Player Program: Samantha Stosur

 
2011 US Open Champion, Samantha Stosur began her professional tennis career at the age of 13 years old.  Stosur’s first big break came at the Australian Open in 2006 when she reached the fourth round – her best singles result at a Grand Slam tournament up until that point. Solid results took her to a then career-high No.27 in January 2007.

While Stosur was busily working her way up the singles rankings, she was nearing the top in doubles. She became world No. 1 in February 2006 after claiming a series of titles with doubles partner Lisa Raymond.

It was during Wimbledon 2007 that Stosur’s health started to go downhill, just as her career was on the way up.  Stosur battled through the pain, but after falling in the first round of the US Open she put an end to her season. In October doctors were finally able to give her a reason for the pain and lethargy she had been feeling since Wimbledon – she had Lyme disease. Stosur also contracted viral meningitis, further shelving her plans to push for a place among the world’s elite. However, as she overcame the disease, she returned to play in April 2008 and developed into a very fit and strong singles player.

Playing Style

Like most doubles players, Stosur is an all court player with a very strong forehand. Unlike most doubles players, she creates a vicious topspin with the forehand.  She also possesses the best kick serve in women’s tennis (a serve with heavy topspin that kicks up into the air after landing). Her backhand is not as good but Stosur has learned how to utilize the backhand slice to keep opponents from attacking her backhand.

Why She Wins

Stosur’s kick serve forces opponents to play balls more defensively.  The ball jumps over their shoulder so fast that most opponents only have the option of running backwards to play it lower or staying there and playing it over their shoulder. Since Stosur is right handed, this serve out wide gives her a big advantage on the advantage points. Whatever defensive shot her opponents play gives Stosur the time to hit a forehand anywhere on the court.  Her big heavy forehand keeps people on defense because the spin never allows the opponent to get close enough to the baseline to play offensively.  If Stosur can also maintain a solid backhand, she usually wins.



Why She Loses

Stosur breaks down at times and cannot seem to get herself back into a competing mentality which has resulted in problems closing out matches.  You would not know that she is having issues if you were not paying attention to the score.  Some of the shots she may miss in a match can make club players think they can beat her.  In addition, a lot of players with strong crosscourt backhands can work her backhand to the point of submission.  Slicing too far out wide opens up angles that any professional can use.


Stosur is a player that makes the match physical.  When she keeps it together she is a US Open champion and a Roland Garros finalist.  When it all falls apart she loses in the 1st or 2nd round. She always has the chance to be a threat.

Australian Open 2014 Recap

 
Last year was not such a great Australian Open (AO) for me.  The men's side was pretty predictable and the women's side had a funny occurrence where 3 or 4 women tried to exert their dominance by beating up harshly on opponents, only to fizzle out early in the second week.  This years AO was pretty traumatic as well.  It was like a that M Night Shyamalan movie "Signs."  Meh for 3/4 of it and then it was exciting.

Usually in a slam tournament, the first rounds are very exciting.  The middle players hovering between 10 and 20 ranks run into each other.  And there are so many matches going on you get to watch your favorite player.  With the internet streaming and cable packages, you can watch all your favorite matches and not get stuck to the main stadiums.  I love Federer and Nadal and Serena and all that but in the first rounds they beat up on their opponents.  Good for them but lousy for entertaining tennis.  Even when I was actually there I fell asleep in the main arena.

THIS year however, there was a killer heatwave for the first week AND a lot of players injured themselves training for the tournament.  140 degrees on the court is no joke!  Spectators were getting treated for heat exhaustion, Canada's Frank Dancevic almost fainted, Bernard Tomic, John Isner, Philip Kohlschreiber all had to retire out of matches, bottles were melting on the concrete.  I live in Atlanta and I have never seen a bottle melt.  The AO is normally know for intense heat and this year it was WORSE than that!.  At any rate, intense heat usually zaps players energy badly.  So most of the outer court players sucked it up.

