January is such an exciting time to be a tennis fan. You’ve survived another off-season and you’re ready for the players to get back on the court and show us what they’re made of. The beginning of the season has so many great story lines: Are the players who stepped up in ’05 going to continue their success, or falter? Also, will the players who had a rough go of it in 2005 be rejuvenated and ready to make their move? Who are the players that are going to come from nowhere and shock us all?
Yes indeed, this is an exciting time . . .
 This Month...
The Thunder Down Under
The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year, and everyone has high hopes of starting the year off with a major bang. Will Safin and Serena make up for lackluster endings to ’05 and repeat? Will Federer and Clijsters continue their 2005 form and slice through the competition?
Reality Check
What will 2006 mean for Martina Hingis? January will be a big month for Martina. She’s playing in her first WTA event, and at the Australian Open she will be on display for the world to see. One of the bigger stories of the year will be how Hingis plays—but she has to have a starting point, and that place is January.
Swing of Things
Both the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA tours are back in the swing of things this month. They have resumed their full schedules and can be seen running around the world.
 On Newsstands Now
TENNIS Magazine's January / February issue featuring:
- 2005 Year in Review
- Top Pros' Racquets & Strings
- Australian Open Preview
Click Here to Subscribe
 The Top Headlines of 2006?
Every year as the season progresses the storylines become a little clearer, but the ball has dropped in Times Square and a new year is a upon us. The possibilities of what might happen this year are endless. The editors at TENNIS Magazine looked deep into their crystal balls and have predicted some of their top stories of 2006.
Grand Slam Newbies
Congratulations will be in order for Elena Dementieva and David Nalbandian, who will win their first Grand Slam titles. After a few failed attempts, Elena is this year’s Kim Clijsters and she’ll break through and win her first major. After his conquering of Federer at the ATP Masters, Nalbandian rides the “confidence wave,” and like Dementieva will capture his first major title.
Close, But No Cigar
Nicole Vaidisova and Tomas Berdych solidify their places as rising stars, and make serious runs at Grand Slam titles . . . only to come up just short.
Young Gun
Junior No. 1 Donald Young will win his first ATP match.
Leave Me Alone
For the first time since his 2003 U.S. Open title, Andy Roddick will silence his critics and win a major. And to add a little spice—it will be at Wimbledon against Roger Federer.
Leave Me Alone (take 2)
Maria Sharapova will win her second major and everyone will have to stop asking her, “When will you win another major?’ Until the next time everyone asks her.
The Double Bagel
For the first time since 1998 neither Serena nor Venus Williams will win a major.
Sophomore Slump
After a stellar 2005, 2006 will be full of injuries, and consequently a slip in the rankings for Rafael Nadal.
Fresh Squeezed Juice
Steroids will continue to rear their ugly head on the ATP Tour, and someone in the Top 10 will be on the chopping block.
The Envelope Please
Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters will finish 2006 ranked No. 1 in the world.
Goodbye Rebel
Andre Agassi, the one time tour rebel, turned philanthropist and family man, will make 2006 his swan song.
Deja Vu Quote of the Year
“I’m only 18 after all.” Months later followed by, “I’m only 19 after all.” - Maria Sharapova
 Don’t Miss…
- TENNIS.com Exclusive Coverage from the Aussie Open
TENNIS.com is your one-stop source for everything Australian Open. Beyond the live scores, headlines and photos, make sure to check out our exclusive on-site reporting by TENNIS.com editor Peter Dopkin and TENNIS Magazine Senior Editor Peter Bodo on the TennisWorld blog. Vote in the daily polls, chat on the message boards, and enjoy the Australian Open with us.
- Pacific Life Open
Indian Wells is proud to be home to the prestigious Pacific Life Open, March 6 - 19, 2006. Featuring the top ATP and WTA Tour players in an exciting two-week format at the beautiful Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the Pacific Life Open is the fifth largest tournament in the world. Visit PacificLifeOpen.com for more information or for hotel & ticket packages please call 800-208-2410.
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- Aces, Places, & Faces...
For the first time, TENNIS Magazine has published a Year In Pictures special issue. This limited collectors' edition is available in stores and online at
www.TENNIS.com/yip.
- Australia 2007 Sweepstakes
Win a trip for 2 to the 2007 Australian Open (mid-January 2007)
- Round Trip Economy Air on Qantas LA - Melbourne
- Welcome Cocktail Party
- 7 NIGHTS in Melbourne
- 2 center court box seats for the middle five days and four nights of the Open
- Accommodations at the Grand Hyatt
- Daily Breakfast- Access to a private dining marquee
- Half-day tour of Melbourne
- Services of your trip host
- Farewell Dinner
To learn more and to enter, visit www.TennisSweeps.com.
- TENNIS.com’s 2005 Reader’s Poll
Weigh in on the year that was… Vote on TENNIS.com and engage in friendly banter with tennis fans from around the world on our message boards.
Click here to vote.
- Spadea On SMASH
Check out ATP tour veteran Vince Spadea’s new blog on our sister website www.SMASHtennismag.com.
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