Monday, December 28, 2015

2015 WTA Yearbook


The time has come.

=2015=



And away we go...




Our Beloved Backspin Academy

Here in the U.S., the Presidential campaign (from the party nomination slog to the actual general election) sometimes seems interminable. But this term's Backpin Academy race for Student Council President was, well, nonexistent.



For the 2015 school year, there was never any question about who we wanted to be our President, and one suspects that she was, is and will continue to be until she is no longer able or willing to hold the office. So, for the first time ever, we didn't even go through the motions of the election process, nor have a single ballot cast to determine our vaunted leader. We just knew. But lest you worry that we have cavalierly tossed aside our democratic principles as if they were a Romanian tennis coach, have no fear. On an assigned day, we all gathered on and around the newly-constructed Jelena Dokic Roundabout in the center of campus and, by collective agreement (actually just a simple show of hands), did decree that sitting Class President Serena Williams would indeed remain in office by the consent of the entire Academy community.

It was nearly unanimous.

Naturally, as usual, there were a few crooked sticks who chose to use the moment of honor to air their grievances concerning our President, some of them revolving around personal issues long held for years, mostly with little basis of fact or taste and often tinged with a hint of jealousy. To their annoyed detractors, some Presidential naysayers even offered to back up the veracity of their dissent by publicly performing a feat of strength.

But there were no interested takers... and thus the decision was stamped official (i.e. Ms. Jankovic danced in one complete traversing of the Roundabout, consecrating the result).

And so it was that President Williams remained in office for a third consecutive term, adding to the historic length of service she set one year ago. In all, our leader has officially occupied the Rectangular Office in Henin Hall for five full terms over the course of her time with us. Only former President Henin herself had ever sat in the seat of power for more than one total term before her. In fact, for the most part, we feel that President Williams has filled the role as well as anyone ever has.

Some go so far as to call her our GREATEST President. For sure, all on campus look to her to gauge their own efforts, and though we usually frown upon bestowing such a title on any individual for fear it may serve as an untenable burden to further success, we refuse to construct any sort of official position in the contrary. We do so, of course, with a respectful nod to Traveling Dean Emeritus Navratilova, who still manages to grace us with her presence and advice on a regular basis. We are so grateful for her.


As it played out, the recently completed term had a vastly different theme than was the case a year ago. 2015 was about big ideas and even bigger goals. Last term, President Williams saw fit to keep a close eye on the day-to-day operations on campus but was often not at her best when we constructed a big stage outside and put on a grand show. This year, while sometimes arriving fashionably late, she stole the show at nearly every large occasion while leaving the smaller issues to her well-stocked and talented staff.

It all worked like a charm. Well, almost.

As we neared the end of the term, excitement overflowed the campus, as the President prepared to put on her greatest performance ever at the final big get-together of the year. In anticipation of a Grand night, banners were hung between the light poles with care with the hope that our President's legacy would soon be cemented near there. Needless to say, everyone got a bit wrapped up in her quest. So, when she was unable to complete her attempt at perfection we were all disappointed, as all our carefully constructed celebration plans went awry. In a series of instants that granted us the thrill of witnessing two former Presidents finally experiencing hard-won joy in the shadow of the sadness of the unfulfilled hope of our current President, we were all a bit exhausted in the end. As was the President, for she took an extended break for the remainder of the term following the event.


While she was away, co-Vice Presidents Hingis and Mirza temporarily assumed the daily reigns of power. Both took to the short-term set-up quite seamlessly, as if they'd been preparing for it all their lives. Which, of course, they had... with Ms. Hingis, for one, having gone from student to professor and back again over the years. In fact, they were such a winning and adored combination -- a "dream team," if you will -- that their portrait will likely find its very own place in the Academy's Hall of Honor, even if they never "officially" serve as the head(s) of the entire student body. We have a long tradition of power sharing in the BSA student government, and this was just another version of such. Thus, BSA maintains its well-earned reputation for great, and peaceful, political power experimentation. This year's scenario, especially, put a big smile on all our faces. Bravo, everyone!

As President Williams' reign remains unbroken as we head into a fresh term in the new year, the search will soon begin for a new campus theme for 2016. Will it be simply a slightly altered version of that of the most recent term, with a somewhat more Golden hue, or will we be surprised by what transpires over the next twelve months? Ah, the excitement of the unexpected is almost here once again. Surely, young Presidential timber -- from up-and-coming students Garbine and Karolina to Belinda and others -- is being groomed, and the future looks bright. But our President, while beloved, is not one to be trifled with.

Stay tuned.

*HONOR ROLL OF BELOVED CLASS PRESIDENTS*
2001 Jennifer Capriati
2002 Serena Williams
2003 Justine Henin-Hardenne
2004 Lindsay Davenport
2005 Kim Clijsters
2006 Amelie Mauresmo
2007 Justine Henin
2008 Serena Williams
2009 Flavia Pennetta, Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani & Roberta Vinci
2010 Caroline Wozniacki
2011 Petra Kvitova
2012 Victoria Azarenka
2013 Serena Williams
2014 Serena Williams
2015 Serena Williams

As it is, we move forward with the roll call...

=STUDENT COUNCIL=
CLASS PRESIDENT: Serena Williams
Co-VICE PRESIDENTS (OF THE COURT OF DREAMS): Martina Hingis & Sania Mirza
VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Flavia Pennetta (decided to decline appointment... she just had better things to do)
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: Simona Halep (just don't expect her to assume the lead role unless she's FULLY prepared for it)
FORMER Co-PRESIDENTS WHO WITHDREW THEIR NAMES FROM Co-CONSIDERATION: Sara Errani & Roberta Vinci
VALEDICTORIAN (official): Angelique Kerber
Co-VALEDICTORIAN (declared by the USTA governing body of Grade Point Average Computation): Karolina Pliskova (decision was challenged in BSA student court)
Co-VALEDICTORIAN (result of intense negociation with the USTA by the Czech Tennis Federation): Karolina Pliskova & the Czech Republic Fed Cup Team
Co-SALUTATORIANS: Maria Sharapova, Lucie Safarova, Garbine Muguruza & Roberta Vinci
PEOPLE'S SALUTATORIAN: Timea Bacsinszky
CLASS TREASURER: Maria Sharapova (dutifully in charge of the BSA budget... and always finding brilliant ways to add to our bank account)
CLASS TREASURER-IN-TRAINING: Belinda Bencic (unless her cup runneth over?)
OVERDUE-TO-BE-APPOINTED STILL-WAITING-HER-TURN-BUT-LOOKING-BETTER-NOW-AS-A-POSSIBLE FUTURE CLASS TREASURER: Sloane Stephens (dining on lobster in the Academy commissary)

turnin tuna into lobster.

