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The Alexa Glatch Cheering Thread

102K views 2K replies 62 participants last post by  rucolo 
#1 · (Edited)
Sorry, if there is already a thread for her, but Alexa just won her 1st round junior RG singles match today. She's the 10th seed and beat Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-2. :D She's only 15 years old. A few weeks ago she beat Jessica Kirkland pretty handily in straigh sets. She's going to be part of the future of American tennis. :worship:
 
#53 ·
Hey !!!--Duiz™--!!! !

Yeah, that's definitely not a good news.... :( I'm very sorry. I wonder how that girl is doing now, how is her arm, and her face - I hope scares didn't remain on it! :( She seems to be a bit of tom-boy and dare-devil... But anyway she must be more careful.
Have you ever been at her matches? What do you think are her advantages and demerits at the moment?
Recently Landsdorp said that if a girl didn't achieve anything considerable by the age of 16 she had no chances to be a great champion. But I think it's exaggeration. Who knows, maybe Alexa is a "lazy dynamite" and her time will come, later.
 
#54 ·
2005 US OPEN – A USTA EVENT
NEW YORK CITY

August 30, 2005

Alexa GLATCH def. Y. Fedak
6-4, 6-3


THE MODERATOR: Questions for Alexa.

Q. What was it that persuaded you to turn pro?

ALEXA GLATCH: It was a decision that I was thinking about for a while and I just felt it was the right time. Tennis is what I want to do. I think it was the right decision.

Q. Did you take a family vote?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, my parents are behind me all the way. Whatever I want to do, they support me a hundred percent. That wasn't an issue at all.

Q. Can you talk about what today's victory means to you?

ALEXA GLATCH: Oh, I mean, I don't even believe it. I'm so excited right now. I'm just so happy. Didn't expect to come here and even win a match. I mean, I just went out there and swung away. I guess I got the victory.

Q. Is everything just coming together the last week or so? You had a good run there in Forest Hills, too.

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, I played very well at Forest Hills. It's been a great two weeks so far. I think Forest Hills helped me a lot in this match. Coming in here, I had a lot of confidence from doing well there. I knew I can compete with these girls. I think that's one of the reasons why I was able to pull out the match today.

Q. On court, what is working with your tennis right now that maybe wasn't working as well a couple months ago?

ALEXA GLATCH: I think everything's just come together a little bit. I think I'm a little bit stronger than I was before. I don't know exactly what it is, but I'm playing better tennis now.

Q. Are you still growing? Do you feel like you're growing into your body?

ALEXA GLATCH: I don't know. I mean, I don't know if I'm still growing or not. I mean, I've always been pretty tall for my age. I'm used to it.

Q. You haven't noticed any recent growth spurt?

ALEXA GLATCH: Not really, no.

Q. Are your parents both very tall?

ALEXA GLATCH: They're both about 5'11".

Q. Where does all your height come from?

ALEXA GLATCH: My mom's side of the family is very tall. She has brothers and sisters that are 6'8", 6'4", so...

Q. When you lost the Super Nationals final, did you take positives out of that? Was that something you felt like you should have won? How did you recover from that mentally?

ALEXA GLATCH: I always try to take away the positives from tournaments, not the negatives. It was a tough match in the final, a long match. I had a lot of chances. I wasn't too disappointed. I didn't get blown out. I just walked away from that tournament with my head held high.

Q. You're from down there in Lindsay Davenport territory. Have you had an opportunity to hit with her at all?

ALEXA GLATCH: I've never hit with her.

Q. How well do you know Lindsay?

ALEXA GLATCH: I know her a little bit. My coach knows her very well. I've seen her a few times. I've met her. She seems very nice. Maybe in the future I'll get to hit with her.

Q. Does he travel with you?

ALEXA GLATCH: No, he won't travel with me. He's got a family. He's pretty settled in.

Q. Do you have another coach you can work with?

ALEXA GLATCH: Well, I travel with Katie Schlukebir. She's been working with me for about a year and a half. It's been going really well.

