Week 17 - WTA1000 - Madrid, Spain Clay

Tanaqui · Club Coach

RE: Week 17 - WTA1000 - Madrid, Spain Clay

9vicman · Satellite level

Peter too wrote:
R1: RADUCANU, Emma (GBR) 221 (CH=10 2022) lost to CARLE, Maria Lourdes (ARG) 82 =CH 2-6 2-6
R1: DART, Harriet (GBR) (11) 88 (CH=84 2022) lost to BUCSA, Cristina (ESP) 75 (CH=56 2024) 4-6 4-6
They have played twice before with Harriet winning in three 2019 and Cristina in three in 2022

Maria was playing very well and taking every opportunity but Emma was making lots of unforced errors. In her recent matches Emma's very low unforced error count has been remarked on by commentators, so what went wrong today is a mystery. I didn't see a single smile from Emma from when she arrived on court to when she left.

I didn't see the match but this is outdoor clay at altitude compared with two events on indoor clay.

Var · Pro player

9vicman wrote:
Peter too wrote:
R1: RADUCANU, Emma (GBR) 221 (CH=10 2022) lost to CARLE, Maria Lourdes (ARG) 82 =CH 2-6 2-6
R1: DART, Harriet (GBR) (11) 88 (CH=84 2022) lost to BUCSA, Cristina (ESP) 75 (CH=56 2024) 4-6 4-6
They have played twice before with Harriet winning in three 2019 and Cristina in three in 2022

Maria was playing very well and taking every opportunity but Emma was making lots of unforced errors. In her recent matches Emma's very low unforced error count has been remarked on by commentators, so what went wrong today is a mystery. I didn't see a single smile from Emma from when she arrived on court to when she left.
I didn't see the match but this is outdoor clay at altitude compared with two events on indoor clay.

Emma has been saying that she is very tired after her busy few weeks. I wonder if maybe the trauma of last years tournament and her retirement had a psychological impact? It was traumatic for her and a bit of a reaction could be expected. Whatever she needs a rest now to recharge her batteries. Doesnt really matter if she doesnt play any more clay and just waits for the grass season. Plenty of time to pick up points. Not really surprised TBH.

-- Edited by Var on Wednesday 24th of April 2024 03:08:32 PM

PaulM · Tennis legend

Harriet loses 6 games in a row to bring an otherwise surprisingly good week to an end.

4-6 4-6

Crispy · Strong Club Player

Only upside, a rest is surely only a good thing at this stage of the comeback. 6 matches in a couple of weeks...

indiana · Tennis legend

It certainly sounds as if Emma should have been taking a wee rest after the BJK Cup and Stuttgart and not taken / handed back her WC. I hope she wasn't put under pressure to play.

Var · Pro player

indiana wrote:
It certainly sounds as if Emma should have been taking a wee rest after the BJK Cup and Stuttgart and not taken / handed back her WC. I hope she wasn't put under pressure to play.

Good point. I wonder. She certainly didnt seem too keen in her iv pre tournament with Sky.

-- Edited by Var on Wednesday 24th of April 2024 03:57:12 PM

Peter too · Tennis legend

Was Nick Cavaday there? The commentator at one point referred to Jeremy Bates watching the match.

Spireman · Club Coach

Peter too wrote:
Was Nick Cavaday there? The commentator at one point referred to Jeremy Bates watching the match.

-- Edited by Spireman on Wednesday 24th of April 2024 04:47:33 PM

nicofrance · Strong Club Player

I really dont buy this excuse from Raducanu .

She played last Friday and now Wednesday . You really should be fit enough to cope with that .

Lambda · Challenger level

Peter too wrote:

Was Nick Cavaday there? The commentator at one point referred to Jeremy Bates watching the match.

It was Iain Bates that was with Emma. Nick Cavaday was at a wedding.

Peter too · Tennis legend

R2: BOULTER, Katie (GBR) (26) 28 (CH=27 2024) v MONTGOMERY, Robin (USA) WC 183 (CH=143 2023)

The winner plays the winner of Linette and Sabalenka

Peter too · Tennis legend

Lambda wrote:
Peter too wrote:

Was Nick Cavaday there? The commentator at one point referred to Jeremy Bates watching the match.

It was Iain Bates that was with Emma. Nick Cavaday was at a wedding.

OK, Ian Bates one of Emma's former coaches.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

nicofrance wrote:
I really dont buy this excuse from Raducanu .

She played last Friday and now Wednesday . You really should be fit enough to cope with that .

I'm assuming it's mental fatigue too. I know that that is more energy zapping than physical for me - and fed cup would have taken it out of her. I think that she is still so new and inexperienced in knowing what she's capable of, plus having pushy parents (?) and an inconsistent team. I'm not expecting that she'll get her balance right any time soon re what she can manage. For me that's a big part of it, not just the raw talent and physical fitness side, although of course those need to be in place.

SuperT · Futures level

Helen40 wrote:
nicofrance wrote:
I really dont buy this excuse from Raducanu .

She played last Friday and now Wednesday . You really should be fit enough to cope with that .
I'm assuming it's mental fatigue too. I know that that is more energy zapping than physical for me - and fed cup would have taken it out of her. I think that she is still so new and inexperienced in knowing what she's capable of, plus having pushy parents (?) and an inconsistent team. I'm not expecting that she'll get her balance right any time soon re what she can manage. For me that's a big part of it, not just the raw talent and physical fitness side, although of course those need to be in place.

Thanks for giving some perspective here Helen. Emma hadnt yet had anything like a full year on tour and still has a huge amount to learn about managing all aspects of that life. Lets just cut her some slack while she goes through that learning process. We can enjoy the tennis when she is playing well but maybe accept that she wont yet be able to sustain that level all the time?