Flemski win through to 2nd round Aus Open
Flemski have won overnight in the first round of the Australian Open beating Lu & Tipsarevic 7-5 6-4 for their first 
Grand Slam victory.
They are now likely to meet the 4th seeds Bhupati & Mirnyi, who play theri first round today Wed 20th Jan.
Australian Open
Flemski are on the OOP for Wed 20th Jan as 3rd on court 5 which should be c4 or 5 am UK time depending on length of previous doubles matches…. They play Lu & Tipsarevic in the first round with the winners likely to meet 4th seeds Mirnyi & Bhupathi.
Question time with Flembo
After their win yesterday in ATP Chennai Flemski have collected 45 points and move on to await their opponents in the quarter finals who will be the winners of 3rd seeds Bhupathi & Bopanna v Cerretani & Rettenmaier… Meantime Flembo found some time to answer some questions on 2009 and 2010….
What are your feelings on 2009?
2009 was an amazing year for us as we not only broke into the top 100 for the first time but we finished the year pushing for the top 50. To win 2 ATP titles in the final 3 months of the year was a reward for the hard work we’ve put in together since becoming a team in November 2008 and the titles give us great optimism for 2010.
What are your ambitions for 2010?
Due to the success we had in 2009 we will start this year playing at ATP level more regularly and in all 4 of the Grand Slams. Our aim is always to work hard, keep improving and this year we will be aiming to breakthrough into ATP 500 and 1000 level events which we have never played before. Being consistent at ATP 250 level and playing our best in the Grand Slams will allow us to do this.
Thoughts on AEGON contracts?
We are both delighted to have the full backing of the LTA and AEGON as part of Team AEGON. This will give us the financial and technical support that will give us the best possible opportunity to achieve our goals and breakthrough to the next level.
What are your tournament plans?
2010 is going to involve a lot of travelling for us as we will be playing always in the biggest tournaments we can gain entry to so that we are playing for the most ranking points and also competing against the best doubles teams in the world.
What is your training schedule like?
Being on Team AEGON has allowed us to officially call Louis Cayer our coach which we’re delighted about so we will be travelling and training with Louis as much as we can. My base will still be at home in Linlithgow, training at Stirling University and Ken continues to be based in Liverpool. As we did last year we will continue to make use of the world class facilities at Roehampton.
What are your personal ambitions?
My personal ambition will always be to play regularly in the biggest tournaments in the world. To achieve this I aim to always work hard to become the best player I can be.
Will we see any singles play in tournaments?
As in all walks of life it is important to make a living! I will therefore set my schedule based on playing doubles in the biggest tournaments we can and sign in for singles qualifying whenever possible.
What’s your work/life balance?
Being a tennis player involves a lot of travelling, somewhere around 35 weeks a year. I will always get home whenever possible to switch of from tennis and spend time with my family and girlfriend Gemma. During tournaments I switch off from tennis by playing some serious Football Manager, managing my fantasy football team to great heights or by reading books or watching movies.
Thoughts on the Davis Cup?
As a team we would love to represent Great Britain in the Davis Cup. This would allow us to fulfil personal ambitions and also do our bit to help get the team back into Group 1.
And lastly, some personal facts:
- Favourite food - My mums homemade lentil soup!
- Favourite music - Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, U2, Snow Patrol…pretty eclectic taste!
- Favourite TV - Entourage, Californication
- Favourite player - Andre Agassi
- Most feared opposition – Roger Federer
- Best moment of 2009 - Winning our first ATP title together in Metz
- Worst moment of 2009 - Losing in 5 sets in the first round of Wimbledon
Question time with Skupski…
Ahead of Flemski’s first ATP tournament of 2010 Ken found some time to answer some questions on 2009 and what his thoughts are on 2010 and beyond….
What are your feelings on 2009?
2009 was an amazing year for Flemski. We went from strength to strength with the help of Louis Cayer. Our two ATP titles were definitely the highlights of the season plus a win over the Bryan brothers also has to be considered one of our best achievements. Our rankings have improved dramatically and this will give us a belief we can compete at the highest level in the coming weeks and months ahead.