Q. Where did you find her? Where is she from?

ALEXA GLATCH: She used to work for the USTA. I met her through the USTA.

Q. After you were a finalist in the girls 18s, what kind of prize did you get, award? Anything?

ALEXA GLATCH: I got a silver ball.

Q. Now you're qualified to win at least $25,000 in this event as a second-round player. Looks like you're moving up pretty good.

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah.

Q. What are you going to buy with that money?

ALEXA GLATCH: I don't know. I think I'll spend it on travels.

Q. Is there one particular match last week in Forest Hills that sort of made you believe that you were there, particular game?

ALEXA GLATCH: Probably after the first round, beating the No. 1 seed, Morigami in three sets was huge for me. Going out there, I thought I was going to get blown out, to be honest with you. I never played anyone Top 50 before. I mean, after that, I kind of realized that I can hit with these girls and I can compete with them.

Q. Did you play really well in that match?

ALEXA GLATCH: I didn't play my best actually, but I didn't have to.

Q. Did you have chances against Mirza? Did you feel like you were really in that match?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, I did. I actually had a lot of chances. It was just one break each set. I was never able to break her. Many times I was up 30-15, 30-Love on her serve. Just never was able to quite get the games that I needed to get.

Q. Is she the hardest hitter you've ever played?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, definitely the hardest hitter I've ever played.

Q. How was that just contending with that kind of power, knowing other girls out on the tour hit as hard as she does?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, after the first game I was a little bit surprised at how hard she did hit the ball.

Q. Could you speak about where you play in Southern California?

ALEXA GLATCH: In Newport Beach, I work with Syd Ball. I usually hit at the Corona Del Mar High School and the Costa Mesa Tennis Center.

Q. Are you a good friend of Vania King?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yes.

Q. When you had to play her a few weeks ago, didn't come out the way you wanted it, was it difficult to play her?

ALEXA GLATCH: No. I mean, on the court it's competition. We forget about that. You just go out and play. Off the court we're friends again after the match. It's not too hard for me.

Q. Before this tournament, did you have some conversations with Vania about playing in the US Open, how you expected to do, whether you were nervous?

ALEXA GLATCH: I mean, when I first came here, I saw her. She had actually qualified. We were just joking around about that. I was telling her congratulations, it's great. We were both just really excited to be here in the main draw of the US Open. It's pretty special.

Q. How are you doing your schooling now?

ALEXA GLATCH: I'm home-schooled through a school in Ojai, California, called Laurel Springs. I just send in my work through the mail.

Q. Did you read the Sports Illustrated piece during Wimbledon that had you in there as maybe one of the younger players to watch?

ALEXA GLATCH: No, I didn't.

Q. You've heard the chatter about yourself as being one of the younger players who could have an impact. How do you deal with that?

ALEXA GLATCH: I don't worry about it at all. I mean, I don't focus on that. I just go out on court and do my business, try not to read too many of those articles, just stay focused on what I want to do and what I want to accomplish, not worry about what everyone is saying.

Q. But within yourself, is top 10 or being a consistent elite player something you want to accomplish?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, definitely. I mean, that's my goal. I want to be No. 1 in the world someday. I have high hopes.

Q. Any encounters with Taylor or Jill Craybas?

ALEXA GLATCH: I actually played Jill Craybas in Indian Wells. I know her a little bit. I've known Taylor since I was young because we practice at the same club.

Q. Just considering beating Morigami last week, this win, what are your expectations now for this tournament?

ALEXA GLATCH: Coming in here, I had no expectations. I mean, 15 years old. Got a wildcard into the main draw of the US Open, which is unbelievable. I was just so excited to even be playing out there today, say I'm in the main draw. I'm just really excited, don't want to put too much pressure on myself.
 
#56 ·
!!!--Duiz™--!!! said:
She is the last American hop BMP.. if she doesn't explode at all, American tennis will be diminished from the top in the future.
Yeah, I thought as much. As a fan of American tennis I'm really concerned about the situation. I hope Alexa will realize it herself (if she still doesn't), too, and will be biking more carefully to avoid such injuries that retard progress so much....
 
