Mornin'. Based on the comments regarding my last post (The Lonely Game), I decided that instead of trying to get another post up today or tomorrow, I'll tackle this coaching series fresh when I get back from vacation on Feb. 23rd. Meanwhile, if you're interested in my thoughts on the fact that - get this! - five American players are in the quarterfinals of San Jose, check over at ESPN a little later.
I realized this morning that the key word in all coaching discussions is "relationship," and one thing we've all learned is that every relationship is different, although some of these coach-protege relationships are strikingly similar for one, overwhelming reason: They're parent-child relationships, and that's true even when there is no actual blood kinship. In any event, the organic nature of the coach-player relationship demands that each one be examined independently, although there will be plenty of room to draw parallels, make suggestions, or note oddities. So just consider that first post an introductory one, and we'll get down to serious business week after next. At the end (I imagine the series will run in at least three parts) we'll have a Q and A session, either a "live chat" or I'll select a number of questions to answer in a post.
I was surprised by how many questions The Lonely Game post raised, and apologize for not being able to answer them all. I always make a point to check out the comments, and try to drop by to say hi in that space with some frequency. I like to keep tabs on y'all, and get a sense of what you're thinking and saying and even who you are behind those screen names. Sometimes, answering questions is natural and fun; at other times, it's more like work. And just like you, I go to the comments section to socialize, and enjoy your insights and company.
I'm pretty fired up about going to Birmingham, Ala. in mid-March for the Davis Cup tie between the USA and Switzerland. I was talking with Pat McEnroe yesterday (and yes, I owe you a post on the state of USTA player development, an effort now headed by McEnroe), and he told me that the arena (it seats 16k-plus) sold out almost immediately, and that the number of television and media applications for coverage have surpassed even that of last year's final in Portland. In Australia, where Pat was commetating for ESPN, he was besieged by interview requests from Swiss and other European journalists. I sense one of those great Davis Cup extended moments brewing here, and the fact that Birmingham is so fired-up underscores the pluses of the current structure of the event. The USA is full of places like Birmingham, where the tennis community and even the civic-pride contingent are not just thrilled to be part of a major international event, and eager to (and capable of) hosting one.
There's another issue at play here, and it taps right into the heart of tennis's continuing and by now almost self-defining struggle to expand its fan base. To that end, how about a hat tip for Bill "Bubba" Bussey, the Birmingham DJ who helped his town land the tie through the bully pulpit of his popular "Rick and Bubba" radio show (on WZZK-FM).He asked listeners to post their email addresses at a specially designed site, to show the USTA that they would buy tickets - if Birmingham was awarded the event. Almost 6,000 listeners stepped up and made the committment. I'm going to try to look Bubba up when I hit town.
Tomorrow, Rosangel will have a Valentine's Day themed Your Call, and I'll probably drop in, even if it's just to say good-bye and have a good 'un. And don't worry, the site will be fully functional for match-calling, Deuce Club shenanigans, etc. while I'm gone.
Lisa, Luke and I are off to Panama very early Sunday morning, and looking forward to what has become our annual Central American vacation. As usual, it's a DIY kind of thing, although that doesn't do justice to the amount of research Lisa pours into the project in order to ensure that we don't end up sleeping in ditches, as mosquito bait (that's my specialty). We arrive in Panama City, pick up the rental car, and drive up into the mountains, to Boquete. After a few days there, we make our way to Bocas del Toro and La Loma Jungle Lodge (on the beach). At the end of the trip, we'll visit the Panama Canal.
PS - I have been in communication with SixApart, and am assured that the pagination changes are in the pipeline and on a fast track. Our tennis.com general manager, Dominic Schmitt, and Rosangel and Andrew are going to track the effort should the improvements not be installed before and while I'm gone.
-- Pete