What’s up with Ana?

I watched her match against Gisela Dulko very closely and as a coach, I am bewildered that her team doesn’t recognize a very simple reason that her serve is breaking down (with the toss going all over the place). A few years ago, a fantastic young lady came to me nearing the end of her career. She said she got so nervous every time she served because she couldn’t toss in the same place. She had the classical ready position and the classical long back-swing – the full toss motion. Within a few minutes, I accepted the fact that she would get nervous and suggested and abbreviated half-motion which then made it possible to have a lower, more consistent toss. The results were extremely positive and her name was Mary Joe Fernandez. This little adjustment also gave her a new spirit for her entire game.

During the Ivanovic match, Mary Joe and the other commentators all said that Ivanovic’s toss is all over the place and that resulted in numerous double faults plus it hurt the other parts of her game. Ana should do the same thing that Mary Joe did. It’s a simple adjustment that could help her build her confidence and maybe get her to play the same way she did back in 2008.

P.S. – Ana you are always welcome at the Academy! I would definitely give you a full scholarship!