Nick Bollettieri-Open Letter to Serena

B

Bones08

Professional
http://sport.independent.co.uk/tennis/article340069.ece

Nick Bollettieri: 'You are not fit and you no longer control the court'
An open letter to Serena Williams: 'In three months you could be ready to kick the world's butt'
Published: 21 January 2006
Dear Serena,

A number of thoughts crossed my mind as I watched you, one of the two greatest female athletes in the history of sport, and the defending champion at the Australian Open, get eliminated early from the tournament yesterday by Daniela Hantuchova.

My mind raced back to all the times that I worked with you and Venus - the other greatest female athlete - and recalled how determined you always were, how talented, how fit. You had the world at your feet. You won the Serena Slam. You came to work with me before the Slam tournaments. What great times we had. I cannot overemphasise how much I thought of you, and think of you. My admiration is undimmed.

But I can't help but believe something is lost, and I don't mean your record against Daniela, who had never even taken a set from you before.

Sure, other observers pointed out that you fought to the bitter end, going for your shots.

But you are not physically fit, and you no longer control the centre of the court. Why? For the first, I don't know. For the second, because you've been playing at least three feet behind the baseline - forcing yourself to cover more territory, and giving opponents time to reach most of your balls.

You used to force others to train physically, to hit the ball. At your best, you stood close to the baseline and at times inside it. You hit the ball sooner. You utilised the power of the opponent's return against them. You controlled play. You caught the opponent off balance.

You hit early, and hard, and came to the net a lot more.

Can you come back? A will to win and a determination to fight is no longer enough to get through a Grand Slam. I was asked to be Boris Becker's coach in 1996 - his ranking had slipped to No 16; he was out of shape. I asked him what he was willing to do. He said: "Whatever I have to do." I accepted and he did get back on top.

If you would be willing to answer in the same way Becker did, I would once again work with you. I believe in you. In three months, you would be ready not only to challenge the world, but to kick its butt. What do you say?

Yours,

Nick Bollettieri
 
Great letter and spot on. It's also a lesson for anyone interested in winning. Control the center of the court and the match is 90% won.
 
Nick 'Apollo' Bollettieri, now, when you played, you had that eye of the tiger, Serena; the edge! And now you gotta get it back, and the way to get it back is to go back to the beginning. You know what I mean? If you would be willing to answer in the same way Becker did, I would once again work with you. I believe in you. In three months, you would be ready not only to challenge the world, but to kick its butt. What do you say? Because when it's over, everybody's gonna owe you an engraved apology. And you're gonna owe me a favor.
 
I dont think ole' Nick mentions that these girls are pounding the ball to the point where it isnt possible to play from the baseline let alone inside of it when they are playing one of the very hard hitters..those days are gone...even Fed cant play that way, and we're seeing much less of Agassi. Nick is just hyping himself in his customary way..granted Serena is huge and not in tip top shape, but the game does seem to be advancing (if you want to call it advanacing) at a pretty rapid rate. Of course if Hingis can win something that blows a hole in my theory, but until then, I dont think it is possible to control the points anymore from inside the baseline when playing the really big hitters unless on a slow surface.
As an aside has anyone seen the Adv in one of the trade Mags (cant rem which one) for a combination tennis camp/surfing camp which is sponsored by Bollieteierrirrrrir's son? Cracked me up...his son has the same leathery wrinkled face but has these golden locks which flow down past his shoulders....lol. looks like his old man wearing a really bad wig.....
 
Yes she did, and don't believe that Monica Seles has been gone for good. She was spotted training at the Academy 4 weeks ago!!!
 
and whats in it for nick?. as u can see nick was 100% correct about martina hingis. serena needs a coach, no doubt, but nick?
 
Bollettieri does sound like Mickey from Rocky. "You're gonna eat lightin' and you're gonna crap thunder!" "STAY DOWN!" That's the kind of coach some of these players need. They don't need someone to watch their ball toss, they need someone to push and push them until they fall over, then kick them while they're down. That's what Safin needs. Make it less of a mental game and more of a physical fight.
 
superman1 said:
Bollettieri does sound like Mickey from Rocky. "You're gonna eat lightin' and you're gonna crap thunder!" "STAY DOWN!" That's the kind of coach some of these players need. They don't need someone to watch their ball toss, they need someone to push and push them until they fall over, then kick them while they're down. That's what Safin needs. Make it less of a mental game and more of a physical fight.
Click to expand...

