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Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Gary - If you haven't done so already, please do Marcus a favour and pull him out IMMEDIATELY - at least of the singles (although I would pull him out of doubles as well.)

Tomorrow's match tomorrow against Malouli is not one that Marcus can win "on one leg" as Malouli has some pedigree this year with a semi here two weeks ago and a win over Dan C to his name. A fit Marcus would undoubtedly start favourite, but if Marcus is pushed at all, the most likely scenario is that he will aggravate his injury and put in jeopardy his entire winter training programme. And for what ? A single ATP ranking point for a L16 win.

Just ask yourself the question - which is more important. Winter training or ONE ranking point. To me, that's a no brainer.

Shhh · Challenger level

I agree Bob. From the information we have gained on here (I accept we are not directly involved and therefore from the outside looking in) I have always though Marcus should not even be in Greece and I 100% think he should pull out now. I think that because I want the best for him and I do not think that being in Greece after the season he's had is the right thing.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I do hope that Marcus is withdrawn from his singles, what with the knee and that generally tight scoreline against the youngster despite supposedly serving him off court. He would need much more than a big serve to proceed much further and to me the risks very much outweigh any limited reward.

Accepting that we are only viewing from afar, albeit with a fair amount of info, the only "real" decision seems to be will Marcus continue in the doubles. Loyalty is of course very good, but it's not a war out there, and it does look as if some very careful consideration will need to be made as to what is best here in the medium to long term.

Marcus has had a really good year and the coming close season and start to next year will be very important to him continuing to progress.

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

Bob in Spain wrote:
Gary - If you haven't done so already, please do Marcus a favour and pull him out IMMEDIATELY - at least of the singles (although I would pull him out of doubles as well.)

Tomorrow's match tomorrow against Malouli is not one that Marcus can win "on one leg" as Malouli has some pedigree this year with a semi here two weeks ago and a win over Dan C to his name. A fit Marcus would undoubtedly start favourite, but if Marcus is pushed at all, the most likely scenario is that he will aggravate his injury and put in jeopardy his entire winter training programme. And for what ? A single ATP ranking point for a L16 win.

Just ask yourself the question - which is more important. Winter training or ONE ranking point. To me, that's a no brainer.

I agree with all your comments and have advised Marcus accordingly but he is keen to continue I guess it's in pursuit of doubles points & youthful enthusiasm .

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

A1 tennis academy wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
Gary - If you haven't done so already, please do Marcus a favour and pull him out IMMEDIATELY - at least of the singles (although I would pull him out of doubles as well.)

Tomorrow's match tomorrow against Malouli is not one that Marcus can win "on one leg" as Malouli has some pedigree this year with a semi here two weeks ago and a win over Dan C to his name. A fit Marcus would undoubtedly start favourite, but if Marcus is pushed at all, the most likely scenario is that he will aggravate his injury and put in jeopardy his entire winter training programme. And for what ? A single ATP ranking point for a L16 win.

Just ask yourself the question - which is more important. Winter training or ONE ranking point. To me, that's a no brainer.
I agree with all your comments and have advised Marcus accordingly but he is keen to continue I guess it's in pursuit of doubles points & youthful enthusiasm .

Firstly, glad to hear that the knee problem seems to be not too serious and that Marcus is recovering.

Far be it for me to tell you what to do from the other side of the world, but perhaps this is a situation where a manager needs to show some "tough love" to his protege and to "protect his investment" by putting his foot down.

Of course it may be that Marcus has now taken that decision anyway. This tweet from yesterday...

Will be 100% in 3-5 days. Let the training block commence. #allez

... suggests he may have already pulled out of next weeks singles and is moving into training mode.

Am I correct ?

indiana · Tennis legend

I've never had so much accompanying pinches of salt as I have had recently.

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

indiana wrote:
I've never had so much accompanying pinches of salt as I have had recently.

Marcus against my better judgement was keen stay and I preferr to advise rather than insist lets hope the young mans right and he's fit enough to do a job this week .

