Don't be sad, Twitter. Let Delpo comfort you. pic.twitter.com/oo9fGWJ8Eq
— Hannah Wilks (@newballsplease) September 10, 2014
Notable results:
- Hong Kong R32: Sabine Lisicki d. Monica Niculescu, 3-6 7-6(3) 6-1
- Tashkent R16: Lesia Tsurenko d. Irina-Camelia Begu, 3-6 6-1 7-6(3)
- Istanbul CH R16: Jimmy Wang d. Alexander Zverev, 6-4 4-6 6-3
- Seville CH R16: David Vega Hernandez d. Lorenzo Giustino, 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 7-6(4)
News and links:
With the US Open in the books, tennis fans had only one highlight of 2014 to look forward to: the return of Juan Martin del Potro. He was planning a return in Tokyo, but announced today he won’t play again until the European indoor circuit.
I worked hard to be ready to make my comeback in Asia, where I had great results last year, but unfortunately it was not possible. I’m going to miss my fans in Malaysia, Tokyo and Shanghai who always gave me tremendous support. I will keep working hard on my recovery to play the European season at the end of the year.
Stephanie Dubois–at times Canada’s best hope in the pre-Bouchard era–is calling it quits. After losing her first-round match to Julia Goerges in Quebec City this week, the tournament paid what sounds like a lovely tribute (link in French). Dubois peaked back in 2012 at #87 in the world, reaching tour-level quarterfinals on two occasions.
It may also be the end of the line for Nadia Petrova. The Backhand Compliments blog takes a look at the career of the former world #3:
Nadia Petrova wasn’t a fan favorite. She wasn’t a cover girl, or a marketing mogul. She lacked the graceful resilience of a Serena, or the relentless determination of a Maria. She wasn’t a Grand Slam champion or a World No. 1.
But she almost was, so much that it invariably obscures who she is. She is a philanthropist, participating in charitable activities ranging from Habitat for Humanity to starting a Foundation in her own name. She is a daughter, who yearned to meet her parents’ high expectations, who played through pain at last year’s US Open because her mother had already made the arrangements to travel to New York and watch her play.
Tennis on Twitter:
Thank you all for your congratulations. Last 2 weeks were truly magnificent. #dreamsdocometrue #usopen
— Marin Cilic (@cilic_marin) September 10, 2014
ASDNJKADJKSVLIJ;AKSMVDLVDSAKLVFKMSD;
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) September 10, 2014
3 generation of czech tennis ready for official dinner @stepec78 @jiri_vesely pic.twitter.com/lgSXZnXY9z
— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) September 10, 2014
Nooooo Delpooo.
Oh well, hopefully his recovery goes smoothly. It’s always a blast to watch him play.
@kwando
It’s not so great to watch Delpo play when he’s not quite there. The 1st 3 times I saw delpo play live he lost , including Australian Open to none other than Cilic in I think 2010 (who we now know can win titles) and Chardy last year
I know the DelPo comment was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but there are a few of us (especially those on Federer GOAT-watch) who are looking forward to Davis Cup this weekend.
Unless you are a hard-core long-term Delpo fan, you probably have no idea how much of the time he has been playing while injured. That’s partly because he is so good (like Nadal, for instance) that he can play while injured and still hold his own in the Top Ten. And partly because (also like Nadal) he does not make excuses, and does not even mention injuries unless they are obvious.
The right wrist injury may have been giving him pain way back in mid-2009, months before he won the US Open. I suspect the tremendous flat forehands he played while winning the USO may have been the last straw to an already weakened tendon. Delpo then played a number of tournaments, up to and including the Australian Open 2010, with this severe handicap. When the surgeon finally opened up his right wrist, he found that the tendon had completely come away from the bone. Naturally it took six months before he was physically able to play again, and perhaps a year before he regained full confidence.
When the left wrist went we cannot be sure, but it was certainly causing pain at the US Open 2012. (Yes, 2012). Thereafter the left wrist gradually got worse, although Delpo played dazzling tennis many times (e.g. Indian Wells, Wimbledon, Tokyo, Shanghai, Basel 2013). The surgeon finally advised an operation, and again when he opened the wrist up he found to his amazement that the tendon was virtually shredded. He said he couldn’t imagine how Delpo had managed to play in that condition.
So there have been very few periods when Delpo has been fully fit for more than a few months. (Before 2009, matters were even worse). I don’t think we have begun to see what he could accomplish with two good wrists and continuing health and fitness.
poor delpo, so many injuries, thanks for the insights Tom. It’s great that he never makes excuses