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#1 ·
Y. PUTINTSEVA/L. Robson
6‑4, 2‑6, 7‑6


Q. Must be very frustrating after the way you fought back in that third set.
LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, I think in general it was a frustrating match. It was just annoying for me, because I feel like I have been practicing a little bit better this week, and to come out on court and just feel very, very defensive the majority of the match is really disappointing.

Q. You had some wonderful spells in the second set, and toward the end of that third set it looked like you'd run away with it. How difficult is it to maintain that form to the finish?
LAURA ROBSON: I wouldn't say those spells are magical, really. I just managed to get a few more balls in. You know, unfortunately it just wasn't my day.
I just either went for too much or too little, and I just couldn't find the right balance.

Q. You're not very well? You're coughing and you sound a bit...
LAURA ROBSON: I have had a chest infection since the start of the year, and so I have been on about four courses of antibiotics and nothing's gotten rid of it. It's just something that I'm living with.

Q. How difficult an opponent was she?
LAURA ROBSON: Well, she gets a lot of balls back. When she has time on her forehand, she can really do a lot with the ball. So she's always tough to play.
You know, the last time I played her was Australian Open Juniors about two or three years ago, and, yeah, we have had some interesting matches before. This is another interesting one.

Q. Will you analyze it, or will you just try and forget it as quickly as possible?
LAURA ROBSON: I'll analyze it. I analyze all my matches. You have to try and learn as much as you can from one of them, even though some of them can be really bad. You just have to learn from them and work a bit harder.

Q. Will you be looking forward to some time at home now?
LAURA ROBSON: Honestly, I just want to keep practicing no matter where it is and start finding my timing a bit better.

Q. With the chest infection, do you think you need to take just a few days off?
LAURA ROBSON: I'm seeing a specialist when I get home, and we will make another decision then.

Q. So the chest infection was there all the way through the Fed Cup?
LAURA ROBSON: Oh, yeah. It was on and off since the Olympics last year, and so now it's just worse. But it's fine.

Q. How does it affect you on court? Do you have trouble breathing at all?
LAURA ROBSON: I can see you guys trying to make this into something, and I really don't want to go there.

Q. Just a word on Dubai. Obviously you had the problems with the luggage as well, and obviously you haven't played this tournament as much as you'd really like. Is it a tournament you've liked and you'd like to come back next year?
LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, for sure. All the facilities are really, really great, and it's so nice being virtually on‑site with the hotel. I have really enjoyed it here and definitely going to come back.
 
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#58 ·
Laura Robson back hitting a tennis ball as she returns to training after recurrence of wrist injury

By Liam Prenderville​


The 20-year-old has been out of action since the Australian Open with a wrist problem but she has been given the all clear to return.


Back in action: Robson returned to the tennis court today


Laura Robson has confirmed she is back in training after her wrist problem.

The British number one crashed out in the first round of the Australian Open last month - although her preparations were severely hindered by the niggling injury.

And after taking time off the court to receive treatment, Robson has today revealed she has been giving the go-ahead to make a return.

She posted a picture of herself back on the court on Facebook today, alongside the words: "Finally got the all clear from my doctor to hit. First time holding a racquet in a month! #improvement."

Following her first round defeat to Kirsten Flipkens in Australia, Robson was warned she must work on her fitness by former British number one Jo Durie.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/laura-robson-back-hitting-tennis-3134005
 
#59 ·
#60 ·
Laura Robson backs #BeBodyConfident

With girls’ body confidence at breaking point, Britain’s top female tennis player and Big Brownie Birthday ambassador Laura Robson is supporting our #BeBodyConfident campaign.

Laura says:

'It’s so sad that girls are told that fitting into a supposed 'ideal' body shape is what's important. My body has enabled me to play in tennis tournaments around the world.

'When I compete with women, I’m not interested in who has the flattest stomach or the slimmest thighs. Instead we compete on who has the strongest forearm, the quickest reactions, the fastest sprint.

'The women I compete with are a constant source of awe for a whole different set of reasons, ones that are so much more empowering than a beauty ideal which can have such sad consequences for young girls.'

About #BeBodyConfident

#BeBodyConfident asks girls to sign an online pledge to value themselves.

