Boys & Girls: US Open 2011 - Grade A (Week 36)

RJA · Hall of fame

RE: Boys & Girls: US Open 2011 - Grade A (Week 36)

philwrig · Hall of fame

I agree focus on seniors now, winning a junior slam is more important than getting to junior number 1.

steven · Tennis legend

Yes, I'm inclined to agree. Does anyone know where Muzz finished 2004 in the junior rankings? (well ok, some of us do, but 99% of those who know he won the junior USO won't know, I'm sure)

If he does decide to go for it, he needs 197.5 points from one singles and one doubles event to replace the points due to come off in order to equal Vesely, assuming Jiri doesn't play again.

Ratty · County player

So much certainty that you all know exactly what Oliver should and shouldn't do. A bit like the wave of support a few months back for Murray to appoint Ivan Lendl as his coach. Jeez, chill out.

"The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."

Or something ...

Here's another take. It will probably make no difference at all to the success of Oliver's future career, whether or not he plays in another couple of junior tournaments. And if it does make any difference, nobody has the faintest idea whether the difference is a good one or a bad one.

So why not try to be No 1?

indiana · Tennis legend

Ratty wrote:
So much certainty that you all know exactly what Oliver should and shouldn't do.

Naa, folk just expressing an opinion.

Actually, in thinking about it more I've shifted rather to your view. Overall, I can't see it's any particular hinderance Oli taking one or even two weeks out going for no 1, particularly given he was born in September 1993. He's nearer Liam's dob than George's. Whether anyone think it's "artificial" or not ( and I don't really see that just because others may have moved earlier more firmly to seniors ), it would be rather nice to have.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 12th of September 2011 09:18:41 PM

Ratty · County player

I guess you are right. You usually are?

Actually, I think I will revise my previous statement. I think that it probably will make a difference to Oliver's future career, whether he plays in this tournament, or that one.

But only in the way that the course of anyone's future life is probably determined by whether he gets out of bed at 8.00am or 8.01am tomorrow. Here's the thing, though - what that difference will be is entirely unpredictable.

A bit like the butterfly flapping its wings ...

Who said that tennis and philosophy cannot co-exist?

-- Edited by Ratty on Monday 12th of September 2011 09:22:48 PM

wolf · Tennis legend

I would say that is is debatable whether or not it would have a negative effect or not, but I fail to see how it would have a positive one.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

steven wrote:
Does anyone know where Muzz finished 2004 in the junior rankings? (well ok, some of us do, but 99% of those who know he won the junior USO won't know, I'm sure)

My memory is notoriously terrible, but I am pretty Andy never hit junior #1. Wasn't it Monfils that year?

I seem to remember battles on the old BBC board with people who contended that Andy was not as good as Monfils, and never would be.

Ratty · County player

CH of 2 in Jan 2004.

Year End No 6 in 2003 (Baghdatis No 1), and not in the top 10 in 2004 (Monfils - who is a year older than Murray) or 2005 (Young).

He played only 3 junior tournaments in 2004 and 1 in 2005. He didn't win any of them: in 2004 he lost to Monfils at Roehampton, Jun (who?) at Wimbledon, and Stakhovsky at the US Open. In 2005 he lost to Cilic at the French Open.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Now I'm really confused. WHO played only 3 junior tournaments in 2004 and lost all 3? I thought we were talking about Muzza, who won the USO in 2004.

Spectator · All-time great

I suspect that given the benefits that accrue to people in the year-end top 10, Mr Broady and Mr Morgan may well wish to play the Eddie Herr/Orange Bowl (and do they still play the Yucatan cup at the end of December? I seem to remember it being an issue the year Berankis and Dimitrov were in a duel for number one.) Less of an issue for Mr Golding, but he may want to join in.

One of the interviews with Mr Golding quoted him as saying that he just really enjoyed playing tennis. Good for him, and encouraging for all who want the next generation to do well. There is no substitute for that sense of wanting to do something for its own sake.

In which case, may he (and the others, if they are the same) relish to the fullest the joy of being paid to do something they really love. May they continue to work hard at their chosen career, maximise their talents, get some enjoyment out of the whole circus, and keep working on being decent human beings (which everything suggests they are). Oh, and may they have patience with the ramblings of those of us (myself the first!) who would never get anywhere near their level of achievement ....

Ratty · County player

We are indeed talking about Muzza.

Wires got "slightly" crossed at my end, he of course BEAT Stakhovsky in the US Open in 2004, which was the only junior tournament he won that year.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Great stuff from Ollie.

And with Liam and Kyle we could/should win another junior GS in the next couple of years

Maza1987 · Challenger level

a vid of match point