WTA News and Gossip 2015

[sk310]

In both times Petra won Wimbledon she was playing Eastburn. She may know a little bit better than you what suits her. lot

And how well did it work for her this year defending Wimbledon after playing Eastbourn? I wasn't putting her down. Everyone including Kvitova knows fitness and conditioning is not her strength.

Well she didn't play Eastbourne this year. She pulled out citing an illness. But to your point, I've seen her play a lot of warm-ups on the NA HC's and then get to the Open and flame out early.

I'm not saying it's a sure thing that a player will flame out if they play a warmup the week before it just kind of seems pointless to me. If you have the opportunity to play two weeks before why not just play then? The idea of playing 3 straight weeks of tennis seems like a big ask for me. There's a reason Serena never does it...

 

[Moose]

If it was mentioned elsewhere and I missed it, forgive me for re-posting - but did people notice who was spotted playing at a lower level German event last week?

Story: http://www.oregonlive.com/the-spin-of-the-ball/index.ssf/2015/07/fans_of_tennis_and_weirdness_r.html

 

[kskate2]

Thanks for posting Moose. This is great news. I always liked Patty. :clap

 

[Moose]

Thanks for posting Moose. This is great news. I always liked Patty. :clap

I liked Patty's throw everything you can at them style of play. I used to always joke on another tennis forum I used to belong to about getting over "The Patty Hump". Just about every player in WTA history lost at least their first two matches to her. It was like it took time to learn how to play her, given all her wacky lefty spins, and mix of shots and change of pace.

But even more, I liked "Crazy" Patty. The fake handshake to Conchita Banana remains one of my favorite all time moves at a WTA event. And remember "The White Mile" :huh:

She had her own rooting section at a USO match I attended years ago - this group of young girls, probably 10-12 of them, with banners, yelling and screaming for her (it was on a side court that probably had about 40-50 people watching in total). It was so entertaining to watch, and Patty loved it.

 

[Moose]

In some other (possibly) troubling news, Laura Robson retired from her Challenger match today down 1-5 to Barbora Stefkova. Given all her injury woes, I hope this does not mean there are new/recurring problems.

 

[Moose]

In some other (possibly) troubling news, Laura Robson retired from her Challenger match today down 1-5 to Barbora Stefkova. Given all her injury woes, I hope this does not mean there are new/recurring problems.

Robson just tweeted. Fortunately for her, it was not a wrist issue:

Laura Robson ‏@laurarobson5 13m13 minutes ago
@rominapds Just strained my stomach in the warm up this morning. Wrist is still great

 

[tossip]

Patty was a player who troubled big players with her spins and lefty serve,hope she gets some wild cards here and there at big events.
She probably needs to make a living since it was reported that she is broke..

 

[Kirijax]

I never did like her that much because she was flat-out rude and surrounded herself with the dumbest people but she was certainly entertaining. I was surprised to see her name last week. Does anyone know if she is scheduled for any more tournaments?

 

[kskate2]

Anyone know why Taylor Townsend is playing WTT and not a real tournament? Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing her at Wimby!

 

[Moose]

Anyone know why Taylor Townsend is playing WTT and not a real tournament? Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing her at Wimby!

Probably because she needs WCs to get into draws now, and WTT would at least pay the bills, and give her some match testing.

Taylor's current ranking is 167 - she would not have gotten direct entry into Wimbledon, so she chose to play ITF in the States instead of attempting to get in through qualies. And she did awful in those ITF events (2 first round, 1 second round exits).

I really question her decision to dump Zina G and (this is the decision I question even more) return to coaching with Donald Young's parents. I have seen her play a few times now, and there is a lot to like in her game, but she needs the right team behind her, and I just don't see that coming from the Youngs. I hope she turns things around, because she shows big promise.

 

[kskate2]

Anyone know why Taylor Townsend is playing WTT and not a real tournament? Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing her at Wimby!

Probably because she needs WCs to get into draws now, and WTT would at least pay the bills, and give her some match testing.

Taylor's current ranking is 167 - she would not have gotten direct entry into Wimbledon, so she chose to play ITF in the States instead of attempting to get in through qualies. And she did awful in those ITF events (2 first round, 1 second round exits).

I really question her decision to dump Zina G and (this is the decision I question even more) return to coaching with Donald Young's parents. I have seen her play a few times now, and there is a lot to like in her game, but she needs the right team behind her, and I just don't see that coming from the Youngs. I hope she turns things around, because she shows big promise.

And that's what I question. Why would anyone w/ that kind of talent and promise (a former junior Wimby doubs champ) choose to play ITF instead of quali's is beyond me. That shows no initiative or drive. It's like settling.

 

[sk310]

Anyone know why Taylor Townsend is playing WTT and not a real tournament? Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing her at Wimby!

Probably because she needs WCs to get into draws now, and WTT would at least pay the bills, and give her some match testing.

