US Open Journal

Day 7

A.J. Chabria

Big rainout today, at least before my flight out. Nothing torrential, just a patient, constant drizzle that looks like it brought along some crosswords. The old line about actors getting paid for waiting around rings true at any tennis tournament. They just get paid more at this one.

For much of the day, the players had lots of idle time. Rusedski showed up bright and early at noon for his match with Pete, considering they were the third match on the docket for Ashe stadium. Greg waited outside awhile, talking with Joe Giuliano, a popular tour coach who I sat down with for an interview (later). Some players crowded around the Sony playstations installed in the player lounge. It looked like a scene from the early eighties: the video games are hard mounted on an upright monitor – arcade style. Others worked out or stretched. The massage therapists said they were near capacity. The stringers were completely bored, just waiting for some action. They were all caught up on strings jobs and grips, which is a feat in itself.

"Hewitt’s reputation is so poor and he’s such a contrary little bugger that even when he behaves it’s viewed as contrived.”

Richard Williams arrived in a courtesy SUV without his daughters. Who says chivalry is dead? He opened the door for his new lady who was either making a fashion statement or was wearing a sleek, black turban to keep the coif in check. He looked happy and confident – all smiles for the luggage guy and onlookers in the VIP area.

Speaking of smiles, was it my imagination or was Lleyton Hewitt on his best behavior yesterday against Blake? Nary a “Come onnN!” or a chest thump. Even fist pumps were somewhat discreet. I spoke with an Australian journalist on the ride to the hotel last night. And yes, he speaks Australian. I thought this was interesting,

“Hewitt’s reputation is so poor (even back home) and he’s such a contrary little bugger that even when he behaves or does something nice, it’s viewed as contrived.”

That’s already the case among the tennis cognoscenti. Except Kim Clijsters of course, who continues to defend him, “He’s a really nice guy.” That’s it, Kimmy, stand by your man.

It made me think of men and women on the circuit. The two tours intermingle more often now, which should lend itself to more player dating, and it has to a point. What about coaches dating players? Rafael Font de Mora has coached Meghann Shaughnessy since she was 13. They’re engaged now, and she’s enjoying her best year yet.

What about coaches dating coaches? Unfortunately, there are hardly any female coaches out here. The exceptions are few and most of them are also known as “Mom”.

What about coaches in general (seriously coaching)? Coaches like Brad Gilbert, Larri Passos, Paul Annacone, Darren Cahill, Peter Ludgren and Jason Stoltenberg get a lot of ink and it’s all well-deserved. They’re brilliant, they’re celebrities, and they coach the most talented guys in the world.

The fellas who are out there coaching women, though, those guys have a tough assignment. This past week, I’ve observed several women practice with male hitters and male coaches. Everyone seems to be working hard and treating each other with respect, but you’ve got to wonder how men and women get along in this non-traditional workplace. Often it’s an intense relationship that needs to be carefully managed and as with any other relationship, communication is key.

Sure, there are a few dads who didn’t make it as soccer players or boxers and are genuinely living vicariously through their little girls. But for the most part, at least at the top level, the successful coaches are admirable, intelligent, sensitive guys.

When her coach offered some constructive criticism, Bovina quickly took offense, walked halfway to the net and told him, “In future, don’t bring up the net stuff. It’s negative.”

Some were great players in their own right. Some wouldn’t survive a weekend in the A flight of a Club singles championship. Many grew up with a concept of the way tennis should be played that is worlds apart from the baseline bashing that’s de rigueur in today’s women’s game.

A few days ago, I observed the unseeded giant-killer Elena Bovina work out with her coach, Joe Giuliano. The 6’3” Russian is definitely the Cinderella story here at the Ball as she took out the 5th seed Jelena Dokic in straight sets.

As they drilled, Joe mentioned something good she’d improved since the great run she’d had in Warsaw earlier this year. He began to follow up with some constructive criticism on her volleys. She quickly took offense then took a cleansing breath. She walked halfway to the net and told him, “In future, don’t bring up the net stuff. It’s negative.” Joe tried to spin the positive, but Elena maintained, “Yes, but no, just for future, that’s all, okay?”

A coach has to walk a fine line, reading his student every step of the way. Nobody wants a ‘yes man’, but timing is everything and guys like Joe are faced with a tall order: communicate clearly and know when to weave between giving confidence and giving advice. I sought Joe out for an interview and sat down with him this morning.

