It's only really this year that it's a big issue

Previously we've never even used up all the main draw wildcards - last year the LTA only used 7, some years it's been down at 6, or less - we just give them to the next on the list

That's because, obviously, players like Harriet, say, were already in the main draw as of right and there weren't that many contenders anyway

So it made sense to have an objective 'test' to give out a couple - it was more fun that just giving it to the next person on the acceptance list

So it doesn't make sense to me to change it this year, just because - as a one-off - we've got a big bunching problem

Brendan F wrote:

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I would hope it isn't a one off and that if we've got enough players to fill the WC places because they're in striking distance of the top 100 they should be given priority

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 I'm hoping it IS a one-off

I'm hoping that next year, Katie Swan and Katie Boulter and Harriet and Jodie will be top100

So they won't need those wildcards, and we'll have plenty to share around

I'm way more angry with previous years when we failed to use up our wildcards than this year when it just so happens we could have done with one or two extra  

Coup Droit wrote:

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Brendan F wrote:

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I would hope it isn't a one off and that if we've got enough players to fill the WC places because they're in striking distance of the top 100 they should be given priority

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 I'm hoping it IS a one-off

I'm hoping that next year, Katie Swan and Katie Boulter and Harriet and Jodie will be top100

So they won't need those wildcards, and we'll have plenty to share around

I'm way more angry with previous years when we failed to use up our wildcards than this year when it just so happens we could have done with one or two extra  

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 But back then it was players outside top 200 who missed out. We're looking at potentially someone ranked c 120 missing out.

As CD indicates it is a very unusual distribution of GB rankings this year - none being DE entry level but quite a number in the low 100s - though none currently top 120.

It's arguably a bit of a pity this year but as a general principle I still prefer the objective awards for the ITF W100 grass court winners.

They can't suspend it now, though, not when it was publicised in advance

Maybe they should have predicted that it was a possiblity but you can't change the goalposts but that seems a little unfair on them

Maybe they should have thought of it too, when they offered Venus and Svitolina a wildcard?

They obviously liked the 'sentimental' wildcards more

Looking last year, there was only one 'sentimental' wildcard (for Serena); I think Daria earned hers, didn't she? Having two this year obviously takes up another space

But, again, we've never used them up at all until this year so it really is a complete rarity 

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 12th of June 2023 04:20:10 PM

Coup Droit wrote:

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They can't suspend it now, though, not when it was publicised in advance

Maybe they should have predicted that it was a possiblity but you can't change the goalposts but that seems a little unfair on them

Maybe they should have thought of it too, when they offered Venus and Svitolina a wildcard?

They obviously liked the 'sentimental' wildcards more

Looking last year, there was only one 'sentimental' wildcard (for Serena); I think Daria earned hers, didn't she? Having two this year obviously takes up another space

But, again, we've never used them up at all until this year so it really is a complete rarity 

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 12th of June 2023 04:20:10 PM

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Maybe some sentimental wildcards are better than low ranked British women who could just as easily embarrass themselves on current form- last year that was a differe story. I think we should look to some of the new up and coming Brits TBH - although I appreciate many will support Hev Katie B and Harriet.

Up and coming can wait another year, certainly re MD WCs. No need to complicate it further, especially as I seen no GB up and comers particularly standing out.

These that we can give should certainly come from among our top ranked players, some of wuom are in pretty decent early grass court form. They are the most likely to do something at Wimbledon.