A photo posted by Sloane Stephens (@sloanestephens) on

FUTURE TREASURER-IN-TRAINING (but let's not get ahead of ourselves AGAIN): Madison Keys
WELCOMED BACK TO THE STUDENT COUNCIL AGAIN AFTER FINALLY FINDING HERSELF (or was it an exorcism?): Aga Radwanska


"It doesn't matter how you start, it matters how you end." - Aga Radwanska


SCHOOL SPIRIT COORDINATOR (a Bracelet for everyone!!!): Aleksandra Krunic
SCHOOL ESPRIT COORDINATORS: Carolina Garcia, Kristina Mladenovic & Amelie Mauresmo
SPIRIT COORDINATORS (removed from position for showing TOO MUCH spirit): British Fed Cup Junior 16s squad
HOLIDAY SPIRIT COORDINATOR (removed from position for showing TOO MUCH spirit): Laura Robson (maybe it's a new British thing)
JUNIOR-SPIRIT-COORDINATOR-IN-TRAINING (w/ a more subtle approach): Katie Swan (the Academy always hands out second chances)
IMPROMPTU SPIRIT Co-COORDINATORS: Daria Gavrilova & Elina Svitolina
DYNAMIC SPIRIT GUIDES: Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Lucie Safarova
STUDENT/COMMUNITY OUTREACH LIAISONS (or... not?): Ula & Aga Radwanska
Personae Non Gratae AT STUDENT COUNCIL NEGOCIATION MEETINGS WITH USTA OFFICIALS (but she's trying to change that): Genie Bouchard
Personae Non Gratae ON BACKSPIN CAMPUS (with photo taped inside the front gate): Sergiy Stakhovsky
INSPIRATIONAL ADVISOR: Venus Williams

"Sometimes life deals you cards that you aren't expecting, but all you've gotta do is keep playing them and see what happens." - Venus Williams



Backspin Academy's humble and hardworking staff occasionally experiences some upheaval, but the student body (which sometimes includes a few of our instructors, who pull double duty in order to show how much they care) is generally pleased with those entrusted with molding their impressionable minds like the blocks of clay that they are.

For the third straight year, though, BSA has seen the exit of one of our most well-liked, and recently epicly successful graduate students. Two years after Mademoiselle Bartoli walked through the Academy's front gate, and just one year after the wonderful Li Na did the same, we once again said goodbye to a member of the family soon after she'd experienced the high point of her campus career.


Ms. Pennetta, as with the others, will be missed greatly. But, as has been the case the last two years, as well, we expect that she won't become a sudden stranger. Some of us believe she may even one day lead (from the sidelines) a group of her fellow Italians into battle in one of the competitions in which our students -- including herself -- have always performed quite well over the years. But that's just a hunch.


Speaking of former students Bartoli and Li, their departures did not prevent them from being seen on a regular basis around Academy grounds. As always, they are still part of the BSA community. The sight of the Frenchwoman huffing and puffing in the Academy gym is a common occurrence now, while her Chinese counterpart announced and later welcomed an addition to her own family -- daughter Alisa -- during the course of the recently completed term.

"Dennis is doing good job -- he just makes one ace." - Li Na, when announcing her pregnancy




Meanwhile, the Academy's Student Guidance Services experienced quite a bit of that aforementioned upheaval this term. Unsatisfactory results, family considerations, personal whims and, sometimes, "business decisions" saw members of the department come and go as if through a revolving door, occasionally personally taking on the role of counselor to one student, only to be taking up the case of another soon afterward while leaving their past advisee to search for a new helping hand with little warning. Needless to say, it all set up a chain reaction of sorts which led to what some around campus compared to a game of "Pick-Up-Stix." Hopefully, though, all will eventually find their way to successful partnerships. We only wish the best for everyone associated with Backspin Academy.


But, alas, we expect such changes will become the norm as the Academy moves forward. Patience is often short where most students are concerned, and finding the correct match is an ongoing process for most of our young charges. Even the seemingly more successful ones, and certainly quite a few of the most talented.

On both a somber and somewhat brighter note, one year after we lost former student Elena Baltacha, our late British friend was honored across the pond in a most appropriate way in Nottingham.



It stirred memories that touched all our hearts.

Meanwhile, naturally, Professor Date-Krumm continues to amaze us with her longevity and creative energy. Somehow, everyone figures that she'll outlast us all. Well, excluding long-time Traveling Dean Emeritus Navratilova, that is.

=FACULTY, STAFF, DEPARTMENT HEADS & APPOINTEES=
ORIGINAL DEAN EMERITUS (celebrating her 42nd year of living the dream): Billie Jean King (with ultra-attentive student Nicole Gibbs)
TRAVELING DEAN EMERITUS: Martina Navratilova (now leading morning calisthenics)
RESIDENT DEAN EMERITUS: Chris Evert (quite possibly being influenced TOO much by campus fave Pammy Shriver?)

VISITING DEAN OF THE ACADEMY'S SOUTH AMERICAN CAMPUS: Maria Bueno (Oh, the welcoming parade was amazing!)
DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS: Stacey Allaster Steve Simon (ready to tackle the daily schedule)
EXPERT GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (now +1 at the Academy holiday party): Amelie Mauresmo


EXPERT (but not perfect) GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Anastasia Myskina (but that's why we loved the Czarina so much in her student years, isn't it?)
GUIDANCE COUNSELORS GETTING THEIR OVERDUE... well, DUE: Petr Pala & Paul Haarhuis
NON-GUIDANCE NON-COUNSELOR (still on staff after years of poor performance reviews): Mary Joe Fernandez (Apparently, she has incriminating information on several members of the Academy Board of Directors... but that's just a rumor -- you didn't hear it from me!)
FORMER GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (in the "We." in "Me. Mine. Alone. Myself. I. One. Solo. Unaccompanied." camp): Sascha Bajin
NEW GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (in the "Pinish." camp): Sascha Bajin


TWO-ARE-BETTER-THAN-ONE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS: Wim Fissette & Sascha Bajin ("Sam who?," said Vika.)
ADVICE-SLINGIN' GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: David Taylor Miles McLagen Simon Rea David Taylor
RESULTS-ORIENTED GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (who once again fulfilled the promise of getting his advisee back in the winner's circle... however briefly): Carlos Rodriguez (So says Daniela Hantuchova.)
BACK-FOR-ANOTHER-TOUR-OF-DUTY-WITH-AnaIvo GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (though he knows in his heart it's only temporary, as with everything with the Serb): Nigel Sears

"There is always nerves in the beginning." - Ana Ivanovic, skipping over both the middle and the end

LOYAL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (a unicorn in a field of hippos): David Kotyza
DISLOYAL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Sam Sumyk (picketed by the Vika Army)
HEY-THIS-MESS-ISN'T-MY-FAULT-I-JUST-GOT-HERE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Sam Sumyk (picketed by the Genie Army... who decided to remove the word "karma" from their mental dictionary)
"HOT POTATO" GUIDANCE COUNSELOR ("The third attempt in ten months HAS to be the charm, right?"): Sam Sumyk (jumping onto the Muguruza missle and riding it into the stratosphere... and looking to prove that "karma" isn't in HIS dictonary, either)
AFTERNOON GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WITH A LONG RESUME: Jimmy Connors
SHORT-TERM GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WITH AN EVEN LONGER RESUME: Martina Navratilova
FORMER GUIDANCE COUNSELORS GETTING OUT BEFORE THE YEAR AFTER: Lindsay Davenport & Lisa Raymond ("It was good while it lasted," said Madison.)
NEW GUIDANCE COUNSELOR GETTING IN BEFORE "THE YEAR OF": Jesse Levine ("No pressure," said Madison, with a wink.)
NORTH AMERICAN "NEXT ONE" GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Nick Saviano (Sherpa setting the ropes for Future Genie Sloane... ummm, next shoe to drop please!)
(Caro and the End of the Search for) THE NEXT GREAT GUIDANCE COUNS-...: Arantxa Sanchez (Oh, nevermind)
FORMER & CURRENT GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (holding on as lightning prepares to strike for a second time): Melanie Molitor
"NEXT!!" GUIDANCE COUNSELOR THROWING THEIR HAT INTO THE RING (FULL-TIME): Wim Fissette Thomas Hogstedt Victor Ionita Darren Cahill ("So, are you properly inspired for Thunderdome?," asks Simona.)

