It occured to me today, that, while some may be dismayed that Jamie has decided to turn his back on singles and focus on his doubles, it may be that Jamie has latched onto something earlier than most - the serious opportunity to make a name at the top of the doubles game in the coming years.
I think more young players who are finding their singles isn't going well but who are good at doubles, should consider following his example.
I look at the doubles rankings and wonder in 5 years who is going to be at the top. Let's look at the top 15 and you'll see what i mean:
Not a single player in the top 15 is under the age of 25, and 9 of them are over 30, some of them well over 30. A lot of these players will not be around in 5 years time.
Currently it's the same 9 or 10 teams who have been around for the best part of a decade (mostly) who have shuffled around in the top 10 and play each other so often that some of them must be close to 3 figures in their h2hs. Some of them, I am convinced, still play because they're so used to the same competition and know how to beat them, that there's no incentive to give it up.
Aside from the Davis Cup considerations (a good doubles player/team is always an asset to a national team), there is a clear opportunity for some young good doubles players to make the move NOW and get in position to storm to the pinnacle of the doubles in the next few years. Jamie is just 21 and moving rapidly in the right direction. When the current generation of (to be harsh) complacent geriatrics shuffle off into retirement, it's players like Jamie who should be in a great position to take advantage. Others should have as much foresight.
Interesting stuff scoobs, at the current rate it looks as though at the end of 2007 Jamie will be in the world's top 15 at least, possibly top 10. Anyway, in the next few years he and Booty are going to be regularly challenging for big, big titles...masters series and slams. It could well happen this year if the draw opens up for them, the Bryans are off form and they have the ability to beat any other pair in the world on their day. Going to be v exciting following them.
Didn't realise that Bjorkman was quite that old ! Even Agassi didn't reach a slam semi in singles at 35 !!
I wouldn't say that he's a visionary so much, to cut it as a pro he didn't have much choice other than to concentrate fully on making it in doubles and he's been fortunate to make the big breakthrough at a time when there's starting to be a bit of a changing of the guard on the doubles scene.
He and Judy could see that it wasn't going to happen in singles...the technical weaknesses which Jamie ended up with in his game as a result of poor coaching (forehand, returning in particular) could be exploited too easily in singles and he only just made it into the top 1000 before plateauing out. His strengths have always been his touch and agility at the net and serve placement and those are perfect for doubles.
In fact, Jamie's forehand and returning are no longer weaknesses, working with Louis Cayer and the confidence from all the doubles success he's had, has improved those areas immeasurably.
As Jamie is coached by Louis Cayer and Booty is coached by Ryan Dussault, do the coaches get together at training sessions/before matches to make sure they are giving Jamie and Booty strategies which will work in harmony? Or is it more just luck that they have blended well.
