Tennis Overload

[Salma]

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hahaha...you;'re right ezra...but Seles' increase in weight was also quite evident when she was young na...she loved to eat butter and pasta all the time but she was not fat then...her chubbiness could be attributed to adolescence or call it what you may...

but ohhh how she could move fast those days!!...if you saw the '93 AUssie Open final against Graf....in the third set Graf was forced to move to the net because she saw that Seles was on the run but Graf was still so nervous about making the volley because she knew Seles was capable of passing her even on the run....she made the volley and it was such an uncharacteristic volley that she placed it almost outside the line and near Seles....but Seles was just too tired to come back so Graf won the point...but not after a case of nerves...hak hak hak

With Seles kasi...speed is essential because of the limits of two hands....and she has to make points short because any movement is double the effort....SHe also has to have free points with the return of serve...nowadays she's not a big returner as she was back then...where she usually got a point or two by just crushing the returns...

[EZRA]

I have the same disadvantade.. I'm also double fisted on both sides... but I can't let go of the other the hand and generate winners.. Seles can still use one hand and whip a passing shot.
I saw that game (93 Aussie) on TV ... although I can't remember the details.

I saw Seles practice in Bradenton playing with some kids from the Nick Bollettieri tennis academy... she practices there during the off season I think. Jennifer Capriati practices in GREENLEFE on the off season.. 10 miles from where I live.

[Salma]

wow ha? may pa ka da...kita ka sa mga tennis greats...akong makit-an diri kay mga ball boy ra man uy nga maayo manuwa...

the details....Seles lost teh first set 6-4...then began feeding the Graf backhand almost to the point that they looked like they were doing backhand grills na...Graf merely slicing the balls and Seles screeching and placing the backhand deep into the Graf backhand to avoid the forehand...Seles eventually controlled the match by taking the next two sets...6-3, 6-2....

I don't know na kung anong nangyari sa third...there was some interesting variety during the third probably with Graf slicing the backhand to the Seles forehand instead of the Seles backhand (remember the drill thing in the second set)..so Seles was scampering around the court like a cat na....but she had control because she fed the Graf backhand too much and only placed her shots to the forehand or deuce court when she saw that Graf was like out of position or on the run....

[EZRA]

Honestly.. I don't find Graf's backhand a weakness... it may not go as hard as a flat ball but it's definitely deep... plus, she's very consistent with that underhand backhand. I like Graf's game because of her great footwork, her power behind that forehand... the deep underhand backhand.. and the fluid serve. And her speed... damn, she's one of the fastest ever...

Mentally, she's rock solid ... I saw her play in Houston way back 1995. I think her father recently arrested then and she was in an emotional turmoil.. she played a no-named player in the finals (ASA CARLSON) .. she overwhelmed Carlson but still she broke down and cried on the awarding ceremony.

You also have to consider Steffi's problems on court... she had allergies and sinusitis not to mention the foot, wrist, knee and chronic back injuries.. she endured all these while winning tournaments.... she only pulls out from a tournament only if she really feels that she can't go on.

As far as Monica Seles, she was just simply better than anybody back then.. she dominated the game.

[Salma]

even Monica does not consider Graf's backhand a weakness at all....she said it's so low and it's so deep and it takes you out of court with the angles....
And Monica has a hard time against players who can keep the ball low with slice backhands...such as Novotna, Navratilova....

on Graf's game...it would decidedly benefit the outcome of the game if you do not feed her powerful forehand too much...because once she gets the groove of it you can really get hurt...she'll lambast you from side to side to side with that forehand....

another tactic to tame the Graf game is to move to the ball faster and earlier than her...this was Hingis' tactic in the superb 99 French Open final where she came within a whisker of victory.....this was also Kimiko Date's tactic when she faced Graf in the 1996 WImbledon semis where Graf was virtually outplayed in the second set...Date seemed to have radar on Graf's balls and she just came on the ball so early....stealing time from Graf...

[Salma]

here she is...my idol!

[EZRA]

Navaratilove thinks her backhand is the only"weakness' you can pinpoint on gGraf since Graf is soooo mobile. I really love her footwork and speed.... and how she hits the forehand with both feet off the ground.

[Ian]

seles.... mypa si anna... bhala banga... basta you know...
hehehehe...
my moda sa self....

[Salma]

we're talking about legendary players here Ian...not some covergirl who has no results to back her up and who should just pose for Playboy or be a porn star....


on topic:

tama ka Ezra....it's her only weakness...and many experts say why Graf does not use her top spin backhand...it may have been why she's won fewer Grand Slams than the 21 she already has (as if 21 were few)...if she could have developed and put to use on a regular basis she could have won a few more Slams....

my idol in 1992...Paris...........Wimbledon......New York....

a true champion

[EZRA]

She goes over the ball on her backhand side every once in a while ... she does have a topspin backhand but she hardly uses it.
You know what, I haven't seen Seles play (in a tournament) .. I should make it a point to watch the US Open this year.... I lived in NY for 4 years and I never did try to make it an effort to go and watch... I've always thought about it but I always say "naaaah, it's gonna be here next year.. I'll watch next year".