Goal is 6 singles points & a doubles title

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

Marcus & Lewis a bye & then a w/0 puts then straight into semi final of doubles so only 2 wins on court at Greece F20 would them their 8th pro doubles title of 2013

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

That shouldn't be too hard on Marcus' knee, then - or his tiredness!

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

Madeline wrote:
That shouldn't be too hard on Marcus' knee, then - or his tiredness!

Lets see what happens a doubles title will vindicate Marcus's decision to stay on but we also badly need 6 points or more in singles because got 18 points from Glasgow 2013 to protect at end of jan 2014 .

Shhh · Challenger level

A1 tennis academy wrote:
Lets see what happens a doubles title will vindicate Marcus's decision to stay on but we also badly need 6 points or more in singles because got 18 points from Glasgow 2013 to protect at end of jan 2014 .

Nothing to do with me obviously, and I know the Wimbledon WC is important, but I hope you and Marcus continue to look at an end game.........where he will be in 12/24 months..........and not worry too much about the shorter term goals.

indiana · Tennis legend

It will be good if Marcus manages to get his target 6 or more singles points.

But it seems very short-termism to be looking to these as some / a full defense of these 18 points in January rather than just a nice addition

I appreciate you have said, Gary, that this is really about the doubles. But regarding singles, if any element in your or Marcus's thinking is having to go for further points to defend singles points in January, then personally I find that a really odd one. I am sure you would agree that there must be much more important medium term ( even if say targetting a specific Wimbledon time ranking ) and long term thinking than playing now to counteract against a possible slight rankings fall in January.

The most important thing is to enter 2014 as best prepared as possible to make further real strides in the rankings over a much longer time than January.

korriban · Challenger level

indiana wrote:
It will be good if Marcus manages to get his target 6 or more singles points.

But it seems very short-termism to be looking to these as some / a full defense of these 18 points in January rather than just a nice addition

I appreciate you have said, Gary, that this is really about the doubles. But regarding singles, if any element in your or Marcus's thinking is having to go for further points to defend singles points in January, then personally I find that a really odd one. I am sure you would agree that there must be much more important medium term ( even if say targetting a specific Wimbledon time ranking ) and long term thinking than playing now to counteract against a possible slight rankings fall in January.

The most important thing is to enter 2014 as best prepared as possible to make further real strides in the rankings over a much longer time than January.

I agree with you Indy. This year is this year. last year is last year. And next year will be next year - worrying about points defences may be a part of life as a pro player, but it should ideally be the farthest thing from a player's mind and certainly not something a coach or manager should be bringing up. Form is bound to have peaks and troughs, so focusing on the long term rather than short term risks/opportunities should be the best approach.

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

korriban wrote:
indiana wrote:
It will be good if Marcus manages to get his target 6 or more singles points.

But it seems very short-termism to be looking to these as some / a full defense of these 18 points in January rather than just a nice addition

I appreciate you have said, Gary, that this is really about the doubles. But regarding singles, if any element in your or Marcus's thinking is having to go for further points to defend singles points in January, then personally I find that a really odd one. I am sure you would agree that there must be much more important medium term ( even if say targetting a specific Wimbledon time ranking ) and long term thinking than playing now to counteract against a possible slight rankings fall in January.

The most important thing is to enter 2014 as best prepared as possible to make further real strides in the rankings over a much longer time than January.

I agree with you Indy. This year is this year. last year is last year. And next year will be next year - worrying about points defences may be a part of life as a pro player, but it should ideally be the farthest thing from a player's mind and certainly not something a coach or manager should be bringing up. Form is bound to have peaks and troughs, so focusing on the long term rather than short term risks/opportunities should be the best approach.

I agree but Marcus pushed to stay on because he felt he Coukd recover from knee injury and add to his end of year singles & doubles points . We were also going to do 2 weeks in Qatar but that will be added to our intensive winter training that starts on mon 25/11 .

I think that will focus on your preferred strategy in the 2nd half of 2014 . If we stall prior to Wimbledon will stop for a another 4 week intensive prep prior to autumn campaign which will focus on challengers & qualifying for US open