Mental is the most importance to win a GS. Like Lina, after had breaken into the final of 2011 AO, she began believing in she can win a GS.
Dynamic of Nishikori/Chang relationship?
If Nishikori never had any injury problems when he was younger, how much of a difference do you think it would've made. Would he have been as good of a player as he is now, working with Chang?
Chang came and helped to actually make him more mentally solid, but I wonder if deep down, he lost some fearlessness, sacrificed a little of that free spirit part of him, to become better overall player. Lost some of his essence, the best part about him that makes him go for it in big matches vs big opponents.
Chang working with him gave him more positives for sure, outweighs what I'm saying, but even so, Nishikori is maybe a bit more, i don't want to say robotic, but just harnessed. Lost some of free spirit.
Better overall player just cause of mentality improvement, but what made difference of him in past taking it on big stage, going for it, (or imo, what would've in past if he was healthy), is no longer as present.
I don't think he is all that improved in his overall game working with Chang, just mental. But in a way, that improvement, takes something intrinsic from player, that isn't tangible, and pushes it aside a bit.
I believe it can bit of paradox, and gain and loss. How the factors compete against each other.
Nishikori with Chang, has gotten more consistently in big match situations, more consistent and mentally solid in general.
However, in working with Chang, it's also forced him to become more like Chang mentality, more harnessed, and loss of free spirit and essence.
Dyanamic, I believe:
More likely to win in those moments in the past, less likely to get there.
More likely to get there now, less likely to win in these moments. I believe.
Chang came and helped to actually make him more mentally solid, but I wonder if deep down, he lost some fearlessness, sacrificed a little of that free spirit part of him, to become better overall player. Lost some of his essence, the best part about him that makes him go for it in big matches vs big opponents.
Chang working with him gave him more positives for sure, outweighs what I'm saying, but even so, Nishikori is maybe a bit more, i don't want to say robotic, but just harnessed. Lost some of free spirit.
Better overall player just cause of mentality improvement, but what made difference of him in past taking it on big stage, going for it, (or imo, what would've in past if he was healthy), is no longer as present.
I don't think he is all that improved in his overall game working with Chang, just mental. But in a way, that improvement, takes something intrinsic from player, that isn't tangible, and pushes it aside a bit.
I believe it can bit of paradox, and gain and loss. How the factors compete against each other.
Nishikori with Chang, has gotten more consistently in big match situations, more consistent and mentally solid in general.
However, in working with Chang, it's also forced him to become more like Chang mentality, more harnessed, and loss of free spirit and essence.
Dyanamic, I believe:
More likely to win in those moments in the past, less likely to get there.
More likely to get there now, less likely to win in these moments. I believe.
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Except WO, Kei is absolutely among the most competitive guys for the GS trophes. He has a lot of chances if he believe in himself.
Kei has always had the ability to beat anyone on tour, but we're starting to see that champions mentality that's necessary to win slams since Chang came along. Considering how nimble Kei is and Chang was in his prime, dynamic is actually a solid word for the relationship, even if you didn't mean it that way mate.
Kei has impressed me in 2014, Haven't been following him much before that point. He has become my second favourite player. He certainly has the shots, the timing and the movement. Its amazing seeing him take the ball so early and destroying his opponent's rhythm. If only he wasn't made of glass. Put him on "gluten free" diet, someone?
why will Nishikori lose free spirit when training with Chang? because Chang's game is not good looking and robotic?
i see Nishikori playing with more creativity and agressiveness, and his game is much more exciting comparing to last year. Chang told Kei to go for it and playing with no fear, which is the champion's character. Kei need to choose the right moment to attack and not rush too much,which need more experience.Free spirit? creativity? I think KEI need to be a little bit more stable, he is not a mature shot-maker now.
i see Nishikori playing with more creativity and agressiveness, and his game is much more exciting comparing to last year. Chang told Kei to go for it and playing with no fear, which is the champion's character. Kei need to choose the right moment to attack and not rush too much,which need more experience.Free spirit? creativity? I think KEI need to be a little bit more stable, he is not a mature shot-maker now.
I think Kei really looks up to Michael Chang he seems him as a mentor and an older brother I think. Kei also stressed it was important for him to work with Michael because he is also Asian. I know people on this board do not like talking about race but for Kei it makes sense. Kei identifies strongly with Michael Chang because they are both Asian. For Kei to grow up and see another Asian man become a tennis champion it is an inspiration to him. Kei and Michael's relationship shows race still matters. Tennis is still predominately white, the men's tour is a million miles behind the WTA in terms of top tennis players of colour. The WTA has black and Asian female tennis champions with the Williams Sisters and Li Na. I would say Li Na's success has also influenced Kei Nishikori a great deal. Kei said Li Na's ability to win grand slams fuels his desire to become a tennis champion. He is playing the right way now if Kei can stay healthy I feel he will win a slam soon.
Your criticism is without merit, if you were talking about Kei in 2013 I would agree. Last year, Kei was all over the place some good results and then some inconsistency. However, this year since Kei has hooked up with Michael Chang he has shown a lot of consistency. Kei won 4 ATP tour titles and he also reached his first slam final the first Asian born man to do so! Also, Kei is ranked in the top five now. Most importantly, Kei knocked off Federer and Djokovic this year he's beating the best players now.why will Nishikori lose free spirit when training with Chang? because Chang's game is not good looking and robotic?
i see Nishikori playing with more creativity and agressiveness, and his game is much more exciting comparing to last year. Chang told Kei to go for it and playing with no fear, which is the champion's character. Kei need to choose the right moment to attack and not rush too much,which need more experience.Free spirit? creativity? I think KEI need to be a little bit more stable, he is not a mature shot-maker now.
