I ran into the great Jimmy Arias at the USTA National Campus in Orlando yesterday after playing World Team Tennis national qualifiers for our 4.5 team from NJ, and Jimmy walked by, on site for his Tennis Channel broadcast of the Ohio State vs Florida State womens tennis match.
“What are you doing here,” Jimmy asked. Just like what he said another time we bumped into each other at Laurel Oak where I was playing a league match and he was just finishing a hitting session with a top junior Ty or Micah Braswell.
About a month ago I had the chance to hit with an old timer from Buffalo named Tom Lapenna, who knows Jimmy since he was 9. He told me a lot of stories about how good Jimmy was a kid. At age 10-11 he would hang around the adult players who he could beat, despite his small stature, that’s how talented and powerful he was. They’d go out to eat sometimes, a big group of over a dozen and the kid was so sharp he would actually dominate the conversations. “Everybody loved Jimmy,” Tom recalls fondly. Strangers would be in wonder, how could a kid, A KID, dominate grown men in conversations?
Then at 12 Jimmy was arranged to play an exo with Rod Laver in Buffalo. This was in 1976. Laver was 38, like Federer right now.
Jimmy somehow managed to get the best of Laver for a while 2-love. After that, Laver looked at Jimmy and said, “Kid, you’re not getting another game.” In the end, Laver finally did prevail, 7-5. Arias said he was “unbelievable” that night and did not reach that level of fine play for five years.
Arias relocated to Bollettieri’s Academy on Longboat Key at 13. At 16 he beat top 20 ATP veteran Eddie Dibbs in an exhibition. But the word was Bollettieri mismanaged the Arias game, by trying to turn him into a top spinner far behind the baseline, like a new Borg Vilas. Doing endless hours of drills. But Jimmy had his own identity and game and a decent backhand with touch. He was good enough to be his own player – not an imitation.
He turned pro upon Bollettieri’s insistence. The first year on the ATP Tour was a “miserable” experience. Arias broke into the top 100 but he was not embraced by the other older players. One player named Francisco Gonzalez bullied Arias off a practice court to hit with Ferdie Taygan. In 1982, Arias made the finals of Washington and lost to Ivan Lendl. In 1983, Arias made the semifinals at US Open and lost to Lendl again. This was when Lendl was a choke artist. A bad call went against Arias which Jimmy felt turned the match and cost him a final showdown with Connors. Lendl choked the final to Connors 63 67 75 60.
After US Open, Arias played in Palermo, Italy, for a $20,000 guarantee. He got mono and strep throat. He didn’t play for three months. When he finally felt strong enough to hit the court he jumped right into a practice set with Lapenna and lost it.
The career of Arias went downhill from there. He won a total of five ATP titles in 1982 and 1983, plus a French Open mixed doubles major with Andrea Jaeger. Overall, a good solid career. but not quite the stuff of legend like he himself and some others expected.
The questions remain. Was the 12 year old prodigy misguided and miscoached by Bollettieri? Was the then uproven Bollettieri really truly worthy of handling and developing such a rare, one in a million talent as young Arias?
Today Arias is the best tennis commentator on TV for Tennis Channel. He’s also now the head of player development at the IMG Academy in Bradenton.
IMG · Jimmy Arias · Tennis Channel
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« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »catherine · March 3, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Jeff- I can’t find anything on Julia sacking her current coach, Jens Gerlach – she hired him in October I think.
Gerlach was the Fed Cup captain, now Rainer Schuettler ex-Kerber coach (carousel time) so I don’t know if it’s Gerlach she’s defenestrated. Anyway, she looks pretty unsettled.
Hartt · March 3, 2020 at 6:17 pm
Fernandez won her Monterrey match vs Voegele in SS, 7-6, 6-2.
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2020 at 7:02 pm
My favorite chapter in Hard Courts is the one on “Ted.” It really shows Seles in a good light. I re-read it about ten times now. Probably my favorite book chapter of all time.
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2020 at 7:04 pm
Catherine, I always knew you had a preference for scandals 🙂 I learned of a major 80s scandal this weekend, where a current top 50 player’s mom slept with former major finalist and had to pay the ex husband a million for the divorce. Sorry to tease but it helps are readership numbers 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Every day the USTA hesitates to steal Borfiga to Florida is another day wasted for American tennis. I say triple his salary and get him out of Montreal already. It’s going to happen eventually, just do it now.
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2020 at 7:08 pm
Dan, Yes Arias showed tennis genius at 12. Laver lied to Jimmy’s face telling him You aint winning another name punk. Arias won three more and had him at 5-5. 12 year old boy giving the GOAT a run. It’s like Rudy Quon playing Federer to 5-5. Aint happening. Arias was a boy genius. Maybe the greatest 12 year old of all time.
