Wimbledon Junior Wild Cards Awarded; NYT Features Donald Young
The All England Club released its wild card selections for the juniors on Friday. Daniel Cox, Graeme Dyce, Neil Pauffley, Joshua Milton, Marcus Willis, Sean Thornley and Daniel Smethurst of Great Britain plus Kellen Damico of the U.S. fill the eight boys' slots. On the girls' side, it's Jade Curtis, Tara Moore, Jocelyn Rae, Jade Windley, Anna Fitzpatrick and Naomi Broady of Great Britain taking six of the spots; the other two are going to Russian Anastasia Pivovarova, second in the ITF junior rankings and French Open Junior finalist Mariana Duque Marino of Columbia.
Sunday's New York Times Magazine features this article (free registration required) on the career of Donald Young. There have been lots of comments on Young by readers of zootennis, so I know many of you will find this interesting reading even if it can only add a little more nuance to such an oft-told tale.
27 comments:
It seems the great New York Times is finally agreeing with what I said on June 4th!!!
"fine, you want to talk about Young directly: great, great hands, great speed, knows all the angels on the court, has most of the shots, improved his serve but still needs a lot of work on both 1st and 2nd-now for the bad news- no guts, no heart, no fight and he quits (you can only go so far without those very special ingredients)- not only for a point but sometimes for games at a time. This is not because of his age -- I have seen players as young as 12 who have gone on to become great top 20, even top 10 ATP pros and the fight,heart etc-that they had in the 12's and 14's went with them to the pros.
Unless Young can either find (fight, heart, no quit attitude)or develope it -- he has no chance-- the ATP will eat him for breakfast.
He has all the tangibles to be successful and that is probably why the "EXPERTS" think he will make a splash-- His tangibles were good enough in the juniors so he really did not have to work that hard.
It is a totally different ball game up with the big boys.
It remains to see if he can pull it off.
I am done talking about Young- I don't want to tell you "I TOLD YOU SO" in 2- 3 years -lets see what happens!!!
6/04/2007
But who are you?
The impact of your opinion is limited by claiming it under the cover of the anonymous label.
Yes , who are you ? If you have such an opinion about Young , and so sure about it , why don't you identify yourself . Be a man .
PRODIGY'S END
I beg to differ Colette,
the words don't lose any impact at all-- they were basically written by the New York Times on June 23rd -- I have been writing them for the past 1 1/2 YEARS as witnessed below (blogs from only this month-didn't have the patience to go back further).
The NY Times article basically covers all the points that I have made in your blog AND AGREES--- INCLUDING THAT HE EARNS ABOUT $30,000 FROM ENDORSMENTS PER YEAR- NOT THE MILLIONS PEOPLE THINK. -- IT JUST TOOK THE NY TIMES AN EXTRA 1 1/2 YEARS TO FIGURE IT OUT:
I DON'T NEED THE CREDIT FOR MY WORDS -- THE WORDS ARE ENOUGH!!
the following are some of my statments that the NY Times confirms almost verbatem!!
"• just confirms that Young's advisors don't have a clue. Young and his advisors don't know whether he is coming or going.
6/03/2007
Anonymous said...
• Austin, Austin, Austin
Austin all I am saying is Donald Young has been mishandled from the beginning. He was a great junior and America called him the King- the next great pro player -- and Donald and his gang bought into it --too bad for Donald and his gang-- what is he going to learn from beating up on some juniors -- that doesn't help in the long run -maybe in the short run-so what!!!
His handlers have not done a good job mananging his " PRO CAREER" as of yet--who knows where it will go. I personally don't think he has the goods to be a top 50 player-let's see what happens!!
The world remembers Federer for what he does in the pros not what he won in junior tennis (not even the junior slams).
Please, Austin don't put Young and Federer in the same sentence, paragraph or even the same blog-- there is absolutley, positively no comparsion.
6/03/2007
6/03/2007
Anonymous said...
• . Frankly, I don't think he will have much of a PRO CAREER (unless he changes what he is doing).
Yes, he had a great junior career-- if he can't convert that to a PRO Career-then where is he. Another guy asking "DO YOU WANT FRIES WITH THAT BIG MAC".
6/04/2007
6/04/2007
• Anonymous said...
• Sam and Andy had better (mentors, mangament) than Young which is clearly proven in the results.
As far millions -you are not on this planet -- when they say a player signed with Nike, Addias,Wilson, Reebok, etc.it is based upon performance with bonuses tied into achieving top 10, grand slam etc. What the bonuses produce -maybe is travel money -approx $50,000-$125,000 per year for a short number of years. The newspapers then say a guy signed for $2,000,000 etc. but that is if they perform.
