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Tim Mayotte Interview: “Somebody will come through”
63 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Scoop
By Scoop Malinowski
Our enlightening and educational conversation with former Wimbledon semifinalist and Olympic silver medalist Tim Mayotte at the Newport Hall of Fame continues with his sharing of views and observations on the modern era of tennis…
Question: Novak Djokovic could be the greatest player of all time when he’s at his best. Your comment?
Tim Mayotte: “He hasn’t done it through the holes, he has two of the best players going against him. He could be. He could be. But it’s hard to tell. It depends on how motivated he can stay over a long time.”
Question: He has that winning record against both Federer and Nadal.
Tim Mayotte: “Yep. But I would say what’s also been impressive is I think the way Isner improved. I was very impressed with the way he’s honed his game. And continued to understand how he needed to say in rallies to pull the trigger on the forehand. And obviously he’s super mentally tough. So right now he seems to be pretty much the best (American) player. Querrey, Sock – has major deficiencies that I never thought – I was surprised he got to the top ten. I just think he has so many issues with his backhand and the way he moves.”
Question: Which of the young players will rise to the elite? Eventually Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray are going to move on. Which of the young talents out there will eventually step forward? Tsitsipas, Thiem, Zverev?
Tim Mayotte: “I just don’t see anybody. I think there are some players who are gonna rise to the top. I don’t see anybody as you look at the whole package even close to those three, four, to me, there’s nobody with the efficiency of movement that those three have combined with the stroke production. I just don’t see. I keep looking, trying to find. Thiem, I think, is not a great mover except on clay. He’s a great player but he does well on clay because he does not force to take time away. He can lay way, way back. To do well on other surfaces, he needs to cut the angle off and get closer to the baseline. Actually, I had a long conversation with his coach (Bresnik) at last US Open and tried to give them some ideas, which he was open to, but I think his movement patterns aren’t efficient enough – on fast surfaces. And I think that with Zverev, same thing. He’s so far behind the court. That he’s forced to move so often, he doesn’t neutralize well.”
“I think he’s got a little bit of a problem with his forehand, stroke production. I think any of those guys can win slams but as a complete package, I don’t see them anywhere as close to the best four.”
Question: Why do you think these players today station themselves so far behind the baseline?
Tim Mayotte: “The efficiency of movement and stroke production has to be so great to deal with balls with the velocity that are coming in. And the top three do that better than anybody else. They know how to cut the angles off, because, technically, with the stroke production in relation to their movement, they can do it. Just like Agassi was so efficient. Because of his preparation. Connors. Those guys prepared so early and were on balance. That they could take those balls. I don’t see anybody with that kind of efficiency of preparation.”
Question: In five years, do you see the ATP being wide open, parity?
Tim Mayotte: “No. Somebody will come through. It’s too hard to predict. I do think that one thing that people should look at, that would be considered kind of a joke, is the underhanded serve. Particularly in the women’s game. I don’t understand why it’s not used. I’ve been practicing it myself. It could be a remarkable weapon. If you watch Nadal – twelve to fifteen feet behind the baseline – and why it’s not used…I could hit a drop shot with a little bit of practice, that lands twice, halfway in the service box. And why players wouldn’t be using that I think is a big mistake.”
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1 2 Next »Hartt · August 1, 2018 at 2:34 pm
His comments are so interesting. Especially on why the top 3 are so successful, and the weaknesses of some of the younger players.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Hartt, I agree. Mayotte could be the best coach in the world, if a top 100 ATP or WTA player gave him a chance. But he’s happy coaching elite juniors in Massachusetts and he’s starting an academy later this year.
catherine · August 1, 2018 at 3:03 pm
I don’t understand how the underarm (underhanded) serve could do anything for the women’s game. Is Mayotte being serious ?
And is that kind of serving legal ? Do you have to let your opponent know when you’re going to do it ?
Of course the underarm service was used about 150 years ago but died out for some reason. Probably because someone had a bright idea and threw the ball up in the air.
Duke Carnoustie · August 1, 2018 at 4:39 pm
The underarm serve comment disqualifies Mayotte as a coach.
