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Djokovic & Halep Mutual Champions in Madrid

5/10/2016

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This Week In Tennis
​Vol. 18

The 18th installment of "This Week In Tennis" is squarely focused on the Madrid Open. Whereas previous editions covered multiple tournaments on both tours, the joint event in Madrid was the sole offering for tennis fans last week. Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep were the titlists in singles, while Garcia/Mladenovic and Roger/Tecau were victors in doubles.

As usual, #ThisWeekInTennis will recap the major happenings on both tours, bringing you all the newsworthy events, tweets, press quotes, tennis writings, and podcasts.

Let's get started!

ATP
​

Embed from Getty Images


​RUNDOWN

  • Novak Djokovic won Madrid for his fifth title of 2016 and improved his win-loss record to 33-2. His two losses came via retirement in Dubai against Feliciano Lopez and to Jiri Vesely in Monte Carlo. Djokovic's Madrid win, coupled with Nadal's pair of titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, bode well for a blockbuster Roland Garros in two weeks. 
  • Andy Murray came within a set of defending his title in Madrid. After a straight sets win over Nadal in the semis, a repeat of last year's final, Murray again lost to Djokovic in a high stakes event. Their head-to-head is now 23-9 in favour of Djokovic who has won 12 of their last 13 matches.
  • Meanwhile, Murray and Amélie Mauresmo have announced the end of their coaching relationship.
  • Kei Nishikori continued his consistent 2016 by reaching his seventh quarterfinal from eight events. His last three have been even more impressive: Madrid (SF), Barcelona (F), and Miami (F), losing only to Djokovic and Nadal.
  • Nadal's win streak ended in Madrid. The resurgent Spaniard entered having won his two previous starts in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, but was unable to get a 14th consecutive tour win against Andy Murray in the semifinals.
  • Tomic had a rough week in the press. He was lambasted for his non-attempt to return serve down match point in Madrid, then he retired from his opening match in Rome after ten minutes and three games against Benoit Paire.
  • Do yourself a favour and follow Eric Butorac's blog and scour the internet for his writings for other tennis outlets.  
  • Serving at 4-2 in the third set of the Madrid final, Djokovic received a time violation warning from umpire Mo Lahyani.  Murray interjected saying he had held up Djokovic five seconds prior when the Serb was ready to serve.
PRESS
Q. After the early exit in Monte-Carlo, how important is this victory for you, especially as the preparation for Roland Garros?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, came at the right time. I mean, I had an amazing opening four months of the season. Early exit in Monte-Carlo, but it happened for a reason, because I needed some time to really recharge my batteries.
Three weeks was more than enough to get some freshness and new breath, I would say, on the court and get ready for Madrid. I came here early, got used to the conditions, and played a really fantastic tournament that will definitely serve as a great confidence boost before Rome and of course French Open, where I want to arrive in a best possible shape.


​Q. For years you have been winning Barcelona, Monte-Carlo, Madrid, Rome, are you calm when you step into Rome? You have a very good curriculum. I mean, if you don't have pressure.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, when you feel happy you have less pressure. When you feel good you don't have so much pressure on you. We still have two tournaments on clay court this season, and I achieved more points than last year in all of the clay court season. So this is something that we've seen.
Also, the feeling that I have when I play in the court and the consistency that I'm showing and general level, it's superior compared to last year's.
Well, on these three tournaments I have been able to win two, and one making it to the semifinals, so the clay season is great. Let's try to continue this way or maybe try to put up the rhythm a little bit more.

Q. We keep seeing how you have improved on this surface. Do you feel the same, like since last year and even again this year there is major improvement on your side on this surface?
ANDY MURRAY: I just think I'm definitely moving better. That's for sure. It makes a huge difference. Like I said, on the other surfaces it's a massive strength of mine, a big part of my game, and for a number years I didn't move well on the clay.
It was a hindrance, and that makes you uncomfortable. If you took Ivo Karlovic's serve away he would feel uncomfortable going on the court. For me, take my movement away...
When I was having the problems with my back it was difficult for me when stepping on the court; whereas now my body feels great. I feel like I'm moving a lot better. So I'm not going on the court sort of a little bit nervous or apprehensive. I believe I can play well on clay now.


Q. With the French Open now just a fortnight away, where do you really rate your clay court chances of going a long way at Roland Garros?
KEI NISHIKORI: Well, yeah, I'm feeling really good on clay. I think today's match was much closer than Miami's final against Novak, so I'm, yeah, looking forward to play French.
Yeah, I think I been having good week. In Barcelona lost to Rafa close, and also today I saw some chance, too. So try to look up and I hope I have another good week next week. Hopefully I can do well in French.

