I am Reaching Out to Elena Dementieva!

[Mahboob Khan]

Elena Dementieva:

This morning I told my daughter, Sarah Mahboob, who is number 1 player in Pakistan in 18U age bracket as follows:

-- Elena has a great ground strokes, great movement, great effort but she is using her serve to start the point, and it always goes to the forehand of the receiver both in the deuce and ad courts! Yes, to a lefty it will always go to her backhand!

-- It means that the receiver should not worry about her backhand. Be ready with the forehand grip and nail the return down the line either for a winner or to be in an aggressive position to ****** the point away from the server.

-- Break as many of Elena's serve and occasionally hold your own and you will win!

She said, "how come". I said, "watch her ball toss". She said, "the ball toss is too much to her right side". I said, "what type of serve will you expect"? She said, "sliced serve to my forehand because the ball will curve to my forehand since she is hitting the outside of the ball, always, both in deuce and ad courts".

Elena: All you have to learn to toss the ball properly and a good coach like Mahboob Khan can help you. Once the position and movement of the tossing arm is learned, the toss and the resultant service motion will be a piece of cake.

As I am writing this, you are one set all with Daniela Hancukova. With correct service motion, and your ability to move the serve around (wide, body, and up the T) you will be winning these matches 2 and 2! For God sake, Elena!

Elena, I know you want to beat your fellow friends Myskina and Sharapova!

Mahboob Khan, mobile: 00 92 300 8568403: email: makhan67@hotmail.com.

The choice is yours.

 

[Vlad]

Mahboob Khan, Elena will NEVER serve well. Her groundies are not as good as people think too. She hits way too many short balls and has no placement on those shots. She is simply a ball basher from both sides. If Dementieva plays superior strikers of the ball, i.e. Davenport, Serena, Kuzzy and some of the other top 10 players, she will get outplayed even if she had Alicia Molik serve. Dementieva has reached her potential last year and expect a slight downfall this year if Belgians will come back strong.
Her by far greatest asset is speed and athleticism. She is very very fast.

 

[big ted]

elena wins many balls off her junk ball serve so its actually a weapon. not only do players try to overhit it and hit it out as was the case against capriati in the us open semis but even if u nail it down the line elena is waiting for it cuz she knows where its going to go. not only that, after the return, the returner is stuck in no mans land or at the service line and thats a horrible position to be in esp since most of the girls on the tour cant and wont volley so after they hit a return they back peddle and elenas controlling the point.

its a crappy serve but effective-wise its as good as serenas

 

[Deuce]

Mahboob, you're on the wrong side of the fence on this one. Rather than offer to help Elena alter her serve, you should take advantage of the opportunity staring you in the face: Teach others how to hit the Elena Serve. I'm telling you, it's going to be the next big thing in tennis. Don't believe me? Well, no-one believed the hula hoop, or bell-bottomed pants would catch on with the masses, either.

I'm surprised that Elena's serve hasn't revolutionized the women's game yet.

Wait for it - it'll come. In two years, every woman will be serving like Elena. Don't wait until it's too late, Mahboob - get in on the ground floor of this one, and you'll be set for life.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

I stick by what I said about Elena.

Deuce: I do not understand what you are saying here!

 

[Coria]

No offense, but there are some athletes who simply do not have certain coordination to do what you are saying. No matter how many times they try, they can't do what you're saying. I guarantee if you took Elana out and had her throw a baseball from the outfield to home plate, she would barely hit the infield. If she threw a football, same thing.

There's a certain coordiation there that can only be explained adequately by a Kinesiologist (sp?) or an advanced bio-mechanics expert. I've played with very good athletes over the years in tennis. They can do MANY things well on the tennis court, but still can't serve well (other than hard "arm" flat serves). Elana does not have that certain coordination. I'm telling you she doesn't. For her to "scratch her back" on the serve and arch her back, she would feel so uncomfortable and by the time she made contact, her arm would come around sideways anyway. It's a coordiation thing, I'm telling you. I've been in tennis for 30 years--as a teaching pro and an advanced player. Give it up, for your own sanity.

 

[raftermania]

Good luck Mahboob! And if you do get in contact with her, tell her I'm single!!!

 

[USCfan]

elena wins many balls off her junk ball serve so its actually a weapon. not only do players try to overhit it and hit it out as was the case against capriati in the us open semis but even if u nail it down the line elena is waiting for it cuz she knows where its going to go. not only that, after the return, the returner is stuck in no mans land or at the service line and thats a horrible position to be in esp since most of the girls on the tour cant and wont volley so after they hit a return they back peddle and elenas controlling the point.

its a crappy serve but effective-wise its as good as serenas

True, but Capriati has choked a lot lately...Kuznetsova made Dementieva pay for her serve in the US Open final. While she may advance deep into tournaments in spite of her serve, in my opinion she'll definitely have to improve it significantly to have a realistic shot at a major title.

