I am here in Palm Springs, CA as my son is competing in the Easter Bowl Super National (14's) Championship. Last year's winner, Donald Young, just lost to the 8th seed, Michael Shabaz 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals. Shabaz basically picked on his BH all day and pounched oh the short balls for winners. I was not impressed with Young. He didn't have much fight in him and his serve is very weak, same as when I saw him at last year's US Open although he is 5 inches taller today.
Donald Young loses 6-2, 7-5 at Easter Bowl Super Nationals
- Thread starter edge
- Start date
Power Game
Professional
Good luck to your son.
VamosRafa
Hall of Fame
I saw Donald play in Miami, and my view is that although he does lots of things well, he's far from having it all together yet. And I wonder if those recent ATP losses deflated him a bit.
He's young, has lots of things to improve, and IMO, he's been given opportunities that he isn't ready for yet. And maybe he's lost focus a bit -- thinking he's ready for the big leagues, and forgetting that he's still a junior in most ways.
Will be interesting to see how he develops. I think Andy Roddick said it best -- don't rush him. He's got time.
He's young, has lots of things to improve, and IMO, he's been given opportunities that he isn't ready for yet. And maybe he's lost focus a bit -- thinking he's ready for the big leagues, and forgetting that he's still a junior in most ways.
Will be interesting to see how he develops. I think Andy Roddick said it best -- don't rush him. He's got time.
Donald is not so small anymore, he's at least 5'10" and not small framed. He's filled out alot since last year. Alot of guys his size or smaller have much bigger serves. He still has a very low ball toss on his serves. This is such an obvious easy fix...you wonder what he has been working on...huh? his parentsents are tennis pros. John Roddick was there coaching kids he brought along from his tennis academy. Wilson, Prince had suites giving away strings, racquets, etc. Volkl (full disclosure, who sponsors my son), Babolat there with reps. Agents and reps looking for the next Donald Young. The Bryan Brothers' father and Mike Agassi (Andre's father) giving talks about being tennis parents. Thanks for the best wishes for my son. I prefer to remain anonomous, my son won three rounds in singles and lost in the quarterfinals in doubles. We had a great time.
Fee
Legend
Young doesn't need to be in Challengers, he needs to be in Sats and Futures. He was rushed to the big leagues waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy before he was ready. Hopefully, someone in his camp will get a clue and keep him out of the spotlight and off the tour for a while so he can work on his game and develop at an appropriate pace. It would be such a shame for him to become the most famous burn out case in US tennis.
H
Haka Boy
Guest
I agree Fee, imagine the pressure this young man is under. I can remember reading so many articles about this upcoming young tennis player and many referred to him as THE next big name in tennis.Fee said:
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Go Sam Querry!!!!!!!
gregraven
Semi-Pro
Donald looked better earlier in the week. Just the day before he lost, for example, he appeared to be able to sleep-walk past his opponent, hitting incredible inside-out forehand winners seemingly at will (he's a lefty). Unfortunately, when he went down, he didn't do it very gracefully. Sigh.
VamosRafa
Hall of Fame
But . . . 18-year-old Nadal wins his first Masters Shield, after a close encounter with Fed in Miami, and is No. 2 in the Champion's Race.
But this Board appears to be more interested in the Young wildcards. No wonder tournaments are offering them left and right. *lol*
What Jill said is true. The media and tourneys have made us all want to see this kid. I saw him practice at the US Open last year, and saw his match in Miami. I think, as has been posted, that he's still Futures and Challenger material, at best. But, man, he's got good PR people . . . .
But this Board appears to be more interested in the Young wildcards. No wonder tournaments are offering them left and right. *lol*
What Jill said is true. The media and tourneys have made us all want to see this kid. I saw him practice at the US Open last year, and saw his match in Miami. I think, as has been posted, that he's still Futures and Challenger material, at best. But, man, he's got good PR people . . . .
ibemadskillzz
Semi-Pro
Michael Shabaz is a former friend of mine. He is pretty good.
