Sloane hires Annacone

[Sundaymorningguy]

Smart move. Finally someone who gets it that if you want to make that next step you have to hire the best.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/11/sloane-stephens-hires-coach-paul-annacone-trial-basis/49824/#.UowHusQ3vAw

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I just posted that news on another post here
Well according to strong rumors Sloane was to sign Michael Joyce.
It will be interesting to see if this trial partnership will be full time.

 

[RJD11]

This could be the launch of Sloanes Breakout as

a top player. This tells me she is quite serious

and wants it.

Maybe Sydney will tell the tale.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Here is my two cents.. when I was a kid growing up, there would be some dogs that wasnt just naturally tough or mean enough to be thought of as guard dogs. There was a myth if you fed the dogs gunpowder, it would make the animal mean or tougher. Sloane isnt a naturally born killer such as "Serena, Sharapova, Venus or Henin" and I truly dont think this can be taught by a coach. Annacone can improve the fundamentals of her game but I am not sure that he can teach her to be mentally tough against the top 10 players consistently. I think Sloane may be the female version of some of the Men's players such as Tommy Haas, David Nalby or Berdych, players who had the talent but not the inner mental strength to put their foot on someone's throat if needed. Look at Sloane's match results, she rarely annihilate her opponents. IMO

 

[Front242]

It's an interesting move, especially if he makes her go for first strike, but hopefully not Sharapova style. Knowing when to pull the trigger is the important part. Federer played many matches last few years where he just wasn't patient enough to rally before waiting for the opportunity to go for a winner. If she's patient and learns when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move.

 

[the AntiPusher]

It's an interesting move, especially if he makes her go for first strike, but hopefully not Sharapova style. Knowing when to pull the trigger is the important part. Federer played many matches last few years where he just wasn't patient enough to rally before waiting for the opportunity to go for a winner. If she's patient and learns when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move.

Explain, What the difference between "when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move. First strike tennis is always high risk there is no in between.

 

[Front242]

It's an interesting move, especially if he makes her go for first strike, but hopefully not Sharapova style. Knowing when to pull the trigger is the important part. Federer played many matches last few years where he just wasn't patient enough to rally before waiting for the opportunity to go for a winner. If she's patient and learns when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move.

Explain, What the difference between "when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move. First strike tennis is always high risk there is no in between.

Strike when the opportunity first presents itself as opposed to on every shot you hit. It's obviously not always possible to hit a service winner or tennis would be supremely boring. Knowing when you're in the position in a rally to go for a clear winner but not just blasting it with no purpose.

 

[the AntiPusher]

It's an interesting move, especially if he makes her go for first strike, but hopefully not Sharapova style. Knowing when to pull the trigger is the important part. Federer played many matches last few years where he just wasn't patient enough to rally before waiting for the opportunity to go for a winner. If she's patient and learns when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move.

Explain, What the difference between "when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move. First strike tennis is always high risk there is no in between.

Strike when the opportunity first presents itself as opposed to on every shot you hit. It's obviously not always possible to hit a service winner or tennis would be supremely boring. Knowing when you're in the position in a rally to go for a clear winner but not just blasting it with no purpose.

Maybe PA can help with that because Sloane has lazy foot work, She doesnt positions herself well.. We shall see.

 

[Front242]

It's an interesting move, especially if he makes her go for first strike, but hopefully not Sharapova style. Knowing when to pull the trigger is the important part. Federer played many matches last few years where he just wasn't patient enough to rally before waiting for the opportunity to go for a winner. If she's patient and learns when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move.

Explain, What the difference between "when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move. First strike tennis is always high risk there is no in between.

Strike when the opportunity first presents itself as opposed to on every shot you hit. It's obviously not always possible to hit a service winner or tennis would be supremely boring. Knowing when you're in the position in a rally to go for a clear winner but not just blasting it with no purpose.

Maybe PA can help with that because Sloane has lazy foot work, She doesnt positions herself well.. We shall see.

Sure hope so. The women's game needs a bit more competition at the top.

