"My 2017 New Year's Resolution Is…"
Extreme activities? A better wardrobe? Hear what Angelique Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova, Garbiñe Muguruza and more have as their 2017 New Year’s Resolutions!
Extreme activities? A better wardrobe? Hear what Angelique Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova, Garbiñe Muguruza and more have as their 2017 New Year’s Resolutions!
What are some of your favorite WTA stars’ New Year’s Resolutions? Check out some of the best tweets ringing in the 2017 season right here on wtatennis.com!
BRISBANE, Australia – Eugenie Bouchard came into her first match of the 2017 season having played just two matches since September. After taking a 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 loss to Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Brisbane International, the candid Canadian admitted to feeling a bit undercooked coming into the new season.
“I definitely feel kind of rusty, out of it,” Bouchard said. “I haven’t played in a match in a while. I haven’t won a match in a while. All those thoughts kind of go into your head a little bit when you’re on the court.”
Currently ranked No.46, Bouchard struggled with her rhythm early against Rogers, falling behind 0-4 in the first set as the American did well to hold her position on the baseline and match power for power off the ground. After losing the first set 6-2, Bouchard fired herself, played with more intensity in the second set, and her power game began to click.
After pocketing the second set 6-2, Bouchard invoked the 10-minute heat rule and both players went off court to cool down.
“I always find those breaks kind of weird. I did ask for it and I did want it, just to take a bit more time to try to cool down. I thought it was the smarter move. But it’s always weird kind of sitting in the locker room for like five minutes and then going back out.”
Hey old friend ? pic.twitter.com/RrXshwN8cN
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) December 30, 2016
Bouchard came out flat in the final set and Rogers steadied her game to earn her second straight win over the Canadian. It was a strong, powerful performance from Rogers and it left Bouchard back at the drawing board.
“I felt definitely not completely ready coming here. I felt I wanted maybe a bit more time before the season started, but everything always comes by so quick.
“So we were kind of coming in maybe knowing that a little bit, but it’s still time to go, and sometimes it’s also good for you to kind of just put yourself out there, throw yourself to the wolves and see what happens, and improve that way, learn that way instead of just another training week. So that was the choice. That was why we chose to come here.
“But, yeah, there is just lots of work to be done. It’s kind of getting used to playing a tennis match again, in a way. I know everyone feels like that at the beginning of the season, but the lack of matches I have played after the US Open makes it more. I just feel it more for my situation.”
Bouchard’s 2016 season started well, as she looked well on her way towards putting a disappointing 2015 season behind her. She made two finals in the first two months of the season. But after a heavy schedule over the summer, which saw her play seven tournaments between Wimbledon and the Coupe Banque Nationale, she felt burnt out and needed a break.
3rd Set!@GenieBouchard storms back to force a decider vs Rogers 2-6, 6-2! #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/UTJY8HxTrH
— WTA (@WTA) January 1, 2017
“Even though I wasn’t going far in each one, I was still, the mentality of going from tournament to tournament and always that stress of a tournament week after week after week. Especially after the Quebec City tournament, obviously which is at home and a lot more emotional and really tough to play in, I felt so burnt out. I didn’t even want to play the rest of the season.”
Bouchard skipped the Asian swing and returned to play Luxembourg and Linz, where she lost in the opening rounds to end her season. She says the experience taught her the importance of scheduling her season properly to keep her as fresh as possible.
“The thought process was because I was kind of losing earlier in tournaments, go try and play another one, go try and play another one, you always have that hope at least to plan to go play a match instead of practice, but I think after a point it actually becomes detrimental.
“Definitely going to be smarter with scheduling this year. We also had the Olympics, which is also very taxing physically, emotionally. A lot of things, obviously that’s how it happens. It’s a perfect storm of events, but, yeah, I definitely took a longer break at the end of this year than usual, and I really needed it, but I feel like it helped because I’m super motivated. I just need to get back into it.”
Bouchard is scheduled to play the Apia International Sydney next week.
Getting ready for NYE ? @BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/pmS5aOWrPL
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) December 31, 2016
Daria Gavrilova, Kristina Mladenovic, and Andrea Petkovic had New Year’s “rockin” Eve in Perth with ATP legend Roger Federer at the Hopman Cup player party.
Last year’s runner-up Alison Riske overcame her nerves to defeat wildcard Zhu Lin in the first round of the Shenzhen Open. Fellow seed Monica Niculescu was among Sunday’s other winners.
