I don't think ditching the event sites is a problem in itself - it would actually make far more sense to put pages about all of them on the LTA site and to do live scores there too, so I wouldn't mind the event sites going if the LTA used any money/time saved to drastically improve the coverage of events on their own site. If only they would!

mjd wrote:

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Strange! - LTA website says - "Marcos Baghdatis, ranked No 18 in the world, has been awarded a wildcard to compete at The Surbiton Trophy which is taking place at the Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club between Saturday 31st May and Sunday 8th June (Box office: 020 8399 1594)."

Yet according to event fact sheet " SINGLES QUALIFYING SIGN IN CLOSES 9PM, SATURDAY 31st MAY, ON SITE."

Anyone know the details? I tried phoning box office but no one ever answers.

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But come on... aren't you being a bit unfair on the LTA here?

Knowing when your own tournament starts is a very difficult task to do, and we should applaud them for getting it within 1 day of being correct.

Every other challenger has qualies beginning on Sunday, so I'd think it would be the same here, and I'd trust the fact sheet over the LTA's website any day of the week

wolf wrote:

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This clearly states that qualies start Saturday. Don't know what 'factsheet' we are talking about here.

http://www.lta.org.uk/WatchTennis/Surbiton/EventInfo/Schedule.htm?BSMGuid=7b509b15-0fbe-4c04-9ffd-8af35c6ca4df

-- Edited by wolf at 14:25, 2008-05-30

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True.... but every other challenger in the second week of a Grand Slam begins qualifying on a Sunday, and I'm sure Surbiton started on the Sunday last year as well.

That also says a provisional start time, so it doesn't mean that they will do, and I'd be surprised if it does.

I think the factsheet would be the official factsheet on the ITF/ATP websites where it gives all the information regarding the tournament such as how to find the event, where the hotels are and prices for them, and when the sign-ins are, which I'd take to be more accurate than the LTA website.... I haven't found it online yet though, but if the factsheet exists, then that would be the source to trust

Joking aside, let's give the LTA some credit in that I think they would know when their own tournament is starting.

Lol, that seems a good explanation.

Other wild cards go to Boggo, Goodall and Slabba.

Seems fair enough with those 3 being the next highest ranked British players, so makes sense to give the WC's to them.

Hopefully Bloomers, Marray and Skupski can get nice draws in qualifying, as they'd have the best chance of qualifying for this as well

I'd expect both Bloomers and Slabba to lose in round 1 unfortunately (depending on the draw at least), both Slabba's had the better year so probably deserves the WC more.

This shows the biggest problem in British Tennis over the last year - last year Boggo, Bloomers, Goodall, Marray and Baker all made the cut for this event... this year only Boggo has an outside chance of doing so, showing there has been no progression at challenger level, and everyone has actually gone backwards

Count Zero wrote:

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i think bloomers could have a good surbs, grass has to be his best surface, and maybe just what he needs to get the confidence back. hopefully he will get a good Q draw and make it through.

i just hope none of them draw marcos 1st rd.

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Although Baghdatis has played 1 match since March, and looked very average indeed against Bolelli, so is not in great form... but only Boggo, in inspired, vs. Roddick-esque form would have an outside chance against him