 

[the AntiPusher]

It's an interesting move, especially if he makes her go for first strike, but hopefully not Sharapova style. Knowing when to pull the trigger is the important part. Federer played many matches last few years where he just wasn't patient enough to rally before waiting for the opportunity to go for a winner. If she's patient and learns when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move.

Explain, What the difference between "when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move. First strike tennis is always high risk there is no in between.

Strike when the opportunity first presents itself as opposed to on every shot you hit. It's obviously not always possible to hit a service winner or tennis would be supremely boring. Knowing when you're in the position in a rally to go for a clear winner but not just blasting it with no purpose.

Maybe PA can help with that because Sloane has lazy foot work, She doesnt positions herself well.. We shall see.

Sure hope so. The women's game needs a bit more competition at the top.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone from the past made another cimbaxj,
Not Clister but maybe her country woman Henin or a former Russian player

 

[Front242]

Explain, What the difference between "when to go for a big shot instead of walloping it senselessly this could be a good move. First strike tennis is always high risk there is no in between.

Strike when the opportunity first presents itself as opposed to on every shot you hit. It's obviously not always possible to hit a service winner or tennis would be supremely boring. Knowing when you're in the position in a rally to go for a clear winner but not just blasting it with no purpose.

Maybe PA can help with that because Sloane has lazy foot work, She doesnt positions herself well.. We shall see.

Sure hope so. The women's game needs a bit more competition at the top.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone from the past made another cimbaxj,
Not Clister but maybe her country woman Henin or a former Russian player

As someone pointed out there's a slight possibility Nicole Vaidosova may consider it since she's only 24 and just free from the clenches of "the worm", Stepanek. I liked watching Elena Dementieva when she was playing but she's too old now to comeback. There aren't many Date-Krumm style comebacks. It's a pity Clijsters ended up so bashed up from injuries at the end of her comeback.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Strike when the opportunity first presents itself as opposed to on every shot you hit. It's obviously not always possible to hit a service winner or tennis would be supremely boring. Knowing when you're in the position in a rally to go for a clear winner but not just blasting it with no purpose.

Maybe PA can help with that because Sloane has lazy foot work, She doesnt positions herself well.. We shall see.

Sure hope so. The women's game needs a bit more competition at the top.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone from the past made another cimbaxj,
Not Clister but maybe her country woman Henin or a former Russian player

As someone pointed out there's a slight possibility Nicole Vaidosova may consider it since she's only 24 and just free from the clenches of "the worm", Stepanek. I liked watching Elena Dementieva when she was playing but she's too old now to comeback. There aren't many Date-Krumm style comebacks. It's a pity Clijsters ended up so bashed up from injuries at the end of her comeback.

Front thats who I was thinking about Elena Dementieva but you may be correct, age may be a factor. I think it may be Miss Drama Z making the return to the tour. She will add spice to the mix

 

[sk310]

Lol funny you would go on a rant about Sloane not having mental fortitude and then agree Dementieva needs to make a comeback. . I loved her but homegirl had 0 mental strength.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think there is no downside to this move by Sloan. Lots to gain on and off the court. Sloan will learn a whole lot just by listening to PA during lunch. Of course she has to WANT to get better, and this move shows maybe she does.

 

[Front242]

Maybe PA can help with that because Sloane has lazy foot work, She doesnt positions herself well.. We shall see.

Sure hope so. The women's game needs a bit more competition at the top.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone from the past made another cimbaxj,
Not Clister but maybe her country woman Henin or a former Russian player

As someone pointed out there's a slight possibility Nicole Vaidosova may consider it since she's only 24 and just free from the clenches of "the worm", Stepanek. I liked watching Elena Dementieva when she was playing but she's too old now to comeback. There aren't many Date-Krumm style comebacks. It's a pity Clijsters ended up so bashed up from injuries at the end of her comeback.

