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Looking For John McEnroe 01/10/2012 - 5:19 PM

Picby Pete Bodo

It's tough enough these days to produce a tennis professional, even if you're willing and able to turn your child over to competent professional coaches and trainers and leave the developmental work in their hands. So imagine how much harder it is if you're bent on bucking the system because your child wants to play a certain way and has a feel for a different kind of tennis than is the norm.

Or if you think that those proclivities in your child could be ruined if she ended up in the wrong hands.

That question recently led me to drive out to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at the SPORTIME facility on Randall's Island, just across the East river from Manhattan. I came to have a look at Ingrid Neel, a 13-year-old from Rochester, Minn. (where, as a seventh grader, Ingrid played second and/or third singles on the boys' team that won the state championships last year). 

Many years ago, I had some fun times traipsing around the Pennsylvania mountains with Ingrid's uncle, Carlton Neel (brother to her dad, Bryan), and through him I eventually met the tennis-mad Neels, as well as Ingrid's coach, Brian Christensen. What struck me at that first meeting was young Ingrid's poise (she was all of 10 at the time) and her precocious grasp of the game. She told me, in no uncertain terms, that she liked to come to the net and planned to be an attacking player who won with her volley, or a serve-and-volley combination.

All other issues aside, that already told me that Ingrid was blessed with fine mind of the game. For even the most talented of youngsters mainly like to just run around and whack the ball, allowing whatever style they'll play emerge from experience.

Given that Ingrid's mom, Hildy, grew up a big John McEnroe fan on on Long Island, and had a long-standing friendship with SPORTIME managing partner Claude Okin (who is partners with McEnroe at the academy), it was inevitable that Ingrid would visit and perhaps even choose to train at McEnroe's facility. Here's an excellent backgrounder on that first meeting between McEnroe and Ingrid, including details from Ingrid's junior resume (you can see at the Tennis Recruiting Network that Ingrid is ranked No. 13 among potential college tennis recruits for the year 2016). 

That visit with McEnroe transpired about 10 months ago, since which time Ingrid has played relatively little competitive tennis because of a lingering back injury that she's carried for nearly a year now (she fell on her tailbone while doing a one-legged hopping drill for another game she likes, hockey). But she was back in New York over the New Year's holiday, partly because the Neels have to make a big decision fairly soon. Ingrid needs a level and diversity of competition that she can't get in Minnesota, and both New York and Bradenton, Fla. (the IMG Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy) are on the short list.

Ingrid also needs someone, her parents feel, who understands her game and ambitions.

As Hildy Neel told me, "She doesn't hit topspin like all the other kids. She hits flat. More like (Jimmy) Connors. They all say, 'Yeah, but that's low percentage, and I tell them, 'I know it is, but she can do it. Just like Connors was able to do it.'"

The Neels face an interesting problem. The tendency these days is to promote and teach the all-court game, with a solid foundation in the uses of spin. Adamant about preserving Ingrid's flat, aggressive style (she even hits both serves flat, and has tickled the gun at 90 MPH), the Neels are putting a lot of emphasis on how coaches perceive her game—a game that has been facilitated for years now by Christensen.  

According to Hildy, Christensen's least favorite drill is two players hitting volleys to each other, because the whole point of the volley is to jump on it and crush the putaway. And she claims that Christensen never told Hildy to take a step back on a tennis court. "Even if she's pulled up to no man's land, she'll stay there. She'd rather hit the volley, or take the ball out of the air, than move back." 

Chirstensen, too, admired McEnroe. The tricky part is that there hasn't been a single player on either tour who has played anything like McEnroe in a long, long time. And, in another tribute to the mind of little Ingrid Neel, her description of what it was like to hit with McEnroe is not just perceptive, it's original. Someone may have said something similar at some point, but I wasn't aware of it.

"It's like he hides the ball," Ingrid said. "You don't even see it because it's behind him when he turns to hit it. And then he doesn't hit it until the very last second, so you really never have any idea of where it's going to go."

The Neels have flirted with the USTA, but believe that its basic training template is too defensive. Ironically, the general manager of the USTA's Player Development program is that other McEnroe, Patrick. And he worked very closely with Jose Higueras, his director of men's tennis, to develop a philosophy geared toward success in today's game.

