Drawing: Michael Chang

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

American Michael Chang became the youngest male tennis player to win a Grand Slam Singles title when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17 years and 4 months. He peaked at world number two in late 1996, the same year he reached the Australian and US Open Finals.

Michael has strong religious beliefs and commented on his famous win, “I almost kind of feel that it was almost God’s purpose for me to win The French Open”

Known for his fighting spirit and on court speed, Michael introduced the jumping two handed back hand.

He is the coach of world number five Kei Nishikori and was at London’s O2 Arena with him this year for the ATP World Tour Finals and signed my sketch there, adding his usual message, “Jesus loves you”.

Drawing: Guga (Gustavo Kuerten)

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Popular Brazilian tennis player, and former world number one Gustavo Kuerten is among clay court royalty, winning the French Open three times. His first title at Roland Garros was won in 1997 when he was ranked number 66 in the world. He won his second title in 2000, defending it the following year.

He is known as ‘Guga’ – an affectionate nickname which is a common abbreviation of the name ‘Gustavo’ in Portuguese speaking countries. Guga became a tennis icon with a blistering first serve, backed up with the ability to chase down every ball, a unique grunt when he strikes the ball and outrageously colourful clothing.

His beaming smile and engaging personality bought a lively atmosphere to tennis stadiums around the world and made him one of the most popular players with fans and his peers alike.

In 2000, for the first time, the number one year end position came down to the final match of the season. Guga defeated superstar Andre Agassi at the ATP Word Tour finals in Lisbon to win the title and take the number one position which he held for 43 weeks over his career. He was inducted into the tennis hall of fame in 2012.

It was an absolute pleasure to meet him at this year’s ATP World Tour Finals, at London’s O2 where he signed his distinctive ‘Guga’ graph.

Drawing: Boris ‘Boom Boom’ Becker

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Germany’s Boris Becker the former number one men’s tennis player is the coach of the current top ranked player Novak Djokovic. He won Wimbledon in 1985 and 1986 at the age of 17 and 18, the first non seed to do so. He again won in 1989 and finished his career with six Grand Slam titles and an Olympic Gold Medal in doubles.

His booming serves, heavy forehand, penetrating volleys and diving saves were an immediate crowd favourite. They called him “Boom Boom,” a term he disliked, saying it was too, “war like”. His highly dramatic has spawned other sayings however, such as the “Becker Faust” (the Becker fist), the “Becker Sage” (the “Becker Saw”, when he pumped his fist in a sawing motion) and the “Becker Shuffle” (the dance he often performed after winning an important point).

Boris signed the sketch for me at the O2 pier while he attended the ATP World Tour Finals in London last week.

Drawing: Richie McCaw

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The outstanding Richie McCaw, considered the greatest New Zealand rugby player of all time, will become the first player to lead the famous All Blacks in 100 matches when he captains the legendary team at the Millennium Stadium against Wales this weekend.

It’s a fitting venue for the milestone. Nearly 10 years ago to the day, a 23-year-old Richie was handed the captain’s armband for the first time at the Cardiff ground in a nail-bitting 26-25 victory over a strong Welsh side. With 137 Test appearances, he is the most capped All Black and now becomes the solo member of the 100 Captain’s Club. Richie is the most celebrated rugby player in the world, winning the IRB International Player on a record three occasions from eight nominations.

During his tenure as captain the All Blacks have won the Team of the Year seven times and are expected to add to that at this year’s Awards. The only remote thing I have in common with the great man, apart from our Kiwi ancestry is our attendance at Otago Boy’s High School in Dunedin (although not at the same time). It was not mentioned as he signed this ‘energetic’ 4B pencil sketch at the team’s hotel in London before they played England a couple of weeks ago.

Drawing: Chila (Marin Cilic)

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Seeded 14th tennis player Marin Cilic, nicknamed ‘Chila’ defeated Roger Federer in the semi finals and Kei Nishikori in the final to win the US Open this year.

Currently ranked number 9 in the world, Marin has just completed his debut at the year end ATP World Tour finals at the O2 in London where he signed my sketch.

Drawing: Stan the man (Stanislas Wawrinka)

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

World number 4 Stan Wawrinka narrowly lost a tense semi final against compatriot Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Saturday evening.

Given the latter’s withdrawal from the final, due to a back injury sustained in the long match, many Swiss supporters may have wish a different result in hindsight.

Stan made his first Grand Slam breakthrough in January this year, beating Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open. He also won a gold medal with Roger at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Both men now head to Lille to contest the Davis Cup Final against France this weekend.

Drawing: Kei Nishikori

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

In a breakout season, Japan’s Kei Nishikori became the first Asian-born man to reach a Grand Slam final, losing to Marin Cilic of Croatia in the US Open this year.

He has won a career high four titles and 54 matches (54-12) and will end the season no lower than number 5. Described as an “offensive baseline player” Kei is known for his speed and footwork and has developed a style of taking the ball early and gaining control of the point immediately on both serve and return.

Yesterday he advanced to the knockout semi final phase of the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 in London in his debut year. He takes on Novak Djokovic today for a place in the final, and will be happy to repeat his US Open semi final win over the world number one.

Kei signed my sketch at the O2 pier as the players left for the ATP World Tour Finals Launch gala last Friday evening.

Drawing: The Bryan Brothers

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

There is little to prove for Mike and Bob Bryan. The 36 year old identical twins from California are the most dominant ‘doubles act’ in the history of tennis, winning every significant doubles record. They showed up at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 in London this week with the number one ranking already in the bag. In 13 visits to the elite year end event they have won three titles. They won their 100th career title at this year’s US Open, which extended their record haul of majors to 16 and enabled them to achieve the top ranking for a record 10th year. The Bryans have also won numerous Olympic medals, including the gold at the 2012 London Games.

The two are equally known for their post victory flying chest bump – a tradition they started back in their college days at Stanford in 1996. I drew this quick pencil sketch of the famous act.

The trick was working out who was who, because for the past few days they have not arrived at or left the O2 together. “Bob?…… Or is it Mike?”

I got Bob (the younger by two minutes) first. The next day a friend said, “there’s a Bryan,” …. but which one?

“Mike?” I said in hope. He looked at me and said nothing.

“Bob?”

“No, I’m Mike.” Oh, a twin tease. He happily signed.

Drawing: Amélie Mauresmo

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Men’s tennis star Andy Murray did something almost unheard in in the sport: he hired a female coach. Amélie Mauresmo, the former world number one, replaced Ivan Lendl who had led Andy to two Grand Slam titles and an Olympic Gold Medal. Despite all the female talent in tennis – the most successful women’s sport in the world – female coaches are few.

Amélie herself has won two grand slam singles titles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and she also won the singles silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004. After retiring in 2009, she started coaching, acting as a grass court adviser to the Wimbledon doubles champion Michael Llodra. She has also been on the coaching team for former world number one Victoria Azarenka and was influential in Marion Bartoli’s 2013 triumph at Wimbledon.

Amelie signed my sketch as she was leaving the O2 arena in London yesterday, after a practice session with Andy who takes on Roger Federer today at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Drawing: Andy Murray wins Wimbledon

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Described as the best counter puncher in men’s tennis today, Andy Murray returned to London’s O2 this week for the ATP World Tour Finals after an arduous six weeks and three titles to gain the necessary ranking points to make up the top eight at the end-of-season finale.

The 27 year old Scot has a current world ranking of six and is fifth all time leader in earnings. He has won 31 titles, including two slams. In 2012 he won the US Open and the following year he claimed the WImbledon Championship, defeating current world number one, Novak Djokovic on both occasions. Andy also wn the singles gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a silver with Laura Robson in the mixed doubles.

Assked if he was Scottish or British, Andy replied, in jest, “depends if I’m winning.”

Andy signed this sketch at the O2 pier before boarding the clipper to attend the WTF launch gala.