

Si le Serbe devra compter avec la présence du N.1 mondial Rafael Nadal, absent sur blessure l'an passé, l'Américaine n'a pas d'égale.

 

Pas même la Bélarusse Victoria Azarenka, double tenante du titre.

 

Depuis un an et demi et son élimination surprise au 1er tour de Roland-Garros face à la Française Virginie Razzano, Serena est quasiment invincible.

 

Pendant cette période, elle a remporté 114 victoires en 119 matches.

 

Redevenue N.1 mondiale en février 2013, elle a remporté Wimbledon, les JO, l'US Open et le Masters en 2012, puis Roland-Garros et à nouveau l'US Open et le Masters en 2013.

 

Entièrement dédiée à son sport, après s'être un peu dispersée au milieu de sa carrière, l'Américaine de 32 ans se préoccupe à nouveau de la trace qu'elle laissera dans l'histoire de son sport.

 

En cas de victoire cette année à Melbourne, qui serait sa sixième après ses titres de 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 et 2010, elle rejoindrait Chris Evert et Martina Navratilova au nombre de titres en Grand Chelem (18).

 

Djokovic invaincu depuis 2010 à Melbourne

 

"Ca signifierait énormément pour moi que de me retrouver au même niveau que de telles joueuses", a-t-elle souligné.

 

Elle a besoin aussi d'une victoire en Australie pour prétendre à un Grand Chelem, réussi seulement deux fois dans l'ère professionnelle, en 1970 par l'Australienne Margaret Court et en 1988 par l'Allemande Steffi Graf.

 

L'Américaine n'a personne d'autre à craindre qu'elle-même, ou une éventuelle blessure, comme celles qui lui avaient causé une élimination prématurée à Melbourne en 8e de finale en 2012 et en quart en 2013.

 

La concurrence est un peu plus vive dans le tableau masculin, où Djokovic doit composer avec Nadal et Roger Federer.

 

Ce trio infernal a remporté neuf des dix dernières éditions de l'Open d'Australie, seul le Russe Marat Safin se glissant au palmarès en 2005.

 

Mais le Serbe s'impose comme le favori N.1 à Melbourne, où le dernier à l'avoir battu est le Français Jo-Wilfried Tsonga en 2010 (en quart).

 

Il pourrait devenir le deuxième joueur à gagner quatre fois de suite ce tournoi, après l'Australien Roy Emerson, vainqueur en 1961 puis de 1963 à 1967.

 

Federer et Murray un ton en-dessous?

 

Djokovic est invaincu depuis sa défaite en finale de l'US Open face à Nadal en septembre, et a bénéficié d'un tirage au sort beaucoup plus clément que le N.1 mondial.

 

Après avoir manqué la précédente édition pour une blessure au genou gauche, l'Espagnol, déjà vainqueur en 2009, se verrait bien ajouter une nouvelle fois son nom au palmarès.

 

Mais il devra échapper aux nombreux pièges (Tomic, Monfils, Nishikori, Del Potro...) qui parsèment sa route.

 

Nadal pourrait aussi être désavantagé par une surface qu'il estime plus rapide que les années précédentes.

 

Derrière Djokovic et Nadal, la hiérarchie risque fort d'être bousculée cette année.

 

Les deux autres membres du "Big Four", Federer et Andy Murray, pourraient être un ton en-dessous des années précédentes.

 

L'Australie a longtemps été l'une des destinations favorites de Federer, vainqueur en 2004, 2006, 2007 et 2010.

 

Mais le Suisse sort d'une année noire, au cours de laquelle il n'a gagné qu'un titre mineur (Halle), et fait moins peur qu'avant.

 

Murray, finaliste en 2010, 2011 et 2013, risque de son côté d'être à court de compétition.

 

Le Britannique a subi en septembre une petite opération au dos, ce qui modère ses ambitions pour Melbourne.

 

Les dix derniers vainqueurs des simples dames et messieurs de l'Open d'Australie:

Simple dames:

2013: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2012: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2011: Kim Clijsters (BEL)

2010: Serena Williams (USA)

2009: Serena Williams (USA)

2008: Maria Sharapova (RUS)

2007: Serena Williams (USA)

2006: Amélie Mauresmo (FRA)

2005: Serena Williams (USA)

2004: Justine Henin (BEL)

 

Simple messieurs :

2013: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2012: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2011: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2010: Roger Federer (SUI)

2009: Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2008: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2007: Roger Federer (SUI)

2006: Roger Federer (SUI)

2005: Marat Safin (RUS)

2004: Roger Federer (SUI)

 

 

Par Cyril BELAUD© 2014 AFP

 

(La Nouvelle, 12 dimanche janvier 2014 la Roman)

 

 

Australian Open : Djokovic and Williams to score a little more history

 

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will try to anchor a little place in tennis history at the Australian Open, which begins Monday in Melbourne where the first is a fourth consecutive title, the second a 18th title of Grand Slam.