"Ingrid takes the ball on the rise," Hildy told me, "But the USTA method would have her back up. But there's no back-up in her."

Pat McEnroe disputes this assertion. He told me that Ingrid is certainly on the USTA's radar, and the organization would be happy to help her if the coaches and Ingrid's parents felt it was the right move. "What we teach is smart tennis—to play offense at the right time and defense at the right time. Any player who's going to try to serve-and-volley his or her way to the top is preparing for a game that is not being played. Today, if you can't rally for 30 hits, you have no shot—no shot—at making it."

Here's another irony: The Neels feel that thus far, the coach whose shown the best grasp of Ingrid's game and nature is the coach who took baseline tennis to new heights through protégés like Andre Agassi and Jim Courier, Nick Bollettieri.

The venerable but ever exuberant coach is 80 now, but still very sharp. He has always liked what he sees in Ingrid—with one caveat. "The girl is a brilliant, brilliant, thinker on the court. There's no defensiveness in her, but she is small (presently, 5-feet tall, and an even 100 pounds). To make it with that kind of game and her kind of size these days, she has to be the exception to the exception to the exception."

Still, Bollettieri would pull out all the stops and welcome her to the academy as a scholarship student in a heartbeat. However, the Neels are committed to keeping the family intact; wherever they go, it will be as a family of five (Ingrid has a brother, Harry, now 10, and a sister, Rafael, 3), and Bryan Neel will have to find work (he currently works as a financial planner with many of the physicians and staff at the Mayo Clinic). That reality militates against moving to New York, where the cost of living is so high.

"Nick really got the best out of Ingrid's game," Hildy said. "He sees her exactly as we do. She's going to come to the net, that's how she will do it—whatever she's destined to accomplish in tennis."

When I walked into SPORTIME to catch up with the Neels, Ingrid fairly leaped up from the table where she sat and ran over to say hi. A freckle-faced brunette with elastic features inherited from her mother, she's a delightful, aware kid who lugs a Prince racquet bag that stands almost as tall as she does, and is certainly wider. She flat-out hates school; when Christensen told her that she could almost surely get a scholarship to a fine college, she cried, "No, no, anything but college!"

Ingrid plays exclusively with older girls. On this occasion, she worked out with McEnroe's elite girls' (18-and-under) group, in which she was dwarfed by some of her companions. Hildy looked on with some skepticism as the youngsters rallied, and seemed to be thinking out loud when she said, "I know you have to be able to hit 50 balls the same way if you want to be a pro, but that's boring for Ingrid. Most kids do that 70 percent of the time. We do it 30 percent of the time and spend the other 70 percent doing something something fun. But now that may have to change a little."

It was obvious that Ingrid has great athleticism. She moves very well, and is light on her feet—something that's easier to be when you barely weigh more than a golden retriever. She looked less mechanical than some of the other youngsters on the court; her swing is free and loose and easy. Controlling it for the required number of swings or amount of time will be an interesting challenge as she moves forward.

But it's hard to tell very much of serious importance from watching drills and rallying; so much of a player's ultimate success—or lack thereof—is determined by mental and emotional factors. 

"There's that whole different side to it," Bryan Neel told me in a phone conversation. "Ultimately, tennis is a game, and all you have to do is beat the opponent across the net. I have a feeling Ingrid really has a great handle on that. Whatever else can be said about her, she's a gamer."

It's an interesting claim. Let's remember that for all of John McEnroe's genius, his greatest weapon was his mind, or perhaps his heart. Whatever it was that enabled him to pop up out of the junior ranks, where he wasn't ever hailed as a prodigy, to take tennis by storm. Nobody, but nobody, could have predicted the way McEnroe just exploded on the pro scene and never looked back. And it certainly didn't happen because of his technique, although it couldn't have happened without it, either.

