Petra Kvitova a talented player but lacks discipline she's out of shape

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I was shocked when I saw Petra Kvitova when she lost to Cibulkova the other day so easily 6-1 6-1. I don't get it? Petra Kvitova is easily the most talented player in the top ten after Serena Williams but she doesn't seem to have much drive and discipline. If Petra got into top physical condition I believe her results would improve.

Petra is really heavy now which is sad to see she has so much talent but being out of shape is terrible for a pro tennis player. Yes, Kvitova has health problems but her fitness level is not good. Kvitova has the money why can't she hire a fitness trainer and get into better physical shape? The extra weight is holding Petra back if she got into better shape she would probably feel better and also move better around the court. Even Marion Bartoli lost weight and her results have improved. It is sad to see a top ten player waste her potential due to not taking her fitness seriously.

 

[augustobt]

Not only physical. She gets her mind off court very easily (don't you remember last year's aussie?)

 

[smoledman]

Kvitova just doesn't have the right body type for tennis.

 

[syc23]

Kvitova not having the 'right body type' is not an excuse especially for an elite level athlete. Lindsey Davenport is similar but she kept her weight in check throughout her career which make make all the difference.

People marvel at Federer's shot making but imagine if he had the fat levels of Nalbandian then Roger wouldn't be the 17 GS winner that he is. It would be lambs to the slaughter against all the ATP big boys.

 

[forzamilan90]

Lol "the fat levels" bit cracked me up

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Kvitova not having the 'right body type' is not an excuse especially for an elite level athlete. Lindsey Davenport is similar but she kept her weight in check throughout her career which make make all the difference.

Not all "throughout her career," as she was very overweight in the early years of her being a top player.

I once thought Kvitova would be a force after the way she won her lone major--real high hopes, but seeing her since--and the way she's picked apart once others were used to her game--it appears her body type is a problem. She's not very flexible, scrambles to get across court (like an afterthought), rather than being a natural runner who can change directions on a dime, and is flat-footed. She seems to be all about arm strength, but does not have much touch, and marches around like she's been walking a few miles right before a match.

She's young enough to hire someone to develop her flexibility, and teach her how to open up her toolbox, but until then, she's starting to look like a one-major wonder.

 

[bluetrain4]

Not all "throughout her career," as she was very overweight in the early years of her being a top player.

I once thought Kvitova would be a force after the way she won her lone major--real high hopes, but seeing her since--and the way she's picked apart once others were used to her game--it appears her body type is a problem. She's not very flexible, scrambles to get across court (like an afterthought), rather than being a natural runner who can change directions on a dime, and is flat-footed. She seems to be all about arm strength, but does not have much touch, and marches around like she's been walking a few miles right before a match.

She's young enough to hire someone to develop her flexibility, and teach her how to open up her toolbox, but until then, she's starting to look like a one-major wonder.

Yeah, Davenport was a pretty chunky youngster on tour. She's talked extensively about how she made a conscience choice to get into much better shape and went about it in a very smart way - knowing she wasn't some incredible naturaly athlete and accounting for her body type. While we'd never call Lindsay "small", she was in-shape and fairly lean for the rest of her playing career. She said that she knew she had to do it to become and elite-level player, and it worked.

Lol. I remember seeing Lindsay play Gabriela Sabatini in the 4th Round of the USO very early in her career - all smiles, incredibly pudgy, awful tennis outfit. Whenever I see that clip I laugh because it looks SO dated. But, you could see the talent. She was an incredible ball striker even back then. I'm glad she put in the effort to make it to the next level.

 

[Tcbtennis]

I also had high expectations for Petra after watching her high caliber performance at Wimbledon in 2011. There I saw a confident ball striker who actually constructed points with her deep penetrating groundstrokes, her short lefty angles and reliable serving. She played the type of tennis I find so enjoyable to watch. Then 2012 came and what a fall from grace that was. She played as though she didn't have any confidence at all. Even when she won the U.S. Open series I was not convinced at all that she had found her form. She played 2012 like a ball basher trying to end the points with one swing of the racquet hitting the lines.

Petra is obviously not the most athletic player out there but because she was able to place the ball well (especially the short forehand crosscourt lefty angle) and she would open up the court and be able to hit a clean winner into the open court without having to hit the lines. That Petra was clearly gone in 2012. I didn't see the Cibulokova match but even though Petra lost it should absolutely not be by a score line of 1-6;1-6. Not an auspicious start for 2013.

 

[bluetrain4]

What is going on with Kvitova? It's got to be more than beign out of shape? She got destroyed in her last match. Heat/asthma issues?

I remember when she won Wimbledon (and looked otherworldy going so), a handful of TW posters were prediciting she'd win anywhere from 10-20 Slams. I know people were caught up in the moment and her incredible play, but I have to chuckle at the predicitions.

 

[dominikk1985]

she always is a little chubby however I would not write her off. she probably overdid the christmas eating a little.

I think in a few weeks she will be in her normal shape again and then she will be a top5 player or better.

to become a multi slam winner which she is definitely capable of in that era she needs to get in really good shape though. she probably has too much money for this now, there are quite a few eastern euro players who play more for the money.

 

[President]

It boggles the mind that a professional athlete can be in such poor shape, particularly one who is so talented. She must know that if she had ANYWHERE near the physical fitness of her rivals (Maria, Serena, Azarenka) she would probably have won at least a couple more slams by now. She's just like Nalbandian, these fatties are content with being NEAR the top and ALMOST there by relying on their god-given natural talent.

 

[syc23]

I have to have a serious LOL when I see out of shape 'professional' sports people with a bit of lard on them.

I'm 35 years old currently in the best shape of my life.

