Week 12 - Challenger ($40,000+H) - Rimouski, Canada (Hard)

paulisi · Tennis legend

RE: Week 12 - Challenger ($40,000+H) - Rimouski, Canada (Hard)

Spectator · All-time great

This comment is not directed at you, Paulisi ... but if Mr Ward in fact doesn't receive funding (beyond what he gets for the DC) because he is "too old," I question people's decision making. He has arguably been the most consistent GB singles player behind Andy Murray for several years. He has victories over numerous really strong players and is one of the group responsible for GB's being in the QFs of the World Group in Davis Cup. If he were given as much attention and coaching as some others, might he not overcome some of his remaining weaknesses and make the top 100, further strengthening GB tennis? He certainly has the potential.

For all I know he does get significant funding under some special DC-related arrangement (as noted elsewhere, keeping all these things hidden doesn't really help). And I take the point that he is earning a lot of money - though we all know that the estimated cost of playing on the Tour will eat almost all of that. And yes, resources aren't unlimited. But if the LTA really is pouring money into traveling coaches for some players while ignoring the person who's been GB2 or GB3 consistently on the grounds that he's (gasp) 27 ... precisely the age when many people break through ... well ....

philwrig · Hall of fame

I'm sure Wardy gets some level of funding ragardless of DC, possibly not enough, but certainly some amount.

LouieG · County player

The doubles has started, on serve *3-4

LouieG · County player

Smeerie take the first set 6-4!

LouieG · County player

2nd set on serve *3-4

KyleM · Lower Club Player

Still on serve in the second set *3-4. It would be another great win for them if they can come through this.

Jaffa · Challenger level

Dan just sent a 'gimme' on break point long

on serve at *5-6

KyleM · Lower Club Player

But they hold serve and so a tiebreak will decide the second set.

KyleM · Lower Club Player

They have a got a minibreak *5-4, just need these two points on serve.

Jaffa · Challenger level

The boys win 64 76(4)

KyleM · Lower Club Player

And the two points on serve is what they win.

GSM 6-4 7-6(4)

-- Edited by KyleM on Friday 21st of March 2014 05:42:24 PM

Spectator · All-time great

Good work. Mr Corrie now estimated somewhere in the 260s and Mr Smethurst in the 230s ...

Correction: I'd missed Mr Corrie's points to defend for this week. Now at somewhere in 270s or 260s, with 270s more likely.

-- Edited by Spectator on Saturday 22nd of March 2014 08:40:14 AM

indiana · Tennis legend

Well done, guys.

Particularly can't keep Mr Smethurst down just now. I expect it won't be too long until his singles ranking is also top 250.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:
I'm sure Wardy gets some level of funding ragardless of DC, possibly not enough, but certainly some amount.

Just curious Phil, why do you think this? Do you mean direct cash-in-pocket funding? I really didn't think so (though may be wrong obviously).

I know he can train at the NTC and use the physios and stuff (Anna Smith did/does too, and a whole heap of others who are not in the A1 class.

But I didn't think he got any direct funding.