Mariano Puerta back on the clay!!!

drakulie · Apr 26, 2008

OK, so I'm at the club and have been watching some amazing tennis all week long of the 45's National Clay Court Tournament. I took some vids/ photos and posted them here:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=193697

The Club Pro, Carlos, tells me to go get dressed and bring my frame back to court 1, as he wants me to join him in having a hit with some "Pro" that is soon to arrive. Being that I was exhausted (just had arrrived from work), I declined. A few minutes later, guess who arrives??? Yup! Mariano Puerta!

(I want to thank Sup2Dresq for not posting about this before I had the opportunity to start this thread. We had been chatting on the phone, and he was already aware of what had transpired).

Puerta, from the first ball was absolutely demolishing it on both wings. (Thank God I didn't take Carlos up on the offer, as I would have been severely embarassed in front of a lot of spectators). LOL

Mariano was very nice, and took the time to not only thank everyone for coming out, but take photos and chat with the people watching.

Two weeks ago it was Elena Dementiava http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=192413, and now Puerta!

Life is Good for drak

Anyway, hope everyone enjoys the thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zumFYO8u70

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sQ_6OqnGMw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trgTODz4erc

drakulie · Apr 26, 2008

drakulie · Apr 26, 2008

drakulie · Apr 26, 2008

drakulie · Apr 26, 2008

MEAC_ALLAMERICAN · Apr 26, 2008

He looks like he has put a few pounds, not a lot but a few.

Great thread nevertheless, do you know or heard of anything concerning his tentative schedule in terms of futures and challengers?

drakulie · Apr 26, 2008

^^^ he just made it very clear that he intends to give it his all in order to get back to where he was.

Vision84 · Apr 26, 2008

That guy only looks like a 4.5. He has shoddy footwork and his strokes seem to have a strange hitch to them.

No but seriously thanks for the update Drak. He really destroys that tennis ball. Wish I went to a club like that.

Rafanatic · Apr 26, 2008

Is he using a paint job

drakulie · Apr 26, 2008

Vision84 said:
That guy only looks like a 4.5. He has shoddy footwork and his strokes seem to have a strange hitch to them.

LOL. I should post his vid in the tips section.

Vision84 said:
No but seriously thanks for the update Drak. He really destroys that tennis ball. Wish I went to a club like that.

You ain't kidding. He broke two sets of strings in under an hour. Guy hits with massive topspin and pace.

Rafanatic said:
Is he using a paint job

He was using an APD ??? with cortex.

thejackal · Apr 26, 2008

crazy little puerta story:

in 2005 i worked at the roger's cup in montreal. i show up for work at 9ish and see him working on service returns with his coach on an outside court, grunting with every hit. at 12 i go out for my lunch break and he's STILL at the same court, hitting away like a madman.

Duzza · Apr 26, 2008

thejackal said:
crazy little puerta story:

in 2005 i worked at the roger's cup in montreal. i show up for work at 9ish and see him working on service returns with his coach on an outside court, grunting with every hit. at 12 i go out for my lunch break and he's STILL at the same court, hitting away like a madman.

That's drugs for ya!!!

couch · Apr 26, 2008

Drak, you are Clark Kent wielding a tennis racquet. Good thing you didn't hit with him because if you did you couldn't have taken all those pics.

You are definitely TW's roving reporter. Thanks for posting man, that's pretty cool that all these guys/gals are training at your place.

And I'm glad to hear that Elena is as hot in person as she looks on tv. YUM!

Mike Cottrill · Apr 26, 2008

What does he have in his shoes... Springs? pogo sticks? Yea, 3.0 footwork lol..

Rafael_Nadal_6257 · Apr 26, 2008

No better than 2.5...
If this is above 4.5, then I'm easily better than Roger Federer...

Haha, yeah totally joking guys, chill

Looks like he puts a TON of spin/action on his forehand side, who was hitting with him?? Did a good job of getting the balls back pretty deep...

jgreen06 · Apr 26, 2008

i want to be a member of "the club" haha

edmondsm · Apr 26, 2008

drakulie said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zumFYO8u70

Thanks so much for posting this. Who is retrieving in this video? Talk about a freakin human backboard.

wyutani · Apr 26, 2008

why isnt puerta in monte carlo?

edmondsm · Apr 26, 2008

wyutani said:
why isnt puerta in monte carlo?

