The Eyes Watching

Good work Tennis in Australia providing live streams.Guess who I am watching :) Rubin Statham NZ vs Greg Jones AUS.

UPDATE STATHAM WINS 6/4 7/6

MOVES INTO QUARTER FINALS...PLAYS A WILDCARD 

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The eye Welcomes a new Contributor - Tony Osborne

I have written over 600 posts and My Blog is read New Zealand Wide and of course World Wide.It is certainly unique and covers a wide range of tennis topics.Yes sometimes its critical and opinionated but its a Blog.I have been threatened to take down articles but at the end of the day I try to deal with facts with a tongue in cheek theme.Yes the truth hurts and obviously ruffles some feathers, so remember if the shoe fits!  

I welcome Tony Osborne to the blog as a contributor.I asked Tony to provide readers with his background so he obliged!

I have been a fan of 'Eye Of The Tiger' for some time, and now am pleased that I will be contributing articles from time to time. My focus will be of the plight of Coaches in this Country. As a former Club Secretary and a parent who has had an association with several Coaches I believe that I see things from their perspective, and believe me it isn't pretty. I can't for the life of me see why anyone would want to be a Tennis Coach, stroppy parents, prima donna kids, poor administrators all topped off with possibly the worst National Body of any sport . We are fortunate to have some pretty good Coaches in NZ,working under some appalling conditions for little reward, all the time watching their backs from rouge Coaches ready to take their work, vindictive Committees and a confused National Organisation that offers nil support. I now have the time[ after selling my business], to devote to telling the stories of these every day Tennis Coaches, I will try and workout why NZ is just not producing Tennis Champions. I see after reading NZ Tennis's Passing Shots that they are seeking support for the Davis Cup, New Zealand playing against Lebanon most Kiwis would be asking, 'where's Lebanon'.

A little about myself, I was born in Wellington, and played a little Tennis at School, but ended up playing Rugby, my parents moved to Canberra where dad worked at the NZ Embassy, I was further educated there, and after Leaving University, I backpacked through Europe where I met my beautiful wife Heidi. We moved to NZ, 18 yrs ago and had our own Importing business, we are now pretty well retired and enjoy our Grandkids who incidentally play Tennis!. I am concerned with what has happened to this great game in NZ, and have fond memories of Onny, Brian Fairlie, the Simpsons, and Kelly Everden those players gave us something to be proud of , we neen to get that pride back, Regards Tony Osborne.

Tennis New Zealand Land

"When you wish upon a star , your dreams come true" but if your a tennis player in this country it might be wish in one hand and s**t in the other"
Another Former Davis Cup Player with "tennis balls" stood up and voiced his concern over New Zealand Tennis and the Davis Cup Selection.Former Davis Cup player Adam Thompson has fired a broadside at Tennis New Zealand for picking Matt Simpson in the squad for this weekend's tie against Lebanon at Albany.Simpson is ranked 1566 in the world and has been chosen ahead of a handful of higher ranked players, along with top junior Cameron Norrie.

Simpson spent much of last year playing club tennis in Germany.Thompson argues Tennis New Zealand would have been better to give a youngster a spot on the team.

He says Lebanon are not the strongest team and he would include a top junior to gain some experience.

Adam Thompson says at the very least the selection should have been done on ATP ranking and a higher class criteria.

This on top of New Zealand's top player Rubin Statham pulling out of the tie and speaking out over issues with TNZ.

He pulled no punches and put the blame on New Davis Cup Captain Hunt and Jeff Simpson...Matt Simpsons father and lack of criteria.

Here are the links to Thompson's interview on Radio Sport today PART 1 the segment starts around 10.15 into the time slot and continues PART 2

How much longer can ordinary people put up with applicants getting positions over others with better credentials not only at the playing end but throughout the country in Administrative and coaching positions.

Its one fiasco to another and good on Thompson for speaking his mind.Below is listed the ATP New Zealand ranked men.Youngster Norrie should of been blooded in this tie where Lebanon will not win a rubber!

*As a matter of interest the "eye" worked with Lebanon's top player Bassam Beidas whilst as Head Coach at the Smash Tennis Academy Cairo ,Egypt.Bassam is unavailable through injury .