¼ girls aged 11-21 would consider cosmetic surgery
1 in 3 has skipped meals in order to lose weight
87% think they are judged more on their looks than their ability

Join Laura in challenging image myths, and tell us what body confidence means to you with the hashtag #BeBodyConfident.

http://girlguiding.org.uk/news/laur...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
#61 ·
Robson may be forced to skip Roland Garros

Laura Robson has been advised to have a wrist injection which would rule her out of tennis until early June.

Britain’s Robson, 20, has been out since her first-round Australian Open defeat to Kirsten Flipkens and is now in a race against time to get some time on court before the French Open and Wimbledon.

Roland Garros takes place from May 25th to June 8th with Wimbledon then kicking off on June 23rd.

According to the Times respected tennis correspondent Neil Harman, Robson "has been advised that she needs an injection in the wrist, which will require a period of six weeks without competition.

"If the outcome is positive, she could be back on the court by early June; if not, an operation could be the answer, meaning that she would miss the entire summer."

Robson had hoped to return to action next week for the WTA Marrakech event but has been forced to withdraw from that tournament and the Madrid Open in early May.

She is still scheduled to play in the WTA Rome event from May 12 which would give her just one week of clay court action before the French Open.

Robson did climb as high as number 27 in the world last summer, but her persistent wrist problem has seen her drop to number 64.

http://au.eurosport.com/tennis/rola...-to-skip-roland-garros_sto4215826/story.shtml
 
#63 ·
I am guessing this injection is the Orthokine procedure? I pray to God she doesn't need surgery, although that could be just speculation, since they don't even know she's entered into Strasbourg.

At least if she's ready by June, she can get some match practise at Birmingham and Eastbourne b4 Wimbledon.
 
#65 ·
From her facebook

I wanted to inform my lovely supporters that I have decided to have minor wrist surgery at the Mayo clinic with one of the best wrist doctors in the world, Dr. Richard Berger. Dr. Berger is very confident that I will be able to return to the tennis court pain free before you even have time to miss me Although sadly, I will have to miss the French Open and Wimbledon.
 
#67 · (Edited)
The Independent said:
Tennis: Gritty Laura Robson to bounce back

‘Super-agent’ Max Eisenbud is confident Briton will make full recovery after undergoing wrist surgery

Wrist problems are among the injuries that tennis players fear the most, but Max Eisenbud, the “super-agent” who welcomed Laura Robson into his stable last summer, is “100 per cent confident” that the Briton will make a full recovery following her decision to have surgery.

The 20-year-old Robson, who has been unable to play for the last three months, is to have an operation on her injured left wrist at the Mayo Clinic in the United States. She will miss both the French Open and Wimbledon and, as a consequence, looks certain to drop outside the world’s top 100, a major blow given that she had climbed to a career-high position at No 27 in the rankings last summer.

Eisenbud, who does not want to speculate on when Robson might return, knows all about helping a player to come back following injury through his work with Maria Sharapova. The Russian, who under Eisenbud’s guidance has become the world’s highest-earning sportswoman, was out for nine months after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2008 and waited four years to win her next Grand Slam title.

“Maria fought back from a really tough injury,” Eisenbud said. “Her injury was a lot more serious than Laura’s, so I don’t think they’re comparable. It’s not easy for any athlete, but Laura’s been pretty good through this. I’ve been impressed. I’ve been through it with Maria and I know it’s not easy.”

Asked if he remained convinced of Robson’s ability to succeed at the top of the game, Eisenbud added: “I’m 100 per cent certain that Laura will be back. This is just a little bump in the road. I’m 100 per cent confident in her ability. I’m not worried one bit.”

Eisenbud added Robson to his elite stable last summer. He also manages Li Na, the Australian Open champion. Like Sharapova, Li has been hugely successful both on and off the court. Eisenbud recruited Carlos Rodriguez, Justine Henin’s former coach, to work with the 32-year-old Chinese, who is up to No 2 in the world rankings.

Robson has made frequent changes to her own coaching personnel since parting company four years ago with Martijn Bok, who guided her through most of her junior career. Eisenbud is hoping that her latest appointment will be a long-term success.

Robson is now working with both Mauricio Hadad, who was helping Sharapova when she won Wimbledon in 2004 and more recently coached Heather Watson, and the fitness coach Mark Wellington, another former member of the Russian’s entourage.

Once Robson is back to fitness she will face a major task trying to rebuild her world ranking. Initially at least she will not be ranked high enough to earn a place directly into the most important events, though she is a big draw for tournaments and is certain to be offered some wild cards. However, the lesser tournaments carry fewer ranking points, which could mean months of hard work at some of the sport’s more remote outposts.