 

[Coria]

Unfortunatley for Capriati, her career will end up being a disappointment. Think about this. The girl who was supposed to be the next Evert has won 1/6 the majors of Evert, less than 1/7 the majors of Graf and has not been able to win her country's biggest tournament, when 3 times it has been hers for the taking.

Between her inconsistent play, her chokes in some majors (Davenport has also choked--she should have at least 6-7 majors--not 3) and her years either not in the game or playing at a poor level--her career will never have fulfilled it's potential. AND, she never got into the stellar condition she needed to. I know she has a certain body type, but she is STILL overweight--by at least 8-10 pounds.

 

[perfmode]

Unfortunatley for Capriati, her career will end up being a disappointment. Think about this. The girl who was supposed to be the next Evert has won 1/6 the majors of Evert, less than 1/7 the majors of Graf and has not been able to win her country's biggest tournament, when 3 times it has been hers for the taking.

Between her inconsistent play, her chokes in some majors (Davenport has also choked--she should have at least 6-7 majors--not 3) and her years either not in the game or playing at a poor level--her career will never have fulfilled it's potential. AND, she never got into the stellar condition she needed to. I know she has a certain body type, but she is STILL overweight--by at least 8-10 pounds.

What does that have to do with Dementieva?

 

[Coria]

She was mentioned in the reply before mine

 

[ucd_ace]

elena wins many balls off her junk ball serve so its actually a weapon...

Except for the fact that she double faults like crazy under pressure in the big matches. Can't win points off of those.

 

[ucd_ace]

Good luck Mahboob! And if you do get in contact with her, tell her I'm single!!!

No way, tell her I'm single. Mahboob, who voted for you, and you only, as their favorite poster on these boards?

 

[Superior_Forehand]

Mahboob, you're on the wrong side of the fence on this one. Rather than offer to help Elena alter her serve, you should take advantage of the opportunity staring you in the face: Teach others how to hit the Elena Serve. I'm telling you, it's going to be the next big thing in tennis. Don't believe me? Well, no-one believed the hula hoop, or bell-bottomed pants would catch on with the masses, either.

I'm surprised that Elena's serve hasn't revolutionized the women's game yet.

Wait for it - it'll come. In two years, every woman will be serving like Elena. Don't wait until it's too late, Mahboob - get in on the ground floor of this one, and you'll be set for life.

Mahboob, he was being sarcastic.

 

[Deuce]

No, it wasn't sarcasm - it was humor. Sarcasm inherently has a sour flavor to it, where humor does not. You should learn the difference before referring to yourself as 'Superior' (see, THAT was sarcasm)...

 

[Superior_Forehand]

I believe sarcasm can be humerous, as in the above mentioned case. There is light hearted sarcasm and malicious sarcasm.

 

[Steve Huff]

Sarcasm--(noun)--the use of remarks which clearly mean the opposite of what they say, and which are made in order to hurt someone's feelings or to criticize something in an amusing way

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit" means that sarcasm is the most unkind type of humor

This is the definition from the Cambridge Dictionary. I'd say your post qualifies. It wasn't up to Deuce's usual standard of wit, but still, it was clearly meant as a playful poke at Mahboob's post.

 

[Superior_Forehand]

I stand corrected

 

[Mahboob Khan]

I never show any sarcasm in my tennis tips. My tips are serious and stand the test of time!

UCD: I am married but Islam allows four wives in certain conditions! However, my intentions are to correct her service toss!

 

[bb47]

She hits way too many short balls and has no placement on those shots. She is simply a ball basher from both sides.

A VERY good observation! - Mahboob you should have spotted it as well before pretending to be a good coach

That's why there's no variety in her game - she can not hit angles because of the poor placement. Also - short balls and poor placement come from her mindframe - which is one of a desperate retriever. To improve her serve she needs more of an attacking instinct between her ears, the ball toss is the simpliest thing of all to correct. And the first thing she has to do - send her mummy home and get a good boyfriend. Grow up, little girl!!

 

[Zverev]

No serve, no forehand, nor backhand....desperate retriever.
Poor Lena...Who made her number 4? 5? 6 ?

 

[bb47]

No serve, no forehand, nor backhand....desperate retriever.
Poor Lena...Who made her number 4? 5? 6 ?

Take a look at the girls from No 10 and down to No 100 - they made it happen.

 

[bb47]

I never show any sarcasm in my tennis tips. My tips are serious and stand the test of time!


If it isn't sarcasm, I don't know what is


UCD: I am married but Islam allows four wives in certain conditions! However, my intentions are to correct her service toss!

Man, you are lucky!! Four wives! And what you are thinking of? Ball toss. (well, on the second thought...you need a really good one then)

 

[Aykhan Mammadov]

I pity Elena, she reached FO, USA Open finals, many other tournaments and always lose. The fact that she reached them means that it is not accidential, she is among 10 tops means that she has talant.

