Spectator wrote:

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I know that what I'm about to say will lead to allegations of utter sense-of-humour failure, but please can we stop the joking about alcohol and the 1990s? Drinking has been a destructive thing for some of them, which isn't really very funny. If it still is a problem, then it's definitely not funny; if they've given it up in the cause of increased professionalism, then why should we keep reminding them of the past?

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It's only a joke mate. You've had an utter sense-of-humour failure there.

 

Good to see Jeff around.

Ever since he said in early July that Dan Cox must be one of the worst players in the top 1000,  Dan hasn't looked back.

Please don't say anything complimentary 

Anyway, the drink / partying thing has indeed appeared a worry with regard to a certain group ( at least in regards to sensible behavior for professional tennis players ) and at times in the past in my opinion some were a bit of a joke to professionalism so arguably deserved jokes being made about them.

But there are some encouragingly better results coming lately from the 1989 / 90 group so while I appreciate most comments are meant as banter with absolutely no malice intended, I kind of was already feeling some were a bit repetive and it was maybe more time to move on and give the guys a chance.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 16th of September 2010 01:28:24 PM

Someone called Doggie Dude posted this on MTF yesterday, and I thought it was quite interesting, particularly the comments about Rozenzweig.


"I went today to a windy and rainswept Nottingham Tennis Centre, although luckily the play wasn't halted due to the sobering conditions.

Saw the following matches:

Toby Martin (GBR) v Ahmed El Menshawy (GBR)

El Menshawy was a class above Martin who lacked the power or consistency to make a decent fist of it a one sided contest in which Martin showed his immaturity throwing his racket around, wanting to come off court due to the unpleasant conditions and a few F Bombs which seemed to go unnoticed by the umpire. Martin has little future in my opinion unlike the solid El Nenshawy who looked able to possibly move up to the next level.

Rudy Coco (Fra) v Nicholas Rozenzweig (Fra)

Enthraling contest between two upcoming French Stars. Their games shone above the British factory clones.

Coco is 6'4" tall and hits the ball like a bomb, if he could move then he could catapult himself into stardom. As it is I fear that his lazy demeanour may restrict his upward motion on tour. That being said what a talent, power, drop shots feel at the net, he is the full package.
Rozenweig was worth a watch as well. Okay he lost in 2 sets with a 2nd set tie breaker going against him but get this: The guy serves both left and right handed and has forehands off both wings! That's right folks he hits right handed serve from the deuce court and left handed serve from the ad court. All groundstrokes and volleys are forehands! All his game is technically excellent and each side's stroke an exact mirror image, well worth a watch!

Ashley Hewitt (GBR) v Joshua Milton (GBR)

Milton a class above a lesser ranked opponent, easy straight sets win for Milton.

Matthew Short (GBR) v Daniel Cox (GBR)

Cox is a pocket rocket, the guy must only be 5'2" tall but took care of Short 6-0 6-1! Beautiful stroke production and appears to be a step above the field in the physicality and fitness side of the game. I have to be honest and state that his lack of stature may hold him back but it wont be through lack of trying."


Josh, did you watch Rozenzweig and his ambidexterity?

Anyone know how tall Dan Cox really is ?   I see on his ITF biography http://www.itftennis.com/mens/players/player.asp?player=100062698  it shows as 1.70 metres which translates as 5 feet 7 inches.  I am sure I have heard 5 foot 7 being mentioned before.

Whilst still comparatively very short, particularly for a top tennis player, if he's 5 foot 7, that's at least heck of a lot better than 5 foot 2 !!  Whilst far from ideal, if he has good movement and determination ( which he evidently has ) I find it difficult to really have a full feel for how much his height will ultimately hold him back.  My sense is, in a game increasingly played from the backcourt, not necessarily as much as some people think.

Rozenzweig certainly does soound well worth a watch !!   I'd be tempted to keep hitting it down the middle and let him work out which hand he goes for, although I'm guessing he has one preference / a default side      

I kept an eye on their 2nd set TB but clearly not closely enough as I didn't notice he was only hitting forehands! 5'2 is a huge exaggeration, 5'7 or 8 is more accurate I think.

What about Rudy? Didn't he get a message to you, yet? D'oh! I'll get me coat.

Nikki broke evo to go 3-1 up ,but evo broke straight back then held to make it 3-3.
Play was suspsended for rain and players where off court for about an hour.The next six gams went with serve all very close which brought us to a tie brake,Nikki went 4-1 up but
every time evo looked in trouble he pulled out abit more to take a close tie-brake.
The second set started the same with Nikki going 3-1 up ,but evo broke straight back.Very close games with both players producing some great shots,on to the tie break and Evo made no mistake taking it very easily.The japenese lad played very well ,showed some excellant touches and if he plays wrexham would expect another good showing.