Week 34 - US Open men's qualifying - Hard

steven · Tennis legend

RE: Week 34 - US Open men's qualifying - Hard

RJA · Hall of fame

steven wrote:
A frighteningly honest interview (assuming it is completely honest - it certainly comes across as if it is) and a very interesting read. It also includes this at the end:

"I've stuck it out. It should encourage me and all the younger ones coming through. I'm not exactly special."
This is the thing of course - by the kind of definition Dan is implying, Andy is 'special' and although his work-rate, etc, should be inspiring, you can imagine other Brits not thinking they have much chance of emulating him however hard they try. However, if Evo can make the top 100 (a bit like when Anne made top 100 WTA), there must quite a few Brits who would then think "hold on, if he can knuckle down and manage it ..."

On the first point Dan has always been very honest about his shortcomings. I don't think I can ever remember a time where he has tried to blame others or to make excuses for his failures. On the second point I completely agree. Andy winning Wimbledon is of course inspiring to British tennis players but they can't really relate to that because he has always been so far ahead of them. When someone who has been playing futures events for a few years suddenly starts to do this the guys he was playing are far more likely to think, if he can do it why not me. That being said I think pretty much every regular player on the British futures circuit always knew that Dan was capable of so much more so the effect may be limited.

steven · Tennis legend

People were asking about LL slots on Twitter, so I worked out where the Brits should be on the lucky loser lists, which is possible to do because they are both outside the randomised bit at the top.

James is higher than I thought he would be (8th, and now 7th given that one LL is already in) thanks to the number of seeds upset in the first two qualifying rounds, but still extremely unlikely to get in. Bally was 13th (now 12th) so would probably require bubonic plague to hit New York for her to get in, and I doubt even she wants that!

RJA · Hall of fame

Spectator wrote:
I thought it was a good piece. Was amused by the fact that we have speculated about the various factors behind Mr Evans' new-found application ... but I don't think anyone had mentioned (though they may have) that it was actually his father who had a primary role! A good reminder that there is much we just don't know. Anyway, good on his father! And on (young) Mr Evans for caring enough to respond well.

Well if Dan has frustrated us tennis fans for a good few years imagine how tough it must be as a parent to see your child not making the most of their talent, especially when you have done so much to support them. There was a very similar story in the Mail, before Dan played yesterday, but that made it out to be a bit more blunt. They attributed some quotes to Dan's dad which boiled down to him telling Dan 'you need to earn a living because we can't keep subsidising your career'.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The 'Dan's Dad' article certainly made me smile - after all, there's nothing like having your own father reading you the riot act to make you suddenly sit up and pay notice . . .

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Well lets hope that was his Murray moment, and he won't go back to his old ways. If he's really turned himself around and grown up for want of a better phrase then I will be proud to call myself an Evo fan.

BTtennisfan · Improver

RJA wrote:
Spectator wrote:
I thought it was a good piece. Was amused by the fact that we have speculated about the various factors behind Mr Evans' new-found application ... but I don't think anyone had mentioned (though they may have) that it was actually his father who had a primary role! A good reminder that there is much we just don't know. Anyway, good on his father! And on (young) Mr Evans for caring enough to respond well.
Well if Dan has frustrated us tennis fans for a good few years imagine how tough it must be as a parent to see your child not making the most of their talent, especially when you have done so much to support them. There was a very similar story in the Mail, before Dan played yesterday, but that made it out to be a bit more blunt. They attributed some quotes to Dan's dad which boiled down to him telling Dan 'you need to earn a living because we can't keep subsidising your career'.

Dan's parents have done their best and supported him for at least 15 years to help him get where he is now. It was high time for Dan to realise that he can't rely on £25-30k coming from his parents forever with the amount of talent he's got. All credit to Dan's dad to step in and say enough is enough. Dan is able to earn his living on the tour, he is 23 and at this age children shouldn't live out of their parents' pocket if they have a chance for a great career.