Happy Holidays everyone!  The following is from Yoav Saarony, a PTR and Traveling Coach who has worked with many young Americans, such as Kellen Damico and Madison Brengle.  It’s long, but it makes up for my lack of posting over the past week, thanks again Yoav!

     First of all I just wanted very quickly to respond to something Jeremy said in the last blog about Davis Cup.  Jeremy stated that Andy Roddick is the man for his Davis Cup Performance.  I as a tennis coach was really thrilled to read that.  I am so proud of Andy and the rest of the boys for doing our nation so proud.  They really stepped up and they did so because it was their time to do that.  I was so impressed on so many levels.  I loved the way he incorporated the slice backhand and used it over and over again to hurt Tursunov.  I can honestly say that under that pressure to have a good strategy is not nearly enough.  To be able to execute that strategy was real solid and paid off tremendously.  I love the way Andy competed and how hungry he truly was for that Davis Cup.  I happened to meet Andy recently at the Billie Jean King/Elton John Aids benefit in Philadelphia.  I had the pleasure of hanging with him a bit and listen to him speak about Davis Cup.  The conversation went something like this(he was speaking to Captain Patrick Mcenroe) who was also there at the event.  I was coaching a player participating in the event and we were in the players lounge.  Andy said: “Hey Pat  did you hear that Davis Cup sold out in about thirty minutes?” Captain responded with a pumped up “yes I did, I can’t wait it’s going to be a madhouse.” I interject and said I  know your going to bring it home you want more than they do.  Andy responded ” we want it real bad it’s going to be amazing.” I look upto Andy for being so focused on the prize for putting country first and always competing his hardest.  People knock Andy in this country that he is a disappointment.  Those people don’t know anything about anything.  Andy works his butt off to get in shape, practices hard, doesn’t play a soft schedule , plays every Davis Cup tie,and wants to win so badly because he almost hates to lose more than liking to win.  To win that Davis Cup is like winning many grand slams in his eyes because he loves team, he loves competing and he’s a damn proud American.  Atta boy Andy way to represent !!!!!
     Now on to James Blake.  Again, he wanted it so badly.  Those guys have been a solid team for a long time and were building and building momentum.  When it was time to perform for the home crowd everyone brought their A game.  James has been criticized by people for not winning the big matches and having too much of an all for nothing approach.  I felt he played smartly, had a lapse here or there but again from my coaching experiences it is very normal to have small lapses.  The way he played big points was incredible.  He also took great advantage of the fans support and displayed once again what a class act he is.  The way he represents his country, himself and his sport brought a huge smile to my face.  It is sometimes a form of amusement to hear people knock players when they have truly never felt the kind of pressure these guys face.  So I gave mad props to James for winning the biggest match of his career.   Its not a grand slam, it’s not a master series or any other big ATP event it is a team event where the prize money is doing your country proud not a check to be deposited.  I have always been a big Blake fan now I’m a huge Blake Fan.  Atta Boy James!!!!!
     Of course there are the Bryan Brothers.  What else can I say but AUTOMATIC!!!  These guys bring it every time and absolutely love it.  Ive run into these guys at some tournaments.  I was coaching Kellen Damico (a top world ranked Junior) and present Texas Longhorn.  We were at Roland Garros watching the boys play a French team.  Kellen being as patriotic as anyone I ever met had a USA headband on.  We started chanting USA and go Bryans Go and they were so thankful at the end of the match.  They personally thanked us and gave me a nice Roland Garros towel ( which made it my third one cause i already lifted two from the locker room) sorry about that!!!  I got such good vibes from them and their genuineness.  Every time they play Davis Cup they play smarter and better than their Opponents and and always want it more.  Their energy is infectious and they play every match like it’s their last.  Truly American Tennis Icons-if you ask me.  So again, it was so sweet and appropriate that a match the prepared for their whole lives together as a team and as brothers came out like all the others-AUTOMATIC except this one clinched the Cup.  How sweet it is!!!  ATTA BOYS!!!
      I intended to write this blog about my coaching experiences on the World Junior  tour and on the Pro tour.  However, I got sidetracked by my Davis cup excitement so I will write that blog very soon. 
     Thanks Grand Slam Tennis Tours for bringing the game that I love so much to so many people it is a great thing.  Also, Jeremy thanks for your constant insight.  I agree with you the majority of the time and when I don’t its just because we like different Baseball teams.  Happy Holidays everyone, I know I got what I wanted more than anything this year, that’s right the Davis Cup Baby!!!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Tennis News, Davis/Fed Cup. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.