Tennis' Top Stars Look to Bounce Back
Tennis is a game played one step – or bound – at a time. Sometimes it’s a step back, like falling to No.3 for the first time in almost eight years. Other times, it’s little steps forward when you’re working your way back from injury.
For two of tennis’ top stars, steps are certainly what are needed to maintain, or reclaim greatness.
For Roger Federer, the weeks leading up to the US Open are going to be about taking a few steps back and examining his game. The former world number one has fallen two spots in the ATP rankings, trailing Rafael Nadal (1) and Novak Djokovic (2) to sit third for the first time since November 2003.
His fall from grace has been swift; in the last three months, Federer’s record streak of reaching 23 consecutive major title semi-finals came to a screeching halt when he was knocked out the French Open in the quarter-finals. Wimbledon was no better as he failed to make the finals for the first time since 2002. Adding insult to injury, Federer’s fall from the top spot left him one week shy of tying Pete Sampras’ record of 286 consecutive weeks at number one.
In an effort to remedy the situation, Federer has stepped out of spotlight for the time being and retained the services of Paul Annacone on a trial basis to – hopefully - work out the kinks in his game.
“I’ve been looking to add someone to my team, and I’ve decided to spend some days with Paul Annacone,” Federer announced on his website. “As Paul winds down his responsibilities working for the Lawn Tennis Association, we will explore our relationship through this test period. Paul will work alongside my existing team, and I am excited to learn from his experiences.”
Along with serving as the men’s head coach for Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association, Annacone has directed some of tennis’ biggest names, most notably the aforementioned Sampras.
“They will take the necessary time to see if the relationship can work,” Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, told Yahoo! Sports. “I would assume that Paul, if he can work it in with his remaining responsibilities and schedule with the LTA, will join Roger for some of his upcoming summer hard court events in North America.”
Federer is scheduled to play his next tournament in Toronto, August 9th, before moving onto Cincinnati in the lead up to the US Open at the end of that month.
Federer’s last title came in January at the Austrailian open.
Williams hoping to play in US Open
While Federer tries to reclaim the top spot on the men’s circuit, Serena Williams is hoping that a right foot injury will be healed in time for her to protect her own crown at the US Open.
The number one ranked, Williams required surgery to repair deep cuts in her foot after stepping on a piece of glass outside a restaurant shortly after winning her fourth Wimbledon title on July 3rd.
"Right now, we're taking it a day at a time. She's resting and recovering," Williams’ agent Jill Smoller told The Associated Press. “She will start training again as soon as she is healed”
The 13-time major title winner has pulled out of three tournaments in Istanbul, Cincinnati and Montreal leading up to the Open.
"You want the best players to be out there, especially at the U.S. Open," Kim Clijsters said. "It would be sad not to have Serena there."
Clijsters was the opposing player involved in last year’s outburst by Williams at a line judge that cost the star a record US$82,500 in fines.
"Serena Williams is one of our sport's greatest champions, and we are very hopeful she will be back at the U.S. Open,” Open tournament director Jim Curley said. "We wish her a speedy recovery."
Williams is 25-4 on the year with two major singles titles, the Austrailia Open and Wimbledon.
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