Drug suspension to US Open finals in 1 year: Meet Marin Cilic

By Marc Berman
Availiable HERE - all rights reserved to NYPOST and the Author
http://nypost.com/2014/09/07/drug-suspension-to-us-open-finals-in-1-year-meet-marin-cilic/

Goran Ivanisevic, the outspoken coach of U.S. Open finalist Marin Cilic, said one item served up in Monday’s no-name U.S. Open men’s finals is “justice.’’

One year ago, Cilic missed the Open because he was serving a four-month suspension for allegedly using Nikethamide, a banned stimulant the Croatian claimed he unknowingly ingested. It was found in his urine sample after a tournament in Munich in May 2013.
Now he’s in the Open finals after obliterating Roger Federer in Saturday’s semifinals to set up a showdown against the other Cinderella story, Japan’s Kei Nishikori. Both are making their Grand Slam finals debuts in an event that won’t move the CBS ratings needle but can be viewed as a breath of fresh air for those weary of the Big Four of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. At the tournament’s start, Nishikori was a 50-1 choice to win it according to Bavada.lv, which had Cilic’s odds at 100-1.
“You can say there is justice,’’ said the always candid Ivanisevic. “Somebody up there must be watching. [Cilic] was accused for nothing. He was sitting for five months for nothing. This is justice. It was not easy but he stayed mentally focused.’’
Cilic was suspended from June to October 2013.
“It was not easy time,’’ Ivanisevic said. “He was angry. He didn’t do anything wrong. We were practicing one week, stopped two weeks. Then practice another week, then what are we practicing for? He wasn’t injured but had to stay home for five months and you’re No. 11 and you come back you’re 37.’’
The projected Wimbledon final rematch of Federer-Djokovic didn’t materialize in Flushing because of Saturday’s heroics by Cilic, 25, and Nishikori, 24, the first Japanese player to make a Grand Slam final. Nishikori took out Djokovic in four sets.
Cilic’s beating of Federer was more thorough — a straight-set demolition in which the 6-foot-6 big server closed the match with three straight aces and a clean backhand winner.
“It was beautiful,’’ Ivanisevic said. “It was just like watching myself.’’
Ivanisevic, the last Croatian to make a Slam final, first met Cilic when he was 14.
“I’ve always told him he should be top 10 in world and why stop now,’’ Ivanisevic said. “It will be a tricky final — both guys first time, both will be nervous. But whoever wins will be top of the world — Mount Everest.’’
While Cilic watched the 2013 Open from home, Nishikori was bounced in the first round by a British qualifier. Days later, Nishikori’s agent offered former American great Michael Chang the coaching job. He accepted in December. There’s been a great bond and Nishikori has taken on Chang’s fighting spirit.
“He’s helping mentally,’’ Nishikori said. “I feel my tennis is changing, little more aggressive, and playing [with] more confidence.
Some people can push me well. It’s been working really well.’’
Nishikori leads the head-to-head, 5-2, and whipped Cilic twice this year. They’ve also met twice before at the U.S. Open, with Nishikori winning in 2010 in a five-setter in the second round. Cilic won a four-setter in 2012 in the third round.
Cilic overpowered Federer with his serve. Nishikori battered Djokovic with his baseline power.
“I’m more surprised with Cilic, to be honest, because he’s older,’’ Federer said. “He’s been around for longer, but he’s really been able to make a nice transition in the last few years in his game. Whereas with Kei, I always thought unbelievable talent way back when I played with him for the first time when he was 17.’’

Roger Federer's newest Nike tennis shoe looks just like classic Air Jordans

Availiable Here : http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/08/roger-federer-michael-jordan-nike-us-open

 

The tennis star collaborated on them with MJ himself.

By: Chris Strauss August 26, 2014 6:45 pm ET Follow @chris_strauss

 

There’s going to be plenty of attention on Roger Federer’s footwork when he kicks off his 2014 U.S. Open against Marinko Matosevic Tuesday night, but it won’t be for the usual reasons.

 

The 17-time Grand Slam winner will be debuting his new shoe, the Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour AJ3, which will certainly look familiar to classic sneakerheads or anyone who happened to be an NBA fan in the late 1980s.

 

Federer’s latest model channels the Air Jordan 3, which debuted in 1988. Federer told For The Win via email through a Nike rep that he really got into basketball, soccer and tennis when he was seven years old, the same year the Jordan 3 was released. When he was looking to do a collaboration with the brand’s most legendary pitchman, those were the model of Jordans he liked the most.
Legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, who crafted a bulk of the Air Jordan shoes and has worked on some of Federer’s previous signature models, designed both the Air Jordan III and Zoom Vapor 9 Tour AJ 3 as well.

