Wimbledon WC's

Count Zero · Tennis legend

RE: Wimbledon WC's

The Hoose · Satellite level

We were all writing Josh off completely a couple of months ago but, in spite of last year's antics, he could well be first in line now!

Count Zero · Tennis legend

also its very unlikey boggo will be in the top 150 at wimby time so he wont get one unless they make an exepction for him.
so at this rate there will be plenty to go round. u reckon if i work on my serve a bit i could get one?

The Hoose · Satellite level

I hadn't realised (until I researched your previous posts) there was that rule about not being allowed a "free" wildcard if you've already received three and are outside the top 150.

Seems to me like they should allocate two or three places through the Brit wildcard tournament this year since there aren't any really deserving candidates. This would probably also mean that fewer rounds would be needed in the wildcard tournament, slightly alleviating fixture problems for those involved in it.

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Well with all the media coverage, people are going to be asking where Dee is if he doesn't get one so I think we can safely hand one over to him.

In the event Boggo didn't get a wildcard, what would he do, do you think Count? Presumably he'd attempt to qualify? Which might be better anyway, more points and getting comfortable on the surface before having to face someone ranked 200 places above you in a 5 set match.

steven · Tennis legend

That was the Felgate rule and I don't think it applies any more, though that doesn't mean they won't use similar criteria to justify awarding WCs or not.

Their stated policy last year was to change back from an objective method to a subjective method and give WCs to Brits who would have a realistic chance of winning at least one match given a decent draw, which actually sounds pretty sensible.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

those criteria do seem more sensible.

on that basis:

boggo, bloomers and josh spring to mind, possibly marray if he is back up and running. of the otehr where its hard to say, maybe slabba and ward?

Simon · Lower Club Player

They also tend to give one to the top junior, but extend junior to mean U21. The top U18 by ranking is Marcus Willis - who would be the top U21?

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

At the moment things aren't looking good at all for the WCs as Goodall is the only one who looks like he may deserve one, but he'd need to get a good draw if he was actually going to win a match.

WCs will probably go to Goodall, Boggo (as he's still our best chance, even if he's lost the plot at the moment), Bloomers, Slabba, and I'd be tempted to give one to Skupski as with his game he has an outside chance of winning a match as well - maybe one of the juniors as well, but none of them would really have a chance of winning a match (or give one to Fizty for his contribution to BT.net over the last year)

Dee getting one would be great to see, but would sum up the sad state of British tennis if we can give a wild card to someone who is known for losing matches and not have anyone feel upset that they could have justifiably had his WC

Ratty · County player

Anyone else think that Wild Cards should be scrapped altogether?

Count Zero · Tennis legend

no, sometimes they are made good use of, its just wimby is hard cause of the level of players you can be up against.

i am sure andy had a wc and did ok, other have made use of them esle where, boggo at queens for instance.

Shhh · Challenger level

Ratty wrote:

Anyone else think that Wild Cards should be scrapped altogether?

Wild cards are of value to tournaments who wish to boost their crowds by bringing in a local or big name player, that dosen't really apply to the slams. Also, no country can really justify 8 home players outside the top 100 getting in, it can be a bit unfair on other nations, imagine if Britain didn't have one of the big four!

That said, when I first raised this question it was "who did we think THE LTA woulod award wild cards to" not, who did WE think. They stated last year things would change, that they would be awarded on the previous 12 months performance, not just the weeks leading up to it.

With so few players inside the top 350, and some of those that are, slipping backwards, I wonder what will happen this year. Either they will have to go back on what they said or, some on here will be outraged, all I was doing was flagging it up.

Salmon · Tennis legend

All eight should be given to Brits.

That's good for both the players and the organisers.

Salmon · Tennis legend

By the way, is Philippoussis still around?

Silver · County player

He's sorta semi-retired isn't? I say semi cos he's never announced it but he injured himself again and said there's only so many times you can keep trying to come back, etc.

Can't see him getting owt IMO.