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The Pride of Poland

I saw the idea and improved on it - it is not a completely original thought from my head!

A commemorative Coin featuring Aga

2015 - AGA IN LOVE - Engaged to Dawid Celt

Image courtesy and copyright of Party.pl

Party.pl say "Po wygraniu najważniejszego turnieju w karierze – turnieju Masters w Singapurze, Agnieszka Radwańska chce powalczyć o tytuł najlepszej tenisistki świata. Ale to nie koniec planów Radwańskiej na przyszły rok! Mówi się bowiem, że już niedługo Agnieszka zamierza poślubić swojego narzeczonego i sparingpartnera Dawida Celta.

(After winning her biggest tournament to date - the Masters in Singapore, Agnieszka Radwańska aims to become the best female tennis player in the world. But that isn't her only plan for next year. It is very likely that Agnieszka intends to marry her fiancé and sparring partner David Celt.')

Kiedy ślub Radwańskiej? (When will Radwańska's wedding take place?)

Jak dowiedział się „Flesz”, ceremonia jest wstępnie planowana na 2017 rok! Gdzie się odbędzie? Tego jeszcze nie wiadomo, ale zakochani biorą pod uwagę Kraków, czyli rodzinne miasto Agnieszki."

('Flesz' has discovered that the ceremony is planned for 2017. Where will it be? Not yet known, but the lovers are certainly considering Agnieszka's home town of Kraków.)

Personal note - I do hope it is Kraków - my mother's home time and one of the most beautiful places on earth - congratulations Aga!

2015 - November Player and Shot 'of the Month'

2015 - SINGAPORE - THE PERFECT 'YEAR END'

l to r - Agnieszka Rawanska (singles), Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza 'Santina' (doubles) Champions 2015

Off-Court in the beautiful 'Gardens by the Bay' - Aga hugs 'her' trophy. - All images courtesy of the WTA

On-Court Aga enjoying her unexpected and well deserved triumph!

And why not indulge in Aga's achievement?

2015 - Conquering Tianjin propels Aga into Singapore

with thanks to the WTA and Tianjin Open for the images of the 2015 Champion

From the WTA Website :

TIANJIN, China - Agnieszka Radwańska ended the breakthrough run of WTA Rising Star Danka Kovinic to win the 16th WTA title of her career at the Tianjin Open and book her ticket to Singapore.

Radwańska didn't drop a set all week and that pattern continued in the final, as the No.2-seeded Pole broke five times - and was never broken herself - to race past Kovinic in just 58 minutes, 6-1, 6-2. "I saw her here and she played really great tennis this week, so I didn't really expect to have an easy match or anything," Radwańska said of Kovinic. "But I was really solid from the beginning. I think I was just using the conditions a little bit better today, and maybe that's why the score was like that."

"She's Top 10, she's played a Grand Slam final, she's a huge player - I've watched a lot of her matches on TV but it's completely different when you step on the court and play against her," Kovinic said. "She hits very flat, and I was a little too far behind the baseline, which gave her the chance to be more aggressive. She moved me around the court a lot today and just played a really good match."

And so, Radwańska not only collects her second WTA title of the year and the 16th of her career, she also qualifies for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global,

"Coming to Asia I didn't really think I had any chance to go to Singapore, and it's actually been a very good couple of weeks for me," Radwańska said. "Winning Tokyo gave me some chances to go there, and then every match started to matter after that. And I knew if I won here, I would make it there. "But the pressure didn't feel too big. I could really play my best tennis in Tianjin this week." The former World No.2 will be making her fifth straight appearance at the WTA's crown jewel event.

Kovinic doesn't leave empty-handed, though. Coming in she was the only Montenegrin ever to reach a WTA quarterfinal, doing it six times over the last few years, and this week she shattered her national record, becoming the first Montenegrin to reach a WTA final before running into a red-hot Radwańska. "I wanted to play better today, but everything was so tough - I was very tired after a long week and Aga was playing really well," Kovinic said in her post-match press conference. "But it's been a great week for me, of course. I have a few weeks left before my season is over and I hope to keep going."

Post Match Interview :

1 Q: (Tianjin PLUS magazine) Today's match sees easy to play, and you won the match at last, have you ever thought it would be so quickly?
A: Actually no, I only see her on the TV, and she played very well, and I didn't think it would be easy for me to play this match. Today's I played very well, from A to Z I stand firmly and fight steadily. Today's weather is a bit cool, so the course of the ball will be slightly different, maybe I do better than her in the use of the environment.

2 Q: (Tianjin TV) last week in China Open, losing in the semi-finals, you must be very disappointed. Will you have some pressure or just enjoy in Tianjin Open?
A: I did not expect to be able to go to the finals in Singapore before the Asian events, but in the past few weeks I have been playing well, especially in the first station of Tokyo, I won the championship. Of course, every match is very important, and I think more on the end of the year. I have to make sure that I have the title in Tianjin, so that I can make sure to the Singapore finals. Of course, I am not particularly under-pressure in this aspect, in the later match, i lay down the ideological burden, trying to enjoy the game.

3 Q: (Tianjin TV sports channel) At the start of the season, you didn't play very good, what do you think is the reason, it is a turning point can let you get back to the previous state quickly.
A: I did not play well at the start of the season. A lot of matches didn’t achieved what I want, and I'm not in best state. Change everything is the grass season, after a series of lawn tennis match, I slowly regain the confidence, get back the feel, my playing is getting better and better. I'm glad I've locked the final of Singapore's, and I will try my best in Singapore.

4 Q: (Tianjin plus magazine) You have played many difficult and time-consuming long match,who do you want to play in Tianjin Open?
A: In fact, I do not think this problem by logic, we see our opponents by the draw. I think a better strategy is not to think about the problem, because once you think if you encounter or not , it will have a certain impact on your mood, so do not thinking is the best way.

5 Q: (WTA reporter) You have now successfully qualified for Singapore, will you play Moscow, and do you have any expectation for the rest of the season?
A: My only goal now is to make the final of the year. Firstly, the goal is to cut, now is to play well, I have been in Singapore for fifth consecutive years, of course, it is not easy to play, I will try my best, and we will see.

6 Q: (foreign media) Will you return to Tianjin Open to defend the position of your women's singles champion next year?
A: Of course I will come back ,and trying to get the title of the tour again is a very exciting thing, so far I have been successful in the Tokyo Open twice, I hope that the Tianjin Open can become the second one, I will try my best to return to Tianjin to play .

2015 - Toray Pan Pacific - Aga Returns!

The win at the Toray Pan Pacific propelled Aga back into the WTA Top 10 women.

2015 - Istanbul Cup - Ula shines bright!

Ula reaches the final of the Istanbul Cup - narrowly beaten by Lesia Tsurenko in two-hard fought sets - after a successful tournament which lifted her in the WTA rankings. - Image courtesy of WTA - read more here

2015 - July Edition

On the cover of Polish Sports Magazine 'Przeglad Sportowy' post-Wimbledon

2015 Wimbledon - the big one!

Irrespective of the outcome!

So far so good!

2015 - Happier Memories of Nottingham

With local hero Robin Hood

Getting to grips with the Nottingham version of Monopoly!

Despite the disappointing result it is Agnieszka's image that is used to promote the Nottingham Open!

2015 - Nottingham Open

The consummate professional - Aga at the Nottingham Tennis Centre

Aga, regrettably, fails at semi-finals stage.

Delightful picture of Aga at the conclusion of her fourth round match sending signed tennis balls into the crowds of fans. Aga successfully reached the quarter final stage despite appalling line and umpire judging. In an uncharacteristic moment, Aga demanded of the Umpire 'Are you blind?'

Agnieszka posing happily in sunny Nottingham prior to the start of the 2015 Tournament

Surprise Wild Card entry by Agnieszka to get some much needed practice on grass at the reinstated Nottingham Open - let's not forget Urszula's success in 2013 (see in lower half of page).

From the Aegon web-site :

The Aegon Open Nottingham (WTA) Tournament Director, Rebecca James, said: “We are delighted to welcome a player of Agnieszka’s calibre to the inaugural Aegon Open Nottingham. Her presence further strengthens our already exciting main draw line-up and it will be a real treat for fans to see her. She is one of the most engaging characters off court and consistently a fan favourite with her unique brand of shot making." David Macmillan, Chief Marketing Officer at Aegon added: “Radwańska is a fantastic addition to what is already a very strong line-up. She’s known as an exciting player to watch and tennis fans will no doubt look forward to seeing her in action in Nottingham.”

From Sportowe Fakty.pl (Sports Facts) -

Agnieszka Radwanska walczy z kryzysem, Polka wystapi w Nottingham!

(Agnieszka Radwańska is fighting her crisis - the Pole will compete in Nottingham)

Agnieszka Radwańska wcześniej rozpocznie sezon na trawie. Polka zaprezentuje się w nowym turnieju WTA rozgrywanym w Nottingham, który odbędzie się w dniach 8-14 czerwca bieżącego roku. Wystąpi ona z dziką kartą, bowiem przed wczesną porażką w Rolandzie Garrosie planowała tylko start w Eastbourne, jako przygotowanie do Wimbledonu.

(Agnieszka Radwańska will start the grass court competition earlier than expected. The Pole will compete in the new WTA tournament held in Nottingham from the 8th-14th June. She has been granted a wild card owing to her early defeat at Roland Garros to prepare for her run up to Eastbourne and Wimbledon.)

2015 - French Open - Tragedy

A clearly disappointed Aga at her post-match interview at Roland Garros

Roland Garros : Radwanska falls at the first round

The headlines on Twitter scream : "Łzy w oczach Polki", "Brutalna porażka", "Dziś błyszczała jedynie jej sukienka" / "A tearful Pole", "A brutal defeat", '"Today only her dress shone bright"

Agnieszka Radwanska rozczarowana i zapłakana. "Na korcie nie moge robić tego, co chce"

Agnieszka Radwańska disenchanted and tearful - "I can't play the way I want to on court."

Typical, concentrated Aga action shot - but will she live down the sparkling dress?

Is the writing on the wall?

"One of the worst defeats of my career" says Aga

“Obie miałyśmy lepsze i gorsze momenty w tym spotkaniu. To był bardzo dziwny mecz. Zaczęłam za wolno i potem było za późno na odrabianie strat w pierwszym secie. Druga partia była znacznie lepsza. W trzeciej myślałam, że wciąż jest dobrze, ale potoczyło się to inaczej.”

“We both had better and worse moments in this meet. It was a very strange match. I started slowly and then it was too late to make up for the losses in the first set. The second set was decidedly better. In the third I still had a positive mindset believing that all was well, but fate decided to intervene.”

2015 April - Navratilova/Radwanska - It's all over now

Aga announces the split via Twitter as shown by the WTA

"We parted without 'issues'" states Agnieszka

2015 - Federation Cup

Team Images and Order of Play courtesy of WTA

Poland offers a lucky person the opportunity to win tickets to this event ....... !

..... In this (as yet) magnificent empty arena - who wouldn't want to be here .......?

..... watching these teams battle for victory?

Sharapova promotes the Plac Mariacki in Kraków

2015 - Hopman Cup

After the disappointment (but no shame) of becoming the runners-up on their debut in 2014 - Aga led her team to the final in 2015, met the strong US Team and beating them with partner Jerzy Janowicz held aloft the champions trophy!

Aga and Jerzy strike a wonderful pose as joy and pride shines through in their faces - Champions 2015

They just can't stop smiling and who could blame them? The BBC captions this "Janowicz and Radwańska dominated the mixed doubles rubber in the Perth final" - image sourced from and © of Getty images

Hopman Cup: Poland beat USA in Perth final

10th January 2015

Agnieszka Radwańska and Jerzy Janowicz secured victory for Poland against the United States in the Hopman Cup final. The pair sealed the tie in Perth by beating John Isner and Serena Williams 7-5 6-3 in the mixed doubles after sharing the earlier singles rubbers. World number five Radwańska earned a shock 6-4 6-7 6-1 win over world number one Williams to give Poland the lead. Isner, ranked 18th in the world, had then squared the final after beating world number 43 Janowicz 7-6 6-4.

The Polish Tennis Association announces the letter of congratulations from Polish President of Poland - Bronislaw Komorowski

The letter of congratulations from Polish President of Poland - Bronislaw Komorowski - dated 12th January 2015

Polish Fans in the arena celebrating the win of the Polish Hopman Cup Team

The obligatory ticket tape photo call of the Champions for the international Press

Hopman Cup Website acknowledges the 'Pride of Poland' team

The Hopman Cup Fb page also pays tribute to their Champions

Hopman Cup Website paying tribute to the winning team of Aga Radwańska and Jerzy Janowicz over the world's greatest player Serena Williams and giant John Isner.

Radwanska Beats Serena At Hopman Cup*

It's not an official WTA stop, but Agnieszka Radwańska still had a big day at the Hopman Cup exhibition event, beating Serena Williams - twice in fact.

Published January 10, 2015 12:13

Aga and Jerzy sharing a trophy kiss as portrayed as on the official WTA website - image courtesy of Getty Images

PERTH, Australia - Agnieszka Radwańska led Poland to the Hopman Cup title on Saturday, not just beating Serena Williams in the women's singles match, but also in the mixed doubles match.

Eight countries sent teams to battle it out at the exhibition event in Perth this past week, playing each other in a series of three matches each - a women's singles match, a men's singles match and a mixed doubles match. A slew of WTA stars made the trip as well, including six of the Top 20 players in the world - Williams, Radwańska, Eugenie Bouchard, Flavia Pennetta, Lucie Safarova and Alizé Cornet.

At the end of the week only the USA and Poland were left standing, and Radwańska was the player of the day - she not only beat Williams in the singles match, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1, but she partnered Jerzy Janowicz to beat Williams and John Isner in the mixed doubles match, 7-5, 6-3. The final scoreline was 2-1, after Isner topped Janowicz in a tight one in a battle of massive servers, 7-6(10), 6-4.

Williams has beaten Radwańska in all eight of their WTA-level meetings, dropping just one set. This is the first time in the 27 years of Hopman Cup that Poland came out with the title. Williams has helped the USA to two titles before, in 2003 and 2008.

