Is there a right time to turn pro?
The story that I mentioned speaking to Greg Garber of ESPN.com about last week was posted today, and it is a very comprehensive and balanced look at the question with many comments from prominent players with college experience. I do think Garber slights Somdev Devvarman when he says that his first round loss to Goldstein after qualifying for the Legg Mason demonstrates a need to return to school. Devvarman beat Isner not once but twice during those 12 days in Athens, and tonight even John McEnroe was calling for an Open wildcard for Devvarman after watching Isner win in straight sets to set up a meeting with Federer on Saturday. (I obviously do not agree with those commenters who have dissed Devvarman's game recently.)
And for Austin, here's one of the few stories I could find on Wayne Odesnik, from Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald.
9 comments:
It has been fun to see some of the US players blossom late this summer and now at the Open - Young, Isner, Odesnik. I can't believe they aren't putting Young vs. Gasquet in prime time. Not cool. I love Blake but we can see his matches anytime. This could be Young's breakthrough...I'd at least like to watch him try. I agree that Devvarman should have received a wild card...no question. The NCAA champion should get one regardless of nationality.
Thanks Colette!
Yes, I agree. They need to bring back the automatic WC for the NCAA champion. They took it away cause Americans weren't winning it. Well, try harder then. A lot of forgein players stay in the U.S. after college so at least the dollars they would make from the U.S. Open wildcard would be spent in the states.
Hmmm...maybe somebody is listening to me. Looks like Young/Gasquet has been pulled from the latest Schedule of Play (unless I missed it). Maybe they are putting that on tomorrow night in prime time, although I kind of thought that would be Federer vs. Isner. Anybody have the scoop on this one?
Gasquet has withdrawn with a virus.
Boy, if Donald can eke out an Andreev victory in the third round, Federer may have to go through Isner/Young back to back to get to the quarters. I'm not sure not a lot of people had that one mapped out in their draws. (Not sure Roger views that as a 'tall' task either though...excuse the pun). Should be fun to watch.
Is Rhyne Williams playing US Oen Juniors, or is he still injured?
Williams is still showing in the acceptances, so I assume he's playing.
I am glad some of you aren't running the USTA. Getting rid of the automatic WC for the NCAA champs was one of the few things they have done right. Nationality matters to who the Brits, French, and Aussies give their wildcards. The Americans should be no different. Particularly when the U.S. is not producing many good players these days. Every little edge counts.
That WC is too valuable to waste on a mediocre foreign player. If you are going to use it on a foreign player, at least do it in a trade and give it to a promising English, French, or another Australian. Then another young American can get a WC to one of their majors.
American tennis fans, what's left of them, shouldn't get all nostalgic about about college tennis. Read Garber's article. It's basically made up of a lot of journeymen level foreign players looking to cash in on all those tennis lessons they received when they were young. Good for them if they can get a degree out of it. But I think the NCAA should do away with tennis as a scholarship sport.
The 6'9" John Isner just might be a freak and always needed to play against top competition. He might have been hurting himself in college against mediocrity and will now finally reach his potential.
You want to get rid of the scholarships in tennis? ARE YOU JOKING ME?? The school must reallyh be struggling if they can't provide 4 and a half tennis scholarships, but can manage softball scholarships, diving scholarships, there are 50+ schools that give equestrian scholarships...seriously you are our of your mind with that statement. Not to mention your putting that on a tennis blog. shocking.
Post a Comment