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THE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION���S OFFICIAL MAGAZINE 50 CONTENTS SPRING 2013 EDITOR 16 Joanne Burnham CONTRIBUTORS Simon Cambers is a freelance sports journalist, specialising in tennis, with more than ten years��� experience covering both the men���s and women���s games. Suzi Petkovski is a Melbourne-based writer and tennis tragic who has covered every Australian Open since 1988. 8 Eleanor Preston has worked in tennis for the last 14 years as a journalist, broadcaster and media consultant, both as an individual and as part of her company, The Emilia Group. Jamie Renton joined the ITF Communications department in 2012. He previously worked for London-based Tennishead magazine and is editor of the 2013 ATP World Tour Media Guide. Courtney Walsh is a sports journalist for The Australian newspaper and has been the chief tennis writer since 2006. Alexandra Willis is a freelance multimedia tennis journalist. She is the editorial content manager at the All England Club and regularly contributes to The Tennis Space, CNN World Sport, The Daily Telegraph and Sporting Intelligence. photo credits All India Tennis Association, Jeff Bough, Sandrine Tep Bury, Michael Cole, Antoine Couvercelle, Corinne Dubreuil, Mathilde Dusol, Florian Eisele, Fresh Focus, GEPA, Getty Images, Ray Giubilo, Golovanov/Kivrin, Lu Guang, Imagellan, Tommy Hindley/Professional Sport, Theron Kirkman/Professional Sport, Derek Li/Halo Work Studio, Sergio Llamera, Daniel Maurer, Gaston Montero, Susan Mullane, Professional Sport/ TopFoto, Martin Sidorjak, Srjdan Stevanovic, Neil Tingle/AELTC, Topham Picturepoint, Stephen Wake, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, Wee Thian Yew, Paul Zimmer DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Clarus �� www.clarus-design.com ITFWorld is published by ITF Ltd, PO Box N-272, Nassau, Bahamas. All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of ITFWorld may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publishers accept no responsibility for return of manuscripts, photos or artwork, but if you send material you must include an SAE. Whilst we make every effort to ensure that all editorial material is factually correct at the time of going to press, we cannot accept responsibility if any errors occur and for matters arising as a result. Views expressed in ITFWorld do not necessarily reflect official ITF policy. 24 Features 4 everyone FOR TENNIS The inaugural World Tennis Day provided the perfect showcase for the sport in the ITF���s centenary year. 6 The new Davis Cup Commitment Award was presented to more past and present players in February. 16 a sporting icon The All England Club is receiving the Philippe Chatrier Award in 2013 for its special contribution to tennis. Alexandra Willis looks at what that contribution has meant for both the sport and the players. DEDICATION REWARDED 7 With her place in history secure, Esther Vergeer retired from competitive tennis. ITFWorld looks at her achievements. 22 NO ORDINARY LIFE ESTHER BOWS OUT 8 The new year of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas got underway with some contrasting routes to the quarterfinals. Jamie Renton reports. It was a good year for defending champions at the Australian Open, as Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka took the spoils once more. Suzi Petkovski was there. 28 SHOW STEALERS The form players won at the junior Australian Open, says Simon Cambers, who watched Ana Konjuh and Nick Kyrgios grab the titles. 11 COLLISION COURSE As Fed Cup by BNP Paribas celebrates its first 50 years, Jamie Renton reviews the first round action which saw the defending Czechs hit top form. 30 NEW YEAR���S PLAY The new season kicked off in style at the Hyundai Hopman Cup, with Spain the victors. Courtney Walsh reports. Regulars Email: joanne.burnham@itftennis.com 2 Welcome Message Front cover photography by Stephen Wake/Professional Sport From ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. Eleanor Preston talks to Stephane Houdet to find out more about the ITF Wheelchair World Champion���s extraordinary path to the top. 24 HAPPY RETURNS THE JOURNEY BEGINS It should not be inferred that products advertised in this magazine are officially approved by the ITF. �� 2013 ITF Ltd. Please address all correspondence regarding ITFWorld to Joanne Burnham, ITF Communications Department, ITF Licensing UK Ltd, Bank Lane, Roehampton, London SW15 5XZ, UK. 28 32 Looking ahead What���s coming up in spring and early summer. 14 News Round-up www.itftennis.com Stories from around the ITF in the first three months of 2013. ITFWORLD SPRING 2013 1