Safin does not need a coach that "makes it less of a mental game and more of a physical fight." Way opposite bro. Thats why he has had some success with Peter. He is able to channel his negative energy and force it into a positive force more than he could before. Unfortunately, he has not been doing to well after his AO win last year because of the injury, otherwise, I believe it could have been a whole different story. Serena, on the other hand, is fat, PERIOD.
 
Bones08 said:
Yes she did, and don't believe that Monica Seles has been gone for good. She was spotted training at the Academy 4 weeks ago!!!
Click to expand...

Monica is expected to be back in action before the French Open I've never seen her this fit since 1993
 
God, I hope I so. She can do damage on clay, and Martina doing good is just going to make her want it even more.
 
NoBadMojo said:
I dont think ole' Nick mentions that these girls are pounding the ball to the point where it isnt possible to play from the baseline let alone inside of it when they are playing one of the very hard hitters..those days are gone...even Fed cant play that way, and we're seeing much less of Agassi. Nick is just hyping himself in his customary way..granted Serena is huge and not in tip top shape, but the game does seem to be advancing (if you want to call it advanacing) at a pretty rapid rate. Of course if Hingis can win something that blows a hole in my theory, but until then, I dont think it is possible to control the points anymore from inside the baseline when playing the really big hitters unless on a slow surface.
Click to expand...

Yes, Hingis' recent success does blow a huge hole in your theory. And Agassi still hasn't given up an inch from how he used to play. When he is injury-free, he is still the best hope for American tennis.

While I agree that today's players on average hit harder than players from say 10 years ago, I do not think they hit much harder. A few days ago I watched an old US Open final between Borg vs. McEnroe, and I was surprised to see that even with their wooden racquets and their "old school" technique, they weren't hitting much slower than today's top players.

Often I see posters here say that the past greats such as Mac, Edberg, Wilander, Graf (referring to her backhand), will be blown off the court by the "modern players" and I do not buy their theory at all. By the way, I'm in no way suggesting that NoBadMojo has said things like this.
 
No, I don't think anyone would say that players of the older generation would get blown away by today's players. Quite the opposite. Look at Federer - he slices and blocks a lot of balls back. No one can pass him because he's so athletic and moves the ball around so well. McEnroe of 1984 would school everyone playing today.

About Safin, I still think he should make it more of a brawl out there. A real fight. I feel like he thinks too much sometimes on the court. He just overthinks his shots and his forehands all end up going long, and he let's that get to him. He should concentrate more on beating his opponent than trying to keep his ball in the court. He didn't lose that first set to Hewitt because he wasn't think hard enough, he lost it because he was thinking too hard. When you're really in the zone, you don't think at all. Shots happen automatically and all you're focused on is winning the point.
 
Serena will win when Serena decides she really wants to win. Until tennis is important to her again, she'll continue to make these appearances in order to meet her sponsorship obligations.
 
Bones08 said:
http://sport.independent.co.uk/tennis/article340069.ece

Nick Bollettieri: 'You are not fit and you no longer control the court'
An open letter to Serena Williams: 'In three months you could be ready to kick the world's butt'
Click to expand...



Hehehe. I agree. Both Serena and Venus need to get out of the Hollywood Glamour circle and train hard. Other girls have caught up to the williams sisters. I believe both sisters still have it if they are willing to train hard. At the moment at the way they play - Hingis can beat them easily back to back. I will not be surprised if Hingis beat both sisters in straight sets back to back in the near future.
 
Marius_Hancu said:
NB needs to write another to ARod perhaps:-)
Click to expand...

ARod is a entire different story to Serena. ARod is way fitter than Serena and his shots and serves are better and can still beat top players even on his "off" days. Serena's serves (both 1st and 2nd) are totally off from her best serves years ago.
 
Bollettieri is just blowing his horn and trying to get the famous sisters back in his stable for more publicity and $$$, mostly publicity since he has more $$$ than he needs.

#1 requirement for tennis is good footwork and court movement

Serena can no longer meet this requirement

I will continue to state that old school tennis tactics can still dominate tennis.

Federer continues to prove this and I believe that if and when others catchup, he will just start playing more allcourt SV to keep his edge.

Hingus is also reproving my statement now as Davenport continues to dominate with less movement skills but better hitting skills than all the young ladies. I expect Sharapova to last and dominate like Davenport ...
 
scotus said:
Yes, Hingis' recent success does blow a huge hole in your theory. And Agassi still hasn't given up an inch from how he used to play. When he is injury-free, he is still the best hope for American tennis.

