wow how strong is that usaf1 list!! what does this mean for kyle and luke, if they are down here are they not going to australia?
Would seem so, which I do find very surprising indeed, especially as the huge number of Brits alone (I haven't checked the ITF site to see the full entry list yet) means that there will be a lot of very good players playing in the US collecting a very small number of ranking points, even if they play well.
My understanding is that players CAN enter multiple events, so long as they exit from the balance by an agreed withdrawal date, so this could be a red herring.
Update: Having looked at the entry list, even a 390s ranking doesn't get you into the main draw - and the entries include Vesely, Taro Daniel, etc - I'd be VERY surprised if this list is not all but wiped out with withdrawals by the turn of the year, as playing programmes are firmed up.
-- Edited by korriban on Thursday 13th of December 2012 05:05:54 PM
Jorn on TennisForum says Laura is also playing. Apparently Tennis Australia confirmed it in a newsletter they send out, listing several star names for each of the Aus events.
Interesting. I can see the point in not going to Australia: long way, expensive, not much on offer, and both of them would be unseeded, so probably get lousy draws. On the rankings/seedings: statisticians, am I correct in thinking that this year the top 10 are unusually young? Last year 7 out of 10 were 1993s; this year only 4 out of 10 are 1994s. Indeed, only 7 of the top 20 are 1994s. Hence the lowly rankings of Messrs Edmund and Bambridge -- very little "bump" from the loss of the 1994s. Was last year the anomaly? Or is this year?
I can confirm that Kyle and Luke are NOT going to Australia. I had the pleasure of watching their training session this morning in La Manga and was talking with the coaches. The feeling is that Australia is a long way to go and takes about 5 weeks out of the season if you allow for all the travelling and jet lag issues. They will be going to the USA.
Training this morning consisted of pairing off and playing a 5 setter. Spent most of my time watching Kyle's match but the results as best I could get them were:
Lewis beat Liam Marzi beat Luke Kyle beat Neil P : 0-6 6-2 7-6 5-7 6-2
Difficult conditions with a lot of wind and even some "wet stuff" in the air. I think you guys in England call that "rain" ?
I have a question. Who is the Swedish coach that travels with the squad ? Spoke to him for about 20 mins. Really nice guy.
Wonder if Fleming/Hutchins will be able to kick off their year this week and defend their points? Flembo had to leave LaManga after a couple of days having picked up an injury and I've not seen any news about him returning to training.
Reading his Bio on the web would suggest that you are right, although I can't find a picture of him.
Not Magnus Tideman ??
Good shout. Judging by the picture I have just found on a Swedish site, I think that is him. I am off to la Manga again this morning so will know for sure. Looking forward to seeing the guys train again.