Because his ranking is in the 1000's. OK I checked, he's #204, still waaay to low to even get into the lower teir ATP events. All his results the last year have been challengers so it appears he is working his way back. Regardless.........this guy was never more then a streaky journeyman until he came out of nowhere to get to the RG final. So I wouldn't put to much hope in a rise to greatness from Mr. Puerta.

wyutani · Apr 26, 2008

edmondsm said:
Because his ranking is in the 1000's. OK I checked, he's #204, still waaay to low to even get into the lower teir ATP events. All his results the last year have been challengers so it appears he is working his way back. Regardless.........this guy was never more then a streaky journeyman until he came out of nowhere to get to the RG final. So I wouldn't put to much hope in a rise to greatness from Mr. Puerta.

i think he should be given a wild card or something, you know. maybe he'll rise to the occassion. like canas did last year. or even puerta vs nadal part 2. howgreat will that be mate'?

DJG · Apr 27, 2008

Drakulie, do you have any space on your couch for me?

jmsx521 · Apr 27, 2008

I wonder if he'd be able to get into the Q of RG!?

CanadianChic · Apr 27, 2008

I can't even stand the sight of that guy - he literally nauseates me. Oh well...it's only a matter of time until the fool tests positive yet again and comes up with another pathetic excuse.

jmsx521 · Apr 27, 2008

CanadianChic said:
I can't even stand the sight of that guy - he literally nauseates me. Oh well...it's only a matter of time until the fool tests positive yet again and comes up with another pathetic excuse.

Cheating in sports is minor in comparison to cheating in politics, health-care, money-care, ripping-off people and societies, etc. People do a lot more worse things in the world, and they get-away with doing so. Just look at the stadium after a match, people leaving all of their junk on the stands because they were too lazy to drop it in a trash can: I think that’s worse. And I am not even too clear on the story too... if it was intentional or not... neither has it concerned me that much. What concerns me is his tennis, and that's it.

CanadianChic · Apr 27, 2008

But there are many who feel he has no right to play professional tennis. I agree there are worse things, but two wrongs do not make a right.

Julieta · Apr 27, 2008

CanadianChic said:
I can't even stand the sight of that guy - he literally nauseates me. Oh well...it's only a matter of time until the fool tests positive yet again and comes up with another pathetic excuse.

Doping, like it or not, it is a big part of professional sports. It is never going to go away because people always want to get better, make money, break records etc. People want to see home runs, slam dunks, and people with average actions serving 140+ three hours into a match. What is "performancing enhancing" is also a matter of debate. Lots of people take vitamins, etc. and in the states at least, none of that stuff is even regulated. The body of a pro athlete is asked to do superhuman things so some amount of supplementation is inevitable because they are so depleted. I worry about kids though - you don't want to see them getting stuff at the gym or illegally because they think the pros do it, when the pros have a medically supervised team making sure they handle what goes into their bodies appropriately.

Julieta · Apr 27, 2008

drakulie said:
OK, so I'm at the club and have been watching some amazing tennis all week long of the 45's National Clay Court Tournament. I took some vids/ photos and posted them here:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=193697

The Club Pro, Carlos, tells me to go get dressed and bring my frame back to court 1, as he wants me to join him in having a hit with some "Pro" that is soon to arrive. Being that I was exhausted (just had arrrived from work), I declined. A few minutes later, guess who arrives??? Yup! Mariano Puerta!

(I want to thank Sup2Dresq for not posting about this before I had the opportunity to start this thread. We had been chatting on the phone, and he was already aware of what had transpired).

Puerta, from the first ball was absolutely demolishing it on both wings. (Thank God I didn't take Carlos up on the offer, as I would have been severely embarassed in front of a lot of spectators). LOL

Mariano was very nice, and took the time to not only thank everyone for coming out, but take photos and chat with the people watching.

Two weeks ago it was Elena Dementiava http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=192413, and now Puerta!

Life is Good for drak

Anyway, hope everyone enjoys the thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zumFYO8u70

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sQ_6OqnGMw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trgTODz4erc

You should have hit with him!!!!

That's it, I'm buying a condo there!!!!

This Carlos guy sounds really nice. No attitude or anything.

drakulie · Apr 27, 2008

couch said:
Drak, you are Clark Kent wielding a tennis racquet. Good thing you didn't hit with him because if you did you couldn't have taken all those pics.