#57 ·
ANother USO interview I found:

2005 US OPEN – A USTA EVENT
NEW YORK CITY

September 9, 2005

Alexa GLATCH/D. Cibulkova
6-0, 6-4



THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. My first question is, what did you think when you both showed up wearing the same outfits?

ALEXA GLATCH: (Laughing). Yeah, I knew we were both sponsored by Nike, so there was a chance of that happening.

Q. First set you just whizzed right through it.

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, I came out ready to play, and serving very well the first set. Just played flawlessly, really. She made a few unforced errors, though. She was, after two or three balls, just kind of losing it off her racquet. But I played very well the first set. Yeah, I played a great match today.

Q. You seemed to me that you outclassed her a little bit. Do you think the seeding was correct today in terms of you being 10th seed?

ALEXA GLATCH: Well, I mean, she's ranked -- she's ranked 3 or 4, I think. So, I mean, she ought to be seeded low, so...

Q. But I mean bearing in mind the experience you've had with the WTA.

ALEXA GLATCH: Uhm, I don't know. I don't know how the seeds really work, so I can't say.

Q. You had a good run last year. How has that helped you so far in this tournament?

ALEXA GLATCH: Last year here at the Open?

Q. Yes.

ALEXA GLATCH: Last year I lost second round. Lost to a very good player. Actually had to go indoors because of the rain, so that was a little bit of bad luck. But, I mean, I think I'm playing some of the best tennis I ever have right now. I'm just really confident and feeling good about everything right now.

Q. All the Grand Slam experience you've had this year, has that helped you?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, I think it's definitely helped me. I've played -- this is the first year I've played all the Grand Slams and I've gained a lot of experience from each one. I know what to expect in these kind of situations now, and I think I'm really using that to my advantage.

Q. What do you have to expect?

ALEXA GLATCH: Excuse me?

Q. What do you have to expect at this level, just tougher matches?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, I mean, just walking out on the court, you've got to be able to play every match right from the beginning because these girls are tough and they're going to come out here and they're going to give you everything they've got. So when you go out there, you've just got to be ready, you've got to be ready for anything.

Q. How much are main draw matches enabling you to breeze through these matches, easier and quicker because of the experience you've had in the main draws?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, I mean, I gained a lot of confidence from that. I mean, winning a match was, I mean, just unbelievable for me. I'm just -- I was on Cloud 9 then, you know. I'm just really confident right now and playing well.

Q. What about the doubles, is that helping you or hurting you? How do you feel about playing doubles and being the No. 2 seeds and being in the finals?

ALEXA GLATCH: Yeah, I mean, I think that's awesome. I'm so excited. I mean, Vani (Vania King) and I have a great time out there. I love to play doubles now. You know, I was never a great doubles player before I started playing with Vani really. She's taught me a lot, actually. So I think I've improved a lot over the past six months in my doubles, and it's showing.

Q. Does she still smack your right hand after every good point?

ALEXA GLATCH: (Smiling). Yeah. I let her take her frustrations out on me, so (laughing)...

Q. Going back to the singles, had you ever played Dominika before?

ALEXA GLATCH: I never played her before, no. I hadn't really ever seen her play either. I asked around a little bit and found out what she liked and what she didn't like and, you know... But I really, going out there, had never seen her play. I didn't know what to expect.

Q. What about Hancock, do you know anything about her? She hasn't won yet, that I know of.

ALEXA GLATCH: No, I've never seen her play. Actually, I don't even know what she looks like.
 
#59 ·
I saw her play at the USO and I was really impressed with her game. She def is the U.S. last hope of a good player in the current crop of juniors. I hope she does well on tour and I'm already a fan. She looks pretty fit and her height can only add to her game tho I'm not sure she's done growing. Let's keep those finger crossed!
 
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#60 ·
Damn it! :D I haven't followed Alexa's carieer for a while, and today I accidentaly checked out her profile at wtatour.com, and found she's ranked 230! What happened? Wasn't she way lower or am I confusing something?
 
