Let's discuss Caroline Seebohm's article, "Pancho Segura: The Beginning"
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Pancho Segura: The Beginning
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I read the book. Highly recommended. Shows the contrast between the two great Panchos. Both had to deal with racism and prejudice but dealt with it differently. Pancho Gonzales became bitter and a loner, reacted with aggression. Pancho Segura reacted with charm and became a well loved figure.
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Originally posted by gzhpcu View PostI read the book. Highly recommended. Shows the contrast between the two great Panchos. Both had to deal with racism and prejudice but dealt with it differently. Pancho Gonzales became bitter and a loner, reacted with aggression. Pancho Segura reacted with charm and became a well loved figure.
Segura seems happier than Gonzales was. His approach to life and the way he dealt with prejudice and racism may have had something to do with that. It's tough to walk around with a chip on your shoulder like Gonzales. It has to make you miserable, bitter, and leave you scarred. Resolving to accept and make the best of a given situation, as Segura did, makes for a happier life.
But a Gonzales benefits society more in the long run whereas a Segura unwittingly legitimises racism by going along with things. This is not to take anything away from Segura who is a player I admire above all others. I can think of no other player who overcame such odds on the road to being a truly great player.
The book is excellent and well structured. I would recommend anyone interested in classic tennis to read it.
Stotty
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And his strokes are so original! And he's so shrewd in his book called CHAMPIONSHIP STRATEGY. And my friend Jim Kacian sat next to him at a tournament and just listening to his gregarious talk felt he (Jim) was receiving a great lesson on spectating. In fact, in that book, Chapter Eighteen is called "Learning through Spectating." Jim said that Segura frequently came back, in their watching and their conversation, to the theme of a good approach shot to the opponent's backhand and then making a smart volley. This, it seemed, was a lifelong basic for him and something he never would tire of returning to and always was glad to discuss.Last edited by bottle; 11-05-2017, 07:09 AM.
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Originally posted by bottle View PostAnd his strokes are so original! And he's so shrewd in his book called CHAMPIONSHIP STRATEGY. And my friend Jim Kacian sat next to him at a tournament and just listening to his gregarious talk felt he (Jim) was receiving a great lesson on spectating. In fact, in that book, Chapter Eighteen is called "Learning through Spectating." Jim said that Segura frequently came back, in their watching and their conversation, to the theme of a good approach shot to the opponent's backhand and then making a smart volley. This, it seemed, was a lifelong basic for him and something he never would tire of returning to and always was glad to discuss.
Originality is one thing classic tennis has in spades over modern tennis. Coaching has ruined the self-development side of tennis players. I much preferred it when things were left more to chance. It made the game more interesting. British tennis players, on all levels, were once a treasure trove of quirky, unique tennis strokes. You could once find the most peculiar wind-up to service motions that were a source of wonder. No more. There is a coach in every club these days nipping such eccentricities in the bud. What a shame.
Players like Segura made classic tennis so exquisitely beautiful because of the uniqueness of their strokes. You remember how I once saw Rosewell in his 50's practicing with Fred Stolle? I could have watched Rosewell's backhand volley all day long, that's how exquisitely beautiful it was to watch. Stolle spent a good five minutes hitting to Rosewalls backhand volley. I learned much.
Stotty
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Originally posted by stotty View Post
Interesting....and Segura's strokes are original.
Originality is one thing classic tennis has in spades over modern tennis. Coaching has ruined the self-development side of tennis players. I much preferred it when things were left more to chance. It made the game more interesting. British tennis players, on all levels, were once a treasure trove of quirky, unique tennis strokes. You could once find the most peculiar wind-up to service motions that were a source of wonder. No more. There is a coach in every club these days nipping such eccentricities in the bud. What a shame.
Players like Segura made classic tennis so exquisitely beautiful because of the uniqueness of their strokes. You remember how I once saw Rosewell in his 50's practicing with Fred Stolle? I could have watched Rosewell's backhand volley all day long, that's how exquisitely beautiful it was to watch. Stolle spent a good five minutes hitting to Rosewalls backhand volley. I learned much.
Here's a thread that I started about Francisco's two handed forehand. The article that I based the thread on has since been deleted but it was truly fascinating and described in great detail just how he hit it complete with grip descriptions.
don_budge
Performance Analysthttps://www.tennisplayer.net/bulleti...ilies/cool.png
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Originally posted by don_budge View Post
I really like this article about Francisco Segura. If we want to be really politically correct we maybe shouldn't use these nicknames. I think I will read the whole thing before commenting on things like "racism" and the like. They are interesting angles of course. Inflammatory these days to talk of these things. Back in those days it was different. I like your comments here...I always love it when somebody show's an interest in being a true student of the game.
Here's a thread that I started about Francisco's two handed forehand. The article that I based the thread on has since been deleted but it was truly fascinating and described in great detail just how he hit it complete with grip descriptions.
https://www.tennisplayer.net/bulleti...-pancho-segura
It wasn't just racism but also social class he was up against. In Ecuador, back then, one had to know one's social place and be expected to stay there. He was one of seven children in a poor family. He was born prematurely and contracted malaria. He also developed rickets which resulted in his trademark bandy legs. Francisco Segura had to overcome so much right from the get-go. I cannot tell you how impressive his story is.
Stotty
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Pancho passes away aged 96.
Stotty
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God bless him...what a dramatic character. Larger than life. Good old Francisco Segura. Don Budge talked of him quite a bit at his camp in Maryland. It is sort of ironic that we get to know him a little bit better now in tennisplayer.net. Timing is everything. Is it a coincidence or is it fate? Segura said of Aaron Krickstein that he was going to be the next Björn Borg. Krickstein just dominated United States junior tennis for years and Segura was well aware of him. I will never forget that he said that...I too, felt that Aaron had a calling. Destiny.don_budge
Performance Analysthttps://www.tennisplayer.net/bulleti...ilies/cool.png
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Originally posted by don_budge View PostGod bless him...what a dramatic character. Larger than life. Good old Francisco Segura. Don Budge talked of him quite a bit at his camp in Maryland. It is sort of ironic that we get to know him a little bit better now in tennisplayer.net. Timing is everything. Is it a coincidence or is it fate? Segura said of Aaron Krickstein that he was going to be the next Björn Borg. Krickstein just dominated United States junior tennis for years and Segura was well aware of him. I will never forget that he said that...I too, felt that Aaron had a calling. Destiny.
Pancho Segura may have passed and the timing of the article is coincidental. But I'm glad we are highlighting him and I'm excited to find out more about him in the coming issue of tennisplayer.net.
Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton
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