Kirilenko and Dokic Also Contemplating Comebacks

Bad decision – none of these players will make a mark and they will quickly disappear again, having been embarrassed and/or humiliated. Not so much age – you just have keep playing all the time.

Andy’s isn’t the same kind of comeback – he had a long layoff with injury.

I am fully in support of all players that want to make a comeback and play for the love of the game…just not at the expense of other players. They’ll have to earn it and if they’re good enough they’ll make it.

I’ll never forget what Dan said about Kirilenko. Sadly I agree. Her game is less remarkable than the fact she’s a good looking lady!

And stop jabbing Kirilenko for being a good looking player, she knows it!!!

Scoop, I wrote about Linz changing the location of their player party for Coco on another thread. They moved it from a casino to a lobby, and pictures of it show a very bleak space, although the women were dressed in glamourous 1920s style dresses. (Except Coco, of course, who was in casual clothes. I don’t imagine she had time to get a costume.)

These WTA past stars are probably coming back for a lot of reasons. Mostly because the tennis court is where they experienced their greatest success. It’s why I say what does Serena Williams have to look forward to, really? Her HOF speech? When you hang up the racquet and the sneakers, it’s over.

Theoretically it’s possible for at least one of them to get some good results. But they may be playing for other reasons. In Dokic case, possibly to find some peace and sell some books.

I think a close second may be that these players want their kids to see them play. The idea of a legacy is powerful and their kids probably see them only as mom that makes PBJ or lunch or who takes me to school etc.

But mostly because of the hanging up of the racquet thing. It’s like Clijsters said. She was a stay at home mom and things were predictable. Then she said what the heck, let’s give my kids some more memories of me playing. She even talked herself into it, saying to the effect the sport hasn’t changed that much.

Gauff won her match when Kozlova had to retire in the decider with a calf injury. I was hoping Gauff would lose, not anything against her, but I think the continuing hype will do her more harm than good.

Hartt – Gauff will reach the final without playing a complete match 🙂

Scoop, you are so right about this Gauff situation and Mouratoglou. We were on the next court when he was flown to Florida and worked with Serena on her comeback. Serena and Venus were hitting with the Jenkins brothers and Richard Williams was picking up balls with a tube. Mouratoglou would stand and watch with arms folded, then he started his own exercise routine, stretching and jogging around the 4 court complex. He is not a technical guy, but a good marketer.

We first saw Gauff at Sly Blacks little academy at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton when she was 8 years old. She was already playing multiple sports and was genetically way above the other kids. Sly Black was a great coach, he put the girls through very tough physical workouts. His own daughters are also great players although one had her career cut short by injury. Sly Black developed Gauff. By 12-12.5, she was almost the size she is now. By the time Mouratoglou invited her over, she was fully developed.

Mouratoglou certainly seems like a fantastic marketer. Finds something that works amazingly well and puts a Mouratoglou sticker on it. Gets tons of new paying students. One reason the Nadals look at that say, we’ll do that, our players won’t be any worse. If Patrick can pull this off we can too.

Scoop, we have seen Clervie Ngounoue play one time. Excellent athlete and great size. Very physically mature girl for her age. She seems like she plays more aggressively than most of the junior girls who are quite defensive for the most part.

Clervie took apart a girl we have trained with named Charlotte Owensby. Owensby is a strong player so for Clervie to easily handle her and be 3 years younger…looks like she is going to be quite a player.

I’ll spare the kid. I don’t think she knows what to say when her agent makes it seem the earth revolves around her, and I’d guess she’s a little embarassed but wants to make sure everyone understands she appreciates the gestures.

I think like Jon King I think, it would be great if there are people looking out for her. I was wondering if maybe her dad encourages her to just be herself. I cannot blame them if there’s another motivation, such as grab the cash. A pro tennis career is a fragile thing.

I think it’s awful hard to stay away from the perks of the sport. I read how Tommy Paul made up his mind to meet up with friends less and made things more boring for himself – practice courts, hotel, watch tape, eat dinner etc, even in places where he knows lots of people.

It’s unbelievable to say this, but that’s a good sign for a player. When they take the time to prep for their matches etc. It looks a little or a lot anti social, but for Tommy Paul he’s like this is going to pay off, I will do better, I am here to see what I can do and put in my best effort. And if he wins? Then it’s hey, let’s savors this W.

Barely remember Monique Viele. Fine game. Watched the brief youtube documentary. Bolletieri seemed invested, he lost her to Macci? Her dad seemed to say the right stuff.

There are some real horror stories around junior girls, not so much boys for obvious reasons. Some journalist should do a story on it. There was book in the 80s about junior girls in the US, centering on a junior champ who flopped, can’t remember the details.

The age limits should stay. It would be discraceful if
WTA bends to pressure.

I totally agree that the WTA rules for junior players should remain. Those young players need time to further develop their games, even those who are mature physically. But just as important, they need time to develop emotionally and mentally.

Catherine, I’m not sure what you mean about Tennis Canada doing the right thing regarding the junior players. They don’t over hype the young players, and like to have a say in who they have as coaches, etc. That is probably wise. They give some financial (and other) support to a young player like Leylah Annie Fernandez, who is not part of their training system, although I don’t know if that support is very extensive.