tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post8198307007727539933..comments2024-03-26T09:23:26.937-04:00Comments on ZooTennis: My Thoughts on Taylor Townsend and USTA Player DevelopmentColette Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14905215531491180014noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-45327655394699006762013-06-21T17:06:03.863-04:002013-06-21T17:06:03.863-04:00Patrick McEnroe is too far removed from the ustapd...Patrick McEnroe is too far removed from the ustapd program. During the year and half we participated in the program in boca I saw him twice and it was come and go. Same situation with Jose higueras. You cannot impact a program when you are not in trenches. The rest of the coaches , although well intentioned do not have developmental experience and those that do have antiquated methods. BRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-60648202450430447332012-09-18T17:16:34.628-04:002012-09-18T17:16:34.628-04:00We shouldn't act like Taylor is the one compla...We shouldn't act like Taylor is the one complaining. <br /><br />From all the interviews I've seen, Taylor has acknowledged that she owes the USTA a lot. She has said that she considers herself very lucky. She said she's been doing everything the USTA has told her to do and has been cooperating. And most importantly, she has acknowledged that she isn't exactly at the ideal body weight/shape and has mentioned putting fitness as one of her main priorities. <br /><br />In such a frustrating situation, I really haven't heard much complaint from Taylor Towsend herself. She was even very reluctant to shed light to this story, at the beginning. I think she knows exactly what she needs to work on and she know that fitness is one of those things. Scooby Doonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-62056375511748982742012-09-18T12:24:55.369-04:002012-09-18T12:24:55.369-04:00Taylor Townsend's playing career has been larg...Taylor Townsend's playing career has been largely funded by the USTA. She should consider herself very lucky. Let's not act like she isn't getting anything from the USTA. She has obligations to them.<br /><br />She is out-of-shape. Fat even. Yes, some can be attributed to being "Big-boned" but COME ON. I understand trying to sympathize with the kid because she's a teenage girl, but she is certainly out-of-shape and you have to set boundaries.<br /><br />The comparisons to Serena Williams aren't really appropriate because Serena was out of shape and, despite all of her successes, she suffered quite a few losses in her career because of her fitness. She only recently completely dedicated herself 100% to fitness and look at the results. Serena didn't max out her winning potential. The USTA is just trying to max out Taylor's.<br /><br />The USTA is also seemingly trying to prevent another Donald Young situation in which a promising American tennis player decided they didn't need to work that hard on fitness because they had all of the shots.<br /><br />Also, let's not act like she's a little girl. She's 16. She will be on the pro tour soon and reality will hit her in the face when she realizes she can't keep up. Junior success doesn't necessarily translate to pro success. There are too many examples to list.<br /><br />Midwest, you are a whiny parent. Sorry. You have no idea how good you have it.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-31351953517579566602012-09-16T21:58:25.292-04:002012-09-16T21:58:25.292-04:00Typical..there is no whining. Only being proactive...Typical..there is no whining. Only being proactive.<br />I can assure yo I am not a typical parent. The vast majority of junior parents do whine, and they have alot to whine about.however, by the time they figure it out either their kids have aged out or they ar too scared to act for fear of retribution. <br /><br />I have 2 sons. Scholarship money will be a bonus. The experience theses kids ar having....despite USTA limiting their opportunities and other USTA nonsense....is intangible. <br /><br />We will choose to put our money into itf events.we ar going for the experience.<br /><br />No whining .just telling you what we ar doing snd whyMidwestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-67298385383133564772012-09-16T17:04:12.414-04:002012-09-16T17:04:12.414-04:00Let's add a few more questions.