You can’t win consistently doing that. It is like moonballing opponents. If you win that way, it means the competition you are facing is pretty terrible.
Joe Blow · August 1, 2018 at 4:58 pm
These guys lose their minds trying to come up with something different. Underhand serve to Nadal? You might win one point, but the next 5 times you hang a short ball to his forehand, I would hope he’d drill that guy in the face, chest, nether regions..
Gilbert now says they should play let’s on serve, someone please ask him, if he would have approved that rule change when he was playing
Chazz · August 1, 2018 at 5:16 pm
I’m with him on the drop serve, I have stated it on here before. But I disagree that it should be underhanded. It should be like a changeup pitch in baseball, same overhead serve motion but half speed, only used occasionally in situations where the returner is 10 or more feet behind the baseline (see Nadal vs. Anderson in last year’s US Open).
Dan Markowitz · August 1, 2018 at 7:01 pm
Can’t believe, Scoop, you didn’t call Serena for tanking against Konta. She obviously tanked. You can’t beat Serena love and 1. Who’s Konta, Billie Jean King. That was the biggest tank job in the world. I guarantee you Serena will come back in Montreal and play much better and seriously.
Duke Carnoustie · August 1, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Good comments here all. Nadal would punish underarm serves. Obviously, Serena tanked but don’t expect the tennis media or her own fans to call her out on it. It doesn’t feed into her victimization narrative.
I really think when we talk about movement Chung has that ability among the young guns.
Everybody complaining about the younger players should relax. In 2020, there will definitely be some new Slam winners on the men’s side.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2018 at 8:50 pm
No, Catherine, the idea is to use it only sporadically, to catch the returner by surprise, not on every serve. Use it on a big point like duece or 30-all at 4-4. That is what Tim meant, to surprise the returner who is stationed over ten feet behind the baseline.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2018 at 8:51 pm
Duke, of course it could not be used on every point, but as a surprise weapon like the SABR of Fed which he has apparently abandoned.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Dan, legends get blown out, Pete Sampras lost 6061 to Santoro, Spadea lost same score to Spadea in a final in Austria. Corretja was down to Hewitt 60 60 30 in the Australian Open once and lost 62 in the third. Seles lost 0 and 0 to Hingis in Miami. Legends get blasted off the court on occasion.
Dan Markowitz · August 1, 2018 at 9:28 pm
Joe Blow,
What happened to your boy Edmund toda? I thought you said Murray is washed up and that Kyle was going to “blow away” Andy.i told you even with the limo to not take Murray lightly.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2018 at 9:35 pm
Dan I will speak for Joseph Bloseph. Murray had some rust and some hard court cobwebs that he had to shake off. 1Rs can be tricky, remember Djokovic lost to Anderson years ago in Miami, Fed lost to Canas, Hewitt lost to Ivo, Sampras almost lost to unknown Kafelnikov. The list goes on. Murray survived and regained some lost confidence and put young Edmund in his place.
Dan Markowitz · August 1, 2018 at 10:35 pm
It a big believer in Edmund. He looks to casual out there. Maybe he deferred to Andy too much, but I don’t think Edmund will ever have a truly seismic breakthrough. He’s talented, but doesn’t look hungry enough.
Always love watching Nishikori play. He’s so quick up to the short ball and his running backhand is sick. Whenever I see Tommy Paul play I’m always impressed.
Joe Blow · August 1, 2018 at 10:45 pm
This is what I wrote, never mentioned Edmund. 3 out of 5, with a hard time playing short points, will be tough for Murray on hard courtd
Joe Blow · July 31, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Murray is done as a GS threat. He walks with a limp. Courier didn’t notice it, or kept it to himself until 2-2 in the second set. He’d been limping from the start..His gait is tough to watch, walks like a 60 year old, with back, and hip problems..Lucky to get through MM..
