Aljaz Bedene

paulisi · Tennis legend

RE: Aljaz Bedene

Wakey · Junior player

TMH wrote:
Just checked the rankings and didn't actually realise he's the current Slovenian #1.

Wasn't long ago they had him, Kavcic and Zemlja all flying. Now all three are floating in the 100s with the up and coming Rola about to become the new #1.

For what it's worth he's only played Davis Cup twice - both dead rubbers, one in 2011 and one in 2012.

His wikipedia page and davis cup page say 3. Although all 3 were dead rubbers which I guess is less of a problem than playing live rubbers

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

I don't particularly ascribe myself to any form of patriotism, and so my viewpoint might be a skewed one from the start, but I figure that if any player wants to become a participant under the British name, and can legally do so, then I'll welcome them into the GB team quite comfortably. If we are to be forced to see players play under flags then the least that we can do is allow somebody with a passion come and represent the country for those who appreciate such things.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

gattolibero wrote:
I think Evans and Ward should worry for their places in Davis Cup and much more for their fundings from LTA. I read that this boy (Bendene) broke up with the Slovenian Federation, the LTA is probably much more attractive (funding + wildcard for Wimbledon, think that if you loose at Wimbledon's first round this year you earn 27.000 GBP!!!), moreover you have a splendid tennis facility in London (the Roehampton structure).

-- Edited by gattolibero on Friday 9th of May 2014 02:52:28 PM

-- Edited by gattolibero on Friday 9th of May 2014 04:00:29 PM

Surely Bedene is unlikely to get LTA Funding, he's too old, under the current rules. And isn't he likely to get into Wimbledon directly? Ranked 108, the top 104 get in, don't they, so all he would need is 4 withdrawals and that is quite likely.

steven · Tennis legend

Aljaz (via Twitter/Facebook):

"As you are all aware, an article was released today regarding myself potentially becoming a British citizen. It is well known that I have been living in the UK a considerable amount of time now and I have never made a secret of my love for Britain and the lifestyle here although switching nationality is not a process I am familiar with and for me to speak out publicly about it at this early stage and with such limited knowledge is not something I am comfortable with. Whilst I appreciate the interest in me, I am focused only on recovering from my injury and getting back out on the ATP World Tour competing at the biggest events in tennis. Thank you!"

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

steven wrote:
Aljaz (via Twitter/Facebook):

"As you are all aware, an article was released today regarding myself potentially becoming a British citizen. It is well known that I have been living in the UK a considerable amount of time now and I have never made a secret of my love for Britain and the lifestyle here although switching nationality is not a process I am familiar with and for me to speak out publicly about it at this early stage and with such limited knowledge is not something I am comfortable with. Whilst I appreciate the interest in me, I am focused only on recovering from my injury and getting back out on the ATP World Tour competing at the biggest events in tennis. Thank you!"

Well, at least that answers the question as to whether to put him on the Top 25 Table yet or not !

All the best with your recovery, Aljaz smile

Spectator · All-time great

Poor Mr Bedene. There are many reasons why he might want to become a British citizen and player. What he probably hadn't fully anticipated was the British media and social media spotlight. Not our finest moment, really. Hope he recovers well - and is able to do what is right for him.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

I don't see a problem with it. Good luck to him whatever he decides

British_is_Best · County player

Having caught up on some of the BBC coverage it certainly sounds like this will happen unless the passport application is unsuccessful. I thought it was interesting Andy was practicing with Bedene this week as that would seem to indicate that he has no issue with a switch.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

The Beeb has a fresh article about the impending switch.

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

I'm presuming that any player complaints are related to the Davis Cup side of things considering that 1) having an opinion on a governmental policy is absolutely useless and thus 2) their complaints would have no weight and only serve to make themselves look bitter.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Takes me back to the days when Rusedski swapped to British and a few noses were put out of joint.

steven · Tennis legend

Eleanor Crooks, the tennis correspondent for the Press Association, reports that an ITF rule change will ban players playing for two different countries in Davis Cup and Fed Cup from the start of 2015. It won't affect players who have already played for two different countries (though they won't be able to play for a third country, obviously!) but it will affect Aljaz, who can't qualify for British citizenship until February at the earliest.

Maybe the rule change is a good thing (I'm not keen on unlimited nationality changes of convenience, which make a bit of a mockery of the whole thing), but I'm a bit surprised they aren't going to start counting countries from the start of 2015 - if he is genuinely going to switch, Aljaz could pay a heavy price for playing a couple of dead rubbers for Slovenia when he was a teenager.

-- Edited by steven on Tuesday 4th of November 2014 05:49:31 PM

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

Hopefully it won't be a blanket ban and there will be a framework for appeals.

indiana · Tennis legend

I really dislike how easy in sport it often is to play for more than one country and some sports, eg. rugby union, have ludicrous residency criteria.

Actually tennis is not too bad, but I do generally support these steps. However, I do agree with Steven that it seems a bit surprising not to have a clean slate from 2015. That would seem fairer and it is arguably a bit of a pity if it catches Aljaz.