It's officially time for a CiCi Bellis thread

[jakemcclain32]

That's it.

Absolutely deserves her props.

 

[jaggy]

We will hear much more from her

 

[FanOfLu]

Good match overall from the 15 year old ball basher. Hopefully she will develop a more complete game.

 

[Nostradamus]

I think cici is just a one time wonder

 

[PeteD]

She hits those topspins hard but she's so tiny and skinny -- Justine Henin was way broad-shouldered and muscular compared with Cici. Fun to watch though!

 

[FanOfLu]

I think cici is just a one time wonder

Have a feeling that she is just another Melanie Oudin, that pops up in the US Open then disappears forever after.

 

[Nostradamus]

Have a feeling that she is just another Melanie Oudin, that pops up in the US Open then disappears forever after.

yea but she is a lot cuter than melonie. so she might reach the top 10 in couple of years. mark my words

 

[Mr.Snrub]

the bagel was still great. gj cici

 

[Harry_Wild]

CiCi is only 15 and she is no Graf or Austin; yet! She just lacks the mental aspect of her game. CiCi can learn how to win by watching and analysis their matches.

I feel she could not hold her game in the third set! Just too young mental yet! Glad she not turning pro!

 

[Josh Lyman]

She hits those topspins hard but she's so tiny and skinny -- Justine Henin was way broad-shouldered and muscular compared with Cici. Fun to watch though!

Actually, she hits the ball very flat despite her extreme Hawaiin grip, and with an APD no less. Doesn't make any sense!

 

[Keizer]

CiCi is only 15 and she is no Graf or Austin; yet! She just lacks the mental aspect of her game. CiCi can learn how to win by watching and analysis their matches.

I feel she could not hold her game in the third set! Just too young mental yet! Glad she not turning pro!

She's actually pretty good mentally. It's just that she's unidimensional atm. She'd die facing above average counterpunchers on tour because once you take her attacks away from her, she's at sea. You can't purely outhit opponents in the pros. There are facets of her game that are underdeveloped that she needs to focus on. But she's got an ATP level forehand already and she can build on that. She's a talent, no doubt. Kudos to her for taking a step in the right direction this week. Will she play the juniors?

 

[barringer97]

CiCi is only 15 and she is no Graf or Austin; yet! She just lacks the mental aspect of her game. CiCi can learn how to win by watching and analysis their matches.

I feel she could not hold her game in the third set! Just too young mental yet! Glad she not turning pro!

Are we ignoring the fact that she has only lost a handful of times this year???

Needs to learn how to win!!!

 

[TCF]

content not found

 

[barringer97]

She'll be top 10, no doubt in my mind.

 

[PeteD]

Actually, she hits the ball very flat despite her extreme Hawaiin grip, and with an APD no less. Doesn't make any sense!

Never saw her in person, but from the TV shots tonight her balls seemed loopy -- she hit hard, yet Diyas always seemed to have time to get there. Also given her height, wouldn't it be hard to hit flat and keep it in?

 

[CrackedRacket]

Have seen her play a bunch in juniors. Nice player but just too small for a long career. Not only short but very light too. Thats the big issue, shorter girls can make it when they have the muscle weight, especially in the legs. Ci Ci is maybe 105 lbs soaking wet.

She has to expend 100% energy into her shots while larger girls do not. Just too much of a handicap long term when you give up so much size week after week.

The US media is starving for the next teen star, Oudin, now Bellis. Until the one who is Bouchard's size comes along, going to be tough.

Bellis has a nice forehand but only when she gets a sitter. Against pace she tends to back up way behind the baseline. Her serve is always going to be a liability.

1. You would've said the same if you saw a young Justine Henin coming up, would you not?

2. You might cheekily reply that you were right to a certain extent and that Henin did indeed "burn out", but only after achieving a top 10 all-time career.