1. Rubin (José) Statham			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		345   178	345  180
2. Daniel King-Turner			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		375 436	376  298
3. Michael Venus			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		514 416	514  291
4. Artem Sitak	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current 553 279	Previous 538 278
5. Marcus Daniell			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		693  319	693 321
6. Sebastian Lavie			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		791   735	791 735
7. Marvin Barker			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		1003 347	1003  347
8. Logan Mackenzie   9. Ben McLachlan	Singles RankingDoubles Ranking Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current   1184  802  Current 1240 1507	Previous   1185 802 Previous 1240 1507
10. Finn Tearney	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current  1300  1208	Previous 1301 1208
11.Matthew Simpson	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current 1566  874	Previous  1567   874

The Big One. Murray Vs Djokovic

This is going to be a showdown.In one corner representing Serbia Novak Djokovic weighing in at 80kgs. Height 1.88. In the other corner Andy Murray representing Scotland and weighing in at 84.1kgs and standing 1.91.Both irritate me at times , with Murray pissing me off the most! Both men deserve to be in the Final and the result will come down to who maintains his mental game over the course of the match best.Murray is like a brick wall, it has to be a great shot to get the winner..Murray has great defense and this could rattle Djoker who is also known for this skill. Djoker has the edge on flair and shotmaking and it will be him that will be more the aggressor , Murray can worry Novak by getting to shots other players cannot. Murray has improved his serve and has the edge on first serve power serving last match at 192 average whilst Novak was 188. Djoker has the better second serve at 154 average whilst murray is 140.Novak should attack the second serve of Murray every opportunity.Murray has only been tested this tournament once by Federer in the Semi, Andy loves to yell at his support team, and as the match gets tighter Murray's course language comes out ( wish the chair had the balls to give him a code violation)obviously instilled by his mother when she refused to buy Andy a new racquet as a kid .Djoker relies a lot on his support team also and they look like the New York Mafia at times. Ivan the terrible ,has been credited with the new improved Murray,I bet we get a few cameo appearances from Ivan tonight ,sometimes I get the impression when the camera flashes he's thinking what the hell am I doing here watching this crap.Both have the best return of serve in the game and whoever serves the best will gain that edge that may just get them to the finish.At least tonight there will be no fireworks! or will there ?

Ok the great news from last nights women's match is Redfoo has recorded his good friend Azarenka's scream he is going to make a new song using this...Just on record mate No Way In Hell will I will be buying it ! And of course his friend took the title from Li Na in a lack luster match. It was close but !!!!!! thats all I am saying. Well just one thing that shriek of Azarenka is a weapon how anyone can hit the ball while hearing that banshee wail is beyond me, some say It's a mating call to her goofy ass looking boyfriend.

Well enjoy the match , if you want to watch paint dry tune in for the Mixed doubles final prior to the main event.

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Two Young Aussies Battle it out on Australia Day.

In a November Article I wrote of a young Aussie showing great potential , Thansasi Kokkinakis 16 who today is battling another Aussie for the Junior Boys title at the Australian Open.If You missed the article I wrote click  HERE. He is playing Nick Kyrgios – the newest ITF world No.1 and third seed at the Australian Open Junior Championships. Kokkinakis was unseeded as he has been playing senior events which goes to show you sometimes points accumulated in Juniors dont mean a lot at the end of the day.Both these boys have a great future.Nick hails from Canberra and Thansai from South Australia.

I have video of Thansai practicing with Tsonga that I may post as a later entry.The eye has often brought readers to attention of up and coming players though other posts. New Zealand tends to compare their players at local level especially parents as they dream of their children making it on the tour.The eye is happy to give an assessment and a predication of any player ... where you are at and although may seem blunt exactly where you might sit eventually.Leave your email on a comment on this post and I will get back to you.At the time of writing Kokkinakis is leading 6/5 first set looking like a tie break will decide.


UPDATE KYRGIOS WINS 7/6 6/3

Federer or Murray

Finally Murray will get a tough match.What a draw he has had.My Heart says Federer but on paper Murray will win.Coach Ivan the terrible has been working to get Andy to attack more.And Ivan I am not fooled by the fact you are buying a size too small of a shirt so Andy looks like a Buffed Spiderman...without the mask of course.....some wish he would wear a mask! We know Fed can attack and he has to be at his brilliant best tonight......but remember Murray has youth on his side..Fed has two children that comes under distractions...the biggest distraction Murray has is his mother jumping up and down and showing the fist..in the players box. Fed must finish off at the net especially when he works Murray into the corners. Fed must attack Murray's second serve..Murray defense is the best on tour, Fed cannot give too many cheap points .. He has to bury Murray with his attack.The crowd of course will be behind Rodger , no doubt a few Englishman will infiltrate Rod Laver.Why is Andy so angry under pressure...Why is Andy so Angry when he's not under pressure?Tonight I am tipping with my Heart , will we witness the magic of Rodger or will Andy continue his Grandslam winning way. I just hope there's life in the old dog yet.

