More Krickstein

Krickstein vs. Jarryd. Jarryd was one of those Swedes that didn't quite do so great in singles. He wasn't bad, mind you, but was probably better as a doubles player, often playing with Stefan Edberg.

I've only ever gone to the US Open once, and that was to an opening round. I remember that I was only feet away from Anders Jarryd. These were the days before Monica Seles got stabbed, when literally feet separated you from, well, at least a second tier star.

You can tell Krickstein and Jarryd were a product of the 80s. Their style was effective for the 80s, but not so good for the 90s.

Krickstein, as I've mentioned before, was a product of Nick Bollettieri's academy. He had a power forehand, a two-handed backhand, and an OK serve, and returned all right too. I had forgotten how he used to puff out his cheek as he served.

Krickstein, I feel, has become a bit of a whiner. Nice guy, overall, but he doesn't like being remembered for that match he lost to Connors in 1991. There's been tragedy in Krickstein's life. His sister died of cancer. His wife had cancer, but survived.

For a guy who had a powerful forehand, Krickstein really had as short a takeback as nearly anyone playing. He barely has any backswing. It's almost all follow through. Jarryd isn't that different either. If you ever see Borg (just was how Federer hits), you see how long their forehands are.

I suppose the interesting thing is how much Krickstein plays as he used to. The biggest difference, other than a lack of power that he used to have, is a reliance on a slice backhand.

These days, even Arias is playing the champions tour. Arias was one of those flames burning brightly, who had maybe two good years of play. Krickstein had a good start, back when he was 16-17 in the early 80s, then one pretty good year in 1989, and still played well, even in 1991 when he lost to, yes, Connors.

Arias's backhand, I recall, was this flingy thing that looked like his arm was coming off, and he was being punched backwards. He won the Italian Open, so that was a big deal. I don't know that Krickstein ever did that.

Jarryd, in the match, was injured, so wasn't posing too much challenge. He fought enough to keep it interesting, but not overall.

Watching these players, many quite a few years beyond their prime, you can sort of appreciate how they are able to continue playing, and yet, realize how the game is so different now, a more bullying style from the backcourt.