.@andy_murray really grateful and honoured to have witnessed your sportsmanship tonight. Tennis is lucky to have you as ambassador.Thank you

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) 8 May 2016

□□□ ➡️ □□□ pic.twitter.com/tvQEa1dTZM

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) 7 May 2016

This is little streets of Rome #italy pic.twitter.com/taMK1YcaaM

— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) 7 May 2016

Beaverton, Oregon in July for #TeamUSA □□ come out and support us against the Croats!!! □□□ pic.twitter.com/pX1xdME6TA

— Jack Sock (@JackSock) 5 May 2016

Very tough match yesterday. I gave it everything. Have to keep working. Today we go to Rome to prepare. Thanks for all the support in Spain.

— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) 8 May 2016

2009: My rookie year on the ATP Player Council and also the first time we saw the Madrid blue clay proposal...enjoy!https://t.co/QlMWkR2A0w

— Eric Butorac (@ebutorac) 4 May 2016

Happy birthday to my boo, hope you have an amazing day □❤️ See you soon!! @Ajlatom #howluckyami? pic.twitter.com/8IC7E7gFKi

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) 7 May 2016

​RANKINGS WATCH
​
  • RISING: Federer (+1 to #2), Sousa (+5 to #30), Pouille (+6 to #52), Kudla (+5 to #56), Sela (+11 to #63), Istomin (+15 to #64), Mannarino (+8 to #72), Evans (+11 to #86), Krajinovic (+16 to #98).
​
  • FALLING: Dimitrov (-7 to #35), Mayer (-7 to #49), Granollers (-5 to #58), Matthieu (-6 to #66), Bedene (-10 to #69), Donskoy (-11 to #79), Haase (-18 to #83), Chung (-13 to #95).

​
ON THE WEB
​

Magic Bullets
From a Dirt Court in Kabul to Westfield High, Ali Ebadi Chases his Tennis Dream
​
The Beef Bowl
The Delpo Effect

The Biofile: Eric Butorac
​Dimitrov Reflects on Ugly Display in Istanbul, Explains Frustrated Mindset
​
Superstars in the Boardroom
​Even Four Years Later, Bad Feelings Linger Over the Blue Clay in Madrid
​Future Tennis Stars Train at Boarding Academy in Naples

​WTA
Embed from Getty Images


​RUNDOWN

  • Simona Halep​ won her first title of the season in Madrid. After starting 2016 with a semifinal run in Sydney, Halep hadn't been past the quarterfinals in any tournament before last week. The former world #2 jumps two places to #5 in the new WTA rankings.
  • It's been a long climb back up the WTA ranks for Dominika Cibulkova. The former top 10 player has now made three finals in 2016 (Acapulco, Katowice, and now Madrid), rising 12 spots to #26. 
  • Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic cannot lose these days on the WTA doubles circuit. The pair have made five finals in 2016, including titles in their last three events, all against the top seeds in finals. They beat Mattek-Sands/Safarova in Charleston before back-to-back wins against Hingis/Mirza in Stuttgart and Madrid. 
  • Sam Stosur a consistent force on the WTA? The 2011 U.S. Open champion follows up a finals run in Prague with a semifinal appearance in Madrid before losing to the eventual champion.
  • Louisa Chirico made a massive jump in the WTA rankings (+54 to #76) following her run in Madrid. After earning a qualifier spot in the main draw, Chirico made it all the way to the semifinals before losing to Cibulkova.
  • Taylor Townsend will make her third successive appearance at Roland Garros after earning a wild card. 
  • Ion Tiriac, following in the footsteps of Raymond Moore at Indian Wells, made a barrage of sexist comments about WTA players and equal prize money. 
  • Caroline Wozniacki falls out of the WTA top 30 for the first time since 2008. Even if Wozniacki is able to recover from injury in time to play at the French Open, her status as a presumptive seeded player is now in doubt. 
PRESS
Q. How rewarding and how happy are you with this win after so many setbacks, injuries, and so on?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I'm really happy that I won this tournament. Like I said many times, it's very special, and I have a special feeling right now.
The most important thing is that I played good tennis here. My best actually, my best level. It was amazing on court. I just want to keep that feeling for long time.


Q. You had a tough start to the year in the first couple months. You feel this title coming or surprised you were able to get such a big title only a few months after the slow start?
SIMONA HALEP: I didn't expect actually before coming here that I'm going to win this title. But after first week when I practiced with Darren every day like I said, many hours on court, I felt that I have my chance.
Day by day I played better tennis. That helped me a lot to improve in myself, in in my mental, and to be more confident. I was feeling great. Nothing like injury or something like that. So everything was okay. That's why maybe I could win almost in two sets all the matches.


