TENNIS in DEPTH.

Is Andy’s dream of becoming a serious contender again in a Grand Slam event over, or does he have one last chance at the upcoming 2009 Australian Open? He lost in the 3rd. round to virtually unknown Kohlschreiber in 2008, which as well as being a bitter disappointment to him, also set him back for most of the season. It is a pattern of badly played matches against competitors that on paper he should beat with ease, that has haunted Andy since his meteoritic climb into the top ten six years ago. A position he has retained ever since. He possesses the fastest serve in tennis today, not necessarily the best service, and he has a forehand that is as good as that of any player on the tour. He’s fit, he works hard, he is well liked both on and off the court, and he has had some of the best coaches working in his camp. So wherein lies the problem?
Anybody who watches tennis knows just by looking at Andy on the court that he appears to be a nervous wreck. Maybe its just the way he is every day, but as he twitches his neck, or hoists his shirt up off his shoulders, or tugs on his hat, it is apparent that he is rushed, and far from relaxed. Maybe his engagement to swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker will help to calm him down, or at least provide an extra motivating presence.
After losing to Federer time and time again he did eventually beat him in 2008, but then a lot of players beat Federer in 2008. He also beat Nadal and Djokovic, but was badly beaten by Djokovic on his home court at the US Open in front of his thousands of raucous fans. He just competed in Barcelona against Spain in the Davis Cup where he was beaten in 5 sets by David Ferrer.
Does the American press expect too much from him? Just because he is the highest ranked American player, currently 6th., is he expected to be another Sampras, or an Agassi or even a McEnroe? Could it be that this expectation of greatness from the outside applies so much pressure from within on Andy that he doesn’t even play up to his own capabilities all of the time. Maybe its like having Big Brother watching and criticizing. If he wins a regular tour event it is a non-news item, kind of counts for nothing anymore, he is expected to win the ‘Big’ one. After all, he did it once before. He has referred to this complex as the Neil Armstrong syndrome saying,

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