[Season 3] (Day 31) PSALT's Preview: Clijsters Classic

PSALT · [Season 3] (Day 31) PSALT's Preview: Clijsters Classic

The Clijsters Classic typically hosts some of the better draws on tour, it has been hurt by pullouts like all events this year, and Vanessa Child and PSALT are the two biggest blows to the event this year. Nevertheless there is still a pretty good draw here, Jennacourt, Bizet, and JoJo are the biggest names present. Who cares right now though, right? The biggest thing to hit the tour since Sheila’s plastic surgery has hit the tour, in the form former world number 1, and multiple Grand Slam champion John Edelstein hinting heavily at retirement. Now 29, which is practically ancient in tennis years, he feels like his body cannot perform at its old level. I won’t go into too much detail over his reasons; Dave6789 has a good article on it here. I will however have an interview with John soon in this preview though. Most players are sobered my it (I will be getting their opinion on this at the USO, should be a good preview if I do say so myself), while some players, like rebellious Stevos, have blasted him, calling him a coward. I won’t go into detail over my opinion, but I will say this shows a lack of character in Edelstein, when the going gets tough he seems content on giving up. Ok, enough about that, I will be doing more on John at the USO like previously stated, so I don’t want to obsess over him quite yet. There are a couple of interesting first rounder here in Bree, JoJo-Aztec, Phobe-Yodavitch, and Mollusk-Ying-Chang. Another semi-interesting match will be NEA-Valkryie; Valkryie has always given NEA trouble. A short preview, I know, but I will have a, hopefully (you know how boring John can be), good interview. here is is,

Q. Let me skip right to the point, the main focus of the tour right now is your hinting that you might retire. Why? You haven't been yourself lately, yes, but still you don't think you will find a way to get your game back?

John Edelstein:
It's not just that I haven't been playing as well. I'm not just in a temporary slump, but my body is not dealing well with large amounts of play. I hope to get back into form starting with the Clijsters Classic, but the only reason for my retirement would be from my age/physical condition, not a slump. A slump you can get out of.

Q. Canadian Stevos had words about you, saying you are a coward, and that the tour will be better off without you. Comments?

John Edelstein:
Did he really say that? I don't really have any response.

Q. If you do retire, where do you think will be your last event? Then what do you plan to do after retirement? Start a family, take up golf, and start working more closely with charities?

John Edelstein:
I am not making a date for my retirement or discussing what I will do after tennis. I am not retiring yet, but just wanted to let the press know that it won't be too long. Probably I would retire after either the Australian Open, where I have had so much success, or the U.S. Open where I won my first major.

Q. Let's talk about the tour for a little bit, Jennacourt is the new number 1, in your honest opinion, is she the best player on tour, or is young Agassi right when he says Jenna is merely taking what is given to her while better players aren't playing well right now?

John Edelstein:
I think now a lot of players have been out due to injury or just some other reasons. It's true that many have not played their best recently. Jennacourt though has played her best and proven she is the best in the world right now. The U.S. Open will be the real test.

Q. One more, with the USO coming up who are you picks to win it?

John Edelstein:
I realy can't tell now. Jennacourt will be the favorite, but I will be wanting t win another major there too. As for the rest, the next couple of days are important.

Here are my picks

Stroganoff def Avolt 7-6 6-4
NEA def Valkryie 3-6 7-6 6-0
Yodavitch def Phobe 6-3 6-3
J.Edelstein def Aztec 4-6 6-3 6-4
Doublea def Adelaide 6-3 6-7 6-4
Mollusk def Ying-Chang 6-2 6-2

Jennacourt def Stroganoff 6-1 6-0
Yodavitch def NEA 7-6 1-6 7-5
J.Edelstein def Doublea 6-0 6-4
Mollusk def Bizet 6-3 7-6

Yodavitch def Jennacourt 6-4 6-4
J.Edelstein def Mollusk 6-7 6-1 6-4

Yodavitch def J.Edelstein 7-6 5-7 7-6