Guga vs Coria at Sopot

[gugafanatic]

Kuerten continues his comeback from injury with a first rd clash against Coria at the Polish Open. Kuerten performance was much improved in his previous match against Robredo at Stuttgart and hopes to carry this form forward on the dirt against Coria (a player he leads 4-0 in career meetings). I was very surprised that players like Gaudio, Moya and Coria are still playing clay court events with the US Masters series looming. Guga is currently stuggling with rhytham and dropping down to challenger level may be an option to restore confidence and rhytham. Currently Guga's protected ranking will allow him into the main draw of Tournaments until the end of the year. I am sure wildcards will continue to come his way even if he does not break into the top 100 year end.

Realistically Coria is expected to win the match, but it will be intresting to see if Guga can sustain a high level of performance throughout the match with his improved fitness and strength. Guga needs to improve his serving and UE errors count to stand a chance though.

 

[Max G.]

I certainly agree with Guga playing claycourt events - his priority needs to be getting rhythm and getting a ranking, not necessarily playing the biggest tournaments 'cause he can't win them (at the moment) anyway.

Coria though - well, maybe Coria could use a ranking boost, he hasn't maxed out his optional points, but I'd guess that he'd be better served (even ranking-wise) by practicing on hardcourts and then doing better at the hardcourt TMSs...

As for the guga vs coria - I'm sorry gugafan, but I don't think Guga has very much of a chance. Coria just off of a tournament win, playing well - Guga just off off an injury and a first-round loss.

If Guga gets a set, that'll be a good accomplishment, IMO.

 

[gugafanatic]

Not looking good.

6-3, 3-0 Coria latest.

Guga struggling to win a match on the main tour this year.

 

[akj27]

damn, this sucks, i dont think he'll ever make a comeback now

 

[gugafanatic]

damn, this sucks, i dont think he'll ever make a comeback now

Be patient my friend. Guga needs more time to get match fit, he will be back to his best in 06.

 

[Babblelot]

Be patient my friend. Guga needs more time to get match fit, he will be back to his best in 06.

I hope so. He's one of the best things tennis has going for it. I just wonder what's going through his head right now.

 

[aramis]

Guga just retired from the match

 

[gugafanatic]

Trailing 4-0 Guga has retired in the second set.

As for Guga's Motivation, he has stated that he enjoys the sport and playing pain free was the greatest achievement for him this year. Last yr he attempted to push his body to the limits and unfortunately his hip was still troubling him. Guga was unhappy with being 20-30 in the ranking and hence decided to undergo a second revision surgery after the US Open. Kuerten feels his best tennis is ahead of him, and in 2006 he expects to play at the level that made him the trichampion of RG and TMC winner.

 

[Matthew]

damn, this sucks, i dont think he'll ever make a comeback now

Don't count him out yet. He had to play Coria first round on clay, the only person really expected to beat Coria on clay at the moment is Nadal, and maybe Federer. He's got a lot of work to do though, but I don't doubt his commitment.

 

[bigmanoncampus]

does anyone know why he retired?

 

[fist pump]

Be patient my friend. Guga needs more time to get match fit, he will be back to his best in 06.

as much as we wanna see guga do really well , it is getting slimmer and slimmer he is gonna make a comeback.

also the field right now is very tough .

 

[aramis]

Guga had to retire due to "neck pains", but I doubt it is very serious, probably just due to his lack of match play. As long is its not the hip again, its ok.

I agree with gugafanatic; we shouldn't expect anything from Guga until next year's clay court swing. Does anyone know Guga's schedule from here? I hope he doesn't try to compete in Montreal, he should play challengers for the time being, preferrably on clay, so he can get match fitness and rhythm to compete later on with the big boys.

I wouldn't get too pessimistic about Guga's chances to regain his best form. For the first in about three years Guga feels no pain in the hip! As a Guga fan that should be cause to celebrate. Of course it will take time because he's going to have to start all the way from the bottom again, like he's starting his career over again, but it won't take as long because all of the confidence is already in Guga's head, he's just forgotten how to manifest it.

 

[gugafanatic]

does anyone know why he retired?

He was suferring from pain in the neck, probably due to stiffness, soreness or cramps in the neck. The injury is no major concern.

Guga knew that it would be almost impossible to hit top form after a 7 month lay-off. The losses and rankings do not concern him this year. He is glad to be playing pain-free and hopes to continue the evolution next yr.

Below is a list of Safins results after returning from a recurrent wrist injury in 03. He suferred 5 consecutive first rd defeats which is not to dissimilar from Gugas current trend in matches played.

Safin reached the final in his very next tournament played in 04 (Aus Open). Soo there is hope for Guga in 06.


Amritraj, Prakash def Safin 5-3 ret (LA 1st rd)

Black, Wayne def Safin 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 (Moscow 1st rd)

Santoro, Fabrice def Safin 6-1, 6-4 (Lyon 1st rd)

Bjorkman, Jonas def Safin 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 (Madrid TMS 1st rd)

Vicente, Fernando def Safin 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 (St Petersburg 1st rd)

 

[AJK1]

He's had his day, he will never return to his previous heights, as there are plenty more young fit new generation players who will kick his a***

 

[gugafanatic]

He's had his day, he will never return to his previous heights, as there are plenty more young fit new generation players who will kick his a***

Well agassi is still going strong as is T.Johansson and Henman all of whom are older then Guga and have made strong comebacks from long-term injuries.

Shut your big mouth in the future.

 

[Grimjack]

He's had his day, he will never return to his previous heights...

This is more and more clearly true. It's absurd to state his "comeback continues." Because it hasn't even begun, even though he keeps dragging himself out onto the court.

I liked the guy back when he could still compete, but he's just embarrassing himself on the court lately. It's Willie Mays syndrome. A one-time great who doesn't realize his body just can't get it done any more. Hope he realizes it before he tarnishes his legacy.

 

[gugafanatic]

Grimjack Guga is far from embarassing himself this year as he has only played a handful of matches. He is making a comeback as he has been starved of matches and any player returning from a lengthy lay-off is going to struggle with confidence and form e.g. Safin, Ferrero, Agassi e.t.c. Maybe you need reminding that Kuerten was ranked in the top 20 last year before undertaking his second hip operation after the US Open. He was also the only player to defeat Fed in 3 straight sets.

Kuerten would no longer be playing if he could no longer compete. He believes his career is almost like its beginning as a junior with the success of his second hip op and the departure of long-term mentor Lari Passos.

 

[AJK1]

Why don't you shut you're big fat boring obsessed mouth too! You just make yourself look like the idiot you are by posting this crap.

 

[Matthew]

This is more and more clearly true. It's absurd to state his "comeback continues." Because it hasn't even begun, even though he keeps dragging himself out onto the court.

I liked the guy back when he could still compete, but he's just embarrassing himself on the court lately. It's Willie Mays syndrome. A one-time great who doesn't realize his body just can't get it done any more. Hope he realizes it before he tarnishes his legacy.

I don't think thats the case. Guga doesn't really have much more to accomplish by coming on to the court anymore. He continues to play because he loves the game. There is nothing wrong with that, whether the results are still there or not. It certainly shouldn't take away from what he has already done.