Tennis Gods
Another historical win for Mr. Agassi. With one foot in the retirement grave, Andre outlasted a 21-year old pup named Baghdatis (sp?). In athletic years, 36 is elderly, so it’s a miracle Agassi was even on the court.
His tennis brothers, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier, packed it in long ago. What a pair of wussies.
I read in the NYTimes this a.m, that, after the match, Agassi was hobbling toward the back gate to leave the stadium, he had to stop, lay down and stretch his legs and his back because of cramping. He eventually gathered himself up, and made it out. Baghdatis followed shortly thereafter. A reporter told him of Agassi’s trouble making it to the gate. The kid says wryly, “He must be out of shape.”
If you saw the match, he was anything but. At moments Andre summoned spirits and channeled energies beyond Earth. He left his body and another force was carrying him through the points.
Technically, he’s the most compact and efficient player ever. Every stroke uses as little energy as possible to provide the velocity needed to move opponents around. His accuracy, what a gift. His response. His mind. He plays the game like Twain strung sentences together, seemingly effortless.
Compared to other top level players, his serve is as very average. Unlike Roddick and other big hitters, he doesn’t need it. He just puts the ball in play so he can go to work, whipping the ball back and forth forcing his opponent into errors.
You have to beat him. He is too smart and too cool to throw a Monaco tantrum on the court. He doen’t give you any points. He’s patient. He’s relentless.
Watch him play. You'll learn a ton.
G
His tennis brothers, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier, packed it in long ago. What a pair of wussies.
I read in the NYTimes this a.m, that, after the match, Agassi was hobbling toward the back gate to leave the stadium, he had to stop, lay down and stretch his legs and his back because of cramping. He eventually gathered himself up, and made it out. Baghdatis followed shortly thereafter. A reporter told him of Agassi’s trouble making it to the gate. The kid says wryly, “He must be out of shape.”
If you saw the match, he was anything but. At moments Andre summoned spirits and channeled energies beyond Earth. He left his body and another force was carrying him through the points.
Technically, he’s the most compact and efficient player ever. Every stroke uses as little energy as possible to provide the velocity needed to move opponents around. His accuracy, what a gift. His response. His mind. He plays the game like Twain strung sentences together, seemingly effortless.
Compared to other top level players, his serve is as very average. Unlike Roddick and other big hitters, he doesn’t need it. He just puts the ball in play so he can go to work, whipping the ball back and forth forcing his opponent into errors.
You have to beat him. He is too smart and too cool to throw a Monaco tantrum on the court. He doen’t give you any points. He’s patient. He’s relentless.
Watch him play. You'll learn a ton.
G
posted by Greg Monaco at 11:36 AM
1 Comments:
In a butt scratching contest, maybe.
Post a Comment
<< Home