Tennis News

WUHAN, China – Svetlana Kuznetsova’s self-awareness never ceases to disarm a press room. The Russian was the last teenager to win her maiden Slam, which she did at the 2004 US Open at 19 years old. Over a decade on, the 31-year-old is set to return to her highest ranking since 2010, moving as high as No.7 after making the semifinals of this week’s Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.

Kuznetsova is in good position to finish her year inside the Top 10 for the first time since 2009 and qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global for the first time since that same year. All that is to say, the veteran is in the midst of an impressive career-turnaround, having been ranked as low as No.85 just three years ago:

Over the last two years, Kuznetsova stopped caring about her ranking or even her results. She just wanted to enjoy her tennis again and go back to playing her creative and, for better or worse, unpredictable, creative game style. She fancies herself “an artist” on the court. When she plays her best, there’s little argument.

The result? A more relaxed, go with the flow Sveta. She finished last season by winning the Kremlin Cup and qualifying for the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, then picked up right where she left off, winning the Apia International Sydnery in January. Then came a run to the final of the Miami Open, where she beat then-No.1 Serena Williams en route and has been a consistent feature in the quarterfinals or better.

“All the life for me is mental,” Kuznetsova told reporters after saving match point to beat Agnieszka Radwanska in Wuhan. The press corp laughed. Kuznetsova shot a knowing grin.

“Right before the match, [my coach]. Carlos told me, Do you remember the time you play in Madrid?

“I said, ‘No, I don’t.’

“He said, ‘You were up 6-3 in the tiebreak, and then you lost it’.

“I’m like, ‘Oh.’

“Then here I go. I’m like 6-3 up, then 6-All. I’m like, ‘Damn, why did he tell me that?’

“Then I still have sometimes negative things appear in your head and you have to turn them around. After the match I said to Carlos, ‘Why did you tell me that before the match?’

“He said, ‘I know, I know. I was stupid.'”

What's more important: Talent or Work Ethic? @SvetlanaK27 says just win, baby. pic.twitter.com/GnLBLaNcFx

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 28, 2016

Over the years Kuznetsova has learned how to play tricks on her herself, to lie to her mind to get her body to do what she wants it to do. It’s part of the experience you gain as a veteran on tour and it’s particularly important at the end of the season, when fatigue can get the better of so many players.

“Like probably when I was 25, 26, I was like, Damn, I’m so tired,” Kuznetsova said. “Damn, when the season going to be over? Now I don’t feel tired because I believe it’s mental. If you say, ‘Oh, season is in the end, I’m tired,’ you will be tired.

“Now I know it’s not something, like, ‘I going to play for ages.’ It makes it easier for me. Now I know it’s a few years left. It’s like, ‘Do the best out of it and that’s it.’ When I was 25, I knew [my tennis career] was still long way to go. I was like, ‘Shit, I’m so tired.’

“Now I just enjoy it.”

Knowing that she is closer to the end of her career also helps take the pressure off. The prospect of competing is far less daunting, especially if you, as Kuznetsova does, trick yourself.

“I think about [retirement] in the positive way, to make me go for more,” Kuznetsova said, when asked how much she thinks about the end of her career. “I say, ‘Look, it’s one, two years, you’re done.’ Maybe it’s not [but] it’s something convincing. You have to work with yourself and find the keys to convince yourself to do good in the positive way. Whatever you say, it’s working. If it’s positive, it makes you go better, that’s good.

“Sometimes I have to lie to myself a little bit in a funny way. I say, ‘Yeah, it’s one tournament, that’s it.’ It’s not, it’s going to be more. But it helps mentally. If you think it very long-term, that comes very big in front of you, big wall. If you do short-term, is better.”

WUHAN, China – Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova completed a dominant week together with their seventh WTA title, outclassing Sania Mirza and Barbora Strycova to win the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.

A sparkling performance saw Mattek-Sands and Safarova break six times to wrap up a 6-1, 6-4 victory after a fraction over an hour on court.

The result continues a memorable end to the season for the American-Czech duo, whose success in China follows on from victory at the US Open. This points haul has not only sent both players shooting up the rankings, but more importantly secures them a return to the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

The only wobble came with the finishing line in sight, Safarova surrendering her hitherto faultless serve to offer Strycova the chance to level the second set at 5-5. However, the No.5 seeds nipped the comeback in the bud, swatting away a couple of opportunistic volleys to close out the match.

“I think we had an amazing match today,” Safarova said. “We came out strong from the beginning. We returned great, served great, took their time away. That was the right strategy.”

The tone was set on the very first point of the match, Safarova firing a backhand past Strycova. Sensing an early opportunity, on the following point Mattek-Sands swept an inviting ball past the stranded Czech. They soon had the break and went from strength to strength, finding an answer for every question posed by the No.3 seeds.

“We went over our game plan and we just upped our game. So whether our opponents played well or didn’t play well, we were going to stick to our game,” Mattek-Sands added. “But I think, like Lucie said, we just took away their time and that’s what we did.”

Mattek-Sands and Safarova will hope to replicate this form in Singapore, where they have unfinished business. Last year, their challenge came to a premature conclusion, injury dashing their hopes in the round robin stage.

“It’s just awesome [to qualify]. we’ve been there last year but were a little bit injured and so it wasn’t the greatest performance,” Safarova said.

