Week 17 - ITF ($10K) - Antalya, Turkey - Hard

korriban · Challenger level

RE: Week 17 - ITF ($10K) - Antalya, Turkey - Hard

indiana · Tennis legend

By the way, I gave my honest views. But in making some comparative comments, some of it possibly does read a bit harsh on Katy and Katie. If anyone thinks that, apologies.

Both Katy and Katie are undoubtably heading in the right direction ( and what a good week for Katie, so f-ing close to the title ! ). All the best to them.

Spectator · All-time great

Simply hoping that Ms Robson/Ms Watson - two amazingly talented players - will be fit and healthy in a few years' time ... and with several years of high-level playing experience. If that's the case, can't really see others overtaking them ... but hope that all do well.

indiana · Tennis legend

PS : ..and I didn't get concerned, because korriban said he agreed with almost every word :)

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

I see Eleanor and Katie B certainly as top 100 players in 3 years potential wise and Katy D top 200 too. I have my doubts if Heather will reach top 50 and Laura is up in the air at the moment with injuries. Also you've got to remember its very rare for teenagers or those under 18 to break top 200 these days even on the women's side.

We will continue to see a growing trend in players not peaking til 23-24 I think as appears to be happening in the men's game. In 3 yrs thr girls will be 21/22 I'd expect them to be up their with the current top 3 or 4 anyway. A greater chance than Tara or Naomi for sure.

indiana · Tennis legend

Heather reached WR 39 in February last year, and having apparently just about fully got over her glandular fever ( though I noted Phil still had a few doubts at the Fed Cup ) was in some people's eyes playing as well as ever before her recent shoulder injury.

So, I don't see why she shouldn't at the very least make top 50 again. I expect her in time to take out that CH of WR 39, and as I said I think top 20 may be possible.

indiana · Tennis legend

Interesting, Jaggy, that certainly with Katie and Katy you don't appear to radically disagree with the generally expressed views on their ranking prospects.

So, it would appear that your prediction that Eleanor, Katie and Katy will all be ranked higher than Laura and Heather in three years time is more based on real pessimism as to either of Laura and Heather getting back near their previous levels.

Hey, you might be proved right, but I sincerely hope not. It would be very disappointing.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Simply hoping that Ms Robson/Ms Watson - two amazingly talented players - will be fit and healthy in a few years' time ... and with several years of high-level playing experience. If that's the case, can't really see others overtaking them ... but hope that all do well.

Agree.

If (and big fingers crossed), if Heather and Laura are playing full pro tennis over the next few years there is no way, IMHO, that Katy/Katie/Eleanor will be ranked ahead of them in three years' time.

As to the three youngsters, I haven't ever seen Eleanor play (would love to) and only seen Katie B once on livestream and Katy D a couple of times on livestream. But my feeling, for what it's worth, was that Katie B was the slightly more exciting prospect of the Ks. And agree that Eleanor seems a very exciting prospect, probably the best of the three (although I can't help feel I have a slight irrational bias - i.e. think highly of the academy, have a default setting that Mariano will be a great coach - based on nothing but he works for the academy and I've been impressed with other Argentinian coaches I've seen i.e. very unscientific - AND I don't rate Jeremy Bates . . . )

As to top 100, well, given their rankings now, their age, their junior profile, there's no reason why not - it should certainly be the aim, maybe earlier and higher for one over the others of course.

And, yes, as someone said above - so, five in the top 50 - well, how bad would that be? smile

LordBrownof · Futures level

Agree. A fit, happy, firing Laura is top 10 - not even the top players can stay with her. Heather's problem has always been her unwillingness in matches to be the aggressor. I say unwillingness because many, including Annie K, have commented at how aggressive Heather can be in practice. If Heather can improve that (and from what I've seen this year, she is) and she can take out one or two top 20 players, the confidence will grow and she could be top 20 very soon.

Eleanor is an exciting unknown quantity. To come back after so long on the sidelines and after so many injuries and win tournaments fairly comfortably, even at 10K level, is incredible and I certainly makes me nervous to make any predictions about where she could be if healthy in three years time!

I haven't seen enough of the K's to make a confident judgement but I would add that KB is 1.5 years younger than KD.

Jan · Hall of fame

BeefyDeedz wrote:
Jan wrote:
BeefyDeedz wrote:
Looks like the Kim Clijsters Facebook page has uploaded a nice picture of Eleanor after her victory, in case anybody is interested. Very well done to Eleanor, onwards and upwards.
Do you have a link for this please - I can't find it.
Not the most efficient link, but I think it'll do.

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/l/t1.0-9/10262084_623917727696379_8930169535713107545_n.png

Thank you!

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

indiana wrote:
Interesting, Jaggy, that certainly with Katie and Katy you don't appear to radically disagree with the generally expressed views on their ranking prospects.

So, it would appear that your prediction that Eleanor, Katie and Katy will all be ranked higher than Laura and Heather in three years time is more based on real pessimism as to either of Laura and Heather getting back near their previous levels.

Hey, you might be proved right, but I sincerely hope not. It would be very disappointing.

It might not be pessimism as Laura and Heather could also be top 100 not necessarily a failure to stay there. I just don't see Hev as a top 50 player long term. More in the Anne and Bally ranking range hope I'm wrong. And Laura I always thought was a top20 player but injuries may set her back a bit. Eleanor and the Kats in 3 years could well be above them therefore.

I'd say that's fairly positive and also realistic when it comes to Laura and Heather.

It is naturally very difficult to predict as the younger girls might not make it after all bit will be fun to watch. Maia Lumsden might even top them all.

-- Edited by Jaggy1876 on Monday 28th of April 2014 11:04:47 AM

paulisi · Tennis legend

Cannot comment on Eleanor yet as i've never seen her, but having seen Katie B and Katy play i would say Katie B has a little more potential which a big serve and good all round game.

Both definitely top 200 players, but it's down to desire who will go and make it.

Katy's goal must be to get into top 350 by September to ensure she will get some LTA funding(based on the matrix).

philwrig · Hall of fame

There is a major gulf between what Laura and Heb achieved in juniors and what Eleanor/Katy/Katie achieved.

I would compare the latter 3 more with JoKo who also got to around the top 10 in juniors but at 17, whereas the 2 K's have done it at 18. That suggests all things being equal that they are heading for the top 200/150 for sure but top 100 is a longer shot. As for Eleanor as I have suggested in the past because she was basically at the 2 K's level at the age of 16 that her chances of being top 100 are much higher.

With regards to Laura and Hev they for me will remain comfortably ahead, both top 50 at the very least assuming no further injuries etc.,.

LordBrownof · Futures level

Katie B isn't 18 until August but I think you're right to make the comparison.