I'm glad you have watched CiCi play some Junior matches as I have, most of the people talking about her this week have barely watched her play at the Open! I can't say I share my outright disregard of her you have because of her height, however. If she was under 5ft 5 I might, but she is 5 ft 5-6 with the possibility of another inch. The current No. 2 is 5ft 6.

I do think to be a Serena/Graf-esque GOAT you'll probably have to be tall (5ft 8-9), although not too tall (6ft+). So I don't have the remotest fantasies of Bellis being that good. But one can definitely be quite great at a shorter height, as Justine showed.

 

[Josh Lyman]

Never saw her in person, but from the TV shots tonight her balls seemed loopy -- she hit hard, yet Diyas always seemed to have time to get there. Also given her height, wouldn't it be hard to hit flat and keep it in?

21 winners, 54 UEs.

 

[Keizer]

1. You would've said the same if you saw a young Justine Henin coming up, would you not?

2. You might cheekily reply that you were right to a certain extent and that Henin did indeed "burn out", but only after achieving a top 10 all-time career.

The current No. 2 is 5ft 6.

I do think to be a Serena/Graf-esque GOAT you'll probably have to be tall (5ft 8-9), although not too tall (6ft+). So I don't have the remotest fantasies of Bellis being that good. But one can definitely be quite great at a shorter height, as Justine showed.

Don't compare her to Halep. I don't think she will ever play like Halep does. I'd say her style was more similar to Bouchard (except for taking the ball late while Bouchard takes it early). Halep is Henin/Hingis kind of counterpuncher who is strategically impeccable and can place her ball anywhere on court.

And Henin was far more powerful than people think. She could serve at 120 mph. Cici struggles to get past 85. I doubt she will ever clock that serve as fast as Henin. To me, Henin is the pinnacle of an undersized women's player's potential (at least in the modern era). She was technically unbelievable. Don't think Cici will scale those heights.

 

[Smasher08]

She arguably had (or ought to have had) the match on her racket. She destroyed a top 10 player before that.

She's only 15 and isn't yet finished growing or developing.

:lol: Yet a few armchair quarterbacks are already writing her off! :lol:

I remember when Halep first came on the radar, for reasons entirely unrelated to her game, accompanied by the insistence that she could be a top 5 or top 10 player one day.

Even 12 months ago, the same armchair quarterbacks would have scoffed at that projection derisively.

In five years (a generation in tennis terms) she'll only be 20. Think about that carefully.

Blowing a top 10 player off the court, then handing out a bagel during a match that was lost due to choking (i.e., inexperience) sure isn't the sign of a one hit wonder.

But realistically, she's got another 2-3 years of maturing before she can develop into a consistent top tier player. Her height is probably at the bottom of the range on paper, but it's not like she's 5'1. Furthermore, this is the lightest and least conditioned she'll ever be.

The potential is there in spades.

 

[CrackedRacket]

Don't compare her to Halep. I don't think she will ever play like Halep does.

Her height is comparable to Halep's.

I'd say her style was more similar to Bouchard (except for taking the ball late while Bouchard takes it early).

I don't think so, she seems quite smarter and better instinctually than Bouchard despite being 5 years younger; likes to slice and dropshot which Bouchard just doesn't do. Not to mention that her technique isn't the wristy ugly nonsense that Bouchard brings to the court.

Halep is Henin/Hingis kind of counterpuncher who is strategically impeccable and can place her ball anywhere on court.

Henin wasn't a counterpuncher and doesn't play a similar game to Halep. Hingis, maybe.

And Henin was far more powerful than people think. She could serve at 120 mph. Cici struggles to get past 85. I doubt she will ever clock that serve as fast as Henin.

You're comparing a prime Henin who took her fitness to the next level to a 15 year old Bellis. Henin wasn't hitting 120 MPH serves at 15. She was as much of a skinny little stick that Bellis is, if not more so.

To me, Henin is the pinnacle of an undersized women's player's potential (at least in the modern era). She was technically unbelievable. Don't think Cici will scale those heights.

