Is Novak Djokovic human after all?
Here was I thinking that Novak was some kind of alien who never gets tired or loses his Zen like mentality. Not only was he fatigued but he was moaning about the rain and even displaying poor body language!
So if you can get him to play 2 tough matches in consecutive days and make it rain on the 3rd day, you just might have a chance of beating him.
I am not in anyway diminishing the performances of Murray which were exceptional, and the words of Mark Petchey may have explained the reason behind Andy's improved second serve and mentality. "Djokovic has pushed Andy to becoming a better player" said Petch.
Murray was well known for never losing to any player twice in a row both as a junior and a young pro, so losing to Djokovic many times in a row may have pushed him to an even greater level. (And finally getting a decent 2nd serve!)
A very important result for Andy to help him believe he can beat Novak on clay, but I would still have Nole and Rafa as the favourites for the French Open. If nothing else it's probably better to lower the expectations of the public even if Andy may believe that he can now win!
Perhaps the realisation that Novak didn't arrive on earth in an alien spacecraft might give all the players some hope!
Here was I thinking that Novak was some kind of alien who never gets tired or loses his Zen like mentality. Not only was he fatigued but he was moaning about the rain and even displaying poor body language!
So if you can get him to play 2 tough matches in consecutive days and make it rain on the 3rd day, you just might have a chance of beating him.
I am not in anyway diminishing the performances of Murray which were exceptional, and the words of Mark Petchey may have explained the reason behind Andy's improved second serve and mentality. "Djokovic has pushed Andy to becoming a better player" said Petch.
Murray was well known for never losing to any player twice in a row both as a junior and a young pro, so losing to Djokovic many times in a row may have pushed him to an even greater level. (And finally getting a decent 2nd serve!)
A very important result for Andy to help him believe he can beat Novak on clay, but I would still have Nole and Rafa as the favourites for the French Open. If nothing else it's probably better to lower the expectations of the public even if Andy may believe that he can now win!
Perhaps the realisation that Novak didn't arrive on earth in an alien spacecraft might give all the players some hope!
Is racquet abuse good for the game of tennis?
It seems that it's now accepted by many that tennis professionals can break or seriously abuse their racquets. No, according to some tennis pundits it's actually necessary in order to help them relieve tension!
Bouncing racquets now appears to be a favourite hobby of any professional player or the majority of junior players (perhaps an emotional maturity link). Djokovic bounced his racquet into the crowd in the Italian final and then complained sarcastically to the umpire when given a code violation!
Apparently it's okay to bounce or break racquets because the players get them for free. So we are saying that money has no value and it does in fact grow on trees contrary to what your parents always told you.
Uncle Toni has never allowed Rafa to let the racquet out of his hand and he has been one of the games best ever competitors! As a coach I see this filter down to young players who regularly bounce or throw their racquets, influenced by their idols. One of the greatest qualities a player has to have is resilience as you have to suffer a lot during many of your matches. Umpires, pundits, parents & coaches who condone this type of behaviour are not doing the game any favours.
So..... what is the solution you may ask? Or you might have stopped reading by now as you like the drama of a racquet smash?
Situation - A player intentionally breaks a racquet
Solution - They are defaulted immediately - I doubt it would ever happen again.
Situation - A player bounces a racquet
Solution - They lose the next point
Yes perhaps overly simplistic and players may drop their racquets or throw them in the air etc so we would need good, common sense umpires. However, if we sort out tennis behaviour at pro level then it may help kids and also their parent's bank balance!
It seems that it's now accepted by many that tennis professionals can break or seriously abuse their racquets. No, according to some tennis pundits it's actually necessary in order to help them relieve tension!
Bouncing racquets now appears to be a favourite hobby of any professional player or the majority of junior players (perhaps an emotional maturity link). Djokovic bounced his racquet into the crowd in the Italian final and then complained sarcastically to the umpire when given a code violation!
Apparently it's okay to bounce or break racquets because the players get them for free. So we are saying that money has no value and it does in fact grow on trees contrary to what your parents always told you.
Uncle Toni has never allowed Rafa to let the racquet out of his hand and he has been one of the games best ever competitors! As a coach I see this filter down to young players who regularly bounce or throw their racquets, influenced by their idols. One of the greatest qualities a player has to have is resilience as you have to suffer a lot during many of your matches. Umpires, pundits, parents & coaches who condone this type of behaviour are not doing the game any favours.
So..... what is the solution you may ask? Or you might have stopped reading by now as you like the drama of a racquet smash?
Situation - A player intentionally breaks a racquet
Solution - They are defaulted immediately - I doubt it would ever happen again.
Situation - A player bounces a racquet
Solution - They lose the next point
Yes perhaps overly simplistic and players may drop their racquets or throw them in the air etc so we would need good, common sense umpires. However, if we sort out tennis behaviour at pro level then it may help kids and also their parent's bank balance!
Ian & Laura Special Hosted Tennis Weeks in Italy 2016
We have a few spaces left on our popular weeks in the summer - why not join us, more than 75% of our clients return time and time again.....
FLORENCE - LUCCA - SARDINIA - SICILY
3Trapani (Sicily) - May 22nd to 29th May - Adults Only - FULL
Florence (Tuscany) - July 16th to 23rd - Adults Only - FULL
Florence (Tuscany) - July 23rd to 30th July - All Welcome - 10 spaces left
Lucca (Tuscany) - August 20th to 27th - All Welcome - 4 spaces left
Lucca (Tuscany) - August 27th to September 3rd - Adults Only - 3 spaces left
Sardinia - September 3rd to 10th - Adults Only - 6 spaces left
For more info - http://www.tuscantennis.com/special-hosted-weeks.html
We have a few spaces left on our popular weeks in the summer - why not join us, more than 75% of our clients return time and time again.....
FLORENCE - LUCCA - SARDINIA - SICILY
3Trapani (Sicily) - May 22nd to 29th May - Adults Only - FULL
Florence (Tuscany) - July 16th to 23rd - Adults Only - FULL
Florence (Tuscany) - July 23rd to 30th July - All Welcome - 10 spaces left
Lucca (Tuscany) - August 20th to 27th - All Welcome - 4 spaces left
Lucca (Tuscany) - August 27th to September 3rd - Adults Only - 3 spaces left
Sardinia - September 3rd to 10th - Adults Only - 6 spaces left
For more info - http://www.tuscantennis.com/special-hosted-weeks.html