Poland wins Hopman Cup as Agnieszka Radwanska and Jerzy Janowicz combine to beat Serena Williams and John Isner in Perth

Updated 10th January 2015, 9:10pm

A furious world number one Serena Williams destroyed her racquet in frustration and called the chair umpire a liar during Poland's historic Hopman Cup tennis title triumph on Saturday night. Poland went ahead 1-0 after Agnieszka Radwańska shocked 18-time major champion Williams 6-4, 6-7 (7-3), 6-1 in front of 10,867 fans at Perth Arena. Isner ensured the top seeds stayed alive with a 7-6 (12-10), 6-4 win over Jerzy Janowicz, but Poland prevailed 7-5, 6-3 in the deciding mixed doubles to snare their maiden Hopman Cup crown.

The mixed doubles was not without controversy. With the US 2-1 down in the second set and staring at defeat, a point had to be replayed after Janowicz prematurely celebrated after he thought both Isner and Williams had struck the ball. Williams believed the US should have been awarded the point due to Janowicz's distraction and a five-minute argument involving all four players, the chair umpire and the ITF referee ensued. The Americans ended up winning the replay, but a few games later Williams twice smashed her racquet on the court after missing a simple backhand.

Radwańska leapt into the arms of Janowicz once the pair secured the Cup. Williams, a two-time Hopman Cup champion, entered her singles match having won all of her previous eight contests against Radwańska. Such was the dominance, Radwańska had only ever won one set against the American - in the 2012 Wimbledon final. But Radwańska came out with all guns blazing in Perth, the world number five even serving for the match in the second set. Williams broke back before winning the second-set tiebreak, but Radwańska came up with the goods when it mattered most in the third to secure the win in 125 minutes. Radwańska was part of the Polish team that lost last summer's Hopman Cup final to France and she would have been feeling a sense of deja vu after watching Janowicz falter. The 203cm giant blew five set points in the first-set tiebreak, with Isner cruising to victory from that point on.

But the Polish pair produced the goods when it mattered most. "It was one misunderstanding," Radwańska said of the mixed-doubles controversy. "But oh well, the most important thing is we won. "The title means a lot for us. "I remember last year like it was a week ago. We lost the final in the mixed doubles, so I really wanted to win this one."

Williams said she enjoyed the tournament despite failing to come away with the title. "Thank you John, you really held me up and gave us a chance in the final. Sorry I couldn't help you out," Williams said. Source : abc.net.au

Great Britain suffer first defeat of Hopman Cup as Poland win 2-1

- Heather Watson loses singles to Agnieszka Radwańska
- Watson and Andy Murray also beaten in doubles
- Earlier Murray overcame injury in win over France
- Serena Williams credits coffee for win after first-set bagel

Great Britain suffered their first defeat of the Hopman Cup, losing 2-1 to Poland in Perth. Andy Murray and Heather Watson were successful in their first match against France on Monday but Watson lost to Agnieszka Radwańska and, although Murray's win over Jerzy Janowicz levelled the tie, Poland won the doubles. In their singles encounter, Watson broke Radwańska in the opening game but the world No 5 broke straight back and won against the serve again in the fourth to move 3-1 up. Watson got back in the flow but could not find another break as she surrendered the first set and lost serve in the opener to the second. Watson broke back but that would be the last game she won as Radwańska eased to a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

Murray also lost his opening service game as Janowicz moved into a 2-0 lead and it looked as if both Britons were set to slip up in their singles. Murray moved up a gear and reeled off nine games in a row to take control before closing out a 6-2, 6-4 victory. He could not take that momentum into the doubles though as he and Watson went down 6-4, 6-4 to Radwańska and Janowicz. Source : The Guardian

Retrospective look at the 2015 victory from TennisHead.com

Tennis News - Poland win Hopman Cup

24th October, 2018 - Originally published on 10th January 2015

Serena Williams would have become the most successful player in Hopman Cup history if she had won the mixed team event for a third time but the world No. 1's hopes were dashed in a memorable final. Williams and John Isner had been the favourites to lift the trophy but instead it was Poland's Agnieszka Radwańska and Jerzy Janowicz who took the prize.

Williams struggled to find her form all week. In the early stages she complained of jet lag, but even after a week of competition in the Perth Arena the US Open champion was well below her best. Sheer willpower got her through her previous singles match against Lucie Safarova, but in the opening encounter of the final Radwańska was ultimately a decisive winner.

The first two sets were tight, but the world No .5 ran away with the third to complete a 6-4 6-7(3) 6-1 victory. It was a fine moment for Radwańska, who had never beaten Williams in their eight previous tour-level meetings and indeed had won only one set against her.

It was Williams' second singles loss of the week following her comprehensive defeat by Eugenie Bouchard. She will need to find a sharp improvement in her form if she is to be a serious contender to win the forthcoming Australian Open.

Isner was then left with the task of keeping the Americans in the final. The world No. 18 duly obliged, beating Janowicz 7-6 (10) 6-4 to set up a mixed doubles decider.

Williams and Isner had won all three of their mixed doubles in the group stages, but Radwańska and Janowicz were in no mood to yield. It was a highly competitive final, as demonstrated by lengthy discussions over one disputed point and by Williams smashing her racket in frustration after losing a vital rally.

Radwańska, clearly buoyed by her victory in the singles, played some excellent tennis, while Janowicz's power was crucial as the Poles won 7-5 6-3 to become the thirteenth country to lift the trophy. After the winning point Radwańska leapt into Janowicz's arms in a show of pure delight.

Image sourced from Tennis.com on-line article

Hopman Cup Final

Agnieszka Radwańska (POL) def. Serena Williams (USA) 6-4 6-7 (3) 6-1

John Isner (USA) def. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 7-6 (10) 6-4

Radwańska/Janowicz (POL) def. Williams/Isner (USA) 7-5 6-3

Endearing Radwanska - "I respect the money I earn and don't take it for granted!"

Aga during her interview - image courtesy of Forbes

Radwanska: szanuje pieniadze, bo nie zawsze je miałam

7th January 2015

Jest jedną z dziesięciu najlepiej zarabiających sportsmenek świata. Nie byłoby to jednak możliwe, gdyby nie finansowa pomoc Ryszarda Krauzego, poświęcenie rodziców i odważne inwestowanie we własny rozwój. O karierze, sukcesie i pieniądzach - rozmawiamy z Agnieszką Radwańską

Do ścisłej tenisowej czołówki dołączyła w 2008 roku i od tego czasu każdego roku wzbogaca się o ponad 1 mln dolarów (na korcie uzbierała już ponad 17 mln dol.). Do tego dochodzą wpływy od sponsorów. Według amerykańskiego „Forbesa” tylko między czerwcem 2013 a 2014 roku wzbogaciła się dzięki nim o 3 mln dolarów. Za rok zyska jeszcze więcej, ponieważ niedawno wkroczyła na potężny rynek sponsoringu sportowego w USA, rozbudowując swoje sponsorskie portfolio o dwie amerykańskie firmy - sieć restauracji The Cheesecake Factory i producenta oprogramowania Workday.

Agnieszka Radwańska odważnie wychodzi ze swoim wizerunkiem za granicę, ponieważ spędza tam znacznie więcej czasu niż w Polsce. Nad Wisłą pojawi się dopiero na początku lutego, gdy wystąpi w meczu Pucharu Federacji przeciwko Rosji (zmierzy się w nim m.in. z Marią Szarapową). Nam udało się spotkać z krakowianką jeszcze w 2014 roku, zanim wspólnie z Jerzym Janowiczem sięgnęła po triumf w prestiżowym Pucharze Hopmana. Rozmawialiśmy przede wszystkim o pieniądzach - tych, których niegdyś jej brakowało, a które dziś czynią ją jedną z najlepiej zarabiających sportsmenek świata.

Forbes: Czy w tenisie można odnieść sukces, nie mając zewnętrznego wsparcia finansowego?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Wszystko zależy od tego, z jakiej rodziny się pochodzi. Jeżeli z bogatej - to nie ma problemu. Ale tak się składa, że zawodników wywodzących się z majętnych rodzin możemy policzyć na palcach jednej ręki. Dla osób urodzonych w przeciętnie zamożnych rodzinach osiągnięcie sukcesu bez zewnętrznego wsparcia jest niemożliwe.

Forbes: Z uwagi na wysokie koszty uprawiania dyscypliny czy jeszcze z jakiegoś powodu?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Głównie z powodu kosztów. Wynajem kortu, trenera, zakup sprzętu, a przede wszystkim opłacenie podróży - to sprawia, że już na etapie juniorskim uprawianie dyscypliny może kosztować nawet kilkaset złotych dziennie. Takie koszty mógłby pokryć sponsor czy inwestor, ale w przypadku 10- czy 11-letnich dzieci trudno na nich liczyć.

Forbes: Jak wyglądały Pani początki?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Miałyśmy z siostrą (Urszulą Radwańską - red.) trochę łatwiej, ponieważ byłyśmy we dwie. Inaczej rozkładały się koszty i łatwiej nam było skoordynować wiele rzeczy - nie musiałyśmy np. szukać partnerów do grania. Poza tym nasz ojciec był trenerem, więc nie musiałyśmy go opłacać. To na początku daje ogromną różnicę. Ale łatwo nie było. Choć pochodzimy z dużego miasta, to od początku musiałyśmy walczyć o korty, ponieważ do tej pory brakuje zarówno ich, jak i klubów tenisowych. Nie miałyśmy wtedy żadnego pierwszeństwa i często musiałyśmy trenować późnym wieczorem albo wcześnie rano, jeszcze przed szkołą. Zdarzało się, że w balonach, w których ćwiczyłam, było tak zimno, że dopiero pod koniec treningu mogłam zdjąć kurtkę. Gdy wracaliśmy z turniejów, nie zawsze było nas stać na opłacenie przejazdu autostradą. Dlatego jestem osobą oszczędną. Szanuję pieniądze, bo nie zawsze je miałam. Choć mogłabym sobie na to pozwolić, nie kupuję rzeczy, które nie są warte swojej ceny. Najbardziej cieszę się wtedy, kiedy uda mi się nabyć coś przecenionego albo na wyprzedaży.

Forbes: Około dekady temu z pomocą przyszedł Pani Ryszard Krauze, swego czasu jeden z najbogatszych Polaków.

Agnieszka Radwańska: Ryszard Krauze pomagał nie tylko mnie, ale całemu polskiemu tenisowi. Dla mnie pojawił się w najważniejszym momencie, kiedy musiałam jeździć na zagraniczne turnieje, aby się rozwijać. Mając 14 czy 15 lat, jeszcze nie zarabiałam i finansowe wsparcie było mi bardzo potrzebne. Nie wiem, jak ułożyłaby się moja kariera, gdyby nie pomoc pana Krauzego. 

Forbes: Kiedy w tenisie zaczyna się zarabiać?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Na turniejach juniorskich nie ma wynagrodzeń, więc dopiero po przejściu na zawodowstwo. W żeńskim tenisie następuje to najczęściej w wieku 16, 17 lat. Zaczyna się zwykle od małych turniejów z niewielkimi pulami nagród. To jest też bardzo często wiek, w którym trzeba podjąć ostateczną decyzję: stawiamy na tenisa i dalej inwestujemy czy rezygnujemy i bierzemy się za coś innego. Później koszty rosną jeszcze bardziej. Sezon, licząc również okres przygotowawczy, trwa 11 miesięcy, w trakcie których podróżuje się pomiędzy wieloma krajami i kontynentami. Kiedyś mi policzono, że w ciągu roku cztery raz okrążam kulę ziemską. Można sobie wyobrazić, jak dużo kosztują same bilety lotnicze.

Forbes: Jaki trzeba osiągnąć poziom, aby inwestycja w tenisa zaczęła się zwracać?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Jeśli ktoś osiąga pułap czołowej setki rankingu ATP lub WTA, to oczywiście bardzo dobrze świadczy o jego umiejętnościach, ale nie zapewnia mu dostępu do pełnej puli sponsorów. Większość kosztów w dalszym ciągu musi ponosić sam. Będąc bliżej czołowej dwudziestki rankingu albo wyżej, wygląda to już zupełnie inaczej. Wiele zależy także od tego, z jakiego kraju się pochodzi. W jednych hojne związki tenisowe opłacają wszystko, w innych nie pomagają wcale. Mnóstwo czynników składa się na to, czy ktoś do tenisa dokłada, czy też może z niego godziwie żyć. Protesty tenisistów, którzy chcą, aby pule pieniężne dla osób odpadających z pierwszych rund turniejów wielkoszlemowych były wyższe, są w pełni uzasadnione. Po prostu nie chcą dokładać do interesu.

Forbes: Ryszard Fijałkowski, wieloletni prezes Warszawianki, uważa, że powinien w Polsce powstać system, w ramach którego zawodnicy, którzy osiągnęli sukces, refinansowaliby proces szkolenia i łożyli na następne pokolenia.

Agnieszka Radwańska:W Polsce wydaje się to niemożliwe do zrealizowania, ponieważ oprócz mnie na światowym poziomie gra jeszcze tylko Jerzy Janowicz. We Francji takich osób jest około czterdziestu. Żeby taki system zaczął istnieć, potrzebny jest długofalowy i mądry plan. Czegoś takiego w obecnych programach szkoleniowych nie widać. W efekcie każdy musi sobie radzić sam.

Forbes: W 2012 roku chciała Pani wraz z ojcem zbudować duży ośrodek tenisowy w Krakowie. Gotowi byli Państwo zainwestować ponad 10 mln złotych, ale pomysł nie wypalił. Dlaczego?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Nadal chcemy zrealizować ten projekt. Problem jest jednak z ziemią. Grunty, które miasto gotowe było nam sprzedać, to nie były lokalizacje, w których tworzenie ośrodka miałoby jakikolwiek sens. Takie korty muszą powstać w sercu miasta. Nie musi to być sam rynek, ale powinno to być centrum Krakowa. Wiele osób zakładających korty tenisowe przejechało się na tym, że na obrzeża miasta czy na wieś nikt nie chce przyjeżdżać. Ludzie nie mogą pozwolić sobie na godzinne dojazdy. Wiele takich biznesów upadło.

Forbes: W krakowskie nieruchomości inwestuje się łatwiej?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Mam kilka mieszkań w Krakowie, ale są to na razie skromne inwestycje. O większych, bardziej skonkretyzowanych będę myśleć dopiero po zakończeniu kariery. 

Forbes: Czym się będzie Pani wtedy zajmować?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Pomysłów miałam już wiele, ale tak naprawdę nie rozpatrywałam ich do tej pory poważnie. Kobiety są zmienne, więc rozważanie na tym etapie, co będzie się robić po zakończeniu kariery, nie mają większego sensu. Myślałam o własnych kortach, klubie tenisowym, akademii. Ale to są rzeczy, o których myśli każdy tenisista.

