Week 23 - Surbiton Trophy [$ 50K] 2008.

mjd · Challenger qualifying

RE: Week 23 - Surbiton Trophy [$ 50K] 2008.

Joe Bateman · Social player

I will ring up the press officer tomorrow morning if the weather is still bad, luckily have her mobile number.

I very much doubt they would let photographers in though, as the Nottingham event didn't I don't think.

Bladetiger · Pro player

Disappointing in a way that any advantage of playing on grass will disappear, but Jonny and the British guys will all have played on those courts a tremendous amount, so might not be too bad.

steven · Tennis legend

Odd that the qualies have moved to Roehampton rather than the indoor courts at Surbiton - maybe there's simply more space there. I FD going to divert to there, Count, or is he cutting his losses and going home?

It's a real pity about the weather, especially for Surbiton if it's the last time the tournament is being held, but also for the players who I'm sure don't want all the matches concertinaed together or to end up having to play a grass court warm-up event like this indoors!

Count Zero · Tennis legend

he is going home, said no spectators allowed

steven · Tennis legend

Strange, you'd think they'd have a bit of space for the handful of people who might actually be interested enough to make the effort to go there. I guess we'll have to wait forever for the results then, though it seems like the (not so) balde one is getting info through Jonny, so we might be lucky. Far more important that Jonny himself is lucky though, I can't imagine moving indoors has increased his chances against Dancevic.

-- Edited by steven at 13:20, 2008-06-03

Bladetiger · Pro player

Bamford and Eaton are a set all, Bamford won the first he thinks 64 and Eaton won the second 75.

Armitraj lost first set 75, Jonny follows Bam and Eaton match.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

all he said was qualies at roehampton but no space for spectators. perhaps if he went over he couyld get a way in, but is the risk worth it?

COME_ON_MARTIN · Improver

any news about martin fischer??

www.martinfischer.co.at

Bladetiger · Pro player

I guess he follows the armritaj match

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Back in Eastbourne now and it's sunny here, while once I left Surbiton the rain stopped and the sun started to come out there so there's no reason, unless it's started raining again, why play would be stopped at that point.

I think the problem they have is that courts 4-7 have no covers while A and B have covers that don't look up to the job, so as it rained yesterday afternoon, overnight and early this morning the courts are obviously soaked and far too wet to play on. The man on the gate said that they'd need a strong wind to dry the courts out for play today and they aren't going to get that, so even if it was sunshine for the rest of the day they would still be too wet it seems.

They said there was no room for spectators at Roehampton which does seem strange and I'm sure if I went I could have got in, but I wouldn't have known where to go to get to Roehampton and wasn't worth the effort to try and find it when I might not see any play.

They said tomorrow's weather should be a lot better and are hoping for a full days play, but I suppose if it rains heavily this evening then the weather could be great but the courts still not in a condition to use (which may be why the event is being moved as if it rains then they are basically screwed)

Joe Bateman · Social player

ForeverDelayed wrote:

Back in Eastbourne now and it's sunny here, while once I left Surbiton the rain stopped and the sun started to come out there so there's no reason, unless it's started raining again, why play would be stopped at that point.

I think the problem they have is that courts 4-7 have no covers while A and B have covers that don't look up to the job, so as it rained yesterday afternoon, overnight and early this morning the courts are obviously soaked and far too wet to play on. The man on the gate said that they'd need a strong wind to dry the courts out for play today and they aren't going to get that, so even if it was sunshine for the rest of the day they would still be too wet it seems.

They said there was no room for spectators at Roehampton which does seem strange and I'm sure if I went I could have got in, but I wouldn't have known where to go to get to Roehampton and wasn't worth the effort to try and find it when I might not see any play.

They said tomorrow's weather should be a lot better and are hoping for a full days play, but I suppose if it rains heavily this evening then the weather could be great but the courts still not in a condition to use (which may be why the event is being moved as if it rains then they are basically screwed)

I have contacted the LTA, and it would seem that as "media" I'm maybe allowed to go to the Roehampton centre. I have also emailed the tournament officer, and I will try and post back some updates on plans for tomorrow. To be honest, I don't really want to have the extra hassle and money of going to Roehampton, so I do hope no more matches are scheduled there.

Also, going from Eastbourne too it is a tough job considering whether its worth going or not. I mean it takes a few hours, and even if you hear its raining, sometimes it may be cleared up by the time you get there etc... I guess you just have to guess yourself, as if you leave it until its stopped raining etc in Surbiton it might be too late when you get there.

As I post this message, I got a reply from the officer:

"There is room for photographers at the NTC however we're hoping to get back on the grass tomorrow... Weather permitting."

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

I was right today with my call to go up as there's no reason as to why there wouldn't have been a good 4/5 hours of play today given the current weather - I just forgot to count on overnight rain destroying the courts to such an extent that they would be unplayable.

It's a 2 hour train journey so it's not too bad, while it only took me 90 minutes to drive back and would take the same to drive there if the M25 wasn't a nightmare this morning, so the time isn't too bad, but not ideal, especially if you are unsure as to the weather

COME_ON_MARTIN · Improver

any news????

john · Top national player

Where do you travel from ForeverDelayed?

Contacting LTA Head Office