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[Season 4] (Day 2) PSALT's Preview: Australian Open
The first Major of the year kicks off in the stifling heat of Melbourne, Australia. The last two years have been dominated by John Edelstein, but with his drop in form lately you wonder if he can capture it again. The ‘favorites’ are former champion Yodavitch, two-time finalist PSALT, and defending quarter-finalist NEA. Yodavitch hasn’t strung together a good amount of top 10 wins for over 2 years, PSALT will likely collapse under the pressure of being a favorite (See: Wimbledon), and NEA has a draw from hell (of course he says it’s rigged). Of course there are the usual contenders, Jennacourt, Child, to lesser degrees Tricatrina and Bizet. Still, the chances for a young player to shine is high, draw-wise it will be either Leftys or J-man. They are in the same quarter that JoJo is in, and with Leftys recent drubbing of J-man, I like her chances for a run. QF or earlier matches to watch,
Dave-Phobe RD16 – Dave stole Phobe last chance for a YEC birth last season, both have been critical of each other, put simply, they don’t like each other. Dave is the defending semi-finalist and needs to string together good wins in preparation for a quarter-final showdown with Child. Phobe doesn’t have that pressure, but isn’t nearly as good of a hardcourter though.
John Edelstein-Leftys RD16 – Leftys has started the year quite well, but has never been great in Slams. John has always put his game together at least for a deep run here.
Yodavitch-Stevos RD32 – Yodavitch had a solid event in Sydney, and looks positioned to make the second week, Stevos has had two great warmups though. It will be a classic encounter between the ‘used to be great’ and the ‘will soon be great’.
Agassi-Doublea RD32 – These two have always been trumpeted as future Wimbledon champions, there games are almost identical. Doublea has had more success in Slam however, but still, Agassi is known as the giant-killer for a reason.
I have interviews with NEA and Leftys today,
Leftys
Q. Last year you had an enormous amount of pressure to defend all your titles, this year the same does not hold true. Do you feel relieved now? Do you think you will make better runs this year?
Leftys. Yes, I do feel very relieved yes. I now know that I can go out and all my results are fresh, no worrying about past results and equaling them. The off-season was a good time to get revved up for the season, now that the burden of the numerous little titles got off my shoulders. I hope that this season, I can go out freely swinging and just focus on playing well, not necessarily coming off with the win, but just as long as I’m playing well, that's what important.
Q. You have yet to get that true breakout Slam run, when will that run happen? Do you feel like you aren't at the same level as other players your age that have got those deep runs?
Leftys. I definitely hope that I can come this year strong. I feel that I have all the shots, but they just weren't there in my matches last season. Hopefully with the relief of the pressure, I can focus on having all my shots there and with that will come a good run
Q. You generation really showed the your what they are capable of last season. 4 Slam finals, 3 players in the YEC, one YEC final, and a handful of Tier I and II titles. Who should people keep their eyes on this season?
Leftys. PSALT definitely is prominent in my generation. AO final, FO final, YEC final speak for themselves. Watch out for the Brits Dave and NEA. Although NEA didn't have a fantastic season last year, his pressure is relieved as well; he should come in fresh and hungry for success. Dave, always consistent and very solid player. X.doublea, the Canadian, fit for all surfaces and is a force anywhere. Don't forget J-man, when he is on, no one can stop him.
NEA
Q. Since your amazing Season 2, you have cooled down. You were showing signs of life towards the end of last season; will you continue that form into the Aussie?
NEA. Given my previous form there, no probably not. I fear another mediocre Grand Slam performance from me here down under; it simply isn't as glamorous as the others and, in my opinion, comes to early in the calendar. I have played one tournament this year, one tournament. Is that really enough preparation? I think not. Nobody knows how well anyone will do due to the lack of match practice, but PSALT seems to use that to his advantage at this tournament...
Q. Despite being at the top of your generation for so long, you tend to be out performed in Slams by players you grew up with. Why? What in you opinion makes you such a great player outside of Slams, and other players, namely PSALT, be great Slam players, yet struggle in the smaller events?
NEA. I have to disagree I am afraid. I think I am probably, out of this generation, one of the better slam players. I just haven't had that Final yet, that is the only thing I am missing and I am really still developing my game. PSALT has made great runs, for sure, partly due to his draws and also because he likes the excitement of a Slam I think. I tend to be more laid-back and philosophical; I don't need to rush this "Slam Player" label, it will come one day, right now nobody is at the top of this generation; if we base it on so-called "Slam Players" then surely j-man is the best? Yet where is he ranked? You see...it is all rather speculative. If you look at the likes of dav and leftys, they are the ones who ought to be disappointed with themselves in Slams, not I.
Q. Who of the younger players will have great seasons? There are the obvious names, PSALT, Dave, Doublea, ect, ect., yawn, yawn, but who of the lower ranked players? Tennis Fan, Benchwarmer, Agassi.....
NEA. Stevos I think. And I hope he does. He gets a lot of stick from one of the younger players on tour, I forget his name, but really Stevos has a lot more class and potential than that player could ever hope for. It is almost as though, I think he might be called bore or something, is insecure about his own ability and has to belittle Stevos. I think the Canadian will soon be shutting him up...