#61 ·
She got a wildcard for Indian Wells :D
 
#62 ·
I hope to see Alexa come up with some good results or to actually start playing more soon..she seems to have been very quiet as of late!!!
 
#63 ·
She won't play in Wimbledon because she's playing professional tournaments!!!

This week is playing 10$k Fort Worth and it's in the final!!! She also arrived to doubles semifinals!!
The following 2 weeks she'll play two 10$k tournaments more, in Edmond and in Southlake!!!

Good luck Alexa!!
 
#65 ·
Lost 6-2 6-1 or 6-1 6-2 to Gajdosova in ROund 1
 
#66 ·
Re: Alexa Glatch: Rising Junior Star!

Tennis Magazine reports that Alexa has recovered from injuries in a motor scooter accident. So look for more of her in 2007.
 
#69 ·
Re: Alexa Glatch: Rising Junior Star!

:woohoo:
 
#74 ·
Re: Alexa Glatch: Rising Junior Star!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202559.html

Glatch Is Putting Accident in Past




By Steve Yanda
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 3, 2007;


In November 2005, 16-year-old Alexa Glatch took her motor scooter out for a spin around her neighborhood in Newport Beach, Calif. She was thinking about many things, including how quickly her tennis career seemed to be taking off.

Just a few months earlier she had advanced to the junior finals of the U.S. Open. She even had won her first-round match against Ukraine's Yuliana Fedak in the U.S. Open main draw. She had turned professional. She was having fun. Life was good.

And then a dog jumped in front of her from underneath a parked car.
Glatch flipped over the motor scooter's handlebars, breaking her left elbow and right wrist. The elbow began to heal right away, but pain in the wrist persisted.

It was later determined that Glatch had broken the scaphoid bone, one of the slowest to heal in the body. In fact, Glatch was told, the bone might never fully heal.

She wore a cast for 16 weeks and was out of competition for eight months. "It was frustrating because I had just played the best tennis of my career," Glatch said.

Though Glatch, now 17, said her range of motion still is not what it used to be, her wrist is "probably as good as it's going to get."

It is still pretty darn good, according to her coach, Kevin O'Neill. She defeated Madison Brengle, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, yesterday at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic with heavy doses of a powerful two-handed backhand and an equally strong single-handed forehand.

A professional instructor for the past 12 years, O'Neill has worked with such players as Venus and Serena Williams and said he has yet to witness a female player with better hands than Glatch.

"She has a great slice backhand that she uses to adjust spins and keep balls low," O'Neill said. "Most girls want to bang, but she has a very good slice. She has the talent to be a top 20 player for quite a while."

O'Neill, who has worked with Glatch for just less than a year, said the wrist injury may have been a blessing in disguise.

"Up to that point in her tennis career, she had never had any adversity," he said. "To have a traumatic event like that happen at a young age and be told you might not play again may have been good for her in some ways."

Glatch said one of the endearing qualities she finds in tennis is the sport's one-on-one nature. "You have to think for yourself," she said. "You don't have any teammates. It's all on you."

It certainly felt that way upon her return to competition in 2006. O'Neill said the pressure Glatch put on herself to return to her 2005 form was evident.

"She just wasn't ready to play the way she wanted to play," he said. "Last year was more of a struggle mentally than anything else, just getting her confidence back."

She looked very confident yesterday, using that slice her coach loves, slipping it in as a change-up to complement the heaters she hurled Brengle's way.

Despite the adjustments that need to be made in his player's game, O'Neill said he is pleased with the improved self-assurance he sees these days in Glatch. More than any match she wins, it is the poise with which Glatch plays that will signal the strength of her wrist.

Her next test will come today in the quarterfinals against second-seeded Olga Savchuk, who earlier this year reached the second round of the French Open.

Currently ranked 355th in singles, Glatch said her short-term goal is to return to the top 200. And as for her motor scooter, will she be riding it again anytime soon?

"No," Glatch said with a grin. "Definitely not."
 
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