Robson will need to shake off her reputation as a player who performs well at the major competitions but fails to perform consistently well on lesser stages.

Watson will be able to tell Robson how hard it can be. The 21-year-old from Guernsey plummeted down the world rankings after going down with glandular fever last year. From a career-high No 39 in the world 14 months ago, Watson fell out of the world’s top 150. She is back up to No 121, but that is not high enough to earn a place in the main draw of Grand Slam tournaments.

While there should be no shortage of British women players at Wimbledon – six Britons are currently ranked in the world’s top 250, which is usually one of the Lawn Tennis Association’s criteria for wild cards – there could be none at next month’s French Open.

Tennis players are more prone to wrist injuries than most athletes because of the very nature of their sport. Recovery can be unpredictable, as Juan Martin del Potro discovered when he was out for more than a year following wrist surgery in the wake of his 2009 US Open triumph.

Robson’s operation will be carried out by Richard Berger, a specialist who has also been treating Del Potro. Berger operated on Del Potro’s right wrist five years ago and repaired ligament damage in the Argentinian’s left wrist in a second operation last month.
Positive outlook on Laura's future via the Independent (and her agent).
 
#70 · (Edited)
Wouldn't expect Max to say anything different, but notice he didn't give a timetable. I suppose anything less than 4 months would be a minor miracle.

Also I saw in the Mail's report on her impending surgery, Mike Dickson gives the impression she had Orthokine (Regenokine) therapy while she was in Germany.
 
#71 ·
Laura Robson: 'How I look is not important. How I hit the ball is'

The 20-year-old can't play at Wimbledon, but will be there for the BBC. She talks to Kate Youde about body confidence and her 'monotone' voice

As a top tennis player, Laura Robson surely enjoys the sporting bragging rights in her family. Not so, at least when it comes to trophies.

That honour goes instead to mum, Kathy, a former basketball player. "She does still have the biggest trophy of the family, which is very upsetting," jokes the 20-year-old. "I'm a close second. It's from an under-12s tournament where they just try and give you the biggest trophy possible to make you feel good about yourself."

She does, however, have an Olympic silver medal, won with Andy Murray in the mixed doubles at London 2012.

Plans to add to the trophy cabinet are currently on hold as the left-hander, who lost her British No 1 ranking to Heather Watson last week, recovers from surgery to repair the wrist injury that has kept her out since January. It means missing Wimbledon, the tournament that brought her to the nation's notice six years ago, when she won the junior girls' title. When the competition gets under way a week tomorrow, she will be part of the BBC commentary team.

It wasn't a decision Robson took lightly. For a long time, she didn't watch any tennis or check live scores because it was "too depressing". "I'm definitely going to be very jealous of everyone playing and that's something I had to think about a lot before I agreed to do it, just whether I'd be able to actually sit and watch all these people playing on the court that I would want to be on," she says. "But I think I'm past that, and I'm just happy for the people that are doing well at the moment."

She has work to do before taking to the airwaves, however, after being told she has to be herself "with an extra 15 per cent".

"My voice is apparently quite monotone and so if something's 'fantastic' it's not just 'fantastic', it's 'fan-tas-tic'," she says more slowly and expressively, articulating every syllable.

A fellow commentator is the reigning Wimbledon champion, Marion Bartoli, who the presenter John Inverdale last year told Radio 5 Live listeners was "never going to be a looker", causing a storm of protest. Bartoli and Inverdale have since commentated together on the French Open for ITV.

Robson is diplomatic when I ask whether she thinks Inverdale should have been sacked over the controversial comment. "I mean, I think everyone says stuff that they don't mean at some point, just not everyone says it on national TV in front of a couple of million people," she says. "But I think really it's Marion's and John's business and if they've put it behind them then I guess everyone [else] can as well."

Not that she has no views on sexism in sport. When we meet on the day of the French Open final – between Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep – she has found it "totally unbelievable" that most of the headlines she has seen about Halep concern the breast reduction she had five years ago, rather than how well she has played to reach the final, her first in a Grand Slam. "That's just ridiculous, seeing as it was not just so long ago but it's totally irrelevant to how she's playing," she adds. "I watched her semi-final and you see what she can do with the ball, and I don't see how you can even bring in boobs to the conversation."