No way he makes it through Toronto, Cincy and US Open..Hardcourts will take out his hip…
Jg · August 1, 2018 at 10:52 pm
I just got back from seeing Chung against Bagdatis, those 2 can really strike the ball and their balance is top notch, Chung just has a little more zip to the ball, Chung is a big guy, not tall but thick, his legs are huge, you see a lot of these players and they are rail thin, I saw Donaldson play Tsitsipas, those 2 guys have no mass at all. Chung seems a step above the younger players, I can’t believe Tsitsipas won, Donaldson was in control the whole match, Tsitsipas stands way too far back, he’s going to have to move in if he wants to be more effective on the hard court, Donaldson just didn’t come in off the defensive shots from way back. I saw 3 games of deMinauer, he is the real deal, lots of controllable power.
Tom Sawyer · August 1, 2018 at 11:41 pm
I watched the Edmund match — he is too nice, didn’t seem dialed in on every point. Needs a dose of ruthlessness and cajones….exactly what Murray has always had in droves.
Bummed Donaldson lost — kinda feel like he needed that win.
Duke Carnoustie · August 1, 2018 at 11:53 pm
Edmund said he had not practiced since SW19 due to tonsillitis. I didn’t watch the match but if he played badly, I think we should believe him.
What happened to Sloane? That tourney is wide-open with Bencic and Petko and Osaka among the contenders.
Seven straight wins for Berrettini and he faces Jarry next in a huge matchup.
For Dan who hates women’s tennis every match in San Jose today was a dud. Look at those scores.
The 36-year-old Paulo Lorenzi is down to No. 110 so he is in Poland where he will likely win the tournament and worm his way back into a decent ranking. Lorenzi is a dominant force on the Challenger level.
Querrey into a third set against some no-name. If he wins, he plays DelPo next in a heavyweight showdown.
Duke Carnoustie · August 2, 2018 at 12:34 am
The hard-hitting Gerasimov survives 23 Querrey aces and wins 8-6 in a third-set breaker in a quality match. He wasted two natch points when Sam served at 4-5. Meanwhile, Sam had two of his own at 6-4 in the breaker when he double-faulted on that point to keep the match alive.
Gerasimov took down Tomic and now Sombrero, who dominates in Mexico, and faces DelPo next.
catherine · August 2, 2018 at 2:19 am
I take it all back. Petko is chasing her buddy Angelique towards world domination. Must catch her Twitter.
Sloane ? Out first match at W’don and now this ? Mercedes are clearly sponsoring her quick getaways.
And Muguruza withdraws from another tournament. She’s becoming the Nick Kyrgios of women’s tennis.
Can’t wait for the currently invisible Number One player to make an appearance. Maybe with a new underarm serve. Go Simona !
Joe Blow · August 2, 2018 at 7:07 am
Tennis is a crazy scheduled sport. Thiem probably takes a big appearance fee to play in his home country on red clay,the week before a Masters in Canada on hard court. Loses first round, gets on a plane to Canada before the sweat dried. Why they play on red clay between Wimby grass, and the summer hard court is beyond me.
Murray needs matches.. If he goes far in Wash, bet the house against him doing well in Canada, plus he can draw Nadal or Djoko early
Dan Markowitz · August 2, 2018 at 7:14 am
You’re right, Joe Blow, I take it back. You just condemned Murray from getting through the American hard court circuit and doing well at the USO. The guy who said Edmund would crush Muzz was Duke (who also picked Serena to crush Konta). Tough week for the Dukester, he also didn’t know what was an OBJ hair cut.
Noticed Young who went down to Nishikori, didn’t have Eubanks or the other young player in his box last night. Only his father was there and it seemed to take some of the edge off of DY’s emotional game. He really loves looking over at a full box and excoriating them for not getting loud enough and pumping his fist at them. Maybe that’s why he plays better at bigger events, he has more of an entourage with him.
What is with these guys who do well at Newport like Ramanathan and SteveJo and them come out and lay an egg in the hard court tournaments? Is it because they haven’t gotten used to the hard courts or because their games are exposed on the more fair hard courts to tell a player’s full game?
In all fairness, SteveJo hasn’t lost yet in DC, but DeMinaur is serving for the first set at 5-4. How’s this for SteveJo winning Newport? He beat Ramanathan, Granollers, Sela and Christian Harrison to win the title and the $99,000 purse. That ladies and gents, is called a nice draw.