Front thats who I was thinking about Elena Dementieva but you may be correct, age may be a factor. I think it may be Miss Drama Z making the return to the tour. She will add spice to the mix

Ah yeah had almost forgotten about her! She's been out of action for way too long. I hope she can finally play properly again. Shoulder injury and some virus kept her out a long time. Found this news out wikipedia about her. Last match I saw her play was that 6–1, 6–0 loss to Serena at the 2012 Olympics but she was suffering from a hip injury and breathing problems that year. Hopefully she's fit now.

"Zvonareva will officially comeback at the 2014 Shenzhen Open as a wildcard".

 

[tented]

Here is my two cents.. when I was a kid growing up, there would be some dogs that wasnt just naturally tough or mean enough to be thought of as guard dogs. There was a myth if you fed the dogs gunpowder, it would make the animal mean or tougher. Sloane isnt a naturally born killer such as "Serena, Sharapova, Venus or Henin" and I truly dont think this can be taught by a coach. Annacone can improve the fundamentals of her game but I am not sure that he can teach her to be mentally tough against the top 10 players consistently. I think Sloane may be the female version of some of the Men's players such as Tommy Haas, David Nalby or Berdych, players who had the talent but not the inner mental strength to put their foot on someone's throat if needed. Look at Sloane's match results, she rarely annihilate her opponents. IMO

You may be correct, but also consider that not every great player's killer instinct was always on the surface. Sometimes it needed to be exposed, and a coach helped this process. If you had been around Federer during his junior years, when he was a notorious hot head, crying and screaming on court, you would never have thought, "This guy is going to win 17 Majors." There's no denying the killer instinct was there, but it needed to be nurtured.

I'm not saying Sloane is going to win 17 Majors, but she might end up winning more than if she had never hooked up with Annacone. Who knows. All I'm saying is I'm not writing her off yet.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

This could be the launch of Sloanes Breakout as

a top player. This tells me she is quite serious

and wants it.

Maybe Sydney will tell the tale.

I am sorry, you are way behind on this RJD!!!
She had her break-out!
She is a TOP player!!

You all outta stop classifying players by WS standards! Especially Serena's...

 

[the AntiPusher]

Here is my two cents.. when I was a kid growing up, there would be some dogs that wasnt just naturally tough or mean enough to be thought of as guard dogs. There was a myth if you fed the dogs gunpowder, it would make the animal mean or tougher. Sloane isnt a naturally born killer such as "Serena, Sharapova, Venus or Henin" and I truly dont think this can be taught by a coach. Annacone can improve the fundamentals of her game but I am not sure that he can teach her to be mentally tough against the top 10 players consistently. I think Sloane may be the female version of some of the Men's players such as Tommy Haas, David Nalby or Berdych, players who had the talent but not the inner mental strength to put their foot on someone's throat if needed. Look at Sloane's match results, she rarely annihilate her opponents. IMO

You may be correct, but also consider that not every great player's killer instinct was always on the surface. Sometimes it needed to be exposed, and a coach helped this process. If you had been around Federer during his junior years, when he was a notorious hot head, crying and screaming on court, you would never have thought, "This guy is going to win 17 Majors." There's no denying the killer instinct was there, but it needed to be nurtured.

I'm not saying Sloane is going to win 17 Majors, but she might end up winning more than if she had never hooked up with Annacone. Who knows. All I'm saying is I'm not writing her off yet.

Interesting point my wise friend ,
Interesting point indeed

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

a position in the top 5 is up for grabs..i don't see why Sloane cannot be above wherever errani is.

paul annacone has coached two greats in pistol petros and the fedster so its a win win win win scenario for Stephens.

footwork (don't lurch and lunge woman) and mental alertness over the whole match needs to improve, she seems a bit in and out mentally from what i've seen.

 

[kskate2]

This could be the launch of Sloanes Breakout as

a top player. This tells me she is quite serious

and wants it.

Maybe Sydney will tell the tale.

I am sorry, you are way behind on this RJD!!!
She had her break-out!
She is a TOP player!!

You all outta stop classifying players by WS standards! Especially Serena's...

Kiu,
No one is classifying her. The reality is she escalated the rankings based on her slam results only. She hasn't won a title yet or even made it to a final to play for one. How many players in the top 15 haven't won a title yet?