Jankovic blames balls for injuries

[rtyd1]

Jelena Jankovic blamed the heavy balls being used at Roland Garros for the injuries she has picked up over the past week.

After receiving medical attention on a sore wrist during her second-round win on Thursday, the Serbian third seed again asked for the trainer on Sunday, this time requesting a rubdown on her stiff neck and shoulder.

"Here in Roland Garros a lot of players have been suffering with the arm because of the balls," grumbled Jankovic following her 6-3 7-6 fourth-round win over Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska.

"The balls are a little bit heavier and I think also Agnieszka, I saw on the screen it showed she had her arm taped, as well.

"I don't know what kind of problems she has but a lot of players have been complaining they have some pain and stiffness in their arm, which is not usual.

"I'm not the only one that is suffering from that but I'm working hard to keep my body in shape to stay injury free. But sometimes you don't have a choice."

The rain that has dogged the first week of the claycourt major has also compounded Jankovic's problems as she has been forced to play four days running.

"I've been playing three or four days in a row now, so I didn't have any rest," said Jankovic, who remained on course for an all-Serbian semi-final with Ana Ivanovic.

"Finally I will have a day off tomorrow, to recover, and do some treatments and try to feel the best possible for the next one.

"I wish I didn't have any injuries. I wish I was healthier and I can enjoy my games, my matches. But sometimes that's the way it is. Hopefully I'll get better."

Next up for the 23-year-old will be Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro

 

[counter_puncher]

wow. interesting.

 

[Telepatic]

Well,its maybe a bit heavier ball for womans this year or somethin`

 

[rtyd1]

Could be the mens balls too, Ginepri had a bandage on his arm in todays match vs Gonzo

 

[Blade0324]

Could just be that with the wet conditions over the past week that the balls are picking up extra moisture from the damp clay and that is what is making them heavier.
Or it could be a conspiracy against Federer to favor Rafa winning another French and keep Roger from picking one up.

 

[crazylevity]

Balls, Jelena.

 

[bhallic24]

first off , I love JElena and love her comeback to the sport and all. But seriously, anyone feel like she *****es about everything and looks for excuses all the time? Come on girl, just focus on playing the damn game. Everybody's playing with teh same typa balls. I'm sorry but I don't buy your excuse its just lame.

 

[gj011]

first off , I love JElena and love her comeback to the sport and all. But seriously, anyone feel like she *****es about everything and looks for excuses all the time? Come on girl, just focus on playing the damn game. Everybody's playing with teh same typa balls. I'm sorry but I don't buy your excuse its just lame.

What excuse? She didn't lose, so she does not need excuses

 

[Leublu tennis]

Could be the mens balls too, Ginepri had a bandage on his arm in todays match vs Gonzo

I was wondering about that bandage. How does it work? It just seems to be some kind of application to the skin. There was another player who had one on the back of his leg. Just down the leg. And why is it black? Nadal would refuse to wear anything black. Right?

 

[power_play21]

you are doomed to infinite harassing due to inapropriate remarks by the MORAL SQUAD. they were last seen on the "Where's Mirka" thread...

lol 10 charct

 

[JRstriker12]

I was wondering about that bandage. How does it work? It just seems to be some kind of application to the skin. There was another player who had one on the back of his leg. Just down the leg. And why is it black? Nadal would refuse to wear anything black. Right?

It's called Kinesio Taping - some info here: http://www.kinesiotraining.co.uk/index.cfm/cat/beck/David_Beckham_Kinesio_tape.cfm

http://www.kinesiotape.ca/whatitdoes.htm

IMHO - I think he hyper exteneded his elbow. In an earlier match he had it all taped up with a strap that limited how far the elbow could extend.

 

[rtyd1]

What excuse? She didn't lose, so she does not need excuses

Jankovic may have won that match but imo she saying that we sholdnt expect he to win the next one, so basically its a preemptive excuse for the next match she looses at the FO

 

[bhallic24]

Jankovic may have won that match but imo she saying that we sholdnt expect he to win the next one, so basically its a preemptive excuse for the next match she looses at the FO

Oh my goodness. Thank you thank you, thank you rtd1. At least someone knows what i'm talking about and the point I was trying to make.

You can still make excuses even when you win. Who said you had to lose in order to make excuses? I could play someone in tennis, win, and say oh man, my knee hurt today. An unobservant person would have said that the comment makes no sense, but basically, I'm making an excuse for not beating my opponent more soundedly and convincingly. I could also be making an excuse for next time so if I do happen to lose to whoever I play, I can go back to the fact that I already told you my knee hurts. Comprende? Its the same way with Jelena Jank, she didn't really have that impressive a showing last time out there and yes she won, but that wasn't anything to be amazed by. I've followed Jelena long enough to know these little subtleties this woman puts out there. Don't let them fool you.

 

[sureshs]

Could be the mens balls too, Ginepri had a bandage on his arm in todays match vs Gonzo

Do men have different balls than women?

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Patrick McEnroe said Ginepri was only wearing that wrap on his arm to get into his opponents head, and that every was fine with his arm. But the men uses different balls, not exactly sure the brand.

