Djokovic, Henin, etc -- Some observations from Indian Wells -- March 9 & 10

[scotus]

Novak Djokovic

• Todd Martin continues to work on his serve.
• Martin had Djokovic kneel on the ground at the baseline to practice his new service motion. Djokovic obliged but he seemed thoroughly embarrassed in front of a large crowd.

Justine Henin

• Continues to change her service motion. She has gone from platform stance to pinpoint stance now.
• She continues to go all out on her service returns. She did that incredibly well in the first round.

Jelena Dokic

• Her relationship with her father must have taken its toll on her. Absolutely no motivation. This is a completely different Dokic than the one who made it to the semis of the Australian Open in 2009.
• Poor girl, she really let herself go. Cottage cheese does not lie.
• Eliminated in the first round.

Melanie Oudin

• I never knew she had such an incredible hand at the net. She had finesse, touch, and quick reflexes. She still needs to learn how to stick the volley though.

Victoria Azarenka

• Her target practice was impressive. Hits really hard, and her shrieks were not as loud in person. Perhaps the court mics pick up more noise for TV audience?

[jamesblakefan#1]

Wow, thanks for the observations. Really interested to see how Henin's aggressive play holds up over the year, and if Djokovic can fix the serve.

[firefox]

Originally Posted by scotus

Novak Djokovic[list][*]Todd Martin continues to work on his serve.[*]Martin had Djokovic kneel on the ground at the baseline to practice his new service motion. Djokovic obliged but he seemed thoroughly embarrassed in front of a large crowd.

Todd Martin needs to stop bothering Novak and go reminisce about the 90's with Pete.

[FlamEnemY]

^^ He did some good things for his net game.

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

Ï wanna know bout Kolya!!!!!

[Moose Malloy]

Hits really hard, and her shrieks were not as loud in person. Perhaps the court mics pick up more noise for TV audience?

Well Seles was pretty quiet in practice as well. As is Sharapova. I think we all know why they are louder in matches.

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

Dokic was so thin just a few months ago. Really?

[scotus]

Originally Posted by djokovicgonzalez2010

Dokic was so thin just a few months ago. Really?

She did not look fat, if that's what you're asking.

But when she moves, you can see the cottage cheese jiggle.

Let's just say it's not easy on the eye.

[scotus]

Originally Posted by Moose Malloy

Well Seles was pretty quiet in practice as well. As is Sharapova. I think we all know why they are louder in matches.

I agree with you partially.

But when I attended Sharapova's match last year in Carson, CA, I felt the same way. She was not as loud as she was through TV broadcast.

[halalula1234]

i wanna see justine's new serve!

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by scotus

Justine Henin
Continues to change her service motion. She has gone from platform stance to pinpoint stance now.

What do you think she is gaining from this?

[ChrisDi]

Please tell us more about Dokic

Was she hitting many UE? Or didn't she care about running to the balls, who was with her?

Thanks.

[scotus]

Originally Posted by ChrisDi

Please tell us more about Dokic

Was she hitting many UE? Or didn't she care about running to the balls, who was with her?

Thanks.

Yes, a lot of UE. Not much pace on her shots, either.

And bad body language.

I did not really look for her entourage. I assume it would be her coach and boyfriend, I don't know.

She lost ~0-6, 2-6 to a relatively unknown opponent.

[scotus]

Originally Posted by sureshs

What do you think she is gaining from this?

Although I did not ask Carlos Rodriguez when I had the chance, I think it accomplishes two things:

1. Help her get to the net a bit quicker. (Remember Justine's major goal is winning Wimbledon)

2. Reduce the chance of serving into the net a bit.

[scotus]

Originally Posted by scotus

Novak Djokovic

• Todd Martin continues to work on his serve.
• Martin had Djokovic kneel on the ground at the baseline to practice his new service motion. Djokovic obliged but he seemed thoroughly embarrassed in front of a large crowd.

To illustrate:

[scotus]

Originally Posted by scotus

Justine Henin

• Continues to change her service motion. She has gone from platform stance to pinpoint stance now.

To illustrate:

Originally Posted by halalula1234

i wanna see justine's new serve!

Your wish is granted!

[davey25]

Justine is crazy to keep changing her serve. Her old serve in 2007 was good enough. She was never going to have a serve like Serena. Since she has come back her serve has been garbage. It probably cost her the 2010 Australian Open final, and it has caused her to struggle in many of her matches. The more she keeps trying to change it from her old motion the worse it gets. I dont know what thinks she is going to achieve.

[scotus]

Originally Posted by davey25

Justine is crazy to keep changing her serve. Her old serve in 2007 was good enough. She was never going to have a serve like Serena. Since she has come back her serve has been garbage. It probably cost her the 2010 Australian Open final, and it has caused her to struggle in many of her matches. The more she keeps trying to change it from her old motion the worse it gets. I dont know what thinks she is going to achieve.

Well, I can't blame her for wanting to improve.

I think the pinpoint stance will allow her to get under the serve and hit up a bit more. Let's see if it would help her clear the net more.

[TheTruth]

Great thread. A breath of fresh air.

[scotus]

Here's a pic of Melanie Oudin playing doubles.