Skill, speed and power of mighty men at ATP finals
View(s):Just about the time when one thinks Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, like Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl, and John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors has shown it all, Turin’s present ‘blitz’ speed rallies, some over 18 shots are difficult to recall parallel from the past. Top 30 ATP ranking are a Blitz-Krieg lot. Impressive, exciting and frightening.
A training in speed-reading may have be necessary to follow the ball movement by the spectator attending the event. On TV, slow motion or a repeat were the only way to know the array of shots played in a rally. Speed of sighting the ball initiates all reactions in a tennis player. These players had impressive sighting with matching ability to conduct tactical play. Perfection the world saw in players in Turin, were those of dedicated artists. Nothing less would have achieved it.
Italy’s Jannik Sinner
The ATP finalists in Turin came from Australia, Europe, Scandinavia and the USA. Jannik Sinner, an Italian, was good, in fact too good in speed, accuracy in ball control. Most of the longer rallies went in his favour at the ATP final event. In 2024, he had one injury spell and a false alarm in doping taking pharmacy cough syrup, both cleared without tarnishing his reputation. He won nearly USD 4 million. I will not say he won easily. His consistency in performing carried him through. Sinner’s temperament is hardly Italian. Possession of all critical elements of professional tennis and matching dedication has taken him to the top.
Taylor Fritz of USA
Reaching the finals of ATP final by Taylor Fritz was praiseworthy. He has changed his lifestyle and attitude to match those of the elites. This American has best forehand in the game today. Hard, accurate and from all court position. His score of 6/4, 6/4 in the final losing against Sinner showed what he is capable of doing in 2025. Americans are coming again and very soon is my prediction. [Coco Gauff of USA won the WTA title]
Others in Turin finals were, Alexander Zverev of Germany reached the semi-final along with Casper Ruud of Norway. Both played good tennis. Grigor Dimitrov, Alex Minnaur, Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev were others qualified into the ATP final. All eight handled speed and endured long punishing hours on court. Tennis is one of the very few sport that demands extreme abilities to be the Top 8 of the world.
Rafael Nadal retires
His full name is Rafael Nadal Parera. Introduced to tennis at the age of three, and started to train at seven. Now at 38, he has announced his retirement. It is after 31 years of competitive tennis — amazing! His participation in the Davis Cup tie final in Malaga, Spain, this week will be his last. One of the reason to retire, ‘unable to train 100% anymore’. This is the demand for perfection he set to play tennis. Nadal’s development phase, survival in the professional circuit certifies his relentless pursuit; true unto himself. Many of us fail in this. ATP finals is for top the elite eight in the annual ranking. Tennis players become a proficient artist by and at training. Although millions venture into tennis every year, very few achieve ATP Top 10. This has been Nadal’s open secret of success.
Nadal’s flagship, dedication
A full 100 percent in training input is a strait I have seen in all European world-beaters. They stay on court or courtside for full seven hours a day. This give their coaches to conduct development efforts with rest and peak performance interwoven to avoid straining player’s body and mind. Nadal has trained himself for 31 long years to be what he became now. Talent can provide only that much in acquiring the skills. In tennis, the real opponent is within the player, own mind and body. On this, Nadal with many others before him, will remain as shining example of work ethic, sacrifice and relentless effort.
Sad warning — coaching mafia
Before academy coaching circus, Sri Lankan tennis was one of the Top 5 in Asia. Now with umpteen number of academies, we are not even in the Top 20. Academies do not focus on tennis standard, their interest is elsewhere.
This has come to being in many countries that include Sri Lanka. Beginners pay figures never to believe coached in sardine-packs by ex-ball pickers. These reached me first some years ago. Parents please believe, school tennis is not national tennis. In skill development phase of would-be player does need a national ranking and if the child has one it is biggest bogus status.
At the most, coach in a session can have four juvenile players. It will reduce stress and recovery issues of young ones. Tennis academies are ripping parents with clubs. Some of the court rentals are more than monthly suburban house rents. Clubs and courts are in municipal and urban lands for membership use. Axe will come down on this soon.
–George Paldano, European and Asian competition player; Coach German Tennis Federation; national coach Brunei and Sri Lanka; Davis Cup, Federation Cup coach, coached ATP, WTA and ITF ranked players in Europe and Asia; whatsapp +94775448880–