Entries Week 39 - 23/09/2013

RJA · Hall of fame

RE: Entries Week 39 - 23/09/2013

Shhh · Challenger level

Well, what else is he to be doing? It seems a good use of his time to me, especially as Evo's progress always seems to be on such a knife edge. As well as this, there may be more than one GB player there.

RJA · Hall of fame

Shhh wrote:
Well, what else is he to be doing? It seems a good use of his time to me, especially as Evo's progress always seems to be on such a knife edge. As well as this, there may be more than one GB player there.

I don't know his full list of responsibilities but I would assume that they would be considerable.

indiana · Tennis legend

An interesting one, and I see RJA's point.

But in some ways I quite like such seemingly "out the box" thinking for the Head of Men's tennis. Evo is a still developing potentially big asset to GB men's tennis. If Leon's presence can be really useful then I can see an arguement for it.

Clearly can't be an ongoing thing unless Leon fancies changing job to Evo's coach.

To be fair there are a few other Brits too there so I doubt Leon's full time attention will be on Evo.

RJA · Hall of fame

indiana wrote:
To be fair there are a few other Brits too there so I doubt Leon's full time attention will be on Evo.

Would be an interesting development. Corrie is coached by his older brother and I don't think Cox has a coach at all, certainly not one that travels with him.

Allan94 · Lower Club Player

No colin and jonny this week anyone know why

wolf · Tennis legend

Allan94 wrote:
No colin and jonny this week anyone know why

They might decide to sign in on-site somewhere.

daisy · County player

indiana wrote:
An interesting one, and I see RJA's point.

But in some ways I quite like such seemingly "out the box" thinking for the Head of Men's tennis. Evo is a still developing potentially big asset to GB men's tennis. If Leon's presence can be really useful then I can see an arguement for it.

Clearly can't be an ongoing thing unless Leon fancies changing job to Evo's coach.

To be fair there are a few other Brits too there so I doubt Leon's full time attention will be on Evo.

Perhaps someone has had a lightbulb moment at the LTA (!!!) and realised that to capitalise on Evo's potential he needs some strong support right now to WIN a Challenger (or 2 or 3!) and get his ranking right up into the 100's so he can gain a DA into the AO. His renewed commitment, and success, over the last 6-8 weeks has clearly shown what he can do and much of that has been with considerable encouragement and help (on planning a schedule?) from Leon. So perhaps as Head of Men's tennis it's no bad thing for him to get on the road for a few weeks and ensure that the British #2 stays on the right track. And I'm pretty sure he wouldn't do so without knowing that home base at the NTC is well covered for 2/3 weeks.

This event has a few Brits participating (or hoping to) so it's probably a good move by Leon to be there with a group of them.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

It's an interesting question.

Not knowing the structure, I don't know whether Leon is better employed here or elsewhere but I think, net net, it is probably justifiable to have Leon give three weeks exclusively to Dan to really 'get him on track' - it'll obviously help Dan, the Davis Cup, the other players who find Dan an inspiration etc. etc. It's not a long-term thing, however.

However, I agree with RJA - I don;t think, without knowing any more, that one can justify Leon's time there on the basis that it will be helping the other GB players too.

The players who have nothing/very little to do with the NTC will have their own coaches (or not), their own programmes, their own friends from other countries who act as hitting partners, etc. etc. Leon won't necessarily be able to be of any help to them (or they may well not want his help). You can't just step in as a coach for guys you barely know.

And the other players most certainly won't want to jeopardise their position re the top-up funding scheme, which has been paying out mega overtime to Dan Cox, for instance, and Dave Rice and Ed and others. As I understand it, the top-up scheme is available to players who 'don't have a contract with the NTC'. I'm not sure this necessarily means just an Aegon team contract, it may well mean any help and aid arrangement.

Anyway, Leon is a star and I wish them all well; it'll be very interesting to see where we are in 6 months time.

RJA · Hall of fame

Assuming that this is indeed true (and Bob did say "don't quote me on this") I still have reservations but given the job he has done so far I will certainly trust Leon's judgement on this matter. That being said I think the best thing he can do for Dan now is help put in place a more long term arrangement.

On a more amusing note. For a couple of years at least the ATP website has claimed that Dan is coached by Mark Taylor (who works with several British juniors). During the US Open they claimed that Leon Smith was hos coach but since then it has changed to "Leon Taylor".

paulisi · Tennis legend

To be fair to Leon, it looks like there may be a lot of British players for those three weeks which will justify the trip

Other than Dan, Ed and Dan Cox, Dave Rice and Sean Thornley may be travelling(Sean has entered singles but not Dave, but is also entered in Europe). Josh Milton has entered the following week.
Touch and go if Dan Evans will get seeded here

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Just before I left, I was talking to Leon. He did confirm that Dan was going to Napa, but didn't say anything about going with him. So maybe I am mistaken on that one. Time will tell.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Oh, and Leon also confirmed that Wardy was going to Fergana and would then do an Asian swing. I watched Wardy practising late on Sunday but he wasn't hitting any backhands, other than one handed slices. He has a scan on his wrist as soon as he gets home. However, Leon wasn't concerned and was confident that Wardy would make the trip.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Just before I left, I was talking to Leon. He did confirm that Dan was going to Napa, but didn't say anything about going with him. So maybe I am mistaken on that one. Time will tell.

Glad you got back OK. We won't hold you personally responsible for any lack of Leon at Napa ! Will be interesting to see . . .

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
Just before I left, I was talking to Leon. He did confirm that Dan was going to Napa, but didn't say anything about going with him. So maybe I am mistaken on that one. Time will tell.

Glad you got back OK. We won't hold you personally responsible for any lack of Leon at Napa ! Will be interesting to see . . .

Thanks. But I may have to have a word with my "source", even if he doesn't know who he is.