What did Tayl...Let's add a few more questions.<br /><br />What did Taylor do the two months she was home early in the year? Could that be part of the "long story"? Has anybody asked that question?<br /><br />Could Taylor hold her own with the other girls in Boca when she got back? Doesn't it sound like she could not?<br /><br />Why is Cathy Rinaldi quiet? Did she oversell Taylor to her bosses?<br /><br />What are Perotta's qualifications as a sports writer? Isn't he a novelist?<br /><br />Why did the WSJ use the "benching <br />" headline"? Actually the answer is - to sell papers. Isn't it called yellow journalism?<br /><br />Did Wertheim research any facts for his article? Did he just repeat what people said? Isn't that the easy way out?<br /><br />Now some facts - Taylor is 16 only in years. Otherwise she is a fine athlete regardless of people's perception of her looks. Let's compare her to the girls in gymnastics at the Olympics. She is not a shrinking violet in fight and attitude. The people around her are just doing her a diservice by trying to manipulate communications and information.<br /><br />Whether you hate PMac, the USTA and the whole system - boys and girls, it is about fitness. Period. Time will tell.questionernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-24879993723015076162012-09-16T15:01:31.297-04:002012-09-16T15:01:31.297-04:00Midwest
Do not be a typical parent ALWAYS expecti...Midwest<br /><br />Do not be a typical parent ALWAYS expecting someone to do something for you or "what have they done for us lately." Nice additude. (not)<br /><br />The USTA has set up a tournament structure - it is your choice to play them or not. In Midwest, there are always tournament to play.<br /><br />Stop whining <br />typicalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-63631724296638275652012-09-16T09:35:18.703-04:002012-09-16T09:35:18.703-04:00Just got applied for itf numbers for my kids. 2 ra...Just got applied for itf numbers for my kids. 2 ranked in top 50 USTA. Disgusted. Just can't put my money on this system.<br /><br />What has the USTA done for us lately? NadaMidwestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-74809109242059336932012-09-16T09:20:43.842-04:002012-09-16T09:20:43.842-04:00Well balanced.
So frustrating. Seldom does any or...Well balanced.<br /><br />So frustrating. Seldom does any organization seem to alienate and infuriate so many members at every level.: from the privileged benefitting to those just biding by the rules.<br />We pay for this!<br />I always lioved p. Mac. I was slow to realize that this guy is out of touch and ultimately hurting tennis for the masses.<br /><br />I have been to every national junior event for the last 3 years and have seen no visible representTion from the USTA beyond coaching their own. Even then <br />supervision questionable..never seen kids behave so.Badly on the court, but that is another story. missed opportunity to connect with their base.<br /><br />The decisions made by the USTA are made by handful of people..the emperor wears no clothes. We have felt it at the bottom(ltop 20).disappointing to know that even <br />at the top the treatment is appalling.<br /><br />I just don't what else to say. Nobody is listening. If I could do it again I would probably pick a different sport for my kids.....so sadConcernednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-11701308801899658712012-09-16T09:04:44.142-04:002012-09-16T09:04:44.142-04:00It seems to me that the USTA was punishing Taylor ...It seems to me that the USTA was punishing Taylor for losing to Vicki Duval in the early rounds of Vancouver....<br /><br />INCREDIBLE---that is one of the most absurd statements I have heard on here. seriouslynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-91178764411664189942012-09-16T09:02:18.525-04:002012-09-16T09:02:18.525-04:00The person who no one really has talked about is T...The person who no one really has talked about is Taylor's coach, Kathy Rinaldi. Someone that has been with her over the past 3 years - who truly got her game to #1 in the World, who has mentored her and been with her through the ups-n-downs. Can we hear from her?<br /><br />It seems everyone is not concerned with taylor's safety - only that she was not allowed to play and that she is black so that makes it 10 times worse and newsworthy.<br /><br />apparently Ola only does what Jose tells him to do. <br /><br />I know the usta uses the Clevland Clinic for thier medical needs so if taylor was not cleared by them then the usta probably had a very good reason. <br /><br />Bottom Line - a personal coach would get praise for taking a hard stance on thier player and safety. I just wish the USTA had a good PR person to explain the entire siuation before this story which is completely over-blown gets out of hand.<br /><br />It's time for the next story - lets move on....