"On the tennis tour you need good mental health." - Casey Dellacqua

Meanwhile, the usual comings-and-goings occurred in the student population, as well, as Ms. Pennetta was not alone in announcing that she would be leaving us and embarking on a new life outside the Academy gates. Students Scheepers, Grandin, Meusburger, Mayr-Achleitner, Uhlirova, Raymond, Domachowska and Pervak all walked through the exit for the last time. Well, at least for now. For the likes of former students Schnyder, Sevastova, Martinez-Sanchez and Majoli all rejoined the community this past term. Not only that, but after long absences students Kleybanova, Robson and Duval were also welcomed BACK with open arms. As always, the Academy is always here to provide a warm embrace to any former student and/or staff member who decides they want to return to us, in whatever role they wish. Yesterday, today, and forever.

Feel so lucky and blessed to be back playing! Thanks for the memories ???? #GodIsGood @usopen

A photo posted by Vicky Duval (@vickyduvaaal) on

BACK FROM INVOLUNTARY SABBATICAL: Vicky Duval
BACK FROM VOLUNTARY SABBATICAL: Patty Schnyder
HOPEFULLY BACK 100% FROM A NECESSARY SABBATICAL: Genie Bouchard
TRAINER IN DEMAND: Alex Stober ("The key to my future," says Petra Angelique.)
FUTURE FITNESS COACH IN DEMAND: Unnamed (ask Kiki if she's willing to give up the mystery girl)

SWARMETTE BANNERETTE JOINING THE TEAM: Edina Gallovits
RUSSIAN AUSSIE RISING UP THE HONOR ROLL: Daria Gavrilova
RUSSIAN AUSSIE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE: Arina Rodionova
WEDDING CRASHERS: (clockwise from upper left) Michaella Krajicek, Elena Vesnina, Arina Rodionova, Maria Kirilenko, Raquel Atawo (nee Kops-Jones), Elena Vesnina
A.K.A.: Raquel Atawo

FORMER STUDENT GETTING THE OLD BAND BACK TOGETHER: Captain Anastasia Myskina & Team Russia
FINALLY BACK IN 2016 (with a medical staff on call 24/7): Jamie Hampton (we're crossing our fingers)
THANKFULLY BACK ON THE HONOR ROLL: Venus Williams
THANKFULLY HISTORY: Captain Mary Joe Fernandez (wishful thinking)
THANKFULLY (finally) HER-STORY (on a few weekends each term): Aleksandra "The Serbian Good Luck Charm/The Bracelet" Krunic
THEIR STORY (though it shouldn't be a big deal in 2015): Marija Cicak and Eva Asderaki-Moore


SELF-APPOINTED YEARBOOK SWIMSUIT PHOTO EDITOR: Caroline Wozniacki

Another @SI_swimsuit pic.. Just because ????

A photo posted by Caroline Wozniacki (@carowozniacki) on

PAPARAZZI SUBJECTS: Serena Williams & Drake
"THE COMMITTEE TO NOT ELECT THE DONALD" INTRODUCES...: Guiliana Olmos
ACADEMY HISTORIAN: Bud Collins (always and forever)
CHEER SQUAD ADVISOR: Diane Dees (the original "Fighting Italian" approves)
ARTFUL SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT DIRECTOR: Maria Sharapova

The mood of these stairs is inspiring, wish I could have them as my entry to the basement. #architecture #design

A photo posted by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on

ETIQUETTE SCHOOL DIRECTOR: Genie Bouchard (since suspended for pre-match breach of etiquette)
ETIQUETTE SCHOOL SHOWDOWN: The Swarmettes vs. The Canadians, starring Genie Bouchard and Alexandra Dulgheru
(DELIGHTFULLY BLUNT) ETIQUETTE SCHOOL DIRECTOR: Barbora Strycova
(DELIGHTFULLY BLUNT) COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR: Sania Mirza (ten year t-shirt anniverary!)

Just saying ?????????? buuhahahah ????

A photo posted by Sania Mirza (@mirzasaniar) on

LUNCH LADY (specializing in dessert): Aga Radwanska
BRATWURST LADY: Andrea Petkovic
COFFEE BARISTA: Serena Williams (at least when Italians are around)
Might we suggest an Italian roast instead?
SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Katie Swan (making the rounds, rubbing all the big-time elbows she can)
SCHOOL OF RADWANSKIAN MASSACRES ON INTERNATIONAL STAGES - TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY: June 26 - Gull Attack (or entity exorcism?)
SCHOOL OF RADWANSKIAN MASSACRES ON INTERNATIONAL STAGES - TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY: Day 3, Wimbledon (a re-direction of efforts?)

FAITH IN THE CAUSE...:
AND ALWAYS BEING PREPARED...:
A SIGN THAT THE WORLD (and Aga) IS SAFE FROM EVIL...or a simple fake-out?: Singapore (or you-know-what re-claiming Its old residence?)
SCHOOL OF CONTINUING TO LIVE (AGAIN) WITHOUT FEAR: Alisa Kleybanova
SCHOOL OF LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR: Vicky Duval, Allie Kiick and Melanie Oudin
SCHOOL OF LIVING --and thriving -- THROUGH CHAOS: JJ, of course

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & DESIGN: Venus Williams
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & SWEETS: Maria Sharapova
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & SWEETS, TOO: Caroline Wozniacki (imitation chocolate is the most sincere form of flattery?)

SCHOOL OF RESPECT AND DECENCY (and proving you're worthy of the effort): Svetlana Kuznetsova

"I believe that people don't have a right to judge her without knowing her. I will tell you even more that I don't think I know her that well. She's really famous and has lots of fame around her, and I think it's the right thing how she takes it. She separates it away and only has close people. Otherwise it's very difficult to be in her situation and to play such a great level of tennis and have so much commercial and to be so popular. It's really hard to combine these two things. The real Maria, only the real people around her know that. Other people, if she doesn't let them go in her life, doesn't mean that they can tell her that she's bad. I don't believe that." - Svetlana Kuznetsova, on Maria Sharapova

SCHOOL OF IMPERSONATION: "little Vika"
SCHOOL OF IMPERSONATION - FAMOUS FRIENDS EDITION: Maria Sharapova & Chelsea Handler

OFF MEDICAL LEAVE (and soon better able to back up her '14 success... hopefully): Peng Shuai (aka "the mysterious lady in black" between Aga and Garbi)
ADVANCED SCHOOL OF UNDETERMINED METEOROLOGY: Maria Sharapova #makeupyourmind

My love/hate relationship with the cold is still undetermined, as shown above. #makeupyourmind #cold #weather

A photo posted by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL OF METEOROLOGY: Genie Bouchard (just another day in Canada)
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND WORDS AT ACADEMY'S ANNUAL SPELLING BEE:
V-A-N U-Y-T-V-A-N-C-K
B-A-C-S-I-N-S-Z-K-Y
B-U-Y-U-K-A-K-C-A-Y
A-N-D-R-I-A-N-J-A-F-I-T-R-I-M-O
SCHOOL OF USING THE FORCE FOR GOOD: Obi-Wan Mauresmo
SCHOOL OF 1980's NOSTALGIA: Venus & Serena Williams
IN: The Eternal Sunshine of the Gavrilovian Mind
IN AGAIN: The Mind of Myskina
FINALLY PUT TO REST...with a hug: any lingering Myskina vs. Sharapova revolution-era feud
FIRST TITLE OF 2015 PUT TO BED...with a hug: Hopman Cup winning Poles

"I like to be seen as a phenom; I like not being like everybody else." - Oceane Dodin, acting very un-Pastry like (hmmm, or maybe it's just the opposite... or both simultaneously)

*ACTING DEPARTMENT HEADS & SELECTED CLASS INSTRUCTORS*
UNORTHODOX RUSSIAN: Vitalia Diatchenko (making the most of a bad situation)
CONVERSATIONAL SERBIAN JANKOVICIAN: Jelena Jankovic

