tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312028854792023746.post1793215508638958851..comments2023-05-30T03:46:25.158-05:00Comments on OVERHEAD SPIN: LADIES SEMIFINAL REVIEWOverhead Spinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13838462340734632101noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1312028854792023746.post-3715513961936283862015-07-11T00:15:29.968-05:002015-07-11T00:15:29.968-05:00Hi Karen. Just discovered the site through Diane&#...Hi Karen. Just discovered the site through Diane's place and am enjoying the perspective.<br /><br />On the commentary focusing on Serena's serve and power I'm afraid that's par for the course. Tennis commentators love simple narratives. I've watched a few thousand matches going back to the early seventies and it was ever thus. Wish I had a dime for every time I heard any of these...<br /><br />Chris Evert: "Consistent." "Mentally strong."<br />Martina Navratilova: "Athletic" and (depending on the stage of her career) "Fragile" Or "Extremely fit."<br />Steffi Graf: "Really fast." "Big forehand."<br />Serena: "Big serve." "Very strong."<br /><br />Words like "guile" or "craft" or "heady" are reserved for the Radwanskas of the world, whose success can't be explained by something simpler. (Even then, it's never really broken down. They just say she's "crafty" or some such and go no further.)<br /><br />For men of course it is much simpler.<br /><br />They are all "amazing."<br /><br />As to the before-and-after effect of Sharapova's shoulder, I'd advise pulling up the Youtube on the 2005 AO semifinal. There's a twenty-minute highlight package on there. That's the last time they played when Maria was completely healthy. I think you'll notice a major difference between that player and the one we see now even on her very best day. And yes, it was the shoulder that made the difference. Be interested in your perspective (assuming that's not something you've watched before...I don't mean to presume).<br /><br />Anyway, love the site. Keep up the good work!<br /><br />Nondisposable Johnnyhttp://theroundplaceinthemiddle.comnoreply@blogger.com