Break Points: August 21, 2013

Break Points is a daily roundup of tennis news, videos, links, and tweets. If you have something you think I should include, email me at amy@changeovertennis.com.

Today’s notable results:

News and Links:

I’ll take this chance to do a shameless plug for my piece in USA Today’s US Open preview on Juan Martin del Potro, whom I interviewed during the D.C. tournament.

Almost four years after he won the U.S. Open title and almost three years since his return to tennis, del Potro is ready to contend, racking up wins against top players again.

Just don’t ask him about it.

Del Potro says he’s tired of talking about whether he’s back. Each time he wins a big match — like when he beat world No.1 Novak Djokovic to win a bronze medal in the Olympic Games last year — he gets asked whether he’s back to his 2009 form.

“It’s frustrating to answer the same question all the time,” del Potro said. “I’ve been playing since 2011 — almost three years — and I’m playing, I think, better than in the past.”

And also, a shameless plug for Juan Jose’s USA Today piece on Jerzy Janowicz:

There have been many tall players — Janowicz is 6-8 — but few with that size frame have been able to move around the court quite like he does.

His agility and explosiveness off the ground are mind-boggling when realizing how tall he is but understandable given his background: Janowicz’s parents are former professional volleyball players.

The other unique quality is the rare combination of raw power and deft touch, something Janowicz showcases every time he steps on the court.

Pete Bodo wrote a great piece about Shahar Peer and Ksenia Pervak’s US Open qualifying match over at Tennis.com.

Roger Federer suited up for a Moët & Chandon event in New York.

Jane McManus wrote a nice profile of Bethanie Mattek-Sands for espnW:

Somehow, Bethanie avoided being stamped into the ponytailed standard despite moving to Florida at age 12 to attend the Chris Evert Tennis Academy. She didn’t listen to her mother, Heidi, too closely when she’d say in that Midwestern accent, “Oh Bethanie, you have such beautiful naturally blond hair.” She married Justin at 23, before anyone really got a chance to approve her choice, and wore a black dress to her own wedding.

Her folks weren’t crazy about it at the time — who decides to get married after three dates? — but they’ve come around. Tim and Heidi Mattek, who moved the family of six from Wisconsin to Florida for Bethanie’s tennis, have come to respect their daughter’s judgment.

“She has a history of making good decisions,” her dad said.

ESPN Magazine did a fun social media Q&A with Andrea Petkovic.

This kid is seriously talented:

Tennis on Twitter:


Amy can be spotted on a tennis court in the Philadelphia area, shanking backhand volleys.

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