Noah hones his skills

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 38

Noah hones his skills

By

RICHARD FINN

of Reuters Key Bisgayne, Florida It may be that getting older for Yannick Noah means getting better. Noah, : who has ' finished the last six years ranked in the top 10 of [men’s tennis, has often been a tip for the top. But the Frenchman has never quite i fulfilled the promise that; earned him widespread attention as a junior. i Now, though, a new sense of urgency seems to be driving the 27-year-old to hone his formidable skills. Last month (In Milan, Noah beat Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, Boris Backer and Jimmy Connors to win his twenty-second singles’ title. Noah, whose | biggest career success remains the 1883 French' Open, told Reuters: “I’ve| not much time to lose now. Tve got to win

some big matches again. II “When I was 22-23, you feel ‘O.K m I have seven more years to go, so no matter what happens this year, Itll do better the next year.' I “Now, [it is a little different approach. Now, i I know I’m playing two more years, maybe a little] less, maybe a, little more,” .Noah said. The (Australian jOpen champion, Mats Wilander, of Sweden, says he sees a new Noah, currently in Key B scayne for the International Players’ “It looks like he is on his way back, that he has decided it is maybe worth it to sacrifice'to be a good player again, which I think he tan be. “1 think he’ll be very dangerous at the French Open. When he’s on he can beat anybody," Wilander said. ! “When he’s into it, with his tyild and his game, he

can put across some of the best jennis you can see," Jimmy Connors said. At 1.93 metres and 86.2 kg, Noah.l who runs and weightlifts, is the prototype of the ’ modern tennis player — strong and fast. (But I his weakness has long been; his mental approach. ;“To:me, it looks like he is in a good mood and that is the most important thing for him,” [Wilander said. 1 [Connors agreed; “It’s just a (matter of getting him into the mood and keeping his mltid | on it match aftei match, point after point.” >Thej Frenchman suffered injuries last year and also went through a divorce! In July, he quit the tour, missed the ■' United ■ Sta. n Open | and did not, return until October, when he won his title of the year, , albeit a small one in Swifc zerlandL- [ ' k