The survivors of the first couple of days then had to keep playing.  It was like watching old men and women play after they jogged 10 laps around the courts. 

Then in the second week the toll of the heat started to get to the top players.  We saw Serena fall to Ivanovic.  Azarenka fell to Radwanska.  Sharapova fell to Cibulkova.  Djokovic fell to Wawrinka.  Kerber fell to Pennetta.

All leading to the finals between Li Na and Dominika Cibulkova for the women and Raphael Nadal and Stanislas Wawrinka for the men.  With Li the victor over Cibulkova, no surpise, and Wawrinka the victor over Nadal, BIG SURPRISE.

I think that the big story of the tournament was all the new, high profile Coaches everyone got.  Roger Federer had Edberg, Li had Carlos Rodriguez (Justine Henin's old coach), Sloane Stevens had Paul Annacone (Federer and Sampras' old coach), Djokovic had Boris Becker, Kei Nishikori had Michael Chang.  Sabine Lisicki got Martina Hingis.  Wozniaki picked up Thomas Hogstedt (Sharapova's old coach).  It is getting to be a little chic to have these guys in your corner now.  It will be interesting to see how these players do later in the year.

Player Program: Stanislas Wawrinka

 

Finally getting recognition as one of the best players on tour, Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka (STAN niss las VAH vrin kah) has been in the shadow of Roger Federer for his whole career.  However, "Stan the Man" has much more of a game packed in is nonchalant demeanor that most people would realize.  When talking about Wawrinka, you really get down to the meat and potatoes of tennis.





Playing Style

Stanislas has a game that is based around heavy and consistent groundstrokes.  He can do many things on the court efficiently but normally doesn't have to because his groundies result in a winner or an error.  The interesting thing about Stan is that he can pull a considerable amount of power out of his body.  His ball is pretty heavy as he seems to use his core to produce most of his power.  He can move considerably well.  His defense isn't really great but he is on balance an astonishing amount of the time.  Also he has recently beefed up his serve.

Why He Wins

Stan has probably the strongest one-handed backhand (OBH) in all of tennis.  There are OBHs that have a ton of variety like Roger Federer.  And there are some that can produce a ton of topspin like Richard Gasquet.  Wawrinka's OBH, however, is a mosterous stroke of power.  Stan can use his OBH to direct the ball down the line and mess up the opponents balance considerably.  He backs this up with a competent forehand that he hits heavy and does not ask too much for when it comes to accuracy.  This combination alone, along with the free points his gets from his beefed up serve, is what makes him VERY dangerous (especially in heat).


Why He Loses

Stan is not a flashy personality, and sometimes he starts to play too unemotional.  Many times he neglects to pump himself up during the big moments and thus loses his will to fight.  Also, during the semifinals of the ATP world championship (indoors and cool temperature), Djokovic took advantage of Stan's technical problem with his OBH.  Because Stan uses his core so much, he cannot hit a good OBH on the run.and almost always slices it crosscourt.  Also, when the ball bounces at the service line with little energy, he has to go crosscourt as well (as all of us do).  Using that, he was able to control much of the rallies as the down the line OBH is Stan's greatest rally weapon.


Stanislas Wawrinka is a fundamentalists player.  He is strong and hustles and does not complain too much.  If you like your one-handed backhand or just like to watch a player beat up on the ball competently, then Wawrinka is your player.  He is like a fighter who hits hard but does not knock people out in one blow and is willing to go the distance.

Player Program: Agnieszka Radwanska

2012 Wimbledon finalist, Agnieszka (ag NEEZ ka) Radwanska (rad VAN ska), is one of the most consistent players on tour.  This Polish player is fun to watch because she appears to get a lot of game out of her 5’8″, 120 pound frame.  She has a serious chance to beat anyone and rarely loses by a large margin.  Agnieszka also has a little sister named Urszula that is one year her junior and playing on the pro tour as well.