While I agree that today's players on average hit harder than players from say 10 years ago, I do not think they hit much harder. A few days ago I watched an old US Open final between Borg vs. McEnroe, and I was surprised to see that even with their wooden racquets and their "old school" technique, they weren't hitting much slower than today's top players.

Often I see posters here say that the past greats such as Mac, Edberg, Wilander, Graf (referring to her backhand), will be blown off the court by the "modern players" and I do not buy their theory at all. By the way, I'm in no way suggesting that NoBadMojo has said things like this.
Click to expand...

Hingis hasnt won anything yet, and Agassi doesnt play or win so much anymore. Also, the ball does come much faster now than it did back in the day...players are bigger stronger faster and the gear makes it more possible...this isnt really very disputable.
It's one thing to SAY control the point from inside the baseline, but quite another to be able to do it.
Many of the ATPers have gotten really good at groundstroking up and back in addition to their movement from side to side. That's the modern way..the days of camping out inside the baseline are gone along with playing serve/volley and winning events i think
 
NoBadMojo said:
Hingis hasnt won anything yet, and Agassi doesnt play or win so much anymore. Also, the ball does come much faster now than it did back in the day...players are bigger stronger faster and the gear makes it more possible...this isnt really very disputable.
It's one thing to SAY control the point from inside the baseline, but quite another to be able to do it.
Many of the ATPers have gotten really good at groundstroking up and back in addition to their movement from side to side. That's the modern way..the days of camping out inside the baseline are gone along with playing serve/volley and winning events i think
Click to expand...

Totally unconvincing argument there, especially the part about the ball coming much faster. No one had more raquet speed than Bjorg, and it doesn't matter how hard you hit the ball, raquet speed and follow through make for hard hitting. That hasn't changed in the men's or women's game. And players aren't neccesarily bigger, stronger, or faster. Lendel and Sampras set a mark for athleticism for the men as did Navratilova and Graf for the ladies, so maybe everyone trains a little harder (Davenport looks the best I've seen her, as well as Pierce). And who really gets the ball back faster now than Agassi did, or still does?? Few players, that's for sure. Playing inside the baseline is still a totally viable option, one Hewitt utilised all last year to get back in the top three, and one the sisters' used to utilise EVERY game.
 
morgan102 said:
Totally unconvincing argument there, especially the part about the ball coming much faster. No one had more raquet speed than Bjorg, and it doesn't matter how hard you hit the ball, raquet speed and follow through make for hard hitting. That hasn't changed in the men's or women's game. And players aren't neccesarily bigger, stronger, or faster. Lendel and Sampras set a mark for athleticism for the men as did Navratilova and Graf for the ladies, so maybe everyone trains a little harder (Davenport looks the best I've seen her, as well as Pierce). And who really gets the ball back faster now than Agassi did, or still does?? Few players, that's for sure. Playing inside the baseline is still a totally viable option, one Hewitt utilised all last year to get back in the top three, and one the sisters' used to utilise EVERY game.
Click to expand...

Not to mention Baghdatis, Nalbandian, Federer. Sure these dudes will drift back a couple meters when in trouble - but in a neutral point they're pretty much on that baseline, looking to cut the corner if something comes a bit short.

Roddick's a top 5 player, and the poster boy for the current hard-hitting generation. If HE can't consistently keep the ball deep enough to punish someone like Baghdatis for gambling with his positioning - then it's not really a gamble.

Hingis, too. Pierce ain't no slouch, and neither is the chick that beat her, that then lost to Martina.

Nick B. might be a lot of things, but if we're constantly droning on and on about how some posters have more experience or authority than others, then by the same line of reasoning ain't nobody but a few people in the history of tennis that should be messing with him.
 
Sign me too!! lol.

Very good response from Nick. Wonder if he's written one to Andy yet...

There were a lot of players due for a reality check. I was somewhat glad Andy, Lleyton, and the Williams sisters didn't cruise to the semis this year. It shows the rest of the field is improving and the "same old game" ain't gonna cut it.

One of the great things about Agassi is that after he faded, he found a way. Granted, great coaching from Gilbert brought him back, but Andre was the one to commit and make it all come back together. I have a lot of respect for him because of that. Tennis is a thinking game: a big serve, FH, or just grinding it out isn't enough to cut it.
 
