Who's the Queen Headcase?

[valiant]

Safina is favourite of all when it comes to this dept - Headcase

 

[soyizgood]

Ivanovic had another clinic on how NOT to toss the ball during serving. Her forehand needs help as well.

 

[davey25]

Safina in my opinion only choked away the Olympics final. She was too exhausted to fight Ivanovic, Serena dominated from the get-go (the way she played that day nobody would've beaten Serena), and her old strategy of "pushing until Kuzzy becomes THE headcase" didn't work.

I agree her first slam final vs Ivanovic was not a choke. She had some tough matches to get there, and she performed decently for her first slam final anyway. The winner of the Jankovic-Ivanovic semi was probably going to win that year anyway.

The Australian Open final she played pathetically. Serena was on fire so she had no prayer of winning even if she had played better, but she still played lame excuse of slam final level tennis.

Most of all there is no way one can legitimately deny she choked the French Open final last year. She was playing the tennis of her life and was the hottest player on tour. If her strategy was push until Kuznetsova becomes a headcase and it was clear that it was a different Kuznetsova that day then you ADAPT. Hello that shouldnt be so hard to do, that is no excuse at all.

 

[soyizgood]

Most of all there is no way one can legitimately deny she choked the French Open final last year. She was playing the tennis of her life and was the hottest player on tour. If her strategy was push until Kuznetsova becomes a headcase and it was clear that it was a different Kuznetsova that day then you ADAPT. Hello that shouldnt be so hard to do, that is no excuse at all.

The wheels started coming off for Safina at the FO starting in the QFs. Azarenka blitzed her and forced Safina to fight back. Then in the SFs vs Cibulkova she was playing really tense, irritated, and uncomfortably even though she won in straights.

Kuznetsova said she knew all the pressure was going to be on Safina, so she came in relaxed with nothing to lose. It didn't help that it was cold and moist that day, which made balls dip lower and Safina's forehand is vulnerable in those conditions. Safina lost her composure when she battled back to 4-5 only to be broken. Instead of regrouping, she sulked and was playing without any direction or purpose. She collapsed more than choked, but it was pathetic, sad, and painful all at the same time.

 

[davey25]

The wheels started coming off for Safina at the FO starting in the QFs. Azarenka blitzed her and forced Safina to fight back. Then in the SFs vs Cibulkova she was playing really tense, irritated, and uncomfortably even though she won in straights.

Kuznetsova said she knew all the pressure was going to be on Safina, so she came in relaxed with nothing to lose. It didn't help that it was cold and moist that day, which made balls dip lower and Safina's forehand is vulnerable in those conditions. Safina lost her composure when she battled back to 4-5 only to be broken. Instead of regrouping, she sulked and was playing without any direction or purpose. She collapsed more than choked, but it was pathetic, sad, and painful all at the same time.

Fine then but isnt collapsing even worse than the famous choking term. I would think it is.

 

[Mustard]

Jankovic is doing a pretty good job at the moment. 2-6, 1-4 down as I type this.

 

[All-rounder]

Jankovic is doing a pretty good job at the moment. 2-6, 1-4 down as I type this.

Didn't that match just start :shock:

 

[Mustard]

Sorry, I posted a spoiler. My bad

 

[soyizgood]

Sorry, I posted a spoiler. My bad

Discussing in match WTA matches involving headcases can go here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=243355

 

[boredone3456]

If we based this on slams, my vote would be between Dementieva and Safina. Both play well until big matches in general and usually lose, although Dementieva gets some credit for her gold medal. Granted it was against Safina but she still did win it. In general though Kuzzy for all her loses in big finals both at slams and outside them in big years has to be in there as well. It would really be down to them for me. Petrova is sort of a headcase but she has never really arguably been in a position to win a slam anyway (unless you count the 2006 french where she was certainly a favorite, only to lose rd 1). I guess I would go with Safina...edging Dementieva by not much.

 

[Augustus]

Petrova today had a chance to claim a place in history, I really thought she would be able to do it. At 6-0 5-1 40 all she was on the right track, but she got nervous thinking of a choke so collosal, so unforgattable, a choke that would bring her everlasting fame... So the task was too big, and unfortunately she closed the match out.