That, more than anything, may be the best rationale for the way the Neels are going about things. They're really rolling the die, and why not? Many people will tell you that there can't be another McEnroe, much less a female one. To which the natural answer is, "There certainly won't be one coming from the ranks of those who believe that."
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Posted by Master Ace 01/10/2012 at 05:20 PM

Wednesday Order of Play

ATP: Kooyong at 7 PM(Tuesday) - Tsonga vs Melzer followed by Tomic vs Berdych then comes Raonic vs Fish ending with Monfils vs Roddick
ATP: Auckland at 7 PM(Tuesday) - Kohlschreiber vs Harrison, Starace vs Falla, Giraldo vs Almagro, Bellucci vs Rochus, Ferrer vs Rosol, Paire vs Chela and Garcia-Lopez vs Mannarino scheduled
WTA: Hobart at 7 PM(Tuesday) - Jones vs Peer and Barthel vs Medina Garrigues scheduled
ATP: Sydney at 7 PM(Tuesday) - Reynolds vs Isner, Fognini vs Gasquet, Sweeting vs Istomin, Stepanek vs Nieminen, Lopez vs Benneteau and Bogomolov Jr vs Troicki scheduled
WTA: Sydney at 7 PM(Tuesday) - Safarova vs Li scheduled
ATP: Sydney at 8 PM(Tuesday) - Del Potro vs Kubot followed by Baghdatis vs Ebden
WTA: Sydney at 8 PM(Tuesday) - Azarenka vs Bartoli scheduled
ATP: Auckland at 1 AM - Verdasco vs Berlocq
WTA: Hobart at 3 AM - Gajdosova vs Rodionova
WTA: Sydney at 3:30 AM - Hantuchova vs Kvitova followed by Wozniacki vs A Radwanska
Posted by Laj 01/10/2012 at 06:05 PM

IMHO, her parents have ruined her as a professional by saying that she has to play a certain way, rather than trying to build tools into her game.
Posted by Sherlock 01/10/2012 at 06:09 PM

Wow. Great article, Pete. So much to chew on here. It might take me a couple days. :)

My first thought whenever I read about young tennis "prodigies" is that I wish they could live a normal life, growing up with their friends, going to school, etc., like young athletes in the popular team sports. But hopefully young Ingrid will make it through this next decade and still love to play the game as much as she does right now.

Cute kid, too. Has the Justine look of a total little jock. :)

I also like what looks to be the sweatband tan lines on her right wrist.
Posted by Dahl 01/10/2012 at 06:12 PM

The number 16 Girl on that ranking list (Alexis Nelson) hits at the same indoor club as I do and she actually beat Ingrid recently for the first time. Just thought it was cool to see this since I hear about Ingrid a lot from Alexis' dad.
Posted by Sherlock 01/10/2012 at 06:15 PM

"Any player who's going to try to serve-and-volley his or her way to the top is preparing for a game that is not being played. Today, if you can't rally for 30 hits, you have no shot—no shot—at making it."


Did anyone else read P-Mac's quote and get nauseous? Jeepers Scheepers (for Colette). So because the game is not being played right NOW, then we don't want to try to teach it? Yes, let's create more Jankovic's and Wozniacki's by the boatload, but please check your variety in at the door. Ugh, ugh, ugh.
Posted by Andy87 01/10/2012 at 06:37 PM

That will be so hard to achieve for her, in this era she should be more a female version of Sampras to be successful with that type of game, good luck...

Posted by Anne 01/10/2012 at 06:46 PM

I thing Andy brings up an excellent point. Does Ingrid have a super fantastic serve? If so, she may be able to pull this style off. If not, I see her getting hammered at the net. I'm not encouraged though when I read she's got a flat serve-that's a pretty low margin shot, just ask Melanie Oudin. Ans thanks for the oop, MA-looking forward to seeing how Delpo looks tonight.
Posted by PeeJayKay 01/10/2012 at 06:48 PM

All this devil's advocacy about tempering Ingrid's strategic and technical direction is hogwash. Her comments re: Mac's game demonstrate insight beyond her years. She's beating much bigger boys. Keep playing your game, Ingrid. Can't wait to see you in a GS main draw!
Posted by Anne 01/10/2012 at 06:50 PM

Sorry for all the typos-working off a tablet.
Posted by jojo 01/10/2012 at 06:59 PM

