May 7, 2008
Everyone is marvelled at Federer’s fantastic record but it is no surprise if you think not too far back at Pete Sampras dominance and John McEnroe’s, who also played great all round games.
One of the characteristics that separates these players from others is their uncanny ability to perform at their best under extreme pressure and win the “big points” especially at the “Big Four” (the Grand Slams).
They all have or had big weapons, the courage and clarity of mind to use them when they most needed them or when they mentally, would/will do the greatest damage to their opponents .
For example, in the last US Open Bjrn Borg played, John McEnroeused his creativity as one of his weapons against Borg.
The match was at a very tight crucial moment with Borg realizing that he would not win from the baseline and feeling pressured to come to the net. Borg did just that with a great approach shot up the line to John’s forehand, which McEnroe responded with a weak cross court passing, Borg volleyed solid up the line for what should have been a winner and moved in closer to the net for the kill. McEnroe somehow managed to get to the ball and strike an incredible backhand topspin lob over the head of a surprised, flat footed, stunned Bjorn Borg! After that there were many interesting points in that match, but that lob took the soul out of Borg and showed him that all doors to US Open heaven were shut! When Borg walked back to the baseline he knew he had lost the match and not much long after that tournament he retired from professional tennis.
Pete Sampras did the same kind of mental damage during his vomiting session to Coretja at the US Open 96, in his crying session to Courier at the Australian Open 95 and in a number of different occasions to the likes of Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Agassi, Rafter, Henman and others.
Petes greatest weapon was his second serve, you may say, “What about the first?” Pete’s second serve was what allowed him to go left and right for aces with his first serve at the “big points”. So sure he was that he would not miss his second service as well as of the quality of it, that he had no fear of his opponents return! This great confidence in his second service, allowed him the luxury to even ace his challengers with his second service in the climax of pressure. Needless to say, this was disheartening, frustrating and mind boggling to his despondent adversaries. Does Federer show flashes of the same?
In 1990 in Milano watching Pete, I saw the begining of the effective use of such weapons, when Pete threatened Lendl into a 3rd set, which was continued in Philadelphia where he defeated a baffled Agassi shaking his head, changing from side to side barely touching a ball on the return. Two matches later there was more of the same in the final against Andres Gomez. At year’s end using similar tactics and weapons Pete culminated his season with the crown at the US Open.
Federer today with his “unique” game (a throw back to the 60’s and 70’s tennis) demonstrates that the all around game is a tremendous challenge for today’s players, because a large majority of them are totally inept at dealing with the short cross slice backhand as well as the low slice on their forehands (due to extreme grips), which makes them prey to attacks and winners! At his best Roger’s refined “repertoire” can drive the most stall worth Hewitt, Ferrero, Nalbandian, Gaudio, Gonzales, Nadal into submission, if not into total embarrassment!
This leaves a wide open question about how alone is Federer in his style of play in relation to the players of “remote” generations from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s? I will answer that in part 2 of this article. Enjoy “The Game”!
For comments or ideas about this article please email the author Sergio Cruz
Copyright © 1999-2005 Tenniscruz.com®. All rights reserved.
S©rgio Cruz is an ex # 1 National Champion, Davis Cup Player from Portugal and former Coach Jim Courier ATP World Ranking # 1
cruz@tenniscruz.com www.tenniscruz.com
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1. Only the rich can afford one. . .
Not so! Many aircraft owners are earning moderate incomes. How
do they do it? Mostly through proper planning and a thorough
education prior to making their purchase. You can learn about
many aspects of purchasing an airplane at
www.airplanenoise.com
a website that’s nothing more than a compilation of helpful
resources for those who want to learn!
2. You must fly at least 50 hours a year before an aircraft
purchase is justifiable.
Well, it really depends on what you’re using as a reference. If
you’re trying to beat the cost of renting. . . find another way.
If you have some business use, rental use or a need to access an
airplane on demand your own aircraft is certainly justifiable.
Read more at http://www.aopa.org/members/files
opics/business_overview.html
3. If my business use is not the majority of my flying, I can’t
depreciate my airplane.
