RJA wrote:

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Spectator wrote:

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Perhaps it would be a good idea somewhat to depersonalise the whole thing? I do think Mr Evans and Mr Ward both should get WCs to the summer events, simply on the grounds that if you ask anyone -- whoever it might be -- to play for the country, and they do so brilliantly, they should receive some appropriate thanks. WCs seem like appropriate thanks, and giving them to Mr Evans and Mr Ward seems like the only decent thing to do. Not able to comment on the larger context of what the LTA's approach to Mr Evans should be.

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Well yes I do agree but is there not something to be gained from not promising the earth unless the people in question meet certain criteria? You know, something of an incentive for the next couple of months?

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In my opinion, I wouldn't try to use it as an incentive, no. That's part of what I mean by de-personalising. I don't see it as a reward for progress in people's individual careers (in which case I think the LTA should just stick to whatever guidelines they have), but as a matter of simple fairness to people whom the national body has asked to do something on behalf of the country and who have responded by doing what was asked (and doing it very well indeed). I wouldn't therefore tie any further obligations to it. Equally if a lower-ranked player were suddenly to go out and reach an ATP QF, but was still ranked below 250, I wouldn't necessarily favour breaking the guidelines. (Though, like others, I do think there should be provision for people who are outside the guidelines because of an injury time-out)

For the record, I would also favour some benefit to Mr Baker, on the grounds that he was prepared to be in his country's service and made sacrifices to fulfil his obligation, whether or not in the end he was taken up.

The play off tie is in October between Asian swing and Euro final swing - wouldn't fit in his schedule I think better than after USO

Madeline wrote:

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Steven's thread has it as 13-15 September.

 

Edit: . . .and so does the Davis Cup site.

-- Edited by Madeline on Monday 8th of April 2013 09:34:01 PM

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 i know it's a lot to take in all in one go, but it does seem, on this rarest of rare occasions, that steven was right

Apologies - that was a grotesquely poor post from me tired out and trying to type on the iPad!

What I meant to say was the relegation play off tie would have been (is) in October and I would have struggled to see how that would have fit into AM's schedule at a busy time of the year for him - I am assuming he's going to play 2 x 500 tourneys in Asia and Europe as well as the Masters.

The WG play off is in Sept, which hopefully fits into his schedule better - I am also assuming he has no interest in playing in Thailand before Japan/China - hopefully injury free and not too exhausted after defending his USO crown.

I don't fully get all the rules of the DC - could we potentially name AM, DE and JW as singles and then replace AM in the final rubber if we've won by that point - I know teams do that but can you officially name 3 singles players as well as the doubles?

Cheers - and sorry about that poor post - won't happen again!!!