My point wasn't that I think CiCi will reach Justine's accomplishments, it was just that Justine showed how great of a career one can have despite being a tad undersized; so completely disregarding CiCi, who is the best Junior prospect in the world at the moment, because she's not a couple inches taller doesn't seem appropriate.

 

[Keizer]

Her height is comparable to Halep's.I don't think so, she seems quite smarter and better instinctually than Bouchard despite being 5 years younger; likes to slice and dropshot which Bouchard just doesn't do.

Seemes like she did that only because she wasn't able to hit Diyas off the court. I don't think she will default to that as she grows older.

Not to mention that her technique isn't the wristy ugly nonsense that Bouchard brings to the court. Henin wasn't a counterpuncher and doesn't play a similar game to Halep. Hingis, maybe.

Cici hits it very flat, but her grip is more extreme than Bouchard. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to add more topspin to her game given how she was spraying the ball last night. And Henin and Halep are similar in terms of their use of strategy and angles as an important part of their style. Henin has even said that Halep reminds her of herself. Hingis is far less powerful than both, but more technical. Basically a GOAT+++ Radwanska.

You're comparing a prime Henin who took her fitness to the next level to a 15 year old Bellis. Henin wasn't hitting 120 MPH serves at 15. She was as much of a skinny little stick that Bellis is, if not more so.

I don't see her as a big server ever. I think she'd likely end up like a Jankovic, rather than an Azarenka.

My point wasn't that I think CiCi will reach Justine's accomplishments, it was just that Justine showed how great of a career one can have despite being a tad undersized; so completely disregarding CiCi, who is the best Junior prospect in the world at the moment, because she's not a couple inches taller doesn't seem appropriate.

Justine's versatility was far beyond Cici's, even at when she was younger. She's a once in a generation talent who could do everything. Solid backhand, great forehand, great netplay and great court coverage and mental strength. If she was a bit taller, she might have won more slams. I think that she won despite her height is indicative of a higher level of versatility and technical prowess, which is something I don't think Cici will achieve, just purely because that isn't her style. She's more likely to end up like a Clijsters, which isn't bad in itself.

 

[CrackedRacket]

Seemes like she did that only because she wasn't able to hit Diyas off the court. I don't think she will default to that as she grows older.

Bread and butter should always be groundstrokes.

Cici hits it very flat, but her grip is more extreme than Bouchard. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to add more topspin to her game given how she was spraying the ball last night. And Henin and Halep are similar in terms of their use of strategy and angles as an important part of their style. Henin has even said that Halep reminds her of herself. Hingis is far less powerful than both, but more technical. Basically a GOAT+++ Radwanska.

Halep has 0 of Henin's ability and instincts in the forecourt, and she doesn't hit nearly as big off the ground or serve.

I don't see her as a big server ever. I think she'd likely end up like a Jankovic, rather than an Azarenka.

...is Azarenka your definition of a big server?

Anyways, I didn't say she will be a big server; I just see no reason to believe her serve can't be at least as good as someone like Halep's if not better.

 

[Keizer]

Bread and butter should always be groundstrokes.

Halep has 0 of Henin's ability and instincts in the forecourt, and she doesn't hit nearly as big off the ground or serve.

...is Azarenka your definition of a big server?

Anyways, I didn't say she will be a big server; I just see no reason to believe her serve can't be at least as good as someone like Halep's if not better.

Agreed. But don't expect Cici to have the versatility of a Henin. I think that time is long gone. And who, of the modern day girls, has Henin's versatility in the forecourt? Halep comes among the closest to her in terms of attack patterns, although she is less aggressive.

Of course it could well be as good as a Halep. But I doubt she will be winning many free points off her first serve.

 

[dunlop_fort_knox]

great forehand. ok serve. good backhand. great mover. no net game. no transition game. no variety. great fight. top ten material here.

 

[kishnabe]

She'll be top 10, no doubt in my mind.

Like Oudin and Young.....

She could be top 10 or top 200...she has to prove herself before anyone believes in her hype.

