Just some quick info on Mirabelle for those who follow her. I know the family through her current training base in France. I am a travelling American coach of another player there at moment. The family is very private . I hope they won't mind me sharing this with those who follow her.
She is currently undergoing some significant changes to her game to take her to the next level. So you should expect odd results like the ones she been having. They opted to return to Tunisia in December after the previous stint to try out some of the work rather than to chase points. This is to give them some further input they will be using through out a major training block of around 2 months. They seem to have everything carefully planned.
Just to add, Mirabelle is a fantastic player with an all court game and usually unplayable when in full flow.
For those who follow her, don't be surprised. They are taking a few steps backwards based on last couple of months in order to leap forward. Expect odd results.
Speaking to her coach recently who is also left handed, she said her training block might even extend to 3 months if necessary with one off tournament here and there to test things until the work for next level stabilizes before she can go on a run of tournaments. She has nothing to defend for next 6months or so.
And, yes, there are quite a lot of Mirabelle fans on this forum !
Personally, I think the 10ks are perfect for the sort of work you're talking about and one of the best reasons for playing them - for young players, in particular, it's a chance to try out new shots, new game plans, etc. etc. It's not about points.
In general this year, Mirabelle has had just about the least "odd results" of anyone I remember, seemingly remarkably consistent.
It does though make a lot of sense that she should want to work on things to take her to the next level. So often she has come really comfortably through her first two rounds ( yes, she does seem a handful in full flow ) to just not make it past the QF stage.
What you say is very interesting and gives context to last week's rather unexpected R1 loss and possibly any others in the months to come.
As you say, nothing to defend until June, when her run of 15 successive 10K QFs or better began this year, so a big window to work in without any concern of her ranking going into reverse.
All the best to her and thanks again.
-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 12th of December 2015 12:54:57 PM
