French Open preview 2010

BY

FOLKERT HESSE

The draw is out and with Nadal seeded at No. 2 there is not much doubt that he will meet Federer in the finals, even though both have some tricky match-ups on their way to the final weekend.

Especially Nadal might have two tough matches before a potential final with “Fed”. But after a very convincing clay court season from Nadal, I don’t have many worries that he will jump over those two hurdles. But those jumps might cost him a lot of energy and might open the door for Roger, who has a little easier draw.

So, since everybody expects Federer and Nadal at least among the last 4 players, who will be the other two players, who are most likely to join them in the semi-finals?

In Federers half of the draw, the top seeded players to meet him in the semi final are Murray and Tsonga. Both did not have a great clay court season this year and might not even get to the semi-final at all.

But there are some other dangerous players who are more confident on clay and had some good results this year already.

First of all it’s Mikhail Youzhny who won a tournament on clay this year already and climbed up the rankings lately. Now he is seeded at 11 and might be the big surprise in the semi finals.

The other hot players are Berdych, Baghdatis, Isner and De Bakker.

Berdych did not play well on clay this year but had a great tournament in Miami on hard court. If the conditions are hot and dry for the next 10 days he might get through, even though he has to beat Isner, and Baghdatis or Murray to reach the quarter final already.

Tsonga will face De Bakker in the 3^rd round and he lost to him this year on clay already. Youzhnys draw is much easier. He will not waste too much energy before he faces Tsonga or De Bakker. But all these players are very unpredictable. Especially Tsonga will face a lot of pressure infront of his home crowd.

If I had to pick a player in this part of the draw, it would be Youzhny. All the other players rely too much on good weather conditions (Berdych, Murray, Isner, Tsonga).

But all these players won’t give Roger much trouble in the semi final.

And before the semi final “Fed” might face Soderling or Cilic in the quarters. Also not much trouble for him, I think.

In Nadals part of the draw, his potential semi final opponents are Roddick, Djokovic, Ferrer and Ferrero. And besides these players are not many in this section of the draw, who have the potential for a surprise up-set or have made a splash in this years clay court season yet.

But Ferrer is probably the best clay court player behind Nadal and Federer this season. Ferrer would be a big challenge for Nadal and this match might go the full distance of five sets and cost Nadal a lot of Energy before the potential final with Roger.

But before Nadal gets to the semi final he has to beat Verdasco in the quarters first, which will not be much easier than the semi final match up with Ferrrer. And I see another tricky match for him in the round of the last 16 with Thomaz Bellucci from Brazil. A lefty and a great clay court player, who has won on this surface this year already. Nadal faced him at the French in 2008 already, but now Bellucci is a much different player and way more dangerous for Rafa.

All in all Rafa faces more challenges on his way to a potential final with Roger and it will be crucial for him to save as much energy as possible.

Here are my picks for the quarters and the semis:

Quarterfinals:

Federer – Soderling:                        Federer in 3

Muray – Youzhny:                          Youzny in 5

Ferrer – Djokovic:                           Ferrer in 4

Nadal – Verdasco:                           Nadal in 4

Semifinals:

Federer – Youzhny:                        Federer in 4

Nadal – Ferrer:                                Nadal in 5

Check out my final prediction next time…

F. HESSE

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Sweet Revenge For Nadal

BY

FOLKERT HESSE

It was the 21^st match between Federer and Nadal, and even though Nadal won 13 of the previous meetings, he has never been this eager to win against Roger like this time.

Too tough were the last 12 months since he lost the final against Roger in Madrid a year ago. His parents divorce and his knee injury ruined a great start of the season for him. He lost his first match at Roland Garros, was not able to defend his Wimbledon title and on top of that lost his no. 1 ranking to Federer again, who also took the French Open title from him. It was clear from the start, that Rafa would fight till the last drop of blood to beat Roger in the first meeting after one year of disappointments.

And it was probably the first time that Roger really had to prove something, even though he is clearly the no. 1 in the world with almost double as many points as Nadal. But a year ago he collected only his second win on clay against Rafa in Madrid. The only other time he beat him on clay was in wet and cold Hamburg, on a day Roger was not able to miss a shot in the last two sets of the match. And last year, Rafa had to play an extremely tough 4-hour match against Djokovic the day before. On tope of that too many other matches in the clay court season. Besides these two wins, Federer was always dominated by Rafa on clay and never really had a chance to win the French Open against him. And deep inside he probably knew that he would have not won the French Open by now, if Nadals knees had been fins last year and there would have been more harmony in his private life. And maybe Federer would not be no. 1 today…

Federer knew he had to prove a lot. And Rafa was eager to show the tennis world that Federer will not win the French Open, when he is healthy. Even minutes after the match he was sitting on his bench and pumped his fist again and again. This showed how much this win meant to him. It was a very, very sweet revenge after a year of torture.