Forbes: Według amerykańskiego „Forbesa” Pani przychody od sponsorów stale rosną. W 2014 roku wyniosły już 3 mln dolarów, czyli o milion więcej niż dwa lata wcześniej. Czy to zasługa agencji menedżerskiej Lagardère Unlimited, z którą współpracuje Pani od 2011 roku?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Zainteresowanie sponsorów zwykle rośnie proporcjonalnie do wyników sportowych. W moim przypadku boom nastąpił w 2012 roku, kiedy wygrałam turniej w Miami i awansowałam do finału Wimbledonu. Dzięki temu wbiłam się także na wyższy poziom marketingowy. Agencja, która zarządza moimi relacjami reklamowymi, po prostu dobrze wywiązuje się ze swojej funkcji.

Forbes: Czy korzysta Pani z pomocy specjalistów do zarządzania pieniędzmi?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Z większością rzeczy radzimy sobie sami, w rodzinnym gronie, choć oczywiście współpracujemy z kilkoma osobami, które dbają o to, by zarobione przeze mnie pieniądze nie pozostawały w bezruchu. Kluczową rolę w zarządzaniu finansami odgrywa jednak moja mama, która wszystkiego dogląda, zajmuje się kwestiami administracyjnymi i księgowymi. Trzyma rękę na pulsie.

Forbes: Tenisistki już wiele lat temu zadbały o to, by zarabiać tyle samo co tenisiści. W zeszłorocznym zestawieniu dziesięciu najlepiej wynagradzanych sportsmenek „Forbesa” znalazło się ich zdecydowanie najwięcej - 7. Pani, z 6,8 mln dol., uplasowała się na 8. miejscu. Czy monitoruje Pani swoją pozycję w takich zestawieniach?

Agnieszka Radwańska:Tak, z czystej ciekawości i dla satysfakcji. Miło jest patrzeć, że marketing towarzyszący kobiecemu tenisowi nieustannie się rozwija. Jest już na nieporównywalnie wyższym poziomie niż jeszcze kilkanaście lat temu. To przyczynia się do tego, że w pulach turniejów znajduje się coraz więcej pieniędzy, a zawodniczki cieszą się dużym zainteresowaniem sponsorów. Do tego widać wyraźnie, że popularność tenisa na całym świecie rośnie, zdecydowanie wykraczając poza Europę i USA. W każdej dyscyplinie zainteresowanie męskim sportem jest większe niż żeńskim. Tenis jest wyjątkiem.

Forbes: Czy uważa Pani, że w pełni wykorzystuje swój potencjał marketingowy. Pijemy do tego, że po raz czwarty kibice wybrali Panią ulubioną zawodniczką w cyklu. Może jest Pani w stanie wyciągnąć od sponsorów więcej?

Agnieszka Radwańska: To jest gdybanie i szukanie kwadratowych jaj. Nie narzekam na swój wizerunek i uważam, że otacza mnie znakomita ekipa zarówno od strony sportowej, jak i marketingowej.

Forbes: Dużo osób składa się na Pani „ekipę”? Albo inaczej: ile osób pracuje w firmie Agnieszka Radwańska?

Agnieszka Radwańska: Trener Tomasz Wiktorowski, sparingpartner i drugi trener Dawid Celt oraz dwaj fizjoterapeuci, z Polski i Australii - oni tworzą najściślejsze grono. Poza tym jest jeszcze trener od przygotowania fizycznego Wacław Mirek i kilku terapeutów, z którymi współpracuję w Krakowie. A niedawno dołączyła do nas Martina Navratilova w charakterze konsultantki. 

Forbes: Zatrudnianie byłych gwiazd dyscypliny popularne jest u panów. W kobiecym tenisie to nowość.

Agnieszka Radwańska: Wyniki, jakie większość zawodników osiąga dzięki współpracy z dawnymi gwiazdami tenisa, są znakomite. Widać, że ten model się sprawdza. Dlaczego więc nie spróbować z Martiną Navratilovą, która osiągnęła w tenisie poziom dla większości osób nieosiągalny? 

Forbes: Mimo wszystko jest to ryzykowna inwestycja. Navratilova ma za sobą ogromne doświadczenie i sukcesy, ale nigdy nie była trenerką.

Agnieszka Radwańska:To prawda, choć miała mnóstwo propozycji współpracy. Gdyby nam odmówiła, nie bylibyśmy pierwszymi ludźmi odesłanymi z kwitkiem. Mimo braku trenerskiego doświadczenia przez cały czas była blisko kobiecego tenisa.

Sama zresztą uprawiała go tak długo, że obecnie jest to nie do pomyślenia. Rozważaliśmy podjęcie współpracy z kilkoma osobami, ale Martina Navratilova była naszym pierwszym wyborem. I na szczęście nam nie odmówiła.

Martina Navratilova - Aga's new Coach

Left to Right - Martina Navratilova and Aga - image and interview courtesy of Przegląd Sportowy

Navratilova: "Radwanska potrzebuje dostrojenia. Pomoge jej wygrywać"

Agnieszka potrzebuje czegoś podobnego, co zrobił Ivan Lendl z Andym Murrayem – uważa Martina Navratilova, która od niedawna współpracuje z najlepszą polską tenisistką.

Martina Navratilova udzieliła obszernego wywiadu dziennikowi "New York Times", w którym dużo miejsca poświęca na opisanie swoich pierwszych doświadczeń po rozpoczęciu współpracy z Agnieszką Radwańską. Team polskiej tenisistki ogłosił pod koniec roku, że Navratilova zostanie trenerką-konsultantką. W drużynie ma pełnić rolę bocznego obserwatora i mentorki dla krakowianki, która z tą współpracą wiąże duże nadzieje na sukcesy. Navratilova widzi w Radwańskiej ogromny potencjał, a gry była mistrzyni zastanawiała się kogo mogłaby trenować, Agnieszka była w czołówce kandydatek. – Myślałam o kilku zawodniczkach. Radwańska zdecydowanie była jedną z nich, bo ma w swoim repertuarze wszystkie uderzenia. To nie jest tak, że muszę ją uczyć jak nimi grać, a bardziej jak ich używać – przyznała Navratilova. – Różni zawodnicy to różne wyzwania, ale ona była "na moim radarze" jedną z faworytek. Nie sądziłam, że o to zapyta. Nie miałam zamiaru nikogo namawiać, to się po prostu stało.

Zapytana o motywację i inne wielkie gwiazdy, które są w teamach tenisistów i tenisistek, nie zaprzeczyła, że było to jednym z elementów motywujących ją do podjęcia takiej współpracy. – Uważam, że oni popchnęli grę do przodu. Popatrzmy na Madison Keys, która pracuje teraz z Lindsay Davenport. To ma tylko sens wtedy, gdy były mistrz przekazuje swoje doświadczenia. Nie można nauczyć się z książki co przeszła Lindsay, czego nauczyła się na korcie Billie Jean King i Cheissie Evert wygrywając wszystkie Wielkie Szlemy czy będąc numerem jeden. Tego nikt inny nie może nauczyć. Można sobie wyobrazić, co się czuje w takiej sytuacji, ale nigdy się tego nie dowiesz, dopóki nie znajdziesz się w takiej sytuacji. To jest wiedza poparta własnymi doświadczeniami, nic tego nie zastąpi – uważa zwyciężczyni 167. kobiecych turniejów singlowych, w tym 18. wielkoszlemowych.

Navratilova jest obecnie m.in. komentatorką i ekspertką jednej ze stacji telewizyjnych, gra również w turniejach legend. Znalazła jednak czas, by doradzać Agnieszce. – Moje życie jest bardzo poukładane. Mam dużo zajęć, ale są jeszcze luki, a to co robię na co dzień świetnie współgra z planami Agnieszki. Nie sądzę, że mogłabym być trenerem Madison Keys, bo ona potrzebuje kogoś przy sobie. Agnieszka to prawie gotowy produkt. Ona potrzebuje trochę dostrojenia tu i tam, czegoś podobnego, co zrobił Ivan Lendl z Andym Murrayem. On nie przebywał z nim dzień w dzień. Możemy pracować w niepełnym wymiarze czasu – uważa urodzona w Pradze, reprezentująca podczas zawodowej kariery Czechosłowację i USA była tenisistka, lecz szybko dodaje: – Oczywiście najlepiej byłoby współpracować na co dzień, ale lepsze jest takie rozwiązanie, jak obecnie, niż żadne. Myślę że tak też czuje Agnieszka. Ma świetnego trenera, sparingpartnera i znakomity zespół współpracowników. Ja jestem dodatkowym ogniwem.

Po raz pierwszy po podpisaniu kontraktu i ogłoszeniu współpracy obie panie spotkały się pod koniec grudnie na Florydzie. – Dotychczas mieliśmy tylko pięć dni w Miami, to było bardziej poznawanie siebie i sprawdzenie, jak zareaguje na to, co jej powiem. Technicznie Agnieszka jest fantastyczna. Jest kilka rzeczy do poprawienia, ale to nic wielkiego, po prostu trzeba ją nakierować tu i tam. Wszyscy mamy nawyki, z których nawet nie zdajemy sobie sprawy. Często nie widzi ich nawet trener, bo codziennie pracuje z zawodnikiem. Kiedy ja pracowałam z Billie Jean King i Craigiem Kardonem Billie coś pokazywała i mówiła: a co z tym? Żadne z nas pozostałych tego nie zauważało. Uczymy się teraz z Agnieszką siebie nawzajem. To też nauka kiedy coś podpowiedzieć, a kiedy lepiej przemilczeć – mówi Navratilova.

Czego według mającej na koncie zwycięstwa we wszystkich wielkoszlemowych turniejach oczekuje od niej Polka? – Myślę, że Radwańska najbardziej potrzebuje pomocy w kwestii najważniejszych meczów, których nie wygrywa. Wszyscy czujemy często w takich momentach wielką presję, a ludzie różnie na to reagują. Ona może wyglądać tak, jakby ją to w ogóle nie obchodziło, ale oczywiście tak nie jest. Będę mogła jej w tym pomóc – zapowiada Navratilova.

Radwanska honoured to work with idol Navratilova

As reported on the Wimbledon website by Mark Hodgkinson Monday, 15th December 2014

Former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwańska became the latest player to hire a supercoach, but can Martina Navratilova help the Pole capture an elusive Grand Slam title?

Aga at Wimbledon - image copyright Chris Raphael/AELTC

On hearing that Agnieszka Radwańska had hired Martina Navratilova as a coaching consultant, thoughts immediately turned to a rectangle of grass in south-west London: Centre Court. For it was there that Navratilova won nine Wimbledon singles titles, making her the most successful player of either sex at the All England Club (Roger Federer and Pete Sampras each have a 'mere' seven replica trophies). And it was there, at the 2012 Championships, that Radwańska came closest to winning a Grand Slam title; indeed, she came within a set of holding the Venus Rosewater Dish, after extending Serena Williams to three sets. If Radwańska's collaboration with Navratilova is to bring success at the majors - and that is the reason that the Pole has turned to her idol, to win a slam - then you suspect that it's most likely to happen in London rather than in Melbourne, Paris or New York City.  While there aren't believed to be any grass courts in Poland, Radwańska's clever, creative game is well suited to the lawns - in 2013, she went on another run at the All England Club, reaching the semi-finals, where she lost a 9-7 third set to Germany's Sabine Lisicki. It was also plain, earlier in the year, that she has a great appreciation for lawn tennis - speaking to Wimbledon.com, there was no equivocation when asked which player she would most like to face on Centre Court: "Martina Navratilova because she's probably the greatest grass-court player in history."

It was one Czech émigré who started this trend for super-coaches - that was Ivan Lendl, whose time with Andy Murray saw the Briton win titles at the Olympics, the US Open and Wimbledon - and now we have another Czech great joining the fray. Much of Lendl's work with Murray was on the mental and psychological side, and it wouldn't be surprising if the same turned out to be true of Navratilova and Radwańska, who will train together for the first time after Christmas. Of course, there will be some technical refinements, and Navratilova will doubtless improve Radwańska's net game, but her greatest impact will probably come when she is imparting her knowledge of the mental side of tennis. Can Navratilova have Radwańska truly believing she can become the Wimbledon champion?

"Martina is my idol in tennis and I am honoured we will be working together," Radwańska has said. "Her achievements speak for themselves and I hope I can learn from all her experience. My goals is to win a Grand Slam, so to have someone with Martina's accomplishments in my corner is going to be hugely advantageous and give me a big boost. We are originally from a similar part of the world so we share an understanding about tennis and life, which I'm sure will translate into a successful relationship."  In under two years, Navratilova will turn 60. But she still has her competitive urges; those haven't dimmed. The night before Radwańska disclosed that Navratilova would be joining the Pole's team, the most successful singles player in Wimbledon's history couldn't sleep, with her brain fizzing with thoughts of "getting back into match mode and the competitions". Navratilova, who will be working in conjunction with Radwańska's full-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, predicts "a fun ride". 

Twenty years ago, Navratilova had the opportunity to win a tenth Wimbledon title. Unfortunately for Navratilova, she lost the 1994 final to Conchita Martinez. Of all the matches that Navratilova contested on the lawns, that's the one she would most like to replay. Most players, of course, dream of winning just one Wimbledon title. Next summer at the All England Club, Navratilova could help Radwańska to realise a lifetime's ambition. 

Voted 3rd in BNP Parisbas 'We are Tennis' alternative rankings

First time entry into the alternative rankings Aga leaps into 3rd place overtakng Maria Sharapova! As a result of Aga's success in the Hopman Cup - "We are Tennis" awarded her the no. 3 slot behind Roger Federer and 'Stanimal' Wawrinka in the 'Alternative Rankings' - one girl among the men - any publicity is good publicity!

2014 - Voted Fans Favourite for the 4th year in a row

2014 - Road to Singapore

2014 - French Open

The French Open heralding a clash of Titans!

2014 - Radwanska Conquers Venus & Montréal

Agnieszka Radwańska finally won her first WTA title of the year, outsteadying Venus Williams to capture the Rogers Cup. She also took a few steps closer to Singapore. (Inage courtesy and copyright of Getty Images)

Radwanska Conquers Venus & Montréal

Agnieszka Radwańska finally won her first WTA title of the year, outsteadying Venus Williams to capture the Rogers Cup. She also took a few steps closer to Singapore.

