WTA 250 Hua Hin, Lyon 1/30-2/5/2023

[ashkor87]

Parks turned pro in 2017. Coco un 2018,
Cocoa has been around the top longer than Parks, but Parks even has more wins (136 to 132). Problem: she has way more loses (132 - 67).

About Coco's technical weaknesses. I don't see them. I know people talk a lot about her FH being a weakness but, she can belt it. And that did not stop Edberg from being a top player.

Coco's forehand weakness shows up only under pressure..have to watch for a while before it shows up..basically what happens is she doesn't give herself room on the forehand, gets cramped and pushes/spoons the ball back weakly..doesn't even reach the service line sometimes, then her opponent can jump on it.
So if you pound it repeatedly, you will get a weak return.. funnily enough, when her opponent keeps the ball far away from her, she had no problem, because she can't get too close to it...

[ashkor87]

wow! Parks has taken the first set against Garcia!

[ponchi101]

...
Coco's forehand weakness shows up only under pressure..have to watch for a while before it shows up..basically what happens is she doesn't give herself room on the forehand, gets cramped and pushes/spoons the ball back weakly..doesn't even reach the service line sometimes, then her opponent can jump on it.
So if you pound it repeatedly, you will get a weak return.. funnily enough, when her opponent keeps the ball far away from her, she had no problem, because she can't get too close to it...

Ok. If it shows only under pressure, then it is not THAT much technical as, perhaps, preparational. My FH is my weak side, and I remember, when I was younger, that my problem was my speed. In getting to the ball fast enough, I actually got there too soon and also cramped my stroke. I ended up hitting a lot of bad forehands because I had to scoop them. My running FH was fine, and actually a stroke I enjoyed.
As you say, I would have to watch it (a tough deal with the kind of coverage we get here). But it seems odd that nobody could correct that. If the mechanics of the stroke are fine, telling her to simply take more steps, but smaller ones (to position herself better) should be an easy fix.
Call Connors, Evert or Wilander. They were masters at that (Rafa is recovering, so, not available).

[martini4me]

Parks turned pro in 2017. Coco un 2018,
Coco has been around the top longer than Parks, but Parks even has more wins (136 to 132). Problem: she has way more loses (132 - 67).

I've never seen Parks before today, in fact had barely heard of her. She was ranked around 150 as recently as the US Open. What's happened that she's all of a sudden a hot commodity? Some big technical change, or did she have a lot of injuries?


The best thing about this match is that there's absolutely no unnecessary grunting or shrieking, just tennis.

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

[ponchi101]

Two first time winners, same week.
It keeps getting deeper.

[JTContinental]

Parks turned pro in 2017. Coco un 2018,
Coco has been around the top longer than Parks, but Parks even has more wins (136 to 132). Problem: she has way more loses (132 - 67).

About Coco's technical weaknesses. I don't see them. I know people talk a lot about her FH being a weakness but, she can belt it. And that did not stop Edberg from being a top player.

Most of them have already been either coached away or she has made good improvements on. She’s immensely owchable si I’m not sure why that narrative is perpetuating.

[JTContinental]

Parks turned pro in 2017. Coco un 2018,
Coco has been around the top longer than Parks, but Parks even has more wins (136 to 132). Problem: she has way more loses (132 - 67).

I've never seen Parks before today, in fact had barely heard of her. She was ranked around 150 as recently as the US Open. What's happened that she's all of a sudden a hot commodity? Some big technical change, or did she have a lot of injuries?


The best thing about this match is that there's absolutely no unnecessary grunting or shrieking, just tennis.

She didn’t play on the junior circuit so May not have had much funding until recently

[ashkor87]

Parks is a very good volleyer too .fearless approaches and deft touch. She is good for the game..a welcome new star!

I had not heard of her till her first tournament win a few months ago..also in France..maybe she should move to France! I haven't seen anything on her in the media in 2021, for instance..media not doing its job? Could be just that I haven't seen them.

[ti-amie]

Before we anoint her a new star lets see how she handles the pressure cooker of the US Spring Hardcourt Swing.