 

If the Serbian will count with the presence of world No.1 Rafael Nadal, who was absent through injury last year, the U.S. has no equal.

 

Not even the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, double title holder.

 

For a year and a half and his surprise at the first round of Roland Garros facing elimination French Virginie Razzano, Serena is almost invincible.

 

During this period, she won 114 victories in 119 matches.

 

Returned to world No.1 in February 2013, she won Wimbledon, the Olympics, the U.S. Open and the Masters in 2012 and Roland Garros and the U.S. Open again and the Masters in 2013.

 

Dedicated to his sport, having a little scattered in the middle of his career, the 32 year old American is concerned again it will leave a trace in the history of his sport.

 

In case of victory this year in Melbourne, would be his sixth with titles in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010, it would join Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova to the number of Grand Slam titles (18).

 

Djokovic unbeaten since 2010 in Melbourne

 

"It would mean a lot to me to find myself on the same level as these players," he said.

 

It also needs a victory in Australia to qualify for a Grand Slam succeeded only twice in the professional era in 1970 by Australia's Margaret Court and in 1988 by Germany's Steffi Graf.

 

The American has no one else to worry about herself, or any injury, such as that caused him premature removal in Melbourne 8th finals in 2012 and fourth in 2013.

 

The competition is a little more lively in the men's draw , which must deal with Djokovic Nadal and Roger Federer.

 

This infernal trio won nine of the last ten editions of the Australian Open, only the Russian Marat Safin gliding charts in 2005.

 

But the Serbian itself as the No.1 favorite in Melbourne, where the last one is beating the French Jo -Wilfried Tsonga in 2010 (fourth).

 

It could become the second player to win four consecutive tournament after the Australian Roy Emerson, winner in 1961 and 1963 to 1967.

 

Federer and Murray a tone below ?

 

Djokovic is unbeaten since losing in the U.S. Open final against Nadal in September and received a draw much more lenient than the world No.1.

 

Having missed the previous edition for a left knee injury , the Spaniard, who won in 2009, would be well again add his name to the winners.

 

But he will escape many pitfalls (Tomic Monfils, Nishikori, Del Potro ... ) that dot the road.

 

Nadal could also be disadvantaged by a surface that feels faster than in previous years.

 

Behind Djokovic and Nadal, the hierarchy is likely to be shaken this year.

 

The other two members of the " Big Four", Federer and Andy Murray could be a tone below previous years.

 

Australia has long been a favorite destination of Federer, winner in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010.

 

But the Swiss out of a bad year, during which he has won a minor title (Halle), and is less afraid than before.

 

Murray, a finalist in 2010, 2011 and 2013, may turn to be short of competition.

 

The British suffered a little in September back surgery, which moderates its ambitions for Melbourne.

 

The last ten winners of single ladies and gentlemen of the Australian Open :

 

Ladies' Single :

 

2013: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2012: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

2011: Kim Clijsters (BEL)

2010: Serena Williams (USA)

2009 : Serena Williams (USA)

2008: Maria Sharapova (RUS)

2007: Serena Williams (USA)

2006 Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

2005 : Serena Williams (USA)

2004 : Justine Henin (BEL)

 

Men's Singles :

 

2013: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2012: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2011: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2010: Roger Federer (SUI)

2009 : Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2008: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2007: Roger Federer (SUI)

2006 : Roger Federer (SUI)

2005 : Marat Safin (RUS)

2004 : Roger Federer (SUI)

 

By Cyril BELAUD © 2014 AFP

 

(La Nouvelle, 12 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse,  15 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

ATP WORLD TOUR SEASON REVIEW 2013 IN REVIEW: ATP HERITAGE PROGRAMME

ATP WORLD TOUR SEASON REVIEW

 

2013 IN REVIEW: ATP HERITAGE PROGRAMME

 

Best Of 2013

 

(by ATP Staff  | 21.12.2013)

 

 

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Media/Video-Landing/*/Tennis/Media/Videos/Uploaded/2013/8/24/ATP-Heritage-No-1-Celebration-Highlights.aspx#ooid=VndnZ4ZDrb7IAfo9Yjd0_KtluJJwqSnl

 

 

Thanks to the vision of the late ATP Executive Chairman & President, Brad Drewett, the ATP Heritage Programme was born in February 2013.

