Davis Cup - Euro Africa Zone Group II R1 v Tunisia (home) - 4-6 March 2011

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

RE: Davis Cup - Euro Africa Zone Group II R1 v Tunisia (home) - 4-6 March 2011

Count Zero · Tennis legend

That is a sensible suggestion SC, but the thing with Boggo is that he keep so much to himself, he never self promotes, chases after interviews etc that he may have done just this and we'd never know

In fact he probably doesn't help himself in that regard as he's probably the most well know tennis player in the country after the Murrays yet he doesn't really have any sponsorship.
i guess thats the funny thing about tennis, at least with local teams in other sports, even low division ones, local companies will often sponsor them, but just doesn't seem to work that way with tennis guys, another reason they are reliant on LTA handouts.

scottie1 · Futures level

I hope Alex plays both matches wins and gets good press coverage. He is our second best player after Andy. Sorry JamesWArd fans but Bogga is far more talented.
seen him at Wimbleon a few times he has been unlucky with the draws.

indiana · Tennis legend

scottie1 wrote:

I hope Alex plays both matches wins and gets good press coverage. He is our second best player after Andy. Sorry JamesWArd fans but Bogga is far more talented.
seen him at Wimbleon a few times he has been unlucky with the draws.

I agree with you in that I really hope Alex wins his two matches well, although they could of come at a better time for him. My views about Alex have been stated quite often, but basically I think he has been terribly treated.

Now I am no particular James Ward fan. However, resultswise, even with Alex fit, James has for some time been GB's second top male in rankings and I'd say fairly based on results.

Unfulfilled talent to my mind doesn't put you above other players that arguably have less talent but better results. James Ward is our second best player. I'd then put Alex third.

Results are what really count in my book, as I think more and more Arsenal fans are beginning to accept

steven · Tennis legend

The final four are Ward, Baker, Fleming & Murray, i.e. no Boggo.

Friday OoP:

Jamie Baker WR 406 v Malek Jaziri (TUN) WR 325

James Ward WR 214 v Sami Ghorbel (TUN) UNR

tennisfan334 · Lower Club Player

Not the nomination according to the DC site - Ward Bogdanovic, Murray, Fleming.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

the DC should be updated soon, it's correct Baker go the nod ahead of Boggo

wolf · Tennis legend

Boggo for Tipton WC!

steven · Tennis legend

tennisfan334 wrote:

Not the nomination according to the DC site - Ward Bogdanovic, Murray, Fleming.

OEM and Stu Fraser were tweeting from the draw in Bolton, so they should know.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Probably the right decision given Jamie's impressive displays in DC to date.
Hopefully Boggo won't be too disheartened and can get back to tournament play and get his ranking back up where it belongs.

indiana · Tennis legend

Jamie has acquited himself well in Davis Cup. A lot though may honestly have been how the three singles players have appeared to shape up in practice and training and it would be no great surprise if Boggo didn't appear back to his sharpest.

Leon Smith indicated he was really unsure of his singles selections and he seems to me a pretty straightforward guy.

I hope it has still been a decent experience for Boggo, that he can yes go forward and start getting some decent tournament play and results and also feel he might have a part to play in future Davis Cups.

Had come round myself to the idea that the four players named would be better including a reserve singles player and just one specialist doubles player but can't say I'm hugely exercised about that.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

i don't know, Indy, from what i heard Boggo was pretty sharp, even wining a set against a certain slam runner up.
I think it's probably a case of fear of nerves. from Leon's perspective if he were to pick Alex and he lost then he's get destroyed by the press. If Baker loses well that's a bit different, he doesnt have Boggo's profile, and Boggo can be indirectly blamed as not being good enough to do the job himself (i am a bit paranoid?)

i do think that if we'd been up against a top 125 guy, the type you'd expect would almost certainly beat Baker, then he'd probably have given Boggo the chance.

It's disappointing for Alex for sure, he'd come back for this and you'd think he'd have had a good shot at picking up his 1st live rubber win, but he's just got to put it behind him quickly, and look to make sure he can have a good 2 weeks in Bath and get his ranking heading back in the right direction

indiana · Tennis legend

Count Zero wrote:

i don't know, Indy, from what i heard Boggo was pretty sharp, even wining a set against a certain slam runner up.
I think it's probably a case of fear of nerves. from Leon's perspective if he were to pick Alex and he lost then he's get destroyed by the press. If Baker loses well that's a bit different, he doesnt have Boggo's profile, and Boggo can be indirectly blamed as not being good enough to do the job himself (i am a bit paranoid?)

Hell, I do so so hope that this has nothing to do with possible media reactions to the selection and / or whatever may occur over the weekend.

We have had far too much of this from the LTA, particularly Dodger, and from the position Leon now occupies.

I had an impression Leon might be a bit different and I would like to cling to that

This just should not come into it ! Call me an idealist if you want, but I am right

If Leon is afraid Boggo's nerves could play a part ( not entirely sure whose nerves you were talking about ) that is a match calculation and fair enough. All I want ( and his job ) is to pick the team that he feels is most likely to win this tie combined to a degree with the possible effect re selections / confidence for future ties.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 05:06:49 PM

Count Zero · Tennis legend

yes i think it's a worry that Boggos nerves could come in to it. .

indiana · Tennis legend

Count Zero wrote:

yes i think it's a worry that Boggos nerves could come in to it. .

If that's just it and he genuinely thinks Ward and Baker are the best bets fair enough. Though there is an arguement I think for playing Boggo here if he was thought likely to get wins and thus help his confidence ( and reduce his nerves ) for the future. But I don't mind some overall judgement call simply re winning Davis Cup ties now and in the future.

But the though of in any way pandering to the press / being concerned re press reaction and ...... furious