Serena --Strengths And Struggles--USO

[RJD11]

Bodo on Serena and USO: "The Grand Stories: Serena's Strengths vs. Serena's Struggles"

"Victoria Azarenka’s hard-earned win over Serena Williams in yesterday’s Cincinnati final will inevitably be interpreted in one of two ways when it comes to working out what it means for the American’s prospects at the U.S. Open."

Click here to read the rest:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/08/grand-stories-serenas-strength-vs-serenas-struggles/48787/#.UhK_En_J5ac

 

[RJD11]

But while four-time US Open champion can be funny and light hearted off court, she didn't crack smile when recalling losses to American Sloane Stephens at the Australian Open or to Germany’s Sabine Lisicki at Wimbledon. She has done very well outside of the majors this season, but it is still at the Slams where she measures herself as a player.

“You know I’m not there yet with the way my year has gone,” Williams said. “Everybody is like ‘You've had a good year, and I’m like, ‘Who?’”

“Who” would be her, but if Williams doesn't win every major event she enters, then she can’t walk away pleased. She is not an “I tried my hardest and that's all I can ask of myself” type of competitor.

“That's me,” she said. “I work really hard to do the best, especially in Grand Slams.”

When Williams isn’t playing well, she will show every inch of frustration on her face, but it’s been very clear since she came back in the summer of 2011 from a life-threatening bout with a pulmonary embolism that she is having a ball on court.

She truly does enjoy the ins and outs of the game and has long been an underrated strategist. While many players call their coaches out for advice during WTA tournaments (on-court coaching is not allowed at the Grand Slams), Serena prefers to rely on her own wits. If she is in trouble, she will change the direction and length of her shots, and her approach as to how long she should be waiting to go for winners. It is that fascination with the game that will likely keep her going until at least 2016, when she hopes to contest the Rio Olympics.

“I was talking to [my sister] Venus the other day and I said I am never going to stop,” she said. “I just love this sport so much and we were just practicing. It’s just so fun. I’m having more fun than I have ever had.”

Remarkably – Serena has won 54 career singles titles and more than 600 matches in her 16-year career – Williams still gets nervous during matches. She says that it was nerves that got the better of her during her three-set loss to Lisicki at Wimbledon and believes she will have them again when the doors open at the US Open.

“I think it’s almost exciting to have butterflies,” she said, “because it means that you care about it so much and you still get nervous. I think when the day comes and I'm not nervous and don't have butterflies, then I need to start rethinking what I'm doing.”

Williams shows a range of emotions on court, from calm, to distressed, to fired up. It is that part of her game that she felt needs the most work. She is not naturally a mellow person, so keeping an even keel and staying upbeat takes a lot of work.

“On the court, that could improve,” Williams said. “I get so intense and so emotionally charged, and I want it so bad that sometimes it works against me.”

While her four women’s singles titles rank third in the Open era, Williams has never won back-to-back US Open titles before. She hopes to change that this year – and said the key will be her attitude.

“Just stay positive I think more than anything,” she said. “Stay hungry and aggressive.”

 

[RJD11]

Werthiem Mailbag


Why do you think tennis commentators like Pam Shriver and Rennae Stubbs tout Azarenka as the best hard court player on the WTA tour, and say that Kim Clijsters was the best hard court player before Azarenka, when Serena holds five Australian Open titles, four U.S. open titles and six Miami titles. Not to mention, she has a head-to-head record of 7-3 over Azarenka on hard courts, and a 7-2 head-to-head record over Clijsters (they only met on hard courts). Moreover, statistically, Serena has a higher career winning percentage on hard courts than both Azarenka and Clijsters. Am I missing something?
-- Donald H. Memphis, Cordova

• As a wise man once said: Rennae Stubbs is not one to duck tough questions.

"It's in the last few years, not overall! Azarenka has put herself into that role after winning two Australian Opens and having a successful run at the beginning of last year and at the U.S. Open. Azarenka also beat Serena in Doha. I'm not saying Serena still isn't the best because she is. BUT Azarenka is close on her best days on hard courts."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20130821/us-open-rafael-nadal-mailbag/#ixzz2cfIun6oK

 

[djmm]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

The USO has been home court disadvantage for Serena.. Never, has there every been a nation's champion been treated with such distain, low tolerance, horrible officiating and I think djmm has mentioned the rest. I haven't checked but she has more Wimbledon and AO titles than probably US which was her maiden grand slam tournament, its a pure travesty. I think that she is still under a zero tolerance rule because of the simple minded line referee call a few years ago. What still bothers me is the match vs jenny cap, that was by far the worst farce ever. Sure, Serena could have taken the high road but its only so much unsubscribed foolishness can a player mentality can endure.