"I'm getting a little bit tired, but I'm a woman in demand and when you're winning you find somehow some energy to keep going." - JJ

CONVERSATIONAL JANKOVICIAN "SOUTHERN": Jelena Jankovic

CONVERSATIONAL MANDARIN: Peng Shuai (professor cancelled - medical excuse)
CONVERSATIONAL MANDARIN (new first-year professor!): Zheng Saisai (we'll see how this goes)
CONVERSATIONAL ITALIAN: Flavia Pennetta & Roberta Vinci


"I was tired. I was sweaty. I was dead." - a winning Alize Cornet

(OH SO) FRENCH-101: Alize Cornet & Caroline Garcia (the "best" is sometimes the "worst," and the "worst" is sometimes the "best")
GERMAN-027: Sabine Lisicki

RUSSIAN TRAVEL: Vitalia Diatchenko & Elena Vesnina
TRAVELING BACK THROUGH THE YEARS: Katie Swan

GOOD CZECH, BAD CZECH...: Petra Kvitova (clockwise from upper left) Mono Petra, Stereo Petra, Studio Petra, Merciless Petra, Jedi Petra, Engaged Petra, Happy Petra, Fast & Furious Petra, Pool Petra
CONVERSATIONAL (NATIVE-BORN) KAZAKH BULGARIAN: Sesil Karatantcheva (again)
(MEXICAN) SIGN LANGUAGE: Timea Bacsinszky
SIGN (OF AFFECTION) LANGUAGE: Timea Bacsinszky


WHEN IN ROME (or Acapulco)...: Timea Bacsinszky
WHEN IN ACAPULCO (or Tashkent)...: Donna Vekic
INTRODUCTION TO MONTENEGRIN-102: Danka Kovinic
THE FUTURE OF NORTH AMERICA-101: Sloane Stephens Genie Bouchard Madison Keys
THE FUTURE OF NORTH AMERICA-102: CiCi Bellis, Claire Liu (below), Louisa Chirico, Amanda Anisimova, Sonya Kenin, Katerina Stewart, Tornado Alicia Black, Hurricane Tyra Black, Kylie McKenzie, Usue Arconada, Michaela Gordon & Francesca Di Lorenzo
THE FUTURE OF NORTH AMERICA CANADA-101: Genie Bouchard Francoise Abanda, Charlotte Robillard-Millette (with or without ponytail) and/or Bianca Andreescu (Orange you glad I didn't say "banana?")
THE FUTURE OF CHINA?: Xu Shilin
THE FUTURE OF RUSSIA-101: didn't meet class quota Daria Gavrilova Daria Kasatkina, Margarita Gasparyan, Evgeniya Kulichkova
THE FUTURE OF RUSSIA-102: didn't meet class quota Sofya Zhuk (below), Anna Blinkova, Anna Kalinskaya, Anastasia Potapova, Olesya Pervushina, Elena Rybakina, Vlada Koval, Anastasiya Komardina, Evgeniya Levashova, Natalia Vikhlyantseva, Veronika Kudermetova, Anastasia Gasanova, Marta Paigina
WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN INDIA (Chapter #1): Sania Mirza
FUTURE WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN INDIA: Karman Kaur Thandi & Pranjala Yadlapalli
TURKISH HISTORY: Cagla Buyukakcay
LATVIAN HISTORY: Jelena Ostapenko
THAI ARCHEOLOGY: Tamarine Tanasugarn (sign up while it lasts!)
MODERN ANCIENT JAPAN: Kimiko Date-Krumm
FUTURE MODERN JAPAN: Naomi Osaka, Nao Hibino and Misaki Doi
TRAVELING THE WORLD, REMAINING THE FACE OF BACKSPIN (and being seen from space): Victoria Azarenka
TRAVELING THE WORLD, ARRIVING DOWN UNDER (and becoming Backspin's Official Mascot): Daria Gavrilova

We always dance when we are together but we could never really dance... ?? #sorry

A video posted by Daria Gavrilova (@daria_gav) on

First day back at it! #solid #fit ????

A photo posted by Daria Gavrilova (@daria_gav) on

SPECIAL BACKSPIN HISTORY (always): Jelena Dokic
BELGIAN BARBIE-TURNED-PLAYING-TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR DU JOUR: Kim Clijsters

NON-BARBIE POST-MOTHERHOOD SUCCESS (with far fewer pats on the back): Kateryna Bondarenko, Evgeniya Rodina & Tatjana Maria
YOGA FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE (preferably, with a wagging tail): Serena Williams (w/ "teacher's assistant" to her left)
DRIVER'S EDUCATION (in Florida... so proceed with caution on the highways): Genie Bouchard
DRIVING PERFECTON (in Stuttgart... so proceed with Care): Angelique Kerber

(STILL) A THING OF LEGEND: Martina Navratilova
"BECOMING MISS UNIVERSE FOR DUMMIES": a how-to by Steve Harvey

ELKING-101: Carl Begins with the Basics
CAMELING-101: Simona Halep & Christina McHale

CRICKET-101: Ashleigh Barty
PRINCIPLES OF ICE HOCKEY: The Czech Maidens
PRINCIPLES OF AIR HOCKEY: Genie Bouchard
PRINCIPLES OF FOOTBALL: Victoria Azarenka
INTRO TO BASEBALL: Caroline Wozniacki

BASKETBALL HALFCOURT CHALLENGE PHYSICS: Victoria Azarenka
vika half court challenge:
SO YOU WANT TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?: Serena Williams

SO YOU WANT TO BE A THIEF?: Victoria Azarenka & Sascha Bajin and Andrea Petkovic


BALLET: Aga Radwanska
ARCHERY: Katniss ("Aga Hood") Radwanska
BAND: Petra Kvitova
THE BASICS OF LATE NIGHT KNIFE FIGHTS, GERMAN STYLE: Andrea Petkovic
SWIMMING & DIVING: Serena Williams (class cancelled due to the fear for the safety of the assigned instructor)

Swimming... Not my thing... Lol working on my dive.

A video posted by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on

FINGERPAINTING-101: Victoria Azarenka

MEDIA RELATIONS TECHNIQUES: Serena Williams (if you last long enough, they'll come to love you before it's too late)
"SO YOU WANT TO ATTEND A BALL?": Jordanne Whiley
DANCING FOR ONE: Serena Williams
DANCING FOR TWO: Victoria Azarenka
THE ART OF TEAMWORK (no matter how it comes about): Sania Mirza & Bethanie Mattek-Sands Martina Hingis & Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Lucie Safarova
THE ART OF TEAMWORK (you never know what it'll produce): Vanderbilt women's tennis team
ITALIAN CHARM SCHOOL DIRECTOR: Roberta Vinci

"Me! Me!" - Roberta Vinci, telling the U.S. Open crowd where to direct the cheers



"I felt the expectation that everyone was waiting for me to win. I didn't play my best but she was very good. She has a beautiful future." - Simona Halep, on herself and Garbine Muguruza

Our students always tell us that they truly enjoy our award-winning lecture series. Here's a preliminary look at our upcoming jam-packed schedule:

*GUEST LECTURERS*
"Dealing with Expectations That Scrape the Sky, Edition 5: RedemptionJay, Part 2": Simona Halep (with an introduction and closing by Justine Henin -- yes!)
"Dealing with Expectations That Scrape the Sky, Edition 6": Garbine Muguruza (tentatively scheduled for late 2016)
"Dealing with Personal Aspirations That Once Scraped the Sky, and Getting Back on Your Feet and Starting All Over Again": Genie Bouchard (if she can get past the USTA-employed bodyguards blocking the door... we suggest she wait until dark, then they'll all go away and blame their negligence on Genie if she gets inside)