I agree with Sherlock. Patty Mac thinks like a jock. It's why he under-achieved. He had a better game than his brother, but didn't have the courage to be different or the understanding of the game. The fact that nobody plays that way is an ADVANTAGE to the girl. And several players DO play that way. Ivo Karlovic is pure serve and volley (everyone says he just lives on his serve....but these people never watch him, he has a brilliant all around game, hampered by poor movement).
Radek Stepanek, who never played singles til he was 27, won a tournament this summer, and reached the top 30 at the ripe old age of 32 by playing a game built around an imperfect volley, a slower than average ( but very clever) serve, and a flat forehand. Mardy Fish lifted his game to the top ten by getting to the net more often.
Pat Rafter was 3-0 against Federer. Tim Henman was 3-4. Neither had an overpowering serve, but both had great volleys. I think groundstrokes like Jimmy Connors will do very well in today's game. They take less effort, are MORE consistent than the big topspin shots, and can be taken earlier. They lead to fewer injuries. People think topsin is more consistant than flat shots, but they are wrong. You are hitting a rising ball with a rising stroke, and you have to be perfect. Hitting a flat shot off a rising ball leaves more room for error (especially if you use a little backsoin). You use your wrist more, and can hit the ball soft or hard, It's like a volley. The main advantage to topspin is speed. You can wail the ball and it still stays in.
The hieght problem for the girl is the big question....If you are at the net and 5 feet tall, you can be passed or lobbed effortlessly....They better get out the HGH like the Sharapovas did.
Posted by Lynne (Rafalite) 01/10/2012 at 07:49 PM

I find it a little worrying that a 10-year-old girl suffers a lingering back injury for the last year no matter, how she did it. And she is going to have to grow some to live with the tall big hitters of the present era and, perhaps, the next one too.
Posted by gauloises (unrepentant scrunter) 01/10/2012 at 07:52 PM

I need to think about this, but always nice to see a shout-out to the town of my birth, Rochester, Minnesota :)
Posted by Bismarck 01/10/2012 at 08:12 PM

interesting. i'll try to keep that ingrid's name in mind til 2016 or so. ;)
---

what's delpo up to in 2012? let's see.
Posted by CL 01/10/2012 at 08:22 PM

I think the TW staff might need to take its ADD medicine. Or, at the very least, string out some of these very interesting articles/threads over a little more time. Some of us oldsters are having a hard time keeping up. It like being on an express train that is making local stops.

Posted by tina (Noletov koktel) 01/10/2012 at 08:22 PM

gauloises - you were born over here?! (not expecting a reply until after Ent plays)

Thanks for the report from Sportime, Pete - I've been dying of curiosity and almost drove out there myself one day. This freckle-faced tomboy is adorable. I totally dig that she plays hockey as well.

"Uncle Nick" is 80? I don't know why I find that shocking, but I do. Now, off to find a stream.
Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 08:41 PM

way to consolidate a break del Po

Gooooooo!
Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 08:43 PM

It like being on an express train that is making local stops.

LOL!And that CL is horrible...

I know because the E train does it on week-ends!
Posted by Carrie 01/10/2012 at 08:47 PM

Any US links to the Delpo match would be much appreciated. :)
Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 08:50 PM

Carrie,try livescorehunter.tv,they have several!
Posted by gauloises (unrepentant scrunter) 01/10/2012 at 08:52 PM

Yep, born in the USA :) Cursory research and a brief visit have left me with the impression that Minnesota is the most boring bit of said USA, so it always cracks me up if it comes up organically.

What is Delpo up to in 2012? Playing pretty damn bad tennis, so far. But he has edged ahead for now.
Posted by Carrie 01/10/2012 at 09:02 PM

Thanks Aube. :D
Posted by tina (Noletov koktel) 01/10/2012 at 09:04 PM

Well, I don't know what Minnesota's like outside the Twin Cities - maybe it's all rather vanilla. I went to Prince's nightclub in Minneapolis about 15 years ago - that was all very Purple.
Posted by Game lover 01/10/2012 at 09:06 PM

I don't enough as to how viable serve and volley would be in the future, but surely it's fun to try.

She's on the right track with her flat hitting though :)

Good luck!
Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 09:07 PM

You welcome Carrie!

There Del Po if you're you you could afford 2 break points! well done!