 

[soyizgood]

Petrova seems to be reforming her ways. I guess better late than never...

Kuzzy went a bit cuckoo losing to Petrova, losing the last 6 games after being up a break.

Ivanovic and Jankovic proved they are big league headcases.

Safina was cruising on schedule until her back gave out. She might get to hide in the shadows pending her injury.

Chakvetadze is on the verge of being another Vaidisova.

Zvonareva and Azarenka face-off with coaches they swapped in the off-season. I think Azarenka is not as big of a headcase as some of the others. Zvonareva, well anything goes.

Dementieva will never win a slam. Unless Serena, Henin, Venus all get knocked out by others for her. She's just an errant forehand from going bonkers. Just a half-step above being the Verdasco of the WTA.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Zvonereva by a nose over JJ. The crying fits take the cake. JJ gets 2nd for her neverending drama. I can't remember the last match she just played without any histrionics. She should seriously think about packing it in - it can't be fun; she should have plenty of dough. Pull the ripcord and go play the piano...

 

[JankovicFan]

Petrova seems to be reforming her ways. I guess better late than never...

Kuzzy went a bit cuckoo losing to Petrova, losing the last 6 games after being up a break.

Ivanovic and Jankovic proved they are big league headcases.

Safina was cruising on schedule until her back gave out. She might get to hide in the shadows pending her injury.

Chakvetadze is on the verge of being another Vaidisova.

Zvonareva and Azarenka face-off with coaches they swapped in the off-season. I think Azarenka is not as big of a headcase as some of the others. Zvonareva, well anything goes.

Dementieva will never win a slam. Unless Serena, Henin, Venus all get knocked out by others for her. She's just an errant forehand from going bonkers. Just a half-step above being the Verdasco of the WTA.

Let's review. What is a "headcase" in your mind? It seems like you are turning it into a catch-all for players you like to criticize in general or just dislike, period. If someone loses a match, suddenly they are a headcase? 'Reminds me of the "[insert name] should retire" threads right after somebody loses.

 

[jones101]

Safina was cruising on schedule until her back gave out. She might get to hide in the shadows pending her injury.

Its a real shame for Safina that she is injured, she was playing some great tennis this year and had no pressure on her at all, and the way the draw has opened up, she could have gone far IMO.

She was very positive and focussed on court, and the pace, depth and consistency of her groundies was impressive this week, I hope this doesn't set her back too much.

 

[boredone3456]

Petrova seems to be trying to get it together, she has beaten 2 players who overall she was not favored to beat and didn't blow leads once she had them and was able to close those matches out. She seems to be good in spurts, lets see though if she can keep this up against Henin in the QF, if she can she has a good shot I think. Her emotions always dictate her and so far happily she is keeping them in check, but lets see if she can keep Henin out of her head. If she can...well I'll be favorably impressed..if not...well she can join the rest of her Russian sisters and go in together on a shrink.

 

[soyizgood]

Let's review. What is a "headcase" in your mind? It seems like you are turning it into a catch-all for players you like to criticize in general or just dislike, period. If someone loses a match, suddenly they are a headcase? 'Reminds me of the "[insert name] should retire" threads right after somebody loses.

Are you on a crusade to vindicate your beloved Jankovic? I'm sure JJ would appreciate your efforts... that is if she actually cared to take part on this forum. FYI, several of the ladies on this poll are favorites of mine. None of the women on this list are those I utterly despise, including Jankovic. Each have certain attributes that warrant being on the list. Doesn't mean they suck (they actually had to have done something right at one point to even get mentioned). I already mentioned some of my reasons for putting Jankovic on this list and lately (exception YEC) her results and manners of her losses (along with the drama and her excuses) seem to back it up.

I've stuck up, and still do, for Safina, but even I concede she's a headcase in big moments and when the spotlight is on her (blowing leads, choking in finals, terrible serve, losing to nobodies, crying/fuming/looking lost, scared of winning the big one, lack of confidence, dealing with a coach as crazy as she is, etc.).

At this point, Jankovic is just a headcase "princess" according to folks here.

 

[JankovicFan]

At this point, Jankovic is just a headcase "princess" according to folks here.

