Injury nightmare for CiCi Bellis
- Thread starter Marius_Hancu
- Start date
norcal
Legend
Wow would a horrible string of injuries! Hope she comes back healthy.
I realize she has the resources to fund all the surgeries and rehab but if she didn't, does the WTA/ATP have comprehensive health coverage for it's players to cover surgeries and other related medical expenses? Anyone know how that works?
I realize she has the resources to fund all the surgeries and rehab but if she didn't, does the WTA/ATP have comprehensive health coverage for it's players to cover surgeries and other related medical expenses? Anyone know how that works?
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
My advice at her insta:
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Give up on Babolat, hard/stilff racquets, well-known to injure. Switch to nat gut strings, reduce the tension. That, or you'll be finished, sorry.
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Give up on Babolat, hard/stilff racquets, well-known to injure. Switch to nat gut strings, reduce the tension. That, or you'll be finished, sorry.
bobleenov1963
Hall of Fame
All of this could well have happened regardless of her path to the pros. But Bellis was a precocious phenom. And she played a LOT of tennis, at a very, very young age.
At age 13, she made her debut on the ITF junior circuit as a wild card – and played nine matches in singles and doubles that week. From November, 2012 through the end of 2013, she played 73 matches.
In one two-week period in April, 2014, between the USTA Spring Championships and the Easter Bowl, she played … 18 matches. --> This is just insane, does not matter how good you are
Bellis was 14 when she began playing ITF Pro Circuit events.
In all in 2014, she played 35 pro matches … and 84 junior matches.
In 2015, she played a lot less – 33 pro matches, and five in juniors.
But 2016 was busy again, even if her junior days were behind her. Bellis played 45 pro matches by mid-June – and 85 in all during the season.
She’s not a particularly tall, strong, muscular young woman. Quite the opposite, in fact. This was a heavy load. Not to mention the hours upon hours of hitting tennis balls.
This is a lesson for Jr. parents who think their kids are phenom as Juniors.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
She should gone to college on a scholarship, developed and then turn pro!
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
As they say, hindsight is 20-20. In 2016, CiCi was offered a full-ride at Stanford (for 2017, I believe). At 17 years old she turned it down, deciding to turn pro instead. Earlier this year (or late 2018), she started working toward her college degree online with Indiana University East.
https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/201...eries-us-open-serena-williams-comeback/82865/
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Babolat frames, in general, are very arm-unfriendly. However, the Pure Aero, which I believe she was using appeared to be much better than most Babolat frames. A TW review gave it a Comfort Score of 81 (very respectable). Apparently, she was using a gut/poly hybrid setup. Might be best to stay away from poly completely for a while.
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/BPA/BPAreview.html
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/player.html?ccode=CBELLIS
Hope it really happen this time. Have been hearing about her imminent return for a year or so. I recall a story around Nov/Dec that she hired a new coach and was planning on playing the Hawaii Tennis Open (which she had won in 2016) in Dec '18 and AO in Jan '19. Other stories of possible return during the year. Thought for sure she would play at the Silicon Valley Classic (close to her family home) in late July in preparation for the US Open. She may have shown up to SVC, but not play. More talk of her possibly returning to play in Aug for other events. She was granted a protected entry for the US Open, I believe. Pulled out.
Will have to see if she really makes to Texas.
bobleenov1963
Hall of Fame
Well, it depends on the family situation. As I understand it, Bellis come from a upper middle class or even wealthy family so the scholarship is not a big deal to them, even a scholarship from Stanford. How many women single top 10 players or former top 10 players that go through the college route? I can't think of any at the moment. When you go to college, you just cut your WTA career short by another 4 years.
The family probably thinks that Bellis will be fine even if she does not make it as a pro. They just want her to live her dream of competing in the WTA between the age of 18 and 25.
Bellis' problem is that she abused her body by playing too much when she was a teenager.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Ironically, going to Stanford was a dream of hers in her earlier teens. She grew up in Atherton, some 2-3 miles NW of Stanford University.
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GrandSlam45
Rookie
I have to say I really enjoyed watching this girl play up until the time she played Serena Williams. It was then, and in comparison, she looked like a frail little weakling.
This was before any injuries, but I knew she'd never progress unless she did some serious strength training.