I'm afraid to suppose that russian school of tennis is not strong. If it were strong they could reach some achivements before, but russian season in tennis began not so long before. As I heard Kuznetsova was training in Spain, Sharapova in USA, Myskina also with some non-russian guy and etc. Who is coach of Dementiyeva ? Morozova ?

I recommend her to change coaches. Russian players are very strong, but russian coaches of older generations are not !

I don't want to offence Mahboob, I wish to see top pakisanian players you teached, but I recommend Elena to engage somebody from Spain or Argentina.

 

[Steve Huff]

bb47--"Man, you are lucky! Four wives."


Obviously, you've never been married.

 

[Ash_Smith]

It's probably fair to say that Dementieva has a plethora of coaches offering her advice on her serve, she may have even asked for help herself. It's also fair to say that either she doesn't want to, or cannot change - perhaps there is some physical limitation with her shoulder that stops her going shoulder over shoulder and therefore has to hit around the side more. Everybody told Johnny Mac he would get a bad back by starting his serve the way he did, but he did so because it stopped his back hurting. Maybe Dementieva has a similar issue, whatever the reason it's been going on for so long now I guess that's the way it is.

Not that I haven't thought how painful it looks everytime I watch her play. But if she does give you a call Mahboob, and you wan't a second opinion let me know!

 

[Noelle]

During her exhibition matches in Hong Kong, she was serving better. Today when I sneaked a peek at her match vs. Patty Schnyder, the sidearm motion was back. Tsk, tsk.

 

[big ted]

During her exhibition matches in Hong Kong, she was serving better. Today when I sneaked a peek at her match vs. Patty Schnyder, the sidearm motion was back. Tsk, tsk.

i think her service motion is directly related to her nerves. the tighter the match is the worse her toss and serve becomes

 

[Russell Finch]

I watched Dementieva in the previous round. Her service toss was pretty much straight up most of the time in the early part of the match and she was varying the placement but as the game went on, the toss went right and the placement went left and it was the same old story. She can correct that serve if she keeps working at it.

 

[bb47]

bb47--"Man, you are lucky! Four wives."


Obviously, you've never been married.

I have been,mate. Twice

 

[bb47]

I'm afraid to suppose that russian school of tennis is not strong.

The kid's tennis school in Russia is obviously very strong. All these top Russian players have learned their basics in Russia before moving abroad. Russan kids are a great material because they have been pushed hard and have it all sorted just right. You can't have a bad coaching for the first ten years of your career, and then move to Spain when you're 15 and fix it up. Professional level is another matter, but it is more about the attitude, working ethics, and general environment. Here Spain or USA are much more preferable.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

Dementieva vs. Patty Schnyder: Around 99% serves went to the backhand of Schnyder and she was ready for that and was rewarded with a win over Dementieva in three sets.

AyKhan: Spain has a great playing tradition. Some facts:

-- In Spain around 4000 tournaments are held annually,

-- They have great infrastructure of tennis courts and associated facilities.

-- Their Federation is quite strong and effective

-- Their tennis academies are in full swing.

-- They have about 3000 qualified coaches.

Our problem in Pakistan is that Cricket is everything. Government is not paying any attention to tennis. There are only two qualified coaches for a population of 150 million people. Having said that does not mean that Spain has superior coaches or they know more than Bungalo Bill. Is there any Spanish coach on this forum? I am not saying that they are bad. They are great and I know them. We have been attending workshops together. However, I found your remarks quite interesting.

 

[Aykhan Mammadov]

bb47, I suppose that those great Russian players were not teached for first 10 years in Russia and then moved abroad. As I heard ( if I'm wrong - you correct me) Sharapova moved to USA with father in very young years, Kuznetova was teached in Spain from 10-th, even she speaks Spanish beautiful, Marat Safin also was training in Spain.

Now it is possible for young generations to grow up because there is already the group of stars who draw up new generation.

Probably you have seen former Russian president Yeltsin on many matches. He was fan of tennis. And tennis in Russia started to develope not because of the trainers ( they still were there and they didn't appear now), but thanks to him. He spended millions for infrastructure.

 

[Aykhan Mammadov]

Some people said in this thread that some special physical anomaly prevents Dementieva to serve well.

WHAT about are you talking, how strange conclusions do you come to ?

How can it be? 5-th player in the WORLD, 5-th between millions and she can't teach how to serve correctly. I don't believe. It may be applicable to some handycapped, but not to 5-th racquet of the planet. It is impossible. She simply doesn't work on serves, doesn't spend time for serves, and Morozova doesn't enforce.

 

[norcal]

bb47--"Man, you are lucky! Four wives."


Obviously, you've never been married.

Four girlfriends would be lucky. Four wives would be a nightmare.

 

[Deuce]

Post #28 has the correct perspective on Dementieva. it is nothing physical that she needs to work on - it's all between the ears. 100%.