[ys]

My mind is very gloomy after Elena's loss today, but think about that. Since Nastya won Palermo, our players made at least five finals (at least five that I can remember - Dementieva - Olympics and Acapulco, Likhovtseva - Leipzig, Bovina - Estoril, and Kournikova - Moscow, as well as the final of Fed Cup), perhaps 25 or more semifinals ( I guess Anna alone made more than 10 semifinals. Yet with these incredible numbers, we haven't won a title since that Nastya win. Statistically speaking, these numbers are incredible - 20% of success in semis and 0% in finals. Does it mean that our girls just can't hold themselves together for the most important matches, just can't handle the pressure?

 

[TheBoiledEgg]

I wish i knew the secret then I'd go and tell the girls and plus i'd be a rich man .

Just hoping that it just takes one win .... and that will turn into more as they all get over that initial hurdle ..... which is sadly getting bigger <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

 

[Следопыт]

The problem is not only in Russian tennis. It is the problem for most of the Russian athletes. Most of the Russian athletes have almost no mental or phychological preparation.

A few years ago I have read an article about that in "Arguements and Facts". It described the problems that I have stated. The article also mentioned Irina Slutskaya. She had many problems with nerves. After she got help from phychologist she completely changed.

 

[auntie janie]

Elena did not choke against Kim today.

I did not see the match, so I may be wrong of course, but I simply think that Kim is a better player than Elena is right now (as I have said elsewhere). That is the reason Elena lost. She needs to keep improving her game, and she is doing so. Additionally, playing more matches against top players will give her needed experience in those situations. She will come through before long, I know it.

Okay, we have all seen Anna choke many times, and Lina certainly choked against Martina at the US Open. Doubtless Elena herself choked against Amanda in Mexico city. But not every loss of a Russian player is a choke! In some cases, they are just NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN - yet!

Have faith in your players! Elena D. and some of the others will reward your faith soon. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

 

[the cat]

Whatever you want to call it, YS. Russian female tennis is becoming it. Choking, under achieving or lacking in desire. It may be a combination of all three. Or, maybe the Russian girls aren't as good as we think they are. Perhaps their coaches aren't as good as we think they are. There are certainly no future grand slam champions in the current group of Russian females on the WTA tour. They all melt under pressure. The future lies with the talented Russian junior girls. I don't think anyone would dispute that.

P.S. - I'm dissapointed in the performance of the Russian junior girls in qualifying for the Kremlin Cup. For Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova to fail to make the main draw of the Kremlin Cup is so dissapointing. Especially when you consider that they were playing against somewhat mediocre opponents.

P.P.S. - Memo to Maria Sharapova. Please grow up fast! Your country needs You!

 

[!!!--Duiz™--!!!]

Whatever you want to call it, YS. Russian female tennis is becoming it. Choking, under achieving or lacking in desire. It may be a combination of all three. Or, maybe the Russian girls aren't as good as we think they are. Perhaps their coaches aren't as good as we think they are. There are certainly no future grand slam champions in the current group of Russian females on the WTA tour. They all melt under pressure. The future lies with the talented Russian junior girls. I don't think anyone would dispute that.

P.S. - I'm dissapointed in the performance of the Russian junior girls in qualifying for the Kremlin Cup. For Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova to fail to make the main draw of the Kremlin Cup is so dissapointing. Especially when you consider that they were playing against somewhat mediocre opponents.

P.P.S. - Memo to Maria Sharapova. Please grow up fast! Your country needs You!

lol