 

Published August 10, 2014 12:15 MONTRÉAL, Canada -

A day after the Williams sisters stole headlines around the world with a classic match-up in the semifinals, Agnieszka Radwańska snuck through the other half of the draw and snuck out the Rogers Cup title, beating Venus Williams in straight sets to conquer the Premier-level event. Williams had wowed the crowds all week with some vintage play, pulling off come-from-behind wins against No.6 seed Angelique Kerber, No.14 seed Carla Suárez Navarro and - as mentioned above - No.1 seed Serena Williams, her first win over a World No.1 in more than five years. She had never won a match in Canada before, and the former No.1 was busting out north of the border in a big way.But the No.3-seeded Radwańska was quietly beating a slew of big names herself this week, players who had given her big trouble in the past - Sabine Lisicki, Victoria Azarenka, Ekaterina Makarova - and though she trailed Williams in their head-to-head, 5-3, she had won their last two quite handily. This one went in that same direction. From the start Radwańska had Williams on edge with her court craft and tireless retrieving, forcing Williams into error after error. There were times Williams looked like she would creep back into the match - she cut a 4-1 deficit in the first set to 4-3 and had points to make it 4-all, and after Radwańska moved ahead 2-0 in the second set Williams did catch up to 2-all.But at the end of the day Radwańska was just too steady point to point and game to game, and after just an hour and 21 minutes the World No.5 had her first WTA title of the 2014 season, 6-4, 6-2. The numbers for the match tell the story. While Williams' game went somewhat awry, 25 winners to 41 unforced errors, Radwańska was as tidy as could be with 12 winners to just eight unforced errors. But Williams was still thrilled with her week and shared that with the fans at the trophy ceremony. "First off I have to say wow, this is the first time I've ever won a match in Canada since I turned professional 20 years ago - I never imagined I would get to the finals of this tournament," Williams said. "And I have to congratulate Agnieszka on a wonderful tournament and a wonderful final," she continued. "I can't wait until we play again - I'm sure that will be many, many times in the future." The WTA legend then hinted she would even be back again in 2016. "I'll see you soon - I guess in a couple of years, right?" Radwańska echoed the compliments right back at Williams. "Venus, I just want to say great match - not just today, but it was a whole week of great tennis," she said. "And I had a really amazing week this week too. I've been playing here for years, a couple of times I made the semifinals, and I kept trying and trying, and now I've finally done it. "I've always liked Canada, but now I think I just love Canada." Radwańska not only wins her first WTA title of the year, and the 14th WTA title of her career, she now jumps up from No.7 to No.3 on the Road To Singapore leaderboard, the year-long journey to the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, trailing Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep.

The moment of Triumph!

The triumphal handshake - Aga receives Venus Williams congratulations/p> <

Iconic wave of thanks, Aga's trademark, to her fans in the stadium

Confirmation of the final score - Montréal 2014/p>

Athlete or vamp? - Fun in Montréal 2014

Pre-Wimbledon (2014) Glamour - courtesy and copyright of Getty Images

2014 - February Federation Cup

Poland clinches thriller in Boras

9th February 2014 | Lee Goodall

BORAS, SWEDEN: Even with the inclusion of world No. 4 Agnieszka Radwańska in the Polish team, this always looked like a tight fixture. And so it proved. After the four singles were shared between Sweden and the visitors it all boiled down to the doubles in Boras on Sunday afternoon. And it could even be argued that it was the presence of doubles specialist Alicja Rosolska that ultimately made all the difference, the Poles dominating the fifth rubber to seal a 3-2 victory and passage into the World Group play-offs in April for the first time in 21 years.

Radwańska led her team superbly, of course, picking up two singles and a doubles victory to help earn all three points. Six sets played for the 24-year-old and six sets won. That stat says it all. But praise too should be heaped on Rosolska who after sitting on the bench all weekend had to find her best tennis in the most pressurised of situations. And that's exactly what she did.

Polish Federation Cup team l to r : Alicja Rosolska, Paula Kania, Agnieszka and Sister Urszula Radwańska

Press Conference for the successful Polish Federation Cup Team

Agnieszka Radwańska receives a charity cheque on behalf of Team Poland

Agnieszka and Sister Urszula Radwańska

Polish Federation Cup Team celebrate victory

After Saturday's singles were split, Radwańska was just a bit too solid and had a little more court craft that Johanna Larsson during a 64 61 victory over the world No. 85, a result that edged the Poles ahead 2-1. Sofia Arvidsson then brought the hosts back into the tie with a ruthless display of power, the 29-year-old blowing youngster Katarzyna Piter away 62 61 in her 86th rubber for her country. Cue the predictable team changes from both captains as Larsson and Arvidsson were nominated to take on Radwańska and doubles world No. 46 Rosolska to decide the tie. On paper, perhaps the Swedes were favourites since the Poles had never won together and hadn't shared a doubles court since 2006. Polish captain Tomasz Wiktorowski had clearly formulated the perfect gameplan however and his players stuck to the blueprint superbly. Radwańska was a rock from the back of the court and Rosolska was bursting with energy, character, clever touches and well-time moves and interceptions at the net.

Alicja Rosolska and Agnieszka Radwańska (POL) | Image sourced from a selection by : Jorgen Jarnberger

It was one-way traffic and it wasn't long before Radwańska and Rosolska were being tossed into the air in celebration by team-mates after racing to a 62 62 victory.

Images sourced from the Federation Cup and local sources

"It's a great feeling and we're going to open a bottle of Dom Perignon for sure!" said Wiktorowski after the victory had started to sink in. "We expected this kind of quality from Aga but Alicja played really good tennis today too. It's a perfect team for me. Aga was so solid from the back and Alicja could dominate the net play. That was the key for me to win that match.

"We have the wind behind us right now. We have good results on the ATP and WTA tour but this is something different. We play with 'Poland' on the back and our national flag on the front and it's big for us. For us it's a new path and we want to follow this path for as long as possible. And I can only predict our team is going to be stronger." The star of the tie, Radwańska, was in complete agreement with her captain and rightly satisfied with a perfect weekend's work. "I've been very happy with my tennis," she admitted. "It was good I could beat Johanna in two sets and I was always ready to play doubles. We played a great match. Alicja was playing great tennis at the net and I was playing good from the back. We knew exactly what we needed to do to win that match. We stuck to the plan."

For Swedish captain Lars-Anders Wahlgren, thoughts quickly turned towards his next task - making sure the Swedes retain their World Group II status by winning a play-off against a Zone Group 1 qualifying team in April. The Swede admitted he knows only too well the quality of the countries in the lower divisions and how hard it can be to gain promotion. "The next match we have in April we want to win," he said. "This is where we belong. We'll be hoping for a home draw."

The Elite Eight says the WTA

Istanbul: Just Five Days To Go...

The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Istanbul is next week, but you don't have to wait until then to feel the energy - there's a lot going on all week, right here on wtatennis.com Read on...

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Left to Right : Serena Williams / Victoria Azarenka / Agnieszka Radwańska / Li Na / Sarah Errani / Petra Kvitova / Jelena Jankovic / Angelique Kerber/p>

USA / Belarusse / Poland / China / Italy / Czech Republic / Serbia / Germany

ISTANBUL, Turkey - The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Istanbul is a matter of days away, and an all-star field is locked in - eight singles players, four doubles teams. But while the on-court action is obviously the centerpiece of it all, there's a lot going on before the tournament even starts... First of all, over the coming days keep checking back in on wtatennis.com for profiles and videos of the qualifiers, as well as 40 LOVE features on great moments from past years of the season finale. And there's still one race still going on - the alternates will be determined in Moscow and Luxembourg. Speaking of 40 LOVE, tell us your favorite moment in WTA Championships history - whether it's from the '70s, '80s, '90s or 2000s, you may see your moment published on wtatennis.com (tell us here). Sunday is going to be a big day in Istanbul - the glamorous draw ceremony will take place, with the eight singles players getting styled up before getting split into two round robin groups - the White Group and Red Group. The traditional iconic photo will also be taken. WTA Live will be there Sunday. Monday sees the elite eight meet the press in another tradition - the pre-tournament All-Access Hour. Round robin play begins on Tuesday, October 22, running through Friday. The semifinals take place on Saturday and the final on Sunday. Meanwhile, the doubles draw takes place on Thursday, with the single elimination doubles event running parallel with the singles - semifinals Saturday, final Sunday. You can watch all of the on-court action from the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Istanbul, and WTA tournaments in Moscow and Luxembourg this week, on WTA Live powered by TennisTV. This is the third and final year that Istanbul will host the season finale, and it has not only been an amazing host for the event, but it's an amazing city with an immense amount of appeal for fans and players alike. It's unique in many ways - over 2,000 years of history, the only city in the world situated on two continents, and a harmonious mix of cultures that reflects the diversity of the WTA. And the players have chimed in time and time again on their favorite part of Istanbul - the fans. "I'm so excited to be returning to Istanbul," Angelique Kerber said when she qualified. "The fans last year were amazing and I look forward for the chance to play against the best players in the world." "It's one of the best events and a beautiful facility," Victoria Azarenka said when she qualified. "I'm looking forward to seeing all the fans - the excitement and energy they bring is just amazing." "The support we received from the fans last year was overwhelming and it's going to be a very special feeling returning to Turkey and playing in that incredible atmosphere again," Serena Williams said.

Agnieszka picture perfect - copyright of onet.pl

Postage Stamps / Znaczki Pocztowe

Gwinea Bissau postanowiła wydać serię znaczków pocztowych ze znanymi tenisistami. Wśród takich sław jak Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer i Maria Szarapowa znalazła się też nasza "Isia". Zapewne posiadanie swojej podobnizny na znaczach pocztowych to niemały zaszczyt dla Agnieszki Radwańskiej, naszej najlepszej tenisistki. Znaczki pocztowe ponoć już można nabywać na aukcjach internetowych.

Federation Cup Hearts Award

The ITF has announced the first four winners of the 2013 Fed Cup Heart Award. Slovak Republic’s Daniela Hantuchova claims her second career Heart Award for her performance in the World Group and World Group II first round category, while the Zone Group I winners are Poland’s Agnieszka Radwańska, Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva and Brazil’s Paula Cristina Goncalves. The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas ties took place in February. The four Heart Award recipients were decided by a public vote on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es that saw over 23,000 fans make their selection. Ten players were initially shortlisted by a judging panel consisting of ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and a group of former Fed Cup players and members of the international media. All the winners receive a cheque to be donated to their chosen charity.

Hantuchova, Radwańska and Voskoboeva will all receive their awards during this weekend’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, World Group play-offs and World Group II play-offs taking place on 20-21 April. ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “There were some outstanding performances during the Fed Cup ties in February, so I would like to congratulate all four players for coming out on top of the public vote. The Fed Cup Heart Award continues to reward players for the commitment they make to their team and the competition as a whole. I am sure that all the winners will take great pride in making their donations to charity.”

The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that was first presented to USA's Melanie Oudin at the 2009 Fed Cup Final. It aims to recognise players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team. A total of five players will be recognised in 2013. Daniela Hantuchova was largely responsible for clinching Slovak Republic’s World Group first round victory over Serbia after her compatriot Dominika Cibulkova was forced to retire midway through her match on the opening day. The Slovak No. 2 used all of her experience to help her team reach the World Group semifinals for the first time since 2002 by defeating Bojana Jovanovski 75 62 and Vesna Dolonc 63 62.

Agnieszka Radwańska carried her team out of Europe/Africa Zone Group I and into the World Group II play-offs after winning all six of her rubbers in Eilat, including two decisive doubles matches against Israel and Croatia. The world No. 4 managed to deal with the weight of expectation and showed that Poland will be difficult to defeat this weekend. Galina Voskoboeva left little doubt as to her commitment to Kazakhstan after her performances in the doubles helped the host nation win Asia/Oceania Zone Group I and earn a place in the World Group play-offs for the first time. The 28-year old also became Kazakhstan’s best Fed Cup player ever, after her three victories increased her total win-loss record in the competition to 18-6.

Paula Cristina Goncalves won all five rubbers she played for Brazil as her team narrowly failed to qualify from Americas Zone Group I. Her four singles wins included a comeback victory from a set down against Sharon Fichman in the promotion play-off against Canada, and she also teamed with Teliana Pereira to win the only doubles rubber she contested.

2013 - French Open - Eurosport Cover Girl

Image courtesy & © of Eurosport.pl

2013 - Federation Cup success

Agnieszka and her sister Urszula (Ula) lead the Polish team to success over Romaniain the Federation Cup qualifying event played in February 2013

Showing the final results of the group competition played in February 2013

It's not just a case of playing winning tennis, the players also represent their country as public relations ambassadors - here the fans clamour for the autographs of their favourite Polish sisters Aga (foreground) and Ula (just visible behind her sister).

2013 - The Australian Open

Although Aga did not reach her allotted place in the semi-finals (she was seeded no. 4) she reached the quarter-finals and along the way met Heather Watson one of the new British high-profile players making her name. The two pictures below highlight this particular meeting :

How the premium tv-slot match was advertised!

Both smiling at the end of the match - Aga in encouragement and Heather a little wryly but nevertheless a charming picture of both players.

Simply the best!

2013 - Radwanska Sends Message To Melbourne - WTA

Screen dump of the WTA website announcing Aga's intentions.

The Press cannot get enough of their Champion

Agnieszka Radwańska was already 8-0 on the year without losing a set, but what she did in the final of the Apia International Sydney sent an even bigger message to the Australian Open field.

Published January 11, 2013 12:00

SYDNEY, Australia - Agnieszka Radwańska blanked Dominika Cibulkova in the final of the Apia International Sydney on Saturday night, 60 60, the first double bagel final since Québec City at the end of 2006. Cibulkova had a dream run to the final of the Premier-level tournament, taking out three Top 10 players at the same WTA event for the first time - Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani and Angelique Kerber.

But could the giant-killer keep that spree alive? The answer was no - Cibulkova held game points in four different games, but the No.1-seeded Radwańska fought them all off and seemingly broke the Slovak's spirit in the second half of the match, winning 22 of the last 25 points to close the final out. Radwańska is now a perfect 9-0 on the 2013 season, winning her 11th and 12th WTA titles back-to-back in Auckland last week and Sydney this week. She hasn't lost a set in any of those matches.

It was the first double bagel final on the WTA since Marion Bartoli beat Olga Puchkova by that scoreline in the final of Québec City in the fall of 2006. And before that it had been 13 years since the last time.

