Week 41 - WTA ($235K) - Osaka, Japan - Hard

TomTraubert · Futures level

RE: Week 41 - WTA ($235K) - Osaka, Japan - Hard

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Second set was pretty close but KDK pulled off a couple of good shots on key points in those last two games from 4-4 which both went to deuce.

Laura never really found her groove though at any point during the match, and she probably hasn't during the entire Asian swing. Clearly she has been managing the wrist injury through the latter part of the season so she should now be able to rest that properly over the next few weeks.

Whereas last year Laura's off season was very fitness focused, I expect she will be working a lot more on technique this time around.

Spectator · All-time great

Yes, it must be very frustrating. On the "finding the positive" side, it must mean a huge amount to the rather awe-inspiring Ms. Date-Krumm to win at home. And Ms Robson can now commiserate with Ms Watson ... which may actually be quite helpful for them both.

korriban · Challenger level

tony_orient wrote:
Second set was pretty close but KDK pulled off a couple of good shots on key points in those last two games from 4-4 which both went to deuce.

Laura never really found her groove though at any point during the match, and she probably hasn't during the entire Asian swing. Clearly she has been managing the wrist injury through the latter part of the season so she should now be able to rest that properly over the next few weeks.

Whereas last year Laura's off season was very fitness focused, I expect she will be working a lot more on technique this time around.

Don't agree. I hope she focusses almost every single moment of her off season on fitness, speed/movement and footwork and very little on technique. Laura's technique is excellent when she's in a good position. Every player's serve can always benefit from work, of course.

Maza1987 · Challenger level

I wonder if Heather and Laura will still be beating youngsters at the age of 43?

Fair play to Kimiko. Much admiration for her.

-- Edited by Maza1987 on Tuesday 8th of October 2013 02:41:59 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Totally agree korriban.

Yes, work on serve, but otherwise Laura's shot technique is great WHEN she gets to the ball and is in position.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Yes, it must be very frustrating. On the "finding the positive" side, it must mean a huge amount to the rather awe-inspiring Ms. Date-Krumm to win at home. And Ms Robson can now commiserate with Ms Watson ... which may actually be quite helpful for them both.

While agreeing with Korri and Indy, and wanting Laura to do well, I just wanted to add:

Yes, Spectator - I can't help but agree ! If Laura had to lose to anyone in Osaka, I'm so glad she lost to KDK - I think it's quite inspirational for a woman of her age to be doing so well, and in front of her home crowd.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Heather and Sharon lost the first set 6-2 but are 4-1* up in the second

korriban · Challenger level

Just seen a tweet suggesting that Laura confirmed yesterday that she has taken on Miles Maclagan as her permanent coach on a long term basis. I can't find anything online substantiating this.

I think Mr Maclagan comes across as a great guy, and he clearly benefitted Andy. But Andy is super-driven, ultra-motivated, knows precisely what he wants, and was obsessional about endurance, speed movement and footwork anyway (handled by other members of his team). Furthermore he always had his Mum in the background to give a valuable second opinion - between Judy and Andy I'm certain Miles was asked to focus on precisely what was needed at all times - by people who knew what was required, however painful.

Miles has a reputation for being calm, relaxed and very very laid-back. I'm sure Laura gets on with him superbly, and I certainly recognise that coaching women may require different approaches to get the best out of the player, compared with the men. But let's be honest the facts are that Laura's record since working with Miles has been very poor (and yes I know she has had a wrist injury for some of the time, but in my view if she starts a match, it's no longer an excuse), and my understanding is that Miles' forte is more on the technical/tactical side. Now it may well be that in addition to Miles, Laura is about to embark on a frightening transformational programme of fitness/speed/movement/footwork training with someone else that we don't know about (i.e. someone doing different things to those which haven't yet had the desired effect) - but bear in mind it was the commitment/hard work/training issues that were the main area of conflict with Coach Krajan, not technique......

Is there someone in her team who has the remit (without fear of being sacked) to work her like crazy (more than her competitors), and tell her a few home truths if required........? If not, I'd be concerned given the last 18 months - glimpses of genius and consistency, followed by the decline back to old habits.

On the positive. The season is probably over now. it's all in her court. Good luck, Laura! biggrin biggrin