Indian Wells 2019- Andreescu, Thiem win titles
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In the Global Tennis calendar, Indian Wells is one of the few compulsory majors. The event is the brainchild of former American Charles Pasarell, a Puerto Rican well known for his marathon match against Pancho Gonzales, in Wimbledon of 1969. Pasarell started Indian Wells and dedicated his life to make it what it is now. It has 128 players in its draw, like the 4 Grand Slams.
Canadian Bianca Andreescu
In Women’s last year, unknown Naomi Osaka came into prominence, winning Indian Wells at age 18. Today, she is Women’s World No.1.
This year too, another 18-year-old, Canadian Andreescu, a Wild-Card [entry is on merit granted by the event organisers] entrant, beat the entire field to win the title. It is a rare achievement. Andreescu had to fight it out throughout the event. None of the matches came easily to her. The event physio attended on her many times. Her playing arm was sporting tapes in her final against Angelique Kerber, who she beat. Andreescu’s coach, Sylvain Bruneau, did on-court coaching during changeovers, allowed only in WTA events. In the semifinals she beat spirited Elina Svitolina, the winner of the 2018 WTA finals in Singapore. Andreescu said after the match that, she wanted to write history, that she did. Naomi Osaka went down to Swiss player Belinda Bencic.
Andreescu, the name indicates Romanian origin, like Ille Nastase, Ion Tiriac and now Simona Halep, definitely has the Top 10 player’s game mould. She is 5′ 7″ tall and looks hefty for her age. Very mobile, physically very strong and her dynamic balance is as good as any top gun. With the game speed that is prevalent today, static balance in stroke making is history. The real advantage in today’s Tennis is playing within the court and reaching mid court and the net ASAP. This will not happen unless the player has dynamic balance at its perfection. With this win, Bianca Andreescu joins the elite ‘Premier Club’. Will she also get to be No.1?
Dominic Thiem gets maiden Premier
Thiem’s record before the finals against maestro Roger Federer was 1-3. It looked like it would be 1-4 after losing the 1st Set. Then the dynamics changed, when Federer uncharacteristically dropped a Service game. Thiem opened up and rammed it home to win the 2nd Set. Both players are excellent ‘front runners’. Meaning, if they are in the lead, they feel confident to play. In the 3rd Set, the players were in ‘zone’ and produced the best Tennis of the event. In the end, Thiem prevailed, winning the title, joining the Premier Club, boosting his ranking and collecting well over US$ 1 million. The last Austrian to win this title was Thomas Muster, 25 years ago.
In the 3rd Set, Thiem’s accuracy, venom in his backhand, drop-shots and his ability to win points at net, made the difference. Thiem is 25-years-old and has recruited 40-year-old Chilean Nicalos Massu, former Top 10-er to assist him with the Hard-Court game. Massu is just 3 years older than Federer.
Even at 37, Federer rationing his appearances, is versatile, variant in game-making and has the canny ability to vary the shot selection within his game plan. This can be done only with experience. It is difficult to spot this tactic and it can easily derail even seasoned opponents.
Though not winning the title, Federer’s Tennis has a few good lessons to Wanna-Be players. In general, many players’ Service advantage does not extend deep enough, even to influence their 2nd shot of the rally. Top-100 players can take this advantage and extend it into their 3rd shot, or even more. I have noticed many times in Federer, Pete Sampras and in some long time No.1 players, their Service influence extending to their 4th shot, which is the 8th shot of the rally. They achieve this with their tactical positioning and shot selection pattern. The shot selection pattern is the secret side of the game.
Leaders of the pack
Even though the Open era has had a large field of players at all times, only a few have achieved No.1 status among Women and Men. The long-standing No.1 among Women are Steffi Graf, Serena Williams and Monica Seles. Martina Hingis and Justine Hennen are also worthy of mention. Among the Men, Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Roger Federer are the outstanding ones, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic following them. These players were not beatable when they led the pack.
The trend of one person dominating for a good while has not been the norm. It is widely said that Sampras was left bored being No.1. Most of the time, a group of players dominate the No.1-5 status. That is a bunch of 5 players dominating the global competition. Right now, this is the scenario. A solid game not relying on opponent’s mistakes for a point, is the benchmark of a longstanding No.1.
For a country, unless it has players in the global competition, their national Tennis standard is less than the 2nd 50 of the World Juniors. For a kick-start, we need a local name in the 128 draw of Indian Wells soon. A tough call to achieve.
Paldano, Former int. player; Accredited Coach of German Federation; National coach Sri Lanka & Brunei, Davis-Cup, Federation Cup captain/coach– contact 94 77 544 8880 geodano2015@gmail.com -