British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Deucebag · Intermediate Club Player

RE: Week 26 - WTA250 - Eastbourne, Great Britain Grass

PeteM · Newbie

I guess one way to look at it is that Hannah, Mika and Megan were all competitive (in stages at least) against players well inside the top 100 and will all be better for the experience. Plus Megan had an excellent win in the wildcard playoffs last week. They all have barely any tour level experience yet, so the inconsistency is probably to be expected at the moment, but they do all seem to have at least some of the weapons they will need as they progress. Should be exciting to watch their development over the years ahead.

And Heather got a great win (eventually!)

telstar · Club Coach

Var wrote:
indiana wrote:
Boisson and Jovic?

I put both Hanbah and Mika in my MD WC predictions. But more I had a feeling the AELTC / LTA were going to go with all 3 of Mimi, Hannah and Mika, rather than being at all convinced that they should have.

It's great that they did allocate all the singles WCs ( both men and women ) - there shouldn't be any left unallocated / just going to the next DE in line.

But there is a good argument to be had that at least these couple of non GB players had very strong cases this year and they might have held off this year re Hannah and Mika.
I dont really understand why not. Even the French on social media understand the decision. Pragmatic maybe but they get it. RG would never give WCs to our juniors so why not give Wimbledon WCs to the Brits? if there was reciprocal arrangements then fair enough.

Hannah and Mika have minimal chances of winning a round in the main draw. Qualifying is much more their standard. If they were to win through qualifying. it would be great for their confidence. They would feel that they had earned a place in the main draw rather than having been gifted it!

Sheddie · administrator

I'm personally delighted that all the WCs are going to Brits. Makes the opening days of the tournament more exciting having so many players to follow in our biggest tournament.

Plus tennis is an expensive sport, and for so many of our players, the Wimbledon prize money goes a long way to funding the year and enabling them to keep going with the sport.

The 3 juniors are probably our best hopes in the coming years of producing another top 100 player (as well as those who emerge from US colleges) and even younger hopes like Megan, so it's invaluable exposure to the top level for them.

Sheddie · administrator

If Jovic is good enough to win a round or 2 at Wimbledon, then she will be able to make it through qualies

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Sheddie wrote:
I'm personally delighted that all the WCs are going to Brits. Makes the opening days of the tournament more exciting having so many players to follow in our biggest tournament.

Plus tennis is an expensive sport, and for so many of our players, the Wimbledon prize money goes a long way to funding the year and enabling them to keep going with the sport.

The 3 juniors are probably our best hopes in the coming years of producing another top 100 player (as well as those who emerge from US colleges) and even younger hopes like Megan, so it's invaluable exposure to the top level for them.

Yes, I agree

I don't go with the gifted it argument from telstar

They've been selected to be part of the 'top hopes' group. This is part of being in that group - it's not falling out of the blue - it's part of their programme

It doesn't matter that they have minimal chance, the argument is that it'll reap dividends in years to come.

And it's only a couple of tournaments out of a whole year's worth - they'll get the chance to do the classic way in all other tournaments

And, as you say Sheddie, it adds an extra layer of interest for is

It also does a big favour to all the lower ranked girls - there wouldn't be room for Ranah and Ella and whoever if these three had to play qualis - the lta (for once) has structured it to help the most players pissible

Ps was going to correct the typo in the last line but it's a Saturday evening and I quite like it

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 21st of June 2025 06:43:42 PM

seagull · Hall of fame

I have bad news guys. The guy coaching Mika today on court was. Jeremy Bates

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

seagull wrote:
I have bad news guys. The guy coaching Mika today on court was. Jeremy Bates

Say no more biggrin

PaulM · Tennis legend

seagull wrote:
I have bad news guys. The guy coaching Mika today on court was. Jeremy Bates

Nooooooooooo

seagull · Hall of fame

He basically sat there looking bored a saying something negative every time she missed. Guy has been stealing a living for years

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

seagull wrote:
He basically sat there looking bored a saying something negative every time she missed. Guy has been stealing a living for years

Seriously?

Again?

It's beyond a joke

telstar · Club Coach

Coup Droit wrote:
Sheddie wrote:
I'm personally delighted that all the WCs are going to Brits. Makes the opening days of the tournament more exciting having so many players to follow in our biggest tournament.

Plus tennis is an expensive sport, and for so many of our players, the Wimbledon prize money goes a long way to funding the year and enabling them to keep going with the sport.

The 3 juniors are probably our best hopes in the coming years of producing another top 100 player (as well as those who emerge from US colleges) and even younger hopes like Megan, so it's invaluable exposure to the top level for them.
Yes, I agree

I don't go with the gifted it argument from telstar

They've been selected to be part of the 'top hopes' group. This is part of being in that group - it's not falling out of the blue - it's part of their programme

It doesn't matter that they have minimal chance, the argument is that it'll reap dividends in years to come.
And it's only a couple of tournaments out of a whole year's worth - they'll get the chance to do the classic way in all other tournaments

And, as you say Sheddie, it adds an extra layer of interest for is

It also does a big favour to all the lower ranked girls - there wouldn't be room for Ranah and Ella and whoever if these three had to play qualis - the lta (for once) has structured it to help the most players pissible

Ps was going to correct the typo in the last line but it's a Saturday evening and I quite like it

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 21st of June 2025 06:43:42 PM

Afraid I don't buy the 'losing is good experience for them because they will learn from it' argument! In 2002 Alex Bogdanovic was gifted the first of his eight consecutive wild cards. At the age of 18 he was the youngest player in thr draw. I don't recall the experience helping him too much in his future career!

-- Edited by telstar on Saturday 21st of June 2025 08:33:20 PM

seagull · Hall of fame

So because it didnt work for somebody in 2002 we should base policy on that. Bogdanovic got so many wildcards because there was literally no one else to choose from. Today will be invaluable to someone like Klugman to realise the level she needs to achieve. And these girls are class for their age.

telstar · Club Coach

Yes they may be class for their age but they are juniors! If they don't already realise that they need to improve to make it in adult tennis then there is little hope for them!

Peter too · Tennis legend

telstar wrote:
Yes they may be class for their age but they are juniors! If they don't already realise that they need to improve to make it in adult tennis then there is little hope for them!

I think it depends on the player. If the player goes into the match wanting to experience the power and variation of a top player and some of their combination plays, then go away and learn how to live with them and learn how to make the same plays themselves, then it could be very beneficial. Some may be depressed by a heavy loss but most, I would hope, would be inspired by the experience.