We are chatting at the Chiswick Riverside club in London, where, in her role as Virgin Active ambassador, she is judging another final; that of the health club's Search for a Tennis Ace. Developed with the Lawn Tennis Association, the aim is to select two budding stars of the future to nurture in each of the next three years.

Her mother always encouraged Robson to be active, but she is aware body confidence issues stop some girls playing sport because they "don't want to get sweaty" or "mess up their hair".

"You know, sometimes I feel that too – if I play in a super humid country I feel totally gross – but it's just an enjoyable thing to do and, to me, it doesn't matter if you're playing competitively what you look like because it's more important how you're actually hitting the ball," she adds.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1994, Robson moved to Singapore and then the UK at six. It was at that age she first discovered tennis: if she picked up the balls when her parents and elder siblings, Nick and Emily, played doubles, she was allowed to play for 10 minutes. She also watched a lot of sport on television and was inspired by Australian sprinter Cathy Freeman and German tennis ace Steffi Graf. "I think there's so many athletes like that now that young girls can look up to; it's just finding the right person for you," she says.

While coverage of women's sport is overshadowed in volume by men's, Robson says having joint tournaments, so journalists are around for both men's and women's matches, has improved coverage of women's tennis.

A fan of other sports, she started supporting the American football team Carolina Panthers after seeing their player Cam Newton in a Florida gym a few years back. "This is going to sound like such a loser comment but he was warming up and skipping with a 20-kilo skipping rope," she reveals with an embarrassed giggle. "I mean, if you've ever seen someone do that, it's quite impressive… and so that was it for me, I was like, I think I love you!"

This youthful crush, like other enthusiasms, such as her love of hiphop karaoke, serves as a reminder that, despite a maturity gained from being away from home from a young age, she is still only just out of her teens.

She is a role model for many young players, just as she once looked up to Elena Baltacha, the former player who died from liver cancer last month aged 30.

After a deep breath, Robson recalls, "I first met Bally when I was about eight and we practised at the same club. At the time, she was British No 1, so it was such a big deal to just be on the court next to her and I used to stalk her practise sessions."

Robson is wearing a yellow Rally For Bally wristband, in readiness for the exhibition doubles matches being played today at three tournaments in memory of Baltacha, and to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and The Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis. Due to her injury, she will be cheering from the sidelines at the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club in London. "The plan," she says, "is to be able to play mini-tennis again by the middle of August."

British tennis fans will be hoping it won't be too long until she lifts a trophy to rival her mum's.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-important-how-i-hit-the-ball-is-9537731.html
 
#72 ·
Laura Robson to miss US Open in August with injured wrist


British number two Laura Robson will miss the US Open in August as she continues to recover from a wrist injury.

The 20-year-old, who has already pulled out of Wimbledon, has completed just one match in 2014.

Robson has slipped from 46th in the world rankings to 80th.

"I went through a very, very depressed stage," said Robson, "I didn't go on any tennis websites because I was so jealous of everyone able to play."

Robson told BBC Sport that she is now "past that stage" and will be able to start playing mini tennis with sponge balls in August.

"At the moment it's kind of a day-to-day thing in terms of pain and how the inflammation is going, but rehab seems to be coming along nicely," she said.

The US Open - the final Grand Slam of the year - gets under way on 25 August in New York.

Robson's only full match to date this year was a swift defeat by Kirsten Flipkens at the Australian Open in January, and she is already targeting Melbourne next year on her route back up the rankings.

"I'd still like to be able to play some matches at the end of this year and get some competitive tennis in before Australia," she said.

"I'm basically going to be playing some very small tournaments to try and get my ranking up again."

The former Wimbledon junior champion admitted that such an extended absence from tennis has been hard to cope with.

"I didn't look at the live scores, and I didn't watch any tennis on TV.

"But now I'm kind of past that and I'm looking forward to being able to watch Wimbledon as a spectator for once."

Robson will be working as part of the BBC commentary team at Wimbledon, which begins on 23 June.
http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/27860786
 
#73 ·
Laura Robson targets Australian Open in January as she recovers from wrist surgery

Laura Robson admits she will have to start her career all over again after she recovers from major wrist surgery.

The Briton's sole match in 2014 was a one-sided defeat to Kirsten Flipkens in the Australian Open in January, as she battled her wrist injury.