1st set in the bank!
Posted by Bismarck 01/10/2012 at 09:13 PM

yeah gaul.
'twas not impressive a set. but as the old proverb goes 'a won set has no conscience'. and it's delpo's first set of the year, it can only get better (or into deep pitfalls of doom).
Posted by gauloises (unrepentant scrunter) 01/10/2012 at 09:20 PM

Yes, indeed, Bis. You can put a set in the oven, but it doesn't make it a biscuit.

So ... Petkovic is out of the AO with a stress fracture, and JMDP just played a good sneaky point. END OF DAYS, people. Poor Petko.

Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 09:25 PM

Honestly life you're very unfair to tennis players and their fans,but again who are you fair to?ugh!
Posted by Lynne (Rafalite) 01/10/2012 at 09:25 PM

Ryan Harrison and Phil K are one set apiece.
Posted by Bismarck 01/10/2012 at 09:27 PM

ask a set no questions, it'll tell you no lies.

you bring bad news to me. poor petko indeed. :|
Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 09:30 PM

Tuulia where are you?in bed probably...

Jarkko Nieminen is leading Mr Vaidisova!

Lynne are you watching that one or scoreboarding it?

I can't wait for the ladies to start!
Posted by Lynne (Rafalite) 01/10/2012 at 09:35 PM

Just SB'ing at the moment, Aube and Phil K is 4-1 up in the third.
Posted by Tuulia 01/10/2012 at 09:39 PM

Aube - in bed, moi? Look it's only 4:39 am here... lol


I *was* in bed, got up, going back in soon...


Oh Petko... :(
Posted by CL 01/10/2012 at 09:42 PM

gauly - were you born at the Mayo Clinic? Just passing though? So to speak.

I haven't even had a martini and yet, I still manage to get Petkovic and Kvitova mixed up. Obviously, I need to drink more.

Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 09:49 PM

I see you are not an old timer Tuulia,hahah only 4:39 Am,I see the night is young is it not?
Posted by tina (Noletov koktel) 01/10/2012 at 09:50 PM

oh no, that's too bad about Petko. I haven't seen her play in ages.

I'm going to sleep for a while, maybe wake up for Vika or Viki.

Posted by Bismarck 01/10/2012 at 09:53 PM

a match is always greener on the winner's side.
well enough from delpo today. onwards he marches into the uncertain/glorious future.
Posted by gauloises (unrepentant scrunter) 01/10/2012 at 09:53 PM

I ... don't know, CL. Probably not. You probably have to be rich to be born there, don't you?

JMDP wins 64 62. Not his best performance, but he did OK in tricky conditions. Will play either Baggy - who put him out of the AO last year - or Ebden next round.

Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 09:53 PM

Lynne I was scoreboaring it too

and Tuulia did you realize I make the effort to spell Jarkko's name right?

I'll keep trying I promiss!
Posted by Sherlock 01/10/2012 at 09:53 PM

Petko???????? Wow. I hope no more names get added to the list. Venus and Petko are more than enough.
Posted by Tuulia 01/10/2012 at 09:55 PM

Aube, well, actually I'm supposed to do stuff later today - not just sleep, so I really should be going to bed... I had a little nap in the evening... gotta learn to live in Melbourne time, no? I normally go to bed after 1 am, mostly before 2 am or at least 3 am, but well...

Posted by Sherlock 01/10/2012 at 09:56 PM

Reynolds beat Isner? I always get Bobby Reynolds and Michael Russell mixed up.
Posted by Tuulia 01/10/2012 at 09:58 PM

Aube you did well on spelling. :)

And btw I'm no spring chicken exactly, but always have been a night owl...

Posted by Lynne (Rafalite) 01/10/2012 at 10:00 PM

Phil K beat Ryan Harrison 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Poor Petko ...

Posted by Aube,believe in miracles! 01/10/2012 at 10:01 PM

Spot on on training on Melbourne time Tuulia,as for me I already schyped up myself to not even try to be considering decent sleep for the fortnight

Plus this time I'm not going to work from the 16 to the end of the month,my mom in law will be here and I'm in convalescence,ha, so if nothing is wrong with me I'm watching everything includind the players in the locker room...lol!

