Tennis Acumen

J. J. Wolf: Dealing with Crowds

In 2021, Tennis Acumen interviewed American J. J. Wolf at the Champaign Challenger tournament. Here is a part of that conversation:

Tennis Acumen: So how much does a crowd affect you?

J. J. Wolf: I love the energy of the crowd. It was tough last year with no fans. And this year, sometimes limited fans But, coming from college tournaments, you love the energy, whether it's positive or negative.

 

 

Tennis Acumen: Cincinnati this year, 2021, was the first full attendance tournament, right? We were out there 10 days. Just loving it. That's your home town, and mine. It was good. So the crowd does affect you?

J. J. Wolf: Yeah, for sure. They could definitely pull you through matches.

 

 

Tennis Acumen: If someone were intent on badgering you or distracting you, would that get to you as well?

J. J. Wolf: I always play a little better when people are getting at me like that. You pick that up in college. I'd say I come from a pretty competitive family, so we all have got that a little bit. I had that in other sports growing up much more than in tennis. So, you don't get the worst of it in our sport here.

 

 

Tennis Acumen: People will love to hear this. A lot of fans want to know the person behind the player. If there's one thing you would want people to know about you, what might that be?

J. J. Wolf: About me? I guess I'm a pretty simple guy. I love my friends and family and I love this country, and I pretty much try to do my best every time I can.

 

More of this exclusive interview is available at Tennis Acumen. Go to the interviews category, shown on the upper right hand side of the screen.

Tags: @jjwolf5

Cincinnati final expert picks: Alcaraz vs. Djokovic

This article originally appeared on The Grandstand.

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(Photo credit: Karl Corbett (c) 2009 Tennis Acumen)

Expert picks are back for the Cincinnati final on Sunday, when word No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and world No. 2 Novak Djokovic meet again following their epic Wimbledon clash. A three-team panel previews the action and makes its predictions.

(1) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (2) Novak Djokovic

Ricky Dimon: This should be another awesome one between Alcaraz and Djokovic. They have faced each other three times and outside of Alcaraz cramping all three have either been instant classics or had the makings of instant classics. As good as this Cincinnati final is expected to be, I think almost every advantage goes to Djokovic–albeit slightly–that will be enough to decide the match by small margins. One, he has the revenge factor on his side following his five-set loss in the Wimbledon title match that ended his hopes of the calendar-year Grand Slam. Two, the Serb has not dropped a single set this week. Alcaraz, on the other hand, hasn’t won a single match in straight sets. Djokovic is in superior form and–even though this isn’t a major–he will be very motivated for obvious reasons. Djokovic in 3: 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

Cheryl Murray:  This will be the first ever hard-court match between Djokovic and Alcaraz. Alcaraz has a scant 2-1 head-to-head lead, which includes his most recent title win at Wimbledon. In some ways, the freshness of the rivalry adds some…intrigue. The sample size isn’t yet large enough to determine if there is a legitimate matchup advantage for either man. My instinct says that hard courts will favor Djokovic, as he is the winningest hard-courter of all time. Still, the Wimbledon result gives me pause since I had no real expectation that Alcaraz would swipe that title out from under Djokovic. With that said, I am still inclined to give Djokovic the nod on this since he’s in better form and because he’s…well…Novak Djokovic. Djokovic in 3: 6-4, 6-7(7), 7-5.

Pete Ziebron:  This anticipated and expected final almost did not happen on several different occasions, as Alcaraz has been taken to three sets in each of his matches in Cincinnati.  A match point was saved in the semis against Hubert Hurkacz and a rain delay in the third set in the round of 16 against Tommy Paul allowed the world No. 1 to regroup and close out yet another tight match.  Collectively, Alcaraz is 15 for 60 on break points in the tournament–including just one for 11 in his semifinal win. Djokovic has been much more efficient in his time on court. The Serb did not drop a set en route to the final and he bageled Taylor Fritz in just 20 minutes in the opening set of their quarterfinal. Djokovic will be appearing in his eighth Cincinnati final and is seeking his third title. Alcaraz is certainly fortunate to be playing on Sunday, as he has found a way to advance in each of his previous matches. His current form this week will not be nearly enough to win the title against a determined Djokovic, who has always played well in Cincinnati throughout his storied career. Djokovic in 2: 6-4, 7-5.

Larry Scott Won One ATP Match - At Wimbledon

PETE ZIEBRON

 

Former Pacific 12 Commissioner and WTA CEO Larry Scott had a career ATP record of 1-18 and reached a career high of world #210 in November 1987.  He did, however, pick quite the place to record his lone ATP victory - at Wimbledon of all places! 

Larry Scott defeated world #109 Greg Holmes 6-4 6-2 7-6 in the opening round at Wimbledon in 1987.  Six weeks later though, Holmes defeated world #6 Jimmy Connors in straight sets at Stratton Mountain, Vermont.  Throughout his career, Holmes also defeated major title winners: Guillermo Vilas, Mats Wilander, Johan Kriek and Andre Agassi.  Holmes also had several additional notable career wins including wins over the following: Kevin Curren, Tim Mayotte, Aaron Krickstein, Brad Gilbert and Guy Forget.

After defeating Holmes, Larry Scott lost in straight sets to Michiel Schapers of the Netherlands 6-7 3-6 2-6.  

Scott fared significantly in doubles, posting at 20-39 record, with a title in Newport in 1987.  Scott partnered with Dan Goldie and they defeated Chip Hooper and Mike Leach 6-3 4-6 6-4 to win $3,000 in prize money.

The most significant victory opponents in Scott's doubles career happened in the opening round of Washington in 1987 when he and partner Dan Goldie defeated  Andre Agassi / Jimmy Arias 7-6 2-6 7-5.   Scott also recorded two wins at majors in doubles: at the US Open in 1987 and at Wimbledon in 1988.

Larry Scott was paid in excess of $50,000,000 as Pac 12 Commissioner, just a bit more than the $3,000 he earned with his Newport title.