CAMELOT FANTASIES

Quote from: Clay Death on October 22, 2014, 11:46:29 pm

they are both Wimbledon champs Emma.

they do have a lot in common. they don't have similar games obviously but there is so much common ground there.

as for her being a good or great coach, only history will know the answer. we have to let some time pass.

Don't get me wrong - I love Mauresmo. I watched many of her matches in the past in the 90s. I know very well what she's all about. The fact that she too is a Wimbledon champion is actually irrelevant. Andy has already won Wimbledon before Mauresmo came into the picture so there's really nothing for her to do there.

While Mauresmo was a great player and now a great coach I am sure, she's really not the right coach for Andy. She has nothing to teach or offer to Andy as whatever she had Andy has it too and more. The two department that Andy needs the most help at the moment - a strong and deadly mentality and great set of serves - Mauresmo lacks both. Just being there isn't enough. Imagine if Sampras were to be Andy's coach. The sight of him sitting in Andy's box would have caused a lot of fear in Andy's opponents and not to mention, that deadly and cool mentality of Sampras would have rubbed Andy off too. He would have felt much stronger and confident going into any important match. Not to mention how he would have helped Andy's 2nd serve. And both in fact.

Anyway, I take it Andy has hired Mauresmo strictly for emotional support. He must have felt a lot of emotion after winning Wimbledon and going through the back surgery later last year and it seems to me, Kim isn't enough in that department. She's probably great at home and as a girlfriend but it's entirely a different story when you are on court and fighting alone. Only someone who iwas in similar situation would understand what a player goes through under very difficult circumstances and clearly that's very important to Andy. And it's quite possible he didn't get someone he would have really liked to be in his corner so he settled with Mauresmo - at least for the time being.

But yea, let's give her time too but I do think the main changes will be made by Andy in the end.

Excellent post, Emma. 

I was saying the other day somewhere or to someone that if Andy wants to improve that serve he should give Sampras a call. But maybe he is not available.  As far as mentality, I don't know. It really looked like Lendl had improved that during his stay. Andy was noticeably not complaining to his box and seemed to have better control of himself, and was more aggressive on his shots, but it seems he has reverted to his previous style and comfort zone. Maybe it's something that needs constant reinforcement, or maybe it's just him and he can't change his stripes. Who knows? But I agree that it's doubtful that Mauresmo can help with those things, or was even hired for those purposes.

Respectfully,
masterclass