We're not talking about scrapping and screaming and being a bit feisty though or losing the rag over the odd dodgy call (which I like and always want to see as long as the player channels it correctly and is respectful to the opponent and the game itself) are we?

I mean there's a rather long conversation on another thread about a different British player with a long history of sulky, rude behaviour which I don't think anyone has ever suggested has helped her game or performance level. And Jodie had a nasty habit of behaviour which was for some time hugely detrimental to her performance on court because it overwhelmed her rather than driving her to better.

I just don't necessarily think some of things she was doing today, and has done in the past, have been a productive means of handling emotion (understandable at that age there's a lot going on to contend with) and she can easily learn and engrain the tools and techniques to channel them in a way that will help. Which is, of course, precisely what Andy became increasingly able to do as he grew up.

It's not about dampening spirit or creating an emotionless robot, it's about seeing habits and behaviours that have the potential to be counter productive as she develops and working out how to adapt them so they can actually work to her benefit.

One player I often think about when there is a discussion of emotions on court is Kyle Edmund.

During his early 20s some of us on here and some commentators increasingly talked in negative terms about his lack of emotion on court and how he might be better releasing more emotional energy at times. I recall in particular one Wimbledon show court appearance where the crowd was clearly finding it difficult to connect with him and thus were more limited in the probable help that they so often gave other British players.

Then in autumn 2017 he teamed up with Fredrik Rosengren who publicly stated that one thing he jad most certainly taken up with Kyle was that emotional release issue and to try and look as if he was actually enjoying himself. "I 100% believe it helps him in his game."

And in early 2018 we saw a Kyle suddenly rather mire outgoing, wirh some genuine looking fist pumps going on, oh and a run to the SF of the Australian Open.

It's a real pity that his association with Rosengren didn't last past 2019 and of course also that he has had such injury issues. But I can't help feeling that it may be easier to reign in the over emotional during their teens than try and introduce more emotional intensity to a player in his 20s.

PaulM wrote:

---

No that's all fine, and I'm probably being prudish (and as a counter I LOVE how fired up and in your face someone like Fran J gets), I just personally draw the line at comments that are directed at anyone but yourself. In particular I don't like to hear any player saying things about their opponent during a match.

But I would ask CD, all the behaviour you used to say you hated to see in Jodie, and how if you were her coach you would have got out your seat and left her to finish the match alone. What if she was doing that at 14, 15, 16? Would you have just shrugged? If so, why would you be surprised she was still doing it as a natural response at 22, 23? Or do you say, behave how you want until your 18 then I'll step in and make you change everything I've allowed you to be on court for the last few years?

To be clear I've no idea what Jodie was like at that stage. Maybe she was different, or maybe her set up then were less indulgent or whatever. I'm just playing devil's advocate - and ultimately for me it's how the behaviour actually impacts the players performance. Plenty can be ridiculous on court but it doesn't harm them, it's when you watch someone's emotional handling of things completely cause them to unravel it's so painful.

 

But yes, she's 14. I'll shut up. She, and other British girls are back to finish their qualies tomorrow, with Sonay and Isa playing their main draw matches late in the day.

-- Edited by PaulM on Sunday 18th of June 2023 07:35:23 PM

---

It's a very fair question, Paul

I saw a lot of Jodie at 16 and 17. From recollection (and I've know I've got notes somewhere), she actually was a reasonable 16 year-old, just wore her heart on her sleeve a little too much. I remember comparing her to Freya - the reserved one and the dramatic one. 

With Jodie, again from recollection, it got really bad at age 19, 20, 21... 

My problem with her was nothing to do with her swearing - I really don't care in the slightest about bad language

My problem with her at the time was she went in for ultra theatricals - when she missed a ball it was as though the world had ended and she had never missed a ball in her life, that the planets were all misaligned and out to get her. And then she would start spraying balls left, right and centre and it all spiralled. It was frustrating beyond belief. And, yes, her coach should have told her to cut the cr*p, left her on the court, and told her to come back when she was ready to be serious. 

Which she obviously is now (and I do wonder how much the rugby guy has really helped in that respect - quite a lot, I feel, although that's based on nothing major).

I've seen Hannah win and lose junior matches (on livestream). I've never seen her feel ultra sorry for herself, or go in for histrionics or play-acting. Or shoot herself in the foot - after all, she's won countless more matches than she's lost ! Now, I didn't see today's match, and maybe she acted up today. Obviously you can change for the worse as a teenager .... But also, it obviously wasn't that counterproductive either - this is a girl who's just turned 14, her first adult match on grass, obviously pretty wound up, playing a woman who is very experienced on grass, went all through Wimbly qualis and made the second round last year, and Hannah made it to one set all - whichever way you cut and dice it, that's pretty amazing - so she was doing something right, no? 

But as said, I didn't see it so I don't really know the details; I take on board what you're saying; I will try and watch the last set tomorrow. 

PS Again, no idea about the match, but I also think that umpires are far more likely to penalise young unknown players. Some may think it's being helpful, trying to guide them (even though it's not their job to guide them); I actually think it's being cowardly, they don't dare do it to the higher ranked players for the same actions. Again, this is in the abstract. But what actually did Hannah do? 

Kennykoalabear wrote:

---

The weather is not looking great here in West Yorkshire for the next few days. I hope they will be able to complete as many matches as possible!

---

 Well, it may be raining right now in Ilkley (I can hear it on my bedroom window) but the forecast for tomorrow is rainless, and as such, we should have a full day's action.

Mimi ekes out the second set, having failed to serve it out twice at *5-4 and *6-5, but she bossed the tiebreak.

[8] Ankita Raina IND 6-3 6-7(3) 0-0* [WC] Mingge Xu GBR

Beth also now struggling in her topsy-turvy interrupted match from yesterday.

Sarah Beth Grey GBR 6-0 1-6 0-2* [10] Zeynap Sonmez TUR