My point was that it wasn't upfront that Liam's deal was to miss the Challenger in return for a MD wildcard. Obviously it made perfect sense for Liam. But would it have made sense if the wildcard was not of offer?
No one said that it was (i.e. not directly).
In fact, some people at the time on the forum said it wouldn't/didn't work like that.
The official line was that it was just to help out the team.
MAIN DRAW Bambridge/Broady Corrie/Edmund Ward/ Ebden Marray/ Nielsen Skupski/ Skupski
Absolutely delighted with the WCs for the Skupskis, Jonny & Freddie & Bambo & Liam B. Not sure about Ed & Kyle, but Dino & Matt Ebden is a complete waste. I wonder what the AELTC's thinking was there...
It's the same ever year. Just an excuse to bung the favoured few some extra cash.
And it completely goes against their new policy which was designed to stop just this. If he's very lucky he'll get a paycheck in the mixed too (although I severely hope not).
-- Edited by PaulM on Wednesday 17th of June 2015 11:33:40 AM
Couple of thoughts:
- Brydan may still get a MD WC! Few left to be handed out
- Despite Liam's recent form, i think he does deserve a WC. Massive improvement over past 12 months to sit comfortably in top 200, and exemplary attitude. Would be harsh if he were to miss out.
In singles he's been our only male who has consistently been between 250 and the entry cut-off for 5+ years. In my opinion, that in itself makes him worthy of a wildcard for as long as he's capable of winning main draw matches and there aren't eight better British candidates.
Doubles is a huge irrelevance anyway, so I have no issue with wildcards being given to the best known home players who wish to enter. Much rather that than drab non-entities ranked in the 100s like Antal van der Duim, Yaraslav Shyla and Dean O'Brien. Additionally myself and I suspect 99% of people in Wimbledon would rather watch James and Ebden play compared to some 250-odd ranked regular British partnership.
-- Edited by Jeff Stelling on Wednesday 17th of June 2015 12:14:18 PM
-- Edited by Jeff Stelling on Wednesday 17th of June 2015 12:15:10 PM
-- Edited by Jeff Stelling on Wednesday 17th of June 2015 12:15:38 PM
Brydan not getting a wc is just rank hypocrisy from the lta, what with Bedene having been given a wc into Nottingham next week.
What with getting rid of nearly all domestic tournaments and most of the bonus pool and now changing the wc system just so they can stop giving wcs to people in the top 250, it seems like the unwritten aim of the lta is to make it as hard as possible for players in the 2, 3 hundred range to stay in the game. Its as if they want the only british players to be their chosen few.
Does anyone know if players actually get paid for playing Davis cup because obviously as everyone has said this is just a £4500 bung to Ward and Edmund. A shame Ward couldn't have played with another brit while receiving his money.
Good to see Marray and Nielsen playing together again. Who is Colin Fleming playing with??
Brydan not getting a wc is just rank hypocrisy from the lta, what with Bedene having been given a wc into Nottingham next week.
To be fair to the LTA, and possibly the AELTC, they may think that Klein's previous behaviour puts him beyond the pale. If it was just a case of bad behaviour it could be over looked a lot easier but it isn't hard to imagine why the LTA and AELTC might be uneasy about embracing a player who was previously banned for racially abusing an opponent.
It's a fair point, RJA, as the wildcard is a favour and so you can choose who to bestow your favours on.
But I didn't see anything in the new guidelines about 'level, attitude, and offences committed 7 years ago'.
And I do hope the 'holier than thou' attitude covers explaining why you spend £12k on a sofa, why the AELTC have a cash balance of £30m, what the whole accounting thing going on is with the new LTA Trust, the 'aggregate emoluments' figures in the balance sheet etc. etc.
It's a fair point, RJA, as the wildcard is a favour and so you can choose who to bestow your favours on.
But I didn't see anything in the new guidelines about 'level, attitude, and offences committed 7 years ago'.
And I do hope the 'holier than thou' attitude covers explaining why you spend £12k on a sofa, why the AELTC have a cash balance of £30m, what the whole accounting thing going on is with the new LTA Trust, the 'aggregate emoluments' figures in the balance sheet etc. etc.
Where do you see the LTA financials? I'd be quite interest to have a look?