Goffin made an unreal dash in the third set breaker against Herbert to run down a backhand short ball and put it away for a winner. What the heck happened to Kachanov that he lost 2 and 3 to Kudla? Maybe like Tiafoe, he’s got too big a backswing for the fast courts of DC.
Duke Carnoustie · August 2, 2018 at 9:10 am
Tough week Dan? the Serena tank could not have been expected. I should have done my research on Edmund having tonsillitis, though.
I also picked DY to beat Stan and predicted Kyrgios would withdraw with the noon start. As for the NFL, I don’t pay attention to those ungrateful overpaid bums.
Who is Gerasimov? He was great last night.
Chazz · August 2, 2018 at 9:19 am
Lots of good stuff here. Great observations Jg. Chung is a beast, and if he develops a more dominating serve, look out. I feel like with Donaldson we might be talking that way for his whole career. Nice player but a bit of an overachiever and will always be close but not quite enough to get him into elite status.
Fritz got Nishiokad yesterday. Can’t say it’s surprising but damn, Fritz seem to get a win when he needs one.
The weird thing about Tommy Paul is his game looks so good that it makes you wonder how he can disappear for 9 months. He will probably end up losing the match he’s trailing to Rublev but he was very close to winning that tiebreaker.
The big matchups are Zverev brothers playing for the first time on ATP tour, Tiafoe-Goffin and Shapo-Nishikori.
Joe Blow · August 2, 2018 at 9:29 am
Dan wrote
What is with these guys who do well at Newport like Ramanathan and SteveJo and them come out and lay an egg in the hard court tournaments? Is it because they haven’t gotten used to the hard courts or because their games are exposed on the more fair hard courts to tell a player’s full game?
Newport is a glorified Challenger in a beautiful setting, a draw filled with Wimby failures, Qualies, and Challenger players. What they do two weeks later in a 500, has nothing to do with Newport. They are in a better field, playing better players.
Another little oddity on this site is taking a round 1 win in a 250,and blowing it way out of proportion. A guy ranked 97 beats a top 10 player, and he’s playing top 10 tennis. This site never says, maybe # 10 is playing 97th ranked tennis that day. Or top 10 guy took an appearance fee, and can’t wait to get out of say Atlanta, or Wash.
Jg · August 2, 2018 at 9:58 am
SteveJo has a beautiful slice, I like watching him hit it, he hits it deep and it stays low, but the problem is DeMinauer is all over it, the slice in a hard court to someone like him ( and I suspect Hewitt) isn’t going to get the job done, it’s just giving him more time, SteveJo is going to have to hit more forehands if he wants to win that match, it took DeMinauer 2 games to adjust.
Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2018 at 10:33 am
Cameron Norrie beats F Lopez, now he plays Mannarino, if he beats Adrian, then he plays the winner of Nishioka vs Fognini, that could be a lefty playing three straight lefties, wonder if that is some kind of ATP record if it happens. Lefty vs lefty three matches in a row is rare. Very good win for Nishioka to derail Fritz. Also impressive is Michael Mmoh, now ranked 121, he beat Escobedo and Polansky and now gets Dzumhur. Mmoh has quietly risen under the coaching of former ATP pro Glenn Weiner. Zverev vs Zverev will be hard on both, I did a Biofile with Alex two years ago and he said playing against his brother is the most painful moment of his career. Will be a strange match.
Duke Carnoustie · August 2, 2018 at 11:11 am
I’ll defend Newport and its illustrious list of champions like Karlovic, Ram and John Isner. It clearly has a higher level than a Challenger as anyone who watched Christian Harrison play Alex Bolt can attest to.
Joe is correct. Domi Thiem wanted to get the hell out of Austria and over to Canada once he found out Kiki lost. Thiem was playing soccer during the day with some English team and then lost to Klizan at night. The Austrian press was all over him too.
The Berretini express goes down.
Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2018 at 11:26 am
Harrison vs Bolt in newport was an excellent close match. Very dramatic at the end with a long deuce game. Bolt served for it but Harrison was tough as nails.
