Wimbledon wild cards

steven · Tennis legend

RE: Wimbledon wild cards

DavidC · Tennis legend

The Wimbledon list has been enhanced, but not completed (rankings in brackets) - Katie & Naomi B added in the doubles

Singles Main Draw

1. O'BRIEN, Katie (GBR) ................................................................ (124)
2. SCHEEPERS, Chanelle (RSA) ................................................... (133)
3. RISKE, Alison (USA) .................................................................. (212)
4. SOUTH, Melanie (GBR) .............................................................. (215)
5. ROBSON, Laura (GBR) .............................................................. (257)
6. WATSON, Heather (GBR) .......................................................... (337)
7. LERTCHEEWAKARN, Noppawan (THA) ................................... (340)
8. Next direct acceptance

Singles Qualifying

1. SMITH, Anna (GBR) ................................................................... (270)
2. BROADY, Naomi (GBR) ............................................................. (281)
3. PASZEK, Tamira (AUT) .............................................................. (324)
4. WHYBOURN, Lisa (GBR) ........................................................... (438)
5. WEBLEY-SMITH, Emily (GBR) ................................................... (457)
6. RAE, Jocelyn (GBR) ................................................................... (480)
7. ERAKOVIC, Marina (NZL) .......................................................... (627)
8. BROWN, Lucy (GBR) ......................................................................(-)

Doubles Main Draw

1. PEERS, Sally (AUS) and ROBSON, Laura (GBR) ..................... (198)
2. KEOTHAVONG, Anne (GBR) and SOUTH, Melanie (GBR) ....... (330)
3. CAVADAY, Naomi (GBR) and SMITH, Anna (GBR) ................... (415)
4. BROADY, Naomi (GBR) and O'BRIEN, Katie (GBR) .................. (974)
5. To be announced

steven · Tennis legend

The link for the revised list:

http://aeltc2010.wimbledon.org/en_GB/pdf/2010_wildcards.pdf

Silver · County player

Next direct acceptance.

3 for the men. 1 for the ladies.

I don't know WHAT to make of that. Actually kinda pathetic really. 4 wildcards going begging.

Shhh · Challenger level

Silver wrote:

Next direct acceptance.

3 for the men. 1 for the ladies.

I don't know WHAT to make of that. Actually kinda pathetic really. 4 wildcards going begging.

The "next on the list" is going to be someone ranked outside the top 100 and, therefore, someone who would be favourite to lose in the 1st round no matter who they draw. They do therefore not particulary merit automatic inclusion any more than a home countries prospect. To give out the wild cards this way (or indeed to fail to give them out) just stinks of a total lack of b*ll*cks on the LTA's part.

I accept few British men strongly merit a wild card this year. I have always felt that in this situation at least one could be awarded by play offs. 8 people would give you quarters, semis and a final. The winner would have won 3 rounds therefore on grass, surely good preperation?

What about a "People Choice" where a list of players can be voted for online? It side steps the LTA being responsible for the decision, the LTA gets its website engaged and would the lucky recipitent not be inspired at being voted for?

How about a trade with a spot in another tournament (dosen't have to be a GS) If it was say the US Open, those going for qualies could form a mini training squad and play off on the surface before the tournament starts. The winners gets the direct draw entry? Would that not encourage competition amongst those Brits? Gawd knows many are failing at the moment in relation to what the LTA expects of them so, maybe try something new?

Currently we give several wild card spots out to foreign players at our few home main tour tournaments. Other countries do not do this as much or, in some cases at all.

A 1st round appearance at Wimbledon is worth £10k+. At a time when several players funding is cut, to give away a few lots of this amount because you don't have the balls to take the flack if the players fails is not the sort of leadership I expect from someone earning a six-figure salary to run the sport.

-- Edited by Shhh on Saturday 12th of June 2010 05:43:31 AM

-- Edited by Shhh on Saturday 12th of June 2010 05:53:03 AM

Silver · County player

"How dare you ask for a wildcard into Wimbledon in order to cover your debts! That's thievery good people, and we won't have it! DENIED!"

Three British players have been found living in rubbish bins after they were denied wildcards into the prestigious Wimbledon tournament. All three players were suffering from hypothermia and sporting 'DOWN WITH THE LTA' tattoos on their chests.

THAT WAS NOT AN ACTUAL QUOTE.

philwrig · Hall of fame

There's a reason why each GS has 8 WCs and to not use them is incredulous.