Wild Cards and Play Offs

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RE: Wild Cards and Play Offs

RJA · Hall of fame

I will however say that I am delighted that Kyle got a wild card. His performance yesterday indicated that he can put up a decent fight against fairly high quality opposition which probably removed the last hurdle to his wild card which for me was the worry that he might take a damaging beating on the big stage.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

I feel a twitter campaign coming on.

RJA · Hall of fame

PaulM wrote:
The LTA do not award wildcard at Wimbledon, all wildcards are decided and awarded by the AELTC.

It is likely that the LTA nomination list that was given to the AELTC on Monday morning would have had Dan as a QWC and AELTC have followed that. It is open to the AELTC at any time up to the start of qualies to upgrade that wildcard, and I am certain they will.

LTA can certainly 'lobby' the AELTC to do so, but at the end of the day it's not their call. I would be astounded if the AELTC didn't upgrade him and free up a further qualy wildcard.

Technically true but let's not pretend that the LTA don't call the shots here. If they want Dan to have MDWC he will have one.

PaulM · Tennis legend

I agree, which is why I am 100% certain they will push for it to be upgraded following this week's performances.

RJA · Hall of fame

On a more positive note I see that Klein didn't even get a QWC so the LTA did at least get something right.

korriban · Challenger level

Dan has now said in an interview that he doesn't deserve a Wimbledon MDWC. He made sure to thank Wimbledon for his QWC, and also said that he is happy to fight his way though qualifying instead. What else could he have said, withoout being rude. He did the right thing by responding in this way, and it allows the All England and the LTA to be seen in a good light if (or hopefully when) they upgrade him. The only problem is the fact that the clock is ticking....if they don't act almost immediately.....he will be committed to Wimbledon Qualifying and will have to pass on Eastbourne altogether (although with £20,000+ for a MDWC, I'm sure he could take that hardship).

Bob the Ball Boy · Junior player

probably going to get shouted at again for lack of evidence but evo in trouble again with the lta after an 'event' in nottingham last week... im now hearing the press have hold of it so maybe you will get to hear the whole story... the LTA gave him the queens wc but made him forfeit his first round prize money (not that he will mind now having made third round) so maybe this is another part of the punishment?? (i don't know exactly what leon has told him)

however i DO feel like he should get a MDWC regardless... maybe he is a bit (understatement) of a wild child but he does keep proving himself (DC onwards I might add) and a slip up in nottingham where he still went on to make quarters and backing it up with a great win today... i can't see any reason for not giving him one...

also think goodall should not be on the qualies list... riceys form has only come recently and whilst it would be great to give him a QWC, and I feel he deserves one over goodall and potentially another couple of names on the list, it's a bit tougher to justify when he has really been focusing on doubles up until recently... with this kind of form he should win the playoffs anyways so good luck to him & i really hope he does get the chance to play the qualies whether through playoffs or a replacement for evo

korriban · Challenger level

BTBB. Perhaps that's why Dan was so adamant in interview that he didn't deserve a MDWC, and he stated very clearly that a MDWC was out of the question, which seemed odd at the time, but now makes sense. Clearly the conversation had already taken place.

Knowing the LTA, I'm sure the "incident" will become public knowledge imminently.

Bob the Ball Boy · Junior player

i haven't seen the interview and i hadn't seen your comment until after i posted... but yeah, sounds about right!!!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

No idea of the 'incident' but, assuming that it was nothing racist/criminal/immoral, then I don't think that the LTA's answer is right. (Did he miss curfew? Take a sickie and be caught on camera?)

Making him give up the first round prize money is perfect because what he has done is failed to respect a financial arrangement i.e. the LTA provide finance (actual or in-kind) and Dan 'contracts' to respect certain conditions.
If he doesn't respect those conditions then, fine, dock the money. It's not fair on other players to financially support players who don't play by the rules.

But the wild cards should be an indication of level, ability and (maybe sad but very true) marketability.

Dan's actual level is just off (just outside 250) but very close; his ability is beyond question (see last two weeks); and his marketability is great - young bloke from a normal background, easy to relate to, no angel (!) but no devil either, and fun to watch.

So, dock him his first round prize money again, if you need to - but let the UK public see one of our best young hopes and let him inspire some other young kids out there that tennis might be for them.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Not sure of the logic of giving a doubles wild card to JB & Kyle Edmund ( confuse ), but at least David & Sean have one this year, along with Jamie Delgado & Matt Ebden (who's a lucky boy, then? disbelief ).

Tennis36 · Masters Series Champion

No idea who's gona get the eastbourne wc's, ward and edmund are the only candidates, and I would actually much prefer for Kyle to have a go at qualifying

Shhh · Challenger level

Tennis36 wrote:
No idea who's gona get the eastbourne wc's, ward and edmund are the only candidates, and I would actually much prefer for Kyle to have a go at qualifying

David Rice??????? (Only half joking!)

Bob the Ball Boy · Junior player

Coup Droit wrote:
No idea of the 'incident' but, assuming that it was nothing racist/criminal/immoral, then I don't think that the LTA's answer is right. (Did he miss curfew? Take a sickie and be caught on camera?)

Making him give up the first round prize money is perfect because what he has done is failed to respect a financial arrangement i.e. the LTA provide finance (actual or in-kind) and Dan 'contracts' to respect certain conditions.
If he doesn't respect those conditions then, fine, dock the money. It's not fair on other players to financially support players who don't play by the rules.

But the wild cards should be an indication of level, ability and (maybe sad but very true) marketability.

Dan's actual level is just off (just outside 250) but very close; his ability is beyond question (see last two weeks); and his marketability is great - young bloke from a normal background, easy to relate to, no angel (!) but no devil either, and fun to watch.

So, dock him his first round prize money again, if you need to - but let the UK public see one of our best young hopes and let him inspire some other young kids out there that tennis might be for them.

i do tend to agree... just putting it out there as a possible (probably) reason he didnt get one