Hartt · August 2, 2018 at 11:59 am
Apparently the only times the Zverev brothers have faced each other were in a couple Challengers when Sascha was 14 and 15. He lost to his older brother in the first and then had to retire because of cramping in the 2nd. Maybe that’s why it was so painful. 🙂
Hartt · August 2, 2018 at 12:00 pm
It’s great to have Nishioka back after that terrible injury. He is a lot of fun to watch.
Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2018 at 1:06 pm
He’s not back yet Hartt, his ranking is still around 250. He’s had good wins this year – SS over deMinaur in Miami – but has not strong any winning streaks together yet. But the good news is his knee problem is gone, the surgery worked. He’s been playing steadily all year long. Beating Fognini would be a good indicator that he’s back.
Duke Carnoustie · August 2, 2018 at 3:50 pm
Here’s something that shows you that Newport is better than you think.
The Kitzbuhel event has semifinalists ranked 53, 88, 95 and 112 although Jarry will be ranked in the top 50 next week.
No idea when they will play in D.C.
How about Marcos Giron giving DelPo a battle? DelPo said he was shocked to have such a hard match against someone ranked in the 400s. Shows you the type of talent the tennis world has.
catherine · August 3, 2018 at 4:47 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – finishing a tennis match at 3am is barbaric. What other sport forces competitors to do that ? It’s not heroic or any other stupid thing – it’s insane.
No wonder Murray cried. I’m surprised he didn’t slit his wrists.
Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2018 at 9:23 am
Catherine, the weather forced such dramatic measures, the players have to deal with rain and weather factors. It’s unfortunate but the rain is still a facotr for the rest of the week there and the tournament wants to finish on Sunday. The tournament is more important than the players, the players have to follow the orders of the tournament. The tournament takes all the risks and the players are sufficiently rewarded. The players don’t have to woo and sign sponsors and keep them interested. The players just play.
Joe Blow · August 3, 2018 at 9:38 am
This tournaments strategy of starting men’s matches daily at 4 or 4:30 pm is going to lend itself to long nights even without rain delays. If it’s too hot to play at 11 AM, you better figure something out to avoid 3 AM finishes.
Saw Isner face after he hit himself in the leg with his Racket, there was no way he was looking forward to playing another match yesterday after Rubin. I have not bet sports in 30 years, but thought about coming out of retirement to find one of those sites you can bet mid-match. Isner was bitching to his box and in a crappy mood.
catherine · August 3, 2018 at 10:15 am
Scoop – the wellbeing of the players is the only thing that matters. No tournament is more important than the players, who are taking the physical risks. The money’s irrelevant. No players, no tournament, no money.
The ATP, as the players’ de facto union, has, as far as I can see, a duty of care to its members. That includes the avoidance of ridiculous scheduling. But the ATP remains silent.
If it’s too hot to play at this time of the year in DC, move the tournament.
Murray made his feelings clear after the match. I agree with him.
Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2018 at 10:35 am
Catherine, don’t like to sound ruthless or uncaring here but players can be replaced, tournaments are harder to replace. America has lost a lot of events over the years and we are down to Delray Beach, Miami, Houston, Long Island, Newport, Cincy, US Open and Washington DC. What happened this week in DC is a fluke with the weather/rain. Just like Isner-Mahut was a fluke. Both survived, Andy will survive. I’m sure there are thousands of tennis players who would have jumped at the chance to play an ATP match at midnight in an ATP main draw. Andy has to tough it out. Players are rewarded handsomely for their efforts. He will get a late start today I presume, his body will recover, if not he can default. The alternative was playing two matches today – would that have been Andy’s preferred choice?
Duke Carnoustie · August 3, 2018 at 10:46 am
It’s an unfortunate situation but the tournament had no chance. The situation isn’t that bad for Murray, he is at a 5-star hotel and has the best treatment and us scheduled late today.
Scoop is right. The players are totally replaceable and have to follow orders. The tournament is the important thing, as far as raising sponsors and creating partnerships and advertising and promoting and this is a year-long endeavor. The players only show up for one week. The risk is particularly great considering this is a combined event and D.C. showed its savvy by pulling out of the U.S. Open series and signing its own TV contract.