"It might not go your way, but at least you're out there trying." - Sloane Stephens

"My Successful Summertime March on Washington": Sloane Stephens
"Preventative Medicine, Smart Body Management & You": Petra Kvitova Victoria Azarenka (we're crossing our fingers on a follow-up talk in '16)
"Better Late Than Never": the editors of Sports Illustrated
"A Williams' Work is Never Done: The Story Continues (still)": Venus Williams
"What Do You Do Next When, in What Might Your Best-Ever Chance for Greatness, You Just Miss? -- You Bear Down and Attack, Attack, Attack!": A Story of Long-Awaited Success: Lucie Safarova
"Convincing Yourself is STILL the Hardest Part, but Getting There is Where the Fun Is": Garbine Muguruza (introduced by Sam Stosur)

"This year I learned that I'm stronger than I thought." - Garbine Muguruza

"How to Ditch a Formerly Promising Hotel Career and Learn to Love Your Old Job All Over Again": Timea Bacsinszky
"Fire a Another Coach, Lose a Fiance, Win a Title, Gain a BFF, Reach a Big Final, Run a Marathon, Do a Triathlon, Regain Lost Ground in Record Time and Take Oodles of Bikini Photos on the Beach...then start the slow slide back down the mountain: The Story of My Year After": Caroline Wozniacki

"Right now in my head it's frustration and disappointment." - Caroline Wozniacki

"All Right... Neeeeext!!!": Ana Ivanovic (a long-running, crowd-pleasing lecture that just never seems to end)
"It's Not as Easy as You'd Think... just ask us": Nadiya & Maryna Kolb (with an introduction by Cristina Sanchez-Quintanar)
"Second-Best is Never Enough, But I Can Live with It (for now)": Serena Williams

"I can't sit here and say (I'm the greatest). But I can sit here and say that I'm the greatest player that I've been able to be." - Serena Williams

"All the Words That Aren't Fit to Print": Victoria Azarenka & Serena Williams

"That call was bull****. Everyone knows it." - Victoria Azarenka

"How To Be Both a Breath of Fresh Air and a Bit of a Disrespectful Dick at the Same Time Without Really Trying": Coco Vandeweghe
"Tell Me About It! But You Can Overcome It One Day -- I Did!!": Pam Shriver

"Wrong Place, Wrong Time? Well, These Blades Were Made for Rollin'": Donna Vekic
"How To Have $upporters $ay You're a Breath of Fre$h Air but Really BE a Di$re$pectful Dick... and have people be $tupid enough to love you anyway": The Donald (tentatively $cheduled for fall 2016... you know, unle$$ people eventually come to their $ense$ or $omething)
"Continued to Take Pride in Being Picky (or look for someone else to blame soon)": Simona Halep
"The Success of the 'Bring Back the Shorts!' Campaign Continues to Bear Fruit (though a little more tangible success would be nice, too)": Diane Dees and Victoria Azarenka
"The 'Bring on the Shorts!' Campaign That You Didn't Even Know You Craved": Demi Schuurs

"Embracing Fearing the NEW Drama": Daria Kasatkina (with an introduction by Aga Radwanska)
"Embracing the Dane: Wozniology 3.0": Todd Spiker (still in negociation)
"Everything You Want to Know About Me But Were Afraid to Ask": Fred (via Snapchat from Bastad)
"Back to the Beginning": Barbora Strycova Zahlavova Strycova Strycova & Iveta Benesova Melzer Benesova
"Nothing Lasts Long": Hsieh Su-Wei & Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis & Flavia Pennetta
"Nothing Lasts Forever": Flavia Pennetta
"Nothing Lasts Forever (coming in 2016!)": Roberta Vinci (with possible co-speaker Francesca Schiavone)
"Everything Takes Time": Camila Giorgi (Pandora's box -- bag? -- is officially open -- run!!!)
"No One Gets My Humour... Ever": Daria Gavrilova

Family workout ?? ???????? Granny is the best ?? #health #gym #fitness #workout #fit

A video posted by Daria Gavrilova (@daria_gav) on


"Love Me Back": Daria Gavrilova

Anyone loves me back? ???????? #dying

A video posted by Daria Gavrilova (@daria_gav) on


"The Tale of the Little Giant": Danielle Lao
"You Didn't Think You Were Going to Get Rid of Me That Easily, Did You?": Jelena Jankovic
"You Don't Really Know Me Yet, But You Will. Soon.": Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
"You CAN Go Home Again": Flavia Pennetta

"The State of Women's Tennis, 2016 - A Seven-Part Seminar": hosted by Stacey Allaster Steve Simon
1. "How Parts of the Sports 'Viewing Public' Will Always View Women's Tennis...even if they don't view it much at all":
2. "How Women's Tennis is Sometimes Sold (be it through intentionally subliminal "streetwalker-y" images or not)":
3. "How Women's Tennis Is, Sometimes (but, really, that's just a generational thing)":
4. "How Women's Tennis Is, Sometimes (but if it was the men's tour, the fact would be seen as proof of an ultra-competitive, dramatic and intense landscape)":
5. "How Women's Tennis Is More Than Some Would Like to Admit (because friendliness is more "boring" than ugliness, don't you know)":
6. "How Women's Tennis Is If More Would Take the Time to Gauge It on a TRULY Level Playing Field":
7. "How Women's Tennis Can Break the Mold, Set Its Own Terms and Have it However It Wants It...no matter who gets twisted in a knot about it": with closing comments from Serena Williams (with introductory comments by Rosie Casals)

"If people say we're 'unfeminine,' well, I say screw 'em." - Rosie Casals, in the 1970's, commenting on people who considered female athletes "unladylike" (from the book The Rivals by Johnette Howard, 2005)



"The fans help tremendously, especially when you're an emotional wreck." - Andrea Petkovic

Our student body is a talented crop, and always on the look-out for rewarding extracurricular activities to take up their valuable time.

=CLUB HEADS=
(She Comes By It Naturally) DRAMA CLUB: Jelena Jankovic (reclaiming her past position by shockingly deposing Alize in a landslide vote)

(Disappointingly) DRAMA(tic Coaching Decisions) CLUB: Simona Halep & Genie Bouchard
(Relationship) DRAMA CLUB: Maria Sharapova (but she just let it slide right off her back, as any 'Pova should)
(German) DRAMA CLUB: German Fed Cup Team
GERMAN CLUB: Andrea Petkovic & Angelique Kerber
NOT-GERMAN-BUT-CLOSE-ENOUGH CLUB: Andrea Petkovic welcoming Jelena Jankovic
BRITISH CHESS CLUB (w/ life-size pieces -- yes!): Katie Swan (the coolest new club this term -- even Professor Murray signed up!)
LUCKIEST LOSER CLUB: Karolina Pliskova (all meetings held in the Interrogation Room in the basement of Building 4F on the newly USTA-sponsored path renamed... well, just follow the sign and you'll figure out how to find your way there)
LAPDOG CLUB: Kristyna Pliskova
PLUSHIES, CHARACTERS & MASCOTS CLUB: (clockwise from top left) Jana Fett, Aga Radwanska, Elena Vesnina, Canadian Fed Cup Team, Australian Open Kids Day, Ana Ivanovic, Olga Govortsova, Daria Gavrilova, the Chan sisters, Timea Bacsinszky
AMERICAN ICON HOMAGE CLUB: Genie Bouchard as "Rosie the Riveter"
ALIZE LIM & FRIENDS: Alize Lim & friends
OFF-CENTER SELFIE CLUB: Dominika Cibulkova
RESTROOM KARDASHIAN SELFIE CLUB: Dominika Cibulkova
NUDE MODELING CLUB: Dominika Cibulkova (captured before the subject's "unveiling")
CAROLINA PANTHERS FAN CLUB: Laura Robson (club founder)
FOODIE CLUB: Daniela Hantuchova
GLEE CLUB: Victoria Azarenka, self-appointed club leader... though the club has been disbanded for over a year, she's still trying to pick the lock on the old meeting room door and she keeps bugging Vania King to join her in a sing-along (flaps forehead)
ORNITHOLOGY CLUB: Garbine Muguruza (or maybe she's just auditioning for a role in next year's Woody-themed production of "Harvey")