Also involved in the collaboration process? Michael Jordan himself.

The NBA Hall of Famer said that he was intrigued when he heard about Federer’s interest in wearing a Jordan tennis shoe.
 

"About a year ago, I heard that Roger wanted to design and wear a Jordan shoe on the court. I have followed Roger’s career and have been a big fan for some time now,” Jordan said via a Nike rep. “I definitely thought this could be a really unique and special collaboration and when I heard that Roger wanted the shoe to be modeled after the Air Jordan 3, I was in. To me, this collaboration is not just about style. I really wanted Roger to get involved and understand what he needed from the shoe itself to perform at his best while still having the look and feel of a Jordan sneaker.”

Jordan, who posed for a selfie with Federer during a meeting Monday night in New York City, will be in attendance at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center for the on-court debut of Federer’s new shoes.
It will actually be the first professional tennis match Jordan has ever attended in person.
 

      

Stars Of Tomorrow: Jack Sock

Availiable HERE :

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/08/35/Emirates-ATP-Star-Of-Tomorrow-Jack-Sock.aspx

New York, U.S.A.

by Alison Kim - All Rights Reserved to ATP

 | 

25.08.2014

 

It's showtime for 21-year-old American Jack Sock, who returns to the US Open as a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion and at a career-high No. 55 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
Jack Sock sees an opportunity. With the camera rolling on John Isner in the foreground, the young American sticks out his chest and struts across the grass. He does a 180 on his impromptu catwalk and pauses behind an unsuspecting Isner, donning his best Blue Steel look for the camera - his signature duck face - before continuing on his way.
That's just what you get from the 21-year-old Sock. He'll take a break from his lunch to whip out his camera phone and play reporter at Isner's press conference. He'll do his best Naked Gun dance impression on the mound of the Great American Ballpark. He'll envelop fans in warm hugs and spring silly faces for their selfies. He'll celebrate the night of his Grand Slam triumph at Wimbledon by playing Monopoly. He'll put on his game face while shooting tennis balls in a trash can in the hotel room with his coach.
“He’s full of life,” says coach Troy Hahn. “A lot of jokes, a lot of laughs. He enjoys being around the game, having fun, not taking things too seriously off the court, in a relaxed environment, and competing in certain things...
“Whether it’s cards, he and I are just messing around playing poker, we want to win; or mini-tennis game, warming up, we’re going to put something on it; soccer, juggling a soccer ball. Everything is a game or a competition, and having fun.”
In the midst of all the fun and games, Sock has had quite the summer to remember on the court, beginning with his incredible team debut with Vasek Pospisil at Wimbledon, where they unseated four seeded duos to lift the trophy.
When he arrived in Newport a couple days later, he shared what now seems like a modest target. “I usually don’t set number goals really much, but I’m thinking Top 50 by the end of the year,” he told ATPWorldTour.com. “I’d be pretty happy with that and put myself in position for the beginning of next year to hopefully make another jump. But [my goal is] mainly just trying to get better and focusing day in and day out on improving my game, improving everything I can do to put myself in position to win.”
Fast-forward six weeks, and Sock has already climbed 20 spots to a career-high No. 55 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on the back of his first two ATP World Tour semi-finals in Newport and Atlanta - each time losing to the eventual champion - and second-round runs in Washington and Toronto, both times giving Milos Raonic a run for his money.
His 20 match wins going into the US Open is already double his total for all of 2013, which marked the first time he'd even left the country. 
“Last year helped a lot,” Sock says. “For me it was my first full year of traveling and kind of really getting to know the tour, so this year I feel a lot more comfortable out there and maybe that’s also why I’ve had some success this year. I think it’s just kinda getting to understand everything that’s going on.”
This past March, Sock paid a visit to Isner following the Sarasota Challenger and experienced first-hand the benefits of training at Saddlebrook. It didn’t take long for him to uproot from Los Angeles - his home of the past couple years - and relocate to a condo in downtown Tampa.
A typical day at Saddlebrook starts at 8:30am and includes a couple hours of tennis, followed by an hour-and-a-half in the gym with fitness trainer Kyle Morgan. On days with longer training blocks, they'll get on the court a second time.
“The older tennis guys have been dominating, so we know it takes a lot of work,” says Sock. “I’ve put in a lot of work and my body’s kind of changed a lot. I’ve lost some weight and am in pretty good shape now, so I’m able to compete match-in and match-out and put myself in positions to win. I think it’s paid off this year.”
He also enlisted a new coach, Hahn, after spending some time on court with him during the second week of Wimbledon. Hahn calls Sock's forehand, serve and movement the strongest parts of his game, and plans to continue building on those strengths to make him a more complete all-around player.
“I definitely think the kid can be Top 10,” says Hahn. “I think he can put himself in position to compete for Grand Slams. I know one of his big goals is to play Davis Cup, as well, and be a fixture on the Davis Cup team for the U.S. I see those things happening for him 100 per cent. I think he wants it bad enough. When it comes to putting it on the line, I don’t think there’s too many people better.”
While singles will remain Sock's focus, his results on the doubles court have definitely played an integral part in his growth. He claimed the 2011 US Open mixed doubles title alongside Melanie Oudin - just one year after winning the junior singles title - before collecting his second Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon.
“It’s taken his confidence to a new level,” says Hahn. “It feels like he fits in among, not only the singles, but the best doubles guys in the world. He sees the respect they show him, not only from being a one-time Grand Slam champion, but two. It shows. He walks around, he feels he fits in. He’s comfortable. It’s just taken everything to a new level.”
Sock and Pospisil recorded a historic 14-0 start to their partnership before a runner-up finish to the Bryan brothers at the Western & Southern Open. Entering the US Open, they stand at No. 6 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Race To London and in prime position to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
“I’ve heard it’s an unbelievable event and an absolutely amazing job they do there, and kind of a special event to play in,” says Sock. “If we’re able to partake in that at the end of the year, it’ll be very special for us.”
Sock has the nickname “Showtime” for a reason. Walking out onto the court in front of 17,500 people underneath the lights and music at The O2 may provide that extra little bit of hunger for Sock to get back there one day – this time, as one of the Top 8 singles players.