(didn't Wayne Bryan write another letter)?Lets Move on.....noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-81713942637216052402012-09-16T08:36:58.070-04:002012-09-16T08:36:58.070-04:00Is there anyone on staff at the USTA who is a pedi...Is there anyone on staff at the USTA who is a pediatrician, or has an advanced degree in psychology and child development? Apparently not, because if you ask any medical professional whether telling an impressionable teen age athletic girl that they are not "fit" which is USTA's code for " we think you are overweight" - is flirting with danger. Taylor has already proven herself. She is only going to get better and better with the right people guiding her mentally and physically. Most importantly though, Taylor is above all else a human being with feelings. She is not a tennis robot. She is built they way she is and no amount of punitive actions can change that! I guarantee you that she has done everything the USTA has asked her to do in terms of fitness and nutrition. What exactly do they want next - her to starve to meet their "personal opinion" fitness expectations? Are other kids at the USTA PD of a different genetically slimmer build being put through the same hell as Taylor? Being told not to compete even though they are proven champions? I doubt it...<br /><br />It seems to me that the USTA was punishing Taylor for losing to Vicki Duval in the early rounds of Vancouver. I can hear it now from Ola, "Your coaches said that you lost because of fitness.."<br /><br />I get that the USTA foots the bill..does that excuse them for treating these teenagers as commodities and not the precious talented human athletes that they are?tennis fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-90023811810016727972012-09-16T08:09:23.161-04:002012-09-16T08:09:23.161-04:00the Biggest thing here is: MISCOMMUNICATION!! Esp...the Biggest thing here is: MISCOMMUNICATION!! Especially the comments with Lindsay and Martina. They should know that there are ALWAYS two sides to a story - learn all the facts FIRST before going to the press with your comments.<br /><br />Taylor was NOT cleared to play medically, therefore she was not FIT and cleared to play. <br /><br />The FACT is: Taylor is out-of-shape!!! If Taylor wants to be part of the USTA, then they control what her schedule is. <br /><br />The public makes this a race issue - like someone said before - no one argued when Melanie and other players were held back because they were out of shape, but when a black teenage girl is - then there is an out-cry. I thought America would be past that in the 21st Century. That is EMBARRASSING and uneducated on America's part!<br /><br />I mostly agree with the USTA on this one - - they are just ALWAYS awful at communicationing their message and the story before it happens. Its the 21st Centurynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-37525578906600009162012-09-16T00:06:22.826-04:002012-09-16T00:06:22.826-04:00Taylor ROCKS...USTA - not so much. The instant I h...Taylor ROCKS...USTA - not so much. The instant I heard about it, I knew it was wrong, wrong, wrong. It's an unbelievable situation that is just so very distressing and damaging to all who love junior tennis...and most especially to all who love TT...Hope Taylor and Shelia will continue to hold their heads high---ALL WILL BE WELL FOR THEM IN THE END...I hope they find another place that values and protects and cherishes this CHILD instead of betraying her by sending confusing, mixed messages that make her feel badly about herself. I can't wait to see how far she can go as Taylor continues to develop her God-given talents. We have known and loved this family since 2006. They don't deserve this---actually no one does. Huge shout-out from HIGH-TECH TENNIS and thanks for the article, Zoo Tennis. WELL DONE!HIGH-TECH TENNIShttp://www.high-techtennis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-82014576962677350852012-09-15T22:29:07.643-04:002012-09-15T22:29:07.643-04:00The Usta is so out of line here it's ridiculou...The Usta is so out of line here it's ridiculous!! What a poor example they set. They are a greedy misrun organization. Pat McEnroe shouldn't get a red cent for what he does! The guy can't even hit a forehand properly! Townsend would kick his butt! The Usta should realize you don't have to be that fit to make it on the woman's tour. For example, Kvitova, Bartoli, Pazcek, Pavlunchenkova, Liezel Huber. Townsend will be top 100 by 2014.Rogernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-68522356769839728732012-09-15T17:36:41.520-04:002012-09-15T17:36:41.520-04:00An excellent an balanced piece - McEnroe's pos...An excellent an balanced piece - McEnroe's position as head of PD has been compromised beyond repair and not just by this incident. He is a part time administrator earning a full time salary who has hire a part time head coach in Jose Higueras who lives full time in Palm Springs over 200 miles from his closest academy in Carson. Its beyond embarrassing. McEnroe should do the honorable thing and resign or the USTA should have the guts to cut him loose along with his $1mm salary.tennisforlifenoreply@blogger.com