It’s been a slump of a year for Amelie Mauresmo, a complete contrast to her fantasy 2006. No doubt the nerves were playing up again but behind the injuries it has all really been down to the French women herself. So the first thing she requires is a return to form. Surely with little to no pressure in 2008, her nerves will keep in check for a comeback.

With beefed-up competition, how will the Mauresmo game plan get her back to winning ways? Her  forehand and backhand are weapons in themselves; she has tamed them to exploit angles as well as trained them to move forward when needed. Her backhand is a pretty picture; if you looked closely at it, you would know that it’s very top-spin capable.

Mauresmo also employs a slice, a very impressive one. She will use an open stance when using the slice and with sheer talent she has the rare ability of being able to drag the ball down. Her opponents literally need to get down on their knees to scoop it back into play.

'Mauresmo’s attitude of mind has kept her back one time too many'


Amelie’s serve isn’t the best, but it will do. She can set up her points well with it. The return is yet another weapon; she can pounce on weak serves which scores her easy points. She pretty much has an all-court game, though for some people her style of play looks very awkward. But when she is really going, her rhythm is a thing of beauty and resilience.

Mauresmo’s attitude of mind has kept her back one time too many. In 2007 she had surgery as well as injuries but her mind was so out of shape that she decided to miss out on her whole North American campaign because of it.  A lot of people predicted a meltdown, as they knew that the nerves couldn’t withstand the challenging title defences of two Grand Slams. But there is hardly any pressure in her 2008 campaign, which should allow her to spring back into form.

Mauresmo can show real rhythm at times, as she did when she won Wimbledon. She is a great clay-court player but has nothing to show for it at Roland Garros, once again this is down to the nerves. Will she ever conquer them?

So what about the competition? The 2007 standout performer Justine Henin says she doesn’t like competing against Amelie as their styles are similar. Mauresmo can beat the Belgian, and she is still a league above the Serbians. As for the Williams sisters, once again Amelie’s mental attitude comes into it. But they could prove to be her toughest opponents come next year.

A Wimbledon final of Mauresmo against Venus Williams, now that would be perfect! Of course Maria Sharapova won’t let her off easily, but Amelie proved that she can beat her when in top form.

There is no need to change her game plan and her strategies. It will all come down to her attitude of mind once she has made a great comeback.

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