Girls: 2015 Australian Open, hard - Grade A (Week 4)

Oakland2002 · All-time great

RE: Girls: 2015 Australian Open, hard - Grade A (Week 4)

Priesty · Challenger level

It's shame that whilst it all went swimmingly for Miss Swan up until today, that wasn't the case in the final, but I'm sure it will be a valuable learning curve. As has been said maybe the run-up to it, especially the semi, took too much out of her. A fantastic week nonetheless, and plenty of positives. Never watched her but I look forward to having a gander at her playing at Wimbledon in the near future.

In a way it may be no bad thing that she lost, the media attention had she won would have been huge and it may have been difficult for her to duck it........

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Valiant effort Katie; marathon SF caught up with her maybe. Brilliant week and she's still only 15 :)

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

What a pity - best wishes for a full recovery and a good future.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Just read the Beeb report on Katie. Interestingly she's been in the US for the last couple of years. Why is it all our players that have done well have spent significant time abroad in their critical years? What are we doing wrong???

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Shame about the final result but a great week and so much to build upon.

I hope it can inspire Maia, Gabby, Anastasia, Jodie and the even younger generation to show what's possible

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Helen40 wrote:
Just read the Beeb report on Katie. Interestingly she's been in the US for the last couple of years. Why is it all our players that have done well have spent significant time abroad in their critical years? What are we doing wrong???

Katie has always been a strong junior but it's true to say she's taken a massive jump forward since being based Stateside. This is obviously due to general maturity but I also see a great change in confidence. When based in the UK Katie could often get tight in matches focussing on the score rather than the point in hand. I don't think that could be levelled at her now, despite a few understandable nerves at the 1st grand slam where she has gone deep.

I think it is symptomatic of the LTA policy of picking so very few juniors in each year so very young and then focussing all their considerable attention on them. The attention certainly brings their strokes and tactics on quickly but the constant reviews, analysis and targets made and missed IMO breeds a fear of losing in our home coached juniors rather than a desire to battle and grow their game. I think those who move out of the system, whilst probably not developing better stroke production etc do end up with a more positive and confident mindset.

indiana · Tennis legend

Ah, Helen, but Katie has basically followed her Dad's work to the USA and lives, schools and trains there full time.

But just think what she could be achieving if back here under the full auspices of the LTA ?!

Hee Hum ...

new to it · Social player

Helen. You obviously know we are doing very little right. Typically players do better abroad. Coaches and set ups here are not up to scratch and they always blame the players

Shhh · Challenger level

indiana wrote:
Ah, Helen, but Katie has basically followed her Dad's work to the USA and lives, schools and trains there full time.

But just think what she could be achieving if back here under the full auspices of the LTA ?!

Hee Hum ...

I am sure our home coaching standards can be improved but when a youngster goes away, away from there friends and home comforts, they are surely forced to focus on their tennis to a much higher level. Whether thats right or wrong (I would guess it varies player to player) I am sure it plays a big part why so many of our young players seem to improve over and above those who remain here. ie, the players attitude/focus changes more than the coaching itself perhaps?????

indiana · Tennis legend

Seriously, if Katie's success makes the LTA consider rather more how, while wanting to enhance coaching levels in this country, they need to allow more flexibilty in what works better for some players and still support them, then that success could be even more invaluable.

Clearly Katie is in a particular situation, but there are principles to be considered. And one certainly is whether they are planning too much linkage of coaching development to the plans for helping our current top players.

indiana · Tennis legend

Shhh, I'd be lieing if I pretended to know anything like all the details about Katie.

But I understand Katie essentialy moved to the USA because of her father's job rather than her tennis, although no doubt they did feel that her tennis progress was unlikely to be impaired there and did seek out good looking facilities.

From various things I have read she seems to have settled in very well in such a different environment, happy in school and happy with her new friends ( she certainly has been engaging with them based on her accent ).

So she is not really a typical tennis academy kid, far from home, sometimes in a country where English is not the first language, and left to more single mindedly focus on tennis. She still very much enjoys a family environment as much as time and commitments allow and has her friends. But she has also found tennis facilties and coaching assistance ( I believe college related ) that have really helped develop her already clear talent. It seems more this assistance, rather than having to focus more on her tennis, that is currently inspiring her and pushing her on.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Katie says she'll be playing her first ITF senior events next month, in the US.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Good to hear

Sim · County player

Report on match and interview with Katie on bbc: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/31072108

She comes across well in the interview, will play some ITF events this year but not take any money to keep her options for college open