Since 1992 there have been less than 12 American players to make it in the pros. That is an average of less than 1 per year. Roddick, Fish, Ginepri were 3 to make in one age group. Gimelstob, Goldstein, Gambil were 3 in another age group. And of course the Bryan Twins.
Mike Russell very tough competitor has been a pro since '97 and has earned a total of $600,000 or about $60,000 /year -- without a college degree --where is he going?
My oringial comment was -Young is mis-managed - and up until this point -- you can't argue -concerning his pro career--where it goes from here-- not even the so called experts know or don't know.
Talk to me about Andy Murray or the kid from Serbia (Novak Djokoivc-ATP #6) who are 2 years older and have incredible results.
An old Southern saying--"Potential rain don't make grass grow" and that's how I see Young regardless of the experts- I don't think he has IT-- maybe he will find IT if he changes what he does!!! Don't bet on it!!!
6/04/2007
Anonymous said...
•
Young turns 18 in one month -so stop calling him an age 17 like he has an entire year to go before he is 18.
6/04/2007
Anonymous said...
6/04/2007"
Doea anyone know what happened to Brian Baker. He was really good and haven't seen his name forever.
“Next year this time, Donald will be in the Top 100,”-Jim Courier
ANON, You are correct about the millions that always gets printed when these kids sign young. It is based on what they can earn if they meet all the incentives in the contract. The same was said of the Tomic kid signing for 6 figures but I'm sure he also has a lot of rankings and incentives he must meet to get anywhere near the 6 figures and collect on it as do most of the europeans who sign at a very young age.
Collette,
I thought you were going to stop or, at least, limit anonymous posts.
Andrew D,
I have limited them, by not publishing those that seem to me to be personal attacks or that contain unsubstantiated accusations. This is a very fine line and places a responsibility on me that I only reluctantly assume.
Do regular readers find these anonymous comments valuable? (I usually do, which is why I have continued to allow them). Or is it time that I require blogger registration to post here?
I welcome your thoughts on this.
Colette
as long as the posts are not offensive in language or intent and substantiated - I think they should be allowed, as you have been doing in the past.
Austin, who writes on a regular basis-has admitted that is not his real name anyway. I am sure there are many like Austin.
Frankly 98% of the posts are anonymous anyway and the balance are probably fake.
There are only a handful (maybe 5) that post there real name with an address and phone number.
I think you are doing a fine job as far as the monitioring of the posts.
I find the anony. posts fine up to this point.
I believe you would lose a great portion of the posts if you required registration.
I think the anonymous comments are valuable.
Collette,
I think, when the day comes where anonymous quotes anonymous and claim those anonymous words as their anonymous own, you've got problem #1. Problem #2 comes when you ask for the opinion of regular readers but find that, because almost everyone posts anonymously, you don't know whether the opinions you're getting are from regular readers or not.
Do I find the anonymous comments valuable? Sometimes, but not when they're anything like the first and fourth on this page. In general, I don't bother reading them. On the other hand, when I see the handle 'Austin', I'm more likely to read what is written because there's some sense of continuity and, using the same handle over a period of time, he's been able to establish some credibility.
AndrewD,
a very succinct summation of the problem. is there a solution?
The solution is for every anonymous poster to adopt a name so that there is continuity to their post. The junior tennis world is very small so I can see why certain comments such as critical comments on the USTA High Performance management would want to be anonymous.
Colette
whether you use the name anonymous, andrewd, austin or any other name-they are still anonymous. Noone knows who andrewd, austin or anybody else is-unless they put an address at the bottom of their post.
andrewd (#1) -I find it highly unlikely that someone would take credit for a anon. post --if he didn't write it himself/herself. And what is the big deal anyway?
If you choose not to read a comment -- don't read it--
blogs are suppose to allow the writer and reader to express their opinions (to write or read)-- it is a free country and as long as the e-mails do not use offensive language - post the e-mail.
In andrewd's comment #2 who but a regular reader would comment? And if a non regular reader commented, so what.
sometimes I agree with austin, andrewd and anon. and sometimes I don't-- if I choose not to read a comment -I won't --but everyone should be allowd to post-read what you want or don't want.
But I don't believe posts should be censored just becasue they are anon.
Colette, once you go down the slippery slope of deciding (other than offensive language/unsubstantiated accusations) what is and isn't printable- you will lose a good part of your readership.