What are your ambitions for 2010?
The world is our oyster in 2010. We have progressed and now look to consolidate our position plus improve in every department of our games. We have the potential to go far in big events like Masters series and Grand Slams. We would love to compete in the Davis Cup as a pair and we hope to continue where we left off in 2009.
Thoughts on AEGON contracts?
We are very privileged to have this opportunity to get funded by the LTA. It helps with all areas of our games, from fitness to funding for flights and hotels. The most important aspect of this contract is the help of Louis Cayer. We have worked closely with Louis for a good period now and its hopefully going to show throughout 2010 what we have all been working towards.
What are your tournament plans?
As of yet we haven’t got a complete schedule due to our rankings. It will all depend on which event we can gain entry into. This means we will be travelling a lot more in 2010 to play in tournaments around the world.
What is your training schedule like?
We don’t plan on changing much for 2010. We have been successful so far doing what we think is necessary. Colin in Stirling and myself in Liverpool. We will come together at times down at Roehampton which will enable us to use Louis Cayer as much as possible.
What are your personal ambitions?
I want to be the best I can be. This means improving in all areas of my game and this will ensure that we maximise our potential.
Will we see any singles play in tournaments?
No singles for me except if we change surface to get a match on court to acclimatise.
What’s your work/life balance?
As you know I have recently got engaged and this will mean I will try to juggle my schedule so that I can see as much of Hayley as possible. I love having her at events and hopefully this year can be as good as the previous season.
Thoughts on the Davis Cup?
Playing Davis Cup would be a dream come true. I don’t care where it is and who we play. I would love to represent my country.
And lastly, some personal facts:
- Favourite food - my homemade lasagne
- Favourite music - all kinds of music.
- Favourite TV - Soccer Saturday
- Favourite player - Federer
- Most feared opposition - Nadal
- Best moment of 2009 - first ATP
- Worst moment of 2009 - getting hit in the face with the ball
Chennai
Flemski are currently getting visas to fly out to play Chennai starting on 3rd Jan 2010. From there they plan to go to Auckland and then on to Melbourne as the start to their 2010 season.
Come on Flemski!
British Tennis Team of the year 2009
Flemski have taken the award for British Tennis team of the year 2009.
Details of all award winners can be found here:
The British Tennis Team of the Year went to the new doubles pairing of Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski, now known as Flemski. The pair have risen up the rankings and have secured two ATP titles as well as beating the world number ones in doubles – the Bryan brothers – along the way at the AEGON Championships in June.
LTA Presidents Speech
Flemski are metioned as a World Class Doubles Team in LTA President, Derek Howorth’s, speech regarding 2009.
http://www.lta.org.uk/News/All-news-items/2009-12-07/LTA-President-reports-on-progress-in-2009/
“It is fully recognised that the more important target is to increase the number of singles players but I have no problem with also targeting success for our doubles players. We should target this and celebrate success when it is achieved. There has been criticism for not having any world class doubles players, particularly when it comes to the often critical Davis Cup doubles rubber. The emergence of Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski over the last 6 months as a force in world doubles, winning two ATP titles and beating the Bryan brothers at Queens is a vindication of this policy. “
Helsinki Challenger
After playing some good tennis but ultimately finishing with 2 first round defeats in Jersey, it was nice to get home again to chill out. I got some good work done in the gym in particular which I can build on during the off-season. Yesterday I arrived in Helsinki for the first time and today I won 2 singles matches against Finnish players to put me in the last round of qualifying tomorrow. Last night it wasn’t looking good as I borrowed Jonny Marray’s foam roller to try and loosen my back which had got tight whilst flying and managed to send it into spasm! I literally couldn’t move but thankfully it eased up over night and I was able to play without much restriction today. Looking forward to playing again tomorrow - looking like a tough match - and also to some doubles with Ken…