Pappi can have the whole room for himself,I don't need a bedroom just the sofa and the "petit ecran"
Posted by Corrie 01/10/2012 at 10:04 PM

It's very wintry today here in Melbourne. Gales, rain, hail and snow higher up. Hopefully it's getting better and Kooyong will stop being interrupted. The wind won't help their timing click into gear.
Posted by Tuulia 01/10/2012 at 10:05 PM

Sounds like a good plan Aube
Posted by Tuulia 01/10/2012 at 10:12 PM

Ok Vamos Jarkko and Richard, don't mess up.
I'm going back to bed...
Posted by Backhand Blaster 01/10/2012 at 10:13 PM

This little girl has gotten a lot of press...why? She played #3 singles on her high school's boy team? In Minnesota? She can serve 90 mph? She only practices with older girls? Does she have a national ranking? Did she play the Orange Bowl? How did she do?
I think her parents should stop it with the press releases. It is a long way to Tipperary. If she has a unique ability we will all know soon enough. Giving a young person an inflated view of themselves is a most certain way of setting them up for failure.
Posted by Sherlock 01/10/2012 at 10:13 PM

Pretty cool to see young Ingrid on each refresh. :)

Melzer up a set and a break on Tsonga.

Posted by CL 01/10/2012 at 10:15 PM

gauly- rich, or, your mother was in the neighborhood when then 'earth moved.'

Sherlock -me too. I think Michael Russell is the one with the sleeveless tees and the buff bod. Bobby Reynolds is the other one.

Bartender!!??!!
Posted by Sherlock 01/10/2012 at 10:21 PM

Lol, CL. The other one?!? Ok, thanks. :)
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/10/2012 at 10:23 PM

Amazing. Nothing in the print version of Ekstra-Bladet on Caro, but a nice interview in the print edition of BT with Kvita.

She says she really got tired of the Czech press last year always asking the same questions over and over, and thought the criticism from it was unfair. Shades of Caro's attitude towards the Danish press.

She says the break with her dad as coach 3 years ago, and hiring a new one, was necessary because she didn't feel her dad could add anything to her game. Again, this sounds so familiar.

She's improved her serve and her forehand, and is better at keeping her concentration.
Posted by Angel of the Surf (At the day job as MA would say) 01/10/2012 at 10:40 PM

Lynne agree about a 13 year old having back problems all ready.

G; I learn something new about you all the time.

Stuck at work and going by the sb and liking what I see about Matt Ebden even if it is against Baggy.
Posted by Angel of the Surf (At the day job as MA would say) 01/10/2012 at 10:50 PM

CL correct on Michael Russell wearing sleeveless tops and he does have good arms.
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/10/2012 at 10:52 PM

Quote of the day from today's Sydney Morning Herald print edition:

"Is this towel clean? ... Ah, she's clean." Caro's response to sitting Na Li's towel at the daily presser.
Posted by Ry 01/10/2012 at 11:07 PM

Why say that she has to play one way. That is just stupid. Im from MN and her parents sound like idiots. Let the girls learn and grow and then let her fall into her playing style.
Posted by grumpy 01/10/2012 at 11:23 PM

i love it. she sounds like the Tim Tebow of tennis. different strokes. vive la difference. keep playin' your own sweet game, Ingrid. you are an inspiration.
Posted by I-Love-Petkovic 01/10/2012 at 11:27 PM

What happened, Andrea? I thought the two month break should have been used to strengthen not to weaken you, and now you are saddled with a bad back ..... :-((

6-8 weeks? that is like eternity!!

What a bummer to start the year with!

Wish you a speedy recovery!
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/10/2012 at 11:30 PM

Really windy in Sydney. Not good for Caro or Kvita
Posted by TennisFed (Supporting Czech Tennis Sensation Petra Kvitova all the way) 01/10/2012 at 11:36 PM

manixdk,

Maybe the wind will die down in the evening...btw it'll for Dani and Aga too...
Posted by Dunlop Maxply 01/10/2012 at 11:37 PM

Two words: Sam Querrey

The thing is, kids who look (at ages 10, 11, 12, or whatever) like their development will take them to the higher reaches of word tennis, is a story as old as the game.

To be a great player on the world tour level takes having world tour level "something" - shots, athleticism, concentration, etc.

