Young world-beaters
The survival process in the international Tennis scene is a ruthless grind where skills, dedication, character and endurance are tested for approximately ten long years, for a player is to be noticed. Any analysis will show that chances of any beginner mking to the top 10 of the world, could be as little as one in a 100 million. This year, a few players have broken in as the potential ‘big names’ of the future. US-Open is the last of the Grand-Slams and we are bound to see such survivors at the end of the first week.
Men’s – Nick Kyrgios the Australian
After a long drought Australia has come up with a young player- the 19-year old Kyrgios. When he is fired up, he is absolutely worth watching. He showed samples of what he could be at Wimbledon this year and now at US-Open. He beat a seasoned campaigner, Russia’s Mikhail Youzny in the first round of US-Open.
It was a match in which Kyrgios faced and defied every downside and turned them into his favour in the magical last moments, making it all the more exiting for spectators. As a stroke-maker, athlete, and as a competitor, I see nothing lacking in Kyrgios. His exceptional reacting ability accomplishes the impossible feats on the court, surprising all. He is comfortable behind the court, in the court and at net. Carrying his six foot 4 inch frame weighing 78 kilos, his game-making departments are complete but not as consistent as they should be. This has an impact on his game compilation to win. He is marked to be a big potential in Tennis. If he lasts, he could last as long as many maestros of the past. It would be good for Australia if Krygios succeeds as mighty Lleyton Hewitt is tired carrying the Australian flag and he went down to Tomas Berdych in straight sets in this US-Open.
Grigor Dimitrov the Bulgarian
Knocking at the door for the last one year is Grigor Dimitrov. His presence became most prominent in this year’s European season. Right now he is somewhat suffering from ‘prominence shock’ of his performance on court and personal life off-court.
As a potential, everyone will agree that there is nothing to stop him from being at a top position soon. He is already number 8 in the rankings. Dimitrov’s game is very imposing and often leaves his opponents short of possibilities to tackle him tactically. Soon, I believe, his consistency will mature. Right now he is another of the players who makes the game look good and exciting for the spectators. Whether he wins or not I find him worth watching. He is the first Bulgarian to reach this level. His neighboring country Romania with names like Nastase and Tiriac has made a good impact in men’s and now also in Women’s Tennis with Simona Halep and Sorana Cirstea.
Jerzy Janowicz of Poland
Poland has been in the Tennis picture for a while. Janowicz is going to place Poland in the world map of men’s Tennis soon. He is 6 and 8 inches tall and that does not hinder his reaction but enhances it. The US-Open surface if one notices closely, is very fast even by the hard-court standard. The ball loses minimum speed and the surface places very little influence on the ball with the bounce. This is noticeable especially in the first serve and hard return of service. I feel a court should have an impact on the ball, otherwise it has no significance. For Janowicz, this could be an advantage. His reach and reaction will make him formidable at net. Currently he is ranked 14 in the world and is very young. For all purposes, he has just arrived and showing great potential.
Simona Halep of Romania
In the women’s side, the princess is now already world’s number 2. I would say effective than impressive. She is an excellent athlete and her physical make up and mental strengths are made for Tennis. This is her forte. Her good balance is what makes her move so well all over the court. The position she gets very quickly behind the ball, using her reactions, is a rarely seen ability among women. The most striking feature of her, is the ability to get up every time she falls. Often to be successful in Tennis, surviving to play another rally, another match and another day, is more important than to be impressive every time. Simona Halep is a good study for this and is sure to be number one soon. Her early years have grooved her very well.
Eugenie Bouchard of Canada
As expected she has made her way into the top bracket of the women’s Tennis. She is ranked 8 at the moment. Her European season was more impressive than the US-Open series performance. She has reached the 3rd round of US-Open with one three set match on the way. At 20, she too has stood the test to be in the elite circle. Much has been said and very much is awaited from Bouchard this year. So far she has delivered well.
Eastern European era
In many ways we will have to name the current era to be the “Eastern European dominated period”. Even the players from other continents have eastern European names.
CiCi Bellis ripples
The change of guards in Women’s is much awaited. The former world one number, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azerenka are back. They, with Halep and Bouchard are the prospects of the change of guards in the women’s top ten. On the whole, women’s Tennis has a better appeal because of the slower speed of their game. Hard court men’s Tennis does not appeal as the court has little influence due to its inability to induce an effect on the ball. Meanwhile, the professional tour has not shown any leniency to the players involved. It gives one in a 100 million chance to be rich and famous but this does not stop or hinder people taking to the game. It is estimated that every year, around 20 million take up the game of Tennis!
In the backdrop of these USA’s under 18 girl’s champion 15 year old Catherine [CiCi] Bellis created a sensation of being the youngest to win a match since Russia’s Anna Kourinikova. Only to be stopped in the second round by Kazakstan’s Zarina Diyas.
CiCi Bellis is a sensation now. This US-Open will echo ‘Bellis’ ripples for some time to come.
-George Paldano, former international player; Accredited Coach of Germany, ITF and USPTR; National, Davis Cup and Federation Cup Coach–gptennis.ceylon@gmail.com-