And I am a regular reader/contributor of posts!!!
Andrewd & Colette
in response to andrewd -"Do I find the anonymous comments valuable?
Sometimes, I find the NAMED bloggers not worth reading, so I don't read them. But I would never censor the named bloggers for content on the site nor the anonymous bloggers except for foul language, etc.
Andrewd, you are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine -regardless of named or anonymous- If you like my opinion fine and if you don't- that is fine too--but I should be entitled to that opinion.
To those who responded to my post, thankyou for helping me illustrate how much easier it is to deal with a unique handle than the overused 'anonymous'.
Collette,
Two options. First is to do nothing. Second is to use stringdude's suggestion. ZooTennis is your baby and you should treat it as you see fit.
For now, I'm going to do nothing. But I am seriously considering prohibiting anonymous posts.
Colette,
How would a person be able to change from anonymous to a named blogger? What exactly is the procedure? Does it involve CHOOSE AN IDENITY, as found below the LEAVE YOUR COMMENT SECTION? Will the person's identity still be a secret, even to you?
thanks in advance
Now that we are talking about americans and the ones with heart. Take a look at the 91's all i see when i look at that group is heart. Rhyne never gives up always fights to the end. Devin Britton had a 13 match loosing streak and that didnt discourage him and now he is doing great. JT Sundling never seen anyone fight harder with more heart. Frank carleton great fighter. Chase never gives in. This group has the heart plus potential.
I agree with anon.
Heart is a great place to start, of course they need a lot of talent, a little luck, and good mangement-- I will surely follow the '91 year and hope they do well.
andrewd, anon. or whatever,
whether I addressed you directly or posted the blog to anon. or the man in the moon-
it is pretty easy to figure out who I was writing to- it really doesn't make much of a difference-one way or another.
You made a comment about posts 1 and 4 on this page -- but didin't say why you thought they weren't worth reading.
You seem to love to make statements -without backing them up.
That is what blogs are all about- info and defining a position!!!
been a reader of this board for a long time, and have very much enjoyed all the topics, and discussion. Many (but not all) postings are usually of a "complaining" nature. Complaints about wild-cards, complaints about USTA development, and the list goes on.. I applaud you Collette for not allowing anything offensive, or hurtful on these "debates/posts"..but I strongly disagree with any attempt to limit anon postings. A post earlier stated as to how small the world of junior tennis is, and that comment is right on. "If" somebodys name is placed on the comment, how does that "help" convey the "point" better than if a name is attached, when you weigh in the factor of the damage that could be done if the USTA, or Donald Young, or whoever knows the individual making the comment? I mean, what harm is there that someone is not a Donald Young fan!? Suppose he is an opponant in the juniors? Or the parents of one of his rivals?..whatever..there is zero benefit to attach one's name to these "opinions". I remember when Pat Harrison had this discussion as well on anon postings. I will go to my grave knowing 100% that had his kids not been the world class players that they are, he would not be posting under his true identity. Again, I love zootennis, but I feel that anybody who is adamant about eliminating anon posting is just plain "curious" as to who these people are..and the world of junior tennis is too small for this "curiousity" to require postings made with identity. Most message boards spark debate..and there is alot in junior tennis. Is it really harmful when people are disgruntled by the USTA, or are not members of the Donald Young fan club? Is it really "cowardly" when you know there is no benefit as to letting the world know who you are with these opinions? Maybe if we were involved with another sport, but not when we all share this small space known as junior tennis.
anon.
I agree with your thoughts concerning Pat Harrison, anon. posts, "curiousity" element" and will add that even if you use a fake name-what is the difference-
if a person does not want to reveal his true name idenity for whatever reasons -- the words still will hold merit- as long as they don't use foul language, etc.
andrewd
-please note --the anon. writer of the post I am addressing-will clearly know who I am writing to.
So much for your theory!!!
Roddick hit it right on the money!!!
I have choosen a name now-instead of anon.
I am sure this will now clear things up for andrewd
Even the anon. postings are pretty obvious sometimes like when Devin Britton was criticized for the wildcard in to Legg Mason last year or last month when he lost at Grasscourts. Does anyone really doubt the responses to those post were his mom.
You guys better also follow the'92 group as well. Denis Kudla has played very well of late and his results and rankings (ITF) are better right now than almost all the '91s at this time last year and the Harrison kid seems to beat the whole '91 group almost every time he plays one of them. His ITF ranking is leaps and bounds above where any of the '91s were at this time last year including Chase and Rhyne. The '91s have nothing on those 2 '92s.
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