I play tennis 2/3 times a week and basketball once a week - this more than takes care of the cardio. I lift weights 3/4 times a week with particular focus on compound exercises and plyometrics. The only other cardio I do in the gym is 12 mins on the treadmill and a bit of skipping to warm up before stretching. My gym sessions typically last 1 hour as I make it as intense as possible.

I eat clean pretty much all the time and take ZERO sports supplements.

At 5ft 8in, I have 6% bodyfat with a similar build to Verdasco. Enough muscle on my frame without harming my agility on the tennis and basketball court. Off court, I still want to look sharp in a tailored business suit.

I don't work in the fitness industry. I've been a designer for the last 13 years since I graduated from college so I don't know why these sportsmen/women can't keep their shape in check with all the time in the world doing what they do 100% of the time.

Are they too busy updating their Facebook account/twitter feed?

 

[sureshs]

I have to have a serious LOL when I see out of shape 'professional' sports people with a bit of lard on them.

I'm 35 years old currently in the best shape of my life.

I play tennis 2/3 times a week and basketball once a week - this more than takes care of the cardio. I lift weights 3/4 times a week with particular focus on compound exercises and plyometrics. The only other cardio I do in the gym is 12 mins on the treadmill and a bit of skipping to warm up before stretching. My gym sessions typically last 1 hour as I make it as intense as possible.

I eat clean pretty much all the time and take ZERO sports supplements.

At 5ft 8in, I have 6% bodyfat with a similar build to Verdasco. Enough muscle on my frame without harming my agility on the tennis and basketball court. Off court, I still want to look sharp in a tailored business suit.

I don't work in the fitness industry. I've been a designer for the last 13 years since I graduated from college so I don't know why these sportsmen/women can't keep their shape in check with all the time in the world doing what they do 100% of the time.

Are they too busy updating their Facebook account/twitter feed?

Things are more complex than you think. In females, hormones play a key role.

 

[single_handed_champion]

She also suffers from asthma and unfortunately, even though she doesn't cite it as an excuse, it clearly weighs on her mind at the least when she plays in hot climates. Her record in N.America is pretty poor and generally early losses elsewhere are when temperatures/humidity levels are higher than normal. She needs to get it looked at AND improve her conditioning, because that definitely makes matters worse for her. Justine Henin had asthma, but she coped with it during her career (in fact, she did pretty poorly by her standards at the Miami tournament herself).

 

[El Diablo]

^^ asthmatics with frequent bouts usually wind up on prednisone or similar steroids that cause weight gain. I don't personally know that she "lacks discipline" but it's a bit damning a comment considering we really don't know the full story.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

^^ asthmatics with frequent bouts usually wind up on prednisone or similar steroids that cause weight gain. I don't personally know that she "lacks discipline" but it's a bit damning a comment considering we really don't know the full story.

Good call about Prednisone; not only can it lead to increased appetite, but those who use high doses (particularly IV) throughout the year (particularly IV) risk glaucoma and cataracts--nothing she would not need to face in a sport where great eyes are as important as great hands.

 

[NLBwell]

Would Prednisone be allowed under the drug testing? I'm never really clear on what is or is not allowed if there is a medical condition. I believe some of the rules make it harder to control asthma. A typical asthma rescue inhaler is a strong stimulant.

 

[El Diablo]

^^ I would think prednisone is allowed. Steroids tend to be anabolic, which increase muscle mass, and catabolic, which actually tend to break down tissue such as muscle. Cheaters use anabolic steroids, asthmatics use catabolic steroids. There's no evidence the catabolics improve performance, can diminish performance a number of ways. In terms of stimulant effect, a cup of Starbuck's would be more of a stimulant, and catabolic steroids tend to be stimulants at the wrong time -- asthmatics will tell you they're always up at 4 AM cleaning the house.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

Lindsay Davenport was overweight when she was a teeanger but then once Lindsay reached her early 20s she got serious about fitness and lost the weight. I remember, Pat Cash the Australian tennis commentator blasted Lindsay during the Australian Open one year saying she's fat. But to Lindsay's credit she realized if she wanted to compete at the highest level and contend for grand slams she had to lose the weight.

Lindsay also talked to Jon Wertheim and she said that Kvitova is making excuses and I agree. Kvitova has so much talent but being out of shape is a disgrace for a top athlete. Kvitova has the money she can hire a fitness trainer to travel with her but the disicipline isn't there. Seems like Petra doesn't want it enough. If Petra did want it she would of gotten in shape by now.

 

[Laurie]

What is going on with Kvitova? It's got to be more than beign out of shape? She got destroyed in her last match. Heat/asthma issues?

I remember when she won Wimbledon (and looked otherworldy going so), a handful of TW posters were prediciting she'd win anywhere from 10-20 Slams. I know people were caught up in the moment and her incredible play, but I have to chuckle at the predicitions.

Time will tell but tennis history is littered with talented players who won their first major unexpectedly then went on a bad run of form and motivation issues. Since I've been watching tennis:

Sampras won the US Open in 1990 then struggled to deal with the limelight, suffering unusual losses and making unusual comments (like his 1991 US Open defeat). He didn't win another slam until 1993.

Serena Williams won her first major in 1999 and didn't win her 2nd until 2002 after some tough losses at the slams.

Novak Djokovic won the Aussie Open in 2008 and didn't win his 2nd until 2011. In between Djokovic was dismissed as a fluke and someone who retired in matches on quite a few ocassions.

It took Agassi years to win hirst major in 1992 and then didn't win his 2nd until 1994 at the US Open after injuries and stuff, wasn't he unseeded at that tournament?

Time will tell whether Petra gets herself together and gets in shape to win more slams, she has the talent to do it but is suffering what others suffer until they work out how to do it on a consistent basis. Not everyone does it like Federer and Nadal who win one and just keep on winning.

I believe Kvitova will come good, even if it is not until 2014 or whatever.