Rafael Nadal withdraws from 2014 U.S. Open with right wrist injury

Monday, August 18, 2014 /by Tennis.com

• Tags:
• 2014 U.S. Open
• Rafael Nadal

 

In a statement released this morning by the USTA, defending U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from this year's tournament, citing a right wrist injury.

Here is the full statement, in English and Spanish:

"I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play at this year’s US Open a tournament on which I’ve played 3 consecutive finals in my last participations. I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things… Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back."

"Siento anunciar que no podré participar en el US Open, torneo en el que en los últimos años he tenido muy buenos resultados. Entenderéis que es un momento duro para mi porque es un torneo que me encanta y en el que tengo muy buenos recuerdos, de los fans, de los partidos nocturnos, de tantas cosas. No me queda otra que aceptar que no puedo competir este año y como siempre trabajar para que cuando vuelva esté preparado de la mejor manera para competir."

Nadal was scheduled to undergo tests on his right wrist in Barcelona a few days ago and assess whether he could hit his backhand before making a decision. He suffered the injury in practice a week before the hard-court Masters tournament in Toronto.

The world No. 2 had been told not to use the wrist for two to three weeks. He was practicing with a splint, but was said to not be hitting backhands. 

Nadal, who also experienced a back injury during the beginning of the season, said he would keep practicing.

From the Associated Press:

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the U.S. Open on Monday because of an injured right wrist, making him the fourth reigning men's champion in the last 45 years to sit out the tournament.

Nadal and the tournament announced his decision simultaneously, exactly one week before the year's last Grand Slam tournament begins.

The 28-year-old Spaniard was hurt July 29 while practicing on his home island of Mallorca ahead of the North American hard-court circuit. The next day, Nadal said he had been told by doctors to wear a cast on his wrist for two to three weeks, and would have to sit out U.S. Open tuneup tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati.

Nadal also said at that time he expected to be able to return for the U.S. Open itself. But on Monday, he issued a statement on his Facebook page, saying he is ''very sorry to announce'' he would not play in New York.

''I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things,'' Nadal's posting read. ''Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back.''

The second-ranked Nadal plays left-handed, but he uses a two-handed backhand.

The other U.S. Open men's singles champions who did not return to the field the following year were Ken Rosewall in 1971, Pete Sampras in 2003, and Juan Martin del Potro in 2010.

Nadal won his second championship at Flushing Meadows in 2013, part of a run of reaching the final in each of his last three appearances in the U.S. Open. He beat Novak Djokovic to win the titles in 2010 and last year, and lost to Djokovic in 2011.

But now Nadal will be skipping the tournament for the second time in three years. He did not enter the U.S. Open in 2012, part of an extended absence because of a problem with his left knee.

This will be the second time Nadal failed to try to defend a Grand Slam title: A year after winning Wimbledon in 2008, he chose to not enter that tournament, citing knee tendinitis.

Nadal is 44-8 with four titles in 2014, including his record ninth French Open trophy.

He hasn't competed since losing in the fourth round of Wimbledon to 19-year-old Nick Kyrgios in four sets on July 1.

Nadal's 14 major titles are tied with Sampras for the second most in the history of men's tennis, trailing only Roger Federer's record of 17.

