With Mel, Katie, Anne and Bally all now over 23 (i.e. middle-aged in tennis terms - sorry Sarah!), and arguably all on the verge of realising their potential, which players do we think are genuine prospects for the next set of top-150/100 GB girls?
Looking at our rankings, there are 6 girls age 19-20 in the top 500. If we look at where the current top 4 were when turning both 19 and 20, Katie was 320/260 (2005/6), Mel 550/336 (2005/6), Bally 160/130 (2002/3) and Anne 250/180 (2002/3).
The current 19-20s are presently ranked as follows: Broady 361 (19); Curtis 369 (19); Cavaday 373 (20 - but 180 at 19); Smith 378 (20); Elliott 408 (19); Carreras 492 (19).
Clearly none of these are anywhere near level with Anne or Bally in their rankings progressions at present (with Naomi C in some ways an exception given her recent injuries), but most are in the same general region as Mel - which rather suggests that rankings at this age are not the best predictors of future success. We've seen excellent recent form from Naomi Broady and Amanda Carreras, and good indications of progress from Curtis and Cavaday, with Anna and Mandy both having had poor years to date.
But what do those of you who've seen these girls play think of their genuine prospects of making it as top-150 regulars or above? I think we'd probably all agree Naomi C has what it takes if she can get it together, but having seen little of the others, are they genuine talents?
Would be very interested to see what people think of this next set of girls. I expect we'll have a better idea after the grass season in any case...
-- Edited by jb288 on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 04:49:27 PM
Yeah the grass season is always the most exciting part of the year as it gives our girls and guys a huge chance to climb up the rankings.
Amandas recent success speaks for itself, but I really have no idea of how well she can play at a higher level on clay or any other surface for that matter.
The 2 Naomis are the best talents in my eyes. Naomi C, if fit, would probably be top 150 right now IMO. Obviously thats hugely subjective but I think her game was good enough to put her there. Naomi B has a few vids on her site that shows how confident and focussed she is, so I wud class her as a potential.
I struggle to see Georgie making the push up to the top 100 atm, but its a possibility for the future. Jade Curtis and Amanda Elliott are total puzzles, they have occasional flashes but nothing too excellent.
At least Laura, Hannah, Tara and Heather all look like great potential players. Though if anyone watched Laura in her QF this week they might have other thoughts :P she sucked haha.
-- Edited by murray_2k9 on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 05:16:48 PM
I personally see Naomi Cavanday as the best player we have excluding Laura Robson in terms of talent and potential. If she can get herself together i think she'll be a top 50 player.
In general terms british players tend to mature later than other countries. Laura will be an exception not a rule.
From what i have seen i do really rate Amanda Elliott she has a great game, i have no idea why she is in such a slump now. Jade aswell has a great game, her main weakness is her 2nd serve. Lets see how this bunch do in the grass season, usually 1/2 shine and make a name for themselves.
Forgot to mention Naomi B. I really like her attitdue towards tennis and shes coming along niceley. Due to her style of play i think shes going to take a bit longer to preak but shes going to be top 150 at least along with georgie.
I still think Anna Fitzpatrick is a good prospect but shes been ruined by injuires 2010 will be her year.
Many of our girls seem to surge up the rankings for a year or two and then drop back for a year before making further progress. We have seen this pattern from Anne, Katie, Mel, Naomi C and Amanda E. Without knowing the girls it's hard to know why this happens It could be the problem of adjusting as they step up to the next level of competition or a drop in motivation after the excitement of touring the world starts to fade.
I guess we'll never have 36 people in the main draw like France, but in a couple of years time it doesn't seem unfeasible we could have 3-4 qualifying by right and a further 3-4 in GS qualies - which I think would be pretty good going for the short term.
Just to add to this, I love how Anne always seems to have such a low opinion of the other GB girls! Someone asked her on her website which GB players she found hardest to play and which she thought were the best up & coming players. She replied as follows:
"I have a pretty good record against most of the British girls in general but in the bigger picture theyre not my main rivals. The younger British girls still have a long way to go and are receiving an incredible amount of help which sometimes I dont think they realise but its up to them to make the most of it. Everyone who walks through the door at the NTC has potential but its how much they want it, which is the big question."
Fair points, of course, but she does have a way of making things sound a lot harsher than needs be! Yet she also seems a lovely person...I guess she just knows how hard she's worked and is a bit put out that others are getting things she didn't and aren't making the most of it. I hope she's told them that!
You gotta love her honesty though. She pretty much tells it like it is on her twitter, especially regarding her matches so this reply is not unexpected. I agree at first glance it sounds quite harsh against the other girls but you can see her point. Maybe next year she'll say something different but we shall seeeeee.
Anne has always said great comments about the other british girls over the years. Its true though Anne is now a top 50 player whilst the others are still not top 100(yet) Things may be different If Anne gets a challenege from someone else for the top 50
I hope naomi can get it together. She loves fast courts so hopefully in this part of the year she can get herself back up to the top 200 at least. So she is able to qualify for tour and GS events again next year.
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Anne Keothavong - Heather Watson - Naomi Cavaday - Laura Robson - Elena Baltacha - Everyone else!
According to an article I read that what she had but nothing as bad as ME but that's why she has been taking a steady as you go approach and not pushing too hard. Her current form is certainly getting back to her best.
