Boys: Wimbledon Juniors - Grade A (Week 27)

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

RE: Boys: Wimbledon Juniors - Grade A (Week 27)

RJA · Hall of fame

Can't complain too much about that result. Quinzi was the better player and Kyle's weaknesses on grass were exposed.

I wasn't sure that winning the title would have been a universally good thing anyway. The hype it would have generated would not have been helpful.

DavidC · Tennis legend

Playing the big points was one of the differences between them, but Quinzi impressed throughout with superior anticipation, courtcraft (especially in judging when to approach the net) and movement. Kyle's backhand and service returns weren't up to the level I have seen before, so plenty for him to work on, but there are enough positive things overall about his game to encourage for the future.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
Can't complain too much about that result. Quinzi was the better player and Kyle's weaknesses on grass were exposed.

I wasn't sure that winning the title would have been a universally good thing anyway. The hype it would have generated would not have been helpful.

I tend to agree. Kyle will be a bit fed up, feel he could have played better. But he now leaves the juniors (singles!) with some very good junior results, an excellent base to go forward. (without the hype).

Never seen Quinzi before. Excellent heavy backhand, beautiful shot. And some other great skills too. He's obviously a big, strong young man for his age, though, and the others will catch him up in that regard in the next couple of years.

Good luck to Kyle for the doubles - enjoy !

DavidC · Tennis legend

The match before Kyle's doubles has just gone to a third set

Here is a round-up of interviews with the other Brits apart from Kyle (in some cases you need to scroll down beyond an interview with Kyle):

Julian Cash & Joshua Sapwell: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23189087

Luke Bambridge: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23145361

Billy Harris: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23151195

Jonny O'Mara: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23162543

DavidC · Tennis legend

A good comeback from Kyle & Fred from 2-5 down to take the first set 7-6(3) and they now have the momentum and lead 3-0* in the second - available on Red Button channel 302 + BBC website, and could finish at this rate before Andy starts.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

DavidC wrote:
A good comeback from Kyle & Fred from 2-5 down to take the first set 7-6(3) and they now have the momentum and lead 3-0* in the second - available on Red Button channel 302 + BBC website, and could finish at this rate before Andy starts.

And they take the match 7-6 6-3

Hopefully that will have cheered Beechy up a bit !!

steven · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
DavidC wrote:
A good comeback from Kyle & Fred from 2-5 down to take the first set 7-6(3) and they now have the momentum and lead 3-0* in the second - available on Red Button channel 302 + BBC website, and could finish at this rate before Andy starts.
And they take the match 7-6 6-3
Hopefully that will have cheered Beechy up a bit !!

That reminds me, funny moment from the O'Mara-Janvier match - I can't even remember what prompted it, either Jonny moping after losing a point or showboating a bit - Beechy turns to the others and says proudly "you wouldn't catch Kedders doing that" wink

DavidC · Tennis legend

SF

(1) Edmund/Silva (GBR/POR) v Couacaud/Napolitano (FRA/ITA) 3rd match ct 1

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

My dear friend Shhh !

Don't worry, you are not going to get an earful from me either. Kyle is as open to "constructive" criticism in my book as anyone else. I would also add that he is far from being the finished article and I am sure that he and Beechy would be the first to admit that. In truth, is anyone ever the "finished article" - even the top four talk about the aspects of the game they need to improve on.

I can't comment on the semi as you were there in person and I was watchng the livescores on the Wimby website !! In fairness, your comments do seem to be very much in context with a couple of other messages I had read previously although perhaps their interpretation was a little different, describing him as tired or jaded both physically and perhaps moreso - mentally. Given the heavy schedule and the media focus that he has been experiencing for the first time, this would hardly be surprising.

Once the doubles is over, he will be back to the virtual anonimity of the futures (and hopefully Challenger) circuit, away from the media spotlight, which will be a good thing. And I am sure he will comeback next year both wiser and stronger.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Saturday 6th of July 2013 05:05:12 PM

Shhh · Challenger level

A negative report on Kyle Edmond!

I have been spoilt rotten this year with a Court 3 ticket for the first Monday and Centre Court for yesterday.......................what a day! The Monday was defeats for Edmond and Baltacha on 3, Konta and Ward on Court 12 so I made sure I got to Wimbledon on time for the bones match for me back on Court 3 with Edmonds semi. What a let down. He is obviously only 18, so most sins can be forgiven but even so it was such a disappointment.

Like all I have been impressed with his results, the comments from "our man in Spain" and of course the grass matches leading up to this. On the Monday, in defeat I was really impressed with him and his game. I saw yesterday as a chance to make a Grand Slam final and maybe, just maybe be the first boy holder of the title since Noah was shipbuilding.

