First off…I’m glad that Madison Keys is able to compete again after this difficult year.
Kudos to her for a nice two set win over Belinda Bencic this week.
But…watching her self destruct today vs. Sakkari was tough to watch.
One wonders if she has a coach and if she does can the coach not sit her down and
say…‘Maddie, let’s watch this little video. It’s of the Men’s Long Drive Contest
in golf.
Notice how they swing ‘out of their shoes’ on every shot trying to reach that 400 yard marker? They know that if nine out of ten balls miss the fairway, that that one long bomb can still win them fame and glory.
Now, let’s review the tape of this straight set loss today to Sakkari.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but you too were swinging ‘out of your shoes’ on nearly every shot. The only difference between the golf contest and tennis is that putting all of your money on that big shot payoff doesn’t win the day on the courts. Too often you’ll finish second to the player who just waits for another of your bombs to land out of bounds.
We need to find out if you’re hard wired like the long drive contestant or if, as scientists have proven, the brain is capable of change at any age. (neuroplasticity)
I, for one, believe you can graduate to playing a more nuanced game that will be more enjoyable and yield better results…one that forces your opponents to earn their wins without handing it to them on a platter.’
‘What do you say, Madison?’
What You’re Saying