 

Marking 40 years of the Emirates ATP Rankings, the ATP Heritage Programme celebrates a remarkable journey taken by players, tournaments and fans since 1973.

 

A special commemorative coffee table book was published by the ATP during Wimbledon, celebrating all the year-end ATP World Tour No. 1s over the past 40 years.

 

The unique celebratory book, entitled ‘No. 1’, featured exclusive interviews with No. 1s past and present, as well as never-seen-before photography over the past 40 years.

 

‘No. 1’ is available for purchase at UK book stores, and online through Tennis Warehouse

 

Visit ATP Heritage Section

 

The protagonists then shared the same stage in New York at the No. 1 Celebration gala on the eve of the US Open.

 

Champions paid tribute to generations past and present as an unprecedented gathering of No. 1s took place.

 

Ilie Nastase, who became the first ATP World No. 1 on 23 August 1973, was present to be honoured on the night, along with successors John Newcombe, Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, Stefan Edberg, Jim Courier, Marcelo Rios, Carlos Moya, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Gustavo Kuerten, Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

 

The four decades' worth of No. 1s shared a stage - and some fond memories as well.

 

The evening also included a tribute to Drewett, who had passed away in May following a battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

 

Federer thanked those that came before him, like childhood idol Edberg.

 

"It was important for me to have someone to look up to," said Federer, the record-holder for most weeks at No. 1.

 

''I know there's been a huge sacrifice at the players' level, just this generation and the players sitting here tonight, and even before that. We've put such huge effort in the game, and that's a platform we can enjoy today.''

 

As part of the ATP Heritage Programme, ATP WorldTour.com marked historic anniversaries throughout the 2013 season.

 

The Rankings That Changed Tennis

 

The 23rd August marked the 40th anniversary of the Emirates ATP Rankings.

 

After quickly earning legitimacy and credibility, the rankings have become an indispensable part of tennis accepted universally by players, tournaments and fans.

 

The Tour Born In A Parking Lot

 

Few tennis media conferences have resonated like 'The Parking Lot Press Conference', held 25 years ago on 30 August 1988, a seminal moment in ATP history.

 

With the ATP logo hastily duct-taped to the podium, a rented PA system and a parking lot for a venue, the 1988 press conference that crystalised momentum for the birth of the ATP Tour could be called 'no frills' at best.

 

http://www.atpworldtour.com/

 

(ATP, 21 Saturday December 2013 The Roman)

 

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013: Andy Murray, champion of a great sporting year

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013: Andy Murray, champion of a great sporting year

 

Tennis player proves the greatest star in an almighty scramble for Sports Personality award that reflects a return to Britain’s Olympic glory

 

[caption id="attachment_10769" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Andy Murray poses with his award, in Miami, Florida (Photo AP))[/caption]

 

This afternoon, before hosting the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year show, Gabby Logan tweeted a picture of the set in Leeds.

 

And my, it looked impressive, suggesting that despite all available evidence there was some money left in the BBC’s kitty after sending out half the staff to cover Nelson Mandela’s passing.

 

A ravishing swirl of steel and glass, the centrepiece was a scaffolding structure resembling a giant water-wheel.

 

On its shelves sat some of the great trophies of sport.

 

The irony is these are trophies whose victory rites are these days largely broadcast elsewhere.

 

It is a paradox of our television times that the less sport the BBC has to show, the more lavish its annual sporting awards ceremony has become.

 

When it was first shown in 1954, when the corporation was the nation’s sole broadcaster, the BBC Sports Review of the Year ran for just 45 minutes, with the revelation of the leading individual tagged on to the end.

 

This year, when everyone from Sky through to Channel 4 to BT has cherry-picked off the BBC’s live portfolio, the 60th anniversary show ran for around three hours.

 

It was a ceremony filled with artful short films of the contenders shot in pixelated slo-mo, an event tailored for The X Factor generation, so bedecked in cutesy production flourishes Lady Gaga might consider it a tad over the top.

 

But even if the evening rarely passes off without manufactured bombast, ritual sycophancy and self-inflicted embarrassment, there is one thing about the BBC award: it still matters.

 

This is a piece of silverware every British sportsperson wants on their mantelpiece.