 

[sureshs]

Patrick McEnroe said Ginepri was only wearing that wrap on his arm to get into his opponents head, and that every was fine with his arm. But the men uses different balls, not exactly sure the brand.

Are men's balls heavier than women's?

 

[Automatix]

Both men and women play with Dunlop Roland Garros French Open balls... these replaced Tecnifibre balls... the DRGFO balls were used also a year ago so it has to be the weather.

 

[Gemini]

I blame Jankovic's tournament schedule. Maybe she just needs a break for tennis is all.

 

[Max G.]

Sheesh... is she not allowed to say when something's bothering her? That makes it 'an excuse'?

 

[crazytennis]

Do men have different balls than women?

that's what she said.

 

[Edinboro]

As I read these replies, tennis commentators begin commenting on this right now.:smile:

I really dont see her passing to the quarters..Shes struggled a lot..it should be interesting.

 

[Lefty5]

Are men's balls heavier than women's?

i'm pretty sure mens balls pick up more moisture

 

[sureshs]

i'm pretty sure mens balls pick up more moisture

Good thing you didn't say sweat ...

 

[Defcon]

She's a drama queen, can't keep her mouth shut. I would make a joke about the balls being too big for her mouth, but I'm far above such vulgarity

 

[gj011]

Oh my goodness. Thank you thank you, thank you rtd1. At least someone knows what i'm talking about and the point I was trying to make.

You can still make excuses even when you win. Who said you had to lose in order to make excuses? I could play someone in tennis, win, and say oh man, my knee hurt today. An unobservant person would have said that the comment makes no sense, but basically, I'm making an excuse for not beating my opponent more soundedly and convincingly. I could also be making an excuse for next time so if I do happen to lose to whoever I play, I can go back to the fact that I already told you my knee hurts. Comprende? Its the same way with Jelena Jank, she didn't really have that impressive a showing last time out there and yes she won, but that wasn't anything to be amazed by. I've followed Jelena long enough to know these little subtleties this woman puts out there. Don't let them fool you.

This is BS. You are basicaly saying she already half surrendered her next match. Top pros don't think like this.

She is thinking how to beat her next opponent not "oh my god I am going to lose, better come up with some excuse". If top pros think like you described, they would not be #3 in the world, but rather #300 or would play in the local club making excuses.

 

[Nadal_Freak]

I could argue that is the difference between Hamburg and Roland Garros for Nadal. Put lighter balls and Fed would have a better shot.

 

[bhallic24]

This is BS. You are basicaly saying she already half surrendered her next match. Top pros don't think like this.

She is thinking how to beat her next opponent not "oh my god I am going to lose, better come up with some excuse". If top pros think like you described, they would not be #3 in the world, but rather #300 or would play in the local club making excuses.

Ha, nowhere in my statement did I say that she's surrendering her next match. An excuse is just a safety blanket. Its just something to fall back on. So... in case she loses (which judging from her statements, she's implying quietly deep down inside, that theres a good posibility of that happening), she has something to fall back on and people won't be as disappointed in her and give her a free pass out.

 

[rtyd1]

This is BS. You are basicaly saying she already half surrendered her next match. Top pros don't think like this.

She is thinking how to beat her next opponent not "oh my god I am going to lose, better come up with some excuse". If top pros think like you described, they would not be #3 in the world, but rather #300 or would play in the local club making excuses.

What you said is BS, no one implied that.
My point was she was lowering her expectations in order to reduce the pressure on her to beat a lower ranked opponent so that she and her fans would not get to disheartened if jankovic were to lose the match

 

[superstition]

It's not the balls that are the problem when it comes to stiffness and pain. That's stiff graphite and polyester string...

 

[bhallic24]

She's a drama queen, can't keep her mouth shut. I would make a joke about the balls being too big for her mouth, but I'm far above such vulgarity

Lol, the funny thing about you bringing that up is that in a way the joke is already told cuz I think most of us know where you're going with that. We just gotta supply the punchline.

 

[Steve Huff]

I agree with superstition. I think the widespread use of poly strings is leading to more injuries. They may get to whack the ball as hard as they want and keep it in, but they're also tearing up their arms.

 

[JohnnyCracker]

When I saw the thread title, I was thinking "Oh no, Stepanek strikes again?" :mrgreen:

 

[ivanovic-lover92]

Jelena always has an excuse, often saying she has a bad cold, or a sore arm, or a bad back, anything to distract her opponents. It's pathetic at this stage.

 

[bhallic24]

Jelena always has an excuse, often saying she has a bad cold, or a sore arm, or a bad back, anything to distract her opponents. It's pathetic at this stage.

Yup yup, she's the girl of a million excuses. The suns too hot, my feet are too sore, the balls are too big, the court is too small. If its not this, its that. Just shut up and play some damn tennis girl. Jesus christ. If she loses her next match at the FO, I bet you we'll find out about another "lingering injury" that's been taking away from her game.