2013 - Radwanska Conquers Auckland - WTA

Imagecourtesy of Tennis World USA

World No.4 Agnieszka Radwańska didn't lose a set en route to her 11th WTA title at the ASB Classic, capping her week with a straight set victory over Yanina Wickmayer in the final.

Published January 05, 2013 12:00

Image copyright of WTA and Getty Images

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - She came to Auckland talking about lifting the trophy, and that she did: Agnieszka Radwańska won her 11th WTA title - and first on the Australian continent - with a straight set victory over Yanina Wickmayer in the final of the International-level ASB Classic on Saturday.

Both players had grinding semifinal wins the day before, Radwańska beating Jamie Hampton in a pair of tie-breaks and Wickmayer finishing Mona Barthel off in a third set tie-break - but with the trophy on the line it was the No.1-seeded Radwańska who had more left in the tank, winning 11 points in a row early on in the first set to set the tone and eventually putting the No.3-seeded Wickmayer away, 64 64.

"It was a tough final but I'm glad I made it," Radwańska said afterwards. "Yesterday was so windy and then today was so hot, so the conditions were difficult this week, but I had a really good week anyway. I played five good matches without dropping a set so I think I'm ready for the Australian Open - I hope I can play some good tennis over the next few weeks, in Sydney as well as in Melbourne. "I couldn't imagine I'd have this start to the year, so I'm just very happy."

And does Radwańska have any specific goals for the year's first Grand Slam? "This year I'm going to try and go one more step to the semifinals," the three-time Aussie Open quarterfinalist said. Radwańska had never won a WTA title on the Australian continent, let alone reach a final there, but the trend has been broken and the World No.4 now has 11 WTA titles across the world: seven Premier titles (Eastbourne in 2008, Carlsbad, Tokyo and Beijing in 2011 and Dubai, Miami and Brussels in 2012) and four Internationals (Stockholm in 2007, Pattaya City and Istanbul in 2008 and Auckland in 2013).

Wickmayer was playing the Auckland final for the third time, having won the title in 2010 and finishing runner-up in 2011 (falling to Greta Arn in the final). She is now 3-6 in WTA finals in her career.

2013 - 11th January - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Agnieszka Radwańska of Poland poses with the winners trophy after winning the final against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during day six of the Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on January 11, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) 2013 Getty Images

 

A joyful Agnieszka leading the Polish Olympic team as their flag-bearer

Radwanska chce wygrać igrzyska

Radwanska wants to win the Games

At a Press Conference - Agnieszka stated that she knows she is a serious contender and wants to win the Olympic Games, in addition she stated that any competition she entered whether a Grand Slam or a small local tournament her goal was to win. - Photo courtesy of sport.fakt.pl

Agnieszka Radwańska (23 l.) doskonale zdaje sobie sprawę, że jest jedną z faworytek olimpijskiego turnieju tenisowego. Nasza reprezentantka nie ukrywa, że jedzie na igrzyska po wygraną. - Nie ważne, czy to Wielki Szlem, igrzyska, czy mała impreza. Na każdy turniej jedzie się po zwycięstwo. I właśnie w takim celu wybieram się do Londynu - mówi Polka. Isia będzie miała kilka szans na medale. W Londynie wystartuje w turnieju indywidualnym i deblowym, w parze z siostrą Urszulą (22 l.). Udział w mikście uzależnia od wyników z pierwszego tygodnia igrzysk. – Granie singla i debla w ciągu jednego tygodnia to jest dużo, a co dopiero start w trzech konkurencjach. Na szczęście zapisy do miksta są dopiero w połowie olimpijskiego turnieju, można więc zgłosić się w trakcie. Zobaczymy jak mi pójdzie w singlu i deblu. Jeśli odpadnę szybko w jednej z tych konkurencji, to wtedy jak najbardziej zapiszę się do turnieju mieszanego – zapowiedziała nasza tenisistka. Nadzieje na sukces podczas igrzysk rozbudził świetny wynik Radwańskiej w ostatnim Wimbledonie. Turniej olimpijski zostanie rozegrany na tych samych kortach z nawierzchnią trawiastą, więc wszyscy liczą na przynajmniej powtórkę wyniku, czyli dojście do finału. Rywalizacja na kortach rozpocznie się już pierwszego dnia igrzysk, w sobotę, ale Radwańska próbuje załatwić przeniesienie swojego meczu w pierwszej rundzie na późniejszy termin. Będzie bowiem chorążym naszej reprezentacj i piątkowy wieczór spędzi na ceremonii otwarcia imprezy.

– Czynione są starania, żebym mecz pierwszej rundy grała dopiero drugiego dnia zawodów czyli w niedzielę. Kiedy będę już w Londynie osobiście pójdę do biura WTA z prośbą o dzień przerwy po ceremonii otwarcia. Ciężko byłoby wyjść na kort na przykład już około południa po kilkugodzinnej uroczystości odbywającej się dzień wcześniej wieczorem. Zresztą w podobnej sytuacji jest jeszcze kilku tenisistów, więc pewnie uda się to załatwić – nie kryje Polka. Chorążymi na otwarciu igrzysk mają być również Serb Novak Djoković (25 l.), Rosjanka Maria Szarapowa (25 l.). Być może flagę Szwajcarii poniesie Roger Federer (31 l.).

Zachwycaja sie Agnieszka

Everybody is enchanted with Agnieszka

Pierwszy występ Agnieszki Radwańskiej (23 l.) w finale turnieju wielkoszlemowego zrobił ogromne wrażenie nie tylko na kibicach w Polsce, ale również komentatorach i ludziach od dawna związanych z tenisem.

23-year-old Agnieszka Radwańska's first appearance in a Grand Slam Final made an enormous impression not only on her fans in Poland, but also on seasoned commentators and high-profile tennis pundits.

Triumphantly leaving a show court after a Wimbledon grand slam match - photo image courtesy of the AELTC.

To były najwspanialsze dwa tygodnie w mojej karierze, czekałam i ciężko pracowałam na nie całe życie – podsumowała występ w tegorocznym Wimbledonie Agnieszka Radwańska (23 l.). – Jestem szczęśliwa, choć oczywiście trochę też rozczarowana porażką – powiedziała nasza reprezentantka. – Teraz już wiem, że jest różnica, kiedy wychodzi się na finał nawet dużych turniejów WTA, a gdy chodzi o finał Wielkiego Szlema. Dopiero jak się wchodzi na Kort, przy tej całej oprawie, człowiek zaczyna sobie zdawać sprawę, gdzie jest i o co gra. Czuje się różnicę, większą presję, nerwy i stawkę meczu. Mija trochę czasu, zanim to przechodzi i emocje puszczają – stwierdziła druga tenisistka świata.

Klasę Isi doceniła Serena Williams (31 l.), która nie bez trudu pokonała naszą reprezentantkę.

– Agnieszka była trudną rywalką. Grała znakomicie. Jej kariera wspaniale się rozwija, a ona sama jest jeszcze młoda. Powinniście nagrodzić ją jeszcze jedną porcją braw, bo jest nadzwyczajna – powiedziała mistrzyni Wimbledonu stojąc na korcie.

Opinię o Radwańskiej zmienił ojciec Sereny, Richard Williams, który przed meczem nie dawał jej żadnych szans. – Powinniście być bardzo dumni z tego, co robi Agnieszka. Przeszła bardzo długą drogę, by grać na najwyższym światowym poziomie – przyznał papa Williams.
Pod wrażeniem gry Polki byli także pracujący obecnie dla telewizji byli zawodnicy. – To było o wiele bardziej ciekawe, niż można było przypuszczać – ocenił finał komentujący go dla BBC John McEnroe (53 l.), trzykrotny zwycięzca Wimbledonu. – W końcówce tego drugiego seta można było zrozumieć, dlaczego Agnieszka Radwańska doszła do samego szczytu tenisa kobiet – dodała pomagająca mu Lindsay Davenport (36 l.). – Bardzo lubię ją oglądać. W kobiecym tenisie jest jedną z niewielu zawodniczek, która świetnie czuje piłkę, gra z finezją i rozumie taktykę. Serena wygrała, bo ma najlepszy serwis. Jeśli zabralibyśmy jej ten atut, lepszą tenisistką bez dwóch zdań byłaby Radwańska – powiedział Todd Woodbridge (40 l.).

Radwanska cieszy sie, ze bedzie chorazym

Radwanska is delighted to have been chosen as an Olympic flag-bearer

Poland's squad and flag-bearer from the Beijing Olympics

Article and images from sport.fakt.pl

Agnieszka Radwańska cieszy się, że będzie chorążym polskiej ekipy na igrzyska w Londynie

Agnieszka Radwańska entuzjastycznie zareagowała na wieści o tym, że może nieść flagę naszego kraju podczas ceremonii otwarcia igrzysk olimpijskich w Londynie. Sądząc po tym, jak skomentowała to na swoim profilu w portalu internetowym, nie zastanawiała się długo nad tą propozycją. „Wybrano mnie dzisiaj na chorążego reprezentacji Polski na otwarcie igrzysk! Wow! Nie macie pojęcia jak się cieszę i nie mogę się już doczekać powrotu do Londynu!” napisała Isia na facebooku. Otwarcie igrzysk i parada reprezentacji odbędą się w piątek 27 lipca wieczorem. Dzień później rozpoczyna się rywalizacja na kortach.

– Będziemy prosić organizatorów, żeby ze względu na udział Agnieszki w ceremonii otwarcia wyznaczyli jej pierwszy mecz na drugi dzień turnieju olimpijskiego. Jeśli się to nie uda, to przynajmniej na sobotni wieczór, żeby mogła odpocząć i przygotować się do startu – mówi jej trener Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Aga returns to Kraków

Article and images from the Dziennik Polski website - photograph copyright Wojciech Matusik

W Krakowie zbierze siły na igrzyska

Kraków's favourite daughter returns to a rapturous welcome (is that Dad Robert by her left shoulder?)

They can't get enough of Agnieszka who happily poses for photographs.

Poland's pride - Agnieszka and the media.

Some breathing space for a smiley Agnieszka with the press - when did Kraków last see a superstar like this - I'm guessing it was one John Paul II.

And always time for the fans by Kraków's favourite daughter.

TENIS. - Będziemy prosić organizatorów, by ze względu na udział Agnieszki w ceremonii otwarcia wyznaczyli jej pierwszy mecz w drugim dniu turnieju olimpijskiego. Jeśli się to nie uda, to przynajmniej na sobotni wieczór, żeby mogła odpocząć i przygotować się do startu - mówi trener Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Ceremonia otwarcia igrzysk olimpijskich w Londynie zaplanowana jest na wieczór 27 lipca, Agnieszka Radwańska będzie podczas niej pełniła funkcję chorążego reprezentacji Polski. Dzień później ruszy rywalizacja o medale na kortach. Olimpijski turniej odbędzie się na obiektach The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Od niedzieli (czyli od zakończenia Wimbledonu) trwają tam przygotowania do wymiany nawierzchni trawiastej na nową. - Z tego, co wiem, to pod kortami jest warstwa nowej trawy, którą szybko mają odsłonić, żeby odpowiednio podrosła na igrzyska. Raczej nie ma szans na jakiekolwiek treningi na głównym obiekcie w tygodniu przed olimpiadą. Wszyscy będą się więc przygotowywać w kilku różnych miejscach - uważa Tomasz Wiktorowski, trener, z którym Radwańska jeździ na turnieje.

W rachubę wchodzą korty treningowe usytuowane po drugiej stronie Church Road, niejako "przyklejone" do klubowych, położone w Aorangi Park, a także na przedmieściach Londynu w Rohampton, gdzie zawsze toczą się eliminacje do Wimbledonu. - Miejsce do treningów się więc raczej znajdzie, tym bardziej dla wiceliderki rankingu WTA - mówi Wiktorowski. - Gorzej może być z pogodą, bo prognozy na cały miesiąc nie są zbyt obiecujące. Gorzej, jeśli się okaże, że na miejscu będzie ciągle padać. Jednak do londyńskiej pogody jesteśmy już w sumie przyzwyczajeni. Niewiele brakowało, by w tegorocznym Wimbledonie deszcz przeszkodził w dokończeniu turnieju.

Krakowska tenisistka, finalistka Wimbledonu, przez dwa, trzy dni będzie teraz odpoczywać w rodzinnym mieście. - Agnieszka ma za sobą dwa tygodnie gry w Wielkim Szlemie. W dodatku w Londynie walczyła z chorobą, więc potrzebuje teraz trochę czasu na odpoczynek i zebranie sił. To bardzo ważne, bo po intensywnych startach zawsze spada odporność organizmu, więc potrzebna jest spokojna i sensowna regeneracja, zanim wróci do rygoru treningowego - powiedział Tomasz Wiktorowski.

W Krakowie 23-letnia tenisistka będzie trenowała pod okiem ojca Roberta Piotra Radwańskiego. - Na sobotę planujemy jeszcze konferencję prasową w Warszawie. Do igrzysk zostało niewiele czasu, bo raptem dwa i pół tygodnia, więc dość sprawnie musimy wszystko poukładać w jakimś porządku. Wiadomo, że jeszcze będzie zaprzysiężenie olimpijczyków 21 lipca w Warszawie, a następnego dnia oficjalny wylot do Londynu - powiedział Robert Radwański.

W Londynie Radwańska wystąpi w grze pojedynczej i podwójnej z młodszą siostrą Urszulą, która także wystąpi w singlu.

Stop Press News! Aga to carry Polish Flag at the London 2012 Olympics!

As reported in the Daily Mail - July 2012

Radwanska chorazym polskiej reprezentacji olimpijskiej!

Publikacja 09/07/2012 godz. 15:29, aktualizacja 09/07/2012 godz. 15:39

Radwańska chorążym polskiej reprezentacji olimpijskiej - poinformował Polski Komitet Olimpijski.

Jedna z polskich nadziei na medal w Londynie poprowadzi grupę 216 sportowców. Listę olimpijczyków PKOl ogłosił w sobotę, ale skład jeszcze nie jest zamknięty.

