It's about mid-British Tour level down to weak-British Tour
Marcus has always played for them, even when he was fully pro - which is rather sweet, he must have a good relationship with the club as Capdenac is not that easy to get to (maybe he flies into Rodez?) Jack Carpenter used to play with him there too
Anyway, you can see he won both his singles and doubles
Jonnie Gray and Billy Harris are also listed for teams in Division 1 - which is obviously a fair bit higher (it's not the top, which is Elite Pro A and Elite Pro B)
Jonnie Gray played - and lost his singles to Venturino who is unranked now but used to be 850 or so, I think. But he won his dubs with Escoffier.
Billy obviously didn't play as he was here in the UK
However, Dan Cox plays for Ardres who are in Div 2.
And turned out and won his singles and doubles - before presumably hot-tailing it over the UK
He beat the Argentinian Justo, ATP 1100 or so
(Tom Farquharson is also still listed in Div 3 but I find it hard to believe he'll turn up)
A guy called Louis Keenan is also listed in Div 4, and Nihar Navapurkar, and Sebastian Harris....
More commonly known names, Giles Hussey and Neil Pauffley are listed as one and two for Dracenois but didn't play on May Day
The greatest rave from the grave is that Josh Goodall is still turning out - leading his Div 4 team with class, which he did have - winning singles and dubs
Thanks for the info CD. I knew Marcus had played before but didnt realise it was still the same club. Interesting to see the other runners and riders of British tennis who are at least named if not playing.
Yes, the lists can be a little misleading. As the club can put down as many players as they like. And you're not ranked based on the players but where you finished last year. But if you're not on the original list when inscribed 6 months ago, say, you can't be added now and play.
So if you were club chairman, you'd put down Tom Farq, say, just on the off chance that he might suddenly fancy a match, you've nothing to lose.
As per the women, where the only name I can find is Emily WS (but she's been on the list every year since dinosaurs roamed and I don't think I've ever seen her on an actual match sheet)
Nice to see Dan Cox there - that's obviously a financial thing - respect for him for trying to capitalise on all his earning opportunities. And, as you say, Marcus who - I imagine - is having a blast (as well as getting paid something, of course)
Jonnie Gray, playing in Division 1, got an easy win in both singles and doubles today.
Marcus Willis played again, as number two in the team, against a decent ranked guy, winning in three sets, and also won his doubles - which was key as the team drew 3-3
Josh Goodall also absolutely whipped a decent ranked player, winning 1& 2
(lost hid dubs, but the team won 4-2)
-- Edited by Coup Droit on Sunday 8th of May 2022 04:00:09 PM
Ryanair flights to Rodez from Stansted start in the early part of June. Just £20 return, and the flights are at a sensible time of day so getting to the airport by public transport is very do-able. I picked up the other half from Stansted three weeks ago. Staying 35 minutes in the car park cost more than her return flight did.
Perhaps we should arrange a group trip to go and support Marcus at his next match?
Just in case this is useful information for anyone and with reference to stevemcqueens comment - you can pick up or drop off at Stansted airport in the medium stay car park for free with a waiting time limit of 60 mins. I was about to exceed the limit, drove out and straight back in with a new ticket, no problem, a few weeks ago. It does require getting the bus that runs every 10 mins or so to/from the terminal.
Just in case this is useful information for anyone and with reference to stevemcqueens comment - you can pick up or drop off at Stansted airport in the medium stay car park for free with a waiting time limit of 60 mins. I was about to exceed the limit, drove out and straight back in with a new ticket, no problem, a few weeks ago. It does require getting the bus that runs every 10 mins or so to/from the terminal.
This what i did a few years ago when picking up a friend although I then drove into the pickup section when they phoned, so as to not exceed the 15 minutes. I think it was about £3.50 then. £7 for a pickup now, wow!