No.3 seed Karolina Pliskova delivered a clinical performance in her first match of 2017, needing just over an hour to defeat Yulia Putintseva and move into the second round at the Brisbane International.
BRISBANE, Australia – Alizé Cornet scored her first win of 2017 in dramatic fashion, coming back the brink of defeat to upset Elena Vesnina at the Brisbane International.
The No.7 seeded Russian, who enjoyed her first Top 20 season last year, got a rude awakening in the New Year in the form of a determined Cornet, who was two games away from defeat before mounting her comeback to advance 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).
“It feels really great to win the first match of 2017, on the first of January, after a thriller match against Elena,” Cornet said after the victory.
“It was the worst scenario ever, 7-6 in the third, almost three hours of match. It was a big fight and I’m happy I’m through. I feel ready for the rest of the tournament.”
Vesnina took advantage of a shaky start from the Frenchwoman to build her momentum early on, quickly taking the opening set and building up a daunting 4-1 lead in the second. But the match turned on a dime as Cornet put the pressure on, drawing out the unforced errors from Vesnina’s racquet and rattling off five straight games to level the match.
.@AlizeCornet battles past Vesnina 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5)!
Advances to @BrisbaneTennis Second round! pic.twitter.com/dnwV6rAOIC
— WTA (@WTA) January 1, 2017
With the heat rule in effect, the pair were back on court for a tense final set, staying even blow for blow and heading into a tiebreak. After two hours and thirty-seven minutes, an ill-timed drop shot from Vesnina – on her 65 unforced errors – didn’t make it over the net and gave Cornet match point and sent her into the second round.
Up next for Cornet is Christina McHale, who had a smoother road into the second round after cruising past Sara Errani in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
“First I have to think about recovering from this match, that’s the most important,” Cornet said. “Then I can think about the second round.
“I play against McHale, who is a very good player and had an easy first round win. I’m expecting a tough battle, but you know, this match really got me in the rhythm! I’m just ready to keep going.”
1st of january ✔
1st match of the season ✔
1st thriller ✔
1st win ✔ ??? !
Welcome to the 2017 season ? #BrisbaneInternational #lookingtired pic.twitter.com/mR3dTxdKsd— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) January 1, 2017
BRISBANE/AUCKLAND/SHENZHEN – The new year has barely begun, but the 2017 WTA season has begun in earnest, with a trio of tournaments taking place across the globe. World No.1 Angelique Kerber is one of four Top 10 players at the Brisbane International, while 22-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and sister Venus Williams take to the ASB Classic in Auckland. Farther north in China, defending champion and World No.3 Agnieszka Radwanska is the top seed at the Shenzhen Open, drawn opposite to Simona Halep.
Check out the biggest storylines in the first week of the 2017 season:
1) Angelique Kerber begins her defense of top ranking.
The two-time Grand Slam champion ended her breakthrough season as No.1 in the world, and heads back to Brisbane to begin taking on challengers to her throne atop the sport. Kerber could open against wildcard and comeback kid Ashleigh Barty after a first round bye, with the likes of Eugenie Bouchard, No.6 seed Elina Svitolina, and No.3 seed Karolina Pliskova all looming in the top half of the draw.
Excited to finally return to Australia ?? with @ThaiAirways. See you Down Under ? #TeamAngie #IflyThai pic.twitter.com/O7jM0tlUZn
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) December 30, 2016
2) Kerber could book a Singapore rematch with No.2 seed Cibulkova.
The 2016 season ended with Dominika Cibulkova stunning Kerber to win the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. Up to a career-high ranking of No.5, the Slovak is seeded No.2 in Brisbane, and will open against either Laura Siegemund or Zhang Shuai after a first round bye. No.5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, No.4 seed Garbiñe Muguruza, and No.7 seed Elena Vesnina are all in her half.
3) Kuznetsova aims to keep up late-season momentum.
Speaking of Kuznetsova, the Russian bookended her 2016 with titles in Sydney and Moscow, the latter helping her book the final ticket to Singapore. Kuznetsova begins her first season in the Top 10 since 2010, and opens against young American Louisa Chirico.
4) Serena returns in Auckland.
Over in New Zealand, World No.2 Serena Williams plays her first tour-level match since the US Open at the ASB Classic. As the top seed, Serena takes on Pauline Parmentier in the first round, and could play No.4 seed Barbora Strycova in the semifinals.
