Tara Moore

philwrig · Hall of fame

Tara Moore

PockyTastic · Futures level

That is a real shame. I always just assumed Tara was a streaky player, or at least that maybe she went walkabout in matches. Having never seen her play I had little to base this assumption on.

I have to agree with you though that hopefully she will be convinced to keep playing.

jb288 · Satellite level

Well since she's already played 3 tournies this year (and not done too bad, beating Lu), I don't see any sign of her quitting yet.

indiana · Tennis legend

Is the reference to cast aside from the LTA support system meaning the AEGON funding group ? I know we made quite a thing about on the forum about Joss and Lias being excluded from that, but I had already later thought Tara was a more serous omission, because there lay a greater potential talent.

It is a very good point that the playing base in GB is far too small to let a real talent go lightly.

The LTA seems far too much to prefer conformist players rather than take real trouble to work with and turn round these who have clearly got genuine talent but whose commitment is questionable,

I admit I say "seems" without real knowledge of what often goes on, so if this perception is wrong and they really really have gone out of their way here to help Tara develop and commit more, then I apologise.

Iin young players what I always look for initially is what are they like when they play their best as distinct to their worst. Inconsistency is to be expected. Laura is a case in point in inconsistency although it is improving. Some people, including on this forum, seemed to be really questioning her last year when she had a few bad results when it was still clear that her very best was superb for that age. Consistency and commitment can be worked on. Talent is something precious, often in some ways inborn.

Tara, while clearly not so good, has produced some real quality far above her ranking at times. She really needs somehow to be convinced of her talent and for some folk to be prepared to really work with her on her commitment and consistency. A talent like that should not be easily cast aside and our governing body should be do all it can to help her be all she can be.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 18th of February 2010 05:19:44 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

Absolutely agree Indiana the LTA should be bending over backwards to ensure that Tara's great talent is not wasted.

jb288 · Satellite level

Frankly, the onus is on her, not the LTA. But when you're 17, nothing seems simple!

indiana · Tennis legend

The onus is on both her and the tennis authorities. I stick by my thoughts that the LTA should really go the extra mile with real talent, and I am far from convinced they do. And good point, she is indeed still 17, she needs help more than ostracization.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 18th of February 2010 05:46:11 PM

Happycynic · Pro player

As a founder member of the toungue in cheek Tara Moore fan club - well, I hope she does an Evo/Naomi B and show the LTA how wrong they are....

jb288 · Satellite level

Well, to be honest, any of us, and millions more, would give an arm and a leg to have her talent & opportunities, so she needs to grow up a bit. At the end of the day it's up to the individual to make the tough choices and put in the work - or pack it in if they can't be bothered to use their talent, which is fine, her loss. The likes of Katie have shown that the LTA is very good at helping those who help themselves by working hard.

Happycynic · Pro player

Ahhh yes, 17 year olds who need to grow up a bit. That is, well, 90% of them. Certainly me at 17......

jb288 · Satellite level

Agree, but it's old enough to know when you've got lucky in the lottery of life, and to know that you should make the most of your talents - a bit like choosing to go to university if you've got academic talent; you might not want to, but are mature enough to know the rewards are worth it.

Anyway, like I said, if she can't be bothered, it's her loss and she'll regret it when she's 25!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020078/coming-back-moore-born-and-bred-here-tara-moore-compete-hong-kong

Interesting article about Tara and her early life in Hong Kong and then the move to the US.

However, she sings the praises of HK, and of Bolletieri's, but brushes over her time at the NTC.

"It was tough to leave the Bollettieri academy. It taught me so much and Nick taught me so much.............I also loved the tennis centre in Hong Kong. I was excited to do that at that time of my life and it provided me with a really good grounding............Then when I was 16, I moved to the UK National Tennis Centre and trained there for a little bit."

Indeed, a bit scarily for GB, there's even sort of hint that she might switch nationality (although that might be the journalist wanting to give that impression)

"In terms of leaving Hong Kong, I didnt really make that decision to leave, it was kind of made for me. I have a great relationship with Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tennis Association and you never know what will happen in the future."

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 17th of September 2016 10:22:14 PM

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I don't know I think it is a pretty positive article hopefully stimulating local interest. It is amazing how reading back through the threads you get a detailed written history of how fans perceived different players careers were developing particular when you reflect on the decisions they made, the age they were when making them and how their lives pan out subsequently.

To have to move to Florida at such a young age and then the UK on a background of cut throat competition and very little stability paints the fact that she loves her job as an adult professional tennis player in a very positive light.

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

Coup Droit wrote:
www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020078/coming-back-moore-born-and-bred-here-tara-moore-compete-hong-kong

Interesting article about Tara and her early life in Hong Kong and then the move to the US.

However, she sings the praises of HK, and of Bolletieri's, but brushes over her time at the NTC.

"It was tough to leave the Bollettieri academy. It taught me so much and Nick taught me so much.............I also loved the tennis centre in Hong Kong. I was excited to do that at that time of my life and it provided me with a really good grounding............Then when I was 16, I moved to the UK National Tennis Centre and trained there for a little bit."

Indeed, a bit scarily for GB, there's even sort of hint that she might switch nationality (although that might be the journalist wanting to give that impression)

"In terms of leaving Hong Kong, I didnt really make that decision to leave, it was kind of made for me. I have a great relationship with Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tennis Association and you never know what will happen in the future."

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 17th of September 2016 10:22:14 PM

It strikes me as a very polite thing to say to your interviewer from the area where you're coming to play. It's possible that Tara feels a stronger connection to HKTA, or that they're willing to offer her some large assurances for becoming their highest-ranking WTA player (I believe?). At the same time, I believe, she'd be losing the chance of a Wimbledon WC and any potential WC's for the summer grass-court season at large.

JonH · All-time great

I see Tara is in the qualifying list in Quebec this week, good luck to her