You haven't shown that. She simply lost some matches and is not doing as well as expected. She hasn't recovered from her attempt to bulk up and be one of the big girls, neglecting what she does best. What excuses has she offered?

What strange behavior has Ivanovic demonstrated? While it seems more than strange to take so long to fix a toss, does that really make her a head case, some mentally deficient player? Does a fall in ranking make someone a head case?

I think what I would look for is someone who does well except when pressured. There is some of that all around, but still those notorious for it, at least at the moment. All Ivanovic needs is to regain confidence in her serve. Maybe that's the key...that a head case is someone who plays like she lacks confidence. If virtually everyone is going to go through periods of that, maybe you could reserve the honors for those in a prolonged state of erratic play or chronic fits of it. JJ is certainly in a funk at the moment, but her normal mode of operating is not as some nut job. If not a fan of hers, that doesn't mean she is a "head case". It means you don't like her.

 

[TheTruth]

Rather than torture myself arguing the merits of some girls, I'm just going to list some I feel deserve to be considered:

I'll post a poll later only because there's too many to consider.

My list of nominees and reasons:

• Safina (oh GOD! I still support you, but there are times you do things that make me want to hang myself)
• Kuznetsova (once THE definition of headcase... still is one, but things looking up)
• Zvonareva (2009 we saw the good, the bad, and the ugly...)
• Petrova (I really feel sorry for her loyal, long-suffering fans)
• Ivanovic (has had more boyfriends than titles the past 19 months)
• Jankovic (think she's the center of attention, has the longest list of excuses for losing NOT named Serena, and she's crazy)
• Dementieva (you give fans hope, occasional joy, and unforgettable grief and sorrow... all in the same year usually)
• Vaidisova (I'm beginning to think NTRP 5.0 men can beat her at this point... after all Stacey Tan did 6-2 6-1)
• Hantuchova (went out like a coward vs Venus at Wimby... seems afraid to win.... time after time)
• Chakvetadze (find a coach, girl! and to think she studies psychology.)
• Kanepi (how many straight matches did she lose last year? and to think she was in the top 20)

Still considering:
Azarenka (anger management issues.. that and choking away big leads)

Feel free to nominate and I'll make the poll.

Very nice post! Enjoyable read!

 

[TheTruth]

* think she's the center of attention, - she's theatrical, and some don't appreciate it

* has the longest list of excuses for losing NOT named Serena, - what does that mean? She shows up and wins more than most and was third place money winner in 2008, very close to Serena and Venus in spite of no slam. Hard to remember after a nothing year in 2009.

* and she's crazy) - since when? Why do you write that? Okay, so you don't like her personality.

Why have a poll if you introduce it prejudicing the voting? The only one that is truly nuts is Zvonareva, although Chakvetadze is pretty spooky. Start by defining "headcase".

Obviously I would have some sensitivity, so I thought I would challenge your statements. The only thing wrong with JJ is not being strong enough to hit the ball as hard as she would like to. Being and staying competitive isn't easy as girls get bigger and bigger.

Good point, and JJ did try to bulk up to correct her problem, it just backfired.

 

[TheTruth]

Ivanovic. Winning and GS and getting the no 1 ranking and then falling into oblivion. At least Safina for all her binned finals is still ranked 2.

That's very true! Good point!

 

[soyizgood]

If I had done this poll now, I'm sure Kuznetsova would be running away with the lead.

 

[cknobman]

Ive never seen anyone consistently fold, melt down, crumble, choke, etc as Safina.

She is the WTA GOAT of headcases.

 

[dcdoorknob]

If I had done this poll now, I'm sure Kuznetsova would be running away with the lead.

I think you underextimate the lasting impact and memory of that French Open final. I still couldn't vote for anyone else but Safina with the memory of that debacle still too strong in my mind.

 

[CCNM]

What has happened to Ana I since she won the French open????? I love my Svetlana, But Kuzy what the heck?????

 

[AndyArodRoddick]

Kanepi is one of the biggest headcases in history. She has got one of the biggest games on tour and if she puts it together, theres no one ine the world who can beat her.

Biggest and hardest strokes in the tour.

My countrygirl, not the prettiest, but huge talent - kind a like Gulbis.