ARACHNOPHOBIA CLUB: Alison Van Uytvanck
LEPIDOPTERY CLUB: Aga Radwanska
EQUESTRIAN CLUB: Martina Hingis & Ajla Tomljanovic


EQUESTRIAN CLUB PLEDGE: Maria Sharapova (application for membership denied)
MAGIC CLUB: Aga Radwanska
WAX FIGURE CLUB (the most exclusive club on campus!): Li Na


SUPERHERO CLUB: Ana Ivanovic, (secret identities classified) and, well, guess who
BATDAD CLUB: Katie Swan
CITIZEN ANNA CLUB: Victoria Azarenka
MARILYN/MESSI CLUB: Victoria Azarenka
MELON CLUB: Daria Gavrilova (not associated with the disbanded Radwanskian Threat Club)
NINJA CLUB: Garbine Muguruza & Carla Suarez-Navarro (see above)
OLDE COUNTRY CLUB: Maryna Zanevska
COSPLAY CLUB: (clockwise from top left) Lucie Safarova, Julia Goerges, Petra Kvitova, Camila Giorgi, Aga Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki, Roberta Vinci, Vinci, Wozniacki
MAGAZINE COVER CLUB: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Sania Mirza, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Genie Bouchard, Petra Kvitova, Simona Halep and Ula Radwanska
2000 CLUB: Claire Liu, Bianca Andreescu, Katarina Zavatska, Destanee Aiava & Isabelle Boulais
OLDER THAN WE FEEL CLUB: Venus Williams (w/ Caro Wozniacki) & Martina Hingis (w/ Belinda B.)
ANTI-SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY CLUB: Captain un-extraordinaire Mary Joe Fernandez
MOTHER & DAUGHTER CLUB: Caroline Wozniacki & mother Anna

SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING TENNIS TOUR CLUB (classic): Venus & Serena Williams
SISTERHOOD OF THE TIME TRAVELING TENNIS TOUR CLUB (future classic?): Karolina & Kristyna Pliskova
SISTER BEACH TIME CLUB: Serena Williams
SISTERS BATHING SUIT CLUB (beach optional): The Bouchards
BROTHER/SISTER CLUB: Dinara Safina & Marat Safin
FUN WITH ACCENTS CLUB: Daria Gavrilova

TWEENER CLUB: Kristina Mladenovic & Francesca Schiavone (photo unavailable at time of publication -- member in #62 training)
IF LOOKS COULD KILL CLUB: Maria Sharapova & Kristina Mladenovic

HALL OF FAME CLUB (active members): Martina Hingis
HALL OF FAME CLUB (for new members): Amelie Mauresmo
PHOTOBOMB CLUB: Anastasia Myskina, Caroline Wozniacki, Genie Bouchard and little Mister Make-a-Face



COPPING-A-PIRONKOVA-FEEL CLUB: (members are kept secret -- public acknowledgement of membership could lead to arrest)
IMPROMPTU SPEECHMAKING CLUB, LI NA MASTER CLASS "A+" STUDENT: Roberta Vinci

"I feel good right now. I can maybe touch the sky with my finger." - Roberta Vinci
"Today is my day. Sorry, guys." - Roberta Vinci



[ Yearbook note: in recent years, the Russian Chess Club was in danger of being disbanded due to a lack of interest from the student body before the Bannerettes and Canadians stepped in to spare it from such a fate. While the Academy's Russian population has increased of late, the plan to move forward without BSA's original chess club was revived due to the surprising success of the British Chess Club. It was put to a vote at the final Student Council meeting of the term, and the more generously populated British club won out by a single vote. Some attribute the defeat to the absence from the occasion of an under-the-weather Hordette Ekaterina Makarova, as a single additional vote would have produced a deadlock that would have preserved the Russian Club for at least one more term. At any rate, the RCC decided to agree to hand over the keys to the chess room, but vowed to bring the issue to a vote again next term. We are sorry to see the venerable club go, though we know we may see it revived some day.]

=RUSSIAN CHESS CLUB=
Closed permanently, until further notice.



Our list of past Prom Queens (& one temporary King) is quite star-studded:

2004 Maria Sharapova
2005 Nicole Vaidisova
2006 Nicole Vaidisova
2007 Agnes Szavay
2008 Caroline Wozniacki
2009 Melanie Oudin
2010 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
2011 Caroline Wozniacki
2012 "WoziRoy"
2013 Genie Bouchard
2014 Belinda Bencic
2015 Belinda Bencic

=JUNIOR/SENIOR PROM COMMITTEE & HONOREES=
PROM QUEEN: Belinda Bencic (still the "girl with the curl")
QUEEN'S COURT: Annika Beck, Margarita Gasparyan, Nao Hibino, Ana Konjuh, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova and Elina Svitolina
LADIES-IN-WAITING: Timea Babos, Ysaline Bonaventure, Jana Fett, Daria Gavrilova, Beatriz Haddad, Daria Kasatkina, Anett Kontaveit, Barbora Krejcikova, Naomi Osaka, Jelena Ostapenko, Rebecca Peterson, Katerina Siniakova, Patricia Maria Tig, Donna Vekic and Wang Yafan
JUNIOR QUEENS COURT: Paula Badosa, Anna Blinkova, Dalma Galfi, Anna Kalinskaya, Sonya Kenin, Tereza Mihalikova, Katie Swan, Sofya Zhuk
JUNIOR LADIES-IN-WAITING: Usue Arconada, Bianca Andreescu, CiCi Bellis, Kayla Day, Francesca Di Lorenzo, Viktoria Kuzmova, Vera Lapko, Greet Minnen, Charlotte Robillard-Millette, Fanni Stollar, Marketa Vondrousova, Xu Shilin
PARTY-CRASHERS: Jamie Loeb, Maya Jansen & Erin Routliffe
EARLY 2016 PARTY-CRASHER: Maddison Inglis
LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO THE DANCE FLOOR: Laura Robson
SOON TO BE BACK FOR MORE: Aravane Rezai
SOON TO BE BACK FOR MORE (but only allowed on the floor while draped in bubble wrap): Jamie Hampton
MOST SOUGHT AFTER DANCE PARTNER: Kristina Mladenovic
MOST SOUGHT AFTER CHAPERON/DANCE PARTNER: Martina Hingis
SENIOR-LEVEL DANCE PARTNERS: Raquel Atawo & Abigail Spears
FORMER SENIOR-LEVEL DANCE PARTNERS: Sania Mirza & Hsieh Su-Wei, Martina Hingis & Flavia Pennetta
DREAM-TURNED-REALITY SENIOR-LEVEL DANCE PARTNERS: Sania Mirza & Martina Hingis
DYNAMIC SENIOR-LEVEL DANCE PARTNERS: Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Lucie Safarova
FORMER DANCE PARTNERS: Maria Sharapova & Grigor Dimitrov
LONGTIME BFF DANCE PARTNERS: Timea Babos & Kristina Mladenovic
NEW BFF DANCE PARTNERS: Belinda Bencic & Kristina Mladenovic
NEWLY-INTENDED DANCE PARTNERS (ready for Rio): Caroline Garcia & Kristina Mladenovic
NEWLY-INTENDED DANCE PARTNERS: Petra Kvitova & Radek Meidl (but no hockey sticks are allowed on the floor)
BLOOD-RELATED DANCE PARTNERS: Chan Hao-Ching & Chan Yung-Jan
DANCE PARTNERS (FOR INTERNATIONAL TEAM COMPETITIONS): Aga Radwanska & Jerzy Janowicz
AWARD-HOGGING PARTNERS (FOR INTERNATIONAL TEAM COMPETITIONS): Martina Hingis & Leander Paes, Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Mike Bryan
LONG AWAITED DANCE PARTNERS (for Rio): Martina Hingis & Roger Federer (we can hardly wait to see them on the dance floor!)
AELTC DANCE PARTNERS: Novak Djokovic & Petra Kvitova Serena Williams
HANDS-OFF DANCE PARTNERS: Aliza Cornet & "Rafa Nadal"
WORDLESS DANCE PARTNERS: Aga Radwanska & her rather quiet "friend"
PLATONIC DANCE PARTNERS: Daniela Hantuchova & her tall "friend"
DANCE COMPETITORS (a true meeting of the minds): Aga Radwanska and Martina Hingis
HOPEFULLY-NEVER-SEEN-AGAIN DANCE PARTNERS: Genie Bouchard & Justin Bieber
DANCE-OFF WINNERS: Katie Swan & Ali Collins

