#SmashTalk: a notion of nerves

Published by tennismash

Our #SmashTalk panel unanimously believes that Maria Sharapova will be more nervous than Roberta Vinci when they play in the first round of Stuttgart on Wednesday; Getty Images
Who will be more nervous tonight when Maria Sharapova and Roberta Vinci take to the court tonight for their much-hyped Stuttgart battle?

Tonight is the moment tennis fans – and Maria Sharapova supporters and detractors alike – have all been waiting for.

The Russian star will step out for her first match in 15 months at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in what has been a much-hyped and controversial build up.

Will it be Sharapova or will it be Vinci who feels the most nerves?

Our tennismash editorial team of Vivienne Christie, Paul Moore, Matt Trollope and Leigh Rogers give their views, and also touch on Rafa’s claycourt dominance and Serena’s potential comeback post childbirth.

Agree or disagree with the views presented? Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.

 

Who will be more nervous tonight – Maria or Roberta?

VC: Let’s be honest, Maria must be nervous – this will arguably be the most scrutinised match of her career. Roberta Vinci’s semifinal upset of Serena William at the 2015 US Open showed that she’s not the kind of player to be bowed by the occasion; but she’ll be feeling some pressure too, particularly given her recent comments that Sharapova’s wildcard was undeserved. Who’ll be most nervous? I suspect Maria, but I also believe that she’s better equipped to put those nerves to good use.

PM: What’s Roberta got to be nervous about?! She has never beaten Maria and the chances of her doing so tonight are slim (at best). Maria, however, will have A LOT of butterflies in her stomach. She will know that there are plenty of people – players and fans alike – hoping that she slips up on her return. What’s more, how can she not be nervous? In a weird way this will be one of the most-watched – and most scrutinised – matches that she ever plays.

MT: I’d say Sharapova. I always thought Maria was largely immune to nerves. But this occasion would surely affect even the iciest of competitors. As much as she resides in a bubble, she’ll be keenly aware of the public sentiment and player reaction surrounding her return. There has to be some anxiety as she waits in the tunnel to be called onto Centre Court in Stuttgart and doubts about how her game will hold up after more than a year away. Vinci, conversely, has practically nothing to lose. Nobody is focusing on her and she’s been in this kind of situation before – her 2015 US Open semifinal against Serena was loaded with pressure given the weight of Serena’s Grand Slam quest that accompanied it. Vinci simply kept calm and did her thing. I think she’ll approach tonight’s match in a similar way tonight.

LR: Roberta has no need to be nervous, this match is all about Maria. It seems everyone has an opinion on the former world No.1’s return and the debate is only going to continue after her first competitive appearance in 15 months. The headlines tomorrow are going to be about Sharapova still, regardless of the result. The Italian veteran has nothing to prove, her opponent has A LOT.

 

Can anyone stop Rafa Nadal clean sweeping the clay this year?

VC: It’s too early to write off Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic on clay yet. Remember, both players were coming off an injury break in Monte Carlo. Even so, I can’t help thinking that any threat to Rafa’s clean sweep will come from somewhere unexpected – say a Lucas Pouille or Nick Kyrgios building on their much-touted potential. But if anything is going to stop Nadal’s clean sweep it might be a ‘what’ and not a ‘who’. The clay season is long and physically demanding; staying injury-free for the duration might by the one challenge that proves too much.

PM: Nope. Beating Rafa on clay has been tennis’ Everest over the last 10 years, with only a few players able to achieve the feat. That those players who are most likely to do so are either severely struggling for form (Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka), or are already training their gaze on the grass (Federer) suggests that the Spaniard has a relatively easy run to the titles.

MT: I honestly don’t think so. Roger is absent for much of the claycourt season and Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic can barely string two match wins together. Rafa typically dominated these primary rivals on clay anyway and I can’t see that changing in 2017. And who else is likely to stop him? The streaky Wawrinka? The manner in which Nadal marched to the Monte Carlo title was ominous for the rest of the tour and we all know that when Rafa gets on a claycourt roll and the more wins he notches, the more confident he gets. Unless he gets injured, I could genuinely see him going undefeated.

LR: LR: Of course. Sure Nadal winning an unprecedented 10th Monte Carlo title was super impressive, but we should not overlook the fact his highest-ranked opponent was world No.13 David Goffin. There is still time for Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to play themselves into form, and Stan Wawrinka can never be discounted. Nadal could clean sweep the clay titles – but it is way too early in this year’s swing to be deeming him unstoppable.

 

Will Serena come back after having a baby?

VC: Yes, she will. And mostly I believe that because many people are saying that she won’t! The real question is really not whether Serena will come back, but whether she can return to her former heights. As a 36-year-old mother the circumstances will inevitably change but having built her career around overcoming the seemingly impossible, I believe Serena will be motivated by the potential to claim a record-equalling 24th major.

PM: I’m going to say no to this. I think she could if she wanted or needed to, but she has got nothing left to prove. Serena confirmed her position as GOAT (in the women’s game, anyway) a long time ago, and the only carrot left for her is Margaret Court’s Slam record. A baby (and new marriage) is arguably a far more compelling proposition for someone has done – and won – it all, and I think winning the Australian Open in a final against her sister is a fitting way to sign off an incredible career.

MT: Yes. There’s so much to play for – Serena is now so close to tying/surpassing Margaret Court’s all-time Grand Slam titles record (24) that motivation should be no issue. We’ve seen mothers return successfully before – think Kim Clijsters, and soon Victoria Azarenka – and although Serena would be significantly older than either of them when they managed it, she’s consistently defied convention to achieve incredible feats well into her 30s. Should her body hold up post-childbirth, I’d bet on a resounding return.

LR: I’m not sure, especially after her coach Patrick Mouratoglou made this interesting comment to a New York Times journalist this week: “I do think she’ll come back, and she will come back all the more if everyone thinks she’s done. So I encourage you to write that she’s finished. Please.” It is no secret that Serena thrives when being challenged – but the fact Mouratoglou pleaded for that to happen shows he has some doubt too. Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams no doubt looms as a tantalising incentive, but I don’t think Serena will be back unless she believes she can reach it – which will depend more on how her pregnancy affects her body, rather than desire.

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