I constantly get asked, “Which country has been your favourite pit stop”? I have such a hard time being able to answer that question until now. I’ve made up my mind people. It’s Japan and it has been for a long time, I just didn’t realize it. This has been my third time to this wonderful country and only I have good things to say. Japan has so much more to offer then what most people think. The people are so respectful and polite, the fresh fish is incredible and it’s so rich in culture. If you love to surf, skate or snowboard then you’ve found your camp ground. If you want peace and tranquility then head to the mountains or if you are after the hustle and bustle Tokyo city has met your match.
Japan is no stranger to producing world elite athletes as well. Maybe that’s just why they host so many athletic events. The tennis facility was top notch. It holds 16 outdoor courts with a massive centre court stage with a retractable roof which we actually got to play under this week when it was raining. We were also fortunate enough to go and watch the finals of the biggest sumo wrestling match of the year which was big, to say the least in many ways. Awoz was also lucky enough to shake the world’s best hand as I sat in the background yet once again. I just love the shadow….NOT ha! We stayed at the grand pacific hotel which was one of the biggest hotels ever. Let’s put it in perspective shall we, when your in America you might have 4 elevators, here you have 8 minimum at lightning speed. Sometimes I though I might be shot into outer space they were so fast.
All the hot shots were at this event giving the event the depth it deserves. Awoz faced the Japanese local hero Kamiko Dante-Krum who was on fire and had won the previous week in Seol, Korea. Its one thing playing a girl on fire but it’s another when you’re playing a girl on fire at HOME in front of her crowd and it’s also not an easy thing coaching against that kind of situation. My clap against 5 thousand others was like a mouse fart. Needless to say she pulled it off. Aleks was down a set and 5-2 and managed to put things back on track and win the second in a tie break and really take control and find her game in the third winning 5-7,7-6,6-4. It was a great win which gave Awoz the determination she needed to take on her next opponent and our arch rival it seems this year, Caroline Wozniacki. They have had 3 extremely close 3 set matches this season which Caroline has won. We didn’t let that discourage us from anything. I told Aleks that applying the pressure at all times and keeping it their was going to be key in being able to win this match and that’s exactly what she did…well until 5-0, 30-0 up when Caroline unfortunately had to retire due to being a bit ill. Not the way you want your first win against her to be, SOLD, we’ll take it. Something tells me we shall see you again soon Ms.Wozniacki. The following day we were scheduled to play first, but due to rain had to be rescheduled to play indoors at another facility later on that afternoon except for the players who were scheduled to play on centre court which we had played the previous two matches but were unlucky that day. So all other players and coaches were loaded into a bus and shipped off to carry on with business. The courts were a bit faster then the main site but didn’t make a difference really. Aleks faced up against Rybarikova of Slovak, a tall skinny girl with a monster forehand. We knew it would be a dog fight and were prepared to battle. Aleks came out swinging and played some of her best tennis in the first set winning 6-1. She slowed down a bit giving Rybarikova the edge she needed to get back in the match and find her rhythm which resulted in a 6-3 win for her. The third set was a great test to see who would outhit the other. At 2-2 in the third aleks had a couple break chances but was not able to convert. She had another, the following service game but was not able to convert due to Rybarikova coming up huge at those times with a couple great passing shots giving her that little extra push of momentum to get a quick break of serve for herself taking the third 6-3. It was a solid week for Aleks. She overcame a close early exit first round but was able to stay strong and get a couple wins in after that and loose in a three set battle which is always tough to swallow but very good learning food for her progression. So listen up kids, never give up no matter what the score is because you just never know what can happen. I see it everyday on tour. Girls being down a set and 5-0 and coming back only to have some of their biggest win later on in that very tournament. Stay positive and keep focused on your task and always FIGHT until the end.
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I constantly get asked, “Which country has been your favourite pit stop”? I have such a hard time being able to answer that question until now. I’ve made up my mind people. It’s Japan and it has been for a long time, I just didn’t realize it. This has been my third time to this wonderful country and only I have good things to say. Japan has so much more to offer then what most people think. The people are so respectful and polite, the fresh fish is incredible and it’s so rich in culture. If you love to surf, skate or snowboard then you’ve found your camp ground. If you want peace and tranquility then head to the mountains or if you are after the hustle and bustle Tokyo city has met your match.
Japan is no stranger to producing world elite athletes as well. Maybe that’s just why they host so many athletic events. The tennis facility was top notch. It holds 16 outdoor courts with a massive centre court stage with a retractable roof which we actually got to play under this week when it was raining. We were also fortunate enough to go and watch the finals of the biggest sumo wrestling match of the year which was big, to say the least in many ways. Awoz was also lucky enough to shake the world’s best hand as I sat in the background yet once again. I just love the shadow….NOT ha! We stayed at the grand pacific hotel which was one of the biggest hotels ever. Let’s put it in perspective shall we, when your in America you might have 4 elevators, here you have 8 minimum at lightning speed. Sometimes I though I might be shot into outer space they were so fast.
which Caroline has won. We didn’t let that discourage us from anything. I told Aleks that applying the pressure at all times and keeping it their was going to be key in being able to win this match and that’s exactly what she did…well until 5-0, 30-0 up when Caroline unfortunately had to retire due to being a bit ill. Not the way you want your first win against her to be, SOLD, we’ll take it. Something tells me we shall see you again soon Ms.Wozniacki. The following day we were scheduled to play first, but due to rain had to be rescheduled to play indoors at another facility later on that afternoon except for the players who were scheduled to play on centre court which we had played the previous two matches but were unlucky that day. So all other players and coaches were loaded into a bus and shipped off to carry on with business. The courts were a bit faster then the main site but didn’t make a difference really. Aleks faced up against Rybarikova of Slovak, a tall skinny girl with a monster forehand. We knew it would be a dog fight and were prepared to battle. Aleks came out swinging and played some of her best tennis in the first set winning 6-1. She slowed down a bit giving Rybarikova the edge she needed to get back in the match and find her rhythm which resulted in a 6-3 win for her. The third set was a great test to see who would outhit the other. At 2-2 in the third aleks had a couple break chances but was not able to convert. She had another, the following service game but was not able to convert due to Rybarikova coming up huge at those times with a couple great passing shots giving her that little extra push of momentum to get a quick break of serve for herself taking the third 6-3. It was a solid week for Aleks. She overcame a close early exit first round but was able to stay strong and get a couple wins in after that and loose in a three set battle which is always tough to swallow but very good learning food for her progression. So listen up kids, never give up no matter what the score is because you just never know what can happen. I see it everyday on tour. Girls being down a set and 5-0 and coming back only to have some of their biggest win later on in that very tournament. Stay positive and keep focused on your task and always FIGHT until the end.