Wimbledon Wild Cards

fart1 · Junior player

RE: Wimbledon Wild Cards

Drew · Apr 19, 2009

From the net post...timesonline.co.uk...

"We hear that once more there will be an LTA play-off (once ridiculed by this regime but now embraced) for players to earn a wild card into qualifying and that only those with a ranking inside 250, with no proviso about how many wild cards they have received in the past, will be considered for a place in the main draw."

So if true we might get Boggo, Goodall.....and thats it.

Silver · County player

Which they ALWAYS say but end up backtracking on somehow. How many did we have last year? Boggo and Baker? Probably the first time they actually went with what they said they'd do for years.

With that, it's Boggo and Goodall. Surely outside chance of getting Wardy and Evans up there but if they go by those rules then that's it. I do like the sound of the idea of giving younger players or lower ranked players targets to aim for to be considered for a wildcard. It's the players who stagnate around the 200-400 area that need to try and maintain that 250 target but the youngsters don't stand a chance under those circumstances.

See, it's different for the women's game in that there are dozens of junior girls who can compete with the pros but at 15, 16, 17, 18, the boys don't quite have the physical strength to realistically compete with the older players. Their rankings will hover around the lower regions for a while before possibly earning a massive climb once they develop more physical strength so if at 18, they have a target to aim for, say going from nowhere to top 600 MAYBE, then it gives them a benchmark to work towards. Sure they can set their own personal goals but being given an incentive is surely a good thing.

I feel like I'm waffling... hang on, let me re-read what I've just written...

Oh no, actually makes sense to me (a first).

The lads have just gotta start getting results now. Evans stands a chance of getting a wildcard if he follows up his results successfully, otherwise he's just fade out of focus this year.

So Boggo, Goodall... part of me thinks they might consider giving Baker one on injury grounds (as opposed to ranking) - but I dunno how the LTA figure things out sometimes. Evans is the outside bet right now so currently I think there's only 4 on the cards max. I don't think even Eaton will get one I'm afraid. That's not to say he doesn't deserve one but his ranking hasn't moved significantly since Wimby. For all of Wardy's words, he's not backed them up with the results YET. Slabba's going backwards so unless he pulls a rabbit out of the hat, he's probably not in contention... Flembo COULD be another outside bet.

Otherwise, it's qualies for most of 'em I dare say.

[/musings]

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Surely the top 250 cut-off is for wild cards into the main draw, not into qualifying as stated in the article? Am I going daft, or is OldEchoMan slipping?

Drew · Apr 19, 2009

Mad I think it reads that the 250 is the cut off for the main draw...

"...that only those with a ranking inside 250, with no proviso about how many wild cards they have received in the past, will be considered for a place in the main draw."

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

For some of the players (Slabba, Ward, Bloomers) the 250 cut-off was a fairly decent target that they could have made had they performed to a reasonable level. The chance was there and they didn't take it. For others, there was never any chance of them getting inside 250 in time, so it was a ridiculous way to determine whether they do or don't deserve a main draw wildcard.

Personally I would be in favour of giving 6 or 7 main draw wildcards to the most deserving british players that year, reserving one for a player such as Taylor Dent who has had a tough time with injuries. As for determining who deserves one and who doesn't, I would look at factors such as the number of wildcards received in the past, victories achieved the previous year at Wimbledon, progress in the rankings over the last 12 months etc and possibly a play-off contest between contenders who haven't made a particularly convincing case.

freerider · Futures level

giving qualies wc to top 250 players would be silly even by the lta's standard

Shhh · Challenger level

Below is what I have just written to the LTA. It may not be excatly what you agree with, but I would suggest you send your opinions to. It may not do any good, but a dozen or so e-mail from "fans" and they may take the gist of our arguments into consideration

Dear Mr Draper,

I am not a player of tennis but just an ardent fan of the British scene and feel pretty much unappreciated under your regime given the reformatted membership packages.

Last year I got to see very few British players compete at Wimbledon because of the LTAs wild card policy. Though I understand to some extent, the fact that four spaces in the mens draw were simply given to the next players on the entry list, I feel it could easily be improved. Outside courts where a British player is competing are always packed..spare a thought for what fans want. It IS important. Two suggestions;

PLAY OFFS

Rather than have 32 players compete in a long tournament for 1 x Wild Card (at a time when other important tournaments are taking place) why not play for four spaces through four groups of eight. Each of the four winners would have to win 3 matches (quarters, semi and final) on grass. The groups could be staged at different venues to ease congestion. The matches could be 5 setters if you so desired.

TRADES

Wild cards have been traded with other Grand Slam countries in the past. Rather than a straight trade however, before the event where we are in receipt of a wild card, why not organise a play off between those entering qualifying? At least the winner and recipient would have won one or two matches on the surface before entering the main draw.

The above are just two simple suggestions yet are better than simply giving the cards away. Both suggestions reward success, immediate form and yet have to be earned. Would you consider them, or anything that would enable more British players to compete at Wimbledon please.

Yours Sincerely

Paul Burkmar

Sheddie · administrator

Good idea Shhh, I will do the same.

the email address to send these to is:

roger.draper@lta.org.uk

James · Satellite level

Ditto, email sent...

Count Zero · Tennis legend

The thing is the press love to get on the case of these WC's being given out to British losers, i am sure all the negative PR that surrounds it each year is what had made these decisions by the LTA. The press' unrealistic expectation of every WC reaching the 2nd week of the slam and beating several top 75 players along the way etc.

is it even a bonus that its played on grass for us now? so little tennis is played on grass even here that i don't think we get a huge advantage from it any more?

The Hoose · Satellite level

Shhh wrote:
PLAY OFFS
Rather than have 32 players compete in a long tournament for 1 x Wild Card (at a time when other important tournaments are taking place) why not play for four spaces through four groups of eight.

TRADES
Wild cards have been traded with other Grand Slam countries in the past. Rather than a straight trade however, before the event where we are in receipt of a wild card, why not organise a play off between those entering qualifying? At least the winner and recipient would have won one or two matches on the surface before entering the main draw.
I like the sentiment (and I'm with you on trading wild cards) but I'm not sure about all these play-offs. Isn't this the role the qualifying tournament is meant to fulfil?

-- Edited by The Hoose on Monday 20th of April 2009 10:05:52 AM

Shhh · Challenger level

Good point but, I dont think the LTA are just going to "give" the cards though. They seem to like this play off route so I was hoping this version would both expand the number given out whilst appealing to them.

As I say, its just one opinion but, if they receive several similar, they may take the sentiments on borad..........they may not. For the sake of an e-mail though, I thought it worth trying.

The Hoose · Satellite level

Definitely worth a try. As a fan, I'm definitely keen for more British involvement at Wimbledon.

I get the feeling that the LTA are on the defensive here, trying to hang on to the number of wildcards that are available in the slams at a time where there is not much British talent.

This is the only reason I can think of why they wouldn't trade wildcards with other slams (if every slam did this, I could see the ATP calling a stop to the whole thing). It could also explain the tricky balance they're trying to strike between giving the wildcards to Brits, and ensuring they are only given to "worthy" people, who won't make a mockery of the system.

Silver · County player

The one thing to bear in mind is that according to the Times article, the players eligible will be "considered" for a place in the main draw.

Doesn't mean they'll get one, sadly.