 

[RJD11]

One burden she has referenced frequently in the past few weeks, however, is expectation from others. ''Everyone's always like, 'I'm the favorite to win,' and it's not easy," she said.

That will be the case once again at the US Open, which means that even though Williams is expected to romp through most of the field, there is still the intriguing prospect of watching her battle herself at the year's final major. This tournament is her last chance to turn her season from very good to great, and the pressure will be difficult to avoid. Physically, too, there are some question marks -- Williams experienced an abdominal problem in Cincinnati that affected her serving in her last two matches.

And with Azarenka stepping up in the final stages of Sunday's match in Cincinnati to record her second win of the year against Williams on hard courts, there is also the possibility that Williams will have a real challenger to contend with at Flushing Meadows.

She has won so much for so long that her continuing victories have almost become part of the landscape. But the transformation of Williams' results over the last year and a half, and the collective weight of her accomplishments during that period, should not go unnoticed.

 

[special700]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

The USO has been home court disadvantage for Serena.. Never, has there every been a nation's champion been treated with such distain, low tolerance, horrible officiating and I think djmm has mentioned the rest. I haven't checked but she has more Wimbledon and AO titles than probably US which was her maiden grand slam tournament, its a pure travesty. I think that she is still under a zero tolerance rule because of the simple minded line referee call a few years ago. What still bothers me is the match vs jenny cap, that was by far the worst farce ever. Sure, Serena could have taken the high road but its only so much unsubscribed foolishness can a player mentality can endure.

She has taken the high road many, many, many times. There's only so much a person can take.

 

[Moxie]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

The USO has been home court disadvantage for Serena.. Never, has there every been a nation's champion been treated with such distain, low tolerance, horrible officiating and I think djmm has mentioned the rest. I haven't checked but she has more Wimbledon and AO titles than probably US which was her maiden grand slam tournament, its a pure travesty. I think that she is still under a zero tolerance rule because of the simple minded line referee call a few years ago. What still bothers me is the match vs jenny cap, that was by far the worst farce ever. Sure, Serena could have taken the high road but its only so much unsubscribed foolishness can a player mentality can endure.

She has taken the high road many, many, many times. There's only so much a person can take.

I totally agree with all of this about how Serena has been hard done by at the Open. However, that doesn't speak to the fans. I go to the Open most every year, have seen her play there several times and I saw Serena in an exho at MSG this year. She is WILDLY popular in NY. As far as fan-support is concerned, she does have a home court advantage.

 

[RJD11]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

The USO has been home court disadvantage for Serena.. Never, has there every been a nation's champion been treated with such distain, low tolerance, horrible officiating and I think djmm has mentioned the rest. I haven't checked but she has more Wimbledon and AO titles than probably US which was her maiden grand slam tournament, its a pure travesty. I think that she is still under a zero tolerance rule because of the simple minded line referee call a few years ago. What still bothers me is the match vs jenny cap, that was by far the worst farce ever. Sure, Serena could have taken the high road but its only so much unsubscribed foolishness can a player mentality can endure.

She has taken the high road many, many, many times. There's only so much a person can take.

I totally agree with all of this about how Serena has been hard done by at the Open. However, that doesn't speak to the fans. I go to the Open most every year, have seen her play there several times and I saw Serena in an exho at MSG this year. She is WILDLY popular in NY. As far as fan-support is concerned, she does have a home court advantage.

I remember when tourney officials came to the court and apologized

to Serena for the Alvez incident. Little consolation when you were

cheated out of a slam. I'll bet Alvez and her crew will be on the job

again next week.

 

[colleen66]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

The USO has been home court disadvantage for Serena.. Never, has there every been a nation's champion been treated with such distain, low tolerance, horrible officiating and I think djmm has mentioned the rest. I haven't checked but she has more Wimbledon and AO titles than probably US which was her maiden grand slam tournament, its a pure travesty. I think that she is still under a zero tolerance rule because of the simple minded line referee call a few years ago. What still bothers me is the match vs jenny cap, that was by far the worst farce ever. Sure, Serena could have taken the high road but its only so much unsubscribed foolishness can a player mentality can endure.