Aga celebrating another triumph and receiving the news that she is to be flag-bearer at the 2012 London Olympics - announced on 9th July 2012 by the Polish Olympic Committee - photo courtesy of eurosport.pl

Liczba sportowców może się jeszcze zwiększyć między innymi o troje lekkoatletów, którym przedłużono termin uzyskiwania minimum: wieloboistce Karolinie Tymińskiej do 21 lipca, a tyczkarzom Annie Rogowskiej i Pawłowi Wojciechowskiemu do 30 lipca. Wypełnili oni kryteria międzynarodowe, ale muszą spełnić jeszcze krajowe. Cztery lata temu w Pekinie chorążym biało-czerwonych był kajakarz Marek Twardowski, z kolei na zimowych igrzyskach w Vancouver w 2010 roku funkcję tę pełnił łyżwiarz Konrad Niedźwiedzki.

Radwańska to niejedyna tenisistka, która w podobnej roli wystąpi na igrzyskach. Chorążym reprezentacji Rosji będzie Maria Szarapowa. Wybór ten wzbudził spore kontrowersje za naszą wschodnią granicą. - Do ostatniej chwili myślałam, że to żart. Nie może być chyba nic bardziej kuriozalnego niż trzymanie rosyjskiej flagi przez Amerykankę - zżymała się tenisistka Jekaterina Byczkowa.

Seeded no. 3 at Wimbledon, Aga reaches the Finals!

No dishonour to come second - well done Aga you took a set off Serena - photo couresy and copyright of the AELTC

Serena Williams congratulates a severely under par opponent - imagine what the result could have been if Aga had been 100% fit. - Photo and copyright courtesty of the AELTC.

Rewarded with No. 2 ranking in the world!

Image courtesy of the official Agnieszka Radwańska fan page on Facebook.

Confirmation from Eurosport.pl

Oficjalnie. Agnieszka Radwanska druga na swiecie

Publikacja 09/07/2012 godz. 09:46, aktualizacja 09/07/2012 godz. 10:37

Agnieszka Radwanska oficjalnie druga rakieta swiata. W poniedziałkowym notowaniu rankingu WTA Tour finalistka Wimbledonu wyprzedza juz tylko Wiktoria Azarenka.

Aga triumphant as no. 2 in the world - photo courtesy of eurosport.pl (as above)

Dla Białorusinki to kolejna wizyta na szczycie rankingu. Dotychczasowa liderka spadła na trzecie miejsce. W tym tygodniu Radwańska odpoczywa. Z powodu przeziębienia, którego nabawiła się w drugim tygodniu Wimbledonu, Polka wycofała się z turnieju w Palermo.

Rankings WTA Tour

1. (2.) Wiktoria Azarenka 8800
2. (3.) Agnieszka Radwańska 8530
3. (1.) Maria Szarapowa 8370
4. (6.) Serena Williams 7360
5. (5.) Samantha Stosur 6195
6. (4.) Petra Kvitova 5275
7. (8.) Andżelika Kerber 5170
8. (7.) Karolina Woźniacka 4091
9. (10.) Sara Errani 3410
10. (9.) Marion Bartoli 3400

Thanks to Getty images for this wonderfully joyous picture of Agnieszka, featured in the Daily Mail on-line, leaving the Centre Court after winning her semi-final against Angélique Kerber of Germany.

Radwanska brushes Kerber aside to reach first Slam final

Agnieszka Radwańska applauds the Centre Court Crowd - photo and articles courtesy and copyright of the AELTC

by Helen Gilbert - Thursday 5 July 2012

One of the joys of a wonderful friendship is sharing fantastic experiences together, so when good pals Agnieszka Radwańska and Angelique Kerber both qualified for a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time there was much cause for celebration. The only obstacle was that they would both face each other on the other side of the net and there could, of course, only be one winner. This afternoon it was the No.3 seeded Pole who emerged triumphant, recording a 6-3, 6-4 victory in 70 minutes.

The last time Radwańska ventured out on the second Saturday of the Championships was seven years ago at the tender age of 16. On that occasion she was playing in the girls’ singles event and went on to lift the trophy. Now Aga, as she is affectionately known, finds herself in a final once again, only this time it’s the ladies' singles event – the furthest she’s ever travelled in a Grand Slam. “I remember 2005, of course,” the beaming Pole said after the match. “It’s been [feels] like one year and it was seven years ago... I will try everything in my power to hold the trophy again.” Of course she will have to wrestle four-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams for the Venus Rosewater dish and she is under no illusion about the challenge that lies ahead. “She’s a very tough opponent and hitting the ball very well,” Radwańska said. “Of course, she’s playing great tennis on the grass.”

Yet Kerber has every faith in her friend to lift the trophy on Saturday. “I think she has, for sure, some chances in the final,” she said. “She needs to play her game. I mean she played very well. She moved well on this court, making not many mistakes. So if she will play like today, I think she has a good chance.” Radwańska had played Kerber on four previous occasions, with the head-to-head standing at two matches apiece and a history that told of lengthy three-set tussles. But this afternoon she only needed two to see off her opponent.

More often than not it was Kerber who came off worse in the lengthy rallies which saw Radwańska open up the court with sharp-angled shots generated from either the back of the court or forays to the net. When Radwańska served in the second, at 5-4, for arguably the most important match of her career, the question was whether the No.3 seed could keep her composure. When the Pole hit what she believed to be an ace, Kerber challenged. Radwańska was already on the other side of the court but Hawk-Eye called the ball out and she was forced to walk back and play a second serve. She promptly lost the point when her left-handed opponent fired off a blistering cross-court winner. But Radwańska remained unflustered and simply bided her time. Very soon she was in possession of two match points, but only needed the one when Kerber fired a backhand out of the court.

In Serena Williams, Radwańska now faces a much more powerful opponent, but she isn’t worried. “I think it doesn’t matter who I’m going to play in the final. I think I don’t really have anything to lose, so I'm just going to try my best,” she said. “Every player is different but most of the players are powerful. I’m just going to try to mix up everything. Of course, every match is different, so I’ll see after tomorrow how it’s going to be.” 

(And not forgetting the success of her little sister Urszula)

Urszula - Champion of Nottingham!

Shame about the exit in the 3rd round to Svetlana Kuznetsova - but a nice write up nevertheless.

French Open 2012 - Billed as Match of the Day! ... Then as a damp squib .....

The match is ready to go - score to follow ........ a disappointing match ending in a 6-2 6-3 defeat for Venus

A bit of down time before tackling the French Open (thanks to the WTA on Fb for this image)

I remember seeing the Brussel Bubble Sprouts when travelling by bus (coincidentally) to Poland in the 1960s - they make a pretty good background to Agnieszka's success and just look at her nails - fabulous!

Seeded No. 1 in Brussels and wins!

I never tire of seeing Agnieszka's joyful face whenever she holds aloft a well-deserved trophy!

Brussels Open's trophy, by Patrick Crombé

Agnieszka's profile on the WTA Burssels Open page - the tournament before the French Open!

Still at no. 3 on 21st May on which the seedings for the French Open will based - but more importantly - eleven nations are represented in the top eleven players.

2012 - 7th May - Number 3 in the World!

In her own words: Just hopped onto the podium!! No. 3 in the world, wow! Had fun having photoshoots for WTA :) | Udało się wskoczyć na podium! Jestem trzecia na świecie, ciesze się bardzo. Dobrze się bawiłam podczas sesji dla WTA :)

2012 - Miami

Agnieszka's younger sister Urszula warmly congratulates Big Sis!

La Reine de Miami

From Eurosport (International) - Tennis - WTA Miami

01/04/2012 - 03:23 - Updated 01/04/2012 - 05:23

Radwanska beats Sharapova in Miami

Poland's Agnieszka Radwańska used her wits to defeat world number two Maria Sharapova 7-5 6-4 to win the Sony Ericsson Open final in Miami and once again deny the Russian. Sharapova has now lost all four finals she has featured in at the Miami tournament and all three she has played in this year. Radwańska's victory was her second of the year following a triumph in Dubai and her ninth WTA title, arguably her most valuable one.

"I'm just very, very happy that I have been able to play my best tennis since the beginning of the year. Let's hope that I can continue," said Radwańska, who is aiming this year to push for a first Grand Slam title. "I will never be able to serve like Maria but I try different things and mix it up," she added. The Pole, ranked fourth in the world, won the tournament without losing a set and she showed exactly why with a classy display that left Sharapova scurrying around the court at times. There was characteristically little emotion from Radwańska, beyond a timid half-raising of her arms, when Sharapova went long on the final point to hand her victory. But that was typical of the businesslike and strategic way Radwańska went about beating the Russian.

In the first set, Radwańska, in control of her service game despite lacking a powerful first serve, survived break point in the fifth game but that was a rare opening for her opponent. The set was heading to a tie-break when Sharapova, down 6-5, suddenly lost her previously solid service game. Sharapova, sometimes overly-aggressive, produced two loose shots and then a volley into the net to leave her trailing 0-40 in the game and although the Pole wobbled with two tame returns into the net, Sharapova failed to clear the net herself to hand her opponent the set. It was a similar story in the second set -- both players solid on serve but Radwańska coming out on top when it mattered at the conclusion of the set.

Radwańska fought back from 0-30 down to go 6-5 up and force Sharapova to hold serve to stay in the match. The Russian looked agitated and was let down by some reckless strokes, twice going long on returns, as Radwańska lured her into defeat.

"I thought she played extremely well today, was very consistent, got that extra ball back and I made that extra mistake," said Sharapova. "She didn't give me many errors. When I had my chances at break point, I didn't take them. When she had them, she did," said the Russian.

From Arab News

Agnieszka Radwańska of Poland holds the trophy aloft after her victory over Maria Sharapova of Russia in the women's final of the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

By REUTERS - Published: Mar 31, 2012 22:31 Updated: Mar 31, 2012 22:38

KEY BISCAYNE: Poland’s Agnieszka Radwańska used her wits to defeat world number two Maria Sharapova 7-5 6-4 to win the Sony Ericsson Open final on Saturday and once again deny the Russian. Sharapova has now lost all four finals she has featured in at the Miami tournament and all three she has played in this year. Radwańska’s victory was her second of the year following a triumph in Dubai and her ninth WTA title, arguably her most valuable one. “I’m just very, very happy that I have been able to play my best tennis since the beginning of the year. Let’s hope that I can continue,” said Radwańska, who is aiming this year to push for a first grand slam title.

“I will never be able to serve like Maria but I try different things and mix it up,” she added.

The Pole, ranked fourth in the world, won the tournament without losing a set and she showed exactly why with a classy display that left Sharapova scurrying around the court at times. There was characteristically little emotion from Radwańska, beyond a timid half-raising of her arms, when Sharapova went long on the final point to hand her victory. But that was typical of the businesslike and strategic way Radwańska went about beating the Russian. In the first set, Radwańska, in control of her service game despite lacking a powerful first serve, survived break point in the fifth game but that was a rare opening for her opponent. The set was heading to a tie-break when Sharapova, down 6-5, suddenly lost her previously solid service game.

Sharapova, sometimes overly-aggressive, produced two loose shots and then a volley into the net to leave her trailing 0-40 in the game and although the Pole wobbled with two tame returns into the net, Sharapova failed to clear the net herself to hand her opponent the set. It was a similar story in the second set — both players solid on serve but Radwańska coming out on top when it mattered at the conclusion of the set. Radwańska fought back from 0-30 down to go 6-5 up and force Sharapova to hold serve to stay in the match.

The Russian looked agitated and was let down by some reckless strokes, twice going long on returns, as Radwańska lured her into defeat.

From the Dilmun Times

Radwanska tames Sharapova for title

April 1, 2012 By DILMUN TIMES

MIAMI: Poland’s Agnieszka Radwańska captured her maiden Miami women’s title last night, denying world number two Maria Sharapova a shot at her first victory in four finals ppearances.Radwańska earned her ninth career WTA Tour title and second victory of 2012 with a 7-5, 6-4 dismantling of the mistake-prone Sharapova.In the men’s section on Friday, world number one Novak Djokovic beat Argentine Juan Monaco 6-0, 7-6 to reach the final, where he will meet Andy Murray.

Fourth-ranked Murray’s semi-final against Rafa Nadal was earlier ruled a walkover after the Spaniard pulled out with a knee injury.There was the air of a virtual walkover in the way Djokovic dealt with a wayward Monaco in the first set.The Serb, in imposing form, dismissed him in just 27 minutes and took full advantage of the Argentine’s numerous unforced errors as he won 24 of 32 points. “He was incredible, he really played like the world number one and it was tough on me,” said Monaco.”I got a lot of good wins this year against top players,” said the 23-year-old Radwańska. “I was trying from the beginning to focus on my serve, put my first serve in and go for it. I think I did a really good job today and the serve was the key.”

Radwańska becomes just the second multiple title winner on the WTA Tour this season, behind world number one Victoria Azarenka, as she clinched the Miami crown without dropping a set in six matches. Radwańska clearly won the matchup of her savvy all-court game against Sharapova’s power display. “I thought she played extremely well, was very consistent, got that extra ball back and I made that extra mistake,” Sharapova said. “She didn’t give me many errors. When I had my chances at break point, I didn’t take them. When she had them, she did.”

Radwańska finished with one ace and hit just six winners against Sharapova but limited her unforced errors to 10 in the one hour, 44 minute centre court match played in sweltering temperatures. Radwańska broke in the final game of both sets jumping out to big leads both times. She clinched the title on the first of two championship points when Sharapova hammered a backhand long. Sharapova held serve in the first set to get to 5-5 but then her game started to unravel.

Radwańska broke in the 12th game to win the first set in 57 minutes. Sharapova made 26 unforced errors in the first set compared to just eight for the Pole.

Number 4 in the World Rankings!

From the WTA web-site:

Radwanska qualifies for the Istanbul End of Year Championships

Aga entering the arena for her 1st match with the trophies on show - Getty Images

Here are the Super 8

And the Champion relaxing:

Agnieszka nominated in Polish Poll

Na nominację zapracowała sobie przede wszystkim jesienią, dostarczając nam ogromnej porcji emocji i wzruszeń podczas tournee w Azji. 22-letnia krakowianka najpierw w wielkim stylu wygrała prestiżowy turniej w Tokio, a następnie zadbała o poprawkę podczas imprezy w Pekinie. Na Dalekim Wschodzie odniosła jedenaście kolejnych zwycięstw, po drodze rozprawiając się między innymi z Jeleną Janković, Wiktorią Azarenką i Wierą Zwonariową (to w Japonii) oraz Aną Ivanović, Flavią Pennettą i Andreą Petkovic (na kortach w Chinach). Finałowe starcie z tą ostatnią uznano za jedno z najlepszych tegorocznych spotkań, a w telewizji śledziło je blisko pół miliona Polaków. Radwańska zdobyła w tym sezonie trzy tytuły (ten trzeci latem w Carlsbadzie) i zakończyła sezon na ósmym miejscu w rankingu WTA. Zapowiedziała, że w kolejnym roku chciałaby lepiej wypaść w Wielkich Szlemach. Do tej pory to jedyna rysa na jej sportowym życiorysie. W Australian Open, Rolandzie Garrosie, Wimbledonie i US Open ani razu nie awansowała jeszcze do półfinału.