Robson will next target the first major of next year in Melbourne after going under the knife in April on her injured left wrist, which she initially damaged in December 2013.

The 20-year-old expects to compete in UK challenger tournaments in a bid for fitness, form and raking points once she completes her protracted recovery.

Robson said she "felt like a child again" in the aftermath of her operation, struggling to dress herself and cut her own food.

Itching to return to action, Robson said she has been reduced to tears, at times frustrated with rehabilitation while her peers train and compete.

"I don't actually know my recovery timescale," said the British No 2.

"The most important thing is not to rush it.

"I kept trying to come back too soon, and that kept making it worse.

Starting from scratch

"In a way it's like starting from scratch, starting all over again - but I do have the experience of four or five years behind me which is a big help.

"It's a challenge - I get to play all my favourite challengers in England again.

"It's all part of the recovery process, I'll have a protected ranking, so will be able to choose some tournaments and come up with a smart schedule, and see how it goes.

"You can't go into a slam without having played a fair few matches beforehand; you need to build confidence but also to see how the wrist is going.

"Hopefully by the end of this year I'll be playing some tournaments: as long as I get some matches in I don't really care where I play.

"It is going to be a new start because I'll virtually have no ranking by that point, but I'm looking forward to it, it should be a good experience.

"It was only after the surgery I realised how much I rely on my left hand: I had to have help to cut my food and tie my hair, I felt like a child again."

Tears

Robson, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, revealed she shed tears in what has been an emotional time for her.

"It is a bit depressing, because everyone's out there enjoying themselves, hitting the ball hard, competing, while I'm off to move my wrist a centimetre each way.

"There have definitely been tears, especially when I spoke to the surgeon on Skype and I told him I was going to fly out there and 99 per cent sure I was going to do the surgery.

"It hits how long you won't be playing and how useless you're going to be.

"Sometimes I can't do anything and it hits you.

"I had to walk to the National Tennis Centre for six weeks because I wasn't allowed to drive, and that's a 40-minute walk each way.

"It got a bit emotional when you're doing that wishing you could drive."

http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/ne...in-january-as-she-recovers-from-wrist-surgery
 
#77 ·
The Injured Robson Will Be In Wimbledon, But In A Broadcast Booth​

Laura Robson is adjusting to being in the booth instead of on the court at this year's Wimbledon. With the 20-year-old still sidelined following wrist surgery, she will be taking part in the tournament as a commentator for BBC.

She has been receiving some training for the position, and has been told to speak naturally but with emphasis. "My voice is apparently quite monotone, so when something is fantastic, it isn't 'fantastic', it's 'fan-tas-tic,'" she said.

Robson said that she had at first found it tough to watch other players after undergoing surgery, but decided to take up the gig at the tournament rather than following it on television.

"I am getting more and more used to it because I am doing more stuff with other players. I did a BBC interview with [Maria] Sharapova yesterday. But do I really want to be a part of it? Do I want to be at Wimbledon every day when I know I can’t play? Unavoidable, I guess. If I were staying at home, there would be so much coverage about it so I wouldn’t be tennis-free anyway so I thought, ‘Why not go big," she said.

As a preview, she offered her analysis of her fellow up-and-comers during the French Open. "I think it’s a fantastic thing for young players to come through and everyone was waiting for that point, my age group or the year above to start doing better in Slams," she said.

Genie [Bouchard] has definitely done that, and [Garbiñe] Muguruza has played really well. For [French finalist Simona] Halep, she has always been a great player but in the last year or so she has got so much better, basically. I thought she played fantastically well."

Robson, who has also withdrawn from the US Open, says she is still working out her scheduled return to the game.

http://www.tennisnews.com/exclusive.php?pID=40340
 
#78 · (Edited)
Laura writes an article:

Wimbledon 2014: Laura Robson uses IBM SlamTracker to analyse defending champion Andy Murray's first-round game against David Goffin

When you come out of the locker rooms at Wimbledon, past the members, just before you go out on Centre Court, there is a quotation above the doors which reads: “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same.” It is the famous line from Rudyard Kipling’s If, and cannot fail to inspire you. Belgium's David Goffin, ranked 104th in the world, will need all the inspiration he can muster to stand a chance against Andy Murray when they face each other on the famous court in round one of Wimbledon on Monday afternoon.

