Baghdatis Feeling the Pressure

From The Australian: Baghdatis battle with heavy load

MARCOS BAGHDATIS is feeling so much pressure from his entourage he is considering changing his training schedule to seek more privacy.

Despite a first-round win over 2003 Australian Open finalist Rainer Schuettler 6-4 2-6 6-3 6-2 that took 2 1/2 hours on Rod Laver Arena yesterday, Baghdatis revealed all was not well.
He dispelled any doubts over his physical fitness, saying the ankle he rolled against Carlos Moya in the Sydney International quarter-finals last week was no problem yesterday.

The problem is from the combined pressure he is feeling from his supporters.

When Baghdatis reached the 2006 final against Roger Federer, his support group consisted of coach Guillaume Peyre and his girlfriend.

That relationship has since broken up and his entourage has swollen in size.

"There's a lot of pressure - not by media or stuff, it's more like my group and stuff," Baghdatis said. "I feel a bit of pressure from them.

"My father is here, my brother is here so it's not a normal tournament for me. You know, that changes things. I will just try to deal with it and try to speak to them and find a way."

Baghdatis stressed his father, Christos, was not interfering or causing disruption.

"It's just off the court it's not the same," he said. "I don't have the same routines with my coach and stuff." ...

Baghdatis did say if the off-court pressure did not subside, he would change his routine over the next two weeks and seek more privacy.

Comments

I have always said nothing good ever comes from family.

:-)

Posted by: Peacemaster | January 15, 2007 at 10:48 AM

It goes to show that being a great champion comprises so many things.
Skill, nerves of steel, luck, the team surrounding the player, support of the family etc.
These top players really have to have the whole package.

Posted by: paleochora | January 15, 2007 at 11:05 AM