She has taken the high road many, many, many times. There's only so much a person can take.

I totally agree with all of this about how Serena has been hard done by at the Open. However, that doesn't speak to the fans. I go to the Open most every year, have seen her play there several times and I saw Serena in an exho at MSG this year. She is WILDLY popular in NY. As far as fan-support is concerned, she does have a home court advantage.

I too have been going to the USO for many years and yes, Serena is popular in NY. The fans cheer for her......at least in the beginning. What I have witnessed many times is when she falters or falls behind, many "fans" seem to turn on her and start to root for her opponent. I don't want to hear about "cheering for the underdog" rational used by commentators to explain this phenomena. I know that when I watch other players play in their home countries, the fans cheer even more when their player falters. Serena rarely gets this kind of support in the USA.

On a side note, Serena has mentioned in interviews that she would like to get more mixed-doubles titles. It is something on her "bucket-list". She mentioned playing with Chardy or Llodra (I can't remember).

 

[colleen66]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

The USO has been home court disadvantage for Serena.. Never, has there every been a nation's champion been treated with such distain, low tolerance, horrible officiating and I think djmm has mentioned the rest. I haven't checked but she has more Wimbledon and AO titles than probably US which was her maiden grand slam tournament, its a pure travesty. I think that she is still under a zero tolerance rule because of the simple minded line referee call a few years ago. What still bothers me is the match vs jenny cap, that was by far the worst farce ever. Sure, Serena could have taken the high road but its only so much unsubscribed foolishness can a player mentality can endure.

She has taken the high road many, many, many times. There's only so much a person can take.

I totally agree with all of this about how Serena has been hard done by at the Open. However, that doesn't speak to the fans. I go to the Open most every year, have seen her play there several times and I saw Serena in an exho at MSG this year. She is WILDLY popular in NY. As far as fan-support is concerned, she does have a home court advantage.

I remember when tourney officials came to the court and apologized

to Serena for the Alvez incident. Little consolation when you were

cheated out of a slam. I'll bet Alvez and her crew will be on the job

again next week.

I remember Vika calling out Alvez a few week ago about her bad officiating of Serena's match.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Bodo thinks Serena has "home court advantage" in NYC?!? Why, because she's an American?? Yeah, right!! Ask Kimmy Po who had the advantage ... I remember quite well and it WASN'T Serena. The USO has done nothing but derail her title chances there (cheating line calls, ffts, scheduling, etc.) Thank GOD we have instant replay (thanks to Serena, btw)!!

And, they have the nerve to say "only four" USO titles [/i]Excuse me, but how many total slams does Maria have?? You don't hear them saying Maria ONLY has ONE EACH!!

On my fricken nerves!!

The USO has been home court disadvantage for Serena.. Never, has there every been a nation's champion been treated with such distain, low tolerance, horrible officiating and I think djmm has mentioned the rest. I haven't checked but she has more Wimbledon and AO titles than probably US which was her maiden grand slam tournament, its a pure travesty. I think that she is still under a zero tolerance rule because of the simple minded line referee call a few years ago. What still bothers me is the match vs jenny cap, that was by far the worst farce ever. Sure, Serena could have taken the high road but its only so much unsubscribed foolishness can a player mentality can endure.

She has taken the high road many, many, many times. There's only so much a person can take.

I totally agree with all of this about how Serena has been hard done by at the Open. However, that doesn't speak to the fans. I go to the Open most every year, have seen her play there several times and I saw Serena in an exho at MSG this year. She is WILDLY popular in NY. As far as fan-support is concerned, she does have a home court advantage.

thanks Moxie,,, those are some very good points that you bring up in regards to the NYC and USO fans how they treat Serena.. I truly think it the only reason she shows up because she really :heart: the fans.

BTW.. the Showtime documentary on Venus and Serena was really excellent. I would encourage any tennis fan to watch it.

 

[RJD11]

NEW YORK — No. 1 Serena Williams says she has nothing to prove when she begins her U.S. Open title defense on Monday. Williams, who will open against former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone on Monday, has said she doesn’t think she’s had the greatest 2013, but at 31, and with 16 Grand Slam titles, including her French Open victory this spring, Williams now says she’s playing with house money.

