Week 29 ITF ($100k) Biella, Italy

wolf · Tennis legend

RE: Week 29 ITF ($100k) Biella, Italy

Happycynic · Pro player

Boo. She wasn't on top- recurrent BP against her serve.

Tutu · Club Coach

I really don't get why she's playing on clay. I know that they want to develop her into a clay court player but do that in the off-season! Right now she needs to be picking up points and this is not the way she's going to do it. Let claycourters play the clay event and play on the hardcourts. At least she has portoroz next. Ah, I remember Tatiana winning it last year! She's not even fit enough to defend it. :(

The Hoose · Satellite level

The trouble is there is always the temptation to say a player needs to be picking up points. Either a player has loads to defend, in which case they need the points to hold their position, or they don't have many to defend, in which case they need the points to capitalise and move up the rankings.

There must be times - outside the off-season - when it's better to take a step back, sacrifice short term ranking points for long term gains.

Not sure about the specifics of Katie's case - just speaking in general here, so feel free to shoot me down.

PockyTastic · Futures level

To be fair I don't think Katie had a particularly great time last year after Wimbledon. I think results were generally disappointing until her good run to QF at Tier IV Tashkent, so I don't think she has a lot to lose right now, and since a lot of the easier point are available on clay throughout the year it would be good for her to adapt her game so that she can pick up wins on the surface that most Brits loathe. BUT I do see your point that if she had played the series of 50Ks in America she might have had some stronger finishes...hmm...

Tutu · Club Coach

Fair enough, but since the Tashkent QF, she hasn't exactly done much of note so I think taking a step down (and playing the hardcourt 50ks) would not only help her ranking, but also give her a bit of confidence back, It must be tough to play without a lot of confidence on a surface which your not confident on anyway.

However I do see your point and anyway, she seems quite positive and has a very good attitude anyway, I'm sure she knows what she's doing... It will be interesting to see where her game really is come portoroz. :)