You know, NB may have his detractors, but nothing can change the fact that
his list of players who are tops in the world just keeps getting longer:

  1. Jimmy Arias
  2. Aaron Krickstein
  3. Jim Courier
  4. Andre Agassi
  5. Pete Sampras
  6. Mary Pierce
  7. Boris Becker
  8. Michael Stich
  9. Tommy Haas
  10. Monica Seles
  11. Maria Sharapova
  12. Xavier Mallise
  13. Max Myrni
  14. Carling Bassett-Seguso
  15. David Wheaton

Most everyone in the top of the profession, at one time or another has made the sojourn down to his place to work out and get advice,

  1. Marcello Rios
  2. Serena Williams
  3. Venus Williams
  4. Brad Gilbert
  5. Bjorn Borg
  6. Brian Gottfried
  7. Martina Hingis
  8. Mark Phillippoussis
  9. Paul Annacone

are just a few. Brad Gilbert wouldn't admit to it, but in his book NB had a picture of Gilbert working out at his place. There aren't too many tennis academies which can produce a list of names like this one.

It should also be noted that NB never had a contract with any of the players who were up and coming. He never asked them to sign a thing, it was a handshake deal. That has all probably changed since IMG took over, but NB has always seen potential, tried to develop it, and then thought he would get what he deserved from the relationship. If you haven't read his book My Aces, My Faults, I think it's a great read. I read it in one night. He basically tells it like it is about himeself, good and bad. He also presents some really great insights into the players he worked with.
 
I've never met Nick, but I've talked to a parent and player that were there for some time. They had nothing but positives to say, except his off the court choices (women, lol). Just seeing the guy coach through videos or reading articles such as this show me he really knows how to encourage a player and has the vision to know what will make them play better. No wonder he's considered the best in the US if not abroad. Can't knock his record either. I think he's solid and from the "letter" above, he's to the point and players need that. Serena could drop at least 20lbs from what I saw...
 
Wasn’t the real news here that Nick has worked with the Sisters in the past—or did I miss the Nick/Williams connection? Wasn’t it the story that Richard and Oracene were their coaches (with a tip of the hat to Rick Maccei)—always were, always would be, no real coach need apply? It sounds to me that Nick is violating a vow of silence and Richard is going to be teed off.
 
Yes, I believe he worked with them for some time. But who cares about their history. If they are motivated they need some better coaching ...and Serena for one needs many hours on the treadmill. The tennis fashion queen looked more like she was modeling something in the short and wide section in Australia.
 
JRoss said:
Wasn’t the real news here that Nick has worked with the Sisters in the past—or did I miss the Nick/Williams connection? Wasn’t it the story that Richard and Oracene were their coaches (with a tip of the hat to Rick Maccei)—always were, always would be, no real coach need apply? It sounds to me that Nick is violating a vow of silence and Richard is going to be teed off.
Click to expand...
I'm sure King Richard would hate for the Truth to get in the way of a good story.
 
When Safin was 14 years old, his father and him went to Bollettieri's, and he was rejected by Nick himself. And in a more recent interview (in 2005 at least), he said Bollettieri knows crap about tennis, rather that he is just a businessman.
 
^ According to an article I read, he took Kournikova instead. Strictly from a business standpoint, Nick made the right decision.
 
35ft6 said:
^ According to an article I read, he took Kournikova instead. Strictly from a business standpoint, Nick made the right decision.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but Kournikova never won a grandslam, and there won't be many people saying they want to go to Bolletieri's academy because the academy made a great player out of her. Safin on the other hand, he is probably one of the most popular and entertaining men's player, yet at the same time he is a multi-grandslam winner who many say is one of the most naturally talented players, if not the most, on tour.
 
^By the same token, he is also one of the most unreliable and inconsistent players on tour. Perhaps NB rejected him not because of his gifts, but rather, he saw an early indication that Safin would never come close to (or having the desire of) fulfilling his true potential?
 
Alexandros said:
^By the same token, he is also one of the most unreliable and inconsistent players on tour. Perhaps NB rejected him not because of his gifts, but rather, he saw an early indication that Safin would never come close to (or having the desire of) fulfilling his true potential?
Click to expand...

At the age of 14? Anyhow, when he does play his best, nobody, not Sampras nor Federer can stop him. And so who are you to say he will never fulfill his potential? Who are you to say that once his knee will be 100% that he may even reach top 5? Anyhow, with Safin not reaching his true potential, he is still better than many people that have reached their potential, such as JCF, who did reach his apex and is now on his decline, and etc. Tommy Haas??? You think that was a better decision than Safin? Give me a break :rolleyes:
 
NoBadMojo said:
I dont think ole' Nick mentions that these girls are pounding the ball to the point where it isnt possible to play from the baseline let alone inside of it when they are playing one of the very hard hitters..those days are gone...even Fed cant play that way, and we're seeing much less of Agassi. Nick is just hyping himself in his customary way..granted Serena is huge and not in tip top shape, but the game does seem to be advancing (if you want to call it advanacing) at a pretty rapid rate. Of course if Hingis can win something that blows a hole in my theory, but until then, I dont think it is possible to control the points anymore from inside the baseline when playing the really big hitters unless on a slow surface.
As an aside has anyone seen the Adv in one of the trade Mags (cant rem which one) for a combination tennis camp/surfing camp which is sponsored by Bollieteierrirrrrir's son? Cracked me up...his son has the same leathery wrinkled face but has these golden locks which flow down past his shoulders....lol. looks like his old man wearing a really bad wig.....
Click to expand...