“I don’t need to do anything,” Williams told reporters during U.S. Open Media Day. “That’s the beauty of my career. I don’t need to do anything at all. Everything I do from this day forward is a bonus. Actually from yesterday. It doesn’t matter. Everything for me is just extra.”

Williams comes into the U.S. Open with a career-best eight titles this season, with three of those titles coming on hard courts in Brisbane, Miami, and a few weeks ago in Toronto. If she’s able to win her fifth title in New York, she’ll be the first woman to successfully defend a U.S. Open title since Kim Clijsters in 2010. She could also clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking if she wins and No. 2 Victoria Azarenka fails to make the final.

But the road to the U.S. Open title may have to go through Azarenka. The two-time Australian Open leads the WTA in winning percentage on hard courts, going 25-1 this season, while Serena follows her at 29-3. Two of those losses have come to Azarenka in hard court finals, most recently in the final of Cincinnati, which saw Azarenka come back to snap Williams’ 14-match post-Wimbledon win streak to win the title with a 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6) win. Williams says the loss was a blessing in disguise.

“Every time I lose, I get so pumped afterwards and I just feel that way,” she said. “I just feel like now I’m ready, now I’m prepared. I almost needed that to take my game to a new level.”

After a week of rest, Williams insists she’s recovered from her heavy summer schedule. She’s already played 64 matches this season, including 15 since Wimbledon, the most she’s ever played in that span.

“I feel great,” Williams said. “I feel completely recharged. I feel fine. To play more matches now later in my career than sooner, it’s interesting how good I feel.”

Williams plays Schiavone in the first night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night.




I don't think she is fully recovered. Shouldn't play doubles.

 

[RJD11]

Another " expert " gives advice on how Vika can beat Serena Williams.



http://www.tennis.com/technology/2013/08/number-crunch/48881/#.Uh0Vj3_J5ac

 

[djmm]

Another " expert " gives advice on how Vika can beat Serena Williams.



http://www.tennis.com/technology/2013/08/number-crunch/48881/#.Uh0Vj3_J5ac

Ooh, and detailed too .. I bet he's American :dodgy:

 

[RJD11]

Another " expert " gives advice on how Vika can beat Serena Williams.



http://www.tennis.com/technology/2013/08/number-crunch/48881/#.Uh0Vj3_J5ac

Ooh, and detailed too .. I bet he's American :dodgy:

He has experience. A while back he wrote an article about

coaching against Serena Williams when he helped coach

M. Csink vs Serena at Wimby I believe.........Then he said:

It’s like experiencing a beautiful dream and a horrifying nightmare all at the sametime.

Her main weapon is power, and the preferred delivery method is her serve.

On Thursday Serena Williams’s power took over Centre Court, and the game plan became tough to implement. Some days you just have to say too good. Thursday, on the greatest court in the world, was one of those days.



I Guess he changed his tune and now thinks he has the answer.

 

[special700]

Another " expert " gives advice on how Vika can beat Serena Williams.



http://www.tennis.com/technology/2013/08/number-crunch/48881/#.Uh0Vj3_J5ac

Ooh, and detailed too .. I bet he's American :dodgy:

First it maria not it's Vika.....Who will it be next....:nono

 

[djmm]

Ahh, the media didn't like it when the crowd was cheering against the American Isner. I wish they thought that way when the crowd is against Serena!! :dodgy:

Funny how the Aussie Cahill was the one constantly repeating it!!

hmm

 

[djmm]

Another " expert " gives advice on how Vika can beat Serena Williams.



http://www.tennis.com/technology/2013/08/number-crunch/48881/#.Uh0Vj3_J5ac

Ooh, and detailed too .. I bet he's American :dodgy:

First it maria not it's Vika.....Who will it be next....:nono

Her next opponent, then Sloane!!

 

[RJD11]

Another " expert " gives advice on how Vika can beat Serena Williams.



http://www.tennis.com/technology/2013/08/number-crunch/48881/#.Uh0Vj3_J5ac

Ooh, and detailed too .. I bet he's American :dodgy:

First it maria not it's Vika.....Who will it be next....:nono

Her next opponent, then Sloane!!

Oh you can bet Sloane will get the royal treatment

Cahill may even volunteer to be her coach like he did

a couple of weeks ago.