Week 7 - ATP 250, Delray Beach, USA - Hard

British_is_Best · County player

Week 7 - ATP 250, Delray Beach, USA - Hard

British_is_Best · County player

A kind opening round for Liam. Seeds in his section are (7) Kuznetsov and (3) Kokkinakis.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Liam has lost the first set 3-6 :(

Priesty · Challenger level

And is down 4-5 in the 2nd having been up 4-2....

What's going on Liam??

korriban · Challenger level

and loses the second set 5-7 after being 40-0 on serve to take into the tb, then losing 5 point in a row on serve

Priesty · Challenger level

Very disappointing.

indiana · Tennis legend

Bit disappointing.

But Liam has come a heck of a long way since being ranked WR 470 this time a year ago, just off his then CH.

And still going to be setbacks along the way, just hope temporary ones.

emma · Strong Club Player

if Liam's out in the states on his own then I think its quite tough. I always feel its better to be part of a group so the players can bounce off each other - there's more support and energy - like late last year in the us and in Marseille now.

RJA · Hall of fame

emma wrote:

if Liam's out in the states on his own then I think its quite tough. I always feel its better to be part of a group so the players can bounce off each other - there's more support and energy - like late last year in the us and in Marseille now.

The problem with this is that it provides a short term benefit while leaving players unprepared for the harsh and often lonely life on tour. I have long thought that the friendly atmosphere among so many fairly young British tennis players has been utterly counter productive. Liam's run of success last year came almost completely away from Britain and Kyle has spent the vast majority of his time on tour playing events where he is the only Brit there.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

RJA wrote:
emma wrote:

if Liam's out in the states on his own then I think its quite tough. I always feel its better to be part of a group so the players can bounce off each other - there's more support and energy - like late last year in the us and in Marseille now.
The problem with this is that it provides a short term benefit while leaving players unprepared for the harsh and often lonely life on tour. I have long thought that the friendly atmosphere among so many fairly young British tennis players has been utterly counter productive. Liam's run of success last year came almost completely away from Britain and Kyle has spent the vast majority of his time on tour playing events where he is the only Brit there.

But Kyle, for the most part, travelled with a coach so wasn't really on his own. Not sure what Liam's arrangements are re coaches and travelling but seem to remember something about a coach being with the group of Brits in the US last year.

On a wider note, most of those who break through relatively quickly, have normally always travelled with a coach or family member. I guess breaking through early helps attract sponsorship to make this possible, but it does suggest that travelling with company of some sort is overall a positive thing.

We also shouldn't assume that company means countryman. Those who have played a fair amount of junior international tennis will have contacts across the world.

RJA · Hall of fame

The Optimist wrote:
RJA wrote:
emma wrote:

if Liam's out in the states on his own then I think its quite tough. I always feel its better to be part of a group so the players can bounce off each other - there's more support and energy - like late last year in the us and in Marseille now.
The problem with this is that it provides a short term benefit while leaving players unprepared for the harsh and often lonely life on tour. I have long thought that the friendly atmosphere among so many fairly young British tennis players has been utterly counter productive. Liam's run of success last year came almost completely away from Britain and Kyle has spent the vast majority of his time on tour playing events where he is the only Brit there.
But Kyle, for the most part, travelled with a coach so wasn't really on his own. Not sure what Liam's arrangements are re coaches and travelling but seem to remember something about a coach being with the group of Brits in the US last year.
On a wider note, most of those who break through relatively quickly, have normally always travelled with a coach or family member. I guess breaking through early helps attract sponsorship to make this possible, but it does suggest that travelling with company of some sort is overall a positive thing.
We also shouldn't assume that company means countryman. Those who have played a fair amount of junior international tennis will have contacts across the world.

I certainly agree that a player should be travelling with a coach and obviously players form friendships with lots of people on tour. I just don't think that this idea of lots of British players travelling together and backing each other up is actually helpful in the long run.

-- Edited by RJA on Sunday 15th of February 2015 02:36:09 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
The Optimist wrote:
RJA wrote:
emma wrote:

if Liam's out in the states on his own then I think its quite tough. I always feel its better to be part of a group so the players can bounce off each other - there's more support and energy - like late last year in the us and in Marseille now.
The problem with this is that it provides a short term benefit while leaving players unprepared for the harsh and often lonely life on tour. I have long thought that the friendly atmosphere among so many fairly young British tennis players has been utterly counter productive. Liam's run of success last year came almost completely away from Britain and Kyle has spent the vast majority of his time on tour playing events where he is the only Brit there.
But Kyle, for the most part, travelled with a coach so wasn't really on his own. Not sure what Liam's arrangements are re coaches and travelling but seem to remember something about a coach being with the group of Brits in the US last year.
On a wider note, most of those who break through relatively quickly, have normally always travelled with a coach or family member. I guess breaking through early helps attract sponsorship to make this possible, but it does suggest that travelling with company of some sort is overall a positive thing.
We also shouldn't assume that company means countryman. Those who have played a fair amount of junior international tennis will have contacts across the world.
I certainly agree that a player should be travelling with a coach and obviously players form friendships with lots of people on tour. I just don't think that this idea of lots of British players travelling together and backing each other up is actually helpful in the long run.

-- Edited by RJA on Sunday 15th of February 2015 02:36:09 PM

As has been mentioned here in France, travelling and rooming with another Brit certainly helps keep costs down.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Liam made such a huge jump at the end of last year, that the first half of this year for me was all about consolidating and setting up a good base for another move up the rankings. Some great performances so far mixed with some below par ones, but nothing you wouldn't expect from someone who is trying to build that new base.

emma · Strong Club Player

yes agree, it is important to consolidate and have a solid base. its just not going to be as much fun though, being on your own although as said there may be a coach or others you know from juniors.

maybe Liam is giving it a go to see how he gets on. he appears to be a fairly savvy person who is quick to learn and hopefully progress higher up the rankings. so good luck to him.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

That's still a disappointing loss. Loosing to someone ranked 200 places below. If you want to continue to rise you can't afford to lose these matches