 

This is, moreover, an award that perfectly reflects the times.

 

The great peaks of British sporting history are writ large in the list of previous winners.

 

Bobby Moore won it in 1966, Ian Botham in 1981, Jonny Wilkinson in 2003 and Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2012.

 

But when the sport has been rubbish, when the year is characterised by a plucky Brit trudging home in a brave seventh place, then invariably the Sports Personality suffers.

 

In those times the show is dismissed as an embarrassment, an anachronism, a joke.

 

And the winner is hurriedly forgotten.

 

Not this time.

 

In brilliant refutation of the idea that 2012’s Olympic-driven glory could never be matched, this year the gong had been pursued with an almighty scramble of excellence.

 

What a year of British effort was reflected in those going for the honours.

 

There was AP McCoy, the jockey with his 4,000 winners; Justin Rose triumphing in the US Open golf; the cyclist Chris Froome picking up Sir Brad’s baton in the Tour; Mo Farah doing a clean sweep at the world athletics championships and Sir Ben Ainslie, the sailor who single-handedly turned around the America’s Cup.

 

If any of them had been doing what they did this year in 1997, the winner Greg Rusedski, whose principal claim was losing in the US Open tennis final, would have been lucky to get an invitation.

 

Yet they all went home empty-handed this time.

 

There was only ever one candidate for the supreme honour.

 

In the year he became the first Briton in three quarters of a century to win the men’s singles competition at Wimbledon, Andy Murray’s achievement was of such resonance it was always certain to see off even that stellar list of contenders.

 

Not that he was there to receive his invitation to the pantheon in person.

 

Murray did not win Wimbledon by curtailing his relentlessly masochistic winter training schedule.

 

Never mind the enormous commercial benefit in turning up in Leeds, he remained in his camp in Florida.

 

Across the years when he has been in contention, he has politely declined the invitation to break his training with a transatlantic flight and has stayed in the warmth.

 

Last year, things got toe-curlingly awkward when he was obliged to present himself with the runners-up gong after Lennox Lewis, who was supposed to do the honours, missed his cue.

 

Murray continues the award’s astonishing pattern.

 

The last six winners have been from, in order, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and England.

 

This is truly a British competition, a symbol of a united sporting nation.

 

In a great year, Murray is our greatest star.

 

(The Telegraph, 15 Sunday December 2013 The Roman)

 

ATP rates 2 Nadal-Djokovic matches as tops of 2013

ATP rates 2 Nadal-Djokovic matches as tops of 2013

 

[caption id="attachment_10399" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Spanish world No. 1 Rafael Nadal is shown in this file photo. Nadal's victory over Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Montreal Masters and his five-set defeat of the Serbian in the French Open semis were chosen by the ATP World Tour as the two best matches of 2013. (EFE/File))[/caption]

 

Madrid, Nov 28 (EFE).- Spanish world No. 1 Rafael Nadal's victory over Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Montreal Masters and his five-set defeat of the Serbian in the French Open semis were chosen by the ATP World Tour as the two best matches of 2013.

 

Nadal's 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2) win in Montreal was chosen as the best match at an ATP World Tour event, while his 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 9-7 triumph at Roland Garros was considered the best match at one of the four Grand Slam events, which are governed by the International Tennis Federation.

 

(Agencia EFE, 28 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

 

News: Joke

News: Joke

 

[caption id="attachment_10364" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Alejandro Pagni)[/caption]

 

Novak Djokovic y Rafael Nadal

 

Los tenistas Novak Djokovic (i) y Rafael Nadal bromean durante un partido de exhibición en Buenos Aires el 24 de noviembre de 2013.

 

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

 

Tennis players Novak Djokovic (L) and Rafael Nadal joke during an exhibition match in Buenos Aires on 24 November 2013.

 

(AFP - Alejandro Pagni)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 26 Tuesday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translaed: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 28 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

 

News: Novac Djokovic

News: Novac Djokovic

 

[caption id="attachment_9903" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Glyn Kirk)[/caption]

 

Urschrei

 

Urschrei: Tennis-Star Novak Djokovic aus Serbien macht seiner Freude nach seinem Sieg über den Spanier Rafael im ATP-Finale in London Luft.

 

Primal Scream

 

Primal Scream: Tennis star Novak Djokovic of Serbia makes his joy after his victory over the Spaniards Rafael in ATP finals in London air.

