Week 37 - Great Britain F19 ($10,000) - Roehampton (Hard)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

RE: Week 37 - Great Britain F19 ($10,000) - Roehampton (Hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

Note that those who are looking for 20 Brits in the top 500 could have their wish after this week ( for the 23/09 rankings ).

18 guaranteed, assuming Josh Milton on 66 points is guaranteed, then..

Richard Gabb could be there already, although more likely has to win his QF ( he is on 64 points in running ) and Josh needs to win the title here.

indiana · Tennis legend

Bob, re Josh, our posts crossed.

He is currently on 69 points. Will drop out the top 500 on Monday since 8 points come off.

So, 61 points on Monday, another 8 come off next week, so needs the 18 points from winning the tournament to get back into the top 500 on Monday week.

korriban · Challenger level

indiana wrote:
Re Marcus, from my viewpoint, the criticisms of him and his fitness levels have come from people who want him to do even better, who generally care about British tennis players.

It is a fair point that Marcus is bigboned, it is also I presume ( without checking) fair that he has a good 3 set / comeback record. BUT he is clearly not as fit as he could be, to not accept this is to be in denial of the truth. He needs to get fitter to have any chance of being all he could be.

Many on this forum criticised Dan Evans for years, very largely because we saw a real talent there that was being wasted. Eventually he certainly does seem to have listened, if not to us, certainly to such as his father and Leon Smith and credit to himself for listening, taking on board and maturing.

Precisely. If he can sneak inside the top 400 (which looks a formality the way he is going) as a result of his natural talent alone plus just slightly more training than previously in the off season, imagine what his potential would be if he were also one of the fittest players on the tour - surely he would be faster to the ball and surely he would have more energy and greater endurance......things which are pre-requisites for success at the next level, rather than "nice to have" attributes.

In terms of pure tennis skills (hand skills, point construction, technique, anticipation) it would seem Marcus is one of the best we have got - which probably explains why he's so good at touch tennis............and I'd bet that many of the other very solid Brits are probably envious of his gifts.

Even if it costs money for the LTA to "chaperone" him through training, overseas tournaments, and a life of healthy living [GPS tag him!!!] until it becomes second nature and "the norm" for him, surely that's potentially a better long term investment for British tennis than putting resources into some of the more average members of Team Aegon. Dan Evans is a great example.........but of course it requires the player to want it and commit to it.

A few weeks back Marcus lost 1-6 1-6 to Liam. With respect to both players, if Marcus were fully "ready" to play this simply should never happen, even on a bad day. Marcus is too good for that, and at this point in time is a far better player than Liam.

So in summary, I think we are more excited about Marcus' talent and potential than anything else, given the paucity of real "stars" among our up and coming players. We implore Marcus to make a real effort on his fitness/lifestyle in the same way as many on this forum have done the same with Dan Evans on lifestyle/practice.......because both have something special about them that others can only dream of having!

I wish him well!

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

SF: (1) Ed Corrie & Josh Ward-Hibbert CR 1094 defeated Rob Carter & Oliver Hudson UNR by 3-6 6-3 [10-5]

ergo

Final: (1) Ed Corrie & Josh Ward-Hibbert CR 1094 vs (3) Lewis Burton & Marcus Willis CR 123

paulisi · Tennis legend

Dan Cox still entered for Challenger in Turkey, but doesn't look like making the main draw. I assume he will not get an SE

I assume he will make a decision after tomorrow's match.

I'd expect him to withdraw anyway as he has played a lot recently.

Would like to see Ed v Marcus final

paulisi · Tennis legend

Liam Broady ‏@Liambroady
Rolled my ankle against Willis yesterday at 2-2 1st set. Got a bit of time off so hopefully some time for the arm to recuperate too.

RJA · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
Dan Cox still entered for Challenger in Turkey, but doesn't look like making the main draw. I assume he will not get an SE

I assume he will make a decision after tomorrow's match.

I'd expect him to withdraw anyway as he has played a lot recently.

Would like to see Ed v Marcus final

Firstly you are right that you can't get an SE for a challenger if you play a futures the week before.

Secondly Dan doesn't need to withdraw, if he doesn't make the main draw he either signs in for qualifying or doesn't. His place on the alternate list is of no consequence.

ktttt · Newbie

Cheers for the replies guys.

I appreciate the criticisms were of a positive nature (ie. wanting him to fulfil his potential, which he is still some way off IMO), but I wanted to ensure there wasn't a negative perception surrounding Willis' efforts in a year when he really has upped his commitment to tennis, and is reaping the rewards. I agree he isn't yet the consummate pro, but he has come a long way in that regard recently.

I really believe he isn't as far away from his optimum fitness levels as his physique makes it appear (albeit there is a fair distance to go), and even when/ if he reaches this optimum level I imagine many people will still mistake him for being overweight/ unfit.

I hope this clears up my first post, and apologies if it came across more confrontational than it was intended to.

Also a quick thanks to everyone involved in keeping me up to date with the scores and such from all these events, no where else could I find this much detail and enthusiasm for British tennis.

Shhh · Challenger level

Welcome to the board ktttt, keep chipping in, appreciate your comments.

paulisi · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
paulisi wrote:
Dan Cox still entered for Challenger in Turkey, but doesn't look like making the main draw. I assume he will not get an SE

I assume he will make a decision after tomorrow's match.

I'd expect him to withdraw anyway as he has played a lot recently.

Would like to see Ed v Marcus final
Firstly you are right that you can't get an SE for a challenger if you play a futures the week before.
Secondly Dan doesn't need to withdraw, if he doesn't make the main draw he either signs in for qualifying or doesn't. His place on the alternate list is of no consequence.

Just realised Dan Cox will be playing in Napa US the following week(almost guaranteed main draw) so will be silly to rush off to Turkey and then have to get across to the states and get over jetlag.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Shhh wrote:
Welcome to the board ktttt, keep chipping in, appreciate your comments.

Seconded !!!

And, if you happen to know Marcus personally, give him our best wishes and support - (and tell him to learn to love his veggies !).

I actually have a bit of a soft spot for him (despite being a little critical). He plays league tennis for a French club I know quite well (a good club with an excellent first team, but in the middle of the sticks) and this year, like last year, he won all 5 of his league matches. I'm sure there's a bit of banter there and guys take the mick a bit !!! (Assuming Marcus speaks French, which I guess he does by now, and the guys'll get their point across, I'm sure, even if his French isn't spot on . . . )

He also seems a 'smiley' nice guy (unlike some you see). Wish him a good match today . . .

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well, the LTA site says that:

'Although Corrie continued to play an enthralling serve-volley game in the final set, . . . .'

Ed trying something new ? Mixing it up ?

In fact, the LTA report makes it sound as though it was a v. good morning of tennis (quote : ' . . demonstrating courage, competitive rivalry and camaraderie . . '). Or just rosy reporting. . . .

PS there's a nice interview with Lewis and Marcus too

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Friday 13th of September 2013 04:19:47 PM

paulisi · Tennis legend

Marcus breaks in the opening game. Both games underway.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I'm assuming they're playing on the carpet inside ???

It's pretty wet my side of London (and not forecast to get much better) so, unlike yesterday, they obviously haven't waited.

Of course, a few miles can make a big difference so maybe it's better over there.

But, if it's carpet, you'd think that'd help Dan Cox and Ed Corrie (I'm assuming the carpet is slower ? But I only saw it, not anyone playing on it, and there are different sorts so not much the wiser . . . )

And yet Marcus has just broken again. 3*-0