I don't really agree here. I think that a peak Serena or Venus would stomp on the current WTA field just as they did over the fields during their peaks.
 
Marius_Hancu said:
NB needs to write another to ARod perhaps:-)
Click to expand...

I don't really think so. I think ARod is putting in the effort, but simply doesn't have enough game to dominate. I think the ATP is a lot tougher to win on now than when he went on his run in the summer 2003.
 
shsman2091 said:
At the age of 14? Anyhow, when he does play his best, nobody, not Sampras nor Federer can stop him. And so who are you to say he will never fulfill his potential? Who are you to say that once his knee will be 100% that he may even reach top 5? Anyhow, with Safin not reaching his true potential, he is still better than many people that have reached their potential, such as JCF, who did reach his apex and is now on his decline, and etc. Tommy Haas??? You think that was a better decision than Safin? Give me a break :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

1) I never said that was my view, I merely speculated on what Nick Bollettieri's thought processes in rejecting Safin, based on what has happened in Safin's career thus far.

2) Anyhow, when he does play his best, nobody, not Sampras nor Federer can stop him.

Right, you assume the 2005 Aus SF where he beat Federer was Safin's best? You base your sweeping statement on one match? Was Federer even playing his best? I submit that his Wimbledon final against Roddick indicates Federer's "best" play. 15 winners to 1 unforced error in the first set (49 to 12 over the match).

3. he is still better than many people that have reached their potential, such as JCF, who did reach his apex and is now on his decline

Hypocrite alert! Who are YOU to say that Juan Carlos Ferror has reached his potential?!
 
Rabbit said:
You know, NB may have his detractors, but nothing can change the fact that
his list of players who are tops in the world just keeps getting longer:

  1. Jimmy Arias
  2. Aaron Krickstein
  3. Jim Courier
  4. Andre Agassi
  5. Pete Sampras
  6. Mary Pierce
  7. Boris Becker
  8. Michael Stich
  9. Tommy Haas
  10. Monica Seles
  11. Maria Sharapova
  12. Xavier Mallise
  13. Max Myrni
  14. Carling Bassett-Seguso
  15. David Wheaton

Most everyone in the top of the profession, at one time or another has made the sojourn down to his place to work out and get advice,

  1. Marcello Rios
  2. Serena Williams
  3. Venus Williams
  4. Brad Gilbert
  5. Bjorn Borg
  6. Brian Gottfried
  7. Martina Hingis
  8. Mark Phillippoussis
  9. Paul Annacone

are just a few. Brad Gilbert wouldn't admit to it, but in his book NB had a picture of Gilbert working out at his place. There aren't too many tennis academies which can produce a list of names like this one.

It should also be noted that NB never had a contract with any of the players who were up and coming. He never asked them to sign a thing, it was a handshake deal. That has all probably changed since IMG took over, but NB has always seen potential, tried to develop it, and then thought he would get what he deserved from the relationship. If you haven't read his book My Aces, My Faults, I think it's a great read. I read it in one night. He basically tells it like it is about himeself, good and bad. He also presents some really great insights into the players he worked with.
Click to expand...


In the early 80s. Thirteen year old Steffi Graf also trained at the Bollettieri Academy for a couple of weeks

In fact, Graf and Monica Seles once lived in the same room at the Academy although not at the same time

It was room A-203 at the NBTA
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Spanglish72
WTF Nick Bollettieri???
Replies
34
Views
3K
fuzz nation
F
L
Nick Bollettieri on Starbucks
Replies
4
Views
1K
iscottius
I
nimailni
Nick Bollettieri: "Djokovic is the most complete player of all time"
2 3 4
Replies
166
Views
19K
clayqueen
clayqueen
B
Bollettieri called in as Williams looks to halt career slump
Replies
23
Views
2K
arosen
arosen
V
Check out my Interview with Nick Bollettieri!
Replies
48
Views
6K
valiantgame2009
V
Back
Top