Of course, if you comparing Kei to, let's say Nalbandian, he really is a consistent player. Nalbandian can play from sky-high to totally crap in one much, he has the tendency to make more errors in crucial moment which Kei does not.
But if you comparing Kei to some true great champion, let's say Djokovic, we can not say Kei is enough consistent. Djoko always plays in a really high intensity, with the right tactic and fight for every ball. He also has some ups and downs in one match which is inevitable, but he can adjust himself really quick and maintain a really high level even things don't go his way.Kei doesn't attain this level, he has the tendency to overplay when he is tired, also, when he got outplayed ,he falls apart quite easily which shows his mental weekness, his inability to hang really tough. He should learn to be more tenacious.
But if you comparing Kei to some true great champion, let's say Djokovic, we can not say Kei is enough consistent. Djoko always plays in a really high intensity, with the right tactic and fight for every ball. He also has some ups and downs in one match which is inevitable, but he can adjust himself really quick and maintain a really high level even things don't go his way.Kei doesn't attain this level, he has the tendency to overplay when he is tired, also, when he got outplayed ,he falls apart quite easily which shows his mental weekness, his inability to hang really tough. He should learn to be more tenacious.
Your statement is ludicrious, nobody was comparing Kei to Djokovic! This conversation on this thread is about WHY Kei has improved so dramatically since last year. It is obvious Michael Chang has helped Kei to get mentally tougher and to believe he can beat the top white players. Race is a big part of Kei Nishikori's success he chose Michael Chang specifically because he is also Asian. Kei said he looks up to Michael he is his hero. I think Kei feels a lot of similarities between himself and Michael Chang. Michael Chang has instilled a lot of belief in Kei he has also gotten much more consistent. Kei has had an amazing year. I was really impressed AFTER the US OPEN that Kei CONTINUED to do well! I think that's what impressed me most he won Tokyo, and Malaysia and he also got to the semifinals of the ATP finals. I think in November, Kei was gassed, he was so exhausted otherwise he probably would of won the ATP Finals.Of course, if you comparing Kei to, let's say Nalbandian, he really is a consistent player. Nalbandian can play from sky-high to totally crap in one much, he has the tendency to make more errors in crucial moment which Kei does not.
But if you comparing Kei to some true great champion, let's say Djokovic, we can not say Kei is enough consistent. Djoko always plays in a really high intensity, with the right tactic and fight for every ball. He also has some ups and downs in one match which is inevitable, but he can adjust himself really quick and maintain a really high level even things don't go his way.Kei doesn't attain this level, he has the tendency to overplay when he is tired, also, when he got outplayed ,he falls apart quite easily which shows his mental weekness, his inability to hang really tough. He should learn to be more tenacious.
I think it would be better if Li Na coaches Nishikori.
Li Na is one of Kei's heroes he said he looks up to her too! Kei also said he was sad when he heard Li Na retired he knows she is an incredible champion and a pioneer in Asian tennis.I think it would be better if Li Na coaches Nishikori.
I don't know if we are talking about the same topic. I think the writer says that with Michael Chang's coaching, of course Kei improved as a whole package, but maybe lost some of his free spirit which may causing his conservative esp on biggest stages. I don't agree with his opinion. Of course, which you are arriving, have nothing to lose, you will have more courage to go for your shots, but when you succeed, of course you will be a little bit more conservative,do not want take too much risk, that happened nearly for everybody, even for great champion. You can say that's the decrease of FREE SPIRIT, but from what I see, Kei definitely doesn't come in this stage, he is far from real succeed, he still didn't win anything, also, his game is very agreesive esp on important points,sometimes too agreesive from my point of view, which is a good sign. I think he needs more experience, play the right shot at the right moment, I totally nort worrying about his lacking of free spirit at this stage when he is very hungry.Your statement is ludicrious, nobody was comparing Kei to Djokovic! This conversation on this thread is about WHY Kei has improved so dramatically since last year. It is obvious Michael Chang has helped Kei to get mentally tougher and to believe he can beat the top white players. Race is a big part of Kei Nishikori's success he chose Michael Chang specifically because he is also Asian. Kei said he looks up to Michael he is his hero. I think Kei feels a lot of similarities between himself and Michael Chang. Michael Chang has instilled a lot of belief in Kei he has also gotten much more consistent. Kei has had an amazing year. I was really impressed AFTER the US OPEN that Kei CONTINUED to do well! I think that's what impressed me most he won Tokyo, and Malaysia and he also got to the semifinals of the ATP finals. I think in November, Kei was gassed, he was so exhausted otherwise he probably would of won the ATP Finals.
And you guys think Chang lacking creativity? He is that short, lacking power, and his ball striking talent is not incredible, except grinding, how can you except him to play agressive and beautiful tennis like Kei, Agassi? But that doesn't mean he has no free spirit and creativity, he found the game which is most proper for him, also find the game which is proper for Kei, that's his free spirit and creativity.
Li Na can't collect herself together, how can she coach Kei.
Noooooo. Mentality is one weakness of Lina. Lina can't beat Serena mainly because she doesn't believe she can.I think it would be better if Li Na coaches Nishikori.
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