[Meelis]

Originally Posted by steni

Wow, I was expecting her to play just one warm up before AO! and weird that she is not playing Paris...

Paris is right after AO this time. Hardly any top player will play there.

[Excelscior]

Originally Posted by steni

I personally don't feel pessimist about this, just need to wait and see...

I'm not going to comment or criticize the current arrangement, at the moment. I'll wait and see like you guys.

However, it would help if people knew their strategy (or more about this gentlemen background and/or qualifications). 'Oh Yeah'. That's part of the problem (his background, or apparent lack of it). I forgot. And of course, if I was Petra, I would never want Lucie Safarova 'hand me downs' to begin with in the first place. But that's another argument.

Serena brought in a noted boxing guy to work on her fitness/conditioning, after being out and sick a year. Good for her. And the thing is, you don't need to hire Eddie Futch, Cus D'Amato or Emmanuel Steward (famous boxing trainers). You would just need someone that is relatively cheap, but experienced/quality; were around top fighters, and knows the training regimen, and could convert it for a Tennis Player.

Aggassi hired Gil Reyes full time (who wasn't famous at the time), as another example.

Other athletes, even if they have a personal fitness trainers, will still bring in experts. For example, Track and Field guys can REALLY help you with your quickness, sprinting, reaction time/explosion, as well as stamina. Again, you don't need to bring in Michael Johnson or Glen Mills (Usain Bolt's coach; though it could help of course, lol). But you can bring in someone good enough (in the concepts and drills) and cheap enough to help Petra improve her sprinting, reaction time and explosion. That's what she needs [to reclaim] more than anything, I feel. Petra wasn't in position to hit those spectacular winners last year, as she was in 2011. Of course, her confusion, lack of anticipation, and other factors had something to do with it as well.

I'm sure Petra has normal work out drills for footwork and explosion. I've seen her with Ivanko. My question is, have they sought out the other people who specialize in this (like Track And Field or other Coaches), who could squeeze out more? It's that, or will she/they give it a special emphasis this year (or repeat what worked in 2011)?

This would be the same, as bringing in noted tennis specialist to work on your serve or return, though you already have a tennis coach. The question is: What's the commitment (of her team)?

Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see?

[Excelscior]

PS: While we're on the topic. Still no announcements of a part time, full time or Per Diem Male hitting partner for Petra (going into 2013), huh?

[TimeyWimey]

where can i find the PDF version of WTA calendar 2013? anyone has the link?

[ShiftyFella]

Originally Posted by TimeyWimey

where can i find the PDF version of WTA calendar 2013? anyone has the link?

here you go

[TimeyWimey]

Originally Posted by ShiftyFella

here you go

thank you! couldn't find it since they revamp the site....

[paulmara]

Katie joins forces with Tamira Paszek

http://www.katiespellman.com/content...tamira-paszek/

[paulmara]

Thanks to Invisible Fan

Asthma problems a threat for Kvitova

The humidity is not great for me as I have asthma so I'm breathing tougher but that's part of me and I have to fight with this," she said.

"2011 wasn't as bad ... it wasn't that hot.

"Otherwise I'm feeling good and healthy.

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8586033

KVITOVA, KOALAS & QUALIES

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/articl...koalas-qualies

[Excelscior]

Hey Petronius, Paulara, Queen Petra Fan, Lufa (I think that's he name), Meelis, etc.: Any news on Petra or her team yet, and their plans for 2013?

We know she missed her end of the year mountain or beach training this year (plus she has a new fitness person). I was just curious to hear anything on her training, practice regimens or outlook.

If I read her schedule right: It almost seems like she wants to play a lot of events early, to get her self in physical and playing shape.

Oh well/if not. I guess we just got to wait for the cheesy tournament press conferences and/or the clichéd interviews at them.

PS: And thanks for Paulmara forwarding that article from Australia).

[TimeyWimey]

Originally Posted by Excelscior

Hey Petronius, Paulara, Queen Petra Fan, Lufa (I think that's he name), Meelis, etc.: Any news on Petra or her team yet, and their plans for 2013?

PS: And thanks for Paulmara forwarding that article from Australia).

I JUST realized Jozef Ivanko is not in that tennisography, which shouldn't be a surprise considering they filmed that mid-2012, but still a bit disappointed since he is such an important figure in Petra's stellar 2011

btw, is Paul in Australia?

[Meelis]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1226544795895

THE Brisbane International is an event which holds great memories for me so it's great to be back here to start a new season.

I won my first WTA title here in 2011 and it was a victory that helped kick-start my most successful year on the tour when I also enjoyed a Grand Slam win at Wimbledon.

I know that this year it is a really tough field, with eight of the top 10 players in the world all starting their season in Brisbane.

Almost everybody is playing here because they want to have the best preparation for Melbourne and they know this is a great event.

We all know it is going to be a tough draw and every match is going to be difficult, but it will be good to see how everybody is going after the off-season.

I know I didn't have a big break. I had two weeks off for a vacation and then I started back with a new fitness training program with Kristian Bajza.

Normally I've done my fitness work at high altitude, but this year we decided to train at home in Prostejov in the Czech Republic.

We didn't do anything really different, but it was really nice to be able to train and stay at home and a good change from what I'd done previously.

Kristian has changed a few things for me and we've worked on some new exercises so that I get stronger and am not troubled by injuries as much as I have been.

We really wanted to work on my speed and make me faster on the court and I think it has worked and I hope it shows here in Brisbane.

Of course I am here to try to play my best tennis and it would be good to start my campaign with some good matches here.

I am also playing in Sydney the following week, which will be another chance to get ready for Melbourne.

Petra Kvitova was made available for this column by the WTA Tour. She will be an occasional columnist during the Brisbane International

[TimeyWimey]

^she's blogging again? last time i remember was Paris in 2011

[Meelis]

No, she's writing a column

[Excelscior]

Thanks Meelis.

That's exactly the type of stuff I was looking for, requesting.

PS: What do you think (if you're willing to express it) about Petra's new Fitness trainer and regimen; both in general and based off what she said in this article?

[paulmara]

Originally Posted by TimeyWimey

btw, is Paul in Australia?

Who?