The devastating fires that Los Angeles have gone prevented Jim Courier (Florida, 54 years) from moving the day planned to Melbourne. However, the American could finally take the plane and attend the scheduled appointment. The American deepens where tennis is going. He, who in the early nineties touched the circuit's summit and conquered four large, two of them in Australia (1992 and 1993) after beating Stefan Edberg, he is clear: he likes what he sees. And, in addition to interviewing the protagonists at the foot of the track, he comments everything during these days for the Eurosport and Max channels, which offer exclusively the retransmission of the Australian Open on television and streaming. The former number one answers before the Pite Central to Novak Djokovic in his withdrawal before the German Alexander Zverev. More information questions. Djokovic has had some touch these days with the tier. Does Melbourne's public really support you? Answer. Novak has many followers around the world who love and worship him, but I think polarizes, that generates very strong feelings. Everyone wants to see him, there is no doubt, and I think we all recognize what he has done and his greatness, but he likes to get involved with the public and sometimes finds someone with whom he fights and that serves as motivation , that inspires him. He works like this and, of course, when he is on the track we didn't get bored. What expects the alliance with Andy Murray? R. Andy's presence on the bench is inspiring to him. Last year it seems that his motivation faltered a little and that he was not so focused after the Olympic Games, but now, with Andy by his side, it seems that he has recovered it. I think Novak needed that spark.
Djokovic polarizes and generates very strong feelings, but with him on the track we will never get bored
Q. In May he will turn 38 and his physique has resent. Do you think you can compensate for your trade? R. I think the experience factor is a great advantage for him. Our cabin is just at the knees of the players, behind them, so we can see their feet game closely, and for the first time I have realized that Novak is not as fast as before, despite the fact that It is much more than me in my peak; It covers the track incredible, because we talk about an athlete of a superhuman dimension, but its anticipation is allowing it to compensate for that. Somehow, that experience is a superpower that he has in his head, rejuvenates him and gives him other options, because throughout all these years he has had to find different ways to solve problems, because everyone has gone for him.Courier serves in the 1993 final against Stefan Edberg.Simon Bruty (Getty Images) p. This week, he commented that tennis needs to think more about new generations, in innovating and modernizing to capture younger. Do you share it? R. Our sport has never been a more important business than it is now. The big tournaments, and I speak of the Grand Slams, the 1000 Masters, the finals and that kind of thing, have more strength than ever, receive a lot of attention and beat record records, so their health is very good. Anyway, innovation will continue to be necessary. You have to be up to date and continue finding new consumers, either through social networks or multimedia devices. For example, I think Australia's Open does a magnificent work on YouTube. I have two children, aged 8 and 10, who are excited about tennis, but they are not able to watch a two -hour game; However, you can watch three -minute videos …
My children are excited about this sport, but they are not able to see and follow a two -hour game
Q. What direction should be taken so as not to lose the essence? R. We have to continue innovating with the product, and that can mean, for example, adjust the score system so that the parties are more concise. I am in favor of evolving, but at the same time I am not in favor that we put aside the history of this sport. We are in a good time, but that does not mean that we can be calm; We must put ourselves in the situation that we are growing, and not trying to only keep what there is already. We have to expand. Many people say that today's game seems boring, very physical … r. When many people say it sounds like the United States president … [risas].
Courier poses with the Australian champion trophy in 1992. Colaimages / Alamy Stock Photo (Alamy Stock Photo) p. Do you think today's players are less creative compared to those of other times? R. Personally, today's game does not bore me at all; In fact, I am excited and I think the level continues to rise more and more, in addition to being excited to have someone like novak here; It is a legend and serves as a reference to players like Carlos, Jannik or Sasha [Zverev]and where they are in the pantheon of the greats, in the same way that Pete Sampras did when he still competed at his level, and Federer played against him in Wimbledon [en 2001]; That told us where Roger was at that time and where he was going. And the same for the female circuit. Today we have incredible players like Aryna [Sabalenka]IgA [Swiatek] or coconut [Gauff]and a lot of exciting stories. So, don't you miss the eighties or the nineties? R. Today I don't seem bored. I know that some people would like us to return to the serve and volley, but honestly, if you go back and see those games now on YouTube, it seems as if that tennis were in slow motion, and I was part of that error; In a way, I am criticizing myself … [ríe]. I think what we are witnessing right now is the best we have ever seen, they are better athletes than ever. Today's tennis is in a great moment and is very exciting.
I love Alcaraz, but if you start playing in a more percentage way I will miss incredible shots
P. Alcaraz is now one of the great claims. He lost against Djokovic, in what facet of the game should it improve more? Maybe concentration? R. Carlos has so much talent that there is not a single blow that he cannot execute, but he is still gaining experience. Parties like the other day against Djokovic can help you improve and understand how to handle such situations [ante un jugador lesionado]. A blow to improve? I would say that the right in the race, because it has the ability to be devastatingly good, and the time you can fail a lot. I really enjoy all those risky virguerías and it is a generator of emotions; I love to see him play, so I will miss some of that when he starts competing in a slightly more percentage way [yendo a meter más bolas]because we will see less incredible maneuvers; At that time I want to check if in his bad days he is able to go up, based on more consistent decisions. Have you seen a player more endowed at that age? R. He is the most complete player I've seen with 21 years. There are many types of talents, but as for the domain of each shot and the ability to create, at that age I had never seen anyone to have everything and be able to harmonize it. He has done incredible job with his team so far.
