Querrey Has High Hopes

Written by: Staff on 2nd July 2012

Querrey Has High Hopes |

Sam Querrey may have lost the second longest singles match in Wimbledon history in his 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-7(3), 17-15 defeat to Marin Cilic in the third round of Wimbledon, but the American feels he has turned the corner in his comeback and expects a lot of himself during the upcoming US Open Series

At Wimbledon Querrey did post an impressive victory over Canadian sensation Milos Raonic. The tall 24-year-old will likely crack the top 55 next week, which is well off his a career high ranking of No. 17 at the start of 2011, but significantly up from where he was last September, when he began his comeback post his June 2011 elbow surgery ranked No. 125.

“Coming back from two sets down was great,” said Querrey after his loss to Cilic. ” It’s probably the first time I have done that. And to have chances to win it, I’m proud of myself for turning it around there. I’m bummed. I’m sad. But, I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be over it and really look back and say that was a great match and it’s a good steppingstone for the summer. I’m looking forward to it. In the Open this summer I feel like I’m going to do really well. I feel like I’m going to be back up into the top 20 pretty soon.”

A California native who grew up in Las Vegas, Querrey is now living in Dallas with his girlfriend. He had a terrific 2009 when he reached three straight finals at Newport, Indianapolis and Los Angeles, where he won the title. He then reached another final in New Haven. But a little more than a month later in Bangkok before his first match, he sat on a glass table to put on his shoes and it broke. He ended up with a seven-centimeter slash is his right arm that went right into his muscle and tendons. He thought the injury could be career ending, but he received standout medical treatment and recovered well, winning career-high four titles on three different surfaces in 2010 and ending the year in the top 20 for the first time.

Last July at Queens, he felt a sharp pain in his right [playing] elbow and was forced to pull out. He underwent elbow surgery and was unable to come back for three months, when he dedicated himself to playing Challengers to get his ranking back up. It took a little longer than he thought it would.

“When I got injured and missed Wimbledon through the US Open, I thought I was just going to come back and be right back where I left off playing wise,” he said. “You know, go deep in a couple tournaments and my ranking will move back quickly. It’s just not the case, as I think most people would learn with an injury. I feel like I’m playing well now.

Hopefully after the summer my ranking can be back in the top 20. It can take a year or even longer for people to get back where they are. [Maria] Sharapova is somewhat of an example. She was No. 1, and that’s on larger scale than what I was doing, but it took her four years to return to No. 1 after some injuries. So it really is tough. I think you can turn it around. You have to have patience and be positive, and the hard work will pay off eventually.”

The 6-foot-6 inch Querrey is planning on playing a full summer schedule that includes the grass court tournament next week in Newport, as well as events in Atlanta and Los Angeles.

He credits part of his resurgence to his coach of four months, Brad Gilbert, who has also coached a number of notable players, including Andre Agassi, Roddick and Andy Murray.

Gilbert has told him to keep on the offense.

“We’re working on playing big,” Querrey said. “Hitting big first serves, big second serves, big forehands. I’m just trying to come at guys more. Lots of just short ball, just boom, hit it. Hit it as hard as you can and keep coming.”