American tennis hopeful Sam Querrey lost again in San Jose, in three tough sets to Denis Istomin. Q-Ball, who was ranked #17 in the world one year ago, is ranked #85 right now. Last year he missed a big portion of the year with an arm injury.
So far this year, Sam hasn’t been able to re-find his top form which not long ago was strong enough to win ATP singles titles on different surfaces. Big Sam, now 24, has a 1-4 record in 2012, including losses to Hanescu, Harrison, a first round win at the Australian over #135 Kenny De Schepper of France, then a loss to Bernard Tomic, followed by a disappointing first round setback in the Dallas Challenger to Alex Kuznetsov (#176).
What do you think is the problem with Querrey, who not long ago was about dead even with his buddy and doubles partner John Isner in the ATP rankings. Sam has a mighty forehand and one of the best serves in the business – when it’s clicking – ask James Blake about it. Can Sam buckle down and do a Vince Spadea type rise from the ashes? Speaking of Vin Dawg, I remember Vince telling Dan M. and myself that Sam has a top 20 calibre game, about an hour after he lost to Sam in Delray Beach three or four years ago.
David Nainkin told me Sam was in phenomenal physical shape last year, he was doing all the off court training and roadwork, but for some mysterious reason, the results of that hard labor just did not come.
What is it? Could it be mental? Could Sam be suffering some kind of early burnout, which can bog down some players who have to field the load of heavy expectations on their shoulders (Oudin, Young, Larcher De Brito, Robson, Kirilenko, Vaidisova, Karantcheva, Henrik Holm, Henrik Sundstrom, Nicolas Pereira).
I still believe Querrey, a former United States Davis Cup team member, can regain his once hot hand and pummel his way back to the top 20. But then again, he might not.
What do you think?
Querrey is 1-4 so far this year
Andrew Miller · February 16, 2012 at 3:28 am
Sam is still in comeback mode. The three tough sets that he loses, if he keeps going, will turn into wins where he pulls it out in 3 tough sets, then two tough sets, then two great sets.
Sam also seems pretty hard on himself and is a touch depressed. In theory, he should be the U.S. #2 or U.S. #3, and always in the running for the U.S. #1. But it works differently in reality – he was facing some injury and in the past he’s gotten pretty upset with himself.
All that said there’s no better time than now to make a comeback in U.S. tennis. Roddick is slowing down because of injury, Fish is a rock solid player but he’s also a vulnerable U.S. #1. The most consistent U.S. player has been Isner, who Querrey has beaten and who is a good friend and competitor. Ryan Harrison has “arrived” but is not yet top twenty material, he’s still in the “potential” phase in an era that “rewards tennis knowledge” – knowledge of the game and opponents and surfaces – as much as it rewards sheer energy and enthusiasm. Donald Young, ever since discarding his coach, is back in the danger zone – the wrong danger zone. James Blake is closing in on the top 50 (that’s way better than I thought!). And then there’s Ryan Sweeting, who’s just not being taken seriously because he’s not Fish, Isner or Harrison.
So for me, the top U.S. spots are up for grabs. There’s a healthy competition for #3 on the depth charts with Roddick being “shaky at best”. Querrey should be able to seal up #3 this year with some play and some serious belief.
Mitch · February 16, 2012 at 4:02 am
I think he’s already had and been through his burnout phase – remember his press conference after the French Open loss to Ginepri – and is in comeback mode now. I think all he needs is a big win or a string of little wins to get his confidence back up.
Scoop Malinowski · February 16, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Mitch you are probably right, Querrey lost 5-7 in the third to Istomin who is a solid player. He’s close to winning that match. Three wins in a row and Sam will be back.
Dan Markowitz · February 16, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Querrey is a little like Raonic, but not as solid a player. He’s a good indoor player, but he doesn’t move well enough and he’s got that laid-back Valley attitude. I told you and RP and anyone who ever wanted to listen that Sam isn’t a big-time player. He’s a good Memphis, San Jose, Los Angeles player, but when it comes down to big tourneys I can only think of his win over Berdych at the US Open a few years ago as being his only significant win.
How about the showdown at MSG on March 5th. I couldn’t believe it being at the Garden last night to catch some LinSanity. Federer v Roddick–does anyone want to see that? And Maria v. Wozniaki. I liked last year better when they had Mac v Lendl and Agassi v Sampras.
