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heya · 02-06-2006, 12:31 AM

The parents brought him to watch John play junior matches. They were responsible enough to make decisions. Kids don't put rackets in their own hands.
He told ESPNews that he disliked working long hours with great coaches.
Exactly what he stated: Having a good time with friends is more important, not working like Russian players.

At age 10, kids can't recognize if they're not very athletic/not very hard working. Parents accepted the facts- good and bad, but no one bothered to say no to him.

Devotee · 02-07-2006, 05:19 AM

I've been thinking about Andy's mental block alot lately.

You know, both Haas & Grosjean came to live in the U.S. because they couldn't stand the pressure of living in their home countries. Apparently this has helped them.
Maybe Andy's problem boils down to high expectations from fans & others here in the U.S. Also, obviously the media spotlight will be more intensely on him in his home country. Don't know if moving overseas would cure Andy.
Of course, we all know he would never leave Austin.

That's one radical solution. The other radical solution (and sensible solution) is for Andy to start seeing a sports psychologist, even if in secret. This latter solution we've talked about before. The former, we haven't.

Deboogle!. · 02-07-2006, 05:24 AM

But Andy has always played his best tennis here and has his best successes. He actually feeds off the crowd support, and the pressure from the media has never gotten to him, I mean he was the huge media favorite before the 2003 USO and it didn't seem to bother him one bit. It's kinda rare that that kind of thing happens. He likes being home, having his family and friends close, playing where he's comfortable, etc. I don't realy see how living elsewhere would help him, IMO. But it's an interesting theory indeed so thanks for bringing it up for discussion

Sports psychologist, well yea, everyone knows how I feel about that...... ad nauseum really

So I will spare everyone right now

Devotee · 02-07-2006, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deb.

I mean he was the huge media favorite before the 2003 USO and it didn't seem to bother him one bit.

To elaborate on my theory:

To me it seems like that's the way things used to be with Andy, but not alot anymore. It's as if he might be realizing his position in the sport, the expectations, his popularity, etc. Somehow this realization may be "hitting home."

This would be similar to a severe underdog player serving for the match against a big name in a final of a Masters Series. That's the moment when he starts to think about what's happening. Lo and behold, he then loses serve.

Anyway, I'm playing psychologist, trying my darndest to get inside Andy's head.

blosson · 02-07-2006, 07:35 AM

He's welcome to live in Winbledom. He's second favourite place to play on earth or it's his first lately?

partygirl · 02-07-2006, 07:46 AM

if dean was any kind of coach, he would say you go a shrink...or i walk
(and im taking max with me)

that ought to do it.

...or end very badly

heya · 02-07-2006, 09:10 PM

Between Sept 2003-2004, it was a big mistake to make Andy so satisfied. The media and yes, the family, let him get physically out of shape and intimidated (coaching problems, comparisons with opponents). Andy didn't seek help from great coaches OUTSIDE THE U.S. Dean Goldfine was hired because he lived in the US and was employed at Davis Cup. He doesn't look very good.
Nobody here remembered that Andy hanged on by a thread in 2003- he played very badly in Queen's semi, Montreal semi, Cincinnati final + US Open semis. HE needs serious help from another coach now....Andy's not just a HAS-BEEN who'll somehow get a Davis Cup win to compensate for being a 1-Slam wonder.

Then again, no one really cares....so.

blosson · 02-07-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heya

Between Sept 2003-2004, it was a big mistake to make Andy so satisfied. The media and yes, the family, let him get physically out of shape and intimidated (coaching problems, comparisons with opponents). Andy didn't seek help from great coaches OUTSIDE THE U.S. Dean Goldfine was hired because he lived in the US and was employed at Davis Cup. He doesn't look very good.
Nobody here remembered that Andy hanged on by a thread in 2003- he played very badly in Queen's semi, Montreal semi, Cincinnati final + US Open semis. HE needs serious help from another coach now....Andy's not just a HAS-BEEN who'll somehow get a Davis Cup win to compensate for being a 1-Slam wonder.

Then again, no one really cares....so.

We care

but unfortunately we don't make any decisions in Andy's life

partygirl · 02-07-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blosson

We care

but unfortunately we don't make any decisions in Andy's life

we don't?

heya · 02-07-2006, 11:13 PM

I'm not sure if anyone at ar.com is wide awake.

tangerine_dream · 02-08-2006, 02:22 AM

This is why I think it'll be great to see James and Robby (and hopefully Mardy) give Andy a run for his money this year. They can take some of the pressure off from his being the only dominant American presence in tennis, plus they are both cute and greedy and will try to steal his thunder, endorsements, girlfriends, groupies, etc.

Noelle · 02-08-2006, 02:42 AM

What about Vinnay?

blosson · 02-08-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangerine_dream

This is why I think it'll be great to see James and Robby (and hopefully Mardy) give Andy a run for his money this year. They can take some of the pressure off from his being the only dominant American presence in tennis, plus they are both cute and greedy and will try to steal his thunder, endorsements, girlfriends, groupies, etc.

Perhaps it could get Andy really pissy but he got to do something fast, I mean he will be 24 this year and his power tennis will start to get less powerfull in a couple of years or so.

warmy · 02-08-2006, 05:16 PM

He's gonna get senior.

blosson · 02-08-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmy

He's gonna get senior.

yeah