As defending champion, Andy will revel in the atmosphere when stepping out on to the hallow turf, which is also the place where I achieved the highlight of my career so far, winning a silver medal in the mixed doubles with Andy two years ago at the London Olympics. It is my favourite court in the world and always super special to play there. It will be Goffin’s debut on Centre Court, and the first time he has played Andy. He will find it hard not to be overwhelmed by the occasion.

According to IBM’s SlamTracker, which uses a complicated algorithm to calculate specific targets – or keys – that players should aim for to succeed against a certain opponent, Goffin’s best chance of defeating the third seed will be to win at least 46 per cent of the rallies which last between four and nine shots.

When he has managed that, the 23-year-old – who I played junior tennis with and, by the way, is much shorter than 5’11” as it says on his ATP profile – has won 59 per cent of his sets. To achieve it against Andy, he will have to mix his shots up as best he can, perhaps using drop shots. I do not think he has the power from the baseline to trouble Andy. You do not really notice on TV, but Centre Court is really wide – there is so much space to chase down shots, which will help Goffin. But grass is the most attacking surface, so his defence will have to be solid to have a chance.

If Andy wins 54 per cent of those four-to-nine-shot rallies then he will stand the best chance of success against Goffin; when he has hit that key, he has won 86 per cent of his sets. Andy is looking in good touch, and appears to have no issues with his back at the moment. Reaching the semi-finals of the French Open earlier this month, when he was eventually knocked out by Rafael Nadal, showed he is on good form. His new coach, 2006 Wimbledon champion Amélie Mauresmo, is mixing really well within the team already and will be a brilliant influence on him throughout the Championships.

People with big serves, like Andy, will always do well at Wimbledon, even if their groundstrokes are not quite as good as their opponents. Andy has won 75 per cent of his sets when he has won at least 68 per cent of his first-serve points, and he will he hoping he finds his range in his opening match. As his doubles partner I was always confident he would hold serve, and against Goffin, I’m sure he will send down a few aces.

I also think Andy has one of the best returns in the game as well, and another one of his keys to aim for is winning more than 32 per cent of his first-serve returns – a target which should be attainable against Goffin, who is not the most aggressive player. Andy should enjoy playing him because of his timidity. It should be a straightforward start in his defence, in what looks like a favourable draw; if all goes to plan he will meet Novak Djokovic in the semi-final and Nadal in the final.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/te...ys-first-round-game-against-David-Goffin.html
 
#79 ·
Wimbledon 2014: Rafael Nadal v Mikhail Kukushkin​

Laura Robson uses IBM SlamTracker to analyse Rafael Nadal's third-round match against Mikhail Kukushkin​

Rafa Nadal won the first of his two Wimbledon titles in 2008, in the same year as I was the junior champion. But he made us all wait at the champions’ ball because he defeated Roger Federer in a rain-interrupted match 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7 which finished at nearly 10pm. We ended up having our main course at about 1am, when no one was hungry.

He has rather an appetite for tough matches, if not food, and he showed his never-say-die attitude against Lukáš Rosol on Thursday. The Czech won when they last played at Wimbledon two years ago, in the same round. It was a huge shock as he was then ranked 100 in the world and it was his first time at the Championships. This week there was certainly no love lost from that match; there was a lot of shoulder bumping and Rafa definitely didn’t look happy. He was really pumped for it this time because of that and, despite winning his ninth French Open earlier in June, he still had to come from a set behind to succeed.

In Saturday’s third-round game against Mikhail Kukushkin, who has never before reached this stage at Wimbledon, should be more straightforward. I have seen the Kazak play a few times and it doesn’t look like he has a stand-out shot. Having said that, the 26-year-old has made it through this far, having won in straight sets in the first two rounds – which is more than Rafa can say – so I am sure his Spanish opponent will respect that. He knows, especially with what happened two years ago with Rosol, anything can happen. Kukushkin might pull something out of the bag and that is what is so exciting about Wimbledon.

Kukushkin says that hard courts are his favourite surface, and there is not much difference when playing on grass – especially as they have slowed down significantly in the last 10 years. He will have to try and be attacking against Rafa, serve well and try and get on top of the point early on. In the only two times they have met previously Nadal has won in straight sets – first on the hard courts of Bangkok four years ago (6-2 6-3) and then, in 2012, at Monte Carlo, where clay king Rafa is unplayable, it was 6-1 6-1.

