Yes. Wild Cards are always an interesting discussion topic, so let's start with the easy one.

Hev's WC is a no-brainer for me. Her recent form, coupled with her being a Top 50 player coming back from illness makes her the perfect candidate. What is also pleasing is that it seems to have come at just the right time, as Hev seems to be in the form of her life right now. Let's hope the draw is kind and she can take full advantage.

Now, Kyle. That's a more interesting one. There are two aspects to this for me. One is whether he is more deserving of WCs than other up and coming players and the other is whether the effect these WCs are likely to have on Kyle is going to be positive or negative. For me, the first point is the most contentious. It is well known that I am a big Kyle fan and I am delighted that he is getting these opportunities, but I am also sure that there are other equally deserving players out there and so to give Kyle 3 ATP MDWCs in three months is perhaps a little unfair on those other players. But if these tournaments choose Kyle ahead of others, why shouldn't he take full advantage.

As for how it will affect Kyle, I see only positives. This time last year, having battled through several 128 player qualies in the USA and then moving on to the tough Futures draws here in Spain, there was much discussion of Kyle's schedule. The thought process behind the scheduling was that playing in tougher tournaments as opposed to maximising point scoring opportunities was to his long term benefit and the general consensus on here was that the strategy was a good one. I think playing in ATP tournaments is just an extension of this strategy. Learning to play at the top level is not just about what happens on court, but is also about feeling comfortable in the surroundings at big tournaments and not being overawed by them. So whether Kyle wins a round or 2, or not, he will benefit enormously from the experience of being around the top players, sampling the whole atmosphere and watching the professionalism of the those players in every aspect of their preparation and training. That way, when he makes it to this level on ranking, he will be much more prepared than he would otherwise be.

Given that Kyle is only just 19, there is no rush to get into the top 100 and chasing ranking points is not always the best way to go. Kyle is sensible enough, and more importantly surrounded by a very experienced and well grounded team, to take these opportunities for what they are. That is, a chance to gain valuable experience for the long term. And if he gets a win or 2 along the way, all the better.

Harry must be injured as he has withdrawn from Switzerland, where he would have been close to main draw.
Jack Carpenter must also be injured missing Tipton and now Turkey.

Sam Murray still down for Greece, so doesn't sound too serious an injury.

Eleanor Dean down to play, but even with her new ranking nowhere near a main draw ranking.

Shhh wrote:

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Dan and Ed make the main draw in Canada. Richrad Gabb is only 5 out so, if there are SE places to clear he may also make it, or be a top seed. I understand why they cut challengers in the UK but to my mind, we are crying out ofor some to be reinstated now.

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Couldn't agree more - LTA : Are you listening ?????

paulisi wrote:

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The LTA are starting to take notice as they upped the men's to 15K. I would expect a few challengers next year as long as we have enough men between 125 -250 to justify.

The women also needs rejigging, we have a lot more players wanting 10K than 25K - we cannot just set up 25K tournaments for Tara, Sam, Naomi and Jade - Laura,Joko and Hev will not be playing these tournaments. Unless the likes of Anna, Katy, Lisa W etc get their ranking high enough to make main draw regularly.

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Completely agree too. The 25ks are doing all the new younger players no favours (and arguably gave some daft points last year to a couple of our girls).

The men now has some depth and the 15ks are to welcomed. But I think, rankings aside, the men have to see the standard of the Challengers and raise the bar - it's not just about giving the guys points but setting the standard as to what they should be aiming for, seeing the level of professionalism. It's a learning process.

If we are talking about UK players fitting into the challenger bracket for main draw, we are looking at:

Dan Evans(possibly)
James Ward
Dan Cox
Kyle Edmund
Dave Rice
Ed Corrie
Dan Smethurst
Oli Golding

Of the others - a fit Tom F, Marcus and Richard Gabb currently have the potential

I think this is sufficient to put on more challengers in the UK.

Don't forget Alex Ward who when fit, plays far better in Challengers than he does in Futures.

Yes, the women 25K vs 10K is an issue.

We may have a lot more players wanting 10Ks rather than 25Ks, but there are in truth a limited number that would even be truly competitive at 10K level.

Emily ( though she'd wish she was still more compeitive at 25Ks ), Anna ( though doubles will tend now take her away from 10Ks ), Katy D, Lucy and Manisha. Plus say coming through, Eleanor, Katie B and Freya and hopefully Eden is truly on the up again.

After that, there's a lot of girls that would really struggle to win 10K points; but yes better than being so out of it in 25Ks.

As I said before, I do think the LTA are overskewed in seeming to fit schedules to current players' abilties rankings, ( and then arguably not adapting quickly enough ) though it is reasonable to go partly on this route. For me, better to have more naturally balanced schedules and see what transpires - might be some surprises.

All things considered, and including how the men's rankings are going, we do need more men's challengers ( and continuing with more 15Ks ) and more women's 10Ks ( and possibly 15Ks ).