Week 24 - WTA Tier 3 - Birmingham

john · Top national player

RE: Week 24 - WTA Tier 3 - Birmingham

indiana · Tennis legend

Well, actually I would hope that the LTA already have measures in force.

Such as fitness experts to constantly professionally monitor fitness with appropriate advice and support in place to help improve fitness, working with the players and their coaches, and where analysis shows that improvements can be made, then the work done to make these improvements.

I am sure more scientific advice is available rather than just train hard and long and run a lot, although obviously that very much has a place.

Of course, the onus is on the players themselves very much too, but they and the LTA should surely be working to make the players among the fittest on the circuit.

If any particular player worls as hard as they can, takes advice on board, are not overweight, and simply just are never going to be one of the better movers in the game, then I do symaphise.

But I just say what I see. I was quite disturbed when I saw Naomi last year, as I have been by quite a few other British players.

-- Edited by indiana at 15:25, 2008-06-13

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Two elements:

1) Naomi, Mel and Elena B are not naturally gifted in terms of their movement and it will always be a weakness relative to other players on the tour, so they should, and indeed do (most of the time) play first strike tennis. Heavy serving on first and second, aggressive initial groundstroke and return of serve, especially against second. Get the point over as soon as possible. Attempting to play safe tennis just won't work for them as their opponent will simply move them around the court then exploit the gaps.

2) Do the best they can in terms of their athleticism. Work hard to improve it. Put in the effort. If they are playing 33 tournaments a year then it is going to be tough to find the time to get in the gym on a regular basis. Can't comment on whether they do or they don't. No idea.

jazar · Junior player

fitness and movement work are neglected in this country. players need to be doing it from a young age and from what i have seen in the academies here is that it doesnt happen. the fitness work is completely lame and most of the time uneffective. too many coaches focus too much on the shots and neglect movement.

another thing i am fed up with is people saying that it is a job that can only be done in the off season. that is complete and utter bollocks. it can and should be done all year round to supplement the players training and improve their all round game

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Mel South missed out on a place in the semi-finals in Birmingham, losing 4-6 3-6 to the fast rising Belgian teenager Yanina Wickmayer. While South competed hard throughout, and played some fine tennis in patches, the difference in class was ultimately too great, and Wickmayer was a deserved winner.

Early break point opportunities for South but Wickmayer's big serve got her out of trouble, then a fierce return from Yanina, and a careless forehand narrowly wide from Mel, presented Wickmayer with the chance to break, which she took after an amazing rally. South responded by taking the next four games; heavy serving, aggressive initial groundstrokes, and a couple of superb returns, as Mel dominated the play.

The key moment in the set occurred with South serving at 4-3 30-30. She'd already made a couple of unforced errors in this service game as her level dropped from its earlier heights, when a heavy serve produced a weak reply that fell short and bounced up for the easy put away. Mel took a big swing but saw her forehand clip the top of the net and fly wide for an embarrassing miss. Unsettled by this error, she produced another on break point, dumping a routine forehand into the net. Wickmayer stormed through the next two games as Mel tried in vain to rediscover her form.

Yanina started the second set playing outstanding tennis. Aces, forehand and backhand winners as she held easily but Mel did enough to stay level, fighting hard to save break points until a bad bounce put her in trouble when serving at 3-4. She couldn't find a big first serve this time around and Wickmayer had the break her outstanding play merited. One game later Mel's fine run in the tournament was over.

A good performance from South against a superior opponent who is charging up the rankings and likely to be inside the top 50 by the end of the year. While Mel may feel a little disappointed that she wasn't able to take the first set, Wickmayer was so dominant in the second that this was not really a match she could have won.