Week 39 - Kuwait F2 ($10,000) - Meshref (Hard)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RE: Week 39 - Kuwait F2 ($10,000) - Meshref (Hard)

johnnylad · Tennis legend

3-6 4-3 with a break point....but it is saved

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

I hope it's not Reoccurrence of a back injury which has been hampering him recently - reason why struggled in Wrexham final

johnnylad · Tennis legend

3-6 5-4

korriban · Challenger level

A1 tennis academy wrote:
I thinks it's totally inappropriate to consistently go on about somebodys weight particularly on a public forum - in fact I think it's out of order !!!
If he is overweight and he's climbed 600 places this year what are the Slim guys that are sponsored by Aegon doing wrong ?

5-4* second set. Come on Marcus! Let's hope you can tough out today's match even if perhaps you aren't on top form.

On a serious note, if there's somethng you and Marcus are doing that's clearly working so well for him, despite (well you know the rest), why don't you share the secrets with us and (more importantly) the LTA. The LTA has more financial resources, better facilities, and superior technical expertise one presumes than you do, so if they are missing something obvious......you should tell them, so they can replicate it across all our boys! Better than being critical of their achievements with the Team Aegon players, given we all want the best for GB tennis....

chavkev · Intermediate Club Player

I respectfully disagree A1. Given that this is a discussion forum, surely we must discuss? As long as it is not cruel or vindictive, then I think people should be able to speak as they wish. Lets be honest, if he is out of shape (I have only seen one picture with him and Dan Cox) then believe me, people offline will be saying the same.

To change the subject, hopefully he can extricate himself from 5-5 and a set down. Fingers crossed.

johnnylad · Tennis legend

3-6 5-6 Could be curtains

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Josh wrote:
Marcus's match report:

"Got the win! Was 63 65 and a break down. Ken the 5ft 4 Japanese ninja was hitting monster kickers and rrrrripping inside out and inside in ferehands to which willy Willis had little answer. However. At 0-15, ken made a rookie error. I can allow him it this once because he is young. But after kicking it to the Willis forehand (wise) he earnt himself a gershunken short ball and decided to go for the old back behind and in combo play, what he didn't realise was he was making a rookie error as he approached to the wilder beasts forehand there was only one outcome. The swinken swunken swirler of a pass that threaded the needle line for 0-30. Then Willis gave him a disapproving look and carried on. 36 76(5) 60 later, the win was mine. #sillyken #fingerwaggle #rookie #obvs #hadnt #heard #amer #mirza #paulclutchins"

-- Edited by Josh on Wednesday 25th of September 2013 11:40:50 AM

Brilliant ! And full marks to you too Josh for finding it.

On top of which, Marcus (and Lewis) gave young Ken another lesson in the doubles today :

QF : Lewis BURTON (GBR) / Marcus WILLIS (GBR) [1] won 6-1 6-2 v Ken ONISHI (JPN) / Shunsuke SHIMIZU (JPN)

QF : Thomas STATZBERGER (AUT) / Tristan-Samuel WEISSBORN (AUT) [2] won 6-3 7-5 v Ivo KLEC (SVK) / Lewis THOMPSON (GBR)

SF : Lewis BURTON (GBR) / Marcus WILLIS (GBR) [1] v Siyu LIU (CHN) / Chuhan WANG (CHN)

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Wednesday 25th of September 2013 03:08:17 PM

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Great heart from Marcus to break back - lets hope he keeps the momentum through the tie break

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

How about a well done for climbing 600 places this year ?

I have always felt that the English culture although has its virtues has a lot to learn about motivation

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

freerider wrote:
if you're worried about what people say about his fitness on a public forum how on earth are you going to manage when and if the press comment upon it (assuming he makes his wimbledon target without further fitness conditioning).

-- Edited by freerider on Wednesday 25th of September 2013 08:02:16 AM

I've been steadfastly staying away from the subject but this is quite true - you should see the vilification Marion Bartoli got in the French press over her conditioning (although, of course, she is proof that you don;t have to be a completely honed and toned athlete in order to succeed at the top level so good luck to Marcus, sometimes you need a thick skin and faith in your own approach - up to a limit).

C'mon Marcus !! (4-2 down).

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Brilliant - and the crowd goes wild ! :) wins the TB 7-5

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Well done Marcus - roll on set 3

Spectator · All-time great

Dear people, can we call time on comments from the one side extolling Mr Willis' virtues and the problems with the LTA (the latter already a well-worn topic on this forum) and from the other side belabouring points about Mr Willis' fitness levels? Mr Lewis, it's really good to hear from you - I think everyone on this board appreciates what you're doing for Mr Willis and (what at least I wasn't aware of previously) Mr Burton. As a fan, I thank you for that! But as others have noted, you've made your points, and I'm not sure that you're doing the arguments (many of which are really good ones) or Mr Willis any favours by continuing to make them. On the other hand, it does feel as if some of the responses are, as Steven noted yesterday, running the risk of taking frustration out on Mr Willis himself ... which is hardly fair. He's doing very well, and we are not really in a position to judge the logic behind what he has done so far and what he will do in the future. Meanwhile other responses are sarcastic in a pointed way that doesn't reflect the general respect that everyone on this board tends to show towards other posters ... and which surely we can extend even in the face of some generally well-intentioned provocation?

korriban · Challenger level

freerider wrote:
if you're worried about what people say about his fitness on a public forum how on earth are you going to manage when and if the press comment upon it (assuming he makes his wimbledon target without further fitness conditioning).

-- Edited by freerider on Wednesday 25th of September 2013 08:02:16 AM

That's exactly the point I made yesterday. Which is probably part of the reason the LTA might have felt rather nervous about supporting him more overtly.......I can imagine the press having a field day......even if he was doing well!

You will recall the US Tennis Authorities getting involved with Taylor Townsend and not supporting her wish to appear at the USO Juniors in 2012 because she was, in their opinion, completely out of condition and visibly overweight. They asked her to go on intensive fitness training instead. The whole thing spiralled out of control, many famous players got involved, the anorexia lobby, etc - and of course it is more of a sensitive issue with young girls. I suspect the US Tennis Authorities were right, but handled it poorly - it's a minefield. Just the sort of the thing the LTA would probably want to avoid having to deal with.......

Anyway, Mr A1, if there's a single person on this forum who doesn't wish the best for Marcus I'd been surprised. Many of us are frankly amazed at his progress, despite what appears to be a baffling lack of self-control.....

But we LOVE his guts and determination to prove us all wrong, and he's only gone and pulled this set back! Get in, and let's go for set 3!