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!