Rafa's key weapon against Kukushkin, according to IBM SlamTracker, will be his domination in the four-to-nine-shot rallies. When the Spaniard wins 55 per cent or more of those clashes he has won 88 per cent of the 657 sets analysed. Rafa’s movement is definitely one of his strengths. One of my favourite things is watching him run, on a slow-motion replay, for a drop shot (and it’s not just because of his rippling muscles). He runs like a proper sprinter, and puts his head down and legs it without really looking at where the ball is going, as he is just concentrating on getting there. He should be able to boss that area of the game against Kukushkin.

His opponent, meanwhile, has won 67 per cent of his sets when he has won 68 points on his first serve. Additionally, when he has succeeded in claiming at least 27 per cent of first-serve return points he has notched up 63 per cent of his sets. It's going to be tough to hit those targets, though. Rafa returns the ball pretty hard, and he has improved his backhand out of sight. That used to be his weakness, especially on his return, but now he is nailing that.
I think that Rafa is the best player there has ever been on clay and I would say that Roger is up there as the best on grass. What is so great about today’s game in the men’s competition is that there are so many different styles and regardless of the surface they will probably make it to the last four. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are included in that group too, of course. I expect that after his early scare against Rosol Rafa will not slip up again on Saturday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/te...7/preview-rafael-nadal-mikhail-kukushkin.html
 
#81 ·
'I've been scouting potential opponents from the commentary box' - Q&A with Laura Robson



Injured Laura Robson has been scurrying around SW19 this past two weeks… spying on her rivals and trying to find something suitable to eat.

You decided to become a vegan after the operation on your left wrist in April. How is it going?


I come from a BBQ family as my parents are in Australia and you can’t really have a great vegan BBQ. I prefer the roasted options for my meals and stuffed peppers — if you want to get excited about it! The change has been good so far, although at Wimbledon over the last two weeks there haven’t been that many options in the restaurant. But, if it helps with the healing of my wrist, then great.

So, going vegan is helping your wrist heal?

I did some research on Google, which is probably not a good idea, but I had a lot of free time before my surgery and looked at recovery and rehabilitation processes. Not everyone agrees with this and my doctor said if I wanted to go ahead then okay because it’s about your state of mind while my trainer doesn’t like it and is looking forward to me bringing meat back into my diet. David Haye, the boxer, is also a vegan and has a protein shake which seems to work very well. I am not doing enough hardcore exercise at this stage of my recovery to miss out on protein.

Is there any other area you are looking at that can help get you back onto court quicker?

I don’t think you can speed the recovery along more than what the doctor says is possible. I am still trying to move my wrist around and there are various holistic things you can try but I am going to stick with the tried and tested schedule. Using hyperbaric chambers — we have one at the National Tennis Centre at Roehampton — is more for when you are training, although I do put my ice machine on the arm every day.

Working for television and other media at Wimbledon this year has given you the opportunity to look at the Championships from a different perspective. Have you learnt or discovered anything that will help you when you return?

It has given me a different view but I have always been aware of the pressures that are put on players during the tournament, particularly the British ones. When you are playing, you try to block all of that out, however, this year I have been reading as much as possible to be more informed about the whole Championships. I have seen so many journalists around the media centre who don’t follow tennis at any other time of the year and then get free access to all the players, asking whatever questions they want. It’s off the charts and quite surprising.

What has it been like to be part of the TV coverage and working alongside some of the great former champions in the commentary box?

It has been great working with Sue Barker and Martina Navratilova. It has enabled me to watch a lot of live tennis which isn’t normally the case when you are playing in a tournament and practising for your next match. If I was playing, I wouldn’t be able to walk around the grounds and watch a doubles match. You forget just how fast doubles is — on television it looks slower — and it reminds you why people become great fans of the sport.

Have you been able to take notes on opponents you will be facing when you are fully fit again?

I’ve been walking around in “normal” outfits which has meant fewer people recognising me compared to last year when I was playing here so, yes, I have been able to take my pad along to matches and make notes. I have never had this chance before because ever since coming here to play in the girls’ event at 14, I have been a competitor. Basically, I am looking for anything I haven’t noticed before about a player — noting how she may go off balance playing that kind of forehand.

Have you learnt anything from being around great players like Navratilova?

It is really interesting to be in the box with players like Martina and Tim Henman for an hour or more and they point things out about a player that I haven’t noticed before and there are so many people in media — journalists, ex-players and production people — who know so much about tennis because they have been doing it for 20 or 30 years.

