Heating up in Miami

Today in the early rounds in Miami Lindsay Davenport and Ana Ivanovic faced off. Ana coming off a tournament victory in Palm Springs and Lindsey retiring due to a back injury - clearly, Ana had all the advantages on paper. The former world # 1 came out strong and never let up. She immediately starting crushing returns causing Ivanovic to stop going into the court on her serve. That was the difference between the two. Ivanovic was never able to truly get herself established and stayed too defensive.

What a tough place for Ivanovic to be in. Can you imagine? She has been playing her best tennis ever then she faces a former world #1 in the second round and has everything to lose - while Davenport has nothing to lose and everything to gain! The great thing is Ivanovic is so young that she is just going to learn from every match and in return, keep improving. 

Davenport coming back to professional tennis had mixed reviews. Some supported her and others probably thought she was crazy. Try to use that as inspiration in your own life. Never let anyone tell you that you are not able of reaching your goals. Set your mind to it. It will take LOTS of work but YOU are capable of anything!! You just have to believe in yourself! 

Ivanovic!

What a great win for Ana Ivanovic. She played well the whole tournament, looked great, and deserves to win the title! Personally, I really like her attitude on court. She doesn't take extra time, she is no nonsense, has a quick tempo and she plays solid tennis. She is only going to get better as she continues to improve her volleys and net game. I love that she is not afraid to move forward and pressure her opponents. Not to mention her great style! Good job Ivanovic! 

Top Four

It is set. The semifinals of the Pacific Life Open are here. There are no surprises and it is what we all expected! Sharapova is playing Kuznetsova and Jankovic and is taking on Ivanovic. Unfortunately Davenport had to retire against Jankovic due to a back injury - otherwise she could have possibly been in this elite final four. 

Who do you think will be facing off in the finals? Who will walk away the champion? It is up for grabs with four incredible athletes and champions in the running. Tell me what you think! 

Pictures (more to come later)

These players were warming up by playing soccer where they used the doubles sidelines and baseline as the playing field. Great for your footwork! 
Hantucha preparing for a forehand. Notice her balance and how she is tracking the ball over her shoulder. 
John and I at the Pacific Life Open. 

Inspired

I returned home from Palm Springs yesterday and let me say, the HOT tennis made up for the COLD weather. My husband and I saw some great matches. I will post some pictures later today but wanted to share a few highlights. 

On the men's side seeing Tommy Haas beat Andy Roddick in straight sets was very entertaining. Haas handled the big first serve of Roddick beautifully by blocking it back deep. He was in every point by playing perfect defense. Poor Roddick had no idea response for how Haas played defense and quickly would switch to offense flawlessly. On another note about Andy Roddick - I saw him walking with his girlfriend at the La Quinta Resort on Sunday morning. We were getting an early morning coffee and noticed this couple walking towards us - not sure why that feeling of getting star struck is exciting but no matter how you try to fight it, it is always a rush! 

On the women's side we saw all the big names. We saw Davenport (who I love!) just overpowering this poor girl. Literally Davenport was inside the baseline just crushing the ball off both sides and her opponent was ten feet behind the baseline just fighting. Davenport won her next round in a harder three set battle - she has still got it! We saw Sharapova play a deceptively good player who made her struggle just a little by taking pace off the ball and setting the ball back deep. A great strategy against one who wants a fast, high pace match. Maria did win in straight sets! We saw a tough battle between Harkleroad and Safina - that the American pulled out in the third. This was a match where no one slowed the pace. It was heavy hitting the whole time! 

One of the highlights of going to a pro tournament are the outside courts and practice courts. We saw so many great players practicing, conditioning by playing soccer and hitting serves and returns. There warm up session is more intense than most people's matches. They start in the short court and gradually work there way back. At this they are on their first ball - hitting every ball on BALANCE and with lots of heavy SPIN. As the pace picks up so does the depth and height over the net. They see the ball actually hit the strings allowing for very clean well hit balls. When they do miss they get the ball going before you can blink and correct their mistake immediately. There ability to freely swing and hit their hardest could never happen if they were not on BALANCE and holding the racquet softly!! 

Time for me to go workout! I am so inspired after my weekend in Palm Springs! More to come later! 

On another note, lets talk about the infamous Venus and Serena Williams. I did not know (and should have) that they refuse to play this tournament because of a legendary match in 2001. Serena was playing Kim Clisters in the finals and upon winning, was booed! This is because in the semis the sisters were supposed to play each other and Venus withdrew last minute. It brought about racial remarks and with that, they have not played at Indian Wells since then. 

What is your opinion? Should they play? I believe that they should forgive and play the event. At some point you have to be the bigger person instead of proving a point. What happened was uncalled for but selfishly (since I will be there), I am disappointed they will not be there. Serena is coming off of a tournament win in Bangalore and I would have loved to seen her while she is playing well! 

Good thing I am going to the French Open. Maybe I can catch them in action there :-)

The draw it out

The Pacific Life Open women's draw is out. Check it out and make your prediction for the semifinals and the tournament champion!

Desert here we come!

Who is excited to watch the Pacific Life Open in Palm Springs? I know all my lessons are and of course, I can't wait either! Alright the tournament starts on Monday and runs two weeks. Who do you think will win? Tell me your predictions!! I will be there the middle weekend and try to post some great pictures. We will be staying at the La Quinta resort which is where many of the stars stay and practice - so there will be plenty of chances to meet them or get a photo with them! 

Who do you think will do well?? Who will be this years Pacific Life Open champion? 

Feelings

I have not received many answers to those questions I posted - hopefully my responses will spark some interest in others!! A quick note - I ask these questions to challenge you and make you think about the reasons you play tennis.

Growing up my tennis dream was to get a scholarship to play college tennis. I posted my goals (short term and long term) on this mirror I looked at every day. Those dreams drove me to practice and play as many tournaments as I could. I did get a tennis scholarship to a school I was really excited about going to! 

Off the court my dream was to pursue my passions but mainly that I would meet the man of my dreams and get married and have a family! 

Because I had these goals I practiced hard and made sure that I took each session seriously. I would be silly with friends once tennis was over for the day but when we were at clinic I wanted to work hard. I was the same way in college - my teammates knew that and I would try to keep practice moving along and I would play a lot outside of our team work outs. 

Tennis and being an athlete has been a huge part of my life. Growing up playing sports you learn discipline, a strong work ethic and gain a confidence that you can't get anywhere else. 

Oh and clearly I LOVE Nike! 

Alright girls if you feel the same way or have gained other strengths from playing tennis let me know - email, post a comment, call, text, whatever! 

Feedback

Hey I got some questions for you girls...

What is your favorite thing about tennis? About playing sports and being an athlete?

What is your big dream/goal in life? What are your tennis goals?

Can you explain what playing tennis and/or other sports has done for you?

Would you rather have an easy lesson or clinic and have it be more fun or be pushed and challenged and feel yourself get  better?

Less serious - favorite designer on the court and off?

Favorite subject in school?

Heres the thing I want to keep understanding you teenage girls and keep trying to make this website more helpful and entertaining! Email me at kmcmanigal@att.blackberry.net

Later I will post my answers to those questions too!! 

Keep sparkling.......