British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Oscariyan · Club Coach

RE: 2025 Rankings

Oscariyan · Club Coach

Interested to hear thoughts on Anna Boron too as she seems to be doing well as a 2010er, qualifying for Monastir twice etc.

Rose · Lower Club Player

Oscariyan wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Thrilled to hear it, Rose

April was SO impressive at the Nationals in spring

However, it can't be easy to leave home and be only with older kids - just because your tennis is that level, it doesn't mean that you are there socially etc

Meg didn't accept her offer, did she? She stayed at home, no? Or am I remembering wrongly?
PS Oscar, I don't think Rose means top in the world, just the UK

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Tuesday 12th of August 2025 08:45:53 PM
Ok yeah top in the UK would be good too :). Also at the academy at least she will be joining with some fellow 2011ers who are only year older.

Yes, I meant top in UK, sorry for not being clearer

Liv, Grace and Millica are all 2011 so not that much older. Daniella is 2010 but the same school year as she has a late birthday. She was unsuccessful last year but they couldnt really ignore her this year as the results were there. LTA didnt make it easy for her though and set a lot of conditions for her second chance - including ranking and improving movement. She delivered!

Aprils parents dont have much of a tennis background and dont have loads of money so Im sure she will make the most of the opportunity. I understand shes really looking forward to it

Rose · Lower Club Player

Oscariyan wrote:
Interested to hear thoughts on Anna Boron too as she seems to be doing well as a 2010er, qualifying for Monastir twice etc.

Im not a great fan. Very tall and powerful and puts effort into every ball. Parents seem a bit pushy and a lot of money has been spent on her tennis. LTA had no interest in her before she moved abroad to train. She wasnt even on the regional pathway for 10-14 year olds. Just doesnt wow me and am just not sure she has what it takes. Happy to be proven wrong though

Rose · Lower Club Player

Rose wrote:
Oscariyan wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Thrilled to hear it, Rose

April was SO impressive at the Nationals in spring

However, it can't be easy to leave home and be only with older kids - just because your tennis is that level, it doesn't mean that you are there socially etc

Meg didn't accept her offer, did she? She stayed at home, no? Or am I remembering wrongly?
PS Oscar, I don't think Rose means top in the world, just the UK

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Tuesday 12th of August 2025 08:45:53 PM
Ok yeah top in the UK would be good too :). Also at the academy at least she will be joining with some fellow 2011ers who are only year older.
Yes, I meant top in UK, sorry for not being clearer
Liv, Grace and Millica are all 2011 so not that much older. Daniella is 2010 but the same school year as she has a late birthday. She was unsuccessful last year but they couldnt really ignore her this year as the results were there. LTA didnt make it easy for her though and set a lot of conditions for her second chance - including ranking and improving movement. She delivered!
Aprils parents dont have much of a tennis background and dont have loads of money so Im sure she will make the most of the opportunity. Dad is a single parent from Nigeria who has been so supportive of her. I understand shes really looking forward to it

Oscariyan · Club Coach

Interesting insight Rose, thanks.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Rose wrote:
Oscariyan wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Thrilled to hear it, Rose

April was SO impressive at the Nationals in spring

However, it can't be easy to leave home and be only with older kids - just because your tennis is that level, it doesn't mean that you are there socially etc

Meg didn't accept her offer, did she? She stayed at home, no? Or am I remembering wrongly?
PS Oscar, I don't think Rose means top in the world, just the UK

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Tuesday 12th of August 2025 08:45:53 PM
Ok yeah top in the UK would be good too :). Also at the academy at least she will be joining with some fellow 2011ers who are only year older.
Yes, I meant top in UK, sorry for not being clearer
Liv, Grace and Millica are all 2011 so not that much older. Daniella is 2010 but the same school year as she has a late birthday. She was unsuccessful last year but they couldnt really ignore her this year as the results were there. LTA didnt make it easy for her though and set a lot of conditions for her second chance - including ranking and improving movement. She delivered!
Aprils parents dont have much of a tennis background and dont have loads of money so Im sure she will make the most of the opportunity. I understand shes really looking forward to it

Just for my benefit and to be ultra clear, you're meaning Daniella who was unsuccessful last year and who delievered the results this year, yes? (Not April?)

I still hope they consider actual age - 'not much' older can still be a big deal, especially for girls, I find

Grace is a full year older, and Liv and Milica are 10 months older - and all a whole school year above

And April is the only black girl

And if her family are not very 'tennisy' (unlike Grace's for instance, and Liv's), that's another fact to stand her apart

I assume they have a decent 'well-being' tutor set-up (no idea what you call them in England but you know the sort of thing), as well as tennis and school

Rose · Lower Club Player

Coup Droit wrote:
Rose wrote:
Oscariyan wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Thrilled to hear it, Rose

April was SO impressive at the Nationals in spring

However, it can't be easy to leave home and be only with older kids - just because your tennis is that level, it doesn't mean that you are there socially etc

Meg didn't accept her offer, did she? She stayed at home, no? Or am I remembering wrongly?
PS Oscar, I don't think Rose means top in the world, just the UK

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Tuesday 12th of August 2025 08:45:53 PM
Ok yeah top in the UK would be good too :). Also at the academy at least she will be joining with some fellow 2011ers who are only year older.
Yes, I meant top in UK, sorry for not being clearer
Liv, Grace and Millica are all 2011 so not that much older. Daniella is 2010 but the same school year as she has a late birthday. She was unsuccessful last year but they couldnt really ignore her this year as the results were there. LTA didnt make it easy for her though and set a lot of conditions for her second chance - including ranking and improving movement. She delivered!
Aprils parents dont have much of a tennis background and dont have loads of money so Im sure she will make the most of the opportunity. I understand shes really looking forward to it

Just for my benefit and to be ultra clear, you're meaning Daniella who was unsuccessful last year and who delievered the results this year, yes? (Not April?)
I still hope they consider actual age - 'not much' older can still be a big deal, especially for girls, I find
Grace is a full year older, and Liv and Milica are 10 months older - and all a whole school year above
And April is the only black girl
And if her family are not very 'tennisy' (unlike Grace's for instance, and Liv's), that's another fact to stand her apart
I assume they have a decent 'well-being' tutor set-up (no idea what you call them in England but you know the sort of thing), as well as tennis and school

Yes, I meant Daniella. Last years intake was for 2010 born and older so that should have been her year. She was shortlisted but not succesful as they felt there was still development needs. They went with the 3 2010 born boys instead. Megan was offered a place, technically a year early, but decided to stay where she was. She will go straight to the pro programme now like Hannah did.

This year was for 2011 and older. Daniella got her chance this time and April is the exception (definitely deserved) Aprils father played football (not professionally) and her mum didnt really play any sport. They started tennis they thought it looked fun and April has gone from strength to strength. Shes a fantastic athlete.

Graces parents dont have a tennis background but are very invested in both their daughters. The mother is Eastern European and has that determination and drive. The girls tried a lot of sports but Grace chose tennis and her twin sister dance. Grace is goingvto the national academy and her twin has joined the royal ballet company. They have been brought up to work hard and give everything and it shows.

Regarding schooling, the national academy provides schooling and tutoring in small classes for the players so they also keep up when travelling. They take significantly fewer exams - 6 GCSEs and 2 A levels

-- Edited by Rose on Wednesday 13th of August 2025 09:25:52 AM