With Nadal out, five-time U.S. Open champion Federer - now 33, but coming off a runner-up finish at Wimbledon last month and a hard-court title in Cincinnati on Sunday - will join the No. 1-ranked Djokovic as a favorite in Flushing Meadows.

Almagro Snaps Nadal's Barcelona Streak

Barcelona, Spain

by ATP Staff

 | 

25.04.2014

 

 

Nicolas Almagro broke Rafael Nadal's serve three times in the deciding set to hand the eight-time champion his first loss at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell for 11 years.
Almagro recorded his first victory over the World No. 1 in their 11th meeting, 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, on Friday evening for a semi-final berth against Santiago Giraldo. The Colombian led 10th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 4-3 when the German retired with a leg injury.
It was Nadal’s first loss in Barcelona since 2003, when as a 16 year old – making his debut at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament – the Mallorcan lost to Alex Corretja in three sets in the second round.
Nadal won his 44th straight set at the clay-court event tournament by winning the first set 6-2. Recovering from a 1-3 deficit in the tie-break, sixth seed Almagro held his nerve to win the second set 7-6(5) in one hour and 16 minutes. Nadal had last lost a set in Barcelona in the 2008 final against David Ferrer.
Almagro recovered from a 1-3 deficit in the deciding set, winning three straight games to put Nadal on the back foot. Nadal broke back immediately in a tense eighth game, but lost his serve to love to gift Almagro a 5-4 lead.
The World No. 20 fought back from 15/40 when he served for the match to complete the biggest win of his career in two hours and 48 minutes.
Nadal remains tied No. 11 in the Open Era match wins list, with Arthur Ashe, on 683 victories.

Djokovic beats Federer in thrilling ATP World Tour Final

 

By Piers Newbery BBC Sport at the O2 Arena

The Serb won 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 to add the season-ending title to his Australian Open victory and top ranking.

He needed two hours and 14 minutes to take two sets in a match of dramatic swings in momentum.

It is the second time Djokovic has won the ATP finale, following his triumph in Shanghai four years ago.

"I was just trying to hang in there," said Djokovic.

"It's not the first time that Roger started so well against me. I've experienced before his aggression, really trying to put his mark on the match."

He added: "Whenever I needed to come up with some really good shots - really focus myself and get every ball back in the court - I did that, so I cannot be more thrilled than now."

Federer was attempting to become the first man since Ivan Lendl 25 years ago to win a hat-trick of season-ending championships, and his seventh overall.

"Maybe there's a bit of regret because I had the lead twice before him," the 31-year-old admitted in defeat.

"At the end of the day that doesn't matter, you have to get over the finish line in the set and then obviously the match. He was better at that today.

"What he does well - even in defence he stays somewhat offensive. That, I think, is what separates him from the rest a little bit."

Federer has made London's O2 Arena a second home in winning there for the last two years and, as ever, the Swiss did not lack for support.

The atmosphere might not have been cranked up at the start as it was in Sunday's semi-final against Andy Murray, but the Federer fans were in full voice as their man reeled off the first nine points.

Djokovic appeared nervous, fluffing a routine volley and firing long as he slipped, and there were ironic cheers when he finally got on the board in game three.

The winners were flowing from Federer but it was a case of brilliance against resilience as Djokovic dug in and weathered the storm by extending the rallies whenever possible.

Fed Cup: Czech Republic beat Serbia to retain title in Prague

 

The Czech Republic secured back-to-back Fed Cup titles with a 3-1 win over Serbia before fervent fans in Prague.

A backhand winner from world number 17 Lucie Safarova sparked celebratory scenes in the Czech capital as she beat Jelena Jankovic 6-1 6-1.

Petra Kvitova and Safarova had put the defending champions in control on Saturday by winning the opening singles rubbers for a 2-0 lead.

Ana Ivanovic reduced the arrears by beating Kvitova 6-3 7-5 on Sunday.

But Safarova defeated Serb number two Jankovic in one hour and 17 minutes to prevent the first-time finalists becoming the first team in the competition's history to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the final.

The world number 17 hit 32 winners, describing her performance against the world number 22 as one of her best.

"It's hard to describe how I feel. I played an unbelievable game," Safarova said. "I desperately wanted to win and I'm really delighted. It's fantastic to win at home, in Prague. I played one of the best matches of my career."

Kvitova seemed to be suffering from the ill-effects of a cold that forced her to pull out of last week's WTA Championship.

The defeat by Ivanovic ended the world number eight's 11-game unbeaten run in the Fed Cup.

"I lost a lot of strength [on Saturday] and I was also drained emotionally," said Kvitova.

"I lacked energy. The doctor gave me some sugar during a bathroom break but it didn't help much."