Scoop Malinowski · February 16, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Dan you don’t get to #17 in the world without a big time game and weapon. Sam has something, I think he’s too normal, too much a regular guy, in order to be an elite tennis player you have to be a little abnormal. Sam just wasn’t born and bred to be a tennis champ, he didn’t go the academy route, he just kinda ended up as an elite player because of his amazing natural talent and competitive fire, like a Todd Martin. I remember Martin said something like he always felt behind Sampras, Agassi, Courier, Chang, he was never really supposed to be at that level. And when he got there into the big matches with them he almost subconsciously sort of deferred to them. Like in horse racing, a racetrack expert explained it to me once, there are grade 1s and 2s and even though they may have the same times in past performances, the grade 1 has the inherent, natural edge on the grade 2 horse. Maybe Sam is like Martin, a grade 2 not a grade 1, just a theory. BTW, this Jeremy Lin phenom reminds me of watching a young Nadal, love his explosive energy and passion. It’s fantastic to see the NBA with a new breath of fresh air and Lin is supplying it big time. Love that #17 too, the same # of John Havlicek and my all time favorite hockey player from childhood Paul Holmgren of the Flyers.
Dan Markowitz · February 16, 2012 at 4:05 pm
I was in a prayer session right before the Kings game last night, sitting no more than four feet away from Lin. The preacher is a guy I’ve known for a long time going to Knicks games back in the Ray Williams-Michael Ray Richardson era, and he invited me to come and sit in with the group.
It is amazing to see how composed Lin is with all the hoopla going on around him. This is a guy playing at Harvard two years ago. The difference between Ivy League ball and pro basketball is like the difference between guys playing Futures compared to the Djokovic-Nadal finals. You’re right, I didn’t think of it that Lin has the same # as Hondo did. I bought a Linsanity t-shirt outside the Garden last night for $10. They were selling like hotcakes as were the one’s inside for $28.
Andrew Miller · February 16, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Lin shows talent can come from anywhere.
Andrew Miller · February 19, 2012 at 3:19 am
Querrey hires Brad Gilbert – how about that? I did not know that Gilbert is not coaching Nishikori anymore – that means Nishikori’s Australian Open result is all his own.
Gilbert should leave the broadcasting booth – I think because a conflict of interest.
Mitch · February 19, 2012 at 5:14 am
Smart move by Sam, I hope he actually listens to BG.
What’s the conflict of interest – it’s not like tennis broadcasters are or really need to be impartial. Most of the ESPN broadcasters coach or have coached part-time during their tenures; Patrick McEnroe with the US Davis Cup team, Mary-Joe Fernandez with the Fed Cup team, Darren Cahill with the Adidas player development program and Gilbert with Nishikori and now Querrey.
If anything, these arrangements make the commentary more interesting, because we sometimes get some nice inside information about the players.
Scoop Malinowski · February 19, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Brilliant move by Sam, for sure Gilbert will be able to get Sam going, guaranteed successful move by Sam here.
Andrew Miller · February 19, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Scoop – do you think Gilbert is as good a coach as he was when coaching Roddick and Murray? I just took a look at his coaching with Roddick by reviewing Roddick’s win against Ferrero on youtube in the 2003 US Open final.
Roddick was fierce. I also watched Roddick against Dimitrov – where Roddick’s forehand lost some MPH and he seemed a little more content to rally. Roddick in 2003 had fewer weapons but was more fierce, whereas in 2011 (he beat Dimitrov in Shanghai – a testament to Roddick’s improvement in all areas of the game ), Roddick seemed to have more of the sense that he could lose and played it just a little safer. He lost a little of that fearlessness and a touch of the belief, even though he worked through Dimitrov.
Querrey could use some fearlessness out there. If that is what Gilbert gives a player, I hope Querrey gets it. Seriously, Querrey should be the #1, #2 or #3 U.S. player. He must realize he can’t squander this chance. He’s also got to become a better U.S. Davis Cup player and reclaim his spot on Davis Cup squad.
I guess one could say Querrey now has a reason to play. He’s lost a lot out there through injury and lack of self belief. Hoepfully Gilbert can make him see he’s got nothing to lose.
Andrew Miller · February 19, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Speaking of Dimitrov, sheesh heck of a player. Not sure what he’ll do in the sport. But he plays a beautiful game. The backhand wing is a little weaker than it should be – he should firm that side up and turn that into a weapon like Federer has.
Scoop Malinowski · February 19, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Andrew I think BG will be an even better coach now, with more experience and years of wisdom under his belt and Sam is the perfect guy for him to work with, a guy who is very talented but has underachieved. I think BG will be able to light his fire and get him going. I think the problem with Sam is he has that kind of laid back Todd Martin syndrome, neither were really touted to be the best but they are so talented that they are knocking on the door of the best. It’s almost a miracle Sam got to the top 20, he was never the golden boy USTA prospect like Young or Sock, he just somehow rose to the top. He’s just a normal guy, not a born and bred tennis machine like Agassi, Sampras, Courier, Fed, Djokovic, Nadal. I think BG’s task will be to get Sam to believe he belongs with the elites and can beat them, getting him out of that Todd Martin syndrome. If it’s possible, BG can do it. Might not be possible though.