Just because you have above age level ability at a young age does not mean you will have it when you are 20.

Pat McEnroe's statement, lobbed in with no context, looks bad, but may well be correct. Its always been a tough bet to figure out which 12 year olds are going to be good eight years later, especially on the men's side.

Coming back to Querrey, no one would have bothered to write articles about him when he was 11, but by 19 he was hitting a world class serve, one of the better forehands on tour, and if you watch him live, really, really good movement, both for his size and in an absolute sense.
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/10/2012 at 11:51 PM

TennisFed

Right, but some players seem to be bothered more. Anyway, they're playing the evening session where the wind dies down after sunset.
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/10/2012 at 11:57 PM

"Just because you have above age level ability at a young age does not mean you will have it when you are 20."

When Caro was 11, and beating players 4 years older than her, the "experts" said she'd never make it as a pro. When she went on the pro tour, they said she'd never make it to the top 100, then 50, then 20, then 10. Then they said she'd never make nr.1. Then they said she wouldn't last. Then they said she'd never win a slam. Now they say she might win a slam.

There was a great CBC doc a few months ago called "The Trouble with Experts". And the trouble is:

They're almost always wrong.
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/11/2012 at 12:21 AM

Lucie-Na is a fun match. Na took the first set 6-2. 2nd set breaker: Lucie serving 2-4
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/11/2012 at 12:24 AM

Na takes the breaker and the match. Lucie got her forehand working in the 2nd set, kept serving out wide to Na's backhand, the hitting a forehand winner. Couldn't keep it up, though, and Na stayed cool in the breaker.
Posted by I-Love-Petkovic 01/11/2012 at 12:39 AM

The wind in Sydney is really strong.

Hope Daniela is not peaking too early -- she has a knack wearing herself out right before each major starts.
Posted by Angel of the Surf (At the day job as MA would say) 01/11/2012 at 01:09 AM

I-Love-Petkovic sorry to read that Andrea is going to be out of action for a couple of months.

Commies to Matt Ebden but at least he gave Baggy a real match and it went the distance.
Posted by jewell - Make tea, not war. 01/11/2012 at 01:46 AM

Morning, everyone. :)

Interesting post, although we do seem to read one every year about the next great pure serve-and-volleyer, so everyone worried about lack of variety will soon have a lovely time when all these players come through and start performing on the big stages. :)

It's not that serve and volley can't be played or be successful, it's that being limited to it probably isn't the most effective strategy right now, no? Even someone like Fish has had to improve his movement (didn't he lose some weight to do it? - seem to remember hearing that mentioned once or twice) and rallying to improve his ranking to the top ten. I don't see that Pat McEnroe's comment was all that bad or means everyone has to be Jankovic or Caroline - not that I think there's anything wrong with either or actually that they have no variety, either. Any player development programme of that kind is going to be a bit one-size-fits-all.

Isn't there a sort of parallel with Andy Murray (I think there are elements of McEnroe about him, actually) when Judy didn't think the LTA could sort out what was best for Andy, and bucked that pipeline system? Worked for them. It can be done, but takes a lot of courage to stick to the guns, I would think.

I'm very sad that Petkovic has had to pull out of the AO, particularly with a nasty-sounding back injury. I hope she gets all the rest she needs and recovers quickly. Can't believe the numbers of pull-outs and injuries so early.
Posted by jewell - Make tea, not war. 01/11/2012 at 01:54 AM

Terrific fight from Vika to break Marion as she was serving for the set.
Posted by jewell - Make tea, not war. 01/11/2012 at 02:03 AM

Vika breaks again for the set 7-5 with a screaming winner right into the corner. Absolute barrage of shots from her and I don't remember any errors, either. Wow.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 02:09 AM

the maid even served for it twice from 5-2 up. then vika ran away with the next five games and the set.

early on the maid's bigger hitting and vika's unreliable FH were the main factors. also, rather unfriendly, windy conditions.
but the last couple of games vika has really found a better rhythm ('specially on the FH) and started yanking 'toli left and right all over the court.
Posted by jewell - Make tea, not war. 01/11/2012 at 02:11 AM

