Coach Newman's Corner

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March 17, 2009

Ashley's 1st Rd in Rome-Pomezia

Hi Everyone,

Today was quite disappointing. I lost my match 1-6, 6-7(4). I did not play anywhere near how I had imagined myself starting off this week. It was probably my worst match of the year actually. My opponent was left handed and had a 1 & 2 handed forehand. She had a strong backhand and was able to take both sides down the line well. She also had a wicked slice forehand/drop shot. I had a hard time reading where she was going to hit the ball and felt uncomfortable and off balance nearly every point. I was getting embarrassed and toyed around for the first 9 games of the match to go down 1-6, 0-2. Then I pulled myself together and just wanted to make it as competitive as possible and try to find my game. I started finding her weakness and developing the points a little better, but it still wasn’t going the way I wanted. I played just a tad bit better in the 2nd set and almost came up with it, but lost it in a tiebreaker 4-7. Three of the points in the breaker she won with drop shot winners and I didn’t even see them coming. I struggled with my serve quite a bit also which is frustrating because I have been working on it a lot with my dad lately. I know what I have to work on and improve to be better prepared and fine tuned for my singles next week. Like in all sports athletes must have a short term memory loss. I’m learning from this match and putting it behind me. It’s time to get back to work and practice hard the rest of the week.

I have doubles tomorrow 2nd up after 11am. My partner lost her singles match today as well so hopefully we’ll make something happen tomorrow! Turning in early tonight…talk to you guys tomorrow. AW

Posted by Jack Newman at March 17, 2009 4:33 PM