I do find the Qualifying draw somewhat embarrassing for GB tennis. The are only 2 rounds needed to qualify and there are byes across the board in round 1, except for just 3 matches. There are only 5 players with a ranking, with the top seed at 1074.
With 8 qualifying spots available (which again is bizarre) this is a golden opportunity for juniors to test themselves. Frankly, where are the players? Even some of our good 13 year olds would have had a decent stab at making MD here.
-- Edited by korriban on Monday 29th of April 2013 08:09:37 AM
It's not the number of qualifier spots itself which is bizarre (8 is the norm in $10ks), its the fact that because there are so many more qualifier spots available in these $10ks compared to WTA or higher level ITF events (which I find bizarre), one would logically expect (and would normally get) a much bigger field of excited local youngsters and stalwarts having a go. I recall Naomi Cavaday only recently being staggered that there were so many byes in a recent GB $10k that her Serbian charge was playing in.....and asking where were all the GB players?
There are quite a few US and Spanish men's $10ks with full qualifying draws of 128 players.
-- Edited by korriban on Monday 29th of April 2013 08:25:03 AM
It's quite simple really. British Tennis don't have a clue. Scheduling this event when exams are on us just stupid. Add in the fact that Scotland is struggling financially it means only those who are well off can play the game in this country.
Anyway despite that we will have about 12-16 Brits in the main draw and end up with 2 in the quarters maybe get a semi from 1.
I might make it along later in the week if the rain keeps off. Chucking it down just now though
-- Edited by Jaggy1876 on Monday 29th of April 2013 10:28:32 AM
Apparently I found out yesterday, through some of the Scottish athletics officials who were down at Liverpool Harriers yesterday, that there are exams scheduled in Scotland this week. I think english was set for this morning(The Scottish clubs had a lack of u-17 runners for this reason)
This is almost certainly the reason for the low entry of younger players this week.
pippa got a main draw WC... thoroughly deserved after last weeks performance, glad she has the opportunity to build on her great form!!
jaggy- agree scheduling is awful... id imagine the main reason they have bournemouth followed by edinburgh is to deter foreigners from coming over and taking 'our' points- but if our own juniors arent even around its totally pointless
Not a very nice main draw from a British perspective, with most of the Brits, including Pippa drawing seeds. Maia has a more promising draw against a qualifier