The first 3 games he looked the better. He has a lovely serve and his groundshots from the baseline are surely as good as they get in an 18 year old. His opponent had other qualities though, pumped up, berating himself, staring at Kyle or the umpire after good/bad points, a real fiesty character who always seemed to get the ball back. With Edmond doing all the forcing, when 5 or 6 shots have failed to win the point...............one would go long/into the net to lose the point (hard to say the Italian won them a lot of the time). The pattern just repeated though, Kyle was much more in most of Quinzis service games, multiple deuces, quite a few break points but it didn't happen for him.

My moan (and he is JUST 18 I know) is that he did nothing to change things. We all know how much tennis depends on the mind and Kyle just seemed to resigned to "it wasn't happening" With Quinzi looking quite demonic at times, Kyle just walked from side to side of the court ready for the next point with such a downcast expression. He seemed to just rattle through the points to get it over with accepting that he wasn't going to win today. His demeanour was shocking and I bet I can find an interview with him saying "its been a great learning curve, you win some you lose some, it wasn't his day..........etc etc" To me it was such a great opportunity, against an opponent who COULD be beaten but....................

Now the above is probably unfair, how can I judge from a seat in the stand, I have never met the lad etc and that is of course true and most likely correct. But I do think you can tell a lot from a players body language and it was just that awful resignation of the situation that shone through. To witness the two matches that then took place on centre court is so much of an unfair comparison I know but, Kyle is trying to journey in that direction and much as his game showed all the ability, those other qualities didn't appear to be there at all.

I'll end by say, this is all about an 18 year, he is a tremendous prospect, I really think he can become a top player and we all have good and bad days but, yesterday was such a disappointment I just had to get it off my chest...........hope that can forgiven here!

korriban · Challenger level

Shhh wrote:
A negative report on Kyle Edmond!

I have been spoilt rotten this year with a Court 3 ticket for the first Monday and Centre Court for yesterday.......................what a day! The Monday was defeats for Edmond and Baltacha on 3, Konta and Ward on Court 12 so I made sure I got to Wimbledon on time for the bones match for me back on Court 3 with Edmonds semi. What a let down. He is obviously only 18, so most sins can be forgiven but even so it was such a disappointment.

Like all I have been impressed with his results, the comments from "our man in Spain" and of course the grass matches leading up to this. On the Monday, in defeat I was really impressed with him and his game. I saw yesterday as a chance to make a Grand Slam final and maybe, just maybe be the first boy holder of the title since Noah was shipbuilding.

The first 3 games he looked the better. He has a lovely serve and his groundshots from the baseline are surely as good as they get in an 18 year old. His opponent had other qualities though, pumped up, berating himself, staring at Kyle or the umpire after good/bad points, a real fiesty character who always seemed to get the ball back. With Edmond doing all the forcing, when 5 or 6 shots have failed to win the point...............one would go long/into the net to lose the point (hard to say the Italian won them a lot of the time). The pattern just repeated though, Kyle was much more in most of Quinzis service games, multiple deuces, quite a few break points but it didn't happen for him.

My moan (and he is JUST 18 I know) is that he did nothing to change things. We all know how much tennis depends on the mind and Kyle just seemed to resigned to "it wasn't happening" With Quinzi looking quite demonic at times, Kyle just walked from side to side of the court ready for the next point with such a downcast expression. He seemed to just rattle through the points to get it over with accepting that he wasn't going to win today. His demeanour was shocking and I bet I can find an interview with him saying "its been a great learning curve, you win some you lose some, it wasn't his day..........etc etc" To me it was such a great opportunity, against an opponent who COULD be beaten but....................

Now the above is probably unfair, how can I judge from a seat in the stand, I have never met the lad etc and that is of course true and most likely correct. But I do think you can tell a lot from a players body language and it was just that awful resignation of the situation that shone through. To witness the two matches that then took place on centre court is so much of an unfair comparison I know but, Kyle is trying to journey in that direction and much as his game showed all the ability, those other qualities didn't appear to be there at all.

I'll end by say, this is all about an 18 year, he is a tremendous prospect, I really think he can become a top player and we all have good and bad days but, yesterday was such a disappointment I just had to get it off my chest...........hope that can forgiven here!

His name is Kyle Edmund

Shhh · Challenger level

Yes of course it is, that really is a stupid mistake to make.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I was surprised too, Shhh, by how passive and resigned Kyle looked in the second set. This was via streaming, of course, so rather removed. But if you were there and felt the same too, that's interesting.

And, don't worry, Kyle doesn't walk on water, you're not going to be cast out as an untouchable for daring to say something down about him ! Well, not by me . . . no one's perfect . . .

RJA · Hall of fame

I think those comments are a fair criticism, as long as they are kept in context. As I have just said in another thread the last few weeks have been pretty intense for Kyle and think he looked more than a bit jaded.