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2020 at 7:09 pm
At 2-2, Laver told Jimmy, You aint winning another game. Laver couldn’t back up his words. Exo or no exo, this was incredible. Exos are not always hit and giggles, sometimes they get heated and serious. Ask Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Thanks David for the insights and memories. Welcome to the site. Agree, Arias is as good as anyone on TV. I still remember some of his good humor jabs. He was playing each morning in Delray with Leif Shiras and they were talking about it and Leif asked Jimmy on the air, What are my weaknesses? And Jimmy replied, “What are your strengths?” Then another time Brett Haber was talking about Nadal’s $400,000 watch and Arias replied, “Works just as good as a Seiko.”
Andrew Miller · March 3, 2020 at 7:45 pm
US doesn’t deserve Borfiga and the US system wouldn’t suite him with exception of the huge pay increase. He’s overseeing the growth of possibly the best tennis program of the 2020s, which took a lot of time to achieve. Why would he walk away from a group that has bought into the Borfiga way? It would also be seen as a colossal betrayal, as if Shapovalov and Felix were to hold a press conference and say they were heading to the States to play for the red white and blue.
Borfiga has everything he wants. A semi European set-up, carte blanche to do what he wants and how he wants it, people that listen to him and work with him. That would all go out the window.
Andrew Miller · March 3, 2020 at 7:59 pm
Happy for Sabalenka. A worthwhile player.
Harold · March 3, 2020 at 8:13 pm
Has Fernandez stopped bouncing the ball yet? She has some issues, makes Djoker look less OCD
Hartt · March 3, 2020 at 8:22 pm
I can understand why Scoop wants to steal Borfiga, but it isn’t going to happen!
Harold · March 3, 2020 at 8:27 pm
3 games of Clijsters serving. 7 aces. Top 5 server right now in the WTA. On serve against the mechanical, yet kooky Konta
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 1:23 am
Konta bt Kim 6-3 7-5. Haven’t seen the match yet. Kim always had a good serve – very smooth.
Andrew – I’d like Sabalenka to win a big one, won’t happen yet but I hope. Great day for Belarus to get its name on the board.
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 1:33 am
Some good moments from Kim in Monterrey but I think that’s probably all we’ll see of her – just little gems in matches she’ll lose.
Konta has improved a lot since I last saw her – serving well. She had around 4 mths off with her knee problem. Not sure what it was.
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 1:49 am
Scoop – American tended to go crazy about Ted Tinling but he wasn’t seen that way in Britain so much. I interviewed him once in his workshop in West London. He was a little snippy and condescending. Fitted into a certain category. If you got the wrong side of Teddy you were there for life. His dresses got out of date in the 70s.
My first editor was a friend of Ted’s and played doubles with him for a time. Ted was a little fragile on court.
It’s not that I love scandal so much, I just get sick of milk and water stories and downright untruths and I like to hear the things people really get up to – not necessarily sleaze. Just believable and interesting.
Jeff · March 4, 2020 at 2:46 am
The story on gorgeous Goerges dumping Gerlach is on Tennis World USA, albeit with a photo of Angie Kerber. But it’s apparently all over the German press which isn’t surprising since they must go nuts over their attractive athletes.
No word on a new coach.
The IW event is a Challenger. Jack Sock beat Humbert so that means he is on the right track and he faces Donskoy next and should win easy.
Mitchell Krueger has come back from 6-0 losses in the first set in his first two matches to beat the somewhat similarly named veterans Dudi Sela and Radu Albot. Has any player ever done this? He faces Korda next.
Poor Hyeon Chung bombed out in the first round. He had so much promise and is still scuffling. His ranking is 142 so we can’t bury him but it seemed last year at the Open he was getting back on track.
Jeff · March 4, 2020 at 2:59 am
Kyrgios complained about clay court tennis recently. When it was pointed out that Gianluca Mager reached the semis in Rio, Kyrgios asked how many hardcourt and grasscourt wins Mager had. Then he said these clay tournaments in South America shouldn’t be played in February. Never mind that Mager beat Thiem on clay – something Kyrgios would be unable to accomplish ever.
Kyrgios is down to No. 39 since he has lost his Acapulco points and we can expect him to mail it in for the clay season judging by these comments. He could use points in IW and Miami but that doesn’t seem likely.
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 3:45 am
Thanks Jeff – I seldom look at Tennis World because it can be a mine of misinformation so I missed that. Nothing on Julia’s twitter.
