British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Sheddie wrote:

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So with Jan making the main draw, it's a good time to take a look at where things likely stand with the WCs.

It feels like the below five are absolute shoe-ins now, especially with Toby qualifying, Jake being a former top 50 player, and JPJ, Billy and Arthur all winning rounds last year.

1. Jake Fearnley
2. JPJ
3. Billy Harris
4. Toby Samuel
5. Arthur Fery

So that leaves three WCs left and the decision is going to be intriguing. I could see one going to Dimitrov after last year's heartbreak, but at the same time, he's been back in action since November and has barely won a match all year - he lost first round of RG qualifying.

It very much feels like Dan Evans is on his swansong, based on his scheduling this year. My sense is that he's hoping for a few final WCs and paychecks on the grass before calling it a day. Former world no.21 - will he get one final WC, even though he's barely played since last summer?

I didn't think that Felix Gill had a shot, but if he qualifies for Roland Garros tomorrow, I feel like he might well deserve one. If he does qualify then ranking-wise, he'll also be close to the top 200.

Liam also has a decent claim based on both grass pedigree (two third round wins at Wimbledon), being a former top 100 player, and the progress he's made in getting back up to nearly 200 in the rankings. Intrigued to see him continuing on the dirt rather than playing Birmingham though.

With all Jay's points dropping off, I can't quite see him getting one. Harry Wendelken's in the mix as well, going from outside the top 600 to 220 in a year.

And of course, there's Oli Tarvet after his heroics last year, and Henry Searle, having come into some form again lately.

If it was up to me, I'd give the final 3 to Felix, Liam and Oli T.

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 I definitely agree with the 5 selected above, for sure. In terms of who I think will get the other 3, not who I think should get them but who I think WILL get them:

Evo (for reasons you state)

Dimitrov (for what he did last year and in other years past)

Oli T (need to hold one back as long as they can to see if someone comes good, but all the names you mention must be in it. As it stands, I think Liam would miss out, Felix may get one if he qualifies for the FO, but Oli T is most likely as things stand right now)

The 25/05 rankings are out, these which will determine the Wimbledon qualifying list, although it might not be issued for another week or so.

As well as Jake, JPJ, Billy, Arthur and Toby being top 160, and hopefully all going to be MD WCs, we have:

205 - Dan E
219 - Liam B
227 - Harry W
240 - Felix G
243 - Oliver C
251 - Jay C

272 - Alastair G

Dan, Liam and Harry should be direct acceptances ( Harry maybe not on the first issue ), with Felix and Oliver less clear, and Jay more likely not.

Clearly the more players we can have in direct the more scope for Q WCs.

seagull wrote:

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Apparently Monfils has asked for a wildcard

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 Im assuming Stan will get one as well?

Coup Droit wrote:

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Give Stan a wildcard to Queens - I wouldn't give him a Wimbledon one

Not sure about Gael - more inclined to

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 Stan has two last 8 appearances at Wimbledon, Grigor a semi, Gael a last 16. 

Stan is a 3 time slam winner; Gael is box office wherever he plays; Grigor has crowd appeal also

Try unpicking that lot - maybe give all 3 of them wildcards and reduce the British options (JK!)