You are definitely TW's roving reporter. Thanks for posting man, that's pretty cool that all these guys/gals are training at your place.

And I'm glad to hear that Elena is as hot in person as she looks on tv. YUM!

Too funny, Couch! I regret not changing and going out on the courts. I could have at least hit a few with him, then jumped into the nearest telephone booth, put a Fedora on, and started taking pics.

Rafael_Nadal_6257 said:
Looks like he puts a TON of spin/action on his forehand side, who was hitting with him?? Did a good job of getting the balls back pretty deep...

Carlos Gomez Diaz, a former touring pro. He was also the hitting partner of Petrova at the Sony Ericsson. Guy is wicked good. Hew was blasting back with heavy spin and consistency.

drakulie said:
A few times throughout the thread, a former pro player by the name of 'carlos" has been brought up. He is one of the pros at the club where I live.

Here is a photo of him taken this weekend at the Sony Ericsson Miami. He was there as Petrova's hitting partner. Notice the frame. I believe Sup2Dresq got some video of him hitting. Perhaps he will be kind enough and post.

drakulie · Apr 27, 2008

Julieta said:
You should have hit with him!!!!

That's it, I'm buying a condo there!!!!

This Carlos guy sounds really nice. No attitude or anything.

Hi Julieta!! Did you see the vids I posted of Paul Smith and eagle?? great stuff huh??

I was invited by Carlos to come out Monday to hit with him and Puerta. I **may** show up. If I do, I'll probably ask someone to take some vids and photos of me hitting with him. If I do, I'll post them. Wel'll see.

And yes, Carlos is a very nice and humble guy. Excellent coach as well.

Glad to see everyone enjoying the thread.

Julieta · Apr 27, 2008

drakulie said:
Hi Julieta!! Did you see the vids I posted of Paul Smith and eagle?? great stuff huh??

I was invited by Carlos to come out Monday to hit with him and Puerta. I **may** show up. If I do, I'll probably ask someone to take some vids and photos of me hitting with him. If I do, I'll post them. Wel'll see.

And yes, Carlos is a very nice and humble guy. Excellent coach as well.

Glad to see everyone enjoying the thread.

I would have liked to have seen that doubles match. Thanks for the vids!

You have got to hit with Puerta!!!

Moz · Apr 27, 2008

drakulie said:
And yes, Carlos is a very nice and humble guy. Excellent coach as well.

Yes indeed, a very nice chap and an excellent player.

I was due to play him in the 35 nationals in Daytona Beach but he had to withdraw.

Some say he was scared

Moz · Apr 27, 2008

DJG said:
Drakulie, do you have any space on your couch for me?

Watch out dude that's my spot!

drakulie · Apr 27, 2008

Julieta said:
I would have liked to have seen that doubles match. Thanks for the vids!

You have got to hit with Puerta!!!

The doubles match for sure was the most entertaining match for me the entire tourney. Very high quality.

Moz said:
Yes indeed, a very nice chap and an excellent player.

I was due to play him in the 35 nationals in Daytona Beach but he had to withdraw.

Some say he was scared

The way you are playing, **EVERYONE** is getting scared.

And yes, DJG, unfortunately Moz has owwnerhsip of the couch. When the hell are you coming back down???

Moz · Apr 27, 2008

drakulie said:
The way you are playing, **EVERYONE** is getting scared.

And yes, DJG, unfortunately Moz has owwnerhsip of the couch. When the hell are you coming back down???

I'm at the point now where I may get to 30 in one game in a 3 setter against him!

I'm hoping to pay an extended visit at the end of the year. I was going to ask you about apartment rentals at your club for 2 - 3 months oct to dec. I don't want to play through a British winter again.

drakulie · Apr 27, 2008

^^^Yes, call me or email me privately when you are ready to come down. Plenty of folks rent out apts per month.

Moz · Apr 27, 2008

drakulie said:
^^^Yes, call me or email me privately when you are ready to come down. Plenty of folks rent out apts per month.

Excellent news - will do!

Julieta · Apr 27, 2008

I might do that as well. Do they allow dogs?

Moz · Apr 27, 2008

Julieta said:
I might do that as well. Do they allow dogs?

I'm sure you're good looking enough to be allowed in.

Julieta · Apr 27, 2008

Moz said:
I'm sure you're good looking enough to be allowed in.

Ha, good one. My dog and I look alike actually. He has better hair though.

