Whatever happened to the Rens, the Askews, Stephenson and Henderson?

serveandvolley · Social player

Whatever happened to the Rens, the Askews, Stephenson and Henderson?

steven · Tennis legend

A quick rundown, though I am sure other people will know a lot more than me about specific players.

The Rens still play but not very often - Jessica has a low WTA ranking (I think she may have been concentrating on A levels judging by recent tweets, but not sure) but Jennifer dropped out of the rankings a few weeks ago.

I think at least one of the Askews is at college in the US on a tennis scholarship.

Fran is definitely still playing - she has a WTA ranking of 576 (CH 518 last month) and had a very good start to the year but for some unknown (at least to me!) reason seems to have been struggling for the last few months.

Joanna is at the University of Tennessee, I believe http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2072598/

thegingerlightbulb · Lower Club Player

As far as the Ren's are concerned they, like many promising juniors, plateaued into mediocracy (in terms of professional tennis). I think one of them has a ranking in the 900's.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

steven wrote:
- Jessica has a low WTA ranking (I think she may have been concentrating on A levels judging by recent tweets, but not sure)

Judging by recent tweets, I was under the impression that Jess has been focused on lusting after Fabio Fognini WR59 (#toohotforhisowngood, #havemybabies)

steven · Tennis legend

kundalini wrote:
steven wrote:
- Jessica has a low WTA ranking (I think she may have been concentrating on A levels judging by recent tweets, but not sure)

Judging by recent tweets, I was under the impression that Jess has been focused on lusting after Fabio Fognini WR59 (#toohotforhisowngood, #havemybabies)

LOL I think I must manage to mentally filter out tweets like that smile

PaulM · Tennis legend

Rens are at College in the States.

philwrig · Hall of fame

The last I heard Jess was moving into Knightsbridge, but like Paul just said I'm assuming she will be going to a US college like her sister imminently.
Both Ren's games depended upon them being counterpunchers but neither are the quickest around the court so the better pros found it easy to overpower them.
Certainly the Ren's were world class when they were 12, but I don't think the Askews or Henderson were ever in that league.

serveandvolley · Social player

Thank you for this, its like I have never been away smile

It is a shame that these girls, who seemed at one point to have bright futures have not progressed.

On the Ren side, I always felt they were slightly one dimensional although I thought their fighting abilities would see them go further. Regarding the Askews, I always thought the young left hander would be best but no one mentioned her, has she stopped too?

It's a shame about Jo Henderson but perhaps a clever move getting college out of the way, maybe she will continue to play competitively when she has finished?

I must have overlooked Francesca, I did find her on the WTA site in the end and was quite surprised at how poorly she is doing, another good youngster who has not made the "pro" grade, maybe she too will go to American Uni? is it still possible to do so at 19?

So who are the next bunch coming through? Anyone to watch out for?

philwrig · Hall of fame

serveandvolley wrote:
Thank you for this, its like I have never been away
It is a shame that these girls, who seemed at one point to have bright futures have not progressed.
On the Ren side, I always felt they were slightly one dimensional although I thought their fighting abilities would see them go further. Regarding the Askews, I always thought the young left hander would be best but no one mentioned her, has she stopped too?
It's a shame about Jo Henderson but perhaps a clever move getting college out of the way, maybe she will continue to play competitively when she has finished?
I must have overlooked Francesca, I did find her on the WTA site in the end and was quite surprised at how poorly she is doing, another good youngster who has not made the "pro" grade, maybe she too will go to American Uni? is it still possible to do so at 19?
So who are the next bunch coming through? Anyone to watch out for?

Eleanor Dean at 16 is easily our best prospect of the current crop of juniors, and then there is a very strong group of 13/14 year olds. Not sure we have either a another Hev or Laura in there but certainly much stronger than the likes of the Rens, Askews,Henderson and Stephenson.