Harry Hopman. The Hopman Cup. The Hyundai Hopman Cup in Perth Australia… Part 1

Written by: Lovey on 29th December 2011

Harry Hopman. The Hopman Cup. The Hyundai Hopman Cup in Perth Australia... Part 1 |

It’s been more than forty years since we first met Harry Hopman. What a guy…. One of the GREATEST ever! Tennis was just lucky he chose our sport. I was still a teenager the first time I met Harry. In “OZ” he was known as ” HOP “. ) He taught me something seriously missing in my power Ground strokes. Topspin…. Yep. My forehand was flat. My one handed classic backhand always stayed flat. But my serve and forehand became winners after one session with Harry.

I’m so lost in so many wonderful memories. I know that he was and is the best coach ever. For a guy that was into fitness early he understood more than any coach I’ve ever known that each player was an individual. He never worked any two players the same. USTA listen up here. Cookie cutters don’t work. Actually that goes out to all that coach but globally especially at the federation levels. Some of these countries tennis associations are archaic in thinking and small minded in letting the players develop with their own agenda. Coach. Parent. Travel partner. Players are restricted. It’s like the Perry Jones era that southern California was stifled by. The rules have rules. The agendas have hidden motives and every person with the job is comfy with their health insurance and travel benefits.

I’m still mad at the USTA for depriving all the young talent in the United States to travel to Australia on their pocketbook. Umbrella. Individuality. What a concept. Ok I’m tired and on a tear. Back to Harry.

He would love Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Andy Roddick. Andy Murray. Max Mirnyi. … I guess I could just keep going. 10sballs.com goes on record as saying he would love the game of tennis played today. He would be out there shirtless. Yes the first man I ever hit on a court without a shirt. What. You say you thought Nic Bolleterri started that shirtless coach thing ?

Nope. It was Harry. He would love the fitness level of the ladies especially. He would have loved Sam Stosur and Alicia Molik and our number one Aussie lady Catherine Barclay of Sidney.

Would Harry like that they run this event in Perth ? Heck yes. He would be shy and quiet on the outside but he would be so proud on the inside. Fumble or better word double fault to Saddlebrook for dropping the Hopman name from their academy. …..

Harry never rested on his laurels. He loved working with John McEnroe. He knew genius …He once had enough male talent in Australia to form five Davis cup teams.

Most people don’t remember or realize that Harry wrote a daily column in the Melbourne Herald for over 20 years. Harry was an honorary member of the world famous Kooyong tennis club. 10sballs.com friend and big lefty server Wayne Arthurs plays there. HOP would have loved Darren Cahill and Wayno and Brent and Todd Larkham and Hewitt and Phillapousis and especially the ” Woodies ” that being Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde. Both had outstanding singles careers an amazing doubles careers and amazing Davis Cup results… Add Louise Pleming and Pat Rafter and Pat Cash and Paul Hanley and probably Paul Kilderry….

As coaches go… he would have loved tons of them especially Bob Brett who was handpicked as a boy to be the chosen coach. Tony Roche became a great coach. Lesley Bowery comes to mind oh there’s so many we’ve known … Scott Draper. Mark draper. Brent Larkham. John Trickey. Justin Wight.

I remember once asking Harry about coaching. Here is his reply paraphrased …

Harry Hopman said : re coaching – you must build on what the player has…… (that seems so simple but most coaches like to change everything or something too much)

Harry said – You would not treat Emmo and Stolle the same as Lew Hoad or Fraser… (They were all racehorses to HOP)

Each guy built differently. Each guy having completely different personalities. Likes. Dislikes. Sleep habits.

The one thing Harry stressed was conditioning. More in part 2. Coming soon. Sorry any Aussies I forgot. I’ll get to you next round. Martin Mulligan of FILA would make Harry proud for his spirit. Go Aussie. Good on you Perth for hosting the event. Best wishes go out to Bethanie Mattek Sands to be a tiger out there and beating Wozzy.

Topics: Harry Hopman, Hopman Cup

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