Leublu tennis · Apr 27, 2008

CanadianChic said:
I can't even stand the sight of that guy - he literally nauseates me. Oh well...it's only a matter of time until the fool tests positive yet again and comes up with another pathetic excuse.

Hey lets give him a chance to try and stay clean. At 29 he doesn't have a lot of time left with the ATP.

cmb · Apr 27, 2008

at which club does Carlos Gomez-Diaz work at these days??

drakulie · Apr 27, 2008

Julieta, there are I believe two buildings that allow dogs. I have a dog as well >>> she adores Moz! Really, she loves him so much she even cleans up after him. isn't that right, Moz???

I want to see a photo of you and your dog! I'll be the judge when it comes down to who looks like who.

cmb, he is teaching at the Lauderdale Tennis Club. He may be teaching elsewhere (not sure).

Moz · Apr 27, 2008

drakulie said:
Julieta, there are I believe two buildings that allow dogs. I have a dog as well >>> she adores Moz! Really, she loves him so much she even cleans up after him. isn't that right, Moz???

Ha ha - she loves me inside then out!

Topaz · Apr 27, 2008

Drak, with all the dogs there, I didn't realize only two buildings allowed them! I don't know, strikes me as odd.

I seriously think that they just need to 'reserve' a wing of the Tilden building for TTWers.

Sup2Dresq · Apr 27, 2008

Awesome Drak.

When you called me.. I couldn't believe it! My gosh! Elena.. and now Puerta!

I thought that FO final he had with Nadal was awesome. If he just got that diving set point volley over the net.. a 5 setter would of been interesting!

He appears to really accelerate through the contact zone. His backhand is pretty.. and how he drops that racquet down behind him is very extreeme. Looks like Guadio! What's scary is that we all know videos make people look slower than reality. So if he is swinging that fast.. i can only imagine...

Anyways. I'm anxious to see what other ATP/WTA pro winds up at your club. Here is to hoping that Ana finds you!

Sup

Topaz · Apr 27, 2008

CanadianChic said:
I can't even stand the sight of that guy - he literally nauseates me. Oh well...it's only a matter of time until the fool tests positive yet again and comes up with another pathetic excuse.

I don't know the specifics of Puerta's case, but after following Hingis's case for a bit, I think there are cases that clear cut, and others that are not. The fact the Hingis' hair test nullified the drug test results still baffles me. And, in the case of Canas, wasn't it something that his wife was taking that may have gotten mixed up with his things? I do think some cases exist where players have been punished unfairly, and I in no way advocate taking any kind of drugs.

Regardless, if he is working to make one last run on the tour, drug-free of course, then good luck to him!

Topaz · Apr 27, 2008

Sup2Dresq said:
Here is to hoping that Ana finds you!

Heh, heh...we will know that has happened when Drak very suddenly disappears from the boards, without a trace! :shock:

Either that, or you'll get a phone call where all you can make out is manic giggling on the other end.

ClubHoUno · Apr 27, 2008

Thanks for nice pics

Mark Vessels · Apr 27, 2008

drakulie said:

When will I see him on tv again?

CanadianChic · Apr 27, 2008

Julieta said:
Doping, like it or not, it is a big part of professional sports. It is never going to go away because people always want to get better, make money, break records etc. People want to see home runs, slam dunks, and people with average actions serving 140+ three hours into a match. What is "performancing enhancing" is also a matter of debate. Lots of people take vitamins, etc. and in the states at least, none of that stuff is even regulated. The body of a pro athlete is asked to do superhuman things so some amount of supplementation is inevitable because they are so depleted. I worry about kids though - you don't want to see them getting stuff at the gym or illegally because they think the pros do it, when the pros have a medically supervised team making sure they handle what goes into their bodies appropriately.

Sorry but this is a huge cop out. Sure we want to see our athletes succeed, but we also want to see them display honourable characteristics. They are role models after all whether they choose to be or not. Their bodies do take a beating, but millions of people counteract those beatings legally. It's hard work and skill that an athlete makes...those who cheat in any form (regardless of how prevalent it is within the athletic community) are not worthy of the same treatment as those who work for it within the guidelines.

Leublu tennis said:
Hey lets give him a chance to try and stay clean. At 29 he doesn't have a lot of time left with the ATP.

He had a chance after the first ban. How many chances do you feel one deserves?

Mariano Puerta back on the clay!!!

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