NFL great Lawrence Taylor has been called the greatest defensive football player in history because of his rampages all over the field for the New York Giants, using brute strength and lightning bolt speed. LT was also a master motivator who could fire up his teammates. His most famous line was, “Let’s go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs!”
The other night Tennis Channel showed a replay of Miami Open 2024 champion Danielle Collins vs Elena Rybakina and it was evident “The Danimal” was competing with a crazed dog mentality, barking and shrieking on some of her key shots. She was a woman possessed out there and guess what? It worked, she won the match and the title.
It’s uncommon but sometimes players overflow with intensity and emotional adrenaline and actually elevate into a crazed dog level of competitive ferocity.
I can think of other examples… Serena Williams one year at Australian Open was so fierce and vicious that she later confessed she didn’t know or recognize who that person was competing inside her body.
Todd Martin even went crazed dog at 2000 US Open. Martin was 0-2 career head to head vs Carlos Moya (lost al four sets) and found himself down two sets to love in the round of 16 vs Moya on Ashe Stadium in a night match when suddenly Martin transformed into a crazed dog and turned the match around 67 67 61 76 62. Martin, usually a mild mannered gentleman, became a wild man Lon Chaney wolfman, showing emotional adrenaline, fist pumps, bulging eyes, it was a character we never saw before from the usually gentlemanly Martin. But it worked, he solved the Moya puzzle from two sets down (actually had lost all six previous sets to Moya and then suddenly won three).
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Lleyton Hewitt have elevated their fighting spirits to higher crescendos at various moments of Grand Slam combat, showing desperation, obsession and inferno fire, and usually winning as a result.
Crazed dog mentality seems to work in tennis. It’s just a matter of figuring out how to generate and benefit from this most intriguing energy source.
(Djokovic artwork by Andres Bella.)
Carlos Moya · Lawrence Taylor · Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal · Todd Martin
catherine · March 22, 2025 at 5:38 am
Emma R won a strenuous 3 setter against Emma N – a mature and encouraging performance but not of the ‘crazed dog’ type.
No new coach yet, although Mark Petchey has been mentioned. I found this revealing quote from Emma re her coaching spinning wheel:
‘On certain occasions they (coaches) haven’t been able to keep up with questions I’ve asked and maybe that’s why it ended.’
Possibly Emma’s mind works in a different way to the average pro player – and I’d guess she hasn’t endless patience in discussions which don’t interest her. So maybe sometimes the baby gets thrown out with the bath water…
Scoop Malinowski · March 24, 2025 at 9:01 am
Catherine, Petchey is her coach this week and he’s making a big impact. Keep an ear on how much credit she gives him, or will she take all the credit for herself? Beating the very tough Kessler was another big win. Raducanu is overdue for her tennis miracle act 2.
catherine · March 24, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Emma opened her mouth again and revealed she really doesn’t like being told what to do.
I’d bet she was a delight in the classroom…..
However, I agree her win v Kessler was a big advance. Something’s making a difference and it may well be Petchey.
Emma seems happiest when she has a team of people she’s known for a long time.
Scoop Malinowski · March 24, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Catherine, something sure is clicking now, let’s see if she reveals what exactly caused this revival, if she can figure it out. Sometimes it happens and nobody really knows why. Remember the old maxim about how hard it is to find a suitable coach. Because for most coaches, the player is the last priority after.
1. the coach’s interests
2. the coach’s family interests
3. money
4. finally the player.
Emma probably knows about this topic as well as any other player ever.
catherine · March 25, 2025 at 2:49 am
I think it’s an improvement in her physique, she looks stronger, combined with a more settled team and an accompanying maturity in her game and general outlook. Maybe just growing up.
However, I fear Pegula could end this fairy tale.
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2025 at 8:00 am
Weird that Anisimova (Nike also) just sort of rolled over. Maybe Anisimova just had a letdown after the big win vs Andreeva. Also curious how this highly promoted though slow to progress Filipina girl Alexandra Eala (Nike, Nadal Academy) suddenly has emerged. Perfect for WTA how these new stars are suddenly emerging. Gauff continues to flounder and look ordinary and overrated. The agenda pushing her as the best athlete in the WTA is an absurd myth. She is a very limited athlete in reality, lousy forehand, average slice, unreliable serve. A true great athlete does not have so many athletic deficiencies.
catherine · March 25, 2025 at 9:25 am
I feel very sorry for Coco – wish she could find a coach who can really make a difference.
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2025 at 9:45 am
Catherine, I don’t think any coach or team of coaches can make her much better or taller or more athletically suited for tennis. She’s a limited athlete who has had an excellent career – with or without some special privileges and favoritism. To beat Kenin 6060 and then lose to Linette 46 46 is just bizarre and curious.
Scoop Malinowski · March 26, 2025 at 7:58 pm
If you like a good boxing/tennis discussion podcast here’s an excellent one with PavyG and David Hipkin. They kindly mentioned me at 54 min ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyyMTq_J0X0
catherine · March 27, 2025 at 3:13 am
I’ll check on that podcast.
Emma lost to Pegula in 3 sets and by the third set I had a feeling she just wanted to finish the tournament and move on.
It’s no longer a surprise when Swiatek is beaten.
On the ATP side everyone is sitting around waiting for Sinner’s return.
Scoop Malinowski · March 27, 2025 at 7:45 am
Iga failed the drug test and negotiated her own custom ban, she’s compromised. Expect more bizarre results fluctuations in intensity, and stupid errors to continue.