Monday, September 29, 2008

Vaidisova out in first round in Stuttgart

Probably to no one's surprise, Nicole Vaidisova has been eliminated early from competition in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. She was defeated, 6-1, 6-2, by Li Na. It is, of course, no shame to be defeated by Li. Now that Li is entering tournaments without a seed, she is probably the most dangerous floater on the tour. But this was more than a defeat--it was a runover--and there have been so many other early defeats for Vaidisova.

I have never found Nicole Vaidisova to be an especially interesting player. That view is subjective, of course, and part of my indifference toward her has to do with her attitudes about women's roles on the tour. But what really bothers me most about her--from a strictly-tennis standpoint--is that I have not seen her develop mental strength to match her obvious tennis talent. Vaidisova has always been somewhat of a hot-head, and like pre-Berlin Safina, this trait has gotten in her way (I'm not convinced it gets in everyone's way--some hot-heads can use their anger well on court).

I haven't seen Nicole Vaidisova play in a while, so I really don't know what is going on with her. But she is having such a disappointing season. She is still quite young, so she has time to get her head together and start fresh.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree, Vaidisova is having a bad year. She lost in the 1st round in nine tournaments this year. Someone ranked # 22 in the world should be doing better than that.

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane

Amelie announced on her website that she is officially parting ways with Loic and Michele. She'll announce her team for 09 soon.

Parting ways... :
29/09/2008


Amelie has decided to part ways with Loic courteau and Michel Franco.

After more than 6 years and with 2 Grand Slams(Australian Open and Wimbledon) and the world # 1 ranking, Amelie has decided to part ways with Loic courteau and Michel Franco.In the coming weeks,Amelie will announce her team for the 2009 season.Her fall season schedule stays the same,she'll head to Moscow at the end of the week and will play Zurich,Linz,or the Luxembourg tournaments back to back

Dani

Diane said...

Yeah, Dani, I heard this morning that it was now official, though I doubted it would ever be otherwise than a permanent split. As great as Courteau has been for her, I think it's a good idea for her to try a different approach at this point.

Todd Spiker said...

The last time I saw Vaidisova play was in that Wimbledon match against Stosur where she seemed to space out and everything she did made it seem as if she didn't want to be there. You'd have sworn she was THIS CLOSE to tanking the match if only Stosur had held up her end for a little while longer. As it turned out, Vaidisova managed to win that match (the British announcer ended things by saying, "Nicole Vaidisova won this match, but don't ask me how") when Stosur couldn't close it out. It was all quite an odd sight. Ultimately, she pulled herself together enough to reach the QF, though.

I think it's all (or at least a great deal of it is) in her head. Not exactly a unique thing with a young player who expected things to be easy, then was shocked to learn it wouldn't be. Plus, there was all that Radek Stepanek stuff at the start of the season, which might have been an early warning sign about her distraction level.

Diane said...

I'm not sure what's going on with her. She has always seemed somewhat careless and mental to me. She can go to pieces pretty quickly.

Todd Spiker said...

Yeah, but even when she'd lose it mentally at times in the past, she still had good results (she was a match away from two slam finals in 2006-07) and I don't remember her desire, at least, being questionable.

As you said, at this point in this season, that she's losing an uncompetitive 1st Round match is pretty much expected.

I guess we'll find out next season if she's gotten over whatever's been ailing her (and maybe finally figure out whatever IT is, too) in '08.

Herzblut said...

hi Diane,
I'm catching up on so much.....just looked in to say what I saw and was irked by: watching the match this afternoon and then being left high and dry just before the end of the first set(but that's not my grumble).....a huge screen at the back of the venue, with "Girls, set and match" in large letters, and a picture of one of the players and the car...girls? GIRLS???????? !!!!!!
Claire, grumpy, annoyed, and waiting for the 4pm coverage to see if it's still there...... :(

Diane said...

Claire--nice to see you.

Is that Stuttgart?

Herzblut said...

Diane,
thanks for the welcome...still up and down with health stuff :(
yes, Stuttgart: to be fair to Eurosport, they are putting on pretty good coverage all week: started today at mid-day, and more or less complete coverage through till about 7.30pm. Just about to watch Venus Williams and Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Similar coverage every day, so I really can't complain about the odd half hour here and there when they scoot off for a bit of footie(soccer)catchup stuff. I just couldn't believe that picture!
I'll have a good look and see if it's still there and report back.... :)
meantime some chocolate,a cat cuddle, and a bit of knitting while watching the match.....
Claire

Diane said...

I'm just wondering whether it was a tournament sign or a Eurosport sign. One way or the other, it needs to be pointed out as offensive to whomever did it. (Though most people still don't understand what is offensive about referring to women as children while men are referred to as adults.)

Herzblut said...

update......yes, it's still there: seems to be a thing that's there for all matches, featuring whichever two players are playing, one at each side,car in the background, and "Girls, set and match" in the middle. Ugh.Or am I over-reacting?
Claire

Herzblut said...

thanks Diane....I posted that before I read your comment; as far as I can tell, it's a tournament thing: a really big video screen type thing at one end of the court.....it really IS offensive. And thanksfor the rerassurance that I'm not over-reacting(low self-esteem sucks)
Claire, being pawed by Toty demanding a cuddle after snarfing down a plateful of tuna garnished with squid(her, not me, ick)

Diane said...

So I guess we all write to the tournament, yes? I know I am.

Diane said...

Claire--I just remembered--they have that slogan every year. I sent an email. But many will have to send emails in order for the directors to even begin to take us seriously.