5) The Williams sisters doubles feature.
On the other half of the draw is Serena’s sister Venus, a champion in Auckland back in 2015, who opens against local wildcard Jade Lewis. Along with the hopes of an all-Williams final, Venus and Serena are set to play doubles together for the first time since the Olympic tennis event.
6) Wozniacki opens against good friend Nicole Gibbs.
Caroline Wozniacki narrowly lost to Venus in Auckland’s championship match two years ago, and the former World No.1 aims to build on the late season surge that took her from World No.74 all the way back into the Top 20. Wozniacki drew Nicole Gibbs in her first round; the two spent a week together over the off-season to play an exhibition event:
Beautiful island ✅
(Nearly lethal) drone ✅
Amazing people ✅ pic.twitter.com/V2DBmz8PJO— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) November 18, 2016
7) Radwanska kicks off title defense against hometown favorite.
Agnieszka Radwanska kicked off 2016 on an impressive winning streaking, winning the Shenzhen Open and roaring into the Australian Open semifinals. Hoping to begin 2017 in similar style, the Pole needs to get past wildcard Duan Ying-Ying, with last year’s runner-up No.8 seed Alison Riske looming in the quarterfinals.
8) Halep takes on Jankovic to kick off her season.
On the other half of the draw is 2015 champion Simona Halep, who has the unenviable task of taking on a former No.1 in Jelena Jankovic to start her season. Jankovic suffered through an injury-addled 2016 season, but showed off some solid tennis last fall, reaching a final in Guangzhou.
Favourite #Christmas song? @JoKonta91 tackles our Christmas quiz! pic.twitter.com/M6OJxve1mb
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) December 24, 2016
9) Can Jo Konta make new milestones?
Johanna Konta is the third Top 10 player in Shenzhen, and the Brit plays her first tournament since hiring new coach Wim Fisette. Konta scribbled her name throughout the record books in 2016, and aims to continue at that high level in her first match against Cagla Buyukakcay.
10) Mirza pairs with No.1 rival Mattek-Sands in Brisbane.
The top doubles stars converge on Brisbane, with World No.1 Sania Mirza playing with former partner Bethanie-Mattek Sands. Mattek-Sands fell one match shy of unseating Mirza for No.1 in Singapore, losing in the final to Brisbane’s No.2 seeds Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova. In an ironic twist, the American has a shot to take No.1 again this week, but will need Mirza’s help to do it – by winning the title.
WTA Insider | The Insider team rings in the new year by taking one last look back at the Top 25, counting down the most outstanding performances of 2016.
Angelique Kerber
2016 Quick Hits
Week 1 Ranking: No.10
Year-End Ranking: No.1
Season Highlights: Australian Open, Stuttgart, US Open Champion – Brisbane, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, Olympics, Singapore RU
Best Major Result: Winner (Australian Open, US Open)
2016 was all about Angelique, as the German star rose up from No.10 in the world to capture a pair of Grand Slam titles and finish the year atop the WTA rankings. Hard to believe just 12 months ago.
“To win two [majors] right now and to be in one final at Wimbledon, that means to me everything,” she told WTA Insider in her Champions Corner interview in Flushing.
“To then be No.1, what I was always dreaming when I was a kid, that shows me I played a really consistent year. To be No.1 you have to play great, not one day or one week, you have to play very well a few months, and this is also incredible to me.”
A surprise finalist in Melbourne, Kerber stunned then-World No.1 Serena Williams, keeping the American from tying idol Stefanie Graf’s 22 major titles. She maintained a high level all year, reaching finals on all surfaces and winning silver at the Olympic tennis event in Rio.
“I’m feeling much more confident now in my skin and how I am. I think it’s because of my experience I know what’s happened, I know how to deal with pressure, how to deal with the things I have to do off court. That’s what gives me the confidence to dress up, speak, work, being how I am.
“Of course it takes a little while to get where I am, and it was really tough but really good.”
Looking into 2017, Kerber has to hit the ground running as top seed in Brisbane, the tournament where it all began last year. She’ll also have a Grand Slam title to defend right out the gate, but she and coach Torben Beltz were eager to kep working in the off-season, and do what needs to be done to extend her reign at the top of women’s tennis.
“I’m playing the best tennis in my career, but I’m trying to be better and better. I’m trying to motivate myself to be better in my matches and in practice. I will try to still play my best tennis in the next months.”