Coup Droit wrote:

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Madadman wrote:

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Just been having a look at this don't normally keep my eyes on the junior tournaments. I see that George is the youngest player left in the Boy singles draw.
Has someone on here seen him play and can describe his style for those of us that haven't.

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 I saw him at the Nike Grade 1 at Roehampton and posted on there that he was: "a new 'little fave'" and "an interesting work in progress." I would be very interested to see him again because I bet he has made huge progress, even in that short time, as the impression he gave then was of a player who was very talented but rather 'unpolished' - a rough diamond, if you will (especially compared to someone like Jack Draper, for instance, who game is very 'in place', no weaknesses as such, very slick but no obvious room for a big jump).

I don't mean by that that George hasn't had coaching (I think he's had tons from Alan Jones, Ryan, Felgate etc). Just that it hasn't all quite clicked yet. Or hadn't. Particularly in terms of tactics and shot selection and focus. He has a lot of shots, mainly baseline slug shots, not much net, but baseline shots that surprise the opponent and really do damage. Real acceleration, that comes easily. And mobile. (Way more so than Anton Mat., for instance, who has very big shots, but is a bit static and they don't 'flow' off the racket). But in the match at Roehampton George didn't quite know how and when to use them. And his coach/team were shouting a lot about 'focus' and you could see their point - he looked a bit vague at times (although we can't help how we look!). But I think that was just lack of experience at playing a very tight, long, important match (it went to a third-set TB), in front of quite a big crowd. (George was outside the top 500 juniors only 6 months ago or so and this match was on the show court with the stands). As said before, the fact that he lost to two top juniors in June/July and has now beaten the same two players, without too much trouble, would indicate the curve (both tennis itself and confidence) is steep.

In terms of size, George is about 6 ft, I'd say. And skinny but in a way that makes you think he'll bulk out (all boys do, of course, but some look like they will more than others). Perfect tennis size, in short. His parents, I read, are both 'legal professionals' with his dad being a senior lawyer at IMG (not hugely relevant in itself but means that financing shouldn't be too much of an issue which, unfortunately, is relevant).

Also, a player with a reasonably happy demeanor on court, no histrionics, no moping (just a little bit 'vague' at times ).

All in all, a really talented and interesting individual.

 

 

 

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Thanks CD, always great to get some more detail and very exciting to see these results this week - as you say, the results upward curve is steep and I notice that he would now play two players outside the top 20 to make the semis. Fingers crossed, another win or two here could open more doors for him. 

Great job to Alan, Jo, Ryan and the team! 

LordBrownof wrote:

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Btw - do we know what time Geroge is on court today? The official website schedule doesn't have juniors OOP.

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 There are no Junior matches today unusually - they decided with a poor weather forecast and a decent forecast for the rest of the week to have a rest day

DavidC wrote:

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LordBrownof wrote:

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Btw - do we know what time Geroge is on court today? The official website schedule doesn't have juniors OOP.

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 There are no Junior matches today unusually - they decided with a poor weather forecast and a decent forecast for the rest of the week to have a rest day

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 That would be why they weren't on the OOP then. Thanks, David!  

David - on a slight tangent, do you know why Fran Jones didn't go to the US for this event? I understand some decide to take the senior route earlier, but can't help thinking what a fab life experience it would've been. 

Thursday's schedule is out. George is 3rd on Court 11 after two girls singles matches. Noon local, 5 pm BST, start to proceedings. Emily's R2 doubles match follows on the same court. Rather belatedly the schedulers get Brit friendly for any British watchers still in town. 

Second serve seems to be the issue - George has won only 2 points on his second serve (/16)