Wrong once again! Using the Sutherland Lumber case as precedent,
you may be able to depreciate the majority of the value of your
aircraft with as little as 27% business. Using Aviation Tax
Specialists is critical when planning tax strategies for
ownership of your aircraft. You can learn more at
http://www.advocatetax.com
4. It’s cheaper to own an older aircraft than a brand new one.
Probably not! With today’s tax incentives, better interest rates
for new airplanes and the controlled maintenance costs that a
warranty provides, in most cases a brand new aircraft is less
expensive. Additionally, your flying comfort level with the
dependable instruments and equipment of a new airplane will
confirm your decision to buy new.
5. Aircraft Salespeople are all “slime.”
My favorite! Sometimes the reputation of a few can tarnish an
entire industry! Not to worry. . . There are some great
salespeople out there who have your interest as their main
objective. For 10 tips to choosing a super salesperson, visit
http://www.airplanenoise.com op_ten.htm
6. I found a “cream puff” with a low-time engine!
Think that low-time engine is a good thing? Think again! The
best thing you can do for an airplane is FLY IT! Don’t be fooled
by this myth. . . It’ll cost you!
http://www.lycoming.textron.com/main.jsp?bodyPage=/support/public
ations/keyReprints/general/lowTimeEngine.html
7. Those “whiz bang” avionics on the new planes create inferior
pilots!
On the contrary! Today’s new equipment is all designed with
increased safety as the prime motivator! Weather systems,
traffic, navigational systems all provide the pilot with
additional tools and resources in the cockpit where they’re
needed! After all, what good are they on the ground? Of course,
the pilots need additional training to learn the equipment. . .
Inferior pilot????
http://www.airplanenoise.com/articles/Addressing%20Safety%20with%
20New%20Avionics.doc
8. Finding a partner will make my aircraft purchase easier.
Well, perhaps financially. But is the money you save worth
losing availability, as well as a friend/partner? There are
several areas for conflict from fair distribution of finances to
cleanliness of the airplane. Before I throw a wet towel over the
idea let me also admit that many partnerships are very
successful. Just remember. . . your choice of partner should be
taken very seriously. In fact some say that choosing your
partner is similar to choosing a spouse!
http://www.aopa.org/members/files/guides/multiple.html
9. Leasebacks are all 1-sided. (In favor of the flight school)
Just like choosing a partner, choosing the right flight school
to partner with is critical to the success of your leaseback. If
you’ve done your due diligence, you’ll find the leaseback
arrangement to be a “win-win-win” situation: The school wins
because they keep their cash for growing their business
The owner wins with revenue generated and terrific tax
incentives.
The flight students win because they now have one more airplane
at their disposal.
Once again. . . proper planning!
Learn the pros and cons of leasebacks:
http://www.aopa.org/members/files/guides/aclease.html
10. I just can’t justify a new plane!
Sure you can! If you need help, visit
http://www.airplanenoise.com op_ten.htm
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Technically, it’s illegal to remove DRM from WMA protected music. Digital Rights Management (DRM) is part of the music industry’s effort to curb piracy. There are legitimate reasons for removing it, but first understand DRM can not be removed from file sharing network downloads. Most tracks can be legally copied 3 to 5 times, and this has been exceeded long before they appear on a peer-to-peer network. You must have either purchased the music or have unrestricted free music downloads.
There is no easy way to remove DRM, but it can be removed with some effort and know-how. The best advice is to only download music in the format you need, and that you have the right to copy to an mp3 player, CD or other device. It’s also important to determine that the player will recognize and play the DRM protected WMA track.
What if I Really Like the songs and Want to convert them?
Let’s say you’ve already downloaded music and need to convert to another audio codec. The common conversion method is to burn the tracks on a CD, then rip them in the desired codec’s format. Even this requires special ripping software and numerous steps because the DRM is still embedded in the tracks. And because codecs like WMA, mp3, OGG, AAC, etc. are lossy formats, the sound quality will be degraded.
Lossy formats selectively discard sounds the human ear can’t hear to make the file smaller. But each format removes slightly different sounds. For example, converting a track using a WMA to mp3 converter is now missing the sounds that both codecs have deleted.
There are other ways to remove DRM and convert WMA to mp3, but they require numerous steps and more software - and they’re not for the technically challenged. Free WMA to mp3 conversion software and detailed instructions are available on the Internet.
About the Author
MP3 players information from A to Z: player types & features, how they work, accessories, comparisons and more - plus free music download tips and info at A-Z MP3 Players.com, Your Complete A-Z Resource for MP3 Players, Accessories and Information. This article may be re-printed in its entirety, with this resource box included.
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