Q. What's next for you now for preparation for Roland Garros. Skipping Rome?
DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA: Actually I didn't get into Rome because there was my old ranking, 56 before I won Katowice, so I stayed last out and I withdraw from the quallies.
So I didn't -- I mean, I wouldn't play quallies for sure. Yeah, I'm going home. Flying home tomorrow. I going to take few days off and then to have good preparation for Roland Garros.
​Q. First of all, I guess congratulations. Three titles in a row. Must be very happy.
CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, no, I mean, it's definitely great period for us. Three final, three title, and two times against No. 1 in the world, Martina and Sania, and once against Bethanie and Lucie. So it's only great matches every single time.
Very, very happy with what we produced on the court today.


Q. Obviously biggest final you've played so far and won. Is it disappointing and frustrating that it wasn't really broadcast and you couldn't see it unless you were here?
KRISTINA MLADENOVIC: Yeah, in a way it's very disappointing, because, I mean, you know, everybody around us is talking about how it's a dreamy final. You know, two weeks in a row we are challenging the world No. 1. It's Sania and Martina. They have huge careers.
Yeah, I totally agree. I think woman's doubles or woman's tennis is maybe not, how to say, that respected or broadcasted enough like would be -- I don't know if men's doubles is broadcast.
CAROLINE GARCIA: Every match.
KRISTINA MLADENOVIC: Every match. That's a little bit of a shame, because we both have family, friends cheering up for us at home. They would like to watch. Fans also, I guess, and it's not on.
CAROLINE GARCIA: And it's a mandatory tournament.
KRISTINA MLADENOVIC: That's a very big question, to be honest. We don't know. I don't know and don't have the answers why it doesn't work that way.
You know, we just try our hardest to make people enjoy it, love, it and maybe one day we will be able to make things turn around.
That's all we can do.

Thanks for all of your kind messages re Simo. Great week for her. Maybe now @Simona_Halep can buy some new jeans?□□□ pic.twitter.com/CA7rAisT07

— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) 8 May 2016

Madrid, you've been brilliant❤️Thank you @MutuaMadridOpen for an incredible experience! I want to thank everyone for all of the support I've

— Louisa Chirico (@Louisa_Chirico) 6 May 2016

I spy.... That amazing doubles team.... Hummmm □wonder what that means... Pick your detergent..... https://t.co/92fFVXw4sZ

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) 4 May 2016

I loved Madrid! Can't wait to be back next year @MutuaMadridOpen □□ pic.twitter.com/r9KVNcydla

— Daria Gavrilova (@Daria_gav) 7 May 2016

Thank you guys! your support means a lot to me.. couldnt wish for better week □□□□□□□□□□❤️❤️ @MutuaMadridOpen @WTA pic.twitter.com/qWxVGALv36

— Dominika Cibulkova (@Cibulkova) 8 May 2016

Enjoying the Italian Oceanside, after practice and gym of course! pic.twitter.com/jpBEh2hKQW

— Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) 8 May 2016

What a nice evening. Thank you Juan Carlos Obando for creating this beautiful dress for me. That earring! #MetGala pic.twitter.com/XLL4mc7DU6

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) 3 May 2016
RANKINGS WATCH
​
  • RISING: Halep (+2 to #5), Bacsinszky (+5 to #10), Cibulkova (+12 to #26), Gavrilova (+7 to #32), Siegemund (+6 to #38), Lisicki (+6 to #44), Vesnina (+8 to #47), Lucic-Baroni (+7 to #67), Chirico (+54 to #76), Linette (+21 to #81), Cirstea (+28 to #99).

  • FALLING: Kvitova (-3 to #9), Sharapova (-3 to #12), Kuznetsova (-7 to #19), Wozniacki (-4 to #31), Babos (-6 to #48), Lepchenko (-7 to #70), SaiSai (-11 to #82), Hsieh (-8 to #84), Sevastova (-8 to #94).


​ON THE WEB

Champion's Corner: Halep
Kicking Up Some Dirt
All in with Alla: Student of the Game
Insider Q&A: Sorana Cirstea
The Gibbs of Gab: Go to College
​
Garcia, Mladenovic March to Marid Title
​
South Side Success
Serena and Venus Reunite for Doubles

​PODCASTS

No Challenges Remaining - "Episode 152: In Madrid with Timea Bacsinszky"
The Tennis Podcast -​"This is the Year Novak Djokovic Wins the French Open"
Tennis Connected - "Reviewing Madrid & Looking Forward to Rome"
Realz Tenis Fanz - "​Podcast #52?? Getting Down and Dirty"
Realz Tenis Fanz - "Miss Me in Madrid"
WTA Insider - "Halep Wins Madrid, Strycova Opens Up"
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