News: Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy

By: Hugh MacDonald
The Herald

There are matches that seem to exist to prove a point. The clash between Serena Williams and Daniela Hantuchova today has the commentator rummaging about in the cliche cabinet to affix an apt but unoriginal label. On the one side stands raw power. On the other, an almost fragile form will pace restlessly between points. Williams has a physique and demeanour that screams that she can not be overpowered. Hantuchova is long, lithe and still thin enough for this observer to remember that she once had to deny that she had an eating disorder.

Williams and Hantuchova seem to represent differing aspects of the women's game. Williams is able to bludgeon opponents, Hantuchova prefers to move them about before applying the coup de grace.

But Hantuchova is a singular story in her own right. She has been used and abused as a personification of talent unfulfilled, but she represents, more importantly, the more positive ideal of overcoming the burden that talent can bring.

The 26-year-old Slovak is a veteran in women's tennis. She played her first event on the ITF circuit in 1998. The early reviews of her performances were ecstatic. But Hantuchova has only found stellar success on court hand in hand with another. She has won every grand slam mixed doubles title and is a superb women's doubles partner. But her record as a singles player is mediocre, given her talent. She has reached nine tour finals but won only three. Her last tournament victory was two years ago.

The story would seem to be one of flaming promise, followed by a descent towards the dark world outside the top 20 rankings.

But Hantuchova, despite or perhaps because of her seeming fragility, is a woman of substance. "It's gonna be a tough one," she said, looking forward to her match with Williams. There can be no argument with that assessment. Hantuchova has played Williams seven times, winning once. That victory came in the 2006 Australian Open. Encouragingly, Hantuchova also took Williams to three sets the last time they met, which was at Wimbledon 2007.

Hantuchova has become older, wiser and stronger since then. "I'm really looking forward to the match," she said with a smile. The Slovak has been through the wars and is looking forward to the battle.

She is a complex, fascinating character. There is the swimwear photo shoot for Sports Illustrated that draws accusations of frivolity. There is the obsession with fashion that is used to suggest she is the one-dimensional tennis babe. When asked who is her favourite designer, she has to list four. She likes Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

But there is more, much more. The daughter of a computer scientist and a toxicologist, she can speak six languages. She trained as a classical pianist. She gave up a promising academic career to take up tennis.

Hantuchova is intelligent, sensitive and a perfectionist. This combination of traits has caused her problems. In 2003, she was confronted by press men over her weight. There was speculation about anorexia. The claims were denied. Her then coach, Nigel Sears, admitted Hantuchova had a weight problem, but said it was not psychological, more a matter that could be addressed by better dietary advice. The Slovak was, simply, expending more calories than she was taking in as she strove for the top. Her parents separated around this time, adding to Hantuchova's travails.

But Hantuchova has survived. She now looks strong and talented enough to pose a threat at the business end of a grand slam.

She has always retained her politeness and integrity, though.

Nick Bollettieri, the legendary tennis coach, told The Herald last night: "She was with me from 14 through to 16 and in 53 years of tennis coaching I have never met a nicer kid."

This is quite a compliment. The New Yorker will be 78 next month and has nurtured scores of professionals from his base in Miami.

Bollettieri, who writes a column for The Independent, watched Hantuchova at Wimbledon last week. He was impressed by what he saw. "She has everything. She serves big, moves well and has a great forehand. You can see she is a fabulous doubles player by the way that she volleys," he said.

The last attribute may be crucial. "Daniela is going to face power. And that is going to come from all sides of the court," he said. "She may have to take a risk. The power game has only one winner. Daniela may have to surprise Serena by coming into the net. As I said, she is a great volleyer and that might be the way to go. She must go into the match with confidence in her gameplan. She has the ability to execute it."

The consensus, though, is that Williams may be too much for the Slovak. But Hantuchova insisted: "With my kind of game, it's most of the time about me. If I do the right things, I can beat anybody." She has the technique and game to disturb Williams. She is clever, too. She slowed down the pace of the game against Laura Robson when the 15-year-old had her struggling in the first-round match. She ventured perilously close to gamesmanship, but it was all about experience.

"I'm ready and looking forward to it," she said of meeting an opponent who is expected to contest the final on Saturday. Williams has said she needs to bring out her toughest game to beat the Slovak. "I have to do the same," said Hantuchova. "She's one of the best players in history. But I have my chance."

Hantuchova is keen to emphasise that she will not be cowed, either physically or mentally. "She's one of the greatest because of her attitude," she said of her opponent.

"Serena always fights, whether she is down or up. She always gives her best. Even matches in which she could have lost easily, she keeps fighting and finds a way to get back into them. That's what makes her so strong."

Asked if that was part of the problem when playing Williams, Hantuchova replied swiftly: "I'm not saying it is a problem. It is just the way she is."

The Slovak may appear slight.

But she is strong on confidence.

"If I go on court not believing in myself, then I shouldn't be there."

The disparity in power between Hantuchova and Williams is obvious. But the battle of wills will be closer.

It will need to be if the Slovak has any chance of progressing.