Djokovic parts with Todd Martin?

[Gaab]

I don't know if this has been announced here before, but Novak reportedly (= unfortunately I have no precise source to back this statement, safe from a French website that does not state precise source) stated at a Monte-Carlo press conference that he parted with Todd Martin, adding that he was not ready to modify his serve as Marin asked him, and that Martin did not integrate with his team as well as they had expected.

[CMM]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...041201239.html

[Gaab]

Now that is substantial. Thanks!

[jrod]

Communication problems eh? That's an understatement. Based on his results as of late any change at all seems like a good move.

Quite frankly, I never understood the motivation to enlist Martin in the first place. I mean, what the hell does Martin bring to the mix that is a net positive? What I find interesting is Todd Martin is perhaps one of the stiffest and least flexible players to ever play the game, and Novak is one of the most flexible. Oil and water.

[Sartorius]

Most probably a very good decision.

Hopefully the damage to his serve is not too much and he can get it back to good form as soon as possible.

[forzamilan90]

about time

[Li Ching Yuen]

Djokovic needs to learn how to be a champion, a real champion. That's all. He had the game.

[Safin4ever]

I think Djokovic should take Safin as his coach. He has been there...done that. Go Safin!!!

[cknobman]

Good......Martin didnt really do anything but screw up Djokers serve anyways.

I like the Safin idea he could really help Djoker in the players box department.

Nothin like havin a couple of cracked out hookers in your box!!!!

[yellowoctopus]

Originally Posted by Li Ching Yuen

Djokovic needs to learn how to be a champion, a real champion. That's all. He had the game.

Well said.

Originally Posted by jrod

Quite frankly, I never understood the motivation to enlist Martin in the first place. I mean, what the hell does Martin bring to the mix that is a net positive? What I find interesting is Todd Martin is perhaps one of the stiffest and least flexible players to ever play the game, and Novak is one of the most flexible. Oil and water.

In my opinion, Mr. Djokovic's flexibilty, while an asset to his technique (one of the best double-handed backhands), also causes a flaw in it. It is very subtle, but if one observe closely, you will find that he under-utilizes his hip. This is especially true for his serve. Due to an impressive amount of flexibility in his body, his shoulders turn independently and not coordination with his hip, causing more demand on his arms for power. I believe this is one of the primary reasons why he unfortunately dumps his serve into the net during crucial points. Unfortunately this tiny flaw in his technique has also affects him mentally, which causes him to hold back his hip even more--it has become a cycle.

I hope Mr. Djokovic can end this issue, among others, and become one of the great champions one day. One also has to give him credit for having the desire to improve his game.

[Telepatic]

Todd's fine guy but I can't say I'm not happy with this news..

[stapler]

Djokovic confirmed for best decision of the year.

[Djokovicfan4life]

I'm not going to pretend like I know what goes on between the players and their coaches, but I will say this. Novak's serve was going downhill before he hired Martin. It's not like he had his AO 2008 serve this whole time and then Todd stepped in and ruined everything.

And he has looked more comfortable at the net of late, so at least he can take that away from his time with Martin.

[jrod]

Originally Posted by yellowoctopus

....In my opinion, Mr. Djokovic's flexibilty, while an asset to his technique (one of the best double-handed backhands), also causes a flaw in it. It is very subtle, but if one observe closely, you will find that he under-utilizes his hip. This is especially true for his serve. Due to an impressive amount of flexibility in his body, his shoulders turn independently and not coordination with his hip, causing more demand on his arms for power. I believe this is one of the primary reasons why he unfortunately dumps his serve into the net during crucial points. Unfortunately this tiny flaw in his technique has also affects him mentally, which causes him to hold back his hip even more--it has become a cycle.

I hope Mr. Djokovic can end this issue, among others, and become one of the great champions one day. One also has to give him credit for having the desire to improve his game....

It usually works out that one's strength is also a major contributing factor to ones weakness(es).

I find Novak's latest service motion to be entirely counterproductive. Not sure if Martin had anything to do with it, but if he did then it's good he's no longer influencing Novak. My sense is, someone with Novak's flexibility should possess a serve that is monsterously difficult to deal with. He needs someone who knows how to put all those moving parts into one fluent, reliable, versatile and lethal package. Then we can talk top 5. Oh, it would be good if they could fix his brain too.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Originally Posted by jrod

It usually works out that one's strength is also a major contributing factor to ones weakness(es).

I find Novak's latest service motion to be entirely counterproductive. Not sure if Martin had anything to do with it, but if he did then it's good he's no longer influencing Novak. My sense is, someone with Novak's flexibility should possess a serve that is monsterously difficult to deal with. He needs someone who knows how to put all those moving parts into one fluent, reliable, versatile and lethal package. Then we can talk top 5. Oh, it would be good if they could fix his brain too.

If you're going to get into the mental side of it, Martin seems like an excellent fit for him, at least on paper. Can't get much more cool and calm than Todd was.

[aldeayeah]

Originally Posted by Gaab

he was not ready to modify his serve as Marin asked him

no sh!t sherlock

How many DFs did it take him to notice?

[sdont]

Good. This, with the fact that the clay court season has just started, I'm confident he can find his serve (and his game) back.

[jrod]

Originally Posted by Djokovicfan4life

If you're going to get into the mental side of it, Martin seems like an excellent fit for him, at least on paper. Can't get much more cool and calm than Todd was.

I haven't seen anyone offer up an answer to my question about what Martin was brought in to address. However, if you are suggesting that it might have been to address his mental (in)stability, then I'd say it failed....miserably in fact.

[GS]

The Jokerman should drop his contract with Head as well, and go back to using Wilson racquets, namely, that smaller headed stick he had success with....

[sureshs]

It is not as if the prematurely-aged Todd Martin is a successful coach. Who else has he coached? Mardy Fish? Hardly a stellar example.