“But it’s amazing to make it again,” Mattek-Sands added. “Singapore is obviously is the best of the best. We literally just found out right after the match that we qualified so it’s still sinking in.”

BEIJING, China – 2015 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global champion Agnieszka Radwanska is just two matches from booking a return to Singapore with a first round win at the China Open, defeating wildcard Wang Qiang, 6-2, 6-2.

Watch live action from Beijing on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!

“First match is always tricky,” said the No.3 seed in her post-match press conference. “I just realized that the court and balls are much slower than the last week. Well, I was just trying to be more aggressive. If I had a chance, I was stepping in and moving to the net.”

Radwanska could have booked her ticket to Singapore last week had she won the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, but fell to former World No.2 Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals – despite holding a match point in the second set.

“You are always trying to not think about pressure, especially here, close to Singapore.

“I just hope I can do it here, that’s for sure. But, well, I had the situation last year when I had to win the Tianjin Open to qualify for Singapore, and I did it. Of course, it was last-minute qualifying.

“I will try everything to qualify a bit before that this year. Everything is open. This is a big event. Everybody can do a lot of points here. It’s a little bit more pressure, but I think every year it’s kind of similar situation for everyone, especially a lot of girls this year is really close and the rankings are very tight.”

Easing ahead to a 6-2, 5-1 lead, Radwanska wobbled at the finish line against Wang, a talented player who started the year by taking out Sloane Stephens at the Australian Open, but the Pole rebounded to end the match in one hour and 24 minutes.

“I had a couple of matchpoints. It was still not a tragedy when I was 5-1 up. I was just very happy that I put a couple of good shots in next game and closed that set also very quickly.”

Up next for the World No.3 is Ekaterina Makarova, who dispatched fellow Singapore doubles partner Elena Vesnina, 6-2, 6-1, in their first round encounter on Sunday.

Incredible on the run shot from Qiang Wang!! #ChinaOpen https://t.co/bpJ22ZdFpp

— WTA (@WTA) October 2, 2016

Looking for a nice Christmas gift for your tennis-loving friend or a treat for yourself? Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will help you pick the best presents.

If you wish to surprise someone with a kit worn by a top WTA player, look no further than adidas’ range launched at the US Open. Angelique Kerber lifted the champion’s trophy wearing the adidas Fall Pro Tank, featuring adjustable shelf bra and contrast racerback with mesh insert, and adidas Fall Pro Skirt, whose famous geometric print draws inspiration from New York City’s famous skyscrapers. Both the items are equipped with Climacool moisture management.

There’s also this Ana Ivanovic adidas Fall Pro Dress, one of the most beautiful designs of the season, while if you’re not into skirts, there are Simona Halep stunning adidas Fall Pro Shorts, whose built-in printed compression shorts peek through a woven mesh layer.

Even though other models were promoted far more on the courts, the adidas Barricade Classic Bounce remains the cutest shoe I’ve seen this year. Whether you like it in green or red, it promises high levels of cushioning, stability and comfort. Since the shoes were introduced even before the Australian Open, their discounted price makes them extra attractive.

If you’re looking for more affordable presents and stocking stuffers, there’s no shortage of options to surprise your tennis friends.

You can’t go wrong whether you choose this 2-pack Nike hairband in pink and deep garnet, the black and white option with a stylish split section, or adidas’ 3-pack in purple and slime. All the hairbands have silicone/gel that keeps them in place.

Everyone needs a white visor, even if they have several already. Stella McCartney offers the most beautiful one, with lovely mesh lining on body and subtle adidas and designer logo.

Wristbands also make a great affordable gift. You can pick these purple ones from Nike’s new collection, these discounted red adidas ones, or these classic white Fila ones.

One can never have enough socks and these adidas Climalite striped ones are adorable!

Narrowing down a selection of bras, I’ve come down to these three: this light blue EleVen bra with crossed spaghetti straps, this secure and compressive Nike bra that offers multidirectional medium support, and this purple Under Armour bra with stylish straps for lightweight support.

If you’d like something that is extravagant, yet not expensive, pick these pink Nike arm sleeves, that Serena Williams sported at the US Open. They offer a UPF 40+ protection.

Finally, it’s time for some luxury. If you want a tennis bag that provides a stylish transition from a stroll in the city or a business meeting to a tennis practice, Court Couture Karisa Black Pebble Bag is your perfect splurge. The racquet department of this embossed faux leather bag fits two racquets. There are inner and outer accessory pockets, as well as a separate cosmetics case to carry your essentials.

If you’re still unsure whether any of these items are the best picks for you, don’t risk and give your friend a Tennis Warehouse gift card. There are tons of things to choose from and a lot of them are discounted now!

Angelique Kerber’s stellar 2016 season is earning her recognition from the editors of espnW, who have compiled their shortlist of honorees for this year’s IMPACT25.

IMPACT25 honors achievements not only from athletes like Kerber and US Olympic gymast Simone Biles, but also from influencers like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Leslie Jones.

Kerber finished 2016 atop the WTA rankings after a year of career breakthroughs, chief among them a pair of Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and US Open, along with a silver medal showing at the Olympic tennis event, and a runner-up finish at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

Click here to check out the full list of honorees on espnW.com.