Joe’s a passionate and talented man whose physique and playing style could not be more different that Bovina’s. He has been working with her for about five months and had some candid thoughts on their time together and on being a tour coach in general.

ajc: What advice would you give to a male coaching a female tennis player at this level?
Joe: Have patience. Know the player’s game. Ask questions. Find out how much the parents are involved. How hungry is the player? How hard does the girl want to work?

ajc: Does she ever resist your advice? Do you two ever argue?
Joe: Yeah, but you have to accept it as a coach, as a player. At first, she was all ears, man. ALL EARS. She didn’t know nothin’ about closing. She didn’t even know how to volley. The girl had hands like a…bricklayer. When she learned a little more and thought she was on her way, she got more confident and spoke up more. Part of the deal, man. It’s good.

ajc: What have you worked on with Elena, technically?
Joe: Forehands. She needed to hit the ball with more spin, so we worked on that, like getting under the ball and controlling it better. She used to slap the ball all the time…completely flat. We work on volleys. Definitely the serve, too. No reason for her not to have a big serve. She’s worked hard on it. She’s coming around.

ajc: Did she always have that backhand down the line?
Joe: Her technique’s always been good. I tried to get her staying turned a little better for the down the lines, mostly her confidence in it has picked up.

ajc: What about strategically?
Joe: Finshing points off. Closing, cutting balls off, getting in there and instead of trying to hit winners from the midcourt, to follow it in and close points out with an angle or a drop volley.

ajc: She looked good doing it in the Dokic match, huh?
Joe: Yeah, that’s the key for her, ‘cause she sets up points really great with the returns and the groundstrokes. A lot of girls can get themselves into a winning position, but it’s that ability to close that makes the difference.

ajc: She’s tall and strong. Does she move well enough to close aggressively?
Joe: That’s one of the other things we’re working on, her quickness and her ability to read a situation.

ajc: Can you teach reading?
Joe: Yes and no. She has the potential, and she knows she’s gonna have to if she’s gonna compete with the better players.

ajc: Can you teach touch?
Joe: No. Yeah, well, to a point. Like I said, she used to have no touch. She’s gotten a lot better, especially when she can set a point up and close.

ajc: Who coached her before you?
Joe: Some Russian guy, I don’t know.

ajc: Who else?
Joe: Her mom for about four months. Elena won one match in those four months.

ajc: Parents are sometimes a sore spot with coaches…
Joe: Yeah, well they have NO spot with me.

ajc: She’s playing Francesca Schiavone of Italy next in the round of sixteen. How’s she feeling?
Joe: Good. Schiavone was her first hardcourt win this summer in Manhattan Beach. She really started it well, she’s had good results in New Haven, too. Had set points against Mauresmo, who got the semis there and won Montreal.

ajc: Great, good luck to her. But, a couple questions about you now. Where do you live?
Joe: Moscow (laughing). Naw, man…I have no address, I’m from here, but I’m all over the place with Elena and her mother.

ajc: You’ve coached some guys in the past -- some big names…
Joe: Oh yeah, Yevgeny for a while, Mirjana Lucic when she got to the semis at Wimbledon, Pierce for a while, Sarge Sargsian, Vince Spadea, but then his parents started getting’ involved.

ajc: I know you’re great buds with Brad Gilbert and Johnny Mac.
Joe: Brad’s my best friend, John is too. I’ve learned so much from them. I owe them both a lot. I took Elena to Brad’s this summer.

ajc: So, in addition to Brad, who would you consider your biggest influences as a coach?
Joe: Definitely John, Andre Agassi and Patrick McEnroe. Nicest guys.

ajc: What was your toughest moment as a coach?
Joe: Coaching Spadea in ’99 when he played Andre at the Australian Open.

ajc: Spadea got him, right?
Joe: Yeah, it got ugly, man. It wasn’t easy for me. I mean, I knew Andre’s game and Vince had the plan, and Andre was not having a good day out there. Man, it got ugly.

ajc: Between you and Andre, you and Brad?
Joe: No, just ugly. The whole thing, you know?

ajc: Any desire to get back to coaching on the men’s tour?
Joe: Nope. Not at this point. I really want to see this through. I’m interested in seeing how far this girl can get.

ajc: We are too, Joe. Thanks…All the best.
Joe: Have a good flight home, buddy. Take care.

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