Boys: Australian Open

wolf · Tennis legend

Boys: Australian Open

Drew · Jan 19, 2008

Poor Niall what a draw !!!!

Here is hoping for some luck for our boys !!!

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Heres hoping one or more can go on a run here.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Anyone know what's become of Graeme Dyce? He is, after all, last year's doubles champion (with Harri Heliovaara). Is he injured or something, or perhaps no longer eligible on age grounds?

wolf · Tennis legend

Yes, he has become too old.

steven · Tennis legend

Neil Pauffley (Gbr) LOST to Zalan Klempa (Svk) by 6-3 7-6(12-10!)

Seems to be the only Brit playing today in the juniors.

steven · Tennis legend

... because apparently Marcus Willis has been withdrawn at the last minute by the LTA for misbehaving - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7198591.stm

I'm not sure I agree with this, they might as well have let him play after flying him halfway around the world and then dealt with him afterwards. However, not knowing the full story, it may be best not to comment!

-- Edited by steven at 07:34, 2008-01-20

wolf · Tennis legend

Who are the LTA to withdraw players from tournaments?

christian · Intermediate Club Player

Well according to the story they are the people who are paying for him to be halfway around the world to be in this tournament. If I remember correctly when the last incident was being discussed the Aussie's removed a couple of their guys for discipline reasons.

I can appreciate it may seem harsh but ultimately if the LTA are trying a creat a new attitude then they have to take these steps. BBC report states Willis had been warned previously before his latest set of problems.

It's a shame that the press only seem to get involved when it is a story like this.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

wolf wrote:

Who are the LTA to withdraw players from tournaments?

The people who pay all the expenses, maybe?

wolf · Tennis legend

Doubles R1
Peerakit Siributwong (Tha) / Kittipong Wachiramonowong (Tha) (5) v Niall Angus (Gbr) / Neil Pauffley (Gbr)
Daniel Cox (Gbr) / Daniel Evans (Gbr) (4) v Xander Spong (Ned) / Timothy Van Terheijden (Ned)

11:00pm GMT start
Cox singles match 1st on Court 13
Angus singles match 2nd on Court 7
Evans singles match 2nd on Court 8
Angus / Pauffley doubles match 4th on Court 7
Cox / Evans doubles match 4th on Court 13

-- Edited by wolf at 14:40, 2008-01-20

wolf · Tennis legend

I was under the impression that tennis was an individual sport, and while the LTA can help choose and decide what tournaments players go to, and have every right to withdraw funding, it's up to the player whether he can continue or not? And while missing a bus and leaving your raquets at home is a pretty stupid thing to do, should it have been punished by suspension?

RobC · All-time great

Here's to Meatball bouncing back the way Naomi Broady has

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

wolf wrote:
Daniel Cox (Gbr) / Daniel Cox (Gbr) (4) v Xander Spong (Ned) / Timothy Van Terheijden (Ned)

I'm impressed Dan's found a way to partner himself in doubles but isn't that a little arrogant?

(I assume one of those should read Dan Evans?)

As for Willis, I don't think we can really judge without knowing the full story. The article suggested that this incident was the straw that broke the camels back. And at junior level as I understand it funding and support (coaching etc) is given on a conditional basis and the authorities have every right to withdraw someone from a tournament (whether we think they should or not). I remember it happening to an Aussie junior last year, he was withdrawn from Wimbledon after winning the FO or something equally silly for bad behaviour.

Ratty · County player

Roger Draper talks about a 17 year old boy having to be a role model. We're not talking about Wayne Rooney, we're talking about someone who has probably earned less than £1,000 in his entire career to date.

Maybe Roger might care to take a leaf out of a couple of people who should be his own role models - Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. In private both are known to be firm disciplinarians, tolerating no nonsense. In public, both defend their players to the hilt, and would never dream of leaking internal club matters to the press. Watch and learn please, Roger ...

So what purpose was served by hanging this boy out to dry in public? When I saw the headlines I thought he might have been arrested for being Drunk & Disorderly at 2am, or failing a drugs test. But, (ahem) instead I see that he "forgot to take his rackets to a practice session". It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

And of course we have to have a load of sanctimonious twaddle from rent a mouth Judy Murray, Chris Bailey, not yet Pat Cash but I'm sure it won't be long ....

I suspect that the interests of British tennis were not really being thought about when this story was leaked to the press, but rather the selfish interests of a few high ups who want to strike some tough postures and show how macho they are. Shame on them.

Roger also comments on Serbs and Slovakians operating on a shoestring.

If he is taking a holiday in Australia at his own expense, good luck to him. But if he is not, then what exactly is the business purpose of the chief executive of the LTA going to the Australian Open? And how much is it costing the LTA (and thus indirectly, you, me and other tennis fans)?

And those of us who have been to the NTC at Roehampton, and who have been flabbergasted by the luxury and waste on show (fresh orchids on the tables in the restaurant, gourmet quality food at knock-down prices, unlimited free tea and coffee for all visitors, custom made solid wood staircases, etc, etc - not to mention of course providing lovely practice facilities for such well-known British players as Ana Ivanovic), would probably expect the LTA chief executive to steer well clear of any talk about people doing things on a shoestring. Don't go there mate!!!