Wow,...... I really didn't expect to make a cheering thread for an Asian player.
But Mi-ra definitely needs some support and cheer from some fans for now.
Yesterday, Mi-ra left a message on her fan site that she will do her very best until she retires to be an unforgettable tennis player to her fans.... after seeing more new members on the site and supports from them. It's really good to hear that.
Mi-ra said she would leave for Dubai today,...and then Vietnam.
She has been quite unlucky after early success in junior in many ways. She once retired due to poor management of her team ( they just abandoned her after putting BIG pressure on her ) and came back later with different team but still struggling. She was sooooo close to enter GS qualy lately,... but missed all. ( 1st in waiting list in US open 2001,.... runner-up in Asian Championship for Assie Open this year)
Today, Mi-ra is going to Dubai ALONE,... and her teammate Yoon-joeng Cho is going to US for 4week tour with some staffs.
She's very nice and kind,.... and it's her biggest weakness in her game. She is not a player who have kind of killer instinct or cocky attitude. It brings me great sympathy for her, though.
That's typical for her team. Wow,... I can't believe Mi-ra lost good chances due to her team-mate,Yoon-joeng Cho's injury.
I didn't learn Mi-ra's withrawing from Bronx cause I had been to Japan for business trip during the last week. (Terrible weather in Tokyo, hot & humid. )
Anyway,.... I got some info on her fan page from a post by her friend,..... it says Mi-ra leave for US this Friday. She will participate US open qualies!
Mi-ra finally posted a message on her fan page yesterday, after her practice session.
She said she had practice session on Olympic tennis court (the venue of Steffi's 1988 gold medal victory ) as usual. But this time there were many people watching her,... so it made her somewhat uncomfortable. ( I know she really cares spectators. )
And she injured herself during the practice session. Mi-ra hopes it should be a minor one,.. cause she should be ready in a week for US open qualy.
She said she would take a flight for US on Friday as scheduled,... but she is worrying about the back injury just before the one of the most important event in a year.
Mi-ra left a message last Friday just before her flight to US. In the message, she didn't mention anything about her back injury,... so I think her back is OK now,... hopefully.
She also mentions she will do her best in US open,... and she will play Asian tour after US open and before Asian Games.
Sorry about that. I forgot to post a question on Mi-ra's fan page.
Mi-ra mentioned that she got big confidence from the Asian Championship last year,.... so....
I'll post a message regarding the matter as soon as Mi-ra has internet access.
Mi-Ra lost to Topalova twice at the end of last year. I really hope she can win this time, and hopefully the injury won't be a factor. Good luck to her.
Mi-ra left a message on her fan page after the 1st rd match.
She said she is happier about the victory because her condition was not good. She is saying she is still in mini-slump, but this kind of victory would be helpful to get her back to on track. ( I think so. )
She said, she was so nervous in the 1st set, so couldn't move well and watch the ball well,.. but in the 2nd set, she tried to concentrate and calm down herself,... and it worked well.
And another good thing is there are many Korean restaurant & Korean cyber cafe,.. so she has no food problem for this tournament and can access internet easily.
Lastly, she asked fan's support for her 2nd round match.
Thats really great to know she is comfortable at the moment. despite not being in good form.
But why is there a food problem if there is no korean food? i don't understand?
Whenever she stays in a foreign country, she always has that food problem like many other Koreans.
Cause Korean food are very different from western food and other Asian food,... so she can last 2 or 3 days without Korean food,... but more than a week? No way!
She mentioned on her fan page that she lost her appetite totally in US circuit last year, so she said she barely moved on the court.
The same thing has been happened so many(almost) Korean atheletes in foreign countries,.... the most recent gossip on that matter was about Korean World cup soccer star, Jung-hwan Ahn. He was severely critisized by his Italian soccer club Perugia's (spell?) owner that he doesn't eat Italian food and always travel to buy Korean food for another city.
I guess it is quite difficult to change one's appetite for food in several years.
I ask my friend to post a message on her fan page regarding that matter. And I verified that he posted it. (Only members are allowed to post a message. )
So, I'll let you know as soon as Mi-ra answers that question.
As for Jie,... I really hope she advances to final round in quali. It's good to see another good player in GS or tour event from China.
But, when against Mi-ra,.........
Thanks a lot Eric. I do hope to see her again in Tashkent .
If both win their Q2 match, I'll be supporting both of them (but Jie a bit more though ).
Meanwhile, all the best to both of them in their coming match .
BTW, isn't it possible for players to bring some Korean canned food with them? Iknow a few Vietnamese do it when they go studying overseas (even if they can find some Vietnamese shops in other countries. Never tastes quite the same ).
I think this is actually the case in several Asian countries if not mistaken.
Well. Eric, Steve, Danker.
Mi-Ra has now made main draw of us open by defeating Kucova in two easy sets.
Mi-Ra keep it up! go for it now! and congrats!
She must be thrilled.
Eric, maybe it is the korean food.
Lets see How Mi-Ra's draw is.... this could be the start of a huge confidence boost for her.
Mi-ra advances to US open maindraw for the 1st time!
Finally, her hard work paid off! Congratulations, Mi-ra!~ You did a great job. And you proved your critics wrong since your comeback from retirement.
And thank you all guys here!!! Mi-ra will really appreciated it.
V.Melb : You should be right! There are big Korean community near the US open venue,... so she's been energized by Korean food! And she must be thrilled like you said,...so she forgot to write a message on her fan page.
Steveg : I think canned food wouldn't be much of help for her. Because, most Korean food lose their genuine taste when they get canned or packed.
I feel sorry about Jie,... she made a good win against Vannesa. Hopefully, Jie and Mi-ra meet in the US open next year,... But not in the qualy,.. I mean ... in the maindraw next year.
BTW,.... where's danker? Maybe,.. in summer vacation? He should be happy for Mi-ra, I think.
After what you said about Mi-Ra being so emotional. I hope she can beat Ai.
I had no Idea that Mi-Ra actually retired at some stage.
Also Mi-Ra will get a nice lot of points after this so her ranking should improve regardless.
I hope it only gets better for Mi-Ra and she gets in that top 100.... somewhere she should have been a long time ago.
I followed the scores last night and Mi-Ra really didn't let Kucova get into the match until 5-0 in the 2nd set. Mi-Ra had 3 MPs, but lost all of them and Kucova finally got a game. I was very relieved when Mi-Ra served it out at 5-1.
However, my joy was shortlived when I found out this morning that she'll be playing Ai in the 1st rd.
I knew something like this was going to happen.
Anyway, Mi-Ra has nothing to lose. I just hope she won't be too nervous and try her best. I'll be happy for whoever does win.
I'm just incredibly happy for her after all she's been through. She truly deserves this, and I hope she enjoys every single moment of playing in a GS maindraw.
BTW, I had a lot of trouble connecting to the site the last couple of days, that's why you didn't hear from me.
danker : I knew it! You must have followed the scores~~.
V.Melb : I hope so. I think Mi-ra has a good chance to break into top 100 by the end of this year.
Steveg : Mi-ra answered your question about the Asian Championship. She said on her fan page that "Nothing is determined yet, so we'll see." But I sensed that she would enter if she stays healthy.
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