It was a 3-hour tennis match but didn’t have to be; Murray could have won or lost quicker and/or shortened points. But yes, he and the rest of them are totally replaceable because like they say in show business, the show must go on.
Duke Carnoustie · August 3, 2018 at 10:48 am
Scoop we also have Atlanta and Winston-Salem but your point on losing events remains correct.
jg · August 3, 2018 at 10:58 am
It was bad planning yesterday, they scheduled to begin play at 3 30 or so, but it didnt start raining unil 3, they could have started (like the day before) at 12 and gotten a couple of hours of matches in, also this is where technology comes in-if all the courts, practice and all were outfitted with play smart technology (i.e. they don’t need lines persons) they could have taken advantage of other courts for the non marquee matches. Everyone seems to like the DC tournament and the fact that its a non profit, but an investment is in order for the stadium and other issues for a 500 level event. Also, it should not take over an hour to dry the courts, they are only using some leaf blowers, there has to be better technology out there (like those zamboni machines they use at the US Open).
As an aside, if this was a horse show they would say it was animal cruelty to have the horses out at 3 am, its not right to start a match at midnight.
Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2018 at 11:06 am
Citi Open needs to build a roof! maybe Andy and some of the players will foot the bill!! 🙂
jg · August 3, 2018 at 11:07 am
All that said, I think Goffan wins this tournament, but hope De Minauer or Kudla do it.
catherine · August 3, 2018 at 11:57 am
Well, we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one, but I’ll only repeat that if you don’t have players you don’t have a tournament. No one is more important than the players. That’s why they’re paid so well.
And this is not the only event with players beginning matches well after midnight, women and men. 24 hour tennis. Who’s watching ?
jg – yes, they treat horses a lot better.
Duke Carnoustie · August 3, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Catherine is right in that if you don’t have players, you don’t have an event. But these tournaments don’t run the risk of not having players since they can easily be replaced.
It’s not easy running a tournament like this. Again it’s a yearlong event to organize and build sponsorships and partnerships. The players are there for only a week. Besides, the players have no recourse.
Andy could have gone to Cabo where play begins at night.
jg · August 3, 2018 at 1:19 pm
It can be a great tax deduction to build a roof (with solar panels no less) since its a non profit, I would think Isner could use some tax relief.
Hartt · August 3, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Yes, all that rain made things tough for the organizers. But they could have started the matches earlier to have a better chance of getting them in, without a match starting at midnight. If the women can play in the heat of the afternoon, surely the men can play at 11:00 am. They may not be keen on the early start time, but that is better than a match ending at 3:00 am.
Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2018 at 1:59 pm
My friend plays in 120 in Indian Wells with a guy 70 so these ATP players can play in heat but the reason the schedule waits till 4 is for the fans who don’t like to sit in the stands in the sun in such heat. It’s about the fans comfort not the players. One year at the Legg Mason I saw a fan faint from the heat and it was barely five o clock. I once saw a US Open ballboy faint on an outer court at 11:20 in the morning early in the first match of the day of day one of the US Open, this was about ten years ago.
Duke Carnoustie · August 3, 2018 at 2:13 pm
D.C. tournament director basically just called Murray out and said that he should play tonight. I expect him to play. If he doesn’t Dan will point out I am wrong! Maybe one day Dan will point out all the correct picks I made as well, ha. Fat chance.
Yes the late start is because the tournament has to protect itself against the fans who aren’t prepared for such conditions and to prevent heavy usage of expensive emergency medical services. Certainly the players can handle the conditions.
Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Murray made too much of a big drama show out of last night. That episode certainly did nothing to show the mental and physical fortitude of professional tennis players, to the contrary it made himself and his peers look like coddled prima donnas. Crying his way off the court after beating Copil was a bit much. ATP pros are supposed to be warriors and gladiators, not crybabies. Then to take media cheap shots at the Citi Open was even more dubious. deMinaur is more than capable of issuing Andy a beatdown. Will be interesting to see if Andy decides to show how tough and fierce he is tonight, to erase the images he showed last night.