Gael Monfils: The Entertainer

Gael Monfils elicits mixed emotions from tennis fans.

Some find his flair and flashy play exciting. Others find it grating and unnecessary. And there are many who worry that his acrobatic style of play will result in serious injuries.

But regardless of what pundits and fans think of him, Monfils continues to do what he does best: to entertain.

In August, the Frenchman brought his high-flying act to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C., and he did not disappoint. With overhead smashes that would make Pete Sampras proud and diving shots few on the ATP Tour would dare attempt, Monfils rolled to the finals where he was stopped by tour veteran Radek Stepanek.

In the semifinals against John Isner, Monfils held a match point that was followed by an Isner service ace. Unsure of the call, Monfils challenged but the review system malfunctioned and the call stood. Monfils shrugged it off and the two exchanged a fist bump during the following changeover.

After losing his doubles match at the U.S. Open to end his Grand Slam season, Monfils did not respond by hanging his head and walking off the court, but by throwing anything he could find to the crowd, including his shirt, a box of tissues and an umbrella.

Also known for his dancing abilities, the 6’4’’ Monfils showed off some of his moves during offseason exhibitions, including shuffling to “Party Rock” in Argentina this past weekend.

The entertainer understands that in addition to winning matches, giving fans a good show is an essential part of the job.

While the 2011 season marked a career high ranking for Monfils – he reached world No. 7 in July – his Grand Slam struggles continued. He lost in the third round or earlier in all the majors except for the French Open, where he reached the quarterfinals.

Currently sitting at world No. 16, Monfils has some work ahead in 2012 to climb back into the top 10 and potentially further. But regardless of what lies ahead for Monfils, one can be sure that he will continue to entertain.

And in the chance Monfils wins at a Grand Slam, the court may turn into his own dance floor.

This article was published by Tennis Grandstand and can be seen here.

Irina Falconi Eyes Olympics and Top 50 Ranking in 2012

In her first season on Tour, young American Irina Falconi reached the third round at the 2011 U.S. Open, won a gold medal at the Pan American Games and finished the year as the fifth ranked American. She expects an even bigger year in 2012.

You may have heard her name, but with so many successful runs made by young Americans on the WTA Tour this summer, Irina Falconi’s breakout year may have been lost in the shuffle. The 21-year-old, Ecuador-born American has made huge strides in her first full year on the Tour, and is set on continuing her rise in the rankings.

At 5’4’’, the diminutive yet energetic Falconi made headlines this summer with a win over Russian veteran, Nadia Petrova, at the inaugural Citi Open championships in Maryland. The American continued her successful run by reaching the third round of the U.S. Open, after upsetting 14^th seed Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the second round, in front of a packed Arthur Ashe stadium.

Her performance on the big stage was no surprise to her coach, Jeff Wilson.

“She really values situations that she’s in,” said Wilson. “When she gets an opportunity on a bigger level, she is never concerned about being nervous. She excels on the big stage because she doesn’t get nervous.”

A Special Bond


Just one year ago, Falconi was playing collegiate tennis at Georgia Tech. After two stellar seasons at the collegiate level, where she earned two All-American honors, and was named the 2010 NCAA Player of the Year, Falconi made the decision to turn pro. For Falconi, that decision was made easier by having one of her greatest supporters, Coach Wilson, make the leap with her. Wilson started as a full-time volunteer assistant tennis coach for Georgia Tech in the late 1990s. Since meeting Falconi, the two have developed a bond that more closely resembles family than a typical coach and tennis player relationship.

“She really trusts in her team to put her in a position to have success,” said Wilson. “I can’t remember a time that I’ve needed to motivate her to go after it. Irina and I collaborate extremely well.”

Falconi agrees.

“I just have so much belief and faith that he knows what’s best for me and my game and how to make me not only the best player but the best person I can be, on and off the court,” she added. “It’s a great friendship.”