Something about these German women and their coaches – Petko, Kerber and Georges have all been on the merry-go-round in recent years. All reaching their twilight years on court maybe explains it, though Petko will transition easily to retirement I suspect.
No up and coming German girls. I find it surprising. Can’t say they don’t have role models.
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 4:05 am
Jeff – Had a look at the TW piece – as you say, illustrated with a pic of Kerber – and Zverev at the Hopman Cup 🙂
Comments from Julia and Gerlach suggested some personal stuff. Not the usual soft soap. Maybe a little too revealing.
(Also interesting to read that BJK said she wouldn’t have joined in the demo at the AO by Martina and Mac and is toning down her criticism of Margaret – sees no point at this stage)
Hartt · March 4, 2020 at 8:41 am
Here is info on Bianca, from her coach, Sylvain Bruneau.
“Bruneau told Sportsnet in a phone interview Tuesday that he and Andreescu are flying down to Palm Springs, Calif., on Friday to see if her knee is ready for the rigours of an extended tournament.
“Well it’s been a long road, a long recovery, but … it’s going well, especially recently, we’ve had some really good momentum and things are in, I would say, good shape,” Bruneau said.
“Now it’s not even two weeks away from the tournament, so we’re hoping she’ll be ready. She’s just going to start competing when she’s … ability- and health-wise, totally ready and we’re gonna take no risk. So we’re hoping it’s going to be good to go for Indian Wells, but we need a few more days.”
Bruneau said Andreescu has clearance from doctors — he declined to offer specifics, however the injury has been rumoured to be a torn meniscus — but whether she gets the OK to return depends on her ability to play without apprehension.
“(She needs) to be able to move full out with no restrictions, with no fear and totally trust that everything’s fine,” he said. “And if that’s there and if we’re able to prepare properly — which means do that before the tournament, not just that, ‘Oh, everything would be like this in the first round,’ but know that we have enough saved for the tournament where everything’s in place — that will give us the green light and I think we should know that by next Monday.”
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 8:45 am
Kim looked good but not good enough to win any matches. Flashes of her greatness but she’s bigger now and not moving like she used to. I don’t see her winning any matches except for a lucky draw against a low ranked girl who subconsciously tanks. She’s had tough draws but the WCs will soon run out and she has to take advantage of them now to get some points and a ranking. I hope she makes it back to top 50.
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 8:46 am
Catherine, wish I met Ted, he was a character indeed. Loved tennis and loved Seles.
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 8:47 am
Major win for Sock. He will bounce back in singles, he has a lot to prove now, he wants to show his fiancee his best tennis and he will.
Jon King · March 4, 2020 at 9:30 am
Kim was always my favorite player with her athletic ability. Like Scoop said, still see some flashes. But she is clearly not in good shape at all now.
jg · March 4, 2020 at 9:32 am
how about Noah Rubin beating Luca Pouille, he’s beaten Isner before but other than that this must be his biggest win–and if he doesn’t win a few more rounds he won’t have many points to show for it, its tough in the challengers unless you consistently win, if you do you shoot up the rankings. Look at JJ Wolf, he is quietly shooting up as is Cressy.
Jon King · March 4, 2020 at 9:36 am
Forget any dreams of USTA player development hiring a hotshot coach with a great track record. The current administration of Katrina Adams and Martin Blackman only hire buddies of theirs. But in the end its always parents and private coaches who develop the better US players anyway.
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 9:47 am
Hartt – I don’t want to seem negative but to me it’s the SOSO from Bruneau. Torn miniscus – Bianca should have had surgery.
She’ll be nervous, fearful about movement, her opponents will know that. My feeling – she won’t be at IW and we won’t see her before the summer, if then. And if she breaks down playing, she’ll be out for a year.
This comes from my experience seeing players in the past struggling with the same injury. They want to play, don’t want surgery, but in the end it’s the only option. At least Bianca’s young.
I hope I’m wrong, I really do, but the signs are not good.
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 9:56 am
Scoop – Yes, Ted was a great character, but although he moved to the US and loved all things American, he remained English in temperament (reserved) and you had to be careful in conversation, he didn’t like being contradicted and could take against people for all kinds of reasons.
