[luvbadboys]

I like most of the new balls but with the exception of Hewitt, they all seem to get stuck after their breakout year. Why is that?

By stuck, I mean either their technical skills do not improve or they develop some kind of mental block that keeps them from winning crucial points in crucial matches in crucial tournaments.

This Roddick meltdown really has me stumped. Rogi, Marat , JC , Tommy (I know he was injured but he did not do much before that), Nico. What the hell is up? it can't just be about "depth in men's tennis"

This not meant to be a bashing thread .

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I still can't figure out Federer When he is on, he is one of my favourite players to watch, his game is just soo beautiful! But since Hamburg, his year has been awfull patchy

Marat, is well - Marat

Ferrero seems to be lacking a certain edge mentally - he is getting better then he was, but his performance in the French Open final left a lot to be desired I havent figured out him either... somedays he's awesome, then the next day against a weaker opponent he just isn't there.

I could ramble on further, but I'm just confusing myself

 

[safin_fan]

Is it true that Rogi was drinking at a bar the night before his match? I believe at the Hamlet Cup?

 

[Vera]

Do you mind to remind me who's the original cast in 2000? I think Roddick is added last year. I just try to count the original one.

 

[lurker]

Lapentti and Gambill were part of the original cast, as well as Guga and Magnus Norman...I have the poster. Roddick was added. Federer, Ferrero, Safin, Phillipoussis, Haas, Kiefer, Zabaleta and Hewitt round out the original "New Balls."

Obviously, Norman, Zabaleta and Kiefer have fallen off the radar. Gambill, Phillipoussis and Lapentti are on their last gasps.

I still think Federer, Ferrero and Haas can do well.

Guga, Safin and Hewitt have already proven themselves.

 

[Vera]

I think Haas was really coming on at the end of last year and begining this year, until the family accident. But his game is really getting there, w/o the shoulder problem, he really should do well. Maybe Aussie Open next year.

Ferrero, well, he's bothered by minor injuries that caused a lot of inconsistency at the beginning of the year. Then RG has shaken him so much, he lost a bit of his confident. I do think he wasn't as sharp as he was last year. But lately, he did okay and hopefully getting his edge back. I so hope he'll win RG next year.

Federer, I have no idea. Totally out of the blue that his performance just fall off the chart. I hope someone will help him out.

Roddick, I don't care.

 

[Tennis Fool]

Obviously, Norman, Zabaleta and Kiefer have fallen off the radar. Gambill, Phillipoussis and Lapentti are on their last gasps.
==============================================

I don't count any of these guys out. Just that Agassi still has legs and Pete continues to be annoying at slams. So lets see realistically:

Norman: (just coming back from hip surgery and having been dumped for Sergio Garcia). He'll be back in 2003.

Zabeleta (okay, why was he on the radar?).

Kiefer (Davis Cup quarrels left him burnt out, but big fight with Marat should shake off the dust. His rank should improve again in 2003...)

Gambill (trying to regain form. Spent too much time posing instead of practicing. At USOpen, went through former #1 Moya and lost to the annoying Sampras. We'll see if his heart still in it next year...)

Philippoussis (never been the same after QF against annoying Pete in Wimby 2000 where he messed up his knee. I think he will rebound like co-three-time rehabber Chanda Rubin, but it will time a few years. He'll never win a slam, sadly).

Lapentti (had a good FO run. Just needs to break into SFs and get some HC wins to get name recognition).


Haas (World #3 and #1 tabloid headline holder on men's side. Lost to annoying Pete Sampras).

Marat (Marat Will regain focus as his sister beats him in name recognition)

Roddick (all the goods. Lost to annoying Pete Sampras).

Guga (already a star )

 

[Lily]

Rogi was drinking at a bar the night before his match at Hamlet?? I'll have to bring this matter to the Rogi girls.

Tommy and Rogi have had a tough year. With Tommy's parents accident and Rogi's former coachs death, man, talk about keeping your mind on tennis. They both need some time off, like NOW! On the court, Tommy was so close to winning the AO. I believe if only it hadnt rained. And Rogi, after winning Hamburg all the pressure landed on him for the FO and Wimby. He needs to learn how to deal with that pressure. He is just too good to not be reaching the later stages of these tourneys.

Ferrero is definately getting better. He almost made it to the final in Cincy and I think next year he can make it to the finals again at the FO. He'll have the experience and maybe the pressure wont be so bad like it was this year.

The other guys, well, yeah, whatever.....

Wasnt Paradorn replaced by Andy? I remember him at the very beginning.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Paradorn was included at the beginning for the Asian Market.

There is an article on it somewhere int he JC forum if people want me to dig it up.

It is about the launching of the new balls, written in 2000

 

[King Aaron]

Paradorn replaced by Andy!! I hope Paradorn proves them wrong!!

Marat is Marat!!!

 

[Vera]

Any idea about Nico Lapentti? He's in the Top 10, well, 3 years ago. But what's gone wrong for him????