A New Szensation?
Posted by Guest Writers on Dec 19, 2007 | Print
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The following article on Agnes Szavay is by Todd Spiker of WTA Backspin. This post is part of On the Baseline Tennis News’ 2008 Players to Watch Series.
Each season several spirited tennis teenagers poke their heads from their protective shelters, testing to see if the environment is amenable to a successful foraging trip into the great wide open landscape of the WTA tour.
A few even manage to collect a few moments of early glory before scampering back to safety.
Alas, some never manage to gather the confidence, game or ability to surprise opponents in quite the same way again, and their early prosperity turns out to be something akin to beginner’s luck.
Don’t expect Agnes Szavay to be lumped into that crowd, though. She’s set to become one of the exceptional players who use their initial experiences as a primer for how to chase down even more success.
Over the past twelve months, the 18-year old Hungarian has ascended from #207 to #19 in the world, and is the second youngest player in the Top 20.
Szavay qualified at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2007, then claimed her first tour title in Palermo.
But it was on the hard court circuit that she put together something of a “Late Szummer of Szavay” variety show as she knocked off three Top 10 players, nearly won New Haven as a qualifier, reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals in just her third slam main draw, the became the season’s youngest two-time titlist when she flashed inherent big-time mettle against Jelena Jankovic in the Beijing final, erasing a match point with a nervy second serve ace and winning twelve of the final fourteen games.
It was during this stretch that the skills that Szavay brings to the table became apparent, with impressive pop on a serve in crunch time and a startlingly effective two-handed backhand being chief among them.
But maybe the most important weapon she brandished may have been what was going on between her ears.
Ironically, it was a trait most clearly seen in a tournament Szavay failed to win, as she was forced to retire in the New Haven final while playing (and leading) her eighth match in nine days. With an air of impeccable assurance, she virtually stalked the court that week with the preternaturally calm demeanor of a player capable of far greater things in the near future.
She belonged… and she knew it. And for a young player at this station in her career, that’s more than half the battle.
The fortunes of talented rising players are often governed as much (if not more) by their self-belief and emotions as by their improving abilities (see Jelena Dokic).
Questions about Szavay’s body’s capacity to withstand the rigors of a full season (back and thigh injuries were incurred during her szeason’s fabulous final stanza) could be a legitimate obstacle to greater immediate success, but at least 2007 seemed to hint that her advancement will not be hindered by what is traditionally a young player’s biggest adversary — herself.
If Agnes has anything to do with it, big things are on the horizon. 2007’s late szummer szensation could be the star of a szeason-long production in 2008.
Todd Spiker resides in the Washington, D.C. area, and reviews the women’s tour every week at WTA Backspin (www.wtabackspin.blogspot.com). His opinions on the men’s tour can be found at ATP Backspin (www.atpbackspin.blogspot.com).
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Aaress | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply
Thanks Todd for participating in our series!
Her performance at New Haven was such a Cinderella run, and although it ended just before the clock struck midnight, it was still a impressive display of what she’s capable of accomplishing in the New Year.
PaulaV | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply
I actually had the good fortune to see Agnes play in person in that match in New Haven.
The Pilot Pen was definitely her breakout tournament where everyone was buzzing about her as the new star on the WTA. It was sad to see her retire after putting up such a tremendous fight. She also brings a bit of old-school class back to tennis, with the all-white attire.