Playing Style
Aga or Aggie Radwanska is an aggressive type of all-court player.  Her all-court style of play consists of very well constructed points.  She rallies from the baseline very well and when she comes to the net she has an excellent arsenal of volleys.  Her serve is not as much of a weapon but she uses it wisely.  Radwanska has the ability to anticipate her opponents groundstrokes which, paired with her footwork, makes her good at going from defense to offense.

Why She Wins
Much like a basketball game, Radwanska has a lot of plays that she uses against her opponents.  She usually hits the ball crosscourt (diagonally) until the opponent decides to change the direction of the rally.  If she receives a slow ball or a ball that lands a little short in the court, then she starts the point construction.  One of her plays is to hit a drop-shot to bring the opponent to the net and then lob the ball over the opponent’s head.  If she is pulled to the net she is able to place the ball in the corner of the court and come to the net for a drop-shot volley or a normal volley.  She plays an efficient game that does not include many unforced errors.  Radwanska is an emotional player as well but does not let it affect her game.

Why She Loses
Radwanska seems to have issues with players that play with topspin game.  Since she is so small, a heavily spun groundstroke placed in the service box corners puts her in a position to hit the ball without being able to use her legs or shoulders.  Deep topspin balls close to the baseline push her way back by the linesmen.  Topspin also makes her volleys less aggressive.

Agnieszka Radwanska is always a good player to watch and cheer for.  She has a tortured artist personality on the court and plays in a way that most coaches wish their student-athletes played.  Watching her is always a great lesson on what to do to win if you cannot crush tennis balls.

What Happens if Sloane Takes Serena's Spot?

So, living in Atlanta, I deal with a fair amount of gossip surrounding black tennis players.  I usually do not get into it.  However, I will acknowledge this: the unconditional love that black women have for each other is probably the strongest out of any minority group.  And that is a good thing.  To be able to create your own self sustaining click in which you can draw power and give your power to other black women is pretty impressive to me.

What I think speaks volumes for it is when there was a little rift between Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams.  First, Serena was mentoring Sloane, then Sloane beat an injured Serena on the court and then people said Serena was done.  And then there was some trash talking.  What I found was interesting, though, is that even though there was a story, I never heard any black woman take any side.

What is clear to me is that these two women represent two different types of black women.  Where Serena became a champion first and had to learn more about the game in her later years, Sloane chooses to learn about the game first and possibly become a champion later.

When the Williams Sisters' success brought more black women and men to the tennis courts, it was Serena's style that a lot of women adopted.  She is winning things, who doesn't want to back a champion?  My questions is, are you sold on the idea so much that you can condone her yelling at and threatening people?  And if so, does that mean you should be able to do those things even though it totally devalues the sport.  It is frustrating when you feel that people are cheating you.  I get it.  But really, it's tennis.  Acting like Serena does not guarantee anything but that you will be irritating to most people you or your children play.  You just can't be that way without GAME.

Anyway, if Sloane Stephens at some point becomes the number one player, what happens if most of the racial atrocities that happened to Serena don't happen to her?  What if she is able to roll through like Roger Federer just being nice to people and winning.  Would we say that the world is getting better because of Serena or would we be able to admit that people have problems with Serena because she is scary.  The answer would be that it is a little of both.  But could black women specifically admit that maybe Serena's way of doing things is not helpful for anyone but herself?  And will Sloane Stevens get the same strength of support from black women if she does not scream at people or threaten them?  I sure hope so, I definitely would love if more people have Stephens' attitude.  From the juniors I've talked to and seen play, its normally not so bad.  I'm all for black women that are not threatening.

Player Program: Svetlana Kuznetsova

Back from knee surgey in 2013, Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova is poised for a comeback.  One of the lesser known staples of women's professional tennis today.  Svetlana has two grand slam singles to her credit (US Open 2004, Roland Garros 2009) and two grand slam doubles titles as well (Aussie Open 2005, Aussie Open 2012).  She is one of the best athletes on tour.  She plays three draws many tournaments: singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.  Kuznetsova comes from a family of Olympic caliber cyclists.  Her father is a successful olympic coach.  Her mother is a 6 time world champion and owns 20 world records.  Her brother was a silver medalist in the Olympics.  Svetlana is the only one is the family who decided to be a tennis player.

