paulisi wrote:

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Tara's 3 set record is appalling. The only girl she has beaten since May in 3 is Naomi Broady( whose form is equally as bad)and that was a rollercoaster.

She needs a sports therapist to get the demons out of her head in that end second and third set.

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 A sports therapist or a fitness trainer (does she look like an world class athlete to a casual observer?) or a technical coach (eg double faults)? If you watch Tara playing, a sports therapist to work on her mind "on the court" would be low on my priority list.......one to work on her mind "off the court" would be much higher, but that links back to fitness.

korriban wrote:

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paulisi wrote:

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Tara's 3 set record is appalling. The only girl she has beaten since May in 3 is Naomi Broady( whose form is equally as bad)and that was a rollercoaster.

She needs a sports therapist to get the demons out of her head in that end second and third set.

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 A sports therapist or a fitness trainer (does she look like an world class athlete to a casual observer?) or a technical coach (eg double faults)? If you watch Tara playing, a sports therapist to work on her mind "on the court" would be low on my priority list.......one to work on her mind "off the court" would be much higher, but that links back to fitness.

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 I don't believe that Tara has a problem with general fitness levels.  Although her body shape is not that of the classic tall, long-limbed tennis player, she is extremely muscular and powerful and certainly not carrying any excess weight.  I do not know how else she could look like a 'world-class athlete' given her natural build.  Is she match-fit?  I suspect not.  She has had shoulder surgery during this year, a notoriously hard setback to overcome.  Her game has traditionally relied heavily on her serve.  For all we know, she may still be wary of it and not serving at 100%; or she may have had to change her action to avoid further injury.  Both scenarios would cause inconsistent or less effective serving in the short term (as we see) and make it hard for her to win regularly and get the matches she needs.

Is she totally driven and organising her life to make sure she maxes out in tennis?  Not totally convinced she is.  IMO she has been part of the UK 'elite' for too long and expects tennis success to happen regardless (big fish in small pond syndrome).  Has she the talent to achieve a much higher career high ranking?  Absolutely, assuming the shoulder settles, but it will take a bit of a shift in attitude and a realisation that on the world stage you are actually only as good as the ranking points you have earned.  Although I think all the 'tough love' noises coming out of the LTA recently will damage quite a few players, Tara is one that I think it will benefit.  Really hope so.