2012 and the Success Goes On.....

Aga has a 'brain'!

Babolat nicknamed Aga 'The Brain' when she achieved no. 5 in the world using her head instead of her brawn!

Aga lifts the Dubai Trophy

A happy winner - Aga lifts her first trophy of 2012

From Arabian Business :

Agnieszka Radwańska broke into the world's top five for the first time after beating Germany's Julia Goerges 7-5 6-4 in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday. The 22-year-old Pole will move up to fifth in the world rankings when the new standings are released on Monday after claiming her eighth WTA singles title.

Trailing 5-4 in the first set, Radwańska won seven of the next eight games to go a set and 4-1 up in the second, ultimately sealing a comfortable win. "In the important moments I think I was just more consistent," Radwańska told reporters. "Her forehand it's a very big weapon. You never know what to expect - it's going so fast, and sometimes I couldn't even move to the right way and the ball was already behind me. "I just stayed calm until the end."

Radwańska had won their only previous meeting, routing Goerges 6-1 6-1 in the last 16 of this year's Australian Open and the big-hitting German seemed overawed at first, losing her serve in the opening game. She broke back in the eighth game to make it 4-4 but serving at 5-5 her aggressive approach backfired. She had four chances to serve out the game, but fluffed them all to give the dogged Radwańska a break point which the Pole converted when Goerges took on a volley mid-court and blasted it wide when she could have let it bounce first.

Radwańska served out to take the first set 7-5 and moved ahead in the second as her opponent's errors piled up. Goerges provided some late resistance when she clawed back one break of serve and then had a point to make it 5-5 when Radwańska served for the match. Unfortunately for her she just missed a forehand and Radwańska sealed victory on her second match point when her opponent shanked a backhand.

"She doesn't give you anything," Goerges told reporters afterwards. "When she does a few mistakes, it's at 15-all or 15-love, but not on the important moments." "But I'm not disappointed because it was a big step in the right direction."

2012 - From the Wimbledon Official Website: Ladies' semi-final preview: discovering Aga Radwanska

by Helen Gilbert - Thursday 5 July 2012

World No.3 Agnieszka Radwańska is in uncharted territory in her maiden Grand Slam semi-final. Ahead of her match with Angelique Kerber, we discover some interesting facts about the top-ranked Pole...

POPULAR POLE: Agnieszka Radwańska was born in Krakow, Poland in 1989 – the year in which Poland finally broke free from communism.  Aside from Wojtek Fibak, a top 10 player on the ATP tour in the late 1970s and earlier Jadwiga Jedrejowsa, a three-time Grand Slam finalist at the 1937 Wimbledon and US Open Championships and 1939 French Open, Aga has helped put tennis on the map in her homeland. “I’m happy that I’m doing well,” she said. “Now you can see that more kids are playing tennis and there are some new facilities with tennis courts so for sure … when you buy the newspaper you can actually read something about tennis and not about football all the time.” The 23-year-old is popular both on and off the court. In 2006 she was voted WTA Newcomer of the Year and in 2011 WTA Fan Favourite Singles Player.

FABULOUS FIRSTS: And the titles do not stop there. She became the first female Polish player to win a WTA singles event in 2007 when she lifted the Stockholm trophy, the first Polish woman to rank in the top 10 (after 2008 Wimbledon) and the first Polish female player to defeat a reigning No.1 when she beat Caroline Wozniacki in Sydney this year. She is also Poland’s first Grand Slam semi-finalist of the Open Era.

Radwańska BY NUMBERS: Speaking of numbers, Aga has spent seven hours and 27 minutes on court so far at these Championships. The world No.3 has played a total of 98 games and lost 32. She’s dropped only one set out of 11. The 23-year-old, who stands at 5ft 8ins tall, turned pro eight years ago but began playing tennis at the age of four.  She has 10 titles to her name, three of which came this year at Dubai, Miami and Brussels.

FAMILY AFFAIR: And the sport runs in the family. Sister Urszula is a professional tennis player currently ranked 54th and, until July last year, father Robert was Aga’s full-time travelling coach. She is currently working with Tomasz Wiktorowski, Poland’s Fed Cup mentor.

MAIDEN GRAND SLAM SEMI-FINAL: Despite reaching the quarter-final stage at the Australian Open in 2008, 2011 and 2012 and Wimbledon in 2008 and 2009 a spot in the last four of a major has eluded the Pole … until now. “I'm very happy that [for the] first time I could reach a semi-final,” Radwańska said. “I really like grass. I was here two times already in quarter-finals. I'm just very happy that it's here.” At the beginning of Wimbledon she was the only player in the top 15 who had failed to reach a Grand Slam main draw semi-final.

WIMBLEDON WINNER: Agnieszka is the sole Wimbledon junior champion remaining in the draw from the field of eight that began the tournament. She is bidding to become the fifth player to go on to win the Ladies' Singles title following success in the girls’ event – a somewhat difficult feat. Ann Haydon-Jones, Karen Susman, Martina Hingis and Amelie Mauresmo are the only others to equal this achievement.  Fortunately for Aga, grass is her favourite surface.

WORLD No.1 CONTENDER? Following the fourth-round defeat of Maria Sharapova, Radwańska has a chance of rising to the top spot but she will have to defeat Serena Williams or Victoria Azarenka in the final to do so.

KERBER TEST: Between now and that special Saturday on Centre Court stands a challenge in the form of No.8 seed Angelique Kerber. The German is the first top 10 player Radwańska will face at this year’s Championships. Their head-to-head stands at two matches apiece but their contests have a habit of stretching out the three-set distance. “It’s always tough,” Radwańska said. “It's just going to be another challenge. I just hope I can still play my good tennis and we'll see.”

SCARED OF SERENA: And a semi-final victory will set up a potential final-round meeting with either four-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams or Victoria Azarenka. But what does Radwańska make of that? “Serena is just great champion. When she's on fire, I really don't want her on my part of the draw. That's for sure.”

THAT LEAVES VIKA … who has repeatedly proven to be Radwańska’s stumbling block. The Belarusian world No.2 has a 6-0 winning record over Aga this year and should she beat Serena Williams in the other semi-final, could be on course to meet Radwańska once more. But would a Wimbledon finals berth help banish the Pole’s demons? We’ll have to wait and see. 

Pole dances way to top spot

Agnieszka Radwańska, a former Eastbourne champion, returns to Devonshire Park as top seed for the 2012 AEGON International. The popular Pole, the winner in 2008, has risen through the rankings since her shock success and enters the tournament at a career high world no3. Hot on her heels for the top prize is Czech Republic ace Petra Kvitova, who will warm up for the defence of her Wimbledon crown. The 22-year-old is the no2 seed has an excellent record at Eastbourne, having finished runner-up in 2011 to surpass her best run of a semi-final berth.

Caroline Wozniacki makes her first return to Devonshire Park since she triumphed in 2009, much to the delight of her new-found legion of fans. The great Dane is seeded no3 after a topsy-turvy season. However, the former world no1 has appointed a new coach and determined to return to her former glory days when she was arguably the most opponent on the WTA Tour.

Marion Bartoli, an Eastbourne regular and with a fantastic record at Devonshire Park that was finally rewarded with the capture of the 2011 title, returns to defend her crown as no4 seed. But the French ace is still fuming with the French Tennis Federation for not including her in their Olympic Tennis team for the London 2012 Games – so will have something to prove.

Vera Zvonareva, another familiar face at Eastbourne, was always doubtful for the tournament following a string of niggling injuries this year – including a late withdrawal at Roland Garros after her practice court session was cut short by recurring health problems. The Russian was provisionally seeded no5 but has been replaced.

Angelique Kerber takes over as no5 seed and is the dark horse among another strong line-up. The German ace has been catching the eye with impressive performances, including victory over Wozniacki.

Ana Ivanovic, the ex-world no1 and former French Open winner, has slipped down the world rankings over the past few seasons but is on an upward spiral – and arrives as no6 seed. The Serbian star, now being coached by Brit Nigel Sears, has concentrated on her games and tactics since she became single earlier this year – rewarded with some excellent results although as yet no title.

Lucie Safarova, the Czech Republic’s other WTA Tour star, has snatched the no7 berth as world no21.

Daniela Hantuchova, the Slovakian ace who has an even more impressive Doubles record, is seeded no8 and keen to make amends for both her early exit on grass at Birmingham as well as having to withdraw injured at Eastbourne last year following a fabulous run to the semi-finals.

Seeds:

1 Radwańska
2 Kvitova
3 Wozniacki
4 Bartoli
5 Kerber
6 Ivanovic
7 Safarova
8 Hantuchova

Congratulations to Urszula, younger sister of Agnieszka on winning the Nottingham Open.

Number seven seed Urszula Radwańska has won the AEGON Trophy in Nottingham, defeating American qualifier Coco Vandeweghe in a topsy-turvy final, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. The Pole took control of the match from the off, winning the opening set by a comfortable margin. But Vandeweghe, who had beaten Britain’s Anne Keothavong 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-final earlier in the day, was determined to put up a fight. Some big serves and powerful stroke play in the second ensured the final would go down to the wire as the American produced her best tennis of the match. Unfortunately Vandeweghe was unable to hit the heights of the middle set and Radwańska closed the match out with aplomb.

“I’m so pleased with the win,” said the 21-year-old, who is sister to world number three Agnieszka Radwańska. “It’s a great way to kick off my grass court season and to win against such a tough opponent makes me very happy. “Coco is a really powerful player and has a great serve; I knew I had to attack early to get her off her game. The conditions were quite challenging with one end of the court very windy and the other less so – it was hard to get a rhythm going. “I knew she would hit the ball hard but I just tried to concentrate on my performance and move her around the court. I lost a bit of concentration in the second set which let her back in and she certainly picked up her game then – thankfully I was able to pull it together again.”

Vandeweghe’s route to the final was marathon like as she battled her way through qualifying before taking her place in the show piece event. Despite falling at the final hurdle the world number 157 was delighted with her week’s work.

“It’s been a while since I’ve played eight matches in a week,” said the 20-year-old. “Playing two matches on finals day wasn’t ideal but the weather has dictated that and it couldn’t be helped. “Urszula played great, she got a lot of balls back and kept forcing me to play that extra shot – overall it’s been a brilliant week.”

More from the French Open

Seven-time Slam winner Venus Williams was no match for Agnieszka Radwanksa, as the no.3 seed won through to the third round 6-2, 6-3.

Sometimes at a Grand Slam, a first or second round match comes out of the hat that looks positively entrancing. That was how it seemed when Venus Williams was drawn to play Agnieszka Radwańska in the second round here, but the match which materialised scarcely merited the description. The seven-time Slam champion was never in it, and Radwańska won 6-2, 6-3 in exactly one hour. So clearly signposted was the victory, it negated the fact that this was the first time Venus had progressed further than Serena in a Slam since the older sister beat the younger at Wimbledon four years ago. Venus lacked her usual focus today though, and in contrast Radwańska – who could mathematically end this fortnight as the world no.1 – appeared utterly unselfconscious. There was a breezy certainty about her, as if having not yet been to the top she had not yet learned what it was like to be on the way down. You might describe it as the fearlessness of youth, were it not for the fact that Radwańska is all of 23 - in tennis years, no longer the first flush.

Broken in the first game, Venus was immediately on the back foot. Radwańska easily outplayed her to break again, and the first set was over, 6-2 in 28 minutes. Early in the second it looked as if the match would be over in 40 minutes, with Radwańska quickly racking up two breaks. The Pole was scampering enthusiastically about the court, reaching this and retrieving that, whereas Venus was listless, possibly affected by Sjogren’s Syndrome, a disease that has periodically left her drained of energy since she was diagnosed at the last US Open. But at 0-4 a break point came her way and she punched home a backhand volley as of old. Minutes later she had three break points for 3-5 and got there when Radwańska dumped the ball in the net.

There was to be no great comeback. The 33 unforced errors Venus amassed were too much for that. On Radwańska’s first match point in the very next game, the American drove her backhand long.

From the French Open:

Venus Williams meets Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwańska in an eagerly-awaited second-round clash on Wednesday. The seven-time Grand Slam winner has overcome illness just in time for Paris, and providing she is well enough to give it her all should provide Radwańska with a serious test of her credentials. Despite reaching the final here way back in 2002 when she lost to her sister Serena, Venus has never found clay to her liking. The surface grips the ball, meaning that the world no.53 is less able to blast opponents off the court. Her movement is also less fluid on the red dirt, and in her past nine attempts she has only two quarter-finals (in 2004 and 2006) to her name.

Heroic return

This year, Venus is on the comeback trail, having seen her world ranking drop to 135 as recently as March. That fall came on the back of an enforced absence after she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s syndrome at last year’s US Open. Her condition has left her with depleted energy reserves – something she is having to incorporate into her training regime, as she was quick to point out after her first-round win, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 over Paula Armaechea on Sunday. “It’s a big accomplishment for me to be here right now,” she said. “I just learned how to live with this.” Given the seriousness of her illness, Venus’ participation here is nothing short of heroic, and is motivated by a desire to qualify for the Olympic Games. That ambition was helped no end by her first-round win that will help her maintain her ranking inside the top 56 (the cut-off point), and that news, added to the euphoria of winning on her return to the game at the very highest level, make her a very tricky customer indeed for the Polish third seed.

Ruthless Radwanska

Radwańska it was who brought Williams’ first comeback since the US Open to an end in Miami, 6-4, 6-1 at the quarter-final stage. This was only her second win against Venus in seven attempts, and she will need to be equally ruthless here in Paris, and employ her all-court game that has served her so well in her recent rise through the rankings. The 23-year-old has had a fabulous start to the year, winning titles in Dubai, Brussels and at the WTA Premier event in Miami and garnering the plaudits of fellow players and observers alike. Her game has not undergone any radical change: rather she seems to be doing everything she used to do just that little bit better, be it hitting delicate slices, drop shots and lobs to keep opponents off-balance, or hitting precise winners to every corner.