 

[AngieB]

She arguably had (or ought to have had) the match on her racket. She destroyed a top 10 player before that.

She's only 15 and isn't yet finished growing or developing.

:lol: Yet a few armchair quarterbacks are already writing her off! :lol:

Remarkable isn't it?

In two matches of her 1st grand slam event, a 15 year old girl sends the Australian Open finalist packing and hands out a bagel to her next opponent. Not a bad week for a junior player (whose plans are to participate in the US Open junior event).

It appears there are a few, who after admittedly only having seen CiCi play once, are dissecting her game as though she was a seasoned pro.

The only thing I visibly saw that might be corrected was CiCi's pattern of playing from so far behind the baseline during rallies. That will only improve with time and experience.

Hoping this week will give CiCi the confidence and motivation to improve her game on her timetable. Hopefully, she is more excited about getting her drivers license and reading bible verses than reading any negative things about her game in a forum like this.

#PTL

AngieB

 

[Keizer]

Remarkable isn't it?

It appears there are a few, who after admittedly only having seen CiCi play once, are dissecting her game as though she was a seasoned pro.

Why not dissect her game? Just because she is inexperienced doesn't mean there is nothing to talk about. And nobody here is saying that her game as it stands today will be how she plays 5 years from now.

The only thing I visibly saw that might be corrected was CiCi's pattern of playing from so far behind the baseline during rallies. That will only improve with time and experience.

Maybe, maybe not. A lot of top pros play far behind the baseline.

Hoping this week will give CiCi the confidence and motivation to improve her game on her timetable. Hopefully, she is more excited about getting her drivers license and reading bible verses than reading any negative things about her game in a forum like this.

#PTL

AngieB

Lol, you're a great troll. Talking about her tennis is a no-no because she's young, but yeah, a 15 year old must have only religion on her mind during her free time :lol:

She might even be a non-believer, god forbid! :lol:

I'm sure she has other ways to pass her time than pontificate on forgiveness and existence given that she's a teenager and not the darn Pope.

 

[AngieB]

Why not dissect her game? Just because she is inexperienced doesn't mean there is nothing to talk about. And nobody here is saying that her game as it stands today will be how she plays 5 years from now.

CiCi is STILL a junior player and it appears you and your "friends" are trying to haze her game by hyping her immediate prospects.

What satisfaction do you get from trolling 15 year old junior players? You should feel ashamed. Pray for forgiveness.

#PTL

AngieB

 

[Keizer]

CiCi is STILL a junior player and it appears you and your "friends" are trying to haze her game by hyping her immediate prospects.

What satisfaction do you get from trolling 15 year old junior players? You should feel ashamed. Pray for forgiveness.

#PTL

AngieB

This is what I said about her. How am I "hyping her immediate prospects" in any way?

She's actually pretty good mentally. It's just that she's unidimensional atm. She'd die facing above average counterpunchers on tour because once you take her attacks away from her, she's at sea. You can't purely outhit opponents in the pros. There are facets of her game that are underdeveloped that she needs to focus on. But she's got an ATP level forehand already and she can build on that. She's a talent, no doubt. Kudos to her for taking a step in the right direction this week. Will she play the juniors?

How am I trolling her? This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Who knew I've been trolling Cici Bellis all along by saying she has potential and will improve if she fixes a few things in her game?

And I'm sure Cici reads everything I say and is crying away in some corner of Flushing Meadows because some poster on the internet just said she isn't a complete player :lol:

Who should I pray for forgiveness to? What if I'm an atheist (something you'd probably call the devil's right hand)? :lol:

 

[West Coast Ace]

...it was just that Justine showed how great of a career one can have despite being a tad undersized;....

Henin was 1 in a billion. Comparing some rich kid to her, a legend of the game, is laughable. Henin had a great serve; could pick her spots and get to net and put volleys away, in addition to winning majors! This is Oudin, Part II until proven otherwise. She can crank groundies until they don't come back - woo! Cibulkova has been playing like cr*p for months; and she's been out grinding on tour, traveling all over the world. For all we know she's checked out on 2014.

