Week 20 - Challenger (€35,000+H) - Heilbronn II, Germany (Clay)

indiana · Tennis legend

RE: Week 20 - Challenger (€35,000+H) - Heilbronn II, Germany (Clay)

TMH · Futures qualifying

Couple of cracking wins that, good job.

Now, can either of them make the quarters?

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Wardy first up on the centre court tomorrow at 10am UK time. Kyle 3rd match on the same court.

Wouldn't an all GB QF be great to watch. Come on guys.

EddietheEagle · County player

I thought Edmund playing Kyrgios in the next would make for an interesting match-up but Martin put Kyrgios out.

Priesty · Challenger level

And quite comprehensively too which is what worries me for when Kyle takes him on. Still, think positive, different day and different opponent.

EddietheEagle · County player

I see a barely 17 year old German, Zverev, ranked seven hundred something so wildcarded here, has put out James Duckworth who still has a very respectable top 200 ranking. Another impressive result. Another one to look out for perhaps and seemingly some justification for the wildcard system as it does add interest when these form upsets happen.

indiana · Tennis legend

I think Zverev's talents have been noted :)

Re WCs in general, I find them a quandary. They undoubtedly do indeed add interest, but as discussed elsewhere are difficult to justify re fair competition.

Spectator · All-time great

I have little problem with a young player receiving a WC to a Futures or Challenger - much more with them receiving WCs to Tour level tournaments. In the former case, you're helping someone who probably should be playing at that level but is underranked ... and because the competitions are more numerous, it's not weighted as heavily in favour of the players from a few countries. In the latter, it feels like trying to accelerate the process in a way which is often helpful neither to the younger player (Donald Young? Jack Sock?) nor to the sense of fair play in a global playing field.

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

Re. WCs we should also take into account what the tournament and sponsors want. They stump up big bucks to host the event, and if a WC or three are going to increase footfall and exposure, I have no problem with it. If a youngster gets thumped by playing at too high a level, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Donald Young did struggle after turning pro at a very young age. He had undue pressure and expectation on him, his advisors and the USTA should bear part of the blame for this.

I'm sure Kyle will get plenty of WCs during the grass court season. We all want to watch him, so I think that's fine! It never did Andy any harm, did it?

I was also suprised that Kyrgios lost - he was coming from back to back clay court challenger titles. Still, everyone can have a poor day (inc. Kyle!)

EddietheEagle · County player

indiana wrote:

Re WCs in general, I find them a quandary. They undoubtedly do indeed add interest, but as discussed elsewhere are difficult to justify re fair competition.

Here's a interesting piece with some thoughtful suggestions on the issue you raise.

http://www.sportdw.com/2014/03/tennis-solving-problems-wildcards.html

Lleyton Hewitt might not agree with the suggestion of an annual limit on individuals. I was amazed to read that every tournament he played in 2011 was based on wildcards.

As usual, once Wimbledon put their mind to an issue they nudge things along. It appears they've shown some leadership in fostering a more merit based system.

With the system based entirely as it is at present on the discretion of the tournament director, it has to be wide open to abuse and there is no doubt that the practice of money changing hands to get a wildcard does go on in some places.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

James started his match - ATP livestream.

NB just on the other side re wildcards, I don't know about the UK, or the Grand Slams, but elsewhere tournaments have to make a profit on a stand-alone basis. If the US/French tournaments give lots of wildcards to their own players, it's to have more spectators, buying more drinks, news coverage and boost profits. If they don't make a profit (or even break-even), they won't/can't host a tournament the next year. And it's not easy. I certainly don't agree with bribery and 'bought' wildcards but I sympathise with the clubs who are trying produce a quality, popular event with (often) free access to the public and limited funds.
As to the grand slams, the host country for the World Cup automatically qualifies for the competition. And I agree. You could argue that a different country should be there on merit.

Jaffa · Challenger level

Really poor game from James who goes 1-3* down.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Jaffa wrote:
Really poor game from James who goes 1-3* down.

Snap. Exactly what I was thinking . . . cry

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

James surrenders the breaj tamely with 4 UEs off the ground. Horrid!

Jaffa · Challenger level

He certainly doesn't appear to have started CD.