Representing Team USA

Falconi winning gold at the Pan Am Games. Photo credit: MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images

Perhaps the most significant accomplishment of Falconi’s pro tennis career took place on one of the most pressure-filled stages: The Pan American Games, where Falconi, who always keeps an American flag in her tennis bag, made the most of her opportunity to play for her country, and brought home a gold medal.

“When the director was putting the medal around my neck, there was a feeling of euphoria,” said Falconi. “There is no better feeling than winning a medal for your country and to represent your country in a fashion where you’ve actually made history. It was awesome.”

Falconi absolutely cherishes her opportunity to play for Team USA and enjoys the team atmosphere, which is quite a change from the solidarity often found in professional tennis.

“I think for tennis players, Grand Slams are wonderful, but Fed Cup, the Olympics, and Pan-Am Games are all very important events where you represent your country,” she said. “You’re surrounded by other athletes who have the same goal as you and there’s no bigger event.”

With her sights set on the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Falconi is on a mission to improve her ranking enough to qualify. Players must be in the top 56 in the world, or be one of the top four ranked Americans by June 11^th of 2012 to be eligible for play. Falconi reached a career high of No. 73 in October of this year, and is currently ranked No. 85.

In order to reach her goal of representing the United States in London next summer, Falconi and her team plan on putting in a lot of hours in the gym during this off season.

“She’ll do some Pro-Am type of things, but not too much of that,” said Wilson. “She’s just going to invest in the gym and invest in getting stronger and get prepared for December 26^th when we head to New Zealand [in preparation for the Auckland Classic.]”

What’s Next?


When her 2011 season officially concluded at the $75,000 ITF challenger event in Phoenix, AZ, Falconi took some time to reflect on her success from this past year.

“I’ve learned how to travel really well, how to travel light and how to really stock up on sky miles on every airline,” she said with a laugh. “I grew up a lot, with all the traveling and the experiences I had this year. But it wasn’t difficult. I just really enjoyed my time. I’ve been enjoying every second of it.”

In just one season, both player and coach have exceeded their expectations they set out for in 2011. At the end of 2010, Falconi was ranked No. 217, but she now sits inside the top 90 as the fifth ranked American. Next year, Falconi will face the true test of sustaining the momentum and success she experienced in 2011, and breaking into the top 50.

Without question, Irina Falconi is in position for even more impressive results in 2012. Chances are, it will be hard to miss the high-flying Falconi. With her coach Jeff Wilson by her side, she is poised to take her game to the next level.

This article was written for On The Baseline Tennis News and can be viewed here.

Australian Open Wildcard Playoffs: A Glimpse Into the Future

The banner boldly proclaims: “See the future of American tennis.” And on Dec. 16-18, tennis fans looking to see upcoming American stars and top pros during the “offseason” are in luck. Sixteen American men and women are set to faceoff at the 3^rd annual USTA-sponsored Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs in Norcross, GA, vying for a chance to play in the main draw at Melbourne in January.

The playoffs, hosted by the Racquet Club of the South, gives fans a chance to watch future top tennis talents in a setting far more intimate than most tennis events. The two winners, one male and one female, will earn a wildcard into the 2012 Australian Open main draw.

The eight men are former U.S. Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri, NCAA champion Steve Johnson, U.S. Open wildcard playoffs champion Bobby Reynolds, U.S. Open Mixed Doubles winner Jack Sock, Daniel Kosakowski, Denis Kudla, Jesse Levine and Rhyne Williams.

The women featured are former U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin, this year’s U.S. Open juniors champion Grace Min, U.S. Open wildcard playoffs winner Madison Keys, Coco Vandeweghe, Gail Brodsky, Jamie Hampton and Alison Riske.

Last year’s winners were 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and 18-year-old Lauren Davis. Long touted as the future of American tennis, Harrison has seen his stock rise in 2011 and finished the season ranked No. 79 in the world. Davis, an accomplished junior player, made two Grand Slam main draw appearances this year and is currently ranked No. 320.

