Week 7 - ITF ($25K) - Surprise, USA Hard

wolf · Tennis legend

RE: Week 7 - ITF ($25K) - Surprise, USA Hard

jb288 · Satellite level

I was wondering the other day who Laura will go with in doubles at Wimbledon this year after her AO run. I really hope it's a Brit - Georgie was an odd choice last year as she's not much of a doubs player; would love to see Anna or Mel getting some glamour (and hopefully a deep run) by being paired with her. However, I would imagine Laura's 'people' might want something a little more...who knows? I guess Laura & Heather would be the other obvious choice, but it'd be nice for one of the 'oldies' to get a good run with her!

Silver · County player

It wouldn't surprise me if they paired her up with Sally Peers again. Clearly something clicked nicely during AO...

philwrig · Hall of fame

I doubt Laura would team up with Sally at Wimbledon for the following reasons.

1. Wimbledon would have to grant Sally a wild card as her ranking wouldn't be high enough
and

2. There might be a few awkward questions raised about her being paired with an 'Aussie'.

To be fair Laura would have been successful at the AO with other partners as she definitely 'carried' Sally in the early rounds.

All of the above partners mentioned by jb above are possiblities as I think she is 'good mates' with all of them . Laura is best served playing on the deuce side of the court so having a partner who prefers the ad side would be the best combination.

indiana · Tennis legend

I have some doubts too about whether Sally Peers will be Laura's partner. Aus Open was basically a last minute substitute job by Laura but it did work out so well of course that it could be a consideration. I think actually a pairing with Heather might be a fair bet.

That said, they did gell very well together and while Laura may have been the main force from bits I saw Sally played well at times as well and wasn't being "carried" at these times though I suspect Phil saw quite a bit more than I did.

Re WC, well Sally is actually currently ranked slightly higher than Laura ( 103 to 111 ) but I agree no doubt not currently high enough to prevent them needing a WC. But if Laura prefers to play with some foreign player that isn't ranked high enough to make the combination a DE then I don't see any great issues about giving that pair a WC.

I have most problems with the idea that awkward questions might be raised if Laura is paired with an Aussie. Let her pair with who she feels most comfortable with and if she particularly wants to pair with an Aussie such as Sally then so be it. If individual folk or any media or heaven-forbid anyone in authority want to be paranoid about this, they are more the problem and very slightly risk being self-fulfilling if they make any issues about it.

Yes, Laura has Aussie roots, we can't get away from that, and maybe she is quite relaxed amongst Aussies. But let's just not make any issues about such as playing with an Aussie or it might just possibly become an issue !! Let's not ask her to adapt to suit the fears of others. To me, all signs from Laura are she sees herself as GB now and for the future and she seems a pretty single-minded girl.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 17th of February 2010 06:47:47 PM

jb288 · Satellite level

She and Joss are good friends as well I believe, so that's one to consider too...anyway, all a very long way off yet (even if I am already thinking about booking the first week off work!).

Agree with Indiana re: the aussie issue too - I'd far rather she partnered a Brit, but only because that would be good for the other Brit, not because of Laura's nationality 'issues' - the more tennis people/the media make a fuss, the more salient it will become in Laura's mind, and if she finds it annoying then she knows what she can do! And clearly, she should play with whoever she feels she'll do best with. I highly doubt the AELTC would override a choice by the Robson family anyway...

-- Edited by jb288 on Wednesday 17th of February 2010 06:44:34 PM

Josh · Challenger level

She seems to get on well with the Rens too but I guess they would still be a few years away from being at a high enough level. Watson is the most likely option, I can see Joss reforming her partnership with Mel.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I would think a reunion with Sally is much more likely at next years Aussie open but remains highly unlikely for Wimbledon. You have to remember that Sally was her only option at the Aussie open whereas at Wimbledon she will have the option of several brits. By far the most likely partner for Laura would be Heather as she might feel she needs to make it up to Heather after pulling out of the junior doubles at the AO. They have also played well together already before Laura became such a talent on the doubles court. As for playing with an Aussie at Wimbledon it would just be nice if she played with a brit. Playing with an overseas player of any nationality would be a disappointment for me.

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

Heather/Anne/Naomi B I would have thought the most likely options. And if we can take following each other on twitter as a binding contract to play doubles together at some point, how about that Danish girl she was hanging out with on her birthday?

-- Edited by RBBOT on Wednesday 17th of February 2010 10:34:44 PM

Peter too · Tennis legend

R1: SOUTH, Melanie (GBR) 230 lost to BOSERUP, Julia (USA) Q 686 6-2 3-6 0-6
R1: STOOP, Georgie (GBR) 280 lost to MCHALE, Christina (USA) 7 214 2-6 3-6

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

OUCH

Josh · Challenger level

Wow, just when it seemed like Mel was getting closer to turning things around. Pretty big set-back right there

philwrig · Hall of fame

I am tempted to say a few negative words but I won't as those results speak for themselves. Time for Mel to look at herself in the face and say this is not good enough and a find a way out of this.

goldfish · Futures qualifying

I suspect Mel is as confused by her form as we are. Ever since she had that long training block last year, she seems to have gone downhill. Such a pity after working so hard to get into the top 100.

DUSTY DICK · Club Coach

Hmm, not good.