Hey Bissy. I only started watching when Marion served for the set the second time - even more impressive coming back from a double break down. What do you think Vika's AO chances are?
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 02:30 AM

hmm. difficult question.
i give her a better chance to go deep than most others, but i give 'certain others' a better chance to go all the way IF they go deep.

i'll say since that 2nd set vs serena at the USO i have some hope again.
(call me a fool)
Posted by jewell - Make tea, not war. 01/11/2012 at 02:37 AM

Stream death, grr. Cheers Bissy.
Posted by jewell - Make tea, not war. 01/11/2012 at 02:53 AM

Power cut in Sydney? LOL. Twitter says it is 3-3 so Vika must've broken back.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 02:59 AM

that's half an hour already. is sydney in africa or what?
Posted by jewell - Make tea, not war. 01/11/2012 at 03:13 AM

Vika wins - happy for her, sad for Marion.

Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 03:16 AM

yay vika. hope sydney gets that power thing sorted in time for the night session.
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/11/2012 at 03:17 AM

Bismarck

That explains the blackout for the streams. Was wondering.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 03:38 AM

"match start delayed due to power outage."

you don't impress me much, sydney.
Posted by manixdk - Caro: is she starting to find her game? 01/11/2012 at 03:52 AM

I've set aside 5 hours for the recording. Hope it's enough.

Frederik Løchte, Caro's doubles partner in Perth, just won his first quali for the AO.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 03:58 AM

power back. czech & slovak entering centre court.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:11 AM

after two deuces and half a dozen winners petra breaks hanty to start the match.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:18 AM

still windy but not as bad as early in the vika/maid encounter i think. but not comfortable either.

i feel like petra has already hit more great BHs than in the whole dulgheru match. glorious shot on her good days.

LORDY. absurd stuff from petra. breaks again, this time to love.
11 winners. in three games.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:21 AM

holds to love. 4-0
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:25 AM

more terrorising returns. 5-0 after 18 minutes.
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:29 AM

6-0, 21 minutes. ridiculous set from petra. winners on the 2nd or third shot the latest in like every point.

you could say hanty was 'freezing' a bit i 'suppose. but what do you do if you don't get into any point?
Posted by temes 01/11/2012 at 04:32 AM

Just tuned to Dani-Petra...wow seems Petra is having one of her days.
Posted by temes 01/11/2012 at 04:33 AM

Love the looks on Dani's face...LOL though I feel for her nothing she can do
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:34 AM

winners/UE first set

petra 20(!)/5 (i mean, total points won petra: 26)
hanty 1/4

petra breaks again to start the 2nd set...
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:40 AM

a couple more errors from petra and hanty gets the relief of the first game. takes it with a smile and shake of the head. 6-0 2-1
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:44 AM

drop-shot + lob for winner combo confirms another love hold for petra.
6-0 3-1
Posted by temes 01/11/2012 at 04:46 AM

Petra has a good touch too I like that she has a certain standard with all aspects of the game which is not that common in women's tennis I don't think
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:49 AM

hanty survives 15-40 with a couple of good serves. hanging in there by her fingertips. 6-0 3-2
Posted by temes 01/11/2012 at 04:52 AM

Well quite the surprising turn of events(or not) Kvitova's level drops and she suddenly looks a very average n.2
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:54 AM

instant reward for hanty hanging into that last game?

petra double-double faults to start, hits a FH winner, hanty hits a BH winner off another 2nd serve from petra and gets the break when petra hits a tame BH into the net.

funny game, that tennis.
6-0 3-3
Posted by temes 01/11/2012 at 04:56 AM

Tennis is very funny indeed Bismarck wouldn't bet money on it lol

Dani should show her windy conditions skills she has won a few Indian Wells titles after all
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 04:57 AM

hanty now survivng the first early bomb of petra better and getting the errors on one of the next shots.
6-0 3-4
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 05:01 AM

i wouldn't either temes. ;)

unlike in her last game petra gets the first serve in again this time. easy hold (despite another DF).
6-0 4-4
Posted by Bismarck 01/11/2012 at 05:05 AM

petra back on track. a smash winner after a fun rally and a droppah for the break. DF hanty in between helped too.
6-0 5-4
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