hi Ed, its great when a player actaully contributes here.

Congrats on the Win and good luck in the next round.

is it tough playing in a counytry like Nigeria? i read in the latest BT mag that Paul Hutchins wants you play overseas more in 'difficult' condtions

Count Zero wrote:

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is it tough playing in a counytry like Nigeria? i read in the latest BT mag that Paul Hutchins wants you play overseas more in 'difficult' condtions

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I think it's quite likely that Hutchins got the idea from Edward ... or from Mozart, but Edward's been our most successful player on the African safari since, well, probably Tigger, who only ever played two Satellites there but was very proud of himself for 'going all over Africa to rack up points'.

Does anyone else find it funny that Fitzy says he has only got a bucket to wash in there, yet they've got wireless Internet?  At least they've got their priorities right!  Probably explains why the organisers are getting the results up 10 times faster than Zagreb to, which isn't something you'd normally bet on happening.

Anyway, Edward (he says, rashly assuming it really is Edward and not someone just having us on), it's great to see you here. Hope you manage to get revenge for Bains & Fitzy in the last round but the far more important question is, are you going to beat Miles and James (who had the nerve to knock you out of the GB top 10 this morning ) to the top 500? And is hitting the top 500 as big a deal for you as we like we to think it is? You're all just a 15K semi (or less) away from doing it ...





-- Edited by steven at 17:41, 2008-02-18

Is it tough playing in Nigeria, that's a tough question, not particularly, there are different things you have to deal with. But as for basics like courts and balls its all fine. Its pretty hot here, but luckily its been overcast last couple days. The fact there is a women's tournament here too makes it tough to get practice time as the girls love to practice all day everyday,
As for the Hutchens comment, I had a meeting with him last week and he respects the guys that get out there and travel.

The match with McClune. The day before I beat Polansky in 3 sets, during that I tweaked my back mid way through the 2nd set. I managed to pull through that match. After the match I did everything right, cooled down, stretched etc and got a massage. The next day I could barley move, I though I would give it a go in the semis but with the way I play if i cant move I have no chance.

As for the top 500. It doesn't really matter, its a matter of time till I get there, so I'm not fussed. There isn't really any dirrerence between 800 and 400. As for the competition on who gets there first. Again thats not a major concern, healthy competition I'd call it.
I dont know why FItzy is using ab ucket to shower with, our shower works ok, just no hot water.

Indian Warrior, personally I'm not a fan of women at the same tournaments. They take up too many practice courts, and they all hit with their coaches so doubles the time they spend on court. Its just an unneeded distraction I ignore. Great question tho,

Any more keep them coming guys,

badly phrased... how big is the crowd basically

Crowds vary obviously, here for example its a great atmosphere with alot of people coming into the stadium and watching. For countries like these the tournaments are a big thing, so the organisation is normally good. This week we have courtesy cars waiting for you all the time, haven't had to wait more than 5 minutes for transport either to the club, back from the club or to the supermarket (which is so far overpriced [£6 for a box of weetabix])

Its a much better "event" than alot of the European tournaments because of this, and the indoor stuff in Europe has limited viewing. In Africa there is always a stadium court holding a couple hundred.

Being easier in Africa. I'm not so sure, at this time of year I think it is. I would of scraped a seeding in a couple other places this week but i was 90% sure before this tournament I would be seeded so made sense to come here. But if you look at my results in Europe I think I have actually picked up more points there in less tournaments than in Africa.

I'm going to start mixing up my schedule in a couple months and add in some Challenger qualies. Last year it didn't work out, as my ranking shot up at the end of August/ beginning of September. I had already booked flights to Africa so couldn't play any then.

I was thinking about playing the 2 35ks in Maroc but with the tournaments in Ivory Coast so close from where I am here I might as well play the 4 15ks. I also am playing club tennis in France in March so that ill mean i have to play Futures main draws as club matches are on Sunday so cant play in qualies those weeks. I did the club stuff last year its pretty tiring, but we make so little money at this level its a good way of earning some decent cash and making a profit for the month.

I would expect to see me in some Challenger qualies mid/end of April.

It's really interesting to here how things are straight from the horse's mouth.  You mentioned club tennis in France. Do many of the Brit players do this to supplement their income?
 Good luck in your next match.