Helen40 wrote:

---

korriban wrote:

---

The big stat for me is about how often these potential worldbeaters actually win tournaments on the way up through the levels from juniors to $10ks to bigger ITFs, International WTAs, then the Premiers and GSs (one day for the last 2). And that's the one area where Laura, Sloane Stephens and indeed another once touted superstar, Caroline Garcia, are big question marks for me. They are all super players: but how come they just can't seem to WIN tournaments throughout their careers to date. Odd really.

---

 I'd like to know (but am too lazy/ignorant) to look/find out how these girls compare with your William's/Sugarpova type players when they were breaking through. I know that it was a different era then, but are we concerned about nothing?

---

 http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/players/player/profile.aspx?PlayerID=100013223

http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/players/player/profile.aspx?PlayerID=20007765

The ITF profile pages indicate that these girls were always serial winners, even before they broke through. Williams never really bothered with ITFs and Maria only very briefly. In other words they didn't just burst onto the scene winning GSs - they had already won plenty of pro tournaments beforehand despite the fact that they were superstars so young. I'd imagine Maria's junior profile will also show a stack of wins/finals in the brief time she stuck at it.

Thanks IF. I'm not sure of all the histories, but maybe :-

02 Victoria Azarenka 8206
03 Maria Sharapova 6941
04 Agnieszka Radwanska 6195
06 Sara Errani 4435
07 Petra Kvitova4315

I only discounted Serena as she didn't come onto the circuit 'normally', and I'm not sure about Li, but in my mind she's abit of Schiavone and only won later in life? If I'm wrong please include her instead of Kvitkova.

I wonder whether Nigel Sears is available, maybe a good option, tried and tested at the top level, knows her well.

I somehow never sensed that the Laura / Miles link up would be a long term thing.

What's Martijn Bok doing these days ? Got a bit fed up with the family...actually now fancy some much wider travel ?

I'm surprised and dissapointed that they've split in some ways, as he did Andy alot of good, but as we've said before Andy was a great deal more mature and motivated. I guess he went through a few coaches before getting it right too.

I wasn't surprised seeing her results however, although I didn't think Miles was particularly to blame. we'll never know, but it appears Laura did. I confess not to know enough about the available coaches out there to even hazard a guess at her next one. I just hope that she gets settled soon, and gets a more mature attitude to graft and the whole commitment mentally and physically of top tour life.

Seems like the season for splits, Fed's just dumped his coach too, I wonder whether PseudoFed has had anything to say about it.

First of all I'd like to apologize for suggesting that Laura had signed a long term deal with Miles. This was something I'd picked up from 2 sources on twitter, which I did mention and caveat in the original post. Perhaps the reality was that discussions had started as to what next and one of the 2 parties got the message out there that they wished to be the outcome - not sure which of the 2 - or more simply that someone made it all up!

Personally I think Miles may not have been right for her, but I do think someone in the Krajan mould certainly is - I simply don't think there is smoke without fire, and there are enough suggestions in the background that Laura doesn't work nearly hard enough, doesn't commit herself unreservedly to the cause, and is somewhat immature in her outlook to life and her career that there may be a grain of truth somewhere. Hence someone who treats her like a drill squad commander until Laura starts enjoying that aspect of her training and fully engages with it. You don't have to like your coach, but as long as you respect him/her, and the results come through, that's everything. You also have to do what your coach tells you, on and off the court........I believe Laura too easily ignores agreed tactics/patterns of play and just belts the ball.......can't resist the Hollywood shot.

Nigel Sears would be convenient, but he's probably too nice......

There are no short cuts to success Laura.....choose wisely this time, follow your instructions to the letter, and stick with it. You can be the real deal!

 

Hogstedt would be a good choice actually.