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Could This comment not be truer

You come across a lot of interesting posts on tennis forums I had to post this comment re coaching and juniors.The topic was addressing American Junior tennis and coaches.

 I think it truly is the lack of proper instruction. From all I've observed US coaches are not correcting kids enough at all, and if they are correcting they do it once in a while and talk about it after. That is not how you do it imo. My son has trained in Europe and in any small club the coach will stand in the middle during match play and direct them constantly, demands corrections, power, even gets a bit angry if they seem to be losing attention or hitting poorly. During drills you need to be constantly correcting the technique, "elbow, up, elbow up, if you don't want to hit the net get that elbow up!" I know you shouldn't think all the time while training, but this becomes a reflex after a while with kids, and they no longer think about it, they do it. Here in the States, my son will play an hour without a coach saying anything(at a very good academy), likely not even watching. Why is this? Coddling the children(customer), afraid of confrontation, lazy, different teaching styles? I believe that complete difference in parenting is the reason, parents in Europe are not upset with the coach doing his job and usually will ask the kid, well what did you do wrong and here many parents will take the kid's side.

This is alive an well in this country and is a huge problem, technique is important but coaches all too well take an easy option , correct technique must be repeated over and over and over before it becomes natural , Parents look for other answers ..maybe a change of coach..coaches like to spin the yarn you need to do this it will come, you must be attacking ...well yes but if you have not the technique then your attack will turn to points ....for your opponent that is......Discipline is a huge factor and practising and repeating the correct technique is so very important!

Kiwis Win Inaugural AATC Challenge Cup

5 young Kiwi's from the South Island took on Aussie counterparts recently in Melbourne.The Kiwis came out on top with 434 points from Aussie Gold 413 with Aussie Green 368.Taylor and Mitchell Sizemore(Dunedin) Anna Cochrane(Christchurch) Josh Eckhold(Oamaru) and Keidah Bungard(Oamaru) made up the Kiwi team with Steve Dries (Coach) .After the match the Young Players spent 5 days at the Aussie Open.All up a great experience and a return match is planned in New Zealand later this year.

Paper report from Aussie AATC Challenge Cup

Kiwi Winning Juniors Taylor and Mitchell Sizemore (Dunedin) Keidah Bungard(Oamaru) Josh Eckhold(Oamaru) Anna Cochrane(Christchurch) Coach Steve Dries

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Shafted ....Rubin Statham Withdraws from Davis Cup