COLLEGE DANCE-OFF WINNERS (TEAM DIVISION): Astra Sharma and the Vanderbilt Commodores
LUCK-LESS WALLFLOWER: Yana Sizikova
LATE-ARRIVING ATTENDEES: Vika Azarenka's luggage
2015 CHAPERONS: Flavia Pennetta & Fabio Fognini
SCHEDULED 2016 PROM ADVISORS: Marion Bartoli, Li Na & Flavia Pennetta



"Thirty is the new twenty-one." - Bethanie Mattek-Sands

=CLASS FAVORITES=
MOST WELL-LIKED: Flavia Pennetta
STILL THE FUNKIEST & MOST WELL-LIKED, at Backspin HQ: Vika "Face of Backspin" Azarenka
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED, over age 21: Garbine Muguruza
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED, age 21 and under: Elina Svitolina
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED, age 18 and under: Belinda Bencic
POWER DUO MORE OFTEN (in '16): Caroline Garcia & Kristina Mladenovic
POWER DUOS NO MORE (or at least less often) IN '16: Timea Babos & Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia & Katarina Srebotnik
NEW POWER DUO WHEN THE DUST SETTLES FOR '16: Timea Babos & Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia & Katarina Srebotnik
ORIGINAL (and still cookin' with heat) SWISS MISS: Martina Hingis
NEW SWISS MISS: Belinda Bencic
MOST IMPROVED SWISS MISS: Timea Bacsinszky
LEAST PUBLICIZED SWISS MISS (singles): Stefanie Voegele
LEAST PUBLICIZED SWISS MISS (x 2): Viktorija Golubic
UP & COMING SWISS MISS: Jil Teichmann
JUNIOR SWISS MISS: Rebeka Masarova
NEWLY "IN" SISTER (singles): Karolina Pliskova
NEXT "IN" SISTER (singles): Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
NEWLY "IN" SISTERS (doubles): Chan Hao-Ching & Yung-Jan
NEXT "IN" SISTERS (doubles): Lyudmyla & Nadiia Kichenok
"OUT" GENIE GATE: Twirlgate

"IN" GENIE GATE: Slipgate
MOST VERSATILE GERMAN: Angelique Kerber (successful even when laying down on the job)
LATEST UKRAINIAN SISTERS: Nadiya & Maryna Kolb
BEST RUSSIAN KID: Elena Vesnina
NEXT INDIAN COMEDY STAR: Sania Mirza

NEXT ITALIAN VET LOADED FOR BEAR?: Sara Errani
BEST IMPROPER BRITISH TENNIS ATTIRE: Heather Watson
LONG-AWAITED NEW BRAZILIAN TENNIS STAR: Teliana Pereira (and the early pick to win the Rio Olympics drinking game -- "take a drink every time someone says 'Bueno')
PERSONALITY PLUS, circa 2012: "Future Sloane" Stephens
PERSONALITY MINUS, circa 2013-14: "Current Sloane" Stephens
PERSONALITY ALMOST-PLUS, circa 2015: Sloane Stephens
PERSONALITY PLUS, circa 2014: Genie Bouchard
PERSONALITY MINUS, circa 2015: Genie Bouchard
PERSONALITY ????, 2016: Genie Bouchard
PERSONALITY PLUS, late 2015: Garbine Muguruza (to be cont'd...)
PERSONALITY PLUS, always: Jelena Jankovic & Andrea Petkovic
SUMMER OF BRENGLE SITE, 2014: North America
SUMMER OF BRENGLE SITE, 2015: Australia
BEST VICTORY MOMENT: Serena Williams
BEST LAST VICTORY MOMENT: Flavia Pennetta

MOST EASILY RECOGNIZED WINNERS & LOSERS (w/o a scoreboard): Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (not Camila Giorgi) and Margarita Gasparyan (not Patricia Maria Tig)
MOST INDIVIDUAL MOMENTS IN THE 2015 WINNERS CIRCLE: Karolina Pliskova and Isabella Shinikova
BEST PEOPLE'S TIMEA INTERVIEW:

BEST PEOPLE'S TIMEA ON-COURT WARDROBE CHANGE WITHOUT A MALFUNCTION:
BEST ONLINE FAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Maria Sharapova & fan

BEST ON-COURT INTERACTION: Kristina Mladenovic

BEST PLAYER "SURPRISE/SHOCK/TA-DA!" FACES: Elina Svitolina, Madison Keys and Carina Witthoeft
BEST BARE BONES CONFUSION: Belinda Bencic & Victoria Azarenka

BEST (abbreviated) RETURN: Serena in Indian Wells

Time to rewrite my story, together with Indian Wells. #dothework

A photo posted by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on


BEST BARELY-SEEN OUTFIT: Nicole Gibbs (better luck in '16?)
WORST SEEN-BY-TOO-MANY "ACCESORIES": Victoria Azarenka arm "thingees" (though, after a bit, you sort of get used to them)
SHINIEST/MOST SPARKLY OUTFIT TREND: Aga Radwanska

BEST OUTFIT COMBO THAT ONE MIGHT THINK WOULDN'T WORK, BUT IT DOES: Maria Sharapova
BEST BASIC BLACK: Serena Williams
BEST "BREAKING BAD" TRIBUTE?: Aga Radwanska
BEST "BAYWATCH" CICAK TRIBUTE:
BEST ONESIES: Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Lucie Safarova

BEST ADVICE FOR THE FUTURE TENNIS LIFE OF SIMONA HALEP:
BEST BACKSPIN CO-AUTHOR: Mark Twain
BEST POSSIBLE "NEW" TWAIN STORY: The Celebrated Jumping Francesca of Milan, Italy (or not)

WORST BET LOST TO KIKI MLADENOVIC: Belinda Bencic (lesson learned)
BEST SPORTS GEAR AD: Serena Williams & Nike (to be cont'd)
BEST WATCH AD THAT ISN'T AN AD FOR A WATCH: Serena Williams
WORST HIGH PROFILE MATCH-UPS: Serena vs. Sharapova, Azarenka vs. Stephens, Azarenka vs. Wozniacki
BEST HIGH PROFILE MATCH-UPS: Serena vs. Azarenka, Radwanska vs. Muguruza, Kerber vs. anyone
MOST INTRIGUING NEWLY HIGH PROFILE MATCH-UP: Muguruza vs. Kvitova
STILL INTRIGUING LONG-TIME HIGH PROFILE MATCH-UP: Serena vs. Venus
BEST NEW TENNIS SIGHT, 2015: the copper-covered roof on Margaret Court Arena
BEST NEW TENNIS SIGHT, 2016: a roof on Ashe Stadium (at least it'd better be)
CREEPIEST COUCH/STRANGEST SOFA: Flavia Pennetta

