tennisIlove09
Jan 9th, 2005, 02:52 PM
Myskina voices injury fears
10jan05 WORLD tennis champion Anastasia Myskina says rivals who have dodged lead-up tournaments to the Australian Open have done the right thing - and she intends to do the same next year.
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The Russian said top-10 players - particularly Open fitness queries Amelie Mauresmo and Serena Williams, who chose not to play any of Tennis Australia's lead-up events - have maximised their Melbourne Park chances because they have reduced the early-season stress on their bodies. World No.1 Lindsay Davenport brushed off concerns over a knee injury which forced her to pull out of the Hopman Cup last week, but yesterday left open the possibility of making a spur-of-the-moment retirement at Melbourne Park if she won her first major title in five years there.
Mauresmo rested an adductor injury and pulled out of a Hong Kong exhibiton in which Serena Williams elected to play doubles only.
World No.10 Jennifer Capriati (shoulder) withdrew from Sydney and has not revealed whether she will play in Melbourne, where she was champion in 2001 and 2002.
"It's a really smart decision to not play and get injured again. They are thinking about the Australian Open and it shows how they want to win," said Myskina, second seed at this week's Medibank International at Sydney Olympic Park.
"Let's put it this way - next year I don't think I'm going to play something before the Australian Open.
"It's really tough to go spending new year not at home and be here for more than a month."
Myskina, ranked No.3 and named by the International Tennis Federation last month as its world champion, said she had 20 days off training between the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
She has played in pain in recent months with a torn shoulder rotator cuff, hoping it doesn't worsen during the Australian circuit.
Davenport, 28, said she could see herself playing into 2006, but her main aim is to add another grand slam title.
She has discussed retirement with her husband Jon Leach, concluding: "I'm sure there will be an empty feeling of not having a real purpose or goal when I do retire."
10jan05 WORLD tennis champion Anastasia Myskina says rivals who have dodged lead-up tournaments to the Australian Open have done the right thing - and she intends to do the same next year.
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The Russian said top-10 players - particularly Open fitness queries Amelie Mauresmo and Serena Williams, who chose not to play any of Tennis Australia's lead-up events - have maximised their Melbourne Park chances because they have reduced the early-season stress on their bodies. World No.1 Lindsay Davenport brushed off concerns over a knee injury which forced her to pull out of the Hopman Cup last week, but yesterday left open the possibility of making a spur-of-the-moment retirement at Melbourne Park if she won her first major title in five years there.
Mauresmo rested an adductor injury and pulled out of a Hong Kong exhibiton in which Serena Williams elected to play doubles only.
World No.10 Jennifer Capriati (shoulder) withdrew from Sydney and has not revealed whether she will play in Melbourne, where she was champion in 2001 and 2002.
"It's a really smart decision to not play and get injured again. They are thinking about the Australian Open and it shows how they want to win," said Myskina, second seed at this week's Medibank International at Sydney Olympic Park.
"Let's put it this way - next year I don't think I'm going to play something before the Australian Open.
"It's really tough to go spending new year not at home and be here for more than a month."
Myskina, ranked No.3 and named by the International Tennis Federation last month as its world champion, said she had 20 days off training between the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
She has played in pain in recent months with a torn shoulder rotator cuff, hoping it doesn't worsen during the Australian circuit.
Davenport, 28, said she could see herself playing into 2006, but her main aim is to add another grand slam title.
She has discussed retirement with her husband Jon Leach, concluding: "I'm sure there will be an empty feeling of not having a real purpose or goal when I do retire."