Buzzmaster

  (3:57 PM)

Jim is here!

Pablo (Houston)

Hello Jim, thanks for doing this! If Nadal asked you for some advice on how to beat Djokovic, what would you tell him he needs to improve his chances?

Jim Courier

  (4:01 PM)

Well, I was watching that match very closely and I noticed that Rafa's typical spinning forehands were not affecting him at all. I would suggest to play flatter and more aggressive against Novak. To do that, I would suggest changing the string he's using.

James (CT)

Was Andy Roddick just too tired during for match with Nadal due to lack of matches in the US Open series?

Jim Courier

  (4:02 PM)

Yes and yes. He was definitely too tired, given that he had a very tough match the day before. And the U.S. Open was a good result for Andy given that he sat on the bench most of the summer with injury.

Kevin (CT)

How much trash talk is going on between all of you guys as you prepare for this 12-city tour?

Jim Courier

  (4:02 PM)

I don't think the trash talking will start too much prior to the tour. But I think there will be some in the lockerroom and on court. At least I hope there will be.

victor (monroe,louisiana)

Do U think serena williams deserves to be punish for her outburst at the u.sopen this past sunday?

Jim Courier

  (4:04 PM)

It's a tricky one, because she didn't use curse words. She wasn't kind to the chair umpire. She was emotional, which she has admitted. I'm conflicted because I think you need to be respectful to the umpires, but things like that get people talking about tennis. I'm not interested in what tennis does, I'm more concerned about if tennis takes a hit after something like that. I don't think it did. You look at the TV ratings and you can see that Serena gets peoples' attention.

Tommy (Madison, WI)

How good do you think Sam Quarry is? We're still waiting for his break-out performance.

Jim Courier

  (4:05 PM)

Sam definitely has good talent. He needs good help. He's been out this summer with injury. He's starting to play some this fall in some minor league tournaments to get back. I think he's top 10 potential. He's been working hard to get himself back and in shape. He'll be back soon.

Tommy (Madison, WI)

After you, Andre Agassi, and Michael Cheng, no other recent American players play well on clay at all, what's you thought and advice?

Jim Courier

  (4:06 PM)

I think that some of our players have tried to adjust too much to that surface rather than just play on there naturally. But Quarry and Isner have played well on clay. I don't see why they can't continue to play well on that surface. I hope some of our younger players can play well on that surface as well.

Ian Laird (Findlay, Ohio)

Hey Jim, I'm 14 years old, and I'll be playing tennis at my high school in the spring. My question is, whats the biggest thing I can do to improve my game? Thanks.

Jim Courier

  (4:07 PM)

Make sure that your equipment is the right weight for you. Make sure your grip is the right size. Get your equipment the right size for your build. Go to a local pro and make sure your equipment works for you. It's the biggest thing amateurs can do to improve.

Greg (Miami)

So, Jim, how much of an incentive is that $1 million prize money that's up for grabs in this Champions Series?

Jim Courier

  (4:07 PM)

We're used to playing for compensation. We've done it since we were teenagers. I think it will be a nice incentive for everyone. It's a big incentive. It's a pretty nice chunk of change over five weeks to pull down.

Tommy (Madison, WI)

The overall power, speed, and strength of the game of men's tennis has changed over the decade, is there a limit to it?

Jim Courier

  (4:08 PM)

I think we're coming pretty close to it. There's only so much spin and speed you can put on the ball and keep it within the lines of the tennis lines. I don't know how much more we can do based on the aerodynamics on the ball and the quadrants we play in. I think we're almost maxed out.

Tommy (Madison, WI)

How do you comapre the rivalry between Pete and Andre to that between Roger Federer and Nadal?

Jim Courier

  (4:09 PM)

I think they're pretty easy to compare. They both played quite a few major titles and quite a few tour events. They're both compelling rivalries because the players are playing different styles. I think it's pretty tough to tell Americans that Roger and Nadal is better than Pete and Andre.

Gregg (Houston)

What do you make of Donald Young? I hadn't heard of him before the US Open. Where does he rank in terms of ability among Quarry, Isner, Harrison, etc?

Jim Courier

  (4:10 PM)

I think Donald is right there as far as natural ability goes. I hope he's coming right into his own. I think he's learned that natural talent can only go so far. It's my hope that the U.S. Open will inspire him to do the work that got him as far as he did. He's a top 20 talent.

Jim Courier

  (4:11 PM)

I think all of those guys are. Quarry and Isney have already been in the top 20.

matt (north carolina)

How many slam titles do u think Djoke will have when he finishes his career!

Jim Courier

  (4:11 PM)

It's impossible to say. But if you're putting me on the spot today, as you just did, I think he can end up with 10.

Mike (Minneapolis)

So excited to see you here in Minneapolis on 30th!! Thanks for bringing tennis here. Is there a plan to continue this on a yearly basis?

Jim Courier

  (4:12 PM)

Absolutely. We've been doing the Champions Series for six years now. This is the first year we've done the one-night tournament formats. We're planning for the 2012 season right now.

Kameryn (South Carolina)

Will Caroline Wozniacki ever win a Grand Slam?

Jim Courier

  (4:13 PM)

Yes. It's an old basketball adage, if you hang around the basket long enough, you're eventually going to get the ball in the hoop. If she gets to the semis and finals long enough, she'll win one.

Kristin (Alaska)

Jim, who was your toughest match-up, someone who brought out the bet in you when you played? Thanks-

Jim Courier

  (4:14 PM)

I think that Andre and Michael Change brought out the best in me matchup wise, because we were able to play really interesting, tough, physical points that tested all areas of my game. I'll look forward to playing them again in the next few weeks to test it once again.

Alex (Montreal)

Do you thing we will see an american player in the top 3 ranking soon ? Like the 90's with, yourself, Sampras, Agassi and Chang

Jim Courier

  (4:15 PM)

I think it's going to be pretty challenging to break into the top 3 in the next few years given out good Novak, Rafa and Federer are. But that's what all of our players are working towards.

Dana (Newport)

Which two teams would you like to see in the Davis Cup final?

Jim Courier

  (4:16 PM)

I'd like to see the USA v. anyone we can beat. But that won't be this year since Spain beat us. I would like to see Spain win, because it's a consolation when the team that beat you wins it. I would like to see Rafa and Novak in the finals. That would be fascincating.

Peter (Chicago)

Has the surface speed of Ashe court in the US Open changed since the Sampras days?

Jim Courier

  (4:16 PM)

I think it's moved around a little bit. It was slow for a period of time and then became pretty quick. This year it seemed to play slower than last year, but it's still faster than most hardcourts players play on year round.

Jim Courier

  (4:17 PM)

Thanks to everyone for checking in. I'm looking forward to being on the road with the Champions Series for the next five weeks starting one week from today.