Break Points is a roundup of tennis news, videos, links, and tweets. If you have something you think we should include, email us at feedback@changeovertennis.com.
Notable results:
- Zagreb F: Marin Cilic d. Tommy Haas, 6-3, 6-4
- Vina del Mar F: Fabio Fognini d. Leonardo Mayer, 6-2, 6-4
- Montpellier F: Gael Monfils d. Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-4
- Doha 1R: Tsvetana Pironkova d. Roberta Vinci, 6-3, 6-3
- Doha 1R: Petra Cetkovska d. Sloane Stephens, 7-5, 6-1
News and Links:
Juan Martin del Potro talked about his decision to play Rotterdam:
The 25-year-old del Potro wasn’t going to take any further chances. On 27 January, he flew into artic-like conditions in Rochester, Minnesota, where temperatures hit -25°C (-13°F), to consult with Doctor Richard Berger, who had helped treat him four years earlier and on occasion in 2013.
Del Potro received a further injection, physio consultancy and advice at the Mayo Clinic. He didn’t play tennis for 20 days. “I did not play tennis or go to the gym,” he explained. “As a result, I have lost muscle and definition in my left arm.
“But my doctor has given me the confidence to play here in Rotterdam and, as the defending champion I feel that it is the right decision.”
Meanwhile, Andy Murray discussed the same topic:
“When I came back from San Diego, I was pretty happy with the way I was playing. With the surgery, I had a long break, so hadn’t had a lot of matches. When you haven’t been playing for a long time, you start playing again, get used to competing, and I was enjoying playing tournaments and not being in pain. So I quite fancied playing before I went to Acapulco.
“I talked to my manager, he said it was possible to play here, I like the tournament, it’s very close to London, and we made the decision.”
Serena Williams was providing some words of encouragement to the American Fed Cup team during their tie last weekend.
Li Na isn’t resting on her laurels after winning the Australian Open:
“I don’t think this is the best moment of my career — the year is only just beginning. I can’t just say I did well in the first one,” Li insisted, referring to the Melbourne success. “There’s another ten months in the year.
She added: “It’s only February, so I can’t say it’s the best yet. The future may be better. There are many more months in the year. I am confident I can still do well, so I want to prove what I can do.”
Non-tennis: Evgeni Plushenko is awesome.
Tennis on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ovi8/status/432603515652153345
So cute, sport is great pic.twitter.com/e0JzcS5ADT
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) February 9, 2014
So blessed to welcome our first child into this world. Beckett Gardner Fish born yesterday at 3:45pm. Baby and mommy happy and healthy!
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) February 9, 2014