Leave it to the TW boards for ridiculous bandwagon hopping and overreaction. Free entertainment.

 

[mellowyellow]

Are we ignoring the fact that she has only lost a handful of times this year???

Needs to learn how to win!!!

I think the point is that she could have won this, but didnt due to a few things most of which is age related all around... the game is there, the desire and energy is there, its a matter of putting it together, learning to manage the clock better. Physically her game will improve over the next 3 years or so.

 

[CrackedRacket]

Henin was 1 in a billion. Comparing some rich kid to her, a legend of the game, is laughable. Henin had a great serve; could pick her spots and get to net and put volleys away, in addition to winning majors! This is Oudin, Part II until proven otherwise. She can crank groundies until they don't come back - woo! Cibulkova has been playing like cr*p for months; and she's been out grinding on tour, traveling all over the world. For all we know she's checked out on 2014.

Leave it to the TW boards for ridiculous bandwagon hopping and overreaction. Free entertainment.

You do realize that Bellis isn't just some random rich kid that bought her way into the USO right? That she was a known quantity before this USO to Junior tennis followers, that she's the top prospect in Junior tennis and the biggest American prospect in maaany years (certainly more so then Oudin).

You see my posts in this very thread months back before Bellis even won the WC to get into the USO (she was the youngest USTA Girls 18s champ since Davenport in 1991, by the way), and you call me a bandwagoner and someone who's "overreacting"?

Sir, you are the over reactor and bandwagoner here. Not me.

I will continue to discuss Bellis as the top notch prospect she is, just as I would if she were an European player. I'm not going to stifle my discussion of her because she is an American and "omg omg USA USA hype looool".

 

[Josh Lyman]

You do realize that Bellis isn't just some random rich kid that bought her way into the USO right?

Nobody said she bought her way into the USO, but she is the definition of a rich kid.

 

[CrackedRacket]

Nobody said she bought her way into the USO, but she is the definition of a rich kid.

Cool.

I think it's phenomenal that she comes from a stable, intelligent household that is capable of financing her tennis career and not be conned by outside investors/media/etc. Makes me feel even better about her prospects.

So I'm not sure why that user seems to be using it as a pejorative, I'm guessing because he's bought into the media narrative that only rags-to-riches athletes can be great, even though that's been comprehensively proven false in a wide variety of sports.

 

[barringer97]

I think the point is that she could have won this, but didnt due to a few things most of which is age related all around... the game is there, the desire and energy is there, its a matter of putting it together, learning to manage the clock better. Physically her game will improve over the next 3 years or so.

Not really. The post said, "she should watch her match and analyze it..." Or something along those lines.

Let's wake up and realize that they watch her matches and analyze everything.

They don't mess around. This is an A+ team here.

 

[TCF]

content not found

 

[CrackedRacket]

I disagree, and I find your assertion that she is peaking technically at 15 to be quite amusing. If you don't think she can improve her game then I don't know what to say.

If CiCi was European, you would not be saying the stuff you're saying now. But because she's American it's like you simply can't believe she'll be anything more then some journey women college player. Quite sad.

I'm looking forward to CiCi's pro results later this year, all of her Pro results thus far have been very promising indeed. I predict she'll end the year inside the top 400-350. Next year I think she can crack the top 200 by the year's end.

 

[mellowyellow]

Double post

 

[mellowyellow]

Not really. The post said, "she should watch her match and analyze it..." Or something along those lines.

Let's wake up and realize that they watch her matches and analyze everything.

They don't mess around. This is an A+ team here.

Not sure what you are driving at, she is young and everyone realizes that. Their is a need to learn especially from losing a winnable match like this one. Their were a few things little by themselves maybe but cumulatively may have been the biggest factor, not her opponent who is basically a backboard player, no serve, no weapons, looking uncomfortable when put into different rally situations.
The statement that she needs to analyze and learn was correct.

