Melanie Oudin: a champion in the making
When it comes to exciting young tennis players, the name Melanie Oudin immediately comes to mind. The pint-sized 18-year-old has already made a name for herself in the sport with her skills, poise, and intelligence.
Oudin made headlines at last year’s U.S. Open. She made the quarterfinals after having defeated numerous tough opponents. However, her winning ways came to an end after she fell to Caroline Wozniacki. The interesting thing is that she accomplished all of this at the tender age of 17.
The diminutive American’s results at the 2009 U.S. Open raised some questions about how she would fare at this year’s tournament. Would she be able to keep the same pace as last year?
Oudin let her play do the talking for her in the first round, as she played the role of giant killer by defeating such big names as Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva. All was well until the second round, where Oudin met Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Wednesday. She gave her best effort against the world’s no. 31 ranked female player, but ultimately lost 2-6, 5-7.
In her two career appearances at the U.S. Open, Oudin has written a magic word of encouragement on her shoes. Last year’s word was “Believe”, this year’s was “Courage”. The current no. 42-ranked female player certainly believed in herself in this year’s tournament, and she did have the courage to win. But as the match progressed, Oudin’s courage seemed to be running on fumes.
At the post-match press conference, Oudin was unafraid to address her situation. "I felt really good before going on the court,” she said. “And then it was like the second I got out there, I did feel really tight.”
Indeed, the magic word on her shoes did not appear to be having the same kind of effect as it did last year. “I think the nerves got the best of me today a little bit, especially in the first set,” Oudin said.
“The second I got out there, I guess it kind of overwhelmed me a little bit. Like the crowd was like really, really loud. Second set I started playing a lot better, making the points a little bit longer."
But the points did not last long enough for the young American. Oudin, who is known for her superb fleet and formidable forehand, was not relying on her backhand as much in this match.
"Well, normally I do try to do that,” Oudin said of her backhand. “But today, as you saw, I didn't. Normally when I get tight, my feet stop moving. That's pretty much what happened today.”
She continued her self-analysis by stating that her movement on the court was being affected by her decreasing confidence level.
“I didn't think I moved very well,” Oudin said. “And I think I really know why. It was because I was nervous and I got tight. Also, I don't swing as fast when that happens. So I think that's why my forehand wasn't working as well, especially the down the line shot. That’s one of my favourite shots. I hardly made that at all."
Oudin’s openness about her shortcomings in this match was very admirable. She immediately knew what the problems were, when they occurred, and why. Her courage meter might have been in the red on the court, but it was definitely back in the black during this press conference.
She may be young, but Oudin spoke like a well-established veteran when discussing herself. Oudin may have been eliminated from this year’s U.S. Open, but hopefully, she will be back with a vengeance in next year’s tournament.
Coupled with her impressive skill set, this youngster has a huge heart, and the poise of a champion in the making. With a combination that potent, there is no telling how far she will go next year. Perhaps her next magic word should be “Champion”, as that is where she will be headed if she keeps the faith.
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