So, there was a lot on the line this time. But more importantly, there was more to lose for Roger than to win. And for Rafa there was much more to win than to lose. And this is how they played. Both were very nervous, but in the crucial moments of the match, Rafa had more to win and therefore was more positive. And he was happy, healthy and not tired this time. And then it is nearly impossible for Roger to beat him.

Even though I think that Roger deserves to win the Grand Slam this year, I am afraid that it will not happen, because Rafa has gained so much confident through out the clay court season, that he will win in Paris as well. He planed his season much better this year and will be fresh and confident. On top of that Davydenko and Del Potro, the two players who could beat him on clay, will not participate at the French Open. It all went his way after the Australian Open, and that’s why he will win the French. Probably in the final against Roger, but Roger will not be happy with 2^nd place again…

Because then there is no doubt at all anymore, that his win at the French last year, was only possible because Rafa lost to Soderling.

F. HESSE

HESSE TENNIS TRAINING

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How To Pace Yourself Like Federer!

BY


FOLKER HESSE


One thing that is a big step to success in tennis is to learn how to pace your self through a match. Even more important to be successful in the long run, is to have a smart tournament schedule.

Roger Federer is a true master at this and it is probably the biggest secret to his success.

When ever it matters Federer is on top of his game. Now many people might say, ‘but what happened in Inian Wells, Miami, and Rome!?’

Well, the answer is simple. These tournaments don’t matter for him anymore. He has other goals, and I am sure he will bring himself in the best possible position to reach these goals. His goal is to win Grand Slams, not ATP-1000 events. He only uses these events to get in shape and protect his ranking if he needs to. But right now nobody is threatening his No. 1 spot at all. And his biggest goal is to win a Grand Slam (all four grand slams in one year). He secondary goal is to be the No. 1 at the end of the year. And if he wins all 4 grand slam events he will get 8000 ATP points alone for that and will be No. 1 at the end of the year. On top of that he does not have many points to defend at the ATP world Championships. So, there is another possibility at the end of the year to finish as the No. 1. And even if Nadal proves to be too strong for him again at the French Open. He is very likely to reach at least the final at Roland Garros, which would bring him 1300 points. Probably still enough to be the No. 1 at the end of the year. Even if he falls to another clay court specialist in the semis (which is very unlikely, if we look at the grand slam stats of Roger over the past 5 years…), he will have enough time to get some points at ATP-1000 events on hard court.

The same way he plans his tournament schedule and paces himself to have maximum energy at the start of the slams, he plans and paces his matches. That’s why he does not win his matches 6:0, 6:1, like Nadal, plays so many tie-beaks and close sets. Federer always looks ahead in a set, a match and a tournament. His goals are always long run goals. He is not looking to win a single match in a perfect way. He either wants to win the whole tournament or tries to find his form for future tournaments. When he starts a tournament which he wants to win (let’s say a grand slam) he tries to win the first rounds by loosing as little energy as possible. He does not start a match or tournament with 100%. Even if he gets into trouble, he tries to stay calm and tries to keep playing with maybe 85% energy instead of 80%. Only if he really has to he goes to 100%, but only in the grand slams, not in the preparation tournaments. This saves him a lot of energy and prevents him from being injured. Of course all the pros are good at this and not every player can say that they just focus on the grand slam events. Because they are not No. 1 yet and have not won everything yet. So, for other players it is great to win a smaller tournament or an ATP-1000 event and they don’t care if it takes all the energy out of them for the next tournament (maybe a Grand Slam…). This is the reason Federer might lose to Berdych in a ATP-1000 event. But he will probably never lose to him in a Grand Slam. Federe is not on his maximum fitness level at a ATP-1000 event yet. He is still in a prparation phase at this tournament and he plays with probably 80% of energy to slowly build up his fitness and avoid getting injuries.

The same way he paces himself through the preparation phase of the tournaments before the Grand Slam, he paces himself throughout a match.

Federer does not want to reach his top level 4 weeks before a Grand Slam, because it might be hard to keep the level for 6 weeks. And on top of that he wants the feeling of getting better and better, which creates a positive attitude of improving. Rather than having the feeling of not getting anywhere, by just keeping his form.

It is the same feeling he wants in a match when it comes to 4:4 or 5:5 in the first set. He wants to have the feeling of being able to shift into another gear, rather than being in the top gear already. He tries to sneak himself through the first games, to be able to say to himself that he can play even better when it matters. And at 4:4 with both players holding serve all the time it really matters and the player who has another gear left, will win the set.

So, Federer is a master at planning his matches and tournaments. But what can junior players learn from him?

The first thing a junior player has to do is set his goals. And not only his goals for a tournament, but all his goals. His long term goals. Once you know your goals you can start planning how to reach them.

