Taylor Dent to serve notice of greatness

January 1, 2004

Taylor Dent, the serve-volleying American with Australian connections
and big intentions, has returned to his father's roots in search of
his maiden grand slam.

Phil Dent, a member of Australia's 1977 Davis Cup-winning team,
escorted his son back to Sydney last week to spend Christmas with
Taylor's grandmother and two aunts.

But determined not to let the festive season interfere with the best
form of his career, the hugely-talented Dent has spent four hours
every day sweating it out under the watchful eye of his coach and dad
on a suburban hardcourt on Sydney's northern beaches.

"I'm here getting ready on Rebound Ace for the Australian Open and
Australian summer circuit," Dent said after one of his hearty
sessions at Manly, his father's old stamping ground.

The 22-year-old bears a tattoo of American and Australian flags on
his left arm and had been the subject of a minor tug of war for his
Davis Cup services until making his debut for the US last year.

Despite having an Australian habit of "bowling", off-break style, the
tennis balls back to his father during their work-outs, Dent was
always going to pledge his allegiance to the US.

That done, the American-born right-hander who spent the first five
years of his life in Sydney is focusing on fulfilling his
considerable potential after an injury-plagued start to his career.

He missed large chunks of the latest season with wrist, groin and
hamstring complaints but still managed to collect three titles in a
stop-start campaign.

Only the world's top five players - Andy Roddick (six tournaments),
Roger Federer (seven), Juan Carlos Ferrero (four), Andre Agassi
(four) and Guillermo Coria (five) - won more in 2003.

After being sidelined for two months, Dent made a stunning comeback
at the US Open in September, taking the first set off the top-seeded
Agassi before having to retire hurt from what was developing into an
electric fourth-round clash under lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Not to be denied, the classy youngster made another return from
injury three weeks later to claim back-to-back titles in Bangkok and
Moscow, compiling an 11-match winning streak, to finish the season
ranked 33rd in the world - with a bullet. Dent's twin tournament
successes came immediately after he decided to dispense with the
services of former coach Brad Stine in favour of his Australian
father, a one-time mentor of Michael Chang.

The rise in fortunes was anything but a coincidence, according to his
godfather John Alexander, Phil Dent's Davis Cup-winning teammate and
former doubles partner.


The mentor ... Phil Dent.



Alexander, a keen observer of Taylor's career and Australian Open
doubles champion with Phil in 1975, believes Dent senior could steer
Dent junior all the way to the top.

"He can be No.1 in the world - no doubt about it," Alexander said
this week. "He can win anything he goes in. He's an enormous talent.
The thing with Taylor is he's got a big game and it's hard to put
everything together. But he's looking fit and Phil is doing a great
job.

"At Taylor's stage of development, a big part of coaching is not
saying too much, and Phil's being a mate [to Taylor] as much as
anything. It's been hard in the past for Phil to push him. But now
that Taylor's matured, he has his own burning desire to achieve so
that's not an issue. Phil can be there for support and to bounce
ideas off. Taylor will make his own decisions, but he appreciates his
father's input."

While reluctant to set any rankings goals for this year for fear of
placing too much pressure on himself, Taylor clearly shares
Alexander's belief that he has the game to rival the best in the
business.

With a massive serve as his chief weapon, Dent knows its consistent
delivery is his key to success. "If I'm injury-free and holding serve
90-95 per cent, I will be extremely tough to beat for anybody," he
said.

Brimming with confidence, Dent will fly to Adelaide tomorrow for the
start of the Australian men's hardcourt championships on Monday
before rounding out his preparations for the season-opening grand
slam at the Commonwealth Bank Classic in Melbourne from January 14-
17.

In the event of no notable Australian Open withdrawals, Dent will
miss a top-32 seeding by one ranking position.

Alexander predicted such a scenario would leave Dent as the most
dangerous floater in the Melbourne Park draw.

"Put it this way, if that's the case [and he's not seeded], no one
will want to play him," Alexander said.

AAP


Like father, like son

PHIL DENT Born: Sydney, 1950 Singles highlights: three titles;
Australian Open finalist 1974, French Open semi-finalist 1977,
Wimbledon quarter-finalist 1977 Doubles highlights: Australian Open
champion (with John Alexander) 1975; Australian Open runner-up 1970,
1973, 1977; French Open runner-up 1975, 1979; Wimbledon runner-up
1979 Davis Cup: member of Australia's 1977 winning team (13 ties for
13-6 record) Serve-volleyer who reached top-20 world ranking

TAYLOR DENT Born: Newport Beach, California, 1981 Singles highlights:
four titles; US Open fourth round 2003 Davis Cup: made his debut for
the US in 2003 Serve-volleyer who improved his year-end ranking for
the sixth successive year, ending 2003 as world No.33 AAP


This story was found at:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/31/1072546589482.html