All speculation at the moment though regarding Jay & Harriet at the moment. Until both players make a formal comment, one story online isn't enough to make an 'informed' decision , surely!!!

the addict wrote:

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Can anyone show any proof that Jay and Harriet had an agreement to be partners ? I'm positive I saw something on Instagram or Twitter some months ago, and want to quote it in response to an argument. (Not the BBC article, something definite)

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 There was an interview with Jay where he was asked if he was going to play with Harriet again and Im pretty sure he said he would if was possible (unfortunately I can't find it but someone posted it on here). Anyway I have posted on his Facebook page that it would be good for him to clear it up. I expect his PR people will delete it though..

The rest of the Metro article (which has excellent tennis reporting) said this:

Clarke, who takes on Roger Federer later on Thursday, told the Daily Mail that he was concerned about not getting into the draw, despite the fact the pair would have been afforded a wildcard anyway. Ive known Cori for a few years now, we got in contact and she asked me to play, he said. That was tough, I had to let her know because I saw the pairs that had signed in, and I was am I even going to get in? I think its the worst decision I have had to make especially mid tournament, I didnt sleep too well the night before I played Noah (Rubin, his first round singles opponent) but hopefully she understands why I did it. Clarke will team up with Gauff I tried to see it from her position if obviously Rog or someone asked her to play I would take it. I spoke to her about it again today but it was late (on Monday) so I sent her a message, I waited for the reply. Those things are never easy. I have been pushed out of cuts this year six times at 11.59 when people chop and change partners just to get in the draw. Its the first time Ive had to do it and Im sorry for her it happened.


Extremely disingenuous, I thought.

Yep, that hasn't done him any good at all. Like there was any chance that Jay & Harriet wouldn't have got a WC, even if they hadn't been semi finalists together last year !!!

"first time I've had to do it" - you didn't, Jay ! 

I will not be rooting particularly for Jay and Coco (thankfully, it makes zero difference and they won't care two hoots)

But it doesn't seem right - as Harriet said: "I did ask a number of people but a lot of them were set up"

Exactly, they were 'set up', committed, sorted.... as were she and Jay

(And I'm a huge fan of Coco but she doesn't need the mixed dubs now)

However, I'm also pretty ambivalent about Andy and Serena too.

I've always been a mega mega fan of Serena. Both her tennis pure, and what she's achieved considering her story.

But, like flamingowings, I was SO disgusted with her behaviour at the US Open - and, more importantly, the lack of apology or accountablity afterwards - that I don't support her now, at all. (And I also feel that Ramos behaved extremely professionally and having spoken to some French umpires and players, the only thing - the only thing - he can be criticised for is not reminding her she was on a warning, which somehow she didn't seem to understand (how can you dock me a game for that???? He didn't, he gave you another warning, rightly, the rules then dock you a game) but as she was so close to exploding anyway, that was an arguable call. The rest was just the rules - and a reasonably generous interpretation of them).
So I will cheer Andy to the rafters for the mens' dubs. But the mixed doubles can go whistle as far as I'm concerned - I hope he enjoys it, and has no bother with his hip, that's all.
Although - just to repeat - thank goodness none of this makes a whit difference

As I indicated, whatever the AELTC / LTA history with WCs who seriously believes that there was any significant chance that Jay & Harriet wouldn't get a WC ?

And did Jay for some reason feel more sure about a WC with Coco - given a nod? Actually probably not ( I hope not ). The real issues remain being so disingenuous re maybe not getting in with Harriet ( I assume so given he seems intelligent enough to know that they'ed virtually certainly get in ) and it being an inexcusably late call thus leaving Harriet no time.