Taylor's current ranking is 167 - she would not have gotten direct entry into Wimbledon, so she chose to play ITF in the States instead of attempting to get in through qualies. And she did awful in those ITF events (2 first round, 1 second round exits).

I really question her decision to dump Zina G and (this is the decision I question even more) return to coaching with Donald Young's parents. I have seen her play a few times now, and there is a lot to like in her game, but she needs the right team behind her, and I just don't see that coming from the Youngs. I hope she turns things around, because she shows big promise.

And that's what I question. Why would anyone w/ that kind of talent and promise (a former junior Wimby doubs champ) choose to play ITF instead of quali's is beyond me. That shows no initiative or drive. It's like settling.

I actually really agree. 167 is on the cusp of breakthrough. If you're still young and you don't want to drift into middling years in the 100s you shod be trying every chance you get to get into main draws at slams.

 

[Hoergren]

Here is Carolines dress for the US Open - nice me thinks:

 

[Jelenafan]

I confess I feel bad for Taylor because her body type dogs her even more, yes she IS suspect per her conditioning, but when people see her huffing and puffing as opposed to some stick thin player huffing and puffing, there is so much more "concern" for her. (rolling eyes here)

Going back to the Youngs is crazy, it's not like they knew how to navigate Donald's entry to the pro ranks.

Taylor has such a "complete" game in that she has good hands, I hope she can break through back to the top 100.

 

[Kirijax]

I confess I feel bad for Taylor because her body type dogs her even more, yes she IS suspect per her conditioning, but when people see her huffing and puffing as opposed to some stick thin player huffing and puffing, there is so much more "concern" for her. (rolling eyes here)

Going back to the Youngs is crazy, it's not like they knew how to navigate Donald's entry to the pro ranks.

Taylor has such a "complete" game in that she has good hands, I hope she can break through back to the top 100.

I think she just needs to leave America. Go find a tennis coach with different roots, background, ways of thinking, etc. Cut herself off from this stagnant "American" development cycle she is in. That would be the best thing for her. Maybe her financial situation is limiting her ability to do what she needs to do. That would be a shame but a definite possibility. Going back to the Youngs (what have they done exactly?) is beyond nuts and seems to imply there are no other options for her right now.

 

[Kirijax]

Just heard Azarenka has withdrawn from the CitiOpen because of injuries. Errani, also.

 

[Fiero425]

Just heard Azarenka has withdrawn from the CitiOpen because of injuries. Errani, also.

I wished I still cared! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy: :ras: :eyepop

 

[sk310]

I confess I feel bad for Taylor because her body type dogs her even more, yes she IS suspect per her conditioning, but when people see her huffing and puffing as opposed to some stick thin player huffing and puffing, there is so much more "concern" for her. (rolling eyes here)

Going back to the Youngs is crazy, it's not like they knew how to navigate Donald's entry to the pro ranks.

Taylor has such a "complete" game in that she has good hands, I hope she can break through back to the top 100.

I think she just needs to leave America. Go find a tennis coach with different roots, background, ways of thinking, etc. Cut herself off from this stagnant "American" development cycle she is in. That would be the best thing for her. Maybe her financial situation is limiting her ability to do what she needs to do. That would be a shame but a definite possibility. Going back to the Youngs (what have they done exactly?) is beyond nuts and seems to imply there are no other options for her right now.

Or she needs to find a coach with a decent reputation who wants to help a player with a lot of talent ride the wave up. It would not surprise me to find out that it was the Youngs who pushed her to do WTT instead of Wimbledon Qualifying.

 

[isabelle]

Maria Kirilenko had her first baby last week, congrats to her

 

[kskate2]

Probably because she needs WCs to get into draws now, and WTT would at least pay the bills, and give her some match testing.

Taylor's current ranking is 167 - she would not have gotten direct entry into Wimbledon, so she chose to play ITF in the States instead of attempting to get in through qualies. And she did awful in those ITF events (2 first round, 1 second round exits).

I really question her decision to dump Zina G and (this is the decision I question even more) return to coaching with Donald Young's parents. I have seen her play a few times now, and there is a lot to like in her game, but she needs the right team behind her, and I just don't see that coming from the Youngs. I hope she turns things around, because she shows big promise.

And that's what I question. Why would anyone w/ that kind of talent and promise (a former junior Wimby doubs champ) choose to play ITF instead of quali's is beyond me. That shows no initiative or drive. It's like settling.

I actually really agree. 167 is on the cusp of breakthrough. If you're still young and you don't want to drift into middling years in the 100s you shod be trying every chance you get to get into main draws at slams.

I just noticed in Hoergren's new thread that CiCi Bellis received a WC for Stanford ranked at 167. If she got a WC, why couldn't Taylor get one? Did Taylor ask Stanford or Washington for a WC?