AS A WINNER of seven Grand Slam titles and former men’s world number one, Mats Wilander knows a great deal about the qualities that define a great tennis player.
For that reason alone, current women’s world number one Caroline Wozniacki should regard his recent comments regarding her temperament and form with a little more respect than she’d perhaps otherwise be tempted.
In far as Wilander’s concerned, the Dane has shown herself content to accumulate bundles of world ranking points by dominating peripheral events, but unwilling to play with the freedom and imagination necessary to make an impact on the biggest stage.
Speaking to Reuters, he highlighted the mixed blessing that is Wozniacki’s consistency.
“That’s what it reflects. She’s certainly not the best player in the world at her best, but at her worst she’s probably the best player in the world compared to the others.“Her range is very narrow, very even.”
Wilander also points to the WTA’s rules regarding on-court coaching as a possible impediment to progress.
When she plays on the WTA Tour, Wozniacki is allowed receive advice, mid-match, from her father Piotr. That safety net is withdrawn at the Grand Slams and larger elite events.
As underwhelming as the world number one’s Grand Slam career has been to date– she’s has only one final to her name: the 2009 US Open– the Swede accepted that it would be ludicrous to dismiss the 21-year-old’s prospects.
“We know Wozniacki has the head to be consistent but we don’t know if she’s got the head to wrap her thoughts around winning a grand slam. Her game is not there just yet.”
Wilander, currently working as a pundit for Eurosport, was speaking in the wake of Wozniacki’s semi-final loss to Petra Kvitova– the woman he considers most likely to replace the Dane at the summit of the world ranking– at the WTA Championships in Istanbul.
Has trap gone senile. McClean was one of the best Irish players in the premier league last year and he brings on Cox!
I’m sure the captain of d titanic was similarly positive and optimistic after striking d iceberg!
Rose coloured glasses
Don’t believe in miracles…Depend on them
No Trap…we were brutal last night…brutal!
If the lads can keep the score down to 3-0 it would be great.
We’ll be lucky to keep it to 3 nil by half time against Spain.
I see your point Wolf, cause itd be a shame for us to win 4 or 5 nil only to lose to Italy, we dont wanna be getting false hope :D
Definition of insanity. Keep doing the same things and to think you can get different results. I really really want to be wrong but I cannot see anything but a thrashing from the Spanish. I would love it to be wrong!!!! So I will keep hoping.. But Jayzus apart from 15 mins we lack all imagination. I went to every game in the Aviva and it was excruciatingly boring. Anyways here’s hoping. But uz all know what I mean
Comical Trapattoni
Will people ever give Trap a break. He picked the players who helped this country to get to the European Championships.
Jaysus, would all the Negatrons give it a break already.
I also don’t agree with the way he sets up Ireland (i.e. no midfield), but maybe he knows the teams limits better than us casual observers do (he does have a little more experience ;-).
It is the first time that we have been in a major tournament in 10 years, I for one will make the most of it and wish the lads all the best, like Irish fans used to.
We are in a bloody tough group and we always knew that this was going to be difficult. I can’t wait to see McLean in action, but is he expected to transfer us into Brazil or something? Also I kind of agree with Trap that throwing him on against Spain for his competitive debut could go great, but also backfire horribly – his time will come (I think he should come on as a sub to gain some experience).
Think of it this way, would most of you out there prefer that we weren’t in the competition? I have been waiting 24 years since the last time we were in the Euros and will enjoy every moment!
If we could PASS the ball ( forward not backwards as we did) we might have a chance but under Trap it seems unlikely as he has been far too rigid
No adaptability
I looked back at some of the match and we couldn’t keep the damn ball in our possession. Stupid play and some aimless passing. Trap has a different opinion, What the hell was he lookin at? And if he doesn’t play mc clean, how the hell is he going to get the experience he talks about? He looked experienced enough this year in the league…..
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Trap is senile and deluded. Everyone from Ireland to Ukraine that saw the match knows we were crap but he thinks we played well. Time for him to go can’t stand another campaign of the same crap, give the job to Brady
Yes. Everyone remembers what a glorious success Brady was at with Celtic
Trap’s style of play has been criticised as being negative. Reading the comments here one could say he seems to have found a way for the team to perfectly reflect the national psyche. I for one understand the frustration but fck it, if we’re goin down let’s go down singin boys and girls. Let’s not just be positive let’s be mind bogglingly hyper speed engage the warp drive Mr. Scott positive! No we won’t beat the Spanish we’ll effin slaughter them, in fact it’ll be the biggest defeat since the Armada! Not only will they not know what hit them but we’ll hit, bag and tag em, go down to the pub, get pissed, wake up and recover from the hangover before they even realise what hit them! There won’t be 11 Irish players on the pitch it’ll be 11 green Borg, Spain, prepare to be assimilated!
Positive rant over you may now return to normal winging,…
Sounds great Mark I’m all on for it. COYBIG
He is all about his own ego. If your good enough your old enough. What does it matter that we were 14 games unbeaten. The man is a fool and im on record with that. His pragmatic Crap football works in qualifying but not at a tournament and that was as evident last night as it was when he managed Italy to a group stage knockout. Even big Jack took a chance on youth remember the three amigos. To think this clown will be in charge in two years time when he is 75 year old senile old git is terrifying.
This comment is horrible, ageism sucks and your bulshit
I dunno if you’re old enough to be senile but you’ve definitely got issues
It was a magnificent achievement qualifying for this group of players. They got a good slice of luck to help them on their way ( moscow ), drawing Estonia. But the luck ran out, and we’ve been shown up as the ordinary side that we are. No slight on the players or management, but we’re out of our depth. I will be cheering them on nonetheless…
Well I certainly hope the squad are not reading journal.ie comments on their iPhones or we are definitely getting buggered on Thursday.
Looks like he’s showing how small are chances are of qualifying..
Wake up Trap we don’t have the ability
I don’t really want to berate Trappatoni but why bring James McClean and not play him. I understand that he wants to protect him but why have him in the squad and then not play him, I’m sure other players that were left at home won’t be very happy about this
Humbug!
Come on Ireland!!!!
Croatia where much by a mile the better team and any other result would have been an injustice.what is needed is Brendan Rodgers type of football and he has proven lest gifted players are capable of good football when at Swansea.I am not impressed with Traps or by the way big Jack played football boring.
He should play Jedward.
And ruin their hair for less money