Hartt · March 4, 2020 at 9:57 am
Bianca has been working with Rafa’s doctor, someone who should be an expert on tennis players and their knees.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 10:56 am
Belarus had an exceptional #2. Who should have won more slams, but should isn’t a real word in pro tennis.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 10:57 am
Wow, Andreescu injury sounds awful. Can’t rush that. I can hear what they are talking about, things like explosiveness etc where you get the first step you need. A fear of playing. This is going to take a while. A while longer for sure.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 11:06 am
Guess Gorgeous Goerges game got Kerber-ed. I think the Ostapenko loss and inability to defend her Luxembourg title hurt a lot. I think the whole “she is a serious and balanced player who has it together” idea has gone out the window with two coaching changes in under 4 months.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 11:08 am
Sock’s Humbert win. Not long ago, Sock got the fork. Now he’s on the verge of…he’s not yet on the verge of anything, but this should boost his confidence.
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 11:40 am
Andrew – maybe it’s a natural arc of Julia’s career. She laboured for six years between titles, Stuttgart in 2011 and then Moscow in 2017. Many times she considered giving up. And then in Moscow she beat Kasatkina I think and on the final point looked up at the Review screen and saw she’d won and started crying. Then she had a couple of years of good results and now the tank’s run dry. It’s a career to be proud of anyway, for persistance and that serve and beautiful forehand.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Goerges slumping. I don’t understand what either her or Gerlach comments mean, and sadly my mind jumps to conclusions. To use popular terms, a hot mess. Whatever the situation, that’s firing two coaches and teams in around four months, and usually that’s a player that isn’t sorted out. I don’t expect Goerges to do much. Her Ostapenko loss in Luxembourg had to hurt and she hasn’t played anywhere near that level since.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Goerges should be proud being a serious player. I don’t think as of late she has had it in her to get another level of tennis – but to her credit she believes she still has it in her. Otherwise she’d stick with this team. From the comments, whatever the translation, that’s quite a word salad, raises a lot of questions that I am sure people will decide to leave alone. I’m tempted to ask Scoop to check with his shadow references out of intrigue, but intrigue isn’t good for the sport or the player, or fans. Better the happy place where we all believe people aren’t people.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Maybe Goerges wants another slam run, like Pennetta. I’d think she likes Kerber’s example. Just not seeing how she can break through – Wimbledon only if possible again.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Tiafoe vs Sinner in IW qualies. Another “not a normal qualies match”!
Harold · March 4, 2020 at 1:16 pm
Isn’t this IW tournament a challenger? No way Tiafoe is not getting a WC into IW if he needed it.
Aren’t IW and Miami 96 draw.. Think the Qualies are next week
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Andrew – yes, let’s leave the Georges/Gerlach situation alone. A little bit of real life there and Julia is probably regretting she said anything.
Wimbledon is the only tournament she can do much in I think. Not really Kerber – and whatever Angie’s plans are who knows ?
catherine · March 4, 2020 at 2:25 pm
New Berlin grass court WTA Premier event has already grabbed Kenin and Gauff so it’s made a profit already….
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 5:09 pm
Georges has the game, has the shots but she is not ruthless enough, she is too nice, she doesn’t want it bad enough. Please prove me wrong. But I have seen her mentally defer too many times to the big stars.
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 5:11 pm
Andrew, I assure you Sock will get back into the elite. I know this for a fact. He is driven to show his career best tennis for his fiancee/future wife. This is the greatest inspiration of all and Sock will rise to the occasion. Book it.
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Catherine, Wish I met Ted, wonder if he would have got along or butted heads. From what I read in Hard Courts, I like his thinking and respect for players, but he only seemed interested in the women’s game which is odd for an openly homosexual man, albeit a self confessed non practicing homosexual. 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Jon, K Adams is out, her tenure is over. She has no involvement in USTA player development now. Blackman is boss and Rinaldi, Kinnear, Higueras help out.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Did Goerges fall for her coach? Or vice versa? Oddest coach player statement in history.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 8:34 pm
Sock should feel good about being 2-1 his last three matches with another top fifty win against an up and coming (and now slumping) next gen player in lefty Humbert. That his fitness is there must help him. Possibly that he’s happier off court too.
Andrew Miller · March 4, 2020 at 8:42 pm
Catherine couldn’t help myself. Goerges statement seemed to open a bag wide enough for a few cats to escape. Wonder if the German press will pursue. Either she was sloppy with what she said or she wasn’t translated correctly. I’d guess it doesn’t matter, but she isn’t playing well and I think she had been playing pretty well last summer through the US Open. Now she’s unraveled. How different this year is for so many players who seemed to find a groove. Svitolina, Goerges, Muchova…
But hey that’s the way it goes. If every player were winning it wouldn’t be a tennis tour!
Scoop Malinowski · March 4, 2020 at 8:45 pm
Humbert is legit top 40 player now. Sock handled him. I assure you Sock will be top 40 again minimum. 100% guaranteed. Beating Albot and Humbert as he did, has restored his belief. Sock is back.