Not sure about a wake up call for Katie as I doubt she has been totally unaware of her form. But it is very sad to see how really poor she has been lately compared to how she can be at her best.
The big questions are as regards to why? And what to do about it?
Not sure about a wake up call for Katie as I doubt she has been totally unaware of her form. But it is very sad to see how really poor she has been lately compared to how she can be at her best.
The big questions are as regards to why? And what to do about it?
Rather worrying to see her struggling after such a good start to the year.
Not sure about a wake up call for Katie as I doubt she has been totally unaware of her form. But it is very sad to see how really poor she has been lately compared to how she can be at her best.
The big questions are as regards to why? And what to do about it?
I suspect that if the WTA website were to add playing conditions to their results data, there would be a clear pattern going back many years, that would help explain Katie's results.
Katie has a high risk, high reward game. It has delivered amazing wins and perhaps surprising losses. I don't see what she is meant to do in slower conditions other than try to serve brilliantly and hit low percentage forehand winners. Her groundstrokes aren't reliable enough for long rallies nor is her athleticism.
In Austin, Katie played her first match when it was cold, her 2nd windy, her 3rd at night. She should have lost in qualifying. Some players got to play when it was hot. Hua Hin the surface was far too slow for her. Indian Wells in the heat was fine; Katie performed well against Diane Parry, then Tsurenko was simply better though Katie had chances. No idea about these 2 most recent tournaments. I'd be more worried if they were relatively fast than if they were medium slow hard court.
Her best year end ranking to date came in 2018 when she finished 100th. That year she won 4 matches in her first 6 events, with her season only really taking off with a 25k title on carpet, soon followed by a 60k title on carpet, then a strong grass season with a kind 1st round draw at Wimbledon.
Not sure about a wake up call for Katie as I doubt she has been totally unaware of her form. But it is very sad to see how really poor she has been lately compared to how she can be at her best.
The big questions are as regards to why? And what to do about it?
I suspect that if the WTA website were to add playing conditions to their results data, there would be a clear pattern going back many years, that would help explain Katie's results.
Katie has a high risk, high reward game. It has delivered amazing wins and perhaps surprising losses. I don't see what she is meant to do in slower conditions other than try to serve brilliantly and hit low percentage forehand winners. Her groundstrokes aren't reliable enough for long rallies nor is her athleticism.
In Austin, Katie played her first match when it was cold, her 2nd windy, her 3rd at night. She should have lost in qualifying. Some players got to play when it was hot. Hua Hin the surface was far too slow for her. Indian Wells in the heat was fine; Katie performed well against Diane Parry, then Tsurenko was simply better though Katie had chances. No idea about these 2 most recent tournaments. I'd be more worried if they were relatively fast than if they were medium slow hard court.
Her best year end ranking to date came in 2018 when she finished 100th. That year she won 4 matches in her first 6 events, with her season only really taking off with a 25k title on carpet, soon followed by a 60k title on carpet, then a strong grass season with a kind 1st round draw at Wimbledon.
this ties in exactly with what you say, faster surfaces - if indoor was carpet as opposed to hardcourt - like carpet and grass reward her and forgive her weaknesses.