 

[ivanovic-lover92]

Yup yup, she's the girl of a million excuses. The suns too hot, my feet are too sore, the balls are too big, the court is too small. If its not this, its that. Just shut up and play some damn tennis girl. Jesus christ. If she loses her next match at the FO, I bet you we'll find out about another "lingering injury" that's been taking away from her game.

Yeah Exactly! I hope CSNavarro can beat her today!

 

[bhallic24]

Yeah Exactly! I hope CSNavarro can beat her today!

and if not i'm sure our girl ana will just steamroll her in straights.

 

[TheTruth]

Several others mentioned the heaviness of the balls in their post match interviews too.

 

[daddy]

Several others mentioned the heaviness of the balls in their post match interviews too.

When asked about this, Wilander did not comment, was very confused. Noah, however, stated that this grandslam is the most demanding one, that the balls are not heavyer ( although sometimes because of the conditions they can be a bit - if its raining ) but its about you having to hit the ball more times during long rallies thus resulting in more injuries. He pointed out that Jankovic is not the only player with a strap on her arm/leg and it may be the reason.

Valid point.

 

[MariaS]

In an interview Jelena said she flew back to Serbia the other day to see her doctor about her arm.

 

[Leelord337]

Jelena Jankovic blamed the heavy balls being used at Roland Garros for the injuries she has picked up over the past week.

After receiving medical attention on a sore wrist during her second-round win on Thursday, the Serbian third seed again asked for the trainer on Sunday, this time requesting a rubdown on her stiff neck and shoulder.

"Here in Roland Garros a lot of players have been suffering with the arm because of the balls," grumbled Jankovic following her 6-3 7-6 fourth-round win over Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska.

"The balls are a little bit heavier and I think also Agnieszka, I saw on the screen it showed she had her arm taped, as well.

"I don't know what kind of problems she has but a lot of players have been complaining they have some pain and stiffness in their arm, which is not usual.

"I'm not the only one that is suffering from that but I'm working hard to keep my body in shape to stay injury free. But sometimes you don't have a choice."

The rain that has dogged the first week of the claycourt major has also compounded Jankovic's problems as she has been forced to play four days running.

"I've been playing three or four days in a row now, so I didn't have any rest," said Jankovic, who remained on course for an all-Serbian semi-final with Ana Ivanovic.

"Finally I will have a day off tomorrow, to recover, and do some treatments and try to feel the best possible for the next one.

"I wish I didn't have any injuries. I wish I was healthier and I can enjoy my games, my matches. But sometimes that's the way it is. Hopefully I'll get better."

Next up for the 23-year-old will be Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro

i agree w/her. roland garros balls are made by dunlop and they are rock hard and heavy..but i blame her prince 03 black as that is a very stiff racquet.

 

[Morrissey]

I recall Mary Carillo saying something about her taking injury timeouts and massages in all of her matches. She also said she complained about everything too much. She would fit in perfectly in here.

 

[CyBorg]

She should get them checked out.

 

[TheTruth]

What you said is BS, no one implied that.
My point was she was lowering her expectations in order to reduce the pressure on her to beat a lower ranked opponent so that she and her fans would not get to disheartened if jankovic were to lose the match

I tend to agree with you. Although I'm a huge Jankovic fan, I think she is giving herself an easy out. I've been listening to her comments and she's using words like hopefully, I'm going to try my best, etc., but she doesn't sound convinced. Even today in her quarterfinal match she came out just pushing the ball back, no intensity whatsoever. If you're going to be a champion you have to have the killer instinct. She could learn a lot from her fellow Serb. Ana came out, taking no chances. She got down to the business at hand. At this point I'm going with Safina. I want to see a competitive match. I'll still love my faves whether they win or not. Go Safina!

 

[janipyt05]

first off , I love JElena and love her comeback to the sport and all. But seriously, anyone feel like she *****es about everything and looks for excuses all the time? Come on girl, just focus on playing the damn game. Everybody's playing with teh same typa balls. I'm sorry but I don't buy your excuse its just lame.

Yes i know what you are talking about almost every tournement she is either carrying an ijnury or complaining about something, my eye, my throat, its cold, my leg, my back, she is stronger than me, i feel tired of oh for flip sake go home get better and come back and play when you don't have an injury or shut up and play without having people give you sympathy for winning or losing.

 

[janipyt05]

I blame Jankovic's tournament schedule. Maybe she just needs a break for tennis is all.

Well you can't really it on the schedule because no one forces her to come up with all these tournaments she is in she and her team pick which she would and would not like to play bar the tournament that she must play, plus i keep hearing that Jankovic does not like to practise so playing tournaments win or lose allows her to not practise but get enough tennis, imo this is why she is injured so much because she doesn't rest, her playing is so much tennis is gruelling. Every time you see her she is carrying so sort of injury. Middle of last year and this year she has had niggling injuries

 

[Blade0324]

Ok Superstition is trying to advance his agenda against Poly strings and todays racquets in yet another thread. WGAF!!! As for Jankovic, she is one of the biggest whiners out there. Like others have said she is not happy unless she is unhappy and has something to ***** about. I really hope she gets beat like a red headed step child by Ana.