Luis Bruguera Interview: The Origins of the Spanish Armada

[johnyandell]

Let's get your thoughts on Chris Lewit's latest interview: "Luis Bruguera Interview: The Origins of the Spanish Armada"

[stotty]

Hit deep

Good interview. Things haven't changed that much over the years have they:

Hit the ball deep, push your opponent way beyond the baseline, and you control the game. It's not rocket science. It's been happening for years. Luis got Sergi Bruguera to hit to a length and with heavy topspin. From the Spanish point of view Sergi's game-style was a first. Nadal has taken it even further.

From a global standpoint Borg and Vilas were first to use heavy spin, though they seldom bothered to get a good length. Although Borg suddenly managed it when Mac came along..."where needs must".

Luis is right. The best a nation should expect is one, maybe two exceptional players, backed up by numerous of others in the top 100. That would represent a successful national system.

Here in the UK we have Andy Murray, before him we had Tim Henman. Tim had no players backing him up ranked in the top 100...nor does Andy now. Tim and Andy are two players so talented they made it in spite of the system rather than because of it. You have to hand it to the Spanish and the French, they seem to have cracked it.