News

Is Nick Kyrgios bad for tennis?

By Editorial Team,

Nick Kyrgios has been in the news ever since his turbulent pro tennis career began, but the alarming fact is that he has not improved mentally and continues to tank matches at the peril of his career and steadily fleeting fan base.

After losing straight sets to a full form Roger Federer, Nick has begun to sole search and also begin the process of securing a coach that he can trust. Nick is not the most fun student that you can have and with him being in position to fire or shrug off any potential coach makes the job even less appealing for anyone who is qualified to do so. Andy Murray offered to extend himself early last year, but the advice has clearly gone in one ear and out of the other. Lleyton Hewitt stepped in to coach the troubled phenom, but again no real breakthrough.

With Nick off the leash and free to wreak havoc on the integrity of the sport some say that Nick should in fact leave the sport until an attitude adjustment is made along with a solid commitment to the sport. An hour before his match with Roger, Nick was spotted playing dink’em and tennis bowling while hitting balls into the backside of his friends on the practice court as Rafa Nadal and Kevin Anderson worked seriously on their game practicing with intent leading up to their matches 24 hours ahead of time.

The sport of tennis really needs Nick, but not his antics and on court issues that seemed to mask a fear of being at his best everyday. Only time will tell if tennis is the best fit for someone who wears basketball shoes onto the tennis court prior to match. Early this week he forgot his tennis shoes in his locker and had to go back to the clubhouse and retrieve them in haste prior to the match start.

in his US Open post-match interview today Nick was quoted stating, ““I think I can do a lot more. It’s all mental with me, I think. If I want it enough, I have a coaching option, psychology option. There is a lot more things to explore. But, I mean, obviously I want to achieve more in the sport. I don’t think I have done anything.”

News

2021 Calabasas Championships

News

Battle of the ages: Venus vs. CoCo

Getty Images / BTM Group

By Editorial Team

In addition to becoming the youngest player to enter the main draw of Wimbledon via qualifying, Cori “CoCo” Gauff has earned a prim-time match-up against one of the greatest grass court players of all time in the first round of play.

This match is not only a first, but also a sharp contrast of current generation talent versus veteran grand slam champion. Venus just turned 39 this month and must now face the 15 year old dynamo that goes by CoCo making this a true battle of the ages. Ironically, as in a Hollywood movie, these two are respectively the oldest and youngest players in the tournament.

Venus can sure respect Cori’s hustle in advancing her career at the ripe age of 15. Venus shares a similar start, but was able to win 5 Wimbledon titles with the last win in 2008.

Coming off of a great 2017 season, Venus (unseeded this year) has struggled lately with injuries and fatigue late in matches. This year has not rolled out favorably for Venus after several on-off coaching relationships and hitting partners. Taking on a more independent role of seasoned veteran, Venus is going at it alone on tour. She has a strong management team in place, but they appear to be more assistants than highly experienced coaches giving her instruction.

In contrast, Cori has a tight-knit team around her not to mention her father as head coach. There have been several assistants offering advice, but Corey remains the largest influence on Cori’s progress.

Progress is exactly what they have made – and in short record time. Just last year Cori was making her way toward the Roehamption Championship title as the world’s number one ranked junior. It seems as if Cori has a trusting relationship with her Dad and is able to take constructive criticism in stride. Hard work has been Cori’s mantra since the beginning of her junior career, and that hard work and preparation has landed her here at Wimbledon with a main draw match against Venus Williams.

The odds heavily favor Venus, but nothing is out of the question for Cori. Given the fact that she has played each qualifying round with a “nothing to lose” attitude, it can only be assumed that she will continue to do the same in her first round match.

The big stage is also a factor as Cori has not played on such a large WTA Tour center court yet in her career. This will definitely be a learning experience for Cori. It may be a little ambitious to expect Cori to figure out the atmosphere and surroundings all within a 2 out of 3 match. Cori is undefeated at Roehamption (ITF Juniors and WTA Qualifying), but it remains to be seen if she can muster a win against a declining, but a still very capable Venus Williams on her favorite surface.