freerider wrote:

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A131 wrote:

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freerider wrote:

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just had a little look at the draw. 2 Q vs Q draws in there, Steve Johnson on clay might be a decent draw.

Obviously want to avoid one of the seeds, Fognini would be a horrendous draw

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 Look at  it this way - This is only the 2nd time in nearly eight years as a professional that he has reached the main draw of a grand slam on merit (and I do look upon coming through qualifying as on merit) rather than having it handed to him. So, he must feel better for that and having already earn't a few quid along the way. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't care who he was drawn against - not much pressure on him and everything to gain.

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While I am not disputing that James has already done a superb job this week and done himself extremely proud, unless you are playing Nadal on Phillipe Chartier why wouldn't you want a winnable first round draw to give yourself the best chance of gaining an extra 45points and 14000 euros? Especially you have come through qualies brimming with confidence? (Not that I am saying James doesn't have a chance against Robredo).

-- Edited by freerider on Sunday 25th of May 2014 09:01:03 AM

-- Edited by freerider on Sunday 25th of May 2014 09:01:33 AM

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 Fair point FR - just think he must have been mentally spent after the FQR as it sounds he could easily have lost it as well as won it - and having not even won a match before at Roland Garros

Actually, I meant, well said, freerider LOL.

To me, this is a sieze the moment and seek more time, and a really good draw would surely be a wish.

Slightt carelessness with wording is not sexism.

But if you mean that you maybe have to be careful in that some folk will jump on anything, often for dubious motives, then fair point.

freerider wrote:

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nice little piece in the guardian with Ward talking about the gap in prize money (apologies if it has already been posted in a different thread)

www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/24/james-ward-pay-gap-french-open-andy-murray

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 Thanks for the link FR - Going by what he has been quoted then you have got to admire him for keeping going as long as he has and giving him the benefit of the doubt, I think he is merely pointing out how hard it can be for players of his ranking and those around him rather than whinging about it.  At the end of the day he has chosen that way of life so he has to take the rough with the smooth but after the week he has just had and he keeps working hard then he might just see more smooth than rough.

However, and not surprisingly, he does seem a little defensive about wild cards or is certainly not advocating to have the current system reviewed. I'm not quite sure what he is getting at but from what has happened over the last few years he seems to be awarded wild cards into Queens, Eastbourne and Wimbledon irrespective of whether he wins matches, or does well or not, and no doubt the same will happen this year so I don't see how he can say that nothing is handed to him - or has been. Now, I realise he has done very well this week and he is capable of playing high quality tennis but he has received a wild card to Wimbledon every year (bar 2010) for the past five years and he is only meeting some criteria laid down by the LTA as opposed to the much stiffer criteria that 94% of the rest of the main draw have to meet. I'm not sure that he quite grasps this and I just sense that he feels that he is entitled to these privileges even if he does acknowledge that he is fortunate to get them.

 

Yes, I have long felt it odd that the LTA poured money into younger players (including Mr Evans, let alone the under 20s) and didn't seem to provide much coaching or professional support to the consistent number two. Mr Ward always says that he does really well when he feels supported by a team - so why on earth not give him more support, and see if it gets him over the 100 barrier? Would be beneficial for everyone.

Possibly chicken and egg though, if you wait until some bigger breakthrough. Not giving more help now might ensure that breakthrough never comes.

There is quite a lot of evidence that James does do better when feeling more part of a team and well supported, eg. Davis Cup. He frankly would probably make better use of additional support than the talented GB no 2.

Giving James additional ( non WC ) assistance looks to me a decent investment when the profile of GB tennis really needs more higher ranked men players.