 

[Josh Lyman]

Cool.

I think it's phenomenal that she comes from a stable, intelligent household that is capable of financing her tennis career and not be conned by outside investors/media/etc. Makes me feel even better about her prospects.

So I'm not sure why that user seems to be using it as a pejorative, I'm guessing because he's bought into the media narrative that only rags-to-riches athletes can be great, even though that's been comprehensively proven false in a wide variety of sports.

The only sports films to win the Oscar for Best Picture are all about underdogs: Rocky, Chariots of Fire, and Million Dollar Baby.

So yes, Americans love an underdog.

 

[lendl1986]

Have seen her play a bunch in juniors. Nice player but just too small for a long career. Not only short but very light too. Thats the big issue, shorter girls can make it when they have the muscle weight, especially in the legs. Ci Ci is maybe 105 lbs soaking wet.

She has to expend 100% energy into her shots while larger girls do not. Just too much of a handicap long term when you give up so much size week after week.

The US media is starving for the next teen star, Oudin, now Bellis. Until the one who is Bouchard's size comes along, going to be tough.

Bellis has a nice forehand but only when she gets a sitter. Against pace she tends to back up way behind the baseline. Her serve is always going to be a liability.

This is true.

Short & slight women do not win slams (Schiavone the 1 exception):

 

[CrackedRacket]

This is true.

Short & slight women do not win slams (Schiavone the 1 exception):

This is about as meaningful as saying "women named Catherine Bellis do not win slams."

The best players tend to deviate from the norm, either in ways that would seem beneficial (Serena's impressive physique) or ways that would seem harmful (Graf's weird forehand technique you'd never teach anyone or her slicing her backhand 99% of the time, Henin's small stature, etc). The best players don't just have to be the average taken to 11, they can STAND OUT. They can differ. They can be ODDBALLS.

So if CiCi is to become a great player, it won't be because what she has in common with the average WTA player or even average WTA slam champion; but rather what she does differently. Her forehand grip, her size, her foot speed, mental abilities, etc, etc.

No, I'm not saying she will for sure win a slam or even that I think she will win a slam; I'm simply saying writing off the best prospect in junior women's tennis, who's had nothing but very promising results in her tiny Pro career, at 15 is ABSURD. Let's wait and see.

 

[BevelDevil]

1. You would've said the same if you saw a young Justine Henin coming up, would you not?

2. You might cheekily reply that you were right to a certain extent and that Henin did indeed "burn out", but only after achieving a top 10 all-time career.

I'm glad you have watched CiCi play some Junior matches as I have, most of the people talking about her this week have barely watched her play at the Open! I can't say I share my outright disregard of her you have because of her height, however. If she was under 5ft 5 I might, but she is 5 ft 5-6 with the possibility of another inch. The current No. 2 is 5ft 6.

I do think to be a Serena/Graf-esque GOAT you'll probably have to be tall (5ft 8-9), although not too tall (6ft+). So I don't have the remotest fantasies of Bellis being that good. But one can definitely be quite great at a shorter height, as Justine showed.

Henin had a full-blown ATP forehand, pretty much straight arm, too. In terms of technique, I think she's the female forehand GOAT.

She also had a 1hbh, and we know how good that shot is.

An ATP forehand and a 1hbh is a way for a small person, especially female, to become a big hitter, and to deal with big hitters.

Bellis has neither of those two shots.

 

[mellowyellow]

For 15 years old her forehand is pretty big, backhand too. She dictated most of the Diyas match off both sides and for extended rallies. The one thing a little lacking was the degree of angle on those shots, but that can be learned. Many times she had ball to put away or setup a put away, but not enough angle and it allowed a neutralizing reply.

 

[Winners or Errors]

For 15 years old her forehand is pretty big, backhand too. She dictated most of the Diyas match off both sides and for extended rallies. The one thing a little lacking was the degree of angle on those shots, but that can be learned. Many times she had ball to put away or setup a put away, but not enough angle and it allowed a neutralizing reply.