Playing Style

Svetlana Kuznetzova is an all court player.  Raised on clay court tennis with the genes of cyclists, she is able to withstand harsh conditions and grinding points without showing much fatigue.  She has a strong arsenal of shots.  Due to her playing so many different types of tennis, all her skills are always match ready.  She is strong all over.  So she is a deceptively graceful mover and she can hit the ball very hard.  Her serve is not as good as other top ten players.  Her main game is grinding baseline dominance.


Why She Wins

Kuzie can win in many different ways.  She can overpower her opponent, she can out finesse them, and she can outlast them.  Because her energy is limitless, she can play on autopilot at a high level until it is time to win.  Her pattern consists of hitting the ball where ever her opponent is not.  She is slightly stronger with her forehand but is still a real threat from either side.

Why She Loses

Svetlana has a mental side where she stops playing well all of the sudden.  If she does not organize this brain cramp well, she can have trouble thinking through big points.  Most all court players have a brain cramp and then counterpunch balls with more consistency until their brain is rested.  Svetlana starts hitting the ball harder and flatter.  So a match can get away from her very quickly before she can start thinking again.

Svetlana Kuznetsova is a great player to cheer for.  She can beat anyone in the world...if she feels like it.  She is just emotional enough to be interesting...but not so much that it's alarming.  She has tremendous talent...at times.  Its bitter sweet.  Its a seesaw.  Its Svetlana Kuznetsova

Player Program: Vera Zvonareva

 

Russia's Vera Zvonareva is back.  For those of you that do not really know who she is, she is one of the more interesting players to watch on the court.  Vera was known for her talent but known mostly for her tremendous temper tantrums.  Then she got with coach Sam Sumyk and then became this strong player.  she jumped up to number two in the world and made it to the Wimbledon finals in both doubles AND singles in the same tournaments.  Then made it to the finals in the US Open the same year (2010).  She has won the Australian Open and US Open Doubles Finals.  And she won two slams in mixed doubles.  She was a finalist in the WTA Year End Finals.  She was THAT GIRL.
     That is until she got injured and was sidelines for a year and a half.  THEN her coach AND game went to Victoria Azarenka.  Now Azarenka is THAT GIRL.  Although Azarenka is not as successful, she actually has won some slams and was number one in the world.  Zvonareva, however, will always be a more true all court player because of her success in all forms of tennis.
Playing Style

Vera Zvonareva has a all court player style with a very specific pattern.  It depends on outstanding footwork.  She hits semi heavy balls crosscourt about 90% of the time and attacks a short ball with good angles and crisp volleys.  Very Simple.

Why She Wins

This tactic is pretty good.  It is simple and it highlights every skill you have as long as you can move your legs well.  It is designed to break down you technique and footwork at the same time.  You have spin on the ball to keep your opponent from hitting down the line with any real authority.  So you will basically get pinned into the corner and  when you try to change the direction of the rally, you have to haul it to the other side of the court and then get pinned on that side with almost the same exact type of shot.  If you slip up, she will close in to the net and hit Grand Slam winning volleys.

Why She Loses

Zvonareva has 8 losses in a row against Sam Stosur.  Stosur possesses a man-like forehand that is very heavy and a very aggressive kickserve.  These two shots can throw Vera off balance enough to render her tactics ineffective.  Other strong players that hit the ball well off balance can break Vera's footwork as well.  Also, Vera has had some of the most classic meltdowns in tennis history.  If there was a grand slam for meltdown tantrums, she would be in the history books.

Vera Zvonareva is a great player to watch in 2014 as she makes her comeback.  If she stays healthy and she can take her place back with the great athletes at the top of women's tennis.  Comebacks in women's tennis are not too rare.  But good comebacks are golden.  With a year and a half taken off, this comeback could shake up the WTA!