Of course a junior tennis player has much more ahead of him then a pro, because he still has to learn, improve and develop his game-style. And play at the same time… And win some…Not easy!

Much more complicated than the tournament and goal setting for Roger Federer!

A junior player has not each his potential yet. He still explores how hard he can hit the ball (and this changes from day to day as he still grows and get fitter) and how fats he can run and how much pain he can take throughout a match and a tournament and a whole year…

So, it is more a matter of trying out to find out and this makes it more difficult to pace himself at the same time.

Roger Federer knows exactly what he can do and what he can not do. He knows what happens when he plays a 4 hour match in the first round of a slam and how his chances decrease of winning the slam in the end. He knows when he is getting close to injure himself, be going to close to 100%. And he knows where his 100% are. A junior player still tries to find out where his 100% is…

You see that it is very difficult to make the right decisions without having any experience of your limits yet.

So, how do you do it?!?

Well, you need a person who is able to compare your abilities to other players abilities and has experience in how much a junior at this age and strength can take. And that is an experienced coach. He will have a good feeling for you energy level and will make sure that you pace yourself right to reach your long term goals.

F. HESSE

HESSE TENNIS TRAINING

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Folkert Hesse Tennis

Clay Court Season 2010 - a Latin Love Affair!

BY 


FOLKERT HESSE 




The first month of the European clay court season is over an it is time for a short check-up on who is among the favorites for the French Open.

So far it is only a handful of players who were able to claim a clay court title this year and in April all of them carried a Spanish passport.

But the rest of the season was pretty much a Latin love affair, as well. Only one “white boy” was able to claim one of the 9 tournament titles handed out on the red dirt this year.

And guess where he is from?!? –Switzerland of course. But surprise, surprise – it was not Roger who did it. It was Stan Wawrinka who took the title in Casablanca, Marocco in the beginning of April.

All the other winner came either from Spain or South America. Nadal took the two ATP-1000 series titles in April, Juan Carlos Ferrero also captured two titles and fellow spainiards Verdasco and Ferrer won one event. The other two winners are Brasilian Thomasz Belluci and Juan Ignacio Chela from Argentina.

So, who else will be among the contenders for the French this year?

For sure it is Roger, who has an easy draw in Estoril this week and will probably win and get some confidence for his title defense in Madrid.

Robin Soderling, who reached at least a final against Verdasco, is also playing quite well and might have a chance to get to the semis at Roland Garros.

The most disappointing performance comes from Murray and Djokovic who did not do much damage on clay yet. But as soon as the French start and we will play best of five  sets, they will be there again, I’m sure. But I don’t see more than a quarterfinal for them.

Del Potro and Davydenko are still out because of injuries and this made it much easier for the Spanish clay court specialists so far. But at least Davydenko might be back for the French. But it remains uncertain, if he can show up with confidence and some clay court wins in his bag.

So, far it all looks like a Latin love affair in Paris or Nadal and Federer again will get it on again... ;)

Let’s see…

F. HESSE

HESSE TENNIS TRAINING

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Folkert Hesse Tennis

Finally Sam Stosur!

BY


FOLKERT HESSE




I always thought that Sam Stosur has the techniques. The fitness and the dedication to her sport to make it to the top of the WTA-Tour, but she never even made it into the top 10, or was able to play consistent enough to go deep in the tournaments. But now it seems as if things are clicking for her and she makes a step to the next level.

To see her and Justine Henin in the finals of Stuttgart today is a real pleasure for me. Finally two players on the women’s tour who really care about the sport and not only about their looks, their new tennis dresses, or their career as an actor or model after their tennis career.

And two players, who unlike many other players on the WTA-tour, have all the shots in their game that the men have. A kick-serve, a slice, a drop shot, a volley and variety in their game…

This should be a great final if Sam will be able to keep her nerves cool and calm. A thing she is always trying very hard, but sometimes kept her from getting that extra focus and energy for the big points in a match.

But now it seems as if she knows how to pace herself through a match and how to get ready for the important phases in a match. This was the one thing that was missing in her game and if she can keep it up like this, she will be very hard to beat for many other players on the WTA-tour, who are not as fit and technically perfect as her.

As a Tennis coach I would like to see her more aggressive on her forehand, finishing even more points at the net (after good forehands) and mixing up her serve a bit more. She has a great kick-serve (probably the best on the women’s tour!), but it will be even more effective if it comes a bit more as a surprise for her opponents (especially on grass and hard-courts).

And if she pumps herself up a bit more after winning big points, she will be much more of a threat for the other players and I see her cracking the top 5 soon.

For a tennis coach like me, it is always great to have players like her, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters on the tour, because they are great role-models for the juniors.

Let’s hope they will be the top 3 in women’s tennis soon… ;)

F. HESSE

HESSE TENNIS TRAINING

High Performance Training and Coaching for Top Juniors and Professionals

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Folkert Hesse Tennis