craigh_cp16 wrote:
> andrewbroad wrote:
> >
> > However, I have to question whether she will have sufficient
> > match-play going into the European red-clay season after such a
> > long break. Miami has given her some momentum - it would be a
> > shame to let that dissipate.
>
> I've said it before Andrew, it's a good job you're not her coach!

And as I've said before, coaching would not be a good job for me!
Whatever relationship I might like to have with Daniela, it's not
coaching. ;-)


> At last Daniela and Nigel are making the right decisions - or much
> better ones at least. Perhaps they have finally learnt the lessons
> from 2001-3 that are obvious to me at least, if not to everyone.

Her schedule from January to April 2004 is better than when she was
overplaying, but I actually think she's going a bit too far the
other way now.


> And stuff the European red-clay season, Daniela should always view
> any tournaments she plays on that silly surface as practice,
> preparation for the events and surfaces on which she can excel and
> fulfil her potential - *and* enjoy her tennis, most importantly.

As she has said in interviews both old and new, Daniela can excel
and enjoy playing on all surfaces. She grew up on clay, so there's
no reason to avoid clay - apart from last year, when she had the
weight-loss (which I feel affected her stamina), with clay being the
most physically demanding surface.


> I just hope they have the sense not to play at Eastbourne
> this year.

I hope she will play at Eastbourne this year, if only because I went
there to see her play in 2002 and 2003!


> What preparation for Wimbledon is playing a few matches in a wind
> tunnel?

It's a shame it was so windy at Eastbourne on the Thursday last
year. Eastbourne does have a reputation for wind, but it's not
usually as bad as it was on that day! Perhaps they should move the
tournament to a less windy venue - preferably in the north-west of
England! ;-)


> Two years in a row Daniela's game has fallen apart there,

Yes: but once against Anastasia Myskina who can be a very tricky
opponent, at a time when Daniela was struggling with information-
overload regarding her tactics; and once against Conchita Martínez
who is, after all, a former Wimbledon champion. And she's had her
wins there too (against Martina Navrátilová, Amy Frazier and
Alexandra Stevenson).


> and she clearly does not enjoy the place.

I clearly enjoyed the place when I went to Eastbourne though! :-)

I think Daniela should meet with my other active players (Monica
Seles, Jelena Dokic, Iva Majoli, Iroda Tulyaganova and Maria
Sharapova) to discuss whether they are all going to Birmingham or
Eastbourne this year! ;-) I need at least two entries before I will
commit myself to either tournament. I expect to find out who's
playing from the tournament-websites in about two weeks from now.

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/hantu/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jeldani/