Radwańska’s challenge now is to bring that consistency to the Grand Slam stage, something that has proved beyond her in the past. Not to have progressed beyond the quarter-final stage of a major is a blot on her copybook, but it is surely only a matter of time before she makes her excellence count at the back end of a Slam. Radwańska has to be the favourite then, but the fans are in for a treat on Wednesday, especially if Venus finds her rhythm and confidence.

From the WTA -

BRUSSELS, Belgium - She may be ranked No.3 in the world, but she's now No.1 on the match wins list this year - Agnieszka Radwańska pulled out a tight first set then rolled past Simona Halep for her 36th match win of the year on Saturday - as well as the Premier-level Brussels Open crown. The top-seeded Radwańska didn't lose a set en route to the final and kept that trend going one more time, though it wasn't easy. Halep actually served for the first set at 5-4 - but Radwańska rolled from there, winning nine games in a row, and the last 10 points, for a 75 60 victory over the tenacious Romanian.

"On clay I think I need longer to warm up, not just the five minutes before the match," Radwańska said afterwards. "At the end I won nine games in a row - it was a good comeback, I think. And it's always great to win a tournament. "I'm happy to get some good preparation in ahead of the French Open."

Radwańska now has three Premier titles in 2012, having won Dubai and Miami, and now has 36 match wins on the year, one ahead of Victoria Azarenka.

From the WTA - Aga's leap onto the podium at no. 3

Radwańska Climbs To New Career-High

Agnieszka Radwańska is off to a remarkable start this year, having collected two titles and 29 match wins, just one short of World No.1 Victoria Azarenka for most wins on the WTA. In fact, all five of the Pole's losses have come at the hands of Azarenka. Ironically, Radwańska climbed a spot to a career-best No.3 on the rankings on Monday after a week in which she did not even play. Here are some notable ranking accolades from her career:

9/11/06: Top 100 debut
1/29/07: Top 50 debut
2/18/08: Top 20 debut
7/7/08: Top 10 debut
2/27/12: Top 5 debut
5/7/12: Top 3 debut

From the WTA on Aga's Miami success:

MIAMI, FL, USA - Agnieszka Radwańska turned the tables on Maria Sharapova for her very first Sony Ericsson Open title, snapping a six-match losing streak to the Russian with a 75 64 win in the final of the Premier event.

Radwańska had lost seven of her eight previous meetings against Sharapova, including the last six in a row, but the Pole was on a roll this fortnight, not losing a set en route to the final (including a convincing straight set victory against Venus Williams, a three-time champion at the Sony Ericsson Open). Neither player budged on serve throughout the first set, Radwańska having to fend off break points serving at 2-all and 3-all but never letting it slip; up 6-5 she pounced, drawing a series of errors from Sharapova in building 0-40, triple break point, eventually converting on her third after a Sharapova forehand into the net, the Russian's 25th unforced error of the lengthy 57-minute opening set.

The second set was much the same as both players held serve comfortably, with Radwańska saving one break point serving at 3-all; but again, right at the end it was Radwańska who pounced, breaking at 5-4 to close out the match. "I lost against her the last few times, but today was a very tight match too, and I think I was better for just a couple of points each set," Radwańska said. "Maria is a really good player - a top player, second in the world right now. So I had pretty much nothing to lose. I was focusing on my serve, and I'm very happy I didn't lose my serve - I think it was actually the biggest key in this match. "It's a great feeling to beat these kinds of players, especially in a final."

"I thought she played extremely well today, was very consistent, got that extra ball back and I made that extra mistake," Sharapova said. "She didn't give me many errors. When I had my chances at break point, I didn't take them. When she had them, she did. It was just one of those days. I definitely didn't return well either - when I had second serve opportunities and she's serving at 70mph and I'm not winning those points, there's something wrong with that." Radwańska used one of her trademark shots throughout the final, throughout the tournament actually - instead of backing up when her opponents hit deep, she holds her ground, almost crouching down, and still hits through the ball. "It's just me - I used to do it, I don't know how," she said. "Nobody taught me that, not even my dad. I think I was too lazy to go backwards so I just did the squats!"

Radwańska won her ninth WTA title, and sixth at the Premier level (she won Eastbourne in 2008, Carlsbad, Tokyo and Beijing in 2011 and Dubai this year).

"It's a great feeling to win a tournament like Miami - it's the biggest one after the Grand Slams," Radwańska said. "You have to play six very good matches to win this tournament. And today I was playing really well from the beginning until the end - everything was working, I couldn't complain about anything." Radwańska is now 26-4 on the season, tied for most match wins on the WTA this year with Victoria Azarenka, who is 26-1 (all of Radwańska's losses are to Azarenka, at Sydney, the Australian Open, Doha and Indian Wells). Radwańska is up to No.4 in the world now, maybe knocking on the door of the Top 3? "It's still far to be No.3, No.2 or No.1," she said. "But if I play like I did here, at a really good level, I hope I can reach the Top 3 very soon."

Sharapova was playing in her 40th WTA final and is now 24-16 in those. Perhaps more disappointing for Sharapova is that she is now 0-4 in finals in Miami, having finished runner-up in 2005 (to Kim Clijsters), 2006 (to Svetlana Kuznetsova) and 2011 (to Azarenka), all four losses coming in straight sets. "You do a really good job to get there, but it's the toughest round," Sharapova said. "These last two tournaments are always tough because they're so close together, and you're playing six matches in an event - but I'm happy I got to play all six. I would have loved to be the winner, but that's just the way it goes."

From the USTA

Radwańska beats Sharapova to win Key Biscayne title - March 31, 2012 02:51 PM

Agnieszka Radwańska celebrates after beating Maria Sharapova.
© Michael Regan/Getty Image

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) -- Maria Sharapova lost her serve in the final game of each set Saturday and again fell short in a bid for her first Sony Ericsson Open title, losing to Agnieszka Radwańska 7-5, 6-4.

Sharapova, a three-time Grand Slam champion, fell to 0-4 in Key Biscayne finals. She was also the runner-up in 2005, 2006 and last year.

Radwańska, ranked a career-best No. 4, earned her ninth career title and fourth since last summer. She's 0-4 in 2012 against top-ranked Victoria Azarenka and 26-0 against everyone else.

The match was 72 minutes old before Radwańska hit her first baseline winner. She was content to play steadily and extend rallies until the more aggressive Sharapova would make a mistake. Sharapova finished with 45 unforced errors, many from the backhand side. Radwańska committed only 10 unforced errors and erased all three break points she faced. On a sunny, 85-degree afternoon, the South Florida crowd was divided in its support.

"Vamos Maria!'' one spectator hollered for the Russian. "Vamos Agnes!'' another shouted for the Pole.

Sharapova draped a rolled-up cold towel around her neck during changeovers, but the heat didn't seem to faze either player. But the pressure to hold serve made Sharapova wobble twice. Serving at 5-6 in the first set, she committed four unforced errors - including a blown overhead - to lose the set. The pattern was similar in the second set, when Radwańska had only one break point - the last point of the match. Sharapova sailed a forehand long, and Radwańska lifted her arms in triumph.

Radwańska beat Venus Williams en route to the final and won every set she played. She improved to 2-7 against Sharapova, with her other victory at the 2007 U.S. Open. Sharapova was trying to extend her streak of winning at least one title for a 10th consecutive year. Instead she settled for her third runner-up trophy in 2012 - she also lost finals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, both to Azarenka.

Even Reuters publish the rankings:

The Dubai Success propels Aga to No. 5 in the world and seeds her no. 1 in Kuala Lumpur

Aga celebrating her elevation to no. 5 in the world on 27th February 2012

From wtatennis.com

Agnieszka Radwańska ascended to a career-high No.5 on the heels of her victory at last week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

It was a long time coming for Radwańska, who after making her Top 100 debut in September 2006, took just over four months to crack the Top 50. Then she entered the Top 20 just over a year later. Less than five months later, she became the first Pole to break into the Top 10. But from there her momentum slowed, as she remained just outside or just inside the Top 10 for several years.

However, a scintillating finish to 2011 that saw Radwańska win three titles from August on left her tied for her then career-high of No.8 at the end of the season. She rose two more spots after her quarterfinal showing at January's Australian Open and then one more after her superb week in Dubai.

Aga's Rise

11.09.06 - Top 100 debut
29.01.07 - Top 50 debut
18.02.08 - Top 20 debut
07.07.08 Top 10 debut
27.02.12 - Top 5 debut

2011 - 14th November WTA

The results of the 2011 Fan Vote are now in, thank you to all who voted! Agnieszka Radwańska was your favorite singles player while Petra Kvitová took home the breakthrough player award. The fan favorite doubles team went to the team of Victoria Azarenka & Maria Kirilenko. Congrats to all the winners!

From Tennis World USA :

WTA - Radwanska voted as Fans Favourite Singles Player

Poland's Agnieszka Radwańska was the surprise winner of the Fans Favourite Singles Player - an award voted for by fans at the WTA Awards.

Favorite Doubles Team was won by Victoria Azarenka and Maria Kirilenko and Breakthrough Player went to Kvitova.

WTA players also voted on Tournaments Of The Year, with the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart retaining its crown as favorite Premier event, and the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL in Acapulco named favorite International event.

The Streak Continues: Radwanska Wins Beijing

BEIJING, China - A massive Premier-level title and valuable points for the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - there was a lot on the line in the final of the China Open on Sunday night, 9th October 2011, and Agnieszka Radwańska had just enough left in the tank to grab it, edging the hard-hitting Andrea Petkovic in a two-hour, 34-minute championship marathon in the Chinese capital, 75 06 64.

More than half of the final took place in the first set, which lasted an hour and 24 minutes alone. The No.11-seeded Radwańska kept building leads, with the No.9-seeded Petkovic catching up every time - double break and 4-1 to double break back and 4-all, another break for 5-4 to another break back for 5-all - but after breaking again for 6-5 she finally consolidated, serving the set out, 7-5.

Petkovic retaliated with major firepower in a complete contrast of a second set, her forehand in full flight as she raced to a 25-minute bagel; but Radwańska broke in the first game of the third and was right back in it, eventually getting the decisive break for 5-4 and easily serving it out for the biggest title of her career.

The match was so close, Petkovic actually won more points: 101 to 100. But Radwańska won the ones that counted most and continued her mastery over Petkovic, improving to 5-0 lifetime in the pair's head-to-head series. "I'm very, very happy Andrea and I could play such an amazing match. Both of us played unbelievable," Radwańska said. "The first set was very tight, game by game. Then she killed me in the second set - I had chances, I was up 30-0 a few times, but it went by so quickly. It was hard to come back but I did, and in the end it was just a couple of points. I think it was the best final I've played. "This is the biggest title of my career. It means a lot to me."

"Me and Agnieszka always have long matches. Even when it's two sets we always play very long rallies and always play good matches," Petkovic said. "In two or three days, when the disappointment settles a little bit, I'll be able to look back at this as a really great match and great entertainment for the people. "She has beaten me five times now - I really have to turn this head-to-head around. I actually love playing against her - I just want to beat her one day." Radwańska had won three Premier-level titles before but this was her first at a Premier Mandatory event. She will not only return to a career-high No.8 now, her 90th career week in the Top 10, but she is now the leading contender for the eighth and final berth at the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul.

"If someone said I was going to win these two tournaments, I'd say they were crazy. All of the top players were playing," Radwańska said. "But I was playing better and better every match, especially in Tokyo. I feel like Tokyo was my biggest title already so when I came here I felt like I had nothing to lose. I just tried to keep going and not think about anything, and just fight for every point." Petkovic was playing by far the biggest WTA final of her career, all four of her previous finals coming at the International level. She is now 2-3 in WTA finals.

2011 - Another fine triumph for Agnieszka

Narrative courtesy of wtatennis.com and image courtesy of Getty Images.

Radwanska Conquers Zvonareva, Wins Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Agnieszka Radwańska continued to be the thorn in Vera Zvonareva's side on Saturday afternoon, defeating her in straight sets for the third straight time and winning the Toray Pan Pacific Open crown (1st October 2011).

Seeded No.9 in the Japanese capital, Radwańska had her share of trials earlier in the week, rallying from a set down to beat both Angélique Kerber in the second round and No.8 seed Jelena Jankovic in the third round. She was also pushed to three sets in the semi finals, originally leading No.3 seed Victoria Azarenka 63 42 but eventually needing another set to win it, 63 46 62.

Radwańska certainly saved her best for the final. After a slow start, losing the first two games and facing a point for 0-3, the Polish No.1 went on a tear, winning eight of the next nine games to build a 63 20 lead. She kept her numbers clean and her nose ahead throughout the second set and in the end completed a 63 62 victory over Zvonareva, the tournament's No.4 seed.

"I was a little bit nervous at the start, but I woke up after those first two games," Radwańska said. "I had some tough matches this week - and I was playing without a bye, so I had a lot of matches in a row - but I just kept trying my best. It was the finals so I tried not to think about it and fight until the end. "I'm very, very happy to win this tournament. All of the top players were playing here, and I played some good tennis to beat them."

Radwańska has Istanbul on her mind. "Before this tournament my chances of qualifying for the Championships were very small, but now they'll be better." The Toray Pan Pacific Open was Radwańska's second Premier-level title of the season, following her triumph at the Mercury Insurance Open in Carlsbad in the summer hard court season (where she also beat Zvonareva in the final). The 22-year-old Radwańska now has three Premier-level titles (also winning Eastbourne in 2008) and six WTA titles overall (she is 6-2 in WTA finals).

The 27-year-old Zvonareva didn't lose a set to reach the 30th WTA final of her career. She leaves Tokyo with a 12-18 career record in WTA finals. "Obviously I'm disappointed I couldn't come away with the title today," Zvonareva said. "I started well and broke her, but after that I don't know what happened to me. I've played with Agnieszka a lot and know how she plays, and if I played to my usual standard I could have won, but I just couldn't today. It happens. I'll take my lessons from this match then hope to forget it as soon as possible."

Zvonareva reflected further: "Given everything that has gone on here in Japan, the players had a responsibility to support the people and the tournament. I hope the spectators enjoyed the match, even though it wasn't a great one for me. I hope to continue to support the victims of the tsunami and earthquake."

Congratulations to Agnieszka :

Congratulations to Agnieszka Radwańska for winning the Mercury Insurance Open! (7th August 2011). She beat Vera Zvonareva 63 64 to take her first title in more than three years. Looks like the mocha coffee worked! The mystery of the Moccha is revealed in her post-match interview ................... (available on You Tube) :

2011

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