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christ · Challenger qualifying

RE: Week 7 - WTA1000 - Dubai, UAE Hard

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

HarryGem wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
HarryGem wrote:
Vhughes wrote:
Why does she plays if shes not well? Thats 2 first round loss- is it just for the money as it cant do her self confidence or reputation any good. Am I being too hard?
No you're not being too hard at all. You're asking a very relevant question. Yet another 3rd set capitulation of which we have seen a few in the last 12 months. She's not short of money so she's not playing for that. But what she is playing for is another question entirely.
I don't know if she is ill or carrying yet another injury but she just doesn't look like she wants to be on court a lot of the time. You're correct re confidence but her reputation isn't one that holds much credence now with serious tennis watchers and probably not with most of the locker room either. She's managed to get her ranking up without, except for at Cluj, looking like a serious contender to win any tournament.
Considering she's lost early on in most tournaments this year she's hardly over playing either. It is so sad really. So much promise which looks right now to not be fulfilled in the near future. Hope she can prove me wrong.

-- Edited by HarryGem on Monday 16th of February 2026 06:41:48 PM
I wouldn't assume that
Nothing to do with Emma per se, but I know a lot of very rich people who never need to lift a finger for the rest of their lives, and yet they do some 'crazy' things, just for a few k.....
Money isn't about how much you've got
No indeed. I just don't think it is her priority number one right now. Of course she could have blown everything but I think that such news would have crept out if so these days.

christ makes some good points

but coming back to the money, it's nothing to do with whether she's blown everything or not

Davydenko was very frank and said he couldn't refuse the money - it's what motivated him, beginning, middle and end - all the way through his career

I'm not saying that's Emma, I'm simply saying don't project one's own, 'reasonable' approach to money onto Emma or others, it's not necessarily appropriate

If the UAE offers major appearance money (as they do), many will find it very hard to say no, and why should they....

Var · Futures level

christ wrote:
My assumption, having known a number of young people (and raised some of my own) is that she enters because she expects to win. When she doesn't win, she has a long list of reasons (illness, injury, lack of rest, too much rest, lack of practice, too much practice, overcoaching, undercoaching, travel, etc., etc., etc.), and her support team (including us) are happy to provide her with more. This also explains the coach turnover: she expects a coach to increase her win rate, and when that doesn't happen then the coach has to go - especially if they have the temerity to imply that the problem may be her by doing things like suggesting things that she could/ should do differently.

She is, after all, a Grand Slam champion, and they should just win.

I for one, I was disappointed when the Roig partnership came to an end. She hasnt looked very happy since his departure , even if there were signs that things werent good at the AO. She seems to be having a few niggles and maybe needs to be a bit more kind to herself. If you look on Katies site, back in GB with friends and family before the US swing. Sonay on the beach with the dog. It just projects a bit more balance. I feel for her I really do. I hope she can find the passion again for her tennis, with a good solid team around her.

Blue_Belle · Pro player

Var wrote:
christ wrote:
My assumption, having known a number of young people (and raised some of my own) is that she enters because she expects to win. When she doesn't win, she has a long list of reasons (illness, injury, lack of rest, too much rest, lack of practice, too much practice, overcoaching, undercoaching, travel, etc., etc., etc.), and her support team (including us) are happy to provide her with more. This also explains the coach turnover: she expects a coach to increase her win rate, and when that doesn't happen then the coach has to go - especially if they have the temerity to imply that the problem may be her by doing things like suggesting things that she could/ should do differently.

She is, after all, a Grand Slam champion, and they should just win.
I for one, I was disappointed when the Roig partnership came to an end. She hasnt looked very happy since his departure , even if there were signs that things werent good at the AO. She seems to be having a few niggles and maybe needs to be a bit more kind to herself. If you look on Katies site, back in GB with friends and family before the US swing. Sonay on the beach with the dog. It just projects a bit more balance. I feel for her I really do. I hope she can find the passion again for her tennis, with a good solid team around her.

She seems more managed / curated. Maybe she needs to do an Ash Barty and just have a year off.

emmsie69 · Masters Series Champion

There seems to be something wrong in Dubai, 7 LL and now 2 walkovers in the 1st round plus reports Emma looked ill.

the addict · Tennis legend

emmsie69 wrote:
There seems to be something wrong in Dubai, 7 LL and now 2 walkovers in the 1st round plus reports Emma looked ill.

Too soon after Doha ? There are four withdrawals for injury (one a W/O), two for illness and two for change of schedule. Plus two other W/O for reasons not yet specified.

Blue_Belle · Pro player

Two w/o (Bejlik and Kasatkina) this morning.

10 players. But money talks right, so i doubt the organisers will care.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

the addict wrote:
emmsie69 wrote:
There seems to be something wrong in Dubai, 7 LL and now 2 walkovers in the 1st round plus reports Emma looked ill.
Too soon after Doha ? There are four withdrawals for injury (one a W/O), two for illness and two for change of schedule. Plus two other W/O for reasons not yet specified.

Doha and Dubai are always back to back though , arent they, and dont seem to have issues in the past ? And many players live here so being local must help for recovery and mindfulness

the addict · Tennis legend

True, JonH. Last year there were two retirements in Doha and two withdrawals and lucky losers. There were none at all in Dubai with all matches being fully played.

christ · Challenger qualifying

I wonder what the Italian version of this board has to say about Ms Paolini's exit.

the addict · Tennis legend

Rybakina also retired against Rusik. So the lucky loser has now reached the QF. $98k and 215 points for the WR67. That will take her just above Sonay to WR51

Julia Carrot · All-time great

the addict wrote:
Rybakina also retired against Rusik. So the lucky loser has now reached the QF. $98k and 215 points for the WR67. That will take her just above Sonay to WR51

Not sure whether that will make Emma feel better or worse about her loss.

indiana · Tennis legend

Julia Carrot wrote:
the addict wrote:
Rybakina also retired against Rusik. So the lucky loser has now reached the QF. $98k and 215 points for the WR67. That will take her just above Sonay to WR51
Not sure whether that will make Emma feel better or worse about her loss.

I'm struggling to see the better side.