Week 24 - ATP 250 - AEGON International, Eastbourne

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Week 24 - ATP 250 - AEGON International, Eastbourne

Tennis36 · Masters Series Champion

RE: Eastbourne Wildcards?

steven · Tennis legend

Didn't they give two last year or the year before to players who could have played Wimby Q but opted to take Eastbourne MD WCs instead?

That seems really silly to me, since with Wimby Q it's again a case that the best chance of getting people through is to pile as many players in there who would be capable of getting through if they have a decent draw as possible to maximise the chances that some actually will get decent draws.

I think they should give Eastbourne WCs to those who are getting Wimby MD WCs don't need to play Wimby Q (I realise there aren't enough of them this year) and if they don't want to give some players 3 MD WCs, then leave them out of the MD WC list for Queen's instead.

Josh · Challenger level

I think Slabba did that and maybe James Ward as well, although if I remember right Boggo beat one in the 1st round and the other lost as well so it didn't prove such a good decision.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i bet they offer boggo one then moan when he turns it down :)

spud · Challenger qualifying

I think they should go to:

Inglot
Slabba (if he doesnt make PlayOff finals)
Cox/Willis

Count Zero · Tennis legend

the problem is that a pretty big gift to give for losing to someone else, even if they have no chance at wimby.

Shhh · Challenger level

In theory, can a player qualify at Eastbourne but still opt to play Wimbledon Qualies (assuming they can make the road trip between venues, approx 2 hours)?

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i dont think so.

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

5livetwitter reporting that wild cards have gone to Jamie Baker and James Ward.

Baker isn't surprising given that he has a Wimbledon WC but perhaps a bit surprised at Ward... does it mean that he has chosen this over Wimbledon qualies or is he going to get upgraded to a main draw WC?

I imagine they might be hoping for a big name for the 3rd wild card as the draw has been decimated, and I imagine Lalo may even pull out if he beats Nadal tomorrow making it even weaker.

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Tursunov? Would be a crime not to give the defending champ surely

steven · Tennis legend

The LTA are reporting that Gilles Simon has the 3rd WC

http://www.lta.org.uk/News/All-news-items/2010-06-07/Baker-and-Ward-awarded-wildcards-into-AEGON-International/

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

The Magician Santoro wrote:

Tursunov? Would be a crime not to give the defending champ surely

That does seem to the common conception that he will get the remaining wild card, and would be justified, but the fact the LTA turned down Gasquet's request suggests that they were hoping to give all the wild cards to British players.

There have also been no rumours around town about Tursunov getting a wild card and usually they run wild with the slightest bit of infomation regarding big name players, so I'm not yet convinced that he will get the last WC.

EDIT: Just seen the link about Simon... probably not a bad choice as it gives the tournament a little bit of star power that it needs.

-- Edited by ForeverDelayed on Thursday 10th of June 2010 08:44:55 PM

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i have heard that possibly some 1st rd Eastbourne matches may be played on Sunday.

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

Golding!! i hope...