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/ive...entary-box--qa-with-laura-robson-9582428.html
 
#84 ·
There's very little evidence that suggests eating more antioxidants does anything for your health. I'm talking peer reviewed scientific papers, not a blog post by 'a reformed fast food addict'.

If Laura's getting any beneficial effect from going vegan it's placebo based.
 
#85 ·
There's very little evidence that suggests eating more antioxidants does anything for your health. I'm talking peer reviewed scientific papers, not a blog post by 'a reformed fast food addict'.

If Laura's getting any beneficial effect from going vegan it's placebo based.
The advantages of studying Pharmacy.:lol:
 
#87 ·
Agent Max Eisenbud Scores A Coup For Laura Robson

The worth of a good agent could not be better illustrated than the current case of Britain’s long term absentee from the WTA scene Laura Robson and Max Eisenbud, the IMG executive entrusted with her ensuring her career is as lucrative as possible.

Regardless of a long term absence from the top flight and a current WTA ranking of 379, Eisenbud has negotiated a new lucrative clothing and shoe deal for Robson with Nike after her long-term agreement with adidas expired.

Robson has not played a competitive match since the first round of January’s Australian Open because of a wrist injury that required surgery in April. Although the 20 year-old has resumed practice, she is still a long way short of ready to be able to return to the tour.

Eisenbud is of course the man who has managed Maria Sharapova into being the world’s most endorsed sportswoman and was also a major subject in Li Na’s memorable victory speech after she won this year’s Australian Open title. “Max, agent, make me rich,” said the Chinese icon. “Thanks a lot.”

With Li Na’s retirement announced earlier this week, there was clearly a vacancy on the Nike playing roster. Eisenbud wasted no time in convincing the powers that be in Beaverton, Oregon that Robson, regardless of her injury issues, was a valuable asset and investment.

Robson, never a person to hide away information when she wants something made public, teased the switch early yesterday when she Tweeted a picture with the caption ‘Spot the difference’. It was immediately apparent she was wearing a light purple and orange pair of Nike sneakers rather than adidas.

A few hours later Robson confirmed the change of apparel sponsor by posting a photo of herself in a Nike sweatshirt, saying: “Nice to meet you @NikeTennis @nikeuk. #justdoit”

Robson was formerly one of the adidas players, along with former world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki and Russia’s Maria Kirilenko, chosen to wear the Stella McCartney Barricade line of clothing.

This week Robson has been working out at the Lawn Tennis Association’s National Tennis Centre at Roehampton, only a couple of miles away from her Putney home in South-West London. And she posted footage of her tentatively hitting shots on a practice court.

http://www.10sballs.com/2014/09/25/...rapova-laura-robson-who-just-got-a-nike-deal/
 
#88 ·
Laura Robson returns to training but could delay comeback until after Australian Open

Laura Robson could only return after more than a year out through injury
The 20-year-old has not played competitively since Melbourne
A wrist tendon injury that needed surgery saw her wear a cast for summer
Robson has options as to when she returns depending on her progress
'She is making really good progress but a lot will depend on how her wrist is feeling and her level of play in practice,' says manager Max Eisenbud


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/te...y-comeback-Australian-Open.html#ixzz3K05Na7Tl
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
 
#89 ·
Laura- seen hitting balls at Bollettieri but is not hitting balls at full pelt. I wonder what this means. Surely if it were a major problem she wouldn't hit at all? Maybe she's just being cautious?

"BRADENTON, Fla. – It was good to see Great Britain’s Laura Robson hitting tennis balls, even if she wasn’t going full-out.

The 20-year-old has been out nearly a year, after undergoing left wrist surgery. She played one match in Hobart and another at the Australian Open, losing in the first round to Kirsten Flipkens. And that was it for 2014.

Her ranking is now down to No. 916, although that won’t matter much when she gets back, because she’ll be able to use a protected ranking that will probably be somewhere around No. 58, which is where it stood after the Australian Open.

If the recuperation periods of Juan Martin del Potro, who has now had surgery on both his wrists and has been out since last March after the procedure on his off-wrist, are any indication, this is just going to take some time.

Robson was definitely not giving it max effort on the wrist. We’d put it at slightly harder than a “light hit” – that being a relative term for a pro."




http://opencourt.ca/laura-robson-and-brits-hit-bollettieris/
 
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