Welcome to the New Zealand shafted club Rubin. First of all let me say you being the Number 1 New Zealand ranked player you deserved the Wild Card for the Auckland event. I listened to to interviews today on Radio Sport, the First being Steve Johns CEO of NZ tennis. He continued the policy of the "I know nothing spin" on many of the questions put forward, yes he used all of his tennis background to waffle out answers with no substance. Mr Johns I challenge you to research the top 100 men tennis players and tell me how many are coached by the same coach! I know the answer by the way. You need to come to terms that tennis is an individual sport the sooner you stop herding players into the same sheep pen then you may have a path to get New Zealand players into the top 100.I agree some what with Statham that he has over achieved with the resources provided by TNZ to reach 340 or there abouts. Marcel Vos is not Statham's coach so its silly to employ and expect this guy to mentor Rubin outside Davis Cup. Support for any player should include there personal coach.I do not think Vos wiill produce a top 100 player.
Listening to Statham his relationship with Vos is poor .What was touched in the interview ,what is the correct pathway, should you play the weaker events to build your rankings or do you chase the harder events.He said this was some of the advice he is looking for.For my two cents worth chase the harder events, thats were the players will come from..chasing the weaker events you are surrounded by guys with the same goal and unfortunately same mentality.
Johns said how close TNZ and Tennis Australia were getting ...hey short memories we had Tennis Australia hold the top jobs before Johns! Clay courts ..ha no thats not the answer..match toughness is what you need by hiding at weaker tournaments and inflating your ranking and then only to find out your short..cmon look at your juniors playing ITF s yes good accumulation at lower end tournaments but they cannot cut it at the Grade 1 and Slam events. Its not because they do not get to play on clay,,its because of their mental games are fostered in a poor environment Yes good thinking we will have a base in Holland , well lets test these players closer to home like Australia and then if dominating there , look further a field.The trouble with players they are being led up the garden path by coaches who choose the easy path the cheap points path!
Rubin Good on you for standing up to the establishment ! what you need is support but we have to many coaches who do not have the "guts" to come out and have a say.The game is being run by tired Administrators some escaping their wife's at home making the state of the game worse than better.We have a TNZ board that has made some terrible decisions and implemented the wrong pathway.We have inexperienced people holding well paid positions,..Yes Rubin they make more than you do a year and do not work as hard.Now we have two Davis CUP coaches ...what a waste.If you care to read the recent job description you would make these assumptions "Note their is no requirement for a formal qualification in the description ie High Performance.So much for their accreditation system and mandatory complianceThere is no requirement for previous experience in this area. There appears also to be very little opportunity for the successful person to influence policy or make changes to a broken system. It appears the policy and structures are set and non negotiable.Did they canvas the players about this?The job description reads as if Tennis NZ have a "monopoly" on all junior tennis players in NZ no room for academies or independent coaches?There is only one path or oblivion which is where Rubin is right now or Australia like Sasha Jones..what was that TNZ and Tennis Australia are working close...well how did Sasha defect!Finally the successful applicant answers directly to Steve Johns CEO who has absolutely no experience or understanding from his surf life saving background. So who is ultimately making the calls here Sport NZ? My guess is Steve would not have a clue what an eastern backhand grip is let alone make calls on High Performance matters.
Rubin I have followed your tournament play and I believe you have done the best to your ability to what resources you have had...Yes Rubin you have been let down and I hope more people like you come to the fore to show how broke this game is in this country. I wish you luck as you continue to strive for personal best.

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Happy New Year

Hey Tennis World.Happy 2013 , a little late but Ive been busy with Family In Australia.Ive been keeping and eye on tennis events in New Zealand as well as here in Australia.You can keep updated with my twitter posts so to get the latest hard hitting ,, tell it how it is , so give me a follow on twitter. Yes readers I saw that the New Zealand Fed cup team has been named,, apart from Marina who hasn't been setting the world on fire, the team just shows the depth of women's tennis in NZ made up of juniors and good solid club players. And what about NZ number 1 man Statham pulling out of the Davis Cup team...He did not even get a live singles rubber last match. Stay reading the "eye" will get to the bottom of this latest debacle. The women's Auckland event has come and gone and now the Men's event has started, one NZ newspaper said this about the NZ men "There will be three New Zealanders in the second round of Heineken Open qualifying in Auckland today, the best effort in recent years participation..." well that comment does not fool the eye , this tournament is not huge and I don't think byes should count as a win. Of course no one progressed to the main draw.Dan King Turner who won the NZ champs and received a wild card to the event and plays qualifier Jesse Levine who thrashed NZ Davis cupper Michael Venus 3 and 0.If I was a betting man Id back Levine to win this match.Oh I believe that NZ tennis is close to naming the other half of the Davis Cup duo the HP coach or what ever.this new position is.. Vos moves to Davis cup coach really! I mean how is this going to work, anyhow you may be able to work out who is going to get this position by singing a few lines of south of the border down Queenstown way.Let me say this is not official....YET

Ok Remember Tomic the Tank engine, well he beat world number 1 Novak Djokovic in the Hopman Cup. He has been the talk of Australian Tennis..have the public forgiven his past attitude, he says he is heading for the top 10 Oh c'mon Bernie the Hopman Cup is an exhibition event.Tomorow Tomic takes on Marinko Matosevic Aussie number 1 in Sydney,last time they met Bernie's father pulled him off the court citing the umpire was cheating and Marinko allowed to foot fault at will.I am sure this match will be the real deal and not exhibition! Impressed with Aussie John "the milkman" Millman when he took on Andy Murray, I hope it was the real deal and not just a one off performance .Nothing new here Sam Stosur is still losing...Coach must change Sammy.A couple of young Aussie males may make a few older players sit up and take note, more about these guys soon, I have written about them before but I believe they show promise.Apart from Stosur really no one to make headlines this year ,with young Ashley Barty the standout.

Just to let you know plenty more to come as I head to Melbourne for the first week of the Aussie Open.

PS. Sasha Jones has been rewarded for becoming an Aussie a Wildcard to the Main draw of the Aussie Open.

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