I hope she's able to rebound and get stronger. She has the strokes and court smarts. Just needs strength to complete the package.
This was before any injuries, but I knew she'd never progress unless she did some serious strength training.
I hope she's able to rebound and get stronger. She has the strokes and court smarts. Just needs strength to complete the package.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Thank Gooness, she is close to healthy. she was supposed to be as good as CoCo.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
CiCi was only 15 (nearly 16) when she played Serena back in 2015. At that time, she was likely somewhat shorter than 168 cm (5'6"). Now, at 20, she is just under 5'7" -- just a scosh taller than Simona Halep (168 cm). Tennis is about power (speed or explosive strength) more than conventional strength. Perhaps she might have benefited from a bit more strength at that time. But added power is probably what she needed even more.
Saw her playing more recently at 18 at Stanford and elsewhere (in 2017-18). Decent power but not overwhelming. But Bellis's game is not centred around power, but instead intelligent point building. What CiCi needed even more than added power was a better serve motion. Her 2nd serve was her primary weakness.
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SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Bellis's primary serve flaw might be her elbow position during the trophy phase. It seems ok as she approaches her trophy but then it drops too low prior to the drop (during the trophy phase). This can lead to timing/consistency errors.
dominikk1985
Legend
Definitely not. No female college players make it on the WTA, women peak earlier physically then men, if you want to win slams you must be on tour at 16-17.
She was a top junior and if she went to Stanford her tennis wouldn't have developed appropriately.
atatu
Legend
Danielle Collins - Wikipedia
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
It takes a long while before getting back into matches after long injury. Look how long Andy Murray has taken.
tennis4me
Hall of Fame
Of course, only time will tell. Andy's come back is still not a sure thing either.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Andy is done. he is retiring this year at Wimbledon
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/50961413
Article indicates he still recovering from pelvis injury but he be ready for 2020 Olympics!
SeeingDusk
Hall of Fame
Looks like Bellis is retiring from the sport due to persistent injury 
ibb.co
Screen-Shot-2022-01-19-at-3-37-56-PM hosted at ImgBB
Image Screen-Shot-2022-01-19-at-3-37-56-PM hosted in ImgBB
ibb.co
Purestriker
Legend
Yep. That arm injury.Looks like Bellis is retiring from the sport due to persistent injury
Screen-Shot-2022-01-19-at-3-37-56-PM hosted at ImgBB
Image Screen-Shot-2022-01-19-at-3-37-56-PM hosted in ImgBB
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
Unfortunate, given her potential.
However, good on her for not wallowing and moving forward with something she's passionate about. That's a winner mentality.
However, good on her for not wallowing and moving forward with something she's passionate about. That's a winner mentality.
LeastExhaustingPlayer
Professional
Cursed arm injury.
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SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Mucho thanks for the update. Had been wondering why such a talented player had not returned to the pro tour after her 18+ months of surgeries & rehab. I believe she had been training at the USTA National Center in 2020/2021.Looks like Bellis is retiring from the sport due to persistent injury
Screen-Shot-2022-01-19-at-3-37-56-PM hosted at ImgBB
Image Screen-Shot-2022-01-19-at-3-37-56-PM hosted in ImgBB
Her training had been documented in season 5 of the TC show, My Tennis Life. It appears that she started season 5 in early 2021. But her ongoing injuries may have taken its toll last year. She stepped aside and was replaced Ajla Tomljankovic later in season 5 of MTL
FiddlerDog
Hall of Fame
Career derailed at 18 with injuries.
Retired at 22.
Tennis is the most brutal sport.
Absolutely destroys your body.
www.espn.com
Retired at 22.
Tennis is the most brutal sport.
Absolutely destroys your body.
Bellis, '17 WTA Newcomer, announces retirement
CiCi Bellis, the 2017 WTA Newcomer of the Year and former world No. 35, announced her retirement from professional tennis Wednesday.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Bellis is in college and has an internship at some venture capital firm that partnership with sport related startups as an Assistant!Career derailed at 18 with injuries.
Retired at 22.
Tennis is the most brutal sport.
Absolutely destroys your body.
Bellis, '17 WTA Newcomer, announces retirement
CiCi Bellis, the 2017 WTA Newcomer of the Year and former world No. 35, announced her retirement from professional tennis Wednesday.
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