Week 19 Futures - Great Britain F7 ($10k) - Newcastle

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

RE: Week 19 Futures - Great Britain F7 ($10k) - Newcastle

SMC1809 · All-time great

Results from BBC website:

QF: Ignacio Coll-Riudavets (Spa) beat Matthew Illingworth (Gbr) 7-6 (2) 6-2 cry

QF: Josh Goodall (Gbr) beat Ludovic Walter (Fra) 6-1 6-3 smile

philwrig · Hall of fame

I arrived too late to see Josh's match today but according to my new found mates who follow British tennis closely and were courtside he was playing much better today with his serve and forehand the dominant factors. Prodon I think thats his name will be very tough in the final though assuming Josh gets there. The French guy who actually looks Spanish sailed through his first set in his quarter and looks a class above this field on this surface.

Illie should have won the first set again according to courtside reports, letting a lead slip and then that was really it. Very frustrated at the end he domolished a courtside seat but still a good week for him.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

hopefully josh will start to get his confidence back.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Up until today I wasn't sure whether I should share my thoughts on what I witnessed this week with regards to why British mens tennis is struggling somewhat. But I feel so strongly about it here is what I think.

I saw LTA coaches etc., who looked to have no real passion for their trade who just looked to be going through the motions. There was no real interraction between player and coach. Coaches appeared to me just to be watching matches as spectators. It looked to me as if the role of the coach is just a job and little else.

I saw two young players one joking around during the warmup to his match and another wearing a diamond studded earring during his.

To compare the mens side with the womens you have Nigel Sears who is passionate about his job and does interract more with the players according to another source.

It seems to me that if you are a top class junior male you are much better served outside the LTA system at the moment.

The only postive thing I witnessed was the new Davis Cup captain though quietly spoken looked to have a real desire to succeed in his new post.

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

philwrig wrote:

another wearing a diamond studded earring during his.

because tennis ability is inversely proportional to amount of metal worn...

philwrig · Hall of fame

Probably not a big issue but it just niggled me a little.

Vandenburg · Futures level

The Knight wrote:

Josh Goodall, claycourt grinder?

Ive gota better statement that,

'Ashley Young England Winger'

Vandenburg · Futures level

The Knight wrote:

philwrig wrote:

another wearing a diamond studded earring during his.
because tennis ability is inversely proportional to amount of metal worn...

as for this metal debate do you remember aggassi, at one stage he loooked like piercing infested rat from croydon.

indiana · Tennis legend

I do find philwrig's impressions disturbing because I do really thing passion and enthusiasm are so important. It transmits to others as does the lack thereof.

I must say I do think there's probably quite a lot more involved as to why British tennis on the men's side is undoubtably struggling. However, if this perceived lack of passion is true, and it kind of confirms other thoughts that I have heard, then it is concerning. passion and enthusiam are things that should eminate from the top and feed down. If someone is not naturally passionate, well darn learn to be, even if you almost have to put on act. Don't just sit there.

Some behavior I hear of among the younger players does worry me a bit. As to diamond studded earings, hmm not my taste smile

but neither something that I see as any issue in itself.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I just find it strange that Ireland can come up with a guy who has a huge amount of passion and we can't. I know we talk about the need to improve grass roots tennis but we could still maximise the talents we have already by providing more inspirational coaching to our youngsters.

I just see a great pool of talented juniors and would hate to see those talents wasted.

clayfan · Lower Club Player

I echo Phil's impression. Over the years I have seen foreign coaches hang on every point their guys play, Some have videoed the matches and most remonstrate with them if they have seen anything amiss. I once saw and heard a British coach holding court. He was not paying any attention to his charge but sounding off about possible property developments in such a loud voice it was impossible not to hear. A few times he looked up just to shout a loud word of encouragement but he was not paying any real attention. Not all coaches are as bad as that, but there seems little public animation. Jeremy Bates and Leon Smith have been seen to have a word with the players after they come off, but there doesn't seem to be the close attention to detail displayed by foreign coaches. That said I think the main LTA coaches are there and doing their job quietly. It is the outside "stables" that can be of very variable quality.

Poor Illy! He does try so hard but is always just a little short when it matters. I pity the the poor water bottles he often takes his frustrations out on! Perhaps if he changed sponsor and wore proper tennis shorts insted of those purple checked boxer shorts some of the guys have to wear he would feel the part a bit more. LOL

Glad Josh had a good win. Maybe he is learning to play the right sort of game for clay at last. Either Frenchmen will be another test for him, and if it is Rodrigues, I would still make the Frenchman favorite for this match unless Josh really has had a clay court makeover!

Josh · Challenger level

Don't forget that Jack Carpenter did win the first set against Prodon 6-0 in Bournemouth, so he is definitely beatable. Unfortunately I only watched sets 2 and 3 of that match where Prodon was pretty comfortable.

steven · Tennis legend

From Josh on twitter - I wonder what this is a reference to:

"i got a better statement...'train spotter commenting on tennis msg boards'. laughable.. keep it coming, i love it."

Sounds like someone has said something on a message board that's annoyed him, but people on here have been pretty positive about him this week and I didn't know any of the other boards took much interest in Futures ...

philwrig · Hall of fame

I also wonder whether Greg has lost a bit of passion for his job having lost out on the Davis Cup captaincy. I also wonder whether it is 'jobs for the boys' and 'if your cap fits' when it comes to appointments at the LTA. I still think we could be alot better than we are eventhough we have a smaller playing pool.

Based on what I've seen this week if Josh brings his 'A' game the only guy who can trouble him this week will be Prodon.