Aussie Open

No Federer or Henin in the final. I have been involved in tennis all my life competing for the first time in1969 and never has the depth or variety of winners in both sexes been this exciting or healthy at the same time. And through this all there is the domination of Federer and his battle with both history and Tiger Woods for the Grand Slam record, yet there is evidence to suggest the record will not be surpassed as easily as everyone came to expect. Djokovic is now a Slam winner, his belief justified and now the genuine second threat to the No 1 position adding his name to that of Nadal. It will not go unnoticed that Tsonga could become a third and I have little doubt that Murray will become a fourth and suddenly belief will flow through the veins of others that Federer is beatable. Yet Federer himself could renew his energy in the face of challenge, decide that this is the very thing that he needed to drive himself to greater heights and we may see his best tennis ahead of him – reasserting his dominance at the French Open. In order to do this it is my observation that he will have to decide on a consistently more aggressive game plan with planned attacks behind the 2nd serve return and mixing in more serve and volley. His great talent has allowed him to float between styles and more or less choose when he wants to attack or just rally, counter punch or camp on the baseline until he hits a winner. Djokovic plays up the court and can finish at the net taking Roger’s time away causing him to be uncomfortable. Federer will have to respond because players and coaches will be making notes.

Maria Sharapova is a superstar who knows why she is one and does not forget why. Hard work, drive and ambition to improve and this is what she has achieved over and over again. I salute her endeavour and the improvement of her transition game. She is moving through the shorter ball – even a few hop thru steps on her line approach forehand … and what a mind – determined and aggressive.  There are four players like this – the Williams’ sisters (though less consistently), Henin (a remarkable woman) and Maria. Whoever gets a head of steam going in a tournament between them wins the event. There is still a small gap mentally between them and the other three – Kuznetsova, Jankovic and Ivanovic. The Serbian girls are hungry for their first Slam title but it is my opinion that Ivanovic is closer since she solved the fitness element to her game with a spectacular improvement in the off-season. Physically what she and Sharapova have achieved with their bodies is no mean feat – hard yards under their belts. The Oz Open was superb and typified the spirit of competition by Tipsarevic and Roddick in two classic confrontations that set the scene for the latter stages.  Both lost yet competed with belief until the last ball was struck which is the essence of pure competition.

MCTA

Wes Moodie shrugged off the disappointment of not qualifying in the singles to coming within a few points of his 2nd Grand slam doubles final when he and Jeff Coetzee lost a tight semi-final to Llodra and Clement, up 3-0 with a double break first set and holding set point in the second set breaker.

The month of January was limited in results for the rest of our players and rich in work. Andy Murray has put in the hard yards with Jez and Matt and his loss to Tsonga is now firmly in perspective. I predict a top 5 finish in 2008.

Ilija Vucic shrugged off illness in Australia but could not shrug off poor form and confidence and lost 1st round in both singles and doubles. Henri Kontinen had a few wins in a couple of Futures in Florida whilst I travelled with the two Anna’s (Anna & Ana) to Challengers in the US. We were joined by Stefania Boffa from Switzerland who has been a pleasure to work with and is showing some improving form. The work was solid all month and Ana qualified and made 2nd round in Phoenix. Stefania lost last round qualifying in three sets all three tournaments but as I write this she has got what she wholeheartedly deserves – a lucky loser slot into the 75k in Michigan after a tough loss to Anna Fitzpatrick. Anna has not capitalised on chances until this week but the game style is good and the work ethic solid, so now she has some momentum. The Fitz/Yastog combination has lost 13-11 and 10-8 in succession in doubles so perseverance is certainly a big part of dealing with the disappointments in tennis. Bounce back every day looking to improve, get stronger mentally and physically as you never can tell when the week will open up for you to step through and grab some valuable wins and points.

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