Remarkable non-GB performances

the addict · Tennis legend

RE: Remarkable non-GB performances

airsmashers · County player

The thoughts behind Victor Estrella Burgos's inspiring victory earlier in the year.

www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/estrella-burgos-wants-to-change-future-july-2016

-- Edited by airsmashers on Thursday 11th of August 2016 12:26:30 AM

goldfish · Futures qualifying

That's a very inspiring story. I am amazed at the commitment shown by him and by many of the Olympians, overcoming huge financial and health problems. Myself - I'm truly committed to watching from the sofa so it's no surprise that my Olympian match for size and weight courtesy of the BBC came out as a weightlifter. Thank goodness I'm far too old. I was going to go for a cycle ride today but it's a bit cold and windy ....

Spectator · All-time great

It is a great story: thanks Airsmashers. The sense of vision and possibility, paired with the patience to make things happen, is very inspiring. Hope he succeeds in his endeavours.

Spectator · All-time great

There were an unusually large number of tweets from GB, US, French and other sources congratulating Christian Harrison for his qualies victory: this is why - www.heraldtribune.com/article/20150504/columnist/150509885. Congratulations indeed. It's a wonderful US Open that way: Ms Robson, JMDP, Brian Baker (again), Christian Harrison ... hurrah for the surgery survivors!

Spectator · All-time great

An interesting piece about the top junior in Rwanda - and the obstacles to making it to the top of international tennis : mobile.nytimes.com/2016/08/29/sports/tennis/africas-tennis-talent-though-obscure-is-apparent.html. The article has its flaws - it ignores the fact that Raven Klaasen is a top 10 doubles player, which doesn't quite fit its narrative. But still, an interesting piece which certainly puts the struggles of many players in perspective. And if it garners support for Haibyambere, that would be all to the good.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well done to the two US teenagers who've made in into R3 of the US Open.

Cici Bellis' story is pretty well-known, partly because of her connection to Katie Swan, of course (still staying 'amateur', Katie????)

But hadn't really known much about Jared Donaldson - very interesting article about his time in Argentina learning spin and shape:

www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/sports/tennis/american-teenagers-tennis-game-shaped-by-argentinas-clay.html

RJA · Hall of fame

The part of Donaldson's story that they miss out is that in Feb 2013, just a few months after his 16th birthday and ranked outside the top 100 juniors (and having played only 2 futures tournaments) he quit the sport out of frustration with his lack of progress. A few months later he decided to give it another shot but rather than going back to playing juniors he played futures full time (the US Open 2013 and 2014 were the only junior events he played after that). Certainly seems to have worked out for him.

RJA · Hall of fame

Illya Marchenko reaching the second week of a slam for the first time at the age of 29. Widely regarded as one of the good guys on tour, came from a modest background and had next to nothing in the way of support for his tennis while growing up (he once said that the only practice partner he had as a kid was a wall) but has worked bloody hard to make the most of what he has got.

Spectator · All-time great

17 yo Casper Ruud skipped the USO juniors to play qualies in the Seville Challenger - and won the tournament, beating David Perez Sanz, Andre Martin, Inigo Cervantes (75), Pedro Cachin and Taro Daniel (101) en route. Not bad.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
17 yo Casper Ruud skipped the USO juniors to play qualies in the Seville Challenger - and won the tournament, beating David Perez Sanz, Andre Martin, Inigo Cervantes (75), Pedro Cachin and Taro Daniel (101) en route. Not bad.

Saw him play in Murcia this year. Big lad for his age and very well schooled. Was very solid for the brief period I saw him. Unfortunately, he was injured that day and had to retire while leading but he is clearly a talented player.

Spectator · All-time great

Hurrah for James McGee, who won his first Challenger: www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/mcgee-wins-first-challenger-title-cary-2016. He's only the third Irishman to do so.

And a hurrah to Mohamed Safwat of Egypt, who won his third doubles Challenger final ... all of them in Morocco. Interesting article from a little while ago about his life as a tennis player in post-revolutionary Egypt: sport360.com/article/tennis/13304/harsh-realities-facing-egyptian-tennis-star-trying-make-his-mark.

Oh, and on the Davis Cup front, Switzerland remains in the World Group thanks in part to the efforts of Antoine Bellier, who won the 5th rubber. Don't know anything about him - but he's 19 (his opponent was 18) - quite a good beginning to DC participation! Think Farrukh Dustov must has been injured, as the decisions on players are otherwise a bit peculiar.

-- Edited by Spectator on Monday 19th of September 2016 06:44:46 PM

Spectator · All-time great

Periodically I just scan Challengers drawsheets for a few seconds to see if there's anything interesting. Really struck, looking at the Taiwanese challenger this week, by the rising numbers of good Challenger and Tour-level players from East Asia. Japan looking particularly strong - 4 in the top 100; 8 in the top 250, and it was striking that they won their WG Playoff last week without playing Nishikori in singles. But other countries, too: four under 21 South Koreans in the top 350, for example.

indiana · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Periodically I just scan Challengers drawsheets for a few seconds to see if there's anything interesting. Really struck, looking at the Taiwanese challenger this week, by the rising numbers of good Challenger and Tour-level players from East Asia. Japan looking particularly strong - 4 in the top 100; 8 in the top 250, and it was striking that they won their WG Playoff last week without playing Nishikori in singles. But other countries, too: four under 21 South Koreans in the top 350, for example.

Interesting, Spectator. I just took a look at the ATP under 21 live rankings. 4 countries have more than one player in the top 34 ( the position of the 4th Korean, live WR 344 )

1. USA 8 ( 5 in the top 10 )

2. Russia 4

2. South Korea 4

4. Japan 2

Overall there being effectively one in ten of such ranked players under 21 is more than I would have guessed. It does again point to more players coming through at young ages than maybe for a few years. Though the overall distribution is probably still getting older.

As well as the East Asia figures, it does make one wonder again about Patrick McEnroe being sacked as head of US player development a couple of years ago. Players reaching the latter stages of Slams was mentioned but I doubt what effect he could have with older players. What has been coming through looks great.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 21st of September 2016 07:06:08 PM

Spectator · All-time great

Yes, and Japan came 4th in Junior Davis Cup this year. Topped a group with US, Spain and Brazil ... and then lost, oddly, to Germany, which was playing Nicola Kuhn, who no longer plays for Gerrmany. The winners were Canada, who had what must be one of the 'we expect to get to know them all on Tour' teams of recent years: Shapovalov, FAA, and Benjamin Sigouin.

In re: the US and Patrick McEnroe, yes. I don't know enough about how their system works and who made the changes that are supposedly helping ... but it does look as if assessments may have been a bit premature. That said, while again, I don't really know their system, I've never seen anyone say anything negative about Martin Blackman... and I really like his social media presence. Very encouraging, very supportive of players, coaches, etc. And seems to be pulling in all kinds of interesting people, especially former players, with quite specific roles.