Monday, January 20, 2020

Death by Unforced Errors

by the Spin 

 It must be great to be a fan of Serena Williams.  It is the first round of a Slam and she is facing a young up and comer.  She has just won her first title in 2 years and she ended last season catching hell from the Australian newspapers over some made up slight against World No.1 Ashleigh Barty.  You would have thought that she had a lot on her mind and that she would have struggled.  Nope, she came, she saw and she was  Serena.  In less than an hour she was through to the second round. 


Sigh... one would say that fans of Serena were able to go to bed pretty early Sunday night.  Not so fans of Venus Williams.  We had to stay up, have panic attacks, will her to find a forehand, a serve, a backhand.  Will her to be tough mentally, all the while thinking deep down that she is just not going to make it.  There have been times when Venus has surprised us, but those moments are few(er) and farth(er )between.  I know we are (not) supposed to look at what is coming over the horizon, but unfortunately for this Venus fan, I am in complete denial and I am not ready to see her go, at least not to young upstarts like Cori Gauff (who I am sure is a very lovely person). 






I didn't watch much of the match last night and I am too much of a coward to watch the replay.  My fellow Venus fans, as were expected were saying the same things that we always say "Venus had so many chances and should have won that match".  

It is hard being a fan of Venus.  Her shots do not have the potency that lifted 7 Grand Slam titles and numerous other titles.  Her speed which was a hallmark of her game is nowhere where it was and her serve which won free points on every surface is not as reliable as it used to be. 

Venus has become akin to an addict.  She is still looking for that win that will give her that natural high that I believe all athletes need.  Like an addict she believes that if she can just play this ball just a little better.  If she can get a coach who understands that she still has the game to beat these young women, then once again she will get to that winner's circle.  I am beginning to doubt that that will happen again. 

Venus is nearing age 40.  It is the time of your life when all aspects of your body begin to slow down.  Coupled with Sjorgen's Syndrome I fail to see how Venus continues in this sport playing singles.  If she is still seeking that high, perhaps doubles may be the discipline for her?  

There is no doubt that she loves her job but even those of us who sit in offices have an expiry date.  Perhaps Venus' expiry date has come. 

Sloane 

What can one say about Sloane Stephens that has not already been said.  I did not see her match in Brisbane, but I did see her match in Adelaide where she apparently left her whole game in either Brisbane or the US.  In her match in Melbourne, she served for the match at 5-4 in the second set.  It was not until 4-0 in the third set that she won 2 games.  She eventually lost the match 6-2 in the third.  A player noted for her stamina, Sloane was left gasping for air during the third set.  She had nothing in her arsenal to counteract Zhang and just as she used to do back in the day, she gave up. 

I am sure all those fake apologies for the net cords did not help. 



Heard on the Airwaves

Male commentator:   Female players change their coaches so often.  Why is that?  

Female commentator:  oh that is because us women are so emotional that it takes a lot for a coach to deal with all those emotions (paraphrasing). 

Sometimes women ... we are own own worst enemies. 

Christina McHale

How do  you go from almost beating Serena Williams in a tune up tournament to losing to Petra Martic (no slouch) with a bagel set?  How is that even possible?  How?
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