Agreed. Ball-basher without the finesse to find angles at the moment, but that doesn't mean she'll never do it.

 

[dunlop_fort_knox]

For 15 years old her forehand is pretty big, backhand too. She dictated most of the Diyas match off both sides and for extended rallies. The one thing a little lacking was the degree of angle on those shots, but that can be learned. Many times she had ball to put away or setup a put away, but not enough angle and it allowed a neutralizing reply.

agree. I don't care how big she is. she has a big forehand. a decent backhand. She's a great ball striker. has to be to get so much weight on her shots. she keeps it in play. she's a mover. has energy and charisma. and her serve is sneaky. it's not big but it hits lines. it was effective. her future is bright. slam winners henin and li na are not big girls either.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Sir, you are the over reactor and bandwagoner here. Not me.

Huh? Work on your Reading Comprehension. I'm mocking the bandwagon hoppers. Re-read my post. I completely downplayed her win - Cilbulkova is mired in a horrendous slump. I scoffed at the person who compared her to Henin.

It's a cute story and she'll be the answer to a trivia question in 10 years.

 

[barringer97]

Not sure what you are driving at, she is young and everyone realizes that. Their is a need to learn especially from losing a winnable match like this one. Their were a few things little by themselves maybe but cumulatively may have been the biggest factor, not her opponent who is basically a backboard player, no serve, no weapons, looking uncomfortable when put into different rally situations.
The statement that she needs to analyze and learn was correct.

The statement is incorrect because it assumes she doesn't.

She obviously analyses her matches, this is a world class team.

 

[barringer97]

Cracked racquet, I would say the truth is somewhere in the middle. Ci Ci is quite talented and deserves praise. However, being around junior tennis for decades, some other factors are at work here.

She started at age 3, played some soccer to augment her fitness and footwork. But the notion in the media that she did not take tennis seriously until age 11 is silly. She has been playing tennis with excellent coaching since age 3.

Girls mature fast. Drabik did many studies and by age 13, girls are at their peak strength, speed, and usually size. Or close to it. So what we see with her is about where she will be from now on. Doubtful she will grow or gain muscle mass. She will of course gain experience, and that is where any improvement must come from.

So we have a shorter girl (seen her several times in jrs, she is about 5'4", maybe 5'5" being generous) and maybe 100-105 lbs. So she does not have the muscle mass that other shorter players do. Cibulkova needs those massive legs to have hung as long as she has with the bigger ladies.

Ci Ci has few weapons, certainly not a serve that will win her easy points. In fact her serve is a liability vs the top women. Her forehand is a weapon, but only when she attacks and does not retreat behind the baseline.

Smaller girls peak earlier. See it in jrs all the time. The little firebrands win and win a ton early on. Girls from money peak earlier, they have access to top coaching and training facilities from a very early age. Ci Ci is the perfect storm of that and it is probable that this is about where she will peak in tennis, besides marginal improvement from experience going forward.

As far as long term prospects? Not a good bet. She is a small and light girl, with a mediocre serve, been playing since age 3 so likely at her peak level of technique....the odds of her being able to battle week after week after week giving up size and strength most every match are not good. She already has little nagging injuries and we saw her come up lame a few times vs Diyas. She has had to hit with every ounce of energy since age 3 to compete. I have seen her through the years in juniors and she was always giving up so much size and strength, she had to work 3 times as hard to win...which she did a lot. But that takes a toll at a young age.

The odds of huge levels of improvement going forward are also unlikely. Its doubtful she will revamp her serve, and doubtful that will matter much if she peaks at 105 lbs.

So in the end she will likely have an amazing college career, play some pros as she has financing, and perhaps one day crack the top 100-150 and hang there a while. But as far as top 20-50? I don't see that being in the cards.

Dude, she isn't going to college.

 

[VamosRafaElCampeon]

Cici is amazing!