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n/a
21 Posts |
 Posted - 06/06/2004 : 16:28:07
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Did any of you see the men's finals of the French Open today in tennis?? Coria was either struck by blatant TMS, for all the world to see, or he perpetated theatrical gamesmanship to a very high degree. In any cast, the antics (TMS or not) did Coria no good, and even though he was the better player, he lost to Gaudio, the "long shot."
Whether he was in pain or not -- having an injury seemed to serve his purpose -- and it backfired. |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2004 : 20:52:41
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I'm usually the first one around here to shout "TMS" but these guys put tremendous stress on their bodies. Admittedly Coria faced a lot of pressure, being the overwhelming favorite to win a major tournament against an unseeded player. I don't know if that played a role in the onset of the cramps, but maybe in the way he allowed it to completely derail him.
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21 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2004 : 09:25:26
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CRAMPS?? (This is pure speculation on my part, but fun to think about and learn from)
I found it very interesting to watch -- sure these guys put a great deal of stress on their bodies but they are suppose to be in incredible condition and have been doing it since they were 8 yrs. old.
-- What was interesting about this to me was seeing the point in the match at which Coria's subconscious began to intervene and unravel him. Coria had walked away with the first two sets. It is 4-3, Coria in the 3rd set -- he only has to win 2 games to sweep the title -- at this moment the crowd, wanting to see a good match, and sensing the effort that Gaudio was beginning to show conquering his nerves, began to cheer Gaudio and even gave him the "wave." You could almost see Coria's subconscious loose it -- saying to itself "how can this stupid crowd cheer HIM and not ME." Coria came totally unglued and was stopped in his tracks loosing the 3rd set 6-4 with pain setting in. Then he called for the trainer (massage, massage) and the physical focus really started -- he could hardly lift his racket in the 4th set, giving the set away -- and which leg had the pain problems? He couldn't even stand on the line and serve.
In the 5th and final set he made a miraculous recovery when he got off his chair -- not gradual -- this is when I began to sense gamesmanship -- or trying to play head-games with his opponent and the crowd -- when it was really himself that was in the middle of one. Gaudio prevailed in a well-played, tight 5th set. I guess the tell-tail information for me is that this senairo has happened to Coria before in big matches -- in a similar fashion. Interesting how the "physical problem" is the perfect solution to mental anguish -- EVERYONE buys it. |
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April
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2004 : 10:15:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Sunfish
CRAMPS?? (This is pure speculation on my part, but fun to think about and learn from)
-- What was interesting about this to me was seeing the point in the match at which Coria's subconscious began to intervene and unravel him. Coria had walked away with the first two sets. Interesting how the "physical problem" is the perfect solution to mental anguish -- EVERYONE buys it.
Hi Sunfish
I didn't watch the match, but from your observations it surely sounds like Coria had a TMS attack. I see a muscle cramp / spasm as a form of TMS. He likely choked rather than had an electrolyte imbalance or something, but we may never know.
Allowing yourself to win and having the mental toughness to win can put a tremendous amount of pressure on an athlete to perform. It may be interesting to see how Coria performs in future events when the pressure is on and the crowd is cheering for his opponent for a comeback. I haven't watched much tennis in recent years, so I'm not familiar with Coria's career, but I'll guess he's unseasoned in the winner's circle. Hopefully he will use this accomplishment of getting to the finals yet losing it as a reason to hone his mental skills.
April |
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TMS or gamesmanship