At No. 127 in the world, Bobby Reynolds is the highest ranked player in the men’s draw. The 29-year-old also has home-field advantage, hailing from nearby Acworth, GA. Reynolds was once ranked as high as No. 63 in 2009 but suffered a severe wrist injury that sidelined him for nearly a year. Reynolds looks to ride the momentum he built this summer with the WTT champions Washington Kastles and the U.S. Open wildcard playoffs victory to another Grand Slam main draw berth in Australia.

While Reynolds is a tour veteran, the majority of the playoffs feature fresh faces of the game. At this year’s U.S. Open Jack Sock, 19, made headlines with a first round victory and by winning the mixed doubles title with partner and fellow playoff participant Melanie Oudin. Sock was last year’s runner-up and is poised to take it one step further. Former college standouts Daniel Kosakowski (UCLA), 19, who reached the finals of the U.S. Open wildcard playoffs, and USC’s Steve Johnson, 20, also have a great chance to start the 2012 season strong with a win here.

Coco Vandeweghe, who has spent time training this off-season by boxing, leads the women’s draw at No. 122 in the world. The imposing 20-year-old stands at 6’1’’ and has a game to match her size. Vandeweghe played in the main draw at all four Grand Slams this year and reached the second round at the U.S. Open.

Other notable young players include 16-year-old Madison Keys, the winner of the U.S. Open wildcard playoffs and 2011 U.S. Open juniors champion Grace Min. Keys went on to win her first ever Grand Slam main draw match in Flushing Meadows, upsetting Jill Craybas in the first round and taking a set off top-30 player, Lucie Safarova in the second. Seventeen-year-old Min won the juniors tournament without dropping a set, toppling No. 1 seed Caroline Garcia in the finals.

A win at these playoffs could create momentum going into the new season for the players and fans will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of future stars to watch out for in Australia and years to come.

For live Australian Open Wild Card Playoff updates follow Tennis Maryland on Twitter or visit their website at http://tennismaryland.com/.


This article was published by TennisGrandstand and can be seen here.

Novak Djokovic: My Sportsman of the Year

I was thrilled when James LaRosa of Tennis Channel informed his Twitter followers back in May that Novak Djokovic would appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Djokovic was in the midst of a remarkable 37-0 run and was on top of the tennis world.

What would the cover photo be? Perhaps it would be a beaming Djokovic, pointing to the skies after his emphatic victory over Andy Murray at the Australian Open. Or maybe a snapshot of his primal screams during one of his four wins over Rafael Nadal at Masters 1000 finals.

But it wasn’t to be. A tennis fan can only dream.

When LaRosa tweeted a picture of the cover I thought I had clicked on the wrong link. “This can’t be right,” I told myself, “I don’t see Djokovic anywhere!” It was only upon further inspection that I saw the tiny photo, accompanied with the tagline, “Novak Djokovic is the most dominant athlete in the world right now.”

Djokovic continued to dominate and finished the season as the No. 1 player in the world with an astounding 70-6 win-loss record. Djokovic performed his best when the stakes were the highest, winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Tennis.com has recently named Djokovic’s 2011 season as the No. 3 best men’s tennis season ever.

While tennis is a niche sport in the United States and Sports Illustrated caters to an American audience, Djokovic deserved to win Sportsman of the Year.

In addition to his on-court talents, the charismatic Serb has reached rock star status in his home country and has become the face of the once war-torn nation.

Brad Gilbert, former coach of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, is not a man of few words. When Sports Illustrated named college basketball coaches Pat Summitt of Tennessee and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski as the Sportswoman and Sportsman of 2011, Gilbert took to Twitter to voice his displeasure.




He also points out that the mighty Roger Federer, who has 16 Grand Slam titles, has never been named Sportsman of the Year either. In fact, no tennis player has won since Chris Evert did in 1976.



While foreign athletes with weird last names may be a hard sell to American sports fans, Djokovic’s historic season should have been honored. Maybe tennis is not ready for the spotlight. But when it is, I hope to see Novak Djokovic on the cover – front and center.


This article was published by Tennis Grandstand. View it here.