Week 31 - WTA International $235K - Washington DC, USA - Hard

steven · Tennis legend

Week 31 - WTA International $235K - Washington DC, USA - Hard

WD40 · Club Coach

AliBlahBlah wrote:
Through no fault of her own Hev can only make two improvements to her points with a single win at this level, and then has to make QF or better.
That is despite carrying 7 of her 16 scores at values less than the 30 points a first round win gives he,r because those 7 scores are all mandatory counters.

As we still don't know what her form is like and whether there are any lingering effects from her illness, this could be a sticky wicket.
If she can't hit the ground running, by the end of the year when she has lots of points to defend, she may even have to start qualifying at this level again.

But, let me say categorically that if she is fully fit and able to rely on her body completely again, I have no doubt in Heather at all that she will get enough points to keep her at least about where she is now ~75th until next March when the Mandatory shackles start to come off, and regular tournament result can start to work in her favour again.

Only 5 of Hev's Mandatory counting scores will be less than 30pts after the USO. (Hoping she will get more than the 5 at the USO)

-- Edited by WD40 on Saturday 27th of July 2013 12:29:16 PM

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Through no fault of her own Hev can only make two improvements to her points with a single win at this level, and then has to make QF or better.
That is despite carrying 7 of her 16 scores at values less than the 30 points a first round win gives he,r because those 7 scores are all mandatory counters.

As we still don't know what her form is like and whether there are any lingering effects from her illness, this could be a sticky wicket.
If she can't hit the ground running, by the end of the year when she has lots of points to defend, she may even have to start qualifying at this level again.

But, let me say categorically that if she is fully fit and able to rely on her body completely again, I have no doubt in Heather at all that she will get enough points to keep her at least about where she is now ~75th until next March when the Mandatory shackles start to come off, and regular tournament result can start to work in her favour again.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Good to see Hev back. Hopefully she's nearing 100% now.

Maza1987 · Challenger level

I read she had her first proper training block since the illness. Even last December's has to be discounted somewhat as even then she was trying to train through fatigue.
Hoping for some wins here.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

I dont have much expectations for Heather at the moment, its so difficult to tell where her game will be but certainly was improving through the grass season. If she is at 100% and can begin implementing the increased aggression she was showing I only see her ranking climbing, despite the annoying limitations. To be ranked where she is considering the illness is a great effort though, especially considering stamina is the key to her game.

Can't wait for some more back to the wall stuff from Hev though, fingers crossed for a strong start!

philwrig · Hall of fame

Decent enough draw, just depends on how confident and how well she is feeling.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

So Beijing at 20?
Is that discardable because its from qualifying only?

The total is 6 then, as the USO R1 draw for Hev may just as likely be Serena (unwinnable) as a local WC (winnable). I know, there's only 1 Serena and several WC.

WD40 · Club Coach

Yes qualifying points only count as Mandatory if you reach the MD.............and yes the total is 6 but I am still hoping for more than the present 5pts from the USO. smile

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

WD40 wrote:
Yes qualifying points only count as Mandatory if you reach the MD.............and yes the total is 6 but I am still hoping for more than the present 5pts from the USO.

Thanks for that. And, about the 5 USO, me too, many many more!

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Heather has split with Mauricio Hadad and will now work with Jeremy Bates until the US Open according to the BBC website

philwrig · Hall of fame

That's surprising given that her slide down the rankings has nothing to do with how she's playing, but 100% to do with her illness.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

I'm also surprised by this coaching news. Given how limited her training will have been in the past 6 months due to illness it's hard to think Heather could be unhappy with her coach. However, that's not to say I'm at all critical of the decision - the relationship between a coach and player is a very personal one and needs trust and belief in each other to work. If either party feel it's not working then it's time to move on. It also means Hev has followed in Laura's footsteps by moving to a British interim coach.

On a completely trivial note it means I will no longer hear the commentary "Heather's coach Hadad..." and think Heather's not coached by her dad... No hang on it's Hadad, which I tend to do every time her (now ex) coach is mentioned so that's a relief.

LordBrownof · Futures level

Oh god, not Bates. Let's hope it remains temporary!

scottie1 · Futures level

LordBrownof wrote:
Oh god, not Bates. Let's hope it remains temporary!

Yeah agree hope it is interim only I think Heather deserves someone better just my opinion