 

(AFP - Glyn Kirk)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 14 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 14 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

 

 

News: Novak Djokovic

News: Novak Djokovic

 

[caption id="attachment_9874" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Glyn Kirk)[/caption]

 

Best one

 

Le Serbe Novak Djokovic porte le trophée du Masters de Londres après sa victoire en finale face à l'Espagnol Rafael Nadal, le 11 novembre 2013.

 

 

Holding the trophy

 

Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the Brad Drewett Trophy after beating Spain's Rafael Nadal in the singles final on the eighth day of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London.

 

(AFP - Glyn Kirk)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 12 Tuesday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 13 Wednesday November 2013 The Roman)

 

 

Nadal ready to go for broke in Djokovic showdown

Nadal ready to go for broke in Djokovic showdown

 

London (AFP)

 

Rafael Nadal has warned defending champion Novak Djokovic to expect a ferocious battle as the Spaniard bids to win the ATP World Tour Finals for the first time on Monday.

 

World number one Nadal swept aside Roger Federer 7-5, 6-3 in the semi-finals on Sunday to book just his second appearance in the final of the prestigious season-ending event at London's O2 Arena.

 

The 13-time Grand Slam champion lost his only previous Tour Finals championship decider to Federer in 2010.

 

After spending seven months battling to recover from knee tendinitis, Nadal made a blistering return this year which has so far brought him 10 titles, including the French and US Opens, as well as top spot in the year-end world rankings.

 

With just one more match left before he can head home for a well-earned rest in Manacor, Nadal is determined to play at his most aggressive in his latest showdown with Djokovic, who will be looking for a third Tour Finals crown after beating Swiss seventh seed Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-3.

 

"For me every match means a lot and every tournament means a lot, but it's true that this tournament is special and I never had the chance to win here," Nadal said.

 

"So it will be great if I have the chance to finish the year with a victory. But I know a lot of work remains and probably the most difficult one is still to come.

 

"I think if I don't play my best tomorrow, I don't have a chance. I need to play more aggressive."

 

Nadal took just 79 minutes on Sunday to extend his dominance over Federer to 22 wins from their 32 meetings.

 

And with Djokovic not playing his semi-final until Sunday evening, Nadal was asked whether he may have an advantage with his extra recovery time.

 

"The final is tomorrow evening so it's not going to affect anything. If you had the final tomorrow afternoon, probably the player who is going to win tonight is going to be in a little bit worse position than me," Nadal said.

 

"But that's not the case. The winner will have a chance to sleep well in the morning."

 

Fittingly, after a season dominated by Nadal and Djokovic, the top two in the world rankings get the chance to face off the final tour prize this year.

 

Between them they have won three of the four Grand Slams in 2013, as well as 13 other titles.

 

Djokovic won their last clash, but Nadal holds a 22-16 edge over their 38 meetings, including a victory in the US Open final in September.

 

"The most important thing is on the toughest surface for me to play, I have been able to win four matches against top-eight players," Nadal said.

 

"Now there remains the last match. I hope to be ready for that. I know it's going to be a difficult one and I need to play my best match to have a chance."

 

Djokovic had little trouble setting up the dream finale as he brushed aside Wawrinka in one hour and 24 minutes to extend his winning run to 21 matches since the US Open.

 

"It's going to be a great final," he said.

 

"I hope all the crowd will enjoy it because we definitely do on the court.

 

"It's always a thrilling competition between me and Rafa. Let's say we know each other quite well. There'll be no secret between us on the court. The better will win."

 

(Agence France-Presse, 11 Monday November 2013 The Roman)

 

News: Rafael Nadal

News: Rafael Nadal

 

[caption id="attachment_9787" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Carl Court)[/caption]

 

Win

 

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych during their group A singles match at the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London on November 8, 2013. Nadal won 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

 

(AFP - Carl Court)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 9 Saturday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 9 Saturday November 2013 The Roman)

 

News: Roger Federer

News: Roger Federer

 

[caption id="attachment_9773" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Glyn Kirk)[/caption]

 

Extra-terrestre

 

Le Suisse Roger Federer entre sur le court lors des Masters de Londres avant d'affronter Richard Gasquet.

 

Extra-Terrestrial

 

Switzerland's Roger Federer on the court during the Masters in London before facing Richard Gasquet.

 

(AFP - Glyn Kirk)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 8 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 8 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

 

 

News: Rafael Nadal

News: Rafael Nadal

 

[caption id="attachment_9756" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Ben Stansall)[/caption]

 

Top of the world

 

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London.

 

(AFP - Ben Stansall)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 7 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 7 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)