FACES IN THE CROWD: Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic, Victoria Azarenka, Francesca Schiavone, & Magda "Hey, Does This Count?" Linette


BEST GAP: Kristina Mladenovic
WORST MIDDLE-OF-THE-NIGHT HOTEL EVACUATION: Sachia Vickery, Alison Riske, Lauren Davis, Allie Kiick and Nicole Gibbs in Charleston
WORST CALM BEFORE THE 2015 STORM: Genie Down Under
BEST CALM AFTER THE 2015 STORM: Serena Williams

"I pulled a Serena." - Serena Williams



*BACKSPIN ACADEMY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS*
The Academy has truly embraced the performing arts. Once again, our plucky performers tirelessly worked to entertain the student body and faculty throughout the term.

Our small productions have grown into true EVENTS over the last few years, going from one-time performances to long-running hits starring members of our beloved campus community. The (yet again) newly-named Li Na Theatre was booked with plays, musicals and other performances from the first to the last week of the term. Our season ticket purchases increased 300% over the last year, allowing us the budget to further deepen our reach into the artistic bloodline of a very talented campus.

Our fledgling technical production team even set up a recording studio this summer. We dropped our very first limited release CD album right before the holidays!


Of course, our heart and soul is and will always be our original plays and musicals. It was where we first dipped our proverbial toe into the performance waters a few years ago when we greatly expanded our arts curriculum, and it still brings us the most joy and pride. The very first star to be born on the Academy's stage was Ms. Wozniacki, and her long-running (save for one term) "Many Faces of Caroline" production returned in 2015 for yet another fabulous run. Or at least it started out that way. A play that was at one time a fun flight of fancy before transforming into a RomCom, then changing pace a year ago and adding some intense action scenes into the mix (oh, how the Academy audiences were thrilled by the unexpected turn!), once again zigged when we all thought it would zag in its latest incarnation.


While the new production had its crowd-pleasing lighter moments, the reviews were somewhat mixed as its central storyline took a somewhat darker turn. Our star's year wasn't quite as successful as she and we had hoped it would be, and that played out on the stage.


And, yet, it was still another mostly enjoyable turn from the Dane, and surely allows the versatile Ms. Wozniacki the opportunity to possibly surprise us yet again in the new term. Once more, we are all positioned on the edge of our seats in anticipation.

There was some hope that the short-run "The Many Faces of Vika" would return from its one-year sabbatical during the last term. While there were persistent rumors of a revival, and the star of the production was often seen practicing her big stage moves, a full-blown production never materialized. Nevertheless, we continue to hope that it will return in the near future.

Of course, out schedule includes a consistent stream of "short-run" or preview shows, some more successful than others.


Some were highly anticipated, but either quickly lost their original steam, or failed to grip the audience as everyone had hoped.


No one is perfect.

We'll be on the look-out for new and terrific ideas to grace our stage in the future, but we're just tickled pink, red and white to announce now that we'll have Caro -- and all her faces -- back in 2016. We're happy to announce the show is already booked for another year-long run!


Last but not least, we were all thrilled to see the construction of the new Sugarpova Cinema 10 -- naturally, donated by one of our most successful students -- completed in record time. The queues are consistently around the corner on the weekends as we go en masse to be entertained by the images flickering on the big, supersized IMAX screen, or in the smaller more intimate viewing rooms reserved for special occasions. Our favorite attraction in the complex? A brand-spanking-new Cheesecake Factory! (And, of course, FREE Sugarpova at the snack bars!)

The new venue at which to display -- show off? -- their moviemaking skills led to a series of student-produced films making their celebrated debuts on campus this term. A sampling of some of our biggest hits:








And, of course...


Hey, we have to make a little money, too! (Plus, some of our professors have fleeting memories of heading out to a drive-in movie lot to view the original "Star Wars" as a mere tot back "in the day.")



And, thus, we arrive at the end of yet another year, as soon our thoughts will drift to the ideas and notions that will shape the NEXT twelve months.


So much can change over the course of a year. Consider, twelve months ago Garbine Muguruza was a well-regarded student on the Academy grounds, but no STAR pupil. Not yet.



She'd shown flashes that had caused many of her professors to whisper of her potential. "If she could only harness her skills and focus her mind... she might just be the one to beat," it was heard, behind closed doors, in the presence of those in the know.

As the year ends, Garbi has climbed over at least one prominant "star" honor roll student who seemed destined for greatness -- soon -- at this time twelve months ago. Now it is the Spaniard who has the attention of all on campus, as we cross our fingers that all her dreams can indeed come true without any sort of set back or inner turmoil. For as she peers into her immediate future, her grin matches our own.


We hope both will be able to say the same at this time next year.

Now, we deliver the results of the student-submitted ideas for how to close out this year's yearbook. We've been delving into the submissions in recent days, and these are our finalists...

From Ms. Diatchenko, a classic pose.


From Ms. Hantuchova. When it doubt, hug a big tennis ball.


From our co-Vice Presidents (and short-term acting Presidents).


And from our very generous student/benefactor:


But, of course, we all knew who was going to win before we looked at even a single submission. Because, you know, Aga wins ALL these types of contests. Why alter the course of history now?

"It doesn't matter how you start, it matters how you end."

Hmmm, that sounds familiar. Aga, is that you, or...? Cound it be The...? Naaah.


Res Ipsa Loquitur.

All for now.

posted by Todd.Spiker @ 12:00 PM 

4 Comments:

Blogger Diane said...

"...we have cavalierly tossed aside our democratic principles as if they were a Romanian tennis coach..."

The almost drink-spitting began very early on! Honestly, Todd, I don't know how you do it. I'm amazed.

This was highly entertaining (thanks for the nods!). Crouching Aga, Hidden Radwanska was a favorite. I love the whole cinema section. But perhaps Oh! Petra! was the high point for me. So many--who knows?

Trivia: Years ago, I stayed several times at Hotel Edison when The Edison Theater was still there and Oh! Calcutta! was in its long run. Never saw it, though. Not only is the theater gone, but now the incomparable Cafe Edison is also a thing of the past :(

Very well done.

Mon Dec 28, 10:27:00 PM EST  
Blogger Todd.Spiker said...

Thanks, Diane. :)

Well, homage had to continue to be paid to the Shorts campaign, of course (it's even spread to a few players beyond Vika). And I'd made a note to myself at some point over the last year to make sure you got the Cheer post. I don't remember exactly what precipitated it, but Flavia vouched for it and it made it in. :)

Yeah, I think my favorite was "Crouching Aga, Hidden Radwanska," too. Of some note, the original "Crouching/Hidden" poster talked of TWO warriors, but Aga's version only mentioned ONE. That could be a good thing for all... hmmm, or bad, too, I guess, depending on how you look at it. :\

I like the notion of the "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" and "People vs. Larry Flynt" nods, as well... though I'm not sure how many people even know of those movies anymore! Haha.



Tue Dec 29, 12:03:00 AM EST  
Blogger Diane said...

Yes, I really liked those two, also. And I know all those movies!

Tue Dec 29, 01:01:00 AM EST  
Blogger Todd